Hi Friends!
In our imagination we can do anything. We can climb big buildings, make millions, or become superman and fly. Or we can write for children. Russell Hoban did just that with his imagination. This book is a wonder of the imagination and reminded me of when I was a child and capable of these things.
Title: Rosie’s Magic Horse
Author/ Illustrator : Russell Hoban / Quentin Blake
Publishing info: 2012; Candlewick Press, all ages
Themes: /adventure, affecting others, helping parents, imagination, dreams
First Three Sentences : There was an ice-pop stick with ice-cold sweetness all around it, white on the inside, pink on the outside. Then the sweetness was gone, and the stick fell to the ground. “The sweetness is gone,” said the stick. “No more sweetness.”
Summary From amazon site: “ Once its icy sweetness is gone, a discarded ice-pop stick is lonely until young Rosie comes by and lays it in a cigar box with others like it. But this stick wants to be something! Meanwhile, just before bed, Rosie sees her parents worrying over their bills. That night, wishes intertwine when Rosie dreams of a horse named Stickerino galloping out of the cigar box. “Where to?” he asks. “Anywhere with treasure!” says Rosie. A girl and a horse galloping over cities, jungles, and an icepop mountain leads up to a clever heist of a gold-filled pirate chest — and a happy ending at home — in this wildly imaginative adventure.
Resources: here is a guide with correlations to the common core :
For more ideas and flannel board look on pinterest :
Or read the story to your students without showing them the illustrations and have them draw the pictures of what they imagine is going on in the story.
Why I love it : Russell Hoban has published more than forty children’s books and I can see why. He is just as imaginative as a child. Rosie’s Magic Horse which is just a pop stick takes you on an adventure just like if you were a child thinking up this story. One idea leads to another. Quentin Blake’s illustrations are like eye candy to deliver the goods. This is one fantastic pair. From talking sticks to one’s that have big dreams, the help solve Rosie’s parents problems. How? I am not telling.
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
And for her Pinterest board look here :
Also there is another blog Susanna started with alphabetizing here :
So you see? There is no scarcity of places to look for picture books. Enjoy!!
See you on Tuesday! and again next Friday with another Perfect Picture Book.
Have a Happy Happy Weekend!
XOXO
You can buy my books on Amazon , For Edmund, click here:
For Annie, Click here:
What a delightful book! I like that it is advertised for all ages. The imagination is indeed a marvellous thing.
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He seems to not have forgotten it from when he was a kid.
Thanks, Darlene! 🙂
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Today is a day for imagination! Love this idea for the book. Great to encourage imagination in children. The illustrations look whimsical and fun!
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Thanks, Patriicia! The illustrations are perfect to send a reader on the path of the text and story. I seem to remember they were watercolor. 🙂
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A sweet book by two kidlit masters. I think I need a popsicle!
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🙂 so sweet, Joanne! I know what you mean!! Thanks. 🙂
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Wow! Russell Hoban and Quentin Blake is a winning combination!
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I saw this on the NY Times book review and immediately put it on hold. Love those guys! 🙂
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I think this was Russell Hoban’s last book before he died. Think I’ll go have a popsicle in his memory.
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Thanks, Wendy!
What is it with popsicle’s and Russel Hoban? Something I don’t know. 🙂
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Hoban and Blake – two masters!
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I’m so glad I put this on hold at my library when I read about it on the NY Times book review, Joanna. Such a wonderful pair. 🙂
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Love this book (and anything from Blake of Hoban!)!
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I know, Julie! So valuable a book. I loved it. They are true to their reputation here. 🙂
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I like all the books illustrated by Quentin Blake. This one looks very special. Thanks!
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Thanks, ManjuBeth! This is so magical I need to get some of his other works and compare. 🙂
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Oh my word…the second kid’s book today that I want to read!!!
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Thanks, Granny! Some days are like that. I usually keep my library tab open and just put books on hold on Fridays when I read PPBF reviews. So much easier that way. 🙂
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I love the sound of this book. Another great one for my class!
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With the author and illustrator pair like it is, you can’t go wrong here, Beleyne.
Thanks so much for commenting. 🙂
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This sounds cool! 😀
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Lately I seem to be reading a lot of books about dream adventures. This one looks like a lot of fun.
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