Perfect Picture Book Friday :-)

Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct 

Written and illustrated by Mo Willems

Hyperion Book CH; 1 edition (August 1, 2006)      

Suitable For:     

Ages 4 and up

 

Theme/Topic: 

Dinosaurs

Opening:

Everyone in town knew Edwina.

She was the dinosaur who played with the neighborhood kids.

She was the dinosaur who did favors for anyone who asked.

Edwina helped little old ladies cross the street.

And she baked chocolate-chip cookies for everyone. 

Everybody loved Edwina...

except Reginald Von Hoobie -

Doobie.

Reginald knew just about everything about just about everything.

He liked to give reports in class about everything he knew.

 

Synopsis (from Booklist)

 Willems takes a break from his Pigeon chronicles to write about a dinosaur named Edwina. Everyone loves Edwina, except class know-it-all Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie, who tries to convince everyone that dinosaurs are extinct. No one listens, except Edwina, who is shocked. Eventually Edwina decides that she doesn't care, "and by then . . . neither [does] Reginald." In true if-you-can't-beat-'em, join-'em fashion, the final scene shows Edwina baking cookies for a much happier Reginald. Pacing is varied to highlight the more dramatic scenes, with much of the drama provided by Reginald in a way resembling Pigeon trying to get his way. Set against plain, light-blue backdrops, the pictures, in Willem's familiar cartoon style, show Reginald up to his dastardly deeds as well as characters in the classroom, on the playground, and in the park. Children will have fun searching the art for hidden pictures of Pigeon and Knuffle Bunny. Consider this an enjoyable visit to a happy community that has no room for curmudgeons.

 

Why I loved it:

Edwina is AWESOME! And why wouldn't folks love her? Her cookies are the yummiest! And who among us can say Reginald's full name without bursting out in laughter. It's sweet and easy, the illustrations are adorable and the story reminds us to have faith in ourselves.

Resource linkage:

For a creation based study on dinosaurs go here.

For more picture books head over and visit our pal Susanna Leonard Hill.

She's awesome. Uh-huh!

 

Happy weekend everyone. :-) xoxo 

 

P.S. Is the picture of the cover loading completely for you? It isn't for me. Just wondering.