Friday, March 16, 2012

Perfect Picture Book Friday :-)

More    This is a new one! It's a fable!               
Written by: I. C. Springman
Illustrated by:  Brian Lies
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (March 6, 2012)
 Suitable For
Ages 4 and up
Theme/Topic:
Less is more
Opening:
Nothing.
Something.
A few,
several,
I.C. Springman is a small-house person
in a McMansion-loving world.
She lives as simply as possible
with one husband, three dogs, and too many books somewhere
down south.
Synopsis:
 When is more, more than enough?
"Dramatic paintings add depth and foreboding to a lesson about excessive materialism."--Kirkus  
The magpie gets more and more and more.
Why I loved it:
Don't we ll have too much? What a lesson we learn in just a few words. And the artwork is magnificent! Beautifully textured and layered illustrations. It is 44 words, peeps!
Resource linkage:
There are teacher guides coming soon, but this could lead into a discussion of too much stuff for the kidlets and how we need to cut the excess. You could tie it in with the movie, The Lorax. Protecting natural resources, where it all comes from, etc.

Go check out more favorite picture books over at Susanna Leonard Hill's house.
You'll be glad ya did. 
Have a safe and lovely weekend, y'all. xoxo


31 comments:

  1. Hi Robyn .. I love the art work - that drew me in .. and it sounds like there will be a lot of additional materials ..

    Too much or just right for the Perfect Picture Book Friday? Don't know - but the photo art work I could look at for a long time!

    Cheers Hilary

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  2. This sounds like a book with a great message! Great PPBF pick!

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  4. I've just searched for reviews of More and it seems like you're not the only one who's impressed by its message and its beautiful artwork.
    Have a great weekend my friend:)

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  5. Love the cover! And in this age of materialism, the message is needed. Now that people are renting storage units to store their stuff... don't they get it? They've got too much!

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  6. What a beautiful book. The illustrations are captivating. And I love the message. I definitely live in the smaller house in McMansion world and so thankful.

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  7. Ooh! A brand new book! I'd love to read this one. Great topic for our list, Robyn - it's so true that many of us have more than we need. A good message to share with kids, and maybe a possible activity would be choosing a something outgrown - a toy, book, or clothing - that could be donated to a less fortunate child. Thanks for adding this one to our list!

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  8. The illustration is wonderful. I am enjoying these Picture Book posts.

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  9. A great idea! Love the magpie illustration and would love to read the story in 44 words!

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  10. Wow, looking forward to getting my hands on this one. My kids often ask me if we are "rich," and my answer is always, "yes." Rich in blessings, in family, in love. And in comparison to the rest of the world, we are rich in material things as well. But it is a hard concept for kids as they look around at their friends with the latest and greatest toy, and ask why they don't have that, too. I love books that are conversation starters, and this one looks great. Thank you, Robyn!

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  11. Robyn, this is certainly HOT off the press. I love the message!! This is the first book I've read about excesss for kids. A very timely book. Good book for home and the classroom. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. I certainly haven't read too many books that reflect this message and it is an excellent one at that. Thanks for sharing Robyn.

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  13. This book was already on my TBR list. Can't wait to read it as I love the message.Thanks for adding it to PPBF.

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  14. Wonderful book with a great message, Robyn.
    So many times, when we give little ones a gift...what they enjoy most is the box it came in. :)
    Thanks for the lovely review!

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  15. Hi Robyn, it's great to visit your site through Susanna's meme. I haven't heard of this book yet. I also thought that the book could likewise be a good introduction to what greed means and for older children, the concept of materialism. I should check out this book to discover for myself. Many thanks for the recommendation.

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  16. I looked at the preview in Amazon. I like the artwork and the message. :)

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

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  17. 44 words? wow. Sounds like a very interesting book. Thank you!

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  18. Thanks for sharing a great review, I love kids books with messages. I’m just stopping by to say Hello and Happy Saint Patrick’s Day.

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  19. Hi Robyn! I've missed you girl! Can't wait to catch up. :)

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  20. 44 words wow! Super lesson for kids and adults and it does tie in with The Lorax, fab movie, you will love it. *hifive*

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  21. Aloha Robyn,

    I hosted the Got Green Blog O'hop and just wanted to say you have a new follower cos I think it's hilarious your son doesn't like Paddy the older he gets (per your comment on A2Z mommy)

    I grew up in Dublin and that was *so* true of the Patrick's I know!

    Most were Paddy and have since gone to Pat or even initials P.J. etc. :)

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  22. I would buy it for the artwork! Love that retro style... I tend to be a bit of a hoarder myself... books anyone??

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  23. I love this, Robyn! I like covers that are subtle and meaningful. So many talented illustrators out there! I came over from Susan Mills's blog to congratulate you on your short story getting published in the anthology!!

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  24. This message needs to be heard more. Sounds like it's done in a lovely way. I had no books like that for my kids, so I had to live by example and share my values with them. The right book enhances what we try to do as parents.

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  25. Hi Robyn. That is a short book! I agree we all have too much and sometimes less is much better.

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  26. Now, how did I miss this post? Looks like you've steered us to another good one, amigo! Thanks a bunch!
    Big hugs,
    Karen :D

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  27. I love the idea of it, and, like some of the others have mentioned, it's a timely message and one you don't encounter often. Less IS more. Good for children to learn that early. Beautiful illustration.

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  28. Oh, Robyn, I had to laugh at your question, "Don't we all have too much?" So very true, and it becomes crystal clear when the time comes to move and we have to sort through all our stuff! LOL!

    Sounds like a wonderful picture book! Thanks for sharing, Robyn. Take care, my friend! XO

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  29. I am just now getting to read last week's PPBF list along with this week's list. I will have a doubly long list for the library this week.

    44 words???? I am checking this one out! Thanks for the review!

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