Perfect Picture Book Friday, y'all. Two for the price of one!

Hairy Maclary's Bone Written and illustrated by Lynley Dodd        

Tricycle Press (June 4, 2001)

Suitable for:

Ages 4 and up

Theme:

Big and small, etc. and overcoming obstacles.

Opening:

Down in the town

by the butcher's shop door,

sat Hairy Maclary

from Donaldson's Dairy.

Out of the door

came Samuel Stone.

He gave Hairy Maclary

his tastiest

bone.
Synopsis:
Simple story, lovely illustrations, beautiful, easy to remember rhyme, repetition. The kids will have this book memorized. You need to read the first Hairy book (He meets the other dogs in this one.) first. That way you know all the characters. It is called Hairy Maclary From Donaldson's Dairy.
Why I loved it:
These books are so simple. I should have put ages 2 and up. Yes, two year-old children can understand these precious stories. The illustrations jump right off the page. The dog names are so funny too. Shnitzel von Krumm with a very low tum, Hercules Morse as big as a horse, you get the picture. :-)
Resources:
Hairy Maclary's one more or less game
Children can make Hairy Maclary badges, stickers, and finger puppets here.
Please visit the beautiful Susanna Leonard Hill for more wonderful picture book stories.

And...

Snutt the Ift Written and illustrated by Helen Ward    

Little Pickle Press; 1ST edition (2011)

Suitable for:

Ages 4 and up

Theme:

Friendship

Synopsis: (From Amazon)

Two explorers from different worlds discover the wonders of a strange new planet. Soon each becomes lonely. When they finally meet each other, they discover something even more wondrous-that friends help us blossom and shared experiences make all the world more beautiful.

Why I loved it:

What's not to love? Huge double spread illustrations that are absolutely beautiful! The text is equally beautiful with  like  sticky-footed flewimols and blossiblums just to name two. As Snuft looks at the beautiful world around him, he cannot even do his measuring and recording he's so in awe. To me it teaches us to look for the loveliness around us. It's there. Just look. 

Resources:

Since this book is about two courageous explorers I have two wonderful links for you to check out: Explorers and teacher resources for explorers.

Head over to Little Pickle Press and sign up for the newsletter. You'll automatically be entered in a contest to win the grand prize of nine Little Pickle Press books including their two foreign-language titles. And check out all their beautiful award winning books while you're signing up.

Check out more super duper picture books over at Susanna Leonard Hill's place.

Perfect Picture Book Friday will be back in September. Have a beautiful weekend. :-)*Waving* xoxo