July 10 – National Kitten Day

About the Holiday

There are few things cuter than a kitten! Playful, sweet, surprising, and did I mention playful? kittens melt your heart with their big eyes, fluffy fuzz, and tiny mews. They make the purr-fect pet for many families. To make sure more kittens find loving forever homes, Colleen Paige, Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert, Author, and Animal Advocate, founded National Kitten Day to encourage adoption and celebrate the joy kittens can bring to our lives by knowing just when we need an extra snuggle, a bit of goofiness, or a moment of downtime play. In fact, today’s book shows just how much kittens are needed.

Emergency Kittens

Written by Jody Jensen Shaffer | Illustrated by Dave Mottram

“Are you in a tough spot? Has life got you down?” Perhaps you feel the need to be rescued by a superhero—you know the kind: strong, fast, and with an awesome costume. But maybe there’s an even better option for making your day brighter. What is it? It’s actually three things. Three soft, cuddly, BIG eyed “Emergency Kittens!” “Meet Mimi, Twee-Twee, and Adorbs! These three cuties make everything better!”

celebrate-picture-books-review-picture-book-review-emergency-kittens-superhero

Image copyright Dave Mottram, 2020, text copyright Jody Jensen Shaffer, 2020. Courtesy of Doubleday Books for Young Readers.

From ice-cream disasters to bad hair days to sticky situations, Emergency Kittens save the day. Take Sheldon, for instance. One day at the playground “his ball takes a bad bounce” right into the hands of three bullies. Sounds like this calls for some superheroes! And sure enough, they all “show up in a Flash!” with inspirational sayings, big promises, and eve their own hashtag. But while they’re busy lifting bulldozers, leaping tall walls, flying here and there, and getting all tied up in knots, Sheldon’s ball is still being bounced out of reach.

celebrate-picture-books-review-picture-book-review-emergency-kittens-big-eyes

Image copyright Dave Mottram, 2020, text copyright Jody Jensen Shaffer, 2020. Courtesy of Doubleday Books for Young Readers.

Sheldon worries—who can help him? “Mimi, Twee-Twee, and Adorbs know the answer!” They spring into action—paws outstretched, capes flying—and in a bound they’re in the middle of the playground vanquishing those bullies with cuteness antics. But they still have one more play to make…ready? Who could resist those BIG EYES and rumbling Purr? No one! Not even the bullies. While those guys are distracted, Adorbs shoots the ball back to Sheldon. It’s just another day in the life of Emergency Kittens!

celebrate-picture-books-review-picture-book-review-emergency-kittens-hair

Image copyright Dave Mottram, 2020, text copyright Jody Jensen Shaffer, 2020. Courtesy of Doubleday Books for Young Readers.

Kitten lovers (and who isn’t?) rejoice! If you’ve ever gazed into a kitten or cat’s wide eyes and felt their little revving motor of happiness, you know how they can make any bad day seem better. Jody Jensen Shaffer brings that feel good warmth to her funny story that is purr-fectly aww-some. Sprinkling her story with puns and take-offs on superhero lore, Shaffer plays with stereotypes to deliver cuddles galore and a message that might is no match for sweetness and a little unconditional love.

Dave Mottram pulled out all the glimmering, hypnotic adorable stops in giving these Emergency Kittens their show-stopping, bully-melting gaze. Hilarious exaggeration, giggle-inducing rescues, and a set of clueless, self-absorbed superheroes will have kids in stitches from beginning to end. And the double-spread, poster-worthy reveal of the Emergency Kittens using their super power in its full force is sure to elicit plenty of prolonged Awwws and Ooos and exclaimations of “I want one!”

Sure to be a super hit with kids, Emergency Kittens! belongs on every home, school, and public library bookshelf for those times when extra TLC is needed.

Ages 3 – 7

Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2020 | ISBN 978-1984830081

Discover more about Jody Jensen Shaffer and her books on her website.

To learn more about Dave Mottram, his books, and his art, visit his website.

National Kitten Day Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-match-the-kittens-puzzle

Match the Kittens Puzzle

These kittens all have a twin, but they got mixed up while playing! Can you find the pairs again in this printable Match the Kittens Puzzle?

**You can find Emergency Kittens! at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Bookshop | IndieBound

Picture Book Review

March 23 – National Cuddly Kittens Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

*Tap Tap Tap* (Is this how my humans do it?) Meow! My name is Angus, and I am the picture book cat. I like sleeping, open windows, talking with my bird and squirrel friends, and above all books! For some reason, my whole family has been home all week! Which is purrfect for me because there are more people around to read me my favorite stories. According to my mom’s “catander” (that’s what that thing with all the squares is called, right?), today is National Cuddly Kittens Day! While she’s using that sticky roller on all of my favorite furniture, I’m going to share three of my favorite books about the most supurrlative animal in the world

About the Holiday

Today could be my very favorite holiday. Unless… is there a National Salmon Treats Day? No? Then today is my favorite holiday. We kittens (and cats – why should the kids get all the snuggles?) are cute and lovable, and just so, well…cuddly! How can you celebrate today with your kitten (or a cat!)? Be sure to give them plenty of scratches behind the ears and chin rubs and lots and lots of what I call “fluffins.” And when you sit down to relax don’t forget to leave some room between you and your laptop or book or knitting for your kitten (or cat!) to take a nap. Aaannd… don’t forget the salmon treats!

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Preview

Angus’s Mewsings

Of course they do! They are cats! This book is the cat’s pajamas! You can read my mom’s review here: Emergency Kittens

Ages 3 – 7

Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2020 | ISBN 978-1984830081

Discover more about Jody Jensen Shaffer and her books on her website.

To learn more about Dave Mottram, his books, and his art, visit his website.

**You can find Emergency Kittens! at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound

Preview

See Max crouching under the chair? He’s getting ready to do what he does best: attack! On the table sits a bowl of fish. “Max’s paws are made for pounces. / Max’s legs are built for trounces.” He springs…he leaps… “but hold on….” On the screen door crawls a lizard watched with curiosity by the dog. In a moment Max is there: “Max one. Dog none.”

Angus’s Mewsings

Hahahahaha! Chalk one up for cats! No dog can outwit a cat! This book is the cat’s meow! You can read my mom’s review here: Max…Attacks

Ages 4 – 8

Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, 2019 | ISBN 978-1481451468

Discover more about Kathi Appelt and her books on her website.

To learn more about Penelope Dullaghan, her books, and her art, visit her website.

**You can find Max… Attacks at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound

Preview

Lola loved cats, and while she had a room full of stuffed cats in all colors and sizes, she wanted a real kitten of her own. Her mother told her that “looking after a cat is a lot of work.” Lola wanted to learn more, so Mommy took her to the library to get a book about cats. Lola learned lots of interesting information about cats and how to take care of them.

Finally, everything was ready. Lola and Mommy went back to the shelter. The kitten was afraid to go into the carrier at first, but including her own blanket made her feel safe. At home, Lola watched her new kitten explore her corner and new things. Lola named her cat Makeda, “the name of an African queen.” Every day, Lola took “excellent care of Makeda.”

Lola’s friend Ty was excited to meet Makeda and even brought her a present. Makeda now feels at home—especially when she’s cuddling with Lola! At night Lola reads a story to Makeda before bedtime. She loves Makeda, and reading to her “is the best of all.”

Angus’s Mewsings

This story is mew-sic to my ears! I came from a shelter too, and I love books as much as Makeda! This book is the cat’s whiskers! Read my mom’s review here: Lola Gets a Cat

Ages 2 – 5

Charlesbridge, 2017 | ISBN 978-1580897365 (Hardcover) | ISBN 978-1580897365 (Paperback)

Discover more about Anna McQuinn and her books on her website.

To learn more about Rosalind Beardshaw, her books, and her art, visit her website.

**You can find Lola Gets a Cat at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound

Cuddly Kittens Day Activities

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-wooden-bead-cat-craft

A Little Ball of Kitten

This sweet little kitten is easy to make and can keep you company on your desk or shelf! Since every kitten is different, you can make yours to look just the way you want. Here’s how I made mine:

Supplies

Wooden ball with a flat bottom, available in craft stores and in different sizes
Craft paint in any color kitten you’d like (I used red and yellow and mixed it to make a mottled orange)
Craft paint in pink or white for the inner ear
Scrap of fleece for the ears. Fleece is easily shaped to the rounded ball and when painted is stiff enough to stand up on its own.
Thin, colored wire in several colors for the tail (string or twine, wrapped wire, fleece, stiff paper, and other materials could also be used)
Paint brush
Permanent marker for making the face
Hot glue gun or strong glue

Directions

Paint the wooden ball and let dry
Paint the scrap of fleece to match the wooden ball, let dry
Cut out small triangular shapes for the ears. Round the bottom of the ears slightly so they fit the shape of the ball
If making a tail from several colors of thin wire, twist them together, leaving one end untwisted
With the glue gun or strong glue attach the ears to the top of the head
With the glue gun attach the tail to the back of the wooden ball in the center near the base
With the marker, draw eyes, nose, and mouth for the face and semicircles near the bottom for the paws

Match the Kittens Puzzle

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-match-the-kittens-puzzle

These kittens all have a twin, but they got mixed up while playing! Can you find the pairs again in this printable Match the Kittens Puzzle?

I hope you’ve enjoyed my post! Now…to watch a few cute cat videos before my nap.

Picture Book Review

February 5 – World Read Aloud Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Sponsored by global non-profit LitWorld and Scholastic, World Read Aloud Day encourages reading aloud to children not only today but every day. Reading aloud to children from birth is one of the best ways to promote language development, improve literacy, and enjoy bonding time together. Millions of people celebrate today’s holiday all across the United States and in more than one hundred countries around the world. Special events are held in schools, libraries, bookstores, homes, and communities, and authors and illustrators hold readings and visit classrooms. To learn more about World Read Aloud Day and to find stickers, bookmarks, posters, and a reading crown to decorate, visit LitWorld.

Emergency Kittens

Written by Jody Jensen Shaffer | Illustrated by Dave Mottram

Image copyright Dave Mottram, 2020, text copyright Jody Jensen Shaffer, 2020. Courtesy of Doubleday Books for Young Readers.

From ice-cream disasters to bad hair days to sticky situations, Emergency Kittens save the day. Take Sheldon. One day at the playground “his ball takes a bad bounce” right into the hands of three bullies. Sounds like this calls for some superheroes! And sure enough, they all “show up in a Flash!” with inspirational sayings, big promises, and eve their own hashtag. But while they’re busy lifting bulldozers, leaping tall walls, flying here and there, and getting all tied up in knots, Sheldon’s ball is still being bounced out of reach.

Image copyright Dave Mottram, 2020, text copyright Jody Jensen Shaffer, 2020. Courtesy of Doubleday Books for Young Readers.

Sure to be a super hit with kids, Emergency Kittens! belongs on every home, school, and public library bookshelf for those times when extra TLC is needed.

Ages 3 – 7

Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2020 | ISBN 978-1984830081

Discover more about Jody Jensen Shaffer and her books on her website.

To learn more about Dave Mottram, his books, and his art, visit his website.

World Read Aloud Day Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-match-the-kittens-puzzle

Match the Kittens Puzzle

These kittens all have a twin, but they got mixed up while playing! Can you find the pairs again in this printable Match the Kittens Puzzle?

**You can find Emergency Kittens! at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound

Picture Book Review

May 13 – National Frog Jumping Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Once upon a time there was a writer named Samuel Clemens who published his first short story titled Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog. He later published the story under the title The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, which even later became The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. The title of this story wasn’t the only name change in Clemen’s life. He is best known as Mark Twain, one of the best known and most read American authors. The story of this fabled jumping frog and the California Calaveras County’s actual annual Frog Jumping Contest, begun in 1849, are the origins of today’s holiday. The present day frog-jumping record was set by Rosie the Ribeter, who in 1986 jumped 21 feet, 5 ¾ inches.

There’s Nothing to Do!

Written by Dev Petty | Illustrated by Mike Boldt

So… Frog has accepted that he’s a frog, and he knows it’s okay to get bigger, but now he can’t think of anything worth doing. His dad finds it hard to believe there’s nothing to do. He suggests swimming, but Frog says it’s “too wet”; playing, but none of the toys surrounding Frog inspire him, and even joining Pig in doing crafts, but Frog is so bored he has to rest up against Pig’s popsicle-stick Eiffel Tower.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-there's-nothing-to-do-too-wet

Image copyright Mike Boldt, 2017, text copyright Dev Petty, 2017. Courtesy of Penguin Random House.

What’s left? Cleaning his room. This choice gets Frog hopping to see if his “friends have any better ideas.” Rabbit’s idea of a good time alternates between jumping and staring. Cat shows Frog how to lick between his toes, and Owl advises napping all day. Perhaps Pig can come up with the perfect activity after all. Pig is happy to unfurl his “Fantastic List,” and he and Frog take a look.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-there's-nothing-to-do-pig's-list

Image copyright Mike Boldt, 2017, text copyright Dev Petty, 2017. Courtesy of Penguin Random House.

Frog’s not too keen on most of the to-dos and lies flat on his back in disgruntlement. Just then another frog comes by wondering what’s the matter. Frog complains that the whole day is almost over and he hasn’t done anything. Well, the frog says, when there’s nothing to do, do nothing. “Sometimes the best ideas come when you stop looking for them.” Then this amphibious guru shows Frog how to sit still, empty his mind, and wait.

Suddenly, the world glows with beauty and promise. Frog has never seen life in just this way. Later, when Dad asks Frog what he did all day, Frog is enthusiastic about the Nothing he did. In fact, he wants to do it all over again tomorrow. So what if there’s school the next day—Frog has a long To-Do List of his own now. What’s on it? Nothing!

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-there's-nothing-to-do-deep-breath

Image copyright Mike Boldt, 2017, text copyright Dev Petty, 2017. Courtesy of Penguin Random House.

Dev Petty’s Frog is any child’s sure (web)-footed guide to the big issues of growing up. This time he’s looking for help in overcoming his boredom, but he learns that what’s good for the goose (or the Pig, Rabbit, Cat, and Owl) isn’t necessarily good for the gander. When he discovers that inner voice that leads him to his own kind of fun, Frog finds that his lily pad is loaded with possibilities. As in I Don’t Want to Be a Frog and I Don’t Want to Be Big, Frog’s impish questions and opinions will have kids giggling and hoppy to come to the same realizations about life as Frog does.

Mike Boldt’s Frog is sly and endearing as he jumps from friend to friend and activity to activity in search of the perfect day. Kids will love laughing at Rabbit’s goofy stare, ewwing along with Frog at Cat’s bathing ritual, and cheer Pig’s enthusiasm and do-anything attitude. Frog’s glowing revelation lets readers discover their own vistas, and Dad’s proud and satisfied look at the end shows kids that dreaming up their own fun leads to a day well-spent.

There’s Nothing to Do! is a terrific addition to the series, and it’s witty banter will make it an often-asked-for read on any child’s bookshelf. A ribeting choice for home and classroom libraries.

Ages 3 – 7

Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2017 | ISBN 978-0399558030

Discover more about Dev Petty and her books and find fun activities on her website

To learn more about Mike Boldt, his books, and his art, visit his website.

Got nothing to do? Hop on over and watch this There’s Nothing to Do! book trailer!

National Frog Jumping Day Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-frog-dot-to-dot

Frog Dot-to-Dot Activity Sheet

Can you hop from number to number and help the frog appear in this printable Frog Dot-to-Dot Activity Sheet? Then give him a lily pad or other place to live and color it all in!

Picture Book Review

May 7 – It’s National Wildflower Week

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Sponsored by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas, an “internationally recognized botanic garden dedicated to inspiring the conservation of native plants in natural and designed landscapes,” today’s holiday celebrates the wildflowers that beautify the country from coast to coast. Lady Bird Johnson once said wildflowers “give us a sense of where we are in this great land of ours” as every area hosts its own particular flowers. Wildflower fields are important to the survival of the bee population, and, as pollinators, bees keep the wildflowers blooming and growing.

Bee: A Peek-Through Picture Book

By Britta Teckentrup

As the sun comes up over the meadow of poppies, a bee gets ready for her day. She flits through the forest, blending her quiet buzz with the songs of the birds in the trees. “As she travels here and there, / A gentle humming fills the air.” With no map to guide her, the bee knows exactly what route to take to visit each colorful flower. “Gathering nectar as she goes, / From every foxglove, every rose, / Dusty with pollen, the little bee / Buzzes, buzzes, busily.”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-bee-a-peek-through-picture-book-dawn

The flowers attract the little bee with their sweet perfume, and with the sun as her compass, she finds them all. As she flies from flower to flower, tree to tree, she picks up and leaves bits of pollen that will create more blossoms. But when she looks out over the field, the bee sees more flowers than she could ever hope to visit. The bee hurries back to her hive to tell the others about the smorgasbord waiting for them.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-bee-a-peek-through-picture-book-stream

In droves they leave the hive, gliding over a pond, navigating an orchard, and continuing on. “The bees pass over a woodland stream. / Droplets sparkle and pebbles gleam. / Water trickles, bubbles, and weaves. / A weeping willow trails its leaves.” As the bees stop here and there along the way, they give life to new flowers and plants, expanding the wildflower meadow that is home to so many creatures.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-bee-a-peek-through-picture-book-nectar

Readers can see that Britta Teckentrup’s beautiful tribute to bees is something special before they even open the book. On the cover, a sunset-hued flower stretches into the blue sky. Through its die-cut center, children can see the complexity of the flower and, in its very middle, a honey bee harvesting nectar. Teckentrup’s lyrical story of a bee’s day is complemented by gorgeous illustrations of the vibrant wildflowers that call to the little bee. Each page is rendered in a breathtaking palette that surrounds young readers with the mysteries of the natural world—and in the center is the bee, going about her job as squirrels scamper, deer silently look on, and butterflies flutter nearby.

Children will adore following the bee—and later, more and more bees—through open windows to the final two-page spread of a meadow in full bloom. All along the journey, the bee has made friends with woodland, pond, and orchard creatures, and young readers will delight in finding each of them hidden in this glorious field.

Ages 3 – 7

Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2017 | ISBN 978-1524715267

Discover more about Britta Techentrup, her books, and artwork on her website!

National Wildflower Week Activity

CPB---Busy-Buzzy-Bee-Maze

Busy Buzzy Bee Maze

Can you help the little bee find her way through this printable Busy Buzzy Bee Maze? Here’s the Solution!

Picture Book Review

October 20 – It’s National Reading Group Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Today’s holiday was the brainstorm of the WNBA—not that WNBA, but the Woman’s National Book Association. In 2007 they instituted this month-long celebration to commemorate their 90th anniversary. Joining a book group is a wonderful way to meet new like-minded friends and get to know each other through discussions of new and classic books. Book groups aren’t just for adults, either, as more and more schools, children’s libraries, and individual teens and kids form their own clubs. To celebrate, why not consider joining a book group or starting your own?

Bunny’s Book Club

Written by Annie Silvestro | Illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss

Bunny would do just about anything to hear a story. “He’d loved them ever since he first heard the lady with the red glasses reading aloud outside the library.” All summer long he listened to stories that took him to thrilling and magical places. But when the weather turned cooler and story time moved indoors, bunny knew he had to do something—“he couldn’t live without books.”

Bunny was afraid that animals weren’t allowed in the library. Finally, after several sleepless nights Bunny “tiptoed through the dark” to the library. But when he got there the door was locked, the windows were bolted, and there were no holes in the building to be found—“until finally he noticed…the book return!” Bunny hopped as high as he could, grabbed the handle, and slipped inside. “Bunny’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the shelves bursting with books.”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-bunny's-book-club-bunny-cant't-sleep

Image copyright Tatjana Mai-Wyss, courtesy of tatjanamaiwyss.com

Bunny hopped here and there through the adventure section, where he found books about “swashbucklers, sharks, and superheroes.” He grabbed as many as he could carry and pushed them through the slot. Back home he read and read, and every night he returned to the library for more books. Pretty soon his house was filled top to bottom with books.

One night while reading, Bunny heard a knock on the door. It was Porcupine, wondering where Bunny has been. When Porcupine found out, he couldn’t believe it. What was so special about reading? The next night Bunny took Porcupine to the library. “‘Whoa,’ said Porcupine.” He immediately wondered if there was a book about balloons. He also found stories “on deserts and dunes, on caterpillars and cocoons” and even one on hedgehogs that made him so happy he hugged it with all his might. Back at Bunny’s and cuddled up with tea and carrot muffins, the two friends read into the night.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-bunny's-book-club-porcupine and-bunny-read

Image copyright Tatjana Mai-Wyss, courtesy of tatjanamaiwyss.com

It wasn’t too long before Bear showed up at Bunny’s wondering about why the light burned so late so often. Bunny handed him a book, and Bear squeezed onto the couch and began reading. Soon, all of Bunny’s friends began dropping by asking for books about space, volcanoes, and mysteries. One night Bunny took them all on a trek to the library. They were so engrossed in their books that they didn’t hear a key turn in the lock, “the clack, clacking of footsteps,” or the light flick on.

It was the librarian! All the animals gasped—they’d been caught! “‘All libraries have rules,’ said the librarian sternly” as she asked the animals to follow her. At the desk, the librarian in the red glasses crouched down and gave each animal their own library card. Bunny was thrilled to know they were welcome at the library. He found the perfect book and “proudly checked out the very first official selection for Bunny’s Book Club.”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-bunny's-book-club-porcupine-hugs-book

Image copyright Tatjana Mai-Wyss, courtesy of tatjanamaiwyss.com

Annie Silvestro’s sweet story about the lure of stories and the lengths to which a true book lover will go to hear or read one, will enchant young children. The gentle suspense will keep little ones riveted to the story as clever Bunny finds a way into the library, Porcupine and Bear have a few sticky moments, and the librarian catches the crew unawares. Little ones will recognize their own delight in books as Bunny shares his discover with his friends and they form a most cozy book club.

Tatjana Mai-Wyss’s adorable Bunny, Porcupine, Bear and other animals make perfect book club friends for little readers. Mai-Wyss’s soft-hued watercolor illustrations of the tidy library and Bunny’s book-filled home invite children in to poke around and become one of the group. They’ll love following Bunny’s footprints through the library stacks and discovering the cozy comforts of Bunny’s home. The final two-page illustration of the friends snuggled together in the warmth of a roaring fire and surrounded by snacks and books is definitely “awwww” inspiring.

Bunny’s Book Club may inspire families to take a special nighttime trip to the library and young readers to create a book club of their own. The book would be welcome on any child’s bookshelf.

Learn more about Annie Silvestro and her books on her website!

Discover more about Tatjana Mai-Wyss and review a portfolio of her illustration work on her website!

Ages 3 – 7

Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2017 | ISNB 978-0553537581

National Reading Group Month Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-bunny-puppet

Story Buddy Puppet

Hop to it! Have fun telling your favorite stories with this bunny puppet!

Supplies

Printable Bunny Template
Paper sandwich bag
Colored pencils, crayons, or markers
Scissors
Glue

Directions

Print out the Bunny Template
Color the Bunny Template
Cut out the bunny’s features
Glue the bunny’s features to the sandwich bag

Picture Book Review

July 30 – Paperback Book Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Today celebrates the revolution in book binding that changed the way people interact with books. Prior to the 19th century book covers were made of wood and wrapped in leather. Then something came along that demanded a lighter, more convenient type of book—the train! While traveling by train was faster than going by horse-drawn carriage, it could still take a week or more to cross the country. What better way to spend the time than with a good book? No one wanted to lug around those heavy wooden copies, though, and thus the paperback book was born! Today, tuck a paperback in your bag and travel to another realm!

Bunny’s Book Club

Written by Annie Silvestro | Illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss

Bunny would do just about anything to hear a story. “He’d loved them ever since he first heard the lady with the red glasses reading aloud outside the library.” All summer long he listened to stories that took him to thrilling and magical places. But when the weather turned cooler and story time moved indoors, Bunny knew he had to do something—“he couldn’t live without books.”

Annie Silvestro’s sweet story about the lure of stories and the lengths to which a true book lover will go to hear or read one, will enchant young children. The gentle suspense will keep little ones riveted to the story as clever Bunny finds a way into the library, Porcupine and Bear have a few sticky moments, and the librarian catches the crew unawares. Little ones will recognize their own delight in books as Bunny shares his discovery with his friends and they form a most cozy book club.

Bunny’s Book Club may inspire families to take a special nighttime trip to the library and young readers to create a book club of their own. The book would be welcome on any child’s bookshelf.

Learn more about Annie Silvestro and her books on her website!

Discover more about Tatjana Mai-Wyss and review a portfolio of her illustration work on her website!

Ages 3 – 7

Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2017 | ISNB 978-0553537581

Paperback Book Day Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-bunny-puppet

Book Club Buddy Puppet

Hop to it! Have fun reading and telling your favorite stories with this bunny puppet!

Supplies

Printable Bunny Template
Paper sandwich bag
Colored pencils, crayons, or markers
Scissors
Glue

Directions

Print out the Bunny Template
Color the Bunny Template
Cut out the bunny’s features
Glue the bunny’s features to the sandwich bag
Then use your puppet while you read a book together or tell your own stories!

Picture Book Review

About the Holiday

Emergency Kittens

Written by Jody Jensen Shaffer | Illustrated by Dave Mottram

National Kitten Day Activity

Match the Kittens Puzzle

You can find Emergency Kittens! at these booksellers

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Share this:

Like this:

About the Holiday

You can find Emergency Kittens! at these booksellers

You can find Max… Attacks at these booksellers

You can find Lola Gets a Cat at these booksellers

Cuddly Kittens Day Activities

A Little Ball of Kitten

Match the Kittens Puzzle

Share this:

Like this:

About the Holiday

Emergency Kittens

Written by Jody Jensen Shaffer | Illustrated by Dave Mottram

World Read Aloud Day Activity

Match the Kittens Puzzle

You can find Emergency Kittens! at these booksellers

Share this:

Like this:

About the Holiday

There’s Nothing to Do!

Written by Dev Petty | Illustrated by Mike Boldt

National Frog Jumping Day Activity

Frog Dot-to-Dot Activity Sheet

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About the Holiday

Bee: A Peek-Through Picture Book

By Britta Teckentrup

National Wildflower Week Activity

Busy Buzzy Bee Maze

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About the Holiday

Bunny’s Book Club

Written by Annie Silvestro | Illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss

National Reading Group Month Activity

Story Buddy Puppet

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About the Holiday

Bunny’s Book Club

Written by Annie Silvestro | Illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss

Paperback Book Day Activity

Book Club Buddy Puppet

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**You can find Emergency Kittens! at these booksellers**

**You can find Emergency Kittens! at these booksellers**

**You can find Max… Attacks at these booksellers**

**You can find Lola Gets a Cat at these booksellers**

**You can find Emergency Kittens! at these booksellers**