Susanna Leonard Hill has a feature on her blog called Perfect Picture Book Friday (PPBF). It is a list of “perfect” picture books recommended by all sorts of people. Sadly, PPBF is going on summer vacation after today, but it will be back in the fall. 😀 I chose this book because, since it is the last PPBF until fall, I wanted to get a special one. I asked my librarian, Lydia Kegler, from the Columbia County Traveling Library for the picture book that she thought was perfect, and she picked out this week’s book! 😀
Once I Ate a Pie
By Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest
Illustrated by Katy Schneider
40 pages – ages 5+
Published by HarperCollins; Reprint edition on February 23, 2010
Theme/Topic – Poetry / animals
Opening and Synopsis – from the inside jacket –
“It’s a dog’s life. Filled with squeaky toys, mischief, and plenty of naps. Every dog has a tail to wag and a tale to tell. Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest asked this collection of canines to speak up with their own words, barks, and yips.”
Why I liked this book – I love the idea of poetry being told from a dog’s point of view! I really like the illustrations. They are so realistic and they really capture the feeling of the dogs. Just look at the cover. The little pug looks so guilty! 🙂 The poems have unique fonts that go with the feel of the poem,
which really adds to the look of the whole book. I like how each dog thinks. This is a PERFECT book for poetry fans and dog-lovers!
Activities and Resources – Write a poem from YOUR pet’s point of view, no matter what they are, dog, cat, groundhog – anything!
Here’s an example I made up:
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Smokey
The Chinchilla
Get released into bathroom.
Run!
Check out shower-with-forcefield.
Jump!
Ricochet off the wall and land on my four legs.
Hop!
Scurry up my owner.
Run! Jump! Hop!
Grab?
It’s over?
Okay, technically Smokey is Josie’s pet, but he’s really cute and I often wonder what he thinks. 😉
To find more Perfect Picture Books please visit Susanna Hill’s blog HERE!
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Categories: Perfect Picture Book Friday
Wow! This looks like a great fun read-I just added it to my library list. Erik, I love the poem and Smokey looks sooo cuddly.
Smokey IS sooo cuddly! This is a great poetry book!
Awesome chinchilla poem, Erik! I love how you asked your librarian for this sweet book.
Thank you Miss Marple! Have a good summer! 😎
Love your chinchilla poem and for suggesting that kids write a poem from your pets POV. The book sounds cute. I’m always wondering what my dog thinks.
Why don’t you write a poem? 😉
This looks too cool to miss… and who can resist that sweet pooch on the cover?
Great poem. Gotta run and find some pie now. Wait – didn’t Susanna have some on Wed? Wonder if any is left….
The illustrations ARE fabulous! 😀
I LOVE Patricia MacLachlan’s books, Erik! I’ll look for this one in our local library. So your sister has a chinchilla? We took care of two for a year. What fun to watch them take baths in “sand”! Your poem describes them perfectly. . . Always on the move.
MakingtheWriteConnections
We love our Smokey! 🙂
Great poem, Erik! I could “see” every bit of the chinchillaction as I read! And what a good idea to ask your librarian for a perfect picture book recommendation. This book sounds cool.
Thanks Ms. Stilborn! I think we should get a video of Smokey in the bathroom to show everyone. 🙂
Poetry from a dog’s perspective. Great!
I know! Magnificent!
This fun poem has me wondering how small Smokey must be and what sounds he makes.
Smokey’s about 6-7 inches with out a tail and he has a 4-5 inch tail, so he’s about 10-12 inches long (and about 3-4 inches tall with all four legs on the ground). Smokey doesn’t make sounds except a high-pitched squeak when he’s distressed/angry. 🙂
Fun review — yes poet dogs are the best :). Enjoyed your chinchilla poem too. “Scurry up my owner” — 😀
Thank you Ms. Rattigan! 😀
Oh my! that cover, that face! I would so love to hug this squishy little fellow! He’s adorable! Loved your poem Erik, what a cool idea!
I really like the cover too! Just imagine the rest of the book!
This book is awesome, Erik! My favorite book EVER! Mom wrote a poem like this about me, once. I should warn you it does NOT have a happy ending! http://cupcakepetrillo.wordpress.com/2011/06/04/take-my-picture-tuesday-4/
Love and licks,
Cupcake
‘Tis the sad tale, ’tis true… 😉
Great stuff, Erik. I’ve got a huge library order this week!
Thanks Ms. Johnson!
I am so glad you liked this one! I haven’t read it yet, but I heard her speak about it at a book fair in November. She loves dogs! Great review!
Thanks Ms. Peterson! I want to read “I Didn’t Do It” too! 🙂
This is a good book. I remember borrowing it from the library.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts . . . er, I mean Smokey’s thoughts. I heard you have to pet chinchilla’s with the back of your hand because their fur is so soft, the nerves in the tips of your fingers and palm aren’t sensitive enough!?!
Have a nice summer.
I don’t know if that’s exactly true. We pet him with our fingers…