I know we are all tired of this incredibly severe winter, but since lots of people are getting lots of snow . . . why not have a little fun with it? Ready?

If It’s Snowy and You Know It, Clap Your Paws!

Written by Kim Norman

Illustrated by Liza Woodruff

Sterling Children’s Books 2013

Ages 3-7

Themes: Seasons-Winter-Snow, Language Fun

Synopsis: (from publisher’s website) This humorous variation on the classic song “If You’re Happy and You Know It” introduces a group of adorable animals playing joyfully in the snow. They tumble on the tundra, catch snowflakes on their tongues, sculpt snowcritters, and make a frosty fort. But can they go with the flow when their wild adventure drifts in a surprising direction? Young readers will laugh and sing along!

Opening:
If it’s snowy and you know it, clap your paws.
You can tumble on the tundra, just because.
If it snowy and you know it,
roll a snowball up and throw it.
If it’s snowy and you know it  . . .
. . . clap your paws!

♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫ I hear you all singing! ♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫

Wait!
What?
You’re going to buy the book?
And you’re going to the library to check it out?
Well could you read the rest of the review before you head out?
Ahhh! You’re back in your chair. Thanks!

Resources:

• Definitely sing this book to the tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands. In fact, I dare you to read this book and not be singing the song for the rest of the weekend! (I couldn’t help myself!)
• Pick another season and have kids pick animals and brainstorm activities those animals could be doing for that season. Create a stanza or two of the song.
• For those who are feeling especially industrious, I found the link to this Multi-Colored Igloo on the If It’s Snowy and You Know It, Clap Your Paws Facebook Page. I realize building the life-size igloo would probably be too much, but building a small version would be a fun winter project for kids at home in a snowy backyard.
• Have kids come up with hand motions for each stanza in the book. Sing through with hand motions.

Why I Like This Book: The same reason why y’all were jumping up to go get the book! The rhyme is sublime! It is playful and fun and begs to be read aloud or sung. I was singing and smiling with every page turn. The illustrations complement the text perfectly and add humor. This one is a keeper for reading to your kids at home and for sharing in the classroom. Hat’s, mittens, and earmuffs off to Kim Norman and Liza Woodruff!

To find more perfect picture books, head on over to Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and check out all the fantastic selections! Each book is reviewed by a picture book -lovin’ reviewer, AND includes activities to go along with the book. You will find a handy list right HERE.

This book is perfect mix of science and slapstick! The title caught me right off and the story did not disappoint. In fact, it delighted!

What Floats in a Moat?

Written by Lynne Berry

Illustrated by Matthew Cordell

Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers 2013

Age range: 5 – 8 Years

Themes: Science, Determination

Synopsis: Archie the Goat and Skinny the Hen have a delivery for the castle. But when they come to a moat, Archie is stumped. Skinny suggests the drawbridge, but Archie suggests Science! With fun text and illustrations, Archie and Skinny reenact the Archimedes Principal in order to successfully cross the moat.

Opening: Archie the Goat stopped short at a moat. He measured and mapped. He doodled and drew. He sketched and scribbled and scrawled.
“Aha! To cross the moat,” pronounced the goat, “we build a contraption to float!”
“Or,” said Skinny the Hen, “we could just take the drawbridge.”
“Bah,” said Archie,” drawbridge, straw-bridge.”
“This is no time for a drawbridge. This is a time for science!”
“Right!” said the hen. “Science!”

(Want a little more? Click on the cover above to see a few pages.)

Resources:
An author’s note at the back of the book explains Archimedes’ Principle.
At the How Stuff Works website, I found a helpful page HERE on How Sailboats Float. There is an interactive activity on buoyancy.
Click HERE for some experiments and HERE for more.

Why I Like This Book: This book is full of humor and fun word play. There are sprinkles of rhyme throughout that added personality. Goat, moat, float…see? Fun! I feel like Berry nailed the characters. Archie, ever the science buff, simply ignores the obvious drawbridge and Skinny, the skeptical side-kick, goes along with Archie’s antics. Even though it’s silliness to ignore the easy solution, the characters were believable and endearing. I, also, like the fact that this can be easily used in the classroom for spicing up a science lesson. Of course, it’s no surprise that Cordell’s illustrations add that “extra special” to the text. He never disappoints in my opinion.

To find more perfect picture books, head on over to Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and check out all the fantastic selections! Each book is reviewed by a picture book -lovin’ reviewer, AND includes activities to go along with the book. You will find a handy list right HERE.