Category: How To’s

How To Read A Wordless Book

Two years ago, while I was acting as a judge for the Cybils and reading even more books than normal in a given year, I noted the inordinate amount of wordless picture books that had come out in 2013. It even turned out to be the Caldecott year for wordless picture books as the 2014 honor awards went to three wordless picture books: Journey, Flora and the Flamingo, and Mr. Wuffles!. It was an unheard-of year for wordless picture books. I even frequently refer to 2013 as “The year of the wordless picture book.” Clever, no?

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How To Be An Excellent Father

Sunday was Father’s Day in the U.S. and I have been determined to do a companion to my Mother’s Day post last month, this time looking at Father Bear from our beloved Little Bear book series. Now, I am not a father, so it feels a little weird to be writing a “how-to” post on something I am not and won’t ever be. But Father Bear is such a strong literary character that it seems only fitting to devote a post to him in celebration of the holiday. In the children’s literature world, parents are often quite terrible or non-existent; so I adore the solid, faithful figure Father Bear presents. Let’s take a look at a few of Father Bear’s strengths and celebrate the joy of fatherhood through him. Here are my observations on how to be a great dad as seen in Father Bear Comes Home by Else Holmelund Minarik, pictures by Maurice Sendak, 1959.

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How To Be An Excellent Mother

Yesterday was Mother’s Day here in the United States. It is an interesting holiday, that most consider to be a marketing ploy, although a previous book I’ve discussed taught me differently. I sheepishly admit that I don’t care too much about Mother’s Day. It is a fine holiday, but always feels a little overdone to me. I do love my mother and mother-in-law, and I never turn down a lovely gift or two or flowers or chocolates or any combination thereof. And I am honored that I am a mother with two children of my own. But perhaps it is because I am in what is considered the throes of toddlerhood that I feel being a mother just isn’t always marvelous. It is hard stuff. Pantloads of patience are required. Motherhood asks for lots of creativity, multitasking, functioning on very little sleep, and did I mention patience?

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How To Make A Children’s Book Character Costume (Part 4)

For our final portion of children’s picture book costumes, I bring some rather obscure, bizarre, ridiculously easy, and just plain comical ideas. I really had way too much fun with this. (Don’t miss Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.) These are all less character ideas and more “be the book,” “be part of the book,” “be something mentioned in the book….” Just have some fun!

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How To Make A Children’s Book Character Costume (Part 3)

And we are back today with Part 3 of our children’s picture book costume ideas. (See Part 1 and Part 2.) Today’s grouping is much smaller and might speak more strongly to the hearts of boys. These are some fun, active characters with bold moves and outfits. Let’s see some more character costume ideas!

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How To Make A Children’s Book Character Costume (Part 2)

Yesterday we started a mini-series on children’s book character costumes. Tonight I bring Part 2! This is a larger grouping of characters, male and female, and most of them would be excellent adult costumes as well. As with Part 1, there are some classic characters, some more obscure, and some brand new. Let’s imagine some costumes!

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