Two Silly (But Signifcant) Picture Books from Sleeping Bear Press

Congratulations to Danielle Hammelef for winning a copy of Wood, Wire, Wings from last week's blog.

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The two books I'm featuring this week definitely create smiles -- but they each teach something too.

TRAVEL GUIDE FOR MONSTERS

With a title like that, you know this is going to be a book that will appeal to the silliest young reader, right? 

And doesn't the cover for Travel Guide for Monsters tell you that's what you will find inside?

In this fun picture book in verse, the author Lori Degman, talks directly to the readers as if they have their own personal monster (and what preschooler doesn't?). Each page shows the monster in a different location with a warning as to what could happen to the monster if he travels there. For example, in Arizona, the reader is warned,

In Chicago,

And in the Florida Everglades,

The unsuspecting reader (and monster) get to travel cross-country (in a vehicle that looks remarkably like an old VW bus), seeing some of the famous sights which make the United States diverse and fun.

Finally, when the vacation is over, the reader faces one last challenge:

Your travels give you memories

you'll treasure through the years.

But how will you explain your

monster's crazy souvenirs?

As you can tell by these samples, illustrator Dave Szalay had a great time illustrating this book! 

The curriculum take-away from Travel Guide for Monsters is the map in the back where young readers can identify where they live or have traveled.

Otis. P. Oliver Protests 

Raise your hand if you have/know a child who likes to get dirty.

Raise your hand if you have/know a child who doesn't want to take a bath.

Just as I thought. I bunch of you raised your hand. 

Then Otis P. Oliver Protests by Keri Claiborne Boyle is for you and that child:

From the opening pages we meet Otis, the youngest of four children (his older siblings are ALL girls--he doesn't stand a chance) his dog, and his worm farm. 

His family takes issue with his body odor and he decides it is time to protest baths.  #1 enemy? Soap.

He enlists the support of his friends, they lead marches along the street and picket his driveway. 

Thus begins protest correspondence with his mother. Notes are delivered--in style--by each of his older sisters and his dog. Negotiations ensue. Would Otis consider abandoning the protest for the price of lasagna and garlic bread? He considers the offer.

Finally, Otis gives in--vainly holding out for the promise of dessert. 

In the end, Otis scribbles one last note:

Once again, I think the illustrator, Daniel Duncan, had a grand time creating the illustrations to accompany the text. The protest signs are genius in and of themselves! 

What's the curriculum tie-in for Otis P. Oliver Protests? The importance of good hygiene--and of course, keeping the cook happy!

GIVEAWAY 

I am delighted to give away these books this week. I think you and your child or grandchild will have fun reading both of these. If you have a preference, please indicate in your comment. As always, include your email address if you are new to my blog, and sharing on social media gives you an additional opportunity. Giveaway ends on Friday, August 7 at 5 PM.