Poetry Friday: Tree

Did you see Tree by Britta Teckentrup in 2015? The Peek-Through Picture Book is a great pick for Poetry Friday. First readers will follow the seasons illustrated through changes to and around one tree.

"Birds flit through the leafy bowers.
The forest is abloom with flowers.

Birds are singing, foxes play.
Summertime is on its way."

Watch the changes with owl through the pages' clever die-cuts. Happy Poetry Friday, readertotz!

Tree, a Peek-Through Picture Book
by Britta Teckentrup
Doubleday, 2015

Poetry Friday: Odd One Out

The Odd One Out is a retro spotting book by Britta Teckentrup. Released from Big Picture Press, it's regular-size and full of rhymes.

"Hello! Good morning!"
a flock of birds tweet.
As the sun rises,
they're ready to eat.

A yummy bird breakfast
wriggles and squirms --
but which of these birds
has caught the worm?

Enjoy spotting on this Poetry Friday!

The Odd One Out, a spotting book
by Britta Teckentrup
Big Picture Press, 2014

Playbook Pirates: Corina Fletcher

Back in September, Joan recommended Playbook Farm. I second her call with Playbook Pirates!

Imagine a box. Opened, there's an envelope on the left which holds all your play pieces. On the right is a book which tells of the jolly pirates' adventures through Corina Fletcher's text. However, the book can be removed from the box and transformed into a large board for play. At that point, the boat, lighthouse, shipwreck, mermaids, octopus, and island are 3 dimensional pop-ups.

Additionally, on the back of each book spread, there are fun facts and questions about life at sea. Britta Teckentrup's digital illustrations look like cut paper collage. The textures and layers bring so much to the imagery.

Nosy Crow creates such great quality. Have fun reading and playing with Playbook Pirates. Note: due to small pieces, only for ages 3 and older.

Playbook Pirates
by Corina Fletcher
illustrated by Britta Teckentrup
Nosy Crow, 2013

Playbook Farm: Corina Fletcher

I'm continually impressed by Nosy Crow. Check out Playbook Farm. It's actually a pop-up book and giant board which folds into book shape to store in a box. Animals which stand along with vehicles will delight your totz for hours because, "Everyone is happy, all day, on the busy farm."

On the back of each spread is a nonfiction question to spur discussion.

"What do cows do?
Cows give us milk to drink."



Corina Fletcher's thoughtful text accompanies Britta Teckentrup's endearing illustration, full of textures. The palette in particular just feels perfect. So unpack the box, read the book, be surprised by the delightful and original popups, and answer the questions. Then unfold the mat, unpack the vehicles and characters, and play. Way to go, Nosy Crow!

Playbook Farm
by Corina Fletcher
illustrations by Britta Teckentrup
Nosy Crow, Candlewick Press