Search Results for: mo willems

Books on Screen: The Mr. Men Show

February 4, 2010 by Jennifer

I knew that there was a new Mr. Men Show on Boomerang/Cartoon Network. But I made a snap judgment that it was a smart-alecky show with no redeeming value.

Then when Carrie reviewed the Mr. Men and Little Miss books, I reconsidered a little bit, but we still didn’t start watching them. This week, I posted in my “I Read It!” post that we’ve recently enjoyed some of the books, and Kyle has been watching the show when he’s home from school (which has been all too often with several morning delayed openings lately), so I decided to watch it with him.

I was wrong. While it’s not educational per se, it does seem to hold to the spirit of the books. In the TV episodes, we see a whole cast of characters interacting together. The two I watched with Kyle featured Little Miss Calamity, who cracked me up, especially as she hung out (and thus played off of) Mr. Rude. Mr. Bump always cracks Kyle up, and Mr. Grumpy is sort of convicting (to this too-often-grumpy mommy). We’ve also enjoyed the antics of Little Miss Scary and the fears of Mr. Nervous as they play out on screen.

There are a few episodes available on DVD.

By the way, speaking of books (authors) and Boomerang, the kids and I were both delighted to catch the name of the director of a new Quick Draw McGraw cartoon short that they’ve been showing on that network: Mo Willems. FYI, he also worked on Suzie Kabloozie shorts for Sesame Street (which I remember from Amanda’s Sesame Street days!), and was head writer on Codename: Kids Next Door, which I’ll have to pay a bit more attention to the next time it’s on.

Jennifer and her kids are all confirmed bookworms, but we really like TV and movies too. Find out more about what we’re up to if we’re not staring at a screen or burying our noses in books at Snapshot blog.

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Big Frog Can’t Fit In

October 8, 2009 by Dawn

A sassy pigeon, a beloved bunny, an oblivious dinosaur, a terrible monster, a clothed naked mole rat, an elephant and piggie buddy duo… what do they all have in common? If you don’t know the answer to that question, then get thee to a library and go directly to the W shelf of the children’s section. The creator behind all those uniquely wonderful characters is, of course, Mo Willems, who is considered a genius among authors in our household. The kids and I were all thrilled to see that not only does he have a new book out, but that this one will literally be bursting with fun.

Big Frog Can’t Fit In, Mo Willems’ first ‘pop out’ book, is filled with surprises on each page, from pull-tabs that help propel the story along to elaborate unfolding action that occurs as each page is turned. Like the Pigeon of Willems’ Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! fame, Big Frog is sparsely drawn, but full of heart. With three lower lashes on each eye, and a smile containing one surprising gold tooth, she conveys her emotions through simple grimaces, lowered lids, and warm grins. With the help of some more traditionally-sized froggy friends, the book concludes on a happy note, with a grand finale that’s sure to please the little ones.

I harbor no secrecy about my love for all of Mo Willems’ work, which I have greatly enjoyed sharing with my own children, as well as many preschool classes over the years. I can confidently say that Big Frog Can’t Fit In will most definitely fit in happily among the preschool and younger elementary set for its fun interactive nature, as well as the sheer lovability of its larger than life main character. My only question is this- how long will we have to wait until a plush Big Frog is available for the little ones to cuddle with as we read and experience this book together?

If you’re interested in reading my take on what it was like to meet Mo Willems at this year’s National Book Festival in Washington, DC, please head over to my recent On Reading post- Meeting the Minds Behind the Books, or you can read a transcript of the interview on my blog as well.

Dawn considers children’s literature to be a constant source of joy and happiness, regardless of one’s age. That must be why it comes up again and again on her own blog, my thoughts exactly.

On Reading: Meeting the Minds Behind the Books

October 4, 2009 by Dawn

Living in the Washington DC metro area has its share of negatives– nonstop traffic, overcrowded schools and an always-present partisan mindset, to name just a few. All of these annoyances melt away once the September calendar page is turned though, because the anticipation for my favorite Saturday of the year begins to build. Since 2001, the Library of Congress has hosted the penultimate event for booklovers- The National Book Festival, and I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to attend for the majority of these nine years.

This year marked a significant change in my approach to the Festival. Rather than stand in the long, long lines for author signings, I planned to simply fill our day with as many author talks in the various pavilions as possible. I regretted my inability to clone myself as I first laid eyes on the list of diverse and incredibly successful authors scheduled to appear. The biggest difference, however, would come with the Press Pass that I was able to qualify for as one of your industrious reviewers here on 5M4B! With access to the Media Tent, I had the extreme pleasure of interviewing two amazing children’s authors, Craig Hatkoff and Mo Willems.

Now, before my current gig as amateur book reviewer/blogger and professional stay-at-home-mom, I spent ten years as a preschool teacher, so you can imagine that children’s literature holds a very, very special place in my heart, as it always did in my classroom. I routinely emphasized to my children that the books they loved, the books they cuddled with on their cots at naptime and turned to for entertainment and information, all came from a person. Each book began as someone’s idea, and the power behind that concept, I hope, helped to instill a deeper respect for the joy that we call books. When I had the opportunity to sit down with both Craig Hatkoff and Mo Willems, I was humbly reminded of that idea firsthand. From the silly antics of the determined Pigeon to the inspiring story of friendship by Owen and Mzee and all the other titles among them, these two gentlemen have created an impressive library of work.

So, what about the interviews? I was thrilled to listen as Craig Hatkoff, a success in the business, philanthropy and entertainment worlds, described how he wanted to leave a lasting impact on the world through writing children’s books. I was shocked to hear that Mo Willems despises his books for the first six months after they’re released. (Hard to tell when he’s being serious or not… I think there’s a mixture of both truth and exaggeration in that one.) But most of all, it was my extreme pleasure simply to have conversations with two gentlemen whose ideas have become the very books that I treasure reading to my own children. Thank you to Craig, Mo and all the other minds behind the books. You have my eternal respect and admiration!

If you’re interested in reading more about my interviews, head over to my posts at my thoughts exactly about interviewing Craig Hatkoff and Mo Willems for some insights into their work.

Books and blogging are nice ingredients for a happy life according to Dawn. Add in a cute hubby and three wacky kids and you have the recipe for her blog, my thoughts exactly.

5 Star Reads

If we post a review of a book here at 5 Minutes for Books, it means that we think that someone out there would like it. It may not have been our favorite book, but it was worth our time to read and review, and we hope someone likes it. We wanted to distinguish our “must reads,” and so we’ve given them the special 5 Star Reads designation.

The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker
After You by Julie Buxbaum
Everyone is Beautiful by Katherine Center
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas
So Brave, Young and Handsome by Leif Enger
Hannah’s Dream by Diane Hammond
The Rook by Steven James
Stealing with Style by Emyl Jenkins
Small Wars by Sadie Jones
The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz
Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Godmother by Carolyn Turgeon
The Weight of Heaven by Thrity Umrigar
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

Memoir and Biography:

The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan
My Prison, My Home by Haleh Esfandiari
Boy Alone by Karl Taro Greenfeld
Clara’s War by Clara Kramer
Coop by Michael Perry
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
Scratch Beginnings by Adam Shepherd
How to Be Like Walt by Pat Williams
Dough by Mort Zachter

Nonfiction:

Nurture Shock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merriman
On the Go Devotional: Contentment by Lydia Brownback
The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment by Tim Challies
Finding An Unseen God by Alicia Britt Chole
5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter by Vicki Courtney
Stubborn Twig, by Lauren Kessler
The Uncommon Woman: Making an Ordinary Life Extraordinary by Susie Larson
Free-Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy
The Grand Weaver, by Ravi Zacharias

Children’s Books — ages 0 – 3, 3 – 6, 6 – 9:

My Name Is Not Isabella by Jennifer Fosberry
The Scrambled States of America by Laurie Keller
Tiana’s Cookbook: Recipes for Kids edited by Cindy Littlefield
Eye Like and Incredible Books by Play Bac Publishing
Little Hoot and Little Pea, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems
All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon

Children’s Books — ages 9 – 12:

Savvy by Ingrid Law
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey, by Trenton Lee Stewart

Books for Tweens and Teens:

The Hunger Games & Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Much Ado About Anne by Heather Vogel Frederick
Meet the Austins by Madeleine L’Engle
Map of the Known World by Lisa Ann Sandell
The Strictest School in the World series by Howard Whitehouse
The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

Children’s Classics — Book Trips

July 14, 2009 by Dawn

The power of a quality children’s book can often lie in the things that come after a reading. Think about it, isn’t it amazing when your child discusses something in the here and now of her life and relates it back to the story you read together the night before? As a preschool teacher, I always wanted to make sure that my classroom library was full of books that related to the children’s experiences, whether it was the topic that we were investigating or something as simple as having construction books available when the buildings near our school were transformed into construction zones.

Another way I’ve tried to connect literature to the real world has been to set up experiences that related to the books we’ve loved. I’ve professed my love for Mo Willems’ work here before, and I cannot emphasize how much joy my son took in reading Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! while we rode together on a shuttle bus each day. When he and I were immersed in world of Ramona, we looked at photos online of the Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden, and I promised that if we ever found ourselves in Portland, Oregon, we’d be paying it a visit. And of course, someday we’ll be living it up at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art when we just happen to be in Massachusetts.

How about you? Have you and your children been inspired by a book to visit someplace special, or have you sought out connections in your own neighborhood or area based upon your child’s love for literature? Please share your stories or link up to your own blog post here in our comments section.

And yes, while there are places I’d like to take my kids someday, over on my own blog today, I’m reminiscing about a trip that we took that provided one of my favorite pictures of me and my first-born, sitting among some of our favorite book characters. What’s your story?

While you’re here, get out your calendars for what’s in store over the next few months:

Children’s Classics:
August 11 — Adventure! (i.e. any adventure or suspense stories– any children’s reading level)
September 8 — Back to school books
October 13 — Re-reading a childhood favorite
November 10 — Celebrating the holidays
December 8 — Children’s books you love to give

Upcoming Bookclubs:
August 4 — Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
September 1 — Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji

Dawn is that mad woman that you hear shrieking with joy in the new children’s book section in the library. She can also be found shrieking online at my thoughts exactly.

Children’s Classics — Future Classics

May 12, 2009 by Dawn

Here we are, together again for the Children’s Classics, only this time we get to haul out our trusty old crystal balls and offer up our very own predictions. What qualities do you think a children’s book needs to possess to endure in our collective hearts long enough to warrant classic status? Are there authors who you think can write nothing but classics? What books do you think will grace the shelves alongside a munching caterpillar, a bunny preparing for bedtime, and a fish all on his own?

The majority of my ‘adult’ life has been spent in the daily presence of young children, so my perspective is definitely skewed in favor of the world of picture books. For ten years in my preschool classroom, I made sure to surround my children (and myself!) with the best picture books the library had to offer, and as a parent of three young ones, our home is also a literary treasure chest. When I think of all the contemporary children’s books, it’s an absolute joy to ponder which books my children will be reading to my grandchildren, and perhaps even further down the familial road. While there are many, MANY contenders out there, this pick is a no-brainer for me.

I have professed my love for Mo Willems’ work here before, and I am unashamed to do so again. If we’re talking likely future classics, Willems’ first big hit, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! is required to be on the list. I have honestly read this book aloud too many times to keep count since its release in 2003, and each and every time, I genuinely laugh along with the children. My oldest was just three when we first fell in love with Mo’s work, and the Pigeon and my son were like twins separated at birth (minus the feathers, of course). The Pigeon represents the essence of a preschooler, and that will never change– the enthusiasm, the persistence, the inevitable meltdown (or as we call it, ‘the freaking out page!’). That’s what I think of when I hear the word classic– a book that will never lose its appeal and relevance. No matter if buses become obsolete, I do believe that the Pigeon and his desire to drive one will be around for a long, long time to come.

Now it’s your turn! Link up below to share your prognostications! And mark your calendars for our other upcoming Community posts:

More Children’s Classics this summer:
June 9 — Poetry (individual poems or anthologies)

July 14 — Book Trips (i.e. any books that have inspired a family ‘field trip’ of sorts– maybe to a children’s museum or a museum affiliated with an author, or a visit to the city of a beloved author, or even to something like a local pet store)

August 11 — Adventure! (i.e. any adventure or suspense stories– any children’s reading level)

Other events this month:
May 19 — Kids’ Picks
May 26 — What’s on Your Nightstand?
June 2 — Contemporary Bookclub- Everyone is Beautiful (okay, technically not this month, but close enough!)

Dawn could easily be accused of having a bit of a ‘Mo obsession,’ which she is enthusiastically passing along to her three children. For more book love and other random ramblings, hop over to her blog, my thoughts exactly.

Search Results for: mo willems

Books on Screen: The Mr. Men Show

Big Frog Can’t Fit In

On Reading: Meeting the Minds Behind the Books

5 Star Reads

Reviewed in 2015:

Fiction:

Non-Fiction and Memoir:

Reviewed in 2014:

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Non-Fiction and Memoir:

Children and Young Adult

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Children and Young Adult

Reviewed in 2012:

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Children and Young Adult

Reviewed in 2011:

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Reviewed in 2010:

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Non-Fiction and Memoir:

Children and Young Adult

5 Star Reads, reviewed prior to 2010: