Picture Book Spotlights: Ivy in Bloom and Big Blue

Ivy in Bloom: The Poetry of Spring by Vanita Oelschlager and Kristin Blackwood (Illustrations)

Age Range: 5 and up
 
Grade Level: Kindergarten and up
 
Hardcover: 40 pages
 
Publisher: Vanita Books (April 1, 2009)
 
Language: English

Genre: Picture Book

Series: None
 

About the Book:

Ivy In Bloom captures the weariness of a young girl tired of a long winter. "I stare out the window," she says on the first spread of brown and gray, "looking for birds or flowers/or even warm showers/but I don't see any such thing." But then Spring comes when "March is out of breath...snow melting to flowery waters and watery flowers...spring rose from its wintry rest." And Ivy's "heart dances with daffodils." As these words also dance across each spread, Ivy's world erupts into a riot of color.

Ivy In Bloom introduces the poetry of Dickinson, Longfellow, Browning, Wordsworth, Frost and others. Excerpts from their writings, as seen through Ivy's eyes, will open up poetry as a way for children to express their own feelings about the changing of seasons. This book includes longer excerpts and brief bios
of each author.


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Big Blue by Vanita Oelschlager and Kristin Blackwood (Illustrations)

Age Range: 5 and up
 
Grade Level: Kindergarten and up
 
Hardcover: 32 pages
 
Publisher: Vanita Books (September 1, 2008)
 
Language: English

Genre: Picture Book

Series: None

About the Book:

Big Blue is a cautionary tale for all of us, but especially children who may not realize that their actions can have unexpected consequences. Big Blue is a happy bird, and member of a large family that spends their winters in the warm south. Big Blue gets lazy though and instead of working, he lies about eating and sleeping. Soon, the flock leaves - but Blue is too fat and heavy to go, so he spends the winter cold, but working hard just to survive on his own. He soon learns that hard work has its rewards because he is now strong, fit and the leader of the flock.

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About the Author:

Vanita Oelschlager is a wife, mother, grandmother, former teacher, caregiver, author and poet. She is a graduate of Mount Union College, where she is currently a member of the Board of Trustees. She was named "Writer in Residence" for the Literacy Programs at the University of Akron in 2007.

About the Illustrator:

Kristin Blackwood is an experienced illustrator whose other VanitaBooks include: My Grampy Can't Walk, Let Me Bee, Big Blue, Made In China and What Pet Will I Get?