Thursday, April 14, 2016

Picture books for everyone

Peanut Butter & Cupcake by Terry Border

This book in great on two levels. Looking at it in terms of the lesson learned: the new kid trying to find his place in the neighborhood, searching for new friends and playmates, is universal. Peanut Butter is a great character, approaching each new kid or group with optimism, not flagging even in the face of repeated rejection. The surface is where this book really shines, though. Not only are the photos highly entertaining, there is a repeated refrain "Hello. I'm new here and I like to play. Maybe now, maybe later, or even all day. I'll make you chuckle deep down in your belly. And we'll go together like peanut butter and..." Each instance of the refrain ends with a different food item: hamburger, cupcake, egg, spaghetti, etc. That alone is enough to elicit groans and giggles from kids and parents alike. Add in a wide range of food based puns and it's pretty much a surefire hit.

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