MotherReader

(Let’s just pretend it’s Thursday, because I could not finish this post yesterday with my head full of cold.)

With the election just days away, let’s see who’s running for office in fictional picture books.

Grace for President, written by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
When Grace wonders why there haven’t been any women presidents (sorry, Hillary), her teacher uses her question to teach about presidential elections with a school-wide election. Grace runs for president against a boy in another class. Even though Grace works hard on her campaign, the boy relies on the Boy Vote to put him in office. The children represent states with the all-important electoral college votes. In the end, the election comes down to one kid — a boy. Will he follow the Boy Vote, or will he look at the best candidate? C’mon it’s a children’s book. Of course the best candidate wins. (America can only hope for so much.) This is a great book to talk about campaigns, elections, and the electoral college. The message that women and African Americans can be president is perfect and ridiculously timely.

Max for President, written and illustrated by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Max and Kelly both want to be class president. They both make signs and buttons and promises. Kelly wins. However, “Kelly knew that she needed a good vice president to help get work done.” Taking that responsibility seriously — unlike some candidates — Kelly picks Max and they work together to make the school better. The book is simple in text and concept, but would be a nice preschool introduction to elections, cooperation, and the importance of picking a great vice president.

Duck for President, written by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin
The animals at the farm decide that they don’t like their chores and hold an election to get rid of Farmer Brown. Duck helps with voter registration, and wins the election by a landslide! But he finds running a farm is hard work, so he puts his new campaigning skills to work for a higher office. And then still higher! Of course, as you might expect, he finds running the country very hard work, and so he leaves the vice president in charge (again, the vice president’s office seems pretty important) and takes another path. Kids will love the silliness of the book, but the basics of campaigns and elections are represented. Adults may chuckle at Duck playing the saxophone on late-night TV à la Clinton. Lots of fun.

I’m not going to take long on the Obama thing, but I have to mention the three references to reading or children’s books in the informercial last night. Yes, three.

In a speech segment Barack says, “No government program can turn off the TV set or put away the video games or read to your children.” The emphasis was his, as well as mine.

Then Michelle Obama talks about how Barack has his thing that he does with each of his daughters, “and for Malia it was reading through every single Harry Potter book, and they got through all of them.”

Then the segment about the family in Kentucky starts with showing the dad reading a bedtime story to his little girl.

Not bad for books and reading, huh?

(Okay, I have to add something. I went to find the video where Michelle and Barack talk at a party about reading Harry Potter, which I found. But it led to another video titled — I kid you not — “Barack Obama Reads Witchcraft to His Children.” You have to laugh, right? The video features Michelle talking about Barack reading the books, but starts with a text statement, “Does Barack Obama oppose Harry Potter like most Christian parents?” Most Christian parents? Really? So I suppose that the huge Pottermania that has spurred on the children’s book industry for almost ten years can all be credited to Jews. You’re welcome.)

My daughter won Adam Rex’s Kaiju Haiku contest!!! She doesn’t know yet, being at school, but she’s going to be thrilled! She loves his books, as I mentioned, and who doesn’t love winning stuff?

With the variety of entries, two grand prizes were awarded in a younger and older age category. You’ll see the other winner and illustration, plus the runners-up over at today’s post.

(Congratulations, my angel!)

Halloween Storytime! Now with annotations!

In my ABC Storytime series, this is my break for Halloween. These are books I’ve read in the classroom and for preschool programs, so they are on the upper end of the picture book age range. Songs and fingerplays are all over the Internet, so I’m not putting them here. Personally, I tend to use “Spider on the Floor,” “Five Fat Pumpkins,” and “Ten Little Witches.”

Boris and Bella, by Carolyn Crimi, takes us into the land of vampires, mummies, and monsters. But just because they’re spooky or undead doesn’t mean that they don’t have problems too. Bella Lagrossi is very messy, and Boris Kleanitoff is too neat. They are neighbors, but don’t get along. When they both try to have competing parties for Halloween, everyone goes to the house of a more congenial host instead. As Bella and Boris go to yell at Henry Beastie, they find all the flaws in the party — like maggot muffins with too much muffin and not enough maggot — and refuse to have fun. When the dancing starts, they do come together and have a good time. Of course, they learn to accept each other, and also each to make little changes for the other. It’s a funny story with great wordplay, phrasing, and puns. Kids love all the gross-out references in the text and illustrations. Great fun.

The Scariest Monster in the Whole Wide World, by Pamela Mayer, is not a monster story, despite the title. Instead, it’s about finding the right costume when kid and parents disagree. Thea Dewlicky had won second prize last year at her costume parade with her fairy costume. This year, her parents are planning the costume that is sure to win, but Thea has other ideas. She wants to be the scariest monster in the whole wide world, with scales and claws and an ax in her head. Her parents are horrified, and take her shopping to find a suitable outfit, but Thea cannot be swayed. Along comes Grandma, who lets the kid be a kid, but finds a way to make the parents happy too. Along with being a fun Halloween story, it’s a good message for over-involved parents. Who will probably totally miss the point.

This one is always a winner: The Hallo-wiener, by Dav Pilkey. It’s the story of a dachshund who is always teased by his doggie classmates, but especially after his well-meaning mother gives him a hot-dog costume for Halloween. But when his doggie friends are spooked by a ghoul, it’s the little dog who saves the day. It’s a funny book, but you can add a little spooky suspense when the ghoul comes into the picture.

The Ugly Pumpkin, by Dave Horowitz, is about a pumpkin that isn’t picked for Halloween because he looks so strange. As he travels through November, he comes upon more like him and realizes that he’s not a pumpkin at all. He’s a squash! And he’s just in time for Thanksgiving! Cute twist on the ugly duckling story with a nice transition to the next holiday on the calendar.

I don’t usually participate in Nonfiction Monday, mostly because I’m generally not organized enough to do so. But today I’ll start my week of politics, elections, and um... Halloween with a biography.

First, let me say it makes no sense to me when people — or campaigns — say that we don’t know Barack Obama. With two books, numerous articles, twenty-two months on the campaign trail, and umpteen episodes of The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, what’s left to know?

But for people who may want a quick version of the man, let me recommend Yes We Can: A Biography of Barack Obama, by Garen Thomas. I won this from the raffle drawing at the Kidlitosphere Conference. Greg got the picture book Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope, but I like my book better anyway. (Nyah-nyah!) Written for older elementary school kids, the book covers Obama’s life story with an interesting narrative. The first two-thirds of the book seem drawn very strongly from his autobiography, Dreams from My Father. The last third fills in the rest of the story, namely his law school and political years. The book includes lots of photos, and chapters are separated by quotes from Obama — including a section of his New Hampshire primary speech, “Yes We Can.”

Having gone to press before the Democratic primaries ended, Yes We Can misses most of 2008 in its coverage. And, of course, it will also miss the result of the election, now eight days away. It doesn’t have the personal depth and elegant writing of Dreams from My Father or the policy implications of The Audacity of Hope, but for kids or adults who want to know who Barack Obama is, this title is a great place to start.

I know only yesterday I said that I was moving my Obama Love to YA for Obama, but I have to share this video from a rally in my home state of Virginia. It is inspirational, energizing and 100% positive. It actually gave me goosebumps and a lump in my throat. Please take the five-and-a-half minutes to watch it and pass it on to your friends. Please.


Let me note this line, from the five-minute mark: “Everyone in this auditorium, at some point, somebody stood up for you... They might not have been able to vote, but they marched and fought so you could vote.”

Because that’s what it all comes down to — voting. In that vein, I hope that you’ll be participating in a online event to Blog the Vote. I’ll let my new-best-friend Lee Wind explain:

Blog the Vote is a one-day Kid and Adult Lit Blogger Event, where we all blog on Monday, November 3rd, about the importance of voting on Tuesday, November 4th. Blog the Vote is about sharing WHY it’s important to vote. It’s about the issues that will be decided by whoever wins this election.

He hatched this plan alongside the amazing Colleen Mondor, who has agreed to track and keep a master list of posts. Here’s what she has to say:

The plan is to run a One Shot event on Monday, November 3rd, where all participants blog about why they personally think voting matters this year. You can write a post that touches on historical issues or policies of significance today. Anything you want to write about that expresses the idea that voting matters is fair game. The only hard and fast rule — and this is very hard and fast — is that you do not get to bash any of the four candidates for president and vice president.

Go to Chasing Ray for the official announcement and to get your post on the master list. As an example, Little Willow has the right idea already with this intensely moving post that incorporates voting issues and books. A winning combination in anyone’s... um, book.

If I didn’t do this, the next twelve days would be all election, all the time at MotherReader. So I’ve accepted an invitation to join and post at YA for Obama. I’ve put up a new post today and uploaded two videos. (Not my own — don’t be silly.) Anyway, come on by if you need a place to read, talk, vent, and connect. You’re invited.

After two weeks of nominations and behind-the-scenes work, the Cybils nomination lists have been posted. In my category, Fiction Picture Books, we have 175 books to read and narrow down to the top five titles. Or seven. Let’s say seven. I’m already aware of at least seven fantastic books among the selections, and I’ve only seen about a fifth of them.

This is going to be tough.

For the letter H, you could do a whole program on horses or houses. Depending when you start in the school year, a Halloween program often lines up quite nicely. I’ll take an ABC break next week to post a Halloween storytime, but for now let’s stick with...


Book: Harry’s Home, by Catherine and Lawrence Anholt

Fingerplay: “Houses”

Here is a nest for robin
(Cup your hands.)
Here is a hive for bee
(Put your fists together.)
Here is a hold for bunny
(Form a circle with hands)
And here is a house for me.
(Form a peak with hands)

Book: Happy Bees, by Al Yorinks

Song: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”

If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it
And you really want to show it
If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.

(Repeat with... stomp your feet, shout hooray, do all three.)

Book: I Call My Hand Gentle, by Amanda Haan

Fingerplay: “Open, Shut Them”

Open, shut them,
Give a little clap, clap, clap.
Open, shut them,
Open, shut them,
Put them in your lap, lap, lap.
Creep them, creep them,
Creep them, creep them,
Right up to your chin, chin, chin.
Open wide your little mouth
But do not put them in!

(Follow the directions of the song and you can’t go wrong.)

Book: Hamsters to the Rescue, by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Rhyme: “Hickory Dickory Dock”

Hickory, Dickory Dock
The hamster ran up the clock.
The clock struck one
And down he run.
Hickory, Dickory Dock.

(I tell them I’m replacing the traditional mouse with a hamster.)

Alternate Books: Little Hoot, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal; Hiding Hoover, by Elise Broach; Hungry Hen, by Richard Waring

I didn’t get back to update yesterday’s post with my seventh grader’s entries to Adam Rex’s Kaiju Haiku Contest. I think she did an amazing job, especially considering that she just sat down with a piece of paper and tossed off about seven choices. These were the two she tweaked for the maximum impact.

Scaly, green monster
Sleeps under my bed at night.
What a freeloader.

The monster glowered
With bloodshot, watery eyes.
Allergy season.

I love the wit in these. Another related example of her sense of humor is how she named her fish. Yes, he is a Siamese Fighting Fish named Koobish — after the creature in The True Meaning of Smekday. But the funny thing is that since I warned her how... disposable these fish can be, she’s decided to keep the name Koobish for all of the subsequent fish and use subtitles. So we’ll have:

• Koobish
  
• Koobish II: Judgment Day
  
• Koobish III: Revenge of the Fish
  
• Koobish IV: A New Hope
  
• Koobish V: Koobish Harder

Man, she rocks.

Can I use my Poetry Friday spot to highlight the last day in Adam Rex’s Kaiju Haiku Contest? Today is the LAST DAY to submit entries. The Grand prize for a kid includes an illustration of the winning haiku, a signed copy of Frankenstein Takes the Cake, and a Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich lunchbox. Adults or kid runners-up will receive a signed copy of Frankenstein Takes the Cake with his or her haiku illustrated on the title page. The judges are ready to look over the entries, but there isn’t much time left, so think up something quick.

I forgot to mention this to my daughter, who loves Adam Rex’s The True Meaning of Smekday. In fact, she named her new fish Koobish, after the creature in the book. She’s going to kill me. Though, now that I think of it, she still has this afternoon, and she works best under deadline. Just like her mom. If either of us think of something, I’ll update this post with our entry.

Poetry Friday is hosted today by Becky’s Book Reviews. I suspect she’ll have lots links to actual poems for you to read.

By the way, thanks to Kelly for introducing me to online sand art. Until I saw it I didn’t realize I could waste even more time online and avoid cleaning the house.

OMG, now I know where McCain/Palin came up with their “Who is he?” campaign concept! The Penguin! I think Palin even got the wink from him. It all makes so much sense.

I know most of the kidlitosphere bloggers don’t like to talk about politics on their blogs, but I gave up that high ground long ago. Um... sorry? Anyway, I’m offering a safe space to comment about the debate last night because I feel that some of us — and by that I mean me — need to talk about it.

Now my motto is, “If you can’t say anything nice, at least make it funny.” Based on that, I searched the opinions for a good bit about the debates that rang true, but was also funny. This is the only one — so far — that made me laugh:

McCain came off as sour, agitated and petulant. Obama — man, nothing rattles that guy. But McCain was two tics away from a vein-popping “You can’t handle the truth!” Jack Nicholson moment.

Gotta love movie quotes. And this was from Crunchy Con, a blog about conservative politics and religion. Makes you wonder what the liberals are saying! Oh wait, that’s me.

I found that quote in a round-up of opinions from Andrew Sullivan’s blog, a great place to find out more about the debate if you’re so inclined to do so. Or you can read the transcript at the New York Times. Like you’ve got that kind of time.

My main thought watching the debate was that Obama was calm, cool, articulate, and... presidential. McCain was like the angry old guy at the homeowner’s association meeting sniping about untrimmed hedges on the neighbor’s lawn.

Now there were times I got mad. McCain’s assertion that talking about horrible things shouted at rallies equals slandering all Republican rally attendees is a ridiculous diversion from a serious issue. I don’t think “health” of the mother should be put in finger quotes, no matter what you think the “pro-abortion movement” (my quotes are deliberate and derisive) is doing.

I was baffled by the rising celebrity of Joe the Plumber. Anyone else think that maybe Joe just needs a good accountant? Oh, and there were moments of amusement. The crowd actually laughed at the question of the moderator, “Why would the country be better off if your running mate became president rather than his running mate?” Obama talked about why Biden would be good president if need be. McCain instead talked about Palin like she was his feisty kid, even saying that he was proud of her. Gee, thanks, Dad. One of the best examples of Obama’s coolness, and his way of turning the topic around, was at this point in the debate.

SCHIEFFER: Do you think she’s qualified to be president?

OBAMA: You know, I think it’s — that’s going to be up to the American people. I think that, obviously, she’s a capable politician who has, I think, excited the — a base in the Republican Party.

And I think it’s very commendable the work she’s done on behalf of special needs. I agree with that, John.

I do want to just point out that autism, for example, or other special needs will require some additional funding, if we’re going to get serious in terms of research. That is something that every family that advocates on behalf of disabled children talk about.

Personally, I wouldn’t have been able to hold back a laugh at that question. This would also have been an ideal time for Obama to make sure that McCain understands that Palin’s son has Down’s Syndrome, not autism. I would have paid money to see that correction by Obama with a pointed and yet totally cool look. Awwwk-ward.

Overall, I thought it was certainly a more interesting debate than the other two. I do wonder if McCain realizes that going completely negative during the debate gave Obama the opportunity to answer all the criticism with his actual policies and the actual truth. In some ways, the whole debate came off more like the world’s angriest interview of Obama.

So, what did you think?

Oh, computer! I missed you sooo much!

My computer needed a little adjustment and left me stranded with Bill’s laptop hooked up to the Internet. Honestly, it was only a step up from using an Etch-A-Sketch and smoke signals. Good news for Bill, though, since I am totally on board with him getting a new computer. In fact, I’m surprised at the depth of his patience for having waited so long. He’s a good man.

Anyway, now to the letter G. There aren’t great songs for this letter, as far as I know, and I’m not sure if the fingerplay rhymes are in public domain. Hmmm. I’ll just give you extra books.


Book: Giraffes Can’t Dance, by Giles Andreae

Book: The Three Silly Girls Grubb, by John and Ann Hassett

Book: Gorilla! Gorilla! by Jeanne Willis

Book: The Great Gracie Chase, by Cynthia Rylant

Book: Goldilocks and the Three Bears, by James Marshall

Book: The Gruffalo, by Julia Donaldon

Book: Grandmother Winter, by Phyllis Root

(Okay, here’s one rhyme I’m pretty sure is common knowledge.)

Action Rhyme: “Grandma’s Glasses”

These are Grandma’s glasses.
This in Grandma’s hat
This is the way she folds her hands.
And lays them in her lap.
Here are Grandpa’s glasses
And here is Grandpa’s hat,
And here’s the way he folds his arms
And takes a little nap.

(Add motions to the rhyme — dainty for Grandma, bigger for Grandpa.)

It wasn’t easy making a new America that we could all enjoy in our own political ideology. It wasn’t easy, but it was fun. And you can do it too!

First I had to put Maryland, the District of Columbia, Vermont, and Hawaii in the blue — which was a given for all states concerned.

Next, we had to make some tough state trades. We’re giving up New Mexico for Idaho; North Carolina for Indiana and West Virginia; and Colorado for Kentucky (this is clearly the most painful). But most importantly we need a land bridge to connect the East and West coasts, so a big sacrifice needs to be made. We’re giving up Florida for Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota. It’s unfortunate, but necessary. You know what? Given global warming, Florida isn’t going to be worth much soon anyway. Sorry about Disney World though.

There you have it. Welcome to the Divided States of America. Let each section run itself as it sees fit. Lately, it seems like the only option.

(Another well-written article has come out on the disgrace of the McCain campaign attacks, this one stating, “[H]e is attempting to resurrect the threadbare narrative which holds that Obama, by dint of color and heritage, is something foreign, something scary, something not of us. It’s an offensive argument, yes. But in a nation as riven and fearful as ours, it is also a dangerous one. After all, it is a short leap from toxic words to toxic deeds.” The article also notes something that I saw as I watched McCain trying to talk around the angry mob, that “McCain seems ashamed, and he has good reason.”)

Okay, we admit that the comments sections of the Cybils nominations are hard to read. They go on forever with duplicates and page turns making it hard to see if your favorite book is listed. Well, now we’re asking what good books haven’t been nominated. Give us some of your favorites that you’d like to see there, and maybe someone will agree and make the suggestion. There’s already a round-up of posts started at the Cybils, and you can add your Missing in Action list too.

Mine is only picture books, at least for now. I haven’t decided which one of these to nominate, but maybe one of them is a forgotten favorite of yours that I can share.

1. Ladybug Girl, by David Soman and Jacky Davis
   
2. M is for Mischief, written by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
   
3. It’s Not Fair!, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld
   
4. Katie Loves the Kittens, by John Himmelman
   

I’ve seen my absolute favorites on the Early Reader, Middle-Grade, and Young Adult lists, but that doesn’t mean that your best-loved books are there. It’s only a couple of days until nominations close, so be sure that you’ve put in your two cents.

Originally, I thought that John McCain had sold his soul to the Republican Party. Now I think it’s possible that he has sold his soul to the devil. Lately it doesn’t seem like a big distinction, but it is. It really is.

I disagree with the ideology of the Republican Party, and think that cutting basic social services to undocumented immigrants is wrong. I am appalled with the political strategy of the campaign, and think that wasting the time of the American people on stupid issues like “lipstick on a pig” is wrong.

However, I am absolutely horrified by the current approach of McCain/Palin, and think that inciting angry mobs with insinuations and lies is wrong. Not just wrong in ideology or wrong in politics but morally wrong. Like God-Should-Smite-You-Down Wrong.

Who’s with me? Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner, says in a Washington Post editorial that not only is the jeering use of Obama’s middle name insulting to Muslims, but more importantly, “The real affront is the lack of firm response from either McCain or Palin... [to] denounce the use of Obama’s middle name as an insult.” He goes on to note that the most recent attempts to change the level of disrespect have been small.

Along with middle-name teasing, which we should have been done with in grade school, we hear that we don’t really know Obama. This message coming after two books he wrote and twenty months on the campaign trail — and delivered by someone who apparently doesn’t read and has been on the campaign trail for barely one month. We hear that Obama “pals around” with terrorists and felons. Of course, Ayers bombed buildings before Obama was an adult, and the University of Chicago and two nonprofit boards seem to have vetted him into society, but somehow Obama should shun him. Now Rezko was convicted after Obama had dealings with him over his house and property, but somehow Obama should have predicted that and shunned him too. The Wright controversy won’t be coming up, because Palin has her own preacher issues. Plus, it’s a lot of work to paint someone as both a radical Muslim and a racist Christian — but looking at the campaign, it was still worth a try.

Now McCain and Palin take all this crap on the road and get people really, really angry. The party line is that they can’t control what the people in the rallies say, things like “terrorist” and “get him.” Oh, or what people do, like threatening the media after Palin slams the media. Bullshit. If they’re going to rile up the people, they have to take the responsibility. Or, as said in this New York Times editorial, “The McCain campaign has crossed the line between tough negative campaigning and inciting vigilantism, and each day the mob howls louder.” The writer, Frank Rich, begins his article starkly and bluntly, noting our biggest fear with an African-American candidate.

And I swear, if some angry, idiotic person takes this sewage and does something stupid, unmentionable, unconscionable, then John McCain is going to hell. And at that point, the country’s going to hell in a handbasket with him.

After I got back from the Kidlitosphere Conference at 6:00 a.m. on Monday morning, and after a full week of work, blogging, and activities, I got to go to Girl Scout Camp. Oh joy.

Now I like nature, but mostly as viewed through a screened window — as God intended it.¹ However, I make sure our troop goes camping because I believe that we should all stretch our comfort zones.

The first word I heard about the camp was not promising, but the trip was a wonderful experience. We kept a laid-back approach and gave the girls freedom to explore and fall — literally, in the actual creek water. Here’s our weekend in a series of haiku. (Oh, Anastasia’s got today’s Poetry Friday round-up.)

Mice? In the cabins?
You have to be kidding me.
Should have picked the tents.

Finally let loose.
teens buck sophistication
to play on the rocks.

Into our silence
the creek babbles, birds chatter
the forest leaves speak.

Taking off our shoes
The cold water feels so good
On our tired feet.

Nine middle-school girls
and three leaders in one room.
Sleep proves elusive.

Morning hike reward
a sun-dappled waterfall
Complete enchantment.

What a brilliant idea! Three Montgomery County Libraries wrote to the “House Calls” column of The Washington Post for design help for their teen sections. The designers offered wonderful and economical suggestions to make the YA sections more teen-friendly. I like this Bethesda makeover best, but that’s probably based on my fondness for Ikea (note the chairs). It also looks like the only one that has made it past the concept stage. You can read the article here, with links to the specific makeovers.

F is for What the...?

Sorry, still thinking about the election and debate. I’ll only say one thing about the debate last night: High Def is not McCain’s friend. Honestly, the man looked like the crypt-keeper.

Anyway, back to the letter F. Yet again there are so many good picture books to use for this letter that I’ve done whole programs on just fish, farms, or friends. Oh, and food is a good one too. Here is a nice combination.


Book: Ten Little Fish, by Audrey Woods, or The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark, by Ken Geist

Song: “Once I Caught a Fish Alive”

One, two, three, four, five.
Once I caught a fish alive.
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
Then I let him go again.

Why did you let him go?
Because he bit my finger so.
Which finger did he bite?
This little finger on the right.

Book: Punk Farm, by Jarrett Krosoczka, or Farm Flu, by Teresa Bateman

Song: “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”

Old MacDonald had a farm
Ee-i-ee-i-oh
And on this farm he had a cow
Ee-i-ee-i-oh
With a moo-moo here
And a moo-moo there
Here a moo, there a moo
Everywhere a moo-moo
Old MacDonald had a farm
Ee-i-ee-i-oh.

(Continue with farm animals and sounds until you get sick of it.)

Book: Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend, by Melanie Watt, or Ned’s New Friend, by David Ezra Stein, or Bear’s New Friend, by Karma Wilson, or if you want to do a British accent — and who doesn’t — a Charlie and Lola book, You Can be My Friend, by Lauren Child

Song: “Make New Friends”

Make new friends, but keep the old.
One is silver and the other’s gold.
A circle is round. It has no end.
That’s how long I want to be your friend.

Book: Fox and Fluff, by Shutta Crum