Read Aloud Thursday

This week’s selections have something in common:  each one of these books immediately made me think of another children’s book that we have enjoyed in the past.  I thought we would shake this week’s Read Aloud Thursday up a bit and have a little fun.  🙂 I’ll describe the book, and you try to figure out which book it is a perfect complement for.  Here goes!

Sophie’s Masterpiece by Eileen Spinelli is the story of a little spider named Sophie who looks for a home among the tenants of an apartment building and is duly chased from every apartment until she arrives at the apartment of a young, expectant mother.  Because the young woman is so welcoming of her presence, Sophie spends her last bit of energy creating her masterpiece as a gift for the young woman’s new baby.  My girls particularly like this story because it contains the word bootie (as in baby booties), and they think this is hysterical due to the influence of my nine and ten year old nephews.  😉  But I digress.  Jane Dyer‘s muted watercolor illustrations are perfect for this gentle tale. (Let’s face it:  a spider with a personality is still a little off-putting for those who are arachnophobic, but these illustrations really take the bite out of it.)  Now, this connection should be obvious, but if you’re not sure, go here or here.  By the way, Eileen Spinelli, who is the wife of the fabulous Jerry Spinelli, has a fun website which you can access by going here.

Little Whistle by Cynthia Rylant is the story of a guinea pig named Little Whistle who lives in a toy store.  At night, Toytown comes to life and Little Whistle has all sorts of adventures.  He chats with a toy sailor who gives Little Whistle his coat to keep him warm in the drafty store.  He attends tea parties hosted by some of the dolls.  Of course, the inevitable occurs, and some of Little Whistle’s friends are purchased by eager children, but Little Whistle doesn’t mind:  “Toys love being sold to children who care for them.  Little Whistle knew this and understood.”  Tim Bowers‘ illustratoins are warm and sweet, just as one would expect in a tale of a toystore after closing time.  (And who could resist Little Whistle’s sweet face on the cover?)  The connection between this one and another children’s picture book probably isn’t quite as obvious, but I’ll give you a moment or two to think about it. . .

 

 

 

 

Give up? 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Don Freeman’s Corduroy, of course.  The toys that have come to life, the store, the warmth–it’s all there. 

 

 

Well, that was fun!  I hope you’re having a great week that is full of opportunities to read aloud with your family!  Be sure to tell us about it in the comments or leave a link to your own Read Aloud Thursday blog post.  Oh, and don’t forget about the button!  🙂

 

Have a terrific Read Aloud Thursday!