John Manders

ack the cat is building the perfect nest, bound to attract the perfect chicken that will lay the perfect egg to make the perfect omelet. But Jack's plan hatches more than he expected. First a chicken, then a duck, then a goose, claims the nest, calls it perfect and refuses to leave. Cries of "FIRE!" "FLOOD!" and "WOLF" don't budge their ruffled feathers, until Jack hints the next farm over has an even better nest. Fowl free, he thinks; Jack's mouth waters in anticipation of an egg breakfast, show more lunch and dinner. But just as he reaches for the eggs, they hatch and immediately imprint on Jack as their father. To escape their peeping demands, he tries to hide, but the three fuzzy chicks find him and drag him back to the nest for warmth and sleep. Henpecked into a new paternal responsibility, Jack curls up with the chicks and realizes his nest is perfect. The gouache illustrations cluck with humor and details that add giggles: the face-on double spread of Jack in his bib overalls with whisk in one hand and spatula in the other; the wolf scene in which Jack wears a red riding hood; and Jack's egg-yolk eyes. Perfect fine-feathered fun. (Picture book. 4-7) (Kirkus Reviews) show less

children's picture book (illustrations by John Manders, to the words of a traditional Mexican folk song). I don't think I did the song justice with my singing voice today, but the kids enjoyed it anyway. (2nd/3rd graders, but can also be enjoyed by younger/older kids, provided I practiced a bit more.) Several in the class wanted me to read it again right away, and some didn't (haha). The end of the book includes sheet music, which I like to point out to the kids as another neat reading skill show more they can acquire--learn to read and write music and songs like this can be shared with and learned by strangers who have never met you or heard the song before. show less

The perfect read aloud! A flustered cat and his determination to make a meal of three eggs that rest in the perfect nest!

In Catherine Friend's book, The Perfect Nest, we meet three barnyard animals that feel as if the nest they had laid their egg in was meant for them and them only. This nest is built by ,Jack the cat, in hopes that it will attract the perfect chicken for the perfect omelet, but little does he know that a chicken is not the only animal on the farm that can lay an egg. He show more lands the chicken that he wants ( "Caramba!") , but also a duck ("Sacre bleu!") and a Goose ("Great balls of fire"). With the thought of three omelets in mind, Jack jumps for joy until uproar and feathers get ruffled.- and Jack gets much more for breakfast than he bargained for. With plenty of adventure, curiosity, excitement and much more readers of the younger grades would truly enjoy hearing this story for the first time.Not only can it be used for a great read aloud but also great resource for lessons that have to do with culture and language as well. So, get to reading! show less

In a kingdom where you're fed to crocodiles if you play music, Piffaro must run from the king and his knights. Join Piffaro and other refugee musicians as they play music and run from their deaths. When the musicians play together, they sound awful but their horse helps them learn how to play together. This book shares musical terms in a fun and engaging way for young readers to understand them. I enjoyed hearing all the musical terms being characterized as people.