PPBF: Bartholomew Quill

Happy April Fools' Day. 
And Perfect Picture Book Friday {PPBF}.


Title: Bartholomew Quill: A Crow's Quest To Know Who's Who
Author: Thor Hanson
Illustrator: Dana Arnim
Publisher: Little Bigfoot
Date: April 5, 2016
Suitable for ages: 4-8
Themes: knowing yourself, belonging
Brief Synopsis: Join Bartholomew as he takes flight to find out where he belongs.
Opening page: 
Bartholomew Quill was a crow long ago, 
when all of the world was anew. 
Resources:
Visit the author's website {here}.
Visit Sasquatch Books {here}.
Read rave reviews {here} and {here}.

Why I like this book: This sweet story is the perfect pick for Poetry Month; its wonderful illustrations beautifully complement the rhyming text. Because the author is also a biologist, this tale includes interesting facts about the birds and animals, bugs and slugs that Bartholomew meets as he tries to find birds of his feather. The last page offers activity ideas and a link to the teacher's guide.

In addition to the publisher's suggestions, here are four ways that I can see infusing this book into an elementary-school classroom:

1. Have students compare and contrast the call of crows with ravens. How is their call similar? How is it different? Challenge them to close their eyes and try to identify them. What other bird calls do your students know? It might be fun to host a bird-calling contest! 

2. Encourage your students to process aloud or in writing how, if at all, the adage "Birds of a feather flock together." might connect to Bartholomew's quest to find his kind.

3. Read Is Your Mama A Llama? by Deborah Guarino and Are You My Mother? by PD Eastman aloud; have your students compare and contrast the one they think is most similar using a double-bubble map. 

4. Finally, use this treasure to encourage your students to do some self-awareness exploration. How are they like their families? Their friends? How are they different? What do they like most about themselves? Then extend it beyond human borders to have a little fun: If they could be a bird or an animal, which one would they choose to be? Why?

Check out this newbie; I think it'll leave you cawing for more.

You can find even more PPBF titles at Susanna Hill's blog {here}; 
no foolin'!







15 comments

  1. Sounds interesting - I like books about birds and poetry too!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Andrea. If you like books AND poetry, I think you'll like Bartholomew.

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  2. Great learning extension ideas! Thanks for sharing this title.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words. It's always my pleasure to put good books out there.

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  3. I love your choice. So many things to compare and contrast. And, I love that it rhymes. You always give such great examples of how to use a book.

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    1. Thank you, Pat. YES, I'm a huge fan of compare and contrast to engage those critical thinking skills. I appreciate your thoughtful words of affirmation.

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  4. I'm fascinated by crows (have a little bit of a love-hate relationship with them), so I'll definitely check out this cool book.

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    1. You and me both, Gabi ... they fascinate a lot ... and frighten me a little, too. Thank you for visiting today.

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  5. The cover reminds me of an old favorite: The Little Island (illus. by Leonard Weisgard)

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    1. Oooo, another book to compare and contrast artwork? Looking that one up right now. Thanks, Julie!

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  6. Let's hear it for April! Stepping into poetry!! Yay!

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  7. this looks like lots of fun - I love the allusion to "birds of a feather"

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  8. We have so many crows out here in the desert. They get into trash cans and make a mess of things. Maybe I need to read this to have a kinder view of them.

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  9. Nice review. I look forward to exploring Big Foot Books. I'm don't think I'm familiar with their catalog. . I like the look of this book and you have conjured some terrific activities. Thanks.

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I really enjoy hearing from my readers; thanks for sharing your reflections with us!