The awesome Social Media guru Kristen Lamb keeps springing fabulous surprises on us. She has worked really hard to put together some fabulous resources for writers as part of her new WANATribe. We even have our own logo!
If you want to join please click on the badge and you’ll find a wonderful community of writers. Today on Twitter there is a #WANAParty so I’m posting this early so you can go straight from here to the dance floor, no need to get changed. We’re a casual bunch 
And now for Perfect Picture Book Friday, the brainchild of Susanna Leonard Hill. Please browse through all the picture books in the Perfect Picture Books tab on Susanna’s blog to see the entire library of books we have reviewed.
I have a simple, cute and fun one for you today:
Fair Cow written and illustrated by Leslie Helakoski
Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books, 31st August 2010, Fiction
Suitable for: 4-8
Themes/Topics: Animals, cows, being different, Not following the herd, solving problems in a unique manner.
Opening:
Effie dreamed of being a state-fair cow. She loved living on the farm, grazing in the fields, and giving milk every day. But still…
Synopsis: Effie learns what it takes to be a state fair cow.
Resources: Idea Creation This is an amazing website choc full of activities for kids. Kids could brainstorm problem solving ideas and have fun replicating what they would do in Effie’s situation.
I adore Leslie’s chicken stories and I was thrilled to find this one. If you haven’t discovered this author yet, get thee to a library. Have a super week and don’t forget the Twitter party!
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | books for children, Catherine Johnson, Fair Cow, Kristen Lamb, Perfect Picture Book Friday, Picture Books, Susanna leonard Hill, WANA, WANATribe, writing for children
This has been such a busy week I nearly forgot about the WANAParty so was so happy to come across your reminder.
If there’s any truth in judging a book by it’s cover than I’m already sold on Fair Cow. I have always been partial to cows (ah, but to have such beautiful eyes with such lovely long lashes!) and I LOVE the charming illustration on this cover. The story line sounds like a gem.
Fair Cow sounds like a good book! Enjoyed your post, today.
This looks like such a fun book, Catherine! thanks for sharing. As for WANA Tribe, I heard about it yesterday but haven’t had time to fully check it out. It sounds very interesting!
What cute illustrations. I can’t wait to find out what it takes to be a state-fair cow. You recommended this just in time for our state and local fair season!
It’s like I knew, Kirsten. There is such a fun twist at the end, you will all love it.
Oh and the party isn’t until 2pm fyi
My kids love all books with animals. This one looks like something they’d enjoy. Thanks for sharing, Catherine.
Catherine, this looks like a really fun book, especially with summer arriving. I’ll have to check out Kristen’s WANA Twitter party- I just picked up one of her books and I LOVE her blog. See you in Twitter land!
A2Z Mommy and What’s In Between
Hi Ciara and Tracy, and see you at the Twitter party. It starts right when we’re all getting in the pool, so I’ll be late but at least I’m celebrating in style lol. It’s a PA day here and husband has day off too with his parents here.
Lovely!
The cover certainly melted me. Adorable. Sounds like a fun book! I always loved going to to the state fair, especially the cow barns. My great uncle raised cows. At the Ohio State Fair, they have a big dairy area too, where you can see a cow carved out of butter, and they sell ice cream, and other dairy products.
It’s a perfect one for you then, Pat!
This book sounds great, Catherine! I remember that one of the thrills of my childhood was seeing a newborn Jersey calf one year when my Mum and I did our usual walk through the cow barn at the Exhibition. (I grew up on a grain farm, so had never seen a calf that young.)
Jersey calves are so cute, Beth.
Oh, yes, Leslie Helakoski is one of my favorites. Haven’t read this one yet. Seems to have a very similar theme to her Woolbur book.
Actually Christie, I think it was on your blog where I discovered her.
Gotta like those nostrils!
I meant to say the illos are fabulous. You all must read it.
I am not familiar with this author. The cover looks awesome though. It is one I would pick up if I came across it. Thanks for this suggestion. I love discovering new authors.
Fair Cow is a fun book! And Leslie is great too! She’s the SCBWI-MI Co-RA (my region).
How fun to be in SCBWI with Leslie. I see her on FB. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
This is real cute….. love Jersey calves!
Hey am I too late for the Wanna Party?
Will check out what your badge has to say, thanks for letting us know.
Did you get on Twitter yesterday Diane? We could always make our own if you missed it:)
I really want to know what it takes to be a state fair cow!
Love Kristin Lamb’s contributions, so thanks for the tip.
I’m dying to tell you Joanna. It’s so fun!
This book looks really fun and funny! I would love to know what happens!
Great book, as usual Catherine! I added it to my list and will check out others by this author.
This book is super duper, Catherine! We live in NC, so there is a lot of that State fair stuff here. *waves* Miss y’all.
Thanks Erik, Penny and Robyn
Hi, Catherine. Thanks for sharing this book. I’m always amazed at the talent of author/illustrators. I think I might have seen the WANA party on Twitter and was wondering what was going on. Hope it went well!
sounds like a perfectly delightful book, Catherine…and thank you for the info on WannaTribe…I will check it out.
And thanks for your great post on safety in pools, Vivian
Love that logo… and the book is lovely too.