My favourite book this week is a rollicking fun poem by children’s author, David Elliott, called And Here’s to You!
Title: And Here’s to You
Author: David Elliott
Illustrator: Randy Cecil
Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2004
Intended Audience: Ages 4 – 8
Theme: Animals, Stories in Rhyme, Environment
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Synopsis: A rhyming, celebratory book of creatures from birds to fish to cows to people and everything in-between. Every page is a new poem; an ode to an animal. All the poems follow the same format (see below). This is such a cheerful book and the bright and whimsical illustrations only add to the good feelings!
Opening:
Here’s to the birds! The Feather People! Birds! Here’s to the who-o-o ones. The cock-a-doodle-doo ones. Their breasts as red as fire ones. The sitting on the wire ones. Oh, I love the birds!
Why I like this book: You already know this about me, but I love all animal books (unless they have sad endings) and this is just such a fun way to show appreciation for the creatures in our world, including the not-so-cute ones.
I love the way the author refers to the birds as “The Feather People”, the cows “The Giving People”, the dogs “The Dreaming People” etc. The understated message of acceptance and tolerance is perfect.
I also adore the bright crazy colours: pink and yellow skies, purple rivers, orange pastures.
I absolutely adore this book and highly recommend it for all young kids and the young at heart.
Classroom Connections: I read this book to my class today and they were quite enchanted with it. Of course, they tended to fixate on the bear page (“The Hungry People”) which led to a long discussion about how to react when faced with a wild bear. I googled their question and we found a great page:
1) What To Do If You See a Bear . This is an excellent article by Effortless Outdoors all about bear safety. It’s a very worthwhile read!
2) We also talked a lot about why it’s not okay to kill an animal just because you think it’s scary. Of course, that got us talking about different kinds of hunting (i.e., trophy versus need).
3) Here’s a fun writing follow-up: Have the kids choose an animal group and give it their own unique “people” name. Have them fill a page with a big bold bright painting and then attach their writing. You can use this writing template, if you like.
For example, they might choose elephants and write:
“Here’s to the Elephants!
The Trumpeting People!
Elephants!”
4) There are loads of animal holidays you can check out. It would be fun to celebrate a few in the classroom throughout the year. In fact, today, as I update this post, is World Cat Domination Day!
5) Pick a favourite animal and write about all the ways you appreciate it.
6) Go home and show your pets how much you love them. Give them an extra hug, pat on the head, or treat.
Thank you for stopping by today!
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I don't know this book! Off to see if the library has it! It looks great.
This book is so cheerful and positive. I love the illustrations. It's in one of my book baskets : )I just got Bubble Gum Bubble Gum from the library and am looking forward to reading it with my kidlets next week.
Just checking my signature. THanks for letting me use your blog as a guinea pig : ) sandi rubber boots and elf shoes
This looks like a fun book. I like how the animals become \”people.\” Thanks for sharing Barbara!❀ TammyForever in First
The people twist is different, isn't it?
You'll love it!
It's definitely a feel-good kind of book 🙂
My blog is at your service:)
What a fun book! The bright colors in the illustration you showed were great. I am sure the kids would love it.LoriConversations in Literacy
Sounds like your students put their seal of approval on this lovely choice. Sounds like fun. And, I liked your creative exercise. Great choice.
I loved the celebratory feel of this choice from the moment I glimpsed the cover at the top of your post, and the feeling got stronger and more joyful as I read your review. This book sounds wonderful! Here's to the bookie people! Readers and Writers! — we are interesting animals… 😉 I think I would love this book.
Thanks, Patricia:)
Ha ha! The Bookie People! I love that.
This book looks absolutely delightful, Barbara! I'm with you on loving (non-sad) animal books, and this one looks bright, colorful, and bouncy. I love the descriptions you quoted – the giving people, the dreaming people – so evocative of the animals themselves. And I love your activities! Thanks so much for sharing this one – I'm going to have to read it!
That sounds really cute! I like that it has a nice message about treating all animals with care. I'll have to get this one. Thanks!ChrissyFirst Grade Found Me
This one is now on my wishlist…Anything with birds needs to be in my collection!JennyOwl Things First!
What a fun book, Barbara…I shared your review on my new FB page. Thanks for posting it for PPBF!
This looks like such a fun book. I especially love the illustrations (I'm biased that way!). I can't believe I haven't read this one since Candlewick is one of my favorite publishers. I will be adding it to my personal list! Thanks so much for adding it to the PPBF list!