Doodle #16 and Perfect PB Friday: Baby Brains & Robomom

Space

For Doodle Day May #16 our topic was SPACE.  Alison (the creator of Doodle Day May) put no constraint on our imaginations for this doodle.   I decided to doodle this in photoshop.   I’m still familiarizing myself with it’s features so this was a good practice.  Several things in this that I would change, some proportions (those tiny images were hard with the wacom).  I would probably do the skyline in pencil and paper and scan it in next time – but I was at 30 minutes – so I made myself stop.

Short funny story about comets-My husband and I love star gazing (as long as the mosquitoes aren’t too bad, or it’s not too cold.)  The last time Haley’s comet was around our youngest was an infant.  We bundled her up and drove into the country away from light pollution,  and sat for 2 hours in the middle of the night trying to see the comet.  No luck – the only thing we got was a wide awake baby when we got home.  A couple weeks later – my husband worked nights at the time – about 3 in the morning, hubby comes home,  wakes me up and says – you have to get up you can see Haley’s comet plain as day!  So bleary eyed and staggering I got dressed…socks…boots…extra layers…it was COLD…Tom kept urging me to hurry….mittens….scarf…..’C'mon, you’ll miss it’…..stiff-walked into the back yard, squinting at the sky…. “Where is it??   I don’t see it,” I said.   Several yards from me my dear, loving, considerate husband shouts, “APRIL FOOL’s!!!”

Anyway…  on to my Perfect Picture Book pick for the week.

Title: Baby Brains and RoboMom    (Note:  in the UK it is RoboMum)

Author/Illustrator:                        Simon James

Publisher: Candlewick Press (2008)

Genre: Fiction

Audience Age: 4-8

Themes/Topics: Problem Solving, Family

Opening Sentences: Before Baby Brains was born, Mrs. Brains ate lots of fish and nuts, which are good foods for brains.

Synopsis: The smartest baby in the world builds a robot mom to give his tired mommy a break from the chores, but things don’t go as planned.

Why I like it:  This was my introduction to ‘Baby Brains.’  which is actually the third book in the series. The others are Baby Brains: The Smartest Baby in the Whole World and Baby Brains: Superstar.    I definitely plan to find these first two to enjoy.  The Brains parents seem to be an average, loving  and hard working couple who have the smartest baby around.  They patiently hold pencils while Baby sits at the drafting board planning and creating his newest invention… like a remote-controlled, self-rocking cradle or a motorized stroller.   Baby notices how tired his mommy is so he lovingly creates RoboMom.  The busy metal mom hustles to do all the chores and then some.  However, we see Baby Brains missing the human touch and the parents perplexed at how to intervene.   When an explosion occurs (don’t worry everyone is safe–well almost everyone)  the problem resolves itself and Baby Brains learns to be a little more careful with his inventions.

Despite the difference between Baby’s extreme intelligence and his average parents you are able to discern the family’s love for one another.  The parent’s acceptance of their unique child and his desire to help give his parents a much needed rest and provide the heart of the story.  James’ illustrations are delightful sketchy, watercolor and ink.  One comment I read said they have a Quentin Blake (Big Friendly Giant) quality to them and I agree.

My granddaughters  (almost 3 and 4 1/2) liked the story and were really intrigued by Baby’s inventions, wanting to know what he was doing at the drawing board and how he could make those things.  It was also a requested re-read.

Activities/Resources:   Mr. James has an awesome website (check it out), a demonstration page on Youtube and he has colouring pages available.  There is one of Baby Brains where Mr. James leaves it to you to draw in YOUR picture of Baby’s invention. (I ran off one for myself  :) )

There are sooo many online resources about inventors and inventions.  Start by talking about what an ‘invention’ is.  Ask your child if they can think of something to invent that would help around your house.  Perhaps a machine to put away the toys.  What would they make it out of?   Have then draw a picture of what it would look like.  Here is a simple lesson plan  to help spark creativity using boxes, pipe cleaners, glue tape and all kinds of scrap material.

Availability: Major book sellers.

(Susanna Leonard Hill is the originator of PPBF and you can find all the other PPB recommendations and links  on her blog.)

Doodle Day May #15: Heart

Doodle: heart

I went back in time to draw this ‘heart’.  I was chatting with Gayle Wing O’Donnell and Kathryn Ault Noble (both of whose  art work I admire) and found out we all graduated high school within a year of each other. We started laughing about flower power.   So this doodle is for them.  (See if you can guess what year….but be kind.)

I brought out the bell bottoms, love beads, peace signs and granny glasses just for them.

This is part of Alison Hertz’ s Doodle Day May Challenge which has been so much fun to do.  I’ve met new artists, found inspiration, and laughed a whole lot too.

And this is the last day to vote for your favorite jingle promoting her e-book at  Susanna Hill’s  .  Lots of prizes for the winners.  You can check it out here.  Voting  ends Thursday, May 16th at noon EST.

Thanks for stopping by and blessings on your creativity.

Laura (grandmamiller)

Doodle Day May #14: Sun

The Sun

WoW!  I can’t believe I just drew that.    This was all done in a very old version of Photoshop Elements.  It took about 30 minutes.  The hardest part was the hand, because I did not pre-draw on paper.  I’m still not very good freehanding on the wacom tablet.  I have never tried to do something like this before.  I’m usually much more restrained and traditional.  Thanks, Alison, for helping me loosen up.

I have never just doodled in Photoshop!  But there have been several people from Alison Hertz’ s Doodle Day May Challenge who have inspired me to try some new things.  A new acquaintance,   Gayle Wing O’Donnell, especially.  She is amazingly talented and awesomely creative.  Visit her facebook page and you will see what I mean.

And….Don’t forget to stop by Susanna Hill’s blog to vote on your favorite jingle promoting her e-book.  Lots of prizes for the winners.  You can check it out here.  Voting  ends Thursday, May 16th at noon EST.

Doodle Day May #13: Window

This was probably the most doodle fun so far – because I imagined the future…..

Window of the future

I looked at myself through the window sometime in the future.   Realistically,  my hair might be gray by this time….but no one will ever know thanks to my Aunt L’Oreal.

And I wish this moment for all of you too!

(Oh- just a side note:  I left yesterday’s doodle of my grandson’s hands taped to the wall.  It fell down – and all that now remains is part of the right arm and wrist….the bunny ate it (Click there and you’ll see why I should know better–scroll all the way to the bottom).  Glad I took a picture.)

This is all part of  Alison Hertz‘ (author of FLAP!) challenge to Doodle every Day in May.  Alison has created a FACEBOOK GROUP called DOODLE DAY MAY so join the challenge and the group.  It’s for ALL ages and ALL abilities.  You can even still join in the fun.

And….Don’t forget to stop by Susanna Hill’s blog to vote on your favorite jingle promoting her e-book.  Lots of prizes for the winners.  You can check it out here.  Voting  ends Thursday, May 16th at noon EST.

Thanks for stopping by and blessings on your creativity!

Laura (Grandmamiller)

Doodle Day May #11 & 12

Family

toddler hands w/noodle

 

Here are doodles from Saturday and Sunday from  Doodle Day May‘s challenge from Alison Hertz  .

Saturday’s Challenge was to draw a hand.  This is my grandson Lincoln’s hands, trying to pick up a spaghetti noodle. I did it from a pic when he was about 11 mo.

Then Alison drew a lovely doodle of her family.  I’ve never tried that – so this was my first effort.  I realized I drew myself  several pounds thinner (just by accident) and both myself and husband about 15 years younger.  Note to family:  this was my FIRST effort doing this.  No complaints please on how you look – I’ll try to improve.  Oh – and By the way – this represents our two lovely daughters, their hubbys and 4 grandchildren.

And one last thing - - don’t forget to stop by Susanna Hill’s blog to vote on your favorite jingle promoting her e-book.  Lots of prizes for the winners.  You can check it out here.  Voting  ends Thursday, May 16th at noon EST.

 

Doodle Day May #10: One Line Drawing

One Line Drawing

Today’s  Doodle Day May challenge was an exercise in patience with myself.  Alison Hertz  suggested doing a drawing using one line for the whole thing.   Try not to cross over any of the lines.

Wow!  Your brain really has to be engaged for this one.  Fun, tho’.    The giraffe is separate.  The flamingo, lion, and rhino (or does he look more like a rhinophant?) are all one line.

I added a green dot where I started and a red dot at the end.

Thanks for stopping by and Blessings on your day!

Laura (Grandmamiller)

Doodle Day #9 & Perfect PB Fri: Farley Follows His Nose

Critters (Monet & Sully)

Critters Playing & Ignoring

Double the fun today!   Doodle Day May courtesy of Alison Hertz  is still going on….yesterday’s doodle prompt was critters.  Since our house is crawling with them (the good kind, not the creepy kind), I picked our cat and rabbit to doodle.  They play every evening together.  The bunny whose name is Sully, chases the cat down the hall.  The cat, Monet, will then stop, turn around and chase the rabbit.  Then she’ll bat Sully on the head, sometimes hug him and then it usually ends with the cat sitting on the rabbit’s head.  It all takes place in about 2 minutes time while the dog, a choc. lab watches.  She wants to get involved, but she’s afraid the cat will sit on her head.

Now on to the double part of the fun,  my pick for Perfect Picture Book Friday, another book about a bigger critter:

Title: Farley Follows His Nose

Author:   Lynn Johnston & Beth Cruikshank

Illustrator:   Lynn Johnston

Publisher: Bowen Press, 2009

Genre: Fiction

Audience Age: 2-8

Themes/Topics: Dogs, Senses

Opening Sentences:  “It was a beautiful summer morning, and Farley’s bath was over at last.  Farley shook himself and drew in a deepbreath.  Baths always made Farley hungry, but in the breeze he smelled [and this is the way the book presents them] rosesfreshcutgrasssweatypeoplethecatnextdoor and….HOT DOGS!”

Synopsis: Farley, the dog, from that wonderful comic strip, “For Better or Worse,” follows his nose from one good smell to another all over town.  Along the way he finds a little lost boy and helps to return him home by using his sense of smell.

Why I like it:  When I found this at the library, I squeaked with delight.  Farley is an old friend of the family.  As our girls were growing up we would read the comic strip ‘For Better or Worse’ to them.  When I found this on the shelf I knew I would love it – and I did.  And when my now grown daughters saw the book they both squealed too.   In the book Farley turns out to be an accidental hero. Fresh from a bath and without his collar he takes off when he smells hot dogs.  Farley goes from one smell to the next becoming an unacclaimed hero while he’s at it.  In an interesting and humorous way the story teaches about a dog’s  amazing sense of smell.     The illustrations are wonderful – I love the one of Farley jumping in a kiddy pool, then shaking off.  When I read this to my grands they loved it.    As a matter of fact, before our reading session ended, the 4 year old pulled it from the stack and wanted it re-read. Reading advice:  make sure when you read you do lots of sniffing, snuffling and snorfing sound effects.  (If you’re reading to children that is – otherwise you’ll just look silly.)

Activities/Resources:  I wanted to note that ‘Farley’ has his own foundation in Canada.  http://www.farleyfoundation.org/ assists people in need by subsidizing the cost of veterinary care for their sick/injured pets.

Teachers and Moms can also discuss animals’ very important sense of smell.  There is a lesson plan here about using your sense of smell.  Another set of lesson plans, and a recipe to  make chocolate scented play dough. (Are you listening, Susanna?)

Availability: From the Author,  Library, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.  (I couldn’t determine for certain, but it may be out of print.  However there were multiple copies available in new and used condition at these two sellers.)

(Susanna Leonard Hill is the originator of PPBF and you can find all the other PPB recommendations and links  on her blog.)

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the book!

Laura (Grandmamiller)