by Chris Raschka
Published by Simon and Schuster, 2006
Ages: 2-5
Themes: The senses
Opening/Synopsis: “Smell is 1. Noble Nose, sniff and smell. You do it well. Contrast, compare. Sample scents of flowers and foods, oceans and woods. Breathe the air.
Hearing is 2, Sight is 3. Taste is 4. Touch is 5. If you are a bunny like our hero, or a girl/boy, you can have fun:smelling the sea odors; listening for all the urban clatter; seeing city scenes and sunsets in the hills; tasting grandma’s pie; feeling a wooly jumper….
Why I like this book: Once again I have fallen under an author/illustrator’s simplicity that I still strive for! Our bunny looks as though he himself is textured, as though Chris has glued furry black feathers as an ear and torso. Though digitally created, the look is so authentic, I found myself touching the image to check if it wasn’t furry. The text is sparse, and there are many contrasting comparisons: pleasant v. jarring sound; sweet v. sour flavors! Bunny is black and white and Chris uses color in a striking minimalist way. This is very much a book where ‘less is more’!
Actitvites/Resources:
Blindfold tasting/smelling/feeling games are always a hit.
Lesson Plan: Smell
Lesson Plan: Taste
Lesson Pla: Touch
Lesson Plan: Sight
Lesson Plan: Hearing
To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books. Or click on the Perfect Picture Book Fridays badge in the right sidebar.
This looks gorgeous, Joanna! I love the cover and your description of the art makes me want to see more inside. I’m thrilled to be adding a book about the 5 senses, too. We don’t have many of those, so thanks so much for sharing this one!
I think it is a really fun concept book, Susanna.
You are so right about the textures of the illustration! Gorgeous.
I honestly kept touching hte ears to check they weren’t really furry!
What a delightful way to talk about the five senses, and to get little ones actively involved in experiencing them! Thanks, Joanna!
It has some great imagery to evoke each sense, Beth!
I love this poetry and how it simply describes the senses. What a great recommendation, Joanna!
I found the rhyme complex and beautiful for this simple message.
I love concept books that are so brilliant they make you think, “Why didn’t I think of that?” This looks like one of those books.
It is surely one of those, ‘why didn’t I….?’ ones, Julie!
Love this book choice and great art!
Just the other day my DD was asking my for a book about “ESP” because her playmate told her it was the sixth sense, lol. Somewhere I do have a special needs parenting book about proprioception being the sixth sense…but then our discussion went off on a tangent about the movie featuring Haley Joel Osment and whether age 9 is old enough to see it.
I love that movie, Cathy, and would think it viewable by a mature 9 year old. I would love to see the 6th sense added to a concept book , but don’t think it would be an easy sell! 🙂
wow, a lesson plan for each sense! Thanks for the resources, Joanna!
You are welcome.
I would be touching this book to. Sounds very cool. Ohhh the reminder “less is more” …. Thanks Joanna.
I need to keep reminding myself of ‘less is more’, Diane!
This book had me at the cover.
This book looks cute (especially the bunny )! It sounds like a great way to learn about senses!
I LOVE the bunny and know kids will too, Erik.
Bunnies…check! Great rhyme….check! Lesson plans to encourage little ones to discover the five senses…check!
Yup, Joanna…this books definitely checks out as one I need to check out. 🙂 Thanks for the great review!
This book sounds like it would be perfect for a “5 senses” unit with my Grade 1s. Thanks!
?Barbara?
Grade ONEderful
Ruby Slippers Blog Designs
Sounds like one for Enzo’s summer reading list.
Wow! I really enjoyed this selection. Kids will love this — they are very interested in how their body works. Like your lesson suggestions! Also like it’s simplicity.
Chris Raschka is rapidly becoming a favorite. This looks luscious! 🙂