Gurple and Preen -- Perfect Picture Book Friday

Title: Gurple and Preen: A Broken Crayon Cosmic Adventure

Author: Linda Sue Park

Illustrator: Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, 2020

Description: This wildly imaginative, crayon-inspired picture book shows that with a bit of teamwork and a universe of creativity, anything is possible.

This book has arrived on planet earth at the perfect time! School is back in session for a lot of kids and about to start for the rest. In my school district, it's all online again. Teachers are feeling the stress and nervousness of engaging kids through video and virtual connections. Kids are missing their friends and real live connections with their teachers. Parents are, well, you know how you are feeling. It's all so overwhelming.

This book has everything you need to manage the crash of 2020 all packed up in crayons and aliens.

Opening Pages:

CRASH!

Gurple's eyes opened, one by one by one. Her head swiveled and she clanked to her feet.

"Preen?"

"PREEN, WHERE ARE YOU?"

Activities and Resources:

Debbie's website is full of things to do related to this book.

Don't miss her gallery of broken crayon art.

Here's one to wet your whistle.

https://www.debbieohi.com/broken-crayon-gallery/

Be sure to learn about Linda Sue Park. She's from Illinois! OK, that's cool, but the fact that she writes wonderful books is even better.

A little something to eat:

Maybe some eggplant?

Maybe some juice?

What snacks can you get to come out of your broken crayons?

Both Linda and Debbie are wonderful mentors and advocates in the writing and illustrating world. It makes me so happy to share their book, because I have learned so much from them.