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Children's Book Review - Over There, written by Steve Pilcher

For ages 3 - 6

October 30, 2014
Publisher's Note: This month New Orleans Macaroni Kid continues it's partnership with The New Orleans Public Library to help promote early childhood literacy. Each month we publish a book review written by Heather Green, who works for the library in the Children's Room at the Main Library on Loyola Ave. Plus, a fun and simple early literacy activity related to the book is included. Enjoy! 


Over There
Written and Illustrated by Steve Pilcher
Picture book
Ages 3-6

“Is there . . . could there . . . be something more?”

Shredder, a little shrew, takes the reader on a heartwarming journey from loneliness to courage to friendship. Shredder lives alone in the forest, he eats alone, and he sings alone. One day, he notices a sparkling glimmer far away in the distance. Shredder is curious but worried about what may lie ahead. In the end, he puts on a brave face, crosses a babbling brook, loses his boat, and meets a mole named Nosey. Shredder realizes that there is a huge world outside of his forest, and he had no idea what he was missing.

Over There is the first book in the Pixar Animation Studios Artist Showcase series. Pilcher’s art is delightful and perfectly executed, which is to be expected from a Disney/Pixar collaboration. The illustrations are packed with an emotion that only enhances the text. The story is told in few words, but the reader feels Shredder’s loneliness, encounters the simplistic beauty of nature, and the joy of companionship. Over There is perfect for young kids who are making new friends and as a reminder to older children to value friendship. 

Simple Craft Project

A Boat for Shredder

Materials:
•Empty applesauce container, or similar recycled container (yogurt container shown)
•Paintbrush & paint or markers (optional)
•1 Popsicle Stick
•Glue
•Small piece of cardstock (for sail)
•Piece of play dough, mud or clay (to hold sail in place)

The container will be the boat. If you choose to color your container, empty applesauce containers are nice because you can simply squeeze paint inside the container and have kids paint only the inside. This way they can hold the outside without getting too messy and you only have to clean the brush at the end! If using markers, make sure to also color the inside so all the paint won’t wash away when you float the boat!   

Next, cut out 2 pieces of cardstock for your sail and glue them to a popsicle stick.  Use this opportunity to talk about shapes by cutting out different sail shapes, such as a rectangle, triangle or trapezoid.  Then, secure your sail to the container using a small piece of play dough, clay or mud.  

Set Shredder’s boat to sail in a bucket or small pond of water. To extend this activity, make a little Shredder mouse out of your extra paper cuttings and he can sail away. Hopefully Shredder won’t lose this boat!

In Orleans Parish, you can find the book Over There at the Main Library, Martin Luther King Branch, Norman Mayer Branch, and Robert E. Smith Branch.
           
For  more information on all Orleans and Jefferson Parish libraries and their story times hours, please click here