Search results for ""author kim la fave""

Ben is afraid of dogs, even his new neighbor's old scaredy-dog, Max. Can big, brave Ben overcome his fear and make a new kind of friend? Ben was upset when his friend Peter moved away, but now the new neighbors are moving in across the street and Ben can’t wait to go say hello and make friends. That is, until he notices that this family has a pet dog; and unlike his sister and brother, Ben isn’t so sure around dogs. The big jaws and big teeth make him nervous. But what Ben doesn’t realize is that Max is an “old scaredy-dog” who feels nervous too. Can Ben overcome his fear and come to see eye-to-eye with a new kind of friend? The award-winning team that produced A+ for Big Ben and Ben Says Goodbye have come together once again in Ben and the Scaredy-Dog, a heart-warming story about a thoughtful yet anxious boy who overcomes his fear of dogs. Sarah Ellis highlights the all-too-common childhood dread of canines as she once again explores the world through the eyes of Ben, a boy who wants to be brave but just can't help anticipating the worst when it comes to a new experience. Kim La Fave perfectly captures his characters' thoughts and intentions through spot-on expressions and body language, as he contrasts Ben's drawings of the creature he sees in his mind's eye with the reality of the big and cuddly dog next door, who just happens to have his own fear issues. The result is a gently funny book that explores the courageous heart that can be found within an anxious child.

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When Ben’s best friend moves away, he decides he will move, too - under the table, where he lives as "Caveman Ben." Supported by his family, Ben is able to work through his emotions until he feels ready to reemerge and look forward to new friendships. When Ben’s best friend Peter moves away, Ben decides that he will move, too—into a “cave” under the kitchen table. Caveman Ben doesn’t need any friends except his tame (stuffed) lion. He hunts for his food (thoughtfully left on a plate by Mom and Dad) and communicates in grunts. And in the safety of his cave he can imagine a world where friends control their own destinies and distance is no obstacle. Award-winning author-illustrator team Sarah Ellis and Kim La Fave have produced yet another book in which they gently guide Ben through an experience that is both familiar and daunting to preschoolers everywhere. Ellis’ text deftly taps into the thoughts and feelings of a young child, while La Fave’s endearing art captures both the depths of Ben’s dismay and the warmth of the family members who support him through his crisis. Young readers and listeners will celebrate with Ben as, having been given the space to work through his difficult feelings, he emerges from his cave ready to rejoin his family and look forward to new friendships.

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“Although set in faraway Sri Lanka, Fullerton’s rhythmic tale holds a universal message: that even the smallest and youngest among us can summon up the courage to face, and overcome, the most gargantuan challenges.”—Kirkus ★ Starred Review It is time to plant the rice crop in Malini’s Sri Lankan community, and the little girl is both excited and nervous to help for the first time. What if she does it wrong? Will she be responsible if the crop fails? When the oxcart rumbles in loaded with seedlings, she reluctantly agrees to watch the big, imposing animal while the driver takes a break. Suddenly, the skies go dark with monsoon rain. A flash flood pours down the road, separating Malini from the driver and her family. They are shouting for her to run for higher ground, but what about the rice? Summoning courage she never dreamed she possessed, Malini resolves to save ox, cart, and seedlings, no matter what it takes. Award-winning author Alma Fullerton tells Malini’s story in expressive free verse that vibrates with emotion and energy. The moods of Sri Lanka’s rainy season come alive as Kim La Fave, illustrator of the award-winning Shin Chi’s Canoe, uses a fresh style that is both contemporary and impressionistic to depict the courage of one little girl facing the power of a monsoon. “A powerful portrait of a child’s bravery and perseverance.”—The Horn Book Magazine “La Fave’s richly colored illustrations dramatically and effectively convey the contrast between the calm, sunny day and the intensity of the storm.”—School Library Journal

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