Susanna Leonard Hill has a feature on her blog called Perfect Picture Book Friday. It is a list of “perfect” picture books recommended by all sorts of people.
I chose this book because this is an important topic in our family. I like spending time “unplugged” and with my family.
Ella Gets Her Family Back by Laura Pedersen
Illustrated by: Penny Weber32 pages – ages 5+Published by: Tilbury House Publishers on October 10, 2012.Theme/Topic – Family, Technology, Problem Solving
Opening and Synopsis– Taken from the inside jacket –“Ella is really frustrated. Lately it seems like the whole family has forgotten how to be together. Instead of playing Hangman and making waffles, everyone is talking on cell phones, playing video games and using the computer. What’s a girl to do?”
Synopsis – Ella misses spending time with her family. Everyone seems to be ignoring each other because they are all plugged in to whatever electronic thing they have.
Her brother has his video games, her dad has his computer and her mom and sister have their phones. Ella has had enough and decides to unplug her family!
Ella Gets Her Family Back by Laura Pedersen – Our Review
Why I liked this book – I love the message of this book! It is well-told in the story. I like Ella’s cleverness and creativity.
She probably has it because she is not plugged in! All families should read this book and learn from the message given in it – spend more time with each other! I like the illustrations!
The expressions on the faces of the characters are really life-like. I like all the small details in the illustrations. This is a great book with an awesome storyline! I recommend this book to kids 5+
Activities and Resources –
GO UNPLUGGED! Our family has regular days where all electronic things are banned and we go out and have fun or play games together.
We also plan a family game night (board games not video games). Even if you don’t want to go a whole day without electronics, maybe just plan a board game or to go outside for a walk with the whole family.
There is a teacher’s guide to go along with this book at the publisher’s website. Click HERE to go to it.
Unplugged won the Gold Medal in the Mom’s Choice Awards in 2012. To learn more about Ms. Pedersen, please visit her website HERE. To learn more about Ms. Weber please visit her website HERE.
To find more Perfect Picture Books please visit Susanna Hill’s blog HERE!