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*Picture book for preschool through first grade
*Little girl and her cat as main characters
*Rating: Brownie and Pearl: Take a Dip is a cute, summer book. I wouldn’t say it’s one of the best, but it sure captivated my 10-month-old daughter’s attention and got her “talking.” I would say fans of the series will like it. I chose it for my tribute to the end of the summer!

Short, short summary:

Brownie, a little girl, and her cat Pearl are hot! They decide to take a dip (which some kids will learn means GO SWIMMING!). They fill up their backyard pool, get their sunglasses, and test the water. Pearl winds up doing more than just testing the water. For those of us who know anything about cats–well, Pearl is not too happy. It all ends well when they decide to dry off in the sun. The illustrations by Brian Biggs are the best part of this book–very, very, very nice (as Rylant says).

So, what do I do with this book?

1. For a fun “dictionary” type of activity with small children, consider asking them (BEFORE reading the book) what is a dip? They might know dip of ice cream or dip a washcloth into the bath water. For all the definitions, look in a dictionary or use my favorite: www.dictionary.com. Then share the book with children, and ask them, “Okay, what else can dip mean?” Then ask students to use DIP in a sentence–any way they want–and draw a picture to go with it.

2. Talk about character feelings with this book, especially since the illustrations are so big and bright. How are Brownie and Pearl feeling at the beginning of the book? How does Pearl feel when she falls into the pool? Why does Brownie giggle? And so on. You can take this activity a step further by asking, “Have you ever felt this way? When?”

3. Children will most definitely want to share a swimming story or pet story with you after sharing this book–either at home or at school. If you are a teacher with a room full of children with stories, do think, pair, share. First they all think of a related story, next they share it with a partner. That way, everyone gets to tell their story without taking too much class time. At home, of course, you have more time with less children.

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*Picture book for preschoolers through 1st graders
*Two young rodents as main characters
*Rating: The strength in The Vole Brothers by Roslyn Schwartz lies in the illustrations and humor. I just wish the Vole brothers would have solved their own hunger problem, instead of luckily falling into a garden. However, you can use this book to work on problem solving skills with young children.

Short, short summary:

The Vole brothers are hungry. (And yes, they are voles–NOT moles.) They think about eating a cat, but then they decide just to follow him instead because he seems to be on the trail of a food scent. The brothers manage to get a piece of pizza away from the cat; but before they get to eat it, the pizza is taken away. The voles see a donut and decide to go after that next, but the cat is still lurking. How do the Vole brothers get out of this mess and find something to eat?

So, what do I do with this book?

1. Like I mentioned in my rating, this is a super cute book, but the voles just luck into solving their problem. So with young readers, first describe what the problem is. Then, make a list of possible solutions. Finally, ask students to choose one and write about it or illustrate it or both.

2. What are voles? Students may not be familiar with this animal. Share some facts with your students or children if you homeschool. Click here for some facts about voles: http://www.pestcontrolrx.com/david_somlcom/vole/

3. What do students think about the sound words? Do they add to the story? Can students use this technique in their own writing?

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*Picture book, fantasy for preschoolers through second graders
*Bats (the animal) as main characters
*Rating: The strength in Bats at the Ballgame is definitely the illustrative talent of Brian Lies–cute concept and some clever text, like Cricket Jacks!

Short, short summary:

Told in rhymed verse, Bats at the Ballgame by Brian Lies is the story of the bats’ baseball game against a tough opponent. How could any bat forget?/In all the countless years we’ve met,/it seems the team we’ll play tonight/has beaten us in every fight./ With beautiful illustrations, the reader is treated to the bats preparing the playing field and the spectators buying Cricket Jack, mothdogs, and infield flies–all snacks suitable for bats. When the game begins, the narrator’s team is off to a slow start once again through the 6th inning. In the 7th inning, there’s finally some action, but it’s for the other team. So the rest of the story is about whether or not the bat ballplayers can overcome this action and win the game.

So, what do I do with this book?

1. This is a great book to share during summer school, in those warm spring months before school is out (or your home school children are ready to have a break), or even in the fall around World Series time. There is quite a bit of “baseball lingo” in here, which your boy and girl baseball players will appreciate. Ask students to make personal connections with the text, as they have all probably at least played baseball/softball in P.E. or at recess. Ask them to write a paragraph about what this book makes them think about in their own lives. (It could be any sporting event, actually.)

2. You can teach word choice and sentence fluency, two of the 6 + 1 traits of writing, with this book. Word choice is an obvious lesson since Lies has written descriptive text, and it rhymes. Don’t you love the way he chose to write Cricket Jacks instead of Cracker Jacks? Even that one simple word makes an entirely different book–this is word choice at its finest. As for sentence fluency, when you read a rhyming book like this out loud, your students can really hear how the text flows. Look at the punctuation, too, and/or transition words to see how these keep the text flowing.

3. Brian Lies has beautiful illustrations. Give your students a chance to study them. What do they notice? How do the illustrations and the text work together to tell the story? If your students really love his work, then share (and compare and contrast) one of his other books such as Bats in the Library.

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*Picture book for preschoolers through first graders, contemporary
*Young girl as a main character
*Rating: I Miss You Every Day by Caldecott winner Simms Taback is a sweet book with bright, colorful illustrations that kids will want to read over and over again.

Short, short summary:

In this book, a young girl is missing someone who lives far away. After telling the person how much she misses him/her, she decides to wrap herself up like a present and send herself through the mail. Then she discusses what will happen to her on her journey through the post office and once she gets to her loved one. It is told in rhyme with simple text and wonderful illustrations–a true picture book.

So, what do I do with this book?

1. Children will want to discuss someone they miss when reading this book. It will most likely be a family member that doesn’t live near them, such as a grandparent or maybe a parent that is in the military. They might also talk about someone that has died (just giving you a heads-up). Missing people is a complex issue, especially for children. It can be very heartbreaking, also, and this book opens up the lines of communication to talk about these emotions. Children can write letters or draw pictures for the person they are missing.

2. This is also a great book to discuss what happens to the mail after you put it in the mailbox. You could have a field trip to the post office as well as discuss the proper way to address an envelope and/or package. Write letters in class and send them on your post office field trip or even just take a walk to a mailbox on a beautiful spring (or fall) day!

3. In a shared writing time, children can write more lines of what the girl and her loved one can do together once they are reunited. Ask them to think about what they would like to do, and then you can decide whether or not you want to help them rhyme the lines or not. Children should write their part and illustrate it. Then you can put these together as a book.

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*Picture book, realistic (?) fiction for preschoolers through 2nd graders (although there’s something for older kids, too)
*Young boy as main character
*Rating: The Great White House Breakout is a clever book with wonderful illustrations and a storyline to get kids and adults talking about the President of the U.S.–in a good way!

Short, short summary:

Sam lives at the White House with his mom, the President and his dad, the First Guy. His cat, Warren, and a rat, Leonard, live there, too. It’s hard to have fun because Sam and his friends have to stay inside and the Secret Service are always there. So, Sam, Leonard, and Warren design an escape plan and discover the adventures of Washington, D.C. Of course, now the president’s son is missing, so people are looking for him. And of course, Sam starts to miss his mom, too. A heartwarming and fun book with lots of Washington D.C. scenery.

So, what do I do with this book?

1. Write a letter to the current president at the White House. You will get a letter back and maybe even some goodies–such as a picture of the first pet–to go along with it. In the letter, ask students or your child to tell about this book you read and encourage them to ask questions about being the president or the White House. They can also learn the most famous address in the United States by addressing their own envelopes.

2. Study what there is to do in Washington, D.C. Use The Great White House Breakout as a starting point and then ask students to do some of their own research. Students can work together in pairs to make a Washington, D.C. tourist brochure or even a “Plan for Sam, Leonard, and Warren.”

3. Ask students to imagine they live in the White House and write (or draw pictures if that’s more age appropriate) about their activities. They can be as creative as Sam or just realistically tell what they would like to do!

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*Picture book, fantasy, for preschoolers through 2nd graders
*Penguin and boy (from Lost and Found) are main characters
*Rating: Up and Down by Oliver Jeffers will make you smile and celebrate friendship!

Short, short summary:

Penguin and boy are best friends. Penguin gets the idea that he would love to fly. He has wings, so he should be able to fly, he reasons. But when he tries, nothing happens. He learns that penguins everywhere don’t fly, and this makes him sad. So, he runs away and answers an advertisement for a circus act where he will be shot from a cannon and fly through the air. The boy misses the penguin while he is away and begins searching for him. When Penguin does finally fly (with the help of the cannon), he’s not so crazy about it.

So, what do I do with this book?

1. Opposites are a good subject to discuss with the book, Up and Down. You can also ask students why they think Oliver Jeffers named his book Up and Down while you are discussing opposites. Look at the illustrations with your students or children and find more opposites in the drawings. Be creative. The important point is that students name opposites.

2. Penguin and the boy are great friends. You can use this book to discuss the characteristics of a good friend. For example–the way the boy rushes to be at Penguin’s side when he is fulfilling his dream. Students can also compare one of their friendships to the one in the book or compare themselves to either Penguin or the boy.

3. For fun, ask students to make an advertisement for Penguin’s circus act.

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Hello Readers! I am holding a book giveaway contest for this super cute picture book, Pelly and Mr. Harrison Visit the Moon from Kane Miller Publishing. Please leave a comment below for your chance to win–it’s a perfect book for any kid who loves space or wants to explore. (Only U.S. or Canada mailing addresses, please.) Contest goes until Sunday, March 27 6:00 p.m. CST. Winner will be announced on Monday, March 28.

I also wanted to let you know who won the contest last week for WOW!’s blanket tour. Here’s the scoop from WOW!:

Kim G. who commented on A Ponderance of Things, http://rcponders.wordpress.com, won the Everybody’s Talking About Surprises Grand Prize! Her prize includes a personalized copy of Letters from Home by Kristina McMorris, a Big Band CD, Victory Garden seeds, and a few surprises (of course!).

Our Surprise blogger winner was Mason Canyon who wrote about her favorite surprise: envelopes of books being delivered to her mailbox at Thoughts in Progress. (http://www.masoncanyon.blogspot.com/)

We hope you’ll join us for our next mass blogging event and tell your readers about a chance to win The Literary Ladies Guide to the Writing Life by Nava Atlas on our latest WOW Blog Tour.

Now on to Pelly and Mr. Harrison Visit the Moon by Lindsay Ward.

*Picture book, science fiction for preschoolers through second graders
*Young girl as main character
*Rating: Every child will be looking at her/his bathtub differently after reading this book! It’ll spark imaginations for sure.

Short, short summary: Pelly is brushing her teeth, and she notices a rocket engine on her bathtub. So, her dog, Mr. Harrison, jumps into the tub, and they take off for the moon. When they land on the moon, they meet an alien who is very friendly. She takes them to her house, where another alien is making none other than–moon pies! They learn about gravity and about making s’moons. When they get back home, it’s like no time has passed at all–Mom wonders if Pelly is almost done brushing her teeth.

So what do I do with this book?

1. Pelly and Mr. Harrison Visit the Moon can really spark children’s imagination. Ask them, “What could you travel in to the moon from your house?” or “What could you attach a rocket engine to and take off?” Younger students can illustrate their response. Older students can write about it. This is a great home activity for parents and children, too.

2. Use this book to discuss the 6 + 1 traits of writing trait, word choice. Ask students what special words they notice while you read the book and make a class list. Encourage kids to use this list when they are writing.

3. Use this book to open up a science discussion about the moon. What do children know about the moon? Could this story really happen? For fun, bring in some moon pies!

Okay, leave a comment below for a chance to win this book. If you want, tell us what you would travel to space in (a bathtub?) and where you would go.

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*Picture book for preschoolers through first graders
*Young male fish as main character
*Rating: The Pout-Pout Fish will soon become one of your family’s or classroom’s favorites. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, too!

Short, short summary:

The pout-pout fish has a pout-pout face and is always down in the dumps in the ocean. Several happy sea creatures come by to offer some positive words of wisdom, so Mr. Fish will turn that frown upside down. But each time he explains that he is a pout-pout fish and he spreads the “dreary-wearies.” Readers will think there is no hope for Mr. Fish until a silent silver shimmer fish comes by and gives Mr. Fish a big old SMOOCH! This turns the pout-pout fish into a kiss-kiss fish!

So what do I do with this book?

1. This is a great book to talk about emotions and feelings! Why is Mr. Fish pouting? Is he sad or just stuck in a rut? Children can compare themselves to the creatures in the book and talk about when they’ve felt similar ways.

2. Have fun reading this book aloud! Do some echo reading–maybe even let children pretend to be different parts from the book–almost like reader’s theatre.

3. Pictures tell a lot of this story. Challenge students to tell a short story using only illustrations. Partner students up and have them trade their picture stories with each other.

Tune in Thursday for a picture book giveaway about a mouse violinist!

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*Funny, realistic picture book for preschoolers through first graders
*Preschool boy as main character
*Rating: Parts by Tedd Arnold can easily become your favorite book–as a kid and as an adult.

Short, short summary:

This poor boy thinks the glue that is holding him together is not working. He find pieces of hair in his comb. Something fell out of his nose, and he is sure it is his brain. Then there’s the skin on the bottom of his foot, and the last straw–his teeth–how will he eat? He gets some masking tape to try to hold himself together; but finally, his parents remember to tell him that this is a normal part of growing up!

So, what do I do with this book?

1. The first time you read it to children see if they think something is really wrong with him or if this is just the body’s way of growing. Ask children if these similar things have happened to them, and give them a chance to tell their stories (so allow for some extra discussion time when reading this book aloud!).

2. We all know at the end of the book that the boy has found ear wax, but can your students make a creative story about what he really found in his ear? For preschoolers, you can do this as a shared writing activity and each student can draw their own illustration. For first graders, they can write a short ending to the story. Encourage them to be creative with what the boy found in his ear!

3. Use this book in a health unit to talk to students about what is really holding our body together–bone, muscles, skin, blood vessels, etc. etc. For younger students (such as two or three-year-old kids), you can talk about the parts they can see!

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*Picture book for preschoolers through second graders
*Bear as main character
*Rating: Ugly Pie is the ideal picture book–cute story, wonderful illustrations and a takeaway activity.

Short, short summary:

Ol’ Bear is hankerin’ for Ugly Pie, but he doesn’t have all the ingredients. All he has is some molasses. So, he goes out looking for Ugly Pie. As he comes to each of his friends, they offer him a kind of pie, but Ol’ Bear really wants that Ugly Pie. They do give him some ingredients each time; and by the time he gets home, he can make his Ugly Pie. He sings a cute rhyme each time, too: “My-oh-my! But I’m still itchin’ for some Ugly Pie.” The very end of the book is a recipe for all the little cubs out there who are hankerin’ for Ugly Pie.

So, what do I do with this book?

1. Obviously, kids will want to make the recipe just like Ol’ Bear, but bring some math instruction into it. For advanced students, you can ask them to double or half the recipe. For some students, they just need practice with reading a recipe or even following directions. Look over your objectives you need to teach (at home schools, too) and use this as a fun activity and lesson!

2. Ask students to write about a time they were “hankerin’” for something and what they did to get it!

3. Word choice (one of the six plus one traits of writing) is very strong in Lisa Wheeler’s Ugly Pie from the playful use of language on the first page to the little rhyme Bear sings throughout. Ask students to pick a “favorite” word to tell you when they hear you read it aloud. Make a list on chart paper of these favorite words. Hang in the room for students to use in their own writing. (Personally, my favorite word is “hankerin’”.)

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*Picture book, realistic fiction for preschoolers through second graders
*Young girl as main character
*Rating: I absolutely love this sweet book In Grandma’s Arms. You can use it for so many lessons, too.

Short, short summary:

In this story, a young girl is sitting on her grandma’s lap in the Storybook Chair, and she says, “We can do anything–, We can go anywhere.” Then she and her grandma have several magical adventures through the pages of a book, including flying on clouds of pink cotton, leaping on a comet, and visiting with a dragon. In the end, she grows drowsy and has sweet dreams.

So, what do I do with this book?

1. This is a wonderful book to read to students before teaching or talking about the six plus one traits of writing, IDEAS. Where do authors get their ideas? What kind of ideas do they have? Where is the little girl getting all of these wonderful adventures she is having? Why are these potato ideas (ideas you have to dig for)? This is a perfect book to use with young writers in kindergarten and first grade when teaching a six plus one traits of writing lesson on IDEAS.

2. Children will want to share their favorite stories–books and grandparent stories. Allow children to draw pictures of their grandparents and share stories about them. Take a poll of students’ favorite fairy tales or books.

3. This is also a terrific book to talk about verbs or action words with students or your children if you homeschool. In Grandma’s Arms has several strong verbs such as: fly, float, leap, and zoom.

I would also like to draw your attention to another WONDERFUL blog that I hope you will all check out and subscribe to. It is about using picture books in the classroom; and recently, he did a huge post on Civil War picture books and using picture books in high school classrooms. You don’ t want to miss this site if you love picture books. Here’s the link: http://teachwithpicturebooks.blogspot.com/

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*Picture/chapter book, contemporary
*Two best friends, elementary-aged girls as main characters
*Rating: Super cute and clever book, Bink and Gollie will have fans young and old.

Short, short summary:

Bink and Gollie are best friends, and they are about as opposite as you can get. In the three stories in this book, Bink buys a super loud pair of socks, and Gollie tries to get her to abandon them by compromising. In the second story, Gollie is on a pretend trip, climbing the Andes Mountains; and in the third story, Bink has a fish named Fred, and Gollie might be feeling a little jealous. The illustrations in this book are wonderful, and the text is written by an award-winning children’s writer and a New York Times Bestseller.

So, what do I do with this book?

1. Depending on the age of the children whom you read this story with, they can create their own Bink and Gollie adventure. They can write the text and illustrate. If you teach young children or have a young child at home, you can write the story together.

2. Bink and Gollie try to compromise in the first story, but Gollie really just wants Bink to give in. When Bink finally comes up with a compromise, what’s the difference? Ask students to give a definition of compromise. Have any of them ever compromised? What’s another way Bink and Gollie could compromise?

3. In the last story, Bink must sacrifice having Fred as her “marvelous companion” in order to save his life. Ask students what they would have done in this situation. How would they feel? Was there any other possible solution? Why do they think Gollie really did what she did?

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*Picture book for preschoolers through first graders
*Four small puppies as main characters
*Rating: Leslie Patricelli’s book will appeal to all those children who have trouble sleeping at night because of the monsters. Super cute illustrations accompany a fun text!

Short, short summary:

Petra had trouble sleeping at night. She was afraid of the dark, noises, and especially the monster. Her brothers and sister always slept through the night, and her parents told her everything was fine and that she should just go back to sleep. The four puppies decide to make the monster some cookies as a peace offering. One night, they write a note and leave the plate of cookies. When they hear the monster, they all get out of bed to go confront it. But are they in for a surprise. The monster is scared of them, and he does love cookies. The four puppies and the monster have a noisy party until Mom and Dad wake up and don’t see any monster. Everyone goes back to bed–even Petra.

So, what do I do with this book?

1. The other puppies try to help Petra solve her problem. This is a great book to talk with students about problem solving. What is Petra’s problem? What are some ways the puppies try to solve the problem? What does “solution” mean? What is the solution that finally works for Petra?

2. Many children will be able to relate to Petra’s problem as this is a common childhood problem. If students in your class or your own children have ever felt the same way as Petra, let them share their experiences with you, and compare and contrast them to what happened in the book. Making personal connections with the text helps students with their comprehension skills.

3. Have your own “Midnight Monster Party” at home or school. Children can create monsters out of paper plates, stuffed animals, or even construction paper. Each child can bring one monster and a treat to share. You can do some of the same activities the puppies do in the book during their party.

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*Picture book, fiction, for preschoolers through 2nd graders
*Two superhero boys as main characters
*Rating: Boys will L-O-V-E Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug, which teaches the importance of recycling without preaching. Great idea!

Short, short summary:

A clean, little town has a big problem–Litterbug Doug, his rotten trash, and his rat friends. Litterbug Doug doesn’t care about his neighbors or the earth until Michael Recycle shows him the error of his ways. Once Litterbug Doug changes his habits, he becomes the litter police. Told with rhyme and bright illustrations, children will love listening to and looking at Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug. The end of the book provides “green” tips for kids and facts about trash.

So, what do I do with this book?

1. After reading about Michael Recycle, allow students to create their own “green” superhero. Students should write about the superhero and draw a picture. Children should also make up a new name.

2. In so many classrooms and even at home, we talk a lot about recycling around Earth Day–but we shouldn’t wait until April to talk about this important subject. Children can take the green tips from the back of the book and create posters for the classroom. Then whenever a child or adult “catches someone being green,” shout it out. For example, you could shout out, “I just caught Alissa being green. She remembered to turn off our light switch on our way out of the classroom. Thanks, Alissa!”

3. Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug is a great example of a picture book you can use to teach word choice, one of the six plus one traits of writing. Ellie Bethel’s word choice really sets the scene and shows readers just how gross Litterbug Doug is.

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Guest post by Irene Roth!

Finding Lincoln
By: Ann Malaspina
Illustrated by: Colin Bootman
(Paintings by Coretta Scott King Honor artist)
Albert Whitman and Company, 2009.

This book is based on a true story. It is about an African-American boy who wants to get a book out of the main library in Alabama about young Abraham Lincoln.

The setting for this book is the 1950s Alabama where only white people were allowed into the main library. But Louis wasn’t going to put up with that reality. He mustered up as much courage as he could and walked straight into the main library, with people staring. Ultimately, one of the librarians had to escort him out to keep the peace within the library. But before she did, the librarian quietly took him aside and asked him to come back to the library the next day after 5 p.m. Louis did, and she made sure that he got the book he wanted and she even gave him a temporary library card.

At the end of the story, there is an informative note for the reader about how blacks were segregated until the 1960s in Alabama. There is also an informative sidebar that is full of facts about Abraham Lincoln and a reference list for further reading. It is truly a wonderful book that most kids will enjoy reading. The paintings are very vivid and realistic for the time portrayed by the author.

Rating: 5 Stars

Discussion Questions For Educators and Teachers

• 1. Write a short account about Louis’s courage. Would you be that
  courageous in similar circumstances? Why?
• 2. Write a short account about the life of Abraham Lincoln and
  his incredible perspicacity in abolishing slavery.
• 3. Read one or two books on the reading list and talk about what
  you learned about Abraham Lincoln.

Reviewed by Irene S. Roth

For more about Irene Roth, please visit her blogs at: www.adolescentgirlsblog.wordpress.com and www.irenesroth.wordpress.com.

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Why War is Never a Good Idea by Alice Walker and illustrated by Stefano Vitale is a poem put to life in a picture book with beautiful, rich illustrations. This powerful text shows children the affects of war and the innocent bystanders from frogs to children to mothers to villagers who are the victims of war. Here’s a small verse from the book:

Though War has a mind of its own/War never knows/Who/It is going/To hit./ Picture a donkey/Peacefully/Sniffing a pile/Of Straw/

This is a book that could upset children, but it is a book to share with them. If they have questions about war or why their moms or dads are away in the service or why their village is being destroyed by soldiers, this book can help start a dialogue. It’s PERFECT for homeschooling, churches, small counseling groups. We can help children around the world who are victims of war when we educate everyone about the affects of war–this book can help do this!

Alice Walker is the author of The Color Purple and is an activist. She has written other books for children such as: There is a Flower at the Tip of My Nose Smelling Me, Langston Hughes: American Poet, and Finding the Green Stone.

Here she is in an interview on WNYC radio, reading a section of this book. Very powerful–only about two minutes long, so please take time to watch:

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Sometimes when we talk to kids about issues going on in the world, like I wrote about on Monday with my stepson and the visiting priest from Africa who needs money for his church, it is hard for them to understand what we mean by freedom–especially if they live in a free country like the United States. It’s hard for them to imagine that there are places where children don’t have the freedom to go to school or church or the doctor when they are sick. Young children, especially, need concrete examples of what freedom means, especially if they are taking part in any type of donation activity (like collecting pennies for an organization like Loose Change to Loosen Chains).

This book, This is the Dream written by Diane Z. Shore and Jessica Alexander and illustrated by James Ransome, is a great picture book that can illustrate the concept of freedom. What I especially like about this bright and colorful book is the way it shows the United States before the Civil Rights movement, then some of the Civil Rights leaders, and then the way the country is now–with freedom for everyone. In the year 2010, the fact that black people used to drink from a separate fountain or ride at the back of the bus might be particularly shocking for our children since less than 50 years later, our president is black.

Here are a few verses from this great book:

“These are the fountains that stand in the square, and the black-and-white signs say who will drink there.”

“These are the leaders whose powerful voices lift up marchers demanding new choices.”

“This is the fountain that stands in the square and the unwritten rule is to take turns and share.”

Love it!!

In order for children to understand what it looks like when there’s not freedom and what it looks like when there is, you can use a picture book like This is the Dream by Diane Z. Shore and Jessica Alexander. Then you can explain to them how around the world in the 21st century, there are still people living without freedom, and we are collecting pennies to try and help them. The Civil Rights leaders helped in the United States, and now it’s our turn!

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*Picture book for preschoolers through 2nd graders, fantasy (fractured nursery rhyme)
*Dish and Spoon as main characters
*Rating: Kids love books like The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon that play off an old nursery rhyme and have loads of fun stuff in the illustrations.

Short, short summary:

What happened after the dish ran away with the spoon? Well, this book will answer that question. From trying their luck in a vaudeville show to buying a car and shopping for jewelry and furs, the Dish and Spoon have quite an adventure. It’s all fun and games until the Dish meets a rock, and the Spoon meets jail. Will these two ever make it together again?

So, what do I do with this book?

1. Read the nursery rhyme to children, “Hey Diddle, Diddle!” Ask children to imagine other things about this nursery rhyme. For example, ask them, “Why do you think the cow jumped over the moon?” “Why did the little boy laugh?” “What are the cat and the fiddle doing?” You can record answers on a piece of chart paper and create a classroom display by asking students to illustrate their answers. Be creative! Mini Grey sure was.

2. Study the illustrations carefully, especially the ones on the sidebars. What else do the illustrations tell about the story of the Dish and the Spoon that the text doesn’t tell? Discuss with students how in the picture book genre illustrations are as important as the text, and both work together to tell the story.

3. This is a book about friendship. Spoon and Dish are friends, they trust each other, and they love each other. Talk to students or your children about being a good friend. What are the qualities of a good friend? How do Dish and Spoon show these qualities? How do you show these qualities in your everyday life?

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*Picture book, contemporary fiction for preschoolers to kindergartners
*Two circle dogs as main characters
*Rating: Circle Dogs by Kevin Henkes is a cute book for young children–it can teach them shapes and sounds and that reading is fun!

Short, short summary:

Two dogs who like to sleep and run in circles live in a square house. This book takes you throughout their day from interacting with “their people” to running and playing in the yard to taking naps. The story is also a circle–beginning with the house and sleeping dogs and ending in the same way.

1. This is the perfect book for a preschool or kindergarten classroom during a unit on shapes. Not only does the text point out some shapes, but children can look for other shapes in Dan Yaccarino’s illustrations.

2. Who has a pet at their house? Ask children this question, and you are sure to get a lot of hands raised. Provide opportunities for children to make personal connections with the text to further comprehension by asking them if their pets act similar or different to the circle dogs.

3. The “sounds” that Kevin Henkes provides in the text of Circle Dogs makes this book a fun read aloud, and one that kids will want to read again and again.

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photo by nblumhardt www.flickr.com

*Picture book for preschoolers through first graders
*Animals as main characters
*Rating: A cute book with a lot of different animal descriptions that kids will love.

Short, short summary:

A Bunny is Funny takes a look at different animals you might find at the zoo. From crabs to skunks, from giraffes to lions, each animal has a rhyme and an illustration. Take for example the porcupine: “My quills act like a warning sign: Don’t mess with me. I’m a porcupine!”

So, what do I do with this book?

1. Let students or your children pick their favorite animal illustration and rhyme. Then ask them to draw their own illustration and write a sentence to go with it. You can then create your own class book: A Bunny is Funny 2.

2. Each of the lines about the animals rhymes. Ask children to put a thumbs up when they hear a rhyming word pair. When you are finished reading the book to them, make a list of rhyming words. You can also extend the activity by asking children to come up with more words that rhyme with the pairs.

3. Take a field trip to a farm or a zoo and see how many of the animals from the book that you see on your field trip. Take photographs on your field trip and compare these with the illustrations in A Bunny is Funny.

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First, I’d like to announce the winner of the Seeds of Change book giveaway from last Thursday’s post. It is . . .Becky Povich. Thank you to Becky and everyone who left comments on this post.

Beatrice’s Goat by Page McBrier and illustrated by Lori Lohstoeter is a wonderful children’s book based on a true story. You may have heard about this book before–it’s pretty popular. It is the story of Beatrice and her family, who live in Uganda and whose lives change when they receive a goat from Heifer International. The goat bears two kids and provides enough milk to feed the family and to sell for profit. Before this, life is extremely hard for Beatrice and her five brothers and sisters, who lived in extreme poverty. The children could not even go to school because they were so poor. By the end of the book (a year), Beatrice is going to school and the family is moving into a sturdier house thanks to the gift of the goat.

I love Heifer International, and I will probably talk a lot about how they change lives in poor communities all over the world. They provide (through donations) livestock to families, so they can raise more livestock and collect products from livestock to help themselves and other community members.

I receive their magazine, and here are some facts on the back of the latest issue: “In just three months in 1994, more than 800,000 Rwandans were killed in one of the worst acts of genocide in recent history. When you donate to help rebuild hope in Rwanda, your donation will be matched 3-to-1 up to $1.6 million to help revive farming traditions lost 16 years ago. That means your gift will go four times as far to help turn Rwanda’s violent past into a peaceful–and prosperous–future.”

If you are looking for a project to do in summer school or at home this summer, think about reading Beatrice’s Goat or checking out the Heifer International website and raising money to buy a family a goat, a cow, or some chicks. You can buy a share of these for as little as $10.

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*Picture book for infants to Kindergarteners, contemporary fiction
*Young girl as main character
*Rating: Say Hello! is a book children will return to again and again as they learn to speak “hello” in many different languages. Rachel Isadora is a brilliant illustrator, too!

Short, short summary:

Carmelita, her mom, and her dog are on their way to see Abuelo Rosa. As they walk through the street, they encounter several people who speak, “Hello,” in different languages. There’s Mrs. Rosen who greets them with, “Shalom!” The baker says, “Bonjour,” and the pizza maker says, “Ciao!” Along the way, Carmelia and her mother answer each of them, and so does Manny the dog. He says, “Woof!” each time, but everyone is convinced it’s because he can understand the hello in a different language and is simply answering back.

So, what do I do with this book?

1. The best thing about Say Hello! by Rachel Isadora is that it is meant to be read aloud, and children are meant to practice saying hello in all the different languages. And children love this! After you have read it through a couple times, you can ask children if they know any other ways to say hello. You can make a list of all the ways–from the book and from your children–and display this in the room. At home, when you pass your child in the hallway or enter a room, you can say hello in one of the ways you learned in the book.

2. This book is also great to start a discussion about businesses/buildings in a community, which is often a primary social studies objective. What are the places that Carmelita passes or visits on her walk to see Abuela Rosa? Are these same type of businesses in your community? What do you do at each of these businesses? Why are they important to the community?

3. Another discussion to have with children is about the similarities and differences between people. Depending on where you teach or where you live, your children may be in a neighborhood like Carmelita, where people come from various backgrounds, or you may be in a place where people mostly come from the same place. No matter what, you can have the discussion with children about how people may speak differently or look differently, but we are all people with feelings, friends, families, and even special talents. Again, one of the early social studies objectives is learning “ALL ABOUT ME.” This book can be a starting point for students to explore their families, share unique things about families with the class, or even create a family tree.

Don’t forget to enter the book giveaway contest for Seeds of Change, a picture book about Waangari Maathai. See the post from Thursday, May 20 (yesterday) to enter the contest and learn about this amazing book!

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photo by Randy Son of Robert www.flickr.com

*Contemporary picture book for preschoolers through 2nd graders
*The LOUDS (a very fun family) as main characters
*Rating: The Louds Move In! is a funny picture book full of cute illustrations.

Short, short summary:

The Louds Move In! by Carolyn Crimi starts when guess what? The Loud family moves into a very quiet neighborhood on Earmuffle Street. The Louds walk loud–”stomp, stompity, stomp”–and eat loud–”chomp, chompity, chomp”–and even play loud–”thump, thumpity, thump.” All the quiet neighbors just can’t take the loudness anymore, and so they call and then write the Louds a note. However, it doesn’t seem to make a difference. One night, the quiet neighbors go over to the Louds’ house to talk to them about their loudness, and there is nothing but quiet. They figure the family must have FINALLY gotten the message. However, the neighbors start to hate the quiet, and they have to figure out a way to get the Louds back to being loud again.

So, what do I do with this book?

1. One of the 6 + 1 traits of writing is word choice. This is a great picture book to use with children to discuss word choice. From the sound effects to the characters’ names to the action verbs, Carolyn Crimi has used specific word choices that makes her picture book sparkle. Ask children to tell you some of their favorite words in the story. Point out how she is making the characters shout or bellow or yell, and how these words match her story. Make a list of specific words she uses that children like, and hang these words in the room for them to use in their own writing.

2. Before children discover that the Louds really didn’t change but went on vacation, ask them to predict what they think will happen at the end of the story? Why are the Louds so quiet? Did they listen to the letter? Did they want to change to make their neighbors happy? Ask students to use clues from the illustrations and text to make a realistic prediction.

3. Children can do a fun art and writing project with this book. Take a piece of drawing paper and divide it in half–on one half students draw themselves doing a loud activity they like. On the other half, they draw a quiet activity. Discuss how most people are both quiet and loud, depending on the situation. Then ask students to write a sentence or paragraph (whichever is age-appropriate) explaining their illustrations.

Are you part of the Louds?

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photo by papertygre www.flickr.com

*Picture book, fantasy for preschoolers through second graders
*Young boy as main character
*Rating: Orson Blasts Off by Raul Colon is a great adventure-type picture book that kids will love to read over and over again.

Short, short summary:

When Orson’s computer breaks, he doesn’t know what he’ll do to pass the time. He’s already bored! But then his jack-in-the-box, named Weasel (as in Pop Goes the Weasel), talks to him and suggests he goes outside to play in the snow. Of course, Orson can’t believe Weasel can talk or that it’s snowy in July. But when he looks out the window, that’s just what he discovers. This starts Orson’s big adventure through the North Pole, a terrible storm at sea, and outer space–with Weasel as his faithful companion. Raul Colon’s wonderful illustrations paired with his creative story and cute pictures make this a picture book that boys (and girls, too) will love!

So, what do I do with this book?

1. Children can choose which setting from the story they like the best such as the North Pole, the sea during the storm, or outer space. Then they draw a picture of themselves, enjoying an adventure like Orson. Depending on the age of the child, ask students to write a sentence or short story about spending a day at this place. They can put Orson and Weasel in their picture and story, too.

2. Have any of your students or your children ever felt like Orson when a favorite toy breaks? Or how about if you lose your electricity? Will they survive without the T.V. or video games? Ask students to tell you about a time when they had to find something else to do just like Orson. You can also ask students which seems more fun–the video games Orson likes to have or the adventures that he went on in his imagination? (Or was it imagination? See #3 below.)

3. Here’s a question for debate: Is this a fantasy story where Orson really goes on these adventures OR is this a story about Orson’s imagination? Ask students what they think and ask them to give reasons to support their answers.

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Before I talk about today’s wonderful Un-Forgettable Friday post, I want to take a minute to let you know who won the book giveaway contest this week. Drum roll please. . .Lara Ivey won Book by Book! Thank you to everyone for leaving comments and questions for Cindy Hudson, the author. If you missed the awesome discussion about creating and maintaining a book club for you and your child, then go to Monday’s post.

Today’s book is The Milkman by Carol Foskett Cordsen. I love this book for two reasons–Douglas B. Jones’s illustrations are just, well, lovely and perfect for the tone and subject matter of this book. Second, I just love a picture book that tells a little story while also sharing some history with young children. This is the way many people used to get their milk, and children today will be amazed. The photo I chose to go with this post put up by FoxTongue on www.flickr.com is also really interesting. This Flickr user states that this is a photo of a milkman delivering milk in London after a German bombing raid during World War II. Now on to the book. . .

*Picture book for preschoolers through second graders, historical fiction
*Milkman as main character
*Rating: The Milkman is a wonderful book full of rhyme, colorful illustrations, and a cute storyline!

Short, short summary: Through rhyme, Carol Foskett Cordsen tells the story of a milkman’s morning and all the different people he delivers to. With his milk cat, he delivers double milk for the Morgan twins and extra for the red house full of Kansas kin. He thinks about the Bensons leaving in June and the new folks moving in. Then he sees a sign: “Lost my dog. Love, Caroline.” So, “Mr. Plimpton looks around. Sees a shadow. Hears a sound.” And the readers will discover that Caroline’s dog is in almost every illustration near the milkman, but he is just not seeing him yet. Eventually, Mr. Plimpton does see him, and he returns the dog, finishes delivering milk and eggs, and returns home to his family–just in time for BREAKFAST! (Wow! all that before breakfast.)

So, what do I do with this book?

1. As I already mentioned, one of the best activities to do with this book is compare and contrast the way the people get their milk in the book to the way people get their milk today. There are still some companies that deliver milk, but most people get their milk from the store. Also, children can look at the illustrations and tell that this book takes place in the past. What are some of the clues? What are some of the similarities and differences they notice between the setting of the book and their own lives? (While students are studying the pictures for clues to the past, they can also look for Caroline’s dog.)

2. Young children will love to read the repeatable text with teachers–especially “Lost my dog. Love, Caroline.” Once you have read this book to students, ask them what lines they heard repeated throughout. Then read the book again and ask students to join in the reading. You can write the lines on chart paper and point to them when they come up in the text to help students remember them, and so they can “read” the text along with you.

3. You could also use this book to start a discussion with your children or students about careers and jobs they would like to do when they grow up. Being a milkman isn’t a job most people have any more, but ask your students what they would like to be. Create

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