*Historical fiction picture book for preschoolers through third graders
*Young George Washington as the main character
*Rating: George Washington’s Birthday is a clever picture book filled with all sorts of stories about GW that are probably not true, but it’s a fun book anyway–with some true facts added in about GW. Of course, this is PERFECT for Presidents’ Day lessons.
Short, short summary:
George Washington is having his 7th birthday, and no one seems to care. He is still having to do his school work. His father still wants him to work in the orchard, where of course, he cuts down the cherry tree. After he does a lot of work, he goes to his room and makes a list of ideas his father would like–still so sad that no one seems to care about his birthday. When his family calls him downstairs for dinner, they yell, “Surprise!” and George realizes his birthday is important to his family after all. Throughout the historical fiction story, several true facts about GW are given with an author’s note at the end.
So, what do I do with this book?
1. Talk about with children why we celebrate George Washington’s birthday on Presidents’ Day. Plan a birthday party for him on this day. Serve cherry-flavored treats to go with the cherry tree story.
2. Compare and contrast the facts that are presented in the book with the fiction story. Discuss why the author included certain stories and had them happen on his birthday. This will help you discuss author’s purpose, which is often an objective for students, concerning comprehension.
3. Do a KWL chart. Before reading the book, write everything you know about George Washington and Presidents’ Day in the K column on the chart. In the W column, students should write things they wonder about George Washington. After reading the book, students can fill out the L column with things they learned. Younger students can do this as a shared writing activity.
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
