Genre: General fiction
Publishing Info: Scholastic, INC, 30 pages
Summary: This was a story about a quilt that comforted a little girl had. She played with the quilt and it got dirty and had holes in it. Her mother had to stitch it up. The little girl eventually packed the quilt away it was found by mice, a raccoon and a cat. One day it was found by a new little girl who had her mother fix the quilt up like new and she played with it.
Personal rating: ***Good This story does a great job at following the quilt through its past and present.
Reading level: 2.5
Interest level: K-2
Integration: This story could be used in a history lesson to talk about how items are used in the past and present. Many items like quilts have not changed much through out the years. The children could discuss items that have changed over time. The teacher could bring in pictures from the internet or from books to show how things have changed. This could even be followed up by taking the class to the museum to see how things in person.
This book could also be used in a unit about quilts and talk about what they are used for. The teacher could bring in samples of what quilts look like around the world. Then have the students design their own quilt square.
This book could also be used to talk about how children feel about moving. Both little girls in the book have to move with their families and use the quilt to comfort themselves.
Potential problems: The only problem that I see is that this story is written with the sentences short and choppy. Children who are having trouble reading fluently may have some trouble with this book.
Showing posts with label General Fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label General Fiction. Show all posts
Monday, June 22, 2009
A Birthday Basket for Tia by Pat Mora
Genre: general fiction
Publishing info: Simon & Schuster Books, 30 pages
Summary: This is a story about a little hispanic girl who is trying to find the best present for her great aunt. She decides to make a basket full of things that the two of them find special. She puts in their favorite book, a mixing bowl, a flowerpot and lots of other things. Throughout the story the author mixes english and spanish as the characters speak.
Personal rating: *** Good This story has pretty pictures and does a great job of showing the mexican culture.
Reading level: 2.4
Interest level: K-2
Integration: The teacher could use this book to read and talk about hispanic culture. The teacher could talk about how different cultures celebrate birthdays. Then the class could focus on the hispanic culture and study how they celebrate. The class could finish up by having a fiesta of their own by creating a pinata and having chips and salsa. The teacher could also invite any hispanic parents in who might want to share about their culture to the class.
In math this book counts by tens as the little girl counts up to how old her aunt is so the class could practice counting up by tens to ninety.
Potential problems: This book has some words that are native to the spanish language and may confuse children who are not familiar with spanish.
Publishing info: Simon & Schuster Books, 30 pages
Summary: This is a story about a little hispanic girl who is trying to find the best present for her great aunt. She decides to make a basket full of things that the two of them find special. She puts in their favorite book, a mixing bowl, a flowerpot and lots of other things. Throughout the story the author mixes english and spanish as the characters speak.
Personal rating: *** Good This story has pretty pictures and does a great job of showing the mexican culture.
Reading level: 2.4
Interest level: K-2
Integration: The teacher could use this book to read and talk about hispanic culture. The teacher could talk about how different cultures celebrate birthdays. Then the class could focus on the hispanic culture and study how they celebrate. The class could finish up by having a fiesta of their own by creating a pinata and having chips and salsa. The teacher could also invite any hispanic parents in who might want to share about their culture to the class.
In math this book counts by tens as the little girl counts up to how old her aunt is so the class could practice counting up by tens to ninety.
Potential problems: This book has some words that are native to the spanish language and may confuse children who are not familiar with spanish.
The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins
Genre: General fiction
Publishing info: Mulberry Books, 22 pages
Summary: Mom made twelve cookies for Tom and Hannah so they could have six a piece. The doorbell starts ringing and each time the door opens there are more people to share the cookies with. Each time the children have to divide the cookies among themselves.
Personal rating: ***Good This is a fun story to introduce the concept of division.
Reading level: 1.9
Interest level: K-2
Integration: This story would be great to read to a class when the teacher introduces division. The teacher could take paper cookies or plastic cookies and have the students act out the story in front of the class.
The teacher could also use this book during a social studies lesson about everyone getting their fair share.
The teacher could finish up talking about this book by bringing in cookies that can be divided up among the class.
Potential problems: The students may have some trouble discussing how division works.
Publishing info: Mulberry Books, 22 pages
Summary: Mom made twelve cookies for Tom and Hannah so they could have six a piece. The doorbell starts ringing and each time the door opens there are more people to share the cookies with. Each time the children have to divide the cookies among themselves.
Personal rating: ***Good This is a fun story to introduce the concept of division.
Reading level: 1.9
Interest level: K-2
Integration: This story would be great to read to a class when the teacher introduces division. The teacher could take paper cookies or plastic cookies and have the students act out the story in front of the class.
The teacher could also use this book during a social studies lesson about everyone getting their fair share.
The teacher could finish up talking about this book by bringing in cookies that can be divided up among the class.
Potential problems: The students may have some trouble discussing how division works.
The Giving Bear by Isabel Gaines
Genre: General fiction
Publishing Info: Scholastic INC, 38 pages
Summary: The Giving Bear is a Winnie the Pooh first reader and is a cute story. Piglet and Tigger are giving some things to Christopher Robin to give to people who are in need. They ask Winnie the Pooh if he has anything to give, but he can't think of anything to give. They all go in and help him look through his house. They find that Winnie has too many honeypots so he ends up giving way some of the honeypots. Winnie the Pooh says at the end that his heart swelled with joy knowing he could give something to help.
Personal Rating: ***Good This is a great story with a good message
Reading Level: 2.3
Interest Level: Pk-2
Integration: The teacher could read this book for social studies and discuss how Winnie the Pooh felt when he gave away his honeypots. They could talk about what the students might have at home to give away. Then maybe bring some things in for a clothing drive or food drive for homeless people in the community.
This book could be read with other Winnie the Pooh books and discuss how they are similar and different.
Potential problems: I don't see any problems with this book.
Publishing Info: Scholastic INC, 38 pages
Summary: The Giving Bear is a Winnie the Pooh first reader and is a cute story. Piglet and Tigger are giving some things to Christopher Robin to give to people who are in need. They ask Winnie the Pooh if he has anything to give, but he can't think of anything to give. They all go in and help him look through his house. They find that Winnie has too many honeypots so he ends up giving way some of the honeypots. Winnie the Pooh says at the end that his heart swelled with joy knowing he could give something to help.
Personal Rating: ***Good This is a great story with a good message
Reading Level: 2.3
Interest Level: Pk-2
Integration: The teacher could read this book for social studies and discuss how Winnie the Pooh felt when he gave away his honeypots. They could talk about what the students might have at home to give away. Then maybe bring some things in for a clothing drive or food drive for homeless people in the community.
This book could be read with other Winnie the Pooh books and discuss how they are similar and different.
Potential problems: I don't see any problems with this book.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The Berenstain Bears in the Dark by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Book Genre: General Fiction
Publishing Info.: Random House New York, 32 pages
Awards or Honors Received: N/A
Summary: This is a story about Sister Bear being afraid of the dark after reading a scary mystery book with Brother Bear. Sister's imagination takes over and every sight and sound turns into some scary creature in her mind. After a night with no sleep, Papa Bear decides to give Sister his old night light. This does the trick and helps Sister to not be afraid of the dark again.
Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ****Great! I loved this book. Most children can relate to being afraid of the dark, and I think that young children would enjoy this story. The topic is about something that is very real, but the book offers a solution to the problem. The illustrations are wonderful and the bear family and their treehouse will spark the imaginations of little ones.
Reading Level: 3.1
Interest Level: K-2
Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum): This story could be integrated with students writing about the dark and what they do to not be afraid. Since this story was about Sister Bear thinking she saw monsters, math could be incorporated by students making shape monsters. The teacher could cut out several different shapes in assorted colors, and students could create funny, silly, cute, or scary monsters. Before creating the monsters, students could sort, count, or make patterns with the colored shapes. After making the monsters, students could write a story about their shape monster.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I do not see any problems or difficulties with this book.
Publishing Info.: Random House New York, 32 pages
Awards or Honors Received: N/A
Summary: This is a story about Sister Bear being afraid of the dark after reading a scary mystery book with Brother Bear. Sister's imagination takes over and every sight and sound turns into some scary creature in her mind. After a night with no sleep, Papa Bear decides to give Sister his old night light. This does the trick and helps Sister to not be afraid of the dark again.
Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ****Great! I loved this book. Most children can relate to being afraid of the dark, and I think that young children would enjoy this story. The topic is about something that is very real, but the book offers a solution to the problem. The illustrations are wonderful and the bear family and their treehouse will spark the imaginations of little ones.
Reading Level: 3.1
Interest Level: K-2
Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum): This story could be integrated with students writing about the dark and what they do to not be afraid. Since this story was about Sister Bear thinking she saw monsters, math could be incorporated by students making shape monsters. The teacher could cut out several different shapes in assorted colors, and students could create funny, silly, cute, or scary monsters. Before creating the monsters, students could sort, count, or make patterns with the colored shapes. After making the monsters, students could write a story about their shape monster.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I do not see any problems or difficulties with this book.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Substitute Groundhog by Pat Miller
Genre: General fiction
Publishing information: Scholastic INC, 30 pages
Summary: Groundhog has to find a substitute for Groundhog's Day when he comes down with the flu. He decides to put up a wanted ad, but quickly finds out that everyone applying can't do the job. He needs someone who can go down in a dark hole, come up, and look for their shadow. Eagle, Mole, and Squirrel try out for the job but they can not do it. Armadillo comes to visit from Texas and says that he will be perfect for the job. Groundhog is nervous at first, because Armadillo is from Texas and does not know about their weather. Armadillo does have the right qualifications, so Groundhop lets him do it. Armadillo predicts there will be six more weeks of winter. Groundhog decides to go with Armadillo back to Texas because it is already spring there.
Reading level: 2.9
Interest level: K-2
Integration: The teacher could read this story before Groundhog's Day and talk about what the groundhog does. They could talk about the traditions that go along with that holiday and then have the students do some kind of groundhog art project. Older students could do a research project centered around Groundhog's Day.
The teacher could also use this book to talk about how only certain people can do certain jobs. Everyone has different qualifications for different jobs. The teacher could talk about the other animals and ask what the students think their jobs could be.
The teacher could also have the students talk about how this is a fiction story and what makes it fiction. Then they could read a book that is nonfiction about groundhogs and compare/contrast the two books on a poster board. The students could then write a story about groundhogs.
Potential problems: This book had a some difficult words for a level 2.9 book, some students may have trouble.
Publishing information: Scholastic INC, 30 pages
Summary: Groundhog has to find a substitute for Groundhog's Day when he comes down with the flu. He decides to put up a wanted ad, but quickly finds out that everyone applying can't do the job. He needs someone who can go down in a dark hole, come up, and look for their shadow. Eagle, Mole, and Squirrel try out for the job but they can not do it. Armadillo comes to visit from Texas and says that he will be perfect for the job. Groundhog is nervous at first, because Armadillo is from Texas and does not know about their weather. Armadillo does have the right qualifications, so Groundhop lets him do it. Armadillo predicts there will be six more weeks of winter. Groundhog decides to go with Armadillo back to Texas because it is already spring there.
Reading level: 2.9
Interest level: K-2
Integration: The teacher could read this story before Groundhog's Day and talk about what the groundhog does. They could talk about the traditions that go along with that holiday and then have the students do some kind of groundhog art project. Older students could do a research project centered around Groundhog's Day.
The teacher could also use this book to talk about how only certain people can do certain jobs. Everyone has different qualifications for different jobs. The teacher could talk about the other animals and ask what the students think their jobs could be.
The teacher could also have the students talk about how this is a fiction story and what makes it fiction. Then they could read a book that is nonfiction about groundhogs and compare/contrast the two books on a poster board. The students could then write a story about groundhogs.
Potential problems: This book had a some difficult words for a level 2.9 book, some students may have trouble.
Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert
Genre: Fiction
Publishing information: Houghton Mifflin Company, 38 pages
Summary: Growing Vegetable Soup has interesting pictures that are labeled and kid friendly. In the story a child and his dad are growing a garden so that they can have vegetable soup. The story follows them through the process from beginning to end. Big gloved hands pland the seeds, water the plants, and pull weeds. They bring the vegetables home to cut and wash for the vegetable soup.
Reading level: 2.0
Interest level: K-2
Integration: This book would be great to use with a unit about healthy food. The teacher could read this book and discuss how vegetables grow. After discussing how vegetables grow the teacher could draw and label a picture of vegetables. The students could discuss the food pyramid and all the different types of food on it. The teacher could bring in a bunch of pictures of food and organize them into the different types of food. The students could also use vegetables to make stamps on paper and then decorate them. The large culminating activity could be to have your students plant some vegetable plants and watch them grow. They could use math to measure how tall the plants grow and graph how they grow.
Potential problems: I do not foresee any problems with this book.
Publishing information: Houghton Mifflin Company, 38 pages
Summary: Growing Vegetable Soup has interesting pictures that are labeled and kid friendly. In the story a child and his dad are growing a garden so that they can have vegetable soup. The story follows them through the process from beginning to end. Big gloved hands pland the seeds, water the plants, and pull weeds. They bring the vegetables home to cut and wash for the vegetable soup.
Reading level: 2.0
Interest level: K-2
Integration: This book would be great to use with a unit about healthy food. The teacher could read this book and discuss how vegetables grow. After discussing how vegetables grow the teacher could draw and label a picture of vegetables. The students could discuss the food pyramid and all the different types of food on it. The teacher could bring in a bunch of pictures of food and organize them into the different types of food. The students could also use vegetables to make stamps on paper and then decorate them. The large culminating activity could be to have your students plant some vegetable plants and watch them grow. They could use math to measure how tall the plants grow and graph how they grow.
Potential problems: I do not foresee any problems with this book.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The Year of The Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston
Genre: General Fiction
Publishing:Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated, Oct. !996 (32pp.) reprint
Awards/Honors:
Summary:
In this story, a little girl is sharing with the readers the story of how her grandma Ruthie and her family had to choose the perfect Christmas tree to give to Pine Grove Church for Christmas. Before Ruthie's father was send off to war, he took Ruthie up into the mountains and they tied her red ribbon around the tree they had chosen to give to the church at Christmas time. Since it was Ruthie's family time to give the tree, Ruthie had the honor of being the heavenly angel in the Christmas play. On Christmas Eve, Ruthie and her mother went up into the mountains where her father and her had marked their Christmas tree and cut it down. They took it to the church and left it. On Christmas day, Ruthie got to play the angel, received the gifts she asked for from Santa, and her father came home from the war.
Rating: Good The story is entertaining and heart-warming.
Reading Level: 3.8
Interest Level: 3-5
Integrated Units:
Social Studies: Discuss Past and Present
Science: Trees - different types, life cycle
Math : Graph - Where do you get your Christmas Tree?
Writing: My favorite Christmas...
Reading: make predictions and inferences
Problems/Difficulties: lengthy
Publishing:Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated, Oct. !996 (32pp.) reprint
Awards/Honors:
Summary:
In this story, a little girl is sharing with the readers the story of how her grandma Ruthie and her family had to choose the perfect Christmas tree to give to Pine Grove Church for Christmas. Before Ruthie's father was send off to war, he took Ruthie up into the mountains and they tied her red ribbon around the tree they had chosen to give to the church at Christmas time. Since it was Ruthie's family time to give the tree, Ruthie had the honor of being the heavenly angel in the Christmas play. On Christmas Eve, Ruthie and her mother went up into the mountains where her father and her had marked their Christmas tree and cut it down. They took it to the church and left it. On Christmas day, Ruthie got to play the angel, received the gifts she asked for from Santa, and her father came home from the war.
Rating: Good The story is entertaining and heart-warming.
Reading Level: 3.8
Interest Level: 3-5
Integrated Units:
Social Studies: Discuss Past and Present
Science: Trees - different types, life cycle
Math : Graph - Where do you get your Christmas Tree?
Writing: My favorite Christmas...
Reading: make predictions and inferences
Problems/Difficulties: lengthy
Finklehopper Frog by Irene Livingston
Genre: General Fiction
Publishing Information: Scholastic INC., 36 pages
Summary: Finklehopper Frog is a rhyming story about a frog who wants to jog like everyone else. He went to the store and bought a special jogging suit. When he went out jogging he found out that everyone else didn't like his jogging suit as much as he did. They started making fun of him for his suit and the way he was hopping around. Ruby Rabbit came along and said that he shouldn't feel bad because frogs hop. Finkle came to realize that everyone has their own special things to do and be.
Reading level: 2.9
Interest level: K-2
Integration: This would be a great book to use in a poetry unit. The teacher could read this book and talk about how there are all different types of poetry. This is narrative poetry because it tells a story. After reading this book and discusses it the teacher could have the kids write their own narrative poem about something.
This book could also be used to discuss how everything is different and how we shouldn't make fun of someone just because they are different.
To get the children moving you can have the children jog like the other animals. Then have them hop like Finkle. After that they could come up with other ways the animals move and have them act that out.
Potential Problems: The only problem that I see is this book has some hard words like Finklehopper that are not regular. It is a rhyming book and if a child is having trouble reading fluently they may have trouble with it.
Publishing Information: Scholastic INC., 36 pages
Summary: Finklehopper Frog is a rhyming story about a frog who wants to jog like everyone else. He went to the store and bought a special jogging suit. When he went out jogging he found out that everyone else didn't like his jogging suit as much as he did. They started making fun of him for his suit and the way he was hopping around. Ruby Rabbit came along and said that he shouldn't feel bad because frogs hop. Finkle came to realize that everyone has their own special things to do and be.
Reading level: 2.9
Interest level: K-2
Integration: This would be a great book to use in a poetry unit. The teacher could read this book and talk about how there are all different types of poetry. This is narrative poetry because it tells a story. After reading this book and discusses it the teacher could have the kids write their own narrative poem about something.
This book could also be used to discuss how everything is different and how we shouldn't make fun of someone just because they are different.
To get the children moving you can have the children jog like the other animals. Then have them hop like Finkle. After that they could come up with other ways the animals move and have them act that out.
Potential Problems: The only problem that I see is this book has some hard words like Finklehopper that are not regular. It is a rhyming book and if a child is having trouble reading fluently they may have trouble with it.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Webster J. Duck by Martin Waddell
Genre: general fiction
Publishing information: Scholastic INC, 26 pages
Summary: Webster J. Duck is about a baby duck who hatches from his egg and can't find his mother. He goes all around looking for a duck that could be his mother. He finds other animals but they don't say quack quack like him. The story has a happy ending when he finds another duck who sounds just like him.
Personal rating: *** Good. This is a good spin on a story that's been told over and over, a baby animal is lost looking for his mother.
Reading level: 2.0
Interest level: K-2
Integration: This story could be used to talk about how an egg hatches, because at the beginning it talks about what happens when Webster J. Duck comes out of his egg. The teacher could read this book to introduce the concept of birds hatching out of eggs. The teacher could talk about what happens after the bird hatches out. After reading the story the teacher could possibly culminate everything by having chicks hatch out in the room and talking about whether Webster J. Duck hatched out like the chicks or not.
This book would be great to talk about point of view. The author wrote this book from Webster J. Duck's point of view and he doesn't understand what a duck looks like. He goes around quacking to all different types of animals just to find out that they don't quack like him. The teacher could talk about why he didn't understand. Then the students could write about a time that they didn't understand something.
Potential problems: The only problem that I see is that children my not understand why the duck keeps calling the other animals ducks. That part of the story may take some explanation.
Publishing information: Scholastic INC, 26 pages
Summary: Webster J. Duck is about a baby duck who hatches from his egg and can't find his mother. He goes all around looking for a duck that could be his mother. He finds other animals but they don't say quack quack like him. The story has a happy ending when he finds another duck who sounds just like him.
Personal rating: *** Good. This is a good spin on a story that's been told over and over, a baby animal is lost looking for his mother.
Reading level: 2.0
Interest level: K-2
Integration: This story could be used to talk about how an egg hatches, because at the beginning it talks about what happens when Webster J. Duck comes out of his egg. The teacher could read this book to introduce the concept of birds hatching out of eggs. The teacher could talk about what happens after the bird hatches out. After reading the story the teacher could possibly culminate everything by having chicks hatch out in the room and talking about whether Webster J. Duck hatched out like the chicks or not.
This book would be great to talk about point of view. The author wrote this book from Webster J. Duck's point of view and he doesn't understand what a duck looks like. He goes around quacking to all different types of animals just to find out that they don't quack like him. The teacher could talk about why he didn't understand. Then the students could write about a time that they didn't understand something.
Potential problems: The only problem that I see is that children my not understand why the duck keeps calling the other animals ducks. That part of the story may take some explanation.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
How Many Stars in the Sky? by Lenny Hort
Book Genre: General Fiction
Publishing Info.: Scholastic Inc., 32 pages
Awards or Honors Received: N/A
Summary: This story is about a father and son who are both having trouble sleeping because mother is out of town. The son wants to count the stars, just like he does with his mother. His father takes him into the city, but the lights are too bright for them to see the stars. Then they drive out to the country where there are so many visible stars that there is no way they can count them all. They look at all of the stars and talk about the Milky Way and planets. The father and son are too tired to drive home, so they sleep in the back of the truck under the stars. The next morning, the son realizes that the time he spent with his father was special and asks if they can do it again sometime.
Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ***Good. The content of this book was okay, but the illustrations were amazing. It looked like the illustrator painted the pictures, and they had such great detail. Young children can relate to this story because the child in this story was missing him mom, and his dad was trying to cheer him up. I am sure that all young children can think of a time when they have missed someone.
Reading Level: 3.5
Interest Level: K-2
Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum): This book could be used during a science unit on space. It talks about the Milky Way, planets, and the sun is a star. The book also showed how you cannot see stars very well if it is too bright outside, and that stars can be seen better in darker locations. Writing could be incorporated about the planets and stars, or on a more personal level about a time when a child missed someone. They could describe how they felt and what they did to feel better. Art could be integrated by comparing the illustrations of several books and talking about how some pictures are drawn, some are cartoon-like, and some are painted. Students could create a picture about space and choose the materials they would prefer, such as pencils, crayons, markers, or paint.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I do not see any problems or difficulties with this book.
Publishing Info.: Scholastic Inc., 32 pages
Awards or Honors Received: N/A
Summary: This story is about a father and son who are both having trouble sleeping because mother is out of town. The son wants to count the stars, just like he does with his mother. His father takes him into the city, but the lights are too bright for them to see the stars. Then they drive out to the country where there are so many visible stars that there is no way they can count them all. They look at all of the stars and talk about the Milky Way and planets. The father and son are too tired to drive home, so they sleep in the back of the truck under the stars. The next morning, the son realizes that the time he spent with his father was special and asks if they can do it again sometime.
Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ***Good. The content of this book was okay, but the illustrations were amazing. It looked like the illustrator painted the pictures, and they had such great detail. Young children can relate to this story because the child in this story was missing him mom, and his dad was trying to cheer him up. I am sure that all young children can think of a time when they have missed someone.
Reading Level: 3.5
Interest Level: K-2
Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum): This book could be used during a science unit on space. It talks about the Milky Way, planets, and the sun is a star. The book also showed how you cannot see stars very well if it is too bright outside, and that stars can be seen better in darker locations. Writing could be incorporated about the planets and stars, or on a more personal level about a time when a child missed someone. They could describe how they felt and what they did to feel better. Art could be integrated by comparing the illustrations of several books and talking about how some pictures are drawn, some are cartoon-like, and some are painted. Students could create a picture about space and choose the materials they would prefer, such as pencils, crayons, markers, or paint.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I do not see any problems or difficulties with this book.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Maggie and the Pirate by Ezra Jack Keats
Genre: General fiction
Publishing information: Scholastic, INC 34 pages
Summary: This is the story of Maggie who lives in a tropical place and has a pet cricket named Niki. The little girl leaves Niki in his cage while she goes to the store for her mother. While Maggie is gone a pirate comes and steals Niki. Maggie and her friends go out searching for the pirate and the cricket. Maggie finds the pirate in a tree house that she has never seen before. The two of them scuffle over the cricket and the tree house falls into the water. Niki drowns in the water and the children bury him. The pirate who turns out to be the new kid in town comes to return the cage along with a new cricket.
Personal rating: *** Good. This is an interesting story with beautiful pictures. Children will enjoy this story because it has adventure even though it touches on grief.
Reading level: 2.5
Interest level: k-2
Integration: This book could be used to discuss grief and death. The teacher could have the students discuss how everyone in this book feels. The little girl feels sad and the pirate feels ashamed at what he has caused. The friends show sadness but they didn't understand what made the pet cricket so important to Maggie.
This book could also be used to talk about bullies and stealing. The pirate should not have taked Maggie's cricket and his cage. The teacher could discuss how that made Maggie feel and how it made the pirate feel.
Potential problems: The problem that I see with this book is the fact that the pirate is a bully and steals the pet cricket. The little boy does learn his lesson because he ends up doing harm to the cricket. This book brings up the topic of death and grief which will need to be discussed after reading.
Publishing information: Scholastic, INC 34 pages
Summary: This is the story of Maggie who lives in a tropical place and has a pet cricket named Niki. The little girl leaves Niki in his cage while she goes to the store for her mother. While Maggie is gone a pirate comes and steals Niki. Maggie and her friends go out searching for the pirate and the cricket. Maggie finds the pirate in a tree house that she has never seen before. The two of them scuffle over the cricket and the tree house falls into the water. Niki drowns in the water and the children bury him. The pirate who turns out to be the new kid in town comes to return the cage along with a new cricket.
Personal rating: *** Good. This is an interesting story with beautiful pictures. Children will enjoy this story because it has adventure even though it touches on grief.
Reading level: 2.5
Interest level: k-2
Integration: This book could be used to discuss grief and death. The teacher could have the students discuss how everyone in this book feels. The little girl feels sad and the pirate feels ashamed at what he has caused. The friends show sadness but they didn't understand what made the pet cricket so important to Maggie.
This book could also be used to talk about bullies and stealing. The pirate should not have taked Maggie's cricket and his cage. The teacher could discuss how that made Maggie feel and how it made the pirate feel.
Potential problems: The problem that I see with this book is the fact that the pirate is a bully and steals the pet cricket. The little boy does learn his lesson because he ends up doing harm to the cricket. This book brings up the topic of death and grief which will need to be discussed after reading.
Have You Seen My Duckling? by Nancy Tafuri
Genre: general fiction
Publishing Information: Scholastic INC, 28 pages
Awards: Caldecott Honor Book
Summary: Have You Seen My Duckling uses more picture detail with minimal words. In fact the only words in the book are have you seen my ducking repeated many times. The pictures tell the story of a baby duck who wonders off one morning following a butterfly. The mother duck and her other ducklings look all over the pond for the missing baby duck. She asks lots of pond creatures if they have seen her baby. In most of the pictures you can see the missing baby duck in the background. The story ends happily with the mother duck finding the baby.
Personal rating:*** Good. This book has great picture details and a cute story.
Reading level: 1.5
Interest level: PK-2
Integration: This would be a great book to use in a guided reading group or with whole group to discuss picture details. In kindergarten and first grade picture details are a very important part of the story.
In science this book would be great to use in a unit about pond animals. This book shows many different pond animals in their natural habitats doing what they do. There are lily pads, frogs, otters and fish. This would be a great book to begin a pond unit discussion and make a list of animals. The teacher could do a KWL chart before she reads the book and then see if this book answers any of the students questions.
This book could also be used to discuss paying attention and not wondering off from a child's parents. The baby duckling was just playing with a butterfly, but she got lost from her mother.
Potential problems: I don't foresee any problems with this book.
Publishing Information: Scholastic INC, 28 pages
Awards: Caldecott Honor Book
Summary: Have You Seen My Duckling uses more picture detail with minimal words. In fact the only words in the book are have you seen my ducking repeated many times. The pictures tell the story of a baby duck who wonders off one morning following a butterfly. The mother duck and her other ducklings look all over the pond for the missing baby duck. She asks lots of pond creatures if they have seen her baby. In most of the pictures you can see the missing baby duck in the background. The story ends happily with the mother duck finding the baby.
Personal rating:*** Good. This book has great picture details and a cute story.
Reading level: 1.5
Interest level: PK-2
Integration: This would be a great book to use in a guided reading group or with whole group to discuss picture details. In kindergarten and first grade picture details are a very important part of the story.
In science this book would be great to use in a unit about pond animals. This book shows many different pond animals in their natural habitats doing what they do. There are lily pads, frogs, otters and fish. This would be a great book to begin a pond unit discussion and make a list of animals. The teacher could do a KWL chart before she reads the book and then see if this book answers any of the students questions.
This book could also be used to discuss paying attention and not wondering off from a child's parents. The baby duckling was just playing with a butterfly, but she got lost from her mother.
Potential problems: I don't foresee any problems with this book.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! by Karen Beaumont
Book Genre: General Fiction
Publishing Info.: Scholastic Inc., 32 pages
Awards or Honors Received: N/A
Summary: This is a hilarious book about a child (the story never reveals if the child is a boy or girl) who gets caught painting all over the walls, floor, and ceiling. The mama catches the child and hides the paint in the top of a closet. However, the child gets the paint again and paints all over his/her body. At the end of the book, the child uses all of the paint, and the story ends with the child in a bathtub covered with all different colors of paint.
Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ****Great! This story is hilarious and the illustrations are filled with various colors. The rhyming pattern that this book has, along with the mischievous child, is sure to appeal to young readers. You can't help but love the cartoon-like faces that the child makes.
Reading Level: 2.5
Interest Level: K-2
Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum): This book could be used for several different subjects. The rhyming style certainly offers extra practice with rhyming words. Body parts are also discussed in this book as the child paints on himself/herself. This could be integrated into a health or science unit including study of the body. Many different colors are also used in this book, which could be part of a math or art lesson. During writing, children could paint a picture of themselves and write a story about a time when they did something that they shouldn't have been doing.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: There are a few problems that I seen with this book. First, the word ain't is used throughout. Children would probably need to be told that this is not proper grammar. Second, the book offers rhyming words and allows the reader to guess the body part. There is one rhyme that says "But I'm such a nut, gonna paint my", then it says "WHAT?!". Although the book does not say what the children think it is going to say, it still implies a certain body part. Third, in a couple of the illustrations, the child takes their underwear off, and their body is completely painted, with the exception of their white bottom. In one of the illustrations, the character is actually pointing to their bare bottom. This could pose a problem, particularly with parental preferences. These are a few things that teachers would definitely want to be aware of.
Publishing Info.: Scholastic Inc., 32 pages
Awards or Honors Received: N/A
Summary: This is a hilarious book about a child (the story never reveals if the child is a boy or girl) who gets caught painting all over the walls, floor, and ceiling. The mama catches the child and hides the paint in the top of a closet. However, the child gets the paint again and paints all over his/her body. At the end of the book, the child uses all of the paint, and the story ends with the child in a bathtub covered with all different colors of paint.
Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ****Great! This story is hilarious and the illustrations are filled with various colors. The rhyming pattern that this book has, along with the mischievous child, is sure to appeal to young readers. You can't help but love the cartoon-like faces that the child makes.
Reading Level: 2.5
Interest Level: K-2
Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum): This book could be used for several different subjects. The rhyming style certainly offers extra practice with rhyming words. Body parts are also discussed in this book as the child paints on himself/herself. This could be integrated into a health or science unit including study of the body. Many different colors are also used in this book, which could be part of a math or art lesson. During writing, children could paint a picture of themselves and write a story about a time when they did something that they shouldn't have been doing.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: There are a few problems that I seen with this book. First, the word ain't is used throughout. Children would probably need to be told that this is not proper grammar. Second, the book offers rhyming words and allows the reader to guess the body part. There is one rhyme that says "But I'm such a nut, gonna paint my", then it says "WHAT?!". Although the book does not say what the children think it is going to say, it still implies a certain body part. Third, in a couple of the illustrations, the child takes their underwear off, and their body is completely painted, with the exception of their white bottom. In one of the illustrations, the character is actually pointing to their bare bottom. This could pose a problem, particularly with parental preferences. These are a few things that teachers would definitely want to be aware of.
Monkey Mo Goes to Sea by Diane Goode
Book Genre: General fiction
Publishing Information: The Blue Sky Press, 30 pages
Summary: Monkey Mo gets into a lot of trouble on a sea adventure. The monkey's owner a little boy Bertie gets a letter from his grandfather to come and join him for lunch on a cruise boat. In the letter grandfather reminds Mo that he needs to act like a gentlemen. There were a lot of gentlemen on the boat for Mo to act like, but he picked out a guy in a yellow scarf. Mo tried really hard to be a gentlemen, but it did not seem to work. He tried to help a lady in her chair but she fell on the floor instead. He tried to make conversation, but he swung from a chandelier instead. He tried to dance with two women at the same time, but all this just made everyone agry with Mo. Bertie's grandfather finally made him leave the party. When Mo went out on the deck he saw the man with the yellow scarf fall overboard. Mo jumped in and saved the man. Everyone was happy with Mo again and grandfather was proud.
Personal Rating: ***Good This book has a great message for younger children!
Reading Level: 2.4
Interest Level: K-2
Integration: In science this book could be used in a unit about transportation. The pictures are great to show what a cruise ship looks like. The teacher could read this book and have the children discuss the difference between small ships and big ships. The teacher could talk about the different uses of big ships and how this ship is used for cruises. They can also talk about all the different types of areas found on the big cruise ships. The teacher can also talk about safety, because the man with the yellow scarf walks on the rails and falls overboard in the book. This would not be appropriate behavior on a cruise ship.
In social studies the book could be used to talk about the history of ships and how things have changed over the years.
In writing students could write a story about being on a boat and what happens.
Potential Problems: The only problem that I see is that the man with the yellow scarf walks on the rails of the boat. This could teach children that it is ok to not follow rules.
Publishing Information: The Blue Sky Press, 30 pages
Summary: Monkey Mo gets into a lot of trouble on a sea adventure. The monkey's owner a little boy Bertie gets a letter from his grandfather to come and join him for lunch on a cruise boat. In the letter grandfather reminds Mo that he needs to act like a gentlemen. There were a lot of gentlemen on the boat for Mo to act like, but he picked out a guy in a yellow scarf. Mo tried really hard to be a gentlemen, but it did not seem to work. He tried to help a lady in her chair but she fell on the floor instead. He tried to make conversation, but he swung from a chandelier instead. He tried to dance with two women at the same time, but all this just made everyone agry with Mo. Bertie's grandfather finally made him leave the party. When Mo went out on the deck he saw the man with the yellow scarf fall overboard. Mo jumped in and saved the man. Everyone was happy with Mo again and grandfather was proud.
Personal Rating: ***Good This book has a great message for younger children!
Reading Level: 2.4
Interest Level: K-2
Integration: In science this book could be used in a unit about transportation. The pictures are great to show what a cruise ship looks like. The teacher could read this book and have the children discuss the difference between small ships and big ships. The teacher could talk about the different uses of big ships and how this ship is used for cruises. They can also talk about all the different types of areas found on the big cruise ships. The teacher can also talk about safety, because the man with the yellow scarf walks on the rails and falls overboard in the book. This would not be appropriate behavior on a cruise ship.
In social studies the book could be used to talk about the history of ships and how things have changed over the years.
In writing students could write a story about being on a boat and what happens.
Potential Problems: The only problem that I see is that the man with the yellow scarf walks on the rails of the boat. This could teach children that it is ok to not follow rules.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Ruby in her Own Time by Jonathan Emmett
Book Genre: General fiction
Summary: Ruby is a duck who hatched out of one of five eggs. She did not hatch at first, but she finally did in her own time. She continued to do things slowly like eating and swimming. Even though she did other things slower, Ruby still flew when her brothers and sisters did. This book has a good moral with adorable pictures.
Personal rating: **** Great! This book has a great message that can be used at any age.
Reading level: 2.1
Interest level: K-2
Integration: In science teachers can use this book in a unit about ducks or ponds. The students can go through the pictures and look at plants and animals that live in a pond.
In social studies students can use this book to start a discussion about a time when they felt behind. This could also be used on a individual basis when a child feels like they are slower than the rest of class.
Potential Problems: The pictures in this book are very cute and may not be appropriate for older children.
Summary: Ruby is a duck who hatched out of one of five eggs. She did not hatch at first, but she finally did in her own time. She continued to do things slowly like eating and swimming. Even though she did other things slower, Ruby still flew when her brothers and sisters did. This book has a good moral with adorable pictures.
Personal rating: **** Great! This book has a great message that can be used at any age.
Reading level: 2.1
Interest level: K-2
Integration: In science teachers can use this book in a unit about ducks or ponds. The students can go through the pictures and look at plants and animals that live in a pond.
In social studies students can use this book to start a discussion about a time when they felt behind. This could also be used on a individual basis when a child feels like they are slower than the rest of class.
Potential Problems: The pictures in this book are very cute and may not be appropriate for older children.
Monday, May 25, 2009
I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont
Book Genre: Comedy and Humor, General Fiction
Publishing Info.: Scholastic Inc., 32 pages
Awards or Honors Received: N/A
Summary: This book is about a little girl who likes herself just as she is. She likes everything about herself, no matter what others might think. She portrays herself with messy hair, silly faces, and crazy antics. Even at her silliest, she is happy with who she is.
Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ****Great! I love this book for its very colorful and hilarious illustrations. It teaches children that we are all different and that we should be happy with our uniqueness. This book also contains rhyming words, which young children usually like.
Reading Level: 1.8
Interest Level: K-2
Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum): After reading this book, children could think about a time that maybe they were not very happy with themselves, or a time when someone made fun of them, and they could illustrate and write a story about it. Children could also create their own book portraying themselves in silly illustrations just as this book did, and write about themselves in a humorous light. This book is also great to use during phonics lessons that focus on rhyming words. I usually like to read this book at the beginning of the year with my Kindergartners because it is a great resource when we are learning about social skills and how to treat others.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: The only problem that I foresee is that there is one sentence about possible names that the girl might get called. Young children might think that this is funny and that name calling is okay. When I read this book to my Kindergarten students, we talk about how name calling hurts people's feelings.
Publishing Info.: Scholastic Inc., 32 pages
Awards or Honors Received: N/A
Summary: This book is about a little girl who likes herself just as she is. She likes everything about herself, no matter what others might think. She portrays herself with messy hair, silly faces, and crazy antics. Even at her silliest, she is happy with who she is.
Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ****Great! I love this book for its very colorful and hilarious illustrations. It teaches children that we are all different and that we should be happy with our uniqueness. This book also contains rhyming words, which young children usually like.
Reading Level: 1.8
Interest Level: K-2
Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum): After reading this book, children could think about a time that maybe they were not very happy with themselves, or a time when someone made fun of them, and they could illustrate and write a story about it. Children could also create their own book portraying themselves in silly illustrations just as this book did, and write about themselves in a humorous light. This book is also great to use during phonics lessons that focus on rhyming words. I usually like to read this book at the beginning of the year with my Kindergartners because it is a great resource when we are learning about social skills and how to treat others.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: The only problem that I foresee is that there is one sentence about possible names that the girl might get called. Young children might think that this is funny and that name calling is okay. When I read this book to my Kindergarten students, we talk about how name calling hurts people's feelings.
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