The Easter Egg

 

The Easter Egg was written and illustrated by Jan Brett. Brett does a wonderful job relaying the story of a bunny who finds himself on a journey to make an Easter egg that he can be proud of. This story is such a lighthearted read, and will leave children asking: Will Hoppi get to help the Easter Rabbit this year?

 

This children's fantasy story was paired with intricate line style illustrations. The pictures throughout the book take readers into a different, more magical world. Brett's illustrations really bring the storyline to life. She include illustrations in ovals on the side of each page to give readers hints about what else is going on in the story.

 

 

The well defined conflict that is paired with colorful and lively illustrations that enhance the characterization is what makes this story so fun to read. The plot gradually develops over time which intrigues the reader into wondering "What will the outcome be of Hoppi's choice?" It is clear to see that children would become engaged in this book not only because of the illustrations, but due to the storyline that includes busy working bunnies as well.

 

Teachers should read this story to students between preschool and Kindergarten. Children will enjoy the wide array of water colors used in each illustration throughout the book as well as the important message there is waiting to be revealed. While reading this story, teachers should ask questions such as: What do you think will happen next? What will happen to the robin egg? Do you think Hoppi made the right choice to help the robin egg? Is it important to make choices we can be proud of? Why or why not? What is the moral of this story? What did the story mean to you?

 

Class activities:

 

1. Paint/decorate a hard boiled egg. Encourage children to remember their favorite egg in the book when they create their own egg.

 

2. Have each child draw their favorite egg out of the book, and a description of why they liked that egg the best.

 

3. Compare and contrast all the eggs in the book. Ask how a wood carved egg is different from a chocolate egg, ask how a mechanical egg is different from a painted egg, etc.

 

This is a video version of Jan Brett's The Easter Egg:

I think this book is an adorable choice for the home and the classroom! Children will love The Easter Egg as well as these other books written by Jan Brett:

•  Christmas Trolls
•  Mossy
•  Home for Christmas
•  The Hat

“Books are a uniquely portable magic.”

~Stephen King

 

References:

 

Brett, Jan. The Easter Egg. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2010.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1Xl1cCuJe8

Mustache Baby

Mustache Baby was written by Bridget Heos and illustrated by Joy Ang. These two individuals did an awesome job relaying the story of a baby who is born with a mustache. This story is a truly humorous read, that will leave children wondering: Will Billy's mustache make him behave good or bad!?

This imaginative picturebook was paired with Joy Ang's outline style illustrations. The pictures throughout the book enhance the story line and truly depict Billy's behavior. Readers can clearly see how Billy's mustache takes him from being a man of the law to a bad guy train robber once his mustache transforms.

What makes this story so humorous and easy to read  is its well defined conflict that is paired with illustrations that enhance the characterization. The plot is well organized and it develops, thickens, and progresses to the point you are left asking: "Is Billy really a bad guy now that his mustache has changed?" It is clear to see that children would become engaged in this book to see if Billy can overcome his bad mustache behavior.

 

Teachers should read this story to students between preschool and 3rd grade. Children will enjoy the cartoon styled illustrations throughout the book as well as the important message there is waiting to be revealed. While reading this story, teachers should ask questions such as: What do you think will happen next? What happened to Billy's mustache? Do you think Billy's mustache is changing his behavior? Is Billy responsible for his own actions? Why or why not? What is the moral of this story? What did the story mean to you?

 

Class activities:

 

1. Make mustaches out of construction paper, glue, and craft sticks.
2. Have the classroom participate in "Put Your Reading 'Staches on which involves having children read 25 books over a period of time, and encouraging them to journal about the books they have read. Each time they complete a book and a journal response, they stick a mustache to their bingo card.
3. Play Musical Mustaches (just like musical chairs).

 

Here is a short book review of Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos that encourages children to check the book out at the library:

I think this book is such a humorous and fun read for not only the home, but the classroom as well! Children will love Mustache Baby as well as these other books written by Bridget Heos such as:

• What to Expect When You're Expecting Hatchlings: A Guide for Crocodilian Parents (And Curious Kids)
• Let's Meet a Teacher (Community Helpers)
• Do You Really Want to Visit Jupiter?
• Do You Really Want a Horse? (Do You Really Want a Pet?)

"Not all those who wander are lost."

~J.R.R. Tolkien

 

References:

Heos, Bridget. Mustache Baby. New York: Clarion Books, 2013. Print.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DQBc9phHVw

The Neighborhood Mother Goose

The Neighborhood Mother Goose was written and illustrated by Nina Crews. Crews did a really neat job with this collection of Mother Goose rhymes. The rhymes are paired with lively illustrations that depict many different people, cultures, and neighborhoods. Children will find themselves turning the page, and asking: What rhyme comes next?

This picturebook was paired with unique photographic illustrations. The pictures throughout the book depict different individuals, different neighborhoods, and different cultures. One of the best qualities of this book are the illustrations that pull emotion out of the reader; the pictures that make you laugh and smile, because what's more funny than a cat actually holding a fiddle!?

The illustrations are what makes this collection of rhymes so intriguing. This type of work teaches children to read in a new way. It challenges the reader to accept a different interpretation of Mother Goose rhymes. Children would become engaged in this book to learn all different types of rhymes.

 

Teachers should read this story to students between preschool and 3rd grade. Children will enjoy the sophisticated way rhymes are used, and the unique pictures that are displayed on each page. While reading this story, teachers should ask questions such as: Can you find the cat and the fiddle? Where is the cow who is jumping over the moon? What do you think about the pictures that are paired with each rhyme? What is your favorite rhyme so far? Why? What did you think of this collection of Mother Goose rhymes?

 

Class activities:

• Have children perform a play of the nursery rhyme of their choice. Encourage them to get creative by making their own props, coming up with costume ideas, and choosing the setting.
• Have children come up with their own collection of nursery rhymes. Encourage them to draw pictures, and include rhymes.
• Investigate the history of the classroom's favorite nursery rhyme.

Here is a video of a collection of humorous nursery rhymes (children can compare and contrast the book version with this media version):

 

 

I think this book is great for the classroom, and the home! Children will love The Neighborhood Mother Goose as well as these other books written by Nina Crews such as:

• Snowball
• Below
• One Hot Summer Day
• When Will Sarah Come?
• The Neighborhood Sing-Along



“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

~Mahatma Gandhi

 

References

Crews, Nina. The Neighborhood Mother Goose. China: Greenwillow Books, 2004. Print.

http://www.kbyutv.org/kidsandfamily/readytolearn/file.axd?file=2011%2F3%2F2+Rhymers+are+Readers.pdf

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2SaX9yP5g0

 

The Librarian Who Measured the Earth

 

The Librarian Who Measured the Earth was written by Kathryn Lasky and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. These two people did a wonderful job relaying the journey of boy who has many questions which turns into a man that solves the measurement of the Earth. This book captures a unique story of a man that will leave children wondering: Will Eratosthenes figure out the equation!?

This historical fiction/biography was paired with Kevin Hawkes' painterly style illustrations. Hawke was inspired by the Greek landscape and light which is evident through his magnificent illustrations. Hawkes pictures enhance Lasky's storyline and take readers into an ancient world.

What makes this story so captivating is its well defined conflict. The plot continuously progresses to the point you are left asking: "Will Eratosthenes figure out this big question ?" The illustrations that enhance the characterization also bring a lot to this book. It is clear to see that children would become engaged in this book to simply find out if Eratosthenes can measure the Earth.

 

Teachers should read this story to students between 3rd and 5th grade. Children will enjoy the historical and lively illustrations throughout the book as well as the important message there is waiting to be revealed. While reading this story, teachers should ask questions such as: What is it that Eratosthenes wants to know? What do you think will happen next? Will Eratosthenes find the answer to his question ? Is there ever a question that is too big? Why or why not? What is the moral of this story? What did the story mean to you?

 

Class activities:

 

1. Make a 3D salt dough map. Have children make a key to indicate via paint on the map where water, lowland, mountains, hills, mountains, and peaks lay.

 

2. Make paper mache globes of the Earth.

 

3. Have each student write down their own "big question". Have the student investigate the question through computer time, library resources, and media resources.

 

This is an explanatory video on how Eratosthenes was able to measure the Earth:

 

 I think this book offers up a wealth of knowledge for the classroom! Children will love The Librarian Who Measured the Earth as well as these other books written by Kathryn Lasky:

•  Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The Capture
•  The War of the Ember
•  Watch Wolf
•  Marven of the Great North Woods

"Yesterday we obeyed kings and bent our necks before emperors. But today we kneel only to truth, follow only beauty, and obey only love."

~Khalil Gibran

 

References:

Lasky, K. (1994). The Librarian Who Measured the Earth. New York: Little Brown and Company.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnElDaV4esg#t=16

 

 

Behold... the Dragons!

Behold... the Dragons! was written and illustrated by Gail Gibbons. Gibbons does a marvelous job of explaining how the myths of dragons developed, what types of dragons there are, what dracontologists do, and how different cultures view and portray dragons. This story is a really neat read, that will leave children wondering: Did dragons really exist?

This folk tale was paired with quite elaborate illustrations. Gibbons used watercolors, textured paper, colored pencils, and a black pen for the surrealistic illustrations throughout the book. Each dragon really grabs the reader's attention and enhances the storyline. All types of dragons are listed, heroic stories are told, and cultures are revealed through each new page.

 

 

What makes this story so interesting is its different elements of information that is paired with illustrations that enhance the story line. It is really neat to see the story progress from definitions of different dragons, to ancient stories and battles with dragons, to how cultures portray dragons. Students and teachers will find themselves asking : "How many types of dragons are there!?" It is clear to see that children would become engaged in this book to learn an abounding amount of knowledge on the history of dragons.

 

Teachers should read this story to students between pre-school and 5th grade. Children will enjoy the various colors and the visible brush stroke style in each illustration throughout the book as well as the history of each dragon that is waiting to be revealed. While reading this story, teachers should ask questions such as: Why do you think people thought dragons were responsible for the weather and natural phenomenons? Which type of dragon is your favorite? Why do you think people don't believe in dragons anymore? Do you think dragons exist in our world today? Why or why not? What did the story mean to you?

 

Class activities:

1. Make dragon masks out of construction paper.
2. Make a dragon out of a recycled egg carton. Use paint and construction paper.
3. Explore the culture of China more and the way they portray the dragon. Make a Chinese New Year dragon out of construction paper links.

This is a short video on what a Chinese Dragon looks like in a Chinese New Year parade:

 

I think this book is an informational and neat read for not only the classroom, but the home as well! Children will love Behold... the Dragons! as well as these other books written by Gail Gibbons:

• The Milk Makers
• Chicks & Chickens
• Ice Cream: The Full Scoop
• Recycle!: A Handbook for Kids

"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn."

~Benjamin Franklin

 

References:

Gibbons, G. (1999). Behold... the Dragons! New York: Morrow Junior Books.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL8LnvD2pwY

 



The Monarch's Progress: Poems with Wings

The Monarch's Progress: Poems with Wings was written and illustrated by Avis Harley. She does an amazing job revealing aspects of a monarch butterfly through different forms of poetry. This collection of poems is such a unique read, that will leave little ones pondering questions such as: "Do butterflies really taste with their feet!?"

 

The various forms of poems written by Avis Harley were paired with impressionistic illustrations of monarch butterflies. The pictures of the butterflies add something whimsical and lighthearted to the various poems . Children will enjoy seeing each singular butterfly, as well as the multiples of butterflies that seem to flock together in a group.

 



What makes this collection so interesting is its various forms of poetry. In all, Harvey lists eighteen different forms of poetry throughout this book. The poems are of great quality because they are condensed, and use rich language. Harvey really does a spectacular job examining an abounding amount of questions and features about butterflies. Children would become engaged in this collection of poetry due to its many surprising details about monarch butterflies.

 



 

Teachers should read this story to students between 2nd and 12th grade. Children will enjoy learning the various forms of poetry while also gaining knowledge about the magnificent monarch butterfly. While reading this story, teachers should ask questions such as: What form of poetry is this? What is the monarch butterfly doing in this poem? Did you know that monarch butterflies could... (ex taste with their feet)? What are the many forms a monarch butterfly takes? What is this transformation called? What do you think of the monarch butterfly's transformation? What form of poetry did you enjoy the most, and why? 

Class activities:

 

1. Have the student practice writing a poem about a monarch butterfly in the form they enjoyed best. In addition, have the student add a picture of a monarch butterfly with their poem using colored pencils, paint, crayons, markers, etc.

 

2. Have students create paper planes to examine the thought how far monarch butterflies can fly. Contemplate how shape and wing position affect the butterfly's flying distance.

 

3. Learn warning colors of such organisms. Contemplate how certain colors ward off predators and which butterflies are poisonous. Compare and contrast the bright colors with traffic warning signs in the community such as stop signs, crosswalk signs, yield signs, etc.

 

This is an interesting short tutorial for students to see how monarch butterflies transform:

 

I think this book is extremely beneficial for the home, and especially the classroom! Children will love The Monarch's Progress: Poems with Wings as well as these other books written by Avis Harley:

• Leap Into Poetry: More ABCs of Poetry
• African Acrostics: A Word in Edgeways

"What great thing would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?"

~Robert H. Schuller

 

References:

http://www.flightofthebutterflies.com/in-the-classroom/

https://app.box.com/s/s4brs29lddlq5qjkuphk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry4hqn0WD60

Harley, A. (2008). The Monarch's Progress: Poems with Wings. Honesdale: Wordsong.

 

 

Too Many Tamales

Too Many Tamales was written by Gary Soto and illustrated by Ed Martinez. These two people did a spectacular job relaying the story of a little girl who thinks she lost her mother's wedding ring in the process of making 24 tamales. This story is a truly interesting read, that will leave children wondering: What happened to Maria's mother's ring!?

This contemporary realistic fiction was paired with Ed Martinez's painterly style illustrations. The pictures throughout the book grab the reader's attention into understanding the emotions going on. We can see the look of admiration and joy when Maria tries on her mother's ring, on to the look of disbelief that this ring must be hidden within one of twenty four tamales.

 

What makes this story so intriguing is its well defined conflict that is paired with illustrations that enhance the characterization. The plot develops, thickens, and progresses to the point you are left asking: "Are they really going to eat all twenty four tamales?" It is clear to see that children would become engaged in this book to simply find out what happens next.

 

Teachers should read this story to students between Kindergarten and 2nd grade. Children will enjoy the visible individual brush strokes in each illustration throughout the book as well as the important message there is waiting to be revealed. While reading this story, teachers should ask questions such as: What do you think will happen next? What happened to the ring? Do you think Maria should have taken her mother's ring without asking? Should you tell your parents the truth? Why or why not? What is the moral of this story? What did the story mean to you?

 

Class activities:

 

1. Think of three additional recipes you would include with Maria's tamales. Draw a picture of each recipe with crayons/colored pencils/markers and include a short description of what each recipe is and why you think it would be a good additional recipe to Maria's tamales.

 

2. Make rings out of construction paper, and have fun tossing them into a paper bag titled Masa.

 

3. Explore the ingredient masa. Give each child the opportunity to feel/stretch/pull/roll the consistency, and smell the ingredient. Afterwards, have each student draw a picture of themselves "kneading" masa.

 

This is an interesting short tutorial for students to see how tamales are made:

 

 

I think this book is extremely beneficial for not only the classroom, but the home as well! Children will love Too Many Tamales as well as these other books written by Gary Soto:

• Chato and The Party Animals
• Living Up the Street
• Chato's Kitchen
• The Old Man & His Door

"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared."

 

~Buddha

 

References:

 

Soto, Gary. Too Many Tamales. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1993. Book.

 

http://youtu.be/-GYle9Cws8s