Book of the Week: Spotty

Title: Spotty

Author: Margret Rey

Illustrator: H.A. Rey

Summary: A spotted bunny is born into an all white bunny and feels like an outcast until he discovers a family that is all spotted.

Review:  Probably appropriate to read back in 1945 when the book was written; however, now?  Absolutely inappropriate!

This book was brought to my attention by a teacher who had begun to read it to her class and quickly stopped.

While the plot of the book is meant to be good, the book does not do a good job of doing so.  Let’s begin with Mommy Bunny in tears over the fact that one of her bunnies has spots and “what will grandpa say?”

Then there is Aunt Eliza who emphatically tells Rosie (a white bunny) that she does “not like spots.”

When Rosie asks what “different” is, she is brushed off and told to go off and play.

Then there is the running away; you know, because running away solves every problem…and in this case it very apparently DOES solve everything.  Had Spotty not run away he never would have found Mr. Brown who was spotted and in quite the OPPOSITE quandary: he had all spotted bunnies except for one…Whitey.

Yes, there is actually a bunny in this story named Whitey!

It takes the majority of this book to talk about all the differences and NOT accepting people’s differences until the last two pages where everyone comes together.

It leaves off, however, in a way that I don’t feel it’s all been resolved.

This is a very awkward book in reading and how it’s written.

I usually don’t do reviews of books that I don’t like; however this is one that I feel I must write.  This book had been donated to the center and the teacher hadn’t read it before putting it on the shelf in the listening center (it came with a CD reading) and, had she not picked it up to read herself, the children would have been listening to it.

This goes to show it is VERY important to read any book before it goes into your classroom.

Have you ever read this book?  What did you think?

Book of the Week -

Title: Family Meals Hop-a-Lot’s First Steps to Fitness

Author: Dianne Warren

Illustrator: Amy Lindman

Summary: A book that has tips for parents to provide a healthy eating lifestyle for their children while children hear a story about healthy eating.

Review:  I picked this book up the other day while I was at a center and began flipping through the pages.  I fell in love with it immediately. 

This book tells the children about healthy eating and how important it is to eat healthy.  What makes this book, however, is the tips on every page for the parents.  Every tip and explanation is fabulous!  It talks about the importance of eating at the table together as a family. 

It tells how important it is to eat together and choose HEALTHY items, how children need to be introduced to food 21 times before forming an opinion on the food, how talking at the table is important to establish social skills, how to involve children in cooking meals and in shopping for foods.

I can tell you without a doubt I will be using this book for trainings with my staff as well as with the parents.  A fabulous book!

Book of the Week- Moose’s Loose Tooth

Title: Moose’s Loose Tooth

Author: Jaqueline A. Clarke

Illustrator: Bruce McNally

Summary:  Moose is tired of waiting for his loose tooth to fall out because he is eager to see what the Tooth Fairy will bring for him, so Bird, Tiger, Zebra, Giraffe, and Elephant all pull together to try to help him.

Review:  I was waiting for a class to be ready for me to do an activity and picked up a book that was close to me.  It happened to be Moose’s Loose Tooth by Jaqueline A. Clarke.

I was immediately hooked!  This is a book that has a repetative line throughout the entire book.  Think This is the House that Jack Built.  It’s great!

The pictures are just as great.  As more and more animals come to help, the next animal pulling on the previous animal is quite hilarious!

This book is full of humor, catches attention, and is just plain fun!

Book of the Week-Close Encounters of the Third Grade Kind

Title: Close Encounters of the Third Grade Kind

Author: Phillip Done

Summary: A collection of stories and tales from his experiences teaching third graders. 

Review:  This is a book for adults.  Not in the sense of the material that is not appropriate for children, only in the sense of it being a chapter book and written for adults…specifically, for teachers.

No, I think anyone will enjoy this book; but I think only teachers will be able to relate to every single story.  It doesn’t matter which age group you teach.  I find myself nodding my head in recognition of stories, and I teach preschool children.

It is a very enjoyable story and keeps you chuckling all the way through.  This is a great book for teachers, parents, and any adult who enjoys children.

Phillip Done

Book of the week-Santa Mouse

Title: Santa Mouse

Author: Michael Brown

Illustrator: Elfrieda De Witt

Summary: A story about a mouse, a piece of cheese, and Santa Clause. 

Review:  I have been reading this book since I was a young child.  It was most likely in my childhood library because my mom used to collect mice (figurines, not actual mice). 

This book is one that I cherish and love.  I love it so much that I actually have TWO copies of it.  The first is one that will be passed onto our children.  It is the very same one that I read so many times as a child.

The second, my husband gave to me while we were dating after hearing my stories about this book.  He had found it at the book store and bought it for me.  I cherish this one just as much because of the meaning behind it.  I still, as an adult who has no children to read it to, read this book every year at this time.

It’s fun, it’s charming, the pictures are classic and stand the test of time, it a simple story.

You will, after reading this story, begin to leave a bit of cheese alongside Santa’s milk and cookies…you just won’t be able to resist.

 

(Now, you know that I usually will leave a picture of both the author and illustrator.  I can’t find a picture anywhere of them.  If you have a picture, please let me know and send it to me)

Book of the Week-Too Many Tamales

Title: Too Many Tamales

Author: Gary Soto

Illustrator: Ed Martinez

Summary: While helping cook Christmas tamales, a young girl tries on her mother's diamond ring and later realizes the ring is missing. It must be in the tamales.

Review:  This is an all around must have book in the classroom or home.  A very charming tale of a little girl who is wearing her mother’s wedding ring.  Then, when making tamales she realizes the ring is gone.  The way to find it?  Well, eat the tamales until you find them of course!

This book is so much fun and so real.  This is a story that could easily happen to any child.  This is a tale that stretches across to every child and every culture.  Any child reading this will be able to connect with the story.

The pictures are beautiful.  These are pictures that could easily be in an art museum and tell such a fabulous story in a gorgeous way. 

This book is so well rounded and fabulous, I am actually surprised it never won any awards.

I would have to say, however, that teachers need to refrain from reading this at circle time.  This is a book to be enjoyed in small groups while sitting in the library area.  It’s too long for circle; but please, enjoy this book over and over again with the children and families!

Gary Soto

  Ed Martinez

Book of the Week- Where the Wild Things Are

 Title: Where the Wild Things Are

Author: Maurice Sendak
Illustrator: Maurice Sendak

Summary:The book tells the story of Max, who one evening plays around his home, "making mischief" in a wolf costume. As punishment, his mother sends him to bed without supper. In his room, a mysterious, wild forest and sea grows out of his imagination, and Max sails to the land of the Wild Things. The Wild Things are fearsome-looking monsters, but Max conquers them "by staring into their yellow eyes without blinking once", and he is made "the King of all Wild Things", dancing with the monsters in a "wild rumpus". He soon finds himself lonely and homesick, and he returns home to his bedroom, where he finds his supper waiting for him, still hot.

Review: This is a book that many of you now know of as a movie.  I cannot ignore the fact that this movie is wonderfully done…not for children, but wonderfully done.  I found myself smiling during most of it.  It was very well done and even the costumes were so detailed and got every aspect of the “things” from the book.  If you haven’t seen the movie and you are an adult…go see it!

Now for the book.  It is beautifully illustrated.  Maurice Sendak has an amazing artistic ability and this book rightfully one the Caldecott award. 

The story is enchanting and fun; however I do find at times that some children do not enjoy it so much.  I think it takes a specific type of child that enjoys this story, but for those children it is magical.

I do not typically read this as a group read; I reserve this for one on one or free choice reading time.  It’s a great cuddle-up-with-me book.  It is most definitely a must have for every classroom and home.  It is a classic book with a classic child.

Maurice Sendak

Book of the Week-Working Cotton

Title: Working Cotton

Author: Sherley Anne Williams

Illustrator: Carole Byard

Summary: A young black girl relates the daily events of her family's migrant life in the cotton fields of central California.

Review:

I picked this story up the other day at one of the centers to read.  I saw that it was a Caldecott Honor award and I looked it up to see when it won.  It was awarded this honor in 1993.

I was a bit shocked that it was an award winner until I remembered that this was awarded for the ILLUSTRATIONS…from illustrations this really does deserve the award.  They are gorgeous and I’m actually surprised it didn’t win that year.

These illustrations make you feel like you are there and really portray the feeling of the times that the book talks about.

The idea of the story is a great story line; however the way the book is written is off putting.  I like to consider myself a pretty good story teller.  When I sit with a group of children I can usually keep their attention through 4 or 5 books (I rarely do because that would break into their work time; but I can spend a good hour in the library at free choice time reading book after book on request).

This book is written from the perspective of the child in the story…and is written as a child would talk, especially a child from a cotton picking family would talk.

Now, I’m not opposed to having things quoted once in a while in the dialect of a culture or time period; but for the entire book to be written this way is a real struggle, not just for me as the reader, but also for the children.

I also think that children need to be hearing real language.  They are already struggling to learn to speak properly, this is just that much more confusing for them.

Would I say not to have it?  NO!  It shows cultures, the story plotline is valuable, and the illustrations are beyond words! 

Illustrator: Carole Byard

Author: Sherley Anne Williams

Book of the Week- Alligator Baby

I know it’s been awhile, but I am getting things back on track here and we are going to have our book of the week.

Title: Alligator Baby

Author: Robert Munsch

Illustrator: Michael Martchenko

Summary:  Kristin’s mom is having a baby and, instead of making it to the hospital, they make it to the zoo and have the baby there.  This results in them bringing home the wrong baby…three times! 

Review:  This is one of my favorite books to read in the classroom.  As with many of Robert Munsch books, this is very entertaining and interactive.  Children can’t resist participating in the reading of this story, even on the first read through when they don’t know what will happen.

What’s great about many Munsch books is the repetitiveness and predictability of the words that will be coming.  This book does not disappoint.

 

Once we have read through it a couple times, children can easily retell the story on their own and love acting it out.

Is it silly and totally unrealistic?  Yes!  But that is the pure joy of Robert Munsch books.

Michael Martchenko also illustrates, as usual, a great story.  There is so much going on in the pictures and it relates well with what is going on in the story.  From the large to the small details, there is always great interest in what is happening.  He really helps the story come to life for the children!

Robert Munsch

Michael Martchenko

Book of the Week: The Big Hungry Bear

Title: The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear

Author: Audrey Wood

Illustrator: Don Wood

Review: I can't believe that this wasn't one of the first books that I reviewed. This is one of my top ten books. Actually, this is the MUST HAVE book for all toddler classrooms. This is the book that I buy all my nieces, nephews, godchildren, etc.. on their first birthday. This is the book that I have had to buy three different times because it has worn out that many times. This is the book that makes me smile just looking at the cover.

I have no "childhood memory" with this book. As a matter of fact, I didn't know this book existed until halfway through my college years. I recognized the charm in it immediately. The children love it; they feel as if they are part of the story. There is a look in their eyes that I have only seen when reading this book; every child gets the look. The amazed, in awe, I can't believe I am in this mouse's world, look.

Don and Audrey Wood both have a special knack for creating some amazing children's books. I have many favorites that have their names (together and separate) on the cover. But of all the books, this one is still my favorite.

Book of the Week...on hold?

Okay, I am working on some great new books of the weeks for you and so, at least for this week, I am suspending book of the week. I think you will all love what I have in store if I can get it all together. News will be coming!

Book of the Week- The Baby Beebee Bird

The Baby Beebee Bird by Diane Redfield Massie illustrated by Steven Kellogg

Have a child who is being introduced to a new baby? Have toddlers who LOVE repetition? Have three year old who just like crazy silliness? How about you just like having fun? Or what about that new set of parents who are new to this parenting thing and aren't getting enough sleep? Even a different baby shower gift! This hits all of those and more.

I'm not sure what it is about this book exactly, but I love it. It can actually be highly annoying to read; but I keep coming back for more.

The premise of the book: a new baby beebee bird comes to the zoo and keeps all the animals awake all night long then sleeps all the day. What are the animals to do? Oh, the annoying part, all the baby bird says is "Beebee bobee".

It's just fun, funny, engaging, charming, all out fun! It's a great read aloud, read along, and quiet read. Believe it or not, it's a perfect bedtime story. Sure it's loud in the middle, but it winds itself down in the end, ending quiet and soft, ready for dreamland.

Love this book!

I haven't found a picture of the author, so if you have one...

Book of the Week-A Beasty Story

A Beasty Story by Bill Martin Jr and Steven Kellogg

There comes a time when a blogger sits down and looks at the list of "book of the week" that she has written in the past and is struck with awe that she doesn't have a single book by Steven Kellogg! Seriously! Second to Robert Munsch, he has got to be another favorite! I would have started with the one about the bird (that'll come next week); but seeing as he was the illustrator not author, I will save that for the follow up. Let's go with the other favorite from him: A Beasty Story.

Now, I know he co-wrote it with Bill Martin, Jr; but it still counts and it is one of my favorites. One of the reasons I like this book so much is the pictures. I love books that show a whole story in the pictures. If you look closely at the pictures in the beginning you will be let in on the joke in the end. It's another fabulous book that tells more than just the words on the page. The pictures tell a whole other tale on their own.

This is a book that every classroom should have, every child should have, and it so much fun around this time of year.

There are so many fine details in this book (number sense, colors, counting, fun, etc...) I can't begin to describe the greatness.

There is, as usual, no picture of the authors so here you go:
Steven Kellogg

Bill Martin, Jr.

Book of the Week-Pancakes for Breakfast

Pancakes for Breakfast by Tomie dePaolo is a fabulous book! It tells it's own story with no words. That was my first thought, however there are words. Strategically placed into the pictures to assist in telling the story. However, you don't need to know the words to understand what is happening.

I am a fan of all of Tomie dePaolo books. I love his illustrations the most. This one has to be my all time favorite; although I do enjoy them all, I'm not quite sure why, but I love this one.

The best time to use this is for something like pajama day when we make pancakes for lunch. It's a perfect book to talk about recipes and how to make things. It also illustrates to the children that these ingredients don't just come from a store...eggs come from chickens, milk comes from cows, etc...

Whether you sit with a child and read through it with them;,or leave it on the library shelf for them to look at on their own, this is a fabulous book. For older children, it can be expanded on curriculum to write the words together. For younger children, it's such an encouragement to just look at books.

A favorite of mine. It'll become a favorite of yours, too. Unfortunately, there is no picture of the author, therefore I am including one for you:

There are so many..

Well, I am getting so many hits here on a daily basis; it's exciting really. I am glad that so many people are finding their way over here. In the nine months that I have been up and running I have gone to just 42 hits in one month (97 page views) all the way up to 846 hits in September alone (1,155 page views)!

I'm excited! I am obviously giving you all information that you are looking for; and I'm hoping a little bit more as well. My question to you today is:

What else would you like to know?

Leave it in the comments. Do you have a particular challenging situation? Do you want to know about a specific product? Do you need a particular theme project idea? Let me know. The possibilities are endless.

Thank you for your readership as well. I will also be announcing a contest in the next week. I promise it will be easy to enter. And I think this is something that every classroom could benefit from. The only clue on the prize I will tell you is that it is something that I have talked about before.

So leave your comments for suggestions you have and stay tuned!

Book of the Week-The Train to Timbuctoo

We've looked at another book by Margaret Wise Brown before, and she has another hit with this weeks book:

The Train to Timbuctoo by Margaret Wise Brown and Illustrated by Art Seiden.

This book is another favorite, especially for those older toddlers. First, let's look at the illustrations. Art Seiden has a style that is recognizably his; and it's great! Very charming for the children's books. The bright pictures draw the children into the story and keeps them waiting at the edge of their seats.

The story itself is great! Very repetitive (which is something we always look for when choosing books for toddlers). Any child who enjoys trains is going to love this story. Any child who loves repetition is going to love this story.

I picked up this book when I had a child obsessed with trains. By obsessed I mean that he, at 18 months, could tell you about every type of car on a train, about the different modes of movement (steam, electric, etc...) and would pick out the train book to read. When I got tired of reading one particular book over and over, I went to the store in search for more train books. This is one of the many that I picked up. This ended up being his favorite! And, it is one of my favorite transportation books. A must have for any classroom.

Again, there are no pictures of the author or illustrator. While I couldn't find one of the illustrator, here is Margaret Wise Brown:

Book of the Week-Robert the Rose Horse

This week we are looking at a personal favorite of mine: Robert the Rose Horse by Joan Heilbroner illustrated by P.D. Eastman

As always, P.D. Eastman has illustration that are classic and stand the test of time. Eastman has illustrated so many books, but the style is recognizable no matter who the author is. That may be what drew me to this book as a child.

Joan Heilbroner wrote a very funny story. As a child, I read this book so much that the pages in my copy are falling out (and have been since I was about 5). I LOVED this book as a child. As an adult (who has been told many time that I am more child-like than most), I can get into the mind of a child. I see where they find the humor in this book. As an adult, eh, it's okay. Children love it because it's just plain funny.

Seriously, what's funnier than a horse who sneezes and causes the world to go topsy turvy! It's a great library center book. It's also fun for a read aloud (even at circle)!

I wish I had a picture of either the author or illustrator, but I haven't been able to find a good one. If you have one, please forward it to me so that I can post it.

Book of the Week-Eight Animals Bake a Cake

Eight Animals Bake a Cake by Susan Middleton Elya, illustrated by Lee Chapman.

This is a great book! It's easy to read for any teacher, even those of us who are not fluent in Spanish. We can still read it without butchering the words. This is the same author of Say Hola to Spanish. She has done another great job creating a book that both English and Spanish speaking children can both enjoy.

There is a different illustrator this time, so the look of the book is different. This isn't good or bad, just different. The animals have an interesting look to them, but it seems to humanize them for the children; so it works. Each picture tells the story in itself and ease each a work of art.

Back to the story line: The animals are coming together to create a cake. You don't really know that (other than the title) until they all get together. But there are so many lessons in the simple text. There is the bilingual language; the social skills of coming together; the conflict resolution after the cake gets ruined; the science activity that is sure to evolve from this reading into making a cake; the team work; and so much more.

A fabulous book to read for those three year olds who are working on social skills. There is also a recipe for the cake in the back of the book!

However, there is no pictures. So, here's the author:

Book of the Week-Icky Sticky Frog

The Icky Sticky Frog by Dawn Bentley and illustrated by Salina Yoon is one of my personal favorites! Dawn Bentley has a line of "icky sticky" books (all with different illustrators). It's not just the illustrations that captivate me in this book; although the help. It's a fun book for young children. The pictures are great! Super sized animals!

What is great about this story is that it is VERY repetitive; and the repetitive lines are engaging and bouncy! The children love it! I love it! It's a great book! I was shocked at the end of the book, but the children seem to be fine with it so I'm okay with it. It's just very surprising how it ends. I totally didn't expect it!

The one downfall of the book is that sticky tongue that is on the front of the book gets stretched out and ruined pretty quickly in the classroom. I hear it is the same at home as well. The fly is gone after two uses, and eventually the tongue goes too. But, while the tongue is still connected, it is very fun! While the tongue is still connected it needs to be a teacher directed book; it can become a huge hazard for strangulation.

The other downfall...(say it with me)...there is no picture of the author! None of the illustrator either and I can't find a picture anywhere on line of either. So, if you find one end it my way please and I'll update accordingly.

Book of the Week-Glad Monster Sad Monster

Ed Emberley, a favorite author of mine. I was first introduced to him through Big Green Monster; a definite toddler favorite. When I was looking for some more books from him, I came across this one: "Glad Monster Sad Monster" which is excellent. Especially in a preschool setting.

Children go through so many emotions; and many times they go through many of these emotions at school. He does such a fabulous job of discussing these emotions at a preschoolers level. They can really get a grasp on these feelings they are experiences (or have experienced in the past).

The unique design of the book helps the children become interested in the book and participate. Be sure there is a mirror close by as there is a "mask" to try on with each page.

The only draw back is that it is difficult for a four year old to manipulate by his or herself; the pages will easily tear out left to themselves. (You didn't hear it here, but that may be best if you want to let them explore it on their own). However, if you want to make sure the book stays in one piece, use it at circle time. Show them how to use two people (one to hold and one to "wear" the mask) and make the rule that at least two children have to use the book at once. This would make a great social skill.

My only other complaint is that (say it with me) there is no picture of the author!!! So, here you go: