Smartypants (Pete in School)

Book Title: Smartypans (Pete in School)

Author(s): Maira Kalman

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Maira Kalman

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Copyright Date: 2003

Genre: Picture Book

Brief Annotation:

Poppy Wise’s pup, Pete, gets lonely staying at home all day, so decides to tag along to school. Even after breaking many rules and angering many teachers, everyone thinks Pete is wonderful and not to mention incredibly smart since he ate the principal’s copy of Everything you need to know about Everything.

Your Rating (1-5) and why:

4 – Even though this is a pretty silly story, there are some big themes. For instance, we all make mistakes, just admit it. Sometimes rules aren’t the best solution. Sometimes someone you think is a curmudgeon is actually quite a sweetheart. It’s another clever story told by Kalman, inspired by her own pup, and she even puts a pop quiz in the back of the book. Question #10 says: “How many mistakes did you make today? Please write your name on a piece of paper and list mistakes made today in detail and send to

Maira Kalman

c/o Putnam 345 Hudson St. New York, NY 10014

If you didn’t make any mistakes today, I will eat my shoes! (Just like Pete)

Readers who will like this book:

Dog lovers, students who tend to bend the rules, daydream, and have a fun and vivid imaganation.

After Reading Activity:

Respond to Kalman’s pop quiz questions!

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud:

Have you ever felt like there are just too many rules?

1. Interest Level (age): 5-8

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 3.7

What Pete Ate from A-Z (Really!)

Book Title: What Pete Ate from A-Z (Really!)

Author(s): Maira Kalman

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Maira Kalman

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Copyright Date: 2001

Genre: Picture Book

Brief Annotation:

In this alphabet book, a child relates some of the unusual things eaten by Pete the dog,

including an accordion, a fez, and uncle Norman’s underpants.

Your Rating (1-5) and why:

4 – This book was inspired by her own dog and I think it’s a creative and illustrative story about something a lot of us pet owners can relate to.

Readers who will like this book:

I think any dog owner would love this book. Also, I think readers could find some great writer’s workshop ideas in Kalman’s book. And they could learn how to do a silly and witty alphabet book with fun tongue twisters and illustrations.

During Reading Activity:

Give each student a letter of the alphabet and a white board. After reading about each letter, ask the student to relay back all of the words that began with their letter. Nice alliteration and vocabulary activity.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud:

Have you ever had a dog that ate something really unusual?

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): 5-8

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 3.0

Fireboat

Book Title: Fireboat

Author(s): Maira Kalman

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Maira Kalman

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Copyright Date: 2002

Genre: Picture Book Nonfiction

Brief Annotation:

A New York City fireboat, launched in 1931, is retired after many years of fighting fires along the Hudson River, but is saved from being scrapped by a group of New York Citians who still truly valued the John J. Harvey Fireboat. Little did they know that this retired fireboat would be called back into service on September 11, 2001.

Your Rating (1-5) and why:

5 – Kalman’s book does a great homage to New York City, the people, and the tragic event of September 11^th. This story would be great to read on Sept. 11^th – to remember and to reflect.

Readers who will like this book:

Readers interested in the history of fireboats in New York City, or any other city for that matter, would enjoy this book. Classroom discussions and reflections about Sept. 11^th would also go well with this book.

Teaching Strategy from Yopp & Yopp :

K W L chart p .38

Make a KWL chart before you begin reading.

K–

What do you think the book is about?

W-

What does this book make you curious about?

L –

What did we learn?

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud:

Could be asked while filling out KWL chart –

What do we know about the Twin Towers?

What do we know about Sept 11^th?

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): 5-8

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 2.2

3. List Awards:

Boston Globe Horn Book Award

City By Numbers

Book Title: City By Numbers

Author(s): Stephen T. Johnson

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Stephen T. Johnson

Publisher: Viking

Copyright Date: 1998

Genre: Counting picturebook; wordless picturebook

Brief Annotation: In his beautifully painted book, illustrator Stephen T. Johnson captures the numbers 1 through 21 as they appear in a “natural position, out-of-doors or in a public space, readily accessible to anyone who looks carefully at our urban world at various times of day and during the cycle of the seasons.” All of the numbers were seen in New York City, and while some are easily spotted immediately, others are much more obscure and covert. His style in City By Numbers is “representational,” a term from our textbook used to describe art which “consists of literal, realistic depictions of characters, objects, and events” (Galda, p. 82).

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 4—This is an interesting look at numbers as they appear in an urban landscape. It is neat to study the pictures to find the numbers in each painting; some definitely take more time to locate than others. I am curious to read Johnson’s Caldecott Honor book, Alphabet City, a text that followed the same format but with letters. I also liked that Johnson included numbers up until “21,” which he found to be “a particularly significant number as we enter the new millennium and the twenty-first century.”

Readers who will like this book: I believe readers of all ages will like this book. Although it could be used to teach younger children their numbers (in more of a “Where’s Waldo” format), I think many people can appreciate City By Numbers and the fact that, if you look hard enough, you can find a symbol, letter, or number, just about anywhere.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Have you ever looked around at your environment and found scenes or objects that look like something else? Why do you think the illustrator chose this method to depict numbers?

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): All ages

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): N/A

3. List awards: Parenting Reading Magic Award, Parents Best Books of the Year

4. Book trailer: None

A Ball for Daisy

Book Title: A Ball for Daisy

Author(s): Chris Raschka

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Chris Raschka

Publisher: Schwartz & Wade Books

Copyright Date: 2011

Genre: Wordless picturebook; realistic fiction picturebook

Brief Annotation: A Ball for Daisy follows Daisy the dog’s many adventures with her big red ball. One day, while playing at the dog park, Daisy’s ball is destroyed by a bigger dog. The beautiful illustrations, “rendered in ink, watercolor, and gouache,” depict Daisy experiencing many emotions: at first playfulness, delight, and excitement, then confusion, anger, sadness, and defeat—all without words. After a couple of tough days without her ball, Daisy’s receives a warm surprise as both she and her owner make a new friend.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 5—I hadn’t read many wordless picturebooks, if any, and this was a great introduction to how touching and interesting they can be. The pictures themselves did a wonderful job of telling the story—no text was needed. This book could be used to inspire many conversations, as children describe the plot and setting and take time to appreciate the vibrant illustrations and the wide variety of emotions Raschka captures.

Readers who will like this book: Children who enjoy playful stories about animals; children who have lost a special toy or possession; parents and teachers looking for a great wordless selection that can elicit conversation and help build vocabulary skills in younger children and encourage creativity in older children; adults looking for a simple and sweet story to use in helping children deal with losing something special.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: What are some of your favorite and most special toys and books? What would you do if it got lost? Do you think it’s possible to gain something even greater or even better as the result of losing something you love?

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): PreK—Grade 1

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): Not available

3. List awards: 2012 Caldecott Medal Winner

4. Book trailer: None

Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday

Book Title: Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday

Author(s): Judith Viorst

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Ray Cruz

Publisher: Atheneum Publishers Macmillan Publishing

Copyright Date: 1978

Genre: Picture book

Brief Annotation: Alexander just can’t hold onto his money. When his grandparents come to visit he gets a dollar. He really wants to save up for a walkie talkie but things keep tempting him to spend. It really is amazing how many things he actually spent his dollar on. Kids will have fun keeping track of how much he has left.

Your Rating (1-5) and Why: I rate this book a five because it is funny and it is funn to add up how much he has spent as you read.

Readers who will like this book: I think most children will love this book because all children are faced with the decision to spend their money or save.

Question to ask about this book before you read aloud: Have you ever tried to save up for something?

Alexander, Who’s Not (Do You hear me? I mean it!) Going to Move

Book Title: Alexander, Who’s Not (Do You hear me? I mean it!) Going to Move

Author(s): Judith Viorst

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Robin Preiss Glasser in the style of Ray Cruz

Publisher: Atheneum Publishers Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Co.

Copyright Date: 1995

Genre: Picture book

Brief Annotation: In this book Alexander and his family need to move very far away. Alexander refuses to move or pack. He doesn’t want to leave his friends, neighbors or soccer team. His parents try to help him through this rough time and offer him some incentives to move. By the end he agrees to pack but says he will never move again.

Your Rating (1-5) and Why: I rate this book a four. It is cute and funny and kids who have moved before can really relate to the book.

Readers who will like this book: I think anyone who has had to move before will enjoy this book. The Alexander books are funny and well written in boy speak.

Question to ask about this book before you read aloud: Have you ever had to move to a different house or apartment?

Alexander and the Terrible,Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Book Title: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Author(s): Judith Viorst

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Ray Cruz

Publisher: Atheneum Publishers Macmillan Publishing

Copyright Date: 1972

Genre: Picturebook

Brief Annotation: The main character of this book has Alexander has problem after problem. From the time he wakes up to the time he goes to bed his day is a mess. He tells the reader with funny language about his day and what was so awful about it.

Your Rating (1-5) and Why: I rate this book a five because it uses funny language.

Readers who will like this book: I think kids especially boys will love this book. The humor is quite boyish and boys will relate to the problems Alexander has.

Question to ask about this book before you read aloud: Have you ever had a really bad day? What happened?

Smelly Socks

Book Title: Smelly Socks

Author(s): Robert Munsch

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Michael Martchenko

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Copyright Date: 2004

Genre: Picturebook

Brief Annotation: Tina wants a new pair of socks. Not just any pair she wants a special pair of socks from the socks store across the river. She finds her special pair and vows to never take them off. Her socks really started to smell and animals and other kids were falling over from the smell. Finally her friends at school can’t stand it anymore so they throw her in the river and wash her socks.

Your Rating (1-5) and Why: I rate this book a four because it is funny and the pictures are great.

Readers who will like this book: I think kids who like funny books will like this book.

Question to ask about this book before you read aloud: Do you have a favorite piece of clothing?

Baseball Saved Us

Book Title: Baseball Saved Us

Author(s): Ken Mochizuki

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Dom Lee

Publisher: Lee & Low Books

Copyright Date: 1993

Genre: Historical Fiction Picturebook

Brief Annotation: This book takes place during WWII. It is based on a true story of a camp where Japanese Americans were sent to live during the war. We learn about the camp’s unfavorable conditions from a boy who is picked on at the camp because he is smaller than the other children. His father has the idea to build a baseball field on the grounds and all the residents help. The baseball games really help the camp’s resident morale. The boy also gains confidence when he is able to score for the team. When he is able to return home his experiences at the camp help him fit in again.

Your Rating (1-5) and Why: I rate this book a five. It is a great story that gives some historical background and lends itself to many follow-up activities.

Readers who will like this book: I think most children will find this book interesting, especially those who have family members that have been in a war.

Teaching Strategy from Tompkins or Yopp & Yopp : K-W-L Charts would be a good teaching strategy in a study of history or WWII. First we hang three charts on the wall and label them. K for what we know. W for what we wonder. L for what we learned. At the beginning of the thematic unit, brainstorm with the class about what they know about the war. If the children suggest the information that is incorrect, turn the statement into a question and add it to the W column. Then start the unit out with the story. Write down more things that they know and want to know. Send the children off to research what they want to know in small groups. Finally come together and write down what we learned in the L column.

Question to ask about this book before you read aloud: What do you know about WWII or Pearl Harbor?

List awards:1993 Parent’s Choice Awards

The Three Little Pigs

Book Title: The Three Pigs

Author(s): David Wiesner

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: David Wiesner

Publisher: Clarion Books

Copyright Date: 2001

Genre: Folklore

Brief Annotation: The three pigs escape the wolf and their story. They make a paper airplane and fly on a page to visit some other well-known stories before returning back to the crumpled pages of The Three Pigs.

Your Rating (1-5) and Why: I rate this one a three because for children it might be confusing to read since some of the pages are crumpled.

Readers who will like this book: Kids who like folklore and kids who know the Cat and the Fiddle story.

Question to ask about this book before you read aloud: In the story of the three little pigs that you have heard before who is telling the story?

The Three Little Javelinas

Book Title: The Three Little Javelinas

Author(s): Susan Lowell

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Jim Harris

Publisher: Northland Publishing Co.

Copyright Date: 1992

Genre: Folklore

Brief Annotation: This is a southwestern story of The Three Little Pigs. Instead of the wolf there is a coyote. The javelina’s make their houses out of materials familiar to the desert. The last pig makes his house an adobe and the wolf can’t blow it down.

Your Rating (1-5) and Why: I rate this a four. There is some great vocabulary in here and it opens the door to study houses of the southwest.

Readers who will like this book: Kids who have visited the southwest or Mexico. Kids who like folktales and those who have heard Spanish, or know Spanish.

Question to ask about this book before you read aloud: What things are very different when you compare the southwest to Minnesota?

Today I Will Fly

Book Title: Today I Will Fly

Author(s): Mo Willems

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Mo Willems

Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children

Copyright Date: 2007

Genre: Picturebooks

Brief Annotation: This book is about two friends a pig and an elephant. The pig want’s to fly and the elephant does not think that it’s possible for the pig to fly. The pig tries jumping off the elephant but the elephant said that is not flying. The pig with the help of a bird friend is able to fly in the end.

Your Rating (1-5) and Why: I rate this book a four. It’s cute and funny. The pictures help tell the story and the words repeat so that even new readers can read this book.

Readers who will like this book: I think those just beginning to read will like this book.

Question to ask about this book before you read aloud: Have you ever wished you could fly?

The True Story Of The 3 Little Pigs!

Book Title: The True Story Of The 3 Little Pigs!

Author(s): Jon Scieszka

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Lane Smith

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Copyright Date: 1991

Genre: Folklore

Brief Annotation: This is the story from the point of view of the wolf. He is innocent in the story and he only went to the pig’s houses to borrow some sugar. The problem was the wolf had a bad cold. This is a cute and funny take on this well-known story.

Your Rating (1-5) and Why: I rate this book a five because it was cute and funny and shows that there are two side to every story.

Readers who will like this book: I think kids who enjoy a good laugh will like this book.

Teaching Strategy from Tompkins or Yopp & Yopp : Story boards would work well with this story. First you need two copies of the book. Start out by cutting the books apart and attaching the pages to cardboard making sure each illustration is included on a separate piece of cardboard. Laminate the cards so they will hold up. Use the cards for sequencing, story structure and word study activities.

Question to ask about this book before you read aloud: Have you ever got in a disagreement with someone at school and when you told an adult about it your story seemed very different from the person you disagreed with?

1. Interest Level (age): K – 3

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 2.5

3. List awards: Parent’s Choice Silver Honor

4. Does this book have a book trailer?

http://youtu.be/hj8Veprh98Q

Snail Girl Brings Water

Book Title: Snail Girl Brings Water

Author(s): Geri Keams

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Richard Ziehler-Martin

Publisher: Northland Publishing Co.

Copyright Date: 1998

Genre: Folktale

Brief Annotation: This is a Navajo creation story. The story tells the myth of how fresh water came to the earth. It also gives us the reader myths of how different animals attained their attributes like a turtle’s hard shell or a frog’s bulging eyes. After several animals try and fail at bringing water to the earth, a small snail girl tells the first woman that she will go. Snail girl is successful but the bottle that she used to carry the water in has a hole in it. When she arrives back on land she thinks she has failed but the first woman is able to take the few drops of water that were left and sing a magical song to create a great river.

Your Rating (1-5) and Why: I rate this book a four because it is an interesting story with beautiful illustrations.

Readers who will like this book: I think animal lovers and folktale lovers will like this book

Teaching Strategy from Tompkins or Yopp & Yopp : Readers theatre would work well in this one as there are several characters to act out. The students each become a character in the story. They rehearse be reading and rereading their lines. The students decide how to use their voice and gestures. A few small props may be added if they don’t interfere with the interpretive quality of the reading.

Question to ask about this book before you read aloud: Have you ever thought about what makes an animal different from another?

A Good Day

Book Title: A Good Day

Author(s): Kevin Henkes

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Kevin Henkes

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Copyright Date: 2007

Genre: Picturebooks

Brief Annotation: A bird, a fox, a dog and a squirrel started out having a bad day. Then, the day turned around for each of them and a little girl.

Your Rating (1-5) and Why: I give this book a four. It has many repeating words for young readers and the pictures help young readers figure out the words.

Readers who will like this book: Emerging readers will like this book.

Question to ask about this book before you read aloud: What makes an ordinary day a good one?

My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother

Book Title: My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother

Author(s): Patricia Polacco

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Patricia Polacco

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Publishing Co.

Copyright Date: 1994

Genre: Picturebooks

Brief Annotation: A young girl doesn’t like her older brother. She always loses in competitions with him. Whether it is eating, running, climbing or spitting she always loses. Then her grandma tells her to wish on a falling star and her wish will come true. She wishes to beat her brother but her wish comes true in an unexpected way.

Your Rating (1-5) and Why: I rate this book a three because it was cute but kind of long to get to the point.

Readers who will like this book: Children who have siblings will like this book

Teaching Strategy from Tompkins or Yopp & Yopp :

Question to ask about this book before you read aloud: Do you have an older sibling

   Interest Level (age): 8-11

 Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 3.9

My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother

Book Title: My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother

Author & Illustrator: Patricia Polacco

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books

Copyright Date: 1994

Genre: Picturebook: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Brief Annotation: A silly and warm-hearted story of a red-headed, older brother and his little sister who just wants to be able to do something better than her older, know-it-all, brother. After failed attempts to out-wit, out-smart and out-play her brother, Patricia makes a wish. But sometimes “wishes come true differently than you think.” This is a story from author Patricia Polacco, about growing up with her older brother Richie.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 3.5 – This is a comical story that a lot of children can probably relate to with their own siblings. There is a great message at the end of the book that has the potential for an interesting classroom discussion. I actually found some of the illustrations to be a little distracting. But I loved the inclusion of real photographs of the author and her brother in the front and back of the book.

Readers who will like this book: Children who are similar in age to the characters in the book (8-11ish) with siblings will enjoy this book the most. They will be able to relate to elements of the story and may learn something in the end/gain a new perspective.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: How would you describe your brother or sister? How do you think they would describe you? What is your relationship like with your sibling?

Interest Level (age): 8-11

Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 3.9

A Good Day

Book Title: A Good Day

Author & Illustrator: Kevin Henkes

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Copyright Date: 2007

Genre: Picturebook: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Brief Annotation: What can turn a bad day into a good day? Four colorful creatures take us on their journey as we see what turns their bad day into a good day. Young and old gain valuable insight from a bird, dog, fox and squirrel.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 4 – This is a cute book with sweet illustrations – perfectly matched to the story. The author has created a simple story, with big meaning, that is accessible to young readers. In addition to the lesson of the story, children can learn about colors and talk about what emotions the animals may be feeling at the different stages.

Readers who will like this book: Little kids who are learning to follow stories, and have recently learned how to identify different animals, colors and emotions will enjoy exploring this story. It could help build confidence in young readers, as they are able to explore these different aspects of the book.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Can you think of a time when your day wasn’t going so well and then something changed to make it better?

Interest Level (age): 1-4

Seven Blind Mice

Book Title: Seven Blind Mice

Author & Illustrator: Ed Young

Publisher: Philomel Books

Copyright Date: 1992

Genre: Fable

Brief Annotation: Seven blind mice discover “Something” – but what is it? Young uses bright colors, collage style illustrations, contrasted against black to tell this fable. As each mouse takes its turn investigating the “Something,” children are able to discover counting, colors and the days of the week. And the biggest discovery comes in the wisdom gained and shared by the mice.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 4.5 – Visually, this book is unique and interesting and will capture the attention of very young children. It integrates numbers, colors and days of the week seamlessly – giving you a lot of different things to discuss with children. And the story is a new twist on the tale of the blind mice and the elephant that is both humorous and deep in wisdom.

Readers who will like this book: Children learning to recognize colors and shapes will enjoy this book. Slightly older children will appreciate the moral part of the story, but this book is rich with different layers to explore, giving it appeal to a range of young children. The moral of the story is also a good reminder for adults.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Have the children close their eyes, make their finger straight, and feel their finger {demonstrate first}. Ask: What if you couldn’t see and you didn’t know you were touching a finger– what might you think you were feeling? {If they are too young and have difficultly making that leap, you could prompt them by saying… what about a carrot? Or a coloring marker? Or a worm?

Interest Level (age): 3-9

Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 3.3

List awards: Caldecott Honor Book

Purple, Green and Yellow

Book Title: Purple, Green and Yellow

Author(s): Robert Munsch

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Helene Desputeaux

Publisher: Annick Press Ltd.

Copyright Date: 1992

Genre: Fictional picture book

Brief Annotation: Purple, Green and Yellow is about a young girl, Brigid, who wants more than anything for her mother to buy her some new coloring markers. She builds up the trust with her mother that she won’t color on the walls or on herself until her mother agrees to buy her the newest, forever-permanent markers. All goes well until Brigid gets bored with coloring on paper and begins to color on people in her family--including herself! Thanks to an ‘invisible’ pill from the doctor, she’s able to wash everything off her body and color herself back to normal!

Your Rating (1-5) and why: (4.5) This is a cute story with lots of lessons in it about taking care of our art tools and being careful where we use them! The illustrations are brilliantly vibrant and very fun to look at throughout the story.

Readers who will like this book: Students who will be excited about this book are the artists in class! Not only will they enjoy taking in all the detail of the pictures and how Brigid uses her magic markers, but they’ll be excited afterwards to draw their own pictures with ‘magic markers’ that can be brought out by the teacher.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Before reading this book we would look at the cover and ask ourselves what Brigid might be drawing with her markers. When do we use markers? What do we like to draw with markers? What are some of our favorite colors?

Mortimer

Book Title: Mortimer

Author(s): Robert Munsch

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Michael Martchenko

Publisher: Annick Press Ltd.

Copyright Date: 1985

Genre: Fictional picture book

Brief Annotation: Mortimer is a little guy who appears to have trouble being quiet as he falls asleep. A parade of people come through his room trying to get him to be quiet as he sings his song about how he’s going to ‘make his noise all day’--including some police officers! Everyone else is so frustrated with Mortimer that they starting fighting loudly downstairs and don’t even notice that Mortimer has finally fallen asleep!

Your Rating (1-5) and why: (2) While I can see how this book would be fun to read to kids because it has Mortimer’s great song that he sings on every other page (which kids could enjoy actively participating with and singing along to), I don’t think it would be one of my favorite to read repeatedly. The scene is the same in every picture and the only dialogue consists of a different person saying “MORTIMER! BE QUIET!”

Readers who will like this book: Children that might be able to appreciate this book are those with younger siblings who just won’t be quiet! They can identify with Mortimer’s family as they try to quiet him down so that everybody can just go to bed!

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Before I would read this book to my class I would ask what helps them get ready for bed. Looking at the cover, does it look like Mortimer likes to or is ready to go to bed? Why or why not? What do they do when they can’t fall asleep?

Pigs

Book Title: Pigs

Author(s): Robert Munsch

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Michael Martchenko

Publisher: Annick Press

Copyright Date: 1989

Genre: Fictional picture book

Brief Annotation: When Megan’s father asks her to feed the pigs on her way to school one she laughs as he reminds her not to open the gate, as the pigs are smarter than she thinks and may escape. Megan scoffs at the idea of the “dumb pigs” making a grand escape. Oh boy is she wrong. After she lets the pigs out of their pen they chase her around town all day. Every time she thinks she finally has them all locked up Megan finds another group waiting to surprise her. At the end of an exhausting day she pledges to never underestimate the pigs again--they’re smarter than we think!

Your Rating (1-5) and why: (3) This is a cute, very predictable easy read. Most kids enjoy silly stories about silly animals, and it provides a good pathway for discussion about animals at home and what they do while we’re away all day. What if they came with us?

Readers who will like this book: Readers who may enjoy this book are those who have pets at home or are especially interested in caring for animals. Students who live in the city could enjoy imagining what would happen if a bunch of pigs one day showed up at our school, just like Megan’s.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Before reading this book I would ask readers what kind of animal they would choose to switch places with. We could talk about the pigs wanting to ‘walk in Megan’s shoes’ for the day, and what they would do if they lived on a farm and got to escape for a day.

Tikki Tikki Tembo

Book Title: Tikki Tikki Tembo

Author(s): Arlene Mossel

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Blair Lent

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Copyright Date: 1968

Genre: Fictional picture book

Brief Annotation: The book opens with a mother and her two sons a long, long time ago in China. Keeping with tradition, the eldest son was given a great long name that carried honor and prestige, while the second son was simply called Chang. One day Chang falls into the well and the eldest son runs throughout the village to get someone to save his brother. A few months later it’s the eldest brother’s turn to fall into the well and, due to his brother’s lengthy name, the younger brother can barely tell what has happened in time for the villagers in time to save him. They both survive and the moral of the story is that the Chinese have always believed in keeping names short and simple since this near-disaster.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: (1) This book had a very minimal storyline and was not engaging to read at all. I can’t imagine trying to read this in class, as the lesson at the end seems very un-relatable for most children.

Readers who will like this book: Readers who may enjoy this book are those interested in stories similar to ‘how the zebra got his stripes,’ or ‘why the rooster always crows in the morning.’ This text has hand-sketched illustrations, which young illustrators may like to see.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Before reading this book I would ask them what they knew about families and customs in China. I would show them the picture on the front of the book where the boys play by the well and ask what they think might happen.

Duck for President

Book Title: Duck for President

Author(s): Doreen Cronin

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Betsy Lewin

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Copyright Date: 2004

Genre: Fictional picturebook

Brief Annotation: This book follows Duck who is fed up with doing chores on a farm! He decides to rally the other farm animals and hold an election to boot Farmer Brown from power so that Duck can be in charge. Shortly after he wins the farm’s election he decides that running a farm is more work than he realized. Similar patterns emerge when he decides to run for governor, president, etc. At the end of the book Duck realizes that all jobs are more difficult than they seem, and sometimes being in charge can be a lot of work. He decides to leave behind his new responsibilities and answer a ‘help wanted’ ad for a duck to do chores on a nice farm somewhere.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: (4) I enjoyed this book for some of the adult humor that was hidden in the illustrations or alluded to during a snippet of the storyline. One of Duck’s campaign posters said ‘I like Ike Duck,’ and there were several mentions of losing candidates requesting recalls post-unfavorable victories. Several of the politicians were women too, which I thought was a nice, subtle touch.

Readers who will like this book: Students who will appreciate this book are those who are beginning to learn about the American government system and the election cycle. They may be studying the state capitol or national election and are curious about how somebody gets elected or what an elected official does.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Before reading this book to a class I would ask them if they know who our president (or mayor, governor, principal, etc) is and what they do. Do the kids think it is an easy or a hard job? What would they do if they were president--before and then again after reading the book.