Welcome!

You have accessed the blog site for Choosing and Using Books for Children. Throughout the term we'll use our blog to record the books we read and the ideas we have for using them when we're teachers. By the end of March, our class will have read at least 280 books. Happy reading!

Two important protocol actions for EVERY post:
1. Underline or italicize all book titles (choose one formatting style and stick with it--underline OR italicize for all book titles)
2. Add your name in the "label" box before you post each documentation.

One important recommendation:
Create your documentations in a separate Word document, then cut and paste in a blog post.

Basic Documentation

Book Title:

Author(s):

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist:

Publisher:

Copyright Date:

Genre:

Brief Annotation:

Your Rating (1-5) and why:

Readers who will like this book:

Teaching Strategy from Tompkins or Yopp & Yopp (you'll link a strategy to at least 10 of your 40 books) :

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud:

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age):

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade):
Use book wizard to help with the previous 2 areas


3. List awards

4. Does this book have a book trailer? If so, cut and paste the web address here.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Chrysanthemum

Book Title: Chrysanthemum

Author(s): Kevin Henkes

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Kevin Henkes

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Copyright Date: 1991

Genre: Modern fantasy picturebook

Brief Annotation: Chrysanthemum the mouse has always loved her name. She loved the way it looked and she loved the way it sounded. When she starts school, however, a group of children, and one in particular, tease Chrysanthemum about her long and unusual name. Her mother and father try to reassure Chrysanthemum about the beauty and individuality of her name, but she continues to face teasing and jokes. Until, that is, the admired Mrs. Twinkle, reveals her first name: Delphinium!

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 5—Chrysanthemum is a sweet story with a positive message. Henkes uses wonderfully descriptive language, expressive adjectives, and colorful and fun illustrations that I think kids will love and embrace. I also think most kids can relate to Chrysanthemum’s experience of being teased for being different, and this book could open up a discussion on bullying. I also enjoyed seeing what Chrysanthemum’s father is reading in a couple of the scenes: The Inner Mouse Vol. 1 Childhood Anxiety and A Rose by Any Other Name…Understanding Identity. Henkes often places subtle and funny messages throughout the illustrations in his book.

Readers who will like this book: Children who enjoy other Henkes books, especially fans of Wemberly Worried; kids who need to hear a story about loving yourself despite what others may say or do; adults looking for a good book to incorporate in a lesson on respecting yourself and your peers

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Have you ever felt different from your classmates? Were you teased about it? What should you do if you or someone you know is being teased?

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): K—2

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 1.0

3. List awards: Horn Book Fanfare, ALA Notable Children’s Books, School Library Journal Best Books

4. Book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzYV_pbW-Kw

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