Dancing on the Sand - A Story of an Atlantic Blue Crab

BASIC DOCUMENTATION
Book Title: Dancing on the Sand-A Story of an Atlantic Blue Crab

Author(s): Kathleen M. Hollenbeck

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Joanie Popeo

Publisher: Trudy Corporation

Copyright Date: 1999

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Brief Annotation:
The book details an Atlantic Blue Crab as she begins to molt, mate and travel south to warmer weather. In the book, we are told how she is protected as she grows a new- larger shell and how she chooses her mate (and why she needs him).


Your Rating (1-5) and why: 1
This is an informational text about the growing, molting and mating behavior of the female blue crab being told as if it is narrated for a film. The text makes this very clear by its discourse. To me, the author is placing emphasis on learning about the blue crab instead of enjoying ‘the reading of the life of the blue crab’. The illustrations echo the words of the text instead of adding to the comprehension and understanding of the content. I cannot see kids enjoying this book.

Readers who will like this book:
• Students wanting information for a blue crab project
• Readers searching for information about a blue crab


Teaching Strategy from Yopp & Yopp :
Anticipation Guide (p. 18-21)
Anticipation Guides are used to help determine previous knowledge and to help lead discussions on opinions that can be supported by the text (after the lesson or unit of study). Anticipation guides also help build connections.
I think this would be a good activity because the text can be used to make and support opinions about the blue crab's habitat and the natural behaviors used as survival skills.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud:

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): 3-9

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 4.1


3. List awards
A Parents' Choice Approval for 19 title book and tape series
(one of the books in this series)