Amazing Sharks!

Title: Amazing Sharks!

Author: Sarah L. Thomson 

Level 2 of "I can read" series.

Published by: Harper Trophy (2006)

This books real photography is not only engaging, but beautiful. The text introduces an early reader to several different types of sharks, including the Great White, the Whale Shark, and the Cookie-cutter Shark. It also introduces some new vocabulary for young readers, such as predator, prey, and electricity. New vocabulary is followed with a phonetic spelling to help the child sound out the word. In addition to the previous, the book reminds the reader that sharks are important to our oceans and that people must help to protect them. All in all, I found this book interesting, not a wow, but my children enjoyed listening and looking at the pictures. I would recommend to parents or teachers who are working with early readers.

Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?

Title: Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? 

Author: Bill Martin Jr.

Illustrator: Eric Carle

Published By: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (2006)

This is a book meant mainly for younger readers. It goes through many endangered animals and asks what they see. Each one sees another animal that is on the endangered species list. At the end the last animal sees a dreaming child who sees each of the animals previously mentioned in the book. This book is one long rhyme starting with asking a panda what he sees and eventually finishing by asking a dreaming child what he sees to which he replies that he sees all the animals mentioned before hand. This book is quite good for children learning to read because it uses repetition so a child can guess what comes next.

Personal Reaction:

This is an amazing book for very young readers. It really shows children at a young age what endangered animals are. It's not the easiest thing to bring up with younger children, but this can open up that window. The illustrations by Eric Carle are amazing as expected.

Classroom Applications:

1. Do a lesson on endangered animals.

2. Make a classroom book with each of the children's faces to mimic the book. 

Scaredy Squirrel

Title: Scaredy Squirrel

Author: Melanie Watt

Published by: Kids Can Press (2008)

Just read this book and had to blog about it!
Scaredy Squirrel is a homebody, afraid to leave his tree for the vast unknown for fear of germs, killer bees, sharks, green Martians, etc. This delightful tale teaches kids about taking new chances or trying something new, but reads in a humorous rather than didactic tone. Scaredy Squirrel is an exaggerated character with strict routines and organized rational lists. He’s endearing to children and a memorable character. Scaredy Squirrel’s lists and diagrams also contribute to a unique storytelling format, enhancing the more traditional prose. Watt’s illustrations are done in charcoal and acrylic, using thick black lines and color which doesn’t entirely fill their shapes. The discovery that Scaredy Squirrel chances upon is well-concealed in a fold-out page, allowing readers to find out information about Scaredy at the same time he finds it out himself. Keeping this discovery on one page adds to the sequential order of movement depicted and is overall very effective. This charming picture book is fun for everyone to read if you have a fear of something. 

Under the Persimmon Tree (Novel)

Title: Under the Persimmon Tree

Author: Suzanne Fisher Staples

Published by: Frances Foster Books

Recommendation:

To get the clearest picture of this book first familiarize your self with the glossary.

I personally found Under the Persimmon Tree to be an excellent cultural read. It will open your eyes to a way of life that must be experienced to understand. Najmah, a young Afghan girl whose name means, “star,” suddenly finds herself alone when her family is taken from her by the war. Elaine, whose Islamic name is Nusrat, is also on her own. An American, she waits out the war in Peshawar, Pakistan, teaching refugee children while her Afghan husband runs a clinic in Mazar-i-sharif, Afghanistan. Najmah’s father had always assured her that the stars would take care of her, just as Nusrat’s husband had promised that they would tell Najmah where he was and that he was safe. As the two look to the skies for answers, their fates entwine. Najmah, seeking refuge, begins the perilous journey through the mountains to cross the border into Pakistan. And Nusrat’s school awaits Najmah’s arrival. Together, they both seek their way home.

The overall writing was very descriptive, dramatic and direct. This story is one that will touch your life forever. It helps you to see the happiness in your life and embrace what you have. This book was an exquisite picture into a life full of fear and uncertainty. It is a book I would recommend to middle school students first of all because it is at their reading level, but I would recommend it to everyone with regards to the plot and style of this novel. It was a beautiful, tragic, and touching story from start to finish. It is also an eye-opener for those who do not know what the people of Afghanistan are really like culturally and religiously. This book gives incite to the receiving end of U.S. efforts in the Middle East and reveals the questionable nature of the actions of the U.S. military in that area.

In this book, the U.S. and the Taliban were both threats and it would be valuable for students to see that. The book is fast-paced with very detailed description that does not spare readers from any information. It is a realistic depiction of the state of Afghanistan, the amount of damage that the U.S. inflicts on innocent people, and the general horrors of war and the Taliban. It is educational as well as entertaining. It may lead readers to question what they believe about the war and what they believe should be done in the conflict. With universal themes like the importance of family, faith, and love, everyone can relate to the characters in this story. It is easy to understand and will keep students and people of all ages hooked throughout the story. In my opinion, everyone should read Under the Persimmon Tree. The persimmon tree symbolizes the transition of Najmah from a young child into a young adult. Nusrat (Elaine) is having to transition from a wife of an Afghan doctor to a widow that is in another country and is trying to return to the United States but wants to bring Najmah with her. She doesn't understand what Najmah has left for her, because all of her family is gone. 

Hey, Little Ant

Title: Hey, Little Ant

Author: Phillip M. Hoose, Hannah Hoose, 

Illustrator: Debbie Tilley

Published By: Tricycle Press



"Hey, Little Ant," by Phillip and Hannah Hoose is one of my children's books I used in my Social Studies lesson plan showing respect. However later I found out that this book is based on a real-life experience the author had as he watched his toddler squishing ants one day, this book is as powerful a teaching tool as I've seen come along in a very long time.It is an older book however in this classic book, a Kid threatens to squish the book's hero Ant and a clever dialogue evolves. The ant is allowed to plead its case, so he explains to the boy that he, too, has a special reason for being. Through cleverly rhyming verse, set to musical notes if you'd rather sing it, they are located in the back of the book, the Ant tries to negotiate for its life, reciting the "Golden Rule" to help his case. The beauty of this tale is that it ends with a dilemma: "what do you think that Kid should do?" Leaving it open-ended is a tremendous way to generate dialogue with children. It gives them the opportunity to think the problem through and offer problem-solving solutions; it serves to empower them by giving them a voice. At a time in our society when schools are reluctant to teach values through character education, along comes a little book with a powerful message. As a future educator I will use this book to show students how to deal with the people who are ANTS in their lives - who might bite them with their words or try to poison them with their actions - focusing on characteristics we might need like Awareness, Negotiation, Tolerance and Sensitivity. I give "Hey, Little Ant" as many stars as it can get and more. Don't miss this one; you will NOT be disappointed!

Oh as for the illustrations they are very wonderful. In several sequences, the two page spreads are developed vertically rather than horizontally. Ms.Tilley does this very well to portray the giant kid looming over the ant, and later the imaginary giant ant dominating the kid. Each illustration has a sense of movement and presence that makes them seem to come off the page.

Creaky Old House: A Topsy-Turvy Tale of a Real Fixxer Upper

Title: Creaky Old House: A Topsy-Turvy Tale of a Real Fixer Upper
Author: Linda Ashman
Illustrated By: Michael Chesworth
Published by: Sterling

Who could resist this book with this cover.This book has a pleasantly rhyming text and comically busy illustrations, the story tells of a large family in a dilapidated house and what happens when the doorknob falls off. Several members of the family come up with ideas of how to fix it, without the help of a handyman, which ends up making them decide they just need to design an entirely new house. First-person voice lends an insider feel to what is going on. I love how the illustrator places the ink, watercolor and the pencil illustrations on each page and the use of white space to surround them and to hold the text. Some illustrations have like cutaway views of the house, allowing me to see the location of each family member. Other pages offer a birds-eye view, looking down at a large scene of activities going on. Unlike other books that I have read, every page is busy, with eight people in a large family, plus a dog, a lot of fun is going and some cooperation. The illustrations reflect the words of the text and add more detail. In the end, the baby resolves the doorknob problem, simple and sweet, the family decides to love their house as it is.

Where is Tippy Toes?

Title:Where is Tippy Toes?

Author/Illustrator: Betsy Lewin

Published by: Simon & Schuster Children's 

Where is Tippy Toes is a charming selection for toddlers. The sturdy die-cut pages tell the story of the cat Tippy Toes and where he likes to wander. Cat lovers will relate to Tippy Toes' fondness for sleeping in dresser drawers and his dislike of the garden hose. With one line of text per page, it's not too long - just perfect to hold the attention of even the youngest story listeners. I loved the illustrations! The bold, bright over sized pictures are just perfect for a small audience. The page with Tippy Toes glowing eyes among the fireflies is wonderful. I also like the nighttime scenes they shimmer with the pale yellow moon and the texture of the blue sky that spills over into the blue fence posts and blankets. Lets don't forget about the bright colors represented in the daytime the sunny yellows, oranges and greens. 

This is a natural choice for bedtime and is also effective as a read aloud for any story time group of toddlers. The die-cut, different sized pages make it a bit challenging for group sharing, but it is well worth it. With a great flow, sturdy construction, and joyful illustrations, this is an enthusiastic recommend. This book would be useful for teachers in planning lessons on time or night and day.