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.