Turtle Dreams

Turtle Dreams

Written by: Marion Dane Bauer

Illustrated by: Diane Dawson Hearn

Brief Summary: It's Turtle's first winter! Her grandmother has told her that she needs to start gathering some dreams. "But what are dreams?" Turtle wonders. Turtle goes out and searches for some dreams that she could carry back on her shell. Throughout all her searching and question asking, Turtle discovers that the best dreams of all occur while she is tucked in her shell deep in the mud.

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I LOVED this book! I actually went to amazon.com and bought this book online as soon as I finished the story. I have two pet turtles of my own and this book truly 'hit home'. The content is both educational and entertaining. This book would be a great choice to read during a science lesson/unit on hibernation. Throughout the story three other animals are mentioned (an otter, a squirrel, and a bird). The author wittily speaks through these animals and gives their point of view on the winter months. Due to this, this book would be a great example to read and use when introducing the idea of writing in different P.O.V.'s in English class. The illustrations within the book are detailed, colorful, and page filling. There is quite a bit of dialogue which would allow for an entertaining read a-loud in class; I would also recommend this book during a small-group/individual read.

Selma

Selma

Written by: Jutta Bauer

Brief Summary: What is happiness? A wise ram tells a tale about a sheep named Selma. How did she go about making herself happy? ... By finding more time for herself?... by winning a million dollars?

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First of all, this book is small but mighty! The book is about 6 in. by 4 in. The size of the book instantly catches your eye and draws your attention (one of the reasons I pulled this book off the shelf). Due to this physical appearance I think that reluctant readers would find this book appealing, and would be willing to pick it up off the classroom shelf (or school library). The language within the book is simple. The message of the story is to find happiness in life that you can create yourself. One doesn't need to be alloted more time within the day or win a million dollars to find happiness. I enjoyed this book so much that I am considering bringing it to my child study visit with my second grade buddy this week (this is a Block A requirement). In my future classroom I would like to read this book to my class as a read a-loud. I think it would make for a great introduction for writer's workshop... "What makes you happy?"

Utterly Yours, Booker Jones

Utterly Yours, Booker Jones

Written by: Betsy Duffey

Brief Summary: Twelve-year old Booker Jones is quite the accomplished writer. In fact, he has written and submitted over twenty-two books to Hamerstein Books publishing. Booker thinks that he has the perfect writer's name, and believes that he has written some of the best chapter books in the universe! Throughout the story Booker is frantically working on writing a chapter book called Space Cows; however, the majority of his time at home consists of helping out his mother and Pop. As the story continues, he is asked by a fellow classmate to write a speech for a school PTO meeting. The meeting turns into a town event and thousands of people plan on attending. Unfortunately with all the commotion going on at home, Booker is experiencing something that he had only read about.. writer's block. Will he be able to successfully write a good speech by the time the community PTO meeting is held? ...

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This book received the Iowa Children's Choice Award and I can see why! I think this book would be a great recommendation for a male student due to the fact that the main character in the story is a 12 year old boy. The story is written in first person P.O.V. and this will help the reader connect to the main character. I also believe that girls would find this story appealing. I, myself, a female, had a hard time putting this book down; the plot flows smoothly and constantly keeps your attention. The plot of the story focuses heavily on Booker and his writing; he gives great examples of writing and advice on writing throughout the story that would beneficial for students to hear (perhaps understood better from a 12-year-old fictional character than a teacher :). I, personally, would love to read this book to my entire class out-loud. Although, if this could not be done, the book would be just as entertaining as a individual read!

Yellow Submarine

Yellow Submarine

Written/Sung by: The Beatles

Brief Summary: This book is an adaptation to the movie Yellow Submarine, and its pages are filled with artwork from the film. The book, Yellow Submarine, uses a collection of various Beatles musical lyrics to create a dream-like fictional story.

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I took Music and Methods (7e:120) in Fall of 2009 and this book instantly reminded me of that course. Within that methods course we had a unit where we discussed how integrated lessons could be created and used with the classroom. We were able to choose a subject and create a lesson that incorporated music within our chosen core area of study. I think this book would be an excellent way to integrate history, reading, and music all into one lesson or unit.

The illustrations within the book are beautifully done and instantly draw the reader's attention. I feel that students of all ages would find this book enjoyable to read. However, with that being said, I do believe that in order to enjoy this book to the extent it is capable of being understood, one must be knowledge of who The Beatles are as well as know the lyrics to a wide selection of their songs.

Throughout the book certain words are bolded in order to draw the reader's attention and signify their importance. Words such as: Pepperland, Sergeant Pepper's Band, and Old Lord Mayor. All of these bolded words serve as a 'map' that allow the reader to better understand the surreal story that is taking place within the pages of the book. Once again, a knowledge of what these bolded words signify is important for the reader to understand.

I Did It, I'm Sorry

I Did It, I'm Sorry

Written by: Caralyn Buehner & Mark Buehner

Brief Summary: I Did it, I'm Sorry offers a scenario with a follow-up 'quiz' on each page of the book. In each scenario an animal is in a dilemma! The correct solution for that dilemma is based on what 'good behavior' for that situation should be performed. After the child chooses which solution is correct (designated by the letter choice of a, b, or c) they need to look within that page's illustration to see if the letter they chose is hidden within the picture. If the letter is found within the picture, then they chose the right solution! If not, then they need to try again.

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I found this book to be rather humorous. The dilemmas that the various animals find themselves in are uniquely and cleverly made-up. The situations that arise deal with following rules, listening to your parents, telling the truth, and much more! This book would be a great way for parents to reinforce proper behavior with their child(ren). The book recommends that it's audience be between the ages of 4 and 8; I would change this age range to 6-12. The word choice throughout the book is somewhat complicated and some of the ideas may take a bit of experience to understand. For example:

Even though she studied hard for this test, Ima Scalebody can't remember where sea horses graze. Ima thinks that Lynn

Finn will know the right answer, and she is tempted to peek and see what Lynn has written down.

What should Ima do?

a. Tell her teacher she is feeling sea sick.

b. Take the bait, and copy Lynn's answer.

c. Sink or swim on her own.

I personally was a bit confused when reading the above situation. It is obvious that 'c' is the right answer but the wording was throwing me off. I actually read the question to my fiance and he as well was a bit confused. Because of this children may find this book to be difficult and unpleasant to read. However, children in middle elementary may find this book appealing due to the complicated wording. Furthermore, regarding the above question, I feel that the concept of cheating may not be relevant to younger students, especially students as young as 4 and 5 years old.

The full-page picture that aids each situation and answer is similar to an I Spy book. In order to check to see if the chosen answer is correct one must try and find the corresponding letter within the picture. The illustrations are detailed and it often took me 30 seconds up to a minute to find the letter I was looking for. More than once I found myself using the answer key on the back page of the book for some help. This is another reason why I feel that students in middle-elementary may find this book appealing.

Overall I would recommend this book to my students as an individual read and also to the parents of students who are younger. I think this book would be a great way for a teacher to reinforce good behavior in her students. Perhaps every week one animal's dilemma can be read out loud for the class to hear, and the students could form small groups and discuss their thoughts.

'A' Was Once an Apple Pie

A Was Once an Apple Pie

Written by: Edward Lear

Illustrated by: Suse MacDonald

Brief Summary: AWas Once an Apple Pie creatively uses all twenty-six letters of the alphabet to create a book of non-sense rhymes in poetry form.

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This book displayed creative, simple, page-filling illustrations on every page. Each letter of the alphabet was represented along with a unique rhyme. For example, the letter 'A':

'A' was once an apple pie,

pidy, widy, tidy, pidy,

nice insidy, apple pie!

The book suggests that its audience be in preschool, kindergarten, 1st, or 2nd grade. This young elementary-aged group would definitely find this book to be beneficial while learning the alphabet as well as when learning rhyming words. A child who is already familiar with the alphabet letters may find this book to be a tad boring (I myself struggled to get through the entire book.) The story is written in poetry form and it may prove to be a good example for students to look at who struggle with writing poetry of their own. Furthermore, I feel this book is more of a learning tool rather than an actual story. I could see myself reading this book to my one year old nephew in order to introduce to him the letters of the alphabet. I think the overall purpose of the book is simply that: an introduction to the alphabet; each letter is largely placed upon each page aided by a page-filling illustration of an object beginning with that letter. Students who are visual learners may especially find this book appealing. I would definitely recommend reading this book to students who are learning or struggling to learn the alphabet.

Pictures from Our Vacation

Pictures from Our Vacation

Written by: Lynne Rae Perkins

Brief Summary: A family of four goes on a vacation to visit their grandparents at an old family farm. Before heading out on their journey the mother and father give their two kids, one boy and one girl, a camera to take pictures with. Their cameras are used along their two day drive as well as once the reached their vacation destination. This seemingly 'boring' vacation unexpectedly spices up a bit when their father's Great Aunt Charlotte's memorial takes place. Their cameras prove to be useful; however, the children realize that the best tool for taking pictures with is their own mind.

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A main theme that runs throughout this story is that the best of times can come when you least expect them to. One positive aspect of this book, that I noticed right away, is that this book is told in 1st person P.O.V. First person P.O.V. allows the reader to feel more of a connection with the main character, and this may prove to be an attractive quality for young, reluctant readers. I believe that both girls and boys would find this book to be an interesting read. The main character is female however the illustrations within the book, as well as the word choice used by the main character, is gender neutral. The cover of the book displays a boy and girl running down a dock with one another. Similarly, due to this I feel that both boys and girls wouldn't be hesitant to pick the book up off of a shelf. The large, detailed illustrations and text of the book work well together. Although I don't think it was the author's intention, I feel that this book could easily be seen/read as a graphic novel. I really enjoyed reading this story and I would be happy to recommend it to my students. I believe this would be a good book to read to an entire class to start a unit on family or vacation destinations. This book would also be a good choice for an individual read. The book recommends that its ideal audience be between the ages of 5 and 8. I would argue that this book could be used for most elementary students (K-4). The language is simple however if a 4th grader was assigned to read this book they shouldn't be offended by the word choice.

Pancakes for Supper

Pancakes for Supper

Written by: Anne Isaacs

Illustrated by: Mark Teague

Brief Summary: A young girl named Toby serves as the main character within the book Pancakes for Supper. Toby is traveling through the woods in a wagon with her mother and father when suddenly the wagon hits a bump in the road that causes her to go flying! Toby soars through the sky and gently lands back on the ground, on top of a pile of snow, in the middle of the woods. Throughout her pursuit in finding her way back to her mother and father, Toby unexpectedly find herself face-to-face with some unfriendly animals. Through a unique and surprising ending, these unfriendly creatures aid Toby in discovering some hot maple syrup to use on some homemade pancakes.

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I randomly chose this book from the Curriculum Lab's shelf and I am glad that I did! The illustrations within the book help aid the plot of the story as well as provide colorful, page filling, images. Pancakes for Supper is recommended for children between the ages of 4 and 8. I agree with this age range due to the simple plot line, word usage, and illustrations present throughout the pages of the book. However I would argue that students up to 3rd grade (10/11 years old) may find this book appealing. A main theme that is consistently present within this book is to be generous and eventually, in return, good/pleasant things will happen to you. I believe that students of both gender would find this book enjoyable. The main character, Toby, is female; however, a strong feminine, "girly", vibe isn't present. Toby could just as easily be portrayed as a boy within this book without changing the language of the story. As many other children's book, Pancakes for Supper, is fiction. This particular story allows for the audience to read/hear about a situation that is far-fetched and unrealistic, and I think that is just great! I had no idea how the book was going to end, and after reading the conclusion I had to pause and think for a second how that came to be. The ending was unexpected and rather humorous. Overall I would recommend this book to my students and an individual read or perhaps it could be read aloud for the entire class to hear.