Snow Dance

Author/Illustrator: Lezlie Evans/Cynthia Jabar

About the Author:

 Lezlie Evans is an author of many children's books. She lived in California and was very athletic. She is the only girl in her family and has five brothers.  She did not read a lot as a child mainly because she couldn't sit still long enough, but that changed as she got older.

http://www.lezlieevans.com/

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: K-2

Synopsis:
Snow Dance reads like a long poem.  It talks about kids preparing and hoping for snow. The kids get all of their snow clothes on and go outside to play in the snow. They throw snowballs and play with all of their friends until it's time to come inside.  Then when they come inside they change and drink hot chocolate to relax. 

Pre Reading Activity:

Before reading ask the children what they like about the snow.  Ask them if they like to play in it or stay inside. What do they do outside?

Post Reading Activity:

After reading use construction paper and cotton balls to make a snow day picture.  Have the kids draw themselves playing in the snow then glue the cotton balls on as snow. You may even want to add some glitter to the snow to make it realistic.

Reflection:

I like this book because it is different than other books. This reads like a poem and the whole book rhymes.  This will catch the kids attention and make them want to read it or listen to it. A lot of kids also like the snow and want to tell you what they like about it. This book and the project will hold the kids attention on a snowy afternoon.

No Such Thing

Author/Illustrator: Jackie French Koller/Betsy Lewin

About the Author:

Jackie French Koller is a published American author who was born in 1948.  She had her first book published in 1986. She is very family oriented and tells you all about her family on her personal web page.

http://www.jackiefrenchkoller.com/

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: 1-3

Synopsis:
Howard moved into a new house and he loved it. It was old but he loved all of the little things about it.  When Howard went to bed he heard noises and called his mom into the room to check for monsters.  His mom checked and didn't find anything and she told him there are no such thing as monsters. Then the little monster called his mom to check for little boys and she told him there are no such thing as boys. The boy and the monster keep hearing and seeing things but their moms always tell them to go back to bed. At the end of the night the monster and the boy finally meet face to face.  The boy said that he thought monsters ate boys and the monster thought boys eat monsters! Both Howard and the little monster from them on were able to sleep through the night.

Pre Reading Activity:

Before reading have the children look at the title and the cover to predict what they think is going to happen in this story.

Post Reading Activity:

After reading have the children write a story in a small group about something that is not real. This will get the students imaginations going.  

Reflection:

This book is good because it helps kids to laugh about something that a lot of them are afraid of. This also helps the kids to use their imaginations and make up stories on their own.

Good Morning Monday

Author/Illustrator: Sheila Keenan/Paul Meisel

About the Author:

Sheila Keenan has her Masters in English from the University of Massachusetts. She has published both fiction and non fiction books. She lives in New York and New Jersey and is currently working on a few new book ideas.

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: K-3

Synopsis:
Good Morning Monday is a very simple and short book. It describes all of the hustle on a Monday morning of people on the subway and rushing into elevators. At the end all of the people are finally at work and ready to start their Monday with a good morning!

Pre Reading Activity:

Before reading ask the students what they do on a Monday morning to get ready for the week.

Post Reading Activity:

After reading have the students make a list of the things they do in the morning to get ready for school. They can decorate this list and hang it in their house so they remember every morning.

Reflection:

I think this is a nice book to ready at the beginning of the week because it give the students an idea of what they should do to get ready in the morning. 

The Shark Who Was Afraid of Everything

Author/Illustrator: Brian James/Bruce McNally

About the Author:

Brian James was born in 1976 outside of Philadelphia.  In 1994he moved to New York City.  He has written and published both books and poems.

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: K-3

Synopsis:
This story is about Sharkie the shark who is always afraid.  He is afraid of everything from the dark to snails.  Sharkie thought the other sharks were right and that he was no good because he’s a scared shark so he took off and Lily the little fish followed right behind him. The two new friends had fun playing together until they realized they were lost.  Lily was scared but Sharkie helped get them back home.  Once the returned everyone was so happy they began to call Sharkie the bravest shark!

Pre Reading Activity:

Before reading it would be good to have a conversation with your students about fears.  They need to know that everyone is afraid of something and that some of their friends might be afraid of the same things that they are.

Post Reading Activity:

After reading have the students come up with ways together to overcome their fears.  Whether it be facing them or ignoring them or any ways that they can come up with.

Reflection:

I enjoyed this book because it talks about something real for the children.  Children are sometimes ashamed to say that they are afraid of something because they might get laughed at.  Once they know that other kids might be afraid too they will feel more comfortable being themselves in the classroom.

Franklin is Bossy

Author/Illustrator: Paulette Bourgeois/Brenda Clark

About the Author:

Paulette Bourgeois was born on July 20, 1951.  She is best known for creating Franklin the Turtle. The Franklin books have been translated into over 38 different languages and have also been made into a television show.

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: 1-3

Synopsis:

Franklin likes to play with his friends, especially his best friend Bear.  Franklin always got to pick the games and his friends are sick of it. They decide not to play with Franklin anymore.  Franklin could not understand why he had no friends so he went home and played by himself.  Franklin talked with his dad who taught him that he needs to be nice and play fair with all of his friends so they want to play with him.  The next day Franklin went to apologize to all of his friends and invite them to play with him.  They accepted his apology and for once Franklin did not make all of the rules.

Pre Reading Activity:

Have the students brainstorm about what this book will be about based on the title and the cover.

Post Reading Activity:

Ask the children what Franklin did to make his friends mad at him.

Reflection:

I enjoyed this book because it teaches the students a valuable lesson on not bossing around other people.  This will help the students realize that they do not want to lose their friends so they will treat them the way they want to be treated.

The Case of the Missing Mother

Author/Illustrator: James Howe/William Cleaver

About the Author:

James Howe was born on August 2, 1946 in Oneida, New York.  He is the author of more than 80 children and young adult books.  

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: 1-3

Synopsis:
All of the muppets were getting ready for their Mother's Day tribute concert.  Animal began to act weird and no one knew why.  Finally when Animal disappeared the muppets went looking and found a letter that said his mother had moved, only the address was ripped off.  They went on a journey to help find his mom.  After searching for a while they heard drumming in the background. They got closer to the sound and it was Animal's mother! Animal was extremely happy to be reunited with his mother and she was able to play in the tribute concert.

Pre Reading Activity:

Ask the students if they have ever lost something. How did they feel? Did anyone help them look for it?

Post Reading Activity:

Have the children write about how they think Animal felt to find his mother.

Reflection:

This book was interesting and it can relate to kids.  The way Animal acted when he lost his mother was the way any child who couldn't find their mother would act.  It also shows great friendship when all of the muppets tried to help Animal.

Just For You

Author/Illustrator: Joy Berry/John Costanza

About the Author:

Mercer Mayer was born in Arkansas in 1943.  He has published over 300 books since 1966.  Most of his books are something that happened to him when he was younger. 

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: K-2

Synopsis:
This is a book about little critter and he is trying to do nice things for his mother.  Unfortunately nothing he tries seems to be working out the way he wanted.  But he eventually tells his mom that all he wanted was to surprise her, which is what he did.

Pre Reading Activity:

Ask the children if they have ever done something nice for someone they live with. If they say yes have them share with each other what they have done and for who.  This will show them that everyone tries to do nice things for some one.

Post Reading Activity:

Have the students draw a picture of themselves doing something nice for some one.  Then make their homework for them to bring it home to that person.

Reflection:

I enjoyed this book because it shows a child doing something nice for their parent.  A lot of children don't always appreciate their parents and say mean things to them.  This book shows that you should always try to be helpful and treat mom and dad with respect.

The Great Race

Author/Illustrator: Rev. W. Awdry/Tom LaPadula and Eric Binder

About the Author:

Wilbert Vere Awdry was born on June 15, 1911.  He was an English clergyman and a children's author.  Awdry is also the creator of the entire Thomas the Tank Engine collection.

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: K-1

Synopsis:
This book is based on a story about Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends. In this short story Thomas and his friend Bertie, who is a bus, decide they are going to race.  The books explains each part of their journey to get to the finish line, including when each one has to stop because of an obstacle.

Pre Reading Activity:

Before reading this book the teacher should review basic site words with the students.  The words in this book are simple so most young students should be able to read some of these words. 

Post Reading Activity:

After reading do a simple sequencing activity with the students.  Ask them what happened first, then what did Thomas do? Etc.  This will help the students learn to sequence longer stories as they grow.

Reflection:

I enjoyed this book because it is very simple and can be used in multiple ways.  This is a good level reader for beginning readers to get a little practice.  I also think this book is good to use for sequencing to get the students into that habit.  This book takes something the students already know and makes it easy for them to read themselves.

Oh the Thinks You Can Think!

Author/Illustrator: Dr. Seuss

About the Author:

Theodore Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904.  He was an American writer and cartoonist.  He is very well known for his interesting children's books. He has published 46 children's books most under his pen name Dr. Seuss.

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: K-3

Synopsis:
Oh the Thinks You Can Think really helps children to use their imaginations. The book describes all of the funny things that someone could think of.  But Dr. Seuss thinks up the best and funniest ideas.

Pre Reading Activity:

Before reading ask the students if they have ever read anything or heard a story by Dr. Seuss.  Have them tell you what makes Dr. Seuss books different from other books they have read or heard.

Post Reading Activity:

After reading have the younger students look back at their list and add more to what makes Dr. Seuss books different from most other books.

Have the older students write their own page to this book and talk about the thinks they can think!

Reflection:

I think Dr. Seuss books are excellent for elementary students because the words are easy and the pictures are amazing.  Little kids can truly connect with these books because they are funny and interesting.  I would suggest using Dr. Seuss books in your classroom with almost any lesson.

If You Take A Mouse To School

Author/Illustrator: Laura Numeroff/Felicia Bond

About the Author:

Laura Numeroff was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1953. She lived with her mom, dad and was the youngest of three girls.  Numeroff is a children's author and is proud to say that the publishers of her books are the same that published the Dr. Seuss book the Cat in the Hat.

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: K-1

Synopsis:
This is about what happens if you take a mouse to school.  The story goes through the entire day and everything the mouse will want or need during school. 

Pre Reading Activity:

The students will think in small groups and discuss what they think will happen if you take a mouse to school.

Post Reading Activity:

The students will pretend they have a pet mouse and they are going to take him some where with them.  They need to pick a  place the mouse will go with them and draw what they think will happen.  After they have finished the student will explain to the teacher what will happen and the teacher will write it out for the student.

Reflection:

I enjoyed this book because it is a fun way for young kids to begin reading.  This is a very easy read and illustrations explain so much especially for the students who have trouble reading.  This book is good for reading activities because you can be very creative with young children.