Final Lit Reflection

I really enjoyed Children's Lit. This course was enjoyable and fun to come to on Tuesday nights. It was a class that I looked forward to attending. I really got a lot out of our class and group discussions. I thought they were really interesting making it easy to become engaged in. Jen, I think you chose interesting topics to cover during the semester. I really enjoyed blogging. Blogging allowed me to express my views on the literature in a non formal way. I feel that blogging allowed me to express myself better than a formal paper. I have learned a lot during the course of the semester and will now look at children's literature in a new light. Thanks for a great semester Jen!

So Far From the Bamboo Gove

Unlike Year of Impossible Goodbyes. I really enjoyed reading So Far From The Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins. This was a lot more interesting of a read as this book was engaging making it difficult to put down. I really found a connection with Yoko's family in the novel. I kind of found myself emotionally attached and feeling for Yoko and her family. One of my favorite parts of the novel where I was able to make a personal connection was during Yoko, her mother, and her sister, Ko's flight from the Bamboo Gove. I connected to the part when they came to the iron railroad bridge that they needed to cross. Ko walked ahead of Yoko and her mother. Yoko thought it was mean of her sister to walk ahead of them and said she was beginning to hate Ko. Soon after Yoko said this Ko came back to put Yoko on her back and carry her across the bridge. She walked ahead of Yoko and her mother so she could drop off her pack. Yoko felt bad for saying she hared Ko. This reminds me of my sister and I. There are times that we become argry with each other over nothing, but at the end of the day we would go great lengths for one another becuase we love each other and care a lot about each other.

Year of the Impossible Goodbyes

Year of Impossible Goodbyes is written by Sook Nyui Choi. I unfortunately had a difficult time reading this book and getting through it. I found the first ten or so chapters dry and boring. It wasn't until the very end of the book that it picked up and got interesting for me. I also had a difficult time connecting with the family in this novel which is another reason why I enjoyed So Far From The Bamboo Grove a lot more. Although Year of Impossible Goodbyes was difficult to stick with I am definitly glad I read it. Reading a book like this really allows you to put life into perspective. I can't even imagine growing up and living a life like these children. It made me so sad to think about young children making weapons and living in fear. Although this isn't the life I live, this is reality for some children. After reading this book I am more appreciative of life and realize how lucky and fortunate I am.

Corduroy

Corduroy is written by Don Freeman. Corduroy is a little bear who has been sitting on the shelf in a big department store. He longed for someone to come and take him home with them. One day a little girl approached Corduroy and wanted to buy him. The little girl's mother said no because she had already spent a lot of money and said that Corduroy didn't look new because he was missing a button. Corduroy hadn't noticed he was missing a button. That night he decided to explore the department store in search of his button. During his search, Corduroy knocked over a lamp. Security heard the thud and came running to see who was in the store. All security could find was Corduroy. Security took him back to the shelf where he woke up in the morning to the little girl standing over him. The little girl bought Corduroy, took him home, and gave him a new button for his overalls.

This was my all time VERY favorite and most memorable book as a child. I remember wanting this book to be read to me ALL the time by my mom, dad, sister, grandma, and babysitter. I even got the Corduroy stuffed animal for my birthday. When I read this as a child I remember feeling bad for Corduroy every time. I was so sad that he sat on the shelf with no one to love him. It made me happy when Lisa bought him, took him home, sewed him a new button, and gave him a wonderful place to live. Corduroy will always be an all time favorite!

I'll Always Be Your Friend

I'll Always Be Your Friend is written by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Kim Lewis. The little fox and his mother spent their day playing in the fields running, jumping over shadows, and sneaking-and-pouncing. It started to get late so mother told her little fox it was time to call it a night. Little fox was not ready to stop playing. He told his mom that she wasn't his friend anymore and he wouldn't be her friend again until he was big. The little fox decides to test his mother and grazes the field alone. As it becomes darker out, the little fox becomes frightened. The little fox then begins to realize he needs his mother and that he didn't mean what he said. He decideds that he wants to be friends with his mom again. Little fox's mom told him, "I'm your friend, too. And you know what? I will always be your friend."

This is a really cute book. There are times when children become frustrated with their parents when they don't get their way. Children say things they don't mean out of frustration. I know I have done this many times. It doesn't take long after for children to realize they need their parents. I know my mom always welcomed me back with a big warm smile and open arms just like little fox's mom.

Hardworking Puppies

Hardworking Puppies by Lynn Reiser would be a cute book to read to a Kindergarten class. The book is about ten puppies who work hard playing all day. The puppies wanted more... They all wanted jobs! One by one the puppies were taken for jobs as a firefighter puppy, junior water-rescue puppy, an assistant clown puppy, a model puppy; etc. One day there was only one little puppy left. Along came a boy who needed a hardworking puppy. This last little puppy became an expert pet!

I think this is a really good book for teaching. It incorporates math using subtraction and counting down. This is an information book and teaches children that dogs aren't just pets. Dogs can have a lot of different jobs. At the end of the book there is a page that has descriptions of the different doggie jobs. There is also a page showing how to subtract by one.

Just Like Sisters

Just Like Sisters is written by Angela McAllister and Sophie Fatus. This is a story about pen pals, Nancy and Ally. Nancy is so excited because her pen pal Ally is finally coming from Florida to visit. They haven't meet before, but Nancy knows they will be just like sisters since they know everything about one another! Nancy and Ally have a great week together shopping, going to the beach, going out to eat, and attending dance lessons. Ally makes a lot of new friends during her visit with Nancy. When Nancy takes Ally back to the airport, the man checking tickets asked Ally if her sister would be coming too. They smiled big, and Nancy replied, "Sisters are together even when they're apart."

My favorite part of the book was the ending. I loved the quote, "Sisters are together even when they're apart." This made me think of my sister and I. Although I am in Iowa for school and she is at home, I feel like we are together since we talk every day. I know everything going on in her life even though I'm not there from talking to her daily. :)

My Dog Never Says Please

My Dog Never Says Please is written by Suzanne Williams and illustrated by Ted Arnold. Ginny Mae becomes frustrated by her mother's constant reminding of her to mind her manners. Ginny doesn't understand why she has to say please, chew with her mouth closed, clean her room, or wear shoes outside. I mean, why would she? The dog, Red, doesn't have to! One day Ginny was sick and tired of her mother's nagging. Out of anger, Ginny shouted at her parents saying they treated Red better than her and that she would rather be a dog. Her parents were confused but allowed her to be a dog. As a dog, Ginny was left to beg for scraps of food, slept in the doghouse, got some of Red's fleas, and was left in the rainstorm. Around dinner time as the rain began to come down, Ginny decided it was time to head in for supper.

I can relate to Ginny Mae in this story. There are times when we get caught up and frustrated with various events in life. There are certain things that make us tick because we find it bothersome or unfair. We wish we could just escape it all. At that point in time you would rather be a rabbit locked in a cage. I like the message in the story because it reminds us that life isn't as bad as we are making it out to be. This story shows that we don't have it as bad as it seems. We need to look at things from others' perspectives. These few frustrations are heavily outweighed in the end. As in Ginny's case, would you rather say please and have to wear shoes outside or have fleas and sleep outside? In the end, was it really worth all the fuss?

Sweet Tooth

I think we can all say we have had a sweet tooth or two in our day. Hmm... ice cream, chocolate bars, cake, shakes... YUM! Sweet Tooth written by Margie Palatini is about a little boy named Stewart who had on heck of a sweet tooth. This sweet tooth ranted and raved begging Stewart for goodies. This sweet tooth often made inappropriate interruptions getting Stewart into trouble. One day, Stewart decides to stand strong against his sweet tooth and only eat healthy food. The tooth would tease and beg, but Stewart never gave in. When the sweet tooth distracted Stewart during his baseball game and caused him to strike out, it was his last straw. That was it! Stewart went home, found a carrot, and took care of that molar! Now that rotten tooth was in the tooth fairy's hands...

I really enjoyed the illustrations in this books. They were comical and entertaining. I like how Jack Davis, the illustrator, depicted the tooth as an angry fella using human characteristics. The tooth has eyes, hands, a nose, mouth, etc.

My favorite part of this story is how the Palatini gave the tooth the sarcastic, witty voice. I like how everything the tooth said was in bold and easy to distinguish. Sweet Tooth is cleverly written, humorous, quick-witted, and most of all entertaining.

If You Were A Penguin

If You Were a Penguin is written by Wendell and Florence Minor. This is a short and interactive book that tells about what penguins can do. Kids learn by the end of the book that penguins do many things that they do!

I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book. The pictures do a great job of matching the text and telling the story. My favorite illustration is on pages 4 and 5. It is such a vibrant illustration that uses various shades of beautiful blues.

One of my favorite parts of this book are the penguin fun facts located at the very end of the book. These are facts that would keep children engaged and entertained while learning. I would definitely use these facts in a classroom because these are interesting facts that would excite kids to learn!

Silly Billy

Silly Billy is written by Anthony Browne. This story is about a little boy named Billy. Billy worried about EVERYTHING. Nothing his mom and dad would say could calm his fears. One night when Billy was sleeping over at his grandma's he couldn't sleep. He finally went and told his grandma he was too worried to sleep. His grandma told Billy it was okay, because when she was his age she worried too. Billy's grandma had just the thing to to rid Billy of his worries. She gave Billy worry dolls. If you put the dolls under your pillow, they will worry for you. The worry dolls worked for a couple days, but Billy began to worry about the worry dolls. He didn't think it was fair to give them all his worries. Billy made worry dolls for the worry dolls. From then on, Billy and all the dolls were able to sleep well.

I thought this was a cute story. I remember as a child my sister and I had worry dolls, but I never knew what they were until I read this story. This is an informative book that can be used to teach children about the custom of using worry dolls. This would be an good book to use if you were teaching a lesson on Guatemala. On the very last page of the book, I like there is a brief history and explanation of the custom. The last page discusses how the custom of worry or "trouble" dolls originated in Guatemala and how children in Guatemala to this day depend on their dolls to rid them of their worries while they sleep.

D.W. the Picky Eater

D.W. the Picky Eater is written by Marc Brown. As Arthur and D.W. were helping Mother unpack groceries, D.W. complained about all the food saying she didn't like it even though she had never tried it before. D.W. wouldn't eat her food and made up excuses not to eat it. She wouldn't eat dinner at her friend Emily's because there was parsley on the spaghetti. When her family went out to dinner, D.W. made a scene and embarrassed her mom and dad throwing a tantrum about spinach being on her salad. D.W. was no longer allowed to go to dinner with her family; she would have to stay at home with a babysitter. When Arthur had an umbrella from a Chinese restaurant D.W. began to realize she was missing out. D.W. got to go out for dinner for Grandma Thoras birthday under one condition; she had to eat what was on the menu. D.W. ordered the Little Bo Peep Pot Pie. She tried the pot pie and really liked it. After she ate the pot pie, she told her mom she could eat it every night. D.W. asked the waiter how to make it, and D.W. could have died when he said you take pie pastry and fill it with lots and lots of spinach!

I think this book has a good theme that children can learn from. We have all made the mistake of judging something by its looks without giving it a try. This book teaches us to try new things and not to place judgement on something before giving it a chance, because you might be missing out on something truly enjoyable!

It's Not fair!

Have you ever heard the old saying, "Life's not fair!" Well, this is a book all about life not being fair. Why'd I get the smaller half? Why can't I have curly locks? Why don't you yell at her? Why does she get brand new shoes? IT'S JUST NOT FAIR!!

I thought this was a really cute book. I enjoyed the illustrations as they were necessary for understanding the story. For example, one page says "Why'd I get these funny feet? Why's she get the window seat? I always get the boring sheet. It's not fair." The illustration that matches this text is a picture of four babies in a nursery. One baby has funny looking feet; one is mad because he is stuck in the middle and wanted to be by the window; one has a plain white blanket while the other three have polka dotted sheets; and the other is perfectly happy! Without the illustration, I wouldn't have understood the setting, characters, or what they were referring to. Therefore, the illustrations are important for understanding the written text. My favorite part of the book is how it rhymes!

This book takes me back to my childhood and reminds me of my sister and I. "Why does she get to do that and I don't?" "Why can't I?" "Kristin got to..." "It's not fair!!!" I always hated that feeling when you knew something wasn't fair and you were the one disadvantaged. It is so frustrating!! After complaining and bickering, you always seem to get that same dreaded response, "Well, I am sorry Katie but life's not fair." AHHHH!! That response makes me cringe. It's like hearing nails on a chalkboard! I will let you in on a little secret. SHHH!! (I think parents have to use that line when they know they are being unfair and can't justify their reasoning. It drives me CRRAAAZZYYY!)

Mine

Mine is written and illustrated by Kevin Luthardt. This is a cleverly put together story about two brothers who receive one package in the mail from their grandmother. The package is labeled to Toby AND Marcus. The brothers, excited to open the package, imagine all the possibilities of what could possibly be in this big brown box. Could it be a football? Lollipop? Fire engine? Yo-yo? They open the package to see a toy dinosaur, but there is just one problem. There is only one dinosaur for two boys. So whose dinosaur is it? Toby and Marcus both think the dinosaur is just theirs. They argue pulling the dinosaur back and forth yelling, "Mine!" "Mine!" No MINE!" Yanking back and forth on the dinosaur, it rips. Their mother comes, takes the dinosaur, and sends the boys to their room for fighting. After their time out, their mother calls the boys down for lunch. The boys eat their lunch and finally agree that sharing the dinosaur is better than not having one at all.

I really enjoyed the book Mine. This book contains a total of four different words- mine, lunch, yours, and ours. Since the story only contains four words, the story is told through the illustrations. I think Luthardt did a great job of illustrating the story. I really like the characters' facial expressions as they alone told a lot of the story.

The first page of the book shows the mailman delivering the package to Marcus and Toby's house. The first time I read through the book I wondered who the package was from. I read the book again and realized that the story actually starts on the title page and the page before. I was so excited because I wouldn't have known to look at those pages before taking this course. The title page and the page before shows a picture of the boys' grandmother tying the package together getting it ready to be shipped to her grandsons. I told two of my friends to read the book. When they finished I asked them who the package was from and neither one knew. I think its interesting how we skip over these pages when in fact in some books a lot of the story can be told through the illustrations on these two pages!

Literature Reflection

I have really enjoyed the opportunity to read and blog about children's picture books and novels. Since we have been required to blog I have gone back to reread books I remember to be my childhood favorites. I even had my mom send a box of mine and my sister's old picture books for me to read and blog about. When I went through these books I haven't seen in ages, so many good literacy memories from my childhood have come back to me. For example, I can remember my mom reading the Teeny Witch Valentine's Day book while my sister and I worked on valentines at the kitchen table or my grandma reading us Chicka Chicka Boom Boom in her backyard. It has been a lot of fun reflecting on these stories through the blog. I have enjoyed learning to blog and like how we were able to set up our own personalized blog. The blog has allowed me to open up with my thoughts less formal way. Reading and blogging about children's literature has been an overall great experience for me thus far!

The Misfits

The Misfits is written by James Howe. I really enjoyed reading the Misfit and was engaged throughout the entire novel. Since I was so into the book it ended up being a fairly quick read. This book addresses many issues that are relatable for many junior high and high school children. Bullying is a major problem in schools as I remember it to be the topic of many high school retreats and assemblies. The book tells the story of four middle school friends who are considered the outcasts of the school. They are constantly teased and called names by their peers. These four friends collaborate to come up with a political party to run in the student body election. They are finally able to get the No-Name party approved by their teacher and principal. This party's goal is to work toward putting an end to name calling and teasing. These friends face many obstacles throughout their journey, and although it doesn't end with their desired outcome, "the misfit' make an impact on the entire school gaining respect from both the faculty and their peers. They opened the student body and staffs' eyes to bullying making them come to the realization of its effects.

I really liked this book, but was a little disappointed when the No-Name party lost the election. Although I was disappointed, it did add a twist to the book to make it a more realistic story rather than the typical happy ending story. I would use this book in my classroom as I had difficulty seeing controversy. The only possible controversial issue that I could pick out is that Joe's homosexuality was a little played up and stereotypical in this book. I feel like Howe portrayed Joe as a stereotypical homosexual; for example, Bobby remembering Joe as a kid dressing up in girl clothes. I think the ending of Joe and Colin dating was a little unrealistic, but it made for an unexpected ending. Overall, I really enjoyed reading and discussing the misfits!

Mommy Laid and Egg

Mommy Laid An Egg is another book written by Babette Cole. This is a funny book about a mom and dad who decide that it is time to tell their children about where babies come from. They explain that babies can come from a lot of different places. They can be delivered by dinosaurs, found under stones, grown from seeds, squeezed from a tube, or come from an egg laid by a mommy. The children laugh at their parents and it is the children who explain to the parents where babies really come from.

This book gives an honest and rather comical explanation of where babies come from from the children's perspective. I think the material is appropriate for giving children the true blunt explanation of where babies come from. Although this book is informative, I feel that the illustrations are graphic and inappropriate for young children. I would leave this book for individual parents to decide whether or not they would like to share this book with their child.

William's Doll

William's Doll is written by Charlotte Zolotow and illustrated by William Pene Du Bois. This book is about a little boy named William who wants a baby doll more than anything. He gets teased and called a "siss" by his brother and the neighbor children. William's father doesn't understand why William would want a baby doll. His father gives him a basketball and train set to try to get William's mind off the doll. Although he enjoys the basketball and train set, William is still set on wanting a doll to care for. When his grandmother comes for a visit, William tells her about wanting a doll and how how his brother makes fun of him for it. William's grandmother goes out and buys him a doll. William's father gets angry and can't understand why he needed a doll. William's grandmother explains to his father that he needs it to love and care for so when he becomes a father he will know how to love and care for his child.

William's Doll is a controversial book as society is pressured to abide by gender roles- girls play with dolls and boys play with basketballs. I am not exactly sure how I feel about this book. I think to some extent it reinforces teasing and name calling for boys who play with dolls since William gets teased by everyone but his grandma. I sense that children reading this book would value majority's opinion and the opinion of other children over a grandma's. On the other hand, I think that the book has a genuine message. I like how the grandma says William needs the doll to learn to love and care for something, because one day William will be father and will need to know how love and care for his child. I thought William's doll had a really cute ending!

The Un-Wedding

The Un-Wedding is written by Babette Cole. This book tells the story of Mr. and Mrs. Ogglebutt. The longer Mr. and Mrs. Ogglebutt lived together the more they started to dislike each other. They always fought and didn't agree on anything. They played awful tricks on each other. Their two children, Demetrius and Paula, hated seeing their parents act like this so they posted a sign at school to see if any other children had this problem. Demetrius and Paula discovered that a lot of children have parents who don't get along so they meet to figure out what to do. They decided to see if the minister could un-marry their parents and he thought it was a wonderful idea. Mr. and Mrs. Ogglebutt had an un-wedding performed by the minister. They went on separate un-honeymoons and moved into different houses. The story ends with the two parents living happily ever after apart.

The Un-Wedding is an entertaining book, but I don't think this is a book I would read to children. For children whose parents are going through hard times, this book lets them know they aren't the only ones, and there are a lot of other children whose parents are going through the same thing. The book in a humorous way lets them know that everything will be okay, and parents who aren't happy together and separate can lead more content lives apart. The thing I didn't like about the book was the way Cole portrayed the unhappy parents. Cole makes the parents out to be immature and "ugly" for having disagreements and not getting along. In reality, there are many different reasons and situations for parental disagreements. Cole makes it seem as though parents who are unhappy in their relationship get divorces because they are immature. I don't think it is appropriate to impose this view of their parents on children especially when so many issues can factor into martial problems.

Heather Has Two Mommies

Heather Has Two Mommies is written by Leslea Newman and illustrated by Diana Souza. This is a controversial book as the topic of lesbian parents is brought to surface. Heather was born into a family with two moms, Mama Kate and Mama Jane. When Heather goes to her playgroup at Molly's a little boy talks about his mom and dad. This is when Heather realizes that she doesn't have a daddy. Heather becomes sad and is about to cry when one of the other children admit that their family isn't made up of a mom and dad either. The children at the playgroup come from families of all different family structures-two dads; a mom and a sister only; a mom and step-dad at one house with a dad at another house; a family with all adopted children; etc. Molly has the children draw pictures of their families, and the children at the play group learn that a lot of people aren't from the "traditional" family structure and that a family is made of people who love each other.

Although this book is surfaced around a heavy issue, homosexuality, I personally think this is a good book to share with children. Same sex parenting is becoming more common in today's society. In my opinion, children should be introduced to the concept of different family structures at a young age. I think if children discuss homosexuality at a young age, it will be more easily accepted by youth. I think this is a good book, because a diversity of family structures gets introduced to the reader. The reader is made aware that families can consist of all types of structures, and the only thing that matters is that they all love each other.

Love That Dog

I really enjoyed reading Love That Dog by Sharon Creech. It was a quick and engaging read. Love That Dog is about a boy, Jack, who begins class with Miss Stretchberry not enjoying poetry and believing that only girls write poems. Miss Stretchberry encourages and inspires Jack to write poetry. She reads the class poetry and Jack's interest is stimulated by the poetry of Walter Dean Myers who Jack gets to come visit the school.

I really like the format of Love That Dog. I think it is really neat how the book is set up as Jack's journal entries to his teacher. Although the teacher's response isn't shared you get a general idea of her replies through Jack's responses. The interesting thing about this format is you get an idea of what Miss Stretchberry writes to Jack without it actually being stated. While there were many times that I wanted to know exactly what she wrote to Jack, as the reader I was able to use my imagination and explore different possibilities of what she was writing to Jack. I also like how Jack's entries were set up in poem form which was fitting for the story. I likd everythign about the set up and think that it is very creative!

If You Give A Pig A Pancake

If You Give A Pig A Pancake is written by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond. This book described the effects of giving a pig a pancake. The pig will want syrup, it will make her sticky, she'll need a bath, she'll want bubbles... The little pig wears the little girl out after all the events that follow simply giving a pig a pancake.

The pig in this book reminds me of a little kid. They want this, need that, you have to take them here, make them that, etc. It is an exhausting day trying to keep up with these little active kids. They never stop and are always on the go! :)

I think the illustrations coordinated really well with the story. The pictures did a great job of depicting the day's chaos. I especially like the last picture in the book of the little girl sleeping on the table with a mess all around her while the pig is sitting on the table wide awake and laughing. Very cute- who would have thought giving a pig a pancake would be so exhausting?!

Night of the Veggie Monster

Night of the Veggie Monster, written by George McClements, is a cute book. On Tuesday nights the boy in the book has to eat 3 peas. Just as a lot of children are about eating vegetables, he makes a huge scene where his fingers wiggle, eyes water, toes curl, and he becomes a veggie monster with the slightest touch from a pea. When he swallows the pea he realizes, hey, peas aren't that bad tasting.

One of my favorite parts of this book is the ending. The boy realizes that peas don't taste too bad after finally tasting it. He then continues to say that he isn't in the clear because Wednesdays is.... BROCCOLI. Can you imagine what broccoli will do to a kid?!

I also like the format of the book and how it is put together. I like how the story is told from the little boy's perspective, but the author also uses dialogue bubbles of the parents conversing between each other. The dialogue bubbles are a creative way to add in the parent's view of the situation. The story is a big dramatic tale from the little boys perspective about having to eat peas while also getting the parents' "here we go, not this again" outlook of the situation.

The Chicken of the Family

The Chicken of the Family is a book written by Mary Amato and illustrated by Delphine Durand. After reading this book I could relate to the main character, Henrietta. Henrietta's two older sisters love to tease Henrietta and convince her to believe that she is a chicken and her parents got her from Barney's farm. Henrietta was certain she was a chicken after waking up with an egg in her bed and feathers on the floor. Henrietta decided to go to Barney's farm to be with her real family, the chickens. Her sisters, Kim and Clare, get in trouble by their parents when they discover that Kim and Clare told Henrietta she was a chicken. Their parents send them to retrieve Henrietta. The book ends unexpectedly when they can't convince Henrietta to come home and that she isn't really a chicken.

This book reminds me of when I was little. Every weekend my cousin Kelly would come over to play with my older sister. Being the little sister I tried to tag a long with the older girls. They would allow me to follow along with them only to their convenience. I wanted to play with them so much that I listened and did whatever they said. I remember letting them shampoo my hair and then afterwards they told me that the shampoo they used would make my hair fall out. They would let me go shopping with them and run away from me leaving me all alone. All brothers and sisters pick on each other and this is a funny book that anyone with brothers or sister can relate to.

How To Be a Baby By Me The Big Sister

When I went home the other weekend I went to the library Friday afternoon to gather my picture books. I was babysitting Saturday night and Sunday afternoon for a little boy and girl, Sam and Abby, who will be a big brother and sister to a new baby in a couple weeks. I decided to check out How To Be A Baby By Me The Big Sister to read to Sam and Abby in preparation for the baby's arrival. The kids LOVED this book. They thought it was hilarious and were still talking about it making jokes about babies the next day.

In this book the big sister writes all the things that babies can't do, can't eat, what they are scared of, what they don't know, the toys they can't play with, etc. She, as the big sister, obviously knows how to do EVERYTHING because as she says it- she is "the big sister." After listing all the things babies can't do and all the trouble they get into, the big sister goes on to point out that one day her little brother will grow up to learn a lot from her. Together they will be able to look back on the time he was a baby and didn't know a thing! This is a cute book to read to children who will soon be big brothers or sisters. It is a funny book that in my opinion ends perfectly!

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is written by authors, Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault. It is illustrated by Lois Ehlert. I forgot about this book until I came across it skimming the shelves at the library. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is a book that we loved to read when we went to my Grandma K's house when we were little. I can picture my Grandma sitting with us on the back swing reading Chicka Chicka Boom Boom over and over again.

I would use this book in my classroom to teach young children the alphabet. The book has a fun catchy, singsongy, and rhyming storyline of all the letters racing to the top of the coconut tree.

I love the colors used for the illustrations. The vibrant and colorful images really add to the liveliness of the story! Very cute and fun alphabet book!

Junie B., First Grader (at last!)

Junie B. books are written by Barbara Park. I grew up loving this series. Children tend to really enjoy this series as Park uses humor and writes about topics that children can relate to. Junie B., First Grader (at last!) is narrated by Junie who has finally entered first grade. She is excited for the new school year to begin and can't wait to see old friends. First grade isn't what it is talked up to be as Junie has trouble with old friends and adjusting to her new classroom. On top of having trouble adjusting, Junie finds out that she needs glasses; she is scared that her classmates will laugh at her new purple glasses. Junie befriends a boy, Herbert, who is new to the school. When Junie takes her glasses in for show and tell, Herbert pulls through for Junie and sticks up for her when the glass starts to poke fun of her. Herbert runs to the front of the class and grabbing her glasses says, "Cool! Purple glasses!" He says that she must have special eyes and questions whether it could be x-ray vision. The class then starts to chime in one at a time commenting on Junie's glasses saying how cool and stylish they are. Just as Junie was becoming discourage with first grade, she begins to realize that first grade might not be so bad after all.

This is a good book for children to read because of the message. A situation of this type, not fitting in, is a topic relatable for many children. It teaches children how taunting and mocking can effect a child. By sticking up for someone you can really make a difference to that child. In Junie's case, Herbert stuck up for Junie and swayed the entire class into thinking Junie's glasses were the coolest things ever. Junie got so much positive attention from her classmates and they began to look up to her. One person, as Herbert was in this story, can have a major effect on the entire environment.

The Mighty Street Sweeper

The Mighty Street Sweeper is written by Patrick Moore. This is an informational book aimed for a young audience. I like how the endpapers have a drawing of the mighty street sweeper with its internal and external parts labeled. This book compares the street sweeper to all different kinds of trucks, plows, and tractors. In comparison to the other trucks it is a total wimp, but it does do something that no other truck, car, or tractor can do...

You not only learn about the street sweeper, but also other trucks in comparison. I like how the book is so simple, but contains so much interesting information.

Good Enough to Eat

Good Enough to Eat by Lizzy Rockwell is an informational book for children about food and nutrition. This book provides information about what is good to eat and why it is important to eat. It teaches children about different nutrients in food and how they help your body function. I really like the illustrations in this book. They are bright, colorful, and add to the text. I like how there are colorful diagrams that are perfect for helping visual learners with the food pyramid and what happens when you digest food.

At the end of the book there are recipes that are healthy, full of nutrients, and appealing to children, such as Alphabread.

Teeny Witch and the Perfect Valentine

The Teeny Witch books series were some of my old favorites. These books are so good! Teeny Witch and the Perfect Valentine is written by Liz Matthews and illustrated by Carolyn Loh. Teeny Witch wants to give her three aunts the perfect Valentine's Day gift to show her aunts how much she loves them. Teeny sees 3 boxes of special chocolates in a store window. She thinks these chocolates would be the perfect gift to give her aunts; the only problem is Teeny doesn't have enough money. Once Teeny gets her allowance she runs straight to the store to buy the 3 boxes of chocolate, but they are sold out! Teeny is really disappointed until she arrives home where her aunts have a surprise for her. Teeny Witch and the Perfect Valentine is an adorable children's book with a really cute message.

I read this book to a 2nd grader and he thought it was hilarious. He loved Teeny's aunts, Aunt Icky, Aunt Ticky, and Aunt Vicky.

Which Witch Is Which?

Which Witch Is Which? is written by Pat Hutchins. I used to read this book over and over again when I first started to read on my own. This is a really cute book about two witches named Ella and Emily who go to a birthday party. Ella and Emily look the same but like different things. This book is fun because there are little rhymes that make a statement about the girls, such as "They played tug of war, three on each side, and Mouse's mother had to decide if Ella or Emily's team had won." Then you look at the picture and decide which witch is which based on the clues.

This book is helpful for teaching kids how to distinguish the difference between witch and which. It is a cute story and simple read. The rhyme in the book especially does it for me!

The Gas We Pass

The Gas We Pass is written by Shinta Cho. I was in the Curriculum Lab looking in the non-fiction section and came across this book. I immediately grabbed it off the shelf as a memory from my childhood surfaced. I can picture my sister and I, probably 6 and 9 years old, standing in the store laughing so hard reading this book. We could not believe there was a book about farts. We were amazed by this book!

Farts are funny for kids, but it is a natural function that we have all wondered about. What is it and where does it come from? This book provides answers to these questions and other interesting information about the gas we pass. One of the many points that intrigued me is that we always associate beans with farting and bad smelling gas. In reality meat, fish, and eggs are what make gas smell. NEWS TO ME!!!

I really like the cover of the book. It shows the elephant's behind on the front and the elephant's face on the back cover. The illustrations are simple but really funny adding to the humor of the book.

The Parent/Child Manual on Latchkey Kids

The Parent/Child Manual on Latchkey Kids is written by Charlene Solomon. I really enjoyed reading this novel and feel that it can be a very beneficial tool for parents to use with children who go home to an empty home. In day's age more and more children are going home to a house where no one is home. Solomon presents children with information on how to handle being home alone through interesting stories that keep the child engaged while also teaching them an important lesson. The book brings up various situations that could occur while the child is alone in the home and offers discussion questions for parents to converse with their children to get a true understanding about how their child feels being home alone.

Your Skin and Mine

Your Skin and Mine is written by Paul Showers. This is a good informational read for younger children learning about skin. The book covers information regarding skin color, fingerprints, fingernails, toenails, and melanin. I like how Showers goes into detail about a particular skin topic and then gives the children an activity or example to which they could easily relate. For example, Showers talks about fingertips and how they are made up of loops and ridges in your skin. He says everyone has different fingerprints. Then, Showers suggests an activity for children to do so they are able to see their fingerprints. He says to dip your fingers in paint and press the tips onto paper in order to see the design of your fingerprints. I also found the illustrations useful when he showed how Mary, Mark, and Henry all have different fingerprints. There are diagrams and illustrations of the kids performing the suggested activities. Overall, I think kids would enjoy reading this book especially if the activities are incorporated into the lesson.

Football

I have often been teased while watching football in a group of people for not understanding the rules of the game. I was in the sports section of the library and came across this informational book, Picture Library Football by Norman Barrett. I thought, "Wow! What a great chance to learn some of the basics of football." I enjoyed reading this book and feel like I learned a lot about the game. I feel that the book is appealing for someone who enjoys football and is interested in learning more about it but unexciting and boring for someone who is uninterested in football. Barrett makes a point that football may appear to be a 'disorganized free-for-all' as I once viewed it, but once you get through the book you realise that there are a lot of logistics to the game. This book is a good guide for someone looking to enhance their knowledge of football. After reading this book, I will never be able to watch a Bears game the same! Maybe I will be able to be the one to teach my friends a thing or two about football...

Hair in Funny Places

Hair in Funny Places by Babette Cole is a funny informational book about puberty. A little girl asks her bear when she will grow up to be a 'grown up.' The bear, Ted, tells her about Mr. and Mrs. Hormone and how they are in charge of turning you into a grown up. The book talks about hormones and the different effects that they have on boys and girls. The word choices that Cole uses to describe these effects are funny and keep you interested in the book. The illustrations also add to the humor as they are really funny pictures.

I think that this book would be entertaining for children learning about puberty. It adds a humorous spin to a subject that can often cause kids embarrassment when they are experiencing these changes.

Punk Wig

Punk Wig is written by Lori Ries and illustrated by Erin Eitter Kono. The narrator, a little boy, tells the story of his mother going through chemotherapy treatments to get rid of her cancer or "alien blobs" as he calls it. This is such a sweet and heartfelt story. Punk wig would be a good book for young children to learn about cancer. It teaches children about cancer treatment and the effects of chemotherapy- how it make you feel tired, weak, and sick while it also causes you to lose your hair. I really liked how the book used a cute storyline to be informative. The story was written from a little boy's perspective making the story easy for children to relate to and understand.

The illustrations by Erin Eitter Kono really added to the story. When the mother is sick from her chemo, Kono provides the reader with a good understanding of how the medication makes you feel. I also really liked the illustrations of the mom and son trying on wigs at Harriett's Hair; they were funny and lightened up an intense subject.

Why Is The Sky Blue?

Why Is The Sky Blue? is written by Jack Long and illustrated by Vern McKissack. A couple weeks ago I told my mom how I was required to read picture books weekly and blog about them. She went through boxes of books that my sister and I would read as kids. My mom sent me a box of books that she remembered being my favorites. I went through the box and found Why Is the Sky Blue? and remembered reading it as a kid. It was fun to go back and read it now as a college student.
This book contains interesting information about everything from how parrots talk to why grasshoppers hop to what causes lightning and why the grass is green. Although the information was interesting, I got bored of the book rather quickly and it became dry.
The illustrations by Vern McKissack are fun and bright.

Coaching Ms. Parker

Coaching Ms. Parker is a children's novel written by Carla Heymsfeld. Studying to be an elementary teacher, coaching girls' softball , and working as a sports camp counselor during the summer I was attracted to this novel when I picked it up off the shelf. I really appreciated the storyline of the novel and think that it is a good book that children would really enjoy reading. This novel tells the story of a 4th grader named Mike. Mike is a baseball fanatic and often finds himself falling behind in his reading and journal writing assignments. When Ms. Parker, Mike's teacher, learns of the annual teachers vs. 6th graders baseball game, she becomes panicked since baseball is not her thing. Mike and his classmates come together to help Ms. Parker practice for the big game. While Mike helps Ms. Parker with baseball, Ms. Parker helps Mike discover an interest in reading. Mike and Ms. Parker form a close student-teacher relationship as they share their areas of expertise with one another.

Children would find interest and entertainment while reading this novel. I really like how Mike and his classmates work together as a class to coach Ms. Parker. This novel sends children a positive message about the way student-teacher relationships should be.

Don't Make Me Go Back, Mommy

Don't Make Me Go Back, Mommy is written by Doris Sanford and illustrated by Graci Evans. This book is about a little girl named Allison who has been ritually abused at her day care. Allison has been told by the daycare that she is not to tell anyone about what happens in the "movie star room." Allison's parents notice that she has been acting scared and realize that something is wrong with her. Allison's parents and counselor console Allison letting her know that it was right of her tell and that she will never have to go back to the day care again. They constantly remind Allison of their love for her. This book discusses a deep and serious subject. I thought the book was really heavy and intense. Don't Make Me Go Back, Mommy teaches children that it is important to speak up and tell someone if they are being abused. Children are made aware that they won't be punished for telling someone in authority about a situation like this. Personally, I found the book and illustrations quite heavy and disturbing; therefore, I think that it is too intense of a book to share with children.

Dog Show

Dog Show written by Elizabeth Winthrop and illustrated by Mark Ulriksen is about a man named Harvey who enters his dog, Fred, in the town's annual dog show. He enters Fred in as many competitions as he can, but Fred doesn't win any of them. It was a long day for Harvey and Fred. Just as they were about to go home in disappointment, Fred drags Harvey to the judges table where they are presented with an award.

Dog show was an okay book. It didn't really do much for me. Although the story didn't wow me, I really liked the illustrations and colorfulness of the book. I think children would be fascinated by the book's vibrant illustrations. I really liked the expressions Ulriksen used for both Harvey and Freds' faces. I also found humor in some of the illustrations; for instance, the scene when Fred and Harvey first try on their costumes!

Uncle What-Is-It Is Coming To Visit!!

Uncle What-Is-It Is Coming to Visit!! by Michael Willhoite is a book about a brother and sister, Igor and Tiffany, who learn that their gay uncle, Brett, is coming to visit. Tiffany and Igor don't know what the word gay means. A couple older neighbor boys tell Igor and Tiffany that a gay person is a guy who wants to be a woman and dresses in women's clothes. The other neighbor boy tells them that gay men wear all black leather like the Hell's Angels. After talking with the neighbor boys Tiffany and Igor don't know what to expect and are scared for Uncle Brett's arrival. When Uncle Brett arrives, Tiffany and Igor have a lot of fun with him and think he's cool. Uncle Brett explains to them what gay means and they learn a lesson about the negative stereotypes of gay people.

Children's books about gays and lesbians are very controversial. I think that Uncle What-Is-It Is Coming to Visit!! is a good, child-friendly guide to introducing the topic homosexuality to children. The book not only introduces and provides an explaination for the terms "gay" and "lesbian," but it teaches children the negative stereotypes affilated with being homosexual.

Star of the Week

I picked this book, Star of the Week by Barney Saltzberg, to read with my second grade reading buddy. He really seemed to enjoy the book and was especially interested in the illustrations. The story is about Stanley Birdbaum who is so excited to finally be chosen as star of the week. He couldn't wait to share his favorite things with his class. The week wasn't going as Stanley planned and just as he was about to share no more, Stanley, with the help of one of his classmates begins a new class craze. I like the message that the book portrays as it encourages children not to back down or give up if things aren't immediately going their way. It is important to stick out what you have begun because as Stanley Birdbaum found out you never know what will happen in the end!

I thought the illustrations were fitting and added to the story. The illustrations were very useful for the end of the story when Stanley was showing the class how he draws. My reading buddy was amused by the illustrations of Stanley's "squiggle drawings." Instead of just reading about the squiggle drawings, the illustrations allowed us to see what these new drawings are. My reading buddy was entertained and enthralled by Stanley being able to turn two squiggles into a picture of a bird looking for lunch. Good job, Stanley! I knew you had it in you!

Lucky Pennies and Hot Chocolate

I went to the library and was drawn to Lucky Pennies and Hot Chocolate written by Carol Diggory Shields and illustrated by Hiroe Nakata. I think it was the title that caught my eye and sparked my interest in this book. I LOVED Lucky Pennies and Hot Chocolate. It is absolutely adorable! It is a simple, quick read that tells a cute story about a grandfather-grandson relationship. Shields begins the book, "My favorite person in the world is coming for a visit." She writes the book in a way that leads the reader to believe that the grandson is the narrator. The narrator uses simple language and childish words/thoughts to describe what one of their visits typically entails. The ending of the story is what made the book so likeable for me. At the end the reader comes to discover that the story was actually being narrated by the grandfather and not the grandson. I instantly fell in love with the grandfather. What a sweet man! Ahh... my heart melted! I liked the book so much that I went back and reread it. It was kind of interesting to read it again knowing that the grandfather is the narrator. It was better the first time being surprised by the ending, but it still brought a smile to my face the second time around. Cute, cute, cute. Good job Carol Diggory Shields. What a creative spin!