tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22782894226393960562024-03-12T23:50:01.533-04:00Reading Rumpus Children's Literature for Teachers & ParentsCheryl Vanattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826862563579967763noreply@blogger.comBlogger275125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-20465681819554281062022-05-06T13:53:00.002-04:002022-05-06T13:55:45.016-04:00Polo Cowboy by G. Neri - a short review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfXV9ut9Ei5A3g6vv1fa3L0NIrxl788PllG6fauI206i6rhLfK7_ZpgBD0WXCbkRQ0Q4ew_6cszIiKcIln2_wMkvWzBejDR8Orb4QuL0QLsrjsFSn3GKbijiBAZLJwbmTqpdtJU9GEsbKMZXECd9028x95WIu4PWX-Dw6I7eEIrmB0IjIFrwd_aPpHg/s450/9781536207118.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="298" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfXV9ut9Ei5A3g6vv1fa3L0NIrxl788PllG6fauI206i6rhLfK7_ZpgBD0WXCbkRQ0Q4ew_6cszIiKcIln2_wMkvWzBejDR8Orb4QuL0QLsrjsFSn3GKbijiBAZLJwbmTqpdtJU9GEsbKMZXECd9028x95WIu4PWX-Dw6I7eEIrmB0IjIFrwd_aPpHg/s320/9781536207118.jpeg" width="212" /></a></div>When I finished Ghetto Cowboy I wanted to know more and I quickly looked up more information on the true story behind these novels. I imagine most adult readers did the same. But for kids, they just want a sequel – and now they have one – and it’s a good one! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">The story picks up where Ghetto Cowboy left off so readers are going to want to read it first to get the full back story of how Cole became a Ghetto Cowboy. Cole is a little older and much wiser in Polo Cowboy. He doesn’t want to go back to the way he was in the past, so knowing how he was is important to understand his further growth. This is a more mature story and includes a new female character that adds to Cole’s world (and growing up). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Much like Ghetto Cowboy, the polo depictions in Polo Cowboy are based on a real Philadelphia black polo organization. I think the fact that these entities exist not only help to ground the story, and make kids curious, but are an excellent opportunity for social studies discussions.
I highly recommend both titles for classroom and library purchase in upper elementary and middle schools. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Student readers who enjoy realistic fiction, coming of age, horses, and/or historically framed settings will enjoy this series.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
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Genre: Realistic Fiction<div> Age: 10-14</div><div> Pages: 288</div><div>Thank You: LibraryThing</div><div>Advisory: Some bad language, but not much and not too gratuitous </div><div>Publisher: Candlewick</div><div> Date: October 2021</div><div> ISBN: <span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;">978-1536207118</span></div><div> Themes: Coming of age, friendship, perseverance, </div><div> Character: Genuine and realistic</div><div> Plot: Slow to start, must have read previous novel to fully appreciate.</div><div>Originality: Based on facts, but not much like it out there</div><div>Believability: 100%, very relatable</div><div>Diversity: Great representation of black organizations</div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3siJejI" target="_blank">Buy Polo Cowboy Here</a> </h2><div><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">--------------- That's all folks! ---------------</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNw0ATAIA7VrAyyx_KBE-MrEzoqWKwYOQ6qKKgxhTi5Sl-CgNUmguSk6OpvWz0kEvEbD5CN02uwwhtuw_t96nB8IDjg2gEqiKN0T2KRVZVEunZu-zM6YAOXS6VwFDqC_iRLy5yq7BhR9fWMCsCbiKz-ppxc8D_KeltrINEgYP0ObW7AnpevqmF13y9Q/s515/All%20Creatures.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="515" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNw0ATAIA7VrAyyx_KBE-MrEzoqWKwYOQ6qKKgxhTi5Sl-CgNUmguSk6OpvWz0kEvEbD5CN02uwwhtuw_t96nB8IDjg2gEqiKN0T2KRVZVEunZu-zM6YAOXS6VwFDqC_iRLy5yq7BhR9fWMCsCbiKz-ppxc8D_KeltrINEgYP0ObW7AnpevqmF13y9Q/w69-h67/All%20Creatures.png" width="69" /></a>Note: Website contains paid links</div><br /> © 2007-2022 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com </a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-26948593518987757882020-09-11T08:28:00.031-04:002022-02-02T09:58:37.924-05:00Nonfiction Biography Picture Books Extravaganza!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Y7VE8C3KkLeps60M-iwwN_hfOrqVCRddOfOAqRLqEOVNmCF7hRpH3UW3TNzLTFXLhdcG-oNRYOz8DgB-yWBKB6mpmmXwxAf6PTOvUw9833d7Y5W6qRJEoZQuPpf0HsLrCe66C4Ad1ztT/s560/celebrate+life.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="To Life!" border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="560" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Y7VE8C3KkLeps60M-iwwN_hfOrqVCRddOfOAqRLqEOVNmCF7hRpH3UW3TNzLTFXLhdcG-oNRYOz8DgB-yWBKB6mpmmXwxAf6PTOvUw9833d7Y5W6qRJEoZQuPpf0HsLrCe66C4Ad1ztT/w200-h200/celebrate+life.png" title="Biographies Rock!" width="200" /></a></div><br />It seems like more and more picture book biographies are springing up every year! This is not only GREAT for the rich diversity they add to children's literature, but also because <b><i>so many children adore nonfiction</i></b>. I remember there being so few quality nonfiction choices for my students when I started teaching (in the 90's people, I'm not THAT old yet).<br />
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Here's a round up of a few from the start of 2019...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bluest of Blues by Fiona Robinson</td></tr>
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Very pretty and artistic story of the first person to publish book of photography - a young female botanist. Good for interdisciplinary examinations of science, art, women, and history.<br />
Genre: Nonfiction Biography Picture Book<br />
Age: 6-9 / Grades: 1-4 / Lexile: 800L<br />
Pages: 48 / Date: February 2019<br />
Publisher: Abrams Publishing / ISBN: 1419725517<br />
Topics: Photography, Art, Following Your Passions<br />
Originality: Fairly unknown story, interesting for children who are interested in either photography and/or botany<br />
Diversity: Good addition to women's historical contributions<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Green Place to Be by Ashley Benham Yazdani</td></tr>
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History of the creation of Central Park; tells the story of the architects/designers as much as the park itself. The writing is a bit dense for the younger crowd; would require a bit of discussion after each section - no matter the age. Includes author's note and bibliography as teaching aides.<br />
Genre: Nonfiction Biography Picture Book<br />
Age: 7-10 / Grades: 2-5<br />
Pages: 40 / Date: March 2019<br />
Publisher: Candlewick / ISBN: 0763696955<br />
Themes: Urban expansion, History of USA/New York<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guitar Genius by Kim Tomsic</td></tr>
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True story of rock and roll guitar legend Les Paul and how he invented the first solid-body electric guitar (and many other musical sound thingys).<br />
Great for disciplinary literacy on inventing, music, guitars. Also uses vernacular of the era.<br />
Pacing is a bit slow so it will require readers to hang in there. Includes epilogue of further explanation.<br />
Genre: Nonfiction Biography Picture Book<br />
Ages: 5-10 / Grades: 1 - 5 / Lexile: 720L<br />
Pages: 56 / Date: April 2019<br />
Publisher: Chronicle Books / ISBN: 1452159195<br />
Topics: Scientific Thinking, Modern Invention<br />
Character Themes: Les Paul is portrayed as positive, creative, and tenacious<br />
Plot: Les is going to invent some cool stuff<br />
Originality: Great for those interested in rock & roll, as well as inventing<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elvis is King by Jonah Winter</td></tr>
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Elvis Presley is the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Kids should know this in order to understand the history and culture of American music. Great look at an American legend's youth and rise to fame. A very humanized story of a larger-than-life American icon. Claymation illustrations add to the fun!<br />
Genre: Nonfiction Biography Picture Book</div>
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Age: 4 - 10 / Grades: 2 - 5 </div>
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Pages: 40 / Date: January 2019 / Lexile: 810L</div>
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Publisher: Schwartz & Wade / ISBN: 0399554704</div>
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Themes: Coming-of-age, Vulnerability in the face of fame, Impact of rock & roll/music in America</div>
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Plot: Elvis is so cool</div>
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Originality: This one stands out in the crowd</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Computer Called Katherine by Suzanne Slade</td></tr>
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If you loved the movie <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B01MS4V81A" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="7a35fb0210e45972637b77b3b987520f" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Hidden Figures" href="http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Figures-Taraji-P-Henson/dp/B01MS4V81A/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=7a35fb0210e45972637b77b3b987520f&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_3838865" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hidden Figures</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_3838865" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=7a35fb0210e45972637b77b3b987520f&_cb=1561848259007" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" />, you will want to share the story of Katherine Johnson with the children in your life. If you haven't seen the movie, at the very least you <b><i>need</i></b> to read Katherine's story - one of the many unsung heroes (many minority & women) who helped to shape our America. Katherine was a 'computer' for NASA and her story is fab.<br />
Genre: Nonfiction Biography Picture Book<br />
Age: 5 - 10 / Grade: K - 4<br />
Pages: 40 / Date: March 2019<br />
Publisher: Little Brown Young Readers / ISBN: 0316435178<br />
Themes: Rising above what is expected of you<br />
Topics: Racial Segregation, Space program at its earliest<br />
Character: Katherine is an awesome role model for everyone<br />
Plot: Will Katherine help put a man on the moon one day?<br />
Originality: Much written & told about her, but this is a fabulous rendering<br />
Diversity: This one needs to be in your collection for positive representation, along with many on this topic after the movie came out. really need an entire article on these titles alone....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoSrqNENwrdRWMFGWx6DUwJaLx7-woDF3-PksDhPVwTDhsRN6PemsbCqRyisHpObISVWewYsv5DeIoXiiCv2sjwlgMiYaDMrrTwXRQVZqZjanIKES02Y9VtlsmksBdIROETnEq6VG-KJO/s1600/planting.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoSrqNENwrdRWMFGWx6DUwJaLx7-woDF3-PksDhPVwTDhsRN6PemsbCqRyisHpObISVWewYsv5DeIoXiiCv2sjwlgMiYaDMrrTwXRQVZqZjanIKES02Y9VtlsmksBdIROETnEq6VG-KJO/s320/planting.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planting Stories by Anika Aldamuy Denise & Paola Escobar </td></tr>
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Prediction: Look for this one to be shortlisted for a Caldecott. New York City’s first and beloved Puerto Rican librarian. A great read aloud with the bilingual additions indicative of Belpré’s legacy. Beautiful illustrations add to the telling. End notes inform and add to further explorations.<br />
Genre: Nonfiction Biography Picture Book<br />
Age: 4-8 / Grades: PK - 5 / Lexile: 860L<br />
Pages: 40 / Date: January 2019<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times";">Publisher: Harper Collins / </span></span></span>I<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">SBN: <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">0062748683</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Themes: Changing the world, Literary Life</span>, Folktales<br />
Topics: Libraries, Art, Stories<br />
Character: Beautiful and passionate, Pura Belpré was an inspiration to writers and readers<br />
Diversity: A big winner in this category too<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=randwond-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0062748688&asins=0062748688&linkId=b7da352dc2322e661a7be51b82a1a97b&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWaGF7QOQoxtMp2HLf96sjwe10NOv1DnCpdldFC4Fc-nLFCT0JIWlzaQOYS4NCknPOlKX3nV9ugDC573x6snZFGxmTCfjno3-DIKuQcBa6mOkSQs5SW7pSwrdlKcbLGs673PXfLkY3DBJ/s1600/out.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="238" data-original-width="260" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWaGF7QOQoxtMp2HLf96sjwe10NOv1DnCpdldFC4Fc-nLFCT0JIWlzaQOYS4NCknPOlKX3nV9ugDC573x6snZFGxmTCfjno3-DIKuQcBa6mOkSQs5SW7pSwrdlKcbLGs673PXfLkY3DBJ/s320/out.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out of This World by Michelle Markel</td></tr>
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Little known outside the art world, the story of surreal artist Leonora Carrington is fantastical (like her art). Great for children interested in art or those who want to grow up to be artists. Genre: Nonfiction Biography Picture Book<br />
Ages: 4 - 8 / Grades: PK - 3<br />
Pages: 40 pages / Date: January 2019<br />
Publisher: Balzer + Bray / ISBN-13: 978-0062441096<br />
Themes: Going against the grain, tenacity, artistic drive<br />
Originality: Not much written about this artist, would be worthy addition to <i>any age</i> art classrooms.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0L_CVMDvw5Nbo7BFZU_1aQQ4aKDdWUKTHtalk1LvqEJkWt8nNbBXr4VKKJPCR65i7tx_g-SZedRyQSBYDcS4dSUQeSo41HlWqOhSTH_W1VqZeVTfsoA6ks4KuG6DVC6LgGydKLmCwoGMP/s1600/crayon+man.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="386" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0L_CVMDvw5Nbo7BFZU_1aQQ4aKDdWUKTHtalk1LvqEJkWt8nNbBXr4VKKJPCR65i7tx_g-SZedRyQSBYDcS4dSUQeSo41HlWqOhSTH_W1VqZeVTfsoA6ks4KuG6DVC6LgGydKLmCwoGMP/s320/crayon+man.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Crayon Man by Natascha Biebow</td></tr>
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Who knew it was Edwin Binney that invented the Crayola Crayon? Would make a great pairing with <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="0399255370" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="c324541515988f3da1d8fc163fd27098" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="The Day the Crayons Quit!" href="http://www.amazon.com/Day-Crayons-Quit-Drew-Daywalt/dp/0399255370/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=c324541515988f3da1d8fc163fd27098&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_1341289" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Day the Crayons Quit!</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_1341289" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=c324541515988f3da1d8fc163fd27098&_cb=1561848827190" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" /> Binney opened up a world of color, not only to children, but to the world, with his little 5 cent box of coloring crayons. Splashes of color make the telling brighter too.<br />
Genre: Nonfiction Biography Picture Book<br />
Ages: 6-10 / Grades: 1-5 / Lexile: 960L<br />
Pages: 38 / Date: March 2019<br />
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt / ISBN: 978-1328866844<br />
Themes: The world is beautiful and we should all see that!
Plot: Will Binney make a coloring crayon?<br />
Originality: History & Art converge<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=randwond-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=132886684X&asins=132886684X&linkId=f1271d8ec00c0003962d50de114d8b95&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"><iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=randwond-20&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=0399255370&asins=0399255370&linkId=d19f2427176ca42823a251ba6e724435&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff"></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=randwond-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0399255370&asins=0399255370&linkId=d19f2427176ca42823a251ba6e724435&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaslbpIv93yaOjArVaHnxvjtRvzImAL6oFSRQXaU1QRDLiHqVMFklgQSIaIotcvFK_U2ode5g9TCLTkes9gwAHJUGhO06-Ny0qRKDCA912hJN8Zv8YA5LvCb8NmOkpHUtBrZpCufN0Blz/s1600/ramen.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1409" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaslbpIv93yaOjArVaHnxvjtRvzImAL6oFSRQXaU1QRDLiHqVMFklgQSIaIotcvFK_U2ode5g9TCLTkes9gwAHJUGhO06-Ny0qRKDCA912hJN8Zv8YA5LvCb8NmOkpHUtBrZpCufN0Blz/s320/ramen.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magic Ramen by Andrea Wang</td></tr>
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Much like <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="0763696951" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="167d6fd8367e8cd3c6e0c524daf83b46" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="A Green Place to Be" href="http://www.amazon.com/Green-Place-Be-Creation-Central/dp/0763696951/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=167d6fd8367e8cd3c6e0c524daf83b46&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_5173744" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Green Place to Be</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_5173744" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=167d6fd8367e8cd3c6e0c524daf83b46&_cb=1561846857334" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" /> (above), this story is as much about its designer as it is the ramen he made. He didn't invent ramen, but he did invent the instant noodle soup we've all tried (though today's ramen is so much better). Tied to World War II, this story has some interesting history to add to why we have the block of hard dehydrated noodles (my kids used to call it "poup soup" and they loved it). Would be fun to read and then make some instant ramen with your students.<br />
Genre: Nonfiction Biography Picture Book<br />
Ages: 4-8 / Grades: PK-3<br />
Pages: 40 / Date: March 2019<br />
Publisher: little bee books / ISBN:1499807035<br />
Themes: Feed the world, Helpers matter<br />
Originality: History & Invention converge<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=randwond-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1499807031&asins=1499807031&linkId=f7d5614d6ccffe58c44d851d8f0025f4&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEOv8ImwXAJtEKxTUWPnb7wTbyKzQJLA25_CZaItYU3mmWKQrx55cwZTRnP-4S61UmM0SQxD7uPxujKSukMQaQuc9hTvAcq4hQ_lB95eaPRN6-Nag1Emf8TEhKrOGMG5gnWzJSj3JtVps/s1600/mary.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="260" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEOv8ImwXAJtEKxTUWPnb7wTbyKzQJLA25_CZaItYU3mmWKQrx55cwZTRnP-4S61UmM0SQxD7uPxujKSukMQaQuc9hTvAcq4hQ_lB95eaPRN6-Nag1Emf8TEhKrOGMG5gnWzJSj3JtVps/s320/mary.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Wears What She Wants by Keith Negley</td></tr>
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Much like the older age-aimed telling of
<a amzn-ps-bm-asin="0807549908" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="7075db5913efc2122ceba80a9bfc917b" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Mary Walker Wears the Pants" href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Walker-Wears-Pants-Reformer/dp/0807549908/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=7075db5913efc2122ceba80a9bfc917b&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_8288355" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mary Walker Wears the Pants,</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_8288355" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=7075db5913efc2122ceba80a9bfc917b&_cb=1561847126153" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" /> this younger age-aimed version also tells the story of Mary Walker who wore pants when women were not allowed to wear pants. One of my personal favorites this year!<br />
Genre: Nonfiction Biography<br />
Ages: 4-8 / Grades: PK-3<br />
Pages: 48 / Date: January 2019<br />
Publisher: Blazer + Bray / ISBN: 978-0062846792<br />
Themes: Going against inequitable treatment, thinking for oneself<br />
Plot: I do what I want<br />
Diversity: You go girl!<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=randwond-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0062846795&asins=0062846795&linkId=1b77b57f65ddb987cb83516fa49c91c2&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=randwond-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0807549908&asins=0807549908&linkId=f05da68b5aee5e1acf91a743279a6e95&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi174iNX-yIGYw5lg42ARO7NpCmvGilyV7T-eUbPHNKXHvOgv6PPdQ1pzkHyf0L2nHvno4g8jeNAwHeK-se0yKIy_tuxvRCdnHfaYDtPwr_z_-S0xxsaz8vHlOevFvHDUxW62NBynDkzLEY/s1600/charlie.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi174iNX-yIGYw5lg42ARO7NpCmvGilyV7T-eUbPHNKXHvOgv6PPdQ1pzkHyf0L2nHvno4g8jeNAwHeK-se0yKIy_tuxvRCdnHfaYDtPwr_z_-S0xxsaz8vHlOevFvHDUxW62NBynDkzLEY/s320/charlie.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smile: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the <br />
World to Laugh (and cry) bu Gary Golio</td></tr>
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Charlie Chaplin is, much like Elvis to the music world, the king of actors. Children will delight in watching a clip of the 'Little Tramp" and then flipping the pages of this book to see him spring forth from the pages. Story is a good coming-of age, rags to ruches tale too. For a little bit older reader. Includes strong end notes.<br />
Genre: Nonfiction Biography Picture Book<br />
Ages: 8-12 / Grades: 2-7<br />
Lexile: 750L<br />
Pages: 48 / Date: March 2019<br />
Publisher: Candlewick / ISBN: 0763697617<br />
Topics:Acting, Movie-Making, Comedy. Poverty<br />
Theme: Laughing helps us in our darkest hours<br />
Character: Charlie Chaplin WAS the character<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=randwond-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0763697613&asins=0763697613&linkId=78aee2e737ec73cf96568ca46e916ade&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsY4AWT7-29nhr_4sfEM5GHcTpgCUI2c8lWJ0ou58okFyNMYY2L5E4zAZZy_g-6Gp6Dg_YxxNH-et5ivEumou7d-InHhOO_orKaQocb0sCTvpT1JHHCYt1ACwXxMWYUIUriPM2B2ru-Hp/s1600/rube.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsY4AWT7-29nhr_4sfEM5GHcTpgCUI2c8lWJ0ou58okFyNMYY2L5E4zAZZy_g-6Gp6Dg_YxxNH-et5ivEumou7d-InHhOO_orKaQocb0sCTvpT1JHHCYt1ACwXxMWYUIUriPM2B2ru-Hp/s320/rube.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just Like Rube Goldberg by Sarah Aronson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kids LOVE trying their hand at Rube Goldberg machines. Now they can learn the story of this how this engineer turned cartoonist lived his dream.<br />
Genre: Nonfiction Biography Picture Book<br />
Ages: 3-8 / Grades: Elementary<br />
Lexile: 690L<br />
Pages: 48 / Date March 2019<br />
Publisher: Beach Lane Books / ISBN: 1481476688<br />
Topics: Science, Invention, Art, Engineering, STEM<br />
Themes: Problem Solving, Immigration, Following Your Dreams<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcKPS8y6EN9DywUmAUQHPEhBEmF6GcF9Jzw2YlBWmbCXzzrkm-bCJQwQw4mII22_d09uWfQUMGMwu1KVkiD9aklX0HF_FZIhr5f0AAu3x1kveXg9BviWKXiDckqnuBS_0Spd3eHsUFXCS/s1600/mary+blair.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcKPS8y6EN9DywUmAUQHPEhBEmF6GcF9Jzw2YlBWmbCXzzrkm-bCJQwQw4mII22_d09uWfQUMGMwu1KVkiD9aklX0HF_FZIhr5f0AAu3x1kveXg9BviWKXiDckqnuBS_0Spd3eHsUFXCS/s1600/mary+blair.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Blair's Unique Flair by Amy Novesky</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 20.8px;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Genre: Nonfiction Biography Picture Book</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 20.8px;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Ages: 7-10 / Grades: 1-3</span></span></span><br />
Pages: 40 / Date: August 2019<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 20.8px;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Publisher: Disney Press / ISBN: </span></span></span>1484757203<br />
Topics: Art & Disney<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 20.8px;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Themes: Working hard toward a dream</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 20.8px;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Plot: Mary Blair wants to be an artist her whole life</span></span></span><br />
Originality: As a "Small World" lover and Mary Blair fan, this book is a dream.<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=randwond-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1484757203&asins=1484757203&linkId=307c509c154abf7c3b97ea1099599ba8&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe> <br />
<span style="font-size: 20.8px; text-align: center;">-----------------------------------------------</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8ANEYjDU-UCk0Q4jyyaD0NwRtMPDEIA7r3gtZIn1_705q7nNMijLdlWIETLYl9fDK-pO74UevqAWTWXmLQbaqaIsQHO4Kbq85FuzR-NG1RmuD4hY1rx416FslkjnVDq87SDA966U6RVa/s1600/girl.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="401" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8ANEYjDU-UCk0Q4jyyaD0NwRtMPDEIA7r3gtZIn1_705q7nNMijLdlWIETLYl9fDK-pO74UevqAWTWXmLQbaqaIsQHO4Kbq85FuzR-NG1RmuD4hY1rx416FslkjnVDq87SDA966U6RVa/s320/girl.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Girl Called Genghis Khan by Michelle Lord</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Maria Toorpakai Wazir is a Pakistani girl who loved sports and wanted to play them, but the Taliban threatened to kill her and her family if she played.
Genre: Nonfiction Biography Picture Book <br />
Ages: 5-8 / Grades: Elementary<br />
Lexile: 710L<br />
Pages:48 / Date: July 2019<br />
Publisher: Sterling Children's Books / ISBN:1454931362<br />
Topics: Terrorism, Oppression<br />
Themes: Staying brave in the face of adversity<br />
Originality: A great addition, not much written for children from this perspective.<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=randwond-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1454931361&asins=1454931361&linkId=8b83d4eeb632f2532de9b01b8cd4d3d4&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 20.8px; text-align: center;">-----------------------------------------------</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLhMKAb2RM0wkCce0vfT17_emG7yWsJMXo151gnGoD60-jrBJhrWpIYeXLfpPcZhmnI7dY-zL3RMh0sbtn-0aP9hUM5aEzAgDwm0LrmstJJmgFhXaNHbw_vhs7Mfb9YChMEksGY2t6mjK/s1600/fearless.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="425" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLhMKAb2RM0wkCce0vfT17_emG7yWsJMXo151gnGoD60-jrBJhrWpIYeXLfpPcZhmnI7dY-zL3RMh0sbtn-0aP9hUM5aEzAgDwm0LrmstJJmgFhXaNHbw_vhs7Mfb9YChMEksGY2t6mjK/s320/fearless.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her Fearless Run by Kim Chaffee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Story of first woman to run the Boston Marathon in 1967 even as onlookers give her some mean stares <br />
Genre: Nonfiction Biography Picture Book<br />
Ages: 8-11 / Grades: 1-5<br />
Pages: 40 / Date: April 2019 <br />
Publisher: Page Street Kids / ISBN:1624146541<br />
Topics: Running, Marathons, Women in Sports</span><br />
Themes: Persistence, Hard Work<br />
Characters: Katherine looked her bullies in the ye and did what she knew she could do.<br />
Originality: Good for kiddos who like to run and worthy addition to women's rights selections.<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=randwond-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1624146546&asins=1624146546&linkId=f6dbd34ecb3e67ce77b84bc78987719f&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; text-align: center; width: 120px;"></iframe></span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">-----------------------------------------------</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="403" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9W4rOJzmoJgweJbdNVOg7hT2yYCwW3_QQywsnBcyg2YDLFyQi03Jjnt9lyJkF9nqB-hNknk_1m4F48640ZX9tDklDtMzCKXVRa82G06EUg6OZau-Ukf1hlZIXGN0JbZ1Z96z2JurcKqc/s320/fearless+mary.jpg" width="257" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fearless Mary by Tami Charles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">Another 'fearless' story... this one about an African American woman who helped settle the Wild West as a stagecoach driver. Told like a tall tale, but based in fact. It's a fun read. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">Genre: Nonfiction Biography Picture Book </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">
Ages: 6+ / Grades: Elementary<br />
Pages: 32 / Date: January 2019<br />
Publisher: Albert Whitman / ISBN: 0807523054<br />
Topics: Wild West, Stagecoaches, Cowboys<br />
Themes: Being the first, African American contributions,<br />
Character: Larger than life telling = Mary is one tough lady<br />
Originality: Unique and underrepresented<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=randwond-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0807523054&asins=0807523054&linkId=2e87f1ad343b3feb1b12aa1ac347c5aa&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">----------------------------------------------------<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBqlLBtnmEuozPd49m1lkX5JgoWFkhnK1_tfy3oaRw_MzWmPUK2B0K1EqecRA2QavZhxTcJRe8ubI4KR2NnyfB0u0KHXNFx69GVp9du9djxpYtTjNc4rjx3iHf80LxS9ZjAlKxuTX9pi1/s1600/buck.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="423" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBqlLBtnmEuozPd49m1lkX5JgoWFkhnK1_tfy3oaRw_MzWmPUK2B0K1EqecRA2QavZhxTcJRe8ubI4KR2NnyfB0u0KHXNFx69GVp9du9djxpYtTjNc4rjx3iHf80LxS9ZjAlKxuTX9pi1/s320/buck.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let 'Er Buck! by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Genre: Nonfiction Biography Picture Book <br />
Ages: 8-12 / Grades: Intermediate 3-6 / Lexile: 880L<br />
Pages: 40 / Date: February 2019<br />
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books / ISBN: 1512498084</span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">Topics: Cowboys, Rodeo, Oregon Trail, Native Americans<br />
Themes: Racial injustice, The good in people,<br />
Originality: A stand out. Probably a Caldecott contender and really fun to read. Great for teaching similes. Mostly untold tale that will interest many students.</span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=randwond-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1512498084&asins=1512498084&linkId=3748983edd1c45e0e0fb88b1de5bf5e4&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe> </span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">----------------------------------------------</span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqfqxsL_3hRiATjJC26qOUSMjSU598INA1lFizvho1TTj94nNuTf16jFrJ5DxdxDrV9afFzyWopecbhJvkbjb2VF6KbhJJ-UYRML_x3sDGCLQN5uofjUvniyu1LDhbRU2GVtU4w7NknFW/s1600/carter.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="500" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqfqxsL_3hRiATjJC26qOUSMjSU598INA1lFizvho1TTj94nNuTf16jFrJ5DxdxDrV9afFzyWopecbhJvkbjb2VF6KbhJJ-UYRML_x3sDGCLQN5uofjUvniyu1LDhbRU2GVtU4w7NknFW/s320/carter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carter Reads the Newspaper by Deborah Hopkinson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">Dr. Carter G Woodson was the first person in his family to learn how to read and read to his father everyday. Later, he read to coal miners and travelled the world discussing the importance of being a truly informed citizen. He is considered the father of Black History Month.</span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">Genre: Nonfiction Biography Picture Book <br />
Ages: 6-10 / Grades: 1-5 / Lexile: 810L<br />
Pages: 36 / Date: February 2019<br />
Publisher: Peachtree Publishing / ISBN:</span></span>1561459348<br />
<span style="text-align: center;">Topics: Curiosity, Literacy, Civil Rights</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">
Themes: Insatiable curiosity and where it can lead one in life, The importance of being an informed citizen<br /><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=randwond-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1561459348&asins=1561459348&linkId=08d87f5e3a3b11a08ccd0d42dd467ea6&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe> </span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">-----------------------------------------------------</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbybRhsL_uCk4lc8DwBs3rWAOW3Qv32VjiY0VNVsF6V9ePVdSfDLAK9pAr4OFGDJoqJbEwYqXm6tyIhNQJG_8f_UrOJOL-0_jtweNte8ieDMzIRWejRrW8jjBaC2Jmt4KPpN3EInn751s/s1600/brave.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="389" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbybRhsL_uCk4lc8DwBs3rWAOW3Qv32VjiY0VNVsF6V9ePVdSfDLAK9pAr4OFGDJoqJbEwYqXm6tyIhNQJG_8f_UrOJOL-0_jtweNte8ieDMzIRWejRrW8jjBaC2Jmt4KPpN3EInn751s/s320/brave.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brave Ballerina by Michelle Meadows</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Janet Collins was the first African American principal ballerina for the Metropolitan Opera. At one point in her career, she was asked to paint her skin white, she refused. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">Genre: Nonfiction Biography Picture Book <br />
Ages: 5-8 / Grades: PK-3 / Lexile: 570L<br />
Pages: 32 / Date: January 2019<br />
Publisher: Henry Holt / ISBN:1250127734</span></span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">Topics: Ballet, Athletes,<br />
Themes: Breaking racial barriers<br /><span style="text-align: center;"><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=randwond-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1250127734&asins=1250127734&linkId=6dae5fb1b9c6f668ca65f5887dd8ef7f&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe> </span></span></span></span><div><div style="text-align: center;">Whew! I simply ran out of time, but here are a few more covers :-) </div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVqjsmHNywqAJhdzihQl-U-wHiC5lu18u3rHrfpwyBO93w8pFCwWYBc40g1NvulErlPoXlzopWYeB0HR-o_yrPd1LopS2Qf4K1I3tj_beBMz8LvsY7dR_mTXBE50QbXpExri6Yz06GGms/s1600/mwb.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="370" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVqjsmHNywqAJhdzihQl-U-wHiC5lu18u3rHrfpwyBO93w8pFCwWYBc40g1NvulErlPoXlzopWYeB0HR-o_yrPd1LopS2Qf4K1I3tj_beBMz8LvsY7dR_mTXBE50QbXpExri6Yz06GGms/s320/mwb.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br />
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 20.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 20.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 20.8px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">--------------- That's all folks! ---------------</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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© 2007-2020 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com </a>
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</span></span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-34939723803281981202019-09-19T12:14:00.003-04:002020-02-16T10:30:36.667-05:00What if Everybody Thought That? by Ellen Javernick with illustrations by Colleen Madden - a mini review<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1542091373/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1542091373&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=474b9de0a01838f22f3c17f1e0753b68" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1542091373&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=randwond-20" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What If Everybody Thought That?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1542091373" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><b><u><span style="color: red;">Publisher's Synopsis</span></u></b>: "What if everybody were more thoughtful before they judged someone?
If you see someone in a wheelchair, you might think he or she couldn’t compete in a race. But…you might be wrong. What if you see a child with no hair? Do you think she is embarrassed all the time? How about a kid who has a really hard time reading? Do you think that means he’s not smart? You might think so. But…you might be wrong.
With clear prose and lighthearted artwork, this companion book to the bestseller What If Everybody Did That? explores the preconceived notions we have about the world and encourages kids to be more thoughtful."<br />
<b><u><span style="color: red;">My Two Cents</span></u></b>: Third in a series intended to make kids think about their actions,<br />
<a name='more'></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1542091373/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1542091373&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=4841c2ef4731293d83b541c2e7f61e9b" target="_blank">What If Everybody Thought That?</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1542091373" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> stands out from its predecessors because it asks them to consider their internal dialogue, not something typically asked of children. The other titles in the series involve actions (saying and doing) toward others whereas here, children are asked to consider their presumptions. For this, I think <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1542091373/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1542091373&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=4841c2ef4731293d83b541c2e7f61e9b" target="_blank">What If Everybody Thought That?</a> stands out. Teachers can really spend some great discussion time talking about how our thoughts impact not only our actions, but our perceptions of the world around us, especially negatively. Though the publisher lists 4-8 as the age range, I think this book would be excellent for intermediate children to jump off talking about their own internal dialogues (and not just about others, but about themselves also). I am a huge proponent of mindfulness and metacognition within reading comprehension instruction and I could see <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1542091373/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1542091373&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=4841c2ef4731293d83b541c2e7f61e9b" target="_blank">What If Everybody Thought That?</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1542091373" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> further used as a way-in book on mindfulness comprehension strategy instruction...<br />
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Genre: Realistic Fiction Picture Book </div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Age: 4-8 from publisher, but I would also use this as a way-in book for other students to discuss internal dialogues, assumptions, perceptions and how negative thoughts affect our perceptions</span></div>
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Pages: 32</div>
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Thank You to <a href="https://www.blueslipmedia.com/" target="_blank">Blue Slip Media </a>for my review copy!</div>
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Publisher: Two Lions</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Date: August 2019</div>
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ISBN:978-1542091374</div>
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<b><i>Themes</i></b>: Internal Dialogue & Perception, Preconceived Notions of Others</div>
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<b><i>Character</i></b>: Not any one specifically</div>
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<b><i>Plot</i></b>: Not driven by plot, driven by introspection</div>
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<b><i>Originality</i></b>: Similar to previous in series (see below)</div>
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<b><i>Believability</i></b>: Somewhat didactic which will turn some readers away from self-selection. Better used as class read aloud & discussion book</div>
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<b><i>Diversity</i></b>: Strong representation of diversity</div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Here are the other titles in the series: Images will link you to Amazon...</span></i></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761456864/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0761456864&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=e90b31e6bafe6086dd65f4d92f3d1613" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0761456864&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=randwond-20" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What If Everybody Did That?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1503948951/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1503948951&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=af2aa3a4556cb26cb1bccc03dbb7e2ec" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1503948951&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=randwond-20" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What If Everybody Said That?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">--------------- That's all folks! ---------------</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1ruY_0WHi82mHeAA0jbmB3sVGHMHeBHck3Q2zHRI6Lx1B6JRcX2mtvQBkhCDPU23WiDNcaRJBlyAHiuCfTGiRKbiJVDik9Nm-tgjslp_xFj141VPOLp_0kxhxSY3m4BrbPCcEMMIwnqh/s1600/smiley.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="534" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1ruY_0WHi82mHeAA0jbmB3sVGHMHeBHck3Q2zHRI6Lx1B6JRcX2mtvQBkhCDPU23WiDNcaRJBlyAHiuCfTGiRKbiJVDik9Nm-tgjslp_xFj141VPOLp_0kxhxSY3m4BrbPCcEMMIwnqh/s320/smiley.png" width="120" /></a></div>
© 2007-2019 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com </a>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-74882383131817078442019-09-13T12:24:00.000-04:002020-02-16T10:30:54.594-05:00Astronuts Mission One: The Plant Planet by Jon Scieszka with illustrations by Steven Weinberg <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/145217119X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=145217119X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=29a0b2fdb3d55b387a7c1ff0d85baff5" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=145217119X&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=randwond-20" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Astronuts by Jon Scieszka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=145217119X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <span style="color: red;"><i>Publisher's Synopsis</i></span>: <i>“This laugh-out-loud, visually groundbreaking read launches a major new series by children's literature legend Jon Scieszka. Featuring full-color illustrations throughout, a spectacular gatefold, plus how-to-draw pages in the back, it's an outer space adventure that demonstrates a giant leap for bookmaking and a giant leap for any kid looking for their next go-to series.
AstroWolf, LaserShark, SmartHawk, and StinkBug are animals that have been hybridized to find other planets for humans to live on once we've ruined Earth. So off they rocket to the Plant Planet! Will that planet support human life? Or do Plant Planet's inhabitants have a more sinister plan? AstroNuts Mission One is a can't-put-it-down page-turner for reluctant readers and fans ready to blast past Wimpy Kid.”</i><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b><u>My Two Cents</u></b></span>: I'm not sure that little old me has much to add to discussions of this great new title<br />
<a name='more'></a> as it has already garnered coveted starred reviews from both Kirkus & Publisher’s Weekly (as well as a glowing review from School Library Journal). Those shiny stars are not simply awarded because <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/145217119X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=145217119X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=a617e60439fcf1ced7a8914519f03c21" target="_blank">AstroNuts Mission One: The Plant Planet</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=145217119X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> springs from the mind of the fabulous Jon Scieszka. This truly is a standout book for a number of reasons.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/145217119X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=145217119X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=a617e60439fcf1ced7a8914519f03c21" target="_blank">AstroNuts Mission One: The Plant Planet</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=145217119X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> does the one thing that stellar children’s literature must do: make a point without preaching to kids. In this case, the point is that the planet is dying. This is a heavy topic made easily accessible by the brilliant chaos of science fiction, potty humor, and unique collage illustrations packed into an exploration adventure tale. It would be easy to thumb through <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/145217119X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=145217119X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=a617e60439fcf1ced7a8914519f03c21" target="_blank">AstroNuts Mission One: The Plant Planet</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=145217119X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and think, “Oh, another graphic/diary/wacky title for boys.” That would be a grave underestimate.<br />
<br />
Although the mind of Scieszka might appear to be filled with mayhem, his tellings are <i>always</i> way deeper and thoughtfully skilled than a simple glance. Scieszka pulls off Earth's first-person narration whilst farts and booger jokes barrel out alongside scientific facts. It's all so nonchalant; leaving young readers laughing while absorbing some pretty weighty background knowledge on science, space and the environment. There's also a big essential question built within the theme concerning our role in not only dooming Earth, but also our exploration rights to junk up space.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/145217119X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=145217119X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=5d9f8bf1d949ea43062c0de1bff9f97f" target="_blank">AstroNuts Mission One: The Plant Planet</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=145217119X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is a jumble of fonts, captions, neon colors, and collage alterations, all of which greatly complement the chaotic nature of the genetically-altered Astronuts' mission.
Because the text is presented in small snippets, interspersed with fun illustrations and captions, this series could really be a hit with striving readers. I see this as an excellent literature circle selection. teachers should recommend it to kids who like science fiction and/or humor and the maturing Captain Underpants crowd.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/145217119X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=145217119X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=5d9f8bf1d949ea43062c0de1bff9f97f" target="_blank">AstroNuts Mission One: The Plant Planet</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=145217119X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is one to add to your collection, for sure.<br />
Highest Recommendation from this little old reading & education specialist :-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMT7M4Ypx3Ckh_we8HM-zXSTxLiU0JP90aMa-PdMr-P3kHAOoUVV1WV0785QvZG7cr5_SaN69lZvWgAU9_XjqfgbgV1O61sZu8fRftQGCd_83RsDAMeX1xsBRORnwJqUU3JnUmalau3q7/s1600/ribbon+star+border.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="1600" height="51" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMT7M4Ypx3Ckh_we8HM-zXSTxLiU0JP90aMa-PdMr-P3kHAOoUVV1WV0785QvZG7cr5_SaN69lZvWgAU9_XjqfgbgV1O61sZu8fRftQGCd_83RsDAMeX1xsBRORnwJqUU3JnUmalau3q7/s320/ribbon+star+border.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Genre: Science Fiction/Humor/Adventure/Graphic Novel Hybrid<br />
Age: 7 - 12 / Grades 3 - 6 <br />
Pages: 220<br />
Date: September 2019
ISBN: 978-1452171197<br />
Thank You to publisher <a href="https://www.chroniclebooks.com/titles/astronuts-mission-one-the-plant-planet.html" target="_blank">Chronicle Books</a> for my review copy<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Topics</b></span>: Climate Change, Space Exploration, Genetic Engineering, Science Facts<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Characters</b></span>: The genetically engineered creatures are a hoot, each with their own quirks that I expect will come into play further as the series progresses<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Plot</b></span>: Will the Astronuts find a "Golidilocks" planet that is not too hot and not too cold, but just right (like Earth)?<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Originality</span></b>: Completely original<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Believability</b></span>: Oddly, very much so. The serious issue of climate change is actually rendered as more dire by the madcap mayhem because kids will actually want to listen to the telling.<br />
<br />
You can buy <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/145217119X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=145217119X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=a617e60439fcf1ced7a8914519f03c21" target="_blank">AstroNuts Mission One: The Plant Planet HERE</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=145217119X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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You can read more about illustrator Steven Weinberg on his website > <a href="http://www.stevenweinbergstudio.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
You can read more about author Jon Scieszka on his website > <a href="http://www.jsworldwide.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">--------------- That's all folks! ---------------</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXxih-R50pMgXfVJHySLUjtteVo7EKCWhym_-BA5ynopDorFFB7irArSkIBwnjcinaZRIGSVQ-cu1qFYpeoV1ouIpQM3auD-zmeoUU5VP5oG1sItvNYWi_5Tb-PZfbVauK_rXibqRQ997/s1600/Stinky-Cheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXxih-R50pMgXfVJHySLUjtteVo7EKCWhym_-BA5ynopDorFFB7irArSkIBwnjcinaZRIGSVQ-cu1qFYpeoV1ouIpQM3auD-zmeoUU5VP5oG1sItvNYWi_5Tb-PZfbVauK_rXibqRQ997/s320/Stinky-Cheese.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
© 2007-2019 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com </a>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-32872979540348837482019-09-13T07:00:00.000-04:002020-02-16T10:31:11.100-05:00Filigree's Midnight Ride - a mini book review<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1534433325/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1534433325&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=fbfaa105c3024d93b6784c77f8430da7" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1534433325&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=randwond-20" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filigree's Midnight Ride </td></tr>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1534433325" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><b><i><span style="color: red;">Publisher's Synopsis</span></i></b>: "Join Filigree, a five-pound Pomeranian, as he stows away on Paul Revere’s midnight ride in this first book of the At the Heels of History series, inspired by important events and told through the eyes, ears, and noses of dogs.
Filigree may be a small puff of a Pomeranian but he has a big, brave heart. As the Revere family dog, he’s ready to do his part to help the American colonists stand up to the British soldiers. But the other dogs, like Jove, Sam Adams’s Newfoundland, and even the Revere cat, Anvil, think Filigree is a joke. The Reveres’ daughter Frances is the only one who believes in him.
When Frances’s father, Paul Revere, leaves home on a secret mission, Filigree and Frances know they have to help, no matter how dangerous it might be. Will a pint-sized pup just be in the way, or can Filigree prove that even a very small dog can fight for freedom?"<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b><i>My Two Cents</i></b></span>: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1534433325/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1534433325&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=6b65f41217fc6af576bc121b401dd366" target="_blank">Filigree's Midnight Ride</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1534433325" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is the first book of the At the Heels of History series, a fun premise where dogs tell historical tales (kinda' like the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1570643369/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1570643369&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=3137167cb725b6c13296565d0c5f023d" target="_blank">Wishbone Adventures series</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1570643369" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />). Aside from that great angle,<br />
<a name='more'></a> I think young readers will really gain background knowledge on the Revolutionary War for later retrieval during social studies curriculum. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1534433325/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1534433325&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=6b65f41217fc6af576bc121b401dd366" target="_blank">Filigree's Midnight Ride</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1534433325" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> would also be a great fit for 4th - 6th grade striving readers. As an added bonus, there are author’s notes at the book’s end which add clarifications on real history. Very well-done start to a new series sure to be a hit with the historical fiction and/or animal tales young readers able to read easy early chapter books (some disciplinary vocabulary encouragement will be needed though). Good for elementary school library purchase.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqp9FBvo2FiK9ZQGzKUbhTLiyvjwcKj8r-osWsbsaHM03VqxLnpZJZk99GO2p98vH2EUCxiJbgUQPG5QWgX9ESRmfodjU91yTNHHLNItVaVQRliqZ9t1z9DH9phCFq-7i50mtUkvoVsdn/s1600/MCATO+-+borders11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="1600" height="51" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqp9FBvo2FiK9ZQGzKUbhTLiyvjwcKj8r-osWsbsaHM03VqxLnpZJZk99GO2p98vH2EUCxiJbgUQPG5QWgX9ESRmfodjU91yTNHHLNItVaVQRliqZ9t1z9DH9phCFq-7i50mtUkvoVsdn/s320/MCATO+-+borders11.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Genre: Historical Fiction, Animal Tales, Early Chapter Books<br />
Age: 6-9 / Grades 2-4 and good for striving readers too<br />
Pages: 192<br />
Thank You to <a href="https://www.blueslipmedia.com/" target="_blank">Blue Slip Media</a> for my review copy<br />
Publisher: <a href="https://simonandschusterpublishing.com/margaret-k-mcelderry-books/" target="_blank">Simon & Schuster / McElderry Books</a><br />
Date: August 2019<br />
ISBN: 9781534433335<br />
<b><i>Topics</i></b>: Paul Revere's Ride, Revolutionary War, Colonialism<br />
<b><i>Themes</i></b>: Friendship, Citizenship, Courage, Patriotism<br />
<b><i>Character</i></b>: Fun and interesting group of patriot doggies.<br />
<b><i>Plot</i></b>: The British Are Coming!!!<br />
You can buy <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1534433325/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1534433325&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=6b65f41217fc6af576bc121b401dd366" target="_blank">Filigree's Midnight Ride HERE</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1534433325" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTr7a5CB_CBlE9YJFkY7RFGD8I5BEeAxII7wXSPv4CgP15x7erbdx0AgbQqUVBFtT9zd-rAV6hB0b2Ndi9ZWRxuQVVtO6_NMVfzGERyO38ThQdAy7ukBGcXP5KP0ZQCYi9xlv88ra5llQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-09-12+at+9.41.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1186" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTr7a5CB_CBlE9YJFkY7RFGD8I5BEeAxII7wXSPv4CgP15x7erbdx0AgbQqUVBFtT9zd-rAV6hB0b2Ndi9ZWRxuQVVtO6_NMVfzGERyO38ThQdAy7ukBGcXP5KP0ZQCYi9xlv88ra5llQ/s200/Screen+Shot+2019-09-12+at+9.41.00+PM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Learn more about the Heels of History Series on the dedicated website > <a href="https://attheheelsofhistory.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
You'll learn more about school visits, find a curriculum guide, and mazes and puzzles for added fun!<br />
<br />
Author Pam Berkman usually writes books for grown-ups. Filigree's Midnight Ride (and the Heels of History series) is her first series for kids. You can read more about her on her website > <a href="https://pamberkman.com/" target="_blank">HERE </a><br />
Author Dorothy Hearst has in publishing for over 20 years and is the author of The Wolf Chronicles trilogy. You can read more about her on her website > <a href="https://dorothyhearst.com/" target="_blank">HERE </a><br />
Illustrator Claire Powell is an illustrator who lives in London. You can read more about her on her website > <a href="http://www.claire-powell.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">--------------- That's all folks! ---------------</span></div>
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© 2007-2019 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com </a>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-69924236421948430172019-09-10T09:46:00.000-04:002020-02-16T10:31:30.618-05:00Pirates Don't Go To Kindergarten! - Talk Like A Pirate Day is coming September 19th!...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1542092752/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1542092752&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=393673a351e9e9abb6d86d80043aedfb" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1542092752&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=randwond-20" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pirates Don't Go To Kindergarten!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1542092752" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1542092752/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1542092752&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=7938a1d37f54e43b3949cfa7cd0797d3" target="_blank">Pirates Don't Go to Kindergarten!</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1542092752" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is a cute take on the transition from one grade to the next, Pre-K to K in this case. New Kindergartener Emma wants to stay in her pirate themed Pre-K classroom with her pirate Pre-K teacher. The kindergarten is space themed and Emma will have none of that! She knows the pirate lingo and trusts the pirate captain; she's not so sure about that new teacher. Great illustrations add to the telling with a play on reality/imagination done well. Some pirate lingo may need specific vocabulary instruction (see below) and lends this tale to first and second grade reads as well.<br />
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Genre: Realistic Fiction Picture Book<br />
Age: 4-8 / Grades: PreK-2 / Pages: 32<br />
Date: August 2019<br />
Thank You: <a href="https://www.blueslipmedia.com/" target="_blank">Blue Slip Media</a><br />
Publisher: Two Lions<br />
ISBN: 978-1-5420-9275-3<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Topics</span></b>: Pirates, School, Behavior<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Themes</b></span>: Adjusting to new things, Accepting change<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Characters</span></b>: Emma is BUSY and her teachers are PATIENT. These are opportunities to teach correct behaviors by using Emma's unruliness as a non-example. Teachers can ask students to find other ways that Emma might have coped with her nervousness about attending a new classroom and point out how her disruptions are affecting the classrooms.<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Plot</b></span>: Will Emma ever transition from being a pirate to becoming an astronaut (aka: space-pirate)?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtE3hIX9FNf25cnTwCykBscpnbjeDhXDDlS95TViVJdGwr5exoZQ0sTlnzZhBZmtLvKu6x-bWEkYBxOzWq9x0cfTExICZ-oNE920_pD7ozYH7e86UcBbaUC84QReOkiKPZc1DPGO3je2G5/s1600/Talk_Like_a_Pirate_Day.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtE3hIX9FNf25cnTwCykBscpnbjeDhXDDlS95TViVJdGwr5exoZQ0sTlnzZhBZmtLvKu6x-bWEkYBxOzWq9x0cfTExICZ-oNE920_pD7ozYH7e86UcBbaUC84QReOkiKPZc1DPGO3je2G5/s200/Talk_Like_a_Pirate_Day.png" width="100" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: red;">Originality</span></b>: LOTS of 'Pirates DON'T' titles! Would be a great unit idea of "don'ts" for <span style="color: red;"><b>Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19th</b></span> (2019)...<br />
Could teach <i>contractions, behaviors, compare & contrast titles/characters/settings, etc... </i>OH! The possibilities!<br />
Some examples? (you can click on the pictures to head over to Amazon)<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0152053530/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0152053530&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=fd6f561f246600a7e39f6dd3d6f36d90" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0152053530&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=randwond-20" width="162" /></a></div>
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0152053530" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JPQ8DYU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00JPQ8DYU&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=740bfd430eee3470c0c6bf99e9fcd092" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B00JPQ8DYU&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=randwond-20" width="165" /></a></div>
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00JPQ8DYU" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1680101560/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1680101560&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=3cfde85b34f98774a465657b497c50cb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1680101560&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=randwond-20" width="176" /></a></div>
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1680101560" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1514151669/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1514151669&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=fa3a6bc92d6c86317ce535ad5415eed9" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1514151669&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=randwond-20" width="154" /></a></div>
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1514151669" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017PNQKW6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B017PNQKW6&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=fc53ceadb386c457413cf9b1461ae01f" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B017PNQKW6&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=randwond-20" width="195" /></a></div>
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B017PNQKW6" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316466778/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0316466778&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=700cca59ca9c3594ea60e92552707c47" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0316466778&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=randwond-20" width="153" /></a></div>
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0316466778" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<span style="font-size: large;">And, of course:</span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1542092752/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1542092752&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=393673a351e9e9abb6d86d80043aedfb" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1542092752&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=randwond-20" width="154" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1542092752" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Pirate Vocabulary and Idioms</span></b>: cutlass, anchor, ahoy, batten down, hatches, mateys, gangway, peg leg, doubloons, yo ho, blimey, mutiny, rigging, crow's nest, parley, plank, shiver me timbers, bandanna, heave-ho<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Space Vocabulary</b></span>: liftoff, astronaut, cargo, shuttle, experiments<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>General Vocabulary</b></span>: rowed, scattered, stormy, treasure, snuggled, seized, sneered, snarled, whopped, hollered<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Onomatopeias</span></b>: splash, thump, clump, scrunch, splat<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b><a href="http://www.curiouscitydpw.com/2019/08/26/pirates-dont-kit/" target="_blank">HERE</a> </b>you can find a great back to school kit </span>from <a href="http://www.curiouscitydpw.com/" target="_blank">Curious City DPW</a>.<br />
<br />
You can read more about author Lisa Robinson on her website <a href="https://author-lisa-robinson.com/bio/" target="_blank">HERE </a> or find her on Twitter @elisaitw <br />
You can read more about illustrator Eda Kaban on her website <a href="http://edakabanstudio.com/About" target="_blank">HERE</a> or find her on Twitter @petiteturk<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">--------------- That's all folks! ---------------</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgTNC6HSWQO3dyAhi7xPZsC1lXEp27Jo9-D7XsnBuuwp4tmeCZvSud065Wp0HUiJYhCNKRIiTWERkXNda6fltkr1exA_E820KkhJmS5lTHAyNdaVk1MXU6uzkoBx444Zd0x8kwtIAR0XQ/s1600/pirate+bird.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgTNC6HSWQO3dyAhi7xPZsC1lXEp27Jo9-D7XsnBuuwp4tmeCZvSud065Wp0HUiJYhCNKRIiTWERkXNda6fltkr1exA_E820KkhJmS5lTHAyNdaVk1MXU6uzkoBx444Zd0x8kwtIAR0XQ/s200/pirate+bird.png" width="100" /></a></div>
© 2007-2019 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com </a>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-91791861745843850962019-08-17T12:40:00.000-04:002020-02-16T10:32:47.234-05:00Sweet Home Alaska by Carole Estby Dagg - Book Review<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoGmhTQrVuL0hBKeMAuJmc8WFh2DXB-wRR_oP_yCc02B-oosGvr0IjG3ikBhH_tfR4cKIpktRrWpGCGUhwxOnzvM0FJxtd8y_cCE0K5wL2dK-Kuds0LON9Kw6rr31oNzRY5w8rs4pSUV9/s1600/sweet+alaska.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1059" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoGmhTQrVuL0hBKeMAuJmc8WFh2DXB-wRR_oP_yCc02B-oosGvr0IjG3ikBhH_tfR4cKIpktRrWpGCGUhwxOnzvM0FJxtd8y_cCE0K5wL2dK-Kuds0LON9Kw6rr31oNzRY5w8rs4pSUV9/s320/sweet+alaska.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Home Alaska</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If good historical fiction is supposed to make us wonder about the people who lived during various points in history, then <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399172033/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399172033&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=947ba6a443bf9c80aef5413bb648a97a" target="_blank">Sweet Home Alaska</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0399172033" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is certainly good. It had me, instantly upon closing the last page at 1:00 am, researching the Matanuska Valley Colony. I don’t have a vast knowledge of Roosevelt’s New Deal specifics, I just know that the vestiges can be seen in our public spaces and government programs.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399172033/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399172033&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=947ba6a443bf9c80aef5413bb648a97a" target="_blank">Sweet Home Alaska</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0399172033" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> paints a vivid picture of American life during the Great Depression. That life, unlike many others that I have read set during that time, was not all doom and gloom, but rather, filled with love, laughter and community - good people doing good things, families working together, neighbors helping.
Drawing on the pioneer spirit of one of her favorite authors, protagonist Terpsichore Johnson, reads Laura Ingalls Wilder tales of pioneer life in preparation for her family’s move from Wisconsin to the wilderness of Alaska. Terpsichore’s little mill town in Wisconsin has been hit hard by the Great Depression and her father is an unemployed mill worker who doesn’t want to go on public assistance. His plan is to apply for a New Deal program relocating families to the Alaskan wilderness, where they will be given money and land to start a new town. Through several twists and turns, Terpsichore’s family is chosen and that’s when the story really takes off (literally and metaphorically). <br />
<br />
The Johnson family is well-drawn, with only Terpsichore’s mother being a bit flat in her rendering. The spirited folks and friends Terpsichore meets in Palmer, Alaska all play wonderfully realized parts in her story.
Author Carole Estby Dagg paints a vivid portrait of Alaska and the hardships the settlers faced. Historical facts and figures are sprinkled throughout the tale and give the telling an even greater richness.<br />
<br />
As with most strong historical fictions, the sense of place and time are very much a character. It all made me want to plan another trip to Alaska!<br />
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Publisher’s Synopsis: “It’s 1934, and times are tough for Trip’s family after the mill in their small Wisconsin town closes, leaving her father unemployed. Determined to provide for his family, he moves them all to Alaska to become pioneers as part of President Roosevelt’s Palmer Colony project. Trip and her family are settling in, except her mom, who balks at the lack of civilization. But Trip feels like she’s following in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s footsteps, and she hatches a plan to raise enough money for a piano to convince her musical mother that Alaska is a wonderful and cultured home. Her sights set on the cash prize at the upcoming Palmer Colony Fair, but can Trip grow the largest pumpkin possible–using all the love, energy, and Farmer Boy expertise she can muster?”
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 130%;">-----------------------------------------------</span></div>
Genre: Historical Fiction<br />
Age: 10+<br />
Grades: Middle Grades (5-6 especially)<br />
Pages:304<br />
Lexile: 870L<br />
Thank You to <a href="https://www.blueslipmedia.com/" target="_blank">Blue Slip Media</a> for my review copy!<br />
Publisher: <a href="https://www.penguin.com/publishers/nancypaulsenbooks/" target="_blank">Nancy Paulsen Books</a> (a division of Penguin Books)<br />
Date: February 2, 2016<br />
ISBN: 978-0399172038
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<b><i>Themes:</i></b> Tenacity, Attitude, Family Love, Friendship, Teamwork<br />
<b><i>Topics</i></b>: Cooking, Gardening (especially pumpkins), Homesteading, Alaskan Wilderness, Building a library collection, Musical Inspiration, Literary Inspiration<br />
<b><i>Characterizations</i></b>: Good representation of the era and the people living in it<br />
<b><i>Plot</i></b>: Will the family do well moving to Alaska? Will the Matanuska Valley Colony thrive?<br />
<b><i>Originality</i></b>: Although it certainly borrows from historical journey tales, I have not seen ANY other children's titles on the Alaskan Matanuska Valley Colony.<br />
<b><i>Believability</i></b>: Great historical fiction must always ground itself in history in order for us to believe in the character's tellings. This was an excellently researched story.<br />
<b><i>Diversity</i></b>: When reading historical fiction, it’s important that
we frame our understandings today against a backdrop of times past. Yes, there
are a few stereotypes of Alaska and its indigenous people presented by the Caucasian
characters, but they would have had those stereotypes during that time. Placing
diverse characters in books for the sake of tokenism is just as bad as
whitewashing history. I teach my future teachers to look for tokenisms and avoid those book! <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Author Carole Estby Dagg seeks to frame her story by giving
an account of the decisions she made with regard to omitting indigenous Alaskan peoples. Her thinking is presented as an author's note at the back of the book. Her thoughts would be an EXCELLENT jumping point for
discussions about westward expansion, indigenous peoples rights and
colonization - much </span>more-so<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> than any inserted token indigenous peoples.</span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
You can buy <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399172033/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399172033&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=947ba6a443bf9c80aef5413bb648a97a" target="_blank">Sweet Home Alaska HERE.</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0399172033" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRyQ_QNJFbFyWR40EiZquHuB52XPqMXC7gX9Z1RTyUqiw2J_YWO5mrA2fn9DtILeBD45dK2CQYAcynpLIxjPLQBaYJgslWQsPmEGFnvV3xzLAGSZ6hjI6TQlpsPGQJmGVbGcrKLbiqRaN/s1600/sweet+alaska+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="397" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRyQ_QNJFbFyWR40EiZquHuB52XPqMXC7gX9Z1RTyUqiw2J_YWO5mrA2fn9DtILeBD45dK2CQYAcynpLIxjPLQBaYJgslWQsPmEGFnvV3xzLAGSZ6hjI6TQlpsPGQJmGVbGcrKLbiqRaN/s400/sweet+alaska+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Resources</span>:</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">You can read more about the author on her website: <a href="https://caroleestbydagg.com/about/">HERE</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">You can find a great curriculum guide: <a href="https://caroleestbydagg.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/SWEET-HOME-ALASKA-curriculum-guide5.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">You can read about how Laura Ingalls Wilder's books influenced ----- over at the Nerdy Bookclub: <a href="https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2016/02/03/how-laura-ingalls-wilder-influenced-sweet-home-alaska-by-carole-estby-dagg/" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></li>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">--------------- That's all folks! ---------------</span></div>
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© 2007-2019 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Authentic Texts Are Best!</td></tr>
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It occurred to me today that I assume those reading my ramblings on Reading Rumpus simply know how to use authentic literature as mentor texts. That was an assumption I made whilst teaching preservice teachers last year - and it was a poor one. Therefore, I thought I should spend a moment talking about selecting authentic literature for instructional use and how most of my full book reviews (not the mini-reviews) include some sort of authentic text teaching ideas, even if I haven't explained HOW to use them as such.<br />
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Authentic texts used as mentor texts are pieces of children's literature that contain model examples of English language arts (ELA) skills within their writing. By authentic children's literature, I mean that the texts were not specifically made for instructional purpose. These texts are all or part of a children's book and are usually considered strong in literary merit. Teachers look for these model examples of writing in order to use the authentic texts to explicitly instruct specific ELA skills. Those of us who were 'trained up' during the Whole Language phase of reading educational theory, do it like second nature (whole language debate best left fettered for now!).<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>What are some important things to know when using authentic texts to mentor English language art skills?</b></span><br />
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<u><b>Front-load the vocabulary</b></u>: As I read any new children's literature selection, I note words that may trip up my students and words that are disciplinary (unique to the topic). Before we begin the text selection, I always give a quick overview of the new words (with an example and visual if possible).<br />
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<b><u>Read the beginning and the example section(s) of the text aloud</u>:</b> In the case of novels... I find it important to begin by reading the first chapter or so aloud. It helps lock fluent language in their minds and engages them in the text. In the case of picture books, regardless of age, I typically read the entire text. Then, when the time comes to highlight the instructionally selected section of text, I reread the text - or sometimes I have a volunteer student reread the text selection. Either way, the ELA example section needs to be heard and seen by all.<br />
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<u><b>Check comprehension <i>after </i>you read and <i>before</i> you use the text to teach</b></u>: Before you begin using the text as an explicit teaching example, make certain that the students understand what they have read. As I always say, "comprehension is king."<br />
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<u><b>Create an anchor chart</b></u>: If the text selection is used as the first time you are teaching a particular ELA skill, use the selected text to create a reminder of the lesson on an anchor chart. You can refer back, and add, to the anchor chart as the year progresses and the students gain more experiences with that skill. <br />
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<u><b>Keep "reading" journals</b></u>: Have the students make note of the skills and the books used as mentor examples. You can refer back to these, like the anchor charts, and they are super fun to review at the end of the year. Students will be amazed at all of the books you've read together (I have a very specific way of keeping reading journals, but that's a post for another day)!<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>How does one select the best authentic texts to use as mentor texts?</b></span><br />
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<u><b>Multiple Examples</b></u>: The best mentor texts contain multiple examples of a specific skill. It's not enough to choose one sentence that uses a preposition to teach prepositional use. The text you select for that skill needs to have multiple examples of various prepositions and, according to developmental level, multiple ways of use.<br />
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<u><b>Consider Literary Merit</b></u>: Just because a book has multiple examples of an ELA skill doesn't make it a good choice. Solid writing skill matters. Story, plot, structure, characterization.... all the great writing requirements need to be there too. Strong readers and writers grow from simply hearing and internalizing proper language use.<br />
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<u><b>Consider Diversity</b></u>: Students need to see themselves and their friends represented in your example. American literature tends to lean white and Christian. This is a very important consideration; choose a broad range of authentic literature in order to expose all students to many cultures, races, ideas and beliefs.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway.... I just thought I would give my two cents on using authentic texts since <a href="https://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">Reading Rumpus</a> is pretty-much completely built around the idea that kids learn best from authentic texts! </span><br />
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<b><i><u>Quick Note</u></i></b>: Authentic Texts and Mentor Texts are different from Source Texts. Authentic means real world selections (books, novels, and maybe source texts). Mentor means they can be used to teach explicitly from because they contain model examples of ELA skills (books, novels, and maybe source texts). Source Texts are examples of writings that are sources of information for various disciplines, typically the sciences and social studies. Think of the Constitution when you think of source texts :-)<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;"> --------------- That's all folks! ---------------</span></div>
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© 2007-2019 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com</a><br />
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photo credit: Ben White on UnsplashUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-47365755063722080732019-08-01T05:56:00.000-04:002020-02-16T10:35:22.534-05:00SumoKitty written and illustrated by David Biedrzycki<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMAMvGgpnBND9_4ug-0oKMfiNWoe85n6ufnG7jBhyphenhyphen2grcAhiZxek_MQLprQJbCojUqVgKwIgTre3llkOZ-xCeQBFYaY3lWvJldENrtKCfzp9YUrxJVRZ5bQtw_1gEm-duanS039oSj66s/s1600/sumokitty-cvr_grande.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMAMvGgpnBND9_4ug-0oKMfiNWoe85n6ufnG7jBhyphenhyphen2grcAhiZxek_MQLprQJbCojUqVgKwIgTre3llkOZ-xCeQBFYaY3lWvJldENrtKCfzp9YUrxJVRZ5bQtw_1gEm-duanS039oSj66s/s1600/sumokitty-cvr_grande.jpg" /></a></div>
“Fall down seven times; get up eight” is one of many witty quotes that highlight the central theme of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580896820/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1580896820&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=1dc178c6fef1daf68a5e1f17d7decdeb" target="_blank">SumoKitty</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1580896820" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> written and illustrated by David Biedrzycki. Written as an ode to tenacity, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580896820/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1580896820&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=1dc178c6fef1daf68a5e1f17d7decdeb" target="_blank">SumoKitty</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1580896820" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is both witty and instructive for young folks facing adversity. The humor is subtle, played out through a big, strong sumo wrestler being afraid of mice while his friend, the Kitty, gets a little too comfortable, forgetting the job of a cat.<br />
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Between humor and wit, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580896820/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1580896820&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=1dc178c6fef1daf68a5e1f17d7decdeb" target="_blank">SumoKitty</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1580896820" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is a tale completely filled with new vocabulary opportunities, both English and Japanese. Children will love learning all the Japanese sumo wrestling terms while expanding their English vocabulary. Contractions are a prominent feature within the written structure and offer older children a chance to practice their usage.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580896820/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1580896820&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=1dc178c6fef1daf68a5e1f17d7decdeb" target="_blank">SumoKitty</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1580896820" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is expressively illustrated with subtle watercolor strokes and funny facial renderings. All in all, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580896820/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1580896820&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=1dc178c6fef1daf68a5e1f17d7decdeb" target="_blank">SumoKitty</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1580896820" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is a fantastic new addition to your picture book collection.<br />
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Recommended for both elementary classroom and library purchase. This one is going to be a popular and fun read for children. See standards & teaching ideas below...<br />
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<u>Publisher’s Synopsis</u>: <i>"Watch out, mice! This cat is a sumo champion!
A stray kitty gets a job in a sumo stable, chasing mice in exchange for food. But when eating like a sumo wrestler slows our feline hero down, he realizes he must train like a wrestler, too. Through hard work and perseverance–and with a little help from a big buddy–SumoKitty is born! A funny and heartwarming story inspired by the Japanese saying “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.”</i><br />
<u>Genre</u>: Picture Book, Animal Tales<br />
<u>Ages:</u> 5 - 8<br />
<u>Pages</u>: 48<br />
<u>Date</u>: August 13, 2019<br />
<b>ISBN</b>: 978-1-58089-682-5<br />
<b>Thank You to <a href="http://www.charlesbridge.com/sumokitty" target="_blank">Charlesbridge Publishing</a> for my advanced copy!</b><br />
<b>Themes</b>: Tenacity, Friendship, Work Ethic<br />
<b>Characterization</b>: SumoKittty and his pals, especially mouse-fearing Kuma, are delightfully rendered with both a reverence for their sport and a solid touch of humanness that makes this both a multicultural delight as well as a simple story of friendship.<br />
<b>Plot</b>: Will SumoKitty be able to rise to the occasion and defeat his opponent(s)? Will Kuma?
<b>Originality</b>: Terrifically original, allowing both the sport of sumo wrestling to shine while telling the story of a stray cat finding friends and a wrestler rising to his challenge.<br />
<b>Believability</b>: SumoKitty is fully realized and grounded in the real-life sport of sumo wrestling<br />
<b>Diversity</b>: Japanese sumo wrestling, and the disciplinary vocabulary of that sport, grounds the tale in believability as well as giving other cultures a look at an important part in Japanese culture. Wrestlers are not caricatures, but depicted as serious athletes, competitors, and friends.<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: red;">Teaching Ideas:</span></u></b><br />
<u>Vocabulary Standard</u>: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 2 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.5.A Identify real-life connections between words and their use<br />
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<b><i>Japanese Vocabulary</i></b>: sumo, rikishi, dohyo, gyoji, yokozuna, heya, chanonabe, okamisan, shiko, teppo, tachi-ai, gaburi-yori, tsukidashi, basho, mawashi<br />
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<b><i>English Vocabulary</i></b>: referee, wrestler, ring, champion, ceremonial, opponent, stew, manager, charge, torso, loincloth, yoga, humbled<br />
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<u>Grammar Standard</u>: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. CCSS.ELA LITERACY.L.2.2.C Use an apostrophe to form contractions and frequently occurring possessives.<br />
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<b><i>SumoKitty Contractions</i></b> = don’t, he’s, it’s, you’re, who’s, I’ll, there’s, I’m, didn’t<br />
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<b><u>Comprehension Questions:</u></b><br />
(chronologically, though second grade example, can be reworked to grades K-3 with anchor standards)<br />
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<b><i>1. Okamisan is ready to throw the kitty out, but she hears something and does not throw the kitty out. What does she hear and why does that sound allow the kitty to stay in the heya?</i></b> (she hears a mouse and gives Kitty a job getting rid of the mice in the heya, especially because Kuma is afraid of mice) (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7 Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.)<br />
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<b><i>2. Why does Kitty lose his job?</i></b> (he grew fat & lazy) (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3 Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.)<br />
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<b><i>3. How does Kitty become SumoKitty? </i></b>(he trains hard and gets rid of all the mice so the sumo wrestlers make him a mawashi and call him SumoKitty) (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3 Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.)<br />
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<b><i>4. Why do you think the yokozuna had mice sewn onto his mawashi?</i></b> (to try to scare Kuma) (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7 Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.)<br />
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<b><i>5. What does, “fall down seven times, get up eight” mean?</i></b> (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.2 Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.)<br />
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You can buy this fabulous book here: <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=randwond-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1580896820&asins=1580896820&linkId=4680d30c230a9d35354a512e809832f9&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
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Share the trailer with your students/children to get them excited about the book:<br />
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About the author/illustrator (from the publisher): "<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "fortlight";">David Biedrzycki is the author and illustrator of the Breaking News series, the Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective series, and the Me and My Dragon series. He has been creating illustrations for book publishers, advertising agencies, magazines, and design firms since 1980. His art has graced the cover of KidSoft magazine, New England Aquarium billboards and children's software packaging, such as "The Amazon Trail" and "Odell Down Under." David has collaborated with children's author Jerry Pallotta on </span><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: fortlight;">The Beetle Alphabet Book</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "fortlight";">, </span><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: fortlight;">The Boat Alphabet Book</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "fortlight";">, and </span><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: fortlight;">The Freshwater Alphabet Book</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "fortlight";">. He grew up in Pennsylvania and now lives in Massachusetts with his wife and three children." Read more about him <a href="http://www.davidbiedrzycki.com/" target="_blank">HERE.</a> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">--------------- That's all folks! ---------------</span></div>
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© 2007-2019 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com </a>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-36979799638828718072019-06-21T08:00:00.001-04:002022-02-02T10:30:20.654-05:00Max Attacks by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by Penelope Dullaghan - book review & teaching ideas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm a dog person. Sorry cat folks. My adult children have five cats between them, and I appreciate my grandcats, but I own two doggies: Jebediah Peabody. & Annie Roo.<br />
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<b><i>Here they are</i></b>:<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">
</span> <span style="text-align: center;">Yes, it's weird that I placed my two dogs within this book review about a cat named Max.... I once had a dog named Max, he was CRAZY, but I digress even further! </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">The reason I am placing a picture of my two dogs smack in the middle of a posting on <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1481451464" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="71a2e70349a06fb0d19a26cfa33d4f33" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Max Attacks" href="http://www.amazon.com/Max-Attacks-Kathi-Appelt/dp/1481451464/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=71a2e70349a06fb0d19a26cfa33d4f33&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6507002" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Max Attacks</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6507002" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=71a2e70349a06fb0d19a26cfa33d4f33&_cb=1561078570930" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" /> is because I loved this book almost as much as I loved <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1452150133" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="61b8bb529e1470e24a54957531352c91" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="They All Saw A Cat" href="http://www.amazon.com/They-Books-Beginning-Reading-Preschool/dp/1452150133/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=61b8bb529e1470e24a54957531352c91&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_4362665" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">They All Saw A Cat</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_4362665" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=61b8bb529e1470e24a54957531352c91&_cb=1561078584839" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" /> and I am beginning to wonder if my five grandcats are chipping away at my dog adoration.</span><br />
Here is Boba Cat:
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Here is Taxi Cat:<br />
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Here is Choco Cat:<br />
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Here is Lemons Cat:<br />
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Here is Shrimp Cat (yes, she is disabled):<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>See! Cute grandcats!</i></span><br />
But, we are here to talk about <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1481451464" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="c02875a5d44343d0eda970e8c8016a66" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Max Attacks" href="http://www.amazon.com/Max-Attacks-Kathi-Appelt/dp/1481451464/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=c02875a5d44343d0eda970e8c8016a66&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_5346488" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Max Attacks</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_5346488" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=c02875a5d44343d0eda970e8c8016a66&_cb=1560980165689" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" /> and I adore Max even though I am not a cat person. His facial expressions are exactly that of a cat getting into all sorts of mayhem. His personality shines right out of the pages. Max is blue, about the color of
<a amzn-ps-bm-asin="0061906220" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="6bc1e762de64aaad4424c0b7758de834" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Pete the Cat" href="http://www.amazon.com/Pete-Cat-Love-White-Shoes/dp/0061906220/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=6bc1e762de64aaad4424c0b7758de834&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_5793263" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pete the Cat</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_5793263" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=6bc1e762de64aaad4424c0b7758de834&_cb=1560980183526" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" /> (another favorite!), with black stripes. He reminds me so much of Boba Cat (shhh, he's my favorite grandcat). Max has a desire to "trounce and pounce" the swishy fishies in the bowl, but he keeps getting distracted by all the fun things to pounce upon: shoelaces, a lizard, socks, etc. I don't usually write much about illustrators, not my expertise, but Penelope Dullaghan does an amazing job painting the psyche of cats. She perfectly complements Kathi Appelt's curious and attacking cat.<br />
<br />
<a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1481451464" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="8c289cbfceca6bc157a1dfd39da680eb" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Max Attacks" href="http://www.amazon.com/Max-Attacks-Kathi-Appelt/dp/1481451464/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=8c289cbfceca6bc157a1dfd39da680eb&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_2446931" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Max Attacks</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_2446931" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=8c289cbfceca6bc157a1dfd39da680eb&_cb=1561079365573" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" /> is a great read aloud with its rhymes as big and bouncy as protagonist Max. I highly recommend it for classrooms Pre-K - 3rd purchase as well as all elementary libraries. I think this one may have a shot at a Caldecott.<br />
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<br />
Genre: Picture Book, Animal Tales<br />
Age: 4 - 8<br />
Pages: 40<br />
Publisher: Atheneum, a division of Simon & Schuster Kids<br />
Date: June 2019<br />
ISBN: 9781481451468<br />
Acquired: Personal Copy<br />
<br />
<i>Themes</i>: Cat Behaviors, Getting Distracted Easily, Winning (or not)<br />
<i>Characters</i>: Max is great. Doggie in the background looks bewildered by Max (as most dogs do when watching crazy cats). Even the fishies seem to wonder what's up with Max!<br />
<i>Plot</i>: Will Max stay focused long enough to get the fishies?<br />
<i>Originality</i>: There are lots of cat books, but <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1481451464" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="2f2e0a9cdeb1b6d49f8f8b633f0f4494" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Max Attacks" href="http://www.amazon.com/Max-Attacks-Kathi-Appelt/dp/1481451464/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=2f2e0a9cdeb1b6d49f8f8b633f0f4494&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6627130" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Max Attacks</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6627130" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=2f2e0a9cdeb1b6d49f8f8b633f0f4494&_cb=1561084092853" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" /> is a stand out. His personality is so indicative of cat behavior and most young children can identify with getting easily distracted in a big, new, beautiful world with so many things to do and see.<br />
<i>Believability</i>: Complete understanding of cat behavior, aided by perfect illustrations to convey those emotions. You'll be rooting for Max even though you won't want the fishies made into stew.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><u>Teaching Ideas</u></span></b>:</div>
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<span style="color: red;"><u>Vocabulary</u></span>: pounce, trounce, midst, gusto, catnip, crouches, snag, dangling, kaput, cozy, trusty
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<u><span style="color: red;">Discussion</span></u>:
There are lots of opportunities to predict and infer. Pages are not numbered, but...<br />
1. On the page right before Max sees the lizard, ask what is going to happen (he is going after that lizard!)<br />
2. What does Max want to do with the fishies? (Fishy stew)<br />
3. What does Max do after he starts "twitchy" and "switchy" (repeated several times throughout, Max is getting ready to attack)<br />
4. On the page when Ma and the dog get wet, ask what happened (Max attacked the bowl with water in it and they got splashed)<br />
5. On the very last page, the lizard is sneaking off the page sideways. What does this say about Max "winning?"<br />
6. And, don't forget the big question: Did Max win or did the fish?
The illustrations are so important to this tale. (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7 Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.)<br />
<u><span style="color: red;">ELA</span></u>:<br />
1. Write the couplet rhyme words and have the students practice them by looking at common spelling/sound patterns. Here are the rhyming couplets:<br />
brimming/swimming<br />
pounce/trounce<br />
swish/fishes/wishes<br />
steam/screen<br />
one/none<br />
ocean/motion<br />
hunt/front<br />
too/stew<br />
deterred/bird<br />
claws/paws<br />
socks/rocks<br />
one/done<br />
scratch/match<br />
swishes/wishes/dishes<br />
table/able<br />
thingy/jingie<br />
shoe/too<br />
aroo/do<br />
bubble/trouble<br />
creep/deep<br />
go/fro<br />
out/mouth<br />
rug/hug<br />
red/bed<br />
2. As you can see there are several phonemic patterns to explore there too! And, a couple nonsense words to explore! (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.2.D Segment spoken single-syllable words into their complete sequence of individual sounds (phonemes)<br />
3. Discuss how the rhyming words create meaning (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.4 Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines)
supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.) <br />
4. Max Attacks is a complete sentence and says a lot. Review the parts of a complete sentence.<br />
(CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.1.A Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRDL-QfK6mo-G8GwoxsZ1lt6WBkvyFPrC-Gv3cD3HKzkrWzrFyVEun3Llc4ePZ5tsrwhsKeKDrx1_a3v7XQaeX0svYlfkmKC-4J-9CHTHicRnZUOpTl13yZbL-itKhLZ5geVGudu-gLmH/s1600/KA.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRDL-QfK6mo-G8GwoxsZ1lt6WBkvyFPrC-Gv3cD3HKzkrWzrFyVEun3Llc4ePZ5tsrwhsKeKDrx1_a3v7XQaeX0svYlfkmKC-4J-9CHTHicRnZUOpTl13yZbL-itKhLZ5geVGudu-gLmH/s200/KA.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Kathi Appelt is a fabulous children's writer, one of my favorites. You can read more about her on her website: <a href="https://www.kathiappelt.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7vaUwYhLi1WUkm6K1GwIf3uZD20oMULd19LR9SJVSax5aAm1ULNXQfvGBdMPClULMy68DeAQlqQ-4u3dDvC9pDYQMu8m8nr7KQjb3Wkwy3KRmroLfDXG6HYhLEafDUKq5yK_CjosuEnT/s1600/pd.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="425" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7vaUwYhLi1WUkm6K1GwIf3uZD20oMULd19LR9SJVSax5aAm1ULNXQfvGBdMPClULMy68DeAQlqQ-4u3dDvC9pDYQMu8m8nr7KQjb3Wkwy3KRmroLfDXG6HYhLEafDUKq5yK_CjosuEnT/s200/pd.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
Penelope Dullaghan is an award-winning illustrator. <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1481451464" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="2056f0b97ce04ba49cec5e0630c15e1d" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="max attacks" href="http://www.amazon.com/Max-Attacks-Kathi-Appelt/dp/1481451464/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=2056f0b97ce04ba49cec5e0630c15e1d&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6279285" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Max Attack</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6279285" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=2056f0b97ce04ba49cec5e0630c15e1d&_cb=1561081589562" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" />s is her first children's book. You can read more about her on her website: <a href="http://www.penelopedullaghan.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">--------------- That's all folks! ---------------</span></div>
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© 2007-2019 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank"></a><iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="60" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?t=randwond-20&o=1&p=26&l=ur1&category=books&banner=0BBJ4GV0BEB69E79D1G2&f=ifr" style="border: none;" width="468"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-35426099993136392162019-06-20T07:22:00.001-04:002022-02-02T10:31:19.048-05:00Nighttime Symphony by Timbaland with art by Christopher Myers and Kaa Illustration - mini book review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTTLNgS_q1xWbr6jjygPYlZ2NhLlKZR-RnTLFhprT_M2nlATAy8EHrCz4LOi5fC2z_AuqgAqlGa9AGLN71NN85FAp2kE6PDBbUHCNeOegRgBzPgHgt-GJ10uum8XY7AuCNXoI-A03jP4v/s1600/nightimesymphony.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="499" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTTLNgS_q1xWbr6jjygPYlZ2NhLlKZR-RnTLFhprT_M2nlATAy8EHrCz4LOi5fC2z_AuqgAqlGa9AGLN71NN85FAp2kE6PDBbUHCNeOegRgBzPgHgt-GJ10uum8XY7AuCNXoI-A03jP4v/s320/nightimesymphony.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><u>Publisher's Synopsis</u></b>: "The sounds of the city at night create a lively lullaby in this melodious bedtime story from superstar producer and musician Timbaland, Caldecott Honor–winning illustrator Christopher Myers, and Kaa Illustration!<br />
As a little boy gets ready for bed, the sounds of a wild storm echo around him, lulling him to sleep. From the crash of thunder to the pitter-patter of raindrops to the beat of passing cars, the music of the city creates a cozy bedtime soundtrack."<br />
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</u></b> <b><u>My Two Cents</u></b>:<br />
<a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1442412089" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="2974b380627b473c5f0a1cba62ff4424" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Nighttime Symphony" href="http://www.amazon.com/Nighttime-Symphony-Timbaland/dp/1442412089/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=2974b380627b473c5f0a1cba62ff4424&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_8243571" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nighttime Symphony</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_8243571" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=2974b380627b473c5f0a1cba62ff4424&_cb=1560953954378" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" /> is more than another sweet, lyrical bedtime story, it is an ode to fatherhood. <br />
<a name='more'></a>Written by Grammy award-winning musician Timbaland, the musical cadence and rhyme of <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1442412089" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="9339e252a763343ac264b4a9ee99b743" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Nighttime Symphony" href="http://www.amazon.com/Nighttime-Symphony-Timbaland/dp/1442412089/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=9339e252a763343ac264b4a9ee99b743&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_5143644" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nighttime Symphony</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_5143644" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=9339e252a763343ac264b4a9ee99b743&_cb=1560956214891" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" /> is spoken as sweet sentiment by a father explaining the rumblings of a city storm as be helps his son to bed. By comparing the weather's sounds to melodious expressions, the narrator father helps his young son to not only squelch his fear, but to <i>embrace</i> the wonders of the city sounds.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3l1bgXXdkPYs4NbcyRLAamsJK_DpnkpACPCFaBKVRMXsgEH_CQGzdtlgjuqElDWapKBflPNRfF8HYYZjSqndofWMEUBfUVKbDco2tzVQNq4PWD6kCIwBJFGCN_afBYEsQxo9mCv1SYoQ/s1600/nighttime-symphony-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1600" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3l1bgXXdkPYs4NbcyRLAamsJK_DpnkpACPCFaBKVRMXsgEH_CQGzdtlgjuqElDWapKBflPNRfF8HYYZjSqndofWMEUBfUVKbDco2tzVQNq4PWD6kCIwBJFGCN_afBYEsQxo9mCv1SYoQ/w320-h120/nighttime-symphony-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0oUqaJndmd4fxQ2ZIdBx-Ncpz7bO1VUI_vw2WHjufdiedMY-6RW1l0jhxR36H1duiWwoV6Phr3a5ncfyGodZRiSoxh9jT0HGFP-2aHf6Dg3z9FsN00MykudELvUMC5cF_rsnoKOpe2Ug/s1600/nighttime-symphony-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1600" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0oUqaJndmd4fxQ2ZIdBx-Ncpz7bO1VUI_vw2WHjufdiedMY-6RW1l0jhxR36H1duiWwoV6Phr3a5ncfyGodZRiSoxh9jT0HGFP-2aHf6Dg3z9FsN00MykudELvUMC5cF_rsnoKOpe2Ug/w320-h120/nighttime-symphony-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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That being said, <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1442412089" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="d69a3b5ce3c510c05bdf043fb1fd85e4" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Nighttime Symphony" href="http://www.amazon.com/Nighttime-Symphony-Timbaland/dp/1442412089/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=d69a3b5ce3c510c05bdf043fb1fd85e4&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_4539055" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nighttime Symphony</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_4539055" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=d69a3b5ce3c510c05bdf043fb1fd85e4&_cb=1560956388050" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" /> still works best as a lovely bedtime story. Rhyme schemes are not conducive for explicit ELA instruction and classroom applications are minimal. Some comparisons are possible discussion points, but the book is meant to be more artistic than instructive. Library purchase for diversity and read-alouds recommended. </div>
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Genre: Picture Book, Realistic Fiction<br />
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Age: 2-8 , Pre-K - 3rd<br />
Pages: 32<br />
Publisher: <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Nighttime-Symphony/Timbaland/9781442412088" target="_blank">Atheneum Books for Young Readers, division of Simon & Schuster Kids</a><br />
Date: May 2019<br />
ISBN: 978-1442412088<br />
Acquired: Personal Copy<br />
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<b><i>Themes</i></b>: Fear and Beauty of Sounds/Storms, Fatherly Love<br />
<b><i>Characters</i></b>: The characters seem a bit inconsequential to the telling, with the father doing all the telling and the boy doing all the listening.<br />
<b><i>Plot</i></b>: Poetic rendering of boy getting more comfortable with storm sounds due to father's explanations<br />
<b><i>Originality</i></b>: Anchored in urban space, colorful illustrations, sweet comparisons of sounds to music<br />
<b><i>Diversity</i></b>: Black father/son positive representation, City setting & sounds<br />
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Timbaland is a Grammy Award–winning musician. He has collaborated with many well-known musicians (Justin Timberlake, Madonna, One Republic, Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, etc.). He is also the producer for the TV series Empire.<br />
<a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1442412089" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="44b7c05a52785c2f5aca067c44cc5baf" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Nighttime Symphony" href="http://www.amazon.com/Nighttime-Symphony-Timbaland/dp/1442412089/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=44b7c05a52785c2f5aca067c44cc5baf&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_3565381" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nighttime Symphony</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_3565381" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=44b7c05a52785c2f5aca067c44cc5baf&_cb=1560956051573" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" /> is his first book for children.<br />
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Illustrations by Christopher Myers, an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books. He won a Caldecott Honor for his illustrations in the book <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="0590543407" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="6b5667a6ed1d17c1fcbe53dae7c2da6d" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="harlem christopher myers" href="http://www.amazon.com/Harlem-Caldecott-Honor-Walter-Myers/dp/0590543407/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=6b5667a6ed1d17c1fcbe53dae7c2da6d&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_4938862" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Harlem</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_4938862" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=6b5667a6ed1d17c1fcbe53dae7c2da6d&_cb=1560955436704" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" />, and has received three Coretta Scott King Illustrator Awards. Myers has also illustrated books written by his award-winning author father, Walter Dean Myers.<br />
Watch this great <a href="http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/myersc#bio" target="_blank">video interview from Reading Rockets </a>with Chris Myers regarding black representation and imagery in media:<br />
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Illustrations also Kaa Illustration Studio, comprised of illustrators Phung Nguyen Quang and Huynh Kim Lien, and based in Ho Chi Minh City Their stunning, vibrant illustrations are inspired by the folk culture of Vietnam and Asia. You can see more about them <a href="http://kaaillustration.com/" target="_blank">HERE.</a><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">--------------- That's all folks! ---------------</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-45708493356303090832019-06-19T08:00:00.000-04:002020-02-16T10:36:40.220-05:00If I Was the Sunshine by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by Loren Long<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MZq46pH8MD7v7SjtuDgcEys8vFJmP2Oo5ggUCtICEUqF0bs_HrKScH2442HPCTkyc4GWjOYMurGlFZjJRhmqWTHFAE8nzRbOJVE6dIXYkYjqPvbLku5wHCPNFWFFvmqFQKz2E7mrzRtZ/s1600/if-i-was-the-sunshine-9781481472432_hr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1401" data-original-width="1459" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MZq46pH8MD7v7SjtuDgcEys8vFJmP2Oo5ggUCtICEUqF0bs_HrKScH2442HPCTkyc4GWjOYMurGlFZjJRhmqWTHFAE8nzRbOJVE6dIXYkYjqPvbLku5wHCPNFWFFvmqFQKz2E7mrzRtZ/s200/if-i-was-the-sunshine-9781481472432_hr.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<i style="font-weight: bold;">Publisher's Synopsis: </i>"A breathtaking picture book about the relationships we share from New York Times bestselling storytellers Julie Fogliano and Loren Long in the tradition of The Runaway Bunny and Guess How Much I Love You....<br />
Through clever, thought-provoking verse and warmly evocative art, New York Times bestsellers Julie Fogliano and Loren Long explore the awe-inspiring nature of relationships, love, and connection."<br />
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<b><i>My Two Cents</i></b>: <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1481472437" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="d26017b17cac8c21b5a418dd5a6a6e7a" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="If I Was the Sunshine" href="http://www.amazon.com/If-Was-Sunshine-Julie-Fogliano/dp/1481472437/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=d26017b17cac8c21b5a418dd5a6a6e7a&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_2023950" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">If I Was the Sunshine</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_2023950" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=d26017b17cac8c21b5a418dd5a6a6e7a&_cb=1560885401047" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" /> is one of those books that begs you to pick it up. The typography, the pastel colors, the title…. All done with an artistic swoosh that begs you to grab it. That’s what I did as soon as my library acquired it. And, I am glad.<br />
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<a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1481472437" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="db5452d59ef366ddff83f544ffccc29f" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="If I Was Sunshine" href="http://www.amazon.com/If-Was-Sunshine-Julie-Fogliano/dp/1481472437/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=db5452d59ef366ddff83f544ffccc29f&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6929581" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">If I Was Sunshine</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6929581" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=db5452d59ef366ddff83f544ffccc29f&_cb=1560886909643" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> will deservedly be on the Caldecott short-list and should be added to primary classrooms for both read-aloud and discussion opportunities. The artistic decision to print in all lower case makes this reading specialist cringe a bit, but <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1481472437" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="c794285ef7c5573084dd914cc6457f22" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="If I Was Sunshine" href="http://www.amazon.com/If-Was-Sunshine-Julie-Fogliano/dp/1481472437/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=c794285ef7c5573084dd914cc6457f22&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_8218645" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">If I Was Sunshine</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_8218645" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=c794285ef7c5573084dd914cc6457f22&_cb=1560886954209" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> is not a title to grammatically nitpick. Rather, it is a title to read aloud, in lilting cadence, and discuss. Each rhyming stanza is a metaphor of relationship. Students will do well to listen to it as the poetry it is in the first sitting and then to review it a second or third time to discuss the relationships of the metaphors.<br />
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Highest recommendation. For both elementary library & classroom purchase. Definitely one for collection :-)<br />
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Genre: Picture Book<br />
Age: 4 - 8<br />
Pages: 48<br />
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Kids / Atheneum Books for Young Readers<br />
My copy: personal collection<br />
Date: May 2019<br />
ISBN-13: 978-1481472432<br />
<b><i>Themes</i></b>: Love, Relationships, Nature Beauty<br />
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<u><span style="color: red;"><b><i><span style="color: red;">Teaching Ideas</span></i></b>:</span></u><br />
1. This wonderful book works with many ELA standards. I offer first grade, but the complexity of the relationships are developmentally closer to second grade...<br />
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if you were the winter</div>
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and i was the spring</div>
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i’d call you whisper</div>
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and you'd call me sing</div>
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Why would spring call winter whisper?</div>
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Why would winter call spring sing? </div>
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(CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4 - Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses)</div>
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2. Another idea: Discuss the use of light in illustration and how it creates a mood that aides meaning</div>
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(CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7 - Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events)</div>
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3. Great little teacher's guide available: <a href="https://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/tagged_assets/4685588/9781481472432_as_ifiwasthesunshine.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Julie Fogliano is a New York Times bestselling author and recipient of the 2013 the Ezra Jack Keats Award. You can read more about her </span><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Julie-Fogliano/575596057" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="text-align: center;">. </span></div>
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Loren Long has illustrated many great children's books including President Barack Obama's <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="037583527X" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="1ccc48bff6fd9013fab9e6dbefcfb7dd" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Of Thee I Sing" href="http://www.amazon.com/Thee-Sing-Letter-My-Daughters/dp/037583527X/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=1ccc48bff6fd9013fab9e6dbefcfb7dd&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_626197" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Of Thee I Sing</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_626197" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=1ccc48bff6fd9013fab9e6dbefcfb7dd&_cb=1560885944474" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" />, Madonna's <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="0670058831" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="b63c67b705bc2c9286ae895854fded04" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Mr. Peabody's Apples" href="http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Peabodys-Apples-Madonna/dp/0670058831/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=b63c67b705bc2c9286ae895854fded04&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_9013906" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mr. Peabody's Apples</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_9013906" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=b63c67b705bc2c9286ae895854fded04&_cb=1560885957650" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" />, and <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1481444832" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="dcdd78f11e108d62c46937c0fea00331" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Jon Scieszka's Trucktown" href="http://www.amazon.com/Trucktown-Collectors-Set-Mystery-Scieszkas/dp/1481444832/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=dcdd78f11e108d62c46937c0fea00331&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_29438" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jon Scieszka's Trucktown</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_29438" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=dcdd78f11e108d62c46937c0fea00331&_cb=1560885968445" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" /> series. You can read more about him <a href="http://lorenlong.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">--------------- That's all folks! ---------------</span></div>
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© 2007-2019 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com </a> <iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="60" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?t=randwond-20&o=1&p=26&l=ur1&category=books&banner=0BBJ4GV0BEB69E79D1G2&f=ifr" style="border: none;" width="468"></iframe> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-60685857454385282322019-06-18T14:47:00.002-04:002020-02-16T10:36:58.827-05:00Where the Heart Is by Jo Knowles - mini book review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><u>Publisher’s Synopsis:</u></b> "It’s the first day of summer and Rachel's thirteenth birthday. She can't wait to head to the lake with her best friend, Micah. But as summer unfolds, every day seems to get more complicated. Her “fun” new job taking care of the neighbors’ farm animals quickly becomes a challenge, whether she’s being pecked by chickens or having to dodge a charging pig at feeding time. At home, her parents are more worried about money than usual, and their arguments over bills intensify. Fortunately, Rachel can count on Micah to help her cope with all the stress. But Micah seems to want their relationship to go beyond friendship, and though Rachel almost wishes for that, too, she can’t force herself to feel “that way” about him. In fact, she isn’t sure she can feel that way about any boy — or what that means. With all the heart of her award-winning novel See You At Harry's, Jo Knowles brings us the story of a girl who must discover where her heart is and what that means for her future."<br />
<br />
<b><u>My Two Cents</u></b>: <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1536200034" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="db7f25e2c7f4b7236325e481c323dd61" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="where the heart is jo knowles" href="http://www.amazon.com/Where-Heart-Jo-Knowles/dp/1536200034/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=db7f25e2c7f4b7236325e481c323dd61&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_9013388" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Where the Heart Is</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_9013388" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=db7f25e2c7f4b7236325e481c323dd61&_cb=1560875603760" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> by Jo Knowles is a solidly written realistic tale told from the viewpoint of a young girl struggling to figure out her own sexuality against the backdrop of her parent’s financial struggle. Typical middle grade feelings , worries, and even some joys fill the pages. Many tweens will find this a good read and appreciate the writer's firm grasp of middle grade concerns. <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1536200034" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="88523090f665d75286b727ccba0e54d3" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="where the heart is jo knowles" href="http://www.amazon.com/Where-Heart-Jo-Knowles/dp/1536200034/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=88523090f665d75286b727ccba0e54d3&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_72208" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Where the Heart Is</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_72208" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=88523090f665d75286b727ccba0e54d3&_cb=1560876331805" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> is rightfully getting lots of good bibliophile buzz.<br />
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That being said, and in relation to my work with striving readers, the plotting is a bit slow, with action based in parent whispers and summer beach-going friendships waverings. Readers looking for a faster-paced or more emotionally reaching wallop might struggle to engage. Best recommended for individual selection, rather than whole class reading, purchase for libraries and literature circles.<br />
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Genre: Realistic Fiction<br />
Age: Tween<br />
Pages:304<br />
Date: April, 2019<br />
ISBN:978-1536200034<br />
Thank You to <a href="https://www.librarything.com/home" target="_blank">Library Thing</a> and <a href="https://www.candlewick.com/" target="_blank">Candlewick Press</a> for my advanced copy<br />
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<b><i>Themes</i></b>: Growing Up, Family Love, Friendship Love, First Love, Financial Security. Could have been a much deeper story. Reads more like a beachy, summer fun tale than the deep themes it disguises. Possibly kudos to the writer on that front.<br />
<b><i>Character Development</i></b>: Characters are well drawn, Sisters have the most fleshed-out relationship, Parents relationship seems one sided (narrator viewpoint only),<br />
<b><i>Plot</i></b>: Young tween’s family loses their home while she struggles with her blossoming sexuality, probably more for girls than boys, causing rift between her male best friend who has feelings for her<br />
<b><i>Believability</i></b>: Anchored in real life and internal monologue, with the protagonist carrying the weight of the novel, <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1536200034" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="627b81be2325d90761715f17178844e5" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="where the heart is jo knowles" href="http://www.amazon.com/Where-Heart-Jo-Knowles/dp/1536200034/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=627b81be2325d90761715f17178844e5&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_8020848" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Where the Heart Is</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_8020848" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=627b81be2325d90761715f17178844e5&_cb=1560876433916" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> is a realistic example of a typical tween viewpoint.<br />
<b><i>Diversity</i></b>: Girl liking a girl adds some diversity, characters mostly present as Caucasian. One concern I had was the female protagonist’s embarrassment at the possibility of liking a girl is never fully developed. This is a great theme to run with and it simply IS without excavating the WHY of the embarrassment.<br />
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Sorry, this is a mini book review so not much in the way of teaching resources, but you can find a teacher's discussion guide: <a href="https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/bdf277_c7613793b1cc4ab3a71e98fb7259209a.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a> </div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">You can read more about author Jo Knowles on her website: </span><a href="https://www.joknowles.com/" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1536200034" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="2d3c266c0a598f4c4e0ffca7acca1236" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="where the heart is jo knowles" href="http://www.amazon.com/Where-Heart-Jo-Knowles/dp/1536200034/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=randwond08-20&linkId=2d3c266c0a598f4c4e0ffca7acca1236&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_402843" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">You can buy <i>Where the Heart Is</i> HERE</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_402843" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=randwond08-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=2d3c266c0a598f4c4e0ffca7acca1236&_cb=1560883639638" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></span></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">--------------- That's all folks! ---------------</span></div>
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© 2007-2019 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank"></a><iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="60" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?t=randwond-20&o=1&p=26&l=ur1&category=books&banner=0BBJ4GV0BEB69E79D1G2&f=ifr" style="border: none;" width="468"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-84507355773791368442019-06-17T13:09:00.001-04:002022-02-02T10:32:02.839-05:00Fergus and Zeke at the Science Fair by Kate Messner and illustrated by Heather Ross<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHy5Of1MAtxXZU1oT0DajAG7HHnMEUYdXp4ahZG2JYQGiCqbbS0Nal4Gpk8x26WTQkwCHr4-sIYJXoq_Vfq50rpNPFrjoY5dfItd0bsiUtpnAy9GKhBD40KRaw1xDTXqzxi42k69nHzuI/s1600/fergus+zeke.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHy5Of1MAtxXZU1oT0DajAG7HHnMEUYdXp4ahZG2JYQGiCqbbS0Nal4Gpk8x26WTQkwCHr4-sIYJXoq_Vfq50rpNPFrjoY5dfItd0bsiUtpnAy9GKhBD40KRaw1xDTXqzxi42k69nHzuI/s320/fergus+zeke.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<u>Publisher’s Synopsis</u>: "Fergus and Zeke love being the class pets in Miss Maxwell’s classroom, and they do everything the students do — listening at storytime, painting masterpieces during art class, and keeping their own special journals. But when it’s time for the school science fair, the mice aren’t sure just how to get involved. Lucy wants to time them as they run through a maze, but they want to do an experiment, not be an experiment. Then Zeke comes up with a great idea: since Lucy is training animals for her experiment, maybe he and Fergus can do the same thing! Unfortunately, the only animals available are the students themselves. Can Fergus and Zeke turn the tables and train Lucy in time for the science fair?"<br />
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<b>My Two Cents</b>: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763678473/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0763678473&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=ce93d1c876cee8ea5fe235af95118c31" target="_blank">Fergus and Zeke at the Science Fair</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0763678473" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> is a cute second in series book about two anthropomorphized classroom mice with lots of personality. I did not read the first in the series, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763678465/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0763678465&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=3612acedbf60e279b59dec1cc48f0237" target="_blank">Fergus and Zeke</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0763678465" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />, but Kate Messner books are always a treat so I can imagine why there is sequel.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763678473/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0763678473&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=ce93d1c876cee8ea5fe235af95118c31" target="_blank">Fergus and Zeke at the Science Fair</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0763678473" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> has many opportunities for interdisciplinary literacy for beginning chapter book readers, some solid vocabulary words related to science and the scientific method, as well as a cute story about classroom mice wanting to DO an experiment rather than BE an experiment.<br />
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With no ‘big’ themes to struggle over requiring teacher guidance, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763678473/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0763678473&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=ce93d1c876cee8ea5fe235af95118c31" target="_blank">Fergus and Zeke at the Science Fair</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0763678473" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> is a solid literary circles selection for grades 1 or 2 and/or a striving 3rd grade group - probably more of an individual selection rather than a whole class read. <b><i>See teaching ideas below...</i></b><br />
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Genre: Animal Tales, Beginning Chapter Books<br />
Age: Transitional Readers, ages 5-9<br />
Pages: 48<br />
Date: September, 2018<br />
ISBN: 978-0-7636-7847-0<br />
Thank You to <a href="https://www.librarything.com/home" target="_blank">Library Thing</a> and <a href="https://www.candlewick.com/" target="_blank">Candlewick Press</a> for my review copy!<br />
<u>Themes</u>: Training animals, Science Fair, Working hard in school<br />
<u>Character Development</u>: Zeke is the standout mouse, with Fergus being the more reasonable, rule following one. Students and teacher are pretty generic as Fergus & Zeke are the show.<br />
<u>Plot</u>: Will Fergus & Zeke get to do a science fair experiment?<br />
<u>Originality</u>: Classroom. Students. Teacher. Pets. Pretty typical kid lit stuff.<br />
<u>Believability</u>: I’m not the best animal tales reader, but allow that many kids love them. This one seems quite plausible and plays on the mice as experiment subjects idea.<br />
<u>Diversity</u>: Tale is centered in typically represented American classroom. Kid’s skin tones are somewhat diverse. Teacher is white/blonde.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: red;">Teaching Ideas:</span></i></b><br />
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First.... a teaching guide from Candlewick Press can be found : <a href="http://www.candlewick.com/book_files/0763678465.btg.1.pdf" style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
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<u>Vocabulary</u>: masterpieces, journal, announcement, science fair, experiment, solar system, scientists, erosion, observe, soggy, maze, skittered, grumped, demonstration, squealed, chemistry, marveled, clipboards<br />
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<u>Interdisciplinary Opportunities</u>:
Solar System, Sunlight/Plant Growth, Erosion, Scientific Method
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<u>Anticipatory/Engagement Questions</u>:
What is a science fair?
Have you ever trained something?
Why do we train animals?<br />
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<u>Comprehension Questions:</u><br />
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At first, Fergus & Zeke plant sunflower seeds and watch them, but that doesn’t work. Why not? (they eat the seeds) p. 5<br />
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Why do Fergus & Zeke have trouble completing the erosion experiment? (they can’t aim well to get the water to erode the wood chips) p. 9<br />
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Why does Zeke hide in his mad spot? (he wants to DO and experiment himself, not be part of one) p. 12<br />
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Why doesn’t Lucy give Zeke a treat? (he cheated) p. 16<br />
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Why does it matter that he cheated? (she is trying to train him to run the maze and he went over the top of the maze wall) - inference standard<br />
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Which animals are Fergus and Zeke going to try to train in their experiment (children/Lucy) p. 19
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What do Fegus & Zeke train Lucy to do? (do the bouncy cheer) p. 22<br />
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What do Fergus & Zeke win? (first place ribbon) last page - inference visual<br />
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<u>Post Question</u>: Does a teacher “train” children? Elaborate<br />
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You can read more about Kate Messner's many fabulous books (and her too) on <a href="https://www.katemessner.com/" target="_blank">her website.</a><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">--------------- That's all folks! ---------------</span></div>
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© 2007-2019 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com </a>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-26161788499711957222019-05-28T15:31:00.004-04:002020-02-16T10:38:08.153-05:00Babymoon by Hayley Barrett with illustrations by Juana Martinez-Neal - Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFWy_wniRyJxXLCxWKOX94ubyhPWrmiREWjVNbsNvpCg4s9qQybrv0libHRLBzAhyphenhyphenXekpdCv2H0VlO8-6OKSFmXSV1vL9vowBUj7pbrywsH2Mc60O8uENRb1qlandapCwmXJYYU8X9RRI/s1600/BABYMOON-897x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="897" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFWy_wniRyJxXLCxWKOX94ubyhPWrmiREWjVNbsNvpCg4s9qQybrv0libHRLBzAhyphenhyphenXekpdCv2H0VlO8-6OKSFmXSV1vL9vowBUj7pbrywsH2Mc60O8uENRb1qlandapCwmXJYYU8X9RRI/s320/BABYMOON-897x1024.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
<b> <u><span style="color: red;">Publisher's Synopsis</span></u></b>: "Inside the cozy house, a baby has arrived! The world is eager to meet the newcomer, but there will be time enough for that later. Right now, the family is on its babymoon: cocooning, connecting, learning, and muddling through each new concern. While the term “babymoon” is often used to refer to a parents’ getaway before the birth of a child, it was originally coined by midwives to describe days like these: at home with a newborn, with the world held at bay and the wonder of a new family constellation unfolding. Paired with warm and winsome illustrations by Juana Martinez-Neal, Hayley Barrett’s lyrical ode to these tender first days will resonate with new families everywhere."<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: red;"><u>My Two Cents</u></span><i></i></b>: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763688525/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0763688525&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=e4eec2e46ffb42435ee6edbff35b9c77" target="_blank">Babymoon's</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0763688525" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> lyrical prose and quiet illustrations allow readers to feel as if they are tip-toeing through a newborn’s first days with Mom & Dad. The rhyming cadence and matching joy-filled glow of the illustrations have the effect of a lullaby. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: medium;">Both sweetly enamored, and a bit apprehensive, the new parents bask in the glow of baby. Even the family dog and cat mirror the daze. From its opening lines, "The house is hushed. The lights are low. We’re basking in a newborn glow," <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763688525/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0763688525&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=e4eec2e46ffb42435ee6edbff35b9c77" target="_blank">Babymoon</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0763688525" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> draws readers into the beautiful and diverse little family's babymoon.</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">The first page contains a gift template making <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763688525/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0763688525&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=e4eec2e46ffb42435ee6edbff35b9c77" target="_blank">Babymoon</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0763688525" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> absolutely <i><b>perfect</b></i> as a baby shower or new arrival gift. I could see this picture book also enticing young children with a new sibling in the house.
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMR7eLPeCI4ZMiWmf8UdkI8xjQW-JGi3YV_v1xN8pRSdH0_lkb1YAb7HflwCwn4UmluJxvzyzz1jMpUHzrdokMkjFg_sTUKQp3UOjYKtwky8Loq5fKuPek4Cvgx0j4PnEYOU3dO9lOmqI/s1600/babymoon_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMR7eLPeCI4ZMiWmf8UdkI8xjQW-JGi3YV_v1xN8pRSdH0_lkb1YAb7HflwCwn4UmluJxvzyzz1jMpUHzrdokMkjFg_sTUKQp3UOjYKtwky8Loq5fKuPek4Cvgx0j4PnEYOU3dO9lOmqI/s320/babymoon_02.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Genre</u></b>: Picture Book</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Age</u></b>: Probably adults as much as children, but 2-5 officially</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Pages</u></b>: 32</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Date</u></b>: March 14, 2019</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>ISBN</b>: 0763688523</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Thank You</u></b> to <a href="https://www.librarything.com/home" target="_blank">LibraryThing</a> & <a href="https://www.candlewick.com/" target="_blank">Candlewick Press</a> for my gorgeous copy!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><span style="color: red;">Themes</span>:</u></b> New baby, Parental Love, Family</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><span style="color: red;">Character</span></u></b>: Parents are simply a reflection of the love and joy they feel for their baby</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;"><b><u>Plot</u></b>:</span> Not that kind of book. Basically, just basking in that aforementioned glow</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><span style="color: red;">Originality</span></u></b>: I had not heard the term babymoon, but I think it may rise to higher use after this sweet book.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><span style="color: red;">Believability</span></u></b>: Yep, parents are not all easy and glow; they are apprehensive, uncertain, and pensive at times</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><span style="color: red;">Diversity</span></u></b>: Very good. Lighter-skinned father, darker-skinned mother, gender neutral baby. Quiet joy of breastfeeding depicted.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763688525/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0763688525&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=e4eec2e46ffb42435ee6edbff35b9c77" target="_blank">BUY Babymoon HERE</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0763688525" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Read more about author Hayley Barrett <a href="https://hayleybarrett.com/" target="_blank">HERE.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Read more about illustrator Juana Martinez-Neal <a href="http://juanamartinezneal.com/" target="_blank">HERE.</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">--------------- That's all folks! ---------------</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQJ4cixjIkqhokS9bzwGhXWzkTX9NJkg_nb4uFXEN-em_3ALkrAXn2CQ-qqVcZm17Ppv1D7_YgdI1cQVh-nl8N4-8b7DIKTQCRImmEYhsiG8J3Y80reqBV1dJ8vcXHEQJt8gDvI4e66Mp/s1600/Harry-button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQJ4cixjIkqhokS9bzwGhXWzkTX9NJkg_nb4uFXEN-em_3ALkrAXn2CQ-qqVcZm17Ppv1D7_YgdI1cQVh-nl8N4-8b7DIKTQCRImmEYhsiG8J3Y80reqBV1dJ8vcXHEQJt8gDvI4e66Mp/s320/Harry-button.jpg" width="100" /></a></div>
© 2007-2019 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com </a>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-1521278331388172482019-05-15T15:41:00.000-04:002020-02-16T10:38:30.029-05:00Princess Puffybottom and Darryl by Susin Nielsen; illustrated by Olivia Chin Mueller - teaching book review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieB9Ertxh-ntt8Aexw6pYUSkuVOWZk8gd39PNRU0XAtS2HadiSHmFZSVmYz-eaNyhdAkuAMi4tyTIH7rsZUeJCPcbAZS8wR0xI_9fM0tWzr5UOV5wUY0OMK0mpb9b3Q-kDMLv0J2brzJLI/s1600/pp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieB9Ertxh-ntt8Aexw6pYUSkuVOWZk8gd39PNRU0XAtS2HadiSHmFZSVmYz-eaNyhdAkuAMi4tyTIH7rsZUeJCPcbAZS8wR0xI_9fM0tWzr5UOV5wUY0OMK0mpb9b3Q-kDMLv0J2brzJLI/s1600/pp.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><i>Publisher's Synopsis</i></b>: "Princess Puffybottom has the perfect life — her subjects serve her delicious meals, clean up her “delicate matters” and wait on her hand and foot. Life is good . . . until Darryl arrives. Princess Puffybottom thinks he’s disgusting, horrid and a true animal. Though she tries everything in her power to banish him (including hypnosis, trickery and even sabotage), it looks like this puppy is here to stay. Can Princess P. and Darryl find a way to co-exist? A hilarious picture book from acclaimed author Susin Nielsen, with adorable illustrations by Olivia Chin Mueller, Princess Puffybottom . . . and Darryl is perfect for not only warring siblings, but also anyone who loves cute pets (and some toilet humor)."<br />
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<b><i>My Thoughts: </i></b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1101919256/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1101919256&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=572ae68347e49d02742961f68007c4a6" target="_blank">Princess Puffybottom . . . and Darryl</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1101919256" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is a nice addition to the PK-1st classroom. The story is about the cat, Princess Puffybottom (every bit as stuffy as her name sounds) gaining a new member of the family, a pup named Darryl. At first glance this picture book seems a simple dog/cat tale, but the illustrations tells a different story.<br />
<a name='more'></a> I would use this in either K or 1 for standards:<br />
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7
With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.<br />
Here are examples of what else is going on besides a new puppy showing up:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7KXFqe4Ngz3EP9iPwoAsbfufZPpSvx0-86KDjtG0JFXBmdDGRhnsFQVuHngZeW-q0Te93GjRFnSxlRYa0m4VlQBhGgl6S1OrZKVFJhonHGJJxdJpdDZlYsaFvGQyZtd4amsWt7vAamEA/s1600/IMG_1162.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7KXFqe4Ngz3EP9iPwoAsbfufZPpSvx0-86KDjtG0JFXBmdDGRhnsFQVuHngZeW-q0Te93GjRFnSxlRYa0m4VlQBhGgl6S1OrZKVFJhonHGJJxdJpdDZlYsaFvGQyZtd4amsWt7vAamEA/s320/IMG_1162.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Definitely a chance to make inferences from the illustrations.<br />
Illustration inferences: someone is having a baby, Princess Puffybottom doesn't seem to notice = surprise new baby ending :-)<br />
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In the area of word study, there is only a minor opportunity with some alliteration of "perfect," "permitted," "petting" at the very start of the story.<br />
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Vocabulary needing explicit instruction includes mostly tier 1 & 2 words: banished, subjects, delicate, faraway kingdom, hypnosis, trickery, sabotage, sophisticated, worshipped, pedestal, tolerated. The word "bright' is used, so there is a chance to mention it as a homophone (first-second grade).<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><b>-----------------------------------------------</b></span></div>
Genre: Animal Tale / Picture Book<br />
Age: 3 - 7 Years<br />
Pages: 32<br />
Thank You to <a href="https://www.librarything.com/" target="_blank">LibraryThing</a> & <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TundraBooks/" target="_blank">Tundra Books</a> for my Early Reviewers copy<br />
Publication Date: 02/05/2019<br />
ISBN: 9781101919255<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>Themes:</u></b> Changes in family structure, New baby arrival, Learning to get along with others<br />
<b><u>Character</u></b>: Princess Puffybottom shows some character development, but Darryl is merely her foil<br />
<u><b>Plot</b></u>: The 'catch' is knowing what's going on besides Puffybottom stated dislike of her new family member<br />
<b><u>Originality</u></b>: Lots of tales on accepting new babies (with animal perspectives too), but this one adds both diversity and some subtlety in the insider inferencing from illustrations<br />
<b><u>Believability</u></b>: It's a good thing most kids believe in anthropomorphism :-)<br />
<b><u>Diversity</u></b>: Good representation of a mixed-race, same-sex family<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1101919256/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1101919256&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=572ae68347e49d02742961f68007c4a6" target="_blank">BUY Princess Puffybottom . . . and Darryl HERE</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1101919256" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtX9Xja_u1CCjmMXt6X111BlwXeFX69JbB1rxU4vXl9V72zld63dA-T_f4kZE18M85iTd4AH6MhIWec-uXsfWFziw9Fnp6qDG7HRjzgWpitEAjCTmqv93PsrPWGn8tL2KPf9qwHNL9twex/s1600/Susin41931.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtX9Xja_u1CCjmMXt6X111BlwXeFX69JbB1rxU4vXl9V72zld63dA-T_f4kZE18M85iTd4AH6MhIWec-uXsfWFziw9Fnp6qDG7HRjzgWpitEAjCTmqv93PsrPWGn8tL2KPf9qwHNL9twex/s200/Susin41931.jpeg" width="100" /></a></div>
You can read more about author Susin Nielsen on her webpage: <a href="https://susinnielsen.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">HERE</span></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBmbCtaDNvoQmQXJrQBcLDxYpujAuuUUzX-VYNC3jN6H1DGvwkijYcD-CDIAQ8mFus5Yk1M98JfEuJ3MtOH-N1Ld5tZxhtpxGHjcGcjwH6ZFeZwFS_ENMxsVh1XbGQwrxmtI2QHKJboCy/s1600/B1k2Vpr1llS._US230_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="130" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBmbCtaDNvoQmQXJrQBcLDxYpujAuuUUzX-VYNC3jN6H1DGvwkijYcD-CDIAQ8mFus5Yk1M98JfEuJ3MtOH-N1Ld5tZxhtpxGHjcGcjwH6ZFeZwFS_ENMxsVh1XbGQwrxmtI2QHKJboCy/s200/B1k2Vpr1llS._US230_.jpg" width="100" /></a></div>
You can read more about illustrator Olivia Chin Mueller: <a href="https://www.oliviachinmueller.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Here</span></a><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">--------------- That's all folks! ---------------</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4WmvFF-uVr75I9bjK7H6t-uzLXFf1OFgU0a5yxPfEN1Q2j-WFNYLRwiliW4WuMSv00XMOnL6uK_pZmNi3fAXFhnI1g0CqzuPMCjhyphenhyphen0MnQLmNk5yJx2lPGcR8W-Yy8d2K-PRdeb_ZhoH2/s1600/cats.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4WmvFF-uVr75I9bjK7H6t-uzLXFf1OFgU0a5yxPfEN1Q2j-WFNYLRwiliW4WuMSv00XMOnL6uK_pZmNi3fAXFhnI1g0CqzuPMCjhyphenhyphen0MnQLmNk5yJx2lPGcR8W-Yy8d2K-PRdeb_ZhoH2/s200/cats.png" width="100" /></a></div>
© 2007-2019 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com </a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlfoA1yCiYdyaYLUfXVSg4Hr4LmchT4H0AzXBRDIl5J2s61U14MhhR3LD-gXzY-pAKR36USMcv2F1vAy5OdsrL0A_8LZgKKtxv_M2tHPsrA5Eiz46NRZEgz8nR1g67t7-5gBDyKylWqj5/s1600/love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1000" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlfoA1yCiYdyaYLUfXVSg4Hr4LmchT4H0AzXBRDIl5J2s61U14MhhR3LD-gXzY-pAKR36USMcv2F1vAy5OdsrL0A_8LZgKKtxv_M2tHPsrA5Eiz46NRZEgz8nR1g67t7-5gBDyKylWqj5/s200/love.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b><u>Publisher's Synopsis</u></b>: "What is love? Can you only express it in fancy meals, greeting cards, and heart-shaped chocolates? Kids will find love everywhere in this delightful book. It can be found in everyday moments such as baking cookies with grandma, notes from Mom in your lunchbox, or a family singing together on a car trip, and it isn't always what you expect!
With delightful illustrations by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff and sweetly simple prose by award-winning author Stacy McAnulty, this is the perfect book to teach children what love means, why it's important, and how they can spread the love in their daily lives."<br />
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<b><u>My Two Cents</u></b>: I like Valentine's Day, but it falls too darn close to Christmas. I still have all that candy from my stocking and the last thing my umpteenth New Year's resolution needs is more chocolate. But, I love hearts and I love love and the idea that love is so universal and inhabits the space where we can all begin to connect and understand one another. I wish Valentine's Day was more about love and less about chocolates.<br />
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At first glance, it seems like author Stacy McAnulty has bought into all the Valentine's Day hype with her new picture book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0762462124/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0762462124&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=8819d348a24780a978d1e7755247a015" target="_blank">Love.</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0762462124" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> She tells us that love "needs designer greeting cards" and "must have the finest chocolate." But it is her illustrator who shows us the real meaning of love with multicultural, multiracial and multigenerational friends and family in the real, small, free actions of love. This juxtaposition of words vs. visual representations makes for a great tool for extended discussions o the real and varied meanings of love.<br />
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A Few Ideas:<br />
<ul>
<li>Great for character trait discussions</li>
<li>Strong for making visual inferences</li>
<li>Would be a good choice to aide ESOL students </li>
<li>Works well with Common Core Literacy Standard(s) for grade K-2:CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7
With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts). AND, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events., AND CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7
Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.
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<li>Especially good as an introductory/anticipatory text to introduce the 3rd grade standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.7
Explain how specific aspects of a text's illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting) </li>
<li>Check out the love cards/templates on the publisher's website: <a href="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/stacy-mcanulty/love/9780762462131/?lens=running-press-kids" target="_blank">HERE</a></li>
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Some of the beautiful pages from the book:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh74STb9o67KrE5sEuFcy-gvNdDFLr6n9OzOR4tHztDoliVXieogWEIVE-ilbysH_pz2ZwGiXPvaKYzGy5_Fvt615mw22zQ9i-cUrhHAr1nZvqM6GHGotX0wCV5BrJL3i_fQQS6H2MBNmO/s1600/love+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="1000" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh74STb9o67KrE5sEuFcy-gvNdDFLr6n9OzOR4tHztDoliVXieogWEIVE-ilbysH_pz2ZwGiXPvaKYzGy5_Fvt615mw22zQ9i-cUrhHAr1nZvqM6GHGotX0wCV5BrJL3i_fQQS6H2MBNmO/s320/love+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Genre: Picture Book<br />
Pages: 32<br />
Themes: What is love?, Commercialism, Small acts of kindness<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0762462124/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0762462124&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=8819d348a24780a978d1e7755247a015" target="_blank">Buy Love HERE</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0762462124" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
Thank You to publisher <a href="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/imprint/perseus/running-press/running-press-kids/page/rp-kids/" target="_blank">Running Press Kids</a> for my eBook copy (@RP_Kids )<br />
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You can read more about author Stacey McAnulty <a href="http://www.stacymcanulty.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
You can read more about illustrator Joanne Lew-Vriethoff <a href="http://joannelewvriethoff.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">--------------- That's all folks! ---------------</span></div>
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© 2007-2019 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com </a>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-78720780755849366622018-10-06T11:28:00.001-04:002020-02-16T10:39:49.437-05:00Inkling by Kenneth Oppel - a book review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbf9IhdzZmDkm9QDvlp2t0kJynHwCpPwgIGBi76vdcVyxOR0bzvpUKOlFUoifDRccEkS4XI9g7OeW-_RhbEu727WjnUG528F0WmiOZ-et5dD7Qlax8FHyKBnUFl5fpjopg2i-DPxjv471/s1600/inkling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbf9IhdzZmDkm9QDvlp2t0kJynHwCpPwgIGBi76vdcVyxOR0bzvpUKOlFUoifDRccEkS4XI9g7OeW-_RhbEu727WjnUG528F0WmiOZ-et5dD7Qlax8FHyKBnUFl5fpjopg2i-DPxjv471/s200/inkling.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: red;">Publisher's Synopsis:</span><i></i></b> "From the acclaimed author of The Nest, The Boundless, and Airborn comes a brilliantly funny, breakout book about a boy who discovers an ink blot that’s come to life! Perfect for those who love Hoot and Frindle and sure to be a hit with kids everywhere!<br />
The Rylance family is stuck. Dad’s got writer’s block. Ethan promised to illustrate a group project at school–even though he can’t draw. Sarah’s still pining for a puppy. And they all miss Mom. So much more than they can say.<br />
Enter Inkling. Inkling begins life in Mr. Rylance’s sketchbook. But one night the ink of his drawings runs together–and then leaps off the page! This small burst of creativity is about to change everything.<br />
Ethan finds him first. Inkling has absorbed a couple chapters of his math book–not good–and the story he’s supposed to be illustrating for school–also not good. But Inkling’s also started drawing the pictures to go with the story–which is amazing! It’s just the help Ethan was looking for! Inkling helps the rest of the family too–for Sarah he’s a puppy. And for Dad he’s a spark of ideas for a new graphic novel. It’s exactly what they all want.<br />
It’s not until Inkling goes missing that this family has to face the larger questions of what they–and Inkling–truly need.<br />
Kenneth Oppel has given us a small masterpiece of middle-grade fiction. Inkling is funny and fizzy and exciting, and brimming with the kind of interesting ideas and dilemmas that kids will love to wrestle with. And Sydney Smith is creating wonderfully inky illustrations to bring the story to vivid life. Get ready. A little ink blot is about to become your new favorite character!"<br />
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<b>My Two Cents:<i></i></b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/152477281X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=152477281X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=6a701ea26eb695bf1fd79dec5454568e" target="_blank">Inkling</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=152477281X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is a master class in personification. Taking an ink blot and not only giving it character, but DEVELOPING that character into a full-blown bildungsroman is brilliant. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/152477281X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=152477281X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=6a701ea26eb695bf1fd79dec5454568e" target="_blank">Inkling</a> devours ink as sustenance and his pal (and the protagonist) Ethan feeds him some great literature choices. Watching <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/152477281X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=152477281X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=6a701ea26eb695bf1fd79dec5454568e" target="_blank">Inkling</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=152477281X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> grow and develop on ink from the BFG, Moby Dick, Anne of Greene Gables (and others) speaks volumes about the ways in which literature has the power to shape who we are. I can not decide if I liked <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/152477281X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=152477281X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=6a701ea26eb695bf1fd79dec5454568e" target="_blank">Inkling's</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=152477281X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> BFG or Captain Ahab influenced speech better! AND... there is that double entendre name! This book is metafiction perfection for literary-inclined readers.<br />
<a name='more'></a>There is also a very lot right in the telling (besides Literary Nerd porn). The characters are so complete. Protagonist Ethan bears the burden of his family's loss as his father has pretty much just checked out after his wife's death. Ethan's sister, Sarah, is nine and a typical little sister pain in his butt, but she just also happens to have Down's Syndrome. Oppel writes this as a fact of Ethan's life and not a plot device or burden or event that matters to the story development. Sarah is just another kid in the story. The other characters are Ethan's classmates and his father's publisher boss. Some turn out to have some pretty nasty traits, but reasons for their nastiness are developed so as to not make a typical one-dimensional villain, and characters have redeeming qualities without you really needing to like them. Again, complete.<br />
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The plot begins in action from the first sentence, "No one was awake to see it happen, except Rickman." There are rising dangers and a climactic ending that will keep middle grade readers turning the pages after lights out, under covers, flashlight in hand. This is truly a strong addition to not only Mr. Oppel's already impressive oeuvre, but to the children's literature genre.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/152477281X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=152477281X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=6a701ea26eb695bf1fd79dec5454568e" target="_blank">Inkling</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=152477281X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> would be a great classroom read aloud or in excerpt for teaching various literary devices. I see that Mr. Oppel has several teaching guides available for his other titles so it is probably only a matter of time until there is one available for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/152477281X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=152477281X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=6a701ea26eb695bf1fd79dec5454568e" target="_blank">Inkling</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=152477281X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. You can check it out over on the teaching resource section of his webpage: <a href="https://www.kennethoppel.ca/teacher-study-guides/" target="_blank">HERE.</a><br />
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<i>Genre:</i> Fantasy<br />
<i>Age:</i> Middle Grade<br />
<i>Pages</i>: 272<br />
<i>ISBN-13:</i> 978-1524772819<br />
<i>T</i><i>hemes</i>: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/152477281X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=152477281X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=6a701ea26eb695bf1fd79dec5454568e" target="_blank">Inkling</a>'s themes<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=152477281X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> shine! Bullying, Grit vs. Perfection, family, grief, depression, sacrifice, coming-of-age,<br />
<i>Character Development</i>: Complete and Endearing. Who would have thought one could fall in love with a little blot of ink? THAT takes some writing chops!<br />
<i>Plot Engagement:</i> Starts in action, builds slowly at first, very climactic ending as we have grown to adore the characters and root for their success<br />
<i>Originality</i>: Seriously? Who else has ever brought a blot of ink into an inkling of an idea, let alone a full blown and well-drawn character (easy puns! <b>:-) </b><br />
<i>Believability</i>: Here's the point! An ink blot? Yep. He is named <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/152477281X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=152477281X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=6a701ea26eb695bf1fd79dec5454568e" target="_blank">Inkling</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=152477281X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and you are going to love him.<br />
<i>Diversity</i>: Although the characters physical specifics aren't discussed nor necessarily important to the story, they mostly present with white traits. HOWEVER, the attention - make that <b><i>non-attention</i></b> - to Sarah's Downs Syndrome make this a win in the diversity category<br />
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<i>Thank You to <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> and <a href="http://rhcbooks.com/" target="_blank">Random House Children's Publishing</a> for my digital copy.</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can buy a copy of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/152477281X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=152477281X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=6a701ea26eb695bf1fd79dec5454568e" target="_blank">Inkling HERE</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=152477281X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. It's available October, 2018
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLCqYcn-3bqWGOZm9QO8CG2X8frBD7YKzAntaDbKjyNmqA7gcwiDkR9VrEkftHmjgw5aK0zebcJmJxxkkG7sujl8S_-Rfi-eo1YMLrQeSZjtOroKG0tg-poBoXBehyphenhyphenDNPsvzwQxFJQXi1/s1600/Sydney%252BSmith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="100" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLCqYcn-3bqWGOZm9QO8CG2X8frBD7YKzAntaDbKjyNmqA7gcwiDkR9VrEkftHmjgw5aK0zebcJmJxxkkG7sujl8S_-Rfi-eo1YMLrQeSZjtOroKG0tg-poBoXBehyphenhyphenDNPsvzwQxFJQXi1/s200/Sydney%252BSmith.jpg" width="80" /></a></div>
Because I had a digital copy, I did not get to see all of the amazing artwork that accompanies the book in its full glory. The work of award-winning children's book illustrator Sydney Smith is fantastic and adds much to the telling. You read more about him and see his other books <a href="https://www.sydneydraws.ca/" target="_blank">HERE.</a><br />
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To read more about author Kenneth Oppel you can pop over to his website: <a href="https://www.kennethoppel.ca/author/" target="_blank">HERE.</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcePNg9mEQuRsF7PUcNbTSZlkmmADAJaua-OCjEdfcHA2JwQpO6ktw5rP6t2wAdL5z-D_OYcWqwAMv4sPelCNYA8C9NtT6kVRIiHLhQ22IZDZVHhXcSE5Ahk7PAP9dzmkb71LbVbi3F1V/s1600/fun.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcePNg9mEQuRsF7PUcNbTSZlkmmADAJaua-OCjEdfcHA2JwQpO6ktw5rP6t2wAdL5z-D_OYcWqwAMv4sPelCNYA8C9NtT6kVRIiHLhQ22IZDZVHhXcSE5Ahk7PAP9dzmkb71LbVbi3F1V/s200/fun.png" width="100" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">--------------- That's all folks! ---------------</span></div>
© 2007-2018 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com </a>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-9115803856983333552018-09-30T05:00:00.000-04:002020-02-16T10:40:07.407-05:00The Sinking of Captain Otter by Troy Wilson and Maira Chiodi - a book bite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6N-hTDTBxEZ3jRiXwInGNUQieiBReNL4ltQBCE1Zd2tjogWq74QfSnS7qd5ZuLVtZ0Vsw3w2LdqAJkrJAxzq7jrjMPKIuyMHGU-fwpPjiMFLDjrq_YTRyoBCQXN5CB_aPWBx0gn6wect/s1600/9781771473118_interior_coverbookpage-v2-modal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="960" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6N-hTDTBxEZ3jRiXwInGNUQieiBReNL4ltQBCE1Zd2tjogWq74QfSnS7qd5ZuLVtZ0Vsw3w2LdqAJkrJAxzq7jrjMPKIuyMHGU-fwpPjiMFLDjrq_YTRyoBCQXN5CB_aPWBx0gn6wect/s200/9781771473118_interior_coverbookpage-v2-modal.jpg" width="200" /></b></a></div>
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Publisher's Synopsis</span></u></b>: "Kelpy is an otter―and also a passionate sea captain. He builds himself a ship that he adores, from keel to cabin to crow’s nest. All the other otters and pirates and sharks just laugh at Kelpy’s ramshackle craft, but Kelpy sails on. Until one day on the high seas, he encounters a sailor even more laughable than himself―a petite butterfly pirate in a teeny-tiny boat.
Kelpy’s laughter shifts to empathy when he realizes how much he has hurt the tiny pirate’s feelings. So Kelpy decides to scuttle his beloved boat in a playful ploy to repair the emotional damage he’s done. Along the way, an unlikely friendship (and rivalry) begins.
Packed with rhyme, repetition, and lots of humor, this is a read-aloud with a heartwarming message about following your dreams even in the face of ridicule and doubt, and how even an underdog can lift someone up."
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<b><u><span style="color: red;">My Quick Two Cents:</span></u></b> It's a little harder for me to "review" all picture books. First, I'm solidly a middle grades gal myself, having spent the bulk of my teaching career between 3rd - 8th grade. Secondly, I could go all 'reading specialist' on a review and try to come up with phonics and foundational reading activities - even if I had to think a bit harder on them. So, it's sometimes easier just to talk about if I like a book (or not) and if I think kids will like it and, consequentially, if teachers and parents should buy it.<br />
<a name='more'></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1771473118/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1771473118&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=5b0399cec214d8d6ef3c0efc42542669" target="_blank">The Sinking of Captain Otter</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1771473118" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is a fun and engaging picture book, perfectly suited to its target age demographic. There's just enough rhyming and repetition so as to not overpower. I love the subtleness in the bullying message (which in the first few pages made me worry it was going to be another "bullying is bad" didactic tretise). Instead, the bullied Kelpy, knowing what it is like to feel sad and bullied, chooses to turn the other cheek, swallow some pride, and make friends in unlikely places. There's also something in there about a healthy rivalry, but I'm not very competitive so it kind of got lost on me. Mostly, I liked the idea of tenacity in the face of ridicule. It's short and sweet, but it contains a lot of possible discussion about Kelpy's traits and decisions.<br />
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Genre: Picture Book<br />
Age: 3-7 / Preschool - 2nd<br />
Pages: 32<br />
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Themes: Tenacity, Empathy, Friendship, Rivalry<br />
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Character Development: Typical surface level in most picture books of this sort<br />
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Plot Engagement: Pretty strong, switches between scenes of bullying, meeting new friend, and resolution quickly<br />
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Originality: An otter and a butterfly as sea boat captains.... pretty unique<br />
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Believability: In today's world of children's books, nothing is unbeleiveable<br />
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Thank You to Publisher <a href="http://www.owlkidsbooks.com/" target="_blank">OwlKid Book</a>s and <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> for my advanced Digital Book copy<br />
Date: October 15, 2018<br />
ISBN: 978-1771473118<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1771473118/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1771473118&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=5b0399cec214d8d6ef3c0efc42542669" target="_blank">BUY The Sinking of Captain Otter HERE</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1771473118" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">----------------- That's all folks! -----------------</span></div>
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© 2007-2018 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com </a>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-38222516149779836752018-09-29T02:00:00.000-04:002020-02-16T10:40:24.706-05:00Book Bite: Sleep, Sheep! - a bedtime story for the reluctant sleeper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><b><span style="color: red;">Publisher's Synopsis</span></b></i>: "There are lots of things Duncan likes about bedtime --- the stories, the pajamas, the bubblegum-flavored toothpaste ... The only thing he doesn't like is going to sleep. And he'll do anything he can to avoid it. Until one day, Duncan's mom has had enough of his stalling. ?Try counting sheep,? she tells him. So, he does. At first, it's kind of fun. As he counts, each sheep appears, wearing its number like a race car, and leaps over the bed. But then comes Sheep #68, who hesitates. He needs a drink of water before he can jump. Then he has to go to the bathroom. Then he wants to put on running shoes. Will Sheep #68 ever do what he's supposed to?<br />
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Kerry Lyn Sparrow's hilarious picture book story offers a new take on a universal experience. Using delaying tactics to avoid going to sleep at bedtime is a common routine for young children, and they'll love the sly humor when Duncan's own tricks get turned on him by the (?sheepish?) sheep. In subtle colors with lots of telling details, Guillaume Perreault's illustrations bring Duncan's bedtime rituals and his unexpected sheep guests humorously to life. This book makes a fantastic, funny read-aloud, appealing to both children and adults."
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<b><i><span style="color: red;">My Two Cents</span></i></b>: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1771387963/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1771387963&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=cc47c242c35854930208c812016f1a78" target="_blank">Sleep, Sheep!</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1771387963" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is mostly a bedtime book for small pre-school age children, but I wanted to give it a spot on here because it may not get a lot of buzz in the US (Canadian folks involved) and it has some strong merit in the bedtime story department. There's lots of humor complimented by very interesting and elaborated illustrations. I like the idea that the "mom knows best and is always there for you" as that is clearly part of my own favorite picture book (Reading Rumpus didn't get named accidentally!).<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I feel that helping young readers see the boy's traits in sheep #68 is a good reading skill that gives it a little more credibility with this reader than other bedtime stories. I don't think this is necessarily a classroom purchase, unless one might be doing a <i>sheep</i> or a <i>sleep</i> unit, but it certainly will be a great bedtime tale for young ones to stretch those cognitive connections!<br />
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<i>Genre</i>: Picture Book<br />
<i>Age:</i> 3-6<br />
<i>Pages:</i> 32<br />
<i>Themes</i>: Bedtime Story, Moms are smart, Kids get tired, Sheep are for counting<br />
<i>Character Development</i>: Sheep #68 is okay. The rest are pretty compliant.<br />
<i>Plot Engagement</i>: Will #68 jump? That questions drives the tale.<br />
<i>Originality</i>: Not particularly, lots of sleeping and sheeping books, but the illustrations are sweet and the plot moves well.<br />
<i>Thank You </i>to <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> and <a href="https://www.kidscanpress.com/" target="_blank">Kids Can Press</a> for my advanced digital copy.<br />
<i>Date:</i> October 2, 2018<br />
<i>ISBN</i>: 9781771387965<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1771387963/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1771387963&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=cc47c242c35854930208c812016f1a78" target="_blank">BUY Sleep, Sheep! HERE</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1771387963" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </span><br />
Author Page: <a href="https://www.kidscanpress.com/creators/kerry-lyn-sparrow/924" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
Illustrator Page: <a href="https://www.kidscanpress.com/creators/guillaume-perreault/956" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">------------ That's all folks! ------------</span></div>
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© 2007-2018 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com </a>
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<b></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-22361635886428694272018-09-28T12:35:00.000-04:002020-02-16T10:41:24.142-05:00Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo - a great middle grade read<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red;"><i><b>Publisher's Synopsis</b></i>:</span> When Louisiana Elefante’s granny wakes her up in the middle of the night to tell her that the day of reckoning has arrived and they have to leave home immediately, Louisiana isn’t overly worried. After all, Granny has many middle-of-the-night ideas. But this time, things are different. This time, Granny intends for them never to return. Separated from her best friends, Raymie and Beverly, Louisiana struggles to oppose the winds of fate (and Granny) and find a way home. But as Louisiana’s life becomes entwined with the lives of the people of a small Georgia town — including a surly motel owner, a walrus-like minister, and a mysterious boy with a crow on his shoulder — she starts to worry that she is destined only for good-byes. (Which could be due to the curse on Louisiana’s and Granny’s heads. But that is a story for another time.)<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b><i>My Two Cents</i></b>:</span> I typically shy away from writing about books that I know will get a lot of “buzz.” Mostly because I am a late-to-the-party girl and by the time I set out to write a review, all sorts of accolades from folks way more influential than I have already been given. But, Kate DiCamillo is one of my very favorite, like top five - count on one hand, children’s writers and I don’t think I have ever written a word about any of her books! Her fabulous collection of meaningful and powerful works of art have their very own special shelf in my home, but nary a word on this little blog. That ends today with <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763694630/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0763694630&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=2d724d7270523de198d43341a4edb647" target="_blank">Louisiana's Way Home</a>!<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0763694630" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> I will still reserve my favorite Kate DiCamillo spot for the fantastical <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0082RAVVG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0082RAVVG&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=3258b94ecd484658aba14cb006577b4c" target="_blank">The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B0082RAVVG" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, but <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763694630/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0763694630&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=2d724d7270523de198d43341a4edb647" target="_blank">Louisiana's Way Home</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0763694630" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> has all the makings of another Newbery-worthy addition to the Dicamillo canon. Just like most of her stories, it's filled with: Hope, Forgiveness, Trust, and Tenacity. Not surprisingly, since I read it as an eBook, I’ll be rushing out to my local bookstore in order to add the book to my DiCamillo shelf.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763694630/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0763694630&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=2d724d7270523de198d43341a4edb647" target="_blank">Louisiana's Way Home</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0763694630" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> begins with a breathless runaway action scene, hooking readers right at the start. Where are they going? Why are they going? The chapters are short and the dialogue is succinct. I see the book as a very accessible title for all readers, even those who have not yet read the companion book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763696919/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0763696919&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=0f8d3dd35bd82f819f25e3b4177767b8" target="_blank">Raymie Nightingale</a>. Like most of DiCamillo's stories, it's an emotional tale. This is why I love her writing: DiCamillo respects and acknowledges her young readers' emotional capacity like almost no other children's writer!<br />
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Teaching possibilities raced through my mind as I read:<br />
<ul>
<li>It’s first person and that voice is so strong, so filled with desperation without being desperate. teaching first person and how it contributes to the theme, mood, tone would be a cakewalk. </li>
<li>It’s filled with dialogue - a grammar teacher’s best friend </li>
<li>The beautiful wording creates such a sense of place. Definitely a writer’s craft study in there </li>
<li>There are numerous references to Pinocchio, which would make for a great comparative literature lesson (you’d have to find an appropriate level version for lower grades though). </li>
<li>It's a strong pick for reluctant readers as short chapters, common settings, interesting characters, and a quick pace all help to hold attention.</li>
<li> I really think I would spend a lot of time on theme and the writer’s creation of it. And I would be so excited to have discussions on the likes of prose such as, “you decide who you are” and "take what is offered to you" and "<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Perhaps what matters, when all is said and done, is not who puts us down but who picks us up" </span>with students! Discussing circumstance and privilege, thinking about self-destiny, tenacity, kindness, and courage.... a lit. teacher's dream book. </li>
</ul>
On a personal note, because her writing is so very in-tune with childhood feelings, I always find some remembrance of my own childhood in a Dicamillo book. In <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763694630/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0763694630&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=2d724d7270523de198d43341a4edb647" target="_blank">Louisiana's Way Home</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0763694630" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> it was the scene where the two young characters climb a tree to think real hard and figure stuff out. I climbed the maple tree in our front lawn the whole of my youth, trying to figure out my place and who I wanted to be. Reading that scene made me wish for, close my eyes and breathlessly remember, that feeling of being up in a tree - the possibility of anything being within my grasp.<br />
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Not that anyone would doubt it, just on her reputation alone: This reading and education specialist highly recommends classroom (3-6) and library (elementary and middle) purchase.<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: 130%;">---------------------------------------------</span></div>
<i>Genre:</i> Realistic Fiction<br />
<i>Age</i>: 3rd - 6th Grades<br />
<i>Pages:</i> 240<br />
<i>Themes</i>: Courage, Tenacity, Forgiveness, Trust <br />
<i>Character Development</i>: Louisiana is so present, fully-formed with all her fear, truth and hope in world that could have so very, very fallen into hopelessness. Her new friend, Burke, and his shoulder-perched crow, Clarence, help to create that hope. Great balance of both good adults and bad adults.<br />
<i>Plot Engagement</i>: Breathless start, excellent pacing. New twists and introduction of new characters keep it fast-paced. Great for reluctant readers, with short chapters and relatable settings.<br />
<i>Opening Lines</i>: "I am going to write it all down, so that what happened to me will be known, so that if someone were to stand at their window at night and look up at stars and think, My goodness, whatever happened to Louisiana Elefante? Where did she go? they will have an answer. They will know. This is what happened. I will begin at the beginning.” <br />
<i><u>Thank You to <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> and <a href="http://www.candlewick.com/" target="_blank">Candlewick</a> for my advanced eBook edition</u></i><br />
<i>Date</i>: October 2, 2018<br />
<i>ISBN</i>: 978-0763694630<br />
<br />
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.candlewick.com/book_files/0763694630.btg.1.pdf" target="_blank">Teaching Guide from publisher Click HERE</a></span></u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763694630/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0763694630&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=2d724d7270523de198d43341a4edb647" target="_blank">Buy Louisiana's Way Home HERE</a></span></u></b><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Book Trailer:</span></u></b><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/apJOZboPxus/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/apJOZboPxus?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<a href="https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2018/09/17/video-kate-dicamillo-on-louisianas-way-home/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Author Interview from Nerdy Book Club:</span></a><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://videopress.com/embed/DBFqNyKF" width="560"></iframe>
<script src="https://videopress.com/videopress-iframe.js"></script>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbDWW_l0ykBYJXrOdtohyuwMPQuuTzXtGkGyzgHnJ996KBvXVC16RW4cFjWAVi7s2GV5ufRwkfUVrb7yJpqymHX8wHJZ5DR4JfHoCXSisTuaG6tGsLqae7E0RJdR6cA3lSs8cTrX9CBhJ/s1600/cd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" center="" data-original-height="189" data-original-width="80" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbDWW_l0ykBYJXrOdtohyuwMPQuuTzXtGkGyzgHnJ996KBvXVC16RW4cFjWAVi7s2GV5ufRwkfUVrb7yJpqymHX8wHJZ5DR4JfHoCXSisTuaG6tGsLqae7E0RJdR6cA3lSs8cTrX9CBhJ/s200/cd.jpg" text-align:="" width="80 /></a></div><div style=" />You can read more about Kate DiCamillo on her website: </a><a href="https://www.katedicamillo.com/about.html" target="_blank">HERE.</a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">--------------- That's all folks! ---------------</span></div>
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© 2007-2018 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com</a><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-39521057447076204702018-09-24T07:16:00.000-04:002020-02-16T10:46:03.321-05:00Banned Books Week: How Harry Potter Brought the Devil into My Classroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anyone who has read this blog, even a little, knows my adoration for the Harry Potter books. But LOTS of people adore those books (duh). My Harry Potter story is a bit different. Although I adore the books as a reader, my true adoration lies within the joy they brought to my students back in 1999, 2000 and 2001. My adoration began before the MANIA, before nary a toy or movie, before Harry Potter hysteria took over.<br />
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My story is that of a sixth grade reading and language arts teacher whose PTSA offered to buy her classroom sets of books. Ever frugal, it just so happened that <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/059035342X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=059035342X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=8c4e5ec133fc0c109fadde1736e35171" target="_blank">Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=059035342X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> was the Scholastic Books ninety-nine cent selection that month. I knew it was getting some 'buzz,' but honestly, I hadn't paid that much attention. I borrowed a copy from our school library, took it home, and read it, <i>in one night</i>, showing up to work exhausted but certain of my PTSA book selection.<br />
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Copy in hand, I set forth in pulling all the sixth grade literary standards and wrote a unit (should've sold that!) so that when the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/059035342X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=059035342X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=8c4e5ec133fc0c109fadde1736e35171" target="_blank">Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=059035342X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> books arrived, I was ready. At this point in my career, about five years in, I was pretty certain the students would like the book and my newly planned unit would be both effective and engaging. I was wrong. The students didn't like the book, they <i>loved</i> the book. Engagement? They <i>ran</i> from their previous class to get to my classroom, grabbed their copy <i>before the bell rang</i>, and hunkered down happily in their seats. When I would make them close the cover in order to <i>try </i>to teach a lesson, they would moan, "Just let us read!" They were possessed all right. All of them - not just the strong readers, but the struggling readers too, the kids who had never read a whole book before, the kids who read on a first grade level. My job, using <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/059035342X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=059035342X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=8c4e5ec133fc0c109fadde1736e35171" target="_blank">Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=059035342X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> as the template to teach reading and writing skills, was a cakewalk. The second year, I got my hands on the fabulous Grammy winning audio version by Jim Dale. When I would press pause, to try to teach something, teach anything, the students would revolt! I still get students, to this day almost twenty years later, who contact me and tell me how I led them down the road to lifelong reading because of that book (well, me and J.K. Rowling).<br />
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But that's just the prelude to this tale....... how the Devil joined my classroom. You see, this is <a href="https://bannedbooksweek.org/" target="_blank">Banned Books Week</a>; and eventually, I had to quit teaching <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/059035342X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=059035342X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=8c4e5ec133fc0c109fadde1736e35171" target="_blank">Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=059035342X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. I taught in an affluent, urban area with well-educated parents and still, every year, I had a handful of parents who complained to the principal and I would then have to provide an alternate unit for those students (her solution). I typically gave them <i>Shiloh</i> and a packet of worksheets, sneaking moments to teach them while the rest of the class was enthralled with Harry & Co.<br />
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In 2001, right before the movie came out, all things Harry Potter verged at mainstream hysteria and two parents asked to excuse their children from my classroom. The first parent simply asked and was granted, never even meeting with me. Had we met, I would have asked them if they'd let their child read the likes of fairy tales or if they would please read the story first before they made the decision (two had changed their mind after reading it in past years). But this year, with all the mania surrounding it, I had one parent who wasn't only worried about his own son's soul, but also the souls of the other 100+ kids that I was teaching.<br />
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The first meeting with this gentleman was facilitated by the principal since I spoke very, very little Spanish, he spoke very, very little English and she spoke both well. The meeting was typical of year's past: she backed me, told him that his son would get a quality literary unit built around Shiloh, and though he argued a little, he had left somewhat appeased. I thought.<br />
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I made extra sure his son met with me individually to discuss his lessons - not because a complaining parent should garner more attention from any other student - but because his son was severely struggling in reading and needed a lot of attention. I think Shiloh is now, Common Core considered, a third grade title and even as a sixth grade student, he was barely able to read it, let alone complete the assignments without the support of classroom discussion and partner scaffolding.<br />
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One bright Florida morning I arrived to his father standing at my door, pensively waiting for me. In broken versions of Spanglish we both attempted to discuss an article, printed from the internet, that his pastor had given him. He was imploring me that the article told of demonic possessions, that he could not let me teach that book at his son's school, that his pastor had told him that he had to save all the children, not just his son. I took the offered article respectfully, but before I had a chance to even read it, I noticed the url at the very bottom. It began: <a href="https://entertainment.theonion.com/harry-potter-books-spark-rise-in-satanism-among-childre-1819565664" target="_blank">www.theonion.com</a> (source link). I was not very good at explaining anything in Spanish, but try explaining "parody" and "irony" and "farce" to someone whose pastor had told him that he had an obligation to save all the children from Satan himself!<br />
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Luckily, the students started arriving and I asked the gentleman to please head up to the principal to continue the discussion. He was a nice man, he left quietly. But that afternoon, when the principal asked to see me, I knew that would be the last year that I would be using <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/059035342X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=059035342X&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=8c4e5ec133fc0c109fadde1736e35171" target="_blank">Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=059035342X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> as a teaching tool. It was fine. The movie came out and I typically don't teach literature with a movie tied to it, especially a blockbuster. But, the Devil had showed up in my classroom thanks to Harry Potter. That Devil is named Censorship.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Read more about Banned Books Week, Get promotional classroom and library resources at their website: <a href="https://bannedbooksweek.org/" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></div>
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© 2007-2018 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank"></a><iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="60" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?t=randwond-20&o=1&p=26&l=ur1&category=books&banner=0BBJ4GV0BEB69E79D1G2&f=ifr" style="border: none;" width="468"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-43745479240783586812018-09-08T13:19:00.004-04:002020-02-16T10:46:52.898-05:00Two Books to Add to Every Classroom Shelf & a Little Soapbox on Citizenship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm going to talk about two books today that need to be on <i><b>every classroom shelf</b></i> ; I'm talking K-12, even though they are listed as for a younger crowd. The reason I want to talk about them BOTH has mostly to do with my own tardiness. When I read <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452162816/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1452162816&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=f53a6a3ec2a6740147f6b76bf617ee9a" target="_blank">Her Right Foot</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1452162816" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> last fall, I was very, very, very remiss in not mentioning it because I so instantly adored it for so, so, so many reasons. Then, when the team of Eggers (writer) and Harris (illustrator) followed-up with <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452173133/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1452173133&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=b1639547fcdbdca85a71912fce4379d0" target="_blank">What Can a Citizen Do?</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1452173133" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, and <a href="https://www.chroniclebooks.com/kids-teens/" target="_blank">Chronicle Kids</a> sent me a copy, I knew I couldn't just talk about one without the other.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452162816/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1452162816&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=f53a6a3ec2a6740147f6b76bf617ee9a" target="_blank">Her Right Foot</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1452162816" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> got plenty of love and I tend to shy away from writing about those books. I may love them alongside the masses, but my nature leans a supporter of the underdog. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452162816/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1452162816&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=f53a6a3ec2a6740147f6b76bf617ee9a" target="_blank">Her Right Foot</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1452162816" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> was going to be fine. It was going to make it into lots of kids hands. All the kid lit darlings were talking it up. It did not need my little blog. And it was sort of overwhelming in it's educational possibilities. I'd have to REALLY offer some great teaching thoughts and there was the matter of finishing my doctorate that semester. So....yeah, excuse.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452173133/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1452173133&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=b1639547fcdbdca85a71912fce4379d0" target="_blank">What Can a Citizen Do?</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1452173133" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is releasing in two days and I've seen a smattering of glowing thoughts on it, though one was rather critical (more on that later). I didn't instantly love it the way I had <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452162816/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1452162816&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=f53a6a3ec2a6740147f6b76bf617ee9a" target="_blank">Her Right Foot</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1452162816" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, but by the third read, I definitely thought it belonged right alongside <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452162816/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1452162816&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=f53a6a3ec2a6740147f6b76bf617ee9a" target="_blank">Her Right Foot</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1452162816" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> on every classroom shelf.<br />
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Subtlety is a foundational key in stellar writing for children and writers tend to lean way, way too didactic when they set out to write a "children's book," especially authors who typically write for an adult audience. Mr Eggers has done a fabulous reining-in of the adult-to-kid speak on two topics that could have very easily leaned toward didactic. Both books have A LOT to say about our American societal experiment and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452173133/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1452173133&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=b1639547fcdbdca85a71912fce4379d0" target="_blank">What Can a Citizen Do?</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1452173133" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is even more subtle than <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452162816/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1452162816&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=f53a6a3ec2a6740147f6b76bf617ee9a" target="_blank">Her Right Foot</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1452162816" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, not only because clocks in at 40 pages versus 104, but because our current state of affairs defining citizenship in this country creates presuppositions regarding what the book MIGHT say in an adult reader's mind.<br />
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While <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452162816/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1452162816&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=f53a6a3ec2a6740147f6b76bf617ee9a" target="_blank">Her Right Foot</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1452162816" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is busy teaching kids facts about Liberty Enlightening the World (the real name of the Statue of Liberty), it is ever so subtly bringing home the message about her symbolism within the American experimental ideal of a diverse and welcoming society grounded in freedom and liberty for all. No preaching, no teaching about ideals of liberty, it's strength lurks quietly within the theme, whilst it goes about offering engaging facts (the absolute best way to teach kids).<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452173133/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1452173133&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=b1639547fcdbdca85a71912fce4379d0" target="_blank">What Can a Citizen Do?</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1452173133" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is even more subtle in theme and I think that's why it took me a third read to fully ignore my adult expectations on what the book was going to be <i>about</i>, something the writer criticizing it over at <a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/dave-eggers/what-can-a-citizen-do/" target="_blank">Kirkus Review</a> failed to consider. The writer over there missed the mark when s/he said it was, "opaque and painfully insensitive to America’s practiced definition of citizenship both historically and contemporarily, which denies the humanity of those not legally deemed citizens." I'm not going to lie; I did keep waiting for some treatise on the legalities of becoming a citizen in the USA - <i>and that treatise never comes.</i> But it is not "opaque" or "insensitive;" it's just not about what you expected it to be about. The writing isn't a statement on the fact that we should be letting everyone who wants to BE a citizen of the USA be one - that message is actually better themed in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452162816/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1452162816&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=f53a6a3ec2a6740147f6b76bf617ee9a" target="_blank">Her Right Foot</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1452162816" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. The point lies in the theme that everyone, <i>regardless of a piece of paper saying they belong</i>, already IS a citizen and they can join and be part of something; they can have a voice <i>anyway</i>.<br />
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We have lots of children's literature on the immigrant experience and we probably need a new one to address the current <b>immigration war, but</b><i> </i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452173133/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1452173133&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=b1639547fcdbdca85a71912fce4379d0" target="_blank">What Can a Citizen Do?</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1452173133" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is not that book and expecting it to be so simply comes from our own expectations based on the current state of affairs in our country. If you look at the book for what it is: a group of citizens who work together to build a better space for each other, you see Eggers ignoring the current 'othering' that happens when we assign citizenship to a piece of legal paper. I actually find that subtlety fantastic and that's why I think it also makes it a K-12 book. The conversation a high school lit or social studies teacher could ignite with this book would be phenomenal!<br />
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Genre: Nonfiction with Flare (I'm going to start calling these new nonfiction offerings this!)<br />
Grades: K-12 (Intro the little ones to sharing & community; debate the state of current affairs with the old ones)<br />
Themes: Immigration, Citizenship, The American Experiment, Activism<br />
Thank You to <a href="https://www.chroniclebooks.com/kids-teens/" target="_blank">Chronicle Kids </a>for my copy of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452173133/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1452173133&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=b1639547fcdbdca85a71912fce4379d0" target="_blank">What Can a Citizen Do?</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1452173133" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> (PS: You can send mea copy of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452162816/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1452162816&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=f53a6a3ec2a6740147f6b76bf617ee9a" target="_blank">Her Right Foot</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1452162816" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> any time you'd like ;-) <br />
<br />
Buy <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452162816/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1452162816&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=f53a6a3ec2a6740147f6b76bf617ee9a" target="_blank">Her Right Foot HERE</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1452162816" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
Buy <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452173133/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1452173133&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=b1639547fcdbdca85a71912fce4379d0" target="_blank">What Can a Citizen Do? HERE</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1452173133" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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Here's a couple videos you might also use in the classroom:<br />
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If you're looking to do an entire unit on this subject, I'll throw a few links to start, but honestly, just google it..... there are links and links devoted to these themes.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.readbrightly.com/books-about-immigration-for-kids/" target="_blank">Here's a link</a> </span>to 19 Books about the Immigrant Experience in America (from the website Brightly).<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Books-Childrens-Immigration/zgbs/books/271597011" target="_blank">Here's Amazon's list</a> </span>of best selling books on the subject of immigration.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/allithresher/15-childrens-books-about-immigration-2rzf8" target="_blank">Here's Buzzfeed's</a> </span>pick of 15 Immigration books for kids<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIJn6P2rA7P0oo5DhEKpIV4Xb0r0MkKrfvcmUvRVZGk-UhHNSEYjKX6CAqnzZ8Gs9pvqgahydSn3d1LwVmOEGytxnky-nWkJsItTl0TZpMI3wPis9aNZO9ngEMOPPC23DChDtn5wo042t/s1600/DE%252BFrank%252B2nd%252BTry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="150" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIJn6P2rA7P0oo5DhEKpIV4Xb0r0MkKrfvcmUvRVZGk-UhHNSEYjKX6CAqnzZ8Gs9pvqgahydSn3d1LwVmOEGytxnky-nWkJsItTl0TZpMI3wPis9aNZO9ngEMOPPC23DChDtn5wo042t/s200/DE%252BFrank%252B2nd%252BTry.jpg" width="75" /></a></div>
Want to know more about the author? <a href="https://daveeggers.net/dave-eggers/" target="_blank">Here's his website</a>.<br />
I, like everyone else on the planet, have read and enjoyed his Pulitzer-nominated adult book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375725784/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0375725784&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=aeea95cb956f0731abfb6efb9e1c11df" target="_blank">A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0375725784" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. Literary types will also know that he founded McSweeney's Publishing. Children's literature looks to be a new venture for him and he sure started with a bang (seems to be a pattern with him).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcLG3eOPozosy2ngHZYAUNvqm7wBP4KjksY-CiPfFyuMebFHAYGPbgLBbIq54nae9ewl5TwkVHTt-Ggc34yNOwBZZ7Nob4Jt6kKz7JggEE2P7NdICVZuqXR2q06Im2LtoFGg8Ss5wzkE5/s1600/shawn.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1144" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcLG3eOPozosy2ngHZYAUNvqm7wBP4KjksY-CiPfFyuMebFHAYGPbgLBbIq54nae9ewl5TwkVHTt-Ggc34yNOwBZZ7Nob4Jt6kKz7JggEE2P7NdICVZuqXR2q06Im2LtoFGg8Ss5wzkE5/s200/shawn.png" width="82" /></a></div>
Given no credit throughout this post is illustrator Shawn Harris. <a href="https://www.shawnharris.info/about/" target="_blank">Here's his website.</a><br />
I've said it before, I'm not an artist so I feel less inclined to discuss illustrators in my posts, but Mr. Harris deserves better than I can offer. Both books are done using an amazing paper cutting technique in a way that adds depth and movement to the page. <i>This book would also be an excellent example of that technique for use in art classrooms! </i><br />
Here are a few links discussing his technique: <a href="http://spinemagazine.co/articles/shawn-harris" target="_blank">One Here</a> and <a href="http://www.letstalkpicturebooks.com/2017/10/lets-talk-illustrators-47-shawn-harris.html" target="_blank">Another Here</a> and <a href="http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=4441" target="_blank">Here</a><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">-------------------- That's all folks! --------------------</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19014MYqVC3UsddGdSZNocWvhzqUefhorp33tIRFrdb4ZCMjdl2x8MH4NGybv4TysV8auhyphenhyphen47902YOfyqE2D22SYImewa3Dm6ElVJ1EJ74bf3Y_E7uaV8L9Zucx7b_OAFZWbIgfmRiiBr/s1600/map+world.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19014MYqVC3UsddGdSZNocWvhzqUefhorp33tIRFrdb4ZCMjdl2x8MH4NGybv4TysV8auhyphenhyphen47902YOfyqE2D22SYImewa3Dm6ElVJ1EJ74bf3Y_E7uaV8L9Zucx7b_OAFZWbIgfmRiiBr/s320/map+world.png" width="100" /></a></div>
© 2007-2018 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com </a>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-79694022505346764332018-08-28T14:05:00.000-04:002020-02-16T10:47:13.166-05:00Eraser by Anna Kang with illustrations by Christopher Weyant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuB3Dohc2rmvPp9K6fTNneEJN2oymq6IAAznGqUwTstmP6k3bIezusHe9VjxGI37KWxZlUDa_G4YEqIc7R479TENEFRNQz8tXI9SU5v7yDzzw9l55DJx7L-cp_mR5rdfS6SvFK8Hvt1xS/s1600/ERASER+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1309" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuB3Dohc2rmvPp9K6fTNneEJN2oymq6IAAznGqUwTstmP6k3bIezusHe9VjxGI37KWxZlUDa_G4YEqIc7R479TENEFRNQz8tXI9SU5v7yDzzw9l55DJx7L-cp_mR5rdfS6SvFK8Hvt1xS/s200/ERASER+cover.jpg" width="163" /></a></div>
<b>Publisher's Synopsis:</b> <i>"Eraser is always cleaning up everyone else’s mistakes. Except for Ruler and Pencil Sharpener, none of the other school supplies seem to appreciate her. They all love how sharp Pencil is and how Tape and Glue help everyone stick together. Eraser wants to create so that she can shine like the others. She decides to give it a try, but it’s not until the rubber meets the road that Eraser begins to understand a whole lot about herself."</i><br />
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<b>My Two Cents:</b> Honestly, those little pink erasers have always been a forgotten tool in my classroom; the idea of a little under-appreciated eraser is quite on point! <br />
Time for school supplies = colorful pens, shiny new crayons, sharp pencils, full glue sticks, and white stacks of crisp paper. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1503902587/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1503902587&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=d845b5fe7f7012f36933b986c22365ac" target="_blank">Eraser</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1503902587" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is a very creative idea, executed wonderfully with fun puns and engaging illustrations. It's a great opportunity to teach that mistakes are not only acceptable, but expected - teachers give you a special tool for them after all!<br />
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Definitely one to add to the growing list of anthropomorphized school supplies <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399255370/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399255370&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=17f8f27b765d43f089dafe4beb95d896" target="_blank">(The Day the Crayons Quit</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0399255370" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062438891/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0062438891&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=6d7a242ee3e005e037c4acfcf34f2502" target="_blank">The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0062438891" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and has a place in elementary school libraries and Pk-2 classroom shelves.<br />
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There is a great activity kit with a writing lesson on drafting & editing, as well as a doodling page and character cut outs. You can snag it <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55b78d86e4b08e3698f63603/t/5b68b85b6d2a73cbec24a0d2/1533589597246/ERASER+activity+kit.pdf" target="_blank">HERE.</a><br />
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Cute book trailer adds to the telling for classroom reader aloud. Might use it as a pre-reading/prediction strategy.......<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 130%;"><i>-----------------------------------------------</i></span></div>
<i><b>Genre:</b></i> Picture Book<br />
<i><b>Age</b>:</i> 3-7<br />
<i><b>Themes</b>:</i> Aside from the cooperation theme, I really like the opportunity to build on growth mindsets here. First grade students can especially become frustrated (given their cognitive expectations and developmental age). I can see this as a strong tool for teachers with self-critical students.<br />
<i><b>Character Development</b></i>: Eraser is the star, but the other school supplies are rendered as one would imagine each to actually behave in both words and physical characteristics.<br />
<i><b>Plot Engagement</b>:</i> Standard plot arc... Eraser gets mad, Eraser runs away, Eraser comes back having learned. This tale could have been less if not for an endearing main character, great word choice and exactingly drawn illustrations.<br />
<i><b>Originality</b>: </i>Made this old educator consider that little pink eraser I had been ignoring for most of my teaching career and reimagine it as the tool that it really is!<br />
<i><b>Believability</b>: </i>Illustrations really add to the ability to relate to anthropomorphized school supplies.<br />
Thank You to Amazon Prime for my free Kindle copy!<br />
<i><b>Date</b>:</i> September 2018<br />
ISBN: 978-1503902589<br />
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<b>You can buy <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1503902587/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1503902587&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=d845b5fe7f7012f36933b986c22365ac" target="_blank">Eraser HERE</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1503902587" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></b><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">-------------------- That's all folks! --------------------</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTt0UJ8TO25IIfHPfc5VRwkSElrsIFMhIUUSbkZJlN4XGUk9bj7ud08KIPLStBqXzFi9KxHLrLORNENd_sEa41K3dZkRu_CFvNeERjbdhzgJ6FKnSRVK5p4F05BFHaGpH298L9uQ_KxG7e/s1600/me-class-button.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTt0UJ8TO25IIfHPfc5VRwkSElrsIFMhIUUSbkZJlN4XGUk9bj7ud08KIPLStBqXzFi9KxHLrLORNENd_sEa41K3dZkRu_CFvNeERjbdhzgJ6FKnSRVK5p4F05BFHaGpH298L9uQ_KxG7e/s200/me-class-button.jpg" width="100" /></a> © 2007-2018 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com </a>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278289422639396056.post-4238045301731716922018-08-27T20:42:00.000-04:002020-02-16T10:47:59.834-05:00Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOCKSfBA3KuC-T0kqenw5202hDWKA-T914gZ-5A1CVW8J011afr0JVDIvJeD6tDvCkeRVdelu6MhfX_I6vV-2lzlAzPhgdeALhXFaNRPRm037jz5EbAOjvh_IUBApMxC5Qg6nxQ099irn/s1600/511rXel2iOL._SX350_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="352" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOCKSfBA3KuC-T0kqenw5202hDWKA-T914gZ-5A1CVW8J011afr0JVDIvJeD6tDvCkeRVdelu6MhfX_I6vV-2lzlAzPhgdeALhXFaNRPRm037jz5EbAOjvh_IUBApMxC5Qg6nxQ099irn/s200/511rXel2iOL._SX350_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Publisher's Synopsis</b>: "<i>It's been five years since the Sweep disappeared. Orphaned and alone, Nan Sparrow had no other choice but to work for a ruthless chimney sweep named Wilkie Crudd. She spends her days sweeping out chimneys. The job is dangerous and thankless, but with her wits and will, Nan has managed to beat the deadly odds time and time again.</i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When Nan gets stuck in a chimney fire, she fears the end has come. Instead, she wakes to find herself unharmed in an abandoned attic. And she is not alone. Huddled in the corner is a mysterious creature—a golem—made from soot and ash.
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Sweep is the story of a girl and her monster. Together, these two outcasts carve out a new life—saving each other in the process. Lyrically told by one of today's most powerful storytellers, Sweep is a heartrending adventure about the everlasting gifts of friendship and wonder.</i>"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm just going to say it plain and simple........... I <b>LOVED</b>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419731408/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1419731408&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=a89b1530182ea768e73f516cbc3678af" target="_blank">Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster!</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1419731408" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> There is just so much <i>right </i>about this tale: excellent writing, well-blended mix of history and fantasy, alternating perspective chapters, an endearing protagonist and her sweetly innocent monster. ALL of it is near perfection for the age range. I am even going to go out on a limb and name it a Newbery contender. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>Teaching Thoughts</i></b>: <i>Sweep</i> jumps right into the chimney sweeping action and orphaning and some struggling readers would benefit from some backstory on 19th-century England and chimney sweeps before setting off, but most readers will fall in love with Nan, and then Charlie quick enough to figure all the historical unknowns. The book clocks in at 368 pages, but the chapters themselves are short enough to capture even struggling readers attention; yet strong vocabulary, historical framing and plotting also hold the more advanced readers' attention.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Having previously read and enjoyed Mr. Auxier's <i>Night Gardener,</i> I felt the same strong mood/tone methods at work. He creates melancholy without falling into gloom; the reader <i>feels</i> protagonist Nan's story. Lots of opportunities for teachers to pull mood/tone - author's purpose examples from his work. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Social Science themes on activism, child labor, 19th-century England, anti-semitism can all be explored. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Although I did not see it in the digital copy, I have read that the book will have additional information on topics such as golems, chimney sweeps, etc... at the end. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I highly recommend this title for both library and classroom purchase. It would also make an excellent read aloud.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>Genre</i></b>: Historical Fantasy? Magical Realism? Both!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>Age:</i></b> 9 - 12</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>Pages</i></b>: 368</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>Themes</i></b>: F<span style="font-size: 12pt;">riendship, overcoming adversity, activism, wonder </span></span><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sweep</i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> also takes a nod towards Dickens with orphans, England, nasty adults and abused children</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>Character Developmen</i></b>t: Protagonist Nan is strong from the get-go, Toby is the embodiment of hope in a bleak world, and Charlie.......... innocent, wonder-filled golem Charlie....... is as strong a supporting charter one could ask for</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>Plot Engagement</i></b>: Some young readers have trouble with alternating storylines, but as a reading specialist, I love this type of mental workout for my students. One storyline is melancholy remembrance, the other is action present.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>Originality</i></b>: A GOLEM... not too many golems in children's literature, played so well as soot and ash, instead of the traditional clay, with the chimney sweep history. This is a premise that when pitched to a publisher might get you booted out the door. But, man, it works!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>Believability: </i></b>Never a minute of disbelief - turning pages into the wee hours of the night to finish sort of story</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Thank You</b> to <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> for my digital copy and to publisher <a href="https://www.abramsbooks.com/imprints/amuletbooks/" target="_blank">ABRAMS Kids/Amulet Books</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>Date</i></b>: September 2018</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ISBN: 9781419731402</span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419731408/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1419731408&linkCode=as2&tag=randwond-20&linkId=a89b1530182ea768e73f516cbc3678af" target="_blank">Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=randwond-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1419731408" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b><i>Here's a lovely book trailer from the author</i></b><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1PabaaV_lEQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1PabaaV_lEQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgag3CYdNdWsxMqhNHRnAZyC6iQZSO-VGBWQNrupBx6q5lPyJq7hvbrCwYdX1D77Uh-tOucVkuUp8JCScMF01uH5Swdolk_fHGVgiw0sBtePF60dVqSNVSj2w1xP5NS89dr_WYhcuOXbVwo/s1600/Auxier%252Bphoto%252Bby%252BLibby%252BHilf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1494" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgag3CYdNdWsxMqhNHRnAZyC6iQZSO-VGBWQNrupBx6q5lPyJq7hvbrCwYdX1D77Uh-tOucVkuUp8JCScMF01uH5Swdolk_fHGVgiw0sBtePF60dVqSNVSj2w1xP5NS89dr_WYhcuOXbVwo/s200/Auxier%252Bphoto%252Bby%252BLibby%252BHilf.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
You can read more about author Jonathan Auxier on his website <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><b style="font-style: italic;">www.thescop.com </b>. There's lots of videos and resources as well as information on author visits. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">-------------------- That's all folks! --------------------</span></div>
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© 2007-2018 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at <a href="http://www.readingrumpus.com/" target="_blank">www.ReadingRumpus.com </a>
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