Bear with Me

Posted on May 15, 2011 by Jeremy

Bear with Me
Written and illustrated by Max Kornell
Putnam
Ages 4 to 8

Max Kornell offers an entertaining take on the “new sibling” theme, with his book Bear with Me.  Owen is a self-professed happy kid with two parents and a set of blocks.  When Gary enters the picture, Owen is less than pleased that he has to share his folks and possessions with this new bear. In the end, he realizes life with Gary isn’t all bad and they become fast friends.

With endearing illustrations, this book is a great way to kick off a conversation about bringing a new brother or sister home or for older readers, stir up some fun memories.  (When my folks brought my sister home, my brother promptly locked himself in the bedroom and demanded that they bring her back. He eventually came out of the bedroom and we kept my sister.)

Activity:  Toward the end of the book, challenge children to find some signs that Owen and Gary are friends.  The picture on the Etch-a-Sketch and the drawings on the bedroom wall are just a couple of examples.

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The Magic Brush

Posted on April 24, 2011 by Jeremy

The Magic Brush
Written by Kat Yeh
Illustrated by Huy Voun Lee
Walker & Co.
Ages 4 to 8

The Magic Brush: A Story of Love, Family and Chinese Characters is a sweet tale of little Jasmine and Tai-Tai and their grandfather Agong.  Too old for napping, Jasmine comes to relish her time drawing imaginary lands with her grandfather. When he passes away, she works through her grief by taking her brother under her wing and sharing with him the art of drawing.This book works subtly on so many levels.  Art, imagination, family and death are seamlessly blended in a way that children can understand, enjoy and learn from.

Featured in the back is a pronunciation key, a history of Chinese art and some examples of Chinese treats.  Throughout the book, Huy Voun Lee does a fine job with the illustrations.  This will come as no surprise, if you’ve read the beautifully illustrated At the Beach or In the Snow.

If you’d like to find paper, treats or any other number of goods, by all means check out PearlRiver.com or pay them a visit the next time you’re in New York City.

Activity: Supply children with brushes, black ink and rice paper and let them experiment with their own drawings.  Have xeroxes of the Chinese characters on display to help inspire them.

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Cars Galore

Posted on April 10, 2011 by Jeremy

Cars Galore
Written by Peter Stein
Illustrated by Bob Staake
Candlewick Press
Ages 3 to 8

What do you get when you combine some entertaining Seussical rhyming and boldly colored retro illustrations? Well, Cars Galore of course and the kids are going to love it. And why wouldn’t they, with lines like, “Tall car, short car, fun-filled fort car. New car, old car. Has-a-cold car!” The black roads and colorful cars pop off the white background, while the funny text hums along. This book will make a great addition to transportation units.

Activity: Provide children with dry, empty milk cartons, scissors, construction paper and glue. Challenge them to create their own themed car.  For older children, ask them to write a poem about it.

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I Can Help

Posted on April 3, 2011 by Jeremy

I Can Help
Written and Illustrated by David Hyde Costello
Farrar Straus Giroux
Ages 3 to 6

Cheery yellow end papers, a little lost duck and a jungle full of helpful animals all work to make David Hyde Costello’s latest book a joy. This is a title that teachers and parents alike will be using for years to come, when teaching young children about cooperation and kindness. When Make a Difference Day rolls around in October, I Can Help will be the perfect title to kick-start random acts of kindness throughout the nation!

On another note, if you’re looking for an author to visit your bookstore, school or special event, Mr. Costello should be at the top of your list.  He entertains through song, puppetry, art and storytelling and he’s funny to boot!  I’ve personally watched him work with preschoolers through sixth graders and he was amazing.

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Waddles

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Jeremy

Waddles
Written and Illustrated by David McPhail
Published by Abrams
Ages 4 to 8

Oh, Waddles. He walks like a duck but he’s one of the cutest darn raccoons to grace a picture book. After helping his friend Emily the duck hatch her eggs, Waddles spends an enjoyable summer with the ducklings, telling stories, swimming, snacking and napping. When it’s time for the ducks to fly south for the winter, the ducklings hug Waddles goodbye in quite the sad scene. (Mr. McPhail can draw an animal’s emotions like nobody’s business.) With the arrival of spring, readers will be as excited as Waddles at the return of the ducks.

David McPhail’s simple message that friendship is fulfilling, won’t be lost on children. Combined with the endearing animal illustrations, Waddles is bound to become a favorite.

Activity: Make copies of scenes from the book, one from each season. Label four sentence strips with the seasons and post them on the wall. Have children match the pictures to the correct seasons. Have them explain their reasoning.

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My Farm Friends

Posted on March 20, 2011 by Jeremy

My Farm Friends
Written and Illustrated by Wendell Minor
Published by Putnam
Ages 4 to 8

Readers know they’re in for a visual treat when they read a Wendell Minor book and Mr. Minor doesn’t disappoint with My Farm Friends.  He uses a rhyming text to tell interesting animal facts and couples it with colorful artwork of frisky farm animals.  His illustrations have such a warm and friendly feel to them, readers will find themselves pining for summertime down on the farm.

Mr. Minor finishes with some “Fun Facts” and “Internet Sources.”   “A male turkey’s gobble can be heard up to a mile away,” is just one of the facts kids will enjoy reading.  My Farm Friends will make a great addition to any farm unit.

Activity: Get out the papier mache and create a life-size version of a farm animal.  Use chicken coop wire to create a form to attach the paper.

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All the Way to America

Posted on March 13, 2011 by Jeremy

All the Way to America
Written and Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino
Published by Knopf
Ages 4 to 8

Big Brother Mike used to be my favorite Dan Yaccarino book but now it has some competition with the publication of All the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel. In this latest title, we meet Dan’s great-grandfather Michele Iaccarino, as he makes his way from Sorrento, Italy to New York City with a trusty little shovel given to him by his father. Kids will be delighted to follow the growth of the Yaccarino family, as the shovel finds new uses with successive generations. This is a great title to add to an immigration unit and will surely appeal to a wide range of students.

Activity: After identifying the game of bocce ball being played in the story, give children the opportunity to try their hand at a game. The directions are available on a number of sites, including bocceballrules.

For some helpful background material, visit the Tenement Museum website.

If you’re looking for a resource to further your knowledge of immigration, try Jane Ziegelman’s 97 Orchard: An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in One New York Tenement.

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Lots of Dots

Posted on March 6, 2011 by Jeremy

Lots of Dots
Written and Illustrated by Craig Frazier
Published by Chronicle
Ages 4 to 8

OK, I admit it.  I was already a fan of Craig Frazier’s Stanley books and his artwork continues to win me over with his latest offering, Lots of Dots. Sporting mostly white backgrounds, his graphics pop of the page with an exuberance matched by the rhyming text.  The kids and I couldn’t get enough of the artwork.  Heck, the end papers could stand alone as a work of art.

Activity: Go on a dot hunt.  Have children cut out a paper dot to remind them of the shape and then search their environment for “dots.”  Older students could use a clipboard and paper to record their discoveries.

Teachers are going to recognize this title as a great companion to Donald Crews’ Ten Black Dots.

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Children Make Terrible Pets

Posted on January 9, 2011 by Jeremy

Children Make Terrible Pets
Written and Illustrated by Peter Brown
Published by Little, Brown and Company
Ages 4 to 8

It’s time to look back and review some of the best books of 2010. Peter Brown certainly delivered with the beautifully designed and illustrated Children Make Terrible Pets. His faux wood borders help set the stage for witty illustrations reminiscent of the 60′s or 70′s.

The premise of the story is that of a young bear, who finds a human boy that she wants to keep as a pet. The illustration and text are hilarious, with lines like, “OH! MY! GOSH! You are the cutest critter in the WHOLE forrest.” Squeaker eventually finds his way home to his human family, but not before causing a ruckus as Lucy tries to train him. The picture of him in the litter box is priceless.

Activity: Create a class book of various pets and how to take care of them. Bring in a guest speaker from your local humane society to talk about what pets need to stay happy and healthy.

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Interrupting Chicken

Posted on August 8, 2010 by Jeremy

Interrupting Chicken

Written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein

Published by Candlewick Press

Ages 3-8

First Pouch and Leaves and now Interrupting Chicken.  Does David’s talent never stop?  His latest title features a little red chicken enthusiastically enjoying bedtime stories told by her papa.  She’s so excited in fact, she can’t resist yelling out mid-story to save Hansel, Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood and company.  She eventually writes her own story but not before Papa falls asleep.  Interrupting Chicken displays the heart and humor that is bound to make it a classic.

Activity:  This is a game that storyteller Eshu Bumpus used to play with my students.  The teacher starts to tell a traditional story or fairy tale and the children are allowed one interruption a piece.  They can call out at any point to change the direction of the story.  A typical game might sound like this:

Teacher: So Goldilocks tried the second chair…

Student #1:…no, pumpkin!

Teacher: That’s right, she tried the pumpkin but it was too soft and it kept rolling out from under her so she tried the next pumpkin and that one was just…

Student #2:…it was a giant frog!

And the story continues with the teacher modifying as the children call out.  It’s a super activity to encourage patience and turn taking.

Be sure to take a ride on the Interrupting Chicken Blog Tour!

Aug. 9 – Picture Book Review, http://picturebookreview.com/

Aug. 10 – Katie’s Literature Lounge, http://katiesliteraturelounge.blogspot.com/

Aug. 11 – Readaholic, http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/

Aug. 12 – Two Writing Teachers, http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com

Aug. 13 – Not Just for Kids, http://notjustforkids.blogspot.com/

Aug. 14 – Milk and Cookies, Comfort Reading . . ., http://janasbooklist.blogspot.com/

Aug. 15 – Bookworm’s Dinner, http://bookwormsdinner.blogspot.com/

Aug. 16 - Where the Best Books Are, http://wherethebestbooksare.blogspot.com/

Aug. 17 – KidsLit review, http://kidslit.menashalibrary.org/

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Dick and Jane and Vampires

Posted on August 17, 2010 by Jeremy

Dick and Jane and Vampires
Written by Laura Marchesani
Illustrated by Tommy Hunt
Published by Grosset & Dunlap
Ages 6 to 10

Well it was bound to happen.  After successful literary mash-ups like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, kid lit is in for its own version of this entertaining technique.  Dick and Jane and Vampires reads like your typical Dick and Jane text, with the addition of a vampire lurking in the background.  Who can resist a childhood classic rewritten with lines like,

“Oh Father.  See Vampire.  Funny, funny Vampire. Vampire can play.”

If you think a vampire might be too spooky for your young reader, go out and purchase the book for yourself.  This tongue-in-cheek title is sure to have you chuckling.

And might I say about the fang marks on the title page, nice touch.

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Thumb Love

Posted on October 17, 2010 by Jeremy

Thumb Love
Written and Illustrated by Elise Primavera
Published by Random House
Ages 4 to 8

Anyone who works with young children realizes how tricky addressing thumb sucking can be. This habit that can affect dental health and speech needs to be addressed in a way that doesn’t stigmatize a student. Well now we have Thumb Love to come to the rescue!

Elise Primavera introduces us to Lulu and her struggle to overcome her thumb sucking ways. After recounting Lulu’s tale, the book dives into steps to curtail this habit. Ms. Primavera effectively uses a humorous and non-threatening approach to address the issue and does so in a way that this title should climb its way to the top of parent resource lists everywhere.

Author Interview

Who was your favorite author/illustrator as a child?

I was crazy about comic books when I was young. I read all the Harvey Comics like Casper The Friendly Ghost, Wendy the Witch, Richie Rich, and of course all the Archie comics I adored. I’m a little embarrassed to admit I was not a huge book reader. I do remember loving the book Sam and the Firefly by P.D. Eastman and of course The Cat in the Hat.

Who is your favorite picture book author/illustrator now?

I have to say William Steig who passed away a few years ago. I saw an exhibition of his work last year and it brought tears to my eyes. His work really touches me.

Who influenced you to become a reader?

When I was about thirteen I discovered “The Hobbit” and have been a reader ever since.

What was the inspiration behind Thumb Love?

I was a thumb sucker who had a really hard time quitting the habit. It seemed like I wasn’t the only one too. I started to ask a few people here and there about their kid’s problems with the thumb and got an earful. I knew this was great material for a book!

Some authors hide a recurring character or theme in their various books. Have you done something similar?

I tend to give a lot of my characters a dog. I’m a huge dog lover and can’t imagine being without one!

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Honk Honk! Beep Beep!

Posted on January 2, 2011 by Jeremy

Honk Honk! Beep Beep!
Written and Illustrated by Daniel Kirk
Published by Hyperion
Ages 2 to 7

Well folks, the author of the popular Library Mouse series is back with another hit on his hands.  Honk Honk! Beep Beep! has the bold colors and fun rhyming text that kids love.  (You might recognize the same roll off the tongue cadence found in the Llama Llama series.) Throw in some humor as a jeep full of toys journeys to a mountaintop sunrise, and you’ll have a lot of smiling readers.  Children especially enjoy reading along as they make car noises.

Activity: Use hollow blocks or a refrigerator box to create a jeep in your dramatic play center.  Throw in some chairs and a paper plate for a steering wheel and your students will be ready for adventure.

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The Three Little Pigs: An Architectural Tale

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Jeremy

The Three Little Pigs: An Architectural Tale
Written and Illustrated by Steven Guarnaccia
Published by Abrams
Ages 4 to 8

It’s time to look back and review some of the best books of 2010. If you didn’t catch it the first time around, head to your local bookstore for this gem. Steven Guarnaccia brings a fresh approach to the classic tale of the Three Little Pigs, while nodding to great architecture and design.

Children and adults alike will be intrigued by the pigs taking refuge in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, when being harassed by a hipster version of the Big Bad Wolf. And who can resist houses furnished with items like a La Conica espresso pot, Frank Gehry wiggle chair or Ettore Sottsass Hollywood vase? This stylish retelling should definitely be added to your classroom collection.

On a side note, young children will be pleased Mr. Guarnaccia ends the tail with the wolf running away with a scorched tail, a more comforting ending then the traditional version.

Activity: Have children create their own retelling of a classic tale by using art and architecture magazines to create a collage.

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