No Pirates Allowed! Said Library Lou by Rhonda Gowler Greene (Illustrated by Brian Ajhar)

No Pirates Allowed! Said Library Lou was written by Rhonda Gowler Greene and illustrated by Brian Ajhar. Pirate Pete storms into the Seabreezy Library looking for treasure, but Library Lou has a plan. Pirate Pete learns the importance of reading and books in this funny, whimsical book.

   Rhonda Gowler Greene has created a fun book with a very important lesson. Pirate Pete eventually learns that "books be the treasure". Greene has shown the importance of books on the imagination as well as we see some of the books that Pirate Pete picks up to read.

   This is a fun book of fiction. While it is not quite fantasy, it isn't quite contemporary either. It falls somewhere in between. Could it happen? No. But is it fantasy? Not really.

   Brian Ajhar has created fantastic paintings to illustrate No Pirates Allowed! Said Library Lou. The paintings perfectly illustrate and enhance what is happening on each page of the book.

For Teachers: 

   No Pirates Allowed! Said Library Lou is ideal for kindergarten through first, however it can be pushed into a second grade classroom. This book opens up a perfect opportunity for students to visit the school or a local library. Some classroom activities could include: 

• Alphabet: No Pirates Allowed! creates a perfect opportunity to build on student's alphabet skills and recognition. Some activities could include word-to-letter matching and more. 
• Dewey Decimal System: Explain what the system is and how librarians use it. Have students explore different call numbers and where things are located. **This would be a perfect time to visit the school or local library. 
• Discussion Questions: What is a library, and why are they important? What is happening to Pete as he reads more and more? Does Pirate Pete feel grateful to Library Lou for what she has done? What has Library Lou done? 

My Thoughts: 

   I really loved this book. Unfortunately, it is a little old for my son right now, but I will be checking it out again when he is a little older. It mixes pirates (which my son loves) with the importance of reading (which is a big thing for me). I can't wait to see what he thinks of it when he is older. 

Additional Resources: 

Book trailer: 

Reference: 

Greene, R. G. (2013). No Pirates Allowed! Said Library Lou. Ann Arbor, MI: Sleeping Bear Press. 

Abe Lincoln Remembers by Ann Turner (Illustrated by Wendell Minor)

Abe Lincoln Remembers was written by Ann Turner and illustrated by Wendell Minor. Abe Lincoln Remembers is written from Abraham Lincoln's perspective, recalling past events that led him to where is: President of the United States and waiting to attend a play with his wife Mary.

   Ann Turner does a fantastic job retelling some of the events in Lincoln's life from his perspective. While older students would see that the writing style is not Lincoln's, younger children will be drawn to the poetic flow of the story.

   Abe Lincoln Remembers is categorized as a biography. However, the author's note at the end states that while the book "is based on historical facts, it is a work of fiction" (Turner). Turner goes on to say that the book "should not be read as a biography but rather an imaginative exploration" of Lincoln's life. 

   Wendell Minor uses beautiful paintings to illustrate Abraham Lincoln's life. The paintings are bright and eye catching. 

For Teachers: 

   Abe Lincoln Remembers would be a great book in a kindergarten through second grade setting as an imaginative story. It is a good stepping stone to introduce students to Abraham Lincoln or even the Civil War. February would be an ideal time to teach about Lincoln as his birthday falls in this month. Further activities to teach students about Lincoln could include: 

• President: Have students create a Presidential timeline. Where does Lincoln fit? Who are some of the other Presidents? 
• Gettysburg Address: Read the Gettysburg Address. Have older students analyze parts of the address. 
• Lincoln: Have students research more about Lincoln: who he was, what he did, what he stood for. Several plays can be found online for younger students to put on. 
• Writing: Abe Lincoln Remembers is written like a memoir. Have students recall one thing in their lives that they feel was important and write it down. 
• Discussion questions: What was your favorite event of Lincoln's life? Do you think Lincoln had to work hard to become a lawyer and then President? What war was Lincoln talking about that had North fighting against South? 

My Thoughts: 

  As a work of fictionized events I thought it was very well written. I think younger students will be drawn to the informal nature of facts delivered. The paintings are very beautiful and I wish I could have a couple of them hanging in my house. 

Additional Resources: 

Other book on Abraham Lincoln: 

• Abe's Honest Words by Doreen Rappaport
• Young Abe Lincoln by Cheryl Harness
• Abraham Lincoln Comes Home by Robert Burleigh
• Stand Tall, Abe Lincoln by Judith St. George

These are just a select few of the many books available. More books on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War can be found at any local library or online. 

Reference: 

Turner, A. (2001). Abe Lincoln Remembers. Cambridge, MA: HarperCollins Publishers

A Light in the Attic written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein

A Light in the Attic is a compilation of poems written (and illustrated) by Shel Silverstein. A Light in the Attic includes such poems as, "Prayer of the Selfish Child", "The Sitter", "Reflection", and "God's Wheel".

   Shel Silverstein has included over one hundred poems for children in his book A Light in the Attic. Silverstein illustrates his poems himself with pen and paper. The poems, like the illustrations, are fun, funky, spunky, and silly. Every now and then Silverstein will include a more serious poem like "God's Wheel" or "The Little Boy and the Old Man".

For Teachers: 

   Shel Silverstein's books can be used at any grade level. Each poem is different and each poem has its own reading difficulty. There are poems that are appropriate to first graders mixed in with poems appropriate to teenagers. The ideal age group for A Light in the Attic would be third through fifth graders. Some classroom activities could include: 

• Poetry: What is a poem? Discuss various forms of poetry and have students try their hand at each form. 
• Selective: Use select poems from this book (ie. "The Little Boy and the Old Man", "The Fly is In", "Standing is Stupid", "Senses", and "The Lost Cat") to illustrate the different forms of poetry. Discuss what each poem selected means to each student. What is different? What is the same? 
• Discussion questions: See ideas above. Tailor questions to the poems selected from A Light in the Attic. 

My Thoughts: 

   I used to love Shel Silverstein growing up, but going back and rereading it was rough. I did not realize how inappropriate some of his poems can be and how much death is in some of them. There were very few that I liked reading back through his work. However, I can see how the poems of Shel Silverstein can be a great classroom tool for getting students interested in poetry. He uses language and poems that speak to younger audiences specifically. 

Additional Resources: 

More books by Shel Silverstein: 

• The Giving Tree
• Where the Sidewalk Ends
• Falling Up
• The Missing Piece
• The Missing Piece Meets the Big O
• Runny Babbit
• Lafcadio, The Lion Who Shot Back
• And more... 

Poetry resources include: 

• PoetryFoundation.org
• Children's Poetry Archive
• Poetry4Kids
• Giggle Poetry

Reference: 

Silverstein, S. (1981). A Light in the Attic. New York, NY: Harper & Row, Publishers.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Speak was written by Laurie Halse Anderson in 1999. Melinda Sordino enters ninth grade an outcast after calling the cops at an end-of-summer party. But no one knows what really happened to Melinda that night; no one knows she was raped.

 
   Laurie Halse Anderson has written a true coming of age story. Melinda represents many different teenagers entering high school; outcasts, teenagers with family problems, and even victims of rape. Anderson has made every element of the book impactful. She has shown the effects of rape on a person without going into too much detail on the actual events.

   Speak is a perfect example of a contemporary fiction novel. Even though it was written in 1999, it could have happened yesterday.

For Teachers: 

   Teachers should note that this book has been challenged in a school district before. It does contain difficult material and should be treated as such. Teachers should be prepared to address situations of sexual violence both in the classroom and on an individual basis. The ideal setting for this book would be in a ninth grade classroom. There are various aspects for students to glean from Speak, and the following activities could help: 

• Sexual Violence: Discuss what sexual violence is, when to say 'no', and what 'no' means. 
• Fight or Flight: The body reacts to difficult situations in different ways. Discuss fight or flight with your students - not just relating to sexual violence. This could also be a good topic for an essay. 
• Vocabulary word suggestions: obscene, abstinence, auditorium, indoctrination, inconspicuous, desperation, interrogation, degrading, discrimination, spastic, conjugate, immigration, sympathetic, intolerant, xenophobic, eloquent, obligation, subjectivity, potential, incompetence, conundrum, symbolism, consequence, reputation, inefficient, tenacious, suffragettes, self-incrimination, delinquency, maladjusted, indentured. 
• Discussion questions: How did Melinda use art to help her come to terms with what happened? Why did she choose to keep the rape to herself instead of telling her parents or the authorities? What does Melinda's room say about her? How does communication between Melinda and her parents break down? Melinda is an outcast, what does it mean to be an outcast, and what are some suggestions for reducing the number of cliques/clans? Are we sometimes different people by ourselves and with others, why is this? 

My Thoughts: 

   While the themes and situations in Speak were admittedly difficult to read, I really enjoyed this book. I think it provided a closer-to-accurate depiction of what high school is really like than most contemporary novels I have read. There is so much potential in this book. Teenagers in various situations can glean different things from Speak and it can help them through their situations. This is a book I would highly recommend as required reading for a ninth grade classroom. 

Additional Resources: 

An important number to have on hand would be your state or county's sexual violence hotline. 

A school system in Vermont has created a pamphlet for teachers who decide to use this book in their curriculum. This pamphlet has great resources and information on sexual violence. Click HERE to view the information. 

Reference: 

Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux.

Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville (Illustrated by Gary A. Lippincott)

Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher is the second book in the Magic Shop series by Bruce Coville, but can be read as a stand-alone. Gary A. Lippincott provides pencil drawn illustrations for each chapter. Jeremy Thatcher is the smallest kid in his class and is constantly bullied because of it; that is, until one day when he walks into a magic shop that suddenly appeared. Jeremy becomes the proud owner of a dragon egg, one that he finds out contains a beautiful red dragon named Tiamat. Raising Tiamat is not easy, is Jeremy up to the challenge?

   Bruce Coville has created a book that a lot of kids will be able to connect to. Jeremy is small, not overly smart, and bullied. Jeremy did not wish or ask for a dragon, but rather a dragon asked for him. What kid wouldn't want a dragon to help them come out of their own shell? 

   Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher is a work of fantasy set in today's world. 

   Gary A. Lippincott provided illustrations for the cover and title pages in the book. The illustrations are pencil drawings that are meant to enhance the story and bring the characters to life. However, my personal opinion is that they detracted from the story. I did not find them particularly well drawn. 

For Teachers: 

   Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher may not be a book assigned to read during the school year, but it does have potential for grades 6-8 summer reading. If it was to be assigned during the school year, some activities could include: 

• Science: Look at the life cycle of a reptile, from egg to adult. Discuss what other animals hatch from eggs. 
• Midsummer Night: What is Midsummer Night? Discuss some of the traditions and tales associated with it. 
• Art: What fantasy creature would you want to raise? Draw a picture of this creature. 
• Art: The author uses colors to depict emotion. What colors would you use for various emotions? 
• Vocabulary word suggestions: smug, scorn, sincerity, incredibly, humiliation, kaleidoscope, intriguing, complicated, almanac, trivial, burnished, intelligent, agitation, concentration, symphony, disappearance, alternately, ammunition, reputed, marauding, mystification, repressive, crisis, searing, banishment, anticipation, intimidate, astonishment, tapered, chiding. 
• Discussion questions: Why do you think Tiamat chose Jeremy? Would you want to raise an animal (real or fantasy) from birth; if so, what kind? Do you think Jeremy should have told anyone about Tiamat; why or why not? Discuss the conflict between Jeremy and Mr. Kravitz; was the conflict resolved; how would you have handled the situation? 

My Thoughts: 

   I really enjoyed this book, even though there were a couple spelling and grammatical errors. I don't think Jeremy Thatcher could ever become the next Harry Potter, but he does have a quality about him that a lot of kids would be drawn to. Hey, I may even read the other books in the series. 

Additional Resources: 

Students may enjoy the other Magic Shop books by Bruce Coville: 

• The Monster's Ring
• Jennifer Murdley's Toad
• The Skull of Truth
• Juliet Dove, Queen of Love

Students may also enjoy Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons by Dugald A. Steer, Ernest Drake, and Wayne Anderson. 

Reference: 

Coville, B. (2002). Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher. San Diego, CA: Harcourt, Inc. 

The Firekeeper's Son by Linda Sue Park (Illustrated by Julie Downing)

The Firekeeper's Son was written by Linda Sue Park and illustrated by Julie Downing. Sang-hee lives in an ordinary village during a time of peace on the Korean shore. His father is the firekeeper, responsible for lighting the mountain fire every night to let the king know that all was well. One night his father is late to lighting the fire and Sang-hee has to make a decision: help light the fire or leave it unlit and see the soldiers of his dreams.

   Linda Sue Park has created a great story that not only teaches about Korean culture, but also explores what it feels like for someone to want one thing but know they have to do something else. 

   The Firekeeper's Son is a work of historical fiction set in 1800's Korea. This cultural book tells the story behind one of the many signal fire locations in the mountains of Korea. 

   The paintings Julie Downing used to create the illustrations for The Firekeeper's Son are absolutely beautiful. They are full of expression and magic. 

For Teachers: 

   The Firekeeper's Son is ideal for kindergarten through second grade. The book is a great resource for teaching students about responsibility and about Korea. Some activities could include: 

• Geography: Today, Korea is two countries: North Korea and South Korea. Have students locate North and South Korea on a map. 
• Geography 2: Korea is a peninsula. Explain what a peninsula is and have students locate other peninsulas on a map (ie. Italy, Florida)
• Flag: Have younger students color in the flags of North and South Korea.
• Responsibility: What is responsibility? Ask students to share some of their responsibilities. 
• Discussion questions: Why is the signal fire so important? How do we communicate today? What would have happened if Sang-Hee had not lit the fire? 

My Thoughts: 

   The Firekeeper's Son was an interesting book. I was almost too distracted by the beautiful paintings that I didn't read the book - but I did. I like how Sang-Hee is torn about doing what he knows is right and want he wants to do. In the end he is rewarded by his right decision. This book is a little old to read to my son right now, but I can see it being one that we will read in a year or two. 

Additional Resources: 

Similar Books: 

• Count Your Way Through Korea by James Haskins (teaches how to count from one to ten in Korean along with various aspects of the culture)
• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi (about a Korean child who moves to America)

Reference: 

Park, L. S. (2004). The Firekeeper's Son. New York, NY: Clarion Books. 

Utterly Otterly Day by Mary Casanova (Illustrated by Ard Hoyt)

Utterly Otterly Day was written by Mary Casanova and illustrated by Ard Hoyt. Little Otter is a "big otter" now, he doesn't have to listen to Mama and Papa anymore. Little Otter sets out to explore new areas and comes face to face with danger; teaching him that "he needs his family-- no matter how big he grows" (Casanova, 2008).

   Mary Casanova has created a cute, fun tale about a little otter who thinks he is 'big enough' to do whatever he wants. Her word choices are rhythmic and include some fun phrases like, "whippidy, slippidy, sail." 

   Utterly Otterly Day is ideal for preschool through first grade. Little Otter's adventures represent fantasy at work in this wonderful picturebook. 

   Ard Hoyt uses watercolors to perfectly capture the playful nature of Little Otter and his scenic surroundings. The movement of the water is beautifully illustrated. Children are sure to be drawn to the playful illustrations in Utterly Otterly Day. 

For Teachers: 

   Utterly Otterly Day can be used to teach students about otters, the importance about listening to their parents, and word play. Some activities could include: 

• Otters: Have students look at otters: what they eat, where they live, etc. 
• Word play: Have students create their own words like "slippidy" to express actions, emotions, and more. 
• Animals: Explore what environment animals live in. Little Otter lives in a burrow, what other animals live in burrows? 
• Discussion questions: Why do you think Little Otter didn't listen to his parents? What happened when Little Otter thought he was 'big enough' to be on his own? What other animals can we see in the book?   

My Thoughts: 

   I really enjoyed reading this book. It is one I will be reading to my son in hopes that he will enjoy it as well. The illustrations are beautiful and match perfectly with the story. I love how the book teaches kids that yes, there are some things they can do on their own, but they really aren't old enough to be on their own all the time. 

Additional Resources: 

Students may enjoy reading more of Little Otter's adventures in Utterly Otterly Night. 

National Geographic provides a good amount of information for teachers to use when teaching students about otters. 

The San Diego Zoo also has a great amount of information about otters and also has some video of them playing. 

Reference: 

Casanova, M. (2008). Utterly Otterly Day. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 

Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Ninth Ward was written by Jewell Parker Rhodes after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Ninth Ward in New Orleans, and many other areas. Lanesha is a twelve-year-old girl living with her caretaker, Mama Ya-Ya, in New Orleans' Ninth Ward. Hurricane Katrina arrives and Lanesha must do whatever she can to survive this storm and resulting flood.

   Jewell Parker Rhodes appears to have written this book with education in mind. Spread throughout the book are vocabulary words (and their meanings), math terms, and various "how-things-are done." While she has done a great job on the educational aspect of the book, the story fell a little short. It felt a little underdeveloped and might not be the best book for grabbing students' attention. 

   Ninth Ward combines historical fiction with some fantasy. Lanesha can see ghosts and there are other dealings with the supernatural. However, the main focus of this book is the historical aspect surrounding Hurricane Katrina. Ninth Ward could also be considered multicultural. 

For Teachers: 

   The ideal age group for Ninth Ward would be Fourth through Sixth grade. Some advance Third graders would be able to read this book, and it can even be extended into a Seventh grade classroom if necessary. Some activities to use with this book would include: 

• History part 1: Delve into Hurricane Katrina and other devastating hurricanes of the past. What are some of the similarities between the locations that were most devastated? What are some of the differences? 

• History part 2: Look into pictures and videos from Hurricane Katrina. Have students discuss photos from the Ninth Ward and other locations. 

• Weather: What is the difference between a Category One and a Category Five hurricane? Discuss and research hurricanes. Have students either write an essay or create a poster based on their hurricane research. 

• Vocabulary word suggestions: synopses, tragedy, star-crossed, symbols, fortitude, exasperated, engineer, hurricane, suspension bridge, unfathomable, anxious, mandatory, evacuation, conflicted, loitering, omen, devastating, vacuum, eerie, angelic, perpendicular. 

• Discussion: Why is Lanesha treated like an outsider? Is Mama Ya-Ya Lanesha's real grandmother? Why don't Mama Ya-Ya and Lanesha leave? Why don't some of their neighbors leave? 

My Thoughts: 

   My personal opinion of the book is that I did not like it. While it had some educational aspects, they seemed to overpower the underdeveloped story. Lanesha wasn't a believable character and some of the other characters felt a little to "convenient" to when they would show up. Not a book I would recommend to just sit down and read, but if you are teaching about hurricanes or Katrina in particular, then this may be a good book to help supplement that teaching. 

Additional Resources: 

When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts. This is a documentary from 2006 directed by Spike Lee. It might be a good video to show students so they could better visualize what happened. 

Before and After. This link shows some before and after pictures of Katrina's affect on New Orleans. 

Hurricane Katrina. CNN's comprehensive site dedicated to the hurricane and its aftermath. 

Reference: 

Rhodes, J. P. (2010). Ninth Ward. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company.

Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature by Joyce Sidman (Illustrated by Beth Krommes)

Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature is a non-fiction picturebook, written by Joyce Sidman and illustrated by Beth Krommes. Swirl by Swirl explores various spirals found in nature; from sleeping chipmunks, to snail shells, to swirling-whirling waves.

   Joyce Sidman has created a poem to teach children about nature. The book is not an anthology, rather one short poem, spread over numerous pages.

   This work of poetry is a work of non-fiction. The educational aspects of the book are ideal for Kindergarten through 3rd grade.

   Each page includes beautiful illustrations by Beth Krommes that depict various animals, plants, and natural events that enhance and draw from Sidman's poem. Krommes' illustrations are unique. She uses scratchboard to mimic the look of a wood engraving. The illustrations are what really bring this book to life.

For Teachers: 

   Swirl by Swirl is ideal for a Kindergarten and First Grade classroom; however it can be utilized in a Second and Third grade classroom as well. Various aspects of nature and shapes can be explored further through the following activities: 

• Shapes: What is a spiral? What form does it most resemble? Have students practice drawing spirals and various shapes. 
• Nature hunt: Have students go outside and find spirals in nature. Bring them back into the classroom and create a display. 
• Animals: Discuss some of the animals depicted in the book and how they use spirals in their lives: sleeping, protection, etc.
• Science: Tornados are spirals. Create a tornado in a bottle. 
• Art: Have younger students create a collage of spirals. Older students can experiment with their own scratchboard illustrations. 
• Discussion: Where have you seen spirals before? Ask children to point out spirals on each page. Do you think a spiral would be a strong or weak shape? Can you think of any other spirals that aren't in the book? 

My Thoughts: 

   This is not a book that I would immediately think was non-fiction by looking at the cover. The illustrations make it seem more like a storybook and I think will be instrumental in grabbing the attention of many children. When children think of non-fiction books, a lot of them think "boring." The poem and illustrations in Swirl by Swirl, however, make this book anything but boring. 

Additional Resources: 

   Beth Krommes' website along with various wood engravings and scratchboard illustrations for children to view and be inspired by: http://www.bethkrommes.com/

Book trailer: 

References:

Sidman, J. (2011). Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.

The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen

The Devil's Arithmetic was written by Jane Yolen in 1988. Hannah Stern is attending a family Seder when she opens the door and walks into the past, right into 1942. Hannah is thrown into the life of Chaya, a Jew living in Poland during World War II. She, along with Chaya's family, is sent to a concentration camp.

     Jane Yolen brings time travel to a new level. She utilizes one main character to portray two completely different people living in two completely different time periods. The beauty of the New Rochelle setting is that it can be any modern time. Although the book was written in the 80's it could have taken place yesterday. 

     The Devil's Arithmetic is, no question, a work of historical fiction. The author did her research and included a "What is true" page at the end of the book to help emphasize the historical nature of this multicultural book.  

For Teachers: 

     The Devil's Arithmetic deals with some intense and sometimes graphic subject matter. It is intended for a sixth or seventh grade reading level. While the main theme of the novel is the Holocaust, teachers can also utilize the book for teaching Jewish history and traditions. 

• History part 1: Discuss World War II; the causes of the war, the war in Europe, the war in the Pacific, the end of the war. 

• History part 2: Discuss the Holocaust; what was it, how many lives were lost, why did it happen, could it happen again? 

• Jewish Traditions: Discuss Passover and Seder. Look at some passages in the Haggadah and discuss them. 

• Where in the world: Chaya is from Poland. Locate Poland on a map. Now locate the other countries affected by the Holocaust and World War II. Where did the war start and end? 

• Vocabulary word suggestions: Passover, Seder, Yiddish, Haggadah, concentration camp, steerage, yarmulke, matzoh, superstition, Torah, solemn, shtetl, Klezmer, badchan, synagogue, Nazi, arithmetic, and shnell. 

• Discussion questions: Do you think living Chaya's life gave Hannah a different perspective on life? Why did her aunt and grandfather change their names when they came to America? Why is it so important to "remember"? Why do you think the author choose to portray the horrors of the concentration camp graphically, and would they have had the same effect had they not been as graphic? 

My Thoughts:

     The Holocaust is a time we wish we could forget ever happened. But it did. Jane Yolen did an excellent job bringing the Holocaust to a middle-grade level. Yes, there is violence and some intense scenes, but it is no more violent than The Hunger Games or other popular books. It is a tough book to stomach, however. Parents and teachers should prepare for discussions with their children on the graphic nature and death portrayed in the book. 

Additional Resources: 

More books on the Holocaust and World War II: 

• The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
• Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
• Milkweed by Jerry Spinell
• Letters from Rifka by Karen Hesse

Hannah talks about the movie Yentl and Fiddler on the Roof. These movies can be shown to give insight into the Jewish community. 

References: 

Yolen, J. (1988). The Devil's Arithmetic. New York, NY: Viking Kestrel. 

Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham (Illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky)

Z is for Moose is written by Kelly Bingham and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. Zebra is the director for the staging of an alphabet book. However, Moose becomes impatient and keeps getting in the way.

     Kelly Bingham starts with the traditional: a is for apple, b is for ball, c is for cat, d is for moose... wait, moose? She starts out with a normal alphabet book, but when Moose starts getting in the way you realize that the book is more about patience and friendship than it is the alphabet.

     Z is for Moose would fall under the fantasy genre of picturebooks. But do not let the "fantasy" title distract from the education purposes this book contains.

     Paul O. Zelinsky has drawn fantastic pictures that enhance the story Kelly has written. He has made it feel like Moose really has taken over the set. The use of a frame around each page really makes Moose and what he does stand out.

For Teachers: 

     Z is for Moose is ideal for a kindergarten class; however could be stretched into a first grade classroom depending on the lesson plan. This story is perfect for not only teaching the alphabet, but also patience and friendship as well. Some activities that would go along with the book could include: 

•  Moose: What is a moose? Where do they live? Have students color a moose picture, or even create antlers to wear out of construction paper. 
• A-Z: Have students practice writing their letters. Or focus on the letter 'M'. What else starts with 'M'? 
• The Stage: Split students into groups and have them put on their own alphabet book. Utilize items in the classroom or outside to represent each letter. 
• Discussion: Why didn't Moose wait his turn? Why do you think Zebra decided to use Mouse instead? Do you think Moose reacted the right way, why or why not? Do you think Zebra reacted the right way, why or why not? 

My Thoughts: 

     I love this book. My husband and I have read it to my two-year-old every night since we checked it out from the library. It is a book that we will be looking to add to our home shelves at some point. I do have to say that I liked it a lot better than the Interrupting Chicken book by David Ezra Stein. The interruptions seemed more fluid and more relevant to the story.

Additional Resources: 

   If you liked Z is for Moose,  Kelly Bingham and Paul O. Zelinsky will be teaming back up for Circle, Square, Moose that comes out September 23, 2014. 

Z is for Moose original book trailer: 

References:

Bingham, K. (2012). Z is for moose. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.  

The Story About Ping by Marjorie Flack (Illustrated by Kurt Wiese)

The Story About Ping was written by Marjorie Flack and illustrated by Kurt Wiese. In the book, Ping, a duck living on the Yangtze River, is separated from his family after hiding to avoid punishment for arriving home last. Ping's misadventures eventually lead him home.

     Marjorie Flack utilizes repetition in her story. Readers hear about Ping's "mother and his father, and two sisters and three brothers and eleven aunts and seven uncles and forty-two cousins" a few times throughout the book. She does not always finish a sentence on one page, there are a few times when it runs over onto the next page. I feel that this adds a little bit of tension for readers: what will happen next? Is Ping going to be ok?

     The Story About Ping could be considered fantasy as we are reading the book from an animal's point-of-view. Even though a specific time period is not mentioned, it could also be considered historical. There is no doubt that The Story About Ping provides a fantastic multicultural view into life in historical China.

     Kurt Wiese seems to utilize a combination of pastels and ink to beautifully illustration The Story About Ping. The illustrations are simple, yet detailed where they need to be. The movement of the water and reflections pictured in it are wonderfully created.

For Teachers:

The Story About Ping is perfect for students between Kindergarten and 2nd grade. This story can be used as a great introduction into studying China and its culture. Some activities would include:

• Follow Ping: Utilizing a map of the Yangtze River and a cut-out of Ping (or any duck), have Ping travel the river, stopping at various important sites. This will provide a valuable visual aid for learning about various important Chinese locations. 
• Chinese Flag: Have younger students color a Chinese flag.
• Ping's Family: Have students point out similarities between Ping's family and the Boy's family. Students can then draw a picture of their own family. 
• Discussion Questions: If you were Ping, would you have hid or gotten on the boat? Ping sees many different boats (big boats, little boats, fishing boats), have you ever been on a boat? What country do you think Ping lives in, and why? 

The Story About Ping can also be used to enhance the theme of "Don't talk to Strangers." Some activities would include: 

• Safety: See if a local police officer can come into the class and talk about what to do when you are lost or in danger. 
• Define: Who is a stranger? Have the students write down (or talk about) what makes someone a stranger. 
• Knowledge: It is important for any child to know their phone number and address. Make sure your students know these, and if not encourage them to talk to their parents. 
• Discussion Questions: How did Ping feel when he was captured? What should Ping do to avoid being lost in the future? How do you think Ping's family felt when he did not return that night? 

My Thoughts: 

     I fear that some parents and teachers may be put off from reading this book due to the fact that Ping's Master would "spank" the last duck to board the boat. I know that it will not stop me from reading this to my son when he is a little older. Maybe we could even have duck that night for dinner (just kidding). Ping is a great representation for a young child who gets separated from home. He goes through all the steps of what not to do when lost and opens up great discussion points for parents to teach their children. 

Additional Resources: 

Students may also enjoy some of Marjorie Flack's other books: 

• Angus and the Ducks
• Angus and the Cat
• Angus Lost
• Ask Mr. Bear

A dramatized reading:

References: 

Flack, M. (1961). The story about Ping (A Children's Choice Book Club ed.). New York, NY: Viking Press, Inc.