Celebrating Poetry Month

Today, and the whole month of April, we are celebrating all of the poets around the world! One of the most famous poets is Emily Dickinson, so it’s only fair to share a fabulous book about her! My Uncle Emily is a story about Emily and her nephew and her influence on the world at the time she was living.

On clcd.com, Kirkus stated “A six-year-old boy stalwartly defends his spinster aunt in a touching incident based on an event in poet Emily Dickinson’s life. Gib and his “uncle” Emily “often laugh together about things we two find funny,” but not poetry, which is “not a joke at all.” When Emily gives him a dead bee and a poem about the bee for his teacher, Gib worries his classmates won’t understand the poem. Gib’s fears are realized when his classmate calls Emily a “peculiar old maid.” Defensively, Gib hits the boy and conceals the incident from his aunt until she urges him with a poem to “Tell all the Truth.” Speaking through Gib’s first-person voice, Yolen artfully incorporates elements from Dickinson’s poetry and life to give readers an inside look at the enigmatic poet from her nephew’s fresh and loving perspective. Carpenter’s nostalgic, pastel-hued pen, ink and digital-media illustrations capture the atmosphere of late-19th-century Amherst as well as Gil’s special relationship with his famous aunt in this poetic vignette.” – click here

My Uncle Emily by: Jane Yolen & Illustrated by: Nancy Carpenter

 

Information on the book:

Literary Awards:

• Best Children’s Books of the Year,2010 Bank Street College of Education

• Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, May 4,2009 Cahners

• School Library Journal Book Review Stars, June,2009 Cahners

Age Level: 6 to 10 years old

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rationale: This quirky book took my attention by surprise, especially the title! Once I read it and realize it was a historical book about Emily Dickinson, I knew I had to include it in my blog.

Classroom Application: For English, students could read a selection of Emily Dickinson’s poems and re-write them in a way that they would understand (in today’s language). Students could also write their own poems. They would be given just the title of one of Emily’s poems, then based off of that, the student would write a poem.Then they could draw an illustration that goes along with their poem.

 

A New Feature to WordPress

I was just able to find the new feature of WordPress…you are now able to search for blogs to follow! I have the link to that feature below!

https://en.search.wordpress.com/

*If that doesn’t work, click here!

A Day to Remember Honest Abe

On this in 1865, actor and Confederate sympathizer, John Wilkes Booth, fatally shot President Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. The attack came only five days after Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his army, effectively ending the American Civil War. There are many books that you can read to your students about good ole’ Abe, but one in particular that I love is Abe’s Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln. This wonderful book was written by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. I absolutely LOVE both of these authors/illustrators! Doreen mostly writes historical fiction books while Kadir Nelson illustrates most of her books along with other books and publishers.

To learn more about this day that made American history, click here to go to the History channel’s website!

On clcd.com, there were many reviews that I found on this book, one in particular stated “In time for the Lincoln bicentennial, Rappaport reprises the successful format of Martin s Big Words (BCCB 1/02), which introduced the life and eloquence of the civil rights activist to elementary grade children. Able storytelling, informal but never folksy, lays out the essential Lincoln biography in one fluid sweep, interrupted only by the subject s own words, aptly selected to showcase both better- and lesser-known speech excerpts and observations. For instance, when the narration simply notes, He became a lawyer. His clients praised Honest Old Abe. . . . Lincoln adds, Resolve to be honest at all events, and if you cannot be an honest lawyer, resolve to be honest without being a lawyer. Choose some other occupation. Nelson s paintings, often three-quarter-spread images, are equally capable of presenting Lincoln as a national icon and as a small-town guy made good. Much of the power of the compositions comes from attention to the responses of citizens who listen to his speeches with expressions of intense interest, trust, or outright skepticism. A timeline, a copy of the Gettysburg Address, and a bibliography are appended, as well as a list of children s books for further reading.” –Elizabeth Bush (The Bulletin of the Center for Children s Books, October 2008 (Vol. 62, No. 2))

Abe’s Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln by: Doreen Rappaport & Illustrated by: Kadir Nelson

Information on the book:

Literary Awards:

• Keystone to Reading Book Award, 2009-2010 Winner Pennsylvania

• Whitney and Scott Cardozo Award for Children’s Literature, 2009 Winner United States

• The de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection;

• Battle of the Books, 2009-2010; Nominee New Mexico

• KC3 Book Award, 2010-2011; Nominee Missouri

• Keystone to Reading Book Award, 2009-2010; Nominee Pennsylvania

• Monarch Award: Illinois’ K-3 Children’s Choice Award, 2011; Nominee Illinois

• North Carolina Children’s Book Award, 2010; Nominee North Carolina

• Volunteer State Book Award, 2010-2011; Nominee Tennessee

• Booklist Book Review Stars , Jun. 1,2008 American Library Association

• Bulletin Blue Ribbons,2008 The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

• Capitol Choices,2009 The Capitol Choices Committee

• School Library Journal Book Review Stars, October,2008 Cahners

• Teachers’ Choices,2009 International Reading Association

Age Level: 8 years old and up

 Rationale: I chose this book because of the author and illustrator. I know a lot of books from both and would recommend either to anyone!

Classroom Application: This book could be used in so many ways! Specifically, Social Studies; students can research a timeline of the Civil War and conduct a project to present to their classmates.

Companion books:

The President is Shot! The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln by: Harold Holzer

Bloody times : the funeral of Abraham Lincoln and the manhunt for Jefferson Davis by : James L. Swanson

 

Happy Birthday President Jefferson!

Today, we celebrate our 3rd President, Thomas Jefferson’s birthday! On this day in 1743, the primary author of our Declaration of Independence was born!

This book discusses how Thomas Jefferson built his library at his mansion, Monticello. His library was full of over 9,500 books! On clcd.com, one reviewer put, “This unusual picture-book biography fosters a new understanding of Thomas Jefferson‘s life as viewed through his love of books and its impact on our burgeoning nation. The opening quote from Jefferson sets the tone: “I cannot live without books.” The narrative replicates the rhythm of a conversation as it provides numerous examples of his love of books. Clever spreads combine expansive full-bleed images and individual, framed pen-and-ink–and-watercolor illustrations, plus vignettes amplifying points made in the text. Throughout, fact boxes shaped like open books scattered across the pages supply additional details. A scholar from childhood, Jefferson devoured his father’s library and then, at school, learned to read in several languages. He cultivated personal libraries covering many subjects while living at his parents’ plantation and again at Monticello. Ultimately, this examination highlights Jefferson‘s role in ensuring that the Library of Congress held a viable collection: first as president, when he supported the Library of Congress, and later, when the collection was burned during the War of 1812, by offering his books to them. The piece closes on the fascinating note that the Library of Congress owns more than 155 million items and adds around 11,500 each day. An author’s note provides further information, including a discussion of Jefferson as slaveholder. Sure to be enjoyed, this is an engaging study of one of our Founding Father’s great legacies.” –Kirkus, Children’s Literature

Thomas Jefferson Builds A Library by: Barb Rosenstock & Illustrated by: John O’Brien

Information on the book:

Literary Awards:

• Best Children’s Books of the Year,2014 Bank Street College of Education

Age Level: 6 to 9 years old

Genre: Biography

Rationale: I chose this book because the author is visiting my University! Barb does such a wonderful job of getting the facts straight and true. She has a way with words, and children of all ages would enjoy reading her books.

Classroom Application: This book would work well with the upper elementary grades (3rd, 4th and 5th). Students could research the life of Thomas Jefferson and learn more about him. They could do projects on his life and do a presentation on him. Great book with many possibilities of integration!

Big Wind Day!

This day, we celebrate wind and all of its glory…so it’s only fair that I share a story that heavily relied on big gusts of wind. The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Bleriot by Alice and Martin Provensen is about the man who was the first man to fly across the English Channel!

On clcd.com, Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices stated, “In 1901, Frenchman Louis Bl riot, an inventor and the father of a large family, dreamed of flying in his own airship. Eight years, eleven planes and several mishaps later, Bl riot, with his family cheering him on, became the first person to fly across the English Channel. The shifting perspectives of the bronze-tinted watercolor paintings give viewers a real sense of a truly glorious flight.” –click here for this review and others!

The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Bleriot by: Alice and Martin Provensen

Information on the book:

Literary Awards:

• Randolph Caldecott Medal, 1984 Winner United States

• Randolph Caldecott Award medal, 1984

• The de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection

• Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 1985; Nominee Kentucky

• Children’s Catalog, Eighteenth Edition,2001 H.W. Wilson

• Children’s Catalog, Nineteenth Edition,2006 H.W. Wilson

Age Level: 5 -11 years old

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rationale: I chose this book because it is a Caldecott Medal winner! Once I started reading it, I understood why it won. This book is beautifully written and the illustrations really show how Louis Bleriot triumphed and succeed with building a flying machine and taking it across the English Channel.

Classroom Application: This book would be great to use along side a STEM lesson. Students would be given the same materials as what Louis used to build his aeroplane (in smaller form). Students would have an allotted amount of time to build a plane similar to Louis’. Then, to test if the plane would withstand big gusts of wind, a fan would be placed behind it and the students would measure to see how far their plane would go. For upper grades, the teacher could talk about aerodynamics and speed and how it affects how far the plane goes.

 

Happy National Siblings Day Pt. 2!

While surfing the web, I came across a great selection of children’s books especially chosen by HarperCollins publishing company. They chose 15 of their favorite books that celebrate this awesome day! Click on the link below to look!

HarperCollins Publishing Company

Happy National Siblings Day!

Although I am an only child, I have many friends who have siblings. So, I have been looking for books that pertain to having siblings and enjoying their company – both good and bad.Sometimes you fight with them, but you still love them very much and will be there for them always!

Steve Jenkins has yet again illustrated a book that exceeds my standards of a “good book”. He wrote a book about animals and their siblings and how they get along around the world! On clcd.com, the review that really stood out for me was by CCBC (Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices) and they wrote, “Artist Steve Jenkins and author Robin Page use sibling relationships as a premise to offer information on more than twenty creatures from the animal, bird, and insect worlds. The facts shared in the short narratives are fascinating. An entire litter of one of the world s smallest mammals, the European shrew, can fit comfortably in a teaspoon that s up to ten babies that will travel together as a caravan, biting the behind of the one in front to stay together. Spotted hyenas sibling fights are often to the death, while the strongest black widow spider hatchlings eat their weaker brothers and sisters. Each page spread blends intriguing bits of information with Jenkins s trademark illustrations beautiful cut-and-torn-paper collage art depicting the creatures in action. There s also humor in brief, witty tag lines such as Girls rule! on the page with the all-female New Mexico whiptail lizards and Mommy s busy right now accompanying information about the millions of termite brothers and sisters who live in a colony, all from the eggs of a single queen. As with this author/illustrator duo s other books, additional facts about each creature are included at the volumes end.”

Read more about this book on Goodreads wesbsite!

Sisters & Brothers: Sibling Relationships in the Animal World by: Robin Page & Illustrated by: Steve Jenkins

Information on the book:

Literary Awards:

• Cybils Awards, 2008 Finalist United States

• Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, 2009 Recommended United States

• SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science, 2009 Winner United States

• The de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection;

• Beehive Book Award, 2010; Nominee Utah

• Pennsylvania Young Readers’ Choice Award, 2009-2010; Nominee Pennsylvania

• Booklist Book Review Stars , Apr. 1,2008 American Library Association

• Booklist Top 10 Sci-Tech Books for Youth,2008 American Library Association

• Choices,2009 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

• Kirkus Book Review Stars, April 1,2008

• School Library Journal Book Review Stars, July 1,2008 Cahners

Age Level: 4 to 9 years old

Genre: Informational books

Classroom Application: This would be a great book to read to your class to teach them about having older/younger siblings. Their job is important – they should help take care of their siblings and to always be nice to them. For parents, this would be great to read to your child if they will be soon a big brother/sister. This book can help prepare them for their new brother or sister!

 

Read…Everyday!

So, spring just started a little over a week ago. For parents, sometimes it’s hard to get their child to read everyday, especially when the weather is beginning to get nice and warm. So, I’ve been researching ways parents can help their child to continue to read, even if it’s nice outside. Reading Rockets website is my go-to site for everything that deals with Reading. Here’s what I found on helping parents help their children.

By clicking the link below, it will take you to the site; it gives 5 easy to follow steps that parents can use with their children to keep them on track with reading. Even though the article is for during the summertime, parents can use these tips ANY time of year!

Reading Rockets: Five Easy Tips for Summer Learning

New Book on the Block

So, I’ve been working hard on finding the best children’s books that have been just published…and I think I’ve found a wonderful bibliotherapy book! Just fresh and hot off the press, Willow’s Smile is a great book to read to children who are self-conscious about themselves.

Because this book has been just published a few months ago, there isn’t a lot of information on it. But, I had the chance to read it and it’s amazing! Willow had a hard time coping with picture day at school, and didn’t want anything to do with it. But, with the help of the photographer and her friends, Willow was able to over come this fear. It is a great bibliotherapy book, it helps children cope with these fears of being judged.

On clcd.com, Kirkus wrote a review “With Picture Day looming, a girl worries because she can’t smile at will. Willow’s nervous that Picture Day is tomorrow. Her classmates excitedly plan outfits; Willow goes home and studies herself in the mirror. Can certain clothing make her smile “picture perfect”? Willow smiles plenty; she just can’t do it on purpose. Well-meaning adults, trying to reassure her, only spotlight Willow’s exact point of worry: “Just bring your smile,” instructs her teacher, while her father soothes, “I’m sure your picture will be perfect.” Perfection’s quite a standard. Stressed, Willow pulls and tugs her cheeks with her fingers, trying to force a smile. On Picture Day, the moment of Willow’s snapshot will confuse readers: she decides that “her way of looking picture perfect didn’t have to include a smile,” and the text implies she follows through with that, but the illustration shows a smile—tiny yet unmistakable. Either way, it’s inadequate: the victorious climax shows Willow’s friends inspiring her smile from behind the camera. Howells uses bright, flat colors on white backgrounds; her characters are Photoshop figures, racially diverse (though Willow’s white), drawn in simple black lines and dots. Unlike Willow’s Whispers (2010), where it was easy to root for Willow to speak loudly enough to be heard, this is about performing emotional expression. This isn’t smile-when-you’re-ready; it’s smile-on-schedule, and the resolution undercuts its previous, apparent support for Willow’s reticence. Not much to smile about.” -Click here to read more about the book!

Willow’s Smile by: Lana Button & Illustrated by: Tania Howells

Information on the book:

Literary Awards: none, it was just published in 2016

Age Level: 5-8 year olds

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Rationale: I chose this book because it is a great bibliotherapy book for children of any age.

Classroom Application: This book can be used especially in a Pre-K classroom. At this age, children are more vulnerable to being judged by peers and having feelings of self-concept. The teacher can read the book to their class and discuss with them how important it is to be proud of who you are as a person. Students can illustrate a self-portrait of themselves as an activity.

Out and About Poems!

Since we are celebrating this wonderful day, here’s another poetry book to added to your collection! This book would be great to use with the younger children (6 and younger). Out and About: A First Book of Poems is written by award-winning author Shirley Hughes.

On clcd.com, there are many review of this book, but I always look for prominent reviews by known people or organizations. One of the reviews, by Publisher’s Weekly stated, “The British author-artist’s new entry in the Nursery Collection will captivate parents and children, as do all her inimitable celebrations of family life. Bright, exuberantly detailed paintings illustrate rhyming lines featuring a small girl and her wobbly baby brother as they experience the special features of the passing seasons. The book begins with the siblings throwing themselves wholeheartedly into glorious mud on the first spring day. Later, the two join in communal activities as neighbors are all “out and about”: the kids play; grown-ups plant gardens and spruce up their houses. In the same inviting vein, the story continues into summer, fallwith a harvest of fruits, nuts, berries as just “desserts”and snowy winter, crowned by Christmas. A lovely book.” – Click here for the rest of the reviews!

Out and About: A First Book of Poems by: Shirley Hughes

Information on the book:

Literary Awards:

• Children’s Catalog, Eighteenth Edition,2001 H.W. Wilson

• Children’s Catalog, Nineteenth Edition,2006 H.W. Wilson

• The de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection

Age Level: 3-7 years old

Genre: Poetry

Rationale: I chose this book because it appeals to the younger grades, which is the area that I teach in. The illustrations are amazing and go along with each poem.

Classroom Application: I would use this book in a Pre-K or Kindergarten classroom where the students could listen to the poem without seeing the pictures. As a poem is being read to them, they have to illustrate what they think the poem is talking about. Then they could write a few sentences about what’s going on in the picture.