The Bookish Educator: December 2015

Friday, December 4, 2015

Love that Dog

The simplicity of the story will appeal to many readers. Also, students who enjoy reading poems, books with animals, and books about self-discovery will enjoy this . Students that I know enjoy reading books about animals will love this book. This book is interestingly written using poems and the young boy within the story learns more about himself than he knew. Sometimes all people need is a push in the right direction and the main character Jack receives this push from his teacher. This book, with its clever title, creatively tells the story of a boy who thinks that he is not good at anything, but through the subtle push of his teacher he understands that he does have something to add and he is a talented boy.

Resources

Creech, S. (2001). Love that dog. New York, NY: Joanna Cotler Books.

Love that dog. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Love-That-Dog-Sharon-Creech/dp/0064409597/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449291733&sr=1-1&keywords=love+that+dog

Under the Mesquite

Lupita shoulders a lot of responsibility in her family since she is the oldest of her siblings. One day the unthinkable happens, Lupita finds out that her mother has been diagnosed with cancer. As a young girl who feels like she is responsible for her family she things that she needs to figure out what to do while she is trying to find her main purpose in her own life. Many students will identify with the situation of this strong main character.

Resources

McCall, G. (2012). Under the mesquite. New York, NY: Lee and Low Books.

Under the mesquite. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Under-Mesquite-Guadalupe-Garcia-McCall/dp/1600604293/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449291131&sr=1-1&keywords=under+the+mesquite

Nino Wrestles the World

Talented author Yuyi Morales brings the story of young Nino. Nino wants to become a lucha libre. As he is playing with his toys, duty calls! When villains appear he must protect his family. Nino fights his way through many different dastardly opponents until, his sisters awaken from their naps. This charming tale shows the beautiful imagination of a young boy and how fun playtime can be with that imagination. Readers will also learn about Hispanic heritage through this very cute story.

Resources

Morales, Y. (2015). Nino wrestles the world. New York, NY: Square Fish.

Nino wrestles the world. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Ni%C3%B1o-Wrestles-World-Yuyi-Morales/dp/1250062705/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449290298&sr=1-1&keywords=nino+wrestles+the+world+by+yuyi+morales

Viva Frida

Frida Kahlo was a wonderful artist and an inspirational one. She created wonderful works of art and her success can be inspirational to many girls. In this beautiful story author Yuyi Morales gives tribute to this wonderful artist in an amazing way. This story is illustrated in almost a claymation style, with doll like characters telling the story of Frida Kahlo. While many of the pages contain simple sentences or phrases and imaginative pictures the author’s message definitely comes across beautifully.

Resources

Morales, Y. (2014). Viva frida. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press.

Viva frida. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Viva-Frida-Morales-Yuyi-ebook/dp/B00MLNBJ22/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449289566&sr=1-1&keywords=viva+frida

I Lived on Butterfly HillI

Readers follow the story of a young girl who lives in Chile as her whole world is torn apart by war and turmoil. Young Celeste does not quite understand what is going on as strange things begin to happen around her home. Readers follow along as she begins to discover exactly what is happening to her home and her country. Soon Celeste is no longer able to live in Chile and she must move to Maine in the United States. Readers will see how she copes with moving to a new country and as she has to learn to live in a new place.

Resources

Agosin, M. (2014). I lived on butterfly hill. New York, NY: Antheneum Books for Young Readers.

I lived on butterfly hill. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Lived-Butterfly-Hill-Marjorie-Agosin/dp/1416994025/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449288804&sr=1-1&keywords=i+lived+on+butterfly+hill

Ole! Flamenco!

Flamenco dancing is a generations old tradition in the Hispanic culture. This book follows the history of this amazing dance, telling where it originated and the story of how it became a big part of the culture. This book also tells the reader about flamenco classes and how people learn how to do this amazing dance. Readers will be amazed by the dedication the dancers have and readers will love the real pictures of this amazing part of the Hispanic culture.

Resources

Ancona, G. (2010). Ole! flamenco. New York, NY: Lee and Low Books Inc.

Ole! flamenco. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Ole-Flamenco-George-Ancona/dp/1600603610/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449288394&sr=1-1&keywords=ole+flamenco

Just in Case: A Trickster Tale and Spanish Alphabet Book

Every culture has their own trickster tales. This Hispanic trickster tale has its own unique piece, an alphabet tale. Alongside a trickster tale involving a very charming skeleton is a Spanish alphabet. Each of the tales seem to be running independently, but in fact they are intertwined. The alphabet following along with the trickster tale as it weaves its story. In this trickster tale reader follows a very charming skeleton as it tries to make it on time to a birthday party that he has been waiting for, he also needs to get a birthday present. Will it make it on time with a present? The reader will enjoy following along to find out.

Resources

Just in case. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Just-Case-Trickster-Spanish-Alphabet/dp/1596433299/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449287636&sr=1-1&keywords=just+in+case+a+trickster+tale+and+spanish+alphabet+book

Morales, Y. (2008). Just in case. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press.

Barrio: Jose's Neighborhood

Through real pictures and well written story the reader learns about the daily life in a real Hispanic neighborhood. The reader follows young Jose through events in his daily life. Jose is interviewed about his school life and how he feels about it. Readers get to see a mural being painted and learn about many of the murals in the neighborhood. The meaning and importance of the murals are also presented in easy to understand language. Through this story readers learn many different things about the neighborhood and the amazing things that go on within it.

Resources

Ancona, G. (1998). Barrio: Jose's neighborhood. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.

Barrio: Jose's neighborhood. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Barrio-Joss-Neighborhood-George-Ancona/dp/0152010483/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449286664&sr=1-1&keywords=barrio+jose%27s+neighborhood

The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred

This beautifully written and illustrated story follows a similar pace of The House that Jack Built. Each page brings a new idea to the story and builds as each page is turned. We follow the maiden as she collects milk, gets sugar, collects eggs, and more. By the end of this story the cazuela is done and all of the friends join in together to share. This story not only shows the reader the importance of helping and sharing, but also gives insight into some Hispanic traditions. At the end of the story is a glossary for the Spanish terms as well as recipes for the items mentioned within the book.

Resources

The cazuela that the farm maiden stirred. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Cazuela-That-Farm-Maiden-Stirred/dp/1580892434/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449285846&sr=1-1&keywords=the+cazuela+that+the+farm+maiden+stirred

Vamos, S. R. (2011). The cazuela that the farm maiden stirred. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge Publishing.

Gracias Thanks

This beautifully illustrated story brings readers the story of a young boy who is celebrating all of the things that he is thankful for. Through the story readers follow along as the main character shows his gratitude to everything in his life by saying “thanks” to everything that he is thankful for. From the ladybug that has landed on his finger to his grandmother who is always looking out for him. Children can relate to this young character and all of the wonderful things that he is thankful to have in his life.

Resources

Mora, p. (2009). Gracias thanks. New York, NY: Lee & Low Books Inc.

Gracias thanks. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Gracias-~-Thanks-English-Spanish/dp/1600602584/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449284989&sr=1-1&keywords=gracias+thanks

The Surrender Tree

The story of Cuban history is a very interesting one. Author Margarita Engle tells this interesting story through poetry. As the beginning of the book lets the reader know, this author’s grandparents were a part of this struggle. Readers will enjoy learning about this not so well known part of history. These poems are very well written and are eye opening. These poems are all of their own style. The reader can definitely see the author’s pride in her people, pride in their story, and her style.

Resources

Engle, M. (2008). The surrender tree : Poems of cuba's struggle for freedom. New York: Henry Holt and Co.

The surrender tree: Poems of cuba's struggle for freedom. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Surrender-Tree-Poems-Struggle-Freedom/dp/0312608713/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1449284236&sr=1-1

See Me Run

The reader follows a group of energetic dogs as they explore the dog park. On their travels they discover something big! Dinosaur bones! This simply written story will be fun for younger children who are just beginning to read. Each page contains short sentences that contain mostly sight words. This will make it easy for the beginning readers to get through this book mainly on their own. The fun characters make the book come alive and readers will enjoy following these dogs on their quest and seeing their discoveries.

Resources

Meisel, P. (2012). See me run. New York, NY: Holiday House.

See me run. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/See-Me-Run-Like-Read/dp/0823426386/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449282913&sr=1-1&keywords=see+me+run

Bink and Gollie

Two best friends, sharing every possible moment together. Bink and Gollie, while both very different, are the best of friends. They have a treehouse that they share and they love to roller skate together. This story teaches young readers that no matter how different two people are, they still can become the best of friends. Readers will also learn how to handle the situation that always arises with best friends, jealousy and disagreement. They will see how these two best friends deal with this situation with their friendship intact.

Resources

Bink and golley. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Bink-Gollie-Kate-DiCamillo/dp/0763659541/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449282261&sr=1-2&keywords=bink+and+gollie

DiCamillo, K., & McGhee, A. (2010). Bink and gollie. Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.

Tales for Very Picky Eaters

Are you a picky eater? Do you know someone who is a picky eater? This book is about a young boy who is definitely a picky eater. In order to get him to eat the main character, James’ dad, gives him alternative options that all seem so outrageous that the first option now seems more appealing. Then, when he gives the food a try, he discovers that even though it seems yucky at first, trying new food isn’t all that bad. Parents will love reading this to their children to show them that new foods could be good. Children will enjoy seeing all of the different outrageous things that the James' father decides to offer him.

Resources

Schneider, J. (2011). Tales for very picky eaters. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Tales for very picky eaters. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Very-Picky-Eaters-Schneider/dp/0544339142/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449280841&sr=1-1&keywords=tales+for+very+picky+eaters

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons

This very popular cat returns to sing songs about his groovy buttons. As this funny cat is going down the sidewalk, the unthinkable happens, his buttons start popping off! With funny lyrics Pete the Cat keeps on singing about his groovy buttons, even though as the book progresses he keeps losing more and more of them. As with all of the Pete the Cat books readers are learning a lesson without knowing they are learning. Younger readers will enjoy counting down as Pete the Cat begins to lose his buttons. Older readers will learn to enjoy what they have. So no matter the age of your reader, Pete the Cat is fun reading for all.

Resources

Dean, J. (2012). Pete the cat and his four groovy buttons. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children's Books.

Pete the cat and his four groovy buttons. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Pete-Cat-Four-Groovy-Buttons/dp/0062110586/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449280197&sr=1-1&keywords=pete+the+cat+and+his+four+groovy+buttons

Let's Go for a Drive!

Readers will love yet another installment of the adventures of the unlikely friends, Piggie and Elephant. This time the pair are going on a drive. Each time something comes up the pair have something entertaining to say and each of their personalities definitely come to the forefront. Readers will enjoy following along with the two characters as they try to go on a drive, encountering hilarious obstacles along the way. Those who love the style and talent of Mo Willems will enjoy another of his books in the Elephant and Piggie series.

Resources

Willems, M. (2012). Let's go for a drive. New York, NY: Hyperion.

Let's go for a drive. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Drive-Elephant-Piggie-Book/dp/1423164822/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449279595&sr=1-1&keywords=lets+go+for+a+drive

Ling and Ting: Not Exactly the Same

Readers are joined by two identical twins, Ling and Ting. However, even though they are identical on the outside, are the really exactly the same? Readers will learn, through the story of these two charming girls, that even though these twins may seem to be identical on the outside, they are their own people on the inside. Each girl is very unique. Through reading this story readers will understand that everyone is unique and they all have something special about them. Young readers will enjoy the simplicity of this story and adults will like the opportunity for discussion that this book provides.

Resources

Lin, G. (2012). Ling and ting: Not exactly the same. New York, NY: Little Brown and Co.

Ling and ting: Not exactly the same. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Ling-Ting-Exactly-Passport-Reading/dp/0316024538/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449278956&sr=1-1&keywords=ling+and+ting+not+exactly+the+same

Penny and Her Marble

Kevin Henkes popular character, Penny, needs to decide what to do when she finds a marble in the yard at her neighbor’s house. Should she keep it? When reading this story discussions can be had with younger readers about the appropriate thing to do when finding something that is not ours. This book is written in a way that beginning readers can have the opportunity to read some for themselves. Henkes style definitely comes through in this charming tale of a young mouse trying to decide what she needs to do.

Resources

Henkes, K. (2013). Penny and her marble. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

Penny and her marble. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Penny-Her-Marble-Read-Level/dp/0062082051/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449274650&sr=1-1&keywords=penny+and+her+marble

The Watermelon Seed

We all have been told horror stories from grandfathers, grandmothers, and other relatives, about what would happen if we were to swallow a watermelon seed. So in fear, everyone made sure to not swallow even a single seed. But as the comical main character of this story comes to realize, sometimes you cannot avoid accidentally swallowing a seed every once and awhile. So when this does happen to our main character, all he can do is wait and see if what was always told would happen actually will.

Resources

Pizzoli, G. (2013). The watermelon seed. New York, NY: Hyperion Books.

The watermelon seed. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Watermelon-Seed-Greg-Pizzoli/dp/1423171012/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449273781&sr=1-1&keywords=the+watermelon+seed

Waiting Is Not Easy

Mo Willems brings readers another amazing story from Piggie and Elephant. In this story readers see the differences between the two characters. As the readers will find out, Elephant is the more practical character and Piggie, well, isn’t. Everyone can relate to these characters, since everyone can fall into these two categories, at least once in their lives. Readers can also relate to how it feels having to wait on something that is supposed to be a surprise. In this story the reader will find out how these two cute and familiar characters will react to this situation.

Resources

Waiting is not easy. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Easy-Elephant-Piggie-Book/dp/142319957X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449272523&sr=1-1&keywords=waiting+is+not+easy

Willems, M. (2014). Waiting is not easy. New York, NY: Hyperion Publishing.

You Are (Not) Small

Through brightly colored illustrations readers will see a comparison between many different sizes of animals. In this story two bears start out arguing over whether one is big or one is small. Readers will see that perspective is all that matters and this opens up a more in depth discussion about what matters than is seen at face value with this cute story. Young readers will be intrigued by the cute animals and creative illustrations. Older readers will see the deeper meanings and will connect with the characters on a deeper level.

Resources

Kang, A. (2014). You are (not) small. New York, NY: Two Lions.

You are (not) small. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Small-Anna-Kang/dp/1477847723/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449271800&sr=1-1&keywords=you+are+not+small

Remember: The Journey to School Integration

The story of school segregation then integration is a very interesting tale. There is so much information and so many different aspects to these tales. In this book author Toni Morrison takes real images from this time and writes her own version of the stories behind these pictures. Readers will see true images, of young African American students in classes, of “colored only” schools, of African American children in classes with white students, and all other occurrences in between. These stories will give readers clues to what may have gone on during these times. This amazing story will help those who were not there understand some of what went on during this time period.

Resources

Morrison, T. (2004). Remember: The journey to school integration. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Remember: The journey to school integration. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Remember-Journey-School-Integration-Nonfiction/dp/061839740X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449270526&sr=1-1&keywords=remember+the+journey+to+school+integration

Copper Sun

This book tells the story of a young girl who is stolen from her home, her village, and sold into slavery. Talented author, Sharon Draper, tells this story wonderfully. Readers feel like they are living the story along with the main character, Amari, feeling the things that she feels, seeing the things she sees, and more. Other stories tell the occurrences of plantation life through the eye of an observer, giving information. This story shows the reader what happens through a first hand account, making the reader feel like they are there, like they are living the story themselves.

Resources

Copper sun. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Copper-Sun-Sharon-M-Draper/dp/1416953485/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449269818&sr=1-1&keywords=copper+sun

Draper, S. (2008). Copper sun. New York, NY: Antheneum Books for Young Readers.

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