Mirror, Mirror

Singer, M., & Masse, J. (2010). Mirror mirror: A book of reverso poems. New York, N.Y: Dutton Children's Books. Mirror, Mirror by  Marilyn Singer is a book of poems based on popular fairy tales including  Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks and the three Bears, Snow White, The Princess and the Frog, Rumpelstiltskin, and many more! However, there is a twist! Once read backward it shares with readers the other side of the story! Mirror, Mirror  is a must read for all ages! If you thought rhyming poems were fun, you have to read this award winning book from Marilyn Singer! The author creates a unique format called reverso which are poems that can be read forwards and backwards! Josée Masse vivid illustrations are uniquely divided in half connecting each side of the illustration with each poem. The author is very creative with the layout of book making each poem look like a reflection!  After reading this unique book, students will learn that there is always two sides to every story. Book Trailer https://youtu.be/rMpAjvE3LC0 All About the Author http://marilynsinger.net/category/marilyn/ Lessons & Activities Mirror, Mirror Two-Week Lesson Plan More Books by Marilyn Singer

Textbook Assignment #2

A Big Guy Took My Ball!

Willems, M. (2013). A big guy took my ball! NY: Hyperion Books for Children. Oh no! Piggie is in trouble! A big guy took my ball by Mo Williems is a story about our two favorite duos, Gerald (Elephant) and Piggie! Again Piggie is having a bad day, a  “big guy” took her ball and of course who does she go to for help.  That's right,  her "big" friend Gerald or so she thinks. But there is a BIG problem, the big guy who took Piggies ball is bigger than Gerald. It's a BIG sad whale!After talking to this Whale,  Piggie and Gerald both finds out that the ball belongs to the whale and that he is lonely because he has no one to play with. At the end of this story, the two friends learn a valuable lesson of misunderstanding and are delighted to have a new friend to play with! A Big Guy Took My ball is a Fantasy read in Graphic Novel format! Mo Williems allows readers to feel the internal emotions of the characters with the illustration and text bubbles that vary in size. This book would a suitable read for ages 4 and up. Most young children will be able to relate to the problem Piggie has in the story. After reading this book, readers will learn to never judge a book by it’s cover...or maybe a whale by it’s size! If you like this book, you have to check out more books from the Elephant & Piggie Series!

It's so amazing!: A book about eggs, sperm, birth, babies, and families

Harris, R. H., & Emberley, M. (1999). It's so amazing!: A book about eggs, sperm, birth, babies, and families. Cambridge, Mass: Candlewick Press. Just like the title says, this is a nonfiction book about eggs, sperm, birth, babies, and families! The main characters are a curious bird and an uninterested bee. The bird is very curious about where babies come from and excited to learn about this topic! The bee is embarrassed and  not interested in learning about anything related to babies! The book takes readers on a “Bird & the Bee” hysterical journey informing readers all about human development. In addition, this book answers embarrassing questions no one ever wants to ask! It’s so Amazing by Robie Harris is your sex ed 101 book for children ages 10 and up! Harris combines expository and fiction in a graphic novel format making this an engaging read! This books includes a table of contents allowing readers to choose the topic they want to read about. Although some people may think this is a very inappropriate read for children, the author does a great job in providing accurate facts and making children understand that this is a completely normal thing that people experience in life.Michael Emberley illustrations adds humor to this expository text making this an entertaining read for young and old readers! Enjoyed the Illustrations? Click here to find out more about Michael Emberley! More books from Robie H. Harris

Textbook Assignment #1

Where the Wild Things Are

Sendak, M., & Sendak, M. (1963). Where the wild things are. New York: Harper & Row.

One night, a mischievous boy named Max gets in trouble for his wild behavior. His mother decides to send him to bed without any dinner. Max has nothing to entertain him, other than his huge imagination which takes him to a far away land, where he meets wild monsters and soon becomes “King of all wild things”. He is able to have crazy wild fun with his monstrous friends until the delicious familiar scent of dinner makes Max want to go back  to what he loves, “Home”. Through the imaginative illustrations and the underlying message within the text, Sendak’s classic book, Where the Wild Things Are, remains one of the most popular titles for readers of all ages.

If you like this book, you will love the movie!!

Check out the movie trailer!!

The three pigs

Wiesner, D. (2001). The three pigs. New York : Clarion Books This books starts off as the classic traditional fable of the three little pigs. Until the wolf blows them out of the book! The three pigs meet up and goes onto an adventure of their own.They decide to come back in the book with a guest fantasy dragon to give the wolf a hot payback!The illustrations will draw readers in! At the beginning of the book, Wiesner's illustrations are what you see in an average picture book. But as you read deeper, the illustrations become three dimensional and allows readers to feel like the story is coming out the book. This really brings the story to life and engages readers of all ages! After reading the twist to the three little pigs, readers will learn that there is more than one way to skin a cat or maybe defeat a wolf! Lesson’s that go along with the book: http://www.vickiblackwell.com/lit/threepigs.html Find more traditional fables with a twist!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Book 1)

Kinney, J. (2007). Diary of a wimpy kid: Greg Heffley's journal. New York: Amulet Books. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid is about a 6th grade boy named Greg. This is his first year in middle school and boy is it rough! He shares with readers his journey through this crazy year in his daily journal NOT DIARY!All Greg wants to do is to fit in and be cool, but that is impossible when you have an embarrassing friend named Rowley! He tries so many ways to fit in including signing up to become a cartoonist for the school paper and becoming a member of safety patrol. Greg journals many things from his friend Rowley’s growing popularity to his annoyance of his siblings! This will be one year Greg will never forget! Will he survive 6th grade? You have to read to find out! This is a realistic fiction read that combines graphic novel elements! The author Jeff Kinney creatively uses a realistic childlike handwriting font and also makes the cover of the book look very similar to a journal. Jeff Kinney’s illustrations just add to the humor of this book! Many students in upper elementary school will connect to the main character's challenges in 6th grade including popularity, bullying, and friendship! Book Trailer Diary of A Wimpy Kid #1 Lessons & Activities Teaching Guide More books in this series!!

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale

Deedy, C. A., & Austin, M. (2007). Martina, the beautiful cockroach: A Cuban folktale. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree. Martina a beautiful cockroach is finally 21 days old and ready to get married. The family is so excited she received so many gifts to help her find the perfect husband! However, her grandmother only gifted her with some crazy advice on how to choose the perfect husband. She advises Martina to do a “coffee test” spilling coffee on her prospective husband. Martina’s abuela informs her that by making them angry their true colors will be revealed.Martina is nervous and hesitant, but she obeys her abuela. She tested 3 bachelors: the conceited rooster, lazy pig, and the creepy lizard. They all got angry when Martina spilled the hot coffee on them and revealed who they really were. Martina was just about to give up, but with a surprising twist at the end she learns that abuela’s advice wasn’t so crazy after all and meets her perfect squeaky husband.Martina the Beautiful Cockroach is a Pura Belpre Award winning book that will have readers laughing out loud! Spanish speaking students will definitely connect with this book because of the Spanish phrases and vocabulary words. However, the author creatively translates making this a recommended read for English speaking students too.This book would be suitable for young readers in grades 3 and up.   Click here for the book trailer! More books by Carmen Agra Deedy If you like Michael Austin’s illustrations check out his website! http://www.austinillustration.com/ Lessons and Activities that go along with this book! http://www.vaasl.org/pdfs/Conference_Handouts/2010/Raspen%20-%20VRC%20Extensions%20part%203.pdf

Rules

Lord, C. (2006). Rules. New York: Scholastic Press. Rules by Cynthia Lord is realistic fiction book about a 12 year old girl named Catherine that wants to have a normal life. She is excited about her new next door neighbor that is moving in this summer. However, with her brother David she doesn’t know how she will ever form a good first impression with her. Catherine shares with readers her struggles of having an autistic sibling. She tries to make life run a little smoother with teaching her brother rules from chewing with your mouth closed to no toys in the fish tank. Catherine would think this would save her from embarrassment, but boy was she wrong! Over the course of the book she develops friendships with a mute wheelchair-bound boy named Jason and her new neighbor which is a GIRL named Kristi! Everything was going good until she finds her new friend Kristi developing a friendship with a boy named Ryan. Ryan teases her autistic brother causing Catherine to have a strong dislike for him. Things get even more awkward when Catherine has to choose between her new friend Jason or Kristi and Ryan to go to the school dance with. Through it all Catherine learns the importance of true friendship and the value of family. Rules by Cynthia Lord, is Newberry award winning realistic fiction book.Although the recommended age is 9+ this is a must read for all ages! Cynthia Lord’s unique writing style allows readers to experience what it’s like to have a disabled sibling through the main character’s eyes. The author is also very creative when using a different font to imitate Catherine’s handwriting. There are multiple themes in this book such as honesty, acceptance, family values, and friendship. At the end of the book the author provides fun activities that connect to the story including  steps on how to draw a guinea pig, a reading response to Rules, and a cool Morse code activity! Book Trailer https://youtu.be/2V3U5eNXIyQ Lessons & Activities http://www.cynthialord.com/pdf/rules_discuss.pdf 5th Grade Unit All About the Author! http://www.cynthialord.com/about.html More books by Cynthia Lord

This is Not my Hat

Klassen, J. (2012). This is not my hat. Boston, MA: Candlewick

This story takes place under the deep sea where a tiny mischievous fish steals a hat from a bigger fish. He thinks that he will get away with stealing because no one saw other than his “accomplice”, the crab. However, the tiny fish learns a  very important lesson: never take anything from anyone after the bigger fish takes his hat back. This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen has readers of all ages thinking deeper with the multiple morals embedded in this book. Jon Klassen's illustrations add so much meaning to the short that makes this book a very entertaining read for young readers!are very entertaining not to steal, have a backup plan, do not put your trust in everyone, and not to boast!

If you like this book, then check out this book by Jon Klassen!

Klassen, J.(2011). I want my hat back. Somerville, Mass: Candlewick Press.