Happy Thanksgiving!

Squanto's Journey

Written by: Joseph Bruchac

Illustrated by: Greg Shed

Published by: HMH Books, 2007

32 Pages

Historical Fiction

   When the Mayflower arrived on the shores of the lands inhabited by Native Americans, Squanto showed the pilgrims around and taught them survival skills. The pilgrims and Native Americans feasted together and began the tradition that we know as Thanksgiving.

   Shed's painted illustrations exhibit the browns and golds of the Fall season. Contrasting light and darkness signify not only the different cultures, but the happiness of the season and settlement of Plymouth as well. The pictures appear antique, and Shed includes exquisite details in the character's features.

   I would use this book in 4th grade Social Studies to introduce European exploration and the settlement of Plymouth. Then, I would create an entire thematic unit around Thanksgiving including:

Math: measure the distance traveled by the pilgrims (scale)

Language Arts: write a narrative telling about your journey on the Mayflower ; write a persuasive letter encouraging Squanto to let the pilgrims stay OR make them leave

Since some ELL learners are not familiar with Thanksgiving, or why we celebrate in the United States, I would build background knowledge about Thanksgiving and define unfamiliar words prior to reading.

   

Light in the Darkness

The Butterfly

Written and illustrated by: Patricia Polacco

Published by: Puffin Books, 2009

48 Pages

Historical Fiction

   Monique's home and city has been terrorized by the Nazis, but the young girl is oblivious to what is really going around her. Until she finds Sevrine, a young Jewish girl who has been hiding in her basement. A friendship ensues, but is this friendship enough to save the girls when the Nazis find out?

   Polacco's illustrations portray the horrors of hatred and increases the emotional impact on young readers. She uses dark images to signify the sad, horrible, and eerie Holocaust. However, the bond shared by the young girls is bright and cheerful.

   In sixth grade, students learn about the events leading up to World War II, including the Holocaust, so I would read this to shed the light and darkness of such a horrible time in history. Then, I would have the students write about what they would do if they were Monique: protect their new friend or turn her in... For ELL students or special needs students, I would provide images and sentence starters to help them with their writing.

Wonders of the Classroom

We're All Wonders

Written and illustrated by: R.J. Palacio

Published by: Knopf Books, 2017

32 Pages

Realistic Fiction

   Auggie does the same things that kids his age do. But he's still different. He looks different. This book gives young readers a glimpse of what it is like to be different and teaches that it's okay to be different. It's okay to be kind. It's okay to be a friend. No one is exactly the same. 

   Palacio serves as both the author and the illustrator in this book. The vibrant illustrations exhibit a normal childhood, but the reader will find that the character only has one eye. The images portray a lonely boy doing normal things all by himself. As the story progresses,  Auggie gets sad and the pictures become more shadowed.

   Although this book is excellent to teach friendship, empathy, and kindness, I would use it in a first grade class to identify action verbs and linking verbs. Every time we find a verb, we would write it down. At the end of the story we would look at the list of verbs and talk about the difference between action and linking verbs.

   To support gifted students, I would have them create sentences about themselves using the same verbs found throughout the story.

Following the Rules

David Gets in Trouble

Written and illustrated by: David Shannon

Published by: Blue Sky Press, 2002

32 Pages

Realistic Fiction

   David is a mischievous little boy who doesn't think anything is his fault. No matter what he does wrong, he has an excuse. He soon realizes that apologizing is the right thing to do, but he still has to face the consequences for his actions.

   David Shannon is an author-illustrator that bases his books on his past. The watercolor paintings are very childish, with thin and sloppy lines, representing things a child might draw and write. The text appears as a child's handwriting, as if David (the character) wrote it. 

   I would use this book in a Kindergarten classroom. Upon reading, we would create a list of classroom rules, and I would explain to the students the importance of honesty and integrity. It is important for young children to understand that there are consequences to all actions, good and bad. This book represents a visual of what to do and what not to do when no one is looking. This book is also an excellent resource for ELL students because they can see what David does and what happens when he does bad things.

Book talk- Vote! by Eileen Christelow

PLANTZILLA

Plantzilla

Written by: Jerdine Nolen

Illustrated by: David Catrow

Published by: HMH Books, 2005

32 Pages

Science Fiction

   Mortimer loves the class plant so much that he wants to take it home to care for over the summer. In a hilarious exchange of letters, Mortimer's decision is beginning to unfold as a mistake. With the mysterious disappearance of various foods, and even his mom's chihuahua, what will happen to the culprit? Will Plantzilla overstep his welcoming or be welcomed as a part of the family?
   Catrow is an award-winning cartoonist and writer of children's literature. His watercolor paintings in Plantzilla speak volumes about his work. The illustrations are humorous, enjoyable, and highlight intriguing details that readers cannot overlook. The letters on which the story is written can be tricky, especially for young or struggling readers due to the different fonts. In a younger classroom, this book would be best if read-aloud.

   This book would be an amusing way to introduce the following Science standard:

9 ) Examine evidence to support an argument that the internal and external structures of plants (e.g., thorns, leaves, stems, roots, colored petals, xylem, phloem) and animals (e.g., heart, stomach, lung, brain, skin) function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.

By introducing carnivorous plants, students can compare and contrast the parts of carnivorous and non-carnivorous plants and relate it to parts of an animal. Having a Venus Fly Trap and a regular plant, such as a sunflower, is a must in order to provide a visual of how the two plants "eat and drink".

Friends in Space

Earth to Clunk

Written by: Pam Smallcomb 

Illustrated by: Joe Berger

Published by: Dial Books, 2011

40 Pages

Science Fiction

   The main character found out he has a pen pal named Clunk from Planet Quazar. But he doesn't want a pen pal. So he sends him a letter, attached to his sister. That'll teach him to have a pen pal from Earth. Clunk sends back some interesting things, including a Zoid that follows him around. Does the boy warm up to his pen pal from Quazar?

   Berger uses vibrant illustrations that reflect what a species might look like from another planet. With images that appear to be from a cartoon, the reader can remain engaged (and humored) waiting for the next object from the foreign planet to arrive. 

   This book can be used in Science prior to introducing the Solar System to students. In higher grades, I would use it to talk about life on other planets and the lack of components necessary to support life. I also want to experiment with having a pen pal in another country or state, so this would be an intriguing way to explain what a "pen pal" is.

From Seed to Plant

How a Seed Grows

Written by: Helene J. Jordan

Illustrated by: Loretta Krupinski

Published by: HarperCollins, 2015

32 Pages

Nonfiction

   This picture book teaches children the process a seed goes through as it grows into a flower, tree, or plant. This nonfiction book is complete with pictures of the different kinds of seeds and the different things they grow into.

   Colored pencils were used to display beautiful, detailed, and realistic portrayals of the real-life things students see daily when they take a walk outside.

   

5 ) Plan and carry out an investigation, using one variable at a time (e.g., water, light, soil, air), to determine the growth needs of plants.

   Using the above science standard, I would put pictures with some facts on the corresponding flower or tree before class. I would read this book to second graders. Then, I would give different students different pictures of plants and seeds. We would take a nature walk, and students would match their pictures to the pictures on the plants outside. After all students have found their correct station, each group would take turns visiting other stations, learning new facts about each.

  I like this book because it is factual, but it doesn't feel like a textbook. Realistic pictures can often feel boring to students, while illustrations and paintings feel like another fun story.

Ocean Creatures

The Big Book of the Blue

Written and Illustrated by: Yuval Zommer

Published by: Thames & Hudson, 2018

64 Pages

Nonfiction

   This colorful picture book is filled with the different animals that live in the ocean, complete with interesting facts about the components that help underwater creatures survive underwater.

   The illustrations in this book are vibrant paintings. Although they are unrealistic, the paintings do portray the different features of the different animals in a way that helps the young reader notice them.

   Since this book is 64 pages long, it wouldn't be ideal to read the entire book in one setting. However, it would be a great tool to reference when talking about the individual animals and facts about each. 

Grade level: 2nd

Science Standard: 7 ) Obtain information from literature and other media to illustrate that there are many different kinds of living things and that they exist in different places on land and in water (e.g., woodland, tundra, desert, rainforest, ocean, river).

   

From a Goldfish's Point of View

Memoirs of a Goldfish

Written by: Devin Scillian

Illustrated by: Tim Bowers

Published by: Sleeping Bear Press, 2010

32 Pages

Modern Fantasy

   It's an easy life swimming around a fish bowl all day..... until new decorations and pets begin to overcrowd. This story is told from the point of view from a goldfish and explains how each day gets a little harder.
   Bowers uses vibrant illustrations that help young readers see the different objects overcrowding the fishbowl. Although this is not a wordless picture book, the images could alone tell the story. As seen on the cover, the goldfish has a helpless expression on his face, which is seen mostly throughout the entire book. 

   In a fourth grade language arts classroom, students must be able to identify the different points of view. I would choose this story along with a story told in second and third person to align with the following Language Arts standard:

6 ) Compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are narrated, including the difference between first- and third-person narrations. [RL.4.6]

   I like how each page has the heading of the day in a different color.This helps readers automatically identify that it is the beginning of a new day, and they are already looking at the illustrations trying to find out what new object is in the fish bowl.

Strategies

How to Teach a Slug to Read

Written by: Susan Pearson

Illustrated by: David Slonim

Published by: Two Lions, 2011

32 Pages

Modern Fantasy

   We all know animals can't talk and slugs can't read, but in modern fantasy books, anything is possible. This story outlines the strategies a boy uses to teach a slug to read, beginning with labeling some of the slugs favorite things.

   Slonim uses cartoonish paintings to capture the attention of young readers. By using a lot of bright colors, the different objects stand out and the children can identify the different objects using similar strategies that the slug does.

   I would use this book in a second grade language arts lesson, using the following standard: 

38 ) Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on Grade 2 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies. [L.2.4]

   Students can then use these strategies when reading different pieces of writing. After reading this, I would divide students into small groups, giving each group a different excerpt from higher-level books. The students would work together highlighting unfamiliar words, then they would present the unfamiliar words to the class. Other students could define the words, if possible. At the end of the activity, if any words were left undefined, we would work together to define them by using context clues or a dictionary.

This is a fun and engaging way to help students learn different strategies for identifying new vocabulary words, such as highlighting, re-reading, and most of all being patient.

Love Conquers All

The Other Side

Written by: Jacqueline Woodson

Illustrated by: E.B. Lewis

Published by: Putnam’s Sons, 2001

32 pages

Diverse

   During a time of segregation, the only thing that can conquer the racial divide between blacks and whites is the friendship of two young girls. although they cannot cross the fence to play with one another, they find a loophole to their parents’ wishes and sit on top of the fence together. 

   E.B. Lewis’ watercolor illustrations are not only beautiful; they depict the interracial friendship of the young girls that engages the reader. The illustrations play with light, darkness, and shadows. 

 I would use this book in fourth grade to introduce the Civil Rights Movement and the events leading up to integration and African American rights, using the following Social Studies standard:

14) Analyze the modern Civil Rights Movement to determine the social, political, and economic impact on Alabama. 

   Despite the events we see on the news daily signifying the division of Americans, children can hardly imagine a time when black and white children could not be friends. This story is a perfect example of two children that stood up for what was right, even when everyone else thinks it is wrong. 

Holidays Around the World

The Night Before Hanukkah 

Written by: Natasha Wing

Illustrated by: Amy Wummer

Published by: The Penguin Group, 2014

32 pages

Diverse

   The night before the eight days of Hanukkah is very exciting, especially for the little ones. Children can hardly wait for chocolate gelts, preparing latkes, playing dreidel, exchanging gifts, and lighting candles. 

   Wummer’s illustrations are cartoonish, which engages young readers quickly. She uses several shades of blue to create a calming effect that represents a peaceful holiday spent with family. Blue is also the color of the accents on the Israeli flag which makes this Jewish tradition feel more special to readers.

   It is very important that teachers celebrate other cultures’ holidays and not just their own. This book would be excellent to share with a first grade class covering the following Social Studies standard:

11) Identify traditions and contributions of various cultures in the local community and state.

After reading this book, I would have the students research how other countries celebrate “Christmas time”.  After collecting information, students would create brochures of foods and activities that relate to the specific holiday. If possible, I would find local families that celebrate the holidays that we researched and have them share something special their family does during this time. 

   I love how this book is setup. It has the same tone as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”, so most of the children can compare this to a story they have heard before. 

Born to Stand Out

Old Hat

Written and illustrated by: Emily Gravett

Published by: Simon & Schuster, 2018

32 pages

International

 

   Harbet loves the hat his grandmother knitted for him... until his friends laugh at him and call it an old hat. So he goes on a mission to find the hat that fits in with the newest fad. However, he stays one step behind every time. Until he decides to just be himself and go without a hat, showing off his colorful and trendy hairstyle. 
   Gravett, who is an author-illustrator from the UK, illustrates in a colorful and fun way that encourages children to turn the page to see what kind of hat Harbet will choose next. I love how she chose to paint beautiful feathers on top of the character’s head. It shows children that you should never cover up your “flaws” to fit in because what you hide might be what makes you beautiful and unique.  

   Although this book is about the importance of being yourself, it could be turned into a Kindergarten math lesson. Students would draw the hat they liked the best then we would display the drawings in columns based on the hats they chose. Finally, we would determine which groups had more or less than another given group. 

Standard:  Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and counting strategies. (Include groups with up to ten objects.) [K-CC6]

A Day Out

I Really Want to See You, Grandma

Written and Illustrated by: Taro Gomi

Published by: Chronicle books, 2018

40 pages

International book

   Yumi is a young girl from Japan who wants to see her grandma. She travels to 

Grandma’s house only to find there is no one home. It turns out that Grandma wanted to see Yumi as well, and they may have passed one another in their travels back and forth. Eventually, they run into each other and designate a tree as their meeting spot just in case this happens again in the future. 

   Toro Gomi is an author-illustrator from Tokyo, Japan. The illustrations used in this book are significantly detailed based on Gomi’s homeplace with brown shades representing the land and small houses with vibrant colored roofs.

   I would read this book in a Kindergarten classroom and use a feltboard in a whole group setting to retell events in the order they occurred. I would then let the students cut and paste Yumi, Grandma, and objects, such as the train, bus, and scooter, and place them on their own storylines to retell the events. This demonstrates the Language Arts standard:

Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson. [RL.1.2].

   I believe that this book is easy to understand, even for the students who can not read. The pictures explain exactly what is going on and the sentences are short and simple for young children.