Book Title: Pio Peep! Spanish Traditional Nursery Rhymes
Authors: Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy
English Adaptation: Alice Schertle
Genre: Poetry
Characters: An Assortment
Summary: The collection of 29 nursery rhymes as presented in this bilingual book will please the young as they listen and sing rhymes that cover many subjects, including animals, children, and home. The authors stated that some of the rhymes and songs came from Spain to America. They selected some of their childhood favorites to include in this book. The watercolor illustrations are very colorful and will appeal to young and old.
Comments: The children will enjoy hearing the poems read in Spanish and in English. Children will see their culture and traditions presented in a warm and positive manner. If you do not speak both languages, the children will be pleased to have a mom or volunteer read to them in the second language. This book is appropriate and recommend for the classroom. It is appropriate for toddlers to adults.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Paul Bunyan, A Tall Tale
Story Title: Paul Bunyan, A Tall Tale
Author and Illustrator: Steven Kellogg
Genre: Legend
Main Characters: Paul bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox
Other Characters: Paul's Parents, Townspeople, Gumberoos, Lumberjacks
Summary: This story has been retold by the author because it was one of his favorite legends when a young boy. Paul is draw with a smile in almost every illustration. Paul was the biggest and strongest baby ever born. While still a toddler, he picked up mature trees and carried them around the town. As a boy he wrestle with the grizzlies and raced with the deer. When he grew up he dug the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes to get barges with Vermont maple syrup to the logging camps. He even gouged out the Grand Canyon by mistake when he dragged his ax while hiking across the country. Even now, the author claimed, he is probably wandering the wilderness of Alaska.
Comments: The story of Paul Bunyan put a smile on my face because of the way the author related it and the comical illustrations of Paul as a baby and older. I think the children will enjoy the story but you may have to explain again to them the difference between fiction and non-fiction. The story may get too long in spots for the youngest children, but the older ones will probably enjoy it. This is an acceptable story for the classroom and appropriate for children 4 to 8 years old.
Author and Illustrator: Steven Kellogg
Genre: Legend
Main Characters: Paul bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox
Other Characters: Paul's Parents, Townspeople, Gumberoos, Lumberjacks
Summary: This story has been retold by the author because it was one of his favorite legends when a young boy. Paul is draw with a smile in almost every illustration. Paul was the biggest and strongest baby ever born. While still a toddler, he picked up mature trees and carried them around the town. As a boy he wrestle with the grizzlies and raced with the deer. When he grew up he dug the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes to get barges with Vermont maple syrup to the logging camps. He even gouged out the Grand Canyon by mistake when he dragged his ax while hiking across the country. Even now, the author claimed, he is probably wandering the wilderness of Alaska.
Comments: The story of Paul Bunyan put a smile on my face because of the way the author related it and the comical illustrations of Paul as a baby and older. I think the children will enjoy the story but you may have to explain again to them the difference between fiction and non-fiction. The story may get too long in spots for the youngest children, but the older ones will probably enjoy it. This is an acceptable story for the classroom and appropriate for children 4 to 8 years old.
Whales
Story Title: Whales
Authors: Leslie A. DuTemple
Illustrators: Multiple Photographers
Genre: Informational
Characters: Whales
Summary: The reader learns that whales resemble humans in many ways. They live in family groups, are mammals, have their own means of speaking, and help care for each other. The author described life cycle of the whales and the waters they frequented. There are fewer whales today than in the past and several species are in danger of extinction. The author describes the obstacles facing whales today and what might be done to help them survive.
Comments; There are many beautiful scenes of whales in the photographs throughout the book. The picture of the humpback diving under the icy waters reminded me of my own experiences in Alaska. These photographs will give students an positive impression of the beauty and magnitude of these creatures. This is a good resource book to have available in the classroom. It is appropriate for 3 to 12 year old children.
Authors: Leslie A. DuTemple
Illustrators: Multiple Photographers
Genre: Informational
Characters: Whales
Summary: The reader learns that whales resemble humans in many ways. They live in family groups, are mammals, have their own means of speaking, and help care for each other. The author described life cycle of the whales and the waters they frequented. There are fewer whales today than in the past and several species are in danger of extinction. The author describes the obstacles facing whales today and what might be done to help them survive.
Comments; There are many beautiful scenes of whales in the photographs throughout the book. The picture of the humpback diving under the icy waters reminded me of my own experiences in Alaska. These photographs will give students an positive impression of the beauty and magnitude of these creatures. This is a good resource book to have available in the classroom. It is appropriate for 3 to 12 year old children.
When I Am Old With You
Story Title: When I Am Old With You
Author: Angela Johnson
Illustrator: David Soman
Genre: Historical Fiction
Characters: You Child and the Grandaddy
Summary: The child, who has many thoughts about being with the Grandaddy when they are both old together, narrated the story. The child imagines many hours of wonderful days with the Grandaddy. Their time together would be spent sitting on the porch and talking, going fishing, picnicking all day, playing cards, and going to the beach. The child wants to have Grandaddy near for always.
Comments: It is obvious that the child loves Grandaddy very much and always wants to be an important part of his life. The child is unaware that becoming older means that Grandaddy will also become older. I could not decide if the child was a boy or girl, but it is not important to the story. This is a warm and touching story that brings back memories of my own grandparents. It is one of my favorite stories and recommended for the classroom. This story is appropriate for 3 to 8 year old children.
Author: Angela Johnson
Illustrator: David Soman
Genre: Historical Fiction
Characters: You Child and the Grandaddy
Summary: The child, who has many thoughts about being with the Grandaddy when they are both old together, narrated the story. The child imagines many hours of wonderful days with the Grandaddy. Their time together would be spent sitting on the porch and talking, going fishing, picnicking all day, playing cards, and going to the beach. The child wants to have Grandaddy near for always.
Comments: It is obvious that the child loves Grandaddy very much and always wants to be an important part of his life. The child is unaware that becoming older means that Grandaddy will also become older. I could not decide if the child was a boy or girl, but it is not important to the story. This is a warm and touching story that brings back memories of my own grandparents. It is one of my favorite stories and recommended for the classroom. This story is appropriate for 3 to 8 year old children.
The Mixed Up Chameleon
Story Title: The Mixed Up Chameleon
Author and Illustrator: Earle Carle
Genre: Fantasy
Character: Chameleon
Summary: The chameleon thought his life was boring, but then he went to the zoo and was fascinated by all the animals. He wished to become a little like each of the wonderful animals he saw. Eventually he became so mixed up that he was too confused to help himself. It was only then that he realized that he could be happy just being himself.
Comments: The children will be entertained by this story as they watch the chameleon change from himself into a different animal. The text is simple, but with the powerful message that you should be yourself. The illustrations are hilarious, as the chameleon takes on different forms. This in one story that should be part of the classroom library. It is appropriate for children age 2 to 10 years old.
Author and Illustrator: Earle Carle
Genre: Fantasy
Character: Chameleon
Summary: The chameleon thought his life was boring, but then he went to the zoo and was fascinated by all the animals. He wished to become a little like each of the wonderful animals he saw. Eventually he became so mixed up that he was too confused to help himself. It was only then that he realized that he could be happy just being himself.
Comments: The children will be entertained by this story as they watch the chameleon change from himself into a different animal. The text is simple, but with the powerful message that you should be yourself. The illustrations are hilarious, as the chameleon takes on different forms. This in one story that should be part of the classroom library. It is appropriate for children age 2 to 10 years old.
Rap a Tap Tap Here' Bojangles--Think of That
Story Title: Rap A Tap Tap Here's Bojangles Think of That
Authors and Illustrators: Leo and Diane Dillon
Genre: Biographies
Characters: Bill "Bojangles" Robinson
Summary: The authors presented the story of Bojangles as he tapped dance across the city streets in his tuxedo, top hat, and cane. He made the crowds smile as he entertained them with his quick and fancy high stepping leg work.
Comments: You can almost see his legs moving as you look at the illustrations. The text with words in rimes will have you and the children chanting the lines and repeating the "rap a tap tap" phrase. The biography is incomplete and provides us with a very small part of this man's life. The illustrations do a good job of informing us how important dancing was to Bojangles and how he enjoyed using his art to please people. Children will enjoy listening and reading this book. It is recommended for children 3 to 8.
Authors and Illustrators: Leo and Diane Dillon
Genre: Biographies
Characters: Bill "Bojangles" Robinson
Summary: The authors presented the story of Bojangles as he tapped dance across the city streets in his tuxedo, top hat, and cane. He made the crowds smile as he entertained them with his quick and fancy high stepping leg work.
Comments: You can almost see his legs moving as you look at the illustrations. The text with words in rimes will have you and the children chanting the lines and repeating the "rap a tap tap" phrase. The biography is incomplete and provides us with a very small part of this man's life. The illustrations do a good job of informing us how important dancing was to Bojangles and how he enjoyed using his art to please people. Children will enjoy listening and reading this book. It is recommended for children 3 to 8.
One Moose, Twenty Mice
Title: One Moose, Twenty Mice
Author and Illustrator
Genre; Traditional Literature, Counting Book
Character: The Cat
Summary: This picture book encourages children to count each page as they search for the cat that is hiding somewhere in each picture. The cat presents a different and small part of itself in each of the scenes. Colorful felt materialss were used to create the beautiful beautiful pictures. The children will need to look closely as they search for the cat.
Comments: This story is an amusing and educational experience. It becomes just as important to find out "where's the cat?" as it is to count the animals presented on each page. This story reminds me of the "Waldo" books, but is more child friendly and more appropriate for the 3 to 8 year old child. I recommend this book for children.
Author and Illustrator
Genre; Traditional Literature, Counting Book
Character: The Cat
Summary: This picture book encourages children to count each page as they search for the cat that is hiding somewhere in each picture. The cat presents a different and small part of itself in each of the scenes. Colorful felt materialss were used to create the beautiful beautiful pictures. The children will need to look closely as they search for the cat.
Comments: This story is an amusing and educational experience. It becomes just as important to find out "where's the cat?" as it is to count the animals presented on each page. This story reminds me of the "Waldo" books, but is more child friendly and more appropriate for the 3 to 8 year old child. I recommend this book for children.
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