Changes!

Wow, summer is flying by!!  Summer is a great time to catch up on reading and I've read so many amazing book already. 

In the past, I have tried to keep two blogs...this one to share books that I am reading and http://theconnectedlibrary.blogspot.com/ to share what is happening in our school library. Since it has been difficult to maintain both, and since the audience for both blogs is similar (our school community as well as other teachers and librarians), I have decided to discontinue posting book talks on this site and begin writing about books on http://theconnectedlibrary.blogspot.com/.  My goal is to add books there on Mondays (based on It's Monday What Are You Reading #IMWAYR) or Tuesdays (Booktalk Tuesday #booktalk). 

Please head on over there to see the latest update.  You can also enter your email to receive updates via email (1-2 times per week).

Happy Reading!!

Using Picture Books and Art to Make a Difference in the World

Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell, illustrated by Rafael Lopez (picture book, grades K-3)

Sky Color by Peter H. Reynolds (picture book, grades K-3)

I love reading picture books that show students that they have the power to make their world a better place, even at a young age. I recently read both of these books to students in grades K-3 and they were a big hit! In both of these two picture books, the main characters use their art to make their world a better place by giving it to others.  Maybe Something Beautiful is based on a true story.  Mira, the main character, loves to give pictures to everyone she meets to brighten her neighborhood.  One day, a muralist comes and begins painting a mural on one of the gray buildings.  Soon, the entire neighborhood joins in and it becomes one giant painting party.  After reading the book, I showed the video of the actual event from this website In the Lemon Tree:

We also read the wonderful book Sky Color which is about a girl who loves to create art but is unsure what to do when there is no blue paint to use to color the sky.  She learns to look at the world around her in a new way and discovers that the sky is not always blue.  Both books involve people creating murals.  After reading the books, we talked about how just like in the books, every child can make a difference.

STEAM Connection

These books are perfect to read together and then do an art activity.  Students could make their own art to give to others to brighten their day.  

Here is a link to a Google Doc for this activity.  Students could identify an area of their school that could use some brightening up and work together to create a mural for that area (on paper or with the art teacher on the wall).  Students could also brainstorm other places where people might need cheering up, such as nursing homes or hospitals, and create art to give to them.

What other ways can you think of to use these books to encourage children to use their art to make the world a better place?

The War I Finally Won

The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (historical fiction, grades 4-8)

The War I Finally Won is a perfect sequel to The War That Saved My Life!  The story opens with Ada finally getting her club foot fixed.  After her stay in the hospital, Ada, her brother Jamie, and their guardian Susan move into a cottage on the grounds of Lady Thornton and her daughter Maggie (Ada's friend from book one).  At first, the cottage seems bigger than they need for just the three of them.  However, after a series of war-related events, several others move into the house including the cold Lady Thornton herself and a Jewish girl named Ruth who recently evacuated from Germany (Could she be a spy??).  The group must learn to live together and trust one another which is not easy, especially for Ada.  Now that she is no longer crippled and has someone who loves her, Ada is trying to sort through her own feelings after so many years of abuse and neglect. There are several sad and difficult events in this book. However, with Susan's direction and wisdom, with Ada's strength and determination, and with the help of many friends in the book, it's not a book of sadness but rather a book of hope.  

There is so much to learn from both books.  Through these books, readers learn that it is possible to overcome big obstacles.  Readers learn that sometimes we have to let others help, even if we don't think we want it.  Readers learn that it helps to try to see things from another's point of view.  Readers learn what it would have been like to live in England during World War II...a time of sacrifice and courage.  Finally, educators can get a glimpse of what it must be like for students, like Ada and Jamie, who do not have sufficient vocabulary and background knowledge to make sense of what they are learning.  

Overall, a very worthwhile read!  A special thank you to Anne for loaning me her copy of the book so quickly!

Real Friends

Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham (graphic novel, grades 4-8)

Friendship can be tough in middle school!  Shannon has always counted on Adrienne to be there for her as her best friend.  Suddenly, Adrienne has started to hang out with the popular group and while she is still nice to her, Shannon's not sure where she fits in.  Sometimes the girls in the popular group include her and other times they don't, which leaves Shannon confused.  One of the girls in the popular group is downright mean and acts like a bully towards Shannon.  With an older sister who can sometimes be abusive, Shannon is definitely going through a rough transitional time.  Real Friends is based on the author's own experiences as a youth.  Students in upper elementary or middle school will easily relate to Shannon and her experiences.  This graphic novel is easily accessible and can be great tool to discuss bullying, including others, and what it means to be a real friend.  After reading this book, students could create their own graphic novel to tell their experiences with friendships or to demonstrate what it means to be a good friend to others.

Happy Reading!

Using Books to Talk About Friendship

Friendshape by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld (picture book, PK-3)

What makes a good friend?  Let Circle, Square, Triangle, and Rectangle explain!  These four fun friends tell how they play together, take turns, include others, and support one another.  Infused with humor, this picture book is a perfect way to introduce a discussion about friendship.  After reading and discussing Friendshape, students could cut out shapes and use the shapes to make a picture to tell how they are good friends to others.  Students could also each wear one of the large shapes and act out scenes from the book, or act out other made-up scenarios about being friends.

Be a Friend by Salina Yoon (picture book, K-3)

Everyone is unique but we all need friends!  In Be a Friend, Dennis doesn't speak but instead acts everything out.  The others call him "Mime Boy" and he doesn't feel included when they are playing.  One day, a girl named Joy catches the imaginary ball that Dennis kicks and that's the beginning of a great friendship.  This book pairs nicely with Friendshape because while they both are about friendship, Be a Friend uses realistic characters.  After reading the book, students pick up right away that even kids who seem different still need friends.  Also, they realize that if they see someone alone at recess, they should ask if they'd like to join what they are playing.  A fun extension activity would be to have students use mime to act out different ways they can be good friends with each other.

Happy Reading!

Bunnies Building!

Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds and Bunny Built by Michael Slack (release date 4/28/2018)...perfectly paired picture books for story time and maker activities! (grades PK-3)

Creepy Carrots has always been a favorite book to read aloud!  Students love this book that is just a little bit creepy but not too scary with a fun twist at the end!  Jasper Rabbit snatches carrots from Crackenhopper Field each day on his way home from school. Then, one day, he thinks the carrots have come alive and started following him everywhere he goes.  Taking matters into his own hands, Jasper decides to build a fence around the field to keep the carrots in.  It's fun having students design and build their own version of a fence, or different structure, to keep the carrots in (or keep Jasper out!).  

This summer, I received an advanced reader's copy of Bunny Built from the ReadingCon: Collaborating for Literacy conference presented by Follett and NIU's STEM Read.  As soon as I read the book, it reminded me of Creepy Carrots!  In Bunny Built, LaRue is the "handiest bunny in Westmore Oaks".  He loves to build things but has run out of something very important: Carrots!  While asking each friend if they have any carrots, LaRue discovers that his friends have each lost something important (a house, a boat, a table, etc) that housed their own carrots.  I love how when LaRue's carrot fortune changes, he decides to use his handy skills to help his friends with what they have lost.  Bunny Built has large, clear pictures, rich vocabulary, and a great message.

Both books, featuring bunnies and building, are perfect for reading together during a story time.  After hearing the stories, students could be provided with materials to build just like Jasper and LaRue.  Materials that students could use include blocks, Legos, popsicle sticks, and straws.  Students could be encouraged to plan out their "project" first.  They could work in teams to collaborate on a project.  Finally, students could share what they built with others.  What other maker ideas can you think of that would go with these books?

Happy Reading!

Back-to-School!

How to Read a Story by Kate Messner (picture book, K-3)

What's your favorite way to read a book? Snuggled up in a favorite chair? Outside? With a buddy? This charming step-by-step book shows children how to best read a book. The book begins with step one: finding the perfect book. Then, the book shows how to find a snuggly reading buddy, how to find the perfect reading spot, and the best ways to read the story together (including using a loud, clear voice and sounding out words). How to Read a Story is perfect to read to a class at the beginning of the school year to introduce the many concepts of choosing books, reading buddies, and general reading skills. This book would also be great when teaching "how-to" writing.

School's First Day of School by Adam Rex (picture book, K-3)

Teachers and students have a "first day of school" each year but what about the school itself? How does it feel on the first day of school? Frederick Douglas Elementary School was recently built and is physically ready for students to arrive but it is nervous. What will happen when the students arrive? Will the students be nice? The doors open and the students come but with the help of a kind janitor, the school soon learns that the first day isn't so scary after all. This book is perfect for a read aloud for the first day to ease first day jitters (even covers fire drills). It's also great when teaching personification.

Happy reading!