Ellwyn Autumn's Blog, page 8
May 15, 2021
Daddy Donkey and His Little Son Book Review
Available on AmazonAuthors: Vedika
Illustrator: Creative Concepts
Publisher: Independently Published
Released: February 9, 2021
Format: Kindle, Paperback
ISBN: 979-8706543822
Reviewer: Ellwyn Autumn
Rating: 4 Lemon Drops
Love is love, no matter what!
Review: Book Summary:
Louie’s son, Zozo, is a little different from the rest of Louie’s herd. For starters he’s a lion cub, but Louie adopts him anyway, showering the cub with love and protection.
After rescuing the solitary cub, Louie brings Zozo home and soon deals with Zozo’s disruptive behavior and carnivorous diet. As you might expect, the other donkeys aren’t fond of Zozo or his preferred source of food—meat.
Afraid they will end up on Zozo’s personal dinner menu, the other donkeys try to get rid of him, but Louie saves his son, until the cub’s mother returns for him.
Many years later, a much older Louie is rescued from a pack of foxes by a mighty lion. The two recognize each other and father and son have a happy reunion.
Opinion:Daddy Donkey and His Little Son is an adorable tale that demonstrates how family transcends societal boundaries and unites us. In a child-friendly way, Agrawal and Das, have introduced youngsters to the concepts of compassion and unconditional love.
Diversity is another important topic addressed in the story. Louie looks passed Zozo’s differences and sees only a helpless cub in need of help. As our world becomes more interconnected, children (and adults) must accept and embrace the mixed bag that is humanity.
I appreciated the activities and the World’s Best Dad certificate at the end of the book. Parents and educators will find the extension activities enjoyable. They’ll also make a great Father’s Day gift.
I give it 4 Lemon Drops!
Classroom Connection:
Targeted Vocabulary: outskirts, different, adamant, herd, mischievous, transformed, amusing, defensive, tactics, revenge, frequent, cautions, mighty
Daddy Donkey and His Little Son is tailor made for a thematic unit on family, interracial families, and adoption. It might be nice to send the book home through a Classroom Lending Library and ask families to take a picture of themselves with the book. These photographs can be displayed on a bulletin board or a quilt style display.
After a reading, students can complete the “All About My Dad” activity for Father’s Day.
Resources:Families Theme Pinterest Board
About The Authors:
Dr. Vedika Agrawal is an engineering doctorate from IIT Delhi, India with an inclination towards children's literature. With a good understanding of kids' way of learning, she has written several children storybooks with an aim to imbibe reading habits and values in children through the magic of books. She is also a quick learner and a sharp critic. She has a unique ability to give the raw stories, the shape of a masterpiece. Other than writing, she likes playing sports.
Dr. Kunal Das is a pediatric oncologist and stem cell transplant physician by profession. His art of telling children stories inspired the compilation of stories in Doon Tales. He is a patient listener and an avid writer. He penned down many stories for children and enjoys writing novels in Hindi as well. He can explain any topic in interesting narratives and has the art of engaging children in that subject. Apart from writing skills, he is a good painter, a good orator, and an excellent professional in his field. He lives in Dehradun, a beautiful green city at the foothills of the Himalayas.
March 21, 2021
Tommy's ABCs Book Review
Author: JRenee Heinerman
Illustrator: Marianna Flores
Publisher: Fabulicity Lifestyle Creations
Released: April 02, 2019
Format: Kindle, Hard Cover, Paperback
ISBN: 978-1732418660
Reviewer: Ellwyn Autumn
Rating: 4 Lemon Drops
Words matter! A positive self-image alphabet for young learners!
Review: Book Summary:Tommy had a rough day at school. He arrives home after being laughed at for playing basketball poorly during physical education class.
His mom teaches him a new game that changes his negative self-talk to a more positive refrain. By the end, Tommy learns an important life lesson about the healing power of words. Opinion:
A cute story that teaches children the value of self-worth and positive self-talk. The illustrations are colorful and add a pleasant component to the story.
I appreciated the open discussion questions and related activities at the end of the book. Parents and educators will find the extension activities meaningful when speaking with their kiddos about how to react to challenging situations.
I give it 4 Lemon Drops!
Classroom Connection:
Targeted Vocabulary: stupid, embarrassment, terrible, whimpered, qualities, dedicated, eager, trait, daredevil, quest, victorious, zest
Tommy’s ABCs is great for an All About Me unit as well as a lesson on feelings and kindness.
Resources:https://www.pinterest.com/ellwynautumn/kamyla-chungs-bully-prevention/
https://www.pinterest.com/ellwynautumn/diversity-inclusion-lessons/
https://www.pinterest.com/ellwynautumn/self-esteem-in-kids/
About The Author:
JRenee Heimerman's desire for personal improvement started at an early age. During middle school, she began to struggle with depression, so she started searching for ways to make life more enjoyable. She discovered that material things and possession and possessions only provided temporary happiness.
Through her stories, JRenee hopes to teach children, as well as the adult reader, the skills to having a happier life. She shares an alternative way of thinking and provides activities to reinforce the lessons.
March 6, 2021
Tangled: A Story About Shapes Book Review
Available on AmazonAuthor: Anne Miranda
Illustrator: Eric Comstock
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Released: June 25, 2019
Format: Kindle, Hard Cover
ISBN: 978-1481497213
Reviewer: Ellwyn Autumn
Rating: 5 Lemon Drops
A circle of events leaves a group of unsuspecting shapes twisted up inside a jungle gym and searching for help.
A happy little circle gets caught up in a jungle gym. When her friend triangle tries to set her free, he suffers the same fate, as do an ellipse and a gang of big-hearted pentagons.
A straight and narrow line devises a clever solution that involves an abundance of ingenuity and a little teamwork. She, a prism, and a sphere, work together and in no time at all the jungle gym is heaved up and the shapes are free!
Opinion:What a marvelous celebration of math, science, and out-of-the-box thinking! Anne Miranda has penned another story young readers will enjoy again and again.
The perky rhyming pattern is catchy and fun; it begs to be read aloud. The various fonts throughout the book draw the eye and add an attention-grabbing element youngsters will appreciate.
A well-rounded cast of characters introduces a broad range of shapes not ordinarily seen in a children’s picture book. There’s also a shape gallery at the end, for readers to get to know the shapes even further.
Comstock’s retro-inspired illustrations are comical and capture the characters’ emotions. Their simplistic style is effective in showing children shapes are fun and not that complicated.
I give it 5 Lemon Drops!
Classroom Connection:
Targeted Vocabulary: geometric, circle, triangle, square, rectangle, ellipse, cone, star, cube, point, pentagon, trapezoid, parallelogram, line, prism, sphere, polygon, tetrahedron
Tangled: A Book about Shapes has numerous applications in the classroom: mathematics (geometry), science (levers), art, and literacy.
Mathematics application- For beginners, the book can present simple shapes; for advanced students, a focus on the more complex shapes can be done.
Science application- A lesson on levers is ideal. Materials for the levers can be added to the science and block centers.
Art application- After a read-aloud of the book, students can design various pictures formed from different shapes or make shape collages.
Literacy- Focus on the rhyming words in the story.
Resources:Let’s Learn Shapes Pinterest Board
About The Author:
When Anne was a little girl, she loved rhymes, especially the ones her mother and grandmother used to recite to her. Now that she’s all grown up, she enjoys writing them.
One such rhyme was "to market, to market to buy a fat pig, home again, home again jiggity jig!". But no one ever told her what happened to the pig when it got home.
She always wondered, so she wrote a funny book about a frazzled shopper who brings home one very naughty pig and a host of other uncooperative animals from the market.
Of course, they make a big mess. What, oh what will she do? You'll have to read the book to find out! To Market To Market, illustrated by the amazing Janet Stevens, has been translated into Korean and is still enjoyed by kids all over the world.
Another wildly popular selection is Glad Monster, Sad Monster, a collaboration with Caldecott Award-winning illustrator Ed Emberley.
This colorful monster book, complete with tear out and storable masks, has been translated into French and Spanish and is used world-wide to help children identify and cope with their feelings. It's well-loved by parents and teachers alike.
February 23, 2021
Read Across America Reading List
Photo by Katerina Kuchereno via PixabayRead Across America Day 2021 is almost here!
In years past, educators spent the day celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday and reading his books.
When I taught, it was one of the most anticipated times of the school year. It introduced a month-long author study of Dr. Seuss that included book related art activities, snacks, and literacy lessons.
Photo by Wokingham Libraries via PixabayBecause of Dr. Seuss’ racist roots, many teachers are scouting for alternative books to read to their students.
There’s a vast market of children’s books to choose from, but one facet that’s generally forgotten is self-published authors.
In my modest opinion, self-published authors are an untapped resource full of rich educational opportunities. Many have supplemental resources for their books and welcome classroom visit invitations.
Photo by christ Poe via PixabaySelf-published aka Indie Authors authors are an enthusiastic bunch of writers who adore children’s literature as much as schoolteachers.
How do I know this? Well, I’m a former Pre-K Head Start/Kindergarten teacher who reads, writes, and reviews picture books.
I’m friendly with many self-published children’s authors who are passionate about their work.
Here’s a list of my award-winning books (Yes, I’m shamelessly plugging my books because I believe in them.) along with those I’ve read or reviewed specifically with educators in mind.
I seek out Indie Books that will improve classroom libraries and lesson plans.
Reading List And Links: The Kamyla Chung Series & Teddy Bear Tea By Ellwyn Autumn
FREE Educational Resources on Teachers Pay Teachers
The Bella and Mia Adventure Series By Amelia Griggs
Let’s Meet On The Moon & Places We Have Never Been By Lauren Ranalli
I Wish I Was A Brownie & Snack Attack By Marsha Casper Cook
The Mr. Inker Series & Special Memory By Christina Francine
Fairy-Tailed Wish By Megan Pighetti
I Can Do Hard Things and Listening To My Body By Gabi Garcia
The Orphan: A Cinderella Story From Greece By Anthony Manna
The Freckle Fairy & The Belly Button Fairy By Bobbie Hinman
I’m A Messterpiece By Lauren Eresman
Children Are Like Cupcakes & It Is Okay To Cry By Ansaba Gavor
If you have any books to add to the list, please comment below.
If you’d like to connect with some of these authors, please join my Facebook group for authors and educators, Lemon Drop Learning.
Happy Read Across America Day!
February 16, 2021
Broccoli Rob Book Review
Available On Amazon
Author: John S. Armstrong
Illustrator: David Miles
Publisher: Heartland Publishing LLC
Released: August 15, 2020
Format: Kindle, Paperback, Hard Cover
ISBN: 978-1735432007
Reviewer: Ellwyn Autumn
Rating: 5 Lemon Drops
Broccoli Rob follows the story of one shy, little vegetable who finds his courage and overcomes stage fright.
Review:Summary:
It’s been days since the sun has shone on the garden where Broccoli Rob lives. Hoping to draw the sun out, Broccoli Rob sings softly to it. He’s much too quiet for the sun to perceive, so the clouds remain.
Broccoli Rob realizes he can’t carry this task out alone. He enlists the help of his friends to sing along with him. Rosy Tomato and Carlton Carrot consider his idea crazy, but wise, old Poppy Cornstalk thinks they should give it a try.
At first, the song doesn’t work. No one can hear Broccoli Rob. After reassurance from Poppy Cornstalk, Broccoli Rob raises his voice, and the sun responds by beaming on them.
Opinion:From the clever title to the charming illustrations, everything about this book is adorable. Children and parents will appreciate the positive messages of accepting others’ ideas and pushing through your fears to meet your goal. Broccoli Rob shows children that instead of hiding their talents, they must use them for the benefit of all. Mr. Armstrong definitely did.
David Miles’ illustrations are cozy, comforting, and warm—a bushel of joy. I love the characters’ cute little faces and large round eyes. I know youngsters will delight in them too.
I give it 5 Lemon Drops!
Classroom Connection:
Targeted Vocabulary: encourage, secret, discouraged, confident, respected, wisdom, apologized, embarrassed
Broccoli Rob is an excellent source for an All About Me theme or a lesson on positive self-esteem. It would make a fine addition to a classroom library or the book bin of a student who requires a little confidence.
The book can also promote a classroom community. The characters in the book model how to accept fresh ideas and implement them.
After a read-aloud of the book, students can draw or write about a skill they’ve mastered or would like to learn. You may even want to put on a talent or art show to honor everyone’s achievements. Don’t skip the refreshments following the exhibit. A vegetable tray is perfect!
Resources:https://www.pinterest.com/ellwynautumn/socialemotional-strategies/
https://www.pinterest.com/ellwynautumn/nutrition-lessons/
About The Author:
John S. Armstrong lives in Downers Grove, Illinois with his wife, Allison, and daughter, Madison Leigh. He has a passion for writing children's books. John's passion aims to encourage parents to engage with their children in early reading practices. Evidence shows daily reading sessions in early childhood helps promote focus, imagination, comprehension, and concentration.
January 3, 2021
2020 Lemon Drop Literary Book Awards
I’ve taken all the Independently Published books I’ve reviewed from 2020 and awarded one a Certificate Of Excellence In Literature for its educational value.
When I review a children’s picture book, I strive to keep students, teachers and the rigors of lesson planning in mind.
A few of the questions I ask are: How will this book translate into the classroom? How will it help teachers meet their lesson plan objectives? Is it engaging and fun? Did I enjoy reading it and most importantly do I want to read it again?
Congratulations, Ansaba Gavor! In my humble opinion, Children Are Like Cupcakes, has met all the criteria to earn a place on my virtual classroom bookshelf!
Available on AmazonThis year I'd also like to recognize two authors who've created two wonderful educational learning series that also belong on my virtual classroom and home bookshelves.
Amelia Griggs' The Bella And Mia Adventure Series and its companion workbooks Bella And Friends Learning Series. Each book is adorable on its own; combined they're a complete set of learning fun with an extra scoop of sweetness!
Available on AmazonRobin Woods Prompt Me Series. I've been using her Prompt Me Novel for my own story development and my characters are coming to life more than ever before!
Available on Amazon
Thank you, ladies, for all you do to help children and aspiring writers achieve their full learning potential.
December 15, 2020
December Holiday Book Recommendations
Photo by Keith Hardin from Pixabay
It’s the holiday season once more and you know what that means—holiday reading fun! December is all about family, miracles, and giving those you love presents.
Books make marvelous gifts that you can open again and again. To quote Cousin Eddie from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, “Clark, that’s the gift that keeps on givin’ the whole year.”
As a Pre-K/Kindergarten teacher and a mom, I’ve spent the past 28 years reading books to children. I’ve also given my fair share as a gift too. Along the way, I’ve discovered several special stories that I’d like to share with you.
I’ll list each holiday in sequential order (Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa).
Photo by Evgeni Tcherkasski from Pixabay
Hanukkah 2020 begins Thursday, December 10 and ends Friday, December 18.
The Great Latke Cookoff By Lauren Muskovitz Ranalli
Chanukah Bugs By David A. Carter
Latkes, Latkes Good to Eat By Naomi Howland
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins By Eric Kimmel
Photo by 6979608 from PixabayChristmas 2020 falls on Friday, December 25.
Snowflakes With Sugar By Amelia Griggs
Gingerbread Baby By Jan Brett
Gingerbread Friends By Jan Brett
The Polar Express By Chris Van Allsburg
Kwanzaa 2020 begins Saturday, December 26 and ends Friday, January 1, 2021.
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Kwanzaa! By Rex Perry
My First Kwanzaa By Karen Katz
Together For Kwanzaa By Juwanda G. Ford and Shelly Hehenberger
Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story By Angela Shelf Medearis
I’ve also written a FREE downloadable December Alphabet Scrapbook that includes all three holidays. If you’re feeling inspired, you and your kiddos can even make your own with the second version.
Happy Holidays and Happy Reading!
December 6, 2020
The Little Green Jacket Book Review
Available on Amazon
Author: Jodi Dee
Illustrator and co-illustrator: Jodi Dee and Steve Goad
Publisher: Jodi Dee
Released: April 22, 2020
Format: Kindle, hardcover
ISBN: 9780998527743
Reviewer: Ellwyn Autumn
Rating: 4 Lemon Drops
Review: Summary:
The Little Green Jacket tracks the journey of one little jacket as it travels from one youngster to another through donations, hand-me-downs, and secondhand stores.
Its tale begins on Christmas day when a boy named Mike receives it as a gift. The Little Green Jacket and Mike have fun together until Mike outgrows the coat and his family donates it to a youth group.
The next child to wear the jacket is Diego, followed by Vanessa and her younger brother Austin. Austin gives The Little Green Jacket to Planet Aid, after hearing about a disastrous storm on the other side of the world. Planet Aid delivers the jacket; a woman finds it and gives it to her daughter.
Opinion:The Little Green Jacket introduces kids to the timeless messages of sharing and recycling. Not only did giving to others keep The Little Green Jacket from a landfill, but it also showed the benefits of giving to those in need.
Together with the black and white illustrations, I appreciated the vivid green color of the jacket. Throughout the entire story, the jacket pops off the page. Not only does this emphasize the jacket’s importance; it encourages young pre-readers to focus their attention on a distinct spot on the page.
This is a great way to help children distinguish pictures from print and reinforces that both elements tell the story. Good readers use pictures andprint to help them think about what is happening in a story.
There is also a Seek and Find of the recycling symbol for children to locate throughout the book that strengthens this skill as well.
Another feature I appreciated was The Little Green Jacket’s inner dialogue. Written in matching green ink, the jacket’s reflections carry the story along and remind us who the tale is mostly about. While there are many characters in the story, The Little Green Jacket is the principal character.
There is also a multi-cultural theme incorporated into the story. From white, to brown, to black, The Little Green Jacket hugs and warms various children, reminding us that love is universal. Through the ‘eyes’ of the jacket, we hear other languages and travel from a rural farm in the United States to a storm ravaged community on the other side of the world.
Another marvelous thing about this book and its altruistic author is that 10% of net profits of each book sold will be donated to Planet Aid. Ms. Dee truly practices what she preaches.
I give it 4 Lemon Drops!
Classroom Connection:
Vocabulary: precision, journey, afar, patiently, sulked, garments, textiles, recycled, thrift store, organize, embrace, universal
Spanish words: mira, gracias, de nada, papi, abuela, manana, de arte,
The Little Green Jacket is a superb story to use when introducing the concepts of recycling and donations. After a read aloud of the book, children can help organize a coat drive for the school.
They can put their writing skills to use by designing posters and sending letters to people in the community asking for donations.
It goes without saying the book belongs in a classroom library as well as a creative writing lesson. The last line in the book has an excellent prompt to get students’ creative juices flowing, “What is your jacket’s story?”
November 19, 2020
20 Holiday Activities For 2020
Image by Biljana Jovanovic from PixabayThe 2020 holiday season is upon us. Unlike other years, most of us will celebrate these occasions though Zoom or exclusively with members of our own household.
We may cancel typical holiday outings this year, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to end too. If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we need to respect each other. One of the best ways to manage that is to learn the traditions of other holidays.
No matter which holiday your family celebrates, they all have one quality in common—love of friends and family. Whether exchanging gifts or preparing a feast, it all comes down to spending time with our loved ones.
I’ve dug through my teaching files and scoured the internet to help make this holiday period a multi-cultural one for you and your little ones.
Image by Nietjuh from Pixabay
Here’s a list of easy-to-do activities I’ve put together:
Add a twist to your tree trimming this year! Hide your child friendly ornaments and send your kiddos on a hunt to locate them. The one who discovers the most ornaments gets to place the first ornament on the tree.
2. Drive By Christmas LightsOkay, I recognize the title says At-Home activities, but this one requires you to leave your house. Pile into your car and cruise around the neighborhood to admire all the lovely Christmas lights. Here’s a checklist to use during your tour.
3. Gingerbread House ContestBuy a few Gingerbread House kits or get creative like these gingerbread connoisseurs, then have a friendly competition. The winner earns bragging rights until the next contest.
Image by RitaE from Pixabay4. Holiday Baking & Snacks
Bake Cookies
There are countless recipes online. Here’s a link to a few.
Make Who Pudding and other Grinch-themed food
Drink hot chocolate with marshmallows or whipped cream
Make Sufganiyots (A round jelly donut eaten by Jewish families during Hanukkah.)
And Latkes (A potato pancake also eaten during Hanukkah.)
Here’s a link for Kwanzaa recipes.
5. Homemade Holiday Ornaments & DecorationsThere are so many options for this one. You can order through Oriental Trading Company or Michael’s, use paper and glue, or make a
Image by Judith Crowell from Pixabay7. Write A Letter To Santa
8. Write Christmas Cards
9. Make a December Alphabet Scrapbook
10. Rudolph Hide and Seek
You can play this with any stuffed animal or toy. Hide the toy while your child closes their eyes, then have them find it.
11. Watch Christmas movies12. Read Holiday books
Here’s a list of a few of my favorites:
Snowflakes With Sugar By Amelia Griggs
Gingerbread Baby By Jan Brett
The Great Latke Cookoff By Lauren Ranalli
Hanukkah Bugs By David A. Carter
My First Kwanzaa By Karen Katz
13. Sing Christmas Songs14. Turn Old Christmas Cards Or Gift Boxes Into Puzzles
Cut them into pieces and put them back together.
15. Have a Christmas Song Competition Or Christmas Karaoke16. Sort Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa colors
Image by Brandi Day from Pixabay17. Have A Holiday Parade
Put on your merriest holiday attire, pump up the Christmas music, and march around your house. You can even pull stuffed animals along in wagons/carriages and pretend their floats.
18. Celebrate St. Nicholas Day19. Play the Dreidel Game
20. Learn how families celebrate Christmas in other countries
In Syria they celebrate The Littlest Camel
In Sweden they celebrate St. Lucia Day
Spain and Latin America countries celebrate
For even more ideas please visit:
https://www.pinterest.com/ellwynautumn/christmas-in-the-classroom/
https://www.pinterest.com/ellwynautumn/kwanzaa-in-the-classroom/
https://www.pinterest.com/ellwynautumn/hanukkah-in-the-classroom/
Do you have a holiday tradition you’d like to share?
October 26, 2020
4 Free Library Books About Elections
Photo by AnnaliseArt via PixabayAfter months of waiting, my neighborhood library reopened, and I could borrow books again. Yahoo!!! I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating, it's one of the finest places on earth. This time I found books on elections.
With the 2020 Presidential election upon us, I thought it imperative to read and review picture books on the topic.
I've done a series of mini-reviews to aid you in quickly finding quality books to read to your children.
Author: Margaret McNamara
Illustrator: Micah Player
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade Books (Division of Penguin Random House)
ISBN: 978-1-984892505
Rating: 5 Lemon Drops
Book Summary:Elections may by for grown-ups, but when Stanton Elementary School transforms into a polling place, the students become a vital part of the election process.
In no uncertain terms, these civic minded kids prove that despite being unable to vote, there are other ways they can get involved. After reading voter guides and researching election history, the students help spread the word about the upcoming election and why it’s so important to vote.
They help their adult family members make plans to vote and encourage their neighbors to take advantage of this opportunity to make changes.
One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “I don’t like lines either,” answered Nadiya’s auntie, “but if we stand in line for coffee, or for a movie, or at a bank…”
The perfect rebuttal for anyone who doesn’t like standing in lines to vote (provided the polling station’s waiting times are reasonable).
Mini-Review:A marvelous tribute to children and future voters of America!
I enjoyed everything about this book! Let’s start with the title, Vote For Our Future. As parents and teachers, we all want to make the world a better place for our kiddos’ future. This book reminds us that voting is one way to achieve this goal.
The cover sends a positive message to children and adults. From the hopeful expressions on the characters’ faces to the camaraderie as they march in civic-minded unison. Talk about a grassroots movement, these children are motivated, educated, and dedicated to their cause.
The illustrations are adorable and capture the excitement for learning students feel when given the freedom to pursue their interests. As soon as you crack the cover, a collage of colorful voting stickers, with voting puns and positive phrases, catches your eye. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants their children to learn about elections and how vital they are to our democracy.
Author: Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Betsy Lewin
Publisher: Anthem Books For Young Readers (an imprint of Simon & Schuster’s Children’s Publishing Division)
ISBN: 978-0-689863776
Rating: 5 Lemon Drops
Book Summary:It’s election season on the farm and Duck is the lead contender against the incumbent farmer, Farmer Brown. Upon winning the popular vote, Duck takes over as farmer and soon learns that running a farm is hard work. Overworked and unsatisfied, he searches for jobs in loftier places.
He becomes Governor and shortly after, accomplishes what no other duck has done before—he is elected President of the United States. Through all of this, Duck learns one important fact, no matter what your profession, you can’t escape hard work. In the end, Duck reconnects with his roots. He returns to the farm and begins writing his autobiography.
Mini-Review:Duck For President is one of my all time favorite picture books. Whenever I taught about elections or President’s Day, I always included this book in my lesson plans. Lewin’s watercolors encapsulate the hilarity of Cronin’s text. Children and adults will chuckle their way through the pages all the while learning a little about the electoral process.
Author: Herman Parish
Illustrator: Lynne Avril
Publisher: Greenwillow Books (An Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers)
ISBN: 978-0-06209405
Rating: 4 Lemon Drops
Book Summary:It’s election day at Amelia Bedelia’s school! Through a series of unlucky coincidences, Amelia helps her school pass new rules the students vote on.
Mini-Review:As with all of Amelia’s zany misadventures, she comes out on top. We can find a lot of great lessons between the pages of this charming book. I appreciated how effortlessly Parish wrote key vocabulary into the story (election related words like runoff, absentee ballot, swing vote, as well as words and phrases with double meanings like tie, hug the wall, and sleep on it).
4. Lambslide
Author: Ann Patchett
Illustrator: Robin Preiss Glasser
Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books
ISBN: 978-0-062883384
Rating: 4 Lemon Drops
Book Summary:After misinterpreting lambslide for landslide, a flock of lambs campaign to have a giant slide built on the farm where they live.
Mini-Review:A super cute story! I loved the play on words and the introduction to the democratic process. I also enjoyed how the characters cooperated to achieve their goal.
Glassers’ sweet illustrations perfectly capture the characters’ emotions.
What books are you and your children reading about the upcoming elections?
Resources:
https://www.pinterest.com/ellwynautumn/elections-in-the-classroom/
