Burach is clearly an author to watch. This book is even better than Trucks full of Ducks. I love how this is both a hilarious story, but also teaches Burach is clearly an author to watch. This book is even better than Trucks full of Ducks. I love how this is both a hilarious story, but also teaches students about the caterpillar to butterfly process....more
A short biography in a read-aloud format that shares information about Rosa Parks life and a bit about her childhood. I like how this one went beyond A short biography in a read-aloud format that shares information about Rosa Parks life and a bit about her childhood. I like how this one went beyond the basic information that we all know about Rosa Park's life and included some actual pictures of her in addition to the cartoon drawings.
Format complaint: The book is set up with both basic text and speech bubbles, but it is often not clear what order to read them in to make the book make sense....more
Few nonfiction books are good read-alouds, but this one is clearly laid out in a way that suggests reading aloud as the primary format.
I learned a lotFew nonfiction books are good read-alouds, but this one is clearly laid out in a way that suggests reading aloud as the primary format.
I learned a lot of facts about the Statue of Liberty here (and honestly, I also appreciated that it wasn't a very verbose book). The ratio of pictures to words is high, but also well done. I initially thought this book wouldn't be appropriate for younger grades because of the heft, but actually it fits a 1st-4th range. Older students could get some enjoyment out of it, but probably won't pick it up on their own.
In a few cases the book gets a little too twee--it is written very stylistic which is both a strength and a weakness here--You can write that the "French a people who appreciate the absurd" as many times as you want in a kid's book, but .....yeah.
Also, this is a book with an agenda. It isn't a surprise to see a lot of books about immigration in 2017. I agree with most of this here, but it sure isn't buried in any layers of nuance. Can't decide what I think about that.
I'm not sure that I've read a lot of books that just didn't WORK as a one person read aloud. But there you have it. You have to read this one out loudI'm not sure that I've read a lot of books that just didn't WORK as a one person read aloud. But there you have it. You have to read this one out loud. You have to read it with someone else.
I'm not sure what you call this odd genre of absurd comedy books, but they are a lot of fun. I dare say they will get tiresome eventually. But they haven't yet!
This quick picture book about nothing will keep readers attention. It has the weirdest pictures though. Although they are often funny in their own rigThis quick picture book about nothing will keep readers attention. It has the weirdest pictures though. Although they are often funny in their own right.
This one is guaranteed to be much funnier to kids than adults.
If reading aloud to a class--2nd/3rd (maybe 1st after January)....more
A sweet, quiet sort of picturebook about an old grandpa who was a song and dance man from Vaudeville times. I suppose we are passed the era where thisA sweet, quiet sort of picturebook about an old grandpa who was a song and dance man from Vaudeville times. I suppose we are passed the era where this could be possible now.
Not a bad story, but I don't see this one being super popular. ...more
So this is clearly for preschoolers--it isn't going to win any awards for originality or excitement. I would probably read this aloud if I was a pre-KSo this is clearly for preschoolers--it isn't going to win any awards for originality or excitement. I would probably read this aloud if I was a pre-K teacher and had to take preschoolers to school lunch.
"Olive....the reindeer," said Olive, "I thought I was a dog. Hmmm....I must be a reindeer!"
Odd little story that includes the typical 'oh no, we must "Olive....the reindeer," said Olive, "I thought I was a dog. Hmmm....I must be a reindeer!"
Odd little story that includes the typical 'oh no, we must save christmas' trope so common in kiddie books. Still the little dog is cute and the reindeer get bonus points for tying a dog to their sleigh to help fulfill his dreams. Luckily for them, the dog turns out to be helpful.
Final note, I had no idea before doing this review that this book was also a christmas special....Do not be dismayed this book has none of the oddities of the film, including mail fraud or a con artist penguin named Martini. What is left is a basic, slightly amusing story about a dog who thought he was a reindeer....more
Do you want to read Collapse by Jared Diamond, but fear it is too much for your preschooler? Instead terrify them with this tragic tale of an adorableDo you want to read Collapse by Jared Diamond, but fear it is too much for your preschooler? Instead terrify them with this tragic tale of an adorable bird species hacked to death by thoughtless humans. Includes a helpful listing of many species which have disappeared (due to human actions) since the 1840's.
Now in all seriousness, this is actually a good book for older students to read. I think it definitely drives home to concepts of taking care of the earth. AND it makes a decent case for why these birds were hunted to extinction-people were hungry, the birds were easy, and there are no simple 'bad' guys here. Well, except for that one who smashed one wealthy collector who, "bought an egg and immediately smashed it, simply to drive up the price of another he already owned."
Pros: No stone left unturned here, we have pictures of giant auks from caveman times to Inuits, Beothuks, Europeans, etc, the problems with evolution, etc
Cons: While the author provides a clear voice, it is at times inaccessible to kiddos, see "Traveling in small family groups, with unsophisticated methods of preserving meat and eggs" also see "decimation" "persnickety" and "acquisition." Beautiful words, but be prepared to stop each page and explain what is actually happening....more
Great voice in this true to life story about a fourth grader. The school story is realistic and the problems that Mya faces seem real and immediate. TGreat voice in this true to life story about a fourth grader. The school story is realistic and the problems that Mya faces seem real and immediate. The book is also just fun and easy to read.
Pros: Great voice, feels authentic and up-to-date. The family relationships here are very nice, it is a nice change of pace to have a caring family in it that has a few issues, but isn't completely neglectful or absent. Cons: A few 'bad' characters never feel entirely fleshed out. ...more
Excellent view of history with great use of detail and excerpts at the right times. So many kids and so many stories--this book can be read from beginExcellent view of history with great use of detail and excerpts at the right times. So many kids and so many stories--this book can be read from beginning to end.
A few details to highlight p37 and the whole chapter on the student strike! From the beginning when they tricked the principal into leaving the school and then staged a protest and as students requested help from the NAACP lawyers!
All the different cases that made up Brown vs Board of Education--I had no idea that other plaintiffs, states, etc were involved.
The difficult times that all the families experienced due to putting their names to these lawsuits, houses burned, jobs lost, etc. Going to court wasn't an easy thing to do.
The straight up talk, "At that point a racist named..." (p.88). Yes, call it like it is, Rubin, excellent.
And finally, the verdict, "In these days it is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education...a right which must be made to all on equal terms. To separate [black children] from others of a similar age and qualifications solely because of their race generates a feeling of inferiority as to their status in the community that may affect their hearts and minds in a way unlikely ever to be undone. We conclude," he said, and looked up to add the word "unanimously," "that in the field of public education the doctrine of 'separate but equal' has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." (p.80)....more
Wow! I could almost hear the ocean water in the background while I read this book. One of the few nonfiction books that I would say really naturally lWow! I could almost hear the ocean water in the background while I read this book. One of the few nonfiction books that I would say really naturally lend themselves to reading out loud. Even the facts in the back were extremely interesting.
And--Giant Squids that are 30 feet long! What!?...more
So many books recently have featured super science-y kids that I was kind of tired of the trope, but not all books include a feud between two groups oSo many books recently have featured super science-y kids that I was kind of tired of the trope, but not all books include a feud between two groups of fourth graders, a boy with a uncanny connection to a jail (or is it?) and a Ben Franklin statue costume. Well worth the time and would be a fun read-aloud. Offers some good connections for talking about friendship and school community....more
Fun. Just straight up a fun book. While a longer chapter book, the chapters themselves are quick and fast paced. The mouse's adventure is great to folFun. Just straight up a fun book. While a longer chapter book, the chapters themselves are quick and fast paced. The mouse's adventure is great to follow and just enough adventure and suspense to move the story along.
Great read-aloud for upper elementary. Kids will love the giant mouse family and the great descriptions of delicious garbage. Teachers will love the basic storyline about playing to your strengths and being yourself, even if you are different.
One complaint: The messy family that leaves food everywhere didn't need to also be fat. It is 2017 and we can drop the fat slob trope. While a small portion of this book, it just read the wrong way to me....more
Very strong character voice in this novel about a girl falling down a well. However, it is also about a girl who loses part of her family, ends up in Very strong character voice in this novel about a girl falling down a well. However, it is also about a girl who loses part of her family, ends up in a different income bracket, moves across states, and confronts bullying only to find herself.
Due to some of the content- a character discussing potential suicide, I would recommend this only for middle school and up....more
This would be a good book to read aloud without showing the pictures and then read aloud showing the pictures to students. Very cute story about an asThis would be a good book to read aloud without showing the pictures and then read aloud showing the pictures to students. Very cute story about an astronaut who travels to Mars hoping to find life ---and he does, just not the large alien stalking him.
Sweet, contemplative book good for one on one readings with elementary students. Could even be used with upper elementary with the right set. ProbablySweet, contemplative book good for one on one readings with elementary students. Could even be used with upper elementary with the right set. Probably less suited to group readings....more
The first one in the series, Dr. Kitty Cat's antics come off quite charming. The cat who knits! The contented meows! The soothing cat and mouse medicaThe first one in the series, Dr. Kitty Cat's antics come off quite charming. The cat who knits! The contented meows! The soothing cat and mouse medical duo! The pictures/drawings that probably make the book!
While even the first is a bit predictable, the whole thing reads like a reassuring Saturday morning special. This could be a problem, but honestly, don't we all need a little comfort food sometimes?...more
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