So, today, I honor the birthday of Rosemary Wells with reviews of three of her books!
Wells, Rosemary.Shy Charles.
1988.
Dial Books for Young Readers.
Ages: 5-8
Genre: Fiction - Animal
Guided Reading Level: K
Review/Summary:
There's no other way of putting it - Charles is a shy mouse and his parents are very unhappy about this. They push him to play football and join ballet. Fed up with Charles' unwillingness to talk his parents decide they need a night out and call in a baby-sitter. When the babysitter arrives, Charles high-tails it upstairs to his room to play alone. However, he soon discovers that Mrs. Block, the babysitter, has fallen down the stairs in her attempts to join Charles. In his discovery, he acts quickly, bringing her a blanket and cocoa before braving use of the telephone to call for help! His parents are finally pleased that Charles has communicated and rescued Mrs. Block, but Charles sits back and barely reacts to the reaction of his parents.
I will be honest in saying that I was somewhat disturbed by this story - despite the fact that his parents are obviously concerned over Charles' lack of communication and involvement I don't believe that the right message is being sent to young children who may be in similar situations - his mother said she should spank him for not saying thank you, his father calls him a "jelly roll" and a "cowardly custard." Some children just take longer in overcoming their shyness... this story might put fear in the minds of shy children.
Wells, Rosemary.Ruby's Beauty Shop.
2002.
Puffin Books.
Ages: 4-8
Genre: Fiction - Animal
Guided Reading Level: N/A
Review/Summary:
Unique is probably the best way to describe this book! I have a hard time how it could be brought into a classroom for educational purposes except perhaps as part of a Rosemary Wells author study, but children will probably love it none-the-less!
Max's sister Ruby and her friend Louise like to play beauty shop! Unfortunately for Max, his being outnumbered by the girls results in him being their first customer - eeks! Wigs, make-up and stick on nails for Max? Max eventually gets sick of being just the customer and decides to join in on playing beauty shop. Inside of Louise's beauty kit he finds Rock-around-the-Clock hair color (lizard green, sunflower yellow, ocean blue) and sets to work on himself. Another customer phone call comes in and Ruby and Louise are not able to answer because of wet fingernail polish and running mascara, so Max takes things into his own hands and Grandma becomes his very first customer! You can only imagine the makeover she has in store for her!
Wells, Rosemary.Hazel's Amazing Mother.
1985.
Dial Books for Young Readers.
Ages: 5-8
Genre: Fiction - Animals
Guided Reading Level: K
Review/Summary:
Hazel's mother sends her with a nickel to get something special for their picnic. Hazel sets off in search of the perfect item but winds up getting lost and ends up in a park with a bunch of bullies who eventually ruin her doll, Eleanor and send Eleanor's stroller into the pond. Somehow, from the other side of town, Hazel's mother gets the feeling that Hazel really needs her. It just so happens that the blanket that was to be used for the picnic ends up acting as a parachute and parachutes her mother right to Hazel!
This is a sweet tale that gives children the sense that sometimes mothers do really have a sixth sense that allows them to feel their children's pain in times of need!
Lesson Plans/Book Activities:
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