National Blueberries Month

National Blueberries Month is celebrated from July 1st through July 31st to make the public aware that this is the peak month for fresh blueberries.
-The Teacher's Calendar, 2008-2009

Get out there with the kids to a local blueberry patch... pick yourself some berries... snack on a homemade blueberry pie and read some blueberry-related literature!

Here are a few links you might also check out:
National Blueberries Month
8 Children's Books About Blueberries

McCloskey, Robert.
Blueberries for Sal.
1976 (1948).
The Viking Press.
Guided Reading Level: M

Summary from Amazon:

Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk go the blueberries into the pail of a little girl named Sal who--try as she might--just can't seem to pick as fast as she eats. Robert McCloskey's classic is a magical tale of the irrepressible curiosity--not to mention appetite--of youth. Sal and her mother set off in search of blueberries for the winter at the same time as a mother bear and her cub. A quiet comedy of errors ensues when the young ones wander off and absentmindedly trail the wrong mothers.

This book was one of my favorites as a child... and consequently, the first one that came to mind when I was trying to think of appropriate stories for National Blueberries Month! The book, despite its more than 50 years in print, is great for numerous reasons! Any number of math activities could be incorporated with the story... It's a perfect read-aloud and depicts bears in an entirely different way than most of us envision them!... And, this would make for an interesting discussion about how books have developed over time.

Lesson Plans/Extension Activities:

• Blueberries for Sal Math Activities
• Blueberries for Sal: Counting and Correspondence
• Blueberries for Sal: Teaching Plurals
• Cooking Experience with Blueberries for Sal

Low, Alice.
Blueberry Mouse.
2004.
Mondo Publishing.

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Blueberry Mouse is convinced that a blueberry pie is the best place to live, especially when she runs out of berries and begins to nibble the floor and walls.

I read this book late at night... like 1:00 am... and the first thing that came to mind while reading was, Gosh, I would kill for a warm blueberry pie right about now!. I would definitely use this as a read aloud... it's cute and funny and I really think kids will enjoy!

Gaiman, Neil.
Blueberry Girl.
2009.
HarperCollins Publishers.

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

This is a prayer for a blueberry girl . . . A much-loved baby grows into a young woman: brave, adventurous, and lucky. Exploring, traveling, bathed in sunshine, surrounded by the wonders of the world. What every new parent or parent-to-be dreams of for her child, what every girl dreams of for herself.

Well... after reading this, I wouldn't necessarily classify it as a "blueberry read"... even though the main character is a blueberry girl. I would dub this more appropriate for a baby gift for a new daughters... it's soooo appropriate for as a gift for a baby girl, as it shares "a prayer" of sorts, but more a well-wishing for a little girl's life... this title will definitely be tucked away in the back of my mind to use as a baby gift in the future (I love giving books as gifts)!

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com.