Blog News

I'm sure you're wondering... No! I have NOT abandoned the blog. Life has just gotten in the way of my posting recently. However, the good news is, I have 9 days of school left and then I'll have much more free time to spend on frequent posting! I have MANY, MANY books awaiting review, so keep your eyes out for new posts starting around June 5!

Little Red Bat

Little Red Bat allows readers to explore the various ways in which animals prepare themselves for seasonal changes as Little Red Bat interacts with other animals from her ecosystem.

Gerber, Carole.
Little Red Bat.
February 2010.
Sylvan Dell Publishers.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Will I stay? Or will I go? That is the question that Little Red Bat repeatedly asks herself throughout the story, as she explores her habitat and observes how other animals in the ecosystem are preparing for the seasonal change ahead!

Little Red Bat, the main character of the story must decide whether "to stay" or "to go" during the long months of winter. Readers will quickly discover that red bats are among one species that can opt either to hibernate during the winter months or migrate south to warmer temperatures for survival. As Little Red Bat struggles to decide which option is best for her, she meets up with other animals from the forest ecosystem and learns about their plans for winter month, allowing children to explore all aspects of what animals do during the winter months! This book would make for the perfect addition to a thematic unit on "Animals in Winter," as it takes a significantly different approach to teaching children about this topic!

Learning/Reading Activities:

• Sylvan Dell has put out a resource packet to go along with the book. Creative Minds can be downloaded/viewed here.
• They have also put out a 70 page packet of teaching activities to use in collaboration with the book. That packet can be downloaded here. My personal favorite activity can be found on page 13 - the sequence sentence strips!
  

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. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Review and May Giveaway: The Wonder Book

Amy Krouse Rosenthal presents readers with some of her own, personal "wonders" in hopes of answering and/or addressing the wonders of some of her own readers!

Rosenthal, Amy Krouse.
The Wonder Book.
February 2010.
HarperCollins Publishers.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

This laugh-out-loud book is perfect for those random moments that need just a bit of laughter to share with children. There are so many interesting little tidbits rolled up within the pages of this book, as readers Who Periodically Need Reminding About Table Manners are given the opportunity to explore The Less Famous Friends of Mary Mack and need to start out their week with the Week at a Glance ! Almost all portions of these book will have your most antsy, wiggly child(ren) sitting appropriately (although not without chuckles) without the constant reminder of Stop That! Be Quiet! Please Sit Still! (All italicized portions are subtitles within the story).

While not all children will understand and appreciate the humor of all of the different subtitled portions of the story, there certainly is something that will appeal to everyone! What I enjoy most about this type of book is that it can be picked up to fill a void moment - a time when you have just a minute here or there and need something quick and light-hearted to fill it!

Learning/Reading Activities:

• Help your child illustrate his/her own version of The Less Famous Friends of Mary Mack before then creating his/her verse to finish off the new story using one of the following colors of choice: green, maroon, grey, purple, brown! The 13-page download activity book can be downloaded here.
• Share the following poem about rhyming one afternoon. The next day, during "Seat Work" or "Independent Work Time," have your child(ren) re-read the poem and complete the blank at the end. This will be a good way to test your child(ren)'s understanding of rhyming words! Download the poem for completion here!

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

• Share with your child what it means to "wonder." Then, ask him/her about something they wonder about.
• In a comment on this post, share with me something that your child wonders about.
  
• Be sure to leave an email address along with your comment.
• Deadline to enter is Saturday, May 15th at 11:59PM EST.
• For an extra entry(or two): blog about this giveaway on your own blog AND/OR leave a tweet on your Twitter page and then leave a link to the post/tweet.
• Contest is open to U.S. Residents only, sorry for any inconveniences!
  

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. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!