My Name is Not Alexander

We've seen just how big a little girl can dream... now we ask, just how much can a little boy dream?

Fosberry, Jennifer.
My Name is Not Alexander.
March 2011.
Sourcebooks, Incorporated.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

When Alexander is awoken one morning, he suddenly decides he is no longer Alexander. Instead, he makes the day adventurous, through use of his imagination. Throughout the day, Alexander takes on the identity of six various men who left a marked impact at some point throughout history - Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, Chief Joseph, Fred Astaire, Jackie Robinson... and of course, we can't leave out Daddy!

Fosberry provides readers with the utmost basic of information - a first name and one simple word or phrase that gives a very broad overview of the role these different men played in history - basic enough that it will allow children to use their "thinking caps" to make inferences (guesses) about what the role they believe these men might have played.

This title could easily be used to get your child/students using their imagination or it could provide the perfect opportunity for a research project! Split your class into groups (or assign each child one of the famous men if you happen to be a homeschooler with just a few children). Once they are split into groups, assign each child one of Alexander's identities. Have children work together to research and then create a report of some sort that showcases the key word that is associated with each. For example, the key word that is used in describing Theodore is president. Encourage children to incorporate that key word into their project in some way! Wish the kiddos I work with were older - this could be a really fun project!!!

Literacy Activity:

• Share this story in collaboration with My Name is Not Isabella.
• Have the boys in the class do the research about the men mentioned in My Name is Not Alexander, while the girls research and report about the women mentioned in My Name is Not Isabella.
• Complete a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting the two different stories. The Venn Diagram can be downloaded here.
  

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!

Shoes for Me!

Who knew finding new shoes could be so fun???

Fliess, Sue.
Shoes for Me!
February 2011.
Cavendish, Marshall Corporation.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

When young Hippo has grown and discovered it is time to buy new shoes that fit, she goes on an adventure in trying to find just the right pair. There are so many shoes out there - shiny shoes, sparkly shoes, girls shoes, boys shoes, puddle shoes, snow shoes, shoes on wheels, duck shoes... hippo almost feels overwhelmed! However, just when she's ready to give up, Hippo finds just the right shoes for her -

Colored laces,
stripes and spot.
Glowing, blinking
polka dots.

These are perfect.
Can it be?
I have found the shoes for me!

Help young children expand their descriptive vocabulary with the use of Shoes for Me! This book is perfect to help preschoolers use descriptive language and to use more that one word for describing an object!

Literacy Activity:

• After reading Shoes for Me!, set up your art center/area with a variety of craft supplies (markers, crayons, glitter, glue, ribbon, felt, foam shapes, etc). Print out the shoe templates that can be downloaded here and have your child/students design a shoe of his/her own. Encourage your child/students to choose a shoe that he/she would like to have if they were getting a new pair of shoes! (You may have to print more than one set of the templates to make sure everyone is pleased)!
  

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!

Sneaky Sheep

Help children understand the importance of following the rules with the Sneaky Sheep!

Monroe, Chris.
Sneaky Sheep.
August 2010.
Lerner Publishing Group.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Blossom and Rocky are not only sneaky sheep! They also seem to have trouble following the rules and are continually trying to do what they've been asked not to do. The two have always taken notice of the other, greener meadow up higher on the mountain. They're determined to explore it despite the warnings and rules of Murphy, the Sheep Dog that's been "hired" to keep the sheep safe. When they finally make it up to those "greener grasses," they find themselves in a pickle, ultimately learning the hard way that there really was a reason that Murphy forbid them from going there in the first place!

Sneaky Sheep will hopefully help children understand that there really IS a reason that rules exist and that it's important to follow them for their own safety! I've definitely got to give this one a read in my Head Start class - I constantly have children testing me, believing the rules are only in place because "you don't want me to have any fun!" Perhaps they'll learn a lesson of their own from Rocky and Blossom!



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!

Loon Baby

A perfect story for mothers and children looking to reinforce that special mother-child bond!

Griffin, Molly Beth.
Loon Baby.
March 2011.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Debut author Molly Beth Griffin offers readers a delightfully loving tale in Loon Baby!

Living by a little round lake in the great north woods, Loon Baby spends the evening hours floating and paddling as he waits for his mother to return with their supper. As time passes, Loon Baby quickly becomes unnerved, wondering if she will ever come back. Has she met a moose? Has she fought with snapping turtle? Loon Baby becomes more panicked and more certain that his Mama is not to return and decides to head for home, only to discover he doesn't really know which way home is. When things couldn't possibly look any more bleak and dim for Loon Baby, Mama's black head and red eye resurfaces, providing Loon Baby with not only his dinner, but also his Mama! The two head home in the wind, rain and cold, to their soft, warm nest... back by the little round lake in the great north woods!

This tender story is beautifully written and illustrated. It will surely provide little ones with the reassurance they sometimes need of their mother's dedication and love.

If your child loves this story, be sure to check out:

• Little Loon and Papa, by Toni Buzzeo
• Loon Chase, by Jean Heilprin Diehl
• A Loon Alone, Pamela Love
• The Late Loon, Dean Bennett

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!

Children will quickly understand the importance of taking responsibility for your own actions and learning to make the good (and right) choice!

Lehman, Dana.
I DOUBLE Dare You!
April 2008.
Lehman Publishing.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Silly and Sassy head to Walnut Grove Resort to spend a week vacationing with their cousin, Sammy. Sammy knows that he has to watch out for his cousins, as they're always getting in trouble. However, despite his best efforts, Sammy isn't able to keep the pair out of trouble and it takes a big adventure for Silly and Sassy to learn the lesson that they have to take responsibility for their own actions and not just try and please their friends (or others), especially if they know that they're about to do something that could be considered "wrong."

After number behavior issues have popped up in my Head Start classroom, I just knew I had to share this book with my students after having read it on my own. I got mixed reactions when I read it. Of 16 children, I would say about half sat contentedly and listened. The other half behaved in a typical manner, unable to sit for a story of any length. It's not unexpected, at least in my room! The children who were engaged were VERY engaged and responded appropriately throughout, including making appropriate predictions! From my conversation and interaction with the children, I would say they definitely were able to understand the message shared... and I'm hoping that it will sink in, as many of those who were engaged are also my "behaviors," who could certainly benefit from the message given! We'll have to see how things go, but I'm thinking with a few reminders of the characters and the message, they just might catch on!

It's also easy to see why I DOUBLE Dare You! is the recipient of the Mom's Choice Award - any mother would want their child to understand the importance of the message relayed in this wonderfully written and illustrated book! I'm so glad to have been informally introduced to the author through a cousin!



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!