Piggy Pie Po

Help beginning readers understand the use of context clues and rhyming words to simplify the reading process!

Wood, Audrey & Don.
Piggy Pie Po.
September 2010.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Piggy Pie Po, a new title by authors Audrey & Don Wood (known for The Napping House) is an ideal book for beginning readers. The three short stories found within the pages are extremely funny and sure to have young children laughing and begging for the stories to be reread! The delightful text is extremely simple and rhythmic. These, coupled with the easily interpreted context clues found within the illustrations will ensure children find the confidence to pick up this book and give it a read on their own!

Learning/Reading Activities:

• Reinforce the idea of rhyming words with your students/children by playing rhyming lotto, using the words from the first story in Piggy Pie Po. The game can be downloaded and printed for use here.
• Check your students'/childrens' understanding of rhyming words by using the Piggie Pie Po rhyming activity worksheet which can be downloaded here. This asks children to find the word that does not rhyme and circle it.
• After reading the third story in the book, discuss what an incredibly funny pig Piggy Pie Po is! Talk about all that he is, all that he can do and all that he has done. Afterwards, as a group, create a shared writing list in which children add words to a list that rhyme with "pig." Use a big piece of chart paper and write "pig" at the top. Then, have children share the pen/pencil/marker to add a word that rhymes with pig. This would be a great time to reinforce the idea that rhyming words typically end with the same letters!
  

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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!

Return of the Rhyming Sheep

Fans of Nancy Shaw will take delight as her famous rhyming sheep return once again to tickle readers!

Shaw, Nancy.
Sheep Take a Hike.
2010 (1994).
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

In this fun, reprinted adventure, the sheep set off to take a hike. Upon their back, they pack their packs full of snacks before heading to the trail - up the hill and down the dale. But when the brush gets thicker, they start to bicker (as it's evident they've wandered off the trail). However, lucky for the sheep, the wool they left behind helps them find their way back home! Children are sure to love this rhyming adventure with the sheep, a character that they've come to know and love (or need to be introduced to for the first time)!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Set forth on a hike with your little ones. Pack a pack of hiking snacks upon your backs and make an adventure of your own. If you really want there to be some learning involved, ahead of time choose a word family to focus on (word families are a great way to introduce rhyming in a basic way). Plan your trail, and along the trail, post words and pictures that focus on that word family, as well as a few that don't. In order to complete the trail and find your way back home (or to school) your children will need to try to figure out the rhymes to determine which trail to take. For example, when you come to a split in the trail, post two words/pictures (hat, sock). If the word family you are focusing on is the -at family, your child will need to determine which word rhymes with that word family and follow the path in that direction! (Hopefully I've explained this clearly enough - if you're looking for more clarification about this, just leave a comment!)
  

Shaw, Nancy.
Sheep Blast Off!
March 7, 2011.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

If you have a child who is a fan of outer-space, spaceships, or astronauts, this is definitely the book to use when introducing them to rhyming words! The rocket sheep take off on an outer-space adventure after a shape has landed in the mist. As they set forth to explore they find a door! When the door is sealed the engines roar and sheep blast off. Throughout the adventure children will not only start recognizing the rhyming words, but will also learn a bit about spaceships! Nancy Shaw has once again returned with a hit in Sheep Blast Off!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Create an activity in which children "blast off" into rhyming stars! Include on the worksheet a picture of a rocket ship, that targets whatever word family (or rhyme) you're hoping to help your child(ren) learn. Draw some stars around the page that the rocket ship is "blasting off" to and have your child put a rhyming word on each star. If they're still too young or have difficulty writing, have them tell you the word and you write it for them! Have them color the letters that are the same, so they begin to develop an understanding about what makes them rhyming words!
  

Beaumont, Karen.
No Sleep for the Sheep!
March 7, 2011.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

When you go to place your order for Nancy Shaw's latest "sheep" titles, check out Karen Beaumont's latest title, No Sleep for the Sheep! It hits stores on March 7, but is already available for pre-order!

While I wouldn't necessarily consider this a "rhyming book," there are certainly rhymes found within that children will likely pick up on. In this sing-song type book, children will take delight as the poor sheep just wants to sleep in the big red barn on the farm! Of course, the other farm animals have other ideas in mind and do their best to keep sheep awake. However, sheep eventually has enough and is able to sleep through the racket of the other animals on the farm. The sing-y nature of the story makes it really fun to read and I can't wait to share this with my Head Start children... I know it's sure to have them chuckling and most likely joining in to share the reading fun!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Read the story several times through... each time you read try to go faster and see just how much fun it can be. Encourage your child(ren) to participate and you'll really have a blast reading together!
  

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!

Which Way to Witch School?

Turn Halloween reading educational by using Which Way to Witch School?

Santoro, Scott.
Which Way to Witch School?
July 2010.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

While not technically a "Halloween" story, the idea of witches, combined with the somewhat eerie, dark colors typically associated with Halloween, definitely make this an appropriate "Halloween" read! If you couple it with a lesson on rhyming words, you can even turn this fun story educational!

Children will quickly learn that it's even important for witches to attend school! Rhyming, lyrical text takes readers on an adventure to learn what "witch school" consists of - from learning to cackle and joke to the importance of learning chemistry for those witchy-potions. Perhaps children will find some acceptance in their own schooling in discovering that even witch's benefit from school!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Print off 5 (or more) sheets of the Which Way to Witch School Memory Game cards (suggested printing on cardstock for sturdiness). Cut the cards apart. On the back side, choose and write pairs of rhyming words from the text of Which Way to Which School. Shuffle up the cards and play memory, having your child hunt for the words that rhyme.
  

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!

Sheep on a Ship

Nancy Shaw's "Sheep" books are quickly becoming a favorite of mine, as the rhyming text makes them ideal for use in my preschool classroom! The kids are the point where we're reading to start learning about rhyming words, and the fun, lyrical texts make learning about rhyming words enjoyable for young children!

Shaw, Nancy.
Sheep on a Ship.
February 15, 2010.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Guided Reading Level: G
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

The adventurous sheep set sail on the ship, embarking on just one of their many lifetime journeys. Along the way,

It rains and hails and shakes the sails. Sheep wake up and grab the rails.

Readers will quickly catch on the text that "sounds the same" and makes them laugh! The newly released board book format of this book makes it ideal for those little fingers that are working so hard at catching on to the concept of rhyming words! This book has definitely found a new home in my classroom!

Learning/Reading Activities:

• While you're reading Sheep on a Ship, stop at the end of each page and discuss the pairs of rhyming words. The approach I am likely going to take is: sails, rails, they both have ails. Please feel free to share with me the ideas you use when teaching rhyming words to your child(ren)!
  

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!

International Clown Week

To call public attention to charitable activities of clowns and the wholesome entertainment they provide, International Clown Week is celebrated annually, August 1-7. For more information, visit: www.clownsofamerica.org

Dodds, Dayle Ann.
Where's Pup?
2003.
Dial Books for Young Readers.

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Is Pup here?
Is he there?
We are searching
Everywhere!
Come join our silly circus and
Help us take a look.
We know Pup must be
Somewhere
Inside this funny book!
In a book that’s full of charm, Dayle Ann Dodds and Pierre Pratt invite small readers to join the hunt for an elusive hound.

This book featuring a circus clown who's looking for his helper (Pup), makes a perfect read aloud when trying to teach children about rhyming words. The book is chuck full of them...

Can't see.
Go ask Lee.
He's launching Dee...

No clue.
Go ask Sue.
She's riding Blue...

Not here or there.
Go ask Claire.
She's catching Pierre...

Can't chat.
Go see Nat.
He's on the mat...

I will definitely keep this in mind when working with younger children and beginning readers!

Littlesugar, Amy.
Clown Child.
2006.
Philomel Books.

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

What could be better than being a clown child? You juggle eggs all day and eat dinner with the Tallest Man East of the Missouri—and you never have to go to school!

But to Olivia, a real-life clown child, the glitter and glam of the circus life aren’t so exhilarating. Her dreams are filled with simple things like bathtubs and homes that don’t bump all over the prairie. But when a sudden blowdown storm roars over the big top, Olivia gets a glimpse of life outside of the circus.What would it mean to give it up?

At once funny and touching, Clown Child offers a colorful peek at a wisdom that can’t be learned from books, and reminds us that home is not the place you live—it’s the people you love.

This was a great story! I loved the message sent... that home is where the heart is and that you don't need to always fit in with everyone around you, but that it's great to be true to yourself! Definitely worth sharing with children, especially those suffering from low self-esteem!

Rex, Adam.
Tree Ring Circus.
2006.
Harcourt, Inc.

Summary from:

Who knew one little seed could sprout such mayhem?

Who knew that a little runaway clown could cause such a ruckus and eventually cause the tumble of a tree that grew from a seed three miles out of town. The story would make for an interesting math lesson on addition, as we watch the animals accumulate in the tree after two apes steal the keys and unload the circus trucks beneath the tree. The book is also perfect for a read-aloud, as it's humorous to read with children!

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.

Mailbox Monday!

I've got a bunch of new books that have come in the mail in the past two, two and a half weeks, so I've decided to participate in The Printed Page's Mailbox Monday! Hopefully this will keep me more up-to-date on reviews of materials that I've been sent.

Halfmann, Janet.
Little Skink's Tail.
2007.
Sylvan Dell Publishing: Mt. Pleasant, SC.

Ages: 4-8
Genre: Fiction, Science - Animal Adaptations

Guided Reading Level: N/A

Review/Summary:

Most recently named 2009 Learning Magazine's Teachers' Choice Award Winner, Little Skink's Tail focuses on skink's (a lizard) ability to adapt to its surroundings and protect itself in times of danger. For those who didn't know, lizards break their tails when faced by an enemy as mean of protection. This book could easily be used in part of a science curriculum that focuses on ways in which animals survive and adapt in their environment(s). A learning guide to supplement Little Skink's Tail can be found here.

Little Skink has been spied by a crow. She has to escape and does so just as the crow snaps down to pluck her away. However, Little Skink has a trick - her tail can snapped off to protect her from danger. However, once her tail is gone, Little Skink realizes just how much she misses it and goes around imagining a new tail for herself. She tries on tail after tail - a rabbit's tail, a squirrel's tail... and many more. However, just as she decides that none of the other tails are right for her, she catches sight of a her shadow on a sunny rock. Lo and behold, her new tail has started growing and it's just right!

Maccagnone, Garasamo.

The Suburban Dragon.

1992.

Crate & Fly.

Ages: 4-8

Genre: Fiction - Realistic
Guided Reading Level: N/A

Review/Summary:

Maccagnone has written this story for his own children. One boring, rainy day when there's nothing to do. The children in the story, inspired by his own, settle down to listen to a story read to them by their mother. Soon, a dragon sneaks up behind them on the couch and snatches away mother. The children come up with a plan to rescue their mother and in doing so, eventually trap the dragon - who turns out to be their father!

This is a cute story that certainly seems like it's capturing one of those rare childhood memories that we all have experienced. It reminds me of playing Boogie-Man with my parents when I was a child! Very cute and well worthy of a read!

Dean, Laurie.

Baron Things Dogs are People TOO!

2008.

Big Tent Books: Savannah, GA.

Ages: 4-8
Genre: Fiction - Realistic
Guided Reading Level: N/A

Summary/Review:

Baron is part of the family. Isn't he just like a son? That's what he thinks! However, he's acting such like a child that Mom and Dad decide that Baron needs to learn some manners and send him off to obedience school. By the time that Baron's completed his schooling and returns home, he feels lonely - he doesn't have any friends. However, Baron quickly turns that around when he befriends Billy one snowy day.

Oh, how this book reminds me of my dog, Niko. She definitely thinks she's a human. Here are a few pictures of her in her most human poses! Kids will go crazy for this human-behaving dog!

Lesson Plans/Book Activities:

• Baron Thinks

Schwartz, Corey Rosen.
Hop! Plop!
2006.
Walker & Company: New York, NY.

Ages: 3-6
Genre: Fiction
Guided Reading Level: N/A

Summary/Review:

My good blogging friend, Corey Schwartz over at Thing 1 and Thing 2 sent me a copy of her book!

This book takes us on an adventure with polar opposites, Mouse and Elephant. Finding themselves bored, this duo of friends set out to explore the playground! The rhyming text as Mouse and Elephant explore the playground makes for a great introduction to word families and the concept of rhyming. Together, the two explore the seesaw. Elephant hops on and as a result of his weight, Mouse bops to the ground! Mouse tries to gain weight by eating a watermelon, but as a result of all the slurping, he begins burping! When the duo decides that the seesaw is faulty, they move on to the swing and another adventure begins!

I would use this book not only for a read-aloud, but also as an introduction at the Kindergarten or 1st grade level, depending on the students, to several different word families: -op, -urp, -unch, -ip, -ing, -ush, and -ide. The book also introduces the concept of weight difference between Mouse and Elephant and the consequences of the varying weights at the playground. For example, Mouse is stuck at the top of the seesaw, Elephant breaks the swing! Cause-and-effect could also be explored using this book!

Worton, Barbara.

Too Tall Alice.

2009.

Great Little Books, LLC.

Ages:

Genre:

Guided Reading Level:

Review/Summary:

This book definitely belongs in any 4th grade and up classroom! It will indeed show the girls in the class the message that Worton dedicates to "all the too tall, too small, too skinny, too fat, too smart, too silly girls who deserve to see, really see, and love themselves" - that true beauty comes from within. While I think younger kids would get a kick out of the story itself, I don't think that kids younger than at the 4th grade level would take the message and really start to understand it. I also think that this could be a good self-esteem builder even for a teenager who is struggling to define herself and fit in - I think I would have benefited from this book as a teenager!

Alice is just 9 years old and already she's 4 inches taller than all the other girls in her class. All of the things that adults tell her to make her feel better have the opposite effect! But it gets worse... one night she hears her parents and the neighbors discussing how horribly tall she really is - she's going to be "a string bean, a bean pole, a twig, a long drink of water, a toothpick." That night, Alice cries herself to sleep and wanders off to dreamland - to the place where the tall girls live. Even though she's the shortest, she's also the youngest and has much time to grow. The older girls help Alice to find herself amongst the throngs on people that they have her look out on. When she takes this time to really look at herself, she sees all that she is... and all that she can be. Ultimately, Alice takes away the message that Worton wants reader to find... that you are special just the way you are and that your true beauty comes from within, not how tall you are, or how thin you are, or the color of your hair, but what's really found deep within yourself.

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.