National Bird Feeding Month

February is National Bird Feeding Month, so somewhat on topic, I have a couple of reviews for today!

Martchenko, Michael.

Birdfeeder Banquet.

1990.

Annick Press Ltd.,: Toronto, CA

Ages: 5-8
Genre: Fiction - Birds
Guided Reading Level: N/A

This is a hilarious story that I was not familiar with prior to finding it in a search for books about bird feeding! Jenny notices all the birds outside the kitchen window at the family bird feeder. However, she feels that they dislike the birdseed because of the way it's flying around. Her mother insists its the finest birdseed available, but when Jenny tries it, she agrees with the birds! She concocts her own birdfeed mixture and feeds it to the birds daily. But as they eat more, they quickly gain weight until they are no longer able to even fly! The mayor and townspeople are disgusted and order Jenny to do something about the problem. She tries, but even her exercise program fails. Finally, the mayor calls in a plane, promises the bird a buffet and ships them southward. Little do the birds know, they're headed to the health spa!

This story was not only funny, but it does teacher readers that birds need to follow a healthy diet, just as people do!

Fromental, Jean-Luc.

365 Penguins.

2006.

Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Ages: 4-8

Genre: Fiction - Penguins, Math

Guided Reading Level: N/A

Uncle Victor decides to surprise the family with a special Christmas gift, set to start in the new year! Every day, the doorbell rings and a delivery man delivers the family a package - a penguin. By the end of January, there are 31 penguins living in the family home. With each penguin comes unplanned for expenses - namely feeding them all! Finally, the last day of the year has arrived, New Year's Eve, but there's still one last delivery to be made - one last penguin, the 365th one!

This book provides plenty of room for counting activities and also multiplication for older children, as they could be asked how much it costs to feed the penguins or how many pounds of fish are needed. The book itself is very funny and the illustrations are drawn using colors that we associate with penguins - black, orange, and white, adding to the story being told!

Mid-Winter Break in CNY

This week finds kids at home and schools closed across much of Central New York as a way of saving energy by cutting heating costs inside the schools, as this typically is the chilliest part of the winter season... I've got 5 books up for review today in the hopes that they might inspire you with some activities to keep the kids busy if they are indeed off school this week! Ice skating, cross country skiing, sledding, host a snowman building contest and having a snowball fight will certainly keep the kids busy... one for each day of the week!

Isadora, Rachel.
Sophie Skates.
1999.
G.P. Putnam's Sons.

Ages: 5-8
Genre: Fiction - Realistic
Guided Reading Level: L

Sophie is a little girl who dreams of being a professional ice-skater when she grows up. However, this is a dream that requires a huge amount of work. In this story, readers will hear of Sophie's efforts at practicing so she will become closer to reaching her dreams. However, along with the ficitional story, a whole host of informational text is provided regarding the sport of ice-skating: how to buy skates that fit correctly, different skating techniques, types of figure eights, preparing for jumps, the practice of ballet to improve skating, and the different programs in which ice skaters compete.

Why not read this book and then get the kids out there on the ice rink to practice or even just have some fun!

Calhoun, Mary.
Cross-Country Cat.
1979.
Harper Collins Publishers.

Ages: 5-8
Genre: Fiction
Guided Reading Level: M

Henry, a Siamese cat goes on vacation with his family to a camp deep in the mountains for a weekend of skiing. "The Kid" tries to teach Henry how to cross-country ski, but Henry couldn't be less interested. However, as the weekend draws to a close, Henry is left behind after discovering he forgot his mouse under "the Kid's" bed in the cabin. With no other choice, Henry must don the cross-country skis that "the Kid" built for him earlier that weekend. Luckily, Henry quickly figures out how to be successful with the skis and sets out on the adventure of a lifetime while trying to make it home. Luckily, he does! This was a very cute story and the illustrations leave the reader feeling as if they're in the midst of the mountains exploring with Henry!

If Henry can catch on to the notion of cross-country skiing, why not try out this activity with the kids?

Thomas, Patricia.
Red Sled.
2008.
Boyds Mills Press.

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

Based on an ancient form of writing known as chiasmus , Thomas, in Red Sled, creates a mirror image using thoughts, words, and word sounds that flow towards a center point and then reverse to reflect in that same order while nearing the end. Along with this form of writing and the use of rhyming pairs, Thomas tells the story of a young boy and his father as they create happy memories of a winter day - going sledding on the red sled. This is a wonderfully written story that is appropriate for even the youngest readers. The text is very simple but creates a very vivid image of the feelings experienced by father and son.

Any child will enjoy getting out there making their own sledding memories with Dad, Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, a brother or sister or even the babysitter!

Mahoney, Daniel.
A Really Good Snowman.
2005.
Clarion Books.

Ages: 5-8
Genre: Fiction
Guided Reading Level: N/A

Why not have a snowman building contest one of these days? Kids are sure to love the activity and it can get everyone in the family (or neighborhood) involved! Jack wants his sister Nancy to just leave him alone, but like any little sister, Nancy just wants to be his side-kick, tag along and help Jack build the snowman with his friends. However, this snowman contest only allows parties of 3 or less, and Nancy would be #4. Reluctantly, she goes off and builds her own snowman, determined to win the contest. Even though she doesn't win, Jack sees her hard efforts and is proud of his little sister for her accomplishments and realizes what a wonderful snowman maker she really is! This is a really cute book that will keep children entertained!

This could a whole neighborhood activity - almost like a summer block party, just in the winter-time instead! End the day with hot chocolate!

Fallon, Jimmy.
Snowball Fight.
2005.
Dutton Children's Books.

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

For those of you who aren't familiar with Jimmy Fallon, he's most known for his role on Saturday Night Live as actor and comedian. This book, his first, certainly allows his comedian side to show! Children are sure to love the idea behind the story - a good old snowball fight! But, these children don't enter the fight unprepared! They come dressed for battle, complete with collanders and pans for helmets so as not to be harmed! The rhyming text is just another added bonus to the story, allowing for an almost song-like text! It is a truly wonderful story and will certainly inspire children to get outside and burn some energy during winter break... if there's snow, that is!

Why not don the funny kitchen equipment and have a snowball fight of your own?!

Snapshot Saturday

Extremely unusual for a February day in NY is bright sunshine - sunshine so bright you need sunglasses! However, today we had one of those days and it made me long for summer! So, the snapshot I'm sharing today is one that I took over the summer at one of the local "Sunflower Acres" farms, a new growing trend here in CNY. I've titled the photo Sippin' Sun, as the honeybee is sipping in the sunflower's nectar.

Weekly Blog Plan, February 16-20

Here’s the weekly blog plan! Again, please remember this is subject to change and is dependent upon whether or not my materials come in from the library as planned. I realize that this may fall too late for you to use in your classroom this year, but the activities will definitely swing from year-to-year! If you see something you really want to incorporate into your classroom, leave me a comment on this post or send me an e-mail, kateh12783@hotmail.com. I’d be glad to provide you with the links I have, if nothing more!

Monday, February 16 – Presidents’ Day
o Presidents’ Day, Anne Rockwell
o Presidents’ Day, David Marx

Tuesday, February 17 – National Bird Feeding Month
o 365 Penguins, Jean-Luc Fromental
o Common Sense and Fowls, Jane Cutler
o Birdfeeder Banquet, Michael Martchenko

Wednesday, February 18 – Barbara Joosse’s Birthday (60)
o I Love You the Purplest
o Snow Day!

Thursday, February 19 – Sweet Potato Month
o Sweet Potato Pie, Kathleen Lindsey

Friday, February 20 – Hoodie Hoo Day
o When the Wind Stops, Charlotte Zolotow
o Snow Is My Favorite and My Best, Lauren Child
o Miss Hickory, Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
o Strawberry Shortcake and the Winter that Would Not End, Alexandra Wallner

There Was an Old Lady...

Today is Simms Taback's 77th Birthday. He has illustrated over thirty-five children's books and is famously known for his retelling of the American Folk Tale, There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. I was first introduced to this book when I was in kindergarten and it has been a favorite of mine for many, many years! I was sooooooo happy to discover there were other books (by different authors) that have mimicked the tale in many ways but added their own touch and changed what the old lady swallowed! So, in honor or Taback's birthday, I'm celebrating with reviews of several different versions of There Was an Old Lady...

Taback, Simms.
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly!
1997.
Viking: New York, NY.

Ages: 5-8
Genre: Folk Tales
Guided Reading Level: L

Review/Summary:

I think most everyone knows this story! The old lady has swallowed a fly and now it's buzzing inside her. Somehow, she's got to get rid of that fly! But her efforts to rid her body of the fly result in another animal that her body must get rid of - a spider, a bird, a cat, a dog, a
cow, and a horse... She died of course!

It was a childhood favorite of mine, and this version, as well as all of the others definitely get the kids laughing (mainly due to the hilarious things that are being swallowed and the rhyming text) when I read to them aloud in any classroom where I might happen to be subbing.

The story actually makes for a really good sequencing and retelling activity, because it's predictable but complex enough that it makes students remember order. This book was really cool because you can see the woman's stomach growing and see each additional insect/bug/animal as it's being swallowed. The book is also very colorful and attractive to the eye, which is sure to capture the attention of children.

Sloat, Teri.
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Trout!
1998.
Henry Holt and Company, Inc.: New York, NY.

Ages: 4-7
Genre: Folk Tales
Guided Reading Level: J

Review/Summary:

There was an old lady who swallowed a trout that spished and splashed and thrashed about... and many other sea animals (salmon, otter, whale, seal, just to name a few)! In this predictable tale, readers will delight in not only the tale of what the old lady swallowed, but also in the illustrations that depict the sea wildlife of the Pacific Northwest.

Colandro, Lucille.
There Was A Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow.
2003.
Scholastic, Inc.: New York, NY.

Ages: 4-8
Genre: Folk Tales
Guided Reading Level: I

Review/Summary:

In this winter version of the popular tale There Was An Old Lady, Colandro takes us through the story of the cold lady who has swallowed some snow! She gets so cold from swallowing the snow that she goes on to swallow a pipe to warm her soul. But, in order to keep that pipe aglow, she has to swallow some coal! The cold lady goes on to swallow a hat, a stick, a scarf. When she's had enough she hiccups... Kids should quickly be able to tell what happens when she hiccups based on the illustrations! It's a snowman!

This story is not likely to disappoint children, as it follows along the same style of Colandro's other versions of There Was An Old Lady books, all of which are listed below. Click on the links for more information or to purchase the books!

• There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell
• There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shell
• There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat
• Un dia una Senora se trago una campana!

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities:

• There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Trout
• There Was an Old Lady and Probability
• There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat
• There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly Pull Through
• Book-Technology Connections: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
• I Know an Old Lady
• There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shell
• There Was an Old Lady Reproducible
• There Was an Old Lady Story Telling Doll
• And Kristen over at Kristen's Kindergarten also has some reading activities to follow along with There Was an Old Lady Who...

Safety for Children!

Today is SafetyPup's Birthday! Safetypup was created by the National Child Safety Council in hopes of bringing safety awareness and education messages to children in a positive, non-threatening way. Safetypup's main goal is helping children "Stay Safe and Sound." For more information about SafetyPup visit any of the following websites:

• City of Columbia Police Department
• National Child Safety Council

So, today, I'm focusing on a couple of issues that are hit upon through the Safetypup program - Bicycle Safety and Strangers.

Brown, Marc.
D.W. Rides Again.

Ages: 4-7
Genre: Fiction, Safety
Guided Reading Level: I

Summary/Review:

D.W. has finally gotten a new two-wheeled bicycle and is more than ready to give her tricycle to baby sister Kate. However, in learning to ride her new bicycle with training wheels, her big brother Arthur feels he must first teach her some simple bicycle safety - how to stop, always remembering to wear a helmet, keep to the right of the road, remember to use hand signals. When Dad finally thinks she's ready, the two set off on a bike ride and D.W. is very careful to make sure she's following the safety rules that Arthur taught her. However, Dad is so busy looking behind him at D.W., he winds up in the pond because he wasn't paying attention to where he was going - the final safety rule D.W. must learn!

This is a cute story of D.W. and her brother Arthur that easily doubles to teach children the most important bicycle safety rules.

Joyce, Irma.
Never Talk to Strangers.

Ages: 3-8
Genre: Fiction, Safety
Guided Reading Level: N/A

Review/Summary:

Once central message is repeated throughout this story and that is, never talk to strangers! A young child is learning about safety rules as he visits with a variety of animals - a camel, a bear, a spotted leopard, a bee, and tons more. The text itself rhymes and this will easily attract the attention of young children. I felt this story would be wonderful to use when trying to portray the importance of young children not talking to strangers.

Library Lover's Month!

Did you know that February is Library Lover's Month? I didn't either, but I'm here today, ready to provide to you some reviews for absolutely wonderful library-related stories!

McQuinn, Anna.
Lola at the Library.

Ages: 3-7
Genre: Fiction - Realistic
Guided Reading Level: N/A

Summary/Review:

This is a wonderful book if you're looking to introduce young children to the concept of the library - borrowing books, using a card to check out your books, library programs available... it's a very resourceful book about the library! What I like most about this book is that it also promotes bedtime stories, as the stories Lola gets from the library act as her bedtime stories!

Lola is a little girl whose favorite day of the week is Tuesday - Library Day! Lola packs up her book and remembers her card, give back the old books where the librarian checks them in, attends a special children's program and finally gets to pick out new books!

Deedy, Carmen.
The Library Dragon.

Ages: 5-8
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Guided Reading Level: M

Review/Summary:

Uh-oh! There's a new librarian at Sunrise Elementary - Miss Lotta Scales. Let's just say Miss Lotta Scales really does have lots of scales, she's a dragon! She takes her job too seriously though, thinking she's there to protect the books from the students and ends up turning the whole school anti-library. However, one daring little girl enters the library unknowingly and Miss Lotta Scales finally realizes what the library is really there for - to provide students with pleasure in reading! At the end of the story Miss Lotta Scales turns from the Library Dragon to Miss Lotty, the librarian and storyteller. This was an incredible story! There's even a Library Dragon Flip Doll to complement the story!

Knudsen, Michelle.
Library Lion.

Ages: 5-8
Genre: Fiction
Guided Reading Level: K

Review/Summary:

This book really teaches students a valuable lesson - library rules! Miss Merriweather is just like any librarian we're familiar with - she expects that patrons will follow the library rules: no running, being quiet, etc. One day, a lion shows up and everyone thinks the lion shouldn't be allowed. However, Miss Merriweather agrees to grant the lion access to the library, provided he can follow the rules! The story is told in a very cute, attractive manner and while the lion does challenge some of the rules, he ultimately succumbs to them and despite having broken one of Miss Merriweather's rules, lion learns that sometimes, during an emergency, it's okay to break one of the rules. This was a wonderful story!

Lesson Plan:

• Library Lion Lesson Plan
  

Mark Teague's Birthday

It's Mark Teague's Birthday today, so I've got some reviews of several of his books. Here's a few trivia facts for you, as well though!

• Mark Teague lives in upstate NY (very close to home for me, as I'm in central NY).
• He is an illustrator of award winning books (How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?)
• His books tackle common childhood fears and challenges.

Teague, Mark.
Pigsty.
1994.
Scholastic Inc.: New York.

Ages: 4-8
Genre: Fiction
Guided Reading Level: M

Summary/Review:

Wendell, a young boy, just will not clean his room - he doesn't mind living in a pigsty, he reiterates to his mother. However, when the pigs start showing up in his pigsty, he begins to reconsider. Sure, they make for fun playmates, but they really make the pigsty more piggish! Wendell finally can't stand the mess anymore and decides to clean his room, but first, he enlists the help of the pigs who have moved in. Once the room is all cleaned up he sends the pigs packing, deciding they ultimately do belong on the farm, but promises to invite them over from time to time to play and have fun.

This is a humorous story that children are sure to love! It also would be a good teaching tool for introducing students to the idea of proverbs, as Wendell remembers a saying he once heard, "many hooves make light work." This proverb is what inspired him enlisting the help of all the pigs and their hooves to clean the room!

Lesson Plans/Book Activities:

• Teaching Proverbs
• Proverbs: An Introduction
• Proverbs
• Proverbial Picture Pages

Teague, Mark.
Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School.
2002.
Scholastic, Inc.: New York, NY.

Ages: 4-10
Genre: Fiction, Writing Letters
Guided Reading Level: L

Summary/Review:

Ike has been sent to obedience school and is not happy about being there! He hates it so much, he goes as far as trying to be sent home, faking illnesses and writing letters to his owner, Mrs. LaRue.

From my own personal experience, kids love this story. It's humorous and the letters have the kids seeking more! Luckily, Ike LaRue has now become a series! Check out some of the other books in the series below!

Other Books in the Mrs. LaRue series:

• LaRue for Mayor: Letters from the Campaign Trail
• Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from the Investigation

Teague, Mark.
The Field Beyond the Outfield.
1992.
Scholastic, Inc.: New York, NY.

Ages: 4-12
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Guided Reading Level: L

Summary/Review:

Ludlow's parents have had enough of his fantasies and day-dreaming. They feel that if he's involved in something, he won't have so much time to imagine things, so they sign him up for baseball. Ludlow goes along with his parents' wishes but his daydreaming continues! He plays so far back in the outfield, he joins another baseball game as well as his own- a game played by monsters. His lack of action on the ball field enabled his imagination in new ways and Ludlow goes to bed that night, not worrying about the monsters that may or may not be in the closet!

This is a clever story that I'm sure will capture the attention of children who have a vivid imagination. Baseball players will also be drawn in by this title by Teague!