Back to School Reads, Day 6: One Smart Cookie: Bite-Size Lessons for the School Years and Beyond

Teach children a thing or two about vocabulary related to school and ethics!

Rosenthal, Amy Krouse.
One Smart Cookie: Bite-Size Lessons for the School Years and Beyond.
June 2010.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Morsels of wisdom are coupled with interesting new vocabulary words for children, as one little girl shares with readers bits and pieces of what they'll need to know in order to be a successful contributor of "Smart Cookies" at the bake sale.

Publishers Weekly stated it perfectly,A deliciously charming collection of defined and illustrated vocabulary words that serve as gentle guides to etiquette.The book reminds me so much of something that would be passed along from your grandma - with illustrations that make me think of those old Norman Rockwell calendars I've seen. I absolutely love this book! And when you add in the recipe for "One Smart Cookie" at the back - well, I'm sold... I'll definitely be trying these out!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Using the recipe at back of the book, create a batch of "One Smart Cookie." Each time you pass along one of these cookies to your child in his/her lunch box (and on the first day of school) attach a few vocabulary term with each. Carefully select a term on your own that provide your child with the encouragement they need to start out a successful school year. For example, perhaps the words, "support," "friendship," "proud" will do perfectly! Or there's any number of others that would serve just as well to offer your child the encouragement he/she needs and deserves!
  

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!

United Nation's Children's Day

Designated by the UN General Assembly as Universal Children's Day, November 20 marks United Nations Children's Day. The day was first observed in 1953 as a time to honor children with special ceremonies and festivals and to make children's needs known to governments. It is observed on different days in more than 120 nations, however November 20 marks the day in 1959 when the General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
-The Teacher's Calendar, 2008-2009

Rosenthal, Amy Krouse.
Yes Day!
May 2009.
HarperCollins Publishers.

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Pizza for breakfast? YES! Not having to clean your room? YES! Staying up really late? YES! Every kid's dream? YES! Welcome to Yes Day!

This book is perfect for celebrating United Nation's Children's Day, as it focuses solely on pleasing the mind of a child - by giving them that one-word answer they're just waiting to hear all the time! However, the problem with this book is that children are really going to be expecting a "Yes Day!" coming from you... and that's where we must be careful, as not all the questions they prompt you with might make for a safe and doable "Yes!" answer... Better decide how your children will take the context of the book, or at least forewarn them that it doesn't necessarily mean they'll be having a "Yes Day!" of their own! In a classroom setting, I would use the book as a writing (perhaps a journal) prompt. After reading, ask the students to describe their ideal "Yes Day!" What would it look like? What would they do? Definitely would be a great introduction to such a writing topic!

• Yes Day!, Graphic Organizer for Writing Prompt
  

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.