Jim Arnosky's Birthday

Jim Arnosky is an amazing author - that's all I can say to prepare you for the three following reviews!

Arnosky, Jim.
I See Animals Hiding.
1995.
Scholastic, Inc.
Guided Reading Level: M

Summary from Amazon:

Arnosky describes the ways animals in nature camouflage themselves to escape danger. He explains how protective coloration helps woodcocks, owls, and moths stay hidden; how seasonal changes in the fur of weasels and snowshoe hares aid in concealment; and how the body shapes of speckled trout, snakes, and bittern assist them in blending in with their environments.

This book is perfect for any science-loving child! The focus on camouflage as a means of protection makes this ideal for use in a science curriculum. Not only are the animals within camouflaged in their natural environments, Arnosky invites readers to try and locate different things/objects on each page... it's interactive all in itself!

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities/Suggested Reading:

• What Color is Camouflage?, Carolyn Otto
• What are Camouflage and Mimicry, Bobbie Kalman
  
• Camouflage of Animals or Insects Lesson Plan
• I Spy (Camouflaged Animals in Art)
• Seasonal Camouflage

Arnosky, Jim.
Every Autumn Comes the Bear.
1993.
G.P. Putnam's Sons
Guided Reading Level: H

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Every autumn a bear shows up behind the farm, and goes through a series of routines before finding a den among the hilltop boulders where he sleeps all winter long.

This book is a perfect introduction to animals that hibernate. It doesn't go into any great detail, just shares with readers that bears go to sleep for the entire winter. I would use this book as a springboard to encourage children in thinking of how animals can sleep all winter long...

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities/Suggested Reading:

• Time to Sleep, Denise Fleming
• Animals in Winter, Henrietta Bancroft
• How Do Bears Sleep?, E.J. Bird
• Animals That Hibernate, Phyllis J. Perry
• Hibernation - Teacher Activities
• Hibernation, Grades 2-5
• Animals in Winter Thematic Unit
  

Arnosky, Jim.
Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats.
1997.
Aladdin Paperbacks.

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Crinkleroot is an expert at finding animals because he knows where to look for them. In his jeep Crinkleroot covers a lot of ground, spotting over eighty different wildlife species in wetlands, woodlands, grasslands, drylands, and more. Along the way, readers will learn tips for finding wildlife in their own neck of the woods.

These books by Arnosky are so full of scientific information! I love them and will certainly be remembering them when I have my own classroom! I think your kids will love this one just as much as the first two - Crinkleroot takes readers on an educational journey without making it seem like reading/learning! Many kids need this, especially if they aren't comfortable with themselves as readers! Animal habitats is a topic that's likely to capture attention immediately - almost all kids love animals! Definitely check out this book in the Crinkleroot series!

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities/Suggested Reading:

• Habitat Presentation, Grade 3
• Habitat! What's that?
• Discovery Education: Habitats of the World
• Animal Habitat Lesson Plan, Grade 1
• Animal Habitats!, Judy Press
• Kids' Easy-to-Create Wildlife Habitats: For Small Spaces in City-Suburbs-Countryside, Emily Stetson
• The ABC's of Habitats, Bobbie Kalman
• I See a Kookaburra: Discovering Animal Habitats Around the World, Steve Jenkins
  
• Melissa & Doug: Deluxe Magnetic Animal Habitats Set
  

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.

Chincoteague Pony Penning

July 29 and 30, the Chincoteague Pony Penning takes place on Chincoteague Island, VA to round up the 150 wild ponies living on Assateague Island and swim them across the inlest to Chincoteague, where about 80-90 of them are sold. This takes place annually, the last Wednesday and Thursday of July. For more information, visit: www.chincoteague.com
-The Teacher's Calendar, 2008-2009

Jeffers, Susan.
My Chincoteague Pony.
2008.
Hyperion Books for Children.

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

On the farm where Julie lives there are cows and chickens, but no ponies. With her whole heart, Julie longs for a pony of her own. And she has a plan. Every summer on Chincoteague Island, there is an auction of ponies who have swum across the channel from Assateague, where ponies run free. If Julie works hard and saves her money all year, perhaps she can win the pony of her dreams--her very own Chincoteague pony.

Oh, I loved this story! I really wasn't at all familiar with the Chincoteague Pony Penning... but wow, this book tells not only that story, but also several true stories about a little girl wanting a pony of her own! Add to the true stories that the little girl learns the importance of giving back and helping other children's dreams come true and this is definitely, definitely worth sharing...

Arnosky, Jim.
Wild Ponies.
2002.
National Geographic Children's Books.
Guided Reading Level: K

Summary from Amazon:

Children join the noted naturalist-artist as he spends a day watching a splendid herd of wild ponies on Assateague Island off the mid-Atlantic coast. Youngsters see the ponies romping in the surf, heading for the dunes where they munch on sea grasses, and wading through the mudflats of the nearby bay. A young foal rests with its mother in the shade of a tree, then starts to play hide-and-seek with a baby deer. Jim Arnosky’s beautifully detailed paintings and lyrical text convey his love for these creatures and his sense of wonder at observing their free spirit up close.

This is an incredible depiction of the wild ponies of Assateague Island... or what I envision the ponies as! Arnosky left a note for readers at the back of the book and among the words he left,

I hope it makes you love the island and want to go there someday to see it all for yourself.

Well, the book definitely did that for me... I'm totally adding this location to my list of places to visit someday! I think kids will soak up the information provided about the ponies of Assateague... enough so that they'll be begging to read more related literature, many of which are listed below!

Other Related Literature:

• How to Convince Your Parents You Can Care For a Wild Chincoteague Pony
• Assateague: Island of Wild Ponies
• Wild Horses of the Dunes
• Out of the Sea: Today's Chincoteague Pony
• Misty of Chincoteague
• Stormy, Misty's Foal
• Seastar, Orphan of Chincoteague
• Misty's Twilight
• Once a Pony Time at Chincoteague

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.

National Rabbit Week

National Rabbit Week is celebrated from July 15-21 to pay tribute to the rabbit for being a great companion to humans as a house pet. Recognition should also be given to any rabbit that has done something special to help mankind (e.g. saved someone's life, visited patients at a hospital, etc). The public should be informed during this week on the proper care of rabbits and the problems with buying an "Easter" rabbit.
-The Teacher's Calendar, 2008-2009

Without further ado, here is some rabbit literature to share with the kiddos!

Arnosky, Jim.
Rabbits & Raindrops.
1997.
G.P. Putnam's Sons

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

It's the first day outside the nest for Mother rabbit's five babies, and all sorts of new creatures and adventures await them. But when a sudden rain shower sends the rabbits scurrying for shelter under the hedge, the other wild animals come to visit them! Jim Arnosky's graceful watercolors and simple text are sure to delight children experiencing nature's wonders for the first time.

This book would be most suitable for younger children, as the text and story line is simple... but a sweet bedtime or story time story it is! It shows just how protective and caring a mother is of her young! I would think this would make a nice gift for a new mom or baby!

Freedman, Claire.
Oops-a-Daisy!
2004.
Tiger Tales.

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

As little Daisy Rabbit struggles to learn how to hop, her mother points out other baby animals having trouble with their lessons until Daisy realizes that everyone needs practice when trying something new.

Oooh, this could quickly be added to my list possible favorite children's books! It's an adorable tale... and one that's likely to have a huge impact on children who are frustrated and fed up with having trouble doing something they so desperately want to succeed at! It definitely shows two phrases I'm sure we all know so well, "Practice makes perfect," and "If at first you don't succeed, try... try again." This is 100% worth sharing with children... of any age!

Dunbar, Joyce.
The Spring Rabbit.
1994.
Lothrop, Lee & Shepard.

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Smudge is the only rabbit in the woods without a brother or sister. His mother tells him to wait for spring, but that is a long way off. In the fall, Smudge builds a leaf-and-twig brother, but he blows away. He builds a snow sister in the winter, but she melts. Will Smudge's wish for a sibling ever come true?

This book would be wonderful to share with only children who are antsy and pestering parents about a baby brother or sister! It would also make for a great read in the spring, as we notice many different events occurring that typically happen in the springtime. It would even serve well as a bedtime story - I know I would have loved it as a child!

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.