Happy Birthday to Charlotte Zolotow

Happy Birthday to Charlotte Zolotow!!!

Zolotow, Charlotte.
If You Listen.
1980.
Harper & Row, Publishers.

A small girl, missing her father, questions her mother about how to know someone loves you when they're not there with you. Her mother tries to explain to her all the little things that take place in the day that make you realize that even though someone isn't present, they're watching over you in other ways.

"Or," her mother went on, "it's like
staring at the mountains
on a hot summer day and nothing is moving, not a leaf or a bird or a blade of grass,
when suddenly a flash of lightening
streaks across the sky
and you hear the thunder behind it
coming close.

I think this book would be perfect for children who have family members who they don't see frequently enough - parents who are deployed in the military, or parents whose work takes them away from their children for extended periods of time. Despite it's near 30 year in print, this book could act as if it were published for the first time today, ensuring that it will be appropriate to share with children for years to come without fear of being outdated!

Zolotow, Charlotte.
The Seashore Book.
1992.
HarperCollins Publishers.
Guided Reading Level: O

A little boy who has never been to the seashore spends a day with his mother visualizing the sights that they'd see, the sounds that they'd hear if there were truly on the beach. The book is soooo good for visualization that you almost couldn't tell that the two were not at the beach!

This book would be perfect for teaching children the technique of visualization to be used for reading comprehension. It would also work as a summertime read-aloud!

Visualization and Reading Comprehension:

• Visualization (A Reading Comprehension Strategy)
• Visualization: Making Mind Pictures
• Guided Comprehension: Visualizing Using the Sketch-to-Stretch Strategy
• Mental Images
  

Other Books to Teach Visualization:

• Fireflies, Julie Brinkloe
• All the Places to Love, Patricia MacLachlan

Zolotow, Charlotte.
William's Doll.
1972.
Harper Trophy.
Guided Reading Level: L

All William really wants is a doll, but to his family, that's not something a boy should be in possession of. His brother tells him not to be creepy. His dad races out to the nearest toy store and bring home a basketball and net. William proves that he can play basketball. He even succumbs to playing with the train set his father bought. However, he's just not content without a doll. Grandma to the rescue!

But his father was upset.
"He's a boy!" he said
to William's grandmother.
"He has a basketball
and an electric train
and a workbench
to build things with.
Why does he need a doll?"
William's grandmother smiled.
"He needs it," she said,
"to hug
and to cradle
and to take to the park
so that
when he's a father
like you,
he'll know how to
take care of his baby
and feed him
and love him
and bring him
the things he wants,
like a doll
so that he can
practice being
a father."

I personally think a sweet message is being passed on to boys - that it's okay to enjoy playing with dolls. After all, Grandma's got a point! William has to learn from someone... and a doll allows the practice so that later on in life, William will be a perfect father!

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities:

• Using Literature to Teach Tolerance
• William's Doll Revisited

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.

Literacy Workstation #2/Integrated Thematic Unit - Eric Carle

Eric Carle is an amazing author and illustrator! Today is his birthday, and I've spent the last two days working tirelessly on creating a one to two week integrated thematic unit author study on Carle. I really hope you all enjoy it... the time and effort spent on this should be enough of a review for you all! The books are wonderful! Love them!

There are 8 books that are specifically used/referred to throughout the unit... however, I would include as many titles as possible in a classroom library for the duration of the unit! The planning sheet that I used is adapted from Kristen at Kristen's Kindergarten, although many of the stations have been modified/changed. Enjoy and I'd love to hear what you think of the activities!

Download Links for the Eric Carle Integrated Thematic Unit:

• Integrated Curriculum - Eric Carle Planning Sheet
• Eric Carle Writer's Workshop
• Eric Carle Adjectives Worksheet
• Butterfly Life Cycle Craft
  

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.

Fairy Day

The official holiday for fairy collectors, believers, artisans and the young at heart. Celebrated around the world by those who love all things fairy. Join in on the magic with these three wonderful books!

Kane, Tracy.
Fairy Houses.
2001.
Light Beams Publishing.

Young Kristen is off to visit the coast of Maine for a week. Her parents promise there's a surprise to be had and Kristen's eager to go along! She even begins to guess what the surprise might be...

"Is it the lighthouse?"

"Those silly sandpipers on the beach?"

"The seals?"

"Our cottage?"

However, it's not until much later when they when the family goes for a walk in the woods that Kristen stumbles upon a sign that reads,

You may build
houses small
and hidden for
the fairies,
but please do
not use living
or artificial
materials.

The surprise awaiting Kristen is the opportunity to build fairy houses and even spot the fairies!She quickly sets to work, gathering materials to construct a fairy house of her own but is quickly disappointed when the vacation has nearly passed and she has yet to see a fairy. However, on the last day, just before she leaves for home, sure enough, the fairies slowly begin to appear!

The message is clear from this book - the key to building a fairy house is to use natural materials that are found within the forest... however, one should not take living materials for use in the fairy houses.Of all the houses here, the animals have chosen yours to visit. You have treated the woods with care and respect.Children, girls especially will love this story! It even comes with several pages full of tips about building your own fairy house! You can also check out some similar books by this same author as well as a video, all linked below.

Also by Tracy Kane:

• Fairy Houses... Everywhere
• Kristen's Fairy House (DVD
• Fairy Houses and Beyond!
• Fairy Flight
• Fairy Boat
• Forest Secrets: A Fairy Houses Mystery

Barker, Cicely Mary.
How to Find Flower Fairies.
2007.
Penguin Young Readers Group.

This book is absolutely beautiful! It's a pop-up book that shows children where to look if they're trying to locate flower fairies... the pop-up illustrations are such that you actually feel as though you're in the forest! It's amazing, and if you have a daughter who loves the concept of fairies, you must get this from the library or splurge and buy it for her!!!

Cicey Mary Barker has a bunch of other fairy-related books as well:

• The Complete Book of Flower Fairies
• Flower Fairies of the Summer
• Flower Fairies of the Spring
• Flower Fairies of the Autumn
• Flower Fairies of the Winter
  
• Flower Fairies Magical Doors
• The Complete Flower Fairies Collection
• Flower Fairies of the Garden
• A Deluxe Book of Flower Fairies
• Flower Fairies Alphabet Coloring Book
• Flower Fairies Paper Dolls
• Return to Fairyopolis
• Fairyopolis: A Flower Fairies Journal
• AND... More by Cicely Mary Barker
  
• Flower Fairies Postcard Book
  

Shannon, David.
Alice the Fairy.
2004.
Blue Sky Press.

It's getting late, and I've lost my steam... so this is quoted from the book jacket!

Alice the Fairy uses her magic wand to change frogs into princes and things like that. She can also make leaves fall from trees and turn oatmeal into cake. Sometimes she can even disappear! Being a fairy is very useful - even if your spells don't always come out right. But best of all, you get to use your imagination! And what could be more fun?

This book is perfect for children today, especially those in a classroom! More and more I've been noticing that children seem to be lacking creativity and the ability to imagine things. I guess as a teacher, we have to teach them how to use their imagination... put them into situations that force them to be creative and use their minds! This book would definitely be appropriate for doing that!

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities:

• Alice the Fairy Acrostic Poem
• Teaching the Trait of Voice Using Alice the Fairy
• Extension Activities for Alice the Fairy

Other Fairy Activities for Kids:

• Build Your Own Fairy Houses
• Fairy Dust Necklaces
• Create Fairy Furniture
• Ivonne and Natalie's Fairy Village
• Fairy Craft Activities
• Flower Friends
• Petal Portraits
• Fairy Chair

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.

Visiting Author - Welcome to Toni Buzzeo!

I was approached (technologically speaking!) by Emilie Bandy, Associate Online Marketing Manager for Penguin Young Readers Group about hosting the second stop of a Blog Tour for Toni Buzzeo. Eagerly, I accepted. It's an honor to be approached as a blog host!

The first part of this second stop features a review (by me) of just one of Toni's many books, Dawdle Duckling. The second part is complements of Toni, herself, and focuses on how nature inspires Toni's writing, paying special attention to the titles with animals - specifically, Dawdle Duckling, Ready or Not Dawdle Duckling, The Sea Chest, and Little Loon and Papa. Toni also shares how her writing of children's books would have been different had she stayed in Detroit (her childhood home), rather than experiencing what she has living in Maine. Enjoy!

Buzzeo, Toni.
Dawdle Duckling.
2003.
Dial Books for Young Readers.

This was my first experience reading a book written by Toni Buzzeo. I was definitely impressed and will certainly be picking up more of her books in the future!

The tale of these four baby ducklings and their mother is perfect to share with the adventurous child, perhaps even a mischievous one! Mama duck, decked out in her straw hat with purple tie takes her baby ducklings out for a paddle in the bay. Three of the ducklings behave perfectly and following along with her. A fourth, more mischievous one, doesn't follow along quite as quickly, choosing rather to participate in more interesting activities!

but the fourth little duckling
dawdles and dreams,
preens and plays,
splashes and spins,
dunks and dips,
looks -

Pretty soon, Mother spots danger just beyond the cattails

"Quaaaaack!
Look out!"

Three of her babies quickly scurry to her side and jump on her back, but the fourth little duckling is too busy exploring... until he hears

"Quack! Quack! Quack!"

That's all he needs to hear, before leaping aboard his Mama's back with his siblings! At last, they're safe from danger, all together!

Perhaps young children will learn from this that it's best to listen to their Mama, for she is aware of her surroundings and wants what is best for her children! This would definitely make for a great bedtime story or read-aloud!

Toni Buzzeo's Other Books for Children:

• Ready or Not, Dawdle Duckling
• The Sea Chest
• Little Loon and Papa
• Our Librarian Won't Tell Us ANYTHING: A Mrs. Skorupski Story
  
• Fire Up with Reading: A Mrs. Skorupski Story
  
• R is for Research
• The Library Doors
• Adventure Annie Goes to Work
• The Great Dewey Hunt: A Mrs. Skorupski Story

Professional Books by Toni Buzzeo:

• The Collaboration Handbook
• Collaborating to Meet Literacy Standards: Teacher/Librarian Partnerships K-2
• Collaborating to Meet Standards: Teacher/Librarian Partnerships K-6
• Collaborating to Meet Standards: Teacher/Librarian Partnerships 7-12
• Read! Perform! Learn!:10 Reader's Theater Programs for Literacy Enhancement
• Read! Perform! Learn! 2: 10 Reader's Theater Programs for Literacy Enhancement
  
• Toni Buzzeo and YOU!
• Terrific Connections with Authors, Illustrators and Storytellers: Real Space and Virtual Links
• 35 Best Books for Teaching U.S. Regions
  

And now, thanks to Toni for sharing the wealth of information below!

I am lucky enough to have at least two close writing friends --- and one husband -- who have, as Howard Gardener names it, "naturalist intelligence." They are passionate about the natural world, prefer to explore it and learn about it above any other activities, and, in the case of my two writing friends are deeply connect to animals.

While I love the natural world, especially the thirty-three acres of white pine forest and two-cleared acres of lawns, orchard, and gardens surrounding my Colonial farmhouse here in Maine, I probably don't qualify as a naturalist. No matter! Nature was one of the siren calls that first drew me to Main, and ever since, I have collected images and experiences that creep into my stories and fill them with the natural world that surrounds me.

It's no wonder, actually. I grew up surrounded by concrete in metropolitan Detroit. Other than the tiny woods two blocks down and three streets over from my small, gray brick house, my experience of nature was limited to the elms lining the curbs of our paved streets and the small grass-covered backyards separated by chain link fences. Maine, in contrast, is a nature wonderland - with its majestic mountains and crashing ocean -- and provides me so many experiences upon which to base my stories.

For example, Dawdle Duckling, the frustratingly imaginative little quacker featured in Dawdle Duckling and Ready or Not, Dawdle Duckling, is based on a born-and-raised Maine mallard duckling my brother-in-law Mike saw swimming along the Atlantic shores of Phippsburg, Maine. Mike, an Arizonan, snuck out early one morning at Rock Gardens Inn to capture some Main photos. Snapping away, Mike was particularly charmed by a mother Mallard he spotted swimming along the shore with a line of little ducklings paddling right behind her. Next, he heard Mama quacking in alarm and captured photos of all her little ducklings jumping up on her back and riding away in safety. All but her littlest duckling, that is. Mike says that the littlest duckling paid no attention at all. Instead, he dawdled and dreamed, preened and played, splashed and spun, dunked and dipped before he finally looked and LEAPED on board Mama's back.

What children's author could have failed to see the picture book waiting to be written in that story?

Of course, any close reader of Dawdle Duckling as it was published will quickly realize that Mama and her babies have been transported from Maine in the pages of this book. Not only does the genteel Mama Duck don a straw sunhat tied beneath her chin with a purple chiffon scarf and the ducklings sport straw boaters, but that's a CROCODILE threatening in the water nearby. It's great fun to talk to students in more northerly states about whether the story, as it is illustrated by Margaret Spengler, could actually take place in Maine. In this case, my text was less than specific about the threatening animal and so the actual setting is revealed in the illustrations - somewhere in the swampy southeastern United States. That makes it a wonderful opportunity to teach visual literacy and inference to even the youngest readers.

We also talk about that original story as it unfolded on the Maine shore. What could have frightened that Mama duck and caused her to quack in alarm? Was it a fox on the shore? Was it a snapping turtle in the water? Or was it a heron standing nearby in the reeds?

The ducklings in the Dawdle stories; the loons, bears, moose, and beaver in Little Loon and Papa, and the settings of my two lighthouse picture books, The Sea Chest and the forthcoming A Lighthouse Christmas (Dial 2010), all grew from my love of the beautiful natural world that surrounds me here in Maine.

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.

Gay and Lesbian Pride Month

Gay and Lesbian Pride Month is observed this month, June 1-30 because on June 28, 1969, the clientele of a gay bar at New York, NY, rioted after the club was raided by the police. President Clinton issued a presidential proclamation for this month in 1999 and 2000.

I know this is a tender topic among many, but I decided to take the leap and feature children's books that make the topic a feature. As more and more states are legalizing same-sex marriages and/or legalizing benefits to same-sex couples, we need to recognize that there are children in the United States that are living with same-sex parents.

If not for your own piece of mind, take into consideration the children growing up in these diverse families... don't they deserve the same respect and understanding as your own? I'm sure that you also agree that your children should be respectful of those who come from different backgrounds than their own, and the only way they can be respectful and appreciative of differences is to expose them to the differences. This is just one way that children can be familiarized with these unique families.

Only two of the books I had ordered for this post came in... I was disappointed with one, Uncle Bobby's Wedding and so, decided to just do a review of And Tango Makes Three. I whole-heartedly love this book and have even ordered a copy of it for myself!

Richardson, Justin and Peter Parnell.
And Tango Makes Three.
2005.
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Guided Reading Level: Q

Based on a true story about two male penguins in the Central Park Zoo, And Tango Makes Three is a very sweet story that shows children that it is okay to be accepting of diversity and situations different from your own. That central theme, coupled with the all of the recent legislation regarding same-sex marriages and civil unions, which are making these new family dynamics a reality in many districts, this is definitely a book to include in a classroom library!

We follow different families at the zoo - monkey families, red panda bear families, toad families, toucan families and cotton-top tamarind families and even penguin families. However, one penguin family at the zoo is different than the other families... at an age when the boy penguins typically started to show an interest in the girl penguins, Roy and Silo stand out from the other penguins. Instead of liking girls, these two boy penguins begin showing an interest in each other. We watch as their relationship develops (in child-friendly ways, of course) and as they eventually are able to start a family of their own. Children will be shown to be accepting of these differing families by the positive way in which the public reacts as they stream into the zoo to visit baby Tango and her two daddies, Roy and Silo.

I will definitely share this book with my own children someday. I have a brother who is gay and I want my future children to be very accepting of this way of life, rather than looking at it as a negative way of life. In using the book in a classroom, I'd have to take a slightly different approach. Sadly, not all parents would be open to their children listening to a story that features this topic. The book could not solely be used as a read-aloud in a classroom unless perhaps a gay or lesbian couple had a child in the class and wanted the classmates to understand and accept their child. The book would also fit into a unit on families.

What I enjoyed the most about this book was that it showed that gay penguins were no different from the other penguins in their zoo pen. It's definitely worthy of a spot on the bookshelf, awaiting the perfect teachable moment!

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities:

• And Tango Makes Three Lesson Plan - Scholastic
• And Tango Makes Three Educator's Guide

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 Rose Month

National Rose Month takes place from June 1-30 to recognize American-grown roses, our national floral emblem. America's favorite flower is grown in all 50 states, and more than 1.2 billion fresh cut roses are sold retail each year.
-The Teacher's Calendar, 2008-2009

Brisson, Pat.
Wanda's Roses.
1994.
Boyds Mill Press.

Wanda is one little girl who makes a big difference in her community! She takes matters into her own hand to do her part to clean up an abandoned city lot after finding what she believes to be a rosebush hidden beneath the loads of garbage. Wanda works to no end to clean up the lot where she has discovered the rosebush - hauling trash to the curb to give the rosebush fresh air and more sun that will help the rosebush bloom. She even waters the rosebush every day after school to be sure it has enough water.

However, the rosebush never truly blooms, but Wanda doesn't let this bring down her spirits. Instead, she invites all of the neighbors who helped her to clean up the lot for tea and muffins.

Please come
For Tea and Muffins
In Wanda's
Rose Garden
Saturday
Morning
at 9

The neighbors, worrying that Wanda will be disappointed if the roses haven't bloomed, brain-storm together and come up with a plan that goes alongside Wanda's to benefit the entire community. Saturday morning, they each arrive with a rosebush in hand to contribute to Wanda's Rose Garden, which has miraculously bloomed (with paper roses Wanda has made and tied to the rosebush with ribbons)!

This book would be perfect to get children thinking about what they can do to make their community a better place... it might also serve as a perfect introduction to a school-wide courtyard that the students would be in charge of maintaining!

Lesson Plan/Reading Activity

• Garden for Life
• Make tissue paper flowers with your kids! (How-To Video)
• American Community Gardening Association
• Community Service: Kids Projects and Outreach Ideas
  

Johnson, Angela.
A Sweet Smell of Roses.
2005.
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

A young girl and her even younger sister, Minnie, get caught up in all the action surrounding Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movements. They're so interested they slip out of the family house while Mama's still sleeping to participate in one of the marches that's happening in their community.

Throughout the story, the roses are a central symbol of one freedom that isn't withheld from the African-American population - "a sweet smell of roses." Minnie and her older sister smell this sweet smell as they sneak out of the house, as well as when they return home again, while they wait for Dr. King to speak, as they march past people who are screaming, shouting and saying,

"You are not right.
Equality can't be yours."

I think this book would be perfect for teaching children about the Civil Rights Movement. It also would be perfect when trying to show children about the concept of symbolism, as the smell of roses symbolizes freedom.

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities:

• A Craft Table for A Sweet Smell of Roses
• A Sweet Smell of Roses Guide
  
• Resources for Teaching African American History
  

Lobel, Arnold.
The Rose in My Garden.
1984.
Greenwillow Books.
Guided Reading Level: M

This book, using a technique known as cumulative sentence,which is perfect for helping early readers predict what will happen next. The technique itself involves the story building on a pattern. It starts with one person, place, thing or event - in this case a rose in the garden. On each page, a new object is added to the garden but each previous item is repeated.

This is the rose in my garden.

This is the bee
That sleeps on the rose in my garden.

These are the hollyhocks high above ground,
That gives shade to the bee
That sleeps on the rose in my garden.

These are the marigolds orange and round,
That stand by the hollyhocks high above ground,
That give shade to the bee
That sleeps on the rose in my garden...

The story continues on, following along this same format throughout the entire length. I really enjoyed the story and it turns out kind of funny, as the bee causes a bit of mischief in the end. Definitely worth sharing! I've even turned the book in a listening activity for children... you can check that download out below

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities:

• Pattern Books
• Predictable Books - Cumulative Sentence
• The Rose in My Garden - Art Project and Listening Activity
  

Winter, Jeanette.
September Roses.
2004.
Farrar Straus Giroux.

This book is a wonderful tribute to 9/11. Jeanette Winter captures one moment of those days following the terrorist attacks that impacted so much of America. Two women, commercial rose growers from South Africa, become stranded on September 11, as the Agriflowers & Floritech Expo USA they were planning to attend in New York is called off due to the terrorist attacks. This story portrays a true event of just one of the memorials that was set up following the attacks against the World Trade Center towers. Rather than letting the roses go to waste, the two women arrange them in two rectangle in Union Square to symbolize the two World Trade Center Towers that were destroyed.

The book is incredible because it not only deals with a very tender subject in U.S. history, but it does so in a way that shows the positive and the good in people at a time when our nation felt so uneasy and untrusting. Definitely worth sharing... and if not as a part of National Rose Month, then definitely keep this title in mind come September!

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.

Non-Fiction Monday: President Obama

I've had these hanging around for a while now waiting for a review, but never had the time that I wanted to create a learning activity to go along with at least one of them. Well, this weekend, I made time during my super-rainy Saturday, so here goes...

Brill, Marlene Targ.
Barack Obama: President for a New Era.
2009.
Lerner Publications Company.

I really enjoyed reading this biography of President Obama! I'm not typically one to pick up a biography, but this one has appealed to me from the start, maybe because I never really followed Obama very much and knew very little about him or his life. I think children would be interested in this book as well, based on the huge interest I saw from children towards Obama in the months leading up the the election and immediately after his election to Presidency.

The book introduces readers to virtually all aspects of President Obama's life - his family, his childhood years spent in Indonesia, his school years, college, his beginning work in the public service sector, his "second" family in Kenya, his time in public office and eventually his election as President. Having been broken into sections, the book is very easy to read and allows readers to see exactly the orders of the events that led to Barack Obama being elected President of the United States.

This book is perfect for the upper-elementary (I'd say 4th grade and up) or middle school classroom. The text itself is quite simple and easy to understand, but due to it's length and non-fiction writing, I think that it would take older children to read and understand this book.

Lesson Plan/Reading Activities:

During my student teaching experience in a 4th grade classroom, I worked alongside my cooperating teacher to implement learning contracts with the students. We implemented these because of the students lack of responsibility in turning in morning work. The learning contracts held students responsible for their daily/weekly assignments in two ways:

1. In order to participate in recess, students had to have completed each day's morning work assignments, consisting of a Math POD (problem of the day), a DOL (daily oral language), and a measurement activity.
   
2. In addition to daily morning work, students had to complete 3 of 5 activities of choice by lunchtime on Fridays. These activities included math, spelling, science/social studies, ELA/reading, and a miscellaneous category. These were meant to be completed during any free-time the students had throughout the course of the day (after morning work, during snack, during lunch, if they finished another assignment before the rest of the class, etc.).
   

Each activity was given points on a scale of 1-3, depending on the work produced. At the end of the week, students received "Dollars for Scholars," which they could bank from week to week and use to purchase "Tools for School," from the class store (pencils, pens, erasers, a snack, a ruler, etc.).

The activities for the learning contracts switched off every two weeks and each "station" had 2-3 activities that could be completed. All of the activities were in some way related to the 4th grade curriculum. Students really enjoyed the concept, as they were being held accountable for their school work, while at the same time having a little bit of freedom regarding what they were learning!

The activity that I created to go along with Barack Obama: President for a New Era is one that could be included in the social studies/science station. The activity packet can be downloaded here.

Ignatius, Adi.
President Obama: The Path to the White House.
2008.
Time Inc., Home Entertainment.

This is another incredible Barack Obama biography! However, this one is for either the teacher or the parents - it falls a bit above the level of reading for children... at least of the age I focus on!

My favorite part of the book is the photographs, but then again I love looking at photographs. Bits and pieces of the book would be appropriate for children and they'd probably enjoy the photos too!

This book has definitely found a home on the coffee table at my house!

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.

Weekly Blog Plan, June 22-26

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-t0-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, June 22 - National Rose Month

• Wanda's Roses, Pat Brisson
• A Sweet Smell of Roses, Angela Johnson
• The Rose in My Garden, Arnold Lobel
• September Roses, Jeanette Winter
  

Tuesday, June 23 - Gay and Lesbian Pride Month

• Uncle Bobby's Wedding, Sarah S. Brannen
• Molly's Family, Nancy Garden
• And Tango Makes Three, Peter Parnell
  

Wednesday, June 24 - Fairy Day

• Alice the Fairy, David Shannon
• Fairy Houses, Tracy Kane
• How to Find Flower Fairies, Cicely Mary Barker
  

Thursday, June 25 - Eric Carle's Birthday

• The Very Lonely Firefly
• The Very Quiet Cricket
• The Very Busy Spider
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar
  

Friday, June 26 - Charlotte Zolotow's Birthday

• William's Doll
• The Storm Book
• Sheashore Book
• If You Listen
  

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.