Non-Fiction Monday: Pizza and Pasta

I think this will Pasta and Pizza theme will be a fun, different theme - something that everyone will likely appreciate! Have fun with it!

Rotner, Shelley and Julia Pemberton Hellums.
Hold the Anchovies!: A Book about Pizza.
1996.
Orchard Books.
Guided Reading Level: I
Review copy borrowed from local library.

Little ears will easily absorb all this information about pizza! The books walks children step-by-step through the process of making pizza... from collecting the grains to make the dough, to growing the tomatoes (for sauce) and peppers (for toppings) to the oven's roll in browning and crisping the final product!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• This book would make for a perfect sequencing activity if you're looking to check out your child(ren)'s comprehension skills but have trouble holding their interest with other books. A fun pizza sequencing activity can be downloaded here.
  

Thomson, Peggy.
Siggy's Spaghetti Works.
1993.
Tambourine Books.
Guided Reading Level: P
Review copy borrowed from local library.

This book is so chuck full of information about how to make pasta, readers will soon be begging you to try it out at home! The illustrations, walking readers through Siggy's Spaghetti factory seem almost life-like... you can almost imagine yourself touring the factory! Not only is the process of making pasta demonstrated, Siggy's Spaghetti Works goes into great detail about how the different pastas are formed (ABC's, macaronis, spaghetti, etc). Siggy shares how pasta is colored and flavored and also shares with readers information about how pasta first came to be!

I must warn you though, while this is an incredible story detailing the "life" of pasta, it is a lengthy read and will take some time. It might be best to read this to yourself first and figure out how to break it up over the course of two or three readings so kids don't lose interest! However, it's very worthwhile, especially to introduce this pasta and pizza theme!

Learning/Reading Activities:

• Purchase a cheap pasta maker and make an afternoon of it with the kids! Amazon.com has several different models for under $30, one of which can be purchased here!
• Family Fun has a very simple, homemade pasta recipe that doesn't even require the use of a pasta maker! The recipe can be found here.
• Here are two other recipes for making homemade pasta using a pasta machine - one using eggs and one not using eggs. Both look very simple!
  

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!

February *Black History Month* Giveaway

I had hoped to have this post up last weekend, but, as luck would have it, I was sick all weekend - so sick in fact, that I slept away the entire weekend! However, that left me somewhat mended and the rest of the week allowed me the chance to recover, so here's your February *Black History Month* Giveaway - better late than never!

Sanders, Nancy I.
D is for Drinking Gourd: An African American Alphabet.
September 2007.
Sleeping Bear Press.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Throughout the course of many years, African Americans have had a significant impact in history. From the Great Migration to the Harlem Renaissance to Kwanzaa and the Olympics, there isn't a topic untouched in this wonderful book that shares with the youngest (to the oldest) of readers important aspects of African American and their lives in history! The book is more than appropriate for readers of all ages, as the side notes provided extensive details about the "story" that allow readers to expand their knowledge as deemed appropriate for their ages. I'm so glad to be able to add this title to my history shelf!

Learning/Reading Activities:

• Since this is an alphabet story, there are 26 topics covered. During the month of February, Black History Month, explore one of these topics each day, reading the appropriate page from the story and then completing some additional activity that coincides with that topic. A list of possible activities can be downloaded here!
  

Raven, Margot Theis.
Let Them Play.
April 2005.
Sleeping Bear Press.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Telling the story of real 11 and 12- year old boys from Charleston, SC in 1955, readers take a step backwards in time to see just how unfairly African Americans were treated in the years of the Civil Rights Movement. This book will really hit home for children who are avid baseball fans, as they likely can't relate to the fact that African American children were being segregated on the ball field as well as in public schools. While their families bound together to do everything in their power, these children ultimately had to stand up for themselves upon actually arriving for the Little League World Series, in which they would not be allowed to play. However, they found triumph and support in the Northern states and won the hearts of many Americans while overcoming their struggle during that fateful summer.

What sealed the deal for me in this title (and almost made me cry) was the epilogue on the last page that shares with readers the pride that these same fourteen boys felt returning to Philadelphia forty-seven years later for the Little League World Series in 2002. This was a truly wonderful, inspiring story!

Learning/Reading Activities:

• Discuss with your child(ren) how they would feel if they were unable to participate in sporting events for different reasons.
  

Swain, Gwenyth.
Riding to Washington.
January 2008.
Sleeping Bear Press.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Young Janie hops aboard the bus with her father and sets off to Washington, D.C. She's not really sure why she's going, but she quickly learns as along the way she and other passengers (white and black) on the bus experience segregation first hand due to their race or their association with the African American race. Janie quickly learns to stand up for what she believes in and learns that she too, despite her young age, can make a difference in the lives of others, even just for showing them support!

This book is wonderfully written and seems to accurately portray the mixed feelings and confusion of children during the Civil Rights Movement. Being told through the eyes of a child enables children of similar ages to easily connect with Janie's feelings and to gain an understanding of such a difficult concept to grasp (especially in today's day and age).

Learning/Reading Activities:

• Sleeping Bear Press has provided a teacher's guide (free of charge) to use in collaboration with Riding to Washington. My personal favorite activity in the guide is "Beware of Prejudice," found on page 16. However, the entire guide can be downloaded here.

***Giveaway Details***

Sleeping Bear Press has generously offered up one copy of each of these three titles to one lucky blog reader. To be entered in the giveaway, simply follow the steps below!

1. Leave a comment on this post no later than 11:59pm EST on Saturday, February 20.
2. Give your favorite topic to learn about during Black History Month.
3. Make sure to leave an email address so I can contact you if you win!
   

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!

An Update...

I'm sure many of you have noticed my absence in the past week or so. I've recently started a new job as a head start teacher for 20 four-year olds! In the week I have been with the kids, I have learned much about all of them and have also received the stomach bug that they have been passing around... what a nice, welcoming gift for Miss Katie! Anyways, in trying to adjust to a new schedule and then recover from this bug, I have abandoned the blog. I have decided that the best way to handle this is fore-go my theme for this week, which was to be Pasta and Pizza and to hold off on that until next week. However, I will be finishing up last Thursday and Friday's Valentine's posts and will hopefully get around to posting details and reviews of the February giveaway package, so look forward to that in the days to come!

Happy Valentine's Day from Some of Our Favorite Characters!... Mouse and Fancy Nancy

A long-time and a new favorite character are featured here today - Mouse from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and Fancy Nancy from the Fancy Nancy series. I'm sure one of these titles will appeal to everyone and both would make great book ideas for Valentine's Day gifts for your little ones!

Numeroff, Laura.
Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse!
November 2009.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

I can remember when I was first introduced to Mouse as a children's book character, way back when I was in first grade. Apparently, Mouse has made quite a name for himself over the years, as the love for his character continues through to today, twenty-years later! This is the first time I've seen Mouse appear in a book in this style, but it's definitely a welcome addition to my Valentine shelf!

In this simple story, Mouse sets about his day determined to make the perfect, unique Valentine for each of his unique friends! In order to do so, Mouse takes notice of each of the qualities that makes his friends who they are! The board book format of Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse! is perfect for the youngest of children who can't wait to get their hands all over books! It's also perfect for beginning readers as the text is predictable and repetitive!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• The matching worksheet that can be downloaded here allows parents/teachers the opportunity to see just how much children are comprehending of what they are reading/being read, as children are being asked to match each of Mouse's friends to the Valentine he/she will be receiving. To extend on this activity, ask children to draw a Valentine that would be appropriate for Mouse on the back side of this paper!
  

O'Connor, Jane.
Fancy Nancy: Heart to Heart.
November 2009.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Fancy Nancy and her fancy lexicon (that's fancy for vocabulary) return in this Valentine holiday adventure! Readers are sure to take delight in Nancy's teachings as she spends the day with Bree (her good friend) creating Valentines for her classmates before returning home to find a magnifique Valentine hand crafted especially for her... from a secret admirer!

Little girls especially will love this book, and as I've said before, the entire series is a wonderful vocabulary builder for young children! Definitely a great gift idea this Valentine's Day!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Encourage your little one to expand his/her vocabulary by using a thesaurus or www.thesaurus.com to come up with alternative words for your typical Valentine's Day vocabulary! A suggested word list can be downloaded here!
  

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!

Award Winning Author's Valentine's Books

I had a hard time picking out Valentine's books for this week's posts... So, I opted to go with two older, notable, award-winning authors for today - Cynthia Rylant and Eve Bunting.

Rylant, Cynthia.
If You'll Be My Valentine.
2005.
HarperCollins Publishers.
Review copy borrowed from local library.

A little boy sets hard to work, creating valentines for those in his life who he wants to show his appreciation for. Each of the valentines is hand-crafted - a uniquely written poem designed for its intended receiver. For the dog, the little boy writes of giving treats, scratching the cat's ears, taking his little sister on a walk, etc. What's neat about these valentines (other than the fact that they are hand-crafted) is that they all allow the little boy to "give" without spending money - something definitely worthwhile of teaching kids today. Plus... the effort gone into a homemade card is worth far more than any gift!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• During times when money is tight, get your child a pack of crayons and some construction paper. Encourage him/her to create their own valentines for each family member/class mate, taking into consideration the likes of their "loved" ones. Provide your child(ren) with the basic poem to get started: If you'll be my valentine, I'll ___________________... encourage rhyming words where appropriate to follow the pattern found in the story.
  

Bunting, Eve.
The Valentine Bears.
1983.
Clarion Books.
Guided Reading Level: K
Review copy borrowed from local library.

Not your ordinary bears, Mrs. Bear decides to set the alarm to awaken five weeks early this year to celebrate Valentine's Day with her husband Mr. Bear for the first time ever. However, as Valentine's Day rolls around and Mrs. Bear makes sure she's prepared for her special date with Mr. Bear, she encounters just one problem... Mr. Bear won't wake up! She tries all sorts of things before retreating to the river for a can full of ice cold water. She returns to a surprise of her own, however! But, in the end it's all worth it, as the two celebrate the day with some of their favorites: chocolate covered ants and sweet, summer honey.

This isn't a book that I'd typically expect to be written by Eve Bunting. However, it's a very neat take on a Valentine's Day story and is definitely worth considering sharing!

Reading/Learning Activity:

• Discuss with children the reason that bears don't celebrate Valentine's Day.... They're hibernating! Discuss what it means to hibernate and why animals would do this. Then, research with your child other animals that hibernate. Learn all that you can about that animal and work together to create a Valentine's Day story that features that animal as the main character!
  

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!

Combining Valentine's Day and Black History Month

This isn't what you'd typically expect to read as a Valentine's Day story... however, it's definitely worth reading!

Bond, Katherine Grace.
The Legend of the Valentine.
2002.
Zonderkids.
Review copy borrowed from local library.

It's early in February and Marcus is just about half way through his first year as one of only a handful of African American children attending the local public school. While he seems to enjoy his new classroom, he's also dealing with much hatred from one classmate in particular. Added to his trouble fitting in as an African American is the fact that Marcus's father has recently been jailed for fighting for voting rights. After coming home from school one day when he's had enough, Grandma has an important message for Marcus, one that dates back years to when Valentine's Day was first recognized. The message is enough to convince Marcus to embrace his enemy, helping to make a change in his own classroom!

Combining historical aspects of Valentine's Day with an important lesson about the Civil Rights Movement (during Black History Month, no less), Katherine Grace Bond's story, The Legend of the Valentine, teaches children a lesson they'll likely take with them for years to come - Love your enemies. The story is detailed enough to make sure children have an understanding of both sides (Valentine's Day and the Civil Rights Movement), yet simple enough to keep the attention of children!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Chances are your child(ren) have someone in his/her class that he/she doesn't really get along with. This year, encourage your child(ren) to reach out to the "enemy" with a special valentine. Help your child(ren) create a special message that is appropriate to pass along and create the special valentine 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!

And the winner is...

Despite my busy day (first day at my new job - Head Start Teacher) and tutoring... I wanted to announce the winner of my first giveaway of 2010! The winner of Margaret Mahy's Bubble Trouble is...

Julie!

An e-mail has been sent your way Julie! Please respond with your mailing address by 2/5/10 or I'll have to select another winner!

Thanks for entering, everyone! Check back by this weekend, as I'm hoping to announce the February Giveaway package (yes, I said package - 3 books) by Sunday evening!



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!

Non-Fiction Monday: Let's Learn about Valentine's Day

Just one review for today! It's a perfect, simple story that will quickly familiarize young children with the idea of Valentine's Day!

Gibbons, Gail.
Valentine's Day is...
2006.
Holiday House.
Review copy borrowed from local library.

Gail Gibbons has once again produced a wonderful non-fiction holiday story that shares with readers all the things that make Valentine's Day what it is... Valentine's Day is:

• a celebration of friendship and love
• Saint Valentine
• poems
• hearts
• ribbons
• lace
• Cupid
• Valentine cards
• giving Valentines
  
• flowers and candy
• Valentine decorations
• Valentine parties
• treats and games
• a day of giving and saying
  

As you can see from the list of topics above, Gibbons basically touches on it all related to Valentine's Day. The simplicity of each description is what makes the book perfect for readers of all ages and will easily prepare your little one for the upcoming holiday!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Create a Valentine's Day is... Collage. Directions can be found here.
  

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!