No Homework Day!

Okay, so here's the bad news... I screwed up and didn't quite finish my homework!!! :) I made the list of books to order, but somehow managed to forget to actually order them! So, no reviews today, since I obviously haven't read them! So I've compiled a list of books... feel free to click the images to read the summaries or even just to order or browse!

Ages 4-8















Ages 8-12








Ages 12+








For the Adults (Parents and Teachers)

And now, here's where my readers come in! If you (or the kids) have read any great books about homework, or no homework as the case may be, please feel free to comment and give your reviews!

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.

Leo Lionni's Birthday

Happy Birthday, Leo Lionni!

I've read quite a few Leo Lionni books in my time and have several more on my bookshelf. However, I decided not to review any of those, but rather choose ones I haven't read, let alone heard of! The books are not only great for read-alouds, but also work perfectly for a variety of learning activities. Check out the Leo Lionni Teacher Packet!

Lionni, Leo.
Pezzettino.
1975.
Pantheon.

Pezzettino, meaning "little piece" in Italian, is just that - a little piece who wonders who he belongs to, as all of his friends are much bigger and more colorful. Pezzettino goes around asking "Am I your little piece?" Over and over again, he receives a simlar answer. "How could I... if I had a missing piece?" Pezzettino is saddened at receiving this news over and over again, feeling unneeded. However, one day, after visiting Wise-one, Pezzettino realizes that he, too, is made up of little pieces, all of which make him complete and perfect the way he is!

This is a wonderful story. I think it would be great to use if you have a little one who is feeling they don't belong. Apparently, it's also the perfect book to use when teaching children about area, as the following lesson plans show! Now that I think about it, I definitely have to agree and you'll understand why by simply looking at the illustrations!

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities:

• Finding Area, Pezzettino
• Exploring Area
• What's Inside? Understanding Area
  

Lionni, Leo.
Tico and the Golden Wings.
1992 (1964).
Alfred A. Knopf.
Guided Reading Level: L

This book definitely reinforces and expresses the lessons to be learned from Leo Lionni's work! The lesson to be learned from Tico and the Golden Wings is that you can't judge a book by its cover! And by this, I mean, you can't judge a person (or a bird) by what you see on the outside, but rather by what they have to offer on the inside!

Tico was born without wings. His friends make up for the absence of his wings by helping him in any way they can - bringing him food so he doesn't go hungry! One night, a wishingbird agrees to grant Tico one wish. He wishes for a pair of golden wings. With his new wings, Tico sets out flying - above the trees, the river, the meadows. His friends quickly turn angry as they believe that Tico now thinks he is better than they are. However, Tico doesn't feel this way at all. In fact, he can't understand why his friends are angry with him all of a sudden. Tico, during his flights with his new wings comes across many people who are more in need of his golden wings than he is, and offers them each one of the golden feathers. Pretty soon, the plucking of the golden features leaves Tico with only black wings - ones that his friends are more accepting of. Once his friends realize that Tico isn't flaunting his new wings, they accept him back into their flock... but Tico realizes the truth - even though they may all look alike now, deep down, they are all different and all special in their own ways!

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities

• Wishingbird and A Wish for You

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 Hamburger Month

Sponsored by White Castle, the original fast-food hamburger chain, fouinded in 1921, to pay tribute to one of America's favorite foods. With or without condiments, on or off a bun or bread, hamburgers have grown in popularity since the early 1920's and are now an American meal mainstay.

Aylesworth, Jim.
The Burger and the Hot Dog.
2001.
Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Guided Reading Level: N

If you have kids who are hesitant to read or even participate in poetry activities, this is definitely the book for you! I didn't realize it when I ordered it from the library, but this is a poetry book about what else, but food! Kids are sure to love it... I even loved it and I'm not a huge poetry fan myself! I've decided to share with you one poem from the book, The Burger and the Hot Dog. If you love it and want to share it with kids, simply click the book jacket provided and you'll head right to Amazon!

A burger and a hot dog
One day had a nasty spat.
The burger got insulted
'Cause the hot dog called him flat.

THe burger started crying;
His feelings were all hurt.
So he ran and shoved the hot dog,
Who fell facedown in the dirt.

THe hot dog, too, got angry,
And he started talking tough.
Soon both of them were yelling,
And they started throwing stuff.

The soda, who was watching,
Said, "You're both the guilty ones,
And if you do not stop it,
I will kick you in the buns!"

Yee, Wong Herbert.
Hamburger Heaven.
1999.
Houghton Mifflin Company.
Guided Reading Level: K

Pinky the Pig is working at Hamburger Heaven to try and earn some money for a new clarinet. But, since business is lacking, Pinky's last day looms nearer. She's determined to draw more customers to Hamburger Heaven so that she doesn't lose her job. In doing so, she questions everyone she can think of about their favorite burger and at last creates a new menu for Hamburger Heaven. The menu is distributed for a full week and then on Friday night, with customers lined down the street, Pinky presents the menu to Chef Rhino, who, upon seeing the line, sends her packing... for all the new ingredients they'll need to prepare the new burgers!

Porcupine's burger is served on pine needles.
Possum's order comes crawling with beetles.
Mole's is prepared with worms lightly fried.
Aardvark's burger has termites inside.
Burger on acorn; slurp up some slugs;
Burger Deluxe has three kinds of bugs.

Hedgehog loves her Snailburger Supreme.
Skunk thinks the Stinkbug Burger's a dream.
Fro's Cricketburger comes out a-chirping.
"B-R-RAAP!" goes Beaver. "Pardon my burping."

Burger on pine cones, frosted with ants;
Burger cocooned in tropical plants.
Customers leave with crumbs on their faces.
Others scurry to fill empty places.

By six 0'clock most have eaten their fill.
A line quickly forms for paying the bill.

"Chef, your burgers are totally awesome!"
Declare Porcupine, Beaver and Possum.

Kids are sure to find this book "totally awesome"!

Durant, Alan.
Burger Boy.
2005.
Clarion Books.

Do you have a picky eater at home? Have you ever had to threaten a child with, "You'll turn into a ... one day" because they will only eat the same thing, day in and day out? If so (0r even if you're just looking for a chuckle or a book to share during National Hamburger Month), this is definitely one to pick up! You might just convince the kids that they need to branch out and try some other foods!

Benny loves hamburgers. In fact, he not only loves hamburgers, he hates the majority of all other foods. His mom continually warns him,

If you don't watch out, you'll turn into a burger one day.

Benny doesn't believe his mother though, and continues to chow down the hamburgers... and sure enough, one day after lunch at Bigga Burgers, Benny slowly transforms into a burger! That's only the beginning of the adventure though! A whole slew of creatures chase Benny down before he eventually winds up on display at Bigga Burgers. When his mother finally meets up with him, she insists he eat fruit and vegetables. After some time, his body returns to its boyish, pre-burger figure and Benny swears,

I'll never eat another burger.

Now, for the good news!!! In honor of National Hamburger Month, I have a copy of Hamburger Heaven, by Wong Herbert Yee to pass along to one lucky reader! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post... share with me:

1) What is your favorite place to pick up a burger?,
2) What is the special "name" of your burger (ex: Barge Burger - half pound burger cooked your way, served with Swiss cheese and sauteed mushrooms) and a description of it (if there is one, if not skip to requirement 3!) and
3) how do you top off your burger (ex: ketchup, mustard, bacon, avocado, ranch dressing, etc.)?

You have until midnight EST on May 15th to enter the drawing. Make sure you leave your name and an email address so I am able to contact you!

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, May 4-8

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 wante 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, May 4th - National Hamburger Month

• Burger Boy, Alan Durant
• Hamburger Heaven, Wong Herbert Yee
• The Burger and the Hot Dog, Jim Aylesworth

Tuesday, May 5th - Leo Lionni's Birthday

• Theodore and the Talking Mushroom
• Tico and the Golden Wing
• Nicolas, Where Have You Been?
• Pezzettino

Wednesday, May 6th - No Homework Day

• Berenstain Bears and the Homework Hassle, Stan and Jan Berenstain
• Jingle Bells, Homework Smells, Diane deGroat

Thursday, May 7th - National Bike Month

• The Bicycle Man, Allen Say
• Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen, Cari Best
• My Rows and Piles of Coins, Tololwa M. Mollel

Friday, May 8th - Mother's Day (Sunday, May 10th)

• My Mom, Anthony Browne
• Someday, Alison McGhee
• If I Could: A Mother's Promise, Susan Milord

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.

New Winner... What Can You Do with an Old Red Shoe?

I have a new winner for the What Can You Do with an Old Red Shoe? giveaway. Llhen never replied, so Infant Bibliophile is the newest winner. Email me your snail mail address ASAP, I need it by Tuesday or I'll have to choose another winner!

May Day!

May Day is a celebration of spring... and surprisingly, there are very few books relating to this, loosely deemed holiday. I was only able to come up with three, and one of them is from 40 years ago! There are several customs related to May Day (details of these customs can be found here)...

1. Flowers and Garland Making
2. Maypole Dance
3. May Queen
4. Morris Dance
5. Face Washing in May Dew
   

Foster, Mariana.
Miss Flora McFlimsey's May Day.
1969.
Lathrop, Lee & Shephard Co.

While this book does have a focus on Miss Flora McFlimsey's May Day, I think children will have a hard time sitting still for this one (unless you can find a newer, more updated version than I was able to get my hands on)! This version lacked colored illustrations (which helps keep children interested). It's also a very small book, so the illustrations that are there will be difficult for groups of children to see.

The May Day customs mentioned to some extent in this book are the May Queen, May Flowers/Garlands. I think the book does a great job of showing the holiday for what it is - a celebration of Spring, involving not only a little girl who's enjoying spring but also many "spring" animals!

Mora, Pat.
The Rainbow Tulip.
1999.
Penguin Group (USA).
Guided Reading Level: M

Love this one! Not only is it a perfect read for May Day, but it would also perfectly complement the diversity aspect of character education. The focal points relating to May Day in this book are the spring flowers (Tulips) and the Maypole Dance.

Stella is a little girl of Mexican heritage living in the United States. While she embraces her culture, at the same time she doesn't enjoy being different from the other kids at school. As Stella participates in the school's May Day Parade (dressed as the only rainbow tulip), she learns a valuable lesson that being different has its benefits as well as fitting in with the crowd!

Silverman, Erica.
On the Morn of Mayfest.
1998.
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

This cumulative rhyming text focuses on the May Queen. The self-proclaimed Queen of May sets off on a sleep walk that winds up resulting in a great adventure before she truly is crowned as Queen of May Day with a flower garland.

Kids are sure to love the growing rhyme and activity that ensues... not only will they be 100% focused on the story, they're bound to learn a great deal about May Day as well!

May Day Fun:

• May Day Themes
• May Day Crafts
• May Day Coloring Pages Resource
  

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 Card and Letter Writing Month

It's National Card and Letter Writing Month and believe it or not, there are some great books out there that are written in letter format! I've chosen two older ones that are somewhat well-known and one that's brand new (in paperback edition) and will be released sometime in May!

Stewart, Sarah.
The Gardener.
1997.
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Inc.
Guided Reading Level: L

As her family is feeling the impact of the Great Depression, Lydia Grace is sent to live with her Uncle Jim. Upon arriving in the city (and even before), Lydia begins sharing her journey with readers through a series of letters that she writes home to Mama, Papa and Grandma. Throughout the letters we learn that Lydia's uncle and his business (a bakery) are also being impacted by the Depression. Lydia sets out, determined to see Uncle Jim smile before returning and her letters share with her family, the steps that she is taking to try and see the smile appear on Uncle Jim's face... transforming the top of his skyscraper apartment building into a beautiful flower garden.

The illustrations alone are enough to depict the impact of the Great Depression on families. However, the solemness in the letters greatly adds to the illustrations, making the story come full circle. This is a wonderful story and shares with readers a sense of hope - if a child can overcome being shipped away from home during hard times, surely as adults, we can muster the courage to pull through as well!

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities:

• Bertie's Book Notes: The Gardener

Orloff, Karen Kaufman.
I Wanna Iguana.
2004.
G.P. Putnam's Sons.
Guided Reading Level: J

Alex's friend Mikey Gulligan is moving and isn't able to take his baby iguana with him. In this funny story, Alex sets out on a mission to convince his mother to let him have the baby iguana. Through a series of letters written to his mom, Alex begs and pleads... promises to take care of the iguana by himself... use his allowance to pay for the iguana's food... and even teach it tricks. After Alex writes each letter to his mom trying to convince her, his mom responds with a letter of her own. In the end, can you guess who wins the letter-writing battle?

It's a great plot that kids are sure to love... and it's likely that this book will inspire them to be creative when trying to convince their own parents that they are deserving of something they want! This would be a great introduction to use when beginning a unit on letter writing!

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities

• I Wanna [Something]
• Book of the Month: I Wanna Iguana

Pattison, Darcy.
The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman.
2003.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Guided Reading Level: M

Little Tameka sends her uncle a letter asking him to come visit - to go camping and fishing... and swimming. Unfortunately, Tameka receives in return a letter from Uncle Ray that he's unable to visit this summer because he's too busy building kitchen cabinets. Knowing that the family is unable to afford the trip to visit him, Uncle Ray offers to send his friend Oliver. Oliver, a woodman, (that I assume to be built by Uncle Ray) sets off on a cross-country journey from Rock Hill, South Carolina to Red Crest, California to pay a visit to Tameka. Throughout his journey, we learn of Oliver K. Woodman's adventures through the letters and postcards that are sent along the way. By the time Oliver finally arrives in Red Crest, California at Tameka's house, the family has decided they miss Uncle Ray too much and are going to make a few sacrifices to head to Rock Hill, South Carolina to visit... and they plan to take Oliver with them!

The book is great fun and the adventures are sure to keep children interested and listening... if not planning a few of their own adventures for Oliver K. Woodman! I think this is a great book to incorporate into a unit on letter writing and it'll definitely find it's way in my classroom someday! You can also check out the sequel to The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman... Searching for Oliver K. Woodman!

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities:

• Darcy Pattison's Lesson Plans for Oliver K. Woodman
• Books to Bridge: 2008 Theme: Journeys and Quests - Oliver K. Woodman

Other Letter Writing Lesson Plans/Learning Activities:

• Who's Got Mail? Using Literature to Promote Authentic Letter Writing
• Writing Friendly Letters
• Parts of a Friendly Letter - Movement and Song
• A Genre Study of Letters with The Jolly Postman
• Exploring Literature through Letter-Writing Groups
• Social Interaction: School, Post Office and Friendly Letters
• The Post Office: KET Electronic Field Trips

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.

Astronomy Week

Astronomy Week is observed during the calendar week in which Astronomy Day falls, beginning on Monday and continuing through Sunday. Kids love astronomy so there's lots of fun activities included throughout this post, educational and just for fun!



Branley, Franklyn H.
The Planets in Our Solar System.
1981.
HarperCollins Publishers.
Guided Reading Level: L



This very simple text by Branley, another in the "Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science" series, introduces readers (at the very simplest context) to the nine planets in the solar system. Kids are sure to love this because of the facts that are provided!

• How hot is Venus?
• Why are Neptune and Pluto the coldest planets?
• Why is Earth called the "life planet"?
• How many Plutos would fit inside Jupiter?
  

I think this book is definitely worth sharing with the kids!

Rabe, Tish.
There's No Place Like Space!: All About Our Solar System.
(The Cat in the Hat Learning Library).
1999.
Random House.



If the kids love Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat, they're sure to love this as well! In true Tish Rabe fashion, readers are lead on an adventure that follows in Dr. Seuss' footsteps! In this edition of The Cat in the Hat Learning Library, readers set forth on an adventure through space. Their tour guide? None other than the cat himself!

Like Branley's book, this will appeal to children not only because of the well known characters leading the adventure, but also because of the rhyming text and the trivia that's provided! Children love to be able to quiz adults and see if they know something that an adult doesn't... this book provides perfect opportunity for children to show off just how much they're capable of learning and how much they know!

Lesson Plans/Learning Activities:

• Girls Engaged in Math and Science: The Solar System

Other Space Related Activities

• Astronomy with Children
• Themes: Space
• Exploring Planets in the Classroom: Hands-On Science Activities
• Glow-in-the-Dark Solar System
• Make Your Own Glow-in-the-Dark Space T-Shirt
• Harry Potter Hogwarts Telescope and Astronomy Space Science
• Tin Can Planetarium
• Uncle Milton Nigh Sky Navigator
• Outdoor Activity: Stargazing
  

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.