Dr. Suess's ABC Book

Dr. Suess

WARNING: This board book is one that might drive you batty both while you're reading it and for the rest of the day when you can't get its catchy little phrases out of your head.

Despite the warning I've just given, I would highly recommend this book for parents looking to help their child learn the alphabet. It contains both upper and lower case letters and it places the letters in context of words and phrases so the child can begin to associate the letter with both its name and its sound(s). It is repetitious, which will help the child to remember what they've read or heard. Even though I do get the phrases stuck in my head, I really enjoy reading this book with Noah.

The Berenstain Bears and the Truth

Berenstain, Stan & Jan

When Brother and Sister break the rules and decide to play soccer inside the house they end up breaking Mama's favorite lamp. Upon discovering the lamp Mama begins to question the bears about what happened. They decide to tell her a "whopper" (as it is called in the book). The trouble is, when Papa gets home and Mama asks the cubs to retell the account they can't quite remember what they said the first time around and their story begins to fall to pieces.

Brother and Sister learn a valuable lesson about the importance of telling the truth. It is made clear that they feel awful about lying and the authors do a great job depicting that yucky feeling you get when you do something dishonest. They also clearly show Papa and Mama's disappointment in the cubs, and that they are able to forgive them and move on once it is clear that the cubs understand the wrong that they committed.

The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers

Berenstain, Stan & Jan

When we were little my sister and I began inadvertently collecting the Berenstain Bears books. It seems that someone gave us a couple of them as gifts and we soon learned that we loved the stories and the pictures. When we discovered the pictures on the back cover showing all the other Berenstain Bear books we made it our goal to own every single one. We never quite reached that goal, but we did collect a lot of them.

I recently purchased 2 of these books for Noah, 2 that I never had as a kid. In this book, Sister learns about strangers. She is a little too trusting and friendly and doesn't understand the concept of stranger danger. When brother tries to watch out for her by asking Papa to explain strangers, Sister takes his advice of caution a little too far. She begins to think that everyone in the world has ill intentions. Once she gets over her fears of strangers she returns to her friendly, out-going self, but tries a little harder to be aware of her surroundings. 

This is a very easy, creative way to teach your own children about strangers and the way we should view them.

Caps for Sale

Slobodkina, Esphyr

If you're looking to teach prediction this text might be just what you need. The caps salesman in this book isn't having too much luck finding customers so he decides to take an afternoon nap in the shad of a tree. When he awakes he realizes that all of his caps are gone and he begins frantically searching for them. 

I have to say, the first time I read this, I did not see the ending coming. This story will be especially enjoyed by your mischievous little students or children.

Stuck

Jeffers, Oliver

This book is so ridiculous it is funny! Kids get caught up in the hilarious plot and can't help but want to guess what happens next. 

I think many of us have probably had a real-life experience similar to what happens to the main character of this book. I've wondered if some specific situation gave the author his inspiration for this story.

The main character's kite gets stuck in a tree near his house one day. Naturally, thinking as only a little boy might, the best way to get the kite down is to throw other objects up in the tree. Alas! to no avail! The entire book is filled with pictures of all the objects (some incredibly outlandish) he hoists into the branches of this poor tree. It is all topped off by a ending you won't see coming. I'd recommend it for sure!

The Pigeon Wants a Puppy

Willems, Mo.

As in Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, the pigeon tries his best to be so convincing, only this time it is in order to gain himself a puppy. He creates a great argument for why he needs a puppy, but by the end of the book he realizes the flaws in his reasoning. 

I love the subtleties of the cover pages in this book - buy it and check them out!

The Pigeon Wants a Hotdog

Willems, Mo.

Several months ago I posted another Mo Willems book called Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! I recently learned of 2 more books from this same series and bought them for my classroom. They are just as funny as the first.

In this book the Pigeon finds a hot dog and is all set to enjoy eating it when a pesky little bird butts in and begins a game of 20 questions, all about the hot dog. The pigeon gets so frustrated with the bird, but, in the end, makes the right choice and decides to treat the bird like he would want to be treated. So simple. So cute. So funny.

Put Me In the Zoo

Lopshire, Robert

Recently I found myself growing incredibly tired of Noah's book selection. He has many to choose from, maybe even close to 100, but it seems that we read the same 10 or so over and over and over and over and over...ok, you get the point. To remedy my reading woes I went on Amazon and looked for some cheap books to add to our collection. I began to come across many of the books that I loved as a child and I couldn't help but take a little walk down nostalgia lane. 

This book holds great memories of Grandma's house and reading for me. It is a simple, yet engaging story that can be used to teach colors and rhyming words. It will be something that Noah will be able to read himself shortly after learning to read. 

The simple plot is about an animal who wants to be put in the zoo because of the special things he can do. Some kids talk him into going into the circus instead because of his special tricks by which they are amazed.

Are You My Mother?

Eastman, P.D.

P.D. Eastman is as close to an author brother as you will ever find for Dr. Suess. The illustrations in their books are very similar, in my opinion and the stories are kind of alike as well, containing fun, rhyming words.

This heart-warming, simple story is about a little birdie who cannot find his mother. He goes on an adventure to reunite himself with her, but he's never seen her so he isn't exactly sure who he is looking for. Every animal he encounters hears the question, "Are you my mother?" At the very end, the bird is able to put 2-and-2 together and he figures out what his mother looks like.

If you're looking for an enjoyable read to connect to a craft, get this book and then search Pinterest - there are some great craft ideas on there to go along with this book.

Bears on Wheels

Berenstain, Stan and Jan

This book does not even really have a plot. It is a cute book for teaching beginning counting. This is a book that I used to read to my sisters when we would visit my Grandma's. A couple months ago we were at my Grandma's and she got this book out. She read it to Noah and he loved it, (he loves animals and kept saying, "Bears! Bears!). So, I just had to get it for him. 

Baby Sister

dePaola, Tomie

If you read my last post you know I have some sort of obsession with the works of Tomie dePaola. I'm still uncertain whether it is his illustrations, his writing, or he himself that draws me in. In fact, when I was searching for a picture of the cover of this book I saw a picture of Tomie dePaola and it reminded me why I liked him in the first place. He just looks like a lovable, hug-able, friendly grandpa-type.

In this story Tommy's already large Italian family is growing even larger - his mom his having a baby. He desperately wants his mom to have a baby girl and he is adamant that she should wear a red ribbon in her hair. You have to wait until the end of the story to see if Tommy's wish comes true.

I actually read this book to my class this year to tell them that I was going to have a baby. They were so shocked and they all think that I need to have a baby girl and put a red ribbon in her hair...we'll have to see about that.

Strega Nona's Harvest

dePaola, Tomie.

When I was very little I remember seeing some PBS show featuring Tomie dePaola. When he was on the show he was talking about some of his books and he did a painting demonstration. For whatever reason, it really intrigued me. I don't think I ever owned any of his books as a child, but I do remember reading some of them, probably at school or at the library.

I saw this book in a Scholastic magazine before I was even a teacher and I knew I had to have it. Tomie's stories usually have an underlying moral message. Strega Nona is very generous, sharing her bountiful harvest with her community in this book. The pictures are simple, but they really suck you in. There is some Italian inserted in the text, but the English translation is included as well. This would be a good text to use during a multicultural unit.

When a Dragon Moves In

Moore, Jodi

This is a head-scratcher. It is one of those books that you read and the whole time you are closely following the story line and then the ending is so ambiguous that you want to read it all over again because you're not sure you actually got the author's intent the first time around.

This would be a great text to use if you wanted your students to decide for themselves what really happened in the story. It is so open for interpretation. It is a creative write and fun for the imagination.

The Sandcastle Contest

Munsch, Robert

I ordered this book through Scholastic. I'd never heard of it before, but everything I've read of Robert Munsch's, I've loved. So, I rolled the dice on this one and I was so glad I did.

Matthew's family takes a trip to the beach and he finds out that he can enter a sandcastle contest. He goes all out and makes the most ingenious creation. It is so extraordinary that the judges think it is real and make him knock it down because they don't allow real houses on the beach. When Matthew's creation tumbles into grains of sand the judges feel terrible and immediately recant their harsh statements.

This great, easy read with vibrant pictures is something young kids will especially enjoy.

Dragons Love Tacos

Rubin, Adam.

I first came in contact with this book when another teacher introduced me to it. This other teacher is a very fun, animated person. She only read a couple of the pages for me and I was immediately hooked! It is a hilarious story! It is nonsensical, but it will give you the daily laugh you might be in need of...and you might learn a thing or two. Apparently, dragons love tacos, but they hate spicy salsa. Who knew?!

Reading Assessment: Linking Language, Literacy, and Cognition

Farrall, Melissa Lee, 2012.

Oh my! I have a very long list of books to get posted on here, but I'm afraid this is the only one that will be getting done today.

This was the textbook for the most recent class I took at Boise State. When I got it in the mail I found myself thinking one thing. BORING. However, I was wrong, most of the time.

This book is chalk-full of valuable information for anyone researching reading, reading instruction, and/or reading assessments. Be you a teacher, professor, para, or even a parent, I was impressed with the stylistic writing and the bounty of information presented in this text and I have a feeling you'd think the same.

Covering everything from reading theories and models to pin-pointing struggles a child might have in reading such as fluency or comprehension, this book is a wealth of information. It is easy to navigate and even has some great discussion questions at the end of each chapter. 

I certainly won't be selling this book back to anyone. It has a spot on my shelf, from which it is guaranteed to get pulled from time to time.

Captain Awesome: Saves the Winter Wonderland

Kirby, Stan. Captain Awesome Saves the Winter Wonderland

I do love it when there is a real mystery to be had in these Captain Awesome books. In number 6, Captain Awesome and his classmates are getting ready to perform their winter musical at school. Captain Awesome gets stuck with a part he hates, but he and Nacho Cheese Man decide it is for the best considering he will be front and center stage the whole time...what better place to watch out for evil in the audience? 

Everything is going swimmingly in preparation for the program until Captain Awesome starts receiving threatening hate mail saying that he better give up his part or else! Who could be sending these letters? Well, I'll tell you one thing, out of me and my 24 students, not a single one of us guessed the culprit correctly.

Captain Awesome: Soccer Star

Kirby, Stan. Captain Awesome: Soccer Star

If I'm being completely honest, I would have to say I'm kind of tired of posting these books. Not because I don't love them. Not because I'm growing tired of them. Simply because I'm guessing those of you who read my posts kind of get it by now. You've probably got a pretty good feel for the series. However, I'll probably post them all the way to the end because 1) I've never been good at quitting in the middle of something, 2) I still reading them with my kids, and 3) It will help me reach my goal of 100 books.

As the title suggests, Captain Awesome and Nacho Cheese Man battle their villains on the soccer field. They destroy the enemy in order to ensure a team victory and to make their town a safer place. While not the best soccer player, Captain Awesome shows lots of heart and team spirit - a good reminder not to give up when the going gets tough.

Have Fun, Molly Lou Melon

Lovell, Patty. Have Fun, Molly Lou Melon

Molly Lou Melon is just as adorable and funny in this book as she is in Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon. In this read she is bringing back the basics. When a new neighbor girl moves in Molly overhears her complaining of boredom. Molly soon discovers it is because no one has ever taught her to have an imagination or to be inventive and creative. By the end of the book Molly and the new girl are playing with Molly's makeshift, homemade toys and leaving the new girl's fanciest, latest addition toys behind. 

A great reminder that we have more than we need and that our wants are often frivolous and ridiculous. Not to mention the bright colors and adorable pictures!

Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon

Lovell, Patty. Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon

This would be a great read for the beginning of the school, especially for younger classes. It sends a great message about being true to yourself and not letting others get you down. It also contains an underlying anti-bullying message.

Molly Lou Melon is the cutest, wiliest thing you've ever seen.When she moves to a new town and has to go to a new school she meets one mean boy who aims to make her life miserable. Each day he makes fun of something else about her: her height, her teeth, and so on. Molly Lou Melon takes it all in stride and has the opportunity to make this boy eat his words, in a polite funny way, of course, because that is who Molly Lou Melon is. 

If you're anything like me, you'll love this book as much as your kids do.

Ballyhoo Bay

Sierra, Judy. Ballyhoo Bay

This is one of those Scholastic order books. You know the ones where you have a few bucks or points to spend and you do exactly what you tell your kids not to do? Go through the catalog and pick out all the books that you love the covers of. Yeah, I do that. 

Luckily for me, this turned out to be a good "judged the book by its cover" situation. This fun read sends a message of caring for our environment and enjoying the things that nature has to offer. It also teaches that we should stand up for what we believe in and do what we know is right.

When Ballyhoo Bay is going to be destroyed in order for an apartment complex to be built, Mira Bella, the art teacher, and all her people and animal friends go to bat to save the bay. The results they achieve are both surprising and inspiring!

Buzzle Billy

Waite, Michael P., Buzzle Billy

This is one of those books that takes me back to my childhood. There is a whole series of these books, each one focusing on a different virtue and connecting the value of the book back to the Bible by listing a Scripture verse at the end. These books remind me of going to my Grandma's house where there are literally 1000's of books. Grandma or Grandpa would read to us, my siblings and my cousins would read to each other, and sometimes we would just read to ourselves. 

I'm a little uncertain as to whether I'm drawn to these books based on these wonderful childhood memories or if it is the vivid pictures, the nonsense words, or the kid-friendly morals. Probably a little of all the above. I've been reading this to Noah and I'm hoping I will instill the same love in him for this series as I have. Considering this is the only one we own, I think it should be on my to-do list to find the rest of them...

Oh, and in case you were wondering, the virtue taught in this book is sharing. The way it is taught is so creative that I don't want to spoil it. You'll just have to read it yourself :)

The Gingerbread Girl

Ernst, Lisa. The Gingerbread Girl

Do you love finding a good twist on a classic? I have to say, typically, I'm not a fan of change, or twists, or new versions of great things, but this twist was a good, cute one.

This read follows a story line very similar to that of the Gingerbread Man, only he is already dead and the old woman decides to bake his sister, the Gingerbread Girl. The old woman believes that there is no way that another gingerbread creation will escape her home, but she's wrong. In the end, the Gingerbread Girls proves to be a little wiser and a little more conniving than her brother.

Feminist undertones? Perhaps. Good? Yes. Cute? Yes. Worth the read? Most definitely!