Learning about seasons with DEAR STREET by Lindsay Zier-Vogel & Caroline Bonne-Muller

Why this book?

I found this story when doing some research for my grade 1 class when we were learning about community. My students kept talking about the book, even weeks afterward.

My thoughts as a creator:

This book is a great example of how to incorporate many layers into a picture book. It includes seasonal changes, letter writing, taking different perspectives, noticing things in the environment and taking steps for social change. I would study this one to learn about how to create a fun story while including lots of layers. The illustrations are lots of fun with many shapes and patterns.

My thoughts as an educator:

With all the layers in this book, there is a huge potential for using this as a mentor text in the classroom. I especially liked the way it shows different perspectives on the same place. I thought it would be great for inspiring an inquiry about the school neighbourhood, which could be returned to over the different seasons of the year. It was nice to see thought bubbles and letter writing as examples kids could use for their own writing.

Ages: 5 - 9

Grades: Gr 1 - 4

Connections: community, kindness, taking action, letter writing

Activities:

Art/Social Studies:  Discuss all the patterns in the illustrations. Encourage student to create their own “street scene” using different patterns. Which season would they like to show in their scene? A part II of this activity could be to use a paper doll template to create themselves  and “dress themselves for the weather” so they can put themselves in the scene.

You could also connect this to a neighborhood photo walk using this lesson from the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia  (click HERE)

Or learn about seasonal changes through a resource guide about the art of Maud Lewis from Art Canada Institute (click HERE)

Literacy/Drama: After discussing the different perspective of the girl and the people in the neighborhood, encourage students to share their understanding through a drama activity. In pairs, kids could work together to share their different points of view about different types of weather or seasonal occurrences  (e.g., snow, rain, sunshine, wind, leaves changing colours etc). Volunteers could present their “skit” to the class.

Social Studies Inquiry: Set up a centre where students can note observations about the neighborhood or a street outside your school. Take a walk and make observations. Have students draw and label what they notice. What might they want to learn more about? Make predictions about how the street or neighborhood will change during different weather conditions. What would they see? Why?

 

Visit the author online (click on the name):

Lindsay Zier-Vogel

Visit the illustrator online:

Caroline Bonne-Muller

Visit the publisher online:

Kids Can Press

*They provide a cute letter writing template for photocopying

 

Learning from Picture Books – HEY, THAT’S MY MONSTER!

I especially loved exploring the illustrations in this book. I haven’t read the first book by this author and illustrator duo, I NEED MY MONSTER, but now I want to!

Summary from the Publisher:

When Ethan checks under the bed for his monster, he finds this note instead:

“So long, kid. Gotta go. Someone needs me more than you do. –Gabe”

Ethan knows that the ‘someone’ must be his little sister Emma, who keeps

climbing out of bed to play.

She obviously needs a monster to help her get to sleep, but not HIS monster!

Will Ethan lose Gabe forever?

The perfect balance of giggles and shivers will keep you under your covers, and you'll soon be sleeping soundly.

Hey, That’s My Monster was written by Amanda Noll and illustrated by Howard McWilliam. It was published in 2016 by Flashlight Press.

Opening:

“Tonight, when I looked under the bed for my monster, I found this note instead. So long kid. Gotta go. Someone needs me more than you do. Gabe.”

My Thoughts as a Writer:

I enjoyed the fun concept of turning around the typical monster-under-the-bed story by including a problem that the narrator’s sister isn’t afraid of monsters. I liked the inventive monsters with their different ways of attempting to get Emma to sleep.

The rich illustrations in this book are full of fun details. They really come to life on the page!

My Thoughts as a Teacher:

After enjoying the fun of a read aloud with this story, it would be useful for discussing a problem and solution story framework. The vivid illustrations also make it a good choice for doing a picture walk through, and talking about the pictures before reading the text.

Ages: 5 - 8

Grades: K - 3

Themes: fears, monsters, persistence, bedtime

Activities:

What is your favourite illustration in this story? Explain why.

If you had a monster under your bed, what would it look like? Draw a picture and write about your monster’s special skills. 

What if Emma didn't have a monster? Brainstorm a list of other ways the narrator could try to get Emma to fall asleep!

Learning from Picture Books – QUIT CALLING ME A MONSTER!

Since Hallowe'en is approaching, I thought this was a fun choice for a "monster" book that isn't too scary. This will make kids laugh.

Summary from the Publisher:

Floyd Patterson is so much more than shaggy purple fur and pointy monster teeth—

why can’t people just see him for him? Jory John and Bob Shea have struck gold in creating a knee-slapping, read-it-again story that will start a valuable discussion about how we treat others and how it feels to be seen as “different.”

Quit Calling Me a Monster was written by Jory John and illustrated by Bob Shea. It was published in 2016 by Random House Children’s Books.

Opening:

“Quit calling me a monster! Just…stop it, right this minute!”

My Thoughts as a Writer:

I loved the voice in this story because it really allows the monster’s personality to shine through. It’s a great example of a story written in dialogue—or a monologue, really, up until the end.  There’s lots of repetition in the structure of this story (a whole section where sentences start with  “and”).

Bob Shea’s colourful illustrations keep the monster from being too scary. The “glow in the dark” monster smile allows us to know where the monster is even when it’s in the dark under the bed – a nice design. Love the expressions on the monster's face!

My Thoughts as a Teacher:

The monster tries really hard to convince the reader that he’s not a monster…until it becomes really obvious that he is. It’s a good book for starting a discussion about how someone feels about what they are called.

This would also be a fun book to use as a model for writing with older kids. I'd use it to talk about taking another perspective, and maybe brainstorm ideas about the different perspectives of the child, monster and parent.

Ages: 3 – 7

Grades: preK - 2

Themes: fears, monsters, point of view, name-calling

Activities:

Talk about different words to describe the way the child, parent and monster feel about the monster.

Draw a picture of an imaginary monster in any place you can think of (e.g., the grocery story, the swimming pool, the library). Write a speech bubble to show what your monster is really thinking. And don't forget to name for your monster!

Learning from Picture Books –SEED TO SUNFLOWER

I was thrilled to discover this non-fiction book because the sunflowers my class planted last year have grown to be so big over the summer! It’s a perfect selection for a classroom science book shelf! 

Summary from Amazon:

How do sunflowers begin? What do sunflowers need to grow? When do the flowers open?

Packed with fascinating facts about life cycles, amazing photographs of every stage, and labelled diagrams to explain growth and development.

Discover the amazing stages of different life cycles and learn all about your favorite species with this stunning series. From plants and birds to garden animals, readers will soon learn how different species are born, grow up, and reproduce. Each book has amazing photographs, easy-to-understand text, and discussion points for further learning.

Seed to Sunflower was written by Camilla de la Bedoyere, originally published in 2009 by QED in the UK and in 2016 by QEB Publishing in the USA. A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

My Thoughts as a Writer:

I liked the way size comparisons are relative to something children are very familiar with (e.g., “A seed is no bigger than your fingernail…”).  Each sentence is short and clear, with one piece of information. Words are explained in the text and in the glossary. This is a great example of a non-fiction book that is accessible to young readers. Even if they can’t read the text, the photographs will capture their attention.

My Thoughts as a Teacher:

I especially love the big colour photographs, which show close ups and details of plants and seedlings. This book is full of information, but not so much that it will overwhelm students. Choosing a sunflower as an example for how seeds grow is perfect, since sunflowers are easy for students to grow themselves.

Ages: 4 – 8

Grades: K-3

Themes: sunflowers, growth, life cycles

Activities:

Act out the life cycle of a sunflower. Can you make a sunflower dance?

Plant your own sunflower seed and watch it develop! See how tall or how fast it grows.

Get arty and create a design using sunflower seeds. Or look closely at real sunflowers and make a drawing or painting.

More activities and ideas can be found on the last page of the book.

Other information:

This book is part of a life cycle series all written by the same author, with similar style and photographs. Other titles include: Caterpillar to Butterfly, Egg to Bee, Tadpole to Frog, Egg to Chicken, Acorn to Oak Tree.

Learning from Picture Books: FINDING WINNIE

Now that the library strike is over, I’ve lugged home a big armload of books. I finally have gotten around to reading this very special picture book, and it was worth waiting for!  

Summary from Amazon:

During World War I, Captain Harry Colebourn, a Canadian veterinarian on his way to serve with cavalry units in Europe, rescued a bear cub in White River, Ontario. He named the bear Winnie, after his hometown of Winnipeg, and he took the bear to war.

Harry Colebourn's real-life great-granddaughter Lindsay Mattick recounts their incredible journey, from a northern Canadian town to a convoy across the ocean to an army base in England . . . and finally to the London Zoo, where Winnie made a new friend: a boy named Christopher Robin.

Gentle yet haunting illustrations by acclaimed illustrator Sophie Blackall bring the wartime era to life, and are complemented by photographs and ephemera from the Colebourn family archives.

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear was written by Lindsay Mattick and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. It was published in 2015 by HarperCollins.

Opening:

“Could you tell me a story?” asked Cole.

My thoughts as a writer:

There is so much to love about this story! The unique structure of intertwining stories from different generations is fascinating.  I loved learning about how Winnie the Pooh came to be, and enjoyed learning about in the White River connection, having driven through there many times on the way to Thunder Bay. I thought the author did a lovely job of integrating interesting facts (e.g., the number of ships sailing across the Atlantic) into the story.  This is truly a book for all ages – and I think it would be a lovely “family read aloud” to spark interesting discussions.

The realistic, soft style of the illustrations suited the historical nature of the text. It was so interesting to have reproductions of actual photographs  and research materials in the Scrapbook at the end.

My Thoughts as a Teacher:

As a teacher, I really liked the way this book contains a “story within a story” and explains how a story character developed and took inspiration from real life. There are many reviews and ideas posted about how to use this book with students, but I think it would be a lovely mentor text for encouraging students to learn about their own family history. For example, to encourage children to interview their own parents and grandparents to find out about the interesting stories in their family history.

Ages: ages 6 and up

Grades: upper elementary

Themes: bears, family history, soldiers, zoo, Christopher Robbins

Activities:

There is a wonderful and comprehensive teacher guide for Finding Winnie with  Social Studies, Math , Language Arts, Science and Arts connections.

Brain Pickings featured a summary of the story with links to resources.

Learning from Picture Books – WOLFIE THE BUNNY

At first this book seems like just another funny story (and it is) but there are also deeper layers and an important but subtle message about standing up for yourself and the people you love.

Summary from the publisher:

The Bunny family has adopted a wolf son, and daughter Dot is the only one who realizes Wolfie can--and might--eat them all up! Dot tries to get through to her parents, but they are too smitten to listen. A new brother takes getting used to, and when (in a twist of fate) it's Wolfie who's threatened, can Dot save the day?

Wolfie the Bunny was written by Ame Dyckman and illustrated by Zachariah OHora. It was published in2015 by Little Brown and Company.

Opening:

“The Bunny family came home to find a bundle outside their door.”

My thoughts as a writer:

This is a really great example of how illustrations work with the text to add more humor and layers to the story. The bright, bold illustration style without much background keeps the focus on the characters.

I really liked the use of repetition. A pattern is set up that seems like it’s going to be predictable but then there's a surprising twist.

My Thoughts as a Teacher:

There are a lot of possibilities for discussion with this book – how it might feel to have a new sibling, why the baby is getting so much attention, adoption, looking different than other people in your family, standing up for others. I really liked the idea that you can stand up for yourself and others, regardless of size.

Ages: 4 – 8

Grades: preschool - 2

Themes: individuality, getting a new sibling, family, standing up for others

Activities:

Draw your favorite page in the story. Explain why you liked it.

Make puppets and retell the story! This would be a really fun book to place at a retelling centre or to use in a retelling basket.

Learning from Picture Books – TRAINBOTS

Robots and trains in the same book? What a cool idea! This one reminded me a bit of the classic story The Little Engine That Could by Wally Piper, but with a very modern approach.

Summary from the publisher:

Trainbots are getting ready to make and deliver toybots for kids to play with, but it looks like the Badbots are sneaking and scheming to sabotage the delivery in this moving, grooving picture book!

Trainbots boarding, how rewarding!

Trainbots zooming,

unassuming...

Badbots peeking, sneaking, scheming,

hopping, dropping—Badbots teeming!

These Trainbots are getting ready to make and deliver toybots for kids to play with! They’re drawing, sawing, and building to get the toybots ready to send, but it looks like the Badbots are sneaking and scheming to sabotage the delivery! Luckily, the Trainbots draft and craft and engineer and rockateer to outsmart the misbehaving Badbots. And once the toybots are delivered, the kids become their FRIEND-bots 'til-the-end bots!

Trainbots was written by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Shane McG. The publisher is Little Bee Books. I received a Fold & Gathered review copy from the author, but the finished book will be available very soon!  The release date is June 7, 2016.

Opening:

“Trainbots drawing, sawing, building. Hammer; clamor, lots of gilding.”

My thoughts as a writer:

If you write in rhyme or love reading picture books in rhyme, this is good one to study! I loved how Miranda Paul managed to work in scientific terminology without messing with the rhythm and rhyme: “Trainbots drafting, engineering…clever crafting, racketeering!”

The illustrations remind me of animated films – bright and dynamic, with fun expressions on the character faces.

My Thoughts as a Teacher:

The idea of putting robots, trains and superheroes together is perfect for helping to capture the interest of young students. I especially liked how blueprints and plans were included in the story, because I’m always encouraging students to draw plans while building in my kindergarten classroom.

Ages: 4 – 8

Grades: preschool - 3

Themes: individuality, perseverance, pirates, adventure

Activities:

Build your own trainbot using materials such as cardboard boxes, wooden sticks, graph paper, buttons, googly eyes, etc. Paint and decorate!

Make up a character card for one of the trainbots: draw a picture, and list your character’s superpowers, special skills and name.

What is your favorite page in the story? Explain or write about why you picked this page.

Check out Writer's Rumpus for more about this book and an interview with author Miranda Paul.  

Learning from Picture Books -- CREEPY CARROTS!

Here’s a story that’s a little bit spooky – in a fun way!

Summary from Amazon.com

 

Jasper Rabbit loves carrots—especially Crackenhopper Field carrots. He eats them on the way to school.

He eats them going to Little League.
He eats them walking home.
Until the day the carrots start following him...or are they?

Creepy Carrots was written by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Peter Brown. It was published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in 2012.

My Thoughts as a Writer:

I really enjoyed this book! It has a nice balance of scary and funny, which I think is hard to achieve as a writer. I also loved how specific words and phrasing added details to the story, e.g. how the bunny “yanked” and “ripped” the carrots and “terrible, carroty breathing.”

The shades of gray in the illustrations really helped to create a spooky atmosphere for the story. I really admired the way light and shadow was used. The facial expressions on the carrots fit so well with the text.

My Thoughts as a Teacher:

This book would be a good one for introducing a discussion about fears and fearful feelings.  The interesting illustration style, with shades of charcoal and a few bits of orange, would be interesting to talk about with students.

Illustrator Peter Brown talks about how he created the art work.

Themes: fears, rabbit, carrots

Ages: 3 – 6

Grades: preschool – grade 1

Follow-Up Activities:

• Make a list of “scary things”. Talk about what to do when you feel scared.
• Set up a centre where students can act out the story with small characters, paper or toy carrots, and blocks
• Talk about carrots and how they grow. Could your class grow their own carrots?
• Draw a picture or write about your favorite page in the story.
• Create some art using shades of grey or pencil drawing. Choose one colour to add to make something in your picture stand out.

To find more great picture books to read or to use in your classroom, visit author Susanna Leonard Hill's website for her theme-based summary of Perfect Picture Books posted by book-loving bloggers on Perfect Picture Book Friday.

Learning from Picture Books: This is a Moose

This book is so much fun! The publisher’s description calls it hilarious and I definitely agree. 

Here's the summary from Amazon:

Lights! Camera! Moose!

MOOSE? Yes, Moose! When a movie director tries to capture the life of a moose on film, he's in for a big surprise. It turns out the moose has a dream bigger then just being a moose--he wants to be an astronaut and go to the moon.

His forest friends step in to help him, and action ensues. Lots of action. Like a lacrosse-playing grandma, a gigantic slingshot into space, and a flying, superhero chipmunk.

In this hilarious romp, Richard T. Morris and bestselling illustrator Tom Lichtenheld remind us to dream big and, when we do, to aim for the moon.

This is a Moose, written by Richard T. Morris and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld, was first published in 2014 by Little, Brown and Company.,

My thoughts as a writer:

This book is a conversation between a director (unseen for most of the story) and the narrator as well as the Moose and a couple of other animal characters. It’s a great concept that is executed with lots of humor and surprises. There were a lot of interesting characters, especially Grandma Moose. 

This book shows a real partnership between the work of the author, the illustrator and the book designer. The text that is told through speech bubbles changes color, size and font to reflect the emotions of the unseen director.

My thoughts as a teacher:

Children will love the humor in this book! There is a wonderful message about being persistent and following your own dreams, though the message is subtle and secondary to the fun. It also would provide an opportunity to talk about animals and how they are adapted for their own habitats.

A fun activity related to this book might be to have students create their own short story about an animal of their choice that doesn’t act as expected in their own movie (involving research about their animal to find out what it’s normal behaviour would be). Another idea might be to take one of the characters in the story and think about what its secret dream might be and write or draw a picture about it.

If you're looking for more great picture books to read to your class or to investigate as a writer, author Susanna Leonard Hill has a wonderful list of Perfect Picture Books.