Mammals

Mammalabilia

Written by and Illustrated by: Douglas Florian

HMH Books for Young Readers, 2004

48 pages

Poetry

This book is full of whimsical poems about different mammals. He uses concrete poems to make silly rhymes playing off of each mammals name and physical characteristics. 

The illustrations are large whimsical paintings that show a childlike quality. 

According to a note in the book the illustrations were made on “primed brown paper bags” 

which make them even more interesting to the readers.

I would use this for science in second grade. It is a funny way to introduce different animals to the children. I would have them draw a picture of the animal they liked best from the book. Then have them write a paragraph about what they learned or know about the animal. 

The Girl in The Cloak

Little Red Riding Hood

Written and Illustrated by: Jerry Pinkney

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2007

40 pages

Traditional Literature 

The traditional story of Little Red Riding Hood where the little girl’s mother stitches her a lovely red hood. The child cherishes it and all the village people affectionately recognize it. They call her Little Red Riding Hood because of it. The child begins her path through the snowy woods in her red cloak to bring Mother's chicken soup and raisin muffins to her sick Grandmother. She meets the wolf while walking to Grandmother’s house where the wolf distracts her so he can make it to the house first so he can eat the Grandmother and then the little girl. The story finishes in the traditional way where the woodcutter kills the wolf "with one stroke of his ax" and cuts open the beast's stomach” and out comes Grandmother and the little girl. 

The illustrations are double page watercolors that are very captivating. The illustrations portray the danger in the right parts of the story while staying warm and cozy in the other parts of the book. They themselves tell the story along with the words. 

I would use this for literature in first grade. After reading the book we would have a discussion about strangers and things we can do if a stranger starts talking to us. 

I would then have them draw a picture of what we discussed and send a note attached to the picture home about stranger danger for the parents.

Who's the Queen?

The Recess Queen

Written by: Alexis O’Neill

Illustrated by: Laura Huliska-Beith

Scholastic Press, 2002

32 pages

Contemporary Realistic Fiction Book

A little girl, Jean, wants to kick, swing, and bounce before everyone else at recess and becomes the bully. She ends up with the name Mean Jean because if she doesn’t get to doing anything thing first at recess she pushes and hammers the other kids. However, one day a new little girl, Katie Sue, starts school and when ends up kicking, swinging, and bouncing first. 

This makes Mean Jean very upset and throws her into a meltdown. 

Katie Sue goes up to Jean and offers her an invitation to play. 

Will Mean Jean accept the offer? What will happen to Katie Sue?

The illustrations are in a collage format that are bright and bold which are 

just as energetic as the text throughout the book. 

I would use this for Social Studies in First Grade. 

I would use this book on our topic of bullying and friendships. I would have the children draw pictures of what they think a bully looks like. Then when we would discuss how to handle a bully. 

I would have the children turn their papers over and draw a picture of how to 

handle the bully they drew on the opposite side. 

Afterwards we would have a discussion about each other’s drawings.

Who's in the Cellar?

The Butterfly

Written & Illustrated by: Patricia Polacco

Puffin Books, 2009

48 pages

Historical Fiction Book

Monique is a young girl living in the time of the Holocaust. One night she discovers that her mother has been helping a Jewish family hide from the Nazis by letting them 

 one night Sevrine is seen by a neighbor through the window so they have to move on. 

Will the Sevrine's family find a new safe hiding place? Will Monique ever hear from Sevrine again?

The illustrations are beautiful watercolor and ink drawings that capture the emotions of the story throughout the book. They show the harsh reality of what life was like during that time period while the Nazis were in power. 

I would teach this as Social Studies in fifth grade as a history lesson on the Holocaust. 

I would lead a discussion on how they would feel if it was them having to hide to stay alive or out of the camps. It’s a very emotional subject for some so I would evaluate to see how much time to stay on this topic before moving on to a happier discussion. 

No Fire

Not Your Typical Dragon

Written by: Dan Bar-el

Illustrated by: Tim Bowers

Viking Books for Young Readers, 2013

40 pages

Modern Fantasy Book

Crispin is seven and has come of age for a dragon to start breathing fire.
But no matter how hard Crispin tries he breathes everything but fire.
When he runs away he meets an unlikely friend who shows him that it is okay to be different.
Will his family still accept him for the non-fire breathing dragon that he is when he returns home?

The illustrations are bright and colorful drawings that catch the readers eyes each page turned.

My content area would be Science and grade would be 4th.
We would discuss how fire is made and do a science experiment on making fire.

Bad Case of Hiccups

The Hicccupotamus

Written & Illustrated by: Aaron Zenz

Two Lions, 2009

32 pages

Modern Fantasy Book

A hippo named Calamity ends up with a bad case of hiccups. Some of the other animals try to help her get rid of the hiccups but don’t succeed.
Poor Calamity and her bad case of the hiccups, will she ever get rid of the hiccups?

The illustrations are very bright colored-pencil art work that
keeps the children’s interest throughout the book. 

My content area would be Science and 2nd grade.
We would discuss what causes hiccups and come up with
different ways that we could possibly get rid of hiccups.

Science Fair

Oh No!: Or How My Science Project Destroyed the World

Written by: Mac Barnett

Illustrated by: Dan Santat

Disney-Hyperion, 2010

40 pages

Science Fiction Book

A science fair is a great opportunity to show off amazing inventions unless it’s a giant robot that gets loose and ensues chaos on the city.
The young ambitious girl who invented the giant robot didn’t expect that to happen; therefore, she didn’t program the robot to respond to any of her commands.
How will she stop the robot from destroying the city?

The dark digital illustrations throughout the book puts the reader in the right state of mind of how grave the situation is for the city and the young girl. 

I would choose science for my content area and 4th grade.
We would do our own science fair and it would be interesting to see
what inventions the children would come up with at this age.