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.