Tuesday, November 29, 2016

The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden illustrated Barbara Cooney

Ivy is an orphan and wishes to have a home and a grandmother.  One night she escapes to the town of Appleton to search for that perfect home and grandmother.
Meanwhile, in Appleton, the beautiful doll, Holly wishes someone would purchase her and take her home.
The "lives" intersect and are forever changed.
This story celebrates hope.
A very long picture book for children with longer attention spans.
-Borrowed from the library.
Strategy: check for understanding (the point of view changes often)
Warning: Abracadabra, the stuffed owl in the toy shop, is very mean and vindictive.


Monday, November 28, 2016

Dragon Was Terrible by Kelly DiPucchio illustrated by Greg Pizzoli

The knights and regular citizens of the kingdom cannot tame the terrible dragon (who spits on cupcakes, scribbles in books, takes candy canes from baby unicorns and much, much more).  Then a young boy takes a totally different approach with surprising results.
-Borrowed from the library.
Image result for dragon was terrible kelly dipucchio
Image result for dragon was terrible kelly dipucchio

Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer and Adam Schaefer illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon*

Very simple text reveals how all parts of the ecosystems depend on each other to thrive.  The focused ecosystem in this book is the white oak forest of the Cumberland Plateau.
The illustrations definitely enhance the "story" and give greater meaning to the words.
Strategy: cause/effect
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Image result for because of an acorn by lola m schaefer
Image result for because of an acorn by lola m schaefer

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Ghost -Track #1 by Jason Reynolds*

Castle Cranshaw can run but does not for a team.  One night in a drunken rage, his dad tries to shoot him and his mother.  They run for their lives, hiding in Mr. Charles' store's stock room.  Even though his dad is in jail, he sleeps on the living room floor to protect his mom and so he can run out the door at a moment's notice.  At school he endures cruel taunts about his too big clothes and where he lives (Glass Manor).  He rarely experiences a day without an altercation at school.
Then one day he observes a track team practicing running (he never knew running was a sport!), and the coach offers him the opportunity to be part of the team.  If only he can stay out of trouble, he may begin to see that running can actually help him heal and deal with his circumstances.
I like Coach's advice on pg. 155 ". . . you can't run away from who you are, but what you can do is run toward who you want to be."
I loved reading a book that exalts running and track/field (very rare!) and the benefits of being part of a team.  Readers will want to know more about each track/field member's story and realize each person has a story and depth.
This book reveals the hardship lower income families and inner city children face on a regular basis.
Castle (aka Ghost) tells his story so the grammar and sentence structure is how he would say it so grammar nazis will cringe.  The voice is very authentic and effective.
*Highly recommend for older, mature readers (see warnings).
-Borrowed from the library.
Warnings: violence (his father tries to shoot him and his mother), lying, shop lifting, bullies, drug dealers are mentioned and the fact there are drug deals going on is treated as normal (which is authentic to the setting).

Who Would Win? Triceratops vs. Spinosaurus by Jerry Pallotta illustrated by Rob Bolster*

The latests "Who Would Win" book.
Mr. Pallotta reveals each creature's attributes and then the animals face off.  A battle ensues with only one victor.
Perfect for boys and reluctant readers.
*Highly recommend series.
-We own this book.
Image result for who would win triceratops vs spinosaurus

Wombat Divine by Mem Fox illustrated by Kerry Argent

Wombat longs to be part of the nativity play.  But as he tries out for each part, he fails miserably and the part goes to some other creature.  When there are no parts remaining, Wombat hangs his head in despair.  Then Bilby comes to his rescue with an ingenious idea!
All the animals hail from Australia (which is where Mem Fox resides).
My first grader and I giggled at some parts in this cute book.
-Borrowed from the library.
Image result for wombat divine
Image result for wombat divine