A boy encounters a mole, a fox and a horse. They ramble together, asking each other thought-provoking questions and develop an enduring friendship. The answers and sentences are oh-so simple yet so profound. Each page could be framed and displayed to offer encouragement to live more kindly and courageously.
Some of the maxims did not sit well with me because of their focus on self.
-Borrowed from the library.
Jacob, a PA Dutch boy, takes his time as he completes any tasks. The rest of his family represent the typical Dutch culture-"A Dutchman who is not on time is no Dutchman at all". Unfortunately, Jacob has made his father late too many times and is banished from his walks with Grossdawdi (grandfather). On Fasnacht Day, Jacob is the last one down to the kitchen and as tradition "requires", he is the Old Fasnacht for the day and must do all of the chores. Thankfully, his Grossdawdi is perceptive and is able celebrate Jacob's unique personality and gifts.
The relationship between the grandfather and Jacob is sweet and reinforces the necessity for grandparents!
The author includes PA Dutch words and also places words in the sentences like the Dutch (like adverbs at the end of sentences.
Author's Note in the beginning gives background on Fasnacht Day, hex signs and the different kinds of PA Dutch.
"An early reader" book.
-Borrowed from the library.
Cozy, an Alaskan musk ox, is separated from his family during a storm. Various creatures arrive to huddle under his comforting fur. Can the different animals (which are sometimes enemies) be kind to each other in the close quarters all winter?
This book reminded me of Ms. Brett's The Mitten book. To teach the concept of compare/contrast, compare this book to The Mitten.
Once again her borders extend the story and also allow for the reader to predict the events on the next page. I especially liked the end pages which I think were depicting various types of lichen.
Strategies: compare/contrast-venn diagram, predicting
-Borrowed from the library.
Jose Alberto Gutierrez and the Library He Built
As Jose picks up trash in the wealthy neighborhoods in Columbia, he saves discarded books. With those discarded books, he builds a library in his home for his neighborhood. The author includes a parallel story about a boy also named Jose who anticipates Saturdays so he may select a book from Jose Gutierrez's library.
Sweet and inspiring! The author's note includes photos of Jose and his library and more information about his "accomplishment".
-Borrowed from the library.
Various animals extol the positive attributes of their bottoms!
Interesting and creative . . . I don't know if kids need encouragement to focus on butts, though! 😉
-Borrowed from the library.
Bobbi loves to run. When she arrives home from school, she sheds her dress, dons pants and sneakers and runs! The Boston Marathon runs through a nearby town. As she watches the runners, she decides to train for it. One problem. Females are not permitted to run it because at the time people believed women were not "physiologically" able to do so! Bobbi knows this is incorrect and sets out to prove this theory wrong.
The collages and art in the illustrations is impressive.
-Borrowed from the library.
When Neil Perkins discovers a spearhead and writing tablets on his property, he develops a deeper appreciation for his family's land. With the help of his Latin teacher, he translates the tablets. He enters the world of Rusticus, a Roman centurion and Calum, a Celt who loves Christus. The story takes place near Hadrian's Wall during the third century.
An exciting book to read while studying this time in history.
*Highly recommend for supplemental history reading and for those who love adventure and history.
-Borrowed from a friend.
