Every once in a while I like to bring in one of my old favorites. Here’s a tender cross-cultural holiday story.
IMG_0739Title: Tree of Cranes
Written and illustrated by: Allen Say
Houghton Mifflin, 1991
Suitable for ages: 4-8 years
Lexile: 470L
Themes/topics: Christmas, Japan, traditions … More Tree of Cranes
Heres a fascinating story for all those kids, young and old, who have loved Winnie-the-Pooh. Title: Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear Written by: Lindsay Mattick Illustrated by: Sophie Blackall Little, Brown and Company, 2015, nonfiction, 56 pages Suitable for ages: 3-6 (I would put it at 6-10) Lexile: AD590L … More Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear
For ages 5-99… Title: The Promise Written by: Nicola Davies Illustrated by: Laura Carlin Candlewick Press, 2014, fiction Suitable for ages: 5-9 Themes/topics: hope, promises, friendship, nature Opening: When I was young, I lived in a city that was mean and hard and ugly. Its streets were dry as dust, cracked by heat and cold, … More The Promise
Today I’m sharing my all time favorite Thanksgiving story. Title: How Many Days to America, A Thanksgiving Story Written by: Eve Bunting Illustrated by: Beth Peck Clarion Books, 1988, fiction Suitable for ages: 6-9 Lexile: 460L Themes/topics: refugees, immigrants, Thanksgiving, family Opening: It was nice in our village. Till the night in October when the soldiers … More How Many Days to America?
In honor of Veteran’s Day and the dreams and futures of the world’s children that men and women of the armed forces have fought for around the globe: … More Dreams of Freedom
In honor of our upcoming Election Day, here are two beautiful new books. After reading these two, you should be inspired to get out there and vote!! … More 2 for 1! Granddaddy’s Turn and Lillian’s Right to Vote
Growing Up Pedro
A perfect book for October! Gearing up for the playoffs and the World Series? Sit down with a great baseball picture book. Here’s one to get you started. (And don’t forget the Cracker Jack.) … More Growing Up Pedro
My PPBF choice for this week is the first book I’ve seen that features a child dealing with foreclosure.
Title: Yard Sale
Written by: Eve Bunting
Illustrated by: Lauren Castillo
Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2015 – fiction
Suitable for ages: 3-7
Themes/topics: moving, family, social issues … More Yard Sale
Here’s a really fun book for all you creative types…
Title: Outstanding in the Rain, A Whole Story with Holes
Written and Illustrated by: Frank Viva
Brief synopsis: A boy celebrates his fourth birthday with his mother at Coney Island.
Links to resources:
Activity page featuring wordplay is posted on the Parent/Teacher Resource page. … More Outstanding in the Rain, A Whole Story with Holes
Title: Actual Size
Written and Illustrated by: Steve Jenkins
Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004
Suitable for ages: 4-8
Themes/topics: animals, nature, size
Opening: Did you ever look a giant squid in the eye? Have you shaken hands with a gorilla or been face to face with a tiger? All of the animals in this book are shown at actual size, so you can see how you measure up to creatures both large and small.
Brief synopsis: (from barnesandnoble.com) How big is a crocodile? What about a tiger, or the world’s largest spider? Can you imagine a tongue that is two feet long or an eye that’s bigger than your head?
Sometimes facts and figures don’t tell the whole story.
Sometimes you need to see things for yourself—at their actual size.
Links to resources:
Activity page with math and science ideas on Parent/Teacher Resource page. … More Actual Size
