The Sandwich Swap

       

       The Sandwich Swap is written by Kelly DiPucchio and Queen Rania of Jordan and illustrated by Tricia Tusa. Kelly DiPucchio has written many children’s books. This book is about two best friends that eat different sandwiches for lunch. They learn about each other’s sandwiches and how they are different. These two friends learn about diversity. They learn to try new things. They brought everyone together.

       The Sandwich Swap is a contemporary realistic fiction book. The situation depicted in the story happens every day. The girls overcame their diversity in a great way by bringing their school together as a strong community. According to Galda, this book is high quality because the problems are believable and are solved in realistic, culturally grounded ways. The illustrations are done with watercolor paints. They are realistically painted and the colors are very soft.  The illustrations show the diversity of the students throughout the entire book.

Discussion Questions:
·         Why do you think that they eat different types of sandwiches?
·         Do you think that they should stop being best friends because they eat different sandwiches?
·         Do you have friends that eat different foods than you?

Activities:
·         Have every student bring in their family’s favorite food. Build on this by discussing the background of the food.
·         Have the students complete a cause and effect worksheet that has them discuss how the characters treated each other.

Other books by Kelly DiPucchio:
·         Zombie in Love
·         Grace for President
·         Crafty Chloe
·         Everyone Loves Bacon

References:
·         Galda, L., & Cullinan, B. E. (2002). Literature and the child (7th ed.). Australia:                                                Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
·         Rania, ., DiPucchio, K., & Tusa, T. (2010). The sandwich swap. New York: Disney-Hyperion                          Books.

No, David

     

     No, David is written and illustrated by David Shannon. David Shannon wrote the story based on situations he faced as a child. This book is about a young boy who doesn’t listen to his mother or to any rules. He doesn’t have any table manners, he jumps on the couch, and he breaks things. He hears his mother say, “No, David” a lot.

     No, David is a contemporary realistic fiction children’s picture book. I would consider the quality of this book to be high because of the realistic setting that supports the events in the story. Also, because young children can understand the plot of the book. The illustrations are done with a pencil outline and colored in with paint. The technique is interesting because it looks smooth but also has texture. He used many bright colors and the illustrations tell most of the story.

Discussion Questions:
·         What things does David do that he shouldn’t?
·         How should his mom handle his behavior?
·         If you were David’s friend, what would you tell him?

Activities:
·         For writing lesson, as a group have the students come up with adjectives to describe David. Build on this by having the students write about how he should act in contrast to the story.
·         For writing lesson, have students complete a worksheet that has to do with details about the main character of the story.

Other books by this author:
·         David goes to school
·         David gets in trouble
·         Good boy, Fergus
·         Too many toys
·         Duck on a bike

Reference:

Shannon, D. (1998). Nom David. New York: Blue Sky Press.

Anna the Bookbinder

     

      Anna the Bookbinder is written by Andrea Cheng and illustrated by Ted Rand. Andrea Cheng has written many children’s picture books, chapter books, and young adult novels.  Ted Rand has illustrated many children’s books since the 60s.

      This book is about a girl whose father is a bookbinder. He binds books by hand and over the years has taught Anna how to. Whenever Anna’s baby brother is born she helps her father by finishing up an order so he doesn’t lose the customer. They learn as a family that slow and steady wins the race. The family has to face the struggle of diversity because they are not a wealthy family and they bind the books in a much slower way. The strength of the family makes them overcome their struggle because they work together to get the order completed.

      Anna the Bookbinder is a historical fiction. The story is based in the time of binding books by hand with needle and thread. It is a fictional story because it is made up although it seems as though it is true. The illustrations are realistic but reflect the time frame that the story takes place. The illustrator uses watercolor. He uses a great technique that shows the characters emotions. Just by looking at the illustrations, you can see the love that the family has for one another.

      The family does great work so they end up being respected by their customers. One of Saint Leo University’s core values is respect. Saint Leo University believes that “we value all individuals' unique talents, respect their dignity and strive to foster their commitment to excellence in our work.” Anna’s family definitely is respected for their talented work.

Discussion Questions:
·         What do you think the title means by bookbinder?
·         Does anyone you know ever some home smelling like their workplace?
·         Do you think you could have bound the books yourself like Anna did?

Activities:
·         For older grades, have students write their own book about something that is important to them. Build onto this activity by having them bind their book themselves just like in this book.
·         For younger grades, have students complete a beginning, middle, and end worksheet to check for comprehension.

Other books by this author:
·         The Year of Three Sisters
·         The Year of the Fortune Cookie
·         The Year of the Baby
·         Etched in Clay
·         Brushing Mom’s Hair
·         Where Do You Stay?

      Reference:

Cheng, A., & Rand, T. (2003). Anna the bookbinder. New York: Walker.

Two Ways to Count to Ten

     

      Two Ways to Count to Ten is written by Ruby Dee and illustrated by Susan Meddaugh. Ruby Dee was an actress. This book is about a king leopard that is looking for someone to marry his daughter and take his place as kind one day. He tells all of the animals to throw the spear and count to ten before it falls to the ground. Only one animal is able to do it because he is clever and counts in a different way.

      Two Ways to Count to Ten is a folklore children’s picture book. This folklore story has talking animals and has been told before by a different author. The illustrations are a combination of color pencil and water color paint. The texture of the color pencil in combination with the water color paint compliments the text. The animals were drawn in a more realistic fashion rather than a cartoon fashion. The illustrator used many details that enhanced the text in a way that even young readers would be able to understand how the characters were feeling.

Discussion Questions:
·         Who do you think will be the next king?
·         Why did the animals dance for the king?
·         Why did the king have the animals throw the spear and count to ten?
·         Why did the antelope count in a different way?

Activities:
·         For older grades, using this book have the students complete a worksheet about folklore stories and fables. Build onto this by having them fill out a chart to discuss the moral of this story.
·         For younger grades, have students write a story about how they would have counted if they were an animal in the story.

Other books by this author:
·         Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears
·         My One Good Nerve: Rhythms, Rhymes, Reasons

Reference:

Dee, R., & Meddaugh, S. (1990). Two ways to count to ten: A Liberian folktale. New York: H. Holt.

Snow, Snow

Snow, Snow: Winter Poems for Children is written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Jason Stemple. Jane Yolen was inspired to write these poems by the photographs taken by Jason Stemple. Jane Yolen is the writer of many children’s books. She writes poems as well as fantasy and science fiction books. She is a teacher and a reviewer of children’s literature. Her books have won many awards. Jason Stemple is an award winning photographer. The photographs in this book were the inspiration for this book. The details in the photographs really enhance the poems because you can visualize what you are reading. Looking at these photographs of snow make you think about it differently.

This book is full of poems about snow and the season of winter. After reading these poems, I now look at snow in a different way. Children who do not live where it snows can imagine life in the snow. Children can imagine the joy of skiing, riding a snowmobile, and the look and feel of snow. The poems are so detailed it is easy for the reader to imagine being there in the photographs.

I enjoyed reading this book because every poem was written in a different way. The author used poetic devices that are appealing to children. Imagery is one of them. Imagery is the use of words that make the reader use their senses. I believe that this really enhances the quality of the poetry.

Discussion Questions:
·         What do you know about snow?
·         Can you imagine the way it looks and feels?
·         When does it normally snow up north?
·         What animals live in the snow?

Activities:
·         For science lesson, have students complete a worksheet on winter. Use the book as a reference for snow.
·         For writing lesson, have the students write their own poems about winter. Build onto this activity by having them write poems about other seasons.

Other books by this author:
·         Stone Angel
·         Sister Fox’s Guide to the Writing Life: Poems
·         Speaking in Pearls
·         How Do Dinosaurs Say I’m Mad
·         Romping Monsters, Stomping Monsters

Reference:

Yolen, J. (1998). Snow, Snow: Winter Poems for Children. Honesdale: Wordsong Boyds Mills Press.

Swamp Angel

Swamp Angel is written by Anne Isaacs. Anne Isaacs grew up writing at a young age. Her love for children’s books inspired to begin writing them. She was also a teacher. She has written many different children’s books that have won awards.

This book is about a girl named Angelica that was born taller than her mother. She built her first log cabin at just two years old. Ever since she was twelve years old she had helps travelers through the swamp. She was known as the Swamp Angel. She was tougher than any man or bear. She saved the town from a huge bear.

Swamp Angel is a fantasy children’s picture book. This book is full of details that are imaginative and logical for the story. I would consider this to be a high quality fantasy story because the writing is rich and the theme is meaningful. The story is so detailed that it seems believable. I enjoyed read in this book because it has a great sense of humor. Angelica had to face diversity because she was the only girl who could defeat the big bear. All of the town’s men tried to hunt the bear but we unable to capture him. The men made rude comments about her being there instead of being at home doing things women did back in that time frame. She proved herself though because she was able to capture the bear and get rid of him.

The illustrations are unique drawn by Paul Zelinsky. The pages are full of detailed illustrations. Paul Zelinsky paints beautiful pictures that look realistic. He uses textures that make you think that the illustrations are photographs. The illustrations are so big and detailed that the reader feels a part of the story while reading.

Discussion Questions:
·         How do you think everyone felt about a giant girl saving the day?
·         How do you think Angelica felt after she defeated the bear?
·         Does think book make you think about girls differently?
·         Do you think girls and boys are equal?

Activities:
·         For writing lesson, have students write their only tall tale. Build onto this activity by having them illustrate their story.
·         For history lesson, have students look at maps of the area during that time frame. Have them compare to maps of the current time. Build onto this activity by having them do a research project.

Other books by this author:
·         Meanwhile Back at the Ranch
·         Dust Devil
·         The Ghosts of Luckless Gulch
·         Pancakes for Supper
·         Cat Up a Tree
·         Treehouse Tales

Reference:

Isaacs, A., & Zelinsky, P. O. (1994). Swamp Angel. New York: Dutton Children's Books.

Out of this World

Out of this World was written by Any Sklansky. Amy Sklansky’s love for writing started at a young age. She was an editor before she was a writer. She has written poetry, board books, fiction picture books and nonfiction picture books.

                This book is about space. Space ships travel really fast and very far. Before space travel astronauts prepare for the trip. Astronauts have to wear special space suits that protect them from the environment of space. Different famous space travelers packed items that were important to them. The moon gets it light from the reflection of the sun. The moon’s surface is made up of rock particles. Past astronauts have left footprints on the moon. The first satellite was launched in the 1950s. Each planet has a different environment. People have grouped stars together to make constellations. Our solar system is full of planets, starts, the sun, and many moons.

                Out of this World is a book of poetry. There are different poems written for different facts about space. This poetry book is nonfiction because it has so many accurate facts about space throughout the story. Each poem is structured differently. They all have a different number of lines and different stanzas. Poets can use different poetic devices to discuss subjects in different ways. According to Galda, word choice, arrangement, and poetic devices all come together to create a poem.

                I really enjoyed reading this book because every poem was different. I believe that this keeps children interested in poetry. The book was also interesting because it was full of facts. I liked reading the facts then reading the poems about the facts. I feel that this enhanced the poems greatly. The illustrations by Stacey Schuette are amazing. The space scenes look like photographs because they look so realistic. She uses a combination of digital art and paintings. The vivid colors are great for the use of stars and planets.

Discussion Questions:
·         What planet would you like to visit?
·         What are the five layers of the atmosphere?
·         What are names of famous astronauts?
·         What is gravity?
·         What kinds of elements do the space suit protect astronauts from?
·         What would you take with you?
·         How are the planets different?

Activities:
·         For poetry lesson, allow students to choose a fact out of the book and have them write their own poem based on the fact. Build onto this by displaying all of the poems and reading them together.
·         For science lesson, have students label the different planets and have them label the different moons.

Other books by this author:
·         Where Do Chicks Come From?
·         You Are my Lille Pumpkin Pie
·         You Are My Little Cupcake
·         My Daddy and Me
·         From the Doghouse
·         Skeleton Bones & Goblin Groans

Reference:

Sklansky, A.E., (2012). Out of this world: Poems and facts about space. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.