A Book or Two: Children's Literature Reviews

Find a perfect children’s book to share or read, and information on new, classic, and favorite children's literature, reviewed by university professors, teachers, librarians, graduate students, and teachers-to-be! Browse A Book or Two by title, genre, or topic! HAPPY READING! This is a closed site, to prevent inappropriate postings. You won't be able to add your own comments. Communication should be sent to the site organizer, Dr. Deb Marciano (dlmarciano@valdosta.edu).

Showing posts with label Happiness. Show all posts

9/21/14

Someday

AUTHOR: Eileen Spinelli Illustrator: Rosie Winstead

PUBLISHER: Dial PUBLICATION DATE: 2007
GENRE: Fiction/ Picture Book READING LEVEL: 2nd gr BRIEF OVERVIEW: A young girl tells about her big dreams of being an artist, a gymnast, and a geologist. She also follows up with her current life and how happy she is in the here and now.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Have students write a short story sharing what they want to do when they grow up. Each day a different student will get the chance to share his or her story. The students will dress up as the career he or she has chosen whenever he or she presents the story to the class.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Brittany Chastain, Valdosta State University ECSE

11/22/13

The Happy Troll

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Max Bolliger/ Peter Sis

TRANSLATED BY: Nina Ignatowizc

PUBLISHER: PUBLICATION DATE: 2005

GENRE: Traditional READING LEVEL: Ages 7-8

BRIEF OVERVIEW: A troll, Gus, who can sing beautifully, loses his songs when he becomes obsessed with material objects.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Students write about something they can do well that makes them happy. (language arts)

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Chris Poppell

Dream-House

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Fu-Ding Cheng

PUBLISHER: Hampton Roads PUBLICATION DATE: 2000

GENRE: Fantasy READING LEVEL: K-5

BRIEF OVERVIEW: The book tells of life’s natural cycles. It teaches a lesson that all things should be treasured and treated right. It also teaches the moral of not being set on material things.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY:Use recycled and sustainable items to create a 3-D version of the dream house.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Chelsea Brown, Valdosta State University

11/17/13

Good Boy Fergus!

Good Boy Fergus!

TITLE: Good Boy Fergus!
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: David Shannon
PUBLISHER: Scholastic Inc. PUBLICATION DATE:2006
GENRE: Fiction READING LEVEL: 2^nd
BRIEF OVERVIEW: Fergus the little dog has a full day of going and we as readers fallow him throughout his journey of the day. He ends up back at his house eating then going to sleep.
INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Draw a picture book on the different animals that are known to them.
REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Jacob Bishoff Valdosta State University

11/15/13

Jubilee

TITLE: Jubilee

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Ellen Yeomans/ Tim Ladwig

PUBLISHER: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

PUBLICATION DATE: January 29, 2010

GENRE: Contemporary
READING LEVEL: 5-8 years

BRIEF OVERVIEW: People from all around and of different cultures come together and enjoy each other at a wonderful picnic - from playing musical instruments, playing games, and feasting.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Introduce students to the word 'jubilee.' Let them talk about times when they felt jubilee and let them draw or paint that time on a piece of paper. Hang their artwork up in the hallway for all to see how jubilant your class can be.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Tachovia Kendrick Valdosta State University Teacher Candidate

Pippi Longstocking

TITLE: Pippi Longstocking

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Astrid Lindgren/ Lauren Child

PUBLISHER: Viking Juvenile PUBLICATION DATE: 2011

GENRE: Traditional Euro picture book

READING LEVEL: 5 years old and up

BRIEF OVERVIEW: Pippi is only 9 years old, but she lives by herself. All of the neighbors try to convince her to act like a young woman should, but she thinks differently.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Students will be assigned roles and will act out the story using beginning, middle, and end.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Emily Raymond LITR 3110 section A

11/14/13

I Like Me

TITLE: I Like Me
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Nancy Carlson
PUBLISHER: Puffin PUBLICATION DATE: 1990
GENRE: Children's Literature READING LEVEL: 3-5 years
BRIEF OVERVIEW: A sweet little piggy is her own best friend! She takes care of herself, and picks herself up when she is down. She is accepting of herself and all her imperfections! She is her own best friend, and she loves it!
INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Have children design a mini-book that is titled “I Like Me,” but with what the children like about themselves on the inside instead! Depending on their grade level, students can write a sentence or phrase about a feature they like about themselves. They will also include an illustration. To add onto the creativity, teachers can attach a picture of the student to the front of the book to keep as a memoir. This will help children be more accepting of themselves in the future.
REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Patricia Price - VSU Teacher Candidate - LITR 3110 A