Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Barack Obama/ Loren Long 

PUBLISHER: Knopf Books for Young Readers        PUBLICATION DATE: 2010  

GENRE: Non-Fiction           READING LEVEL: Age 6

BRIEF OVERVIEW: The qualities and characteristics of Americans in the past and future are celebrated. 

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Students will write down qualities that they like about themselves and find an influential figure that is similar to them. Each student will make a poster displaying the connection and present it to the class. 

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: (Quiana Nicole Childs,Valdosta State University ECSE)

LABELS: creative, diversity, culture, Individuality 

Extra Yarn

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Mac Barnett/ Jon Klassen 

PUBLISHER: Balzer + Bray        PUBLICATION DATE: 2012  

AWARDS: Caldecott Honor Book and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner 

GENRE: Fiction              READING LEVEL: Age 7

BRIEF OVERVIEW: One day, Annabelle finds a box full of yarn. She uses her yarn to bring color to the gray in her life. 

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Students will be given balls of yarn and a poster image of a gray city. They will use the yarn to decorate their image. Then, they will discuss in groups why the yarn gives the image liveliness. 

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: (Quiana Nicole Childs, Valdosta State University ECSE)

LABELS: creative, Fiction, Picturebook, Individuality 

Extraordinary Jane by Hannah E. Harrison

author and illustrated by Hannah E. Harrison
Copyright: 2014 Reading Level: PreK-1st grade
Book Description: A beautifully illustrated book about a little dog named Jane. Jane is an ordinary dog in an extraordinary circus. She isn't strong, graceful, or brave like her family. When she tries to be those things, Jane just doesn't feel like herself, but she also doesn't feel special. Her Ringmaster helps her to see that she is actually very special, but not for reasons that she would believe. 
Integrated Idea: In a world where we constantly praise children for being best, fastest, smartest and prettiest - it's high time we remind our children that you're unique and extraordinary just being themselves. The students will determine their most favorite aspect about themselves and present it to their classmates. Whether it be drawing, jumping, singing, dancing, etc. Whatever "it" is that makes them feel special, is exactly what makes them so special. 
Reviewer's name and affiliation: Bethany A. Loggins, Valdosta State University

Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae

Copyright: 2012        Reading Level: PreK-3rd grade
Book Description: Giraffes Can't Dance is a touching tale of Gerald the giraffe, who wants nothing more than to dance. With crooked knees and thin legs, it's harder for a giraffe than you would think. Gerald is finally able to dance to his own tune when he gets some encouraging words from an unlikely friend.

Integrated Ideas: Students will describe the story’s character, Gerald, and the other jungle animals through sign based on the text and illustrations within the story. The students will explain the struggle Gerald faced when trying to dance and the effect the other animals had on his self confidence to dance on his own. As a class, the students will learn and attempt the dance styles listed within the story from each jungle animal. Each student will then create their own dance to share and teach to their fellow classmates that expresses their individuality and emotions. 

Reviewer's name and affiliation: Bethany A. Loggins, Valdosta State University