The Monster Princess

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: D.J. Machale, Alexandra Boiger

PUBLISHER: Aladdin                  PUBLICATION DATE: 2010 

GENRE: Fairytale Picture Book   READING LEVEL: 2^nd

BRIEF OVERVIEW: Lala is a rugabee that lives deep in the ground and collects krinkle nuts. All Lala wants is to be a princess. Her mom always tells her how important she is. She calls her “my star who shines bright.” One day, Lala went up to the castle and played in the three princesses dresses and jewelry. After the princesses caught her, they planned to bring Lala to the ball only to embarrass her. They broke her heart but later in the book a change of events occurs. Lala ends up having to save the princesses from being eaten by a wiffle. The princesses then regret what they had done to Lala and wanted her to become a princess with them. Lala politely turned them down because she realized that he is special in her own way.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Students will determine and write the central message, lesson, or moral from the story. Students will then draw a timeline with pictures including the main events of the story.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Sarah MeLinne Moon, Valdosta State University ECSE

LABELS: Fiction, being unique, fairy tale

The Monster Princess

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: D.J. Machale, Alexandra Boiger

PUBLISHER: Aladdin                 PUBLICATION DATE: 2010 

GENRE: Fairytale Picture Book  READING LEVEL: 2^nd

BRIEF OVERVIEW: Lala is a rugabee that lives deep in the ground and collects krinkle nuts. All Lala wants is to be a princess. Her mom always tells her how important she is. She calls her “my star who shines bright.” One day, Lala went up to the castle and played in the three princesses dresses and jewelry. After the princesses caught her, they planned to bring Lala to the ball only to embarrass her. They broke her heart but later in the book a change of events occurs. Lala ends up having to save the princesses from being eaten by a wiffle. The princesses then regret what they had done to Lala and want her to become a princess with them. Lala politely turns them down because she realized that she is special in her own way.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Students will determine and write the central message, lesson, or moral from the story. Students will then draw a timeline with pictures including the main events of the story.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Sarah MeLinne Moon, Valdosta State University ECSE

LABELS: Fiction, being unique, fairy tale

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

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse

TITLE: Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Kevin Henkes
PUBLISHER: Greenwillow Books PUBLICATION DATE: 1996
GENRE: Fiction READING LEVEL: Ages 4-8
BRIEF OVERVIEW: Lilly has a hard time concentrating in class because of the items she has brought for show and tell. Her teacher repeatedly reminds her to put them away, but she doesn't listen. Lilly gets upset with her teacher, but after having time to cool down she realizes that she wants to be a teacher like him when she grows up.
INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Students will each receive a paper bag to bring home. They will put items into the bag that represent who they are and bring it back to class the next day. At the end of the day, students will share what they brought.
REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Caty Quenga, Valdosta State University

Stone Soup

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Marilyn Sapienza/ Hans Wilhelm
PUBLISHER: Weekly Reader Books   
PUBLICATION DATE:1986
GENRE: Classic Fiction         READING LEVEL:  4^th
BRIEF OVERVIEW: The story has a little trickery in it with two pigs that came into a town and were hungry and found no food. Tricking the town’s people into putting in a lot of their own stuff making soup.
INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Write different kinds of soup that are fictional but fun to prepare.
REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Jacob Bishoff Valdosta State University