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 dance. Show all posts

10/21/14

Angelina Ballerina

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Katherine Holabird/ Helen Craig

PUBLISHER: Viking PUBLICATION DATE: 1983

GENRE: Children’s Fiction ages 9+ READING LEVEL: Ages 7-9

BRIEF OVERVIEW: Angelina is a mouse who wanted to be a ballerina. She danced all the time, but the dancing always got her into trouble because she never does her chores. Her parents finally enrolled her into a ballet class, and she became a beautiful famous ballerina.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: The teacher will ask the students to write a story on what they want to be when they grow up. The Friday after the assignment is completed the teacher will tell the students they are allowed to come to school dressed as what they want to be.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Rebecca Hasty,Valdosta State University ECSE
LABELS: Dance, Mouse

Giraffes Can't Dance

TITLE: Giraffes Can't Dance

AUTHOR: Giles Andrea ILLUSTRATOR: Guy Parker-Rees

PUBLISHER: Orchard Books PUBLICATION DATE: 2001

GENRE: fiction picture book READING LEVEL: 5-8

BRIEF OVERVIEW: A giraffe wants to dance at the Jungle Dance. The other animals tease him. He soon learns to dance his own unique way of dancing.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: The class, group of students, or children can listen to a well known song with specific dance moves, but they can make up their own dance moves.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Emily Lewis, Valdosta State University ECSE

LABELS: fiction, animals, dance

10/19/14

Old Mikamba Had a Farm

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Rachel Isadora

PUBLISHER: Nancy Paulson Books PUBLICATION DATE: 2013

GENRE: Foreign

READING LEVEL: Kindergarten

BRIEF OVERVIEW: An African version of Old MacDonald. (ex. with an elephant here and a babboon there..)

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Have children come up with dance moves that pertain to each animal movement. Dance to "Old MacDonald" instrumental.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Jasmine Rozier, Valdosta State University ECSE)

9/14/14

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

12/4/13

Boogie Monster Dance

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Josie Bissett/Kevan Atteberry

PUBLISHER:CompendiumPUBLICATION DATE: 2011

GENRE: NonFiction Informational Picture Book READING LEVEL: peek-2nd

BRIEF OVERVIEW:A book about the Boogie Monster Dance. This is a kit so also includes furry boogie legs and CD.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY:

During Halloween, read this book and play the CD and teach them the Boogie Monster Dance.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION:Megan Fender,Valdosta State University, Block A