Devon+McCormick--Reviews

1) 2008 Caldecott Award/Caldecott Honor Book and Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor Book  Seeger, L. (2007). //First The Egg//. New York, NY: Roaring Book Press. 1596432721.   **__ Summary: __** First The Egg is an informative nonfiction picture book, with the pictures telling the story more powerfully than could words alone. The colors of the background paintings and the cutouts of the pages, show the transformation from seed to flower, tadpole to frog, caterpillar to butterfly, paint to picture, and word to story in an engaging manner.   **__ Opinion: __** My students were fascinated by the cut outs and interested in what the next image was going to be. The book is definitely a great tool to make learning fun for my kindergarten students, who were excited to see the pages connect to each other. The book’s ending circles back to the book’s beginning. My students’ were eager to start at the beginning again. I loved First The Egg and will continue to use it in my classroom. **__ Genre: __** **__ [|Science, Nature & How It Works] - [|Biology] __** **__ Curriculum Connection: Kindergarten __** **__CCR: Standard #7--ELA__** **Integrate and evaluate content presented in deverse media and formats, including visually and quantitavely, as well as in words** Strategy 21—Story Maps Once the book has been read, the teacher could have cut outs from the book. The students and teacher will grow through the stages of development of each part of the book. The teacher will have a map on the smart board or felt board. Once the teacher has modeled the skill, students can be placed in mixed ability groups and complete the activity on their own. They can swap characters with other groups once complete.
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2) 2010 Caldecott Award/Caldecott Honor Book   Sidman, J. (2009). //Red Sings From The Treetops: A Year In Colors//. New York: Houghton Mifflin. 0547014945.   **__ Summary: __** Each season is explored through color and vivid phrases. The colors on every page do sing. An entire year is covered in verse and illustration.   **__ Opinion: __** I read this aloud to my kindergarten class and found it to be full of patterns, both visual and vocal, that captured their interest and imaginations. They enjoyed discovering the small objects amidst the larger images. I found this to be a great book for challenging the students to be observant.   **__ Genre: __** Poetry – Science, Nature & How It Works   **__ Curriculum Connection: Kindergarten and Above __**  **__ CCR: Standard #4 ELA __**   Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative and figurative meanings and analyzes how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

**__ Classroom Activity//:// Promoting Literacy Development __** Strategy 46—All About Books __ Red Sings From The Treetops __ is a book that paints pictures using words. There are many things going on at one time in this book. This book is a wonderful one to teach writing with. Once the book is read, students and the teacher can discuss some of the facts covered in the book and the type of language used. Each student will select a scene from the book. They are to illustrate that scene to the best of their ability. They are then to write 1-2 descriptive sentences about that scene. They are required to use a color word. The scenes will then be placed in the correct order to create a class book.

3) Newbery Award/Newbery Honor Book Holm, J. (2011). //Turtle In// // Paradise //// . // New York, New York: Random House Publishing. 037583690X.  **__ Summary: __** The heroine of this book, eleven ear old Turtle, is sent to Key West, Florida, to live with relatives when her mother begins work as a housekeeper where children aren’t allowed. Turtle learns to adjust to the different lifestyle of Key West, family secrets, rough and tumble boy cousins, and hunting for treasure.   **__ Opinion: __** I found this book to be entertaining, but somewhat disconcerting. The portrayal of the freedom and lack of supervision of the children is not at all what I’m accustomed to. Turtle is sent to Key West with an acquaintance of her mother’s boyfriend, she arrives to find Aunt Minnie unaware that Turtle is coming, and finds the grandmother she was told died is living. Turtle is spirited and full of hope, and her unsinkable attitude makes for an entertaining read. I would have eagerly read as a child. **__ Genre: __** Fiction – Historical Fiction **__ Curriculum Connection __** : **__Grades 4 – 6__** **__ CCR: Strand #2 ELA __** **Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.** **__ Classroom Activity//:// Promoting Literacy Development __** Strategy 47—Frames for Writing Biographies The main character Turtle is a very fascinating person with an interesting life. This book presents a good chance to combine writing and reading. Once the class has read the book, they can create Turtle’s biography. The class can create a biography frame to guide their writing. They can use the model found on page 272 (it can be modified to fit this book.) Once they have created the frame, they can then write their biography and share with the class.

4) 2011 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Book = Golio, Gary (2010). //J// // imi: Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix // . New York, NY: Clarion Books. 0618852794. = =__ Summary: __ Jimi Hendrix listened to the sounds of Seattle and wanted to answer. He loved to draw and paint and listen to records. The book focuses on his rise to fame, with his death dealt with separately in an author’s note. The illustrations are unique and engaging. This is a story of a talented child who learns to see, hear, and interpret the world around him in his own unique way. = [|Show More]  [|Show Less]  Young Jimi knew that he wanted music in his life. Many students have hobbies or things that interest them. Students can write about a hobby that interests them. They can also draw pictures to illustrate their hobby.
 * __ Opinion: __** I enjoyed this book and felt the artwork to well represent the imagination and electric music of Jimi Hendrix. This book is a convincing portrait of a boy who heard the world very differently from anyone else. For grades three and up, this book will engage all children and may entice reluctant readers who know of Hendrix’s music. Jimi had a vision, worked hard, and became a foundation of rock music. I believe his story will inspire young artists of all types.
 * __ Genre: __** [|Biographies] - [|Performing Arts]
 * __ Curriculum Connection: __****__ Kindergarten and Up __**
 * __ CCR: __****__ Strand __****__ # 5 __**
 * Demonstrate understanding, of figurative language, word relationshops, and nuances in word meanings. **
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5) 2012 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award
Sweet, M. (2011). // Balloons over Broadway: The true story of the puppeteer of Macy’s parade. // New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin. 05471994570547199457. **__ Summary: __** The history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and balloon puppets is explained from beginning to the giant upside down helium-filled balloons of today. The story of Tony Sarg’s talent for designing and building articulated marionettes is told with interesting text, illustrations, collages, and original Macy’s advertisements. **__ Opinion: __** I enjoyed the text and illustrations of this book and the background story of Macy’s beginning the parade for the immigrant employees missing their homeland’s festivals and dancing in the street was touching and the seeing how far the Macy’s parade has evolved interesting. The biographical story of Tony Sarg is a story of dedication and hard work combined with a natural gift and vision. I plan to use this book to my classroom for Thanksgiving. **__ Genre: __** Non-Fiction – Historical – Picture Book.

__ Curriculum Connection ____ : Kindergarten __
**__ CCR: __** With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details. **__ Classroom Activity: Promoting Literacy Development __** Strategy 22: Story Retelling Students can retell the story about the development of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. They can use picture illustrations and a scribe or write based on their ability. Once complete, students can write about their own family’s Thanksgiving Day celebrations. They must use descriptive words to describe what they see, hear, smell, touch, and taste.

= 6) 2006 Ky.Bluegrass Award (K-2 2006) = = Willems, M. (2004). // Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale //. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. 9780786818709. = = __ Summary: __ The story of Trixie and her father going to the Laundromat and losing her favorite stuffed animal (Knuffle Bunny) and then finding him in the washing machine is one both young readers and adults will find entertaining. Trixie is non-verbal at first, but manages to convey her feelings to her father through expression, and finally her first words. = = __ Opinion: __ This is a great book! The illustrations combined with photographs, the expressiveness of the character’s faces, and the text make for a fun experience. The family works together to find Knuffle Bunny, they show patience and kindness to each other for a book to read and share over and over.  = =__ Genre: __ Fiction – Picture Storybook = __ Curriculum Connection __ : __Kindergarten__ = __ CCR: __ = = Reading Literature/Key Ideas and Details (With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details.) = __ Classroom Activity: // Promoting Literacy Development // __ Strategy 21—Story Maps The teacher will read this book aloud to the entire class. Once complete the class with then retell the story using visual aides (small cut outs from the book.) The teacher will help model the activity. The cut outs will then be placed in the literacy center for students to use during center time. // 7) International Books // Fox, M. (2007//). Whoever You Are.// New York, NY: Harcourt Children’s Books. 0152060308//.// **__ Summary: __** A colorfully illustrated book showing children from all over the world. The book illustrates that everyone may not look the same, live in the same style home, eat the same foods, or go to the same type school, but inside all children are alike.   **__ Opinion: __** I liked the pictures and text in this book. It would be good for reading aloud to my kindergarten class, and for them to read and share. This book is great for teaching equality and being inclusive.   **__ Genre: __** Children’s Fiction – Social – Multiculturalism - Inclusion.   **__ Curriculum Connection: Kindergarten and Above __**  **__CCR:__** **__Strand__** **__# 2__**  **Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.** **__ Classroom Activity: Promoting Literacy Development __** Strategy 19—Interactive Word Wall There are many new words and experiences in this book that my kindergarteners are not aware of. We can add new words to our word wall (arranged in alphabetical order.) We can look up the definitions of unfamiliar words and place them in our journals. We will then discuss what the words mean and how they apply to our lives. ||  || // 8) E-Book // Parket, S. (2012). //Angelo The Cat.// Retrieved from []. B007YN8N3C.  **__ Summary: __** Convinced he is smarter than his humans, Angelo sneaks into his boy’s backpack to go to school. The story goes from Angelo’s decision to go to school with his boy, to his discovery at school, to the teacher allowing him to stay, the lunch lady allowing him to eat, and finally going home for a snack and a good nap.   **__ Opinion: __** I thought this book was a good story, but without illustrations might be slow going for young readers. Children could relate to the home and school life portrayed, and would enjoy the adventures of Angelo.   **__ Genre: __** Children’s Ebook – Fiction.   **__ Curriculum Connection: 2nd Grade and Above __**  **__CCR:__** **__Strand__** **__# 4__**  **Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaining or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.** This book will make students think about what would happen if they brought their own pets to school. Students will complete a writing describing a school day for their pets. They may also illustrate their story for added description. || // 9) E-Book // Watson, T. (2010). //When Cows Fly.// Retrieved from []. B004IK958G.  **__ Summary: __** Written in rhyme, this is a nonsensical environmental story about Jake, his pets, and a large pile of garbage. When Jake can’t get help from the adults, he sets out to get rid of the garbage with the help of his pet cows.   **__ Opinion: __** I enjoyed the rhyming and plot of this story for young readers. I read it on a Kindle without color, but still found it engaging. My students were intrigued with the Kindle itself, and couldn’t stop laughing at Jake and his winged cows, and especially the gross garbage. While the text was challenging for my young readers, they retold the story or made up their own to match the images.   **__ Genr __**** e: ** Children’s eBooks – Fiction.   **__ Curriculum Connection: Kindergarten – 5th grade __**  **__CCR:__** **__Strand__** **__#5__** **Analyze the structure of textx including how specific sentences, paragrahs, and larger portions of the texts (e.g., a section, chapter, scene or stanza) relate to each other and the whole.** Strategy 1-Rhyme Generation The book is written in rhyme which presents a good opportunity to practice rhyming skills and word families. The class will be shown a rhyming word ladder chart. The class and the teacher will create rhyming word pairs based upon a particular word family. Once the class has created several examples, they will be placed in groups. The groups will be assigned specific word families to create rhyming words with.
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=// 10) Optional //= = Reynolds, P. (2004). //The Dot//. Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press. 0763619612. = **__ Summary: __** Vashti, a young girl who declares, “I just can’t draw” is shown by a caring teacher that she can do more than she ever imagined. By instructing Vashti to “Just make a mark and see where it takes you”, the teacher sets off a string of events that lead to Vashti discovering that she can achieve through effort, and that unconventional work can be worthwhile. She also discovers she can encourage others.   **__ Opinion: __** I enjoyed this book for a variety of reasons. The book showed that everything we do begins with just one dot. I can see using this book in my kindergarten classroom to help when students feel they are just not good enough. The teacher framing the dot and displaying it for all to see impressed how important acceptance and affirmation are to every child. I love the themes of just starting and trying your best, and of helping others as we grow. I believe it will become a favorite! **__ Genre: __** Fiction – Arts, Crafts & Music – Social Situations – Self-Esteem & Self-Respect. **__ Curriculum Connection: Kindergarten __** **__CCR:__** **__Strand__** **__#6__** **Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text** ||  || I like to always show the students a finished product before beginning a lesson. This can sometimes intimidate the students. I would like to show the students a very complex looking drawing of a baby chicken (we are currently covering life cycles in science.) I will then tell the students that they will complete the drawing. Once they get over their initial shock, I will show them step by step how to complete it. I will show the students by example that everything big and wonderful starts out small. || 11) Optional Stead, P. (2010). //A Sick Day for Amos McGee//. New York, NY: Roaring Book Press. 1596434023.  **__ Summary: __** Zookeeper Amos McGee takes his job seriously, and has a daily routine to care for the animals by spending a little time with each of his animal friends. The day Amos wakes up sick and has to stay in bed, the animals make their way to his house to care for him for a change.   **__ Opinion: __** I enjoyed this book! The kindness and empathy shown to the animals by Amos was returned by the animals. I would use this to discuss friendship, kindness and loyalty with my classroom. I found the happiness shown by Amos when his animal friends visit his home to be heartwarming.   **__ Genre: __** Fiction - Science - Nature & How It Works - Health - Social Situations   **__ Curriculum Connection: Kindergarten through Grade Five __**  **__ CCR: __****__ Strand __****__ #10 __** ** Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently. **  Strategy 46—All About Books This book has such a good story and illustrations. I would like for the students to create a book similar to this one. They could draw pictures and write the text based on animals they see on a daily basis (both wild and tame.) The students could work as a team. When they are finished, the book can be put together and read aloud. ||
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12) Optional Dewdney, A. (2005). //Llama Llama Red Pajama//. New York, NY: Viking Juvenile Press. 0670059838.  **__ Summary: __** After a normal bedtime routine, Baby Llama puts up the typical resistance to staying in bed and falling asleep. She wants a drink, she whimpers, she cries, and she shouts, giving voice to the age old quandary “What if Mama is gone?” Meanwhile, Mama is doing dishes, and dealing with telemarketers. When Llama works himself up to a tantrum, Momma hears his cries, drops everything and rushes to comfort him.   **__ Opinion: __** I have had success with other Llama Llama books. I like the message, the easy to read rhythms, and the illustrations. Through the story and illustrations, the author puts out the message that Momma may be too busy to come right now, but she will come and she does love him. Real world parents are also very busy, but they are trying their best. A good read for kindergarteners. **__ Genre: __** Fiction – Social Situations – Sleep – Emotions & Feelings – Family Life. **__ Classroom Connection: Kindergarten and Above __** **__ CCR: __****__ Strand __****__ #5 __** Analyze the structure of texts including how specific sentences, paragraphs and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter,scene or stanza) relate to each other and the whole **__Classroom Activity: Promoting Literacy Development__** Strategy 1-Rhyme Generation Every time I read one of the Llama books to my students they always find the rhyming words. Students can create their own rhyming word pairs. They can then turn the rhyming word pairs into a story of their own. The teacher and the assistant can act as scribes for the children. They can also illustrate their rhyming word pair books.

// 13) //// Optional // McCloud, C. (2006). //Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids.// Northville, Michigan: Nelson Publishing & Marketing. 0978507517. **__ Summary: __**// Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids // is a guide for children on connecting feelings to behavior. The book offers simple examples of making deposits of kindness by smiling at someone, writing thank you notes, or complimenting others. These deposits help fill invisible buckets-when children fill others buckets, their own bucket fills up with positive feelings. People with negative actions (teasing, bullying, excluding others) are not only bucket dipping, they can’t fill their own buckets by dipping out of others//.//  **__ Opinion: __** I enjoyed the concept of this book very much. I look forward to reading this to my classroom at the beginning of school next year as a way to open students to the rewards of treating others with kindness and respect. **__ Genre __** : [|Children's Books]  >  [|People & Places]  >  [|Social Situations]  >  [|Emotions & Feelings] **__ Curriculum Connection: Kindergarten and Above __** **__ CCR: Standard # 1 __** Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specfic textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text The class will have a picture of a large bucket on a poster. The students will receive small raindrops on paper. They are to write something nice about one of their classmates on that bucket. They will then tape their raindrops and place them on the bucket. The class can also receive compliments on raindrops as well. || 14) Optional
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Willems, Mo. (2005). //Leonardo, The Terrible Monster.// New York, NY: Hyperion Books. 0786852941.
=== __ Summary __ : Leonardo is terrible at being a monster-he’s cute and not scary. After research, Leonardo decides to scare Sam (the most scaredy-cat kid in the entire world). When he succeeds in scaring Sam, Leonard realizes he has hurt Sam’s feelings. === **__ Opinion __** : I liked this book a lot, and can see using it in my classroom in the future. The gentle message about cruelty and hurting other’s feelings would be a good tool to use in helping young children understand how actions affect other people. **__Genre:__** Fiction – Social Situations – Values – Emotions & Feelings – Friendship. **__ Curriculum Connection: Kindergarten __** **__ CCR: Standard #1 __** Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text. **__ Classroom Activity: __** Students can reflect on two experiences they have had concerning feelings. They are to think of a time when someone hurt their feelings and a time when someone made them feel good. They are to illustrate the situation and write about what happened to them.

15) Optional Fogliano, J. (2012). //And Then It’s Spring.// New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press. 1596436247.  **__ Summary __**** : ** A boy and his dog are eager for spring and decide to plant a garden. This book has simple words and beautiful illustrations. The author’s use of colors, sound words, and animals on every page, leads the story from wanting winter to end, to planting a garden, then waiting and watching for the seeds to sprout and grow.   **__ Opinion: __** I enjoyed the progression of this storybook from brown winter to green spring. The illustrations and story would be an excellent introduction to springtime activities in the classroom.   **__ Genre: __** Fiction – Science, Nature & How It Works.   **__ Curriculum Connection: Kindergarten __**  **__ CCR: Standard #2 __**   Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas. The class will plant seeds in cups and place them in the window. Each day they will draw a small picture on a chart in their Writer’s Workshop notebook. They will also write a descriptive sentence about their seed. They will chart the growth for their seed over the course of a month. || || ||
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