Sunday, September 30, 2012

Library Mouse


Library Mouse
Author: Daniel Kirk
Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: Grades 1-2
Year Published: 2007

Summary
This book is about a mouse who decides to be a writer. Sam, who is the "Library Mouse," lives in a library in a school, behind the reference books shelf. Sam loves to read, so he feels like the library is a perfect place for him to live! Sam reads so many different genres of books, and loves them all. One night, he decides to write his own book! He put his books that he wrote out on the shelves so that other children could read the books by this mystery author. 

About the Author
Daniel Kirk was grew up in the 1950's and 60s in the Midwest. He loved art as a child, including sculpture and drawing in his list of hobbies. He grew up reading, as well, and one of his favorite authors was Dr. Seuss. HIs father was a radio announcer, and his mom was a singer. They both eventually became puppeteers (cool!) and would write and show their own versions of fables. He attended Ohio State University, and graduated from there in 1974. From that point, he eventually moved to New York to become an artist! There, he began a career as an illustrator. He met and married Julia Gorton, and they had two daughters, Ivy and Raleigh. He eventually thought about creating children's books himself, and that is how his career was born. His first book, Skateboard Monsters, was published in 1992. 
Source: http://www.danielkirk.com/

How to Use it
This book can be used to launch a writing workshop in the classroom! 

Pre-Reading: Have a class discussion about what it means to be an author. Students can talk with partners and share with the class their ideas. "What do authors do?"

Post-Reading: This book can be a great transition for students who are writing for the first time (K-1). After reading the book, discuss how Sam decided to write a book. What did he write about? How did he feel when he wrote? This can extend into students doing a writing piece on their own!

What do I Think?
I use this book every year in September, when I am launching my writing workshop. I think it can really show kids that anyone can be an author. I love how the mouse in the story loves to read, and translates that over to writing. I think that is something that all kids can relate to at a young age. This is a must-have for teaching writing in the primary classroom. 

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Frederick


Frederick
Author: Leo Lionni
Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: Pre-K - Grade 2
Year Published: 1967

Summary
This story is about a mouse and his family who are preparing for winter. Frederick, who is the main character of the story, does not help with the gathering of food. Nontraditionally (in the eyes of the field mice) he says that he is gathering sun rays, colors, and words for them to have when the winter gets cold and lonely. When winter comes, and the family of mice does run out of food, it is Frederick’s supplies that help them get through the cold and quietness.


About the Author
Leo Lionni was born on May 5, 1910, in a small town outside of Amsterdam. He loved nature as a child, and his parents permitted him to explore those things. His father was a public accountant and his mother was a promising opera singer. Leo's uncle, Piet, is the one who first introduced him to art, and who gave him his first drawing lesson. In 1922, Leo's parents left him in Brussels and went to America, and Leo lived with his (step)grandparents. Two years later, he moved to Philadelphia to join his family. One year later, they moved again to Genoa, Italy! He married Nora Maffi in 1931, and had a son, Mannie, in 1933. They had a second son, Paolo, in 1938. They soon moved to America, when it began to get dangerous for Jewish people to stay in Europe. In New York, Leo was hired by a prominent advertising agency. He rose quickly in the field, and later in life, he discovered children's books. He created 40 children's books, some of which won awards. He was very creative and most of his books taught little life lessons. He eventually retired, and moved to Italy with Nora.
Source: http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/lionni/aboutlionni.php

How to Use it
This book talks about how field mice prepare for winter, and how one mouse gathered some different things that were out of the norm. It shows how different people can contribute things that might not seem valuable at the time, but that really are crucial to life.

Pre-Reading: Discuss with the class what mice do to prepare for the winter. Ask them what types of foods and materials the mice make, and discuss what they think mice do to keep warm. Discuss how they themselves would prepare for a winter in which they had to stay in their houses for 3 months!


Post-Reading: Depending on the age of the students, have them write a book or draw illustrations depicting what they would do if they had to hole up for the winter. Would they gather colors and words like Frederick, or be more practical and gather food that would sustain them throughout the winter?
In addition, this book could be used for Character Education. Different people use different things in life, and all are valuable in different ways.




What do I Think?
This book has a beautiful message. The artwork in and of itself is gorgeous, and I love the concept behind the whole story. Sun rays, colors, and words are three of my favorite things in life, and I love how this book shows it to kids in a simple, effective way. 

The Rainbow Fish



The Rainbow Fish
Author: Marcus Pfister
Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: Elementary
Year Published: 1992

Summary
This is a story involving a fish in the ocean who possessed many shiny, shimmering scales, and who was the most beautiful fish in the ocean. All of the other fish wanted to play with him, but he never would give them the time of day. He did not play with any other fish, because he thought that he was too special to mingle with the commoners. After a little blue fish asked for one of his scales and was denied, none of the fish would go near or acknowledge Rainbow Fish. After seeking advice from the wise octopus, Rainbow Fish knew he needed to share his scales and his beauty. After he did this, he became friends with everyone and was finally happy and content in his life. 


About the Author
Marcus Pfister was born in Switzerland on July 30, 1960. He went to the Art School of Bern (Switzerland) and became trained in the field of graphic design. After he completed school and had worked as a graphic designer, he traveled for a bit across the world. When he returned, he began working for himself as an independent graphic artist. He became an author/illustrator along with pursuing graphic artistry, and it wasn't until The Rainbow Fish that he became known internationally. He has published 49 books! He has four children, and currently resides in Switzerland. In his free time, he enjoys basketball and photography.
Source: http://www.marcuspfister.ch/biography.htm

How to Use it
 This story focuses on Rainbow Fish, and the lesson that he learns about sharing and how being the best or the most beautiful doesn’t make you happy. In fact, it makes you unhappy when you do not share your gifts with everyone.
 
Pre-Reading: Discuss with the class what makes a fish more beautiful than other fish. Talk to them about what kinds of fish are in the ocean, and how each one is special in their own way.


Post-Reading: This book is great for character education! You can discuss these questions with your class: What did the rainbow fish learn in this book? What did all of you learn about what is the right thing to do in this book? How did the rainbow fish feel after giving away his scales? These questions will bring the children's attention to the main theme in the story: sharing and being a good friend. 
Transitioning the conversation to how the book relates to their own lives would also be helpful. Children can talk with their partners about sharing things to make others happy, and how that brings happiness onto themselves. 



What do I Think?
I remember reading this book as a child, and I remember it sticking with me for a long time. The message in this book is potent: Just because you have more of something (money/beauty) doesn't make you a better person. It's how you use those gifts that really counts.