We're All Readers as well as Writers - 4 of 31

 It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a kidlit meme hosted by Jen and Kellee at Teach.Mentor.Texts  Head over to find plenty to choose from!  Plus, there is a terrific meme hosted by Sheila at BOOK JOURNEYS that offers more reviews of all kinds of books, adult and children.   Don’t forget to tweet at #IMWAYR 

              And today is March 4th, slice number 4 of 31!  This is the fabulous Slice of Life Writing Challenge where we write every day and link together on the Two Writing Teachers Blog of Ruth Ayres and Stacey Shubitz. 

                   Tweet at #slice2013

          A good reading one for those who need ideas from non-fiction picture books.  Cathy Mere at Reflect and Refine: Building A Learning Community, her friends Mandy Robek at Enjoy and Embrace Learning,and Julie Balen at Write at The Edge have decided to have a non-fiction sharing day like the fabulous 10 for 10 favorite picture book day that occurred last August.  Please be sure to take a look!

               I’ve been reading some fabulous posts that connect us all these past few days, thus my reading week was exceptionally short.  I did read 4 picture books from the library that were recommended on the 10 for 10 sharing, most written by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page.  I also discovered they live in Boulder.  Perhaps I can find a way to have them present at my school?  Thanks to this incredible team, I now know so much more about animals in special circumstances. 

What Do You Do With A Tail Like This? – by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page

       I had the pleasure of watching the DVD of this book, which included an interesting interview of the writer’s and illustrator’s process both together and apart.  The book is simply illustrated and there was motion added to this movie.  But it isn’t just about tails, it’s also what one can do with feet, mouths, ears, and noses.  It includes a wide variety of animals, from hippos to scorpions to blue-footed boobies (my favorite bird). 

I See A Kookaburra! Discovering Habitats Around The World- by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page

          Beautifully collaged work can be seen in this book, filled with information about adaptation to habitats all over the world, and much additional information is offered at the end of the book.  The animals are a bit camouflaged and one fun thing is the fact that there are hundreds of ant species everywhere, so the authors challenge us readers to find the ant in each page spread.  Ages can range widely if students are doing beginning research in habitats.

How To Clean A Hippopotamus A Look At Unusual Animal Partnerships - by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page

            I don’t remember when I first learned that certain animals who would ordinarily be enemies have evolved to help each other, perhaps when I first read an old picture book titled Bill and Pete by Tomi DePaola about an alligator and his “trusty toothbrush”, otherwise known as a plover.  This book is crammed with example after example of those unlikely pairings.  Arranged in cells, rather like a comic, using the narrative style to relay the information, and collage to show off the animals and some of their actions. 

                                                      The Beetle Book – Steve Jenkins

            Jenkins has created this book without his wife, Robin Page.  It is filled with many illustrations of beetles.  I learned that of every plant and animal were lined up, one in four would be a beetle.  The parts of beetles are explained, different behaviors are described, and those that are camouflaged, those that are shiny, and those that are big or small are described.  It’s a beautiful, beautiful book. 

          

Esperanza Rising – Pam Munoz Ryan

                  I finished this book, a re-read, but my book group has still not completed it. It's a beautiful book, one that invites much conversation and prediction because of the subtle foreshadowing. It's about a young woman in Mexico whose father is suddenly killed, throwing the family into turmoil. They must escape with false papers to work on a farm with the relatives of their former servants. I love the main character, hearing her thoughts, and imagining the fact that probably she wouldn't choose to be with any of us if she went back to her former life. She's a sweet little rich girl that is about to learn a lot abut work and about family. Change is indeed hard, and students and I have had quite a few discussions about what they might do or say.                  

Next?  More posts from those in the Slice of Life challenge, some work to read for a teacher discussion this week, and Hattie Ever After, I hope!