Author #2- Jan Brett- official website http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&source=hp&q=The+Tiny+Seed+by+Eric+Carle&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=Lv3YSreBN4PitgPuyYSYBg&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=image&resnum=10&ved=0CCsQzAMwCQ
Armadillo Rodeo
Most armadillos are happy scratching sand and eating, but Bo longs for adventure. And adventure Bo gets, the day Harmony Jean breaks in her brand-new chili- pepper-red cowboy boots by the banks of Can Creek. Peering out across the creek bed, Bo is sure he's spotted a rip-roarin', rootin'-tootin', shiny red armadillo! Bo's off and running after his new friend--right down to the Curly H Rodeo. There Bo gets to do all the things he's dreamed of doing: he rides a bronc, eats red- hot chili peppers, and even tries the two-step. Bo is ready to follow his pal off into the sunset, but he is about to discover his new friend is no ordinary armadillo. Jan Brett turns her considerable storytelling talents toward the Texas countryside in this warm and funny story of an armadillo on his own. Luckily, Ma Armadillo and her boys are searching for Bo in the borders to bring him back home.
The Easter Egg
It’s Spring Time for rabbits to decorate eggs for the Easter Rabbit. This year Hoppi is old enough to join in, and if he can just make the winning egg, he will be the one to help the Easter Rabbit on Easter. But Hoppi hasn't decided what kind of egg to make. And as he hops along and sees one fantastic egg after another, he begins to wonder how he can compete. Hoppi goes into the woods to think about his egg, and just when he figures out that he only has to make the best egg he can, his plans take a most unexpected turn. Jan Brett's lovable bunny hero and her remarkable Easter Rabbit will enchant readers as the pore over exquisite illustrations filled with dazzling eggs and their gifted makers - Flora Bunny, Aunt Sassyfrass, Hans Vanderabbit and others. An unforgettable Easter story for all ages!
Go to the home website listed above to view all of her books. She also illustrates her books and does a great job. Her books are unique in how she does the edges of the pages to give you a clue of what is coming up.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Author #1-Eric Carle
Author #1- Eric Carle-official website http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html
Eric Carle is one of my wife’s favorite authors. She uses his books for integrating Language Arts, math, science, and social studies. The themes of his stories are usually drawn from his extensive knowledge and love of nature—an interest shared by most small children. Besides being beautiful and entertaining, his books always offer the child the opportunity to learn something about the world around them. It is his concern for children, for their feelings and their inquisitiveness, for their creativity and their intellectual growth that, in addition to his beautiful artwork, makes the reading of his books such a stimulating and lasting experience.
Carle says: “With many of my books I attempt to bridge the gap between the home and school. To me home represents, or should represent; warmth, security, toys, holding hands, being held. School is a strange and new place for a child. Will it be a happy place? There are new people, a teacher, classmates—will they be friendly?
From Head to Toe, 1997“I can do it!” is the confidence-building message of this book. As young children copy the antics of Eric Carle’s animals, they’ll learn such important skills as careful listening, focusing attention, and following instructions. Just as alphabet books introduce letters and simple words, From Head to Toe introduces the basic body parts and simple body movements - the ABC’s of dancing, gymnastics, and other sports activities.
The Tiny Seed, 1970Poetic but simple text and lovely collage pictures dramatize the life cycle of all plants, as one tiny seed grows into an enormous sunflower, which then produces more seeds in its turn. Carried from its flower home by the autumn wind, a tiny seed travels around the world. Its journey is perilous, and the reader learns the fate of fellow seeds: they can fall into the ocean, be burned by the sun, or be eaten by birds. Even those seeds that land and begin to grow are in danger of being stepped on or picked. Against the odds, however, this tiny seed survives to grow into a grand, beautiful flower, ready, in turn, to send its seeds out into the world on the wind.
Sorry I still haven't figured out how to put the pictures of the books on the blog. If anyone has any suggestions it would be greatly appreciated.
Eric Carle is one of my wife’s favorite authors. She uses his books for integrating Language Arts, math, science, and social studies. The themes of his stories are usually drawn from his extensive knowledge and love of nature—an interest shared by most small children. Besides being beautiful and entertaining, his books always offer the child the opportunity to learn something about the world around them. It is his concern for children, for their feelings and their inquisitiveness, for their creativity and their intellectual growth that, in addition to his beautiful artwork, makes the reading of his books such a stimulating and lasting experience.
Carle says: “With many of my books I attempt to bridge the gap between the home and school. To me home represents, or should represent; warmth, security, toys, holding hands, being held. School is a strange and new place for a child. Will it be a happy place? There are new people, a teacher, classmates—will they be friendly?
From Head to Toe, 1997“I can do it!” is the confidence-building message of this book. As young children copy the antics of Eric Carle’s animals, they’ll learn such important skills as careful listening, focusing attention, and following instructions. Just as alphabet books introduce letters and simple words, From Head to Toe introduces the basic body parts and simple body movements - the ABC’s of dancing, gymnastics, and other sports activities.
The Tiny Seed, 1970Poetic but simple text and lovely collage pictures dramatize the life cycle of all plants, as one tiny seed grows into an enormous sunflower, which then produces more seeds in its turn. Carried from its flower home by the autumn wind, a tiny seed travels around the world. Its journey is perilous, and the reader learns the fate of fellow seeds: they can fall into the ocean, be burned by the sun, or be eaten by birds. Even those seeds that land and begin to grow are in danger of being stepped on or picked. Against the odds, however, this tiny seed survives to grow into a grand, beautiful flower, ready, in turn, to send its seeds out into the world on the wind.
Sorry I still haven't figured out how to put the pictures of the books on the blog. If anyone has any suggestions it would be greatly appreciated.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Chapter 7: Picture Books
I found the whole chapter very interesting. I particularly liked the visual elements section that talks about line, color, shape, texture, design or composition. The reason I relate to this section is because I like to draw and I can relate to these terms. The section of forms of picture books was also interesting because I was not aware of the different forms such as alphabet, concept, pop-up, interactive, wordless, and predictable patterened language books. The Guidelines for Choosing Literature: Evaluating Picture Books was another interesting section that will help me see books from a different view point. There was not anything that I disagreed with or didn't like in this chapter. I found all the information helpful in learning how to select literature and what types are out there.
Response to "The Path of Needles or Pins: Little Red Riding Hood"
I did not care much about this version of the story. I thought the part where the wolf eats the grandmother and saves some of her flesh and blood a little to gory for students. I did notice that a lot of the information in the story relates to life at that time particularly for the women. For example: The women/laundresses who helped the little girl cross the water but sank or drowned the wolf is representative of women's labor at that time. I also did not care for the sexual conotation implied by the little girl stripping her clothes and throwing them away just to climb in with the wolf. This seemed more of a story intended for older students maybe high school age. Just my opinion.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Second Author: Mercer Myer
Mercer Mayer (born December 30, 1943 in Little Rock, Arkansas) is an American children's book writer and illustrator. He has published over 300 books using a wide range of illustrative styles (see his bibliography for a list). Mayer is probably best known for his "Little Critter" and "Little Monster" series of books.
This website also lists more of Mercer Mayer’s books.http://www.littlecritter.com/
There’s A Nightmare in my Closet. This book is about a nightmare in a little boy's closet. He knew it was there and finally got tired of being scared. He waited until the nightmare crept out of the closet and told him to go away. The nightmare began to cry. The boy felt sorry for him and let him sleep with him in his bed. This would be a great book to read about confronting your fears.
This website http://www.librarything.com/author/mayermercer lists more of Mercer Myer’s books.
Click here to see a picture of the book. http://www.librarything.com/work/4841598
My wife has at least half of Mayer's books in her class. Littler critter is one of her favorite characters.
This website also lists more of Mercer Mayer’s books.http://www.littlecritter.com/
There’s A Nightmare in my Closet. This book is about a nightmare in a little boy's closet. He knew it was there and finally got tired of being scared. He waited until the nightmare crept out of the closet and told him to go away. The nightmare began to cry. The boy felt sorry for him and let him sleep with him in his bed. This would be a great book to read about confronting your fears.
This website http://www.librarything.com/author/mayermercer lists more of Mercer Myer’s books.
Click here to see a picture of the book. http://www.librarything.com/work/4841598
My wife has at least half of Mayer's books in her class. Littler critter is one of her favorite characters.
First Author: Judith Viorst
Judith Viorst, born February 2, 1931), is an American author, newspaper journalist, and psychoanalysis researcher. She is perhaps best known for her children's literature, such as The Tenth Good Thing About Barney (about the death of a pet) and the Alexander series of short books.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, published in 1972, is an ALA Notable Children's Book written by Judith Viorst and illustrated by Ray Cruz. It has also won a George G. Stone Center Recognition of Merit, a Georgia Children's Book Award, and is a Reading Rainbow book. Viorst followed this book up with a sequel, Alexander and the Wonderful, Marvelous, Excellent, Terrific Ninety Days.
From the moment he wakes up with gum in his hair, things just do not go Alexander's way. Getting out of bed, he trips on a skateboard and drops his sweater into a sink full of water. At breakfast, Alexander's brothers Nick and Anthony reach into their cereal boxes and pull out amazing prizes, while all Alexander ends up with is cereal.
On the way to school, he doesn't get the window seat in the carpool. At school his teacher doesn't like his drawing of an invisible castle (which is actually just a blank sheet of paper) and criticizes him for singing too loud and leaving out 16. His friend Paul reduces Alexander to third best friend and there is no dessert in his lunch.
At the dentist's, the dentist tells Alexander he has a cavity, the elevator door hurts his foot, Anthony pushes him into the mud, Nick calls him a crybaby for crying, and Mom catches him in the act of punching Nick. It goes on to tell more terrible horrible things that have happened to Alexander.
At bedtime, Alexander's nightlight burns out, he bites his tongue, Nick takes back a pillow, and the family cat chooses to sleep with Anthony. No wonder Alexander wants to move to Australia. The book ends with his mother's assurance that everyone has bad days, even people who live in Australia.
Here is a short cut to view the book. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ALEXANDER_TERRIBLE_HORRIBLE.jpg
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, published in 1972, is an ALA Notable Children's Book written by Judith Viorst and illustrated by Ray Cruz. It has also won a George G. Stone Center Recognition of Merit, a Georgia Children's Book Award, and is a Reading Rainbow book. Viorst followed this book up with a sequel, Alexander and the Wonderful, Marvelous, Excellent, Terrific Ninety Days.
From the moment he wakes up with gum in his hair, things just do not go Alexander's way. Getting out of bed, he trips on a skateboard and drops his sweater into a sink full of water. At breakfast, Alexander's brothers Nick and Anthony reach into their cereal boxes and pull out amazing prizes, while all Alexander ends up with is cereal.
On the way to school, he doesn't get the window seat in the carpool. At school his teacher doesn't like his drawing of an invisible castle (which is actually just a blank sheet of paper) and criticizes him for singing too loud and leaving out 16. His friend Paul reduces Alexander to third best friend and there is no dessert in his lunch.
At the dentist's, the dentist tells Alexander he has a cavity, the elevator door hurts his foot, Anthony pushes him into the mud, Nick calls him a crybaby for crying, and Mom catches him in the act of punching Nick. It goes on to tell more terrible horrible things that have happened to Alexander.
At bedtime, Alexander's nightlight burns out, he bites his tongue, Nick takes back a pillow, and the family cat chooses to sleep with Anthony. No wonder Alexander wants to move to Australia. The book ends with his mother's assurance that everyone has bad days, even people who live in Australia.
Here is a short cut to view the book. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ALEXANDER_TERRIBLE_HORRIBLE.jpg
Chpater 6
What I do agree with in Chapter 6 is that stories are a rich oral tradition that have been passed down from generation to generation. I can think of many stories my grandfather use to tell my sister and I as we were growing up. He would tell us stories that are pertinenet to our Hispanic culture. I agree with the text that some stories should not be written down because they might not be written down correctly or the meaning is changed. As a teacher it is important for us to chose our stories carefully. We need to make sure our students are aware of the different cultures and understand and have an appreciation of the different cultures.
The guidelines for choosing literature have changed my way of looking for stories. The guidelines are excellent source of how to chose appropriate traditional literature taking into account their culture and literary considerations.
There was not really anything in this chapter that I did not agree with or did not like. I found this chapter very interesting. We just need to be careful what stories we select and for what purposes and make sure we do not offend our students culture in the process. We need to be sensitive to their culture.
I could relate to the use of story maps and venn diagrams because when I have observed my wife, who is a kindergarten teacher, during her guided reading she uses venn diagrams to point out what is the title of the story? Who is the author and illustrator? Who are the characters in the story? Where did it take place, the setting? etc. The children seem to remember the informatio better through the use of visuals.
The guidelines for choosing literature have changed my way of looking for stories. The guidelines are excellent source of how to chose appropriate traditional literature taking into account their culture and literary considerations.
There was not really anything in this chapter that I did not agree with or did not like. I found this chapter very interesting. We just need to be careful what stories we select and for what purposes and make sure we do not offend our students culture in the process. We need to be sensitive to their culture.
I could relate to the use of story maps and venn diagrams because when I have observed my wife, who is a kindergarten teacher, during her guided reading she uses venn diagrams to point out what is the title of the story? Who is the author and illustrator? Who are the characters in the story? Where did it take place, the setting? etc. The children seem to remember the informatio better through the use of visuals.
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