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Day 21: Character Transformation: Last Day Hooray!!! I learned a lot the last 21 day from the 104 books that mentored me. Writing is harder than I ever imagined, and it’s good to know there are great mentor texts available in my local library, or on Ohio’s digital one. One of the 1st things I learned from other writers. is the main character must grow because of their journey from problem to solution. If they resolve the problem but don’t change as a character, what’s the point? Today’s 11 books have 4 different ways characters can transform. The 1st set of books is the most common transformation…the main character solves his/her own problems and grows because of it.  Sophie’s problem is with her squash. She grows too attached to it. She takes it everywhere. She paints a face on it and even names it Bernice. As the leaves fall, Bernice grows softer and more spotted. Sophie takes Bernice to visit a friend and asks what makes squash healthy. The answer, “Fresh air. Good, clean dirt. A little love.” Sophie tries the answer. Problem solved! Read to discover how Sophie did it. Teaching units: Seasons, Gardening & plant care, Friendships  “ I ” have a problem. I’m trying to like spiders, but I’m failing. I think about studying them. Then they move, and I squish them. I think about their super powers, but that doesn’t work either. It doesn’t help knowing it’s easier to get hit by lightning than die by spider bite. I finally found the secret to loving spiders, but you’ll have to read this book to discover it! Unit: Spiders, their habits, habitats, and super powers  Humpty Dumpty solves his own problem. It’s not the fall, or having the king’s men put him together. It’s the after-effects…a fear of heights. Poor Humpty can’t sleep in the top bunk, or get a book from the top shelf. He tries to live with his fear. But when he can’t fly his paper airplane, he screws up his courage and solves his problem. The ending is great! Teaching units: fears, fairy tales, nursery rhymes, alternate ending, eggs & their life cycle  Another character-empowerment story, x 2! Hensel and Gretel are 2 cute chicks, but they’re scared! Their mother’s been hen-napped, and their father’s one scared rooster. What do the chicks do? Go to the Three Pigs Dojo Class! The chicks return home ready to rescue Ma, only to discover Pop’s been stolen too. Read and find out how the chicks serve fox justice, not dinner. Units: Fractured fairy tales, Ninja skills, Predators/prey, Problem solving I couldn’t find these books whose characters solved their own problems: New Shoes by Susan Lynn Meyer Bug in a Vacuum by Melanie Watt The Day I Became a Bird by Ingrid Chabbert Guridi Sometimes a transformation, a change, must take place before a better solution can be found.  This is a chapter book, a picture book, and a detective story all in one. Transformations take place when Detective Binky,frog policeman, solves a case. Here is his investigation log: - Mrs. Bear calls in a burglary. The clues point to someone with golden locks. - A witch is missing. At the woodcutter’s cottage, a pair of kids, Hansel and Gretel, make a confession. It appears to be self-defense. - Humpty Dumpty is in pieces, and an angry pig with extra eggs looks suspicious. - A mirror-carrying Queen heads to a costume shop. She changes into a hag costume that includes a basket of apples. Snow White goes missing the next day and is discovered in a deep sleep. - An explosion in the forest leads to a dead giant, a golden hen, a boy, and a beanstalk. Units: Crime solving, Careers, Fairy tales/Nursery rhymes, Compare/Contrast alternative versions  The transformation in this story takes place when Dot meets a bear. Dot’s a rabbit who doesn’t want a wolf as her baby brother. She tries to convince her parents he doesn’t belong, but they won’t listen. A bear changes Dot’s mind, and her relationship with her baby brother. Units- Fractured fairy tales, Animals relationships (predator/prey) Family relationships  This story is about one very important transformation. Be careful- it takes 6 tricky steps to get a monster to bed. Be prepared…monsters can melt down! Once you’ve got your monster to sleep, you’ll be a huge success. Your neighbors will call you the Master of Monsters. and they’ll ask you for help with all kinds of creatures. Units: Monsters, Bedtime, How-to writing  Fancy Nancy got a puppy over the summer. The problem, it’s is a little naughty. It’s not a problem till it’s time to go back to school. That’s when a transformation must be made…puppy class. In one week the puppy’s trained, and Nancy can get ready for a new school year. Units: School for puppies and children, Rules, Consequences, Rewards  A transformation’s needed. Mrs. Green’s out sick, and a substitute’s coming. The class hides the lesson plans and prepares for a party. Then the sub arrives, Frank N. Stein, a monster. Really! Frank performs a miracle…he gets the kids to see him simply as Mr. Stein. Then he even gets them interested in geography. Units: Schools, Rules, Citizenship, Geography, States in the United States Books I wish I could have found: We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea Monster Needs Your Vote by Paul Czajak and Wendy Gries  In this story, shared emotions helps solve the problem. Both Garcia and Colette want to go exploring. The problem…they can’t agree on where to go. Garcia wants the moon, Colette- the ocean. They decide to do separate adventures. They both experience things like great beauty, or great loneliness. Disappointment has both returning home and helps them come up with a new place to explore Units: Space, Ocean, Habitats, Friendship, Solving Problems/Citizenship  In this story, 2 kids imagine a problem, and a solution. Sherman tells Sadie about Little Amy Scott who got a goldfish for her birthday and thinks it’s boring! A picture bubble shows Amy dropping the goldfish/bowl into the sea. BTW, that was all imagined before the story even started. Wow! Incredible! Then Sadie starts Sherman imagining the danger Ellsworth faces (the goldfish) and how they can rescue him. They even envision Amy’s next birthday, alone. Read this book for its incredible imagination. Nothing is ever confirmed. Hmmm…I wonder if… Units: Real/Imagined, Problem/Solution, Citizenship skills I couldn’t find these books. They had characters who relied on others to help them solve the problem: The Raindrop Who Couldn’t Fall by Kirsti Call and Lisa Griffin Maddi’s Fridge by Lois Brandt Day 20: Writing with Economy This is what I long to do, to say what needs to be said, beautifully, with no extra words. You never, ever, get that on your first draft. It comes with editing, over and over again, till it’s practically perfect…but even then, I’ve made changes, again and again...  Young children and their moms will love this book! My kids never wanted to take naps. This book would have had them giggling, lulling them into false security, AND that nap! But if you’re like me and you appreciate a good nap, read this book, AND take 30 winks! Here are my top 3 nap-avoiding tips: 1- Look away if someone’s yawning. 2- Avoid stories about sleepy baby animals. 3- Cover that yawn. DO NOT let it escape! PS- If you need a nap, just reverse these tips. Happy napping Units: Sleep, Needs/Wants, Family Relationships, Sensory stimulation (i.e. Things that make you sleep)  I wanted Fiona’s Little Accident (bathroom issues), but I’m so happy I found this book. It starts when Fiona’s picked to be Felix’s Birthday Elf. Her big job...bringing in birthday cupcakes. She forgets, then even worse, lies about it. She blames the Terrible Three from 2nd grade for the stolen cupcakes. It’s bad enough being terrible, but it’s horrible to get blamed for something you didn’t do, all because of your reputation. Fiona comes clean. The cupcakes come in. Read and discover how Rosemary Wells saves the day. Units: Lies, Friendship, Birthdays, Schools, Citizenship  This book sings! At least in my head! I was channeling an old song while I was reading it (the link’s below). I always thought babies had it made…they whimper and everyone runs. Not necessarily! The Bluest, of the Baby Blues 1. Soggy Diapers that I can't change 2. Baby food, not people food 3. My crib, or, is itba jail Who knew babies had it so rough! This is a great book for baby’s siblings! The song from Johnny Cash & Brenda Lee, 1971’s I’M A WOMAN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfz-aSyPIBo Units: Babies/Siblings/Families, Social skills, Pros & Cons of a situation  I liked this book, a lot, but I think it could use some cutting, some word economy. I usually only pick books that I love, but I thought I’d share this one. It’s great for potty training, especially for boys. It begins with an accident and ends with success. There is so much to like in-between, but I’d like it…with less words. Read this book, then compare it to the others. You’ll understand more about word economy. (It was on the Ohio Digital Library system.) I thought FERNDINAND might be self-published. It’s not. I checked. It was done by Love Healing Press. It’s not a subsidy or vanity press, their words. There’s an editor involved. who’s published more than 100 books, but it sounded like that he/she would be more involved in selection than editing. The site also looked like it was all about sales. It didn’t look like a traditional publishing house, and it might be something I’d consider for 2 titles I might self-publish. I’m glad I checked out the book and the publisher Concept: Potty training Here are the books I couldn’t find: Fiona’s Little Accident by Rosemary Wells Green Pants by Kenneth Kraegel Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall Day 19: Longer Picture Books When I began writing picture books 10 years ago, I could have 1000 words to tell a story. Within a couple years it went down to 500, and lately, the lower, the better. This lesson made me so happy…more words! But now after looking at the newer, shorter books, I think a story’s length should depend on the audience. For children ages 0-6, less is better. Around 2nd grade kids want chapter books, but it’s good to know that with nonfiction and some fiction picture books, I can have more words, to tell my story, to dive into the details.  Poor Louise! She’s bored being a chicken and leaves to seek adventure. In chapter 1, she lands on a pirate ship. Chapter 2 finds her working at the circus, and in 3 she’s tossed into jail. By the end of each chapter Louise longs for her quiet farm and returns home again, but at the beginning of the next one, she’s bored again. In chapter 4 Louise returns to tell her adventures. Maybe she’ll finally find adventure in a career as a storyteller/writer. Teaching Units: Adventures, Careers, Chickens  I love Lilly stories! This time she gets a purple plastic purse, and she can’t wait to share it, literally! She interrupts her teacher and gets in trouble. This story rings true with kids in grades K-2. They’re impulsive, and they can’t wait, even when they try their hardest. Read Lilly’s story to find out how she solves her problem with the plastic purse and with her teacher. Wow! That’s all you need to say about Lilly and her purse. Wow! Units: School, Writing, Families, Problem Solving,  Wow! I didn’t expect this story, at all. I thought it’d a sweet book about doing kind deeds, but it went deeper. So much deeper. A new girl, Maya, moves in. Her clothes are ragged. Her new classmates see her appearance, not the person, Maya. They refuse to speak to her, to play with her. Maya tries making friends with her jacks, with cards. Nothing works. The main character, Chloe, and her friends walk away. Then one day Maya doesn’t come to school, and the teacher does a lesson on kindness, how it ripples like a stone in a pond. I expected Maya to come back, for Chloe to become her friend, but it didn’t happen. I think this ending hits home with young kids. You don’t always get a chance to correct a mistake. Sometimes you have to get it right the 1st time. If you’d like to hear the author read her story, copy read the story into your web browser. Unit: Kindness, Citizenship, New kid at school, Bullies  This version of IT’S TOO NOISY is set in a small Mexican town that votes in a new mayor. His job- to get rid of noise, but he goes to far. He silences the town…until rooster arrives with his noisy crowing. The mayor tries to silence him. Read to discover how rooster helps the town find their voice again. Units: Folk tales and alternate versions, Geography & Culture (Mexico/US), Compare/Contrast, Problem Solving, Government, Citizenship  This is the 3rd time this book has been selected for this class. If you’ve forgotten, it’s the true story of Winnie the Pooh and is 3 stories packed into 1 bedtime story. 1- It’s the story of the veterinarian who found the cub. 2- It’s the story of Winnie at the London Zoo. 3- It's the story of the author telling a true bedtime story to her baby boy. I love this book! Teaching units- History, WWI, Wild animals, Zoo animals, Bear books  I had this book in my collection but didn’t read it…I wish I had! Henry “Box” Brown is a fascinating character. He grew up a slave, lost his mother when he was given away. His wife and 4 kids were sold away. I can’t imagine losing my family. When Henry realized he’d never see his family again, he decided to escape on the Underground Railroad. Read how a few friends helped him do it, using a wooden box. Units: Underground Railroad, Slavery, History, Citizenship  Imagine…a story combining the Pony Express and a Bookmobile? President Franklin Roosevelt created the Pack Horse Librarians, AKA Book Women, during the Great Depression. The program employed mostly women, and it sent them into the hills of Kentucky. The ladies rode in with new books. They traded them for the old ones. My mother’s family is from Bell County, Kentucky. They live close to the Cumberland Gap. I wonder if a Book Women visited them. Units: History, President Roosevelt/WPA/Pack Horse Librarians, Literacy  If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be president, this is the book for you! Find out the good and the bad, even the ugly about being president. Discover who was the youngest president, and the oldest. Did you know 9 presidents didn’t go to college? This book is filled with facts you’ll never find in an encyclopedia,, and the illustrations funny too! Units: History, Presidents Day 18: Early Concept Books They’re baby books, the first book a child holds. Board books are for kids from 0-3. They teach young children concepts like colors and ABC’s. They also show them how to hold a book, how to look at the pictures. Early concept books are about the 5 senses. They’re designed to attract a child, to pull them into the art, the text, and the format. These are all the books I couldn’t find: Color Zoo, by Lois Ehlert Where is Baby’s Home? by Karen Katz Rock and Roll COLORS, by Salina Yoon ABC, by Xavier Deneux Finger Puppet Book series, by Chronicle Books Peek-A-book Farm, by Joyce Wan Color Wonder: Hooray for Spring! By Chieu Anh Urban Belly Button Book When you’re searching for early concept books, look for books with lots of color, simple text that appeal to you and your child. Here are the ones I found by searching my local library.  This board book is about colors, of course. Some pages are simple. The pictures feature one color. The text is a 1 or 2 word label. Other pages have facts and questions. They leave room for babies to grow and learn. The pictures are bright and beautiful. They’re the things in a child’s world, like foods and toys and animals, the things they’re discovering. Concepts: Color, Food, Toys, Animals, Categorizing  This isn’t a baby’s board book. It’s for a toddler who can sit on a lap and listen to poems that are Mother Goose short and sweet. They’re written about a toddler’s world, with milestones like first words, naps, or throwing food on the floor. They’re fun to read for young and old with pictures done in bright primary colors. Concepts: Life for Babies and Toddlers  This book’s also for an older child, who’s ready for rhymes and amazing animals like these three: “A, arty aardvark B, bouncing bear, C, cozy cobra curled up in a comfy chair.” This is a fun read aloud with gorgeous pictures kids will love! Concepts: ABC’s for animals This is the only early concept book I could find from my class. It is beautifully done!  This is a beautiful book, perfect for little ones who are old enough to lift the flaps to play guess who, peek-a-boo: “Guess who? Peek- Oink! says the pig.” Concepts: Animals and animal sounds, Peek-a-boo Day 17: Inspire Creativity Today’s books look outside the box. They look at the ordinary, then give it a creative twist to make it different, to make it special, to help kids look at the world differently.  Wow! A book that starts with a mistake. One eye is drawn too big, but glasses are added, and then they’re just right. The pages turn. The drawing grows, with more mistakes that work out alright. Color is added, and by the end of the book, the drawing blossoms. The lesson of this book…allow yourself mistakes, and your creativity will bloom too. Teaching units: Art, Drawing, Mistakes, Social skills  This is a powerful biography, about how creativity is nurtured! It’s the story of a Brooklyn boy who beats the odds and becomes an artist. You’ll read about Jean’s journey, how he started by drawing on the floor, his mother at his side. His art isn’t clean or neat. He doesn’t color inside the lines. It’s sloppy, ugly, and sometimes weird, but it’s beautiful. When life smacks him down first in a car accident, and later when his mom moves to an institution, art helps Jean. It gives him dreams. It helps him grow, until as a teen he goes out on his own, and succeeds. He becomes a world-famous artist, and you can read more about his true story in the back matter. Jean-Michel was incredible! I’m glad his story lives in a book. Unit: Biography, Artists, Creativity, Urban life, Diversity, History I didn’t find… Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went From The Football Field to the Art Gallery by Sandra Neil Wallace and Brian Collier Sam & Eva by Debbie Ridpath Ohi The Amazing Collection of Joey Cornell by Candace Fleming and Gerard Dubios So I subbed these in…and found some great treasures!  This book is written in a creative way…it structures Ruth’s story around the verbs lawyers use. I did the same, below. 1- Ruth’s mom disagreed with how girls were educated. She sent Ruth to the library. 2- Ruth protested about handwriting. Her teacher wanted her writing with her right hand, but Ruth switched to the left. 3- She objected to girls taking sewing/cooking classes when boys took building/engine classes. She lost. 4- People disapproved of lady lawyers, and Ruth disapproved of them. 5- Ruth resisted and persisted to become a lawyer. 6- She and her family concurred that a mom could be a lawyer and a dad could make dinner. 7- She agreed to become a justice for the Supreme Court. 8- She dissented on cases and wrote the dissenting opinion. She wears a special collar for dissents. 9- She dissented most often with Justice Scalia, but they were still good friends. 10- The last line sums up this book “Ruth made a difference…one disagreement after another. Who knew her story could be best told using verbs? Units: Careers, Courts, Government, Supreme Court, History  Another WOW! I’d never heard about Miss Mary reporting, but I’m glad I did for this class. The creativity comes in something simple…Miss Mary was true to herself, doing the things she loved, because she loved them, and wanted to do her best. That’s the simple secret to being your best. This story follows Mary from her tom-boy days to her first days as a reporter. She got her 1st assignment covering society news and botched it. She put the wrong dress on the wrong person. OUCH! But she learned. The next time a friend came and helped her get the details right. The devil is always in the details. Thanks to WWII she cracked the sports page, but it wasn’t easy. She wasn’t allowed into press boxes at first. She had to sit with the coaches’ wives. She was refused entrance into the locker room, but Mary persevered, and it worked! She grew a reputation. The best part was years later when someone came up with an old yellowed newspaper with a story she’d written. Mary believed, “If you give a kid a pat on the back…you can make a difference.” The best compliment she ever received came from a kid, “See that lady…she doesn’t care who you are. If you do something, she’s going to write about you.” And Mary did. Units: Careers, Newspapers, Reporting, History, Making a difference  This book reminds me of RADIANT CHILD. It isn’t clean or neat. It’s sloppy, ugly, and sometimes weird, but somehow, it’s beautiful. The poems don’t follow clean lines. They take shape of the book’s imagination, whether it’s the Eiffel Tower or the Statue of Liberty. And yes, Max makes a million on his poetry, and the evil genius gets his just dessert, literally, 3 pies to the face. And thanks to that cool million, Max is able, finally, to leave his family who’ve given him roots and wings. He’s flying off to Paris. BTW, first contracts aren’t for a million. For writers like me, they’re closer to $4000. C’est la vie! That’s life! I’d be thrilled to get a contract for $4. Shhh! Don’t tell! Units: Poetry, Careers, Publishing, Paris, New York, Geography, Dreams, Working to make them come true Day 16 : Interact with Interactive Books You don’t just read an interactive book, you become part of the action, and that makes reading fun!  I don’t like Koala…I love him! This book is about the love/hate relationship kids can have. This time it’s between Adam and his koala. The interaction’s in the repetition. It lets kids and Adam call Koala terrible on page after page. It also lets them roar, “I don’t like Koala,” or Koala is the most terrible terrible. He is truly horrible! But by the end, Koala is not the most terrible terrible. Read and find out how that changes! Units: Bears, Australia, Love/Hate relationships, Bedtime, Terrible things  I wondered if you could really make a regular book interactive. You can! How? Add directions to the text like “press the button, tap the blue dot, shake the page, or blow on the dots.” Magic! Turn the page, and they move! Young children will love playing with this book and making magic. Units: Follow directions/direction words, Colors, Counting  Yes! A wordless picture book can be interactive too! How? By lifting the flaps and imitating Flora and the Flamingo’s yoga moves. You may lose your balance. Flora did. You might take a tumble, but you’ll pick yourself up and begin again. Let your inner flamingo take flight with this book. Units: Exercise, Animals/Birds, Follow directions, Imagination  OOH! This book has metafiction! I searched…that means a story written on top of a story, I think! In this case, a boy named Alex was given a book, Birthday Bunny. Boring! So Alex wrote his own book/illustrations on top of it, Battle Bunny. Exciting! When I read this book before, I hated it! I couldn’t follow the 2 stories. I hated the kid-writing in the book…I know, teacher-ish! Now I understand metafiction, and interaction, and I actually liked it, but, I don’t want kids writing in books. I know… teacher-ish! Compromise— I’d copy the pages, then let kids change the story. What better way to teach kids that all words can be edited, even published ones! Units: Bunnies, Easter, Battles, Imagination, Writing/Editing skills  If you love the FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS, then you will love this book! I do! But this version’s even better! Instead of 5 little monkeys, this book has 10 little ninjas sneaking out of bed— then 9 tiny astronauts zooming in the dark— 8 little…I think you get the pattern. Kids will too, and they’ll love to help you read it too. Counting backward, repeated patterns, and predictability will help them do it. Units: Math, Patterns, Matching character/setting/favorite activity Day 15 : Character Flaws/Character Wants How do you start a story? Think up a main character. Identify what they want, what they can have. That’s the problem and the solution. Next choose your character’s flaws, those things that make getting what they want almost impossible. It also sets the tone for the plot, the journey between the problem and solution. That’s what makes a story unique.  The main character, the girl on the left, wants to be kind but doesn’t know how. It stars when Tanisha spills grape juice on her new dress. She tries to help Tanisha by saying purple’s her favorite color. It doesn’t help. She spends the rest of the story trying to be kind. She finally succeeds when she gives Tanisha a picture with purple flowers. Teaching Units: Social Skills, Citizenship, Friendship  This is a beautiful book. It follows the changing seasons from late summer to fall. The main character is the boy from the front cover who’s taking a walk through a summer’s day. As he walks, the boy sees more signs of change until it’s finally fall. Time to say, “Goodbye summer, hello autumn.” This is also an unusual story because the real main character is the change in seasons. Units: Weather, Seasons  This is a simple book with the sweetest main character, a grandpa who loves his grand-pigs. The plot moves you through the seasons as grandpa takes the little pigs out to play, out to have fun. No matter what grandpa’s doing, he’s doing it because he loves his grand-pigs. Units: Seasons, Family  Kids will love this book! What’s not to love about a main character who’s literally falling apart. What a flaw! His friends try saving him by…gluing/screwing him together, wrapping him in spider web, then in mummy-wrap. Nothing works…until Bonaparte spots a dog who knows how to find bones. I LOVE this book! Units:Bones, Friendship, Famous monsters, Halloween So many books I wish I’d found… No Kimchee for Me, Aram Kim Roscoe Versus the Baby, Lindsay Ward Bagel in Love, Natasha Wing A Morning with Grandpa, Sylvia Liu, 2016 Day 14 : Books to Learn from...AKA Mentor Texts I learned to write this way, from Mentor Texts. In 2011 I went to Chautauqua for the Highlights Institute. Bernette Ford was my mentor, and she said my story was good garbage. Ouch!!! Good- there was something there, in my writing. Garbage- I made lots of mistakes, the kind that new writers make. I didn’t feel too bad…it was my 1st book, but, I followed Bernette’s advice: 1. Read the books suggested by a great children’s librarian. 2. Pick out your Top 10 favorites. 3. Analyze them. Pick them apart to discover what you like, how you want to write. Those top 10 books and their authors became my teachers, and I learned so much from them. Here are some suggested mentor texts, from this writing class:  This is a beautiful book, but not my style. Why not? I’m not an illustrator. I think in words, and I waited till page 7 to get them. Then I couldn’t find the main character or her story in those first 6 pages. They’re beautiful and full of life, but I wanted the story. After reading the book, I discovered the main character’s a little girl who wants her mom, a pilot, to stay home from work. Her wish is granted when a snow storm shuts down the airport. The story finishes with a free day, a snow day. By the end, I liked this book, a lot, and I’m glad Joyce wrote it. Teaching Units: Jobs, Needs/wants, Family, Snow days  I LOVE this book! It gave me pictures and words from the first page. Not huge chunks, but small bites, just enough, like a sweet dessert. The beginning- “Flashlight…opens the night.” The end- “until a voice says, ‘Shhh…lights out.” The perfect amount of words to start and end a story. In the middle…the adventures a couple kids can have in the dark, real and imaginary, thanks to their trusty flashlight. Units: Real/Fantasy, Nocturnal things, Imagination  I didn’t get to read this book, but it intrigued me. Today’s teacher wrote that its door once a belonged to a huge oak tree, 3 hugs in diameter. That’s a big tree! It also intrigued me because I had it out on digital loan, but lost it when I lost my library card. Changing cards doesn’t change loans on real books, but it does digital on ones. And finally, I kept this image because it reminded me of another book that I once had in my 2nd grade collection and loved.  I once had this book, now it belongs to my daughter. I bought it in the 90’s, haven’t read it in years, but I still remember it. Why? It made an impression on me that I’ll never forget. It reminds me of my grandmother’s house, lost to the woods, falling down. Bales of hay lay where a family once lived. That family now all dead and gone. That’s exactly what this book is about…a house that once was…where woods have taken over. Now all that’s left is broken bits and pieces. It’s like going on an archeological dig, but instead of finding dinosaur bones, you find pieces of a house and family that no longer exist, a ghost of what it once was. Units: History, Archeology, Environment, Ghosts and other scary things  I loved this story! Of course Bear has a story to tell, but all his friends are too busy prepping for winter. By the time everyone’s awake again, poor Bear has forgotten his story. His friends save the day, and kids will love Bear’s story. For writers, this book has teachable moments for those little details that show emotion— slumping down, puffing out your chest, or hanging your head. If you need help writing these details, I have a great book… The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide To Character Expression by Angela Ackerman If you’re not a writer, these details can help you read body language, and that’s way harder than words in a book! Units: Seasons, Hibernation, Animals, Friendship, Body language  Do you remember how I started today, with my story about mentor texts? This is a favorite! I love anything Judith Viorst writes! This one is still used in classrooms to teach kids about money. It’s good to know that some books stick around when so many disappear when they’re no longer checked out. It’s a pain to get old! I’m pulling this one out again for a new story I’m writing about a bear with money issues. It’s good to be back with my mentor, Judith Viorst! Units: Money, Spending/Saving/Income Not found: The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles, by Michelle Cuevas and Erin Stead Day 13 : Deeper Concepts I had concept books in 2nd grade, on nouns, fractions, and maps. Kindergarten has them for numbers, shapes, and colors. There are also concept books for deeper ideas, like love, peace, and bravery. I had them because they made explanations/comprehension easier for my students. Picture books have changed since I started teaching in 1981. Today the best use lyrical language. They have low words counts. Their title reveals a deeper meaning. These books take difficult topics and make them concrete. They leave room for the illustrator, who tells the other half of the story. These books speak to readers, often in 2nd person (you). And best of all, they offer hope in a difficult world. What reader wouldn’t pick one up? What writer wouldn’t want to publish one?  This book is written as a series of letters to a girl, any girl, to build self-esteem, to empower her. The bottom of the covers says, “A celebration of wonderful, smart, beautiful you! I hope Amy has written a similar book for boys who are wonderful, handsome, and smart. Everyone needs a little praise, a little hope. Me too! Teaching units: Self-concept, Social skills, Compare/contrast girls & boys  I loved this book, and what it said about life. The words are as beautiful as the pictures. Life, according to Cynthia Rylant, starts small and begins to grow (That reminds me of the Grinch). Life is lovely. If you asked a hawk what’s lovely, it might say the sky. I would say chocolate. How about you? Life isn’t easy, but eventually you get through the problems, and there at the end you’ll find something to love and protect. Look in your window, and you’ll see who you love and protect (maybe a pet), or who loves and protects you (parents). Units: Plants, Animals, Habitats, Needs  I loved this book too! It’s all about the power of questions. Why am I me? Why are you you? Neither question is answered, but another question goes deeper…If I changed me, who would I be? If someone else changed, which someone could turn into me? To look within yourself, and then out to your community, THAT is the POWER of a great book! Units: Writing questions/4 kinds of sentences, Self-concept, Social skills, Community So many books I couldn’t find: You Hold Me Up By Monique Gray Smith, illustrated by Danielle Daniel Be a King By Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by James Ransome Brave By Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff Peace is an Offering By Annette LeBox, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin Lovely Written and illustrated by Jess Hong Most People By Michael Leannah, illustrated by Jennifer E. Morris But, I found these 2 from my Ohio’s digital library.  Do you ever have to talk about difficult subjects with kids, like good touches/ bad touches? This book does it so simply, and so well, “I alone decide if, and by whom I’d like to be touched.” So true! If someone tickles you too much, say no. Stop! If someone kisses you and you don’t like it, say no. Stop! If it’s your dog…say no too! But, sometimes people won’t stop. If that happens, tell a grown-up. You’re allowed to tell…your body belongs only to you, and it’s special, just like you. Units: Social skills, Problem solving, Conflict management  I have this book! I got it at my 1st writing conference at Chautauqua, back in the day when Highlights did workshops there. My copy is even signed by the author, Eileen Spinelli. Why this book? I have been into conflict management since it appeared in the 90’s. When I saw this book, I knew I had to have it. The story is all about poor Miss Fox who’s had enough of student squabbling. Her solution, Peace Week. The kids love Miss Fox enough that even when they’re away from school, they remember Peace Week. Instead of snipping at someone who was mean, they choose another alternative, a peaceful one. On Friday, the kids reported in on Peace week, and, they decided every week should be Peace Week. It makes me want to sing that old Coke song, “I’d like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony.” If only! Units: Social skills, Problem solving, Conflict management Day 12 : A New Point of View Do you want to change someone’s point of view? Give them a book. Do you want to help a child grow? Give them a great picture book. Not only will they learn something new, but they’ll learn empathy and understanding. It’s empowering!  This book is beautiful, inside and out. It says the perfect thing to big girls and little ones. “It’s all about your clothes, (NOT!) your hair, (NOT!) your style, (NOT!) WHO YOU ARE” (Yes, please!) So true, and so worth remembering, no matter who you are, or how old you are! Teaching Units: Self-concept, Ciizenship, Picture Literacy  Look out your window before the lights go out. Take a walk, peek in windows. What do you see? Some people doing the things you do. Others doing something new. Whatever you discover, don’t forget to peek again when you return home. What will you see? The family who loves you, waiting and watching for your safe return. Units: Communities, Needs/wants, Family  What a great way to teach opposites…within a story about a community of friends! It’s written for the young child to teach them how to read with the repeated patterns and repeated words. The opposites are done in boldface. After each opposite is introduced, each opposite adjective and noun is repeated. Young children will love this book and this way to look at the world, as a mix of opposites. Units: Point of view, Animal eyes, Light, Art I found these 2 myself, just by searching my local library for size and opposites.  What a great way to teach opposites…within a story about a community of friends! It’s written for the young child, to teach them opposites, and, how to read, using repeated patterns, repeated words. The opposites are done in boldface so they’re easy to find. After each introduction, they’re repeated, again and again with each new pair, Big Bear, Small Mouse. Young children will love this book, and how it looks at the world, as a habitat for opposites. Units: Opposites, Animals, Habitats  Here’s to the power of small! Walt is the little engine that could, but he powers a snow plow. He’s also bullied by the big plows, of course. But Small Walt trudges on, singing his song with all its verses. Here’s my favorite: “My name is Walt. I plow and I salt. They say I’m small, But I’ll show them all.” And Walt does so well, that even a big plow notices. He proves there is power in small, and in persistence, something children should be introduced to. Unit: Machines, Weather & Precipitation, Bullies, Persistence, Creating verse Yeah! Just 2 not found. Hurrah! Small by Gina Perry Double Take! A New Look at Opposites by Susan Hood, illustrated by Jay Fleck Day 11 : Universal Themes Today is about universal themes. In picture books they’re simple, but they touch your heart, and remind you what matter post.  Separation anxiety…this book's about a young child saying goodbye, and the anxiety that follows. Kipling finds Mama’s everywhere, but not his. Kipling's Mama knows how to help her baby, till she can get home again. Teaching units: Relationships, Human/Animal babies, Habitats/homes, Compare/contrast, Geography I only found this book. The other nonfiction titles were concerned with academic concepts.  Bird Traits…this rhyming book teaches young children about birds in a very simple way. Example- “Some birds are big, some are small, and some are exceptionally tall. It’s also a great way to teach opposites. Units: Bird Characteristics, Opposites  Bird Traits…this rhyming book teaches young children about birds in a very simple way. Example- “Some birds are big, some birds are small, and some birds are exceptionally tall. It’s also a great way to teach opposites. Units: Bird Characteristics, Opposites  Fibonacci Numbers…with a new twist, front matter. The 1st page tells you who Fibonacci actually was. The 2nd page gives you fun ways to use the numbers. This is a rhyming story with illustrations done in dots and animals. They show you how to add 2 Fibonacci numbers together to get the next one. Now I actually understand Fibonacci numbers. Units: History, Patterns in nature, math, and art Books I couldn’t find, but wish I had: The Day I Became a Bird by Ingrid Chabbert Guridi My Beautiful Birds by Suzanne Del Rizzo Every Day Birds by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater Bird, Balloon, Bear by Il Sung Na Day 10 : Great Biographies A biography is a book about a real person, but it’s also a story. The first 2 are from my class. I looked for poetry, visual metaphors, and dramatic tension. The last 2, I found on my own. I’m curious to see what I’ll find. Getting a book published is incredibly hard, so I’ll look to see what made them special.  We already did Winnie, but this time I’m looking beyond back matter. I found more! Winnie’s story is a metaphor…life is a bedtime story, and the author uses the poetry of the bedtime story to tell how Harry met Winnie. Then she changed the metaphor… “sometimes you have to let one story end to make another begin” …and we do…we listen as Winnie’s story changes to her London Zoo story. Again the metaphor changes. This time to a family tree and photo album. That’s where we follow a picture story that links Harry and Winnie to author Lindsay Mallick and her son, Cole. The book ends with its final story, told as a family album using Lindsay’s own photos. And now…I know why I love this book so much! Teaching units- History, WWI, Wild animals, Zoo animals, Bear books  Wow! What a story! The poetry is found in the words of the story. They flow and carry you forward. Watch the changing background of the illustrations. They set the tone for where the story is, and for where it’s going. And tension…it rises as you follow the cat who left Mosul, Iraq with its family, is smuggled across a border into Turkey, and rides across a sea to the Greek island of Lesbos. Poor cat! It escapes its basket and gets separated from its family. A series of kind strangers, a little help from Facebook, and the cat is finally reunited with its family. Wow! What a story! But it doesn’t end there…the end pages tell the cat’s voyage from lost to found using words, a map, and real photos. It’s brilliant! Units: Solving problems, Citizenship, World Cultures, Geography, Current events  Wow! What a book! I stumbled across it by accident because I needed a biography for this class. Boy, did I find one! This poem-story is in verse. The illustrations are done to honor Ezra’s style. It may be titled A POEM FOR PETER, but it’s really the story of Ezra Jack Keats. It begins with his parents’ immigration to the US, the difficulties they faced, the ones Ezra did. I never imagined the author of THE SNOWY DAY. I didn’t care…I cared about the story. Now I know who Ezra was, a Jew from New York. Someone who struggled, even changing his name to get a job, turning Jacob Ezra Katz into Ezra Jack Keats. I also know how he turned a 20-year old picture into a Caldecott winner, and gave readers an image of a child on a snowy day. A minority child in an urban setting…that wasn’t done back then. I didn’t care. I wanted that book, that story Andrea Davis Pinkney also had a copy, and here’s what she wrote, “as an African American growing up in the 60’s, at a time when I didn’t see others like me in a children’s book, I was profoundly affected by the expressiveness of Keat’s illustrations.” A book is powerful, and so is Andrea’s poem for Peter, but most of all for Ezra. Units: History, Culture, Poetry, Citizenship  I’m wowed again! This book is brilliant! It’s written as a trial presentation so I’ll share it in a similar style. The opening statement- this case is about a little girl who had no idea who she’d become. “You’ll see the world she was born into where boys are valued more than girls.” You’ll be presented with evidence of unfairness. Then the author launches into the facts of the case- Ruth hid in the bathroom to study because boys didn’t want smart girls like her. Or when she became pregnant, she was demoted and her salary slashed. Imagine! In closing statements, the author says Ruth never “became a lawyer to change the world.” She did it because she wanted to use her verbal and analytic skills. She could have given up any time along the way. She didn’t. Readers, “there is only one verdict, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a symbol of justice in America.” I agree! Unit: History, Citizenship, Rules/laws Here are the biographies I couldn’t find: Ira’s Shakespeare Dream by Glenda Armand and Floyd Cooper Nina: Jazz Legend and Civil-Rights Activist Nina Simone by Brière-Haquet and Bruno Liance Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci by Joseph D'Agnese and John O'Brien Day 9 : Voice and Dialogue I think voice is what makes writing sound like me, not just anyone. Dialogue is written conversation between 2 or more characters. It’s one of the tools that can give your story a voice.  This story has voice! Do you know any other stories that feature a wolf wearing a bunny suit? Dot, the baby girl bunny, has the best voice, and she uses it when the family decides to adopt a baby wolf. The parents play the typical parent role, they only notice how Wolfie’s cuteness. They refuse to listen when Dot warns them that Wolfie will eat them. If you like fractured fairy tales, you will love this book and its voice! Teaching units- Fractured fairy tales, Animals relationships (predator/prey) Family relationships I couldn’t find these books: THIS IS NOT A NORMAL ANIMAL BOOK by Julie Segal-Walters, Brian Biggs. STARRING CARMEN! By Anika Denise, illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gomez WHOBERT WHOVER, OWL DETECTIVE by Jason Gallaher, Jess Pauwels BOB AND JOSS GET LOST! by Peter McCleery, illustrated by Vin Vogel So I substituted in these three:  This book has voice too! How many stories teach you how to become a lion in 7 easy steps? The adult lion has more lines, but they're straight lines. The boy-cub gets the funny ones, whether they’re written in actions or dialogue. Poor boy-cub, he’s fails until he reaches step 7, Looking out for your friend. Then he succeeds brilliantly. Read and find out how! Units: Social relationships, Citizenships Animal survival skills  What a voice! That’s why kids love these books, Clark’s voice! He’s funny when he faces problems. Clark’s a shark, but he’s also the fun kid, the one who doesn’t pay attention, the one who gets in trouble without really trying. His voice speaks to kids who face those same problems every day. Reading about Clark helps kids find their own solutions. AND, it’s fun! Thanks, Clark! Units: Social relationships, Rules/laws, Citizenship, Ocean animals  Shucks! I love this book, but I shouldn’t have picked it. It’s a chapter book, but if you’re talking voice, it’s got it, BIG time! This fractured fairy tale begins when Wolf is blamed for trashing the homes of the 3 little pigs. He can’t catch a break till the 4th pig, I know…4th pig…badgers him into hiring him and his new detective agency. Here are the first 3-chapter titles. Voice, BIG time! Chapter 1 In which a wolf faces death by porridge Chapter 2 In which pigs snarl and mops attack Chapter 3 In which nobody is turned into a newt Units: Fractured Fairy Tales, Mysteries (inference, prediction, cause/effect), Animals, Rules/laws, Citizenship Day 8: Start/Finish Strong What are the 2 most important sentences, or pages, in a story? Your first and your last! First pages set the stage. You promise your reader the storyline you introduce on that first page. Last pages are your goodbye. You deliver a satisfactory ending to the storyline, and, you tie up any loose ends. If you succeed, your reader will return again and again. They’ll follow you to your next story.  1st sentence: Charlotte was a serious scientist. You’re promised a story about a serious scientist. Charlotte uses the scientific method to solve her own problems. She is a serious scientist! Last sentence: Charlotte didn’t need outer space…she just needed her own space. Promise delivered! Charlotte found space on the moon first, but she was lonely. She tried again and made her own space, with her family. Way to go, Charlotte! Teaching Units: Scientific method, Families, Social skills  1st sentence: Once a year, my abeulo would come from Mexico to stay with us. He always brought his guitar, and he would sing to us every night. You’re promised a story about a Mexican grandfather, who comes to visit/sing to the family. He does, on every single page. Last sentence: “And always,” Abuelo told us, “I will be singing with you.” Promise delivered! Abuelo sang, and he taught his grandchildren to sing, whether happy or sad, alone or lost in a crowd. Whenever/where ever, Abuelo will be there with them, singing along. The Back Matter tells you the story behind the story. It was written by a father, about his father. It was the perfect ending! Units: Musical Instruments, Mexican/US cultures, Compare & Contrast, Relationships, Social skills  When I couldn’t find books, I picked my own, and they worked! 1st sentence: In the night when it’s dark, all the world, all the nations, imagine the shapes we call constellations. The promise…you’ll learn how to look into the night sky, find stars, and imagine constellations like the Big Dipper. Last sentence: The sky tells a story, and you hold the key. Promise delivered! You did it! You found Taurus the bull, if, you found your stars and used that all-important key, your imagination. Units: Stars/Constellations  1st sentence: “I can’t eat broccoli,” said James. “It’s disgusting.” The promise…you’re going to meet a picky eater and help him become less picky. Last sentence: “I’ll have that,” said James. Another promise kept! James is going to eat that broccoli. How did the author change his mind? By offering truly disgusting food…like dirt, chewed gum, and sweaty socks. No wonder James decided on broccoli. When I picked this book, I didn’t realize it was a chapter book. There’s also smelly lasagna, repulsive milk, lumpy oatmeal, and slimy eggs on the menu. Yuck! It makes even broccoli appetizing to a kid! Units: Nutrition, Needs/wants, Animals (food), Solving problems So many books that couldn't be found! Great Big Things by Kate Hoefler and Noah Klocek Nimoshom and His Bus by Penny M. Thomas and Karen Hibbard A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars by Seth Fishman and Isabel Greenberg I Won’t Eat That by Christopher Silas Neal Shelter by Celine Claire and Qin Leng Another Way to Climb a Tree by Liz Garton Scanlon and Hadley Hooper Dazzle Ships: World War I and the Art of Confusion by Chris Barton and Victo Ngai Chibi Samurai Wants a Pet by Sanae Ishida Day 7: Second Person POV Aye-yi-yi-carumba! What’s that! POV is point of view, it’s who’s telling the story. With 2nd person, you are telling the story so when you read one, “you” are also the main character. I’ve never attempted it. I usually write in 3rd person where he/she is my main character and you are hearing the story from them. Most stories are written in 3rd person. I did one in 1st person with I/me telling the story.  This is such a simple trick! Make the who in the story you, and you put yourself into the story. I didn’t pick up on this earlier. Second Person POV works on a message story like this or on a fun one like IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE. That’s 2nd person POV too! Who knew! Teaching units- Seeds, Social skills, Citizenship, Animal Relationships, Picture literacy  What kid wouldn’t want an alien? If a kid wants an alien, they’d read about one. If they’ll read about an alien, they’d write about one too. I think I just channeled IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I hope! And the pictures…out of this world! Really! Units: Space, Needs/Wants, Relationships, Creative writing  Déjà vu! I feel like I’m writing the same post again…Oh, I am, sort of! What kid wouldn’t want a dragon? Then have that dragon fly you around, or throw sand on your big sister. What kid wouldn’t wat to read this story. It’s FUN!!! Units: Mythical creatures, Real vs Fantasy, Family relationship, Creative writing  I didn’t notice this story was in 2nd person when I read it before, probably because I never connected it to writing. After writing for 10 years, I’m still more of a teacher than a writer. Someday! But I noticed this time that each step is written as a command. I taught commands in 2nd grade. Commands are addressing you, in 2nd person, so it’s easier for you to follow the story to become a better reader. Units: Literacy, Common Core  Not only is this story written in 2nd person, it’s illustrated that way too. My favorite part is finding love in all the right places. Sorry, channeling an old song! But it’s lovely, in a hate-filled world, to find love everywhere, literally! If you’re feeling unloved, read this book…then take another look! Units: Relationships, Citizenship, Creative writing (making abstract concepts concrete) Day 6: Tough Times When I was still teaching, I bought a lot of books about tough times, when a character figured out how to survive, and even beat the tough stuff. I had books on divorce or bad days like when the dog dies. The last 2 topics are Judith Viorst books. She’s a mother of 3 boys, and one of my favorite authors. Her books helped me talk to kids about the important things in 2nd grade. Now I want to write those books that help another teacher, another kid. Someday!  Topic: Beating the bad stuff with kindness, AND, a little help from a friend/parent. COME WITH ME is an easy read with a big message. There are big, bad things going on, but we can do something about it. One small act of kindness can make all the difference in someone’s life. Teaching units: Social skills, Citizenship, Relationships  Topic: Hard problems equal hard solutions. Keep trying, and you can be part of the solution. THE WATER PRINCESS is a story that many American children will find hard to believe. Imagine a place where you walk 4 miles round trip, to get water from a well, and that water’s not even clean. The best part about this story is the back matter where you’ll learn it was inspired by a real water princess, African model Georgie Badiel. If you want to be part of her solution, visit: www.ryanswell.ca or georgiebadielfoundation.org Units: Geography, Culture, History, Compare/Contrast US/Burkina Faso, Problem solving  Topic: Art can inspire, even change a community. MAYBE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL is an American story. It’s about the colorlessness of our cities…till someone decides to make a change. In this story it’s begins with an art-loving girl who spreads color to her neighborhood. She meets an artist, and together they color their city, then teach their community that everyone can be an artist. Read, and you’ll discover the inner artist in you. Units: Art, Color, History, Social skills, Problem solving, Citizenship  Topic: Words matter. Use yours to help your world. I’ve read 2 biographies about Malala, one a picture book, one an easy chapter book. She is my hero. To have done what she did, so young, she’s incredible! Now to read her story, in her own words…MAGIC! I hope you’ll read it too. The back matter is a letter to you from your friend, Malala. She says your words are magic too. Be brave! Use your words! Units: History, Composition, Social skills, Problem solving, Citizenship  Topic: Words are golden…use yours! I read this book, like 6 months ago, maybe longer. I didn’t think of theme. I thought how much I loved it! I thought I’d reviewed it on my website. Not yet, but it’s coming! My next post is about eggs. This is the perfect match! This story is about a town that’s too noisy. It reminds me a lot about of IT’S TOO LOUD. In this version the mayor starts making new laws that slowly quiet, then silence the town. Even teakettles are afraid to whistle. Wow! That’s quiet! How is the silence broken? Read and find out…one clue…it has something to do with the rooster. Units: Folk tales and alternate versions, Geography & Culture (Mexico/US), Compare/Contrast, Problem Solving, Government, Citizenship Update: On Day 6, I realized I learned more than I thought from #5. This winter I wrote a new manuscript. It felt weak. Today I realized it’s a how-to story. If I remember this and edit accordingly, my story will grow stronger. It’s ironic…that manuscript is about faith. Look what happened with mine…I waited…and the answer came on Day 6 of this class. Amazing! Day 5: How-To Books How-to books have titles like “How to…” or “If you…” or “When you…” The storyline depends on a situation, and it follows a logical series of events. Those steps are more important than characters. Words are specific, precise to the story. They help readers turn the page, and they usually have humor and warmth.  This story’s about planting seeds, duh! But it’s not really about “how to” plant seed, but what comes up. It reminds me of the line “you reap what you sow,” because this story also plants seeds for social skills too. It’s a simple story, perfect for P – 1, and its pictures are as beautiful as the cover. Teaching units- Seeds, Social skills, Citizenship, Animal Relationships, Picture literacy  It’s another simple, sweet book with pictures as beautiful as its cover, and it's about exactly what it promises…what to do with a box. It’s a library, a palace, or whatever you imagine. Boxes usually give kids more fun than the gift inside. Units: Construction, Social skills, Citizenship, Picture Literacy  Love, Love, LOVE this book! Ten steps and you will have gone from picking a book, to reading it out-loud with expression, to reading “the end.” This story is a great idea! It’s the perfect place for readers to grow their decoding, comprehension, and oral reading skills. Units: Literacy, Common Core More how-to books: CARING FOR YOUR LION by Tammi Sauer and Troy Cummings IF A T-REX CRASHES YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTY by Jill Esbaum and Dasha Tolstikova Day 4: Finding the Theme As a retired reading teacher, comprehension is the most important part of reading. If you don’t understand what you read, why bother? Today’s lesson was hard! I had to look for the subtle, for specific words, for specific illustration elements that deepened the story.  I read Rain before. I liked it. This time I looked deeper, at words that repeat, at the color of rain, and the boy’s imagination. I liked it so much better! Grandpa has more to say than wait till the rain ends. Read this book. I think you’ll love Grandpa’s message. Teaching units- Weather, Family relationships, Problem solving  This book is brimming with good wishes so I’ll “wish you more ups than downs, more will than hill.” But you don’t no need to wish for sunny colors…they’re in the book. The pages are also easy to turn. Why? The important part of the picture is on the right side, the page-turn side. Had a bad day at school? A fight with your parents? Read this book, and I think you’ll feel better. Units: Social skills/Friendship/Relationships, Opposites,  Love, Love, LOVE this story! It’s actually 2 stories spun together. The cover clues you into the 2 stories. Story 1, a boy crashes on the moon. Story 2, an alien does too. They need each other to make it home. Color raises and lowers the suspense. The deeper the color, the more intense the suspense. Words are under, on top of, even beside the pictures. Together they make the plot stronger. Units: Space, Moon, Aliens, Friendship, Problem solving  Love, Love, LOVE this book! King Jack and his 2 best friends build a castle. They fight off dragons, but Jack winds up alone in the dark, defending his castle, fighting the dragons. The pictures mix color with black/white. Colorful pictures signal we’re in Jack’s imagination. Black and white are his real life. When mom and dad appear at the end, reality becomes colorful too. Throughout the story words grow bigger and smaller to add drama. Put this all together, and you’ve got great story! Unit: Fairy Tales, Dragons, Building Structures, Real vs fantasy  Float along and follow the plot through this wordless picture book done in shades of gray. The main character shines in yellow. Pictures fill the page, or they’re divided in half, even sixths to tell this story. The plots’s about a boy making a paper boat and taking it out for a sail. Follow the water to see where the boat goes, then return home to a dad who makes everything right again. Unit: Weather, Construction, Effects of water, Picture literacy, Composition (adding words to pictures) I wish I’d found: CARING FOR YOUR LION by Tammi Sauer and Troy Cummings IF A T-REX CRASHES YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTY by Jill Esbaum and Dasha Tolstikova Day 3: The Back Matters Back Matter— What’s that? It’s the stuff at the end of the book that tells you more about the story. ReFoReMo says it could be an author’s note, a map or chart, an explanation of the subject or setting, extra history or science on the topic, website links, or bibliography books. It could also include where the author got their idea, or the path they took to write and publish the story. How can you use it as a reader? It helps a simple story become something that older teachers and students can use. It also links your book to folk tales, fairy tales, history, and science.  OMW…Oh my Winnie! I’m so glad I had to read this book for class. I grew up with Winnie and Christopher Robin. Now I know the real story behind their books. Read it! You’ll love their story too! Winnie’s back matter is made up of photos of the real Winnie. There are captions to describe her pictures. They also tell why Lindsay Mallick decided to write this story. Teaching units- History, WWI, Wild animals, Zoo animals, Bear books  OMT: Oh my train! If you want to learn about locomotives, this is your book! This is also the story of the transcontinental railroad, how it was built and operated, whether by machine or by humans. There is so much detail that this is a book for an older child, a stronger reader. The back matter is a diagram of the engine and track, along with an explanation of how steam power works. Boy is it detailed! There’s also front matter, a map of the US. To the left is information about how the Central Pacific Railroad built east. To the right is how the Union Pacific built west. Above the map is the story of how Abe Lincoln set the train into motion during the Civil War, years before it was actually built. Below the map is information about how the 2 companies decided where to meet. Unit: Engines/simple machines, History of Iron Horse, Development of the West  OMM…Oh my moon! This is a sweet book about a boy, taking a walk with the moon. Without the back matter, it’s just a simple book, PK - 1. With the 2-page back matter, this book becomes so much more! Did you know different cultures see different things when they look at the moon? Read and find out what the moon’s made of, or about its phases. Did you know that Farmers and Gardeners used to use the moon to decide when to plant or transplant? The moon was also a source of celebration for the Chinese, Celtic, and Native American cultures. Finally, the book begins and ends with illustrations of nocturnal animals. You’ll even learn a little about them. Did you know when you’re sleeping, your brain is taking a night-time adventure? So much information…in 2 pages! Unit:Moon, Plants, Geography and cultures, Nocturnal animals  OMM…Oh my mom! This is another sweet story. It starts with a mom waking a small child. It ends with her putting him to bed. In between they listen to animal sounds from all over the word, PK – 1. With the end matter, you can stretch to grades 2-3. You’ll learn facts about each animal, where they live, and what they like to do. The animals and habitats range from parrots in the rainforest, to kangaroos in the outback, to whales in the ocean. Units: Animals, Their habitats, Adaptations, Landforms, Geography  This book is beautiful inside and out. It’s also a nonfiction poem. Gorgeous! But, it doesn’t have a lot of content for older children or upper grade teachers. Add in the back matter, and you’ve got content like the water cycle and weather. You can go into cause/effect with what happens to snow after it’s blown, melted, or reheated. You can study landforms like oceans. My 2 favorite facts: places like LA drink water that was melted snow, and 2/3 of our bodies are water. Units: Weather, Water cycle, Landforms (ocean), Human body, Poetry, Weather Poems So many books I couldn’t find this time: SOME PETS (Angela DiTerlizzi and Brendan Wenzel) Quick Little Monkey! (Sarah L. Thomson and Lita Judge) A Perfect Day for an Albatross (Caren Loebel-Fried) The Alligator’s Smile, (Jane Yolen, Jason Stemple) Thunder Underground, (Jane Yolen, Josee Masse) Imani’s Moon (JaNay Brown-Wood, Hazel Mitchell) More-igami (Dori Kleber, G. Brian Karas) Day 2: Fresh Concepts Today was all about finding the unique, the unexpected, and, finding it in the expected. I haven’t done the take-away yet, applying it to my own writing. Maybe, I already do…I’ve written about a safety T Rex, a tattle-tale dog, and ants flying around on bees. I think I’ve got this! LOL!  OMSE…Oh my scrambled eggs! I loved this book before I read it. I knew it’d be about Humpty, after his fall, but…the totally unexpected…facing that wall again. I won’t tell you anymore details. I don’t want to ruin the ending. Teaching units: fears, fairy tales, nursery rhymes, alternate ending, eggs & their life cycle  Oh la la! The unexpected…a story about a French snail, and you can read a tiny bit of French. And most unexpected, this is a fictional nonfiction book. Huh? (I made that one up.) There are snail facts mixed in amongst fun details, like racing a snail to the salad. Really! The expected didn’t happen…no one ate escargot. I thought they might, but, this is a children’s book, and this escargot looks like it’s on the way to becoming a pet. Mon Dieu! Units: Animals, Mollusks (snails), France, Geography, World culture...Oh la la! So many books I couldn't find this time: Barnaby Never Forgets, by by Pierre Collet-Derby Not Quite Narwal, by Jessie Sima Twinderella, A Fractioned Fairy Tale, by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Deborah Marcero Prudence the Part Time Cow, by Jody Jensen Shaffer, Stephanie Laberis First day with post: For my nonwriting friends, ReFoReMo stands for the Reading for Research Month Challenge. It was founded in 2015 to help picture book writers. I signed up this year for the 1st time. I’m spending the next 21 days reading and researching mentor texts. Since I’m doing this already, I thought I’d do share my books with you. I’d already fallen in love with the 1st five. Three were in my local library. Two were available online. One wasn’t. And that was the reading for 1st day. It amazed me the most that so many of these great books were sitting in the library. They’re should be checked out, maybe by you. Now let’s go on a reading adventure! Day 1 It’s all about repetition!  I love this book! It’s the story of Isatou who lives in Njau, Ghana. She’s has too many plastic bags. What does she do? She recycles the bags into beautiful purses, and she makes money doing it! Girl power! The inside of the book is as beautiful as the outside, and so easy to turn computer pages! I didn’t know if I’d like picture books online…I do! Teaching units- Africa, recycling  OMG…Oh my goodness, this book is great! It almost made me cry. A father and son have a wake-up ritual, but it stops when dad disappears. The son writes a letter, asking dad to return. The father’s letter back…heart-breakingly beautiful! I read the story behind the story. Daniel’s father disappeared, he went to jail. Daniel wrote this book for all those boys who are missing fathers too. Its words and pictures, incredible! And, it’s making me tear up as I write this. Daniel knows how to write! Units: Family, Single parent households  OMC…Oh my chocolate…I went from tears to laughter. Poor turtle just wants to sleep, but his friends want him up and active. No matter how hard he tries, turtle can’t nap, until he makes an amazing winter discovery. I won’t give it away…you’ll have to read for yourself. Oh, be prepared to giggle! This book is too cute! Unit: Winter, Hibernation, Animals in winter  OMG…oh my giggles! This was too funny! It all began when rabbit headed home to his burrow and was confronted by a loud voice that called “I’m the Giant Jumperee. I’m as scary as can be.” As the Jumparee’s threats grew, so do the animals, as cat, bear and elephant confront him. Read how the problem’s solved when the Jumperee meets, a frog. Too cute! Units: Animals & their homes, Confronting problems/conflict  OMJ…oh my Jack! This book is like the house that Jack built, except Candace Fleming changed it into a bunch of animals sleeping in the wrong bed. Where’d she get her idea? From her 2 boys who sometimes wanted to sleep somewhere else. And like the others, too cute! No wonder I wanted to share them! Unit: Animals- their sounds, where they sleep, what they eat, The Farm I couldn’t find, but thought it sounded interesting: Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney, Brian Pinkney
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AuthorWhen I write, I can only have one voice in my head, mine. A little noise is fine. But too much, or worse yet, WORDS, and I must change rooms or pull out headphones. Then I can write on! Categories
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