"The Giver"

Image from this cite.

Book Title:

The Giver

Author:

Lois Lowry

Type of Book:

Novel

Age Level:

11-15

My Star Rating:

****

Summary

• “The Giver” is a story about a perfect utopia, where everything is decided for you, for the best, and nothing goes beyond the life that is chosen for you. Thinking outside the box is discouraged and identity is taken away, for all, except one.

Image from this cite.

My Thoughts

• I really enjoyed this book. I was quickly engulfed in an ocean of questions. From the first page of the book, Lowry had my attention. I loved the eerie tones and specific word choices, I thought the constant mystery was so exciting, and I never seemed to find myself bored, I was hooked. I was constantly surprised with how many misconceptions I was making, in my trying to figure out the book. Although, quite confused and always questioning, I just grew to love this book. One part in particular was in chapter 14, when Jonas asked the Giver how he had known to advise not to shoot down the plane, because the pilot was just lost. The Giver responded, “I didn’t. I used my wisdom, from the memories. I knew that there had been times in the past –terrible times –when people had destroyed others in haste, in fear, and had brought about their own destruction.” I thought this quote was extraordinary! Lowry got me hooked, and messed with my emotions throughout the entire book; I went from being outraged to understanding, disgusted to curious, light-hearted to heavy-hearted, and then, finally ending the book in irritation and confusion. I laughed, I cried, and I felt genuinely pissed off at the “decide for yourself” ending, but all in all, I loved this book!

Image from this cite.

How to Use in the Classroom

• This book would be a great book to bring in to discuss topics such as, a utopia, communism, free will, memories, ancestry, the holocaust…etc. Huge topics for conversation, as well as, great leading discussions on a bigger overall unit. I would use this book to bring up the hard issues. I would love to see how kids interpret the releasing and the idea of no free will. I would love to see the illustrations inspired by a book like this. I think this book would be a great, quality piece of literature to bring into the classroom to discuss, use critical thinking skills and to dissect. I know it is controversial, but if my district allows it, I would love to incorporate "The Giver" into my classroom, and see what kinds of literary conversations bloom.  

More Resources 

• For more information about Lois Lowry, click here. 

• For more information about the book, click here.

"The Dear One"

Image from this cite.

Book Title:

The Dear One

Author:

Jacqueline Woodson

Type of Book:

Novel

Age Level:

8-12

My Star Rating:

****

Summary

• “The Dear One” is a story about Afeni, a young girl who struggles with feeling unloved since her grandmother passed away, four years prior. Afeni tries to make sense of her world, but at the young age of 12, she can’t seem to do so, that is, until 15-year-old, pregnant Rebecca comes into her life; a time when her paradigms change.

Image from this cite.

My Thoughts

• I thought this book was good, very controversial, but then again, I love controversy. I thought the raw emotion Woodson exposes in this book was phenomenal. She has such an incredible fluency in childish thought and reasoning, I felt as if I was actually there, observing all the interactions between Afeni and Rebecca. I felt just as present as the characters were, as if I was a fly on the wall. I also loved how I could relate myself to this book through my own childhood thoughts and encounters. There is a beautiful moment between Afeni and her mother, where Afeni declares she wants to go live with her dad because she thinks that her mom doesn’t lover her. Afeni’s mom, Catherine, responds by saying that although she doesn’t say, “I love you” everyday to Afeni, that it doesn’t mean she doesn’t love her everyday.  It just means that she expresses love in a different way, such as providing for Afeni, and taking care of her. This type of love is so familiar to me, and once, as a child, I went through the same fears of being unloved by my mother, and just like in this book, my mother explained that she loves best through her actions. After hearing that, I was able to see incredible amounts of love, more love than I had ever imagined, my mom loves me best through helping me through life. I connected very well with Afeni in that moment.

• I also loved the truth and fears that Afeni and Caesar shared. My favorite example of this was seen in chapter 15, when the two friends were discussing their fears of lying in bed naked with a boy. I remember growing up, with these same fears, and the same thoughts about intimacy. I loved how special that moment in the book was for me. Again, Woodson has an outstanding way of bringing my life out, through her characters, a feat not easily accomplished. I am so happy with this book and the sentimental moments it offered me, while reading.

How to Use in the Classroom

Image from this cite.

• For more mature grades, this novel could be used to discuss the very controversial subjects it includes, such as, teenage pregnancy, alcoholism, homosexuality, divorce, abortion, rich VS poor, and the racial divide of whites and blacks. All of these topics are seen throughout this book, and although some are more controversial than others, all of them are seen in our culture today. These issues are real, kids will come across them and kids will have questions. As teachers, we have to decide if we want to bring them up for discussion in our classrooms, and how we wish to handle them. Although controversial subjects are often discouraged from school districts, I believe it is very important to prepare students for reality, and this would be a great book to do start with!

• I also think that posing the question, “How can we show love” is a great way to bring awareness to the varied appearances of love. For kids like Afeni, and myself, sometimes love is not so apparent, but, as a class, making a list or chart on the different ways love can be shown, will help to build community, as well as, explain how, as a class, we can show love to each other. Perhaps this could include an activity or a service project appropriate for Valentines Day (Assigning a Valentine to each student, so that each student spends time showing a friend love, and feeling loved by a friend, through an encouraging note, or helping hand. This will also work towards building community).

 More Resources

• For more information about Jacqueline Woodson, click here.
• For more information about "The Dear One", click here.

"Love You Forever"

Image from this cite.

Book Title:

Love You Forever

Author:

Robert Munsch

Illustrator:

Sheila McGraw

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

4-8

My Star Rating:

****

Summary

• This book shows the truest love, the love of a mother, and how it remains over the years. The mother spends every night singing a lullaby to her son, regardless of his age, until one day when she is too old to do so.

Image from this cite.

My Thoughts

• I love this book. I love using this book in the classroom, because I made up a melody to the lullaby the mother sings to her son, and I invite the class to sing it with me, while rocking back and forth. Singing and reading together really helps to start the day off in community and in trust. I also love, inviting the kids into the story, so they feel personally apart of the group reading process.

Image from this cite.

How to Use in the Classroom

• I would bring this book into the classroom to show how song and performance can be incorporated into reading and how using your creativity can bring excitement into everyday tasks. We as a class, could make up our own songs, or, find a new book to create our own tune for as we read. This could also help ignite the imaginations and creative patterns of the students in my classroom, while also helping those who struggle with reading, to find alternate ways of connecting with literature.

More Resources

• For more information about Robert Munsch, click here.
• For more information about Sheila McGraw, click here.

"The Giving Tree"

Image from this cite.

Book Title:

The Giving Tree

Author/Illustrator:

Shel Silverstein

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

4-8

My Star Rating:

*****

Summary

• Everyday the boy came to visit the tree, swing on her branches and slide down her trunk, but as the boy grew older; he began to want different things. He would visit less often, and would take more and more from the giving tree, until one day, the tree had nothing left to give.

Image from this cite.

My Thoughts

• I absolutely love this book, and the unconditional love it shows. “The Giving Tree” just melts me heart every time I read it, and it is impossible for me to read this story and feel emotionless. Silverstein captures my heart in his simple illustrations, and in his meaningful text. As a reader, I look for books that will shift my understanding, and leave me feeling impacted, and that is exactly what Silverstein does in “The Giving Tree”. With his cartoon-style illustrations, and black and white story, I feel myself personally going on the journey of the remarkable friendship seen between the boy and his tree.

Image from this cite.

How to Use in the Classroom

• I imagine bringing this book into my classroom during story time. I would have all my students gather around, and I would introduce this book with a mysterious tone in my voice. I would set up the book first, as one of my favorite books, a book that is so special to me, and one that makes my heart feel warm inside. I would ask the kids if they have ever read a book like that, and I would let them share a few of their own favorite books. Then, I would bring out my copy of “The Giving Tree”, and ask if any of them have read this story before, for those who have, I would ask them to see if they learn anything new, and for those who haven’t, I would tell them to see if they can figure out why I love this book so much. Then we would read it together, I would prompt for predictions, and I would comment on the themes/illustrations. At the end of the book, we would discuss who liked it, and why they liked it, and then, we would talk about what makes us like a certain book, and what makes us dislike a certain book, and this conversation could turn into a mini lesson on writing, as well as, a mini lesson on figuring out which types of books we should look for personally, based on what we like/dislike.

More Resources 

• For more information about Shel Silverstein, click here.
• For more information about "The Giving Tree", click here.

"Spork"

Image from this cite.

Book Title:

Spork

Author:

Kyo Maclear

Illustrator:

Isabelle Arsenault

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

4-8

My Star Rating:

**

Summary

• A spork is a combination of a spoon and a fork, but this spork never gets picked for eating. The spork begins to feel that no one will ever want him, because he is not a spoon, and he is not a fork, but this all changes when he finds his perfect match.

Image from this cite.

My Thoughts

• This book has a pretty good message, and it is a cute story, but I was not much of a fan. I didn’t like the rendered mixed-media assembled-digital art; I found it to be a bit boring and plain. I also thought that the overall story line was just bizarre. Using a “Spork” to reinforce the message that eventually everyone will find his or her place in the world was just not a good fit for me. Although a cute story, this is not one of my favorites.

How to Use in the Classroom

Image from this cite.

• Even though I was not much of a fan, this book could be a great tool in helping bring awareness to the class for those who feel as if they don’t fit in, since this book is all about finding your place of peace in the world, it could help teach a mini lesson about inclusion and working together. It could be a great way to have the classroom brainstorm ideas on how to make everyone feel included and special. This book has a great message, and this message should be introduced into classrooms, to help build community and set the right tone for how you want your students to interact.

More Resources

• For more information about the author, click here.
• For more information about the illustrator, click here.

"Giraffes Can’t Dance"

Image from this cite.

Book Title:

Giraffes Can’t Dance

Author:

Giles Andreae

Illustrator:

Guy Parker-Rees

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

4-8

My Star Rating:

****

Summary

• Gerald, the Giraffe, cannot dance, and his feelings get hurt as all the other animals that dance beautifully, make fun of him. He leaves the jungle dance party, and discovers a different type of music that is perfect, just for him.

Image from this cite.

My Thoughts

• What a fantastic book! I love this because it brings the arts back into the classroom, while teaching a valuable lesson. For some people, things may come harder than for others, but that doesn’t mean that someone is doomed, and that we should just accept their failure. It just means another approach may be needed, and isn’t that what we, as future teachers, are learning everyday…differentiation. In this book, Gerald could not dance as well as the other animals, but all he really needed was someone to take the time to help him find his own music, and then he soared. He out-danced all of his friends, and he finally thought of himself as a dancer. This book just proves that we as teachers need to pay attention to the different struggles of our students, and try to find individualized our instruction for them, so that we can help them learn to soar.

How to Use in the Classroom

Image from this cite.

• I would love to use this in my classroom to teach the different styles of music, and the different styles of dance that are mentioned. I would love to get the kids up and moving, especially when they need to get all their jitters out. –I love to bring performance into the classroom, whenever possible, and this book mixes literacy and performance, which I absolutely adore. I could also see myself using this book to show the kids that if they are struggling with something, that maybe they just need to try a different way, that giving up is not the answer. 

More Resources

• For more information about Giles Andreae, click here.
• For more information about Guy Parker-Rees, click here.

"Chrysanthemum"

Image from this cite

Book Title:

Chrysanthemum

Author/Illustrator:

Kevin Henkes

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

4-8

My Star Rating:

****

Summary

• Chrysanthemum grew up with the notion that she was absolutely perfect, until she entered school that is. At school the kids picked on her and poked fun of her name, a name that she once loved and adored, had become the target of her pain.

Image from this cite.

My Thoughts

• When I first heard this book, it was being read aloud to me in my 5^th semester of college. I know it sounds funny to have someone read aloud to you at the age of 20, but I am so glad it happened. I had never heard of this book before, but I instantly fell in love with it. I love the great message that trickles through the story, the message of loving who you are, regardless of what others think about you. I think this is such an important message to start introducing to children at a young age. School can be hard, and peers can be ruthless, so I think introducing this book and message at an early age is vitally important.

• I also love the use of watercolor paints and black pen, as they are used for full-color art. Henkes does a great job with the changing layouts of each page, I think the book is so inviting and visually fun to look at. Not to mention, how incredible the text is, he perfects the way of making a children’s book into a great learning tool, with large vocabulary words, and great themes of acceptance. I LOVE this book.

How to Use in the Classroom

Image from this cite.

• “Chrysanthemum” is a great book to use when teaching new vocabulary; in fact, I think this book could provide a hefty list of vocabulary terms just by itself. With words such as, Chrysanthemum, scarcely, wilted, dreadful, fascinating, winsome, Parcheesi, envious, begrudging, discontented, jaundiced, scrawny, humorous, Delphinium, beamed, Marigold, Carnation and Lily of the Valley, this book offers a lot of possibilities. For one thing, a spelling list could be developed from this book, while also cross-curricularly; this book could be helpful in science, and the planting of flowers.  Again, this book could be used in teaching the message of loving yourself for who you are, and not for what others think about you, and it could also be a useful tool to bring out when you feel like your class is having trouble respecting their peers. This book has many possibilities, and that is why I love it so much! 

More Resources  

• For more information about Kevin Henkes, click here.
• For more information about how to use Chrysanthemum in the classroom, click here.

"The Higher Power of Lucky"

Image from this cite.

Book Title:

The Higher Power of Lucky

Author:

Susan Patron

Illustrator:

Matt Phelan

Type of Book:

Novel

Age Level:

9-12

My Star Rating:

****

Summary

·      Lucky, a young girl, tries to take on life with her pal HMS Beagle, and her friend Lincoln, but she is convinced her guardian, Brigitte, will leave her, just as her parents did. She sets out to find her higher power, so that she may find the peace she feels is missing in her life.

Image from this cite.

My Thoughts

·        I thought this book was pretty good! I was mostly impressed with Patron, and her incredible ability to get into the young child’s mind. Her portrayal of Lucky as, childish and sporadic, curious and wild, imaginative and trained was so clear to me. I remember thinking in those same ways when I was young, I remember being curious about new things/concepts, but feeling too embarrassed to bring them up. I remember using my imagination to create alternate realities and to convince myself of false truths. I remember having to stick in the mindset I was trained to use, the mindset of appropriate behavior and acceptable lifestyle choices, when really, all I wanted to do was be myself, silly, wild and carefree. I connected so well with Lucky in her quest for answers. Patron really brought me back to my childhood memories, and I am sure any students who read this, will be able to connect with Lucky on some level, and in some way, if not, many.

How to Use in the Classroom

Image from this cite.

·      This novel could easily be used to bring up different lifestyles, places, people or concepts, in the classroom. For instance, living in the Midwest shelters us from the dry, hot weather of the desert. We don’t have to worry about sandstorms… And if you teach in an upper/middle class neighborhood, the schemas of living in a trailer park would be slim to none. The community felt in the book, by the neighbors looking after each other, would seem unreal to those who live miles away from their closest neighbor. I can see so many opportunities to expand schemas with this book. It could lead into so many different discussions about life, experiences and realities. I think it would be a great book to bring into the classroom.

More Resources:

• To visit Susan Patron's Website, click here.
• To learn more about the book and the controversy involved, click here.

Controversial Book: "Fly Away Home"

Image from this cite.

Book Title:

Fly Away Home

Author:

Eve Bunting

Illustrator:

Ronald Himler

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

4-8

My Star Rating:

***

Summary

·      This is a tale about a dad and his son who live in an airport with only one rule to follow: “Do not get caught".

My Thoughts

·      I really enjoyed this book. Yes, I do understand how it is controversial, I mean it is all about sneaking around and being dishonest. It tells about the life of a boy who should be in school rather than spending his days trying to stay unnoticed. But, regardless of the controversies, this book has wonderful themes of family, community, dreams, aspirations and hope. It also deals with the themes of financial issues, and finding a means of “getting by”, which are issues so commonly seen in public schools. I was very happy with this book and the messages it had to offer. I also loved the watercolor illustrations that caught the raw emotions of the child and his father. I think kids would appreciate it for the honesty and truth it speaks about life, and about struggles.

Image from this cite.

How to Use in the Classroom

·      This book would be a great book to use in a variety of lessons. Perhaps you work in a poor neighborhood, or an inner city. This book would be great for opening up a class discussion about how love and family are always present even though money maybe hard to come by. This could also be used to teach about how dreams and hope don’t cost a thing, that regardless of where we come from, or what experiences/opportunities we have, that dreaming and hoping can help us get through the tough times. This book has so many possibilities, it could even be read to a wealthy class, in hopes of building schemas and bringing awareness. 

 

More Resources:

• For more information about Eve Bunting, click here.
• For classroom ideas with this book, click here.

Controversial Book: "And The Tango Makes Three"

Image from this cite.

Book Title:

And The Tango Makes Three

Author:

Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

Illustrator:

Henry Cole

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

4-8

My Star Rating:

***

Summary

·      This book focuses on the idea of family, and how to create one. But when two male penguins fall in live at the zoo, they learn that they cannot naturally start a family on their own.

Image from this cite.

My Thoughts

·      This book is a great warming story with a lot of good lessons to teach about life. It is obviously controversial because of the homosexuality involved, but it shows that the love of a family is not restricted, and that gay parents can love and succeed in the same ways of that of heterosexual parents. Now, I, being pretty conservative myself, often find myself in communities who would find this book threatening to young minds. But I disagree. I think it is very important that kids be exposed to these topics. Mainly because these controversial topics exist in real life, and kids will have to deal with them eventually. I think the biggest issue with teaching this type of book is going to be the conservative parents causing a fuss. But I encourage teachers to be courageous.

How to Use in the Classroom

Image from this cite.

·      This book could help start off a discussion about how babies are made, it could open up the topic of “what is homosexuality?” and it could help open up the idea of adoption. All of these topics would be very beneficial to teach in class, if age appropriate (in my opinion). Some kids may even come from a family of two gay parents, and this could be a book to help the rest of the class understand and better accept the idea. If nothing else, this book also could help in showing the deep love of a family… and how everyone is capable of being part of one. 

 More Resources:

• For more information about this book, click here.

"There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly"

Book Title:

Image from this cite.

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly

Author/Illustrator:

Simms Taback

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

4-8

My Star Rating:

***

Summary

·      This is a silly book about an old lady who swallows a fly, and then tries to catch the fly by swallowing a spider… she continues to swallow more and more, to catch what she swallowed before.

Image from this cite.

My Thoughts

·      This book is so cute. I love that it is a songbook too! How fun is it to get lost in the world of a book, but also to be able to sing along with a book! The illustrations in this book are just outstanding. Taback masters the use of using mixed media and collage on kraft paper. The illustration style seems to be cartoon, and it interacts with the reader in that, as the woman continues to swallow, the viewing of her stomach seems to get bigger and bigger. This is done through the cutting of a hole in each page. The holes get bigger as the story goes on, allowing for the audience to keep up with all that she has swallowed. I think this is brilliant. What a fun book to bring into the classroom.

Image from this cite.

How to Use in the Classroom

·      This book could be used as a fun songbook to bring into the classroom. I know that many teachers love incorporating songs throughout the day, and I think this would be a great book to bring out and teach to the kids. It repeats which is nice, because kids are better able to follow along and learn the song when it repeats. Also, this could be an example book, in which the whole class makes a new version to the same tune that they can sing together. This book could also be used as a classroom management technique, when the kiddos have just a bit too much energy. 

More Resources

• To sing along with the songbook, click here.
• To learn more about Simms Taback, click cite.

"Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?"

Image from this cite.

Book Title:

Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?

Author/Illustrator:

Dr. Seuss

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

4-8

My Star Rating:

*****

Summary

·      This book is all about how lucky we are that we aren’t forgotten, underpaid or overworked.

Image from this cite.

My Thoughts

·      I love this book! This was my first time reading it and I was amazed at the incredible lesson being taught. I was not expecting it at all. Throughout the book it teaches the lesson that someone has it worse then you, and that in fact, you are lucky, just as you are. It takes the theme of "walking in someone else’s shoes" to a fun childhood relatable place. It allows for young imaginations to start building a schema on how fortunate they are and how someone else, somewhere, has it worse. I thought this was an intelligent way of bringing awareness to children of young ages, while also making it fun. I loved it, 5 stars!

How to Use in the Classroom

Image from this cite.

·      This book could be used to help start off a unit of helping out those less fortunate, perhaps a winter fundraiser for families in need, or what not. It could also be used to help students understand that everyone struggles, and that everyone is lucky in their own way. I just think this book has a great message to it, and is a book that should be discovered by more children, and even, more adults.


More Resources 

• To enter into Seussville, click here.     
• For more about Dr. Seuss, click here. 

"Oh, The Places You'll Go!"

Image from this cite.

Book Title:

Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

Author/Illustrator:

Dr. Seuss

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

4-8

My Star Rating:

****

Summary

·      This book is about the journey of life. The places you will go, near and far, high and low, and the places dark, gloomy and sad, as well as, the fun, exciting and beautiful.

Image from this cite.

My Thoughts

·      I love this book! I love Dr. Seuss, and I love the illustrations. I think this is an incredible book. Not only does it inspire the readers to get excited about their journey, but it also sticks to the truth that sometimes, our journeys are not going to be fun or happy, and that sometimes we will have to wait, or we will feel all alone. But then it continues with all the excitement that waits ahead. I think Dr. Seuss is genius. He is so talented at rhyming, a task that is not so easy to do, and he is amazing and creating wild illustrations of the imagination. This book, although intended for ages 4-8, seems a bit too hard for that age range. There are made up words, and grammatically incorrect words, and frankly, it can be a bit confusing for adults to read well aloud. So I disagree with the age range assigned, as far as reading goes. This book however, does make a great read aloud for all ages!

Image from this cite.

How to Use in the Classroom

I have seen this book used for graduating classes, such as 8^th grade classrooms and for graduating high school seniors. This is a great inspirational book when it comes to moving on to the next stage of life. I have also used this book in asking students to create their own imaginary place, a place they would love to visit if it were real, a place that is specifically made for them to enjoy. I used this book for an art assignment, but could be easily turned into a writing assignment. Dr. Seuss books are also a great resource in teaching rhyming poetry, or in transitional read aloud times.


More Resources:

• To enter into Seussville, click here.
• For more about Dr. Seuss, click here. 

Fairytale Blog: "The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig"

Image from this cite.

Book Title:

The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig

Author:

Eugene Trivizas

Illustrator:

Helen Oxenbury

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

4-8

My Star Rating:

****

Summary

·      This book is a great twist on the commonly read “The Three Little Pigs”. This satire is switched into an action packed story of a “big bad pig” who destroys the houses of three little wolves, ending in a bizarre result of friendship.

Image from this cite.

My Thoughts

·      I thought this book was so clever, and hilarious. I love to read spin-off books. I love to see the imagination used to create such a fun alternate. Trivizas has an incredible whit to his writing. He takes the old tale and remodels it in fantastic ways, with bucket loads of detail. Each house the “big bad pig” tries to blow down, does not work, yet the pig does not give up. He resorts to the intense measures of using a sledgehammer…etc. Not only does the text serve as a notable wonder, but also, the story comes to life with the beautiful watercolor/sketch illustrations, shown through the style of cartoon art. In my opinion, this book is remarkable, and fun for more than just ages 4-8. 

Image from this cite.

How to Use in the Classroom

This book could be used in the classroom to show students how alternate stories can evolve from well-known books. It could be used as tool in which the teacher introduces a lesson of having the class find a well-known book, and then having the class work on re-writing it with a twist. This book could also be a fun read aloud for all ages. Mem Fox states that kids should be read aloud to, even throughout high school, and this book would be a great book to read aloud for amusement and fun! 



More Resources

• For more information about the author, click here. 
• For more information about the illustrator, click here. 

Fairytale Blog: "The Boy Who Drew Cats"

Book Title:

Image from this Cite

The Boy Who Drew Cats

Author:

Margaret Hodges

Illustrator:

Akl Sogabe

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

6-9

My Star Rating:

**

Summary

·      A young Japanese boy who was raised in a working family was too clever to work in the fields himself. His parents wanted him to become a priest, but, all he would do was draw pictures of cats…a talent that ended up saving his life.

Image from this cite.

My Thoughts

·      This book was kind of bizarre. I am not a fan. Perhaps it is because it is not a typical fairytale with the predictability I enjoy, but I do give it credit for the use of wild creativity, and imagination. However, as far as the storyline, I was not won-over. The illustrations were not much fun to look at, they appear to be computer-made with a cartoon-type style. All in all, this book will not make my list of favorites.

How to Use in the Classroom

·      This book would be a possible option for a unit on Japanese culture, or unit with cultural topics. Perhaps, this book could be read before an art lesson, to inspire kids to draw their favorite animals. I would not want to use this book in my class, so my options for classroom ideas are rather limited. 

 More Resources:

• For more information about the Japanese Fairytale, click here.
• For more information about the author, click here.