The President's Stuck in the Bathtub: Poems About the Presidents

Title: The President's Stuck in the Bathtub: Poems About the Presidents

Author: Susan Katz

Illustrator: Robert Neubecker

Copyright Date: 2012

Genre: Poetry

Theme: Poetry, Social Studies, American History, Presidents, Government, Biography

Grades: 1 and up

Summary

This book is a collection of poems about our nation's presidents. Stretching from George Washington to Barrack Obama, the poet highlights a quirk, anecdote, or other fact about each and every president. With historical context provided for each poem, this book is sure to teach everyone something about our commanders in chief they've never known. 

Which president invented the swivel chair? Which president had the longest inaugural address AND the shortest presidency? Which president was afraid to use a light switch? Read this book to find out.

Pre-reading Activity

It could be fun to test the classes knowledge of presidential trivia by putting together a matching game of little known facts about the presidents (taken from the poems) and seeing how many presidents the students can match the names to. For younger students this can be just a small list, but older students could be given the list of all forty-three. 

During Reading Activity

While reading, the teacher can point out the different structures and approaches the poet takes for each poem. For example The Thomas Jefferson poem has a repeating structure of each stanza looking at a different invention of his and the opposites it embodies, while Woodrow Wilson poem is structured in simple couplets. Also it would be important to point how the poems highlight the humorous and human aspects of the presidents (like James Buchanan's habit of tilting his head to look at things and Theodore Roosevelt's rowdiness), instead of the usual perfect way they are pictured in history books.  

Post-reading Activity

After reading this book, teachers can lead a discussion on how poems can be an interesting way to present information. They can encourage students to research someone from their current studies and write a poem about their life and describing their importance to history. These poems could be about an explorer or leader from the current unit in social studies, a scientist who contributed to the field the ongoing science lesson is about, a writer from a recent author study or even a famous and influential mathematician. 

Author and Illustrator

Susan Katz is the not only an accomplished poet, writing collections such as this one and Looking for Jaguar and other Rainforest Poems, but also a novelist, having written Snowdrops for Cousin Ruth. She currently is living in Pennsylvania. (Source: Book jacket and here)

Robert Neubecker is the illustrator of a number of children's books including Shiver Me Timbers by Doug Florian and Sophie Peterman Tells the Truth by Sarah Weeks. He is also the author of his own books such as Wow! City! and Courage of the Blue Boy. He currently lives in Utah. (Source: Book Jacket and here)

Reflections

I really like this book. It is well-written and super fun to read. I think this book could work if you were to read it all the way through or if you were to break it up and read a few a day, maybe as you go along in American History. I think everyone could enjoy this book and walk away knowing something new to share with others. I can't recommend it more. 

If you are interested in purchasing this book, click here.

The Carnival of the Animals

Title: The Carnival of the Animals
Author: Camille Saint-Saëns; new verses by Jack Prelutsky

Illustrator: Mary GrandPré

Copyright Date: 2012

Genre: Poetry

Theme: poetry, animals, music

Grades: K and up

Awards: Nominee Bank Street Child Study Children's Book Award, Winner New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing (source)

Summary

This is a collection of poems about animals, inspired by the classical piece of music, The Carnival of the Animals. Between the introductory and closing poems, readers will meet a roaring lion, a proud rooster, dreaming kangaroos, a graceful swan, and even a shout out to fossils. 

Who else will be starring in this crazy carnival? Read this book to find out.

Pre-reading Activity

One of the great things about the copy of this book that I got from my local library is that it comes with a CD of the actual musical piece along with recordings of the poet reading his poems set to the music that inspired them. When it comes to appreciating poetry, enjoying the words and rhythm in an aesthetic way first is always a good thing. Younger children could listen to the CD and move around in ways inspired by how the music makes them feel (slow and plodding like the elephant, gracefully like the swan, etc). Older students could make lists of thoughts and images they get in their head. (A similar activity is described here) 

During Reading Activity

While reading through the book, teachers should take time to point out the conventions used by the poet. Discussion about why the author uses certain words to create certain images would also be useful in helping students understand the poetry writing process so they may grow in their own skills. 

Post-reading Activity

After reading through the book, students should be encouraged to write their own poems. Although the book covers a variety of animals, there are still a number of animals students can write about (maybe focusing on their favorite animal). While older students will be fine on their own, younger students may benefit from working in groups. Have them brainstorm different traits and behaviors that animal has and different words they can use to describe them. Then use this information to write a poem, where the focus is on images not necessarily rhyme. 

Author and Illustrator and Composer

Along with this book, Jack Prelutsky has over fifty books and ten anthologies of poetry written for children. His work has won many awards, and he was recognized for his work in 2006 when the Poetry Foundation named him the first Children's Poetry Laureate. He lives in Washington. (Source: book jacket and here)

Along with illustrating the Carnival of the Animals, Mary GrandPré has illustrated other children's books such as Chin Yu Min and the Ginger Cat and the complete Harry Potter series. She currently lives in Florida. 

Camille Saint-Saëns composed the musical piece the Carnival of the Animals in 1886, along with over three hundred other pieces of music over the course of his long composing career. Although he only allowed the piece to be played twice during his lifetime, it stands as one of his most famous and is enjoyed by children and adults today. He passed away in 1921.   

Reflections

I really enjoyed this book, especially after listening to the music and recordings of the poet reading his poems. I think that students of all ages can come to this book and take away something special. Whether its an appreciation for classical music, poetry analysis skills, or poetry writing techniques. I highly recommend this book.  

If you are interested in purchasing this book, click here.

If you are interested in some really grade teaching ideas and materials made by Random House about this book, click here.  

Desk Stories

Title: Desk Stories

Author and Illustrator: Kevin O’Malley

Copyright Date: 2011

Genre: fiction (graphic novel)

Theme: desks, school, humor

Grades: 2-4

Awards: 2012 IRA-CBC Children's Choices

Summary

This book is made up of six separate stories, all about a different take on the school desk:

1). “History Man”---a humorous history of desks through the caveman times, the Middle Ages and today. What type of desks did they use in the past?

2). “Trapped!”---John, a very bored student finds himself being chased and then trapped by his desk. Will he be alright?

3). “It Came From Within”---Sara, a “perfect student” is good at everything in school and isn't afraid to rub it in. One day she feels something warm and furry in her desk and learns a very important lesson in humility. What was the thing living in her desk?

4). “Desk Time Jokes”---A collection of classic school themed jokes.

5). “Desktec”---Readers get unprecedented access to the secret plans of Desktec about new desk technology. What will the desk of the future be like?

6). “Sue Smallton: The Incredible Shrinking Supergirl”---Sue, our super-heroine must shrink down and explore her desk to return a barrette.  What dangers will she encounter?

Pre-reading Activity

It could be fun to have students have a guided thinking session. Have them think about their desks in ways they may not have thought before. Think about all of the things they do at it; work, read, play, draw, eat, etc. How important is it to you? What if your desk could talk. What do you think would it say? What would it do if it could move? Have them share a few answers for each question. Then explain that the book you are going to read looks at desks in an imaginative way and that it can be fun to think about things in different ways.

Post-reading Activity

After the book, students can have a chance to write their own creative stories, taking an ordinary object and looking at it in a different way. They can pick an object (book, a food, classroom pet, etc.) and then use prompts inspired by the stories:

What would happen if the subject were alive/could talk?

What would that object be like in the future?

What if you could shrink down and go inside/hang out with your object? What would happen?

This would students to be able to write a story that can be funny and of interest to them and they will probably would like to share it. (I later found that the publisher's website has a review of this book that also suggests using it as a model for creative writing. It's entirely a coincidence but I'll link their page here.)

Author and Illustrator

Along with Desk Stories, Kevin O'Malley has written and illustrated the similar style book, Backpack Stories, and worked a plethora of other books such as Slugs in Love, Humpty Dumpty Egg-splodes, and the Miss Malarky book series. He currently lives in Maryland. (Source: book jacket, here, and here.) 

Reflections

This is a fun book with a variety of story styles to attract readers. These stories are short enough that a few could be shared during a story time, while also able to fill a lesson's worth of discussion in themselves. This can allow teachers to fill a whole week of read-alouds without changing books. This would definitely grab the attention of reluctant readers.

If you are interested in purchasing this book, click here.

Rick and Rack and the Great Outdoors

Title: Rick and Rack and the Great Outdoors

Author and Illustrator: Ethan Long

Copyright Date: 2010

Genre: fiction (graphic novel)

Theme: animals, outdoors, friendship, humor

Grades: 1+

Summary

In three adventures, Rack the deer tries repeatedly to get his friend Rick the raccoon to enjoy outdoor activities with him, resulting in humorous consequences.

1) “The Big Fish”---Rack tries to teach Rick the joys of fishing, but Rick only finds it boring, repetitive and stinky. How will Rack fix the smell problem?

2) “Mystery Tracks”---Rack and Rick go on a hike on when they stop for a break, Rick discovers some mysterious animal tracks. Who could they belong to? A tiger? A rhino? A dragon?

3) “Canoe Leak”---Rack teaches Rick how to canoe and the importance of life jackets.

Pre-reading Activity

Before reading the story, it would be a good idea to have the students think and share with a partner any experiences they may have had in fishing, tracking or canoeing/boating. What types of things did they use? What rules did they have to follow? How did they do the activity? Then make three webs, one for each activity, with connected information. Doing this will access the students’ prior knowledge and assist those who have no experience with these activities, gain some information about them to use as context for the stories.

During the Reading Activity

Because of the three short stories in this book, you have multiple opportunities to practice skills like making predictions. Using their background knowledge and the thought webs, students can make predictions about what they think Rick and Rack will do at multiple points during each little story. As they go along, their predictions will either be correct or incorrect, and more will be created. Because the three stories are independent, you can either break them apart into three separate days of prediction practice or one big day with multiple examples. 

Post-reading Activity

Using the three stories as examples, and the easily followed format as a pattern, students may find it fun to create their own Rick and Rack story about a different outdoor activity. This book would serve as a good example to use in teaching students how to create a graphic novel, and would allow them to practice their writing skills (in writing the story and planning the graphic novel) and allow for creativity and practice with art skills.

Author and Illustrator

Ethan Long is not only a talented illustrator and author of children's books(such as Chamelia and Soup for One), he also has worked for television. Not only having created work for Scholastic and Harcourt, Long has Nickelodeon as a client of his and is the creator of the Playhouse Disney program Tasty Time With ZeFronk!. He has won many awards for his work and currently lives in Florida. (Source: here and here.)

Reflections

This is a great example of a book that can be used to teach graphic novels to younger grades. It’s well written, has an easy to follow story, is laid out in a simple way, and most importantly, it is very funny. The three stories in one book aspect, gives it great flexibility in the classroom. You have the option of spreading it out over multiple reading periods (but I guarantee your class will beg for “just one more”). I recommend this book for any younger grade classroom and will point out that the Balloon Toons series has many different graphic novels with a variety of characters that could also be useful in classroom libraries.

If you are interested in purchasing this book, click here.

Luke on the Loose

Title: Luke on the Loose

Author and Illustrator: Harry Bliss

Copyright Date: 2009

Genre: fiction (graphic novel)

Theme: city, children

Grades: K-2

Awards: Junior Library Guild Selection

Summary

A young boy named Luke went for a walk with his father in Central Park. When he notices a group of pigeons, he begins chasing after them, traveling across the city and causing all kinds of problems. Because of his running loose there is a traffic jam, dropped ice cream, and even an interrupted marriage proposal.

Where will the pigeons bring Luke to next and when will he ever stop chasing them? Read this book to find out.

Pre-reading Activity

You can tap students background knowledge on what a city is like and what they may find there, in order to help them to be better able to understand the setting of the story and identify the people, actions and objects found in the illustrations.

Post-reading Activity

In this book, there is little text, other than the dialogue and sound effects. It might be fun to try and use the illustrations in the book in order to create a picture book version of the story. This would involve students writing narration of the pictures to describe what is shown only through illustration in this format. This would help them practice proper sentence creation and sequencing without having to think of their own topics since they have the story already available to them as a scaffold. The list of city things from the pre-reading activity might serve as a useful word wall for their writing.

Author and Illustrator

Luke on the Loose is Harry Bliss’s very first graphic novel, but not his first as a cartoonist or illustrator. He has worked with award winner authors on books such as Which Would You Rather Be? and Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken, and works on the New Yorker as a cover artist and cartoonist. He currently lives in Vermont. (Source: about the author page)

Reflections

Besides being a really fun, this book is a great example to use when introducing graphic novels to students. Teachers can easily show how to approach and read a graphic novel while not worrying about difficult formatting or overly complicated stories. Students learning English would also love this book as well, being able to use the pictures as context for the words, or to still understand the story if the words prove too difficult. I highly recommend this book for those introducing the graphic novel format.

If you are interested in purchasing this book, click here.

The book's publishing company, Toon Books, has a great lesson plan using a Reader's Theater about this book, available here. 

I Want My Hat Back

Title: I Want My Hat Back

Author and Illustrator: Jon Klassen

Copyright Date: 2011
Genre: Fiction

Theme: animals, lost and found items

Grades: Preschool-3

Awards: Theodor Seuss Geisel Beginning Reader Honor, SCIBA Book Award finalist, Golden Archer Award (Wisconsin), E.B. White Read Aloud Award, Colorado Children's Book Award Nominee, E.B. White Read-Aloud Picture Book finalist, Bank Street Irma Black Awards, Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices List, Texas 2x2 Reading List Selection, ALA Notable Children's Books, New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, CYBIL Award – Shortlist, the Horn Book Fanfare, New York Times Book Review Notable Books of the Year, Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year, New York Times Book Review 10 Best Illustrated Children's Books

Summary

A bear, loves his red conical hat, but one day he finds it missing. He embarks on a search through the woods looking for his prized possession. He asks each of the animals he runs into if they've seen his hat, but they each say they haven't. 

Will bear ever find his hat, and wasn't that rabbit acting kind of weird? Find out the answer to these questions and more by reading this book.

Pre-reading Activity

Before reading this book, you can have your audience get into the mindset of the bear by recalling a time in their life when something they loved went missing. What did they lose; a toy, a pet, item of clothing, a person? How did they feel when it was missing? What did they do to find it? How did they feel after finding it and having it back? Afterwards you can explain that the story they are about to read is about a bear who lost something he loved (his hat) and what he does to try and get it back.

Post-reading Activity

This would be a fun book to turn into a reader's theater type project. With a large cast of characters, and one that can be easily added to, a large group can take part in the play and the repetitive structure and clear spoken text of the story makes easy conversion to dialogue that even the youngest students can learn. Students can have a blast making simple costumes to play the characters, such as paper antlers, bunny ears, and of course, a red conical hat. This would make a very nice project for an open house or other presentation to families. 

Author and Illustrator

While this is his first book he wrote and illustrate, Jon Klassen has been the illustrator on numerous projects in print and on film. He worked as an ilustrator for the animated film Coraline, the book series The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, and won the 2010 Canadian Governor General’s Award for his illustrations for Cat's Night Out written by Caroline Stutson. He's from Ontario, Canada and  currently lives in California. (Source: book jacket and here.)

Reflections

This is easily one of the best new books I've come across in a long while. It just begs to be read outloud and performed with silly voices. I have read this to both students and adults and both groups loved it. I can't recommend it high enough.

If you are interested in purchasing this book, click here.

Click the video below to watch the official book trailer for I Want My Hat Back.

You can make your own hat like the bear's, thanks to a fun activity from Candlewick Press. Found here.

Keeper of the Soles

Title: Keeper of the Soles

Author: Teresa Bateman

Illustrator: Yayo

Copyright Date: 2006
Genre: Fiction

Theme: Shoes, Death, Cheating Death

Grades: 2-4

Awards: Horn Books Fanfare List - Best Books of 2006

Summary

Colin, a talented and well-loved shoemaker, helps put wonderful shoes on the feet of the rich and poor alike. One dark night, Death knocks on Colin’s door. He has come from Colin’s soul. Looking at Death’s bare feet, Colin comes up with a clever plan to save himself.

What plan does Colin come up with and is he successful in saving his soul? Read this book to find out.

Pre-reading Activity

Before reading this book with younger students, teachers can access students background information about shoes. Teachers can ask for students to think of as many different types of shoes they can name. There are many different answers they may give such as boots, sneakers, sandals  flip flops, high heels, platform, clown, bowling, etc. With this list, teachers can explain how some shoes are better at some times and silly during others (Snow shoes are really useful in the snow, but silly during good weather). Then explain how in the story they will be learning about a cobbler (someone who makes shoes) who makes a variety of shoes for a very special customer, for many different purposes.

With an older group of students, teachers could have a short lesson on traditional story archetypes. This would involve talking about how multiple cultures may tell stories differently but there are some categories that many different stories can fall into. For example each culture tends to have their take on creation stories, folk tales, heroic quest, etc. One example of a traditional story pattern present in many cultures is the story of someone cheating death. Examples like the story of Sisyphus from Greek mythology, the man who caught Death in a sack (from "Godfather Death" from the Brother's Grimm), the image of playing chess with Death, and even cartoons like The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy (where not only do the heroes trick the Grim Reaper out of getting souls but also force him to become their best friend forever). This story is another example of this type of story (and even references the chess with Death story on the cover).

Post-reading Activity

In the title of the story there is a joke made about the homophones soul and sole, both of which have importance in the story. Teachers of younger students can use this as a place to teach a lesson about these potentially confusing types of words. The teacher can create sentences with blanks where two related homophones would go and have students determine which spelling of the word would go where. Like in the following examples:

Death came to Colin’s home to take his _____ and walked out with new boot with a leather _____. (soul/sole)

Susan was wondering _____ that dress she wanted to _____ to school today. (where/wear)

Older students may find it fun to test their creativity by creating their own outwitting death story. What different ways can they think of tricking the Grim Reaper?

Author and Illustrator

Along with writing, Teresa Bateman also works as a storyteller and school librarian. She has written twenty books, including Red, White, Blue, and Uncle Who?: The Story Behind Some of America's Patriotic Symbols and Fluffy: Scourge of the Sea. She currently lives in Washington State. (Source: book jacket and here.)

Yayo, also known as Diego Herrera, is a renowned cartoonist originally from Columbia. His artwork has been published in the United States in newspapers, books, and magazines, and has had exhibitions in Brazil, Russia, Canada, Japan and Turkey. This children's book was the first one he illustrated. He currently lives in Montreal. (Source: Book Jacket and here.)

Reflections

I found this book to be a fun story that kids would enjoy. Its pattern of Colin thinking of a new type of shoe each time Death came to the door, allows students make predictions of what kind he will try next and its nice ending of befriending Death will leave readers smiling. I think this book deserves a place in your library.

If you are interested in purchasing this book, click here.

Fly Free!

Title: Fly Free!
Author: Roseanne Thong
Illustrator: Enjin Kim Neilan
Copyright Date: 2010
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Vietnam, karma, kindness, cause and effect
Grades: Preschool-3
Awards: 2010-2011 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor, 2011 Bank Street College, The Best Children's Books of the Year (Age 5-9), The Society of School Librarians International 2010 Honor Book Award in "Language Arts - Picture Books," 2011 Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Nominee, 2011-12 Maine Chickadee Award Nomination, 2012 NYSRA Charlotte Award Nomination, 2011 Notable Books for Global Society List

Summary

Mai, a young girl living in Vietnam, loves the caged sparrows that live outside of the Buddhist temple. She loved feeding them and wished that one day she could let them free. One day, Mai helps her friend Thu feed the birds, and whispers the rhyme:

"Fly free, fly free,
in the sky so blue.
When you do a good deed,
it will come back to you."

Little does Mai know, but she had kicked off a series of good deeds that would spread far and wide around her home.

Where will her good deed lead to and how will karma come back to Mai? Read this book to find out.

Pre-reading Activity

You can help set the stage for his book, by having your students think and share what good deeds they have done for others or had done to them. Have them explore their feelings and the other person's before and after the good deed. Emphasize that doing good things and helping others makes both people happier. Then tell the class, that you will be reading about a young person, just like them who likes to make other people happy by doing good things.

Post-reading Activity

You can follow up this story by doing an activity that emphasizes the cause and effect theme. Students might write a group story, one part at a time. The teacher may start off by explaining a good deed she does for one student. That student then explains how it made him feel and what good thing they do for another student. Then that student picks up the story and the process continues until the last student ends up doing something nice for the teacher. This can all be done orally with the teacher writing it down on a big sheet of paper. Students can also get practice writing and illustrating, by creating a page with their section of the story and the teacher can bind all the students pages to create a class book.

Author and Illustrator

Roseanne Thong wrote Fly Free! after learning about Vietnamese culture through years of teaching Vietnamese student both in California and in Vietnam itself. She has taught English in places around the world too, including Burma, Cambodia, Vietnam, Guatemala, Hong Kong and the USA. Thong has written many books, including Red Is a Dragon, Round is a Moon Cake, and Ten Friendly Fire Flies. She currently lives in California. (Source: book jacket and here)

Enjin Kim Neilan is illustrator of Fly Free! and four other children's books. She grew up and studied art in Seoul, South Korea, used the illustrations for her first children's book, In the Moonlight Mist: A Korean Folktale, as her Master's thesis. She uses diverse methods to create her art, such as the painting on wood used in this book. She currently lives in Massachusetts. (Source: book jacket and here)

Reflections

I really enjoyed the message of this book, that while rewards for good deeds may not be immediate or what we expect, they will eventually find their way back to us. This book could easily fit into units about character development, multicultural studies, or even just as an example of cause and effect. It is a book I recommend.

If you are interested in purchasing this book, click here.

Wabi Sabi

Title: Wabi Sabi

Author: Mark Reibstein

Illustrator: Ed Young

Copyright Date: 2008
Genre: Fiction/poetry

Theme: Japan, names, animals, philosophy, aesthetics, poetry 

Grades: 2-4

Awards: the 2008-2009 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature

Summary

One day in Kyoto, Japan, a cat name Wabi Sabi became curious about what her name meant. When her owners struggle to explain what wabi sabi means, she embarks on a journey around her home to find the answer. She talks to her friends and neighbors, but when she asks the meaning of her name they say, "That's hard to explain" and so she continue to travel to places ranging from the busy city to the quiet pond to an ancient Silver Temple. 

What does Wabi Sabi's name mean and why is it so hard to explain? Read this book to find out.

Pre-reading Activity

Before reading this story, you can discuss with your students about how names can have meanings behind them. Maybe they are characteristics you hope the person will have, for example the name Hope. Maybe someone was named in honor of someone special like being named after a family member or other important person. Have the students share the meaning or stories behind their names if they know them, and possibly bring in a baby name book to do some research on the meanings and origins of some of the names in your room. This will get the students excited to learn about themselves and help them understand why Wabi Sabi wants to learn about her name.

Post-reading Activity

This book utilizes the poetry form of haiku to help tell the story and even contains a section in the back talking about the history and examples of classic haiku poems. After the reading, you can have your class practice writing haikus about experiences in their lives. By looking at their life through the lens of wabi sabi (finding the beauty in simplicity and imperfections) they will have a greater appreciation for things they took for granted.

In art class, students can try to create art pieces in emulation of illustrations in the book. By combining different found materials, such as cloth, scraps of paper, leaves, etc., they can make pictures of beauty. 

Author and Illustrator

Wabi Sabi was written by Mark Reibstein and is his very first picture book. He has lived in many places around the world including California, Hawaii, New York, Thailand and Japan. There really was a cat named Wabi Sabi, that Reibstein was friends with for ten years while living in Kyoto, Japan. Now Reibstein teaches English, writes and lives in California. (Source: book jacket and here)

Ed Young served as the illustrator on this and over eighty other children's books and is the author of seventeen of his own. He grew up in China and Hong Kong, before moving to the United States. He has taught at many schools including the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Yale University, the Pratt Institute, and has received many awards and nominations for his work in children's literature. He currently lives and works in New York. (Source: here)

Reflection

I found this book to be wonderful. I loved the artwork and alteration between prose and poetry throughout the book. I liked how the haikus were given a context in the story so that the images they painted made sense and had a purpose. I've only seen them covered in classrooms in isolation, which makes it hard for students to understand the purpose of writing them (they make it a counting syllables games instead of focusing on creating sensory experiences . I also enjoyed how this book taught a different aesthetic philosophy, something I rarely see picture books or any children's literature try to tackle. I loved this book.

If you are interested in purchasing this book, go here.

If you would like to see an interview where the author and illustrator explain the concept of wabi sabi and talk about the art work, click here.