The Lion Inside (Rachel Bright)

Title:  The Lion Inside

Author:  Rachel Bright

Illustrator:  Jim Field

Target Ages: 3 and up

Genre: Picture Book

Publisher Summary:

You do not have to be BIG and BRAVE to find your roar. 

Being little isn’t always easy.  But when Mouse sets off on a journey to find his roar, his discovers that even the smallest creature can have the heart of a lion.

First Lines: 

In a dry, dusty place

where the sand sparkled gold,

Stood a might flat rock –

all craggy and old.

And under that rock

in a tinyful house;

Lived the littlest, quietest,

meekest brown mouse.

Memorable Moment:

Yes, that day they BOTH learned

that, no matter your size,

We all have a mouse

AND

a lion inside.

Evaluation: 

The rhyming lyrical language along with the energetic illustrations make The Lion Inside an entertaining read out loud book.  There are plenty of thrills from the lion lifting a hippo to show off his strength to the mouse trudging through the scary landscape to face his fear.  Illustrator Jim Field shifts to different perspectives to give readers a full sense of the tension and action. 

The author Rachel Bright has created interactive opportunities.  There are fun sound words like eeek, roar, and squeak that children will want to mimic.  She utilizes the ellipsis to build suspense and to encourage children to guess (or remember) what will happen next. 

However, the best part of the story is message.   Mouse, a small and meek character, finds his voice while lion, a loud and proud character, learns to be more humble.   The ultimate lesson learned is that everyone has a little mouse and little lion inside. 

I recommend The Lion Inside for your next storytime.  This interactive and engaging text is sure to be a hit!

Ideas for Extension Activities at Home or Lesson Plans for Teachers:

• Comparison:  Compare and contrast the lion and the mouse.  An important area of comparison is how they both have a fear. 
• Rhyming Words:  Identify the rhyming words in each poetic stanza.  Brainstorm other words that rhyme with them.
• Alliteration:  Several lines have words that begin with the same sound.  See if the child/children can identify the matching words.
• Character:  Discuss how mouse learns to be bold by finding his voice and speaking out.   Talk about the right way of being bold and the wrong way (rude, showy, arrogant). 
• Literature:  Read a comparable story like Aesop’s “The Lion and the Mouse.”  Jerry Pickney has a picture book version.  
• Art:  Plan a fun craft project to make a lion and a mouse.
• Dramatic Play:  Children can act out the story using simple props:  Lion and Mouse masks. 
• Sound Words:  Identify sounds words (onomatopoeia) in the story, such as gulp, squeak, roar, grrrr, and eeek. 
• Science:  Read about the African savannah. 

Visit Susanna Hill for Perfect Picture Book Friday. 

Five Fabulous Picture Book Finds for Kids under 5

Here are Five Fabulous Picture Book Finds geared for children under five.  

Trucks Galore

Peter Stein, author

Bob Staake, illustrator

Sample Text

Strong truck, weak truck,

hide-and-seek truck.

Rock truck, dirt truck,

Yum — Dessert truck!

Target Ages:  3-7

Publisher Summary:  On the farm or on the go, you’ll want to ride along with this wacky convoy of trucks of all shapes and sizes.  Dessert trucks, monster trucks, outer-space trucks—climb on board!

Why It is Fabulous: The text and illustrations range from the realistic (dump trucks, fire truck) to the imaginative (outer-space truck, circus-tent truck).  Bold colors, energetic illustrations, fun rhyming text, and, most importantly, lots of trucks! Your little truck lover will not want to put this one down! 

Cat Napped!

Leeza Hernandez, author and illustrator

Sample Text

Shake cat.

Quake cat.

There must be some mistake cat.

Target Ages:  2-6

Publisher Summary: Cats are naturally curious, but sometimes too much curiosity can get them in trouble!  That’s what happens when one kitty wakes up from a nap to find she might be lost…

Why It Is Fabulous:  Children will enjoy the simple rhyming text and amusing cat-sized adventure.  The story is ideal for choral readings and early reader practice.

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo

Emma Garcia, author and illustrator

Sample Text

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo

…here comes the train!

Clickety clack on the track

Going to…

…the seaside.

Target Ages: 0-6

Publisher Summary:  Where is the little red train going?  Hop aboard and find out. 

Why It Is Fabulous: Listeners can “read” along with the repeating onomatpeia (“Chugga chugga choo choo” and “clickety clack” ) and predict the next place the train will drive through.  The book proves an opportunity to discuss the five senses, animal sounds, and numbers (1-4).   Also, great for early reader practice.   

A Hop is Up

Kristy Dempsey, author

Lori Richmond, illustrator

Sample Text

A hop is Up.

A bend is DOWN.

A spin is AROUND

and AROUND

and AROUND.

Target Ages:  0-5

Publisher Summary:  When a young boy and his energetic puppy go for a walk in their neighborhood, anything can—and does—happen!

Why It Is Fabulous:  This playful story invites listeners to move and play around.  The text has rhythm, rhyme, and energy.   Your wiggly worm will want to hear this lively book again and again.

Me Tall, You Small

Lilli L’Arronge, author and illustator

Sample Text

Me guide.  You scout.

Me Smart.  You Smarter.

You:  Ouch!  Me:  Ouch!

You boo-boo.  Me bandage.

Target Ages: 0-5

Publisher Summary:  Parents and kids can seem pretty different—just like the adorable parent and child in the story.  But despite their differences, there is one thing they share: their love for each other.

Why It Is Fabulous:  The sweet illustrations and text celebrate the parent-child bond while depicting what makes each one special.   The straightforward text has a smooth rhythm and flow.  You and your little one will want to cuddle up for this one. 

For more early childhood book information and suggestions, read 

Six Keys to an Engaging Early Childhood Reading Experience.

Down by the Barn (Will Hillenbrand)

Title:  Down by the Barn

Author: Will Hillenbrand

Illustrator: Will Hillenbrand

Target Ages: 0-6

First Lines:

Down by the barn,

early in the morning,

see the little wagons

all in a row!

See the tractor driver

pull his little lever…

Puff, Puff

Clink, Clank,

OFF WE G0!

Amazon Summary:  “Down by the barn, early in the morning, a farmer drives his tractor, stopping along the way to pick up a calf, then a chick, then a pig. The group of animals grows and grows until at last they reach their destination...and find a surprise.”

Evaluation: 

I love the rhythm and repetition of the text, making it ideal for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners.  As each animal joins the parade, a new animal sound is added for a cumulative choral romp. Children will want to mimic and participate as you recite it. 

Midway through there is dramatic tension as a fox jumps out in an attempt to grab the chick. He is quickly and humorously put in his place though.  Another highlight that young readers will anticipate and enjoy is the sweet ending.  

The exuberant mixed-media illustrations are vivid and endearing. Down by the Barn is a perfect read out loud selection.

Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans:

• Practice animal sounds together
• Choral reading
• Dramatic play—act out the reading as a class or using toys/pictures/dress up masks
• Sequencing—anticipate the order of events in follow up readings; after a couple times reading through it, practice putting the events in order using pictures

For more Perfect Picture Books, visit Susanna Hill's blog.  

If You Were a Dog (Jamie A. Swenson)

Title:  If You Were a Dog

Author:  Jamie A. Swenson

Illustrator:  Chris Raschka

Target Ages:  1-6

First Lines:  

“If you were a dog, would you be speedy quick, lickety-sloppidy, scavenge-the-garbage, Frisbee-catching, hot-dog-stealing, pillow-hogging, best-friend-ever sort of dog?  Would you howl at the moon?  ARRRROOOOOOOOOO!  Some dogs do."

Publisher Summary: 

“If you could be any kind of animal, what would you be?  Would you be a dog that goes ARRRROOOOOOO?  Or maybe you would be a sharp-toothed dinosaur that can CHOMP, STOMP, ROAR! Perhaps you might want to to be a hopping frog that goes BOING, BOING, RIBBET! But maybe you would want to be the best kind of animal of all.  Can you guess what that is?”

Evaluation:

From Swenson’s creative language and recurring structure to Raschka’s vivid and colorful impressionist illustrations, If You Were a Dog is a perfect read a loud for story time.

Dogs, cats, fish, birds, bugs, frogs, and dinosaurs are depicted in various activities, opening children up to aspects of their habitats and habits.  In the “fish” section, one is hiding in the coral, another jumping in the waves, and still another is chasing a smaller fish while in the bird spread, one is eating berries, another is snatching up trout, and still another is gliding in the mountains.   Also, a variety of many of the general creatures is shown.  For instance, under “bugs,” there is a butterfly, a bee, a caterpillar, a cricket, and a water bug.  Children can build on their understanding of types within the animal kingdom. Adult readers have many opportunities for teachable moments on habitats, animal habits, and types.

Also, I love the lively onomatopoeia, such as “swish, swish, shish” and “crik, crik, crik.”  Children can be encouraged to predict the sounds and join in saying them.  The questions like “Would you sing the whole night through?” and “Would you splash in the surf? also invite listener interaction.

The conclusion is that the children are not dogs, cats, fish, and so forth.  However, they can make the noises of each one.  Ultimately, they are “the very best sort of thing to be.“

This imaginative romp into the animal world is sure to stimulate an interactive reading experience with your little ones.  I have no doubt it will be one they will clamor for over and over again.

Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans:

• Imaginative Play:  Chose an animal.  Read the descriptions and act them out together.  Soar through the air like a bird, stomp like a dinosaur, or swim like a fish. 
• Writing:  Pick a favorite animal not included.  Create together a layout for it using the model in the book with creative descriptive words.  Then, allow the child(ren) to illustrate it. 
• Science:  Categorize each animal based on habitat.  Ask:  Which animals live in or near the water?  Which ones are pets?  Which animals live in the trees and air?  Which live outside in the grass and flowers?
• Animal Sounds:  Practice identifying the sounds of animals, either from this book or others.  Say a sound.  Ask what animal makes it.  Then switch.  Have the child give you the sound and you answer what animal makes it.