A Place to Start a Family (David L. Harrison)

Title:  A Place to Start a Family

Author:  David L. Harrison

Illustrator:  Giles Laroche

Target Ages:  5-10

Genre:  Non-Fiction Poetry

Publisher Summary:

Many animals build in order to find a mate, lay eggs, give birth, and protect their babies.  The types of structures they create are often extraordinary.  From the prairie dog to the pufferfish and from the termite to the stork, discover how and why many animals build.

Poem Samples (Click for Larger View):

Evaluation: 

Earlier this year, I reviewed another Harrison-Laroche collaboration Now You See Them, Now You Don't.  Like the previous book, this one deserves to be in every library, classroom, and home.  

The poems are insightful. Harrison features many animals and attributes I was not previously familiar with, like the only snake that builds a nest and the spider that feeds its young for weeks after birth.  Young and old will be engaged and fascinated with the creatures’ preparation for and care of their babies. 

The poems are entertaining.  For instance, “Red Ovenbird” has short stanzas with repetition. Similarly, “Termite” uses repetition and predictive phrasing.  Both are perfect for choral reading.  Others connect animals to human behaviors like the animals that kiss and play king of the hill or the animals that keep their babies safe and dry. 

Laroche’s illustrations are stunning and brilliant.  I love the textures, the contrasts,  the colors.  Each sight feels like a peek into the secret lives of these creatures with all its vividness and beauty. 

Whether you come for the illustrations and stay for the poetry or come for the poetry and stay for the illustrations, you are going to love both in A Place to Start a Family.

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

• Science:  Use poems in a unit related to mammals, fish, insects, reptiles, or baby animals. 
• Poetry vs. Prose: Each creature is featured in a short prose paragraph at the end book.  Both the prose paragraph and the poetry include many of the same facts, but one uses figurative elements and experiences the facts imaginatively.  Put the prose and the poetry side by side and compare them to teach the difference of these two writing forms.
• Poetry:  Using a short paragraph of information from science or other subject area, write poems that imaginatively experience the facts. 
• Categorization:  Break the animals into groups like type (mammal, fish), location (air, water, underground), type of home, caring for young, and so forth.  To extend to math, create one or more charts of information.
• Comparison:  Pick two creatures to compare and contrast.  How are they similar?  Different?
• Language:  Identify rhyming words and alliteration.  For younger children, use them as a spring board for reading instruction.  For instance, list the words that rhyme in the poem. (“European Paper Wasp” is a good poem for this exercise.)  Point out similarities in spelling and sound.  Write out new words that rhyme.  Allow early readers to decipher them. 

Nix the Comfort Zone

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.  

Picture Books: Animals and Animals Sounds

I have a soft spot for delightful books about animals, especially when they include animal sounds (onomatopoeia).   During my recent trip to the library, I came across two memorable selections—an old one (This and That) and a new one (Baby Says “Moo!”).  Both are perfect for reading out loud to little ones. 

Baby Says “Moo!” (ages infant-3) by JoAnn Early Macken  

People wave and smile as Baby rolls along in the grocery store.   Mommy asks, “Baby, what do people say?”  Baby responds with “Moo!”  Mommy tells him:

People say moo?

That can’t be so.

Everybody knows that

people day hello.

A cow says moo,

sure as you’re my bunny.

Where’d you ever find

an idea so funny. 

As the young family travels on their day trip, they encounter a bird, a cat, a horse, and a dog.  Each time Mommy ask Baby what the animal says.  The baby always answers, “Moo!”    Mommy gently corrects the baby with cumulative poetic rhyming stanzas that include the correct animal sound.  Finally, as they arrive in the country, they spot an animal, white and black. The family is so excited to show the baby the cow.  They ask, “Baby, what do cows say?” This time, he correctly says “Moo!”  Baby Says “Moo!” has a great rhythm and rhyme. There are some key repetitive words and phrases, ideal for reader-listener interaction and child participation.  Bright pictures stand out on a white background.  The text and illustrations capture well this developmental stage and loving family interactions. 

This and That  (ages 2-8) by Julie Sykes and Tonya Linch  

On the farm, Cat wakes up early.  She has lots of work to do.  She comes across Horse, grazing in the field.  Cat greets him and asks to borrow his stable.  Horse neighs a “Yes,”  He wants to know what she will use it for.   “This and that,” purrs the cat.  Cat visits Pig, Goat, Sheep, Hen, Cow, and Donkey, each time requesting something from them and following the same format as the meeting with Horse. The animals happy concede, but they curiously inquire what she needs the items for.  Of course, the response is always vague and nonchalant, “This and that.”  All the animals wonder why Cat is acting so strangely.  They creep over to the barn and peer in to see…two little kittens!  The animals are all abuzz with excitement.  Everyone wants to know their names.   Cat says, “I don’t know, I can’t decide.  What do you think?"  In unison, the animals say, “We know…This and That.”  The textured paper collage illustrations are playful and expressive.  They depict live on the farm in a vibrant manner.  The patterned narrative is sure to engage young listeners and readers. This and That is a brilliant and delightful read. 

It is Read Aloud Thursday at Hope is the Word.   Check out favorite Read Aloud book suggestions from around the blogosphere and/or add links from your blog.  Click HERE.  See "comments" if the list is not in the blog post yet. 

Picture Books: Spring and Easter (Early Childhood)

In many picture books, especially for early childhood (ages birth-5), spring and Easter are intertwined.  There are numerous wonderful books on this subject.  I have chosen five of my favorites to share.  They celebrate spring by appreciating the beauty of new life—both in the plants and the animals.  Others celebrate the benefits of Easter—church, new clothes, baskets, and treats.  All of them are offer opportunities to talk about and to identify signs of the season and of the holiday. 

Painted Eggs and Chocolate Bunnies (ages birth-3) by Toni Trent Parker 

It’s springtime!  It’s Easter!  The children are celebrating this time of year.  Each spread has a merry, rhyming verse, such as:

Look at me.

I’m an Easter bunny!

With these rabbit ears,

I look sooo funny!

Corresponding with the verses are full-sized vibrant photographs of smiling boys and girls.   The children are shown dressed in their Sunday best, wearing silly rabbit ears, holding a chocolate bunny, grasping some yellow flowers, and showing off an Easter basket.   Youngsters will be thrilled with this colorful book and sweet poetic text.  Teaching Opportunities:  Rhyme, Easter, Imagination, Poetry

Kitten’s Spring (ages birth-3) by Eugenie Fernandes 

The vivid, multi-dimensional illustrations make Kitten’s Spring a must see!  There is so much to point out and discuss on each page like flowers, insects, colors, habitats, animals, and so forth.  The illustrations and text follow Kitten as she explores the farm and barnyard.  The minimal, rhyming text teaches animal sounds and baby names. 

Cow moos,

Calf winks.

Pig oinks,

Piglet drinks.

After a lively day of exploring, Kitten returns home to nap, where inside signs of springtime are illustrated with seeds and planting supplies lying about.  Teaching Opportunities:  Animals Baby, Animals Farm, Habitats, Spring, Rhyme

 Easter Babies (ages birth-5) by Joy N. Hulme 

Both the illustrations and text reveal the signs of spring that are evident everywhere on a farm!  From the newborn foal walking for the first time on wobbly legs to the ten ducklings paddling in the nearby stream, there are animal babies everywhere.  Other animals are brooding hens on their nests, playful kids jumping over a fence, bunnies playing under a tree,  nestlings screeching to be fed, cheeping chicks pecking up food, lambs frolicking in the grassy meadow, piglets wiggling in to find a place to eat, and nine kittens nuzzled together.  Next, it switches to a group of children on an Easter egg hunt in a park and Easter bells ringing in the churches around town.  The purpose of the bells is”to celebrate the signs that spring has brought new life to everything.”   The collage illustrations of digital art and oil paints are precious and inviting.  Teaching Opportunities:  Rhyme, Alliteration, Numerals, Counting, Animals Forest & Farm, Easter, Spring

Happy Easter, Biscuit! (ages 1-4) by Alyssa Satin Capucilli 

Biscuit and a little girl go on an Easter egg hunt together.  They look all around--in the garden, the backyard, the tall grass, and the little stream.  As the hunt comes to an end, the little girl realizes all the eggs are gone!  She finds them though…hiding in Biscuit’s dog house.  Every page has a flap for small fingers to interact with by opening and uncovering what is underneath like colorful eggs or other fun discoveries (bunny, kitten, mouse, squirrel).  Encourage toddler and preschool aged children to guess what is under each flap.  Then, give ample praise for their efforts.  Read it over and over again to allow lots of chances for success.  Teaching Opportunities:  Counting, Predicting, Easter, Animals

Looking for Easter (ages 2-7) by Dori Chaconas  

As Little Bunny comes out of his burrow, he smells something unfamiliar in the air.  His friend, Beaver, tells him it is Easter.  Little Bunny wants to know what Easter is.  Beaver tells her it is a basket.  He offers to make one for Little Bunny if he helps him gather branches for his lodge.   Happily, Little Bunny helps his friend and hops off.   He also assists Woodchuck and Mouse with their springtime activities, and each one adds something to Little Bunny’s understanding of Easter.  When Robin needs a nest, Little Bunny helps out by offering his basket full of fresh grass and berries.  After several days of rain, Little Bunny returns to the meadow where his friends show off their new families.  The most special of all is Robin who is raising her three offspring in Little Bunny’s basket.  Bunny asks, “Is this Easter?”  Wren tells her, “Easter is new life…Easter is all around us today!”  As Little Bunny looks around, he realizes he has finally found Easter.   Even though there is not a direct religious connection, Christian parents can relate it to the resurrection and the new life of a believer.  Teaching Opportunities:  Counting, Animal Babies, Helping Others, Easter, Spring

Stunning Non-Fiction Picture Books about Animals by Nic Bishop

I have to rave about an amazing photographer—Nic Bishop!  His photography has been featured in over 20 dazzling non-fiction picture books, focusing on animals, insects, arachnids, and nature.  I previously highlighted his book Chameleon, Chameleon.   Nic Bishop is both author and photographer of three books on vertebrate animals—Frogs, Lizards, and Marsupials.  The illustrations alone are worth the price of the book!  Mr. Bishop captures amazing shots of animals in their natural habitats.  The text is engaging and fascinating.   Facts about each animal’s diverse habitat, diet, life cycle, and habits are captivatingly revealed.  As I read them, I was in awe of God’s staggering creativity.   I thoroughly enjoyed each of these books. 

Marsupials 

I learned there are over 200 different marsupials, many with unique characteristics.   There are gorgeous pictures of koala bears, wombats, and kangaroos.   Lesser known marsupials are included like a numbat, Tasmanian devils, a quoll, a fat-tailed dunnart, and a bilby.   Witness frame-by-frame in a double-page pull out as a sugar glider leaps from a branch, soars through the air, and lands safely.   View kangaroos wrestling and a baby koala resting on her mother’s back as she sleeps.  Every page is a wonder! 

Lizards  

The habitats of lizards range from under the desert sands to high in tropical trees, making their lives intriguing and varied.  Observe a gliding gecko soar to a neighboring branch and a basilisks walk on water.  Close up shots of Africa’s Jackson chameleon (looks like a prehistoric dinosaur), a flying dragon in mid-air, a leaf-tailed gecko camouflaged, and an Australian frilled dragon puffing itself up are just some of the must-see photographs in the book.

Frogs  

The pictures of these colorful creatures are so dazzling it is hard to believe they are real!   One of the most stunning pictures is of a frog mid-air (water dripping down from him he leaps out of the pond) snatching a caterpillar with its tongue from a leaf hanging over the water.  The 2-page double spread depicts frame-by-frame a frog bounding from the shore, through the air, and into the water.   See through the underbelly of a glass frog hanging on a vine and witness a young tadpole being caught by a giant water bug.   My favorite pictures, though, are of the vibrant tree frogs! 

To learn more about his many other titles, click here.