One Shoe, Two Shoes (Caryl Hart)

Title:  One Shoe, Two Shoes 

Author: Caryl Hart 

Illustrator: Edward Underwood 

Target Ages:  1-7 

Genre:  Concept, Early Reader 

Publisher Summary:  Shoes, shoes, and more shoes…This book is bursting with shoes of all different colors, sizes, and shapes.  There’s a pair here to suit everyone—even a family of mice. 

First Lines:

One shoe
Two shoes
Red shoes
Blue shoes
Old shoes
New shoes 

Evaluation:
Author Caryl Hart has written a fresh, new text in the vein of the Dr. Seuss classic One Fish, Two Fish.. 

Edward Underwood’s vibrant illustrations add another engaging dimension to the text with his dog and mouse shenanigans. 

One Shoe, Two Shoes is a exciting frolic with a band of mischievous mice and a lively dog.  It is ideal for parents and educators looking for exciting early readers. 

Hart and Underwood also collaborated on another excellent early reader:  Big Box Little Box.  This fun cat and mouse tale is sure to delight children.

Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans:

• Math:  Practice counting and numeral words.
• Onomatopoeia:  Identify sound words.  Kids can add some of their own sound words to go with the action of the text.
• Colors:  Primary colors are highlighted and often referred to in the text. 
• Rhyming Words:  True and slant rhymes abound for practice saying and identify.
• Reading:  Simple, often repetitive text make for an ideal early reader.  
• Verbs:  Identify action words in the text. Then, create a list of other action words based on the illustrations. 

Perfect Picture Book Friday.

Five Fab Picture Books: African American Children (Preschool)

Jabari Jumps

Gaia Cornwall, author and illustrator

Publisher Summary:  

Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board.

He’s finished his swimming lessons.  He’s passed his swim test.  It’s just…maybe he should do some stretches first. 

Why It’s Fabulous:

The text and illustrations successfully depict the fear of trying something new and often seemingly scary.  The father is shown being affectionate and involved with his children.  However, he allows his son to work through his fears on his own for a while, but then steps in with wise advice when he is needed.  Jabari not only overcomes his fear, but he wants to continue being adventurous.   

Hank’s Big Day:  The Story of a Bug

Evan Kuhlman, author

Chuck Groenink

Publisher Summary:

Open this book if you want to meet a pill bug named Hank who is best friends with a girl names Amelia.  To the amazing story…

Why It’s Fabulous:

Young readers see the world from the perspective of the pill bug (Hank) as he passes a curious cricket, a weird worm, an industrial ant, a scary grasshopper, and an array of inanimate objects so he can meet up with his best friend, Amelia.  His day with her is a spunky backyard romp full of adventure, imagination, and fun.  As the day comes to a close, the perspective moves back to Hank’s world as he returns home to go to sleep.  The creative mixed media illustrations and the playful text make this tale of friendship a memorable story time selection.

Lola Gets a Cat

Anna McQuinn, author

Rosalind Beardshaw, illustrator

Publisher Summary:

Lola really wants a cat.  But Mommy says pets are a lot of work.  Lola is eager to find out more. 

She reads all about cats at the library.  She takes extra good care of her stuffed cat toys.  When Lola finally gets to adopt a cat of her own, she knows just what to do.

Why It’s Fabulous:

Lola works to prove she is responsible and knowledgeable before her parents agree to grant her wish for a pet.  When they decide to add a furry member to their family, they adopt one from a shelter.  As the cat adjusts to her new home, Lola is patient and kind. Not only does she play and snuggle with her cat, she helps take care of her.  This sweet story is a wonderful addition to the Lola series. 

Grandma’s Tiny House: A Counting Story

JaNay Brown-Wood, author

Priscilla, Burris, illustrator

Publisher Summary:

One grandma waits in her big easy chair, while TWO turkeys send scrumptious smells through the air…

It’s time to celebrate!  Count the festive foods, family, and friends at Granma’s feast.

Why It’s Fabulous:

Youngsters can count a long (1-15) as they listen to the smooth poetic text.  Lively people—young and old—and lots of delicious food fill each page.  When the house becomes overcrowded, a clever child comes up with the perfect solution. This celebration of family and friends proves it is the size of the heart, not the home that matters. 

Read and Rise

Sandra L. Pinkney, author

Myles C. Pinkney, photographer-illustrator

Publisher Summary:

Children can be anything they want to be through the power of reading.  Through the Read and Rise literacy campaign, Scholastics teams up with the National Urban League to inspire African-American children to achieve their dreams.

Why It’s Fabulous:
The book begins with a poem by Maya Angelou.  A key line is, “Reading is the river to your liberty for all your life to come.” This theme is carried through on each page of photographs depicting children engaged in imaginative play and reading activities.  They are shown cuddled up with family members like fathers, mothers, and grandfathers reading and interacting.  The photographs are accompanied by lyrical text and interspersed with the refrain “read and rise.” This book is a wonderful celebration of the act and importance of reading. 

Five Fabulous Inclusion Book Finds

Strictly No Elephants

Lisa Mantchev, author

Taeeun Yoo, illustrator

Publisher Summary:  Today is Pet Club Day. There will be cats and dogs and fish, but strictly no elephants are allowed.  The Pet Club doesn’t understand that pets come in all shapes and sizes, just like friends.  Now it is time for a boy and his tiny pet elephant to show them what it means to be a true friend.

Why It Is Fabulous:  When a boy is left out of the neighborhood group, he forms a inclusive club with a diverse group of pets and children.  Sweet illustrations and the adorable pet elephant help create a memorable storybook experience about friendship and fitting in.

Nerdy Birdy

Aaron Reynolds, author

Matt Davies, illustrator

Publisher Summary:  Dejected and friendless, Nerdy Birdy soon discovers that there are far more nerdy birdies than cool birdies in the sky.  Everything is looking up until a new bird moves into the neighborhood. She looks lonely.  But not exactly nerdy.  What’s a nerdy birdie to do?

Why It Is Fabulous:  Nerdy Birdy wants to fit in with the cool birds, which many children can relate to.  He finds contentment and inclusion with others like him.   Where this book goes a step further is challenging the protagonist’s comfort zone. When his group refuses to accept the new bird, he choses to befriend her, becoming an outsider once more.  Nerdy Bird reminds readers the importance of including everyone. 

Beautiful

Stacy McAnulty, author

Joanne Lew-Vriethoff, illustrator

Publisher Summary:  Every girl is unique, talented, and lovable…Every girl is beautiful.

Why It Is Fabulous: This energetic picture book depicts girls of different races and interests defying expectations and embracing life.  

We Are Family

Patricia Hegarty, author

Ryan Wheatcroft, illustrator

Publisher Summary:  From busy mornings before school to family vacations; through illness and health; in celebration and disappointment, families stick together.  This book celebrates the diversity of families through shared experiences. 

Why It Is Fabulous:  Each two-page spread illustrates different types of families, each following a daily routine.  The poetic text emphasizes the importance of family and each other—in good times and bad. 

Love

Matt de la Pena, author

Loren Long, illustrator

Publisher Summary: Love is the melody that follows us through each and every day of our lives.  Whether it’s the sound of our parents’ voices lulling us to sleep, the joyful laughter of an uncle’s latest tall tale, or the warm embrace of a loved one telling us everything will be okay, it’s a feeling that takes countless forms and ultimately connects us all.

Why It Is Fabulous:  The heart of this lyrical text is that love is everywhere—even in the most unexpected places.  Love can shine through the darkness and difficulties.  Love can be sensed in the most mundane moments.  The stunning illustrations elevate the text by showing people living in various circumstances and reflecting different ethnicities, ages, and abilities.  The book is a celebration of life, people, and diversity.

Poetry Friday: Here’s a Little Poem (collected by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters)

Here’s a Little Poem:  A Very First Book of Poetry (collected by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters) would make a nice addition to a family or preschool class library.  The anthology is divided into 4 sections—self, family (including pets), outdoors, and bedtime.  The poems focus on daily activities, relationships, and observations from a young child’s perspective.  I adore Polly Dunbar’s illustrations.  Most pages depict several visual “scenes” from the poems in vivid colors and lively actions.  Many of the poems are from beloved poets and authors, such as Lee Bennett Hopkins, Langston Hughes, Marilyn Singer, and Robert Louis Stevenson.  Here are a couple of my favorites.

“Dressing Too Quickly” (by Jill Townsend)

Too many buttons.

What a long zip.

Velcro to fasten.

Mind you don’t slip.

Dress more slowly.

You’ll fall in a minute!

You’ve one trouser leg

And two legs in it.

“After A Bath” (by Aileen Fisher)

After my bath

I try, try, try

to wipe myself

till I’m dry, dry, dry.

Hands to wipe

and finger and toes

and two wet legs

and a shiny nose.

Just think how much

less time I’d take

if I were a dog

and could

shake, shake, shake.

For other wonderful poems and reviews visit Teaching Authors for the Poetry Friday Round Up.

Picture Book: Where is Catkin? (by Janet Lord)

Summary of Where is Catkin? 

Catkin roguishly flees his owner’s lap to hunt out the sights and sounds in his backyard habitat.  The golden kitty comes upon a cricket in the grass, a frog in a pond, a mouse near the shed, and a snake in a rock pile, but each creature easily eludes capture.   The story follows a pattern (parts in bold change with each new encounter):

Catkin creeps by the pond.

He sees something green and spotted.

Garrump. Garrump.

Catkin leaps…(turn page)

Frog leaps into the pond.

Where is Frog?

Then, Catkin hears a rustle in the tree—a bird.  Feathers fly.  The bird gets away.  The sneaky cat climbs up, up, up the tree in search of it.  Catkin looks down to realize he is high, high, high.  He lets out a loud “Meeeow,” prompting his owner, Amy, to search for him in the grass, in the pond, near the shed, and in the rock pile.   She looks up and finds her mischievous kitty.  Rescued and back on land, Catkin is purrfectly content in Amy’s arms. 

Evaluation:

Janet Lord skillfully uses repetition in this interactive tale.  Using textual and visual clues, children will enjoy guessing and finding the hunted creatures in a tapestry of leaves, flowers, and rocks created by illustrator Julie Paschkis.  Stylized borders in vibrant colors maintain the rollicking hunting action.  Children ages 2-6 are sure to adore reading Where is Catkin?

Teaching Opportunities 

·         Choral Reading—Practice saying one or more of the repetitive parts together or take turns with them. 

·         Vocabulary—Children can learn to identify places and animals in a backyard habitat.

·         Parts of Speech—Identify the various actions that Catkin depicts, such as creeps, tiptoes, explores, hears, races, and so forth.   With older children, discuss the differences between the action words (verbs) and the visual/seeing words (nouns).

·         Onomatopoeia—Practice saying the animal sounds and matching it with the correct animal.

·         Science—Explore a  backyard habitat together.

·         Creative Movement—Move like Catkin.  First, teach how to creep, tiptoe, race, and other actions like Catkin demonstrates in the book.  Then, play “Catkin Says” by directing the child (children) to do the action directed. 

·         Predicting Skills—Guess which animal Catkin is hunting based on the context clues.  Anticipate after multiple readings which one is next.  Childrent can, also, relate back the sequence of events in the story.

Picture Book: The Best Pet Ever by Victoria Roberts

Summary of The Best Pet Ever:  

This little girl REALLY wants a pet!  As a she walks by the pet store window with her mother, she fervently questions:

Mom, can I have a pet?

Please?

Mom. Mom, can I?

Can I have a pet?

Her mom replies, “We’ll see.”  The spunky protagonist gets creative!  First, she sees a rock, a smooth rock.  She ties a string on the rock and calls it Fluffy.   The girl walks it and trains it, but then there is an unfortunate accident.  Once again, she pleads with her mother for a pet, receiving the same response as before.   After getting creative with a soft, wooly glove and shiny candy wrapper, she latches on to a round balloon named Bruce.  Petting, hugging, and playing with it fills her with joy.  She declares that Bruce is the best pet ever—until it pops!   Not to worry, there is a cardboard box waiting for her…

Evaluation:

Deborah Allwright’s animated and bright pictures are engaging.  They reveal the level of commitment the protagonist has for a pet and her enormous imaginative spirit.  Victoria Roberts’ amusing and winning text is terrific for reading out loud.  Children will enjoy reciting the reoccurring set of questions (see excerpt above). The little girl illustrates several positive character qualities.  For instance, she proves her responsibility and commitment in her own unique way as she patiently waits for her mother's decision.  The Best Pet Ever is ideal for ages 4-8. 

Teaching Opportunities: 

§  Pets.  It opens up an opportunity to discuss the care and the responsibility of pets.  Also, children can draw, write, or share about their family pets.

§  Art/Imaginative Play.  Children can create their own pets from everyday items and practice taking care of them. 

§  Parts of Speech.  Teach about descriptive words (adjectives).   Whenever a new item is fixed on in the book, the girl identifies it and then restates it with an adjective (“box, a cardboard box").  List words from the book or other common nouns.  Allow students to brainstorm describing words or match describing words from a list to each noun. 

§  Predicting Skills.  After each “day or two” phase, prompt students to predict what her next pet will be, the name of it, and/or how she might care for it.  Then, ask the students what type of pet owner they think the little girl will be and why. 

§  Sequence of Events:  Give students, individually or in small groups, a set of cards with pictures or words representing each of the creative pets from the story.   Instruct them to put the cards in order that they occurred in the story.  Encourage older students to recall facts from the story associate with each pet—name, how she cared for it, and/or what happened to it. 

§  Character.  Discuss the positive qualities of the protagonist—imaginative, caring, responsible, optimistic, and so forth. 
§  Writing.  Filling the following sentence:  “ ____ is the best pet ever because _____.”

For other wonderful Tiger Tales titles, click here. 

Mattoo, Let's Play! (Irene Luxbacher)

Story Summary for Mattoo, Let’s Play!:  

Gregarious Ruby has a boisterous personality.  She wants Mattoo, her cat, to join in her incredible adventures around the house.  Ruby does not understand why Mattoo is so shy.   She is doing everything she can think of to entertain and to entice him like playing music with pots and pans, doing tricks while jumping on her bed, making him a jelly sandwich as a snack, and taking him for a ride in her cardboard box spaceship.  When her friend Clemente comes over play living room safari, he convinces Ruby to wait, watch, and whisper, so they don’t frighten the animals away.  Together, they imagine spotting amazing jungle animals, but none as fierce, wild, and mysterious as the king of the jungle (Mattoo).  Tuna snacks and a gentle pat of his fuzzy mane tame the “wild” cat.   Ruby realizes that she has a playful cat who likes to have a good time.

Evaluation: 

Most of the illustrations are simple—primarily focusing on Ruby and Mattoo’s interaction on a white background.   Some more elaborate pages are interspersed to depict her vivid imagination.  The well-written prose is engaging, including some fun onomatopoeia. 

What I value most is the skillful way the author Irene Luxbacher allows the reader to feel the protagonist’s frustrations, joys, and eventual revelation.  Ruby wants so much to please her pet and to play with him.  When she changes her approach, thanks to her friend Clemente, she realizes that Mattoo does want to play with and interact with her.  

Mattoo, Let’s Play! teaches a valuable lesson about friendship: Being a good friend means thinking about how the other person feels and what he is interested in.   Since children are often egocentric, this narrative opens up a dialogue about thinking of others and putting yourself in their shoes.  Lessons all children need to learn and practice. 

Christmas Fiction: Merry Christmas, Splat by Rob Scotton (Picture Book)

Story Summary: 

Splat writes a letter to Santa requesting a “really big present.”  His sister informs him only good cats get “really big presents” though.  At first Splat is confident he has been good, but then, he begins to have an “awful thought that made his tail quiver and twitch.”  He thinks that maybe he has not been good enough.  Just in case, he decides to help his mother get everything ready for Christmas.   By the look on her face, it is clear she is apprehensive about his “help.”  The reader quickly sees why! 

Splat does his best to be a help.  Unfortunately, each time it turns out to be a disaster.  For instance, he decides to decorate the tree, but he puts most the ornaments on one side, causing the tree to lean over too far.  Then, he determines he is going to clear the path of snow.  Once again, it causes a bigger mess for his mom.  He ironically states, “Being so good is very tiring.”  It is true…for his mom who cleans up his messes. 

Waiting up for Santa and a Christmas morning surprise prompts more humor and entertainment.  Fortunately, every thing leads up to Splat having the best Christmas ever! 

Evaluation:

My kids loved Merry Christmas. Splat!   I caught my son rereading it independently.  Splat is a lovable character that young children will identify with.  The pictures are vibrant and amusing.   The story will be enjoyed over and over! 

You May Also Enjoy These Books by Rob Scotton:

Splat the Cat

Love, Splat

Scardey-Cat, Splat 

Splat the Cat: Where's the Easter Bunny? 

Best Dog Picture Books (Non-Series)

Reading out loud with my children has always been a highlight of my day.  Now that I homeschool, I get a lot more time to do it.  It is mostly just my 9 year old now since my 13 year old is usually too busy to sit and listen.  Those reading times together are precious to us both.  It has fostered my love of children’s literature to even greater heights and inspired me to write this blog. 

I set out to write about dogs because of an moment about a week ago (see previous dog blogs here and here).  It highlighted to me how a quality book can make memories and bring people closer.  As we read The Bookstore Dog, we laughed and empathized together as we sat engaged in this dog’s world for just a few minutes.  As I finished the story, we simultaneously said, “AWWWW!”  I just felt this incredible moment of togetherness with my son.  I hope you will feel it to as you read wonderful stories to your children!  Here are my picks for noteworthy picture books about dogs (non-series):

The Bookstore Dog (Realistic Fiction).  
As I read Cynthia Rylant’s story of a bookstore owner and her dog, I felt like the owner was telling me a true story of her life.  The storytelling is genuine and realistic.  I was enraptured in the characters and community of this narrative.  There are funny parts and tender ones. I won’t tell you anymore because it will ruin it!  I want you to enjoy the ride and the ending. J 

The Forever Dog (Realistic Fiction).   
Author Bill Cochran aptly tells the story of the close relationship a boy feels with his dog.  The boy makes a “Forever Pact” with the dog, but a sudden illness and death prevents the fulfillment of the agreement.  This tender story illustrates the love and loss of a child with his pet.  The storytelling and pictures are wonderful.  It is a great book for anyone dealing with loss. 

Before You Were Mine (Realistic Fiction).  
In this story, author Maribeth Boelts divulges a young boy’s thoughts about what a stray puppy may have been through before he was adopted.  The joys and frustrations that sometimes come with a puppy are highlighted with text and delightful illustrations.   Like The Forever Dog, the boy’s previous dog passed on though it is not the focus of the narrative directly.  The boy and the dog have their needs meet when they find each other at an animal shelter.   Before You Were Mine explores life through the perspective of a dog that has been abandoned at a shelter but found a new life with a loving family as well as the healing that can come after the loss of a beloved pet. 

Gretchen: The Bicycle Dog (Non-Fiction).   
Anita Hayman chronicles the life of her extraordinary dog through family photos.  Gretchen is a vivacious dachshund.  An unfortunate accident hinders the use of her hind legs.  Gretchen (nor her family) is deterred though.  The dog learns to adapt to her handicap and to continue doing the things she loves.  This story is uplifting as it demonstrates how some courage and perseverance can help someone (or some animal) overcome difficulties and handicaps. 

Good Boy, Fergus!  (Realistic Fiction).  
Popular author David Shannon has created a lovable and realistic dog named Fergus.  The personality, the mischieve, and the mannerisms of dogs are humorously and brilliantly conveyed in the text, but especially in the pictures.  As I read, it seemed like he was describing my own dogs.  I have experienced it all with them:  Peeing on car tires, refusing to eat until something "extra" is added, chasing cars and cats, chewing things up, and enjoying belly rubs.  These are the joys (and sometimes frustrations) of owning a dog. 

The Stray Dog  (Realistic Fiction).  
Marc Simont adapts and illustrates a true story of a stray dog who wanders into a family’s Saturday picnic.  After a day of playing together, the children beg to keep the dog.  The parents do not succumb to their pleas, but all week long the whole family thinks of the playful dog. On the following Saturday, the dog returns to the picnic area where they family are eating once again.  This time he is being chased by a dog catcher!  The family is so thrilled to see him again that they adopt him on the spot. 

Dogku (Realistic Fiction).  
Andrew Clements (author of the Slippers series) pens another noteworthy book about dogs.   This one is written in amusing non-rhyming triplets about the highs (such as when the children get off the school bus or when he is on a car ride) and the lows (such as when the children leave on the school bus or when he is left alone in the house) of a dog.  The pictures are endearing.  Children will enjoy reading about Mooch’s dog-day experience. 

Nobody’s Diggier than a Dog (Realistic Fiction).  
This book is not a story, but a celebration of what makes a dog, a dog:  The lazy side to the crazy side.  The illustrations and language are amusing.  There are examples of end rhyme, internal rhyme, alliteration, assonance, and consonance.   As a result, the book could be used for identifying poetic sound devices in a natural and fun way.  Whether it is a teaching tool or read just for amusement, children (and adults) will be enchanted by this book. 

The Other Dog (Fantasy Fiction).  
This narrative by Madeleine L’Engle has a unique (and humorous) perspective:  The dog thinks the new baby is also a dog.   At first, the real dog does not like the new “dog” invading his home and gaining the attention of his owners.  Nevertheless, the dog’s instincts are to protect and to help care for the infant.  Eventually, they become bosom friends. 

Honorable Mentions

Are You Ready for Me?  
I’d recommend this book to the family who has not yet adopted a dog into their lives.  It covers the responsibilities and commitments necessary to do right by the dog.  Check out this book by Claire Buchwald if you are in this group (especially if you have kids begging for a dog). J

Some Amusing Mentions
These books are fantasy fiction with a dog as a main character.
Dogzilla (Dav Pilkey). This playful fiction pits a rambunctious dog against some very smart mice.  It includes some fun puns and word play.

Buster Goes to Cowboy Camp (Denise Fleming).  Buster's get away is imaginative, but the story explores the feelings a dog (or a child) might have when he goes away to a kennel (or camp).  This narrative is also a good tool for teaching the difference between fantasy and reality since there are realistic and non-realistic elements combined.

Dog Breath (Dav Pilkey).  This sweet dog has one horrible case of halitosis (bad breath).  In the end, his unique "gift" saves the day.

Dog Extension Activities

Activities & Crafts from Danielle’s Place

Coloring Sheets, Crafts, and other Themed Items from DLTK

Recipes for Dog Treats and Other Activities

Links to dozens of Activities, Crafts, Information, and Worksheets on Dogs