Picture Book: The Three Little Mittens

 Title: The Three Little Mittens

Author: Linda Bailey

Illustrator: Natalie Shaloshvili

Target Ages:  3 and up

Genre: Fiction Picture Book

Publisher Summary: “Matching means that someone always gets left out.  But when the mittens hear a BIG voice asking a BIG question–why do you have to match? – their little minds are blown.  If they can just be themselves, everyone can belong.

First Lines: “Once there were two little mittens.  Dotty and the other Dotty.  They were fluffy and wooly and cozy and warm, and they looked exactly the same.  But there was also…a third mitten. Stripes.”

Memorable Moment: 

“Why do you have to match?”

Evaluation: 

I love modern, creative retellings of popular fairy tales. When I picked this book, I thought it was a retelling of The Three Little Pigs. However, this book is completely different. In the best way!  

The soft, acrylic and watercolor pencil illustrations are animated and charming. They both reflect the text and add another dimension to it. 

The Three Little Mittens is a story about relationships. The matching mittens leave out the solo ones. Even after they experience being left out, they are quick to do the same. Also, the mittens originally are friends only with those who are like them. It shows the reality of many peer friendships and interactions among children.  

The story becomes something much more though. The little girl who owns the mittens embraces the inclusive and unexpected.  She begins wearing un-matching mittens every day. In doing so, the young girl shows her quirky and fun side. Soon other children follow her example. The girl also teaches the mittens some important lessons through her actions. They learn to adapt and to accept each other. In addition, each mitten begins to feel “appreciated for its true worth.”

As you might have guessed…the socks and shoes join in!  Because, who needs matching shoes anyway?  

The Three Little Mittens reads like a fun, creative picture book, but there is much more there that parents and teachers can use as a springboard for important discussions. The plot elements show the importance of embracing change, inclusivity, individuality, and the unexpected.  The story teaches children about relationships and themselves.  All these elements make this a book you should check out today!

Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans:

• Art:  Give the children a mittens’ printable.  Have them each color (or design with craft supplies) 2 different mittens to act as a pair.

• Writing:  Students can rewrite the story with another pair (like shoes or socks).  It can follow a similar pattern as the original or they can create their own story of what might happen.

• Dialogue:  Together, study a page of dialogue.  Students should identify how dialogue is distinguished from other text.  Then, instruct them to write their own dialogue either as an extension of the book or their own original dialogue between 2 characters.  

• Community Outreach:  Have students bring in or collect mittens that have been outgrown or are unused.  Donate them to a local shelter or charitable organization. 

• Character Education:  Discuss how the protagonist’s BIG question and choices cause a positive change.

For more Perfect Picture Book suggestions visit Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

Picture Book (History): Titanic Sinks! (by Barry Denenberg)

Summary of Titanic Sinks!  (by Barry Denenberg)

With extensive research as his basis, Denenberg uses several different methods in his narrative about the RSS Titanic.  Beginning four years before its maiden voyage, the planning, construction, and final preparations are revealed through newspaper articles.  The format is set up to look like an actual newspaper including the texture of paper.  Once the ship embarks, the narrative shifts to a journal format describing the passengers and activities during the voyage up through the sinking of the vessel. This section appears to be written with an antique typewriter on crinkled-looking, yellowed paper.   An hour by hour quick-guide description of the events is recounted.  Following the sinking, firsthand accounts of actual survivors are reported.   Then, the interview approach is used to examine the rescue of the survivors from the captain of the Carpathia’s perspective.  Finally, in the closing note from the publisher, a summary of the aftermath of the tragedy is discussed.  Artifacts and photographs are interspersed in all the sections, giving the situation a personal and intimate feeling.     

Evaluation:

I appreciate the variety of approaches used to illuminate the events surrounding one of the Western World’s most significant disasters.  They keep the storytelling fresh and engaging. 

Most of the information in the newspaper section is fascinating.  I was engaged in reading about the accommodations and preparations, in particular.  The artifacts such as the 1^st class menu on the day of the sinking and a poster with the prices of steerage tickets are a wonderful touch.  Also, there are photographs of the people, the rooms, and the construction.  The articles are well-written with one exception.  The headline is “Fifteen-Year-Old Dies in Fall From Titanic’s Hull,” yet the story is about them building a section of the boat.  The last paragraph mentions someone died.  The title is misleading, and the mention of the death was not given its proper due--especially since it is the title of the article.  One of my favorite articles is about Captain Smith because it is a multifaceted description of his character and background. 

The journal section is a combination of personal glimpses of real people on board and factual information about the events.  It becomes particularly emotional as families are being broken up when women and children are put on lifeboats while other couples make the decision to stay together on the sinking ship.  The limitation of this perspective is that everything is seen through the eyes of the first class and the shipmen servicing them.  There is little mention of the second or third class passengers. 

The first-hand accounts are particularly difficult to read.  Many described the cries of thousands slowly freezing to death in their ocean grave.  Some ships were close enough to help but did not due to fears of capsizing themselves.  The interview with the Carpathia captain depicts the rescue of the survivors and their journey to New York. 

               

Despite a couple imperfections, I highly recommend Titanic Sinks!  This selection is sure to arouse further interest in this historical calamity and the people who endure it.  With the 100 year anniversary quickly approaching, Titanic Sinks! is a perfect way to honor those who perished on that fateful night by learning about the courage of those who stayed on the ship to the end and by remembering the mistakes made so they will never be repeated. 

Teaching Opportunities:

• Writing:  with examples of newspaper articles, journal entries, and a personal interview, there are opportunities to study and discuss these formats as well as to practice them
• Language Arts:  identify and talk about some of the causes and effects in the narrative
• Ethics:  discuss some of the ethical issues like—Was the crew irresponsible in the way they filled they lifeboats?   What responsibility did the crew have to the second and third class passengers?  Was it fair to prevent them from getting on the ships sooner?  Should fathers with small children be able to get on a lifeboat?  What if he is the only parent alive?  What should the Captain and crew have done to save more lives?  Is Captain Smith at all responsible?  If so, to what degree?
• History:  compare and contrast the sinking of the Titanic to other modern world resonating events—Pearl Harbor and 9/11
• Brimful Curiosities:  This blog has an extensive list of sites with extension activities and learning opportunities on the Titanic.

Head over to RIF for other Nonfiction Monday selections as well as to the Hip Homeschool Hop and Momto2PoshLilDivas to network with other parents and educators.  

Picture Books: Ladybugs (Fiction)

Everyone is familiar with the Eric Carle classic The Grouchy Ladybug. There are two other memorable fictional ladybug picture books worthy of checking out.  (For the best in non-fiction picture books on ladybugs, click HERE.)  The Very Lazy Ladybug and What the Ladybug Heard are ideal to accompany a study of ladybugs or to provide amusement during reading time.    

The Very Lazy Ladybug (ages 4-8) by Isobel Finn 

The very lazy ladybug loves to sleep all day and all night.  One day, she decides she wants to sleep somewhere else, but she is so lazy she never learned to fly.  As a kangaroo bounces by, the lazy ladybug hops in his pouch.  Unable to rest with all the jumping around, she hops unto the back of a tiger who she realizes is too noisy for a good restful snooze!  The cause-effect narrative follows a similar framework as this sample encounter: 

So when a bear ambled by… (turn page)  she hopped onto his ear. 

But the bear liked to scratch!
“I can’t sleep here,” said the lazy ladybug.

“He'll never sit still."

The lazy beetle tries out several different animals until, finally, she lands on an elephant’s trunk.  The elephant sneezes and knocks her into the air…causing her to finally fly!   The eye-catching illustrations are rich in color and full of action.  Several adorable animals are highlighted on the ladybug’s journey into her first flight. 

This book has many teachable moments—animal identification, animal habits, onomatopoeia, action verbs, alliteration, and cause-effect.  My favorite activity though for this story is practicing predicting skills.  As the ladybug encounters each new animal, children can guess what might happen or why the ladybug won’t want to stay.  The Very Lazy Ladybug (by Tiger Tales Publishing) is an exuberant classroom or family read aloud. 

What the Ladybug Heard (ages 3-6) by Julia Donaldson 

Once upon a time on a farm…

The cow said, “Moo!”

and the hen said “Cluck!”

“Hiss!” said the goose

and “Quack!” said the duck.

“Neigh! Said the horse.

“Oink!” said the hog.

“Baa!” said the sheep.

“Woof!” said the dog.

And one cat meowed while the other one purred…

and the ladybug never said a word. 

                                

This playful rhyming poetic sequence is repeated two more times, inviting listener participation and learning of animals sounds.  The silent ladybug saves the day, though, as two thieves come up with a seemingly cunning plot to steal a prize winning cow from the farm.  Seeing and hearing their plan, she rushes away and yells her first word:  “Help!”  She alerts the farm animals of the thieves’ intended path to snatch the cow and comes up with a shrewd strategy of her own which she whispers to each animal.  As the thieves make their way through the dark night, they rely on their ears and the animals' sounds to guide them.  The animals outsmart them though by trading noises, leading the thieves into the duck pond (instead of the prize winning cows’ barn) where they are caught by the farmer (and eventually the police). 

As previously mentioned, the story teaches animal sounds in a fun rhythmic manner.  Youngster can also practice identifying farm animals and poetic devices (rhyme and alliteration).  Readers will enjoy What the Ladybug Heard for its clever humor, rhythmic text, and cheerful illustrations.

LadyBug Activities and Lesson Plans

Across the Curriculum Activities and Lesson from First School

Crafts, Games, and Other Activities from Danielle's Place

Multiple Links to Ladybug Activities

Lesson Plans for K-6 from Lost Ladybug

Ladybug Strawberry Craft or Treat

Awesome Ladybug Cookie Recipe and Other Activities from Almost Unschoolers

Activities and Poem from The Adventures of Bear Blog

Learning Ideas from Storytime and More

Life Cycle Sequencing Cards

Picture Book (Science): Newton and Me

Summary of Newton and Me: 

It is Saturday morning.  A young boy is awakened by his playful dog, Newton.  They decide to spend their day playing and exploring outside.  Together, they demonstrate simple experiments in force and motion.  For instance, they roll a ball on different surfaces/areas and observe differences in speed and pathway.  Next, they throw the ball up in the air at different forces. The duo, also, try pushing and pulling experiments with toy and full-size trucks as well as a wagon, a bike, and a rope.  As the day comes to a close, the boy realizes:

Playing with Newton gave me the notion

that pushing and pulling are forces of motion.

Evaluation:

Newton and Me is the perfect combination of realistic fiction and scientific facts.  The young boy conducts experiments using everyday items in common activities.  Through his observations, he is able to draw scientific conclusions.  This book is ideal to induce experimentation and curiosity or to introduce a unit or lesson on force and motion.  The bright colorful pictures (by Sherry Rogers) with the smooth, rhyming text (by Lynne Mayer) will captivate young readers.    

Teaching Opportunities:

Sylvan Dell has developed a 25-page across the curriculum teaching guide.  The book page also includes various quizzes and other resources. 

Picture Book: Dust Devil by Anne Isaacs

Summary of Dust Devil:  

Swamp Angel, otherwise known as Angelica Longrider, moves to Montana because she is too big for Tennessee.  With no trees or mountains near her new prarie home, the sun wakes her early each morning.  As a result, Swamp Angel plucks the tallest mountain from the Rockies and plants it east of her ranch.  Now she has shade and a later sun rise.  All her neighbors want a mountain too, so Angel grabs several more and places them along the prairie.  Soon after, the worst dust storm anyone had ever seen hits the plains.  The air is so thick with dust that neither sun nor moon light can get through.  Deciding it is time for that storm to quit horsing around, Angel springs right on its back, riding it all the way to what is now (as a result of the storm) the Grand Canyon.  After three days, she finds that in the middle of that tempest is a giant horse!  After taming the wild beast, he becomes her faithful sidekick, Dust Devil.  She has finally found a horse powerful enough to carry her.  Together, they chase down and outwit Backward Bart and his mosquito flying gang who are stealing the money out of everyone’s piggy bank along the plains!  Backward Bart’s capture causes the development of the Saw Tooth Mountain Range, the California Gold Rush, and the numerous geysers throughout the state of Montana!  Well, so the legend says. 

Evaluation:

Like Thunder Rose, Dust Devil is a tall tale focusing on a female legend of the old west.   Author Anne Isaacs uses colorful language and images in her descriptions.  The heroic protagonist is cunning, determined, and helpful.  The pictures (by Paul O. Zelinsky) illustrate much of the excitement and creativity of the narrative, like the battle between Swamp Angel on her giant horse and Backward Bart’s gang on their enormous flying mosquitoes as well as Angel’s ride through the countryside on a colossal dust storm.  Like ancient myths, the tall tale provides an explanation for natural events and land features, such as the mountains, geysers, and dust storms.  The narrative entertains and prompts some excellent learning opportunities. 

Teaching Opportunities:

·         History—Discover what important historical events occurred in 1821 as well as the political and cultural climate of the era; click here and here for examples

·         Geography—Use a map to learn about the important geographical features of Montana; compare them to the descriptions in Dust Devil  (i.e. geysers, Saw Tooth Range, free standing mountains--buttes); Check out Netstate and MontanaKids

·         Science—Read about dust storms:  how they develop, how long they last, and the damage that can result

·         Cooking—Make some sourdough biscuits

·         History—Learn about the California Gold Rush and/or famous outlaws of the Old West

·         Art—Draw a Wanted Poster of an outlaw of your own creation

·         Literature—Identify characteristics of a tall tale and connect them to the narrative; Compare Dust Devil to Thunder Rose

·         Figurative Language—Identify the alliteration, similes, and other figurative language

·         Comprehension Skills—Identify cause/effect relationships in the narrative