"If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" by Laura Numeroff

Summary:

 A little boy is sitting on the grass outside his house eating a cookie, a little mouse shows up. If the boy gives the mouse a cookie, the mouse will ask for a glass of milk. The milk will lead to a straw, and straw will lead to a napkin, so on and so forth. The humorous story ends with the mouse asking a glass of milk and then a cookie.


Motivational Activities and Discussion:

If you were the mouse would you ask for the same things or would you want something else? Why?

Can you recall what the mouse asked for? Could you predict what he was going to ask for next?

Explain that the first part of each sentence tells something that might happen. It is called the "cause." The second part of the sentence tells what might happen because the first thing happened. It is called the "effect." What is the cause and effect in this story?

What might be something you would say to someone that could be a cause and effect statement or action?

Has anyone ever said a cause and effect statement to you? for example: "if you do your chores you can go out to play.


Personal Response:

This classic children's book encourages kids to make predictions and teaches cause and effect in a fun way. It opens the discussion of wants and needs of a person. This story is humorous and repetitive, allowing for prediction. Great illustrations.

Children Around the World by Donata Montanari

Summary:

No matter where they live, children are always curious about the world. But nothing proves more fascinating to them than other children. Exploring the themes of commonality and diversity, this informational book introduces young readers to 12 children from around the world.  The children briefly describe such things as the language, food, clothing, schooling and daily life of their region. One of the most appealing aspects of this book is the artwork, which features the use of fabric, paper, mesh, string and felt in multimedia collage. Through the use of colors and textures, each child emerges with a distinctive and endearing personality.

Motivational Activities:

Have children compare and contrast two countries and cultures

Write a letter to another child from a different culture and ask them question about themselves. explore and learn what makes each of you unique and what makes you similar.

Write or draw a picture/essay of what country would you like to live in if you could live anywhere? and explain why?? Is it the clothes, language, food?

Personal Response:

An informative multicultural book comes alive through the illustrations and story. Identifying the uniqueness of the world we live in, highlighting the diversity; shining light on language, food, clothing, schooling and daily life of their region.

Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grimes

Summary:
 

This is the story of President Barack Obama, the first African-American to become president of the United States of America. This biography tells of his life from the beaches of Hawaii to the streets of Chicago.  A man of hope with an inspiring story. As a boy, Barack knew he wasn't quite like anybody else, but through his journeys he found the ability to listen to Hope and become what he was meant to be: a bridge to bring people together.  Barack Obama has motivated Americans to believe every one of us has the power to change ourselves and change our world.

Motivational Activities:

When Barack was a young man, he saw a beggar and wanted to help him. Have you ever seen anything that makes you want to help? Can kids do anything to make a difference? How?

What important decisions did Barack Obama have to make in his life?

Which decision or choice do you think was the most important one he made?

How do you make important decisions?

 Write a speech about how you would change the country if you became president.

 Create a timeline of Barack Obama’s life. Illustrate the event that you think was most important in shaping the man he has become

 

 

 

Personal Response:

 

This biography is not only informative but educational. It gives hope and shines light on an inspiring brave and noble man. knowing Barack's story can not only help some relate to the ups and downs of life but can influence and motive to become a better person. there are some really great hands on activities that be utilized in the classroom. truly thought provoking and inspiring.

IIama IIama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

Summary:
This rhyming bed time story tells of a baby Llama who can not sleep until his mom tucks him into bed. He begins to worry where she is and attempts to go find her when he gets frantic and upset. Mom comes shortly after making everything okay once again.  



Motivation Activity and Discussion:

Do your parents tuck you in at night?
 Do you  get upset when your parent doesn't come right way?
What do you think you could do that would help you patiently wait for them?
What is your bedtime routine? story books read? story telling? singing? praying? what do you do every night before bed?


Personal Response:

I think a lot of young children can relate to this story. most children are used to a certain routine at bedtime and when things do not happen according to expected plan anxiety and uneasiness sets in and they may become upset. This book introduces the  different options for controlling that overwhelmed emotion until their parent comes to tuck them in. This poises alternative options while waiting.

Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

 

Summary

A little boy named Max runs around his house dressed as a monster. After he is sent to bed without supper for causing havoc inside the house, he goes to his room and creates wild jungle scene. He imagines trees growing in his room one of which he climbs out the window on.   He proceeds to imagine this fierce jungle with monsters on an island. Max becomes the leaders of the monsters. they dance and play until Max sends the monsters to bed without supper. Max awakes and then realizes it was all a dream. as he wakes he finds hot bowl of soup on his dresser.


Motivational Activities

Have you ever been sent to your room for being naughty and causing havoc?

Why do you think Max sent the Monsters to bed without supper?

Have children draw Max and the monsters.

Have children explain why Max was sent to bed without supper, yet when he awoke from a nap, there was a bowl of hot soup on his dresser.


Personal Response:

I think this story Is so relatable for many children. Many children often get into trouble for misbehaving and being overly hyper in the house. Some children might even get the same punishment, to bed without supper. The imaginary process is adorable. the pictures are great and the story keeps the reader intrigued.

The Grist Mill Secret by Lillie V. Albrecht

Summary:

In 1773, Tabby's (the main character) father has a secret shop below the first mill where he makes muskets for the Minute Men. Everyone suspects everyone else and sometimes the wrong people are caught and punished by angry patriots. And when a wealthy English family, suspected to be loyalist spies, builds a handsome country house near the mill, Tabby is torn between patriotism and her friendship with the new neighbors.

Motivational Activities and Discussion:

Discuss the history and time frame this story is placed.
How did people live at this point in time? How does it vary from today?
What would you do if you were the main character?
Why do you think it was such a crime to have a shop musket shop?
What side would you be on?
Make a play for this time era, dress up and act out the main characters. make sure to encompass the accent and proper garb.

Personal Response:

I think this story teaches a great deal of American and colonial history. It paints a detailed picture of the time period and what people in society had to do to fight for what they believed in, even if it meant breaking the law and hiding secrets from friends. This story seems to intertwine patriotism and friendship. The main character must not only protect her family's secret but stay true  what they believe in.  

When Sophie Gets Angry--Really, Really Angry…By, Molly Bang

 

Summary:

Sophie's temper flares when her sister demands a turn playing with a favorite stuffed gorilla. The story is of anger and sibling rivalry and how to deal with unfair situations.


Motivational activities:

How does Sophie cool off in the story?
Is the way Sophie handles the situation appropriate?
How could Sophie of handle the situation differently?
How should one handle an unfair situation as the one Sophie was in?
How do you think you would have handled a situation life this?
Have the children make a list of good things to do when feeling overly emotional and good things to do to when feeling overly emotional.



Personal Reflection:
This book allows communication of feelings and how to handle them to be had. It allows children to come up with alternative actions to overwhelming emotions such as anger. This book demonstrates that even when things feel out of control, ones perception of their surroundings can be effected as well. The book doesn't put a negative notation on emotions. It allows children to embrace them and learn how to deal with them.

"The Three Snow Bears" by Jan Brett

This absolutely fantastic picture book is filled with beautiful imaginary places for any child to drift off into. The story is similar to 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears'  but with an Alaskan twist. Aloo-ki, a little Eskimo girl, as the main characters. Aloo-ki discovers the bears' igloo while chasing after her sled dogs that have floated off on an ice floe. The bears have gone out for a walk while their soup cools giving Aloo-ki the time to come in and sample the soup. She tries try Papa, Mama, and Baby Bear's boots, and end up fast asleep in Baby Bear's sleeping mound, which is, of course, just right. The bears come home after saving Aloo-ki's dogs and find Aloo-ki asleep. In the ending of this story, Aloo-ki wakes and gathers her dogs and quickly leaves, but not before waving a thank you.

Motivational Activities:

Compare and contrast 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' with this story 'The Three Snow Bears'.

Have the children write down the key items to the setting then determine the details that are a result of the setting, for exp. clothing, the igloo, eating soup, the animals, etc.
Discuss the morals of the story.

Have the children build an igloo out of various art materials.
 
Discuss what the weather and culture is like in Alaska.

Make a list of Polar bear facts

Write down the different cultures of Alaska VS the woods in the US.



 
Personal Response:

If the amazing illustrations don't grab your attention then the adorable twist to  'Goldilocks and the Three Bears'  will. The change in the setting and introduction to the Alaskan way is unique and educational. This book opens the door to communication about the different culture of Alaskan people. in addition, this traditional story line, allows for parents and teachers to instill upon children the importance of not breaking and entering a strangers home. It allows for the discussion to be had of all the naughty things the little girl does had how children should never do them.

"The Giving Tree" By Shel Silverstein

 

Summary
"The Giving Tree" By Shel Silverstein is a fable for children. The book is about a little boy and a female apple tree. In his childhood, the boy enjoys playing with the tree, climbing her trunk, swinging from her branches, and eating her apples. However, as time passes and the boy gets older, he starts to make requests of the tree: such as wanting money. The tree suggests that he pick and sell her apples, he does and sells them. After reaching adulthood, the boy wants a house; the tree suggests he cut her branches to build a house, which he does. After reaching middle age, the boy wants a boat; the tree suggests he cut her trunk to make a boat, which he does, leaving only a stump.
In the final pages, the boy (now a shriveled old man) wants only "a quiet place to sit and rest," which the stump provides.





Motivational Activities/Discussion Questions:

Discuss with children what they think the meaning behind the book is.

What is the selfless act the tree commits?

How do they feel they tree deals with the little boy growing up?

How does the little boy treat the tree as he grows up?

Have children write down or drawl a picture of how this story could apply their own life.

Have the children write thank you letters to their guardian for all the love and caring they unconditionally give them.






Personal Response:
 This controversial story can be viewed in many ways. I however, view it as a "mother" tree and her "son"; a story of selfish and selfless. A mothers love is selfless, she would give her every limb if that meant making her child happy, which in an odd turn makes her happy. The boy on the other hand appears selfish, taking whatever the mother will give for his own benefit, never thinking of her. I think this story represents the love of a mother and her children. Not until later in life, when maturity hits, will that the selfish way will resolve and become selfless in return.  



 

Shel Silverstein "Where The Sidewalk Ends"

Shel Silverstein is a well-known author and illustrator of children books which are poetry formatted. Shel Silverstein’s style of illustrations are cartoon-like images that are simple black and white drawling’s while they have a fun and funky expressive quality. Shel’s style of writing in most of his pieces are wildly funny rhymes. Each poem and/or story are accompanied by his perfectly illustrated cartoon-like drawling. The simple lined illustrations are representationally equivalent; silly and entertaining in nature

Motivational Activities:

Teach children how to breakdown and find the underlining truths behind funny poems.

Have children create their own silly poem.

Have the children create a cartoon like drawling that reflects the poem.

Have the children create their own journal of poems and rhymes.

Use Shel's poems in the classroom to teach a daily or weekly lessons.

Personal Response:

Excellent poetry consists of catchy, rheumatic rhymes and allows children to easily understand its compelling liveliness. There are many benefits of reading poetry; for it allows children to express themselves in emotional ways that they may find difficult to communicate out loud, it can explore language and can use of a variety of words in new ways. Poetry is not limiting when it comes to education for it is an excellent teaching tool. It provides a fun way for children to learn new words and understand new material. Children are challenged to find words that fit a specific style and/or function of the poem.  Best of all children learn to rhyme, compare and contrast and follow a pattern of verbiage being used in poetry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

" The Roots of My Family Tree" By Niki Alling

 In this book “The Roots of My Family Tree” by Niki Alling not only are the illustrations great but the main character introduces her multicultural heritage through rhyme. The little girl takes a trip around the world to explore her rich multicultural/interracial heritage that she is so proud of.  The main character in the story travels to different countries like Italy and Scotland which introduce a small piece of each countries culture. This multicultural book explores and introduces diversity leaving the reader intrigued and curious about their own heritage.

"The Roots of My Family Tree, is a book for children, families and educators to use as an enjoyable springboard for conversations about family heritage. Bright, colorful, full illustrations, written in rhyme."
Countries around the world the main character travels to:

USA
Australia
Africa
Scotland
England
Poland
Italy
France
Spain

Discussion Questions:

Do you know your heritage?

Do you know where your ancestors came from?

What do you think it's like living in those countries that your ancestors are from?

Is your family tree as diverse as the main character in this story?

Which country of your family tree would you like to visit first?

Is there any of your friends that have family trees from the same countries? If so what are they?

!Motivational Activity!

Find one person who is from a completely different culture as you. Discuss and list the differences and similarities in heritage.

What types of rituals do they believe in?

 What is there religious belief?

What types of food do they prefer?

What type of music do they listen to?

What type of clothes do they wear?

Get involved! Learn more about other cultures and how neat it is to be different!!