Read Aloud – Page 60 – Unleashing Readers

The Water Princess by Susan Verde

October 27, 2016 by Ricki

The Water Princess
Author: Susan Verde
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Published September 13, 2016 by G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

Goodreads Summary: Based on supermodel Georgie Badiel’s childhood, a young girl dreams of bringing clean drinking water to her African village

With its wide sky and warm earth, Princess Gie Gie’s kingdom is a beautiful land. But clean drinking water is scarce in her small African village. And try as she might, Gie Gie cannot bring the water closer; she cannot make it run clearer. Every morning, she rises before the sun to make the long journey to the well. Instead of a crown, she wears a heavy pot on her head to collect the water. After the voyage home, after boiling the water to drink and clean with, Gie Gie thinks of the trip that tomorrow will bring. And she dreams. She dreams of a day when her village will have cool, crystal-clear water of its own.

Inspired by the childhood of African–born model Georgie Badiel, acclaimed author Susan Verde and award-winning author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds have come together to tell this moving story. As a child in Burkina Faso, Georgie and the other girls in her village had to walk for miles each day to collect water. This vibrant, engaging picture book sheds light on this struggle that continues all over the world today, instilling hope for a future when all children will have access to clean drinking water.

Ricki’s Review: This book captured my attention as soon as I saw the cover. The illustrations are beautiful, and I couldn’t help but sit for long periods of time, studying them closely. I appreciated and enjoyed this lyrical story that is based on Georgie Badiel’s childhood experiences. I have the F&G, and I am particularly excited to read the author’s note when the full book is printed. I know Georgie Badiel is an activist and leads a foundation dedicated to promoting clean drinking water and sanitation in Africa, so I think the author’s note will be particularly insightful.

Kellee’s Review: The hardest books for me to read are the books where they seem as if they are historical fiction yet they are modern stories. It makes me so sad to know that there are those like Gie Gie who must work this hard just to get water. I feel like our world must help those who struggle in this way because water is a basic need that all should have access to. I think this book is a wonderful introduction to build awareness because many students do not know what is happening around the world, and this story is told in a beautiful yet truthful and hard way. Also, the connection it has with A Long Walk to Water makes it a perfect addition to a unit looking at that novel. Additionally, I must add that Peter H. Reynolds outdid himself with the illustrations in this book. I love Reynolds’s work, but these are pure pieces of art. Beautiful. I also look forward to the end notes because I want to learn more about Georgie Badiel and her work.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: It would be great for teachers to build students’ awareness of the water/sanitation concerns within Africa. This might include reading more books about the subject and visiting websites supporting the cause. Georgie Badiel’s foundation is: http://georgiebadielfoundation.org/, and there are also many others out there, including: http://www.waterforsouthsudan.org/. I know of two elementary school classes who have devoted their entire year to raising money to build wells in Africa. These kinds of social action projects will surely impact students.

Discussion Questions: What does Princess Gie Gie’s day look like? What do the other women’s days look like? Why do you think this is?; Does Gie Gie feel frustrated? How might you feel in the same situation?; What can we do to support our peers who are living in similar situations to Gie Gie?

Flagged Passage: “My kingdom…the African sky, so wide and so close. I can almost touch the sharp edges of the stars.”

Read This If You Loved: A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park; Just Add Water by Robin Hill and Charles Hall

Recommended For:

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Teaching Guide for Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty

October 21, 2016 by Kellee

Ada Twist, Scientist
Author: Andrea Beaty
Illustrator: David Roberts
Published September 6th, 2016 by Abrams Books for Young Readers

Summary: The creators of the New York Times bestselling picture books Rosie Revere, Engineer and Iggy Peck, Architect are back with a story about the power of curiosity in the hands of a child who is on a mission to use science to understand her world. Ada Twist, Scientist, from powerhouse team Andrea Beaty and David Roberts, is a celebration of STEM, perseverance, and passion.

Like her classmates, builder Iggy and inventor Rosie, scientist Ada, a character of color, has a boundless imagination and has always been hopelessly curious. Why are there pointy things stuck to a rose? Why are there hairs growing inside your nose? When her house fills with a horrific, toe-curling smell, Ada knows it’s up to her to find the source. Not afraid of failure, she embarks on a fact-finding mission and conducts scientific experiments, all in the name of discovery. But, this time, her experiments lead to even more stink and get her into trouble!

Inspired by real-life makers such as Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie, Ada Twist, Scientist champions girl power and women scientists, and brings welcome diversity to picture books about girls in science. Touching on themes of never giving up and problem solving, Ada comes to learn that her questions might not always lead to answers, but rather to more questions. She may never find the source of the stink, but with a supportive family and the space to figure it out, she’ll be able to feed her curiosity in the ways a young scientist should.

Iggy Peck and Rosie Revere have earned their places among the most beloved children’s characters, and they have inspired countless kids and adults to follow their dreams and passions. Now in her own charming and witty picture book, determined Ada Twist, with her boundless curiosity for science and love of the question “Why?,” is destined to join these two favorites. The book is the perfect tool to remind both young girls and women that they have the intelligence and perseverance to achieve their dreams.

Teaching Guide:

Beaty and Roberts’s books promote creativity, scientific thinking, and identity, so I was so happy and proud to be able to write the guide for Ada Twist.

You can also view the teaching guide here. Guides for Ada Twist‘s companion books, Iggy Peck and Rosie Revere, can be found here.

Recommended For:

Three Bears of the Pacific Northwest by Richard Vaughan & Marcia Crews

October 20, 2016 by Kellee

Three Bears of the Pacific Northwest
Authors: Richard Vaughan & Marcia Crews
Illustrator: Jeremiah Trammell
Published August 6th, 2016 by Little Bigfoot

Goodreads Summary: When a small blue teddy bear falls out of a moving recreational vehicle in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, two native bears-Black Bear and Brown Bear-agree to help reunite Blue Bear with his family. The bears only know that Blue Bear’s boy lives in a “shiny silver box with wheels.” Down the mountains, through the forests, and across the saltwater, the three bears encounter eagles, seals, skunks, and many other Pacific Northwest animals along their way. This is a charming story with a happy ending and no Goldilocks.

The book features Jeremiah Trammel’s beautiful oil-painted illustrations, which are sure to engage children and parents alike. Marcia and Richard Vaughan write children’s books separately and collaboratively. Marcia has written more than sixty children’s books in Australia and the United States. Richard is the author of more than twenty children’s books. Marcia and Richard live in Vashon Island, WA.

Review: Three bears, the Pacific Northwestern Brown Bear and Black Bear along with a stuffed Blue Bear, go on a journey through nature to help Blue Bear get back home to his family. On the journey, the reader is taken from the mountains to the shore and get introduced to different aspects of the Pacific Northwest and the animals that live there. Accompanied by Trammell’s expressionistic illustrations, the bears’ story is a very fun and educational adventure.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: The bears’ journey would be a perfect cross curricular text for language arts, social studies, and science. This text is a fun narrative mixed with a geographical journey with a cast of animals.

Discussion Questions: Have you ever lost a stuffed animal or blanket that you loved? Did you get it back?; What animals live in your state that you would meet if you went on a journey?

Flagged Passages:

Read This If You Loved: O is for Orca or 1-2-3 Moose by Andrea Helman, The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach, A Story for Bear by Dennis Haseley

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Sasquatch Books for providing a copy for review!**

O is for Orca: A Nature Alphabet Book & 1-2-3 Moose: An Animal Counting Book by Andrea Helman and Art Wolfe

October 19, 2016 by Kellee

Nonfiction Wednesday

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday is hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and was started to help promote the reading of nonfiction texts. Most Wednesdays, we will be participating and will review a nonfiction text (though it may not always be a picture book).
Be sure to visit Kid Lit Frenzy and see what other nonfiction books are shared this week!

O is for Orca
1-2-3 Moose
Author: Andrea Helman
Photographer: Art Wolfe
Published February 23rd, 2016 by Little Bigfoot

O is for Orca Summary: O is for orca and P is for puffin! With beautiful photographs by acclaimed nature photographer Art Wolfe, this book brings the alphabet to life for toddlers through colorful animals and landscapes. Wildlife in the book includes auklets, bears, coyotes, deer, eagles, lynx, salmon, urchins, and more.

1-2-3 Moose Summary: 1 wolf, 2 moose, 3 cougars, and more! Award-winning nature photographer Art Wolfe’s engaging photos of animals introduce young children to wildlife while also teaching them numbers and how to count in this colorful and educational board book.

Kellee’s Review: Too often books for toddlers talk down to them and are too simplistic. I really love books that are real and teach toddlers in a way that respects the intelligent human beings they are. These books teach the reader about so much of the Northeast US wildlife while also working on ABCs and counting. I really enjoyed how not only does it say “O is for Orca,” but the author also describes the nature photographs that accompany the letter/number (ex. “Swimming by mama’s side is where orca calves love to be.”) And speaking of the photographs, they are beautiful! Wolfe is a very talented nature photographer whose eye brings the nature to us.

Ricki’s Review: These beautiful photography in these two board books will inspire kids to want to learn their letters and numbers. Admittedly, I don’t know a whole lot about the Pacific Northwest (I am a New Englander), so I had a lot of fun learning about this location and its wildlife as my son and I read these two books together. The words rolled off of my tongue, and I particularly loved all of the alliteration!I am so glad that these books are being offered in the board book format because the photography and bright, colorful animals will engage even the youngest readers.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: While teaching the ABCs or counting 1-12, these books give a perfect tie in to science. These would be a perfect cross-curricular text to incorporate in early childhood classrooms and preschools. Students could also make their own ABC and 123 books by taking photographs or drawing nature from their state.

Flagged Passages:

Read This If You Love: ABC or counting books, books about nature

Recommended For:

and

**Thank you to Sasquatch Books for providing copies for review!!**

Celebration of Music: Jukebox by David Merveille and Dan, The Taxi Man by Eric Ode

October 14, 2016 by Kellee

Jukebox
Author and Illustrator: David Merveille
Published February 1st, 2008 by Kane Miller

Summary: From disco to opera, hip hop to jazz, David Merveille’s unique style makes this practically wordless book sing. A non-fiction journey through the musical universe, Jukebox is filled with details, revealing as much about the people who listen to music as it does about those who create it.

My Thoughts: This wordless picture book celebrates a variety of music genres in a beautiful way. He is able to show through illustrations the feeling of music personified. Merveille’s artwork really bring each genre to life. The easiest way to explain how he is able to do this is to show you:

Dan, The Taxi Man
Author: Eric Ode
Illustrator: Kent Culotta
Published September, 2012 by Kane Miller

Summary: “Here’s Dan, Beep! Beep! the Taxi Man, going to the show and picking up the band. Climb inside while you still can with Dan, Beep! Beep! the Taxi Man.” And what a band it is! A symphony of sounds and colors, this cumulative tale is as much fun to read aloud as it is to listen to.

My Thoughts: Dan, The Taxi Man celebrates music by bringing a band together and putting focus on each musician and their instrument. The onomatopoeias, the rhythm, and the repetition throughout makes this a book that kids will want to read over and over again (just like Trent does!).

P.S. Check out Busy Trucks on the Go by Eric Ode and Kent Culotta for a fun shout-out to Dan, The Taxi Man!

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: These two books definitely celebrate music and do so in two different ways. These books would be great read alouds in the classroom, specifically music classes. I also could see them be used in a lit circle or book club activity with a selection of music picture books such as Trombone Shorty, Herman & Rosie, and Marvin Makes Music as well as many others.

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Lynn from Kane Miller for providing copies for review!**

A Parade of Puppies by Charles Ghigna

October 13, 2016 by Ricki

A Parade of Puppies
Author: Charles Ghigna
Illustrator: Kristi Bridgeman
Published August 23, 2016 by Orca Book Publishers

Summary: In this follow-up to A Carnival of Cats, babies, toddlers and dog-lovers alike will enjoy discovering and guessing what breed of puppy is hiding on the next page. With playful rhyming text from award-winning author Charles Ghigna, and beautiful illustrations by celebrated artist Kristi Bridgeman, this hint-and-reveal board book will have everyone pondering what puppy will turn up next!

Ricki’s Review: After I received A Carnival of Cats for review, my son wanted to read it every night. I have that book memorized, and it is a delightful book to know by heart! So when I heard that A Parade of Puppies was coming out, I jumped at the chance to review it. Charles Ghigna’s clever rhymes make the story engaging and fun. I loved being able to teach my son about different dog breeds, and I am looking forward to going to the park, so we can practice his new knowledge! It is hard to find board books that are fun to read over and over and over again, but I know I will enjoy reading this book each time that my son requests it.

Kellee’s Review: I love when books teach toddlers specific knowledge instead of assuming that they aren’t able to learn things like dog breeds. Charles Ghigna’s two books, A Carnival of Cats and A Parade of Puppies, assumes that toddlers want to learn more than just dog vs. cat (which, as a mother of a toddler, is true). Trent loves looking and talking about the differences between the different types of dogs (which is bigger? Has spots? etc.).

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: Teachers might ask students to write extended rhymes for this book. Charles covers a lot of popular, fun dog breeds, and students would have a lot of fun researching other breeds and creating additional pages for this book. I can see a bulletin board covered with a parade of puppies! That would bring warmth to a classroom!

Discussion Questions: How does the author make decisions about rhyme? Are there certain dog breed names that seem more difficult to rhyme with? How did he creatively solve this issue?; What dog breeds are included? What breeds are missing? Why do you think he chose to include certain breeds and not others?

We Flagged:

Read This If You Love: Dogs; A Carnival of Cats by Charles Ghigna

Recommended For:

and Kellee Signature

**Thank you to Orca for providing copies for review!!**

Never Insult a Killer Zucchini! by Elana Azose & Brandon Amancio

October 12, 2016 by Kellee

Nonfiction Wednesday

Never Insult a Killer Zucchini!
Authors: Elana Azose and Brandon Amancio
Illustrator: David Clark
Published February 9th, 2016 by Charlesbridge

Goodreads Summary: This is one science fair you’ll never forget!

When Mr. Farnsworth, the science-fair judge, declares that he loves zucchinis, the Killer Zucchini is smitten. As the judge makes his way through the exhibits alphabetically—A (antimatter), B (bionic limb), C (cloning)—the Killer Zucchini tries to show his affection. But when Mr. F gets to K and admits he likes to eat zucchini with ranch dressing, the Killer Zucchini gets steamed and attempts to exact his revenge on the snack-loving judge using the other science-fair projects as his means to an end.

Hilarious havoc ensues as the entire science fair is destroyed by his wrath.

Engaging backmatter provides the science behind the science fair entries created by the characters in the story.

Review: My favorite part of this book isn’t even the Killer Zucchini found in the title but all of the supporting science fair experiments. While they all seem like mad science, in the back of the book, the authors have back matter explaining how each of the science fair experiments are based on real science. For example, even though Killer Zucchinis aren’t real, carnivorous plants are, a laser that erased ink was invented in 1968, and Florida’s Mag Lab can shrink a quarter!

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: What a great STEM resource! This text will be a perfect read aloud and science text before starting science fair experiments. It can get the brain turning and even give some ideas (though some are quite extreme science!). Hopefully your science fair will not end up anything like this one though!

You could also have students choose one of the experiments to learn more about instead of reading the back matter. It would be a good science/language arts cross curricular research assignment. (The book is also in alphabetical order!)

Discussion Questions: Which of the experiments is the most dangerous?; Why does the girl win the fair?; Which of the experiments would you like to learn more about?

Flagged Passages:

Read This If You Loved: Science texts and picture books

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Elana for providing a copy of the text for review!**