About carriegelson

Elementary teacher passionate about all things literacy.

Monday November 25th, 2013

Posted on November 24, 2013 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

Join Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers and share all of the reading you have done over the week from picture books to young adult novels. Follow the links to read about all of the amazing books the #IMWAYR community has read! This is always my favourite way to discover what to read next.

Officially I have 30 minutes to write a post of my favourite reads of the week. It is report card pressure weekend and so I must stay on track if I am going to be finished on time. But I don’t want to miss out on the joy of sharing in the #booklove, so here goes . . .

Briefly a few words about my five favourites 🙂

Grumpy Little King by Michel Streich

Brilliantly exposes the futility of war. And reminds us that when we feel little, we act little. A wonderful title to spark discussion.

How to Train a Train written by Jason Carter Eaton and illustrated by John Rocco

Fancy a pet train? Well if you do, this is the book for you! Just the whole concept is so out there and so fascinating for kids to consider and then, John Rocco’s illustrations – wow! My favourite part though might be the Dear Readers message by Rocco at the end of the book.

Picture Day Perfection written by Deborah Diesen and illustrated by Dan Santat

Have you ever wanted your school picture to be perfect? Read about a little boy whose idea of perfect is not what you might expect! Lots of laughs and hilarious illustrations! My students wrote book reviews here.

Time for a Bath by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

I love this series by Jenkins and Page – (also Time to Eat, Time to Sleep) and just picked this up on sale at one of my favourite bookstores. Fascinating to me is how many of the creatures featured here don’t venture into the water at all but rather, take a bath in the dust or dirt to remove parasites.

If you Find Me by Emily Murdoch

I could not put this title down. A tragic, compelling story of two sisters forced to raise themselves hidden out of sight but not really so far away. This is the story of how they, in effect, “reenter” society and more importantly, family. Features a character with selective mutism which always fascinates me as it is becoming increasingly prevalent but I rarely see it in fiction.

Next up? I have just started The Real Boy by Anne Ursu (yippee!) and cannot wait to hand these reports in and then reward myself with time in the library taking out a bunch of new picture book titles.

Happy reading everyone!

Picture Day Perfection

Posted on November 24, 2013 by carriegelson

Our BLG book this week was Picture Day Perfection written by Deborah Diesen and illustrated by Dan Santat. This funny book was read to us by Peter, a BLG reader new to our classroom. Welcome Peter!

This book is quite a clever story with an interesting ending that surprised us all in a wonderful way. The boy in this story has been planning for Picture Day for months and months. It seems like everything that could possibly go wrong in his day, does. There is “sticky uppy” hair, breakfast that doesn’t stay on the plate, a favourite shirt that was unearthed from the bottom of the laundry basket. The day progresses to trouble on the bus, nausea from all the people saying “cheese” and art class mess. When it is finally time to have his picture taken, we discover that picture day perfection can mean many different things for different people. And a happy smile was perhaps not part of the plan . . . (except for Moms).

Spend time exploring the book jacket and end pages – many hilarious picture day snaps and even a frame to include your own photograph.

Student reviewers respond:

Kassidy rated this book 4/5 and writes: He put syrup on his face to make a worst smile. The photographer click the picture on time for him to smile. He did not like to get his picture taken. I liked the part where he smiles and the mother said, “This is the best one ever.”

Steven rated this book 5/5 and writes: At breakfast, he made a mess. He was dripping syrup. The picture was funny. When he smiled he has a missing tooth. I like the face.

Shereese rated this book 5/5 and writes: I loved the book. It was a funny picture when he wore a stinky shirt for picture day. His Mom picked a grey background that he did not like.

Sara rated this book 5/5 and writes: He is funny because he made a mess in his hair. It Iooks like his face is like the Grinch. He planned for next year.

Arianne rated this book 5/5 and writes: I thought it was weird – he wanted a bad picture day. He had syrup on his face. He wanted a funny picture.

Hyo Min rated this book 5/5 and writes: My favourite part was when he made a funny face. I love the part when he got caught from the click. Why did he made funny faces? The illustrator made pretty pictures. I liked the pictures because it’s all wonderful, like the faces makes me laugh.

Vicky rated this book 5/5 and writes: I love the part when he spit spitballs on the driver because it was gross and also funny. I think the photographer was tricking the boy to make him so he can make him smile. To the author: Why did the boy not have a name?

Ibtihal rated this book 100/5 🙂 and writes: It was sunny when he made faces. Why he didn’t paint on his shirt? Why did he pore syrup on his self? He looked sleepy. Why does he hate picture day? I have a connection – when it’s picture day, I have a bad hair day.

Kelvin rated this book 5/5 and writes: What is the boy’s name? Why is the boy making silly faces? Why is the boy always goofy in picture day? I liked how the boy spit balls at the driver. I liked how the illustrator made every picture bright. If the colour was black and white, it will be boring. With colour, it will be beautiful.

Gracie rated this book 4/5 and writes: I liked when the boy who has no name made goofy faces. It was surprising when his idea of a good picture day was a goofy face. Note to author: Why do you not tell us his name? My favourite part is when he was mad because his mom chose the same boring grey background. I liked this book. It was funny.

Jerry rated this book 5/5 and writes: I liked when the boy try to choose a face. When it was picture day, he had to eat breakfast. At the bus he shoots spitballs at the driver. In school the teacher ask the boy have you choose a colour yet? The boy thought his Mom pick grey colour. When it’s picture time, the boy hates cheese. Then it’s his turn for picture time and he doesn’t like cheese so he chooses a funny face. Then his Mom sees him in the picture. He has a missing tooth but not his brother.

Monday, November 18th, 2013

Posted on November 17, 2013 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

The picture books I enjoyed this week:

999 Tadpoles written by Ken Kimura and illustrated by Yasunari Murakami

My, oh my, a lot can certainly happen on route from one pond to another. The illustrations in this book are highly engaging – it’s a lot of fun to imagine what 999 growing tadpoles might look like. The story is not that complex but it is an amusing book to let students explore. What happens when one pond becomes too small and very cautious Parent Frogs need to move their quite humongous family to a bigger water hole?

The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf by Mark Teague

My students were delighted by this very charming version of the classic Three Little Pigs story. Student reviews are shared here. We particularly loved the clever third pig and how she handles both the wolf and her not so focussed siblings.

Oscar’s Half Birthday by Bob Graham

There isn’t a huge amount of story here, no action filled plot. Rather there is a whole lot of moment. Family. Time together. Celebration. A Park. A picnic. Lots of community. And . . . love the multiethnic parents depicted! Takes me back to the slower pace of having little ones still in babyhood.

Dream Friends by You Byun

I had to read this title twice as the first time I was just entranced by the illustrations. A sweet little story about dream friends and the challenges for shy children to connect with others. Would love to read this with a young class and see the reaction.

Picture books I LOVED:

Super Hair-o and the Barber of Doom by John Rocco

So first, I adore John Rocco. Second, a few pages in is an illustration of our big haired hero and his equally hair blessed friends marching across the page as “unstoppable!” Wow. And then the “station wagon capture” scene. Maybe this took me back to my own childhood full of those boat like station wagons, bell bottoms and big hair . . . Yes, this book definitely had the nostalgia advantage. But, I also loved the story of a little guy who equated his hair with superpowers and sees the world as a series of adventures and rescues where heroes fare best. Truly sweet. Big points for the illustrations. Would love to see another Caldecott next to Rocco’s name for this!

Battle Bunny by Jon Scieszka and Mac Barnett and illustrated by Matthew Myers

This title gets full points for its highly appealing “revision” to make a book absolutely kid appreciated. Mind you, not just kid, as my husband read it and instantly wanted to buy a copy for his father for Christmas! It is the creative license that this book celebrates – the humour, the scribbles, the reinventing of a character . . . that I love. Also worth noting – I showed the book trailer to my class and they ask me about 15 times a day if I have bought the book yet! (Can’t wait to book talk this tomorrow and let this book loose into the hands of my classroom full of readers who will energetically devour it!) I think this book delivers the message that we can all be writers and imagine characters that we can bring to life. SO MUCH FUN.

I have also been reading through some new purchases for my “almost ready for chapter book” set.

Mr. Putter and Tabby See the Stars by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Arthur Howard

I remember reading many Mr. Putter titles when my children were younger and have a real soft spot for all of these characters! This book gives Mr. Putter’s tummy a starring role. Oh what midnight walks do for the digestion!

Mr. Putter and Tabby Run the Race by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Arthur Howard

I giggled through this entire story of Mr. Putter in his long socks and baggy shorts doing his training for a Senior’s Run. Very funny.

Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa Spring Babies by Erica Silverman and illustrated by Betsy Lewin

One of my little readers so loved the first Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa title. She read it to me. She read it to the principal. She keeps it in her book box as a kind of treasure. These early readers are a perfect stepping stone to longer chapter books. This title is particularly wonderful to let children explore the miracle of babies on a farm.

I also finished and loved Living with Jackie Chan by the brilliant Jo Knowles

Knowles just has vulnerability and raw emotion down. I was one of those readers of Jumping Off Swings that wanted to know more about Josh. This novel certainly delivered. A beautiful story of family, of healing, of facing mistakes and figuring it all out (sort of). Loved all of the characters in this story. Now my only problem is that I’ve read every book Knowles has written. Looking forward to anything else she might do!

Next up? I just started reading If you Find Me, a YA novel by Emily Murdoch and can’t put it down.

The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf

Posted on November 16, 2013 by carriegelson

Our BLG book this week was The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf by Mark Teague read by BLG reader, Dan.

We all know and love the tale of The Three Little Pigs. This story is an extremely amusing twist on the classic story. Here we have pigs with bad junk food habits, luxurious swimming pools and escape vehicles like scooters and bicycles. Early on in the story in became evident that the third pig was again the pig with the most brain power! One female student pointed out that this pig was the only girl pig. This started a little whispering among a few boys.

“Girls are quite smart.”

“I’m smart and I’m not a girl.”

“True . . . “

Students were quite perplexed that pig number one and two were eating potato chips and drinking pop and not making any nutritious choices. When they saw the third pig picking carrots and tomatoes from her garden, there was a collective relief. “Very healthy!”

There were many giggles at how the pigs responded to the wolf’s request to let him in and general consensus that pig number three had built a house that we would all like to live in!

“I wish I had that house.”

“Me too.”

“Me too.”

“Me too.”

Student reviewers respond:

Andrew rates this book 5/5 and writes: My favourite part is when the wolf was exhausted and lying on the grass from all that huffing and fuffing. I noticed spots on the 2 pigs. I have a connection from The Three Ninja Pigs – like the 3rd pig was wise too. What show were the pigs watching? I like the happy ending in the book. to the author: I like your book!

Joeli rates this book 3/5 and writes: Why did the wolf did not ask for food from the pig in the first place? Why instead did he want to eat the pigs? Why did the wolf think he can blow bricks. It is impossible to blow bricks. Why is potato chips so important for the first pig? Which one is important to the pig – potato chips or his life?

Brian rates this book 5/5 and writes: My favourite part was at the end when it said the wolf will be bad “hardly”. I am worried that the wolf might eat the 2 pigs. The funny part was when the wolf fell on the grass. What was kind was that the first pig said “Do you want a chip?” and the second pig said “Do you want a soda pop?”

Soleen rates this book 5/5 and writes: I like the part when the pigs were watching TV. I like the part when the wolf was on the grass and when the wolf said he will not be mean again. I wonder if he will be mean again and eat the pigs?

Sara rates this book 5/5 and writes: The pigs are funny because they can swim. I don’t like the wolf. The pigs are cool because they can build.

Shereese rates this book 5/5 and writes: The funny part was the wolf was on the grass. The pigs gave the wolf chips. The wolf and the pigs went swimming.

Grace rates this book 5/5 and writes: I think it was funny when the pigs said, “Not now – we are watching our favourite show.” The girl pig is healthy and the other pigs eat sody pop and potato chips. I wonder if the wolf is going to eat the pigs because the wolf said “hardly” My favourite part is when the girl makes the other pigs clean their rooms and then they swim.

Kevin rates this book 5/5 and writes: I loved when the wolf fell in the grass. I loved when the wolf tried to blow the brick house down and I like when the pigs said We are watching our favourite show and got knocked out. I loved when the wolf made friends with the pigs. The first pig was not smart and the second pig was not smart too but the third pig was smart because she build a brick house.

Ibtihal rates this book 5/5 and writes: I liked the part when the pigs were watching a show. How did his face turn green? Why was he so angry? Why did he huffed and puffed? He was so funny in the end that wolf. I wish I was the 3rd pig. Whey did they like potato chips and pop and shows?

Vicky rates this book 5/5 and writes: My favourite part is when the wolf was lying on the grass because it looked like it fainted. I have a connection to The Three Little Pigs. My favourite part is when the wolf blew the houses down and then one pig went on his scooter.

Hyo Min rates this book 5/5 and writes: My favourite part was when the wolf couldn’t blow the number 3 house. Why did the wolf say hardly? My other favourite part was at the end of the book, the wolf was nice. The number 3 pig was smart. Maybe the bricks are stronger.

Calvin rates this book 4/5 and writes: I love how he never knows he can blow down the houses. The wolf got knocked out. I liked the part when the pigs and the wolf was in the pool.

Wise Eyes Watching

Posted on November 16, 2013 by carriegelson

These beautiful owls are now perched up high on our our bulletin boards – wise eyes watching us:

Inspired by this wonderful post on the art blog A Glimmer of Light, we created these gorgeous owls. Here is our process.

First, we drew with oil pastel directly onto black construction paper (no pencil marks first!) – thinking about the shapes of the body, eyes, wings, talons and added a fancy crown. Students then began colouring in the owls with oil pastels, creating patterns and textures.

After about 20 minutes of work time, most children were at this stage: shapes drawn and quite a bit of colouring and design complete.

On Day 2, we just had another short amount of work time so our goal was to finish adding colour to our owls and to outline important lines.

On Day 3, we broke out the chalk pastels and added bright and beautiful backgrounds with swirls and stripes. Students were encouraged to not use more than 4 different colours.

Many students helped with background colouring so that we could all complete our masterpieces to have them ready to post up in the room.

Final step was to outline any lines that had blurred at the edges of the owls into the chalk pastel background and these stunning owls were ready!

Some students even wrote a little bit to share about their process or about who their owl might be . . . . Check out our classroom blog Curiosity Racers to read about what was shared and to see some more images!

Ben Rides on

Posted on November 11, 2013 by carriegelson

Our BLG book this week was Ben Rides On by Matt Davies which I must confess is already an absolute favourite of mine for 2013. Some of the students knew this book but for many it was brand new and we were delighted to share in an entertaining read aloud session with Bill, one of our beloved BLG readers! As Kala said early on in the read aloud, “I love listening to Bill!” And then a few whispers began . . . “Yea remember when he read the pirate book?” Bill was the ideal guy to read us this story! And many people liked his pinstriped pants! Hurray for guest readers! 🙂 And books like this . . .

This story speaks right to the part of all little elementary school children’s brains that has a high sensitivity to FAIR. If someone hasn’t been kind to you, do you have to do the right thing by that person? Really? Ben must face this question when he literally finds Adrian, the big mean bike thief, hanging by a tree branch. Is it all on him to help him? Even after what Adrian has done to him?

Hardly a typical book that explores the bully/victim dynamic. This title has many themes – bullies, compassion, and the joy of a kid on a bike. How do we treat others when given the opportunity for revenge? This book poses that question in the most hilarious and sensitive of ways.

Little listeners get very big eyes listening to this book. It unveils a story that speaks directly to the question “What is the right thing to do? No matter what . . . ” Just about four pages into the story, one listener announced, “I already got about three things to write about this book!” And write they did . . .

Student reviewers respond:

Kelvin rates this book 5/5 and writes: My favourite pat was Ben helped Adrian. Adrian almost fell from a branch and got saved by Ben. I liked it because Ben noticed that Adrian is a bully and at the same time, a friend. Ben did the right thing even though Adrian did the wrong thing.

Arianne rates this book 5/5 and writes: He can jump over 5 buses. The big kid pushed him. Adrian fixed his bike. Ben helped Adrian up from the cliff.

Joeli writes: When Ben might have made his revenge, why does his face look weird? Also why did he jump over a lake with sharks without any hill? How did Adrian pay for a bike repair When Ben helped Adrian, why he did not get a rope instead of his T-shirt?

Jerry writes: I liked when Adrian steals Ben’s bike and I liked when Adrain fell down to the hill. Ben helped Adrain but then Adrian stole his bike again. Oh no!

Ava writes: My favourite part is when Ben decided to not do revenge. Ben has a new bike and he is so happy for his new bike. He takes the really long way to school but he is not so happy when he gets to school. Where did he get his new bike?I think he really likes it.

Andrew writes: How does Ben ride his bike over five school buses? How does Ben ride over three sharks? I noticed that on almost every page it has the crow. I wonder if the crow is Ben’s best friend?

Heman writes: My favourite part is when Ben and his friend saved Adrain. I liked it when Adrain fixed Ben’s bike. I wonder how Ben jumped over the school bus and the sharks? Why didn’t Adrain wear a helmet when he rode Ben’s bike?

Brian writes: My favourite part was when I had a connection with Desmond and the Very Mean Word. The books are kind of the same because both books have the same things of bullies.

Steven writes: I saw a boy jump over a bus. The bike was broken. He helped Adrian.

Soleen writes: My favourite part was when the bike was very carefully leaned against the gate. Ben’s smile was a revenge smile. I had a connection from Desmond and the Very Mean Word because Desmond and Ben both had boys become their friend.

Kevin writes: I loved when Ben ride over four school buses. I like when Ben saved Adrian and I liked it when Adrian fixed Ben’s bike. I loved it when Ben did a revenge smile but he saved Adrian’s life and said don’t let go. I know why he wants to take the long cut because he loves his bike so so much.

Calvin writes: The big kid with the bike went too fast. He crashed in the tree and maybe the brake is broken.

Pheonix writes: I like revenge! I like revenge because it’s mostly evil and even.

Gracie rates this book 4/5 and writes: My favourite part is when Adrian fixes Ben’s bike. Ben had karma. He did something good by helping Adrian not fall off of the tree branch and something good happened to Ben. Why is the crow always following Ben? I wish I could do all those things like jumping over buses and sharks. I wonder if before Ben got his bike he didn’t like school.

Monday November 11th, 2013

Posted on November 11, 2013 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

Join Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers and share all of the reading you have done over the week from picture books to young adult reads! Follow the links to read about all of the amazing books the #IMWAYR community has read!

I had a little weekend getaway with some friends so my novel reading was put on pause but I found lots of picture books that are very worth celebrating!

Mitchell Goes Bowling written by Hallie Durand and illustrated by Tony Fucile

This book reminds me that Tony Fucile is fast becoming one of my very favourite illustrators. Wow has he captured the hilarity and drama of taking a little intense bowler to the bowling alley. Mitchell is very amusing – competitive (“Battle on!”), intense (“Awahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!) and dramatic (“I’m going home.”) Durand has perfectly depicted a first bowling experience with an energetic four year old and his suave bowling experienced Dad.

Anno’s Hat Tricks written by Akihiro Nozaki and illustrated by Mitsumasa Anno

I found this book (hardcover!) at a second hand store for $1.99 Yippee! Hurrah! I was instantly excited because I am such a fan of Mitsumasa Anno. But . . . I didn’t know what a treat I was in for. This is a math book, a logic book, a fantastic book to talk through numerous thinking puzzles. There are three children: Tom, Hannah and Shadowchild (who represents the reader) who wear different red and white hats. They can see the hats on the other children’s heads but not on their own. Can they figure out the colour of the hat on their head by clues and the colour of the hat on the other children?

Across the Alley written by Richard Michelson and illustrated by E.B. Lewis

It is the 1950s in New York City. Black and Jewish boys don’t mix. But Abe and Willie pay no attention to prejudice as they build their friendship by communicating through their bedroom windows. Baseball, violins and a big lesson in what friendship really can be and how it can inspire others to rethink segregation.

Animals Should Definitely not Wear Clothing by Judi Barrett and Ron Barrett

I first heard about this title thought the Nonfiction 10 for 10 event and so was pleasantly surprised to see this title in a new edition and in the new books section of my public library. I can see this book being well enjoyed in an interactive read aloud session with children as they marvel at the silly pictures that accompany a series of reasons why various animals should not wear clothing.

Kate, The Cat and the Moon written by David Almond and illustrated by Stephen Lambert

I read this book after dinner at friends last night as it was described by my friend as possibly the favourite picture book read aloud in 10 or so years of reading aloud to his children. It is a beautiful book – the text is worth rereading over and over before you even turn the page. Lyrical, full of beautiful cat like images. Kate hears mewing in the middle of the night and heads out to play with a cat visitor but not as a human girl – instead in lithe cat form. Delightful dream like fantasy and some lines to be treasured.

Mrs. Biddlebox written by Linda Smith and illustrated by Marla Frazee

Oh do I adore Mrs .Biddlebox and her grumpy antics! Frazee is SO talented.

Peaceful Piggy Meditation by Kerry Lee Maclean

A lovely introduction to mindful practices for children. A reminder for all of us really to take time to center and notice the small moments that make life so beautiful.

Looking Closely through the Forest by Frank Serafini

I will be using this beautiful nonfiction title before I take my class on a forest walk this spring. Mysterious close up photos of forest treasures that inspire the reader to want to climb right into the book and absorb the textures and sounds and smells that are hinted at through this visual treat.

I also finally got my hands on the latest Bink and Gollie title.

Bink and Gollie Friends Forever written by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee and illustrated by Tony Fucile.

Not enough pancakes and not enough height but absolutely enough snickering and giggling inspired by this third in the Bink and Gollie series! As one of little girls often says, “Bink and Gollie are the bestest characters for me!”

Next? Hoping to finish Living with Jackie Chan by Jo Knowles this evening and then read Rump by Liesl Shurtliff next!

Monday November 4th, 2013

Posted on November 3, 2013 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

A book filled week to be certain! Some of it was spent reading books. Much of it was reading books to my students. And laughing and wondering and being in awe. Shared a lot of our reading week on our new classroom blog in a new feature called That’s a Wrap!.

Here are my favourite picture books of the week:

Anna May’s Cloak written by Christiane Cicioli and illustrated by Susan Pearson

Isn’t this cover absolutely divine? This is a beautifully illustrated book that spans generations and weaves the importance of a blue cloak into the love of a family. Reminiscent of Something from Nothing by Phoebe Gilman.

Flood by Alvaro F. Villa

A powerful wordless title that looks at how nature can change everything for a family when a storm causes floodwaters to threaten the safety of their home. Powerful images of worry, upset and hope.

Chu’s Day written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Adam Rex

I always appreciate Adam Rex’s illustrations always but these are particularly adorable. A simple and exaggerated story line of a powerful little sneezer. I found this charming as I once taught a student who sneezed (always in threes) so loudly that he could be heard in every classroom on the same floor. A sneeze can be quite the thing!

The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli

This week some of my curious little students went exploring the Halloween display across the hall. The scattered candy proved too tempting and there was a little bit of tasting. Then there were rumours of the dangers of this oldish candy and oh, my, oh my! The anxiety set in and turned, for some, to full blown panic. We all calmed down, learned a lesson hopefully to not sample candy in a display but wow, did it prove that the worry of consuming something that maybe should not be consumed is a powerful stressor! This is the theme of this delightful little picture book told through sweet illustrations all pink, green and black and much humour. What happens when you swallow a seed? Will you end up as fruit salad? Sprouting vines?

Read and find out just what happens to this voracious watermelon muncher.

The Day the Crayons Quit written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

I know, I know. Everyone has read this book. And I just finally did. It wasn’t for lack of awareness! It just hadn’t happened. Love Jeffers. Love the voices. Fun all around. Mostly what I love is watching students sit and share this book together. One day last week, two girls chose reading this book (taking turns as different crayons) to a classroom volunteer over play time during choices. I think they might have had the most fun in the room!

Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring the Earth to Life by Molly Bang and Penny Chisholm

Gorgeously illustrated, this book conveys so much about the importance of sunlight and green plants to our life and survival. Nicely accessible for kids with lots of relevant and additional information in the back.

I’m a Frog! by Mo Willems

A purely whimsical celebration of pretend like only Elephant and Piggie can do it!

Clark the Shark

Posted on November 2, 2013 by carriegelson

Our BLG book this week was full of rhymes, funny sea creatures and lots of laughs. Deborah, our BLG reader read us Clark the Shark written by Bruce Hale and illustrated by Guy Francis. We were so excited to see Deborah return as one of our classroom readers again this year!

Clark is an exuberant student at Theodore Roosterfish Elementary School under the sea. He has a few (well, a lot actually) challenges with keeping calm and quiet in his classroom and plays a little too wildly during play time. How is he going to have more success and not annoy his friends? His teacher, Mrs. InkyDink (a beautiful octopus) gives him a mantra: “Stay Cool!” Clark finds that by repeating this often and by coming up with some other rhymes of advice, he can navigate his school day with more success. Our favourite was “Only munch your own lunch!” Clark sometimes forgot the “ask before taking your neighbour’s sandwiches” etiquette of the lunchroom!

Students were very attentive while listening to Deborah read aloud. They noticed the rhymes and alliteration and enjoyed repeating certain lines along with Deborah. There were some worries that Clark might just decide to eat all his fish friends (“But I don’t get it. He’s a shark. Sharks eat fishes. They do!”) Eventually, they relaxed into the book and even made up a few of their own rhymes full of school advice:

“When we sit on the rug to learn. Remember to take your turn!”

“Don’t shout out or your teacher will pout!”

Student reviewers respond:

Kassidy rates this book 5/5 and writes: I like Clark because he learns to stay cool. Clark is the nicest shark in the whole world. And that book is the coolest. Deborah is nice to all of us. She is the best. She is my favourite one.

Joeli rates this book 3/5 and writes: I wonder why all the names of the characters is like a rhyme. Why did Clark the Shark eat everybody’s lunch? Why he did not bring his own lunch box? When Sid the Squid came, why did he not watch his step because he stepped on the slide and the swing.

Kevin rates this book 5/5 and writes: I love the rhymes! How could a school be under water? If the shark is under water, he won’t eat the fish? I like when Clark the Shark stays cool in Main School.

Steven rates this book 5/5 and writes: Stay cool Deborah! I like the story. The shark was sad. I love books!

Soleen rates this book 5/5 and writes: My favourite part is when the teacher said stay cool. I enjoyed this book. I love the teacher’s name. I like the rhymes and the pictures. I wonder if the Squid will be friends with the Shark? I thought that part was amazing.

Kala rates this book 3.5/5 and writes: I loved the pictures most. My favourite picture was when the shark made a friend. Why was the shark so big? I think we should use “Stay cool in school!” for our class! So we will be the coolest class in the school!

Giovanni rates this book 4/5 and writes: I liked that Clark the Shark made friends with the Squid.

Andrew rates this book 5/5 and writes: My favourite part is when Clark helped Sid the Squid. To the author: Why is Clark’s Teacher named Mrs. InkyDink? I have a rhyme for you: Clark the Shark sitting in the park staying cool on April fools!

Heman rates this book 3/5 and writes: My favourite part is when Clark the Shark made friends with Sid. Everyone ran away from Sid the Squid except Clark the Shark. I think everyone ran away from Squid because they were afraid of him. I like the rhymes in this book.

Calvin rates this book 5/5 and writes: My favourite part is when the Big Kid Squid came down because it was funny.

Monday October 28th, 2013

Posted on October 27, 2013 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

I read a really diverse selection of picture books this week. Sharing my favourites here:

Just in Case: A Trickster Tale and Spanish Alphabet Book by Yuyi Morales

Well, I know all of about three words in Spanish (in Canada, we learn French as a second language) so this was a huge adventure for me. The reader gets to follow Señor Calvera, the skeleton from Day of the Dead celebrations as he rides along to Grandma Beetle’s birthday celebration. What gift is the perfect one? We get to sample possibilities from every letter of the Spanish alphabet. My favourite ideas? Una Escalera (a ladder to reach past the sky), Niebla (fog to play hide and seek in) and un Ombligo (a bread called belly button). What does he finally decide on? You must read to find out!

Scaredy Squirrel prepares for Halloween by Melanie Watt

Arranged in chapter book format, this title is an absolutely sought after commodity in my classroom. Only Scaredy Squirrel would need to prepare a “How to manage Halloween” manual. And he leaves nothing to chance! Loved the page on Getting to Know Your Halloween Candy!

Ah Ha! by Jeff Mack

Nearly wordless – the entire story is told using “A” and “H” (Ha Ha, Ahh, Ah Ha, you get the picture) and a number of brilliant illustrations which call on young readers to predict, infer and smile their way to the end of the book. A little frog is chased through these pages by a young frog collector and a number of dangerous predators! Who will get the last HA?!

The Snatchabook written by Helen Docherty and illustrated by Thomas Docherty

I think I want to give this gift to every new parent I know. It is a beautiful tribute to the important before bed read aloud experience shared together, snuggled close. What if you have nobody to read to you? What if you desperately wanted your own story time? Would you resort to being a book thief? This book explores these questions. Read my students’ reviews here.

Bee & Bird by Craig Frazier

If I could, I would make this suggestion for this wordless title. Go through it once and try to pay close attention. Go through it again and pay better attention. If things aren’t becoming clear, read it through again thinking “Is this what it seems?” Quite brilliant. Worthy of many reads and rereads as this little adventure of bee and bird is unveiled.

Lifetime: The Amazing Numbers in Animals’ Lives written by Lola Schaefer and illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal

Wow! Wow and wow! I think this book leaped into my hands at the bookstore and called to me. It went something like this, “How will you enjoy me? Let me count the ways!” There is counting and estimating and wondering and a whole bunch of other mathematical applications – rounding, multiplying, dividing, adding, subtracting, using fractions, understanding averages thinking about mean and median. But, this book is also a nonfiction title that reveals fascinating animal facts like – an alligator will lay over 550 eggs in one lifetime. Oh and . . . . Christopher Silas Neal (of the amazing illustrations in Over and Under the Snow)? So are you sold yet? The back of the book has much more information about each animal depicted in the first section – information about lifespan and other details that allow you to do all of the amazing math that this book inspires.

This title also happens to be my 60th nonfiction picture book read in 2013 which was the goal I made back in January when I joined Alyson Beecher‘s Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge!

And, yes, I did take this book home. Don’t you . . . when titles speak out so convincingly?

The First Drawing by Mordicai Gerstein

Inspired by questions and wondering about the discovery of cave paintings 30,000 years old. Gerstein thought what if . . . ? and this book came to be. Captivating.

In other reading . . .

I finished Touch Blue by Cynthia Lord

A quiet middle grade read that poses questions about family, belonging and finding home.

Finished reading Marty McGuire Digs Worms by Kate Messner to my class (read a selection of student reviews here). We are excited to begin a new chapter book read aloud this week.

I just began reading the short stories in The Chronicles of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg to my children even though we have another novel on the go and keep getting sidetracked by beautiful nonfiction titles I bring home.

Up next for me? I am reading Ivy & Bean #7 What’s the Big Idea so I can book talk it to students this week – it also has a saving the Earth theme like the Marty McGuire title. I am starting Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan tonight! Have been excited to read this title.

What are you reading?!