Seriously, Cinderella is So Annoying!

Title: Seriously, Cinderella is So Annoying!

Author: Trisha Speed Shaskan

Copyright Date: 2012

Publisher: Picture Window Books

Possible Theme: Fairy Tales, Fractured Stories, Point of View

Personal Response: This is Cinderella but told by the wicked stepmother. This fractured fairy tale is hilarious. Cinderella is portrayed as a silly girl who loves to talk constantly. The stepmother is portrayed as the poor target of a chatty storyteller that won’t stop dreaming.  The students really enjoy hearing this story because it makes them think about how the old fairy tales can be retold.  

Student Journal Entry: Write another version of Cinderella from a different character’s point of view.

Activity: Read a classical version of Cinderella and make a Venn-Diagram comparing both versions (not the Grimm Version…scary).

Nate the Great, Where Are You?

Title: Nate the Great, Where Are You?

Author: Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

Copyright Date: 2014

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Possible Theme: Mystery, Detective, Disguises

Personal Response: Nate the Great books are a favorite of mine for first and second grade students. There are several mystery books featuring Nate and his best dog sidekick Sludge. They all have less than ten mini chapters (this book has eight) and they keep many of the same characters. Your students will get attached to Nate’s friends and their silly quirks! My personal favorite is Rosamond and her many black cats. In this story Nate and Sludge are reminded that being themselves is an excellent thing to be.

Student Journal Entry: Did you solve the mysteries before Nate? Write down all the clues that Nate used to solve the mysteries.

Activity: Nate loves pancakes! Make a pancake menu featuring items related to the story. Example: Sludge’s bone shaped strawberry pancakes or Little Hex’s fishy breakfast omelet.  

Website: Click HERE to read about many more Nate the Great Books!

A Mama for Owen

Title: A Mama for Owen

Author: Marion Dane Bauer

Copyright Date: 2007

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Possible Theme: Family, Hippopotamus, Tortoise, Friends, Africa

Personal Response: A Mama for Owen is a true tale of a baby hippo (named Owen) losing his mother in a flood. Owen was rescued by the wildlife service and brought to a nature preserve. There he befriended a 130 year old tortoise named Mzee. Owen follows Mzee, sleeps with his head on Mzee, and eats alongside Mzee. This story makes me tear up every time I read it. The illustrations by John Butler show such emotion. It’s a story that really portrays that animals have feelings of friendship and belonging.

Student Journal Entry: Friends can help you during hard times. Mzee was a good friend to Owen. Write about a time you needed a good friend?

Activity: A hippo and a tortoise are two unlikely friends. Draw a picture of other animals that would not normally become friends.

Website: Click HERE to find real pictures of Owen and Mzee. There is also a documentary, fun games, and facts about the nature preserve that took in Owen and Mzee.

We All Have A Heritage

Title: We All Have A Heritage

Author: Sandy Lynne Holman

Copyright Date: 2002

Publisher: The Culture C.O.O.P.

Possible Theme: Heritage, Diversity, Ancestors

Personal Response: This book tells about the diversity of all people. It has beautiful illustrations on every page. You could use this book when discussing “about me” writing or just as a lesson on history and how it influences who we are. This book is simple yet it hits on many topics such as ancestors, traditions, names, races, languages, holidays, etc. Yet the underlining thought is always “we all” have a heritage. It is nice for children to see that even if we are different it also means we are the same because everyone is human and our good actions towards others is what really matters.

Student Journal Entry: Write about a tradition that your household celebrates. Share your tradition with the class.

Activity: Does your family have a special traditional custom that they would like to share? Have parents come in and share special costumes or fancy clothes, cultural food, or maybe a traditional song/game.

Website: The culture C.O.O.P. (caring, optimistic, open minded, people) website HERE promotes understanding and respect for diversity.

Sing, Pierrot, Sing

Title: Sing, Pierrot, Sing

Author: Tomie dePaola

Copyright Date: 1983

Publisher: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Publishers

Possible Theme: Love, Friends, Mimes

Personal Response: This wordless picture book tells the story of a mime that falls in love. I know what you’re thinking…a mime. I know mimes seem creepy but this one is lovable. This book is perfect for teaching a lesson on illustrations. Sometimes illustrations can tell more about emotion than words. This story gets students thinking about how you can tell a story without the written word and it makes them think about how much attention they are giving their illustration during write/draw time. It also gives a great lesson on empathy for others. 

Student Journal Entry: How does the mime feel at the beginning, middle, and end of the story? How can you help someone who is feeling blue?

Activity: Play “mime” and act out the events of the story. Make your own mini book using only pictures.