The Old Woman Who Named Things

Title: The Old Woman Who Named Things

Author: Cynthia Rylant

Copyright Date: 1996

Publisher: Voyager Books Harcourt Inc.

Possible Theme: Elderly, Life and Love, Loss, Shelter Dogs

Personal Response: This story is about an Old Woman that gives up on living attachments (even the four legged kind) being involved in her life. The woman has lived so long that many of her friends have died and she does not want to get attached to a little stray puppy that wanders along. The Old Woman did not want to be sad anymore (the loss was just so hurtful) and she did this by not naming the puppy. If she did not name the dog then she would not get attached. Nevertheless she names every other nonliving object! My favorite is her car called Franklin. Her plan hits a snag when the little stray dog is taken to a shelter. She realizes that getting attached not only helps her but can help others too. In the end she realizes how lucky she really is to have others in her life. This story is filled with meaning and really helps children to empathize with the old woman (not to mention elderly citizens in general). I also love that it emphasizes the need of shelter dogs and how pets can help people to heal!

Student Journal Entry: The Old Woman gives Lucky the best gift ever…a home! Lucky gives her a gift too! Lucky is her friend. Many times elderly individual don’t have many visitors. Write about things you could do to make elderly individuals feel loved and cared for.    

Activity: Make a T-Chart of nonliving things and living things in your house. Go around your house and find nonliving things to name then bring in a list of all the things with corresponding names. Is your favorite chair named Bethany? Does your favorite table look like a Billy Bob? 

Website: Click HERE to look up the meaning behind your name.

Marley and the Great Easter Egg Hunt

Title: Marley and the Great Easter Egg Hunt

Author: John Grogan

Copyright Date: 2013

Publisher: Harper

Possible Theme: Easter, Dogs, Humor 

Personal Response: I very much enjoyed the original adult book Marley and Me. I recommend it highly. When the author came out with Marley books for elementary age readers I couldn’t wait to check them out! The star of every book is the ever-hyper Marley (a Labrador retriever). In this book he goes with his family on an eggstravagant egg hunt only to find mischief along the way. This is a cute read around Easter. The kids love to read about Marley and tell hilarious stories about their own dogs.

Student Journal Entry: Marley really enjoyed his Easter egg hunt. Write about a time you went on an Easter egg hunt. If you have never done this, write about a pretend day with the ever-wild Marley.

Activity: Hide Easter eggs around the room for the students to find. Inside the eggs put their spelling words on a piece of paper. When they find the eggs they must bring them to the teacher and spell the word inside.

Check out these other Marley books:

Buddy Unchained

Title: Buddy Unchained

Author: Daisy Bix

Copyright Date: 2006

Publisher: The Gryphon Press

Possible Theme: Rescue Dogs, Responsibility, Mixed-Breeds

Personal Response: This book is a needed addition to all school and home libraries. Buddy Unchained is about a dog that had a very difficult early life, but was adopted and now has a beautiful forever home. It is written in a way that is easy for kids to understand and empathy with. All children should be introduced to the concept of responsible pet ownership. Sometimes people like to sugarcoat subjects that show pain, yet it’s very important to raise young people that know things like this exist in our world (in our neighborhoods). This book shows the concept without being too adult for little minds. This is an important book for all audiences.   

Student Journal Entry: Buddy’s first family was very mean, but his family now is super sweet and loving. Write about all the good experiences that you could give a dog (some dogs never get those wonderful family experiences).

Activity: Go to your local shelter and volunteer a few minutes of your time or have a toy/food drive for the animals. Every story deserves a happy ending!

Website: Click HERE to go to The Gryphon Press website. This publishing company is dedicated to being “a voice for the voiceless” by printing books that remind us of the bond humans and animals share. They publish books that show/remind us of our responsibility towards our furry companions.  

What Could Have Happened To Max?

Title: What Could Have Happened To Max?

Author: Annemarie Wilson

Copyright Date: 2008

Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing

Possible Theme: Responsibility, Pet Ownership

Personal Response: This book was written to show children that pets need protection. Many times children (or adults) will get a pet and then carelessly let them wander around outside alone. Some pet owners don’t even put a collar and nametag on their pets! This story tells the perils like dogfights, getting hit by cars, getting sick because they eat discarded trash, or becoming lost. The pet Max is lucky at the end and his family finds him at the local shelter, but many dogs aren’t that lucky. It shows children, in a questioning fashion, what could have happened. This book is tremendous at demonstrating how pet ownership includes a lot of responsibility and protection of your littlest furry family members.

Student Journal Entry: Max’s story had a happy ending, yet many times pets don’t get as lucky. Write down a list of things you could do to make your house dog friendly. Example: Make sure the fence has a lock, don’t leave small toys on the floor, put up all cleaning products, etc.…

Activity: Go outside. Get a partner and use chalk to draw a brainstorming web about Max’s difficulties outside alone. Draw another web that shows things people could do with their dog while keeping them leashed and safe. Remember that many of the difficulties could still happen leashed if they were left alone. Always stay close to your pet if they are having fun outside.

Website: Click HERE to learn about the Georgia SPCA and their programs that help the community learn about responsible pet ownership. 

Someday

Title: Someday

Author: Alison Meghee and Peter Reynolds

Copyright Date: 2007

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Possible Theme: Mother’s Day, Remembrance, Time Passing 

Personal Response: The book takes you down memory lane. It is a tender message from mother to daughter. The message is simple, yet it shows how life is a cycle and how remembering can help show us our future. I like reading this book during Mother’s Day week. It helps the students to discuss their mothers and what they hope for their own futures. It does not focus on big ideas; rather it focuses on little moments like brushing a daughter’s hair or walking in deep woods. Someday is a nice book that should be a Mother’s Day staple.  

Student Journal Entry: Pretend you could see your future. Write a paragraph about your future self.  

Activity: Draw a timeline with pictures of you from baby to grandparent (imagine what you will look like). Make sure to draw some of your favorite things around you. Example: baby with a teddy bear, grandparent with a good book.

Website: Click HERE for a blog that gives reviews of great children books. She absolutely loves Someday and gives many more book reviews that are great reads.