The Three Questions

Title: The Three Questions

Author: Jon J. Muth

Copyright Date: 2002

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Possible Theme: Life, Questions, Knowledge

Personal Response: A friend recommended this intriguing book. It is based off a story by Leo Tolstoy. In this story a young boy asks three important questions: When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do? He obtains his answers by venturing to see an old wise turtle. This book gives the message that one has to live in the moment. It is a perfect tale to read to children who are always questioning.  

Student Journal Entry: Imagine you were in the story. How would you answer the three questions?

Activity: In the story the boy asked the three questions to his animal friends. Rewrite the story using different animals. How would the answers change at the beginning?

Website: Click HERE to see a YouTube Video of the story.

Leah's Pony

Title: Leah’s Pony

Author: Elizabeth Friedrich

Copyright Date: 1996

Publisher: Boyds Mills Press

Possible Theme: Resilience, Dust Bowl, 1930s, Family

Personal Response: This historical fiction story takes place in the 1930s during the Dust Bowl era. It’s about a farming girl and her family overcoming hard times. The main character Leah loves her pony but has to make a hard choice about giving the pony up in order to help her family save their farm. This story teaches young children about the Great Depression in a child friendly way. It also has some thought-provoking vocabulary that many children have not heard before like auction, drought, and loan. The happy ending makes me tear up every time. The neighbors really help this family and it shows the determination of the human sprit through difficult situations.

Student Journal Entry: Imagine you lived during the Dust Bowl. The families made sure to save money. In the story Leah’s mama had to use dishwater to water her flowers. Brainstorm some idea about how you could reuse items around your house. Write down your best ideas.

Activity: Have a pretend auction in your classroom.

Website: Click HERE. Attached are photos of The Great Depression.

Before You Were Mine

Title: Before You Were Mine

Author: Maribeth Boelts

Copyright Date: 2007

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Possible Theme: Dogs, Adopted, Shelters, Hope

Personal Response: This book is a heartwarming story about a boy that wonders about the life his adopted shelter dog might have had before he was brought home to live with him. It talks about how the dog might have had a very difficult life. In the end of the story the book gives the lasting message that it does not matter because they’ll never know. What does matter is that the dog is safe and cared for nowadays and the present is the most important thing! This is an outstanding book to teach children compassion for animals by speculating experiences that happen to many stray animals everyday. Many children don’t know about the happiness that can be obtained by adopting a dog in need at a shelter (for both the animal and person). Before You Were Mine helps students connect the adopting process to an actual furry life. Just a wonderful and meaningful book! 

Student Journal Entry: Do you have an adopted pet? Contemplate what their life was like before you adopted him/her. Write about what their life might have been like and what it is like now. If you don’t have an adopted pet, write a paragraph from an adopted pet’s perspective about how good their life is now after finding their forever home!

Activity: Draw a before and after illustration for this title, “The Life of a Shelter Dog!”

Website: Click HERE. Go to the Humane Society’s website and read some success stories from the adoption page.

The Night Before Mother's Day

Title: The Night Before Mother’s Day

Author: Natasha Wing

Copyright Date: 2010

Publisher: Grosset and Dunlap (Penguin Group Inc.)

Possible Theme: Mother’s Day, Celebrations

Personal Response: Everyone has read the classic story The Night Before Christmas. This story takes the same cute rhyming tone but has a Mother’s Day theme. It is great to read around the holiday to help kids think of ideas that they can do to make Mother’s Day unique. I especially like the massage and mud mask idea!  Natasha also has a whole series of The Night Before books. There is The Night Before Easter, St. Patrick’s Day Thanksgiving, etc. 

Student Journal Entry: Write a fancy Mother’s Day card telling your mom why she is so extraordinary to you.

Activity: Make special coupons for your mother to use. Will you clean your room, walk the dog, or make her breakfast in bed?

Website: Check out Natasha Wing’s website, click HERE.