Charlie the Ranch Dog

Title: Charlie the Ranch Dog

Author: Ree Drummond

Copyright Date: 2011

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Possible Theme: Ranches, Dogs, Helping Out

Personal Response: Okay, so I have a few mutts that act a lot like hound dogs so I’m often drawn to books that have a main character like Charlie. He’s a lovable hound that kids (and adults) love from the start. Charlie is always napping, eating, or howling! His good hound dog heart will absolutely tug on yours. In this adventure he helps save the garden from a cow…does not sound like much but it is so cute. Charlie the Ranch Dog has a few books out and in each book there is a recipe included. You see, the author is called “The Pioneer Woman” and she has a cooking show on Food Network. In this book the recipe is for Charlie’s Favorite Lasagna and it includes antidotes like “wink at your doggie” and “tell your doggie it won’t be long”. Plus there is a picture of the real Charlie on the back over. A really fun read!

Student Journal Entry: Charlie and Suzie love doing chores on the ranch. Write a list of chores that might be done if you lived on a ranch or farm.

Activity: Charlie and Suzie have pictures with labels this is called a diagram. Charlie points out his droopy eyes, floppy skin, and dangly ears. Draw a picture of yourself and label your features. Example: beautiful brown eyes, long gorgeous hair, stunning dress, etc. Have fun with it!

Website: Click HERE to view “The Pioneer Woman” website that shows real pictures of Charlie with updates of his ranch activities. 

Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You

Title: Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You

Author: Nancy Tillman

Copyright Date: 2010

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Possible Theme: Love, Mother’s or Father’s Day

Personal Response: The title says it all. The constant acknowledgement of being loved is repeated throughout this lovely book. During Mother’s Day I have the students each read a page out loud for their mothers. You could tape it and put a video online or put on a reading during Muffin’s for Moms. Nancy Tillman also did the illustrations, which are fantastical and whimsical creations. They include dancing bears, giraffes picking apples, kangaroos on a trampolines, and pandas siting on a park bench. But, the best part of this book is the constant reassurance it gives children to know they are loved!  

Student Journal Entry: The illustrations in this book are silly and fun. Draw an illustration like in the book, but use a different animals and activity. Write another page that could be included in this book.

Activity: On each page there are “magical” glitter like stars that follow the child. They represent a parent’s love. Make your mom and dad a star shaped card. Add some glitter around the edges!

If I Ran the School

Title: If I Ran the School

Author: Bruce Lansky

Copyright Date: 2005

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.

Possible Theme: Poetry, School, Silly Poems

Personal Response: I love poetry! I love it when young children are introduced to funny poems that make them fall to the ground and laugh out loud. This short book of poems does just that! Have a poem reading and let each child read a different poem in front of the class. If you can get them to act out the poem then they will remember it for years. The kids love to get this book out during reading center time and show their friends the poems they like best. Good fun!

My favorite:

I Should Have Studied

I didn’t study for the test

and now I’m feeling blue.

I copied off your paper

and I flunked it just like you.

by Bruce Lansky

Website: Visit these two websites for funny kid friendly poems. Some of the poems are even audio so they are read to the child.

Giggle Poetry – Click HERE

Poetry 4 Kids – Click HERE

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!