Bibliographic Data:
Henkes, Kevin. 2004. Kitten's First Full Moon. New York: Greenwillow Books.
ISBN 0060588292
Summary:
Kitten is young and naive about the world surrounding her. After seeing her first full moon, which she mistakes as a large bowl of milk, she sets off to get a sip. She encounters many obstacles along the way. After each problem there is the phrase, "There was the little bowl of milk, just waiting." Finally Kitten makes her way home tired and defeated, only to find a bowl of milk "just waiting for her."
Critical Analysis:
Kevin Henkes' journey of a little kitten could serve as inspiration to younger children. The world can be a big place filled with scary things, but you can not be afraid to explore and go after what you want. Mr. Henkes also shows that there will be a safe place to come to at the end of a hard day. The simple pictures help younger children to process the story and does not overload the senses with color and busy pictures.
Awards and Review Excerpt:
2005 Caldecott Medal
Notable Children's Books: 2005
Booklist Editor's Choice: Books for Youth, 2004
BOOKLIST review: "Henkes’ text, reminiscent of Margaret Wise Brown’s work in the elemental words, rhythms, and appealing sounds, tells a warm, humorous story that’s beautifully extended in his shimmering, gray-toned artwork."
Connections:
Teacher could have students think of a different animal and rewrite the story.
Students could write about something they desire and the steps they would go through to get that object.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Your Pal Mo Willems Presents Leonardo the Terrible Monster
Bibliographic Data:
Williams, Mo. 2005. Your Pal Mo Willems Presents Leonardo the Terrible Monster. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.
ISBN: 0786852941
Summary:
Leonardo wants to be a horrible monster, just like the other monsters he admires. However, Leonardo can not scare anyone. He decides to research to find the perfect kid and "scare the tuna salad out of him!" His research leads him to a boy named Sam. Leonardo thinks that he is finally successful after Sam begins to cry. He soon realizes he has nothing to do with Sam's crying, as Sam tells him a list of horrible events that have taken place that day. Leonardo then decides that being a friend to Sam would be much more rewarding than scaring him.
Critical Analysis:
Children of all ages can relate to both characters in this story. Sam is having a day in which everything seems to be going wrong from trouble with his siblings to having a bird poo on him. Children can relate to having a day like that and just not knowing what to do. Willems shows the frustration and overwhelming feelings Sam is having by overwhelming the page with text. Children get a sense of how Sam is feeling when they see and read that page. They also can relate to Leonardo, as the outsider monster who just wants to be like everyone else. The story teaches children that they do not have to be like everyone else to enjoy themselves. Mo Willems show children that sometimes all people need is a friend to get them through a rough patch. Children also have time to process and think on the pages that have no words and only illustrations. The reader gets a chance to think about what is going on in the picture.
Review Excerpts:
Horn Book review: "Willems's story plays out like a theatrical performance on tall, uncluttered, muted-color pages."
Connections:
Students can read Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day By Judith Viorst to compare Alexander from that story and Sam from this story.
Students could write about a time they just needed a friend.
Students could draw themselves as a monster and explain their special way of scaring the "tuna salad" out of someone.
Students make a poster advertising themselves as a friend. They could list all the things that make them a great friend. They could make a Glogster, instead of paper poster, if computers are available.
Williams, Mo. 2005. Your Pal Mo Willems Presents Leonardo the Terrible Monster. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.
ISBN: 0786852941
Summary:
Leonardo wants to be a horrible monster, just like the other monsters he admires. However, Leonardo can not scare anyone. He decides to research to find the perfect kid and "scare the tuna salad out of him!" His research leads him to a boy named Sam. Leonardo thinks that he is finally successful after Sam begins to cry. He soon realizes he has nothing to do with Sam's crying, as Sam tells him a list of horrible events that have taken place that day. Leonardo then decides that being a friend to Sam would be much more rewarding than scaring him.
Critical Analysis:
Children of all ages can relate to both characters in this story. Sam is having a day in which everything seems to be going wrong from trouble with his siblings to having a bird poo on him. Children can relate to having a day like that and just not knowing what to do. Willems shows the frustration and overwhelming feelings Sam is having by overwhelming the page with text. Children get a sense of how Sam is feeling when they see and read that page. They also can relate to Leonardo, as the outsider monster who just wants to be like everyone else. The story teaches children that they do not have to be like everyone else to enjoy themselves. Mo Willems show children that sometimes all people need is a friend to get them through a rough patch. Children also have time to process and think on the pages that have no words and only illustrations. The reader gets a chance to think about what is going on in the picture.
Review Excerpts:
Horn Book review: "Willems's story plays out like a theatrical performance on tall, uncluttered, muted-color pages."
Connections:
Students can read Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day By Judith Viorst to compare Alexander from that story and Sam from this story.
Students could write about a time they just needed a friend.
Students could draw themselves as a monster and explain their special way of scaring the "tuna salad" out of someone.
Students make a poster advertising themselves as a friend. They could list all the things that make them a great friend. They could make a Glogster, instead of paper poster, if computers are available.
Make Way for Ducklings
Bibliographic Data:
McCloskey, Robert. 1941. Make Way for Ducklings. New York: The Viking Press.
ISBN 0140564349
Summary:
Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are on the hunt for the perfect spot to raise their ducklings. They locate a place that seems to be wonderful, the Public Garden, and even has a large swan that carries people on the pond. The ducks swim over to say hello to the swan and are delighted when the people throw peanuts to them. However, they quickly realize this perfect place can be dangerous for little ducklings. They fly away and find a quiet place to begin the ducklings life. Everything is great but one day Mr. Mallard decides to explore the rest of the locations. Mrs. Mallard stays behind and teaches the ducklings everything they need to know to survive. When she thinks they are ready they set up to join Mr. Mallard in the Public Garden. With some traffic control help from the police department, Mrs. Mallard and the duckling safely make their way to the Public Garden where they live a happy life.
Critical Analysis:
Robert McCloskey tells the story of a duck family finding their way through a busy city fulled with people and often dangerous obstacles. He shows that the family can make a scary move and make it through with a little help. He shows children that police officers are there to protect and keep everyone safe. The illustrations with the police out in the city are chaotic and jumbled, while the illustrations with Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are calm and serene.
Awards:
1942 Caldecott Medal
Review Excerpts:
Horn Book review: "The text is remarkable for the smooth integration of explanatory material with overall commentary, and selective detail creates a sense of intimacy and understanding."
Connections:
This would be a good story to share with a younger children who has recently moved and having a difficult time. They could talk about the hard times the ducks face and how they get through them. This could lead to discussions about his or her own move and difficulties they have faced.
Students could rewrite the story with a different animal trying to find a home in a busy city.
Compare and contrast the ducklings in Three Ducks Went Wondering by Ron Roy and the ducklings in this story.
McCloskey, Robert. 1941. Make Way for Ducklings. New York: The Viking Press.
ISBN 0140564349
Summary:
Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are on the hunt for the perfect spot to raise their ducklings. They locate a place that seems to be wonderful, the Public Garden, and even has a large swan that carries people on the pond. The ducks swim over to say hello to the swan and are delighted when the people throw peanuts to them. However, they quickly realize this perfect place can be dangerous for little ducklings. They fly away and find a quiet place to begin the ducklings life. Everything is great but one day Mr. Mallard decides to explore the rest of the locations. Mrs. Mallard stays behind and teaches the ducklings everything they need to know to survive. When she thinks they are ready they set up to join Mr. Mallard in the Public Garden. With some traffic control help from the police department, Mrs. Mallard and the duckling safely make their way to the Public Garden where they live a happy life.
Critical Analysis:
Robert McCloskey tells the story of a duck family finding their way through a busy city fulled with people and often dangerous obstacles. He shows that the family can make a scary move and make it through with a little help. He shows children that police officers are there to protect and keep everyone safe. The illustrations with the police out in the city are chaotic and jumbled, while the illustrations with Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are calm and serene.
Awards:
1942 Caldecott Medal
Review Excerpts:
Horn Book review: "The text is remarkable for the smooth integration of explanatory material with overall commentary, and selective detail creates a sense of intimacy and understanding."
Connections:
This would be a good story to share with a younger children who has recently moved and having a difficult time. They could talk about the hard times the ducks face and how they get through them. This could lead to discussions about his or her own move and difficulties they have faced.
Students could rewrite the story with a different animal trying to find a home in a busy city.
Compare and contrast the ducklings in Three Ducks Went Wondering by Ron Roy and the ducklings in this story.
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