House Held Up By Trees (Ted Kooser/Jon Klassen)

Our classroom was full of the sillies today and I was a little worried that this book would be way too much for the moment. However, as we got reading they slowed down the sillies and started to really listen. In the end, the big question was whether or not that could really happen. The debate between the yes and no votes was interesting.

Might be a good book to reading during our City Wildlife unit in Open Court. The illustrations are beautiful and we could talk about how buildings that are not cared for start to fall apart.

Goodreads summary:

When the house was new, not a single tree remained on its perfect lawn to give shade from the sun. The children in the house trailed the scent of wild trees to neighboring lots, where thick bushes offered up secret places to play. When the children grew up and moved away, their father, alone in the house, continued his battle against blowing seeds, plucking out sprouting trees. Until one day the father, too, moved away, and as the empty house began its decline, the trees began their approach. At once wistful and exhilarating, this lovely, lyrical story evokes the inexorable passage of time — and the awe-inspiring power of nature to lift us up.

The Highest Number in the World (Roy MacGregor)

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It must be my Canadian roots. This picture book was difficult to read! On the last page when we decides she and her Grandmother will proudly wear the number 9, I could hardly finish it!

My class loved this story. They had plenty of stories to share about their favorite number, about hockey teams they've watched at the Saddledome, about other teams they've seen, and even about Lanny McDonald's #9 jersey that was retired here in Calgary.

Fun story! We loved it! I especially loved that it talks about the great Hayley Wickenhauser. Yea for girl hockey players!

Goodreads summary:

A riff on The Hockey Sweater for girls, an intergenerational story of the shared love of the sport, and a celebration of the storied Number 9 in hockey. 
     9-year-old Gabe (Gabriella) Murray lives and breathes hockey. She's the youngest player on her new team, she has a nifty move that her teammates call "the Gabe," and she shares a lucky number with her hero, Hayley Wickenheiser: number 22. But when her coach hands out the team jerseys, Gabe is stuck with number 9. Crushed, Gabe wants to give up hockey altogether. How can she play without her lucky number? Gabe's grandmother soon sets her straight, though--from her own connection to the number 9 in her hockey-playing days to all the greats she cheered for who wore it, she soon convinces Gabe that this new number might not be so bad after all. 

     A lovely intergenerational tale and a history of the storied number 9 in hockey, The Highest Number in the World is a must-have for any hockey fan.

The Dot (Peter Reynolds)

Update:

We celebrated Dot Day this year at my school, thanks to our fabulous art teacher. We all read the book and she had us leave our mark. So cool!

Originally posted Nov 28, 2014

GoodReads summary:

Her teacher smiled. "Just make a mark and see where it takes you."

Art class is over, but Vashti is sitting glued to her chair in front of a blank piece of paper. The words of her teacher are a gentle invitation to express herself. But Vashti can’t draw - she’s no artist. To prove her point, Vashti jabs at a blank sheet of paper to make an unremarkable and angry mark. "There!" she says.

That one little dot marks the beginning of Vashti’s journey of surprise and self-discovery. That special moment is the core of Peter H. Reynolds’s delicate fable about the creative spirit in all of us.

We read this book as part of our character lessons on influence. The children pointed out how the teacher was an influence on Vashti and helped her realize her talents, and then Vashti was able to be an influence on someone else.

Now, everytime one of my students gives me a drawing and I ask them to sign it, they smile. :)

The Great Granny Gang (Judith Kerr)

Really cute story. It made us laugh to think of an actually granny gang. Some of the words/phrases were a little tricky and the rhymes a little awkward...but easily overlooked. We really enjoyed this story.

On Goodreads there were many glowing reviews about Judith Kerr. I wasn't aware of any of her other books. Must check them out.

About Judith Kerr, Wikipedia says:

Judith Kerr is a German-born British writer and illustrator who has created both enduring picture books such as the Mog series and The Tiger Who Came To Tea and acclaimed novels for older children such as the autobiographical When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit which give a child's-eye view of the Second World War.

Kerr was born in Berlin but left Germany with her parents and her brother, Michael Kerr, in 1933, soon after the Nazis first came to power. They were forced to leave as her father, noted drama critic, journalist and screenwriter Alfred Kerr, had openly criticised the Nazis. His books were burned by the Nazis shortly after the family fled Germany. They travelled first to Switzerland and then on into France, before finally settling in Britain, where she has lived ever since. She subsequently became a naturalised British citizen. 

I'm Not Reading (Johnathan Allen)

I'm not reading seemed a silly title at first. Why would anyone be NOT reading??

Our class really enjoyed the humor. Imagine having more and more and more chicks come and want to read a story with you. Owl is a littel bothered but we thought it was quite delightful!

Goodreads summary:

Adorable, irresistible Baby Owl (I'm Not Sleepy!) is back! This time, he has a beloved book in hand and he's eager to begin. But then along comes Tiny Chick, who begs Baby Owl to read to him. Before you can say “once upon a time,” they're joined by a crowd: Tiny Chick's brothers and sisters and cousins and friends all want a story, too. Soon Baby Owl is smothered by lots of fluffy chicks. How can he EVER read? Fantastic fun with a favorite character. 

Meet the Dullards (Sara Pennypacker)

At first, when we read this story, my students weren't quite sure how to take it. Why in the world would someone WANT to be so dull? As we got more into the story they began to really enjoy the irony of it all. Who really wants to watch paint dry? Who chooses to watch the black screen on the tv? Do parents really want to inflict boring lives on their children? Well, the Dullards do! This is an entertaining story with sophisticated humor.

Goodreads summary:

In the tradition of The Stupids, Meet the Dullards is a clever and irreverent picture book about a comically boring family, from bestselling author Sara Pennypacker and illustrator Daniel Salmieri.

Their home is boring. Their food is plain. Their lives are monotonous. And Mr. and Mrs. Dullard like it that way.

But their children—Blanda, Borely, and Little Dud—have other ideas. . . .

Never has dullness been so hilarious than in this deadpan, subversive tale.

I Just Don't Like the Sound of No! (Julia Cook)

We had a little incident in our classroom where I had asked a student not to take something out at recess. He put it back and then when I wasn't looking, snuck it out to play with anyway. Not good. Not good at all.

Luckily, we have a brilliant and resourceful librarian. I asked her if she had any books on this kind of situation and she came up with this one. I had the student take the book and read it and answer some questions:

What is this book about?
What is the lesson we learn in the book?
Why do you think I picked this book for you to read?

He and I then talked about what he had done and how relationships are strengthened when we are respectful towards one another.

Today I read the book to our class and we talked about it again. It was an opportunity to reinforce the lesson with the one student and to teach everyone else as well (without singling out this child, of course!)

The book teaches how to accept no as the answer:

LOOK right at the person who is telling you "no".

Say 'OKAY' to the person, he's running the show.

STAY CALM on the inside and don't disagree.

You can ASK him why later, this is how you should be.


The book also talks about how to respectfully disagree:

LOOK right at the person when you disagree.

Don't scream or use mean words, be the BEST you can be.

Tell why you feel differently, give your REASONS with facts.

LISTEN closely to what she says, this is how you should act.


Goodreads summary:

NO is RJ s least favorite word . . . and he tries his best to convince his dad, his mom, and his teacher to turn No into Maybe or We ll see or Later or I ll think about it. Even though he doesn t have much success, RJ keeps arguing until his teacher suggests that he try to join her classroom s Say YES to NO Club. If RJ can learn how to accept No for an answer and to disagree appropriately with his teacher and parents, he can add his name to the club s Star Board. RJ finds that lots of praise and some rewards come his way when he uses these skills the right way!

Author Julia Cook helps K-6 readers laugh and learn along with RJ as he understands the benefits of demonstrating these social skills both at home and in school. Tips for parents and educators on how to teach and encourage kids to use the skills of accepting No for an answer and disagreeing appropriately are included in the book.

I Just Don t Like the Sound of NO! is another title in the BEST ME I Can Be! series of books from the Boys Town Press to teach children social skills that can make home life happier and school more successful.

This book is also available with an accompanying CD audio book, read by the author. Winner of the 2011 MOM's Choice Award Honoring Excellence and the National Parenting Center's 'Seal of Approval.'