Orris and Timble (Kate DiCamillo)

 

Great discussions that could come from this story:
What makes you feel safe and loved?
How has friendship saved you? 
Can enemies become friends?

Book 2 comes out at the end of September. I can't wait to see what other stories Orris tells Timble! 

Goodreads says:

From beloved storyteller Kate DiCamillo comes the first book in a warm and funny early-reader trilogy about a misanthropic rat and a naive owl—and the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Orris the rat lives alone in an old barn surrounded by his treasures, until the day his solitude is disrupted by a sudden flutter of wings and a loud screech. A small owl has gotten caught in a trap in the barn. Can Orris “make the good and noble choice” (as the king on his prized sardine can might recommend) and rescue the owl, despite the fact that owls and rats are natural enemies? And if he does, will he be ready for the consequences? With humor and tenderness, two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo brings us this first of three tales celebrating unlikely friendship and the power of sharing stories and doing the right thing—a soon-to-be classic brought to expressive life by the full-color illustrations of Carmen Mok.

Diary of a Worm (Doreen Cronin)

 

Today it was raining and there were HUGE rooms in our courtyard. I gave my students buckets and they went out and gathered up the worms who were trying to move to a new home to help them out. This book seemed like the perfect way to end the day.

Best line was when he tells his sister to quit looking in the mirror because her face looks just like her butt. LOL 


We also watched this video to learn some more about worms:

Goodreads says:

This is the diary . . . of a worm. Surprisingly, a worm not that different from you or me: He lives with his parents, plays with his friends, and even goes to school. But unlike you or me, he never has to take a bath, he gets to eat his homework, and because he doesn't have legs, he just can't do the hokey pokey -- no matter how hard he tries. Oh, and his head looks a lot like his rear end.

Doreen Cronin, the New York Times best-selling author of Click, Clack, Moo and Giggle, Giggle, Quack, teams up with illustrator Harry Bliss for this hysterical journal about the daily doings and the hidden world of a lovable underground dweller.

Even The Smallest Will Grow (Lita Judge)

 

This is a beautifully written story. It made me want to put all her other titles on hold! 

Goodreads says:

Beloved author-illustrator Lita Judge reminds readers that even the biggest and bravest were once small...and even the smallest can become anything they choose to be.

There is strength in even
the smallest things.
Just as a bird grows
within her egg,
and a cub becomes
a brave big bear,
you too will grow.
Patience, little one.
And remember…
even the smallest will grow.

This beautiful and comforting book reassures children that the world is not too big but rather a place where there is room for everyone—and time enough to grow.

Homes in the Wild: Where Baby Animals and Their Parents Live (Lita Judge)

 

I wish we still did the life cycles unit! This would have been perfect for the parenting part. Beautiful illustrations and LOTS of information in this non-fiction book.

Goodreads says:

As informative as it is lovely, Homes in the Wild is an adorable nonfiction picture book from author/illustrator Lita Judge that shows that wild creatures―from beavers to bobcats, and sloths to squirrels―aren't so different from us after all.

Just like us, every baby animal has a home. Some live in complex burrows deep underground, others in simple nests high in the treetops. But all homes, regardless of where they are or how they're built, serve the same providing shelter where a baby can eat, sleep, learn, and stay safe while growing up.

Animal lovers will delight in this gorgeously illustrated peek inside the homes―from burrows deep underground to nests high in the trees―where baby animals live and grow.

A 2020 NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12

The Smallest Owlet (Georgia Graham)

 

The illustrations in this book are captivating. I know my students would sit and listen in awe as they learned some great facts about owls. 

Goodreads says:

Join the owls in the aspen grove as they nurture and raise their young through winter, spring, and summer. Using their superior eyesight, sound absorbing feathers, and powerful talons they have the hunting skills they need to constantly deliver prey to their young. But the owlets need to be protected as well as fed. The Smallest Owlet is based on a true story that happened in the aspen grove behind Georgia Graham's house where an owlet fell from its nest. Mother Owl stayed on the ground with the owlet, heroically protecting it until its flight feathers developed.

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies (Joyce Sidman)

 

This is a story of a girl from the 1600 and 1700s and her fascination with insects. It was interesting to read about the things they used to think (insects came from dung and/or mud and butterflies were known as summer birds that came out from somewhere in the summer only) and how it changed and the role she played. It is really the story of Maria Merian's life. The author creatively organized her life into chapters connected to the butterfly life cycle (egg, hatching, molting, pupa, etc.) I don't think this is really a children's book though. The vocabulary is definitely beyond your average eight year old. However, it is in the J section at the library. I hope that doesn't mean it will become an undiscovered treasure.

Goodreads says:

In this beautiful nonfiction biography, a Robert F. Sibert Medal winner, the Newbery Honor-winning author Joyce Sidman introduces readers to one of the first female entomologists and a woman who flouted convention in the pursuit of knowledge and her passion for insects.

One of the first naturalists to observe live insects directly, Maria Sibylla Merian was also one of the first to document the metamorphosis of the butterfly.

Richly illustrated throughout with full-color original paintings by Merian herself, The Grew Who Drew Butterflies will enthrall young scientists.

Bugs, of all kinds, were considered to be "born of mud" and to be "beasts of the devil." Why would anyone, let alone a girl, want to study and observe them? The Girl Who Drew Butterflies answers this question.


Booklist Editor's ChoiceChicago Public Library Best of the YearKirkus Best Book of the Year Bulletin Blue Ribbon BookJunior Library Guild SelectionNew York Public Library Top 10 Best Books of the Year

Butterflies are Pretty....Gross! (Rosemary Mosco)

 

Perfect for our animal life cycles unit!

Goodreads says:

Warning--this book contains top-secret information about butterflies! Prepare to be shocked and grossed out by this hilarious and totally true picture book introduction to a fascinating insect.

Butterflies are beautiful and quiet and gentle and sparkly . . . but that's not the whole truth. Butterflies can be GROSS. And one butterfly in particular is here to let everyone know! Talking directly to the reader, a monarch butterfly reveals how its kind is so much more than what we think. Did you know some butterflies enjoy feasting on dead animals, rotten fruit, tears and even poop? Some butterflies are loud, like the Cracker butterfly. Some are stinky -- the smell scares predators away. Butterflies can be sneaky, like the ones who pretend to be ants to get free babysitting.

This hilarious and refreshing book with silly and sweet illustrations explores the science of butterflies and shows that these insects are not the stereotypically cutesy critters we often think they are -- they are fascinating, disgusting, complicated and amazing creatures.

Hey, Little Ant (Phillip and Hannah Hoose)

 

Whenever we do our animal life cycles unit, kids are grossed out by insects. My goal always is to get them to realize that insects are really cool! This book will fit perfectly in our unit. The best page is the one where you turn the book and the ant is looking WAAAAY up at the boy.

Goodreads says:

What would you do if the ant you were about to step on looked up and started talking? Would you stop and listen? What if your friends saw you hesitate? That’s what happens in this funny, thought-provoking book. Originally a song by a father-daughter team, this conversation between two creatures, large and small, is bound to inspire important discussions. It might even answer that classic childhood question: To squish or not to squish?

Squidtoons: Exploring Ocean Science with Comics (Garfield Kwan and Dana Song)

Non-fiction graphic novels are a win! Lots of funny stuff and plenty of facts to satisfy kids. This one is a winner!

Goodreads says:

Dive deep into the latest, most interesting (and weirdest!) science about underwater creatures with Squidtoons!

These educational comics combine fun science facts about marine life and a strong environmental message. From whale vomit to bone-eating worms, narwhals to sea dragons, Squidtoons presents real ocean science in a series of easy-to-understand comics. Venture from the seashore to the deep sea, and learn about the ocean’s diverse life forms straight from the experts.

Trumpet of the Swan (EB White)

I read Trumpet of the Swan years ago and loved it. I can't remember exactly when it was: university? when I was younger? I always have wanted to read it with my students and always encourage them to read it. However, I don't think I had re-read it until now. Now that I've re-read it, it may be one that I don't recommend. The father swan (cob) says weird things about having a son with a disability. They may be things that were more acceptable "back in the day" but now, it is kind of shocking. However, I do love Louis' stick-to-itness and problem solving. 

Re-read June 2022: One of my students had read this book aloud with his brother and mom and really wanted to have it as a read-aloud in class and he persuaded the others to vote for it. I would have never chosen it, but it was a good experience. I skipped through some of the long descriptive and repetitive language (oh EB, you can go on and on!)  and changed some words (First Nation's boy instead of indian, happy instead of gay, strange instead of queer, etc.). Since we were doing animal life cycles right now and our Open Court unit, City Wildlife, it fit in quite well!

We also watched the movie and it wasn't a big hit. The kids said it's old-style animation (sheesh!)


Goodreads says:

Like the rest of his family, Louis is a trumpeter swan. But unlike his four brothers and sisters, Louis can't trumpet joyfully. In fact, he can't even make a sound. And since he can't trumpet his love, the beautiful swan Serena pays absolutely no attention to him.

Louis tries everything he can think of to win Serena's affection—he even goes to school to learn to read and write. But nothing seems to work. Then his father steals him a real brass trumpet. Is a musical instrument the key to winning Louis his love? 

The Wild Robot (Peter Brown)

Wow! I couldn't stop reading when I started The Wild Robot. It's a beautiful and compelling story. I have book two on audio book waiting for me from the public library so I plan to jump into it right away. I have to know what happens to Roz.

I think it would make a great One School One Book selection. It is a simple story for young kids and has enough complex issues for discussion.

Peter Brown is the author of many picture books that we have read and loved:
Creepy Carrots!
Children Make Terrible Pets
Mr. Tiger Goes Wild
My Teacher is a Monster (No I'm Not!)

February 3, 2021: Read this aloud to my class. They were totally captivated by the story. I was a little worried that the violence at the end of the story when the Ricoh robots come to take Roz back would be too much - but they actually seemed to totally love it. This story really kept them on the edge of their seat.

May 6, 2022: Read aloud was a huge success. Students want me to read book 2 but we are going to use it in our literature circle/in-class book clubs.

Notice and Note Signposts

Tough Question? Ah ha Moment? Contrast and Contradiction?
p. 118 It was the first ship either of them had ever laid eyes on. From that distance, it looked as though it were moving slowly, but it was actually racing through the waves. From the distance, it looked as though it were small, but it was actually one of the largest ships ever built. The robot and the gosling watched it drawl across the ocean until it finally disappeared to the south.
Where had the ship come from? Where was it going? Who was on board? Roz and Brightbill had many questions but no answers.

Contrast and Contradiction

What does it mean to be alive?
p. 125 "What do you mean, you're not alive?" squawked Brightbill.
"It's true," said Roz. "I am not an animal. I do not eat or breathe. I am not alive."
"You move and talk and think, Mama. You're definitely alive."

Roz and the animals versus the Recos

Chapters 70-75

Memory Moment
Chapter 63 The Journey: Brightbill tells Roz about his migration experiences. Lots of foreshadowing!

October 29, 2022: Read it as a read-aloud again. It was a hit once again. I decided I will not read the second book aloud and instead will encourage students to read it on their own. 
Interestingly, this year a lot of kids had a hard time with the pronouns for Roz. Even though she was a mother. Even though the book clearly talks about the character as a she, they often referred to Roz initially as he. This video made me think maybe children are starting to break the barriers of gender stereotypes?

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMFSsN8S7/ 

Goodreads says:

When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is alone on a remote, wild island. Why is she there? Where did she come from? And, most important, how will she survive in her harsh surroundings? Roz's only hope is to learn from the island's hostile animal inhabitants. When she tries to care for an orphaned gosling, the other animals finally decide to help, and the island starts to feel like home. Until one day, the robot's mysterious past comes back to haunt her.... 

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild (Peter Brown)

Some of my students are reading Wild Robot and so they recognized Peter Brown's name right away. I think he's brilliant!

I introduced this book by telling them it has a "play on words". We talked about what it means to go wild and the commonly understood definition is that it is someone acting crazy. As we read the book, the ah ha moments happened right away for students. Mr. Tiger actually decides he's tired of being prim and proper and starts to walk on all fours. Then he goes off into the wilderness (eeek!).

We also noticed that all the animals that were acting prim and proper were in dull colors of grey and brown. As the animals noticed Mr. Tiger being "wild" they started to follow suit and they started being more colorful. The color comes into his life when he actually starts doing what he was meant to do.

A great picture book example of contrasts and contradictions. We do not expect this from a tiger!

Goodreads says:

Are you bored with being so proper?
Do you want to have more fun?
Mr Tiger knows exactly how you feel. So he decides to go wild.
But does he go too far?
There is a time and place for everything...even going wild.

The Bear Report (Thyra Heder)

Beautiful illustrations! The water color style makes it seem kind of dreamy.


This would be a great book to read when we are doing our animal life cycle reports. Sophie immerses herself in learning when she is assigned a research report. What she ends up sharing is so much more interesting than the first three points she writes down.

Goodreads says:

Sophie does not want to do her homework, a research report on polar bears. Bor-ing. They’re big. They eat things. They’re mean. What else is there to say about them anyway? As it turns out, plenty. And when a polar bear named Olafur swoops her away to the Arctic, she soon learns all about the playful bear’s habits and habitat—from glacier mice to the northern lights—and, despite her first reservations, she finds herself not just interested but excited about the Arctic. When the two are swept out to sea on an iceberg, Sophie’s new knowledge and knack for creative thinking pay off in a big way: she calls a whale to their aid! Inspired by her journey, she’s ready to return home and take another swing at her assignment, this time with gusto.

The Bear Report showcases the power of curiosity and imagination to fill any blank canvas, whether it’s an incomplete homework assignment or the Arctic ice. 

A Stone for Sascha

It's very good for me to read wordless books. It makes me slow down and really think about what is happening in the story. I really love reading books like this with my class and allowing them to discuss and figure out the story as we go.

The illustrations in this story are beautiful and thought provoking.

Goodreads says:

A girl grieves the loss of her dog in an achingly beautiful wordless epic from the Caldecott Honor–winning creator of Journey.

This year’s summer vacation will be very different for a young girl and her family without Sascha, the beloved family dog, along for the ride. But a wistful walk along the beach to gather cool, polished stones becomes a brilliant turning point in the girl’s grief. There, at the edge of a vast ocean beneath an infinite sky, she uncovers, alongside the reader, a profound and joyous truth. In his first picture book following the conclusion of his best-selling Journey trilogy, Aaron Becker achieves a tremendous feat, connecting the private, personal loss of one child to a cycle spanning millennia — and delivering a stunningly layered tale that demands to be pored over again and again.

Crickwing (Janell Cannon)

I love these books by Janell Cannon! Verdi and Stellaluna are both beautiful books.

The vocabulary in the books is quite challenging - but it works.

Goodreads says:



Artistic flair and the spirit of cooperation save the day!
Crickwing never set out to be a bully. All he wants is to create his art in peace. But it's not easy being different--a cockroach with a cricked wing and a flair for sculpture is a ready target for the bigger creatures in the forest. Crickwing just wants to even the score, and leafcutter ants are so easy to pick on. ...
Big mistake. INobody/I angers the leafcutter queen and gets away with it.
In this epic adventure beneath the foliage, Crickwing and the leafcutter ants go head-to-head. Then a swarm of ferocious army ants threatens, and suddenly everyone is in danger. Crickwing has to do something, but what? He's an artist, not a fighter. What the leafcutters need is a hero. Or, maybe, a cockroach with a really clever idea...
About the Author: Janell Cannon's picture books have won many awards and are beloved around the world. Before she became a full-time creator of books for children, she designed and produced summer reading programs at her local public library. Born and raised in Minnesota, Ms. Cannon now lives in Southern California. 

Hungry Lion or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals (Lucy Ruth Cummins)

I wonder what kind of person writes a crazy book like this??

At first we thought the lion was eating all the animals. Then he wasn't. They were sneaking off to give him a surprise party. But wait. Then he did eat them! (We think) But wait!! Then something bigger and nastier came along!

We read this one really quick at the end of the day. Everyone chuckled and talked about it as they got ready for home. It's a twisted sense of humor that loves this kind of stuff.

We loved it!

April 24, 2023: Re-read this again. Had a great vocabulary discussion about what dwindling means. Again, we loved the twist at the end! 

Goodreads summary:

Once upon a time there was a very hungry lion and some adorable little animals...

What do you think happened next?

Science Comics: Dinosaurs (MK Reed)

This is a definitely classroom-keeper! I loved how it explained the history and ever evolving understanding of dinosaurs. There has been a lot of competition in the search for understanding about dinosaurs. The author shows how understanding has evolved and where we're at now. The illustrations are simply terrific. In my true style of reading graphic novels, I often had to remind myself to slow down and look at the illustrations and graphs as it is packed full of information. I don't have a good memory for all these facts, but I know a bunch of kids who'd totally absorb all this information and simply love it.


Earlier this month I read Coral Reefs from the same series. I will definitely watch for more of these books.




Goodreads summary:


Every volume of Science Comics offers a complete introduction to a particular topic--dinosaurs, coral reefs, the solar system, volcanoes, bats, flying machines, and more. These gorgeously illustrated graphic novels offer wildly entertaining views of their subjects. Whether you're a fourth grader doing a natural science unit at school or a thirty-year-old with a secret passion for airplanes, these books are for you!

This volume: in Dinosaurs, learn all about the history of paleontology! This fascinating look at dinosaur science covers the last 150 years of dinosaur hunting, and illuminates how our ideas about dinosaurs have changed--and continue to change.  

Swimmy (Leo Lionni)

We read some of Leo Lionni's French stories when my children were in elementary school. His books are beautiful and usually involve animals.

I love the problem solving in this story. Swimmy escapes disaster and learns to be happy. When trying to talk his new fish friends into an adventure, he has to help them work through their fears. They come up with a great solution.

It would be good to use this book as an example of different styles of illustrations. It is quite unique and very beautiful.

Goodreads summary:

Deep in the sea there lives a happy school of little fish. Their watery world is full of wonders, but there is also danger, and the little fish are afraid to come out of hiding . . . until Swimmy comes along. Swimmy shows his friends how—with ingenuity and team work—they can overcome any danger. With its graceful text and stunning artwork, this Caldecott Honor Book deserves a place on every child’s shelf.

Coral Reefs - Cities of the Ocean (Maris Wicks)

This is a great book! It is super easy to read. Even for me, someone who doesn't really seem to have a a knack for science facts. This is a graphic novel with all sorts of great information and amazing illustrations. It would be a fun book to have as a book draw during our life cycles unit.

The best news is they are working on more editions: dinosaurs, volcanoes, flying machines, bats and the solar system! I plan to read them all. This author also wrote Human Body Theatre, a well loved book in my classroom.

Goodreads summary:

Every volume of Science Comics offers a complete introduction to a particular topic--dinosaurs, coral reefs, the solar system, volcanoes, bats, flying machines, and more. These gorgeously illustrated graphic novels offer wildly entertaining views of their subjects. Whether you're a fourth grader doing a natural science unit at school or a thirty-year-old with a secret passion for airplanes, these books are for you!

This volume: in Coral Reefs, we learn all about these tiny, adorable sea animals! This absorbing look at ocean science covers the biology of coral reefs as well as their ecological importance. Nonfiction comics genius Maris Wicks brings to bear her signature combination of hardcore cuteness and in-depth science.

Bob and Otto (Robert O Bruel, Nick Bruel)

I met another teacher when I was volunteering at Storybook Theatre. We got talking about school. She really loves science and was a great resource for some of the topics we do in grade three. She told me about a wonderful book, which, as she was talking, made me realize it would be great for our character assembly this month! Today we got to work on it. The kids are very excited. They totally got the concept that if everyone looks after their responsibilities, everything just goes much more smoothly.

Goodreads summary:

Bob and Otto do best-friend kinds of things together--eating leaves, digging, playing--until the day Bob decides to climb a tree, simply because . . . he has to. When the two meet again, Otto is still the same dirt-loving earthworm, but Bob has done the unthinkable: grown wings. Friendship overcomes all else in this sweet and funny story, because no matter what happens, ". . . friends are important."