Course Reflection of Children's Literature

I am a HUGE fan of Children's literature. I have never been so excited to go into a book store in my life and just sit there, read, browse, and buy good literature. That is because I now know what good literature is and how to incoporate it into my classroom. I have learned so much about the different genres that can enhance learning in my classroom and that will get my own students to answer the difficult questions these books bring up.

I will use children's books in a variety of different ways in my classroom. Not just in elementary school but if I teach 5th or 6th grade I will also encoporate children's books because as I realized that most people loves books and I want my students to love books as well. I can use books to learn about different authors, illustrators, or poets, and learning about different types of genres. They will also be incporated in the reading workshop: guided reading, independent reading, literature study groups but importantly placed in the classroom so my studnets have the opportunity to browse through good literature. Chapter books will also be a great way to read aloud to my students in the class. Doing this they will see that I enjoy reading which will promote reading to them.

I love the blogs because there are so many opinions on books and seeing other students, teachers, and indivduals opinons on certain books really allow me to see many different sides of a situation. It also allows me to look for good literature from other blogs that students have created. It was a great class and I will take my personal experiences from this class into my own classroom.

Dough Boy by Peter Marino (Novel)

This piece of literature is a fictional story about a boy named Tristan who is overweight. His parents just got divorced and his mom has a new boyfriend. They are living happily until his mom’s boyfriend’s daughter moves into the house. The problem with his daughter is that she is a health freak. All she talks about is nutrition, physical activity and losing weight. She begins talking to Tristan every day about different types of food and how it will be easy for him to work off the weight. But bad things keep happening to Tristan. He gets called names like dough boy, fatty and other mean names, get’s tripped in the lunch room, he falls through the attic floor, he gets picked on in the locker room, and his so called friend Marco is the worst one of all. I chose this book because it is a more difficult book to read alone so I would read this out loud to the class. This book brings up many different questions about family life and personal wellness. How do particular families, where they live, and family priorities play a role in personal wellness? Can it be both positive and negative? It also brings up the feelings, emotions and troubles that go along with being overweight but even “thin” and “skinny” can feel the same way. Throughout the book the reader feels like Tristan should stand up for himself and we can also discuss why he doesn’t do this? Why does he allow this to happen to him? How will he be able to stand up and like himself for who he is?

Muhammad Ali: Champion of the World by Joan Winter

This piece of literature is a biography of Muhammad Ali and how he used physical activity to become a political figure in the United States. I chose this piece of literature because it is about a world famous sports icon that changed the way people looked at boxing, politics, and the African American culture. Ali’s ancestors came from a white slave master where he got his real name, Clay. He didn’t want to use a white man’s name. This brings up in school by students how physical activity has an impact on politics. During this time his African religion and African American roots were silenced and Ali became the leader of the movement of his people. He was paving a way for African Americans and how they should be strong, proud and willing to fight for what they believe in. Through physical activity he was able to grow in confidence and believe in himself. This piece of literature shows the determination of a man who never gave up on fighting for his people. Through Ali’s actions as an athlete he was able to change his life and many lives around him.

The Gulps by Rosemary Wells

This piece of literature is about the Gulps family and they are going on a vacation in their RV. Four members of the family, including mom and dad love unhealthy food and the last member of the family Dawn eats healthy. In their RV they briny way to much unhealthy food and because they are eating too much they have gained so much weight that the RV is unable to move. They now have to stay at the farmer’s house until they can get healthy and fit. I chose this piece of literature because the students can relate their family to the Gulps family or the farmer’s family. They will have the opportunity to look at each family different. One is living in town and the other is living on the farm. Lifestyles of each family are different and because of their environment they live differently and that affects their health. Another aspect that comes up in this piece of literature is that there are some people who will not eat vegetables or healthy food because they think it is not good. The students will be able to discuss if they are like that as eaters and why? Why do some people not like vegetables, fruits, salads and some people love them? They can relate the environment, how they grow up and the lifestyles of their parents. While looking at this piece of literature they can see that there will be effects positive or negative on healthy eating due to the environment they live in.

The Busy Body Piece of Literature: A Kid's Guide to Fitness by Lizzy Rockwell

This is a non-fiction piece of literature about how the body is built to move. I chose this piece of literature because it explains the importance of movement, physical activity, and fitness. It breaks down how students are able to move by examining different parts of the body that provides the body to move. There are two different parts to the piece of literature. On one side there is information on a specific body part: bones, muscles, the heart, lungs, and stomach but then on the other side of the page is an outline of the body so they can relate their activities to the parts of the body that they use. Using this piece of literature allows the students to think an aspect of science. What do the bones, muscles, heart, lungs, and stomach do for our body and why they are important for movement? This also relates to injury and things that could happen to our body if we do not take care of them. It’s a way to see the body as different parts but then reconnect these parts to make a healthy active body.

Good Enough to Eat: A Kid's Guide to Food and Nutrition by Lizzy Rockwell

This is a non-fiction piece of literature about the importance of food and the benefits of a quality, healthy pattern of eating. I chose this piece of literature because it describes, explains and gives visuals of vitamins and nutrients. Many students don’t have an understanding of what vitamins and nutrients even are let alone how they should eat them during each meal. So it gives them an opportunity to look into detail at what carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamin C, Vitamin A, calcium, iron, sodium, and potassium are and how to get these nutrients and vitamins in their food. I also enjoy the pictures the piece of literature gives under each example because the students can look at this and apply it to their life. Do they eat cheese? Do they eat eggs? Are they getting vitamin C in oranges? It is a great opportunity to analyze how well they eat their vitamins and the nutrients that are in their body. I also enjoy the part on digestion. Many pieces of literature are hesitant to talk about this issue but I believe it is an important part of personal wellness. It’s a way for students to understand how the nutrients are absorbed into their body and how it carries the bad chemicals and excess fats out of the body.

How to Train with a T.Rex and Win 8 Gold Medals by Michael Phelps

This piece of literature is an autobiography of how Michael Phelps won 8 gold medals. It didn’t just happen in the pool at the Olympics he trained for 6 years. I chose this piece of literature because it brings up the Olympics. The Olympics is a time where physical fitness and show athletes on a world level who are walking examples of personal wellness. Many students see these athletes and how good they are on T.V. but they don’t know what it takes to be an Olympic Athlete. Not just a swimmer like Michael Phelps but all the different sports that are portrayed in the Olympics. Personal wellness is a variety of exercise, eating right, sleep and drinking water. This might bring up a discussion of why Michael Phelps ate so much and slept so much? The students might not understand that over excessive physical activity calls for an increase in sleep and eating. This piece of literature also brings up thoughts about his training and physical activity. It compares how he swam the length of the Great Wall of China three times and could lift a New York City Subway Car. This piece of literature puts Michael Phelps’s training in comparison that will shock students. This would give them an idea of how much work it takes to be an Olympic Athlete.

I Get So Hungry by Bebe Moore Campbell

This piece of literature is about a girl named Nikki who is overweight starting her first day of school. She is being called names by a certain boy in class and it is making her sad. From all of the ridicule and name calling it makes her very sad and when Nikki is sad she can’t stop eating. I chose this piece of literature because there are environmental factors of personal wellness. In this story Nikki’s mother will not buy her food that is healthy because that is not what they are used to. Her mother believes that they will always be overweight because that how their family is so there is no use of changing their habits. This is a view around the world that obesity can’t be changed. There are many options to becoming healthy and eating right and physical activity is the beginning to that. Nikki wants to start becoming healthy and begins to walk with her teacher before school. The teacher is Nikki’s role model because she is taking action in her own life. Nikki’s teacher is able to motivate Nikki to help her mother start becoming healthy. It is a piece of literature that students can look deeply into and understand Nikki’s feelings. Having a role model and being able to help someone else is a main reason for becoming healthy. Students should learn that it’s important to your personal health if the people around you are also eating healthy and being physically active. Another part of this piece of literature that is important is the name calling issue. There could be people in the class that do that to students, without the teacher knowing, and it’s important they also see the effects of name calling. Their words can hurt others and the students can talk about how they can eliminate name calling in the school.

The Monster Health Piece of Literature by Edward Miller

This is a non-fiction piece of literature is a guide to eating healthy. I chose this piece of literature because it takes eating healthy and breaks it down piece by piece. It begins explaining the food pyramid, which some students might even have an idea of the food pyramid or what it does. In this piece of literature it breaks down each part of the five food groups from the food pyramid. When describing each food group the authors give a description of where the food from the group mainly comes from, how much of the food in the particular group should someone eat, and examples in pictures and text of what types of food are part of the particular food group. There are also facts about each food group throughout the page. Breaking this down for students allows them to analyze their own eating patterns. What do they eat the most of? What do they need to eat more of? Do they eat too many fats? They will realize that all of these foods together make a healthy body. Another part of the piece of literature that even I examined closely was that they described how to read a food label. Some adults still do not know how to do that today. This is a great opportunity for kids to learn at a young age of how to count calories and selecting nutritious foods. Other topics that are discussed are information on what should we eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner, health risks when the students don’t eat healthy, being active, sleep, different types of moods that are experiences, and saying no to bad health influences like drugs and alcohol. What also is important in this piece of literature is the section where it explains how each student’s weight is different and students shouldn’t compare weights in the classroom. This piece of literature is a great opportunity for students to get full detail of eating healthy and what that all involves.

Strong Man by Meghan McCarthy

This is a biography of Charles Atlas who on the World’s Most Beautiful Man Contest and was crowned the World’s Most Perfectly Developed Man. I chose this piece of literature because he was not always proud of whom he was. He was picked on, bullied, and even beaten up because he was so small. Many students in my class can relate to his feelings and how he wanted to become a different, stronger person. He needed to work hard towards his goals and he couldn’t afford the weights like he saw on T.V. So he created his own routine and weights by using things he had in his house. This brings up the issue of physical activity and social class. What if some people can’t afford a membership to centers like the YMCA? What if some people live in an area where there is not a place for physical activity? What if some people have to work to help out the family? This brings up some questions for students to really think about. But it doesn’t just relate to physical activity but also eating right. If students or families can’t afford organic food or expensive whole wheat bread, what happens? This piece of literature brings the aspect of social class and how Charles Atlas pulled himself up by his own bootstraps and was able to fulfill his dreams with hard work.

I.Q. Gets Fit by Mary Ann Fraser

This piece of literature is a fictional story about a mouse that is the class pet in the classroom named I.Q. It is healthy month in the school and everyone, including I.Q. is going to work on their personal health. They will improve their health over four weeks and get a gold ribbon if they pass the test. I chose this piece of literature because it explains the steps of personal wellness. This piece of literature allows children to explore and learn along with I.Q. the different types of ways to be healthy, there is not just one way! They must eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, get lots of sleep and stay active (which involves warm-ups and stretching). It also shows the students that everyone can be healthy and improve their health with eating right, drinking water, getting the right amount of sleep and exercise. Without one of these their personal health starts to decline. Students learn in a gradual process that everything fits together and works together to make their body be healthy. I also chose this piece of literature because it allows discussion about the incentives of physical activity. Receiving a gold ribbon can be motivational for some people but for others who don’t receive this gold ribbon it might be detrimental. If the students who don’t receive the gold ribbon may feel discouraged this may lead to decreased physical activity and eating healthy. Incentives are okay at some point but most of all each person should achieve their own goals and improvement is the main goal.

Love That Dog by Sharon Creech

I absolutley loved this book. Most books/stories are told with full sentences and give descriptions of what is happening throughout the book. For example in a regular story the boy would explain what poem the teacher handed out and why they are reading the poem, etc. In the poem there isn't much description or detail of what happens, it just happens. There is more inferring and exploring on the readers part of the book. It's not very long and one line can be one word long but it goes along so well with the the boy.

At the beginning of the book I wondered why he was writing seperate poems about a blue mustang, how it couldn't slow down, his neighborhoond, and his dog. I figured this novel would have to be about a dog somehow beause that is what the title is but I never thought the many poems he wrote at the beginning would combine into a wonderful poem that explains his feelings for his dog and what happend to his dog, Sky. This was a very quick read but it kept me wanting more and wondering what was going to happen.

Oh, Brother by Nikki Grimes (Poetry Picture Book)

This was my favorite poetry picture book by Nikki Grimes that I read. I really enjoy this story because it is about a boy (Xavier) who's mom got re-married and he now has a step-brother (Chris) who he doesn't like. Like Nikki Grimes' other book (When Gorilla Goes Walking) each page is split up into different poems, with different headings/titles, but when you read the whole poem front to back you are able to understand what is going on in the story.

I believe this book can relate to many children and how their parents re-married and there are now new brothers and sisters. So many books are about the "typical" mom, dad, brother, sister, white picket fence family and that is not what every one's family looks like. There are so many different definitions of family and each one is unique that is why I love this book so much.

My favorite part of the book is when Chris is trying to write Xavier's name because he doesn't know how to spell it and Xavier comes up to Chris and says just write brother because that is what I am, your brother. You see Chris' efforts of trying to get Xavier to like him and be his friend and in the beginning Xavier ignores him. In the end Xavier realizes that Chris is just like him and just wants to have a family. They become friends and brothers who love being together.

When Gorilla Goes Walking by Nikki Grimes (Poetry Picture Book)

What is unique about this book and different than the rest of Nikki Grimes' poetry picture books is that on each page there is a separate poem. You can read the book from start to finish to get the whole story about Gorilla and the owner Cecilia but the reader can also look at each page separately and see the different types of poems. Each page has a separate heading and title for each poem that can separate each poem from one another.

I love the way Cecilia and Gorilla act together. It shows that many children and people have friends that are animals and they mean the world to them. They can comfort you when bad things happen like when Cecilia's best friend moved away and can also feel the pain with the animal when they go to the vet to get shots. It's a great book to read with children because they can relate so well with animals they have at their house. Their pet is part of the family just like Gorilla is apart of Cecilia's family. They have fun together and care about each other that is what true families and friends are all about.

Welcome, Precious by Nikki Grimes (Poetry Picture Book)

My favorite part about this book is the words Nikki uses throughout the book. They are very creative and unique that make a beautiful poem. For example, "welcome to robin song adn teh swis of the leaves in the breeze," and "welcome to the skil of grass, the satin of rose petals, and the suqish of sand between your toes." She gives great visual images that allows the reader to use there senses and actually feel, see, smell the wonderful parts of the world.

What I also enjoy is that she talks about the wonders of the world but most of those wonders are parts that are so close to you. The warmth of your fathers arms, your grandmother and your mom. They are just as precious, rare and wonderous as the rest of the wonderful creations throughout the world.

Wild, Wild Hair by Nikki Grimes (Poetry Picture Book)

I really enjoyed this book because I reminds me of my 9 year old sisters hair. She does the same thing at Tisa. She runs and hides every morning because she doesn't want my mom to do her hair. She cries, throws tantrums, says she already did her hair, and trys every excuse in the book to not let my mom touch her hair. We finally had to buy a special brush that "won't hurt her head." It's pretty funny because she does most of the same things as Tisa. I believe this would be a great book to read to kids because so many of them can relate to what is happening in the book. Also at the end of the story when Tisa loves her hair and can't stop looking at it; my sister does the same thing. It might be a chore and hassle to do her hair but when it's done...she loves it. And so do the rest of us because we don't hear her crying.

I really liked how this book used talking in the book. I have never really seen poetry done with converations before and I liked how her vocabualry matched up every other line. It flowed really well together.

The Story Goes On- Aileen Fisher (Poetry Picture Book)

I really enjoy the way this book was designed. The pictures are what really drew me to the book. When you first look at the book you see that they are not painted on regular paper. Behind the frog, leaves and grass are there are words like the paper was pulled out of the newspaper and was drawn on. I looked to see if there was a pattern of the newspaper but throughout the book you can see there are different words, numbers and letters.

This is a poem about the cycle of life and how the bug eats the plant, the frog eats the bug, the snake eats the frog, the hawk eats the snake, the man shoots the hawk, the cyote eats the hawk, the crows peck at the rest of the hawk, and then it will start all over again. I thought poetry was a great way to describe the cycle of life because the words are moving with the pictures throghout the book and it flows really well together. It is a great book for children learning about the cycle of life and a great book to read to show that poetry doesn't have to be all about rhyming. It's still poetry if it doesn't rhyme. Many students don't understand that so it would be a great book to read for that reason as well.

Anticipation Set

Anticipation Set: The Year of Impossible Goodbyes

Thinking about the titles of the two stories: So Far From the Bamboo Grove and The Year of Impossible Goodbyes I believe these two will be very similar readings. The book So Far From the Bamboo Grove opened my own eyes about even the superior Japanese race families being treated poorly and had to go through many conflicts to even survive. I see this book being very similar because it is not only around the same time period but because conflict and hardship is parallel to war. I think that the narrator of the story will have to deal with goodbyes like Yoko that will cause difficulty between her culture, her beliefs or her family. It is the things that we take for granted: being able to go to school and learn about their own culture, wondering when they might eat next or where it will be safe to sleep. Because of the titles of the books and what I already know from So Far From the Bamboo Grove; I believe The Year of Impossible Goodbyes will be very similar to what Yoko went through.

From the quote, "one's life is short, but the life of the spirit is long," I believe it translates to the Korean culture and the beliefs of the family. They might see the hate, the death the blood and all the things throughout life that can be troublesome. But how they react to these incidences and how they live their life echoes in eternity. The spirit of a person goes on and on, and the life of which they live may be short, but their values and beliefs are what allows the life of the spirit to live forever. It makes me think the book will bring acts of hate towards this Korean family but there will be a ending that empowers a person to live well no matter what the circumstance.

A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein

My favorite poem in this book is the Prayer of the Selfish Child, which is...

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep,

And if I die before I wake,

I pray the Lord my toys to break.

So none of the other kids can use 'em...

Amen.

This poem made me laugh but also made me think about my siblings and that is something that they would do so the other sibling wouldn't be able to use the toys.

Shel Silverstein is a great poet and illustrator. I love how he is so creative but also there are deeper meanings to many of the poems. It is a great instructional tool to use in the classroom because his pictures are not perfect or his words are not perfect but everyone can use their own mind and light to create some of the most inspirational and creative pieces of writing.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

This has to be one of my favorite books of all time! I went to the bookstore this weekend and I had to buy this book because there was just gobs of Christmas/Holiday/Winter books. I read this book with my family every christmas. I love the pictures they enhance the book and bring a sense of fantasy, excitement and hopefulness on every page. The snow, the lights, the buildings, the people make me feel like I am a kid again.

I know this book might not be able to be placed in the classroom but I do believe it has more than a Christmas meaning. It is about being a child and the beliefs and dreams that surround your everyday experiences. At the end of the book when the boy rings the bell and his sister and him hear the most beautiful sound in the world but the parents don't that is a key part for the parents but also the kids. It is also telling the parents allow them to believe and dream big because this is the time that they should be captivated in the wonders of childhood.

So Far From the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins

I really enjoyed this story about World War II and the differences it has from how we (United States Citizens) view this war. Growing up and learning about the 1945 time period and what happened we never had a point of view like this. A point of view from an 11 year old girl who has lost her belongings, her family members, her whole life because of this war. We don’t see the part of this, the type that really matters. The part where families are being divided and what occurred to them during World War II.

The part I took from the book that made me realize how similar the citizens are of those who are going through difficult hardships like war. Love and family is an important factor for everyone. No matter what side of the tracks you are on, or who attacked who, all citizens still feel the love, sacrifice, loss, emotion to protect one another and their family. It’s also about moving on and surviving when there is hardship. These two girls lost their mother and they worked together and survived on their own. They didn’t have their father or brother in the first place, that also makes it difficult. But in the end they did it because they cared so much about one another and the love they had allowed them to survive.

Tacky in Trouble by Helen Lester

The first thing I notice in this book is the name of the other penguins: Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly and Perfect. But then there is another penguin who is not doing anything the same as these other five penguins and his name is Tacky. That is what I disliked about this book the most. It basically was saying that the penguin who didn't go along with the rest of them was different. I took this as, "you must follow the norm, or the neat, perfect, and good ones to be liked and treated with respect.

The way I belive the author is trying to portray this penguin named Tacky is that everyone is different and there are some that are not like everyone else but we still love them anyway. I think it is very unusual how the book sort of contradicts itself. It wants to portray people as everyone is not the same but the book is saying that everyone is the same there are just a few odd ones out of the pack.

Wait and See by Robert Munsch

Another great story from Robert Munsch that has extrondinary pictures that corelate extremely well with the text. I really enjoyed this book as a kid and remembered exactly what was going to happen. I believe these types of books really open up a childs mind not only to creativity as a writer but how wishes and dreams can come true. Maybe not from a birthday cake but by working hard. Another part of the book I enjoyed is when the parents made Olivia the birthday cake because they didn't like their wish but Olivia made a birthday cake because she didn't like her own wish when her Mom and Dad were fighting.

I really enjoy the repitition again in this book. Her parents always asked, "did you wish for one word?" Did you wish for two words?" "Did you wish for three words?" After the last question she would always answer yes! Becuase it just wasn't a little bit of snow, rain or money but A LOT of snow, rain and money. Another part of the book that was comical was the neighbors and how they were always sitting outside when these wishes came true.

The Sand Castle Contest by Robert Munsch

Just like other Robert Munsch books I thought this book was very cute and funny for young readers. My favorite part throughout the whole book are tehse four little squirrles that are on every picture. They get ready to go camping, drive their own trailer full of things, go to the beach, build sand castles, and eat the ice cream. I also enjoyed the part where Matthew builds a sand castle that looks exactly like a house but the judges don't believe him that is an actual house. They tell Matthew that he needs to get the house off the beach as fast as possible but the judges didn't listen to him. Finally Matthew kicked down the house and showed the judges that it was built out of sand. Then he won the contest and got a bathtub full of ice cream (mostly every kids dream).

At first I didn't understand why the beginning of the book had to do with a dog the family didn't have but it really tied into the ending well. I learned that Kalita's sand dog also played a part that tied into the beginning of the book. It was a very clever idea.

Thomas' Snowsuit by Robert Munsch

I think this is a really cute book done by Robert Munsch. Just the expressions on Thomas' face throughout the book really draw me in and I don't even have to read what is going on. I also like the repitition in the story where the mom, the teacher, the principal all tell him to put on his snowsuit and he says, "NOOOOO!" But I think it's funny when his friends ask him to come out and play with them, Thomas says, "ok," puts on his snowsuit and goes outside to play.

There was one part in the book where the teacher and Thomas were standing in the classroom in their underwear and the principal comes into the room. I was thinking to myself, oh no, what is the principal going to say to the teacher. But the teacher blamed Thomas the whole way. It was pretty funny. Then at the end of the story the principal moves to Arizona where no kids have to wear snowsuits. It is a funny story for children and I would for sure put this book in my classroom library.

Author Study- Julia Cook

I was very interested in Julia Cook's work because my aunt gave me many of her books. I thought they were very creative and entertaining books for children that also provided ways for children to grow and become better people. I really wondered what infulenced her writing and if she was a teacher at one point in time because most of her books went along with the classroom.
Julia Cook has a Master's degree in Elemntary School Counseling and served as a guidence counselor. Another great thing about Julia is that she is a keynote speaker and gives inspirational talks to children and adults across the United States. The best part of her writing that I enjoy is her way to involve young people adn teach them to become better.

Here is a list of her books:
- Tattle Tounge: about a boy who tattles and learning the difference from right and wrong.
- Bully Beans: this book speaks to the bystandar of bullying.
- The Bubble Wrap Queen: a book about injury prevention for children.
- Don't Be Afraid to Drop (My Personal Favorite): it's about positive persepctive on change, taking risks, and giving back.
- I am a Booger, Treat Me With Respect: Boogie the booger teaches children what boogers do for our health.
- It's Hard to be a Verb: A book for all who struggle with paying attention.
- My Mom Thinks She's My Volleyball Coach... But She's Not: A book about being a fan and a coach. Between the supportive fan and obnoxious spectator.
- My Mouth is a Volcano: A book about a boy who always interrupts.
- Scoop: Personal saftey tol dfrom a child's viewpoint.
- Personal Space Camp: about a boy who struggles with personal space issues.

These books would be great to use in the classroom and to be placed in the classroom library, especially for younger elementary students.

Here is Julia Cook's website with information about how to find her books. (They are very difficult to find in libraries and book stores). They also come along with posters from how to use a tissue and other information that can be placed in the classroom.
www.juliacookonline.com.

Reflection

I really have enjoyed the first part of children's literature. I have already learned so much about different types of literature, genres, authors, and reasons why to use books in my classroom. I believe writing blogs is broadening my view on literature and what types of books to choose to read to students. I also believe these blogs have helped me see different opinions of other future teachers and why particular books are important to them.

As I look back on my classroom experiences in elementary school. I don't remember using reading for openings or cross curricular, we just read during reading time. I believe using books throughout the classroom and throughout the school day will not only give the students a variety of knowledge of books but also it will get them excited about reading. This part is very important for myself. If I want students to get excited about reading and examples of many different types of literature I need to choose books that will right for them.

This class is going well so far and I'm excited to put this knowledge to use in the classroom and with future children I work with:-)

The Misfits by James Howe

I'm not finished with this book yet, only on chapter 20, but so far I really enjoy this book. I think what I enjoy about this particular book is that it's unlike anything I have ever read before. The types of families, personalities, lifestyles, and characteristics of each character is well thought out and I think is what totally makes this book work. Bobby is an overweight 7th grader who lives with his dad in a trailer home, Addie is an outspoken and girl who has very strong beliefs, and Joe is gay boy who has no problem being himself. It represents all types of middle school students and that's why I think is enjoyable about The Misfits. They have crushes, have difficulities with teachers, have a particular table in the lunch room, and gossip is always fun.

The book being centered around a campaign is a great idea. First of all it's something that is seen in many middle schools today but there is rarley a group or person who disagrees with this campaign. I think this format of the book and after you understand who the characters are it really makes the reader see the importance of standing up for who you are and what you personally believe in. That it is okay to be different and it is okay to have a different opinion than the rest of your peers. Not everyone is the same or views things in the same manner the most important part of this book is realizing who you are and standing up for what you believe.

Hiroshima No Pika by Toshi Maruki

This book is about the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima and how it affected the lives of the people who lived there. The pictures in the book are very dark and disturbing. It shows dead people floating in the river, the flames of the fires, and naked people because they lost everything. I do not see this book as problematic to children I do think the story should be told. I just don't think the pictures would be right to show the children, at least young children. I think the older they get the more they will understand but also feel the emotions these families are going through. I think the end of the book is what is most shocking. The girl never grew taller, her mother still finds pieces of glass in her head, people were still in hospitals and there is no cure for what happened that day. It's a very emotional book but one that should be understood in this families perspective otherwise we would not see the problems that were caused because of this bomb.

Uncle What-Is-It Is Coming to Visit by Michael Whilloite

This book is very interesting and I'm not sure I would be totally comfortable bringing this topic up in my classroom. Just like the book about how babies are born I believe this topic is for outside of school. I know now there are more types of families and some children will not be exposed to families with gay parents. I'm not sure this should be talked about it in school. Maybe that's not what I mean...I don't think I should talk about it in school. It depends on how comfortable the teacher is with the children and how comfortable the teacher is with talking about this subject. The problem I have is that I don't want to feel like I am singling out certain students or putting them down by any means. I don't want them to feel uncomfortable, that would be the biggest part of my concern.

I enjoy how the book uses stereotypes of gay people when learning about their uncle. I know this seems weird but I think it is a good idea to talk about stereotypes because students might have their own personal opinions but should not judge a person by what the culture perceives them as. At the end of the book I like how once they meet their uncle they realize he is exactly like everyone else.

I Never Knew Your Name by Sherry Garland

I thought the pictures in this book related perfectly with the book. I noticed that there was not much detail put into each picture: the faces, eyes, clothing, street signs...etc throughout the book. I think it relates well with the book because this boy really wanted to meet this boy and become his friend but he never got too close to understand or see the details of his life. He always wanted to say hi or go fishing with this boy but always found an excuse to do something by himself. This boy he wanted to be friends with was having problems and finally committed suicide. Once this happened the one boy regrets not getting to know him better and the opportunities he missed to become a friend.

I believe this is a very good book. It was really sad but it also gives the reader a perspective of life. It teaches everyone on how to be a better friend and how everyone out to people who might seem to need the help. There is always an opportunity to cheer someone up or make them laugh each day because you wouldn't know what they are dealing with.

This book reminds me of an e-mail I have received many times about a boy who is walking home with all his books because he is going to commit suicide. Then all of a sudden another boy runs over, asks him if he needs help carrying the books then asks him to play. These boys became best friends. On graduation day this boy thanked his best friend for taking the time to make him feel noticed because he was carrying home the books to commit suicide. It's important to know how a little difference can go a long way; even save someones life.

White Wash by Ntozake Shange

I was shocked when I realized this was based on a true story. I experienced emotions with this girl who's face was spray painted white by a white gang that attacked her and her brother after school one day. Her brother got punched in the face while she got spray painted white. The gang was saying how she should be white for a day and be American. I think this is a great book to read with children either in the school setting or at home because of the ending of the book.

This girl was very embarrassed of what happened and stayed in her room for a while. She didn't want to go to school at all. One day when she opened her door all her friends from school standing there waiting for her. They said, " If we all stick together, no one will bother you or anyone else." I really like this quote in the book because there is not only significance to the book but to a culture in the United States. It shows children that if we stand tall together side by side no matter what we look like we can face the troubles in the world that might be wrong or difficult to side with. Everyone has a right and should stand up for their rights or what they believe in.

Mommy Laid an Egg or Where Do Babies Come From by Babette Cole

I think this story is very funny and cute in a way. I like how at the beginning of the book the mom and dad want to tell their kids where babies come from and they say weird things. For example girl babies are made of sugar and spice, some are brought by dinosaurs, grow as plants, and an egg. Then the kids say to the parents that they are wrong and they will teach them how babies are born.

What I thought was very controversial are the pictures the kids draw to show the mom and dad how babies are born. Phrases like, "this fits in there" or "different positions that mom and dad fit together," are just a little over top to me. I do believe this book is a good idea but I believe that how babies are born should be understood at home and not in school. I not only think kids will laugh and giggle at these sorts of things but I also think they might try to investigate these things at school. I think that because it is in a book these children will think it's okay to do and experiment with. It doesn't seem like the right place to read this book to students I think it should stay at home for the mother and father to take care of.

Purple, Green and Yellow by Robert Munsch

I would have to say this is my favorite book of all time. What drew me to this book were the pictures and all the colors. The lemons that were yellower than lemons, the roses that were redder than roses and oranges that were oranger than oranges. I also was drawn to the book because there is a girl who has these super indelible never come off till your dead or maybe even later coloring marker who was only supposed to draw on paper. She was not supposed to draw on herself but it was too hard for her so then she just colored her fingernails, then her hands, then her face and then all over her body. She washed her hands for 30 minutes and it wouldn't come off. She used the color that looked just like her but her mom noticed when she washed her hands and the pale color came off. After she went to the doctor and took the orange pill she was invisible but she used the pale color to color herself in again.

I think this book is very imaginative and creative with color that catches the eye on each page. The one thing that I realized about this book is how the child acts about the markers she wants. It tells children that it is okay to beg and beg for what you "want" and don't "need" and the mom will go out and get it for you. I think it shows how society is today. How children will get anything they want if they keep begging for it.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

I really enjoyed Alexander since I was a little kid. I was thrilled to read it again. This book is very funny and pulls the reader into the story. The details in the text can really put a picture in the readers head without even looking at the picture that goes a long with the text. The one thing about that though is that the illustrations are so detailed and unique that they also play into the readers imagination. The one thing I believe this book does is relate to it's readers extremely well. This book reminds us of each bad day we have had and how no matter what happens things can always turn around and get better. Children I have worked with have always enjoyed this book because they don't want to go on but want to tell me something that happened similar to them in their own lives. It is a great read for anyone because everyone wants to know what will keep happening during his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day!

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

I really enjoyed this book as a child and thought I should read this again to see if I still enjoyed the book. The one thing I really liked about the book was the pictures. I feel like I was looking more at the pictures than at what the text was actually saying. I read the text and wanted to go find the object in the room. I think too many words on one page would have taken away from these pictures and visual of the room.

The one problem I had was with how big this bedroom really was. There was a fireplace, a huge bed, pictures, dressers, tables and another huge rug. A room like this seems fit for royalty. I don't know anyone who has this in their bedroom or the particular items in the room as well. In most kids rooms there are toys, big messes, and stereotypical kids things. I think the visual is a little too old for who the text is meant for.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

I have read this book before in school but I didn't remember what the book was about or what went on in The Giver. After I read the book again I think my thoughts have changed dramatically from the first time I read it otherwise this book would have been more vivid in my mind. I also told one of my friends that I was reading The Giver and she was so excited because she loved the book. I was a little hesitant when replying to her comment. I'm not really sure if I like this book at all. At some parts I believe it is very unique and imaginative but then there are other parts where I think why would this be appropriate to write about.

The part with the book that I have trouble with is the whole fact of "sameness," not being able to make their own choices, there is no sense of emotion or feeling of love, or color. I guess it is because I have a belief that everyone has their own goals and dreams, no one should be told how to live, what their job will be, or who their parents will be. How can you take that away from someone and why would they want to? Why does everyone have to be the same plain people all the time? The whole process of "releasing" is a problem for me. It's like this community is hiding the fact that these people who are "released" go off and live another life in another community but they don't they die and are replaced as if they didn't matter.

The part of the book I enjoy is the character Jonas and how he also questions these crazy things that go on in this community and he is the one who can change what happens in the future. It might be bad for the community at first but they are missing the huge things in life: love, emotions, individualization, passions and dreams. I think Jonas knows what these people need and even though he is going against what the rest of the community believes he is doing things that he believes in which no one in the community has done. I think it's a book to use with high schoolers or middle schoolers because it gets them thinking about their own way of being an individual but also their emotions, passions and dreams in life that they can have.

I am a Booger...Treat me with Respect by Julia Cook

I chose another Julia Cook because I thought the first book I read that she wrote was excellent. How she used pictures to enhance her story and how the story could relate to the readers life. I thought this book did the exact same thing. I thought it would be weird reading a book about boogers but I think this book would be very helpful when working with lower elementary students. The story first starts out talking about what a booger is and what it looks like. Then it goes into what the boogers do to help us and how we should handle our boogers. The book goes on to talk about how to never to pick a booger with just your finger but to make a "Booger Ghost," or never eat a booger because it can make you feel sick. I think this book is a great idea for lower elementary school students because it explains many things to them instead of having to be told by a teacher or parent many times.

Walter the Farting Dog by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray

When I picked this book off the shelf at the library I was very interested on why it could be a #1 New York Times bestseller. I had to find out for myself why this book was so good because on the cover and title I was very hesitant about reading this. I know I shouldn't judge a book by the cover but it does happen sometimes.

I'm not a huge fan of the pictures in the book. I think they make the story more interesting and funny but just the way the people and Walter look in the book bothers me. The way it is aligned in the book with the text is really creative. It changes every page and doesn't look the same which I do like and I like the different type of font the authors use for the text.

I really liked this book because it shows that everyone is different and no one has the same talents or problems. I think it makes the reader realized that you must treat everyone in a kind respectful way no matter if they seem "different" or not. This book also is very funny and I believe would interest little kids because the book is talking about farting.

Forever Young by Bob Dylan and illustrated by Paul Rogers

I bought this book at Barnes and Noble because it was my song for my high school graduation. I only bought it because of the words of the song were in this book.At the beginning of the book it shows his parents being his inspiration about following his dream and I think it's a great way to incorporate his own life into the book. As I kept reading the book I realized that the images are crafted in a unique way to Bob Dylan's life but also significant moments in history. At the end of the book Paul Rogers puts the significance of each picture in the story and what it means.

I really enjoyed this book and the song because it has a lot of meaning to life and having inspiration. It's a great book to read to kids about having big dreams and always being true to yourself.

The Baby-Sitters Club: The Truth About Stacey (A Graphic Novel) by Raina Telgemeier

I am not 100% sure how I feel about this being a graphic novel. First of all for some reason it is very difficult for me to follow along as a graphic novel. For me I believe it would be more interesting to read it as a fictional story. The graphic novel is a good idea but can only work for certain books. I do like the expression put into the pictures and I don't have to read what the characters are saying to understand what people are feeling and thinking. Another part of the book I enjoy is how it's split up into chapters like a regular chapter book. If this didn't happen I believe that it would seem more overwhelimg than it already does. Overall it's a great story but I think it would be better fitted in a regular book instead of a graphic novel.

Stranger in the Woods by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick

What is most different about this book from any other picture book is that these are actual real photographs taken in the wilderness. It is a story that takes place in the middle of winter when there is snow all over the ground and there is a snowman built in the middle of the forest. The authors take photographs of many different animals throughout the wilderness and use these pictures to create the story about this stranger, the snowman, in the woods and how the animals see that he is friendly.

I really like how the pictures still relate to the language and text of the book instead of throwing random lines here and there with pictures that don't relate to the words at all. Becuse they relate so well together it enhances the book even more. It also shows children and students that you don't need to draw your illustrations there are many other ways to use pictures in picture books.

Dream, A Tale of Wonder, Wisdom and Wishes by Susan V. Bosak

Dream is a very extraordinary book: the illustrations, the words, the wisdom and the whole layout of the book. This book inspires anyone to dream and that dreams are possible at no matter what age, young or old. Throughout the book what makes it so special is how the pictures and background color of the page relate so closely to the words that are being said and the language that is formed. It is a true example of a picture book how the illustrations and text work hand in hand.

I don't think a child 3rd grade or younger could read this book so when using this book in the classroom it might be helpful to read it to the students and just two or three pages at a time so they can soak in what is happening. It is very lengthy and I wouldn't want them to get distracted and not understand what is going on throughout the book. But I would encourage anyone to read this book to children because it encourages them to pursuit their own dreams.

Don't be Afraid to Drop! By Julia Cook

This has to be one of my favorite books of all time. My aunt gave this book to me after one of my softball games and the author Julia Cook wrote this in the front of the book, " Never underestimate the power of the words "I can." This book has had an impact on my life and with this book she makes her readers believe in their own gifts.

The illustrations are very unique in this book. My favorite part is when the dad raindrop is talking to his son raindrop about how many gifts he has to offer the world and there are actually gifts in the picture but instead of having presents inside of them these words are placed on top of the box: strength, friendship, knowledge, and courage. It shows that the greatest gifts in the world are not material items but the relationships we make and how we help others around us grow. Another part of the book I enjoy is when the important words are bolded, in a different color and are flowing through the illustrations instead of just in one spot every page. It is very interactive and shows emphasis on what is important.

I think it is interesting how Julia Cook relates the rain drops to people. Each person who reads or listens to this book can relate to what is happening to the story. It's an important part for a writer to catch his or her audience in an emotional or special part in their own personal lives and I believe Julia Cook does exactly that with this book.

Don't Bump the Glump! and Other Fantasies by Shel Silverstein

I went out on a limb today and picked out a poetry picture book. In Don't Bump the Glump he describes each "so called animal" in a section of poetry. Some are very short for example the page about The Terrible Feezus: "There is a terrible twenty-foot Feezus. Shhh...I don't think he sees us," and others take up two pages. What I think is, how in the world does he come up with this stuff? A Slithergadee, Pointy-Peaked Pavarius, and Long-Necked Preposterous...wow it's incredible and also keeps the reader engaged throughout the whole book.

I think Shel Silverstein books are excellent for children: poetry, fiction, and of course the pictures that he uses. It gives children and students an opportunity to be creative and use their imagination. It shows them that writing isn't just about spelling and grammar but it's about having fun and letting their mind wander.

Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts

This book is about a little boy who lives with his grandma and he wants one pair of shoes that everyone has! But the problem is they don't have enough money for two pairs of shoes only new boots for winter. When his shoes fall apart on the playground Mr. Alfrey gives him some blue shoes with a little animal on them and everyone laughs at them except for Antonio. One day him and his grandmother go to a thrift store and by the shoes with his own money. They are not his size but he buys them anyway so he can fit in. On the playground he sees that Antonio, the boy who didn't laugh at his blue animal shoes, has tape holding his own shoes together. After seeing his shoes he realized that Antonio needed those new black shoes that everyone had more than he did.

I really enjoy this book because it goes away from the "typical" children's book I have been reading. For example the Henry and Mudge series where mom is at home while dad works and they live in a nice house with a white fence that says: middle-class. This book also teaches children about how some people may not have the same benefits as they do. It shows them the importance of friendship but also realizing that someone out there has it worse off than you do. It's a great way to encourage and incorporate service learning or community service projects in your classroom as well. Because there are people who need specific things in life, like shoes.

Gettysburg: The Graphic Novel by C.M. Butzer

Once I found this book I thought it would be a great idea for a graphic novel. I believe descriptions and details of pictures can explain a specific time period better than any words. My favorite parts of the book is in the front when he lays out a map of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in 1863 and also where Gettysburg is in Pennsylvania. It gives a reader an image in their mind of where this is taking place and also to realize that this did happen in the United States not too far from where they life. Another very crutial piece of this graphic novel is the cast of characters right directly after the map. I think this cast of characters helped the reader understand who was talking and in pictures at specific time periods. The one downfall about this is that there are so many pictures and it is very hard to distinguish them throughout the book.

The beginning of the book was difficult for me to follow. Every time the day changed it seemed like there were so many different things going on at once and it was hard for me to totally understand what was happening. I beleive the most important thing in the book was the Gettysburg Address from President Lincoln. The battle was important but there needed to be a way to generate a better understanding for the reader. If the book was more similar to the ending and Lincoln's speech I think the reader could have a better view of Gettysburg.

Tuesday by David Wiesner

Tuesday is one of the most creative books I have ever read. This book is the epitome of wordless books. It doesn't need any words to explain what is going on in the book. I believe if there were words in this book it would ruin the inventiveness and expression of David Wiesner's created in the pictures of this book. Tuesday is about the imagination and things that happen at times when people are unaware. Like what crazy things happen after every one goes to bed? It's about how ever Tuesday around 8:00 the frogs get on their Lilly pad and fly in the sky.

My favorite picture is where all the frogs are floating in grandmas living room while she is sleeping and watching TV. In this picture all the frogs do not look the same. Some are intrigued, others scared, and some not paying attention to the T.V. The detail and thought put into these pictures is phenomenal. For example the page where the detectives are examining the Lilly pads it incorporates the previous pictures: the man being interviewed that was eating cereal and the cat from the grandmothers living room. This is one of the best picture books I have read and would recommend it to anyone.

Once Upon a Banana by Jennifer Armstrong

I really enjoy this wordless picture book by Jennifer Armstrong. This book doesn't start from a specific page but it starts on the front cover where the monkey is a part of the jugglers show. Like most books there is a book cover, a page for the tile and copyright, but this book starts differently and should be read more than once before it is really understood by the reader. The last page and the back of the book are also used in unique ways. The last page is used for a map of where the monkey traveled and the back of the book is usually plain with the bar code at the bottom of the page. In this book the bar code is used creatively and is being carried up to a billboard.

She did a fantastic job of keeping the reader engaged throughout each scene and page. There are so many different things going on in each page so that the reader can understand what is going on in the book. Once I read this book three times I also noticed a little poem going on with the signs in the book. For example: One-Way Street, No Bare Feet, City Hall, Shopping Mall. These words describe where the crazy monkey is headed but it's formulated into a poem that can be unnoticed unless read multiple times.

Benny and Penny in Just Pretend a Toon Book by Geoffrey Hayes

I really enjoy this book as a comic strip. I believe it enhances the quality of the book overall. It's a great book for little kids who have a little sibling who bugs the older sibling to play with them all the time. Benny just wants to play pretend and be a pirate. His little sister is not able to play with him because pirates are brave and Penny is not brave enough. In the end he plays with Penny because he realized that he does love her she is brave he was just pretending that he didn't.

The main part that I like is that the layout of the pictures are different on every page. They sometimes over lap, are surrounded by a box, are not surrounded by a box and looks like a selection of picture shots. The font and style of words in the book are also used in many different ways. The talking is put into little bubble forms, ideas and imaginations are put into clouds, words of sound are in a larger font with different colors. It's a very creative way to enhance words throughout the book and let children understand their importance.

Wave by Suzy Lee

Wave is a picture book with no words and needs no words. I chose this particular picture book because it was shaped differently and I was wondering why. This book very long and narrow because it has a wonderful detail of the ocean and the perception of how big it is compared to the little girl on the beach.

I love the expression that is created by Suzy Lee in each aspect of the book. The girl is playing with the waves and when she walks away the wave follows. The girl scares the water and it creeps back into the ocean. Then she jumps in and is having fun when a little wave starts to creep up and get bigger and bigger all of a sudden she is running away from the wave and gets soaked, but leaves her presents from the sea. She starts picking up all these beautiful sea shells.

My favorite part of the book are the sea gulls that are on the front cover. They are basically playing monkey-see-monkey-do with the little girl and when she shows an expression to the water the sea gulls follow her lead. Another part of the book I enjoy is how in the beginning the only color was the ocean but after the wave soaked the little girl the sea shells, little girls dress, and sky were also blue. It made these parts stand out in the book.