Nouns and Verbs Have a Field Day

Nouns and Verbs have a Field Day

Written by: Robin Pulver

Illustrated by: Lynn Rowe Reed

Holiday House 2006

35 pages

Fiction

 

I hardly ever see a book just about nouns and verbs so I thought this would be a good book to check out. Every day in Mr. Wright’s classroom the students would search for nouns and verbs. One day Mr. Wright announced they would be going on a field trip. The nouns and verbs felt lonely to be left in the classroom so they decided to have their own field trip. They learned that the nouns needed the verbs and the verbs needed the nouns.

The illustrations in this book were created with acrylic paint on canvas. There are many bright vibrant colors to catch the excitement of the book. The pages are chaotically filled with different shapes of things.

This book would be great when introducing nouns and verbs in your class. I think it would help the younger students grasp the concept more of what nouns and verbs mean. For older grade, you could have them look through the book and use the different verbs and nouns they see in sentences. You could also use this book as a read aloud and have the students demonstrate some of the actions being done in the book and also let them make up their own actions.

 

 

The Shark who was Afraid of Everything!

The Shark who was Afraid of Everything!

Written by: Brian James

Illustrated by: Bruce McNally

Scholastic Inc. 2002

31 pages

Fiction

 

            I chose this book because I wanted to read a book about friendship, which is just what this book is about. Sharkie the shark is no ordinary shark. Sharkie is scared of everything! He is always being teased by his brothers and sisters so he decided to move away. Little did Sharkie know there was a small fish named Lily who followed him. They became great friends and Lily helps Sharkie conquer his fears!

The pictures in this book are very cartoonist. There are many deep blues and greens used with a hint of bright yellows. The shapes of the book help the reader to see how big Sharkie’s fears are to him. There are many different lines used to demonstrate Sharkie’s range of moods.

The Shark who was Afraid of Everything would be a great read for preschool or kindergarten students. I would use this book during the first week of school to let student know it is ok to be scared sometimes and that everyone is the class will help each other to get through it. This book is another great rhyming book as well. The rhymes are easy enough that children could read along with them.

 

Pirates Go to School

Pirates Go To School

Written By: Corinne Demas

Illustrated By: John Manders

Orchard Books 2011

32 pages

Fiction

 

             I chose this book because it seemed like it would be a fun read with students. The illustrations on the cover page are super cute and catch the eye. It introduces the things students do in school but with a little “pirate tweak”. This book is rhythmic book about pirates who go to school. They bring their pet parrots, swords, and many other things that pirates use in class each day. When it’s time to leave the pirates like to say “Yo ho ho, we’re so cool. We are pirates and we love school.”

            The illustrations are very bright, fun, and detailed. The bright colorful details capture the humor used throughout the book. Each pirate has the same yet distinct look about them. The pictures are very detailed and help you really imagine what a pirate’s day at school would really look like. The different shapes used help lead the eye to all the great details and things you may not notice.

This book would be great to read with younger children. You could incorporate this with a rhyming lesson. The rhymes are very fun and silly. The book could also be used to show younger students what you do at school. It shows many different parts of the school day like snack time, P.E, and storytelling. I really enjoyed this book and think it would be a great book to read with your students.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Very Cranky Bear

The Very Cranky Bear

Written and illustrated by: Nick Bland

Scholastic Australia 2008

21 pages

            I chose this book because one of my teachers recommended it to me. It has many different things you could incorporate into lessons. The story involves four animal friends who run into a very cranky bear while looking for a place to play. They do everything they can to cheer him up but nothing seems to work. Finally one animal realizes the one thing the bear needs.

            Nick Bland is the author and illustrator of this book. The illustrations are filled with many details. If I were to just flip through this book I would be laughing without having to read any words. The colors used are dark reds, browns, gold, and green. The pictures are very detailed and capture each character’s mood. The shapes help to emphasize what animal is in charge and what animal is more neglected.

I would definitely recommend this book. It was such a fun read for me and I think students would love it also. This book would be a great read with children five and up. There are several things in this book you could use in the classroom.  The Very Cranky Bear is a great book to incorporate in a rhyming lesson. The rhymes are cute and very funny. “So zebra fetched a tin of mud and lion, some grass of gold. Moose got two big branches, and sheep… well, sheep got cold.” The book also has great vocabulary in it, such as, main and antlers. The Very Cranky Bear contains so many great adjectives in it like marvelous, cranky, and fantastic. My favorite thing about the book is the great moral twist at the end.

 

 

 

I Like Pumpkins

I Like Pumpkins

Written and Illustrated by: Jerry Smath

Scholastic Inc. 2003

30 pages

Fiction

          I chose this book because it seemed like a cute pumpkin book to read to students in October. The book is about a girl who takes you on a journey all over town to see the different styles of pumpkins. She shares with us all the different shapes and sizes that pumpkins can be. She also tells us a variety of ways people use pumpkins. Her most favorite is pumpkin pie!

          The illustrations in this book are very cute which captures the story perfectly. There are many different bright colors that show how the girl is feeling. The pumpkins in the book have many different shapes used with unique lines.

          I think I Like Pumpkins would be a great read for preschoolers or kindergarteners. It is a cute rhyming story and would be great to share close to Halloween. This book could be used in many different subjects. In language arts you could use it to demonstrate rhyming, in science you could teach about how pumpkins grow and in math you could have children compare the different shapes and sizes pumpkins come in. The book also includes five puzzle pages that you could do with your students. I Like Pumpkins is a fun easy read that students would enjoy!

 

 

 

Even More Parts

Even More Parts

Written and illustrated by: Tedd Arnold

Scholastic Inc. 2004

28 pages

Fiction

            I chose this book because I remember reading the other two books that goes with it Parts and More Parts, which I thought were supper cute. The book is about a boy who hears all this crazy talk that he is scared to go anywhere. Before leaving to go to school he gets all geared up for the day he think is ahead of him. The boy takes expressions like, “My nose is running” or “My ears are burning” literally. In his mind he pictures all the parts he might lose at school and ends up leaving his house very prepared for the school day!

            I love Tedd Arnold’s illustrations in the book. They are very detailed and hilarious to look at. The pictures are very chaotic with warm watercolors. There are many different lines used to demonstrate the different motions in the book. The compositions of the pictures balance themselves out to make this one great illustration.

This would be a great read for grades first through third. The book has many great idioms that you could use to teach your students. The pictures help the students realize what the expressions mean. You could also read this book when talking about speech bubbles. Overall I think this book would be a great book to read in the classroom. I really enjoyed all three books in the sequel and suggest you read them too!

 

 

 

Too Loud Lily

Too Loud Lily

Written by: Sophie Laguna

Illustrated by: Kerry Argent

Scholastic Inc. 2002

                This book I chose at the school library. The title was catchy and made me want to find out what the book was about. Lily Hippo was always very loud. Even when she thought she was being quiet she was still being too loud. Her family and friends would always get onto Lily and tell her to be quiet. One day Lily Hippo got a new teacher. The teacher embraced Lily’s loudness and found just the perfect thing for Lily to do.

The illustrations of this book really capture Lily’s loudness. The colors are warm with some touches of lime greens and turquoise. The shapes of the pictures help emphasize Lily’s loudness and also how her family and friends are annoyed.  The details in the pictures help readers to see how Lily is feeling throughout the story.

Too Loud Lily would be a great book to read to younger children probably about three and up. I think this would be a great book to read during your first days of class. I would use it as a motivational book for children.  The message it sends to readers is that you should embrace your unique qualities and not let anyone bring you down because of them!

 

 

Aliens Love Underpant

Aliens Love Underpants

Written by: Claire Freedman

Illustrated by: Ben Cort

Simon and Schuster 2007

28 pages

Fiction

            When looking at books to read this one was one of the first to catch my eye. The illustrations on the cover page are funny and silly and make you want to read the book. Since there are no underpants in space, aliens have to fly down to Earth. They love underpants in all shapes and sizes! From moms to grandpas the aliens love all the different kinds. But always have to leave in a flash so they are not caught. So if you ever see an alien don’t worry they aren’t out to get you, just your underpants!

Ben Cort did a fantastic job on the illustrations. The pictures are funny and corky just like the story. I love the way he uses the different colors to create unique pictures. The aliens’ lines are short and stubby but with long arms. There are many different shapes used through the text to emphasize what the story is talking about.

This is a hilarious book that could be used for many different age groups but mostly younger grade levels. It is a great book to introduce rhyming with. The book could also be used for creative writing prompts. The book has many adjectives used that students you could ask your students to listen for and point out. I think Aliens Love Underpants would be a wonderful book to read with your students just for the joy of reading!

 

 

The Great Gracie Chase

The Great Gracie Chase

 Stop That Dog!

Written by: Cynthia Rylant

Illustrated by: Mark Ieague

Blue Sky Press 2001

31 pages

Fiction

            The Great Gracie Chase is about a dog who likes her house to be very quiet. One day painters come to her house and ruin everything. Gracie did not like the painters being so loud, so she barked and barked until they put her outside. Even though she knew she wasn’t suppose too, Gracie took a walk by herself. Before she knew it the walk became a run and the whole neighborhood started to chase her. This book seemed like it would be an exciting book to read with children. The illustrations are big and loud which students will enjoy.

            The illustrations were one of the very first things that jumped out at me. The shapes of the pictures help children know what the most important thing to look at is or when something exciting happens. The illustrations are cartoon like characters. The colors are warm and vibrant which lets us see the same excitement in which the words convey.

 

        Although this book is not my favorite, I think children will enjoy it very much. I think you could use this book for grades K-3. The Great Gracie Chase would be great to use as a read aloud book. Afterwards students could sequence out the events that take place. Another way to incorporate this book could be the use of cause and effect. You could have a chart to do with younger grades and as a class feel out the cause and effect part. For instance, Gracie got put outside because of her loud barking.

 

Grace for President

Grace for President

Written by: Kelley DiPucchio

Illustrated by: LeUyen Pham

Hyperion Books for Children 2008

32 pages

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

            I chose this book because it was one of the first to jump out at me. The illustrations are big and loud which I know children like. I also knew it would be a good book to read in school since that is where the setting takes place.  When Grace Campbell learns there has never been a girl president she immediately decides she wants to be the first. The school holds an election for Grace and her tough competition Thomas Cobb. While Thomas knows he has it in the bag Grace works hard and tries to become the best girl for the job.

            The illustrations in this book really catch the eye. The pictures are very big, loud, and colorful. The compositions show you what the author wants you to mainly focus on. There are many different shapes and sizes, such as the shape of the states. The illustrator uses a variety of warm colors such as reds, blues, and yellows. The pictures capture the American theme throughout the book.

            This book would be appropriate for children between ages 5 to 9. There are a variety of different texts. For kindergarten through first grade you may have to read the book aloud to your students, where as second or third grade students could read it to themselves. Grace for President would be great to incorporate in a history lesson. I would like to use it during election time because it really goes through the election process in a student friendly manner. It would also be good to build character education. It shows children know matter what you should always believe in yourself and dream big!