2011 Readings

Allsburg,V. (2011). Queen of the Falls. New York:  Houghton Mifflin Books.

The year is 1901 and a 62-year old widow Annie Edson Taylor fears “the poorhouse” after closing her Michigan charm school. She decides to become a popular attraction and designs a barrel big enough to hold her. She decides to be the first person to go over the Niagra Falls in a barrel. Allsburg captivates readers with sepia-tinted portraits and pictures her in a ruffled blouse, cameo brooch, and billowing skirt, her white hair swept under a dowdy hat. The book is impeccably designed; Van Allsburg's grainy, closely observed colored-pencil scenes mimic documentary photos and are beautifully balanced by blocks of text. This fine illustrated book is very much recommended for K-4^th grade students.    

Extended sites to view:

http://www.niagarafallslive.com/Niagara_Falls_Interactive_Map.htm

http://www.history.com/topics/niagara-falls/interactives/place-the-state-game

Yaccarino,D. (2011). All the way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a LIttle Shovel. New York:  Knopf.

 Yaccarino shares his family history through a vivid and captivating picture book. The text is clear and simple, but readers' interest will be held fast by the bright illustrations. The narrative starts with the author's great-grandfather, Michele Iaccarino, who boards a ship for America with the shovel. Yaccarino creates a world of friendly, rounded people set against stylized background scenery. Readers of diverse backgrounds will be able to identify with the search for a better life in a new country, the passing along of values, and the addition of new family members. The story will make an outstanding family-history discussion starter. exceptional picture book recommended for all young readers.

Perl,E. (2011).When Life Gives You O.J. New York: Knopf.

In this warm novel about family, friendship, and fitting in, 10-year-old Zelly.  Her family moves from Brooklyn to Vermont to live with her recently widowed grandfather where she doesn’t feel like she fits in. He develops a idea of a practice dog for Zelly before she can own a real one.  Zelly’s yearning for a dog collides head-on with her desire not to stick out, and her attitude toward the practice dog and her combative relationship with Ace are complicated by her grief following the recent death of her grandmother. It is warm novel about family, friendship, and fitting in. Perl captures a kid’s daily life perfectly. With bullies, drama, humiliation, friendship and second chances, this novel will reach many young readers.

Also visit: http://www.ericaperl.com/imported-20100131174515/2011/6/14/happy-birthday-to-oj.html 

Perl,E. (2011). Chicken Butt's Back. New York: Knopf.

 This picture book by Erica Perl captivates readers with illustrations so imaginative, colorful and eye catching. The words are so clever and creative that kids will love it. The rhyme used in dialogue will help young readers develop their language. This book is a sequel of Chicken Butt and can be read as a duet and kids will enjoy expressing the characters’ voices. It is an amazing picture book that can be fun to read aloud with children in two voices or act out during story times and in classrooms

Extended Activities:
http://www.lessonplanet.com/search?_kk=chicken+worksheets&_kt=3d1f9929-6ee3-4e64-ba1e-862fc89e09dd&gclid=CL22i-nAz6kCFRMS2godK0W8OQ&keywords=chickens&media=worksheets

Brown, M. (2011). Arthur Turns Green. New York: Little Brown.

Arthur is a favorite for many young readers because they can relate to him and his daily life experiences. Arthur Turns Green is a book that will inspire many young readers to do their part and help save our planet. Arthur is working on a school project his teacher calls "the Big Green Machine".  Arthur finds many ways to save energy at home but frightens his little sister D.W.  She thinks Arthur, their father, and Arthur's friend, Buster, might really be turning green. Arthur leads by example and shows how making green choices can be uncomplicated, rewarding, and fun. This story deals with the environment and all that we can do as individuals and families to conserve our natural resources. This is an excellent message, and Brown gets the message across with his brilliant colored double paged illustrations. It is a fun book and will teach students to GO GREEN!




ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Extended Web site:

http://www.epa.gov/kids/game.htm