Stormy Night

Stormy Night was written by Robin Wasserman, illustrated by Duendes del Sur and is the 16th book in the Cartoon Network Scooby-Doo! series geared to children in preschool through 1st grade who are learning to read.  This fun mystery book begins with Shaggy and Scooby-Doo all alone in their big house on a "dark, dark night."  Then, a thunder and lightning storm causes the lights to go out which sets the scene for a somewhat scary night as they see and hear things that make them think someone is in the house with them! Their fright is short-lived though, as they realize the "scary" things they see are only objects in the house making shadows that appear to be a ghost and the sounds they hear are just their friends trying to come in and get out of the rain!  Although the lights never come on, all is well in the "big, dark, cozy" house with all the friends sitting around the fireplace, roasting marshmallows and having a wonderful time together!!

Narrative Picturebook (including picture clues)

This book is effective in teaching children that "things aren't always the way they appear!"  Young children are often frightened of sounds and shadows when they are alone in their bedrooms at night, so I believe this may put their minds at ease and help them deal with their fear.  Also, as shown below, the picture clues on each page are so beneficial with teaching youngsters to read and they surely will feel encouraged and proud as they "read" the book!  Since this is a book in a series, children will most likely be excited to read others after enjoying this one!

In addition to the picture clues, the vibrant, cartoon-like illustrations on each page will keep kids interested with the fun emotions shown by all the characters!!  Also, the word choice is exciting with lots of expressive words--"Zoinks!" "Jinkies!" "Ruh-roh!" along with sounds on several pages that the reader can make--"Thud, thud, thud" and "Tap, tap tap."  Additionally, children can relate the story to the Scooby Doo! television program with characters that they know and have come to love!

I thought this was a fun book and read these types of books to my children when they were learning to read and they really thought it was great to "read" along and try to figure out the mystery!  We also use these clue books at our preschool to help the children learn to read from a young age and they also enjoy them tremendously!

During Circle Time:

• While reading the book, ask the children questions, such as "Do you think someone is really in the house?"
• Do you ever get frightened when you are alone or if there is a thunder and lightning storm?
• What other things are you scared of and what do you do to feel better?

Class Activities:

1. Play a game using the 24 flash cards at the end of the book to associate the pictures with the words. Then, copy the flash cards and send them home with the children so they can practice the words at home.
2. Use the flash cards to teach children sorting.  Ask them to put all of the people, objects and pictures of nature (clouds, rain, stars) into separate piles.

This is a terrific book for young children which is published by Scholastic, Inc.  Again, I feel it is most helpful to encourage young children to want to read based on the content and outstanding illustrations.

Other exciting books in the Scooby-Doo series:

• The Apple Thief
• Scooby-Doo and the Sunken Ship
• Thanksgiving Mystery

Reference

Wasserman, R. (2003). Stormy Night. New York: Scholastic, Inc.

 This picturebook is filled with fun and mystery and is considered a "clue" book, which is very h

Why Do Elephants Wear Purple Suspenders?

Fantasy Joke/Riddle Book

Why Do Elephants Wear Purple Suspenders? was written and illustrated by Judy Ziegler.  This is a cute joke and riddle book geared to children from preschool through kindergarten that is sure to keep them giggling and interested to see what the next joke is!  All of the colorful, cartoon-like and humorous illustrations show all sorts of animals (pigs, tigers, rabbits, etc.) playing out the riddle or joke.  One adorable riddle included is "Where do rabbits catch the bus?"--"At the bus hop."  The author did a great job including the "answer" on each page, but, as you can see, it is at the bottom of the page, upside down! 

The illustrations are all bright and so appealing to the reader, especially as they show the animals' emotions and feelings--the element of wonder, surprise and joy are captured on each page!  Children will love seeing the animals performing humanistic activities that they can relate to, such as waiting at the bus stop, taking a bath, eating and playing instruments! 

I so enjoyed this amusing book, its clever jokes and silly pictures and, even as an adult, it had me laughing! Therefore, although the book is primarily written for preschool-age children, I believe children in 1st-2nd grade would also enjoy the humor and exciting pictures!

As the jokes are being read to the children, teachers can incorporate a question-and-answer activity:

• What do you think the the answer (punchline) is?
• Does anyone know a joke or can you make up a joke about a zebra, pig, raccoon, etc.?
• Did you ever ride in a train like the bears did in this picture?

Class Activities:

1. Tell the children a funny joke, explaining that you chose an elephant based on the title of our story. What do you call an elephant in a phone booth?  See if they can guess, then, tell them the punchline--"Stuck!!"
2. Draw a picture of an animal doing something silly and tell me about your picture.  Then, try to think of a joke about your picture (offering assistance, if asked).  Next, write down what the child said he/she drew and the joke, if he/she thought of one.  Whatever the child's joke was, be sure to laugh, write it down and praise him/her for being so funny!!

I consider this book, endorsed by Goodreads, excellent to introduce children to jokes and riddles from a young age!  It gets their "wheels turning" as they try and figure out the answer and kids will love hearing the responses from the other children as well!  In my experience as a parent, preschool teacher and Sunday School teacher, kids just love telling and listening to jokes!  It's even more fun, most times, if their jokes don't make a bit of sense--children get the biggest kick out of these!!

Other outstanding books by Judy Ziegler:

• The Shakespeare Alphabet
• Quick, Call Me a Taxi (My First Jokes and Riddles)

Reference

Ziegler, J. (1992). Why Do Elephants Wear Purple Suspenders? Los Angeles: Lowell House.

The Way I Feel

The Way I Feel was written and illustrated by Janan Cain.  This excellent picturebook teaches young children about feelings and emotions in a very understandable manner.  Primarily, though, the main emphasis is that all feelings and emotions are okay with the last line of the book stating, "They're all a part of me!" It is very effective to introduce simple feelings that a toddler could relate to, such as happy, sad or angry to more advanced emotions geared toward older preschoolers and kindergartners, such as disappointed, frustrated and jealous.

                                                                  Narrative Picturebook

                                                                   

Children can relate to the author's outstanding examples when describing the feelings as she writes about real-life happenings that most children have experienced.  For example, for "scared," she discusses and illustrates a child alone in bed during a thunder and lightning storm with the picture showing the child wide-eyed with the covers pulled up to his chin!  Another excellent illustration is "frustrated," with a little girl saying she can't do it because it's hard and wants to cry--the colorful picture shows a little girl trying to tie her shoe. The range of emotions outlined in the book cover most of the feelings all children have felt or will feel during their early years.

Cain's vivid illustrations are so entertaining and depict the children's expressions during the emotions beautifully! Children will love the colors and that they can relate to the pictures and may have even experienced the same feeling of the child performing the task or incident described on the pages.

I so enjoyed this book and we read it many times throughout the year at our preschool.  I think it is imperative to teach children from a young age about their feelings, so they are not afraid to express them. Also, teachers and parents must instill in children that EVERYONE has these feelings throughout their lives--teachers and parents are scared, disappointed, excited, sad, etc. and it is all okay!

This story can be read to children as young as 2 years old through kindergarten and can be modified dependent upon the age group. 

During Circle Time:

• Teachers can ask questions while the story is being read, such as, "Do you know what it feels like to be sad, excited, bored, feel shy, be thankful, etc.?" 
• After the book is read, ask the children if they have questions or would like to share how they are feeling today, with the teacher beginning by sharing how she feels.  If a child would not like to participate, skip them, so he/she will not feel uncomfortable and say that we will come back to you to see if you would like a turn later.

Class Activities:

1. Draw/paint a picture of yourself showing any emotion/feeling they would like and ask them what they drew or painted?  Next, write on their paper the emotion and ask them "when" they feel this way and write that on the paper as well.  Then, send the paper home to parents so they will see what the child has shared with the class.
2. Ask children to tell about a time when they were "Happy" about something in the past couple days to end the discussion about feelings in a lighthearted way!!

This is a wonderful book, endorsed by Discovery Toys, to add to the classroom library based on its content, wonderful illustrations and terrific message about each and every person feeling different emotions throughout each day.  Additionally, I feel it should ALWAYS be on the bookshelf, available to children during free play, so they can pick it up whenever they wish.  It shouldn't be tucked away for a specific theme, for instance, as children may enjoy looking at it alone, perhaps if they are feeling a particular emotion that day!  

Other outstanding books by Janan Cain:

• Asi me siento yo (Spanish version of The Way I Feel)
• Roonie B. Moonie: Lost and Alone

Reference

Cain, J.(2000). The Way I Feel. Seattle, WA: Parenting Press, Inc.

Too Many Tamales

Multicultural Narrative Fiction

Too Many Tamales was written by Gary Soto and illustrated

by Ed Martinez.  This wonderful book was full of excitement and

surprises and teaches children a very important message about

honesty and forgiveness.

The story begins during a Christmas gathering with many 

relatives celebrating.  Maria is enjoying helping her mother make

tamales and decides to try on her diamond ring that she has so

so admired.  The ring slips off Maria's finger into the bowl of masa!  The tamales are finally made and placed into large pot and cooked.

Once Maria realizes the ring is gone and must be in one of the tamales, she decides the tamales must to eaten to find the ring, so she and her cousins eat the entire batch to discover they did not find it!  Her conscience tells her to admit what happened to her mother, only to find she is wearing the ring!  Maria feels terrible, but the ending is very lighthearted as she is forgiven with the entire family joining in to make a second batch of tamales! 

The illustrations are absolutely beautiful, almost sparkling, even though there is a "dimness" on every page. The illustrator captured the expressions of the children and adults in an amazing way!  The reader can "feel" the happiness, sadness, worry and excitement on every page of the story.  

I so enjoyed this book as it was very family-oriented which is so near and dear to my heart.  I loved the range of emotions throughout the story and it taught a great lesson to children--everyone makes mistakes, but we will be forgiven and honesty is always best!

This story is geared to children ranging from preschool through 1st grade.  I feel children will love to wonder what will happen next and so love the large pictures as they really come to life!  Teachers can incorporate a question and answer activity while reading the story (will the ring be found, will mom be angry?, etc.).  After the story is read, discuss it with the children asking each child to respond, if they feel comfortable.

• Would you have tried on your mother's ring, if you thought she wouldn't find out?
• What have you done that wasn't honest and what was the outcome?
• When you have done something wrong and how did you feel?
• Were you forgiven after you apologized and how did that make you feel?

Class Activities:

1. Draw a picture of yourself doing something wrong and show your expression (for preschoolers, ask them to draw their face only).
2. During Circle Time, ask children about their holiday traditions (who visits, what kind of food is prepared, do they help out in the kitchen?).

This is a Junior Library Guild book and classified as outstanding for primary age children.  I think this is a wonderful book to have in the classroom library based on the message, content and that a very meaningful discussion can be enjoyed by everyone.  I also feel the teacher should include her responses, prior to asking the children questions, as it tells them that even adults make mistakes!  Additionally, if children are hesitant about sharing their thoughts, the teacher is a great icebreaker! 

Other outstanding books by Gary Soto:

• Baseball in April
• Living Up the Street

Reference

Soto, G. (1993). Too Many Tamales. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons.