> The Things You Can Read: Children's Picture Books

The Things You Can Read welcomes you and thanks you for your readership. We, here at The Things You Can Read, ask your help, if you visit our site regularly, please follow us either via email or Google Friend Connect.  Launched on June 7, 2012, our site has already attracted a great deal of attention.  One of the goals of the site is to feature reviews of Children's Picture Books, Young Adult novels and Adult Literary Fiction/Nonfiction.  A second goal for the blog is to be a resource for teachers of English and writing--with examples of student created writing, writing tips, resource links, and the opportunity to pick the brain of a seasoned English teacher.  To spice things up...every now and then, we'll also include random quotes and thoughts on education and life in general, but our ultimate goal is to reach out into the blogosphere and be a "Book Whisperer" and "Writing Whisperer" to children and adults of all ages.   Thank you for your readership.  Here is to a lifetime filled with reading and writing.
Showing posts with label Children's Picture Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Children's Picture Books. Show all posts

Monday, November 9, 2015

How to Use Picture Books in the Middle School Classroom: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
Image Credit: Amazon.com

If you are an old movie buff, now we're talking old-Buster Keaton kind of old movie buff, and you love books, here is just what the doctor ordered.  A children's picture book that has been turned into an Academy Award winning animated short, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.  My students love this activity.  Here is the link to the original lesson that I modified for my use-This is one way to use this exceptional children's book in the classroom: Film English

Here is the short film that won the 2011 Academy Award for Animated Short...After viewing make sure you go get the book, because everyone knows the book is always better!


Let us, here at The Things You Can Read, know what you think of The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore!  If you are a teacher, let us know how you use this intriguing book or plan to use this book in the classroom.

Summary Courtesy of Goodreads:

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

by   
Morris Lessmore loved words.
He loved stories.
He loved books.
But every story has its upsets.


Everything in Morris Lessmore’s life, including his own story, is scattered to the winds.

But the power of story will save the day.    (less)
Hardcover52 pages
Published June 19th 2012 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers (first published 2011)
ISBN
1442457023 (ISBN13: 9781442457027)
edition language
English

Let us, here at The Things You Can Read, know what you think of The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore!  If you are a teacher, let us know how you use this intriguing book or plan to use this book in the classroom.

Happy Reading!
Things You Can Read
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Summary Courtesy of Goodreads:

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

Happy Reading & Writing

The Things You Can Read!

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books & Writing!


Don't Forget To Be Awesome!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I am an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience; I currently teach English in the public school system of Virginia. In my spare time I am an avid reader. writer, reviewer, blogger, writing/art journaler, beekeeper, grad student, and MOTHER. - See more: Here

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Can't Wait to Read: Louise Loves Art by Kelly Light

Becoming Created by Irene (4 years old) and Lillian Marcella (3 years old)



"For fans of Olivia and Eloise, this stunning debut from Kelly Light is an irresistible story about the importance of creativity in all its forms."  GoodReads

The summer months have been ones for creating all kinds of art in our home and at our local Art Museum.  We have painted, molded sculptures, and collaged.  Needless to say our house is one with several budding artists.  I am so excited about the publication of Louise Loves Art and I can't wait to add this one to our growing pile of children's books.  With comparisons to Olivia I know this book will live up to the hype.  I can't help, but remember what Picasso said, "Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."  It you want to help your little artist stay on his or her own "Artists Way" give Louise Loves Art a read and see if it sparks that creative gene.




Happy Reading
The Things You Can Read!
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Monday, July 22, 2013

Review: Cooking with Henry and Elliebelly by Carolyn Parkhurst, Dan Yaccarino (Illustrator)

What made me pick this one off the library shelf?  I loved the title and the cover.  One of the reasons for this was that Elliebelly has red hair, and so do my two girls.  We are always drawn to characters with hair the color of theirs...even in movie picks, Brave is one of their favorites, so what can I say,  WE do judge books by their covers or characters by their hair color.  However, before checking it out, I flipped through the pages and based on my quick perusal felt it had just the right amount of text for a three year old.  So in the library basket it went.

It was not my daughter's first choice to read once we got home, but it eventually made its way to the top of the pile, and what fun we had reading this one.  Think kids version of a pretend cooking show where things never seem to turn out right, or do they?  The co-hostess Elliebelly, just does not cooperate, and mom seems to interrupt at inopportune times too, but Henry is the consummate host and rolls with the punches, taking everything in stride.  He never forgets the most important ingredient of all:  Have Fun!  Henry has a wonderful imagination. and wait till you see what these two kids have cooked up for their show.  Recipes to make kids of all ages giggle fill the pages of this cooking show on paper, think Oscar the Grouch and his chicken soup skit on Sesame Street. 

So, if you are looking for a fun read that is guaranteed to make you laugh pick up a copy of Cooking with Henry and Elliebelly. If you are still unsure if this one's for you, read below for a recipe to whet your reading appetite for this wonderful picture book by Carolyn Parkhurst, and don't forget,  Bon AppĂ©tit! 

Cooking with Henry and Elliebelly Book Trailer 
Resources:
Library Point Review


Does this sound like a picture book for you?  Let us know here at The Things You Can Read!

Happy Reading
The Things You Can Read!
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!


Friday, July 19, 2013

Review: Mr. Pusskins: A Love Story By Sam Lloyd


 
Review: Mr. Pusskins: A Love Story By Sam Lloyd
 
I thought my family was a dog family, with three shih tzus, Aidan, Theo, and Che, but my three year-old daughter, Irene, is really taken with cats. Her favorite special "One and Only" item is her pink Kitty Kat. If we go to the library she picks any book with a cat on it. Who knew? 

With that said, this is how we ended up selecting Mr. Pusskins: A Love Story by Sam Lloyd from the plethora of books on the library shelf last week. It is also why she quickly chose Mr. Pusskins: A Love Story as one of our first reads after our visit to the library. Well, I guess you can judge a book by its cover because she picked this one for the cat on the front cover, and ended loving the story.
 
In a nutshell, it is a story of a cat who doesn't realize there is "No Place Like Home", so he takes his unappreciative self on a walkabout that makes him appreciate what he had in the first place, and fortunately for Mr Pusskins it is not too late. He makes it back home, and becomes a much better cat for having experienced his misadventures in the wild.
 
Great illustrations, great story, great theme, so succinctly put, a good choice all around; even if it was judged by only it's cover, and by the way, we plan to read the rest of the Mr. Pusskins series. 

For other picture books about cats click HERE

Summary Courtesy: Goodreads

Mr. Pusskins doesn't want to play mouse games. He thinks snuggling is for the birds.

Having his fur combed?

Listening to cozy bedtime stories?

Boring!
 
Mr. Pusskins goes in search of adventure.

But along the way he finds out how much love is waiting for him at home.

What Cat picture book to do recommend?  Let us know here at The Things You Can Read!

Happy Reading
The Things You Can Read!
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!
 
 


Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Review: The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant, Stephen Gammel (Illustrator)


 
Review: The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant, Stephen Gammel (Illustrator)

The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant, Stephen Gammel (Illustrator) is a great book for summer reading. This one was a "Mama Pick" rather than an "Irene Pick", but both of us enjoyed The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant.  Why?  The cover with the groovy multi-colored station wagon is one reason, and another is because I admire the author Cynthia Rylant's body of work and spotted this one as one I'd missed.

The relatives of the story get up early one summer morning, and drive from their home in Virginia to their relatives home across the state. They literally move in with their relatives for the summer. Much joy is had over the following weeks. Picnics, singing, and good old-timey summer fun is had by all. However, as fall approaches the relatives must pack up their retro-station wagon, and return home to Virginia in time to harvest their grapes.

The story is filled with family fun. I love that you see multiple generations of the family interacting and having a good time.  Children need to see more of this in literature.   If you are a parent who is looking for stories with traditional family values The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant fits the bill, and Stephen Gammel's illustrations only add to the story. Irene and I highly recommend The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant.

Summary Courtesy: Goodreads
In a rainbow-colored station wagon that smelled like a real car, the relatives came. When they arrived, they hugged and hugged from the kitchen to the front room. All summer they tended the garden and ate up all the strawberries and melons. They plucked banjos and strummed guitars.

When they finally had to leave, they were sad, but not for long. They all knew they would be together next summer.

What picture book do you recommend for Irene and I to read next?  Let us know here at The Things You Can Read!

Happy Reading
The Things You Can Read!
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Top 10 Bear Picture Books

The Bear by Raymond Briggs

According to The Guardian here are the Top 10 Bear Picture Books
The ubiquitous rise of the teddy since 1903 has given the cuddly sort of bear a firm place in most modern children's hearts. I think there's nothing better than snuggling up with an assortment of bears for storytime - one or more to cuddle and one to read about. There are sleepless bears, scary bears, wise old bears, magical bears, sad bears and spaceman bears in the books I've chosen - but all have one thing in common, great storytelling, complemented by pictures that make you want to look again and again. This is the magical and elusive alchemy which lies at the heart of a successful picture book and these 10 all have it.


What do you think?  What bear book would you add?   


Happy Reading!
The Things You Can Read
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

  
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