Storytime with No, David!

I collaborated with a public librarian in order to create a storytime program for a group of preschoolers at a day care. I chose to use the story No, David! by David Shannon (pictured below).

Bib Info: Shannon, David. (1998). No, David! New York, New York: The Blue Sky Press.

Materials:

-popsicle sticks (one for each child and one for the teacher demo)

-liquid glue

-miniature paper plates (one for each table)

-q-tips (one for each child and one for the teacher demo)

-a pre-cut David head and nose printed on cardstock or glued to construction paper to make it sturdy retrieved from Kindergarten Kindergarten (one for each child and one for the teacher demo)

-scissors (for you to cut the David heads out unless you have time to let them cut)

-song for movement

Lesson Plan

-Introduce story, read the story, re-read the story (7 minutes)

-Song with movement (3 minutes)

-Craft (10 minutes)

I spoke with the children about following directions. I read the story to them. I then invited them to help me read the story. I showed them the cue and explained they would say "David" when given the cue.

I invited the students to join me in a song performance. I planned to perform a song without my iPOD. I used the song Following Directions with Excercise by Mark D. Pencil, which I sang from memory. All of the children participated, which was exciting!

The students then dispersed into their assigned groups at four different tables. I put glue on each plate, provided each child with a q-tip, popsicle stick, and pre-cut David head. I then showed the students how to put it together. Due to the age level, I went over my pre-planned time because a lot of the children needed 1:1 assistance with gluing the head to the popsicle stick. Most of the students were able to glue the nose on to David's face without assistance.

I printed out the template and then glued them on construction paper because I didn't have any card stock on hand.

Here is what the final product should look like.

Overall, the lesson was a success and the pre-school teacher was pleased with the visit. I definitely had fun delivering this lesson and love books by David Shannon.

Babymouse Cupcake Tycoon

Summary: Babymouse accidentally causes the fire sprinklers to turn on in the school library causing a lot of books to get ruined. In result, a fundraiser is held to raise money for books. The student who raises the most money by selling cupcakes will win a prize. Felicia is Babymouse’s biggest competition. Felicia has advertiser’s working with her. Babymouse comes up with several ideas on how to sell more cupcakes, but is unsuccessful until she gets a bright idea to sell them at a sidewalk stand. She begins to make sales when it starts to downpour. She is soaking wet when a news van stops to record her story. Babymouse ends up selling the most cupcakes and receives a plaque with her name on it, which is the grand prize. Unfortunately, her name is misspelled; it has two s’ instead of one.

Bib Info: Holm, J. & Holm, M. (2010). Babymouse cupcake tycoon. New York, NY: Randomhouse Children’s Books.

Interest Level: 3-6

Impression: This graphic novel is cute. The pages are filled with pink, black, and white illustrations. The narrator is Babymouse’s father. It is interesting to read his questions to her regarding her decision making. I think students would find her adventure and obstacles she endures entertaining.

Reviews and Awards: Booklist 10/15/10, Wilson's Children 09/01/11, Horn Book 05/01/11

Reviews: Grades 4-6. In her latest adventure, Babymouse accidentally sets off the sprinkler system in the library. With many of the books ruined, the school decides to run a cupcake fund-raiser. Felicia uses catchy slogans and ads to sell hers, but every scheme . . . er, plan Babymouse tries ends in disaster. This time, her overactive imagination does point the way to one plan that maybe, just maybe will work. Young readers will enjoy Babymouse’s daydreams, especially her view of the library as a wonderful landscape of books and the nonfiction section as “the tomb of the unknown fraction.”
[Review of the book Babymouse cupcake tycoon, by J. Holm & M. Holm]. (2010, October 15). Booklist, 106, 11. Retrieved from: http://www.booklistonline.com/

When the library is flooded and books are destroyed (accidents happen, Babymouse), the school holds a fundraiser. Babymouse's entrepreneurial spirit (and her competitive streak) emerge as she tries to out-sell Felicia and win the special prize. This graphic novel's plucky heroine, pink-tinted daydreams, and sassy narrator continue to be rich with humor, warmth, and cupcakes.
[Review of the book Babymouse cupcake tycoon, by J. Holm & M. Holm]. (2011, Spring). Horn Book. Retrieved from: http://www.hbook.com

Use in library setting: This charitable story can be linked to math. It could also be linked to advertising and raising funds. Students could brainstorm ways they might raise money for books at their school.

Pirate Palooza

Summary: Stone Rabbit and his friend, Andy (a wolf) are playing around inside the house and end up breaking the leg of a table. They are on their way to purchase a new table leg when Andy is side-tracked by a new comic book sign. In the comic book store, Stone Rabbit fibs to Milton saying that he will not use the antique and cursed pirate leg for the broken table. Once home, Stone Rabbit goes against his word to Milton and ghost pirates then come to life. The boys are left to fight Bob. They rush to Milton for help, which turns out to be a great idea because Milton is good at fencing. Milton helps save the day and all three are safe and free from the ghost pirates.

Bib Info: Craddock, E. (2009). Pirate palooza. New York, NY: Random House Children’s Books.

Interest Level: 3-6

Impression: This book encompasses action and humor. The pictures add to what is happening in the story. The story ends on a funny note when Stone Rabbit did not learn his lesson from fibbing the first time around.

Reviews and Awards: Horn Book 10/01/09, Wilson's Children 10/01/10, School Library Journal 03/01/09

Reviews: These entertaining graphic novels star an adventurous rabbit, first traveling through time to a prehistoric world populated by dinosaurs (Mambo), then tangling with a pirate curse (Palooza). Both of the quick-moving adventures are filled with humor and danger, though the books' frantic narrative style, with busy illustrations to match, may induce whiplash. [Review covers these Stone Rabbit titles: BC Mambo and Pirate Palooza.]
[Review of the book Pirate palooza, by E. Craddock]. (2009, Fall). Horn Book. Retrieved from: http://www.hbook.com

Gr 2-5-This book will give those children who love the ridiculous just what they want: a zany, mile-a-minute graphic novel. When a living-room wrestling match results in a broken coffee-table leg, Stone Rabbit and his wolf friend, Andy, think they've found the perfect fix-a genuine pirate's peg leg. After attaching it to the table, they are visited by its previous owner, Barnacle Bob. The ghost pirate takes Stone Rabbit and Andy aboard his vessel, the Biscotti, and makes them part of his crew. When Andy is in danger of getting thrown overboard, Stone Rabbit has to decide if he is a heartless pirate or a friend. His decision sends the two pals to a showdown with the ghost pirates in the local comic shop. The bold illustrations are bursting at the seams with energy. Occasionally, quick changes in perspective require some extra effort from readers to follow the action, but many children will be delighted with the book's quick pace, cheeky dialogue, and pop-culture references.
Jonker, T. (2009, March 1). [Review of the book Pirate palooza. by E. Craddock]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from: http://www.slj.com/

Use in library setting: This book could be paired up with National Talk Like a Pirate Day activities, which is in September. This could include students making Stone Bunny and Wolf puppets and performing skits of their favorite scenes from the book.

Sopa de Frijoles

Summary: The first illustration in the story depicts a young boy whose video game is over, which leaves him looking pensive. The poetic story begins with the boy thinking about a ‘yummy’ soup and what he would need to make the soup. He then creatively tells the reader the recipe for making bean soup in both Spanish and English. The story ends with a delicious, fresh bean soup that he shares with his family.

Bib Info: Argueta, J. (2009). Sopa de frijoles. Berkeley, CA: Groundwood books.

Interest Level: K-3

Impression: Poetry is a fun way to tell a recipe. This story captures culture in the poem itself and with the Spanish and English text. The illustrations that accompany the story are cute. The part where the boy mentions chopping onions might make students and adults giggle.

Reviews and Awards: Booklist 03/15/09, Multicultural Review 06/01/09, Horn Book 10/01/09, Resource Links 06/01/09, Kirkus Reviews 03/01/09, School Library Journal 04/01/09, Library Media Connection 10/01/09, Wilson's Children 10/01/10

Reviews: In Spanish and English, this is a poem about making bean soup. Stanzas are first presented in Spanish, then in English, with full-page illustrations. The young cook describes each ingredient with delicious detail and carefully explains each facet of preparing the recipe. He intersperses the cooking with thinking about his family eating the soup, and how tasty it will be. He also offers a ritual of burying the onion peel, garlic skins, and pebbles from the beans "so Mother Earth/keeps on growing flavors." Every aspect is mentioned, from thanking the ingredients for their flavors to heating the tortillas and setting the table with bowls, spoons, and flowers--creating anticipation that seems to fill your own surroundings with flavorsome aromas. Colors in the illustrations are rich yet dark, like a hearty dish of bean soup. Help yourself to a generous portion of this fulfilling, nurturing, and sustaining mixture.
Dales, B. (2009, October). [Review of the book Sopa de frijoles by J. Argueta]. Library Media Connection. Retrieved from: http://www.librarymediaconnection.com/

K-Gr 2-A bilingual free-verse poem that describes how to make bean soup. An asterisk indicates the parts that require adult participation. "Now it is/time to cut the onion.*/First you have to remove/the onion's coat/its soft delicate skin.. Try not to cry/because tears can make/food taste sour." A boy with two pinpoint eyes and a thin-lined mouth is seen going through the steps, with his mother hovering in the background. The earthy tones in the soft watercolor illustrations are pleasing to viewers. Text is on the left, with a full-page illustration on the right. Kids will enjoy hearing the story read aloud but may not get some of the poetic rhythm and imagery on their own.
Welzenback, S. (2009, April 1). [Review of the book Sopa de frijoles, by J. Argueta]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from: http://www.slj.com/

Use in library setting: This could be linked to a multicultural lesson. Younger students could create pictures that depict a stanza or two.

Once I Ate a Pie

Summary: This book encompasses a variety of poems told from a dogs persepective. The words within the poems reflect each of their personalities from big dogs to medium sized dogs to tiny dogs.

Bib Info: Maclachlan, P. & Maclachlan Charest, E. (2006). Once I ate a pie. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children’s Books.

Interest Level: K-3

Impression: This is a cute book of poems told from thirteen different dogs perspectives. Some of the words within the poems look like themselves or are portrayed how one might say them. The illustrations compliment the poems well.

Reviews and Awards: ALA Notable Children's Books 2007, Kirkus Reviews 05/01/06, Booklist 05/01/06, New York Times 07/09/06, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 06/01/06, School Library Journal 05/01/06, Horn Book 10/01/06, Wilson's Children 10/01/10

Reviews: Every dog has a unique personality, as seen in these fourteen poems. There's the timid puppy who stays close to his owner; Lucy, adopted from a shelter, who claims everything is "mine"; and Pocket, who's tiny but thinks he's huge. The paintings of these appealing dogs add to their charm. Some of the shaped lines of text, however, are distracting.
[Review of the book Once I ate a pie, by E. MacLachlan Charest & P. MacLachlan]. (2006, Fall). Horn Book. Retrieved from: http://www.hbook.com

PreS-Gr 3-Free-verse poems about 14 individual dogs sprawl across oversize spreads accompanied by large oil illustrations. The poems and paintings together delightfully capture each distinct personality in few words and with broad strokes of the brush. The fonts change often and reflect the poet's words-rising and falling, sometimes in bold type, growing larger and smaller and dancing over the pages. The format allows for plenty of white space, emphasizing the postures and personalities of the pups and helping the playful fonts to stand out. The overall result is an entertaining visit with some very appealing canines, and a book that perhaps could serve as an inspiration in the classroom for young poets trying to describe their own pets. One wishes that the breeds were listed somewhere, but all in all, this title is still a real treat.
Constantinides, J. (2006, May 1). [Review of the book Once I ate a pie, by E. MacLachlan Charest & P. MacLachlan]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from: http://www.slj.com/

Use in library setting: This book can be paired with a poetry unit. Limericks or concrete poetry could be a fun way to peak student interest and get them engaged.

Another book that comes to mind that could be paired with a poetry lesson is called Flawed Dogs by Berkeley Breathed (pictured below). It isn't a poetry book, but the writing is colorful. The pictures alone can spark a student to use descriptive language.

King of Murder

Summary: This story is a part of the series called A Herculeah Jones Mystery. Being the daughter of a private detective and a police lieutenant, Herculeah was born to solve mysteries. It is thought that Mathias King is the murderer, who is a writer of mystery novels. Herculeah is attempting to solve a murder mystery and unbeknownst to her, she ends up befriending the murderer, Rita. There is conflict with her best friend, Meat, as he goes on a date set-up by his mother. He is no longer around to help Herculeah. In the end, Meat is there with Mathias King to save Herculeah from being hurt by the murderer. In the end, things go back to normal for Herculeah and Meat and the mystery is put to rest.

Bib Info: Byars, B. (2006). King of murder. New York, NY: Penguin Group.

Interest Level: 5-8

Impression: The book builds in a suspenseful manner while incorporating that the main character, Herculeah, has a crush on her neighbor. The book ending has a twist as Herculeah unveils who the murderer is. I think students would like this book because it seems realistic. Herculeah is an average girl with a curious side. I could definitely see 4th and 5th graders enjoying this mystery.

Reviews and Awards: Horn Book 10/01/06, Wilson's Junior High School 08/21/06, School Library Journal 06/01/06

Reviews: Grade 4-6–In this fast-paced, entertaining tale, Herculeah Jones and her friend Meat think that mystery writer and magician Mathias King could be a murderer. They meet him at the secondhand store where he gets the weapons he uses in his stories. To demonstrate one of his many skills, he lassoes Meat around the neck with a silk cord. But in no time this King of Murder is after Herculeah. She discovers that he's described a crime in A Slash of Life with accurate detail, according to Gilda, the elderly friend of the victim. Herculeah is invited to a tea party at King's Den of Iniquity, where she ends up kicking through a false wall to escape after being drugged by scented candles. But the real danger comes later when she revisits King's house with Gilda. With its twisty conclusion and short, exciting chapters, this story will grab even reluctant readers. The plot and the characters are well developed, especially the sweet and mild Meat as he sorts out his feelings about his best friend.
Zubak, T. (n.d.). [Review of the book King of murder, by B. Bayers]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from: http://www.slj.com/

I read the book “King of Murder” by Betsy Byars. I would recommend this book to girls and boys. It is 115 pages of great mystery telling. Herculeah Jones can’t forget about a murder when she sees one. Every time she steps in to Hidden Treasures, a little shop with used items, she starts investigating a murder. This time she is actually investigating a murderer. Well, she thinks this guy, Mathias King a.k.a. the Murder King, is a murderer because of the stories he writes. He is so detailed in his writing that he sounds like an actual murderer. One of his stories A Slash of Life is exactly like a real murder that took place. Is he really a murderer? Read this amazing book to find out.
H., Saliha. (2009, March 13). King of Murder by Betsy Byars. [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://blogs.egusd.net/kidsbookblog/2009/03/13/king-of-murder-betsy-byars/

Use in library setting: This book would be great for a book talk or for creating a book trailer.

The Mystery of the Monster Movie

Summary: The Cam Jansen story gives the reader familiarity by introducing Cam, her gift, and how she got her name. In this story, Cam and Eric are working toward solving a movie theater mystery. The movie reels for the movie they were seeing that afternoon suddenly went missing. It is Cam’s determination and critical thinking skills combined with her visual memory that helps her solve the Shoe Escape movie mystery- Angela Cane has stolen the movie. Mr. Bender, who had been a suspect, was presented with an apology and a triple movie feature. The movie is then continued in the theater since the mystery is solved.

Bib Info: Adler, D.A. (1984). The mystery of the monster movie. New York, NY: Viking Press.

Interest Level: 3-6

Impression: Cam Jansen mysteries are always entertaining to me. I have found that they are great for second graders, despite Titlewaves interest level for the book being grades 3-6. Although I listened to the audio version of this book, the books contain illustrations that are great for a small visual as students read through the chapter book. In this particular story, Cam asks an inquisitive question regarding what happens to Angela Cane who stole the reels. Her father mentions that she may have gotten arrested. This allows an opportunity for discussion with children regarding right from wrong and decision-making.

Reviews and Awards: Booklist, School Library Journal

Reviews: In this reissue, another generation of kids will get to meet the intrepid and amazing Cam Jansen. This time the story takes place at a movie theater where the second reel of the Shoe Escape disappears. The major suspect is the owner of a competitive movie theater, but Cam with her photographic memory is able to deduce who the real thief is. Kids who dream of being detectives will enjoy the exploits of Cam and her friend Eric. Her very understanding and cooperative parents may be the only part that doesn't ring quite true. Part of the "Puffin Chapters" series.
[Review of the book The mystery of the monster movie, by D. Adler]. (n.d.). Children’s Literature. Retrieved from: http://www.childrenslit.com/

I really like Cam Jansen books a lot, but the one thing that I don't like is that she often does things I would consider dangerous while she is solving a mystery. She doesn't do anything questionable in the Young Cam Jansen series, BTW. Well, they are still entertaining and gives me a lot to talk about with my son about what not to do.
Chak. (2009, Sept 8). The mystery of the monster movie by David A. Adler. [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/70457668

Use in library setting: This is a great opportunity to discuss awareness in the library and link it to library rules and the check out policy. The librarian can create a mock mystery to hone in on critical thinking skills.