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The Orphan: A Cinderella Story from Greece

Fantasy 3:35 PM

In Greece, if a child loses his/her mother, they are considered an orphan, which had happened to the girl in this story. When her father remarried to a evil stepmother, she was so poorly treated that the stepmother counted every drop of water the orphan drank. Instead of a fairy godmother, Mother Nature and her children appeared and gave her gifts such as three beautiful dresses and a pair of blue shoes. Furthermore, instead of a castle, the orphan and the prince meets at the village church. In order to catch the orphan, he spreads a mixture of honey and wax across the church's threshold. This makes her shoe stuck but is able to run away from the guards by tossing coins into the crowd. In the end, the prince matches the shoe with the orphan's foot and they get happily married.

Opinion/Critique

I enjoyed reading a different version of Cinderella. One thing I really found intriguing was how Greek culture could be observed throughout the story. For example, how Mother Nature replaced the fairy godmother or how the setting was the village church instead of a castle. It kind of allows you to have a better sense of what Greek culture or values are.

Classroom application

This book can introduce a different version of the famous Cinderella story. However, it adds a twist because some details are changed. I think students can do a compare/contrast activity and include other versions of the Cinderella story.

Manna, A. L., Mitakidou, C., & Potter, G. (2011). The orphan: A Cinderella story from Greece (1st ed.). New York: Schwartz & Wade.

Genre: Fiction, Picture, Fantasy, Folklore

Grade level: 1-2
If interested ➵ Amazon: The Orphan

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From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Fiction 3:23 PM

Claudia, who feels unequally treated by her parents, decides to run away from home, taking her younger brother, Jamie, with her. They decide to stay at the Metropolitan Museum, making it home. As they stay at the museum, an angel statue captures Claudia's attention. She is awe-struck. She finds out that the statue was auctioned off by Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Along with many other people, Claudia and Jamie both try to figure out if the statue was created by the renowned sculptor, Michelangelo, himself. They end up at Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler's house, only to find out a huge secret. She reveals the hidden sketches of the statue and confirms that Michelangelo did sculpt the statue. There is also one more secret and it has to do with a connection between the kids and Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

Opinion/Critique

I liked the humor throughout the book. The sibling relationship between Claudia and Jamie makes me laugh because they are either complimenting or insulting each other. Also, I found the mystery and adventure interesting. I kept wondering what will happen to the kids and if they'll ever find out if the statue was really created by Michelangelo.

Classroom application

This book would be great for literature circles in which students can have different roles. I think students can each talk about their inferences or analysis as they were reading the book. It's also a humorous adventure book so I think students will enjoy reading it.

Konigsburg, E. L. (2013). From the mixed-up files of mrs. basil e. frankweiler. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Genre: Fiction

Grade level: 3-4
❂ Newbery Medal Winner
If interested ➵ Amazon: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

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Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Fiction 3:03 PM

The story begins with a brown bear being asked "what do you see?" The bear sees a red bird looking back. The red bird is then asked the same question, which repeats on to next animal. The sequence ends up being the brown bear, red bird, yellow duck, blue horse, green frog, purple cat, white dog, black sheep, goldfish, and a teacher. The story ends with the students saying they see all the animals and teacher looking at them.

Opinion/Critique

I've always considered this book a classic because I've seen this book a lot as a child and I know other students also know this book. I think it's a good book to introduce different colors and animals.

Classroom application

This book can be used to teach the colors and animals in a visual representative. It's also really easy to read so kids can easily understand the story. Also, there's some rhyming going on so teachers can read the book in a fun, musical way.

Martin, B., & Carle, E. (1992). Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see? New York: H. Holt.

Genre: Fiction, Picture

Grade level: Kindergarten
If interested ➵ Amazon: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

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Frog and Toad Are Friends

Fantasy 2:50 PM

The story revolves around the friendship between Frog and Toad. It includes different memories of their time together. One memory is when Frog tricks Toad into thinking it's May by ripping off the pages of the calendar. Another describes the experience of Frog and Toad trying to find Toad's lost button by retracing their steps.

Opinion/Critique

I think Frog's and Toad's friendship is admirable because it shows that sacrifice and affection may be needed to create a strong friendship. I also like how there's five different stories so the book's not talking about one story the whole time which might keep students interested.

Classroom application

Kids, especially at the younger level, can read this book to transition from short, simple books to a more lengthier book. However, it's not too long that it might seem overwhelming to the reader.

Lobel, A., & Harper & Row, Publishers. (1970). Frog and toad are friends. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers.

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy

Grade level: 1-2
❂ Caldecott Honor
If interested ➵ Amazon: Frog and Toad Are Friends

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Olivia

Fantasy 2:34 PM

Olivia is similar to most kids other than the fact that she's a pig. Her family consists of her mom, dad, younger brother, cat and dog. She likes to go to the beach, bask in the sun, imagine that she's a ballerina, and read books before bed. Although she wears herself and the people around her out, she knows that she is loved which is the only thing that matters.

Opinion/Critique

I like this book because I feel like a lot of younger kids can relate to Olivia. I think it has a similar feel to the book No, David! because the story ends with the idea that both kids are loved even though they can be tiring sometimes.

Classroom application

Olivia would be a good book to read during story time because it's a nice light-hearted book that students may giggle to. I think kids will compare their lives and personality to Olivia's.

Falconer, I. (2000). Olivia. New York, New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Picture

Grade level: Kindergarten-1
❂ Caldecott Honor
If interested ➵ Amazon: Olivia

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No, David!

Fiction 1:48 PM

Throughout the book, David is constantly being told not to do a certain thing. For example, he's told to "settle down!" when he is jumping on his bed while wearing red cowboy boots and a superhero cape. He's told not to play baseball or bring mud into the house. However, even though he does all these naughty things, the story ends with "Yes, David... I love you!"

Opinion/Critique

I think the pictures are so adorable and funny. I love how I could tell what David is exactly feeling through his facial expressions. There aren't a lot of sentences in this book so I don't think it would be the best book to advance reading skills.

Classroom application

Since the book is funny, I think students will enjoy reading it during story time. Some students could also relate to the book because they might also be told not to do certain things. However, it's important to highlight the ending where his mom still loves him despite his mischievous acts.

Shannon, D. (1998). No, david! New York: Blue Sky Press.

Genre: Fiction, Picture

Grade level: Kindergarten
❂ Caldecott Honor
If interested ➵ Amazon: No, David!

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Could You? Would You?

Nonfiction 1:31 PM

The book is made up of a series of questions. Some examples include "could you do the same thing all day?" or "could you run an all-night race?" Under some of the questions, there are possible responses written. For example, some possible responses to "How many different ways could you send a message?" are pigeon, email, singing telegram, walkie talkie. There are even some pages that involve doing an activity such as "draw a map of the rooms in your house."

Opinion/Critique

In my opinion, this book is really amusing because it makes you thing about questions that you may have never pondered about before. I think that trying to answer all the questions would take a while so I suggest splitting the questions to make the most fun out of it. There's not really a story line so I don't think it would be the best book to read during story time.

Classroom application

I think it would be a cool idea to ask your students a question every day of the school year. It'll be a fun and interesting way to start or end the day. Also, the book can provoke conversations between the students in which everyone can get to know one another better.

White, T. (2007). Could you? would you? La Jolla, CA: Kane/Miller Book Pub.

Genre: Non-fiction

Grade level: Kindergarten-3
If interested ➵ Amazon: Could You? Would You?

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The Big Snow

Fiction 3:11 PM

When all the animals see wild geese flying south, they realize that winter is coming. So each animal creates a plan for how they're going to survive through the winter. For example, the ground hog decides to sleep until springtime so he doesn't have to store food. On the other hand, the red and grey squirrels have been busy storing nuts and acorns to eat during the winter months. Wintertime approaches as snow piles on hills and meadows. As a woman scatters seeds and bread crumbs, all the animals come flocking to eat. Finally, as springtime arrives, the big snow ends.

Opinion/Critique

I think it was an informative book. There are various animals included in the story which can teach kids about what certain animals do during the wintertime. I like how the reading isn't completely difficult butI think it can help progress a student's reading skills.

Classroom application

This book can be used to teach that birds will fly south as winter approaches. It can also teach what other animals, like the squirrels, will do to prepare. In addition, I think the story introduces many animals that the students might find interesting or new.

Hader, B., & Hader, E. (1993). The big snow. (2nd Aladdin Books ed.). New York: Aladdin Books.

Genre: Picture, Fiction

Grade level: Kindergarten-2
❂ Caldecott Medal Winner
If interested ➵ Amazon: The Big Snow

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May I Bring a Friend?

Fiction 2:41 PM

Throughout the story, the King and Queen invites a little boy to their house to hang out. Each time, the boy asks if he could bring a friend to which the King and Queen enthusiastically allow. The friend that the boy brings is always an animal such as a giraffe, monkeys, and lions. In the end, instead of the King and Queen inviting the boy and his friend again, the boy says his friends wants the King and Queen to come to them. So they are all seen having tea in the City Zoo.

Opinion/Critique

I like the simplicity of this story. I think kids will be curious about what friend or animal the boy will bring next. It's adorable to see how the King and Queen are so accepting and welcoming to the boy's friends. The ending is nice because students might find it unexpected from the rest of the story.

Classroom application

It's a good, humorous reading book during story time. I think the little kids will enjoy finding out that all of the boy's friends are animals. The book could also serve as an introduction or addition to teaching dialogue.

De Regniers, B. S., Montresor, B., Atheneum (New York, N.Y.), Reehl Litho Company, & H. Wolff, Inc. (1964). May I bring a friend? (1st ed.). New York: Atheneum.

Genre: Fiction, Picture

Grade level: Kindergarten-1
❂ Caldecott Medal Winner
If interested ➵ Amazon: May I Bring a Friend?

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Foolish Rabbit's Big Mistake

Fiction 6:56 PM

The story begins with a rabbit thinking "What if the earth broke up?" When he hears a loud sound behind him, he runs in fear, assuming the earth was actually breaking up. He then initiates a line of frenzy and scared animals that follow him. However, when a lion catches them running, he proves that the earth isn't breaking by going back to where the rabbit initially was. It is revealed that the foolish rabbit's fear made him think the sound of a fallen apple meant the world was breaking up. The story ends as the relieved rabbit goes back to the tree and takes a bite out the apple.

Opinion/Critique

I like the humor and irony from how the rabbit's fear led to false assumptions and how the other animals believed him without checking to make sure the rabbit was correct. I think I can definitely relate to the rabbit and other animals because I tend to worry and assume frequently.

Classroom application

This book can be used to teach a lesson which is to not be like the foolish rabbit who made a foolish mistake. It can also be used as an amusing and humorous book that students can giggle to. The story's plot can be useful in teaching cause and effect.

Martin, R., & Young, E. (1985). Foolish rabbit's big mistake. New York: Putnam.

Genre: Fiction, Folklore

Grade level: 2-3
If interested ➵ Amazon: Foolish Rabbit's Big Mistake

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Older
Stories

The Orphan: A Cinderella Story from Greece

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Frog and Toad Are Friends

Olivia

No, David!

Could You? Would You?

The Big Snow

May I Bring a Friend?

Foolish Rabbit's Big Mistake

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