Owen Foote, Money Man

          Chapter Book # 4
            

          AUTHOR:  Stephanie Green

          TITLE: Owen Foote, Money Man

          ILLUSTRATOR:  Martha Weston

          GENRE: Juvenile Fiction

          SUB GENRE: Realistic

          THEME: 

          Money, family life, value of hard work 
          and the value of friendship

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CHARACTERS:

Owen, his Mom, his sister Lydia, Joseph, 
          his best friend, Mr. White, the neighbor.

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2004 by Scholastic Inc.

Owen Foote is an eight year old boy who received the catalog “Junk you never knew about” in the mail.  In this catalog he sees the most amazing items that he just cannot live without.  Items like plastic vomit, a whoopee cushion and dog poop!!  Owen conducts a demonstration on the workings of the toilet, which does not get rave reviews and earns him only one quarter.  He then offers to rake up a pile of leaves for one cent a leaf, with no takers on that scheme. His parents believe that in order to get an allowance, you need to do chores. After a few more unimpressive ventures, Owen is asked by his neighbor Mr. White to be a consultant on his pond building project. Just the word consultant excites Owen to no end. They work really hard on the pond and Owen enjoys himself in the process.  Mr. White gives Owen a crisp new $20 bill unexpectedly and he is thrilled.  He has learned the value of hard work and has a lot of pride in the wonderful job that they both did.  Owen goes on to buy his best friend Joseph a turtle with his money.  I enjoyed this book and think young readers will too.  Not only is it funny, the reader will also learn some good lessons on the value of money and the value of friendship.  

As a parent or teacher, you could ask the children to come up with their own ideas about how to raise money if they have something they would like to buy. They can describe what the job will entail and how much they will charge. You could also get them to make posters advertising the job.  I think students/children can learn that hard work does provide you with satisfaction and sometimes a monetary reward.  Good lessons to learn. 

Zelda and Ivy: The Runaways

Chapter Book # 3

TITLE: Zelda and Ivy: The Runaways

AUTHOR: Laura McGee Kvasnosky

ILLUSTRATOR: Laura McGee Kvasnosky

GENRE: Juvenile Fiction 

SUBGENRE: Chapter Picture Book

THEME: Sibling humor, action and adventure. 

Family and relationships.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CHARACTERS: 

Zelda and Ivy

AWARD(S): Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, Medal Winner 2007

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2006, Candlewick Press

This book comprises of three stories about Zelda and Ivy’s fun filled adventures in the Runaways, the Time Capsule and the Secret Concoction.  The little fox sisters run away into their back yard to protest having to eat their Dad’s cucumber sandwiches, which they detest. They go on to build a time capsule in the next story, and concoct a secret potion to hopefully cure Zelda’s writer’s block in the last story. This book could be used to discuss time capsules and what a student could possibly put in there.  It could also be used to find other ways to cure writer’s block other than drinking “creative juice.”

Little Rat Rides

         Chapter Book # 2

          AUTHOR: Monika Bang-Campbell

          TITLE: Little Rat Rides

          ILLUSTRATOR: Molly Bang 

          GENRE: Fiction Chapter Picture Book

          THEME: Learning to face your fears

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CHARACTERS: 
          Little Rat and Pee Wee

AWARD(S): Gryphon Award for Children’s Literature 
         2005

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2004 Harcourt.

This is the second book in a trio of adventures with Little Rat.    Little Rat has always dreamed of riding a horse like Daddy Rat. When the time comes she almost changes her mind because she’s frightened, no one ever said her horse Pee Wee would be so big.  After a fall and having her little foot stepped on by Pee Wee’s big hoof, Little Rat faces her fears and conquers them.  This book is humorous and the illustrations are vibrant.  The lesson is how to face your fears and the confidence that comes from doing so.

Ivy and Bean

         
          Chapter Book # 1

                    
          AUTHOR: Annie Barrows

          TITLE: Ivy and Bean

          ILLUSTRATOR:  Sophie Blackall

          GENRE: Realistic Fiction Chapter Book

          THEME: 
          Finding friendship when you least expect it and Family 
          Life.

          PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CHARACTERS:
          Ivy and Bean

          DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2007 Scholastic Inc.

This book is about two girls who live across the street from each other on Pancake Court.  They are very different girls.  When they saw each other for the first time they just knew they would never be friends.  Bean is a tomboy, who gets into trouble often, plays with all the neighborhood kids and is not afraid to get dirty. She also has an older sister whom she torments and who torments her.   Ivy loves to read and wears dresses.  She’s content with her own company.  They each think the other is boring.  That is, until the day when Bean gets into trouble and Ivy comes to her rescue.  Bean discovers that Ivy is actually fun and exciting to be around; especially when she finds out she’s a witch in training!!  They go on to cast a spell on Nancy, Bean’s older sister and laughs are had by all, except Nancy that is!  This book is a really fun read.  The lesson that could be learned from this book is to never judge a book by its cover. 

Snoring Beauty

 

 Picture Book # 8

          AUTHOR: Bruce Hale

         TITLE: Snoring Beauty

ILLUSTRATOR: Howard Fine

GENRE: Fiction Fairy Tale Picture Book

          PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CHARACTERS: 

          Princess Marge, Queen Esophagus and King Gluteus

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2008.  Harcourt Children's Books. 

This fractured fairy tale is a modern take on the famous story of Sleeping Beauty.This charming tale is narrated by a frog in a feathered chapeau and cape!  A baby girl called Drachmina Lofresca Malvolio Margarine (Marge for short) has been born to King Gluteus and Queen Esophagus.  Don’t you just LOVE the names? Princess Marge has been cursed by the wicked fairy Beebo. The curse said that on the day Princess Marge turned 16 she would be run over by a pie wagon and die. King Gluteus banished all pie wagons and pies from the Kingdom.  He even went so far as to banish mud pies!!  The fairy Tintinnitus changed the evil spell somewhat.  Instead of Marge dying, she would turn into a dragon and go into a deep sleep until a quince awakens her. Well, that day came and as was predicted Marge turns into a dragon, a purple dragon with red lips and quite the snore!  Travelers come from all around trying to wake the sleeping princess, but will it work or will she never wake from the everlasting sleep?  You’ll have to read the book to find out!  I think this is a great book to read aloud to your children or students.  The book is filled with puns and onomatopoeia.  A great lesson would be for the children to pick out all of the “sound effect” words.

The Most Important Gift of All.

 Picture Book # 7

AUTHOR: David Conway

TITLE: The Most Important Gift of All

ILLUSTRATOR: Karin Littlewood

GENRE: Juvenile Fiction Picture Book

THEME: Finding the true meaning behind the gift of love

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CHARACTERS: Ama and Azizi

DATE OF PUBLICATION:  2006 by Gingham Dog Press.

The little girl in this story, Ama, has become a big sister and she wants to give her baby brother a most perfect gift.  Her Grandmother suggests the gift of love.  Ama sets off on a journey to find the perfect gift.  On the way she meets various animals and asks them where to find the perfect gift.  Ama gets lost and her father eventually finds her.  On their return to the village a big celebration is held to welcome Ama back home and to celebrate her brother’s arrival.  It is then that Ama realizes what the most important gift of all is.   The illustrations in this book are vibrant and capture the feel of Africa.  This book could be used to discuss other cultures as well as perhaps the arrival of a sibling.

Is it far to Zanzibar?

Picture Book # 6

AUTHOR: Nikki Grimes 

TITLE: Is It Far To Zanzibar?

ILLUSTRATOR: Betsey Lewin

GENRE: Fiction Picture Book of Poems

THEME: Zanzibar

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2000 by Harper Collins Publishers

This book is a collection of 13 poems all about life in Tanzania and it captivates you with the beautiful scenery and sounds. While reading this book you can almost see and smell all the wonders of Africa.  The first poem “Down the road a bit” entices us to explore this exotic new place.  By the time you have read this book to the end, you have picked coffee beans, had a lion chase you up a tree and best of all you have shared a bus with chickens and goats!  The illustrations are colorful and cheerful.  The glossary and map at the end of the book are useful and can be used in a social studies lesson.

“Walk down the road a bit, cousin.
Walk down the road a bit.
The place you're seeking, I will help you to find.” 

Pirates Don't Change Diapers

Picture Book # 5

AUTHOR: Melinda Long

TITLE: Pirates Don’t Change Diapers

ILLUSTRATOR: David Shannon

GENRE: Fiction Picture Book

THEME:  Adventure, comedy and humor.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CHARACTERS: 

Jeremy Jacob, his baby sister Anne and the Pirates.

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2007 by Harcourt Children's Books

Jeremy Jacob is tasked with watching his sleeping little sister Anne while his Mom leaves for the grocery store.  While she’s away Captain Braid Beard and his men appear, wanting to dig up the treasure they buried in Jeremy’s backyard.  All of the noise they make wakes Anne up and Jeremy involves them in taking care of her which makes for some exciting and funny moments.  They finally go out to dig for the treasure when they discover little Anne has eaten part of the map.  Luckily for them, Jeremy knows where the treasure is.    They retrieve the treasure and Jeremy picks a necklace out as a birthday present for his Mom which is the perfect ending.  The illustrations are a visual feast. As a teacher you could discuss the care that babies need and the responsibility they involve.  You could also discuss the care that the pirates gave to Anne.

Crow Call

              

          

           Picture Book #4

          AUTHOR: Lois Lowry

 

          TITLE: Crow Call

          ILLUSTRATOR: Bagram Ibatoulline

GENRE: Non-Fiction Picture Book

THEME:  Parent coming home from war. 

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CHARACTERS:

Liz and her father

AWARD(S): Newbery Award winner.

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2009 by Scholastic Press

This is a touching story about Lizzie whose father returns home after being away at war (WWII).  They spend the day together, getting reacquainted and it is a little awkward.  Lizzie’s father buys her a plaid wool shirt that is actually for a man, but she admired it so he bought it for her.  After breakfast at their local diner, the duo goes off to hunt crow. In a moving exchange Lizzie asks her father is he’s ever been afraid.  He tells her that there were moments during the war that he was afraid but now that he is home, he is not afraid.   Although Lizzie is captivated by the crows that she is able to draw to her with the whistle, she’s afraid for their lives.  Her father senses this and explains the necessity of killing them to protect the crops. He chooses not to shoot any crows that day and instead Lizzie runs through the birds laughing!  You can sense the apprehension that Lizzie felt in the beginning of the book, though it ends with the young girl and her father reconnecting.  The illustrations are beautiful and fit the theme of this book perfectly.   I found this book to be very touching and relatable in this day and age.   

Being an Army Wife I can totally see Lizzie in my daughter Chloe, every time her Dad comes home from war.  Getting reacquainted can be stressful and awkward at the best of times but the time spent together is well worth it.  With as many military associated children is the school system, this book could be used to discuss or address the issues of a parent being away.  It could also help non-military children relate to them better.  I highly recommend this book.

       

Big Bouffant

         

Picture Book #3

AUTHOR: Kate Hosford

TITLE: Big Bouffant

ILLUSTRATOR: Holly Clifton-Brown

GENRE: Fiction Picture Book

THEME: Individualism and being confident in yourself.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CHARACTERS:           
Annabelle and Grandmother

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2011 by Carolrhoda Books 

The book begins with Annabelle saying“Ponytails and    braids! Ponytails and braids! I don’t see anything but ponytails and braids! This class needs some fashion. This class needs some fun. I’ll find a hairdo to impress everyone.”  This little girl who is clearly confident, looks for ideas for her new hairdo and decides to copy her grandma’s big bouffant.  Be prepared to laugh when you read about her first attempt in the kitchen, it is hilarious!  With her mom’s help she creates the perfect bouffant and struts into school to the amazement of her peers.  Some laugh but are soon asking her for tips on creating their own bouffants.  Even the teacher and the boys join in, which I found witty.  When everyone jumps onto the bouffant band wagon, she goes on to create another trend, a beautiful flowing gown.   The illustrations are colorful and rich and bring such whimsy to the book.  The lyrical rhyming in this book will definitely appeal to younger readers though the underlying theme will be great discussion fodder for older readers.  It is okay to be different and it is okay to be accepting of those that are different. 

America: A Patriotic Primer

          Picture Book # 2

AUTHOR: Lynne Cheney

         TITLE:  America: A Patriotic Primer (Picture Book # 2)

 

ILLUSTRATOR: Robin Preiss Glasser

GENRE: Non-Fiction Picture Book

         THEME: Patriotism

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CHARACTERS: There are many characters in this book.  For example, the letter H represents the HEROES of our country.  The letter K represents, Dr. Martin Luther KING Jr., N is for the NATIVE AMERICANS and J is for Thomas JEFFERSON.

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2002 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; 1st edition (May 21, 2002)

My children and I love this book.  When we were stationed in Vicenza, Italy, Mrs. Cheney visited the elementary school where she read her book to our son’s class.  He has an autographed copy of the book which he treasures.  This is an alphabet book for children who already know their alphabet, so I feel it can be used to build on that knowledge.  Children will learn important facts about America, the land that we love, and her history.  Each page is dedicated to a letter.  For example, the letter K is in the center of the page and is represented by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  The edges of the page are framed with an abundance of information pertaining to Dr. King.  The illustrations are beautiful. Teachers and Parents can use this book to teach their children more about our country and its rich and diverse history.

A Splendid Friend, Indeed.

Picture Book # 1
 
AUTHOR: Suzanne Bloom

         TITLE: A Splendid Friend, Indeed 

ILLUSTRATOR: Suzanne Bloom

GENRE: Fiction Picture Book

THEME: Friendship

          PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CHARACTERS: 

          Polar Bear and Goose

AWARD(S): Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book Award

         DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2005 by Boyds Mill Press.

What a charming book!    It is about a polar bear who just wants to read his book, write in his journal, and think his thoughts. But a little goose trots in and only wants to talk, persistently asking the polar bear what he is thinking.   After consistently interrupting the polar bear, goose goes off and returns with a snack, a blanket and a note that says “I like you. Indeed I do.  You are my splendid friend!” Despite their differences polar bear and goose learn to be friends.  The illustrations in this book are stunning and they draw you into the simple text.  This book would be fun to read aloud or individually. It could be used to teach children appropriate ways to talk to people, how to make friends and how to recognize when someone wants to be left alone.

Welcome

Hallo and welcome to my blog, "The Wonderful World of Children's Literature."  This blog is all part of a reading class that I am taking where we are required to read and review 40 children's books.  I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts and opinions with you and hope to find some great titles along the way!  So join me on this journey through the wonderful world of children's literature.  Feel free to leave your comments, and happy reading!