That's Love

That’s Love

Written by Sam Williams

Illustrations by Mique Moriuchi

Holiday House, 2006

32 pages

Picture Book-Fiction

                I chose this book because I think it is important to teach our students about love and loving others. This book is narrated by a little girl. She talks about the things that her 5 senses make her aware of. Smelling a flower, hearing a bumble bee buzzing, and feeling the air and taste of the sea are just a couple of the things she is experiencing. She then tells us what love is and what it looks like. The little girl is able to help us see love through the senses of a child. 

                Mique Moriuchi has done beautiful watercolor paintings for this book. Bright, rich colors are used. The pictures aren’t defined, but they are large. Looking at the pictures, you can see how they coincide with the theme of love throughout the book. Some pages seem to have collages along with the paintings.

                This book is appropriate for students ranging from preschool to first grade. Although this book may not have academic elements, it can be used in the classroom. Some elementary students may not know what love is because they don’t see it at home. We must not assume that our students know everything and must help them learn. This book could be used in a kindergarten classroom because it rhymes and it has a sing-song, melodic feel. As far as character education, this book could be taught in any grade. 

Children Make Terrible Pets

Children Make Terrible Pets

Written and illustrated by Peter Brown

Little, Brown and Company, 2010

40 pages

Picture Book-Fiction

                I chose this book because I had read another book by Peter Brown and loved it. This story is really cute and silly. A bear named Lucy finds a little boy in the woods. She decides to make him her pet. Her mother advises against it when she informs her that children made terrible pets. Lucy didn’t listen, and she kept the little boy as her pet. The little boy is portrayed as a pet and has characteristics of a pet. He messes up the furniture, he isn’t potty trained, and he made messes with food. Then one day, Lucy could not find the little boy. She followed his scent and discovered that this boy had a home. Lucy realized she must let her pet be with his family. The last page of the story tells what kind of pet she finds next.

                Peter Brown drew these pictures in pencil on paper, and he used construction paper and wood. After this process was finished, Brown was able to tweak his drawings digitally to make them exactly what he wanted. The author also handlettered the word balloons. The pictures were my favorite part of the book. The illustrations have a rustic feel and warm colors. All the text and pictures are spaced out neatly, making it appealing visually.

                This book is appropriate for students ranging from preschool to first grade. Children Make Terrible Pets would be a good book for a “brain break,” or it could be incorporated into a lesson for an elementary classroom. This book could be used in a lesson about the difference in realistic fiction and non-realistic fiction. If you wanted to talk to your students about personification, this book would be excellent. 

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

Written by Philip C. Stead

Illustrated by Erin E. Stead

A Neal Porter Book Roaring Brook Press, 2010

32 pages

Picture Book-Fiction

                I chose this book because it was a Caldecott Award winner. Amos Mcgee worked at the city zoo. He always put others before himself. Every day, Amos spent time with each animal and took good care of them. One day Amos became ill. The animals left the zoo and came to his rescue. They took care of him just like he had taken care of them. 

                The illustrations in this book are done by Erin E. Stead. She drew the pictures with a pencil on colored woodblock prints. These drawings are realistic and detailed. The way she utilized the pencil and colored woodblock prints gives the pictures texture and depth. All of the animals have full color, but Amos is always pale and gray.

                This book is appropriate for students ranging from preschool to first grade. There are many ways this book could be used in an elementary classroom. A lesson could be created around this book whenever it is time to learn about zoo animals. This book is also great for character development. Students can learn about the value of friendship. Teachers may also want to use this book to illustrate how students should treat others as they wish to be treated. A Sick Day for Amos McGee received the Caldecott Medal in 2011.

The Lion & the Mouse

The Lion & the Mouse

Written and Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Little, Brown and Company, 2009

40 pages

Picture Book-Fiction

                I chose this book because it was recommended to me by a librarian. This book is timeless and has the capability to tell a wonderful story without the use of words. The tale is based off of one of Aesop’s fables, “The Lion and the Mouse.” In this story, a little mouse is running from an owl when he awakens a sleeping lion. The lion has mercy on the mouse and lets him go. Later, the mouse finds the lion helpless in a booby trap. The mouse is able to eat through the rope and set the lion free. They become best friends.

                The illustrations in this book were done by using pencil, watercolor, and colored pencils on paper. Jerry Pinkey had always heard this story with words, but he wanted to portray this story with pictures. He does an excellent job of telling a story with detailed pictures. His pictures cover the entire pages of the book.

                This picture book is appropriate for students ranging from preschool to first grade. This book can be utilized in an elementary classroom. Teachers can incorporate this book when teaching character development. This story teaches a valuable lesson about mercy. Students could also learn a valuable lesson about friendship. Teachers could teach children that our differences make us unique. We should emphasize that we can befriend people who don't exactly look like us.

The Little Yellow Leaf

The Little Yellow Leaf

Written and illustrated by Carin Berger

Greenwillow Books, 2008

40 pages

Picture Book-Fiction

                I chose this book because the cover caught my eye, and I thought the feel and overall look of the book was beautiful. This book is about a little yellow leaf who does not want to let go of its tree. All of the other leaves had taken the plunge, or so he thought. Fall turned into winter and snow began to fall. Then, the little yellow leaf noticed a scarlet leaf high up in the tree. They decide to make the jump together.

                The illustrations in this book were done using collages. The collages were used to prepare the full-color art. This book starts out with warm, rich fall colors. By the end of the book, winter colors prevail. The illustrations look very modern. One might be reminded of a scrapbook when looking at this book.

                This book is appropriate for preschool to third grade. There are many ways to utilize this book in an elementary classroom. This book would be perfect to use when discussing the seasons of the year, especially fall and winter. The Little Yellow Leaf could also be used in a science lesson to discuss leaves and weather. The book also teaches a lesson in character development. Students will learn that they don’t have to do things on their own. They can find a friend to help them do things that they may be scared to do alone.