Module 3: This Is Not My Hat

Module 3:This Is Not My Hat

Book Summary:

          In this simple story, a little fish thinks he has gotten away with stealing a big fish’s hat.  The little fish explains how he is going to get away with his crime. Little does this fish know something is following him.  

APA Reference of the Book:

Klassen, J. (2012). This is not my hat. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Impressions:  

I love that the little fish thinks he got away with his crime.  The illustrations really tell the story. The reader can hear the little fish’s attitude portray through the words, but the illustrations let the reader keep the big fish’s secret and create suspense.  At the end of the story, the reader gets to decide what happens to the little fish.  The little fish seems so confident in his thieving abilities. I like how the little fish justifies his actions while the big fish realizes what has occurred. 

         

Reviews:
From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1 -- With this new creation, Klassen repeats the theme from I Want My Hat Back (Candlewick, 2011), but with a twist. The narrator here is the thief -- a small, self-confident fish who has pilfered a little blue bowler from a big sleeping fish. He wastes no time or words in confessing his crime as he swims across the page announcing, "This hat is not mine. I just stole it." He continues his narrative with no regrets, but with a bit of rationalizing ("It was too small for him anyway.") as he swims to his hiding place, unaware that the big fish is in quiet pursuit. Readers, of course, are in on this little secret. When the two disappear into a spread filled with seaweed, the narration goes silent, and youngsters can easily surmise what happens as the big fish reemerges with the tiny blue bowler atop his head. Simplicity is key in both text and illustrations. The black underwater provides the perfect background for the mostly gray-toned fish and seaweed while the monochromatic palette strips the artwork down to essential, yet exquisite design. Movement is indicated with a trail of small white bubbles. This not-to-be-missed title will delight children again and again. -- Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, Cincinnati, OH

Janssen, C. (2012, September 24). Pick of the Day [ Review of the book This Is Not My Hat]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/2012/09/collection-development/pick-of-the-day-this-is-not-my-hat/#_

In the Library:

         

          This book lends itself well to introducing the element of suspense and hooking the reader’s attention in story writing.  After reading this story to the students, I would have examples on websites and in different books for students to view that model how author’s build suspense and keep the reader interested in finishing the story.  Students could work in groups to create some attention grabbers in their writing.  Then students could act out their stories.  I could record the stories or have students create their stories using Draw and Tell or Explain Everything apps. 

           

Module 2: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Module 2: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Book Summary:

          Robinson tells the story of a group of misfit, trouble making children that become the stars of the annual church Christmas pageant much to the dismay of the town patrons.  Chaos and shenanigans ensue as a mom with no experience directing the play replaces the church play director.  Robinson shows how the most unlikely of characters can provide the most insight and truth to a holiday church tradition. The town is left surprised when the misfit children reveal their naive side.

         Reference:

Robinson, B. (1972).  The best Christmas pageant ever. New York, NY: HarperColllins.

Impressions:  

School children will enjoy hearing and reading this comical story. The chaos the Herdman children cause during play rehearsal is hysterical. Robinson delivers a surprise lesson with the misfits’ account of how the Christmas story is interpreted. I enjoyed reading this classic story.  I like that the mother of the narrator proves the town wrong by putting on the best Christmas pageant the town has seen. I enjoyed that the town bullies seem to put the town gossips and know-it-alls in their proper places. 

Reviews:

From School Library Journal

Grade 2–6—Barbara Robinson's classic (Joanna Cotler, 1972) just gets better with this new reading. Elaine Stritch's slightly raspy, mature voice lends a convincing, grandmotherly element to this holiday favorite. The Herdman's—Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie, and Gladys—are the town bullies who steal and smoke cigars. When they show up for the church Christmas pageant try-outs, no one is able to discourage them from participating. To the protests of children who think they can do better, the Herdmans land the starring roles in the Christmas play. Their unique interpretation of a story they've never heard before surprises even the most regular of church-goers. A humorous retelling of the birth of Christ, this title will be a welcome addition to general listening holiday collections.—Kirsten Martindale, formerly Menomonie Public Library, WI 

Martindale, K. (2007). [ Review of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson]. School Library Journal, 53(1), 67-68. Available from EBSCOhost http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2200/ehost/detail/detail?vid=5&sid=4275bda1-abf3-4429-afca-c6c28bca05d0%40sessionmgr104&hid=118&bdata=JnNjb3BlPXNpdGU%3d#AN=23755075&db=lls

In the Library:

          This story seems like a great story to introduce character traits and the how characters can change throughout a story.  This would be a fun story to have students read and participate in a book talk. This books lends itself well to point of view. Groups of students could represent the point of view of the different characters in story, Mrs. Armstrong, the Herdman children, the rest of the children, Beth Bradley, and Grace Bradley. 

Module 1: Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies

   Module 1: Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies




Book Summary:

          In this story, Henry is the son of fierce pirate, Barnacle Black Ear.  Henry does not fit in with the crew of pirates.  His dad does not understand how Henry can spend his days reading, rather than plundering and doing pirate things.  As a twist of fate, Henry predicts that a terrible storm is brewing.  Soon the shipwrecked pirates learn to appreciate Henry and his book knowledge when he saves the marooned pirate crew from starvation and teaches them how to survive. 

Reference:

Crimi, C. (2005).  Henry and the buccaneer bunnies. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN- 9780763624491

    

Impressions: 

I enjoyed reading this book because of the colorful, comical illustrations and the message the author portrays in the story. Crimi reveals her message in a comical light by using pirate bunnies to explain why people should read.  Whether a pirate reads for enjoyment or to gain information, books are a valuable treasure in life. I like that the bookworm Henry saves the fierce pirates and teaches them a thing or two about survival.  I think young children will especially enjoy this pirate tale because of the action and comical illustrations. This a great story to introduce the importance of reading to primary aged children.   

   

Reviews:

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 2-Henry is not a typical buccaneer bunny. Instead of performing his proper pirating duties, he would rather read the books that he took from other ships. His father, the captain, is not proud of his son and the rest of the crew makes fun of him. When they are shipwrecked on a deserted island, however, it is Henry and his "book smarts" that save the day. Although the plot is weak, the illustrations are fresh and comical, and send a clear message about the importance of reading.-List/S. Schindler. Bethpage Public Library', NY

Schindler, L. (2005). [Review of Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies, by Carolyn Crimi]. School Library Journal, 51(11), 89.  Available from EBSCOhost http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2200/ehost/detail/detail?vid=10&sid=4275bda1-abf3-4429-afca-c6c28bca05d0%40sessionmgr104&hid=118&bdata=JnNjb3BlPXNpdGU%3d#AN=18797556&db=lls

In the Library:

I would use this book in the library to introduce students, especially the younger students to reading and the library.  I would start by reading the book. Then make a web about why people read books.  I would make a list of different topics or genres that interest students.  After the discussion, I would take the students on a tour of the library pointing out the various sections of the library that included the genres that students were interested in reading.