Spheres by Nathan Olsen

Spheres by Nathan Olson is an informational book that describes the properties of spheres and gives examples of spheres that relate to the everyday lives of children. It is one in a series of books on geometric shapes that make learning about these concepts fun for kids.

One of the things I love most about is the color used in the book, as well as the pictures. The color of the book is what first drew my eye to it, and throughout the book there is abundant use of bright, attention grabbing colors (perfect for children). The pictures are not drawn illustrations, but crisp, sharp, full page photos of various common types of spheres, as well as children playing with different types of spheres. The types of spheres photographed are every color of the rainbow, including gumballs, bouncy balls, grapes, an avacado pit, balls you play in, marbles, and balls of colorful yarn. These colorful spheres depicted in the book add and extra splash of color for an even more eye-catching display. The bright colors gave me a feeling of cheerfulness as I read about all the different kinds of spheres.

I also enjoyed that the book talked about how spheres are in our everyday surroundings and I can relate to seeing these spheres in my environment. Many of the examples given remind me of my childhood, especially the bouncy balls, gumballs, bubbles, snowballs, marbles, balls you play in, and the soccer ball. Because I connected with using these everyday spheres in my childhood, I suspect that young children will also connect more readily with the concept of learning about spheres and that this connection to their world will make learning about spheres more meaningful and exciting. I also connected to the big picture ideas of the world and nature. By including the earth, the moon, fruit, plants and animals that all contain spheres in someway, the book gives that extra connection to the world around us that could motivate the reader to look for other spheres in their environment.

One thing that really caught my attention about this book was the fun facts section, the glossary and the craft section. The fun facts section extends the knowledge even further to give a broader scope of what a sphere actually is. I found that even though I knew what spheres were, the fun facts section explained examples of spheres that I would not normally think about everyday, which makes this section great for expanding your knowledge and way of thinking about common objects. The glossary was also very informative as it gave definitions of words that might not be common to young children, accompanied by how to pronounce the word. I think that this is a very important aspect of an information book because I remember as a child sometimes not knowing certain words in a book and finding glossaries very helpful for broadening my understanding of the concept. 

The book also contains a section that teaches you how to make your own sphere craft. I used to love making crafts as a child and still do, so this section really appealed to me. I believe that creativity is so important and I personally get a lot more out of a project or concept if I make use of my creativity to construct my own knowledge. When I am encouraged to be creative, I also have more fun doing a project and I am able to take pride in what I've completed because it shows a little bit of my personality. The craft section of this book would an excellent way to encourage children to be creative so that they can connect further to the topic of spheres and have some fun while they are learning.

The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith

The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales to tell her story by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith is a hilarious collection of fractured fairly tales, including  tales such as Chicken Licken, The Really Ugly Duckling, Little Red Running Shorts, Cinderumpelstiltskin, The Other Frog Prince, Jack's Bean Problem, The Tortoise and the Hair, The Princess and the Bowling Ball, and The Stinky Cheese Man. These comical stories have many elements of fairy tales, but the events are altered to make the stories comical.

The book as a whole has little traditional organization,which gives it a whimsical feel, as do the altered events in the stories. The "organization" itself adds to the hilarity of the book by having the title page labelled "TITLE PAGE",  forcing you to turn the book upside down to read the dedication, forgetting the table of contents only to make it fall down and squish the characters of "Chicken Licken", and having the Wolf and Red Riding Shorts walk out of their story because the narrator told their story for them, only to leave the third page of their story blank. I also enjoyed the abrupt endings to stories like"The Really Ugly Duckling" and "The Other Frog Prince" in which the outcome is the exact opposite to what you expect. I loved how the Hen would interrupt the story to demand that she be allowed to tell her story, how the Giant made up his own story from snippets of various fairly tales, and how Jack told the Giant a never ending story where the print continued to get smaller and smaller. The print itself is very exaggerated, from huge in some places to tiny in others, which adds to the comedy and expression of the book.

The illustrations also provide a quirkiness that compliment the stories effectively. The pictures are very unusual, the characters have grossly exaggerated features that make them odd-looking, and the mood that the pictures convey is twisted and dark. The illustrator makes use of texture and shading to make the pictures look almost 3D and sometimes layers different media such as paper, fabric or other objects to create a random, haphazard sort of feeling.

I really loved this book because it reminded me of all the fairy tales I used to hear and read as a kid, only with a new light shed on them. Although I don't see myself in the stories, I see my childhood and remember what it was like to be a child. I remember how as children, no one really took things very seriously and fun was always the main goal. To me, this book epitomizes childhood because it is carefree and pretty much anything goes. The book shows a great use imagination and encourages children (and adults) to use their imagination when predicting what will come next.

I feel that is an important book for me to read as a future teacher because it reminds me that even though I will be rushing around, trying to get all of the curriculum outcomes covered, and trying to fill young minds with as much knowledge as possible, it is still important to cut loose, be silly and have some fun in the classroom. Children love being silly and having fun, so by having some "no strings attached" fun time will help them respond more readily. I would expect my teachers to make things fun if I was a child, so I should give them the opportunity to have some fun and just be kids. This book would be a great way to unwind, bring out the fun side of life and have a laugh or two.

The Legend of Hong Kil Dong: The Robin Hood of Korea By Anne Sibley O'Brien

The Legend of Hong Kil Dong: The Robin Hood of Korea By Anne Sibley O'Brien is a Grapic Novel about a young boy in ancient Korea named Kil Dong, who's father is a Minister to the King, but he cannot inherit his father's nobility because his mother is a servant. When he leaves home to find his true destiny, he receives training in magic and martial arts, and forms an army of bandits whose purpose is to "rob the rich to give to the poor".

This graphic novel has beautiful Korean style water color pictures, as well as an exciting and suspenseful plot. From the first couple of pages I got an impression that the story might be boring to me because of the highly historical language used, but as I continued reading, the dynamic plot caught my attention and drew me in. Although I felt disappointed at the beginning because Kil Dong could not become a nobleman like his father, by the end of the book I was inspired by all the amazing feats he had done to bring justice and dignity back to the poor people of his country. I also felt empowered by the message of good conquering over evil, and the book gave me hope that maybe someday justice could be restored to the poor people of our time.

At first I felt that there were a couple of things that might have been inappropriate for children, such as the fact that Kil Dong's father had obviously had an affair, and that he had another woman "companion", but after reflecting I realized that this was most likely the practice of the culture at that time, and that it would be important to point that out to children. I also thought back to the fact that self-censorship would be even more inappropriate and that it would be a shame to deny children of a book with such a wealth of cultural and historical significance, as well as excitement and action. That being said, I would recommend this book for older elementary children in grade 5 or 6. 


The style of the comic-like graphic novel is very effective for this story because the pictures and the conversation bring the story to life in a way that would be more interesting to someone who doesn't necessarily enjoy the history aspect. The pictures are very bold and eye catching and show a great deal of movement, perfect for a story that is chocked full of action. During the times when Kil Dong uses  his magical powers, the illustrations almost seem mystical with swirling clouds and detailed dragon-like smoke figures. When Kil Dong is depicted using great strength, fighting vigorously with martial arts or using magic to overcome his opponents, the pictures are drawn in such a way that is energizing and exciting.

The character of Kil Dong was very inspiring to me because although he aspired to be something great, he was always humble enough to obey his father and those around him. When he obtained his training in martial arts and magic, he continued to humbly use his talents to serve the poor of his country. By remaining true to himself, he eventually was rewarded with the high position of Minister of War and was able to help the people even more than he could ever imagine. His actions showed me the importance of helping others who are less fortunate, and how much reward comes along with it, even if it's just the feeling of having made someone's day a little brighter. 

The Legend of Hong Kil Dong is primarily a window to the outside world for me because I don't necessarily see myself in the story, but I gain knowledge and appreciation for the Korean culture and heritage, as well as gaining insight into the gap that exists between class systems. However I do relate some of the story's elements, such as the fact that it is similar to the familiar story of Robin Hood, as well as the values of justice and caring for the poor.

This graphic novel would be a great addition to any grade 5 or 6 classroom and would be an excellent resource for Social Studies when teaching about History and Culture.

If you were a Palindrome by Michael Dahl

If you were a Palindrome by Michael Dahl is an Informational picture book about the figure of speech called the palindrome.The book is one of a series that teaches children about language in a fun, exciting relatable way. For this journal I decided to write a parody of the song "I can tell that we are gonna be friends" by the White Stripes to show how I responded to this book.

Lyrics

“If you were a palindrome”
is a great book for school or home
It talks about a play on words
that otherwise would seem absurd
It teaches kids about the palindrome
It teaches kids about the palindrome

I love the pictures in this book
bright and fun with a layered look
paper and cloth with paint on top
make the colors really pop
The pictures put me in a cheerful mood
The pictures put me in a cheerful mood

The book gives accurate information
about this cute little word creation
I knew palindromes could be in word form
but I didn’t know phrases were also the norm
This book is a good way to learn something new
an expert on palindromes could learn something too!

This book connects to my world
and to lives of boys and girls
music, magnets, pets and games
cookies, numbers, cars and names
these are things that I see everyday
these are things that I see every day

It doesn’t just connect to me
It talks about a place that’s over seas
the panama canal was the plan he dreamt
did I mention he was the president
This book teaches us about the world
This book teaches us about the world

I love this book, its really swell
kids will love it, I can tell
It will help them have some fun with words
they’ll never say it’s for the birds
perhaps they’ll try play with words at home
and maybe make the information their own
all from reading “If you were a palindrome”.

Star of Fear, Star of Hope by Jo Hoestlandt

Star of Fear, Star of Hope by Jo Hoestlandt is a book about a woman named Helen who is reflecting back on her experience as a child during the Nazi occupation. She was not a Jew herself, but the book describes her feelings and reactions to what was happening to her friend Lydia who was Jewish. This Historical fiction picture book was very moving, with beautiful and unique illustrations, and a somber tone. Having studied the Holocaust in school, the book brought back memories of movies and videos I have seen and books I have read about the horrific things that happened during the Holocaust. This book, however, only portrays the events that happened as the Jews were first being arrested and is presented in a less burdening way. For this reason, Star of Fear, Star of Hope would be a suitable book to introduce elementary school children to the events of the Holocaust.

  As Helen described her childhood, I felt sorry for her and her friend Lydia, with their carefree attitude towards life, not expecting what was coming next. As Lydia's mother sewed her Star of David to her jacket, I couldn't help but feel anxious about what was going to happen. My anxiety increased as someone began knocking on the door saying "It's the midnight Ghost" when Helen and Lydia were having a sleepover. This made me wonder if maybe the person at the door could be a Nazi looking for Lydia. The mood became upsetting when Helen got angry at Lydia for not staying to celebrate her birthday, and when Helen found out that Lydia and her family had been arrested. The illustrations compliment the mood of the story due to their dull, subdued colors and dark shading. After finishing the book, although it ended on a sad note, there was a glimmer of hope as Helen suggests that maybe Lydia is a grandmother somewhere in the world reading this book to her grandchild. Although the story isn't necessarily true, it could have happened to any Jewish person at that time, so it gives me hope that there are Jews out there that did survive and are able to tell their story.

This book is a window to the outside world because even though I have not experience the Holocaust, I am given a glimpse into what it was like for young children to experience the confusion and sadness during that time. Each time I read or watch something on the Holocaust, I gain a greater appreciation of what the Jews experienced and I am always reminded of the importance of accepting others for who they are. With all the violence and hatred that goes on in the world today, a book like Star of Fear, Star of Hope stirs up feelings of empathy for those who go through intense suffering an pain. This book could act as a springboard for a discussion on what it means to show compassion to those who need it. It could also be used as a resource for a religous education lesson or a social studies lesson.

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

The novel Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine is a beautiful story about a young girl named Caitlin who has been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome and has a unique outlook on life. Her brother has recently died and she begins her search for closure while trying her best to find someone who will be her friend. 

Mockingbird is a book that I think everyone should read because it explores the beauty of life and the human soul, and teaches about what it means to be human.  At the very least, I think that every teacher should read it, especially those working with challenging needs students.The story impacted me in a big way and inspired me to be a better person, not to be judgemental of others, and to be thankful for all that life has to offer.

The novel is presented in such a way that I felt as if could see inside Caitlin's mind and know how she thought and made sense of the world. It really opened my eyes to see how someone with Asperger's syndrome thinks, and how it's very logical and not that much different from anyone else. The use of capital letters in the middle of sentences, especially for idiomatic expressions and for words that Caitlin thought were important (like "Heart"), was very effective in conveying how she was thinking. The style is conversational which makes the book easy to read and I could relate to many of the things that Caitlin was going through, whether it be the loss of a loved one, being bullied at school, having a hobby, or making a new friend. The book was both a mirror to my world and a window to the outside world because while I could relate in a way to what Caitlin was going through, I was educated on what it was like to have Asperger's syndrome, something I might not have been aware of if I had not read this book.

In the book, Caitlin has trouble reading facial expressions, so her guidance counselor tries to help her by showing her a Facial Expressions Chart everyday so that she can practice reading people's emotions. I took this idea from the book and made my own Facial Expressions Chart to show how I felt at various parts of the novel.

(click picture for a closer look)

I felt happy when Caitlin became friends with Michael, when Caitlin and her Dad begin to finish her brother's Eagle Scout Project, when Caitlin goes to see Michael's play, and at the end when Caitlin is given a standing ovation for donating her brother's project to his school.

I felt sad when I found out how Caitlin's brother died, when her dad would constantly cry, when I found out what happened to Michael's mom, and whenever Caitlin and her Dad would listen to the news.

I felt irritated when the guidance counselor paired Josh with Michael for reading buddies instead of putting him with Caitlin, and when the gym teacher commented "why do I get all the autistic kids" in front of the students.

I felt confused at the beginning of the novel when I wasn't sure what was going on and I didn't know Caitlin had Asperger's.

I felt uneasy when Caitlin would go through her "Tantrum Rage Meltdowns", when she would do things that were socially unacceptable, and when the other children in her class would make fun of and exclude her.

I felt inspired throughout the whole novel as Caitlin constantly overcame conflict and struggles, and how she finally found closure not only for herself, but for her Dad, Michael and the community. I was also inspired by how much Caitlin grew from the beginning to the end and how she was finally able to experience empathy and be a friend to others.

Mockingbird is chocked full of amazing and wonderful messages that gave me a new insight on life. I had a difficult time putting into words how I felt after reading the book because it stirred up a lot of different thoughts and feelings, but one quote from the book sums up how I responded to the book as a whole:

"Maybe we can make something good and strong and beautiful come out of this"

This book helped me realize that no matter how bad life can get, no matter how much people suffer, any situation can be made in something "good and strong and beautiful."

A Chill in the Air by John Frank

A Chill in the Air by John Frank is such a fantastic book
and I really think if you get a chance that you should take a look!

The poems begin to talk about the things that happen in fall;
they continue on till winter’s end and then you’ve read them all.

The poems remind me of those things I do now and did in the past,
They make me smile, they make me think and even make me laugh!

Poems like Signs, Fall, and Icicles have vivid imagery,
I can feel, hear and see the scenes as if they were in front of me

Blackberry Picking, Polar Vacation, and Thief made me grin.
If using humour was their goal then they would surely win.

There were three poems that had a big impact on me.
A Cold October Night , Moods and Winter were the names of these three.

A Cold October Night was the funniest of them all!
I would never think of a witch having to wear long-johns in the fall!
Sometimes the best poems are the ones that bring you laughter;
this poem brought me joy when I read it and long after.

Moods used beautiful language to show two sides of the winter season.
I really “felt” the different moods, and I love it for this reason!
I felt the calm and stillness of a quiet winter snow,
which changed to the anxiety of a blizzard that roars and blows

Winter is a poem that reminds me of when I was young,
when I was in figure skating, and I would have so much fun.
In this way the poem becomes a mirror to my world;
I can relate to how much fun it was to skate and spin and twirl.

The pictures are another thing that add to the vivid sight;
the lines create movement that puts autumn leaves in flight.
The pastel texture makes the snow look smooth with soft edges,
and also give a prickly feel to branches, grass and hedges.

All in all this book of poems is one that can’t be beat!
It would be great to read to your students when outdoors is lacking heat.
For a fall or winter unit it would be perfect as you can see,
but most of all to give your kids a love for poetry!