THE LION AND THE MOUSE by Jerry Pinkney

Bibliography: 

Pinkney, Jerry. 2009. THE LION AND THE MOUSE.  New York, NY:  Little Brown Books for Young Readers.  ISBN 9780316013567

Plot Summary: 

Aesop’s fable The Lion and the Mouse is retold beautifully in this wordless picture book by Jerry Pinkney.  A life is spared and the good-deed is repaid by an act of bravery and kindness.  The illustrations are captivating to the reader and allow the mind to explore and imagine what is occurring within each page.  

Critical Analysis: 

The author and illustrator’s artwork retell this fable beautifully in this wordless book.  Great detail is given to every page as Pinkney uses pencil, watercolors, and colored pencils to bring this tale to life in a very vivid way.  The imagery allows the reader to imagine they are in the setting of Africa.  Emotions can clearly be seen and felt from each illustration.  A powerful message of kindness to others and friendship are lessons learned from the viewing of this book.    

Reviews: 

·        Caldecott Medal Winner 2010

·        New York Times – Nov. 5, 2009 – by Roger Sutton:  “The art of Jerry Pinkney’s new picture book is commanding enough to do without the author’s name or even the title on the front cover.”

·        The Washington Post – Sept. 20, 2009 – “Even before the book falls open, the story has begun!”

Connections:  Age Level:  1 and up

·        Beginning of the school year to build classroom unity and teach “Treat others as you would have others treat you!”

·        With older children who know about schema and inferring, about the (1) setting and (2) characters’ thoughts and/or feelings.

·        Predicting during and after reading about what will happen next.

·        Research and read expository books about Africa and African animals.

·        Art – Paintings inspired by illustrations

·        Language Arts – Create a drama by adding dialogue to the pictures seen throughout the book.  Then allow students to perform the drama they created.

MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS by Robert McCloskey

Bibliography: 

McCloskey, Robert. 1969. MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS. Ill. by Robert McCloskey. New York. NY: Scholastic, Inc.  ISBN 0590339494

Plot Summary: 

In this sweet story set in Boston, readers will follow a duck couple in search of a safe home for their growing family.  There seemed to be some type of danger everywhere they look.  Even after their babies arrived, the search for their perfect home continued.  With the help of kind humans, the family is reunited and their perfect home is found to raise their babies.   McCloskey does a wonderful job telling and illustrating a story that shows the love of a family and the community around it.     

Critical Analysis: 

Young children will find this book very calming and reassuring when it is read to them.  It is a classic tale of a family's love for one another.  Children will enjoy the illustrations showing the eight ducklings fearlessly following their mother anywhere she leads them, even crossing busy traffic streets filled with loud honking cars. 

Reviews:  

·        1942 Caldecott Metal

Connections:  Age Level:  3 and up

·        Book Talk:  Discuss Community Helpers – Police – that are seen in the book and when children might see them in their everyday lives; Discuss the job of a policeperson and how they are here to help us; Discuss “your” family and its members.

·        Create graphic organizers:  Create a Flow Chart showing the sequence of events seen in the book that leads the family to their final home on the island. 

·        Onomatopoeia:  Students can find and point out the many onomatopoeias found within this story, and then create their own similar statements using onomatopoeias. 

CITY DOG, COUNTRY FROG by Mo Willems

Bibliography: 

Willems Mo. 2010. CITY DOG, COUNTRY FROG. Ill. by Jon J. Muth. New York. NY: Hyperion.  ISBN 9781423103004

Plot Summary: 

In this heartwarming book about friendships and time, we follow a City Dog as he visits the country during all four seasons.  The illustrations are beautiful as they show the change of time from one season to the next.  Sweet City Dog runs free when he visits the country and finds an unlikely friend, Country Frog.  The two are cute and funny in all their snap shots in time.  With time, things change and life goes on for one friend who is forever changed by his original friendship.  

Critical Analysis: 

I found this to be a very touching story about unlikely friendships.  It was sweet to see towards the end of the book how City Dog displayed some of the sweet characteristics from his former best friend.  Without knowing it, I have once again chosen a book that would be great time use with children dealing with loss.  This would be a great book to celebrate a life and all the meaningful moments that will always be in your heart, while being encouraged that like goes on and gets better.  I do feel like this book might be too sad for younger children. 

Reviews: 

·        2011 Zolotow Award Honor Book

·        New York Times – July 2010:   "This is a story about happy chances and the rewards of being with a friend, as well as a story about surviving loss and moving on.  The text is both efficient and beautiful, and with Willems' witty word play, it builds two clear characters rather than just two familiar animals - picture-book writing at its best."    

Connections:  Age Level:  3 and up

·        Book Talk:  Describe incidents that advance the story; adjectives to describe characters

·        Create graphic organizers:  Sequence of events through time; Venn Diagram displaying characters characteristics

·        Journal Response:  Tell me about your best friend, describing him/her in detail using as many adjectives as you can.  When did you first meet him/her?  Tell me about that using a sequence of events that leads to you meeting your best friend.  Tell me about your most memorable moment with your best friend, and then illustrate a picture displaying this memorable moment.

A BALL FOR DAISY by Chris Raschka

Bibliography: 

Raschka, Christopher. 2011. A BALL FOR DAISY.  Ill. by Christopher Raschka. Schwartz & Wade Books. New York, NY.  ISBN 9780375858611

Plot Summary: 

A Ball for Daisy by Christopher Raschka is perfect for any young child dealing with loss, especially those who are dog lovers.  With this wordless book, children will see a dog receive a new ball.  The dog loves his new toy and takes it everywhere until the ball pops.  The dog’s emotions change and are wonderfully illustrated by the author.  The book has a bright and happy ending as the dog finds a new friend.

Critical Analysis: 

This book can be used for many things with young children.  Great discussions can come from this wordless book using the beautiful illustrations.  Children can infer the dog’s feelings from the pictures that are very expressive.  This book would be great to use with young children being introduced to colors.  Children dealing with loss will find comfort in the dog’s journey from happiness, to dealing with sadness, to being inspired that there will be brighter days again.   

Reviews: 

• Winner of the 2012 Randolph Caldecott Metal
• New York Times Bestseller
• New York Times Best Illustrated Book
• Editorial Reviews:
• School Library Journal, August 2011:  “Raschka’s genius lies in capturing the essence of situations that are deeply felt by children.”
• Horn Book, September/October 2011:  “A story that is noteworthy for both its artistry and its child appeal.”
• Kirkus Review, December 2011:  “Rarely, perhaps never, has so steep an emotional arc been drawn with such utter, winning simplicity.” 

Connections:  Age Level:  3 and up

• Students can look at the pictures and brainstorm their ideas, inferring the meaning for each picture.
• Students can be inspired by the childlike pictures found in the book, and create their own pictures continuing the story.
• Sing “Daisy Has a Red Ball” to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”
• Using another wordless book, compare and contrast the events children can infer from the pictures using various types of questioning. 
• Suggested wordless book:
• Goodnight Gorilla  by Peggy Rathman
• Rathman, Peggy. 2000. GOODNIGHT GORILLA. Puffin Books. New York, NY.  ISBN  0399224459