Module 3: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig

Summary: Sylvester the donkey loves collecting rocks.  One day he finds a shiny, red,  extraordinary rock, and quickly figures out it has magic powers.  Unfortunately, while he is on his way home with the rock he comes across a lion.  In his panic, he wishes to be a rock, and then realizes that he can't change himself back into a donkey because he is no longer holding the rock.  Sylvester's parents are devastated and spend months looking for him.  After many months of looking, a miracle finally happens when they decide to go on a picnic and discover a shiny red rock.

APA Reference: Steig, W. (1969). Sylvester and the magic pebble. New York, NY: Windmill Books.

Impressions: This is a classic book that is timeless, and appealing to kids because what kid wouldn't find a shiny red, and even magic rock to be fascinating. When Sylvester goes missing, the anticipation builds, and on each page it is hard to contain a real eagerness that Sylvester will be found.  The animal characters, such as the angry and then perplexed lion, and the policepigs, really add to the kid appeal.  When Sylvester is finally found, and changed back to a donkey, there is a sweet endearing feeling that will make this story popular for repeat tellings.  

Professional Review:
PreS-Gr 2-William Steig's Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (S&S, 1969) is a delightful story that, even without the pictures, has the ability to captivate. Sylvester is a young donkey who finds a magic pebble and makes an unfortunate wish. The love of his family eventually creates a situation where the wish can be undone. This unabridged reading by John McDonough has no fancy music or background noises, and it doesn't need them because the story stands very well on its own. His reading is calm and clear, allowing listeners to enjoy the language without unnecessary distractions. This is a nicely done production.-Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Bateman, T. (1998, May). [Review of the book Sylvester and the magic pebble, by W. Steig]. School library journal, 44, 100. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/
 

Library Uses:  Have a magic program.  Read the book Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, and then teach the kids some magic tricks they can do on their own.  Bring in someone from the police department to read the book.  Then have them talk about stranger safety.  Based on the magic pebble in the book, have a program all about rocks.  Bring in a rock specialist to show some rocks, and to talk about the different kinds of rocks and gems and how they are created. 

Module 3: So You Want to Be President?

So you Want to Be President? by Judith St. George

 

Summary: A book for people who always wanted to be President, or at least just learn about the pros and cons and  traits of past presidents.  This fun introduction to presidents gives interesting facts about what our past presidents have been like, including the most common president names, the size and shape of some presidents, past pets that lived in the white house, and many other interesting facts about former presidents.   

APA Reference: St, G. J., & Small, D. (2004). So you want to be president? New York, NY: Philomel Books.

Impressions: The cartoon like illustrations in this book are amusing, and do as much of the story telling as do the words.  When showing the biggest president, William Howard Taft, a crane is depicted lowering the president into an extra large bathtub.  You can really picture the pets in the White House when a horse, which was brought up on an elevator, is shown by a child's bed.  The presidents are really brought to life as they drive cars on the floor, play instruments, dance, and go flying off a bucking horse.  The final message of the book about how not all president's are greedy or want power, but how some really want to serve their country and make a difference in the world is one which allows for some great discussion on what it means to be a real leader.    

Professional Review:
Gr 4-8-Curious tidbits of personal information and national history combine with humorously drawn caricatures to give this tongue-in-cheek picture book a quirky appeal. "There are good things about being President and there are bad things about being President" So begins a walk through a brief history of facts, successes, oddities, and mishaps. For example, most readers won't know that William Howard Taft weighed over 300 pounds and ordered a specially made bathtub. Small's drawing of a naked Taft being lowered into a water-filled tub by means of a crane should help them remember. Another spread depicts a men's shop where Andrew Johnson (a tailor) fits Ronald Reagan (an actor) for a suit while Harry Truman (a haberdasher) stands behind the counter. While the text exposes the human side of the individuals, the office of the presidency is ultimately treated with respect and dignity. A list of presidents with terms of office, birthplace, date of birth and death, and a one-sentence summary of their accomplishments is provided. This title will add spark to any study of this popular subject.

Eames, A. (2000, August). [Review of the book So you want to be president?, by G. J. St, and D. Small]. School library journal, 46, 206-7. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/  

Library Uses:  During February have a President's Day program geared to after school age kids with a "Presidents" theme.  Read excerpts of So You Want to Be President?, followed by activity stations that go along with some of the presidents.  Let the kids bowl in honor of the president's bowling alley. See which kids have famous president's names.  Build Tootsie Roll log cabins in honor of the president's who were born in them.  Talk about what we can do to serve our country.  This would also be a good program to introduce some of the "Who was. . . " biography books about past presidents. 

Module 2: Frog and Toad Together

Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel

Summary: Frog and Toad become better friends, and have many adventures together as they try to decide what to do when Toad's list blows away, watch for seeds to grow, try to resist the temptation of cookies, and test whether or not they are brave. 

APA Reference: Lobel, A. (1972). Frog and toad together. New York, NY: Harper & Row.

Impressions: Adults should not settle for a boring early reader, when they could chose one of the many Frog and Toad books.  Not only will this book be humorous to children, but adults will find it hard not to be amused when Frog believes his seeds grow because he sings, reads, and plays music for them; or, when Frog and Toad go on adventure to be brave and then return to be brave while hiding under the covers and in the closet.  This will also be the perfect springboard to teaching children about different concepts such as will power, and what it means to be brave; and, the short easy chapters provide a great resource for helping children start to transition from early readers to chapter books. 

Professional Review:
Preschool-Gr. 2. This sequel to Frog and load Are Friends (HarperCollins, 1970) features five stories that demonstrate the enduring quality of the two animals' friendship, whether they are sitting and doing nothing, growing gardens, exercising willpower, testing their courage, or dreaming of grandeur. The softly colored illustrations in this I Can Read Book are a perfect complement. Days with Frog and Toad (HarperCollins, 1979) continues the amphibian friendship and fun tor early readers. 

Suen, A. (2006, July). [Review of the book Frog and toad together, by A. Lobel]. Book links, 15, 57-57. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/offices/publishing/booklist/booklinks

 Library Uses: Read parts, or the entire book to introduce a science unit about frogs and toads.  Have a local museum bring in a real frog and toad, along with other amphibians to help those attending the program learn more about amphibians.  The chapter on seeds could be read before teaching children about plants and what makes them grow.  An activity could follow where the children get to plant their own seeds. 

Module 2: Shiloh

Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

 

Summary: Shiloh is about a boy named Marty, who is followed by a dog one day while he is out in the woods.  Marty names the dog Shiloh, and based on his reactions, Marty believes he is being severely mistreated.  Marty's father makes him return the dog, but when Shiloh shows up again, Marty knows he needs to do something to try to save his life.  Even though he knows it is dishonest, Marty hides Shiloh and brings him food.  Unfortunately, Shiloh's owner will do just about anything to get him back.

APA Reference:  Naylor, P. R. (1991).  Shiloh.  New York, NY: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc.

Impressions:  I liked the back woods feel of the book, which takes place in rural Virginia, maybe because I love nature and the outdoors. I also appreciated the main character, Marty, in his desire and determination to do what was right, even though it meant him having to lie about knowing the whereabouts of Shiloh. The moral dilemmas in the book, such as when Marty has to decide whether to lie or to face a consequence that he feels is worse, or when he decides to treat Judd with respect even though he doesn't feel he is a nice person, are similar to what kids have to face today.  Judd, the cruel master of Shiloh, is also an intriguing character as the author gives subtle glimpses into the reasons why he might be such a tough character. This book is sure to be loved by those who like similar books such as, Old Yeller, Summer of the Monkeys, and Stone Fox.

Professional Review:  In the tradition of Sounder and Where the Red Fern Grows comes this boy-and-his-dog story set in rural West Virginia.  When he finds a mistreated beagle pup, 11-year-old Marty knows that the animal should be returned to its rightful owner.  But he also realizes that the dog will only be further abused.  So he doesn't tell his parent about his discovery, sneaks food for the dog and gets himself into a moral dilemma in trying to do the right thing.  Without breaking new ground, Marty's tale is well told, with a strong emphasis on family and religious values.  This heartwarming novel should win new fans for the popular Naylor.  Ages 8-12.  

Roback, D. & Donahue, R. (1991, July 12). Review of the book Shiloh, by P. R. Naylor]. Publishers weekly, 238, 66. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Library Uses:  Bring service dogs or other non-confrontational dogs into the library.  Allow kids to come to the library to read to the dogs once a month.  Include this book, and other popular books about dogs on a nearby display to be checked out by all those dog lovers.  Another tie-in would be to bring in a dog show for a special family night program.  If you wanted to focus more on dealing with bullies, this would be an opportunity to invite a Verbal Judo instructor to the library.  Present books like Shiloh which deal with bullies, followed by a demonstration and hands on advice from the instructor. 

Module 1: The Plot Chickens

The Plot Chickens by Mary Jane and Herm Auch

 

Summary:  Bawkk!  Whoever heard of a chicken that can read?  Well Henrietta can, and it is so much fun that she decides she will try writing her own story. As Henrietta follows the instructions in a book about how to write, and listens to her somewhat silly aunts, her story builds anticipation and includes all the good parts of a book. Henrietta discovers that even though not everyone may like her book, she is still a star with the children at the library.

APA Reference:  Auch, M.J., & Auch, H. (2009). The plot chickens. New York, NY:Holiday House.

Impressions: The Plot Chickens is a fun read for both children and adults. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and somewhat quirky; and the bails of hay and the chicken feathers look like they have texture. Henrietta's story keeps you wondering what will happen next, and as she gives rules for writing, such as "Rule one: You need a main character."  These become natural cues for educators who want to help children to learn how to write by using a simple process.  I particularly like Henrietta's aunts, who provide great examples of what not to do when you write a story. 

Professional Review:

K-Gr 2-Henrietta the chicken, star of Souperchicken (Holiday House, 2003), is an avid library user and decides that because reading is so much fun, "writing books must be eggshilarating." She finds a manual of writing rules and creates her own story-with the unsolicited help of the other fowl. When it is rejected by a publisher, Henrietta decides to self-publish. She takes a copy to her librarian, who tells her to send it to The Corn Book Magazine for review. Henrietta gets another rejection: "odoriferous." Then she wanders into the library at storytime and sees that her book was chosen best of the year by the children. Henrietta is asked to read it aloud. "She read with dramatic expression. Of course, all the children heard was BUK, BUK, BUK.." The illustrations, a combination of oil paints and digital technology, are bold and colorful. The pictures are busy, with Henrietta at her typewriter while her friends cavort around her. There are imagined scenes in cloud shapes, word balloons, and jokes aplenty. A droll chicken with a repeating line adds to the humor. This offering works on two levels. It's a funny picture book that could be used as a manual on writing.

Bates, L. (2010, March 01). [Review of the book The plot chickens, by M. J. & H. Auch]. School library journal, 55, 105. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/

Library Uses:  Hold a writers workshop over a period of several weeks at the library.  The Plot Chickens could be introduced in the first week, in conjunction with a puppet show where the kids help the characters make choices that will determine the outcome of the story.  The following weeks would be a great time to invite in an author and illustrator who would be willing to work with grade school kids to help them learn important techniques of writing and illustrating.  For added incentive, give gift baskets full of writers and illustrators supplies for the winners of the best story and best illustrations.  Celebrate each completed book by displaying a page from each on the library announcement screen.