Well, if this isn't the sweetest thing ever, I don't know what is. Every elementary library needs this book, and I'd go so far as to say it needs to bWell, if this isn't the sweetest thing ever, I don't know what is. Every elementary library needs this book, and I'd go so far as to say it needs to be read in every K-3 classroom (maybe older grades, too).
Brian feels invisible at school. His teacher doesn't have time to notice him because she's too busy with Nathan, who uses his outside voice too much, and Sophie, who whines when she doesn't get her way. Nathan and Sophie take up a lot of space. Brian doesn't.
Brian stands alone after teams have been chosen for playground games. At lunch the other kids talk about what a great time they had at Madison's birthday party. Brian wasn't invited. While the other children play board games or read at Choosing Time, Brian sits quietly and draws imagined worlds full of fantastical creatures and "superheroes who have the power to make friends wherever they go". And that's Brian's life as an invisible boy.
When new student Justin arrives in class, Brian smiles at him while the other kids watch him warily. At lunch, kids make fun of Justin's Korean food and Brian "sits there wondering which is worse--being laughed at or feeling invisible." Then, with one act of kindness, Brian reaches out to Justin, who responds with kindness and involves Brian in recess and class activities. Suddenly, Brian realizes he may not be quite as invisible as he thought.
Patrice Barton's sensitive illustrations bring Brian's plight to the reader's attention right from the beginning. While his world is filled with color, Brian appears only in shades of gray. Other kids are colorful and full of life, but not Brian. He remains see-through pale gray. It is only when Justin approaches him on the playground that Brian begins to show a little color. Back in the classroom, though, it's back to invisible for him when other kids pick partners for a project. Justin includes Brian in his study group with Emilio, though, and the color begins to return. As the boys work together to create a wonderfully creative project, Brian is lit up with color, and readers know his world has changed.
Most of us know how it feels to be left out. Some kids live with it every day, while others of us are the ones who exclude, often without realizing it. The Invisible Boy teaches readers a valuable and needed message for today's classrooms without being didactic. This book is a treasure for teachers and parents who want to instill the traits of kindness and thoughtfulness in their students.
Questions for discussion are included in the back of the book, as well as recommended reading lists for adults and kids. Elementary school counselors need to add this to their curriculum and reading lists....more
Oliver is a bit different. He seems to be quite the introvert, preferring to play quietly on his own with his stuffed animals reading, putting on a puOliver is a bit different. He seems to be quite the introvert, preferring to play quietly on his own with his stuffed animals reading, putting on a puppet show, having tremendous adventures inside his imagination rather than dive into a crowd of people. One day as he's playing tennis against the side of his house (I did this many times, myself), the ball flies over his head and bounces away, through a narrow gate. Oliver steps through the gate and into the best adventure he's ever had; beyond the gate is Olivia, who is a bit different herself.
I really, really like Sif's illustrations. She drew them in pencil then colored them in digitally. The colors are muted, rather like Oliver, and he is so nicely placed on each spread that I got a sense of his feelings at each moment.
If you have an introverted child in your family, this book is the perfect choice to share. Kids who are like Oliver will instantly feel a connection, and maybe this will encourage them to find their own Olivia. ...more
I picked this off the shelf because of the illustrations. They were very well done. The storyline, though, struck me as far too didactic. I kept thinkI picked this off the shelf because of the illustrations. They were very well done. The storyline, though, struck me as far too didactic. I kept thinking it reminded me of a book I would have read at church growing up. I would have appreciated this much more had Tutu told the same story without making the moral so heavy-handed....more
When a baby is born with a full-blown mustache, the nurse tells his parents they must wait to see if it's a hero mustache or a villain mustache. As thWhen a baby is born with a full-blown mustache, the nurse tells his parents they must wait to see if it's a hero mustache or a villain mustache. As the boy grows, it seems it's destined to be a hero mustache. Or is it?
The artwork here is completely fun and the story is pretty original. I didn't buy this yesterday when I read it in the store because I wasn't immediately impressed and I couldn't really think of a classroom use, but the more I think about it, I could have fun with kindergartners and a bunch of "mustache-on-a-stick" props!
I also think this could be a fun springboard for a character-ed lesson: does the way we look determine what kind of character we have?...more
I'm in the minority, but I wasn't impressed with Seeger's newest book. It just seemed...a little too obvious, maybe. It's not really didactic, but it'I'm in the minority, but I wasn't impressed with Seeger's newest book. It just seemed...a little too obvious, maybe. It's not really didactic, but it's certainly not subtle. But then again, perhaps her intended audience is PreK and Kindergartners? That's the only group I can think might like it without seeing it as just too "in their face" with its message. A teachers of kids that age could probably lead a pretty good guided discussion about it....more
Little Llama and his classmates are enjoying a happy day of learning and games at school until Gilroy Goat butts in and ruins the fun. He laughs at thLittle Llama and his classmates are enjoying a happy day of learning and games at school until Gilroy Goat butts in and ruins the fun. He laughs at the way everyone else sings, he stands in the way in the sandbox, he calls others insulting names.
Llama Llama and his friend stand up to the bully, though, by telling him if he doesn't play nicely, they'll leave. He isn't persuaded, so the friends leave the sandbox and tell the teacher how Gilroy is behaving. Teacher puts Gilroy in a nice, long time-out, and he learns his lesson pretty easily. By the end of the day, Gilroy and Llama Llama part as friends. If only it were so easy in real life. :)
This is just right for its intended audience, preschoolers. Teachers may appreciate that Llama's "threat" toward Gilroy's behavior was not to hit or call names back, but simply to walk away and play somewhere else. ...more
Goat hates Unicorn. Everybody else loves Unicorn. Wherever Unicorn goes, happiness follows. Unicorn can make it rain cupcakes, for gosh sakes.
PossiblyGoat hates Unicorn. Everybody else loves Unicorn. Wherever Unicorn goes, happiness follows. Unicorn can make it rain cupcakes, for gosh sakes.
Possibly about as far from didactic as you can get, with its sparkly rainbows and smiling, glittery objects oozing love and admiration for Unicorn, this book is actually pretty awesome for getting kids thinking about their preconceived notions about their classmates. It's on my list of read-alouds for the first week of school....more
6th grader Eric, a who has always thought of himself as a pretty average kid, is suddenly singled out as "The Grunt"--the one kid in class who is the 6th grader Eric, a who has always thought of himself as a pretty average kid, is suddenly singled out as "The Grunt"--the one kid in class who is the target of bullying and verbal abuse. He has no idea why he has been chosen, but it's clear he has, as even a boy who was his best friend growing up has turned against him. Vocabulary lessons evolve into an opportunity to torment him, the bathroom is now a danger zone, and he is helpless to stop the bullying.
When Eric hears an older boy who was also the 6th-grade Grunt mention "The Book", a manual that teaches its owner how to gain power and keep it, he makes it his mission to find out all he can about The Book and how the Grunt is chosen so that he can change whatever it is about himself that caused him to be labeled.
Interspersed with Eric's on-going journaling about his experiences as the Grunt are pages from The Book, so readers essentially see the story from both sides.
I found this to be compelling and a quick read, because I genuinely wanted to learn everything about The Book along with Eric. I wanted to help him. I wanted him to stand up for himself. I wanted him to be confident enough to not let the constant teasing bother him. I wanted him to tell his parents and Mr. Whitner the complete truth. I knew, though, that was entirely unrealistic. It's an extremely rare 6th grader who can take the abuse of bullies here--especially an entire classroom full of them--and not be affected by it.
I think this would make a very interesting classroom read. There is so, so much here to discuss with kids--kids who live Eric's story every single day. Would reading this book as a class and discussing it make life easier for those kids? Would it instill an inkling of compassion into those kids who so thoughtlessly join in the bullying and then forget they ever did? Would it let some of the air out of those bullies, to have their secrets and their motivations read out loud from the printed page? I don't know for certain, but it would sure be worth a try. ...more
It's okay to fail. No, seriously. You don't have to be perfect.
Do you know any kids who need to hear those things? This is the book for them. Failing It's okay to fail. No, seriously. You don't have to be perfect.
Do you know any kids who need to hear those things? This is the book for them. Failing isn't the end of the world; as long as you pick yourself up and start over, things will work out.
If you've got a worrier/overachiever in your classroom or in your living room, check out this little book and share it. It's a good reminder for kids like that....more
I may be reading more into this little book that Kerstin Schoene intended. But personally, I think it's more than an innocent picture book about a monI may be reading more into this little book that Kerstin Schoene intended. But personally, I think it's more than an innocent picture book about a monster. I think it's a commentary of the plight of juvenile delinquents.
Okay, maybe not exactly, but lemme try to convince you. Our story begins with a monster being told, You're not real. Told enough times, he becomes upset and attempts to make himself known. He tries several different things, including spraypainting "Monsters Are Real" on the sides of overpasses and on brick walls. The monster becomes depressed after all of his efforts seem to be in vain. At the point he is about to give up, another monster emerges from the trees, validating his identity, and the two walk off together.
I guess you could try to read this as just a simple picture book about monsters, but I don't think it makes much sense that way. Instead, as I mentioned, I think it's a book about self-validation. Think about the average teen "delinquent". Chances are good someone has told him (or her) at some time that he's worthless, that he'll never amount to annything, that he's a nobody. Told enough times, a teen (or child, or adult, even) will begin to believe it's true. And sometimes, they'll act out in an effort to be seen. Flashback to the spread in the book where the monster is spray painting "Monsters Are Real" everywhere. Troubled teens are shouting "I'M HERE! SEE ME!" all the time through their actions (sometimes through vandalism). And sometimes all they really need is for someone to say to them, "I see you. I know you. I care." And if that someone is like them, even better.
From page one, the tone of this book put me off. Even though she wasn't makinLove Jacqueline Woodson. Did not like this book.
I think I'm the only one.
From page one, the tone of this book put me off. Even though she wasn't making a speech, it felt so didactic I just couldn't like it. In my mind, the narrator droned on in a depressing monotone. The story was entirely hopeless. There was no spark of light at the end, no spot of hope. My imaginary last line was, "And then the entire rest of my life sucked, too."
Harsh. Yes, I know. It felt harsh when I read it. It's The 100 Dresses in picture book form, but with no understanding of the situation's cause and with no hope at the end. Maya was just gone, and there was nothing to be done. If Chloe had had another chance to be kind to someone who was an outcast, it might've made the book more cliche, but would've added some hope, too. As it is, I was left wondering whether she would be kind next time, or would just wallow in self-loathing for a while.
Now, this is not to say that this is a bad book and shouldn't be utilized, because I do think teachers and counselors could use it. Some of our students certainly need it. As long as it's followed-up with discussion about how Chloe could've handled things differently, why she treated Maya the way she did, why she couldn't find courage to do the right thing, whether they see things like this happening at their school, and what they can do to make a difference, share it.
I also think Language Arts teachers could use this effectively when teaching tone. 'Cause this is one DE-pressing book, and it all comes from the narrator's tone....more
Violet is the best. At everything. You know the type. She has the bounciest ponytail. She's always first. She's the smartest. The best artist. She coaViolet is the best. At everything. You know the type. She has the bounciest ponytail. She's always first. She's the smartest. The best artist. She coats everything with glitter, and you sort of expect to see a rainbow of unicorns happily bouncing along in her wake. She's Miss Superlative, and everybody knows it. Rosie knows it. She's not too happy about it, but she knows it. Nobody can beat Violet at anything.
When the class is presented seeds and pots and soil to grow their own pea plants, Rosie is excited about this new opportunity. Maybe she can grow the tallest pea plant! But no, there next to her pot is Violet's pot, and Violet's plant is the first to sprout. No surprise there. Soon, Violet's plant is growing taller than anyone else's. To be expected.
Then something entirely unexpected happens, and Sophie sees her chance to best Violet at something. Finally. But it turns out that Sophie's heart is too big to be small, and she goes above and beyond to help Violet.
First thing I Loved about this book: Patrice Barton's illustrations. I will read anything if Patrice Barton illustrated it.
Second thing I Loved about this book: the realistic portrayals of Rosie and Violet. Violet is that girl who everyone adores and hates at the same time. She's cute, she's talented, and she knows it. She's not overtly obnoxious about it, which I appreciated, because it made her more realistic to me, but she is pretty much oblivious to the fact that her constant besting gets a little annoying to the other kids.
And while Rosie did the right thing, the good thing--the best thing--that doesn't mean Violet automatically recognized that she can't always be the best at everything and the girls became best buddies for life. Because despite how often we see this in tv/movies/literature, life just doesn't work that way most of the time. This isn't a book about everybody learning a lesson and growing up a little bit, it's just about Rosie, doing the right thing, and how life went on without noticing (mostly). That's the way my life generally works, so I appreciated seeing it here for children. Bravo. ...more
A version of Pay It Forward for kids? Maybe. Nothing is really done with the intention of paying it forward here, just something someone does in one pA version of Pay It Forward for kids? Maybe. Nothing is really done with the intention of paying it forward here, just something someone does in one place makes someone in another place feel good, so he does something nice, which makes someone else feel good, and on and on, from New York to Mexico to Paris and Israel and England and Italy. The connection may be a little loose, but the message remains strong: one person's action can make a difference, like ripples in the ocean. So be active. Make the world a more beautiful place. ...more
Gerald has ice cream. Should he share it with Piggie? He loves ice cream. If he shares with Piggie, he won't have as much for himself. But he loves PiGerald has ice cream. Should he share it with Piggie? He loves ice cream. If he shares with Piggie, he won't have as much for himself. But he loves Piggie, too, and wants to make her happy. What a dilemma!
As always, Mo Willems delivers an entertaining story with simple vocabulary and lots of humor. The Kindergartners I read this to laughed all the way through, at Gerald's funny expressions and the fact that the ice cream was melting as he was trying to decide. Kids who are devoted fans of the series will eagerly wait for their chance to read this one....more
Although some might find a few too many "don't"s in this picture book, the ins and outs of manners in the classroom, on the school bus, at the market,Although some might find a few too many "don't"s in this picture book, the ins and outs of manners in the classroom, on the school bus, at the market, at the dinner table and more are all here, accompanied by terrifically funny artwork. Each two-page spread has been created by a different, well-known children's illustrator, so each has its own unique feel. Share this with your children, one-on-one or as a class, and you'll have much to discuss about what's acceptable and what's not. Plus, the kids will love the humor in here, guaranteed....more
I was very pleasantly surprised by this one, as celebrity authors generally do not put out amazing literature, and Rania Al-Abdullah is, in fact, QueeI was very pleasantly surprised by this one, as celebrity authors generally do not put out amazing literature, and Rania Al-Abdullah is, in fact, Queen of Jordan. Queen. Woah.
Lily and Salma are best friends. They love to do everything together--jump rope, draw picture, and eat lunch together. Every day Lily brings a peanut butter sandwich for lunch. Salma secretly thinks it looks and smells disgusting. Every day Salma brings hummus in pita bread for lunch. Lily secretly thinks it looks disgusting. The trouble begins when Lily tells Salma what she thinks about her hummus lunch. Salma is not amused and returns the 'favor'. And as with many disagreements between both children and adults (and nations, for that matter), things escalate from a petty disagreement to name-calling and ugly actions by a crowd greater than those who were originally involved.
#1 thing this book has going for it: Tricia Tusa's illustrations. Love #2: Kelly DiPucchio's writing help.
All-together, this ends up being quite nicely done, and will be a great discussion-starter in the classroom. The last spread just might inspire some excellent classroom meals, as well. ...more
First off--Matt Phelan. So there's an abundance of stars right there.
Second, very realistic storyline. So many children--girls especially--live this First off--Matt Phelan. So there's an abundance of stars right there.
Second, very realistic storyline. So many children--girls especially--live this story every day in every school in every state. And probably in every nation, for that matter.
And third, Robbins handles the topic so, so well. There's no need to mock the mean girls, or to make them caricatures; their actions paint an accurate portrait of who they are. And little Anna and Julisa, I just hurt for both of them, just like I hurt for my own little girl when the "mean girls" of her class decided to single her out. Every little girl who has ever been Anna or Julisa will feel this book in her heart. (Now if only all the Kaylas and Melanies could recognize themselves and how ugly their actions are, this would deserve the Nobel Prize for Literature.)
Truly a lovely little book about true friendship, what it is, and what it most definitely is not. This deserves a spot in every elementary school library.
It's so hard to make friends in a new place, and this book illustrates that reality beautifully.
On Shakeeta's first day in a new school, she introducIt's so hard to make friends in a new place, and this book illustrates that reality beautifully.
On Shakeeta's first day in a new school, she introduces herself by telling the class that she has an iguana. Mia wants to meet Shakeeta, but she's afraid of the iguana. After a boy calls Shakeeta "Shakeeta Mosquita" and she threatens to punch him in the head, Mia is too afraid to speak for fear of getting punched in the head herself.
Unkind circumstances find the two girls alone on the playground, and Mia discovers that in the emptiness it's a little easier to be brave.
Robbins has done a masterful job of painting a child's thoughts and emotions with this picture book. It would be a wonderful book to read in the classroom anytime and ANYTHING illustrated by Matt Phelan has my vote. ...more
Really, the concept is quite beautiful: "Do what you can where you are, and you will make a difference in your world."
Little Paulie does what he can tReally, the concept is quite beautiful: "Do what you can where you are, and you will make a difference in your world."
Little Paulie does what he can to change his world, and I love the choices he makes: being kind to animals, reading to trees, listening more, sharing, singing, offering compassion, working hard, finishing what he started, laughing at himself, crying with others, and more.
While I'm not a big fan of the illustrations, the theme is wonderful. Definitely worth sharing with your children, your classrooms, your friends....more
"Do something to make the world a more beautiful place." How can you argue with that?"Do something to make the world a more beautiful place." How can you argue with that?...more
babyhippoface
>
Books:
character-ed
(41)
Loading...
