ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY: This is Not My Hat

This is Not My Hat, is was one of my favorite picture books from my annotated bibliography. It is the comical story of a small fish that finds a little blue hat that fits him perfectly. The fish knows the hat is not his but swims off with it anyways. He is sure the enormous fish, who is the rightful owner of the hat, will not wake up any time soon. Even if he did he probably wouldn’t know what happened. Unfortunately for the little fish, the enormous fish wakes up and knows exactly what happened. 

This is Not My Hat is a funny story. It was fun to read and had amazing illustrations. I enjoyed it and can see why it is an award winner. It reminds me of a bedtime story, something a young child could easily memorize and start reading it with their parents the third or fourth time they hear it. I would use this book in my classroom if I taught a grade under second, but I disagree with scholastic and don’t see this book being appropriate for third, fourth, or fifth grade. I think those grade would find it too predictable, or too childish.I can see This is Not My Hat as a silly way to teach a lesson about taking what does not belong to you.

I would use this book for different literacy skills, or a science lesson on plant habitats. This book is written is first person. You could first have students identify how it was written and then re-write or restate it in third person. It is such a short story which would make that assignment simple, it could even be a center during the literacy block. Another literacy topic to cover with this book is predictions. The illustrations give lots of foreshadowing. Kindergartens and first graders should be able to make concrete predictions about the events in This is Not My Hat during a read aloud.

The final literacy strategy I would incorporate is visualizing. The last few pages show only the weeds of the sea and the big fish coming out with the hat that is rightfully his. The story does not tell or show how he got the hat from the little fish. Students of any grade can picture what to place behind the see grass. The teacher could have the students draw a picture, write a few sentences, or both. It would be great practice for an important reading strategy. More literacy strategies and examples at http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/library/books/thisisnotmyhat.htm

      

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY: Wonder

I am working on my annotated bibliography, and Wonder has been one of my favorites to read. Wonder is about a boy named August Pullman who was born with a genetic defect that caused his face to be severely deformed. August (Auggie) was home schooled until 5^th grade when his family enrolled him in a private school. It’s the start of middle school so all the students will be new, but Auggie will still stand out.  Making new friends is a challenge. Auggie must work to make people see beyond his appearance. 

I picked it for my annotated bibliography because Dr. Slick’s blog highly recommended Wonder. She wrote that is should be in every library. The main character has a terrible deformation and is challenged with a school setting and having to make friends. The book is narrated by August, his sister, and other classmates. In a story like this it will be beneficial for young reader to hear all sides of the story. 

I absolutely loved reading Wonder. I was even reading it at the same time as a 10 year old boy a babysit and he enjoyed it almost as much as I did. The way the author sets up the story it is so easy to get into and hard to put down. I found it especially interesting to read from Auggie's sister's point of view after reading the first fourth of the book from Auggie's. I also like seeing how the characters developed through the story. Lots of growth takes place during 5th grade and it was portrayed well. Most of all I loved how the different characters befriended Auggie. It took time but everyone found their place, even Julian. It really was a wonder. 

See book trailer on the right side bar. 

Noted Author: Laura Kvasnosky

I recently completed an author study on Laura Kvasnosky. This post if a brief introduction to her works and accomplishments. If you look to the right side bar you will also find a book trailer to her newest book, prefect for the holidays! 

Kvasnosky’s first book, What Shall I Dream?  was sold in 1992 to Dutton Publishing. They were only interested in her story line and turned down her illustrations. She recalls feeling a slight sting of disappointment but was still so pleased to finally be a published author. Her next two works were One, Two, Three, Play with Me! and Pink, Red, Blue, What are You? These were durable board books focused on the needs of early childhood and learning to counting and colors.

She continued to write and illustrate for other writers. Her first few books were realistic fiction. She is now focused on modern fantasy with themes of friendship, loyalty, and forgiveness. Her newest works are a part of the popular series Zelda and Ivy. Kvasnosky says her family is the source for all her characters. The personalities and relationships of her four siblings, two children, and husband are found in all fifteen of her books.  She was also been honored by many awards like the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, American Library Association Notable Children's Book, Oppenheim Best Book Gold Award, and 1998 Blue Ribbon List, Center for Children's Books.