Posts from the ‘classroom resources’ Category

LEARNING TO TAKE THE GOOD WITH THE BAD

Sophie Washington: Lemonade Day

Written by Tonya Duncan Ellis

Another fun book in the Sophie Washington middle-grade chapter book series.

In this one, sixth-grader, Sophie Washington, decides to sign up for her school’s Lemonade Day Challenge Event. Ten teams will compete.

Readers cannot help laughing and empathizing with Sophie. She manages to get in trouble for messing up her mother’s files, failing to supervise her younger brother, and getting mixed up with the family dog, Bertram, and his mischief.

Sophie learns about scheduling, organizing a team, coping with supplies, and facing unforeseen delays. She manages to solve problems with her spirit of determination and perseverance. Readers learn lessons about teamwork, respect, and working with family members.

Readers might be inspired to become young entrepreneurs and learn a few life lessons along the way. Highly recommended for eight to twelve-years olds and adults who love to reminisce about their tween years.

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INFORMATION OVERLOAD

Kids on Earth: A Children’s Documentary Series Exploring Global Cultures & the Natural World: Costa Rica

Written by Sensei Paul David

My title does not necessarily imply criticism. This book contains a wealth of information. Readers learn about the climate, customs, language, culture, topography, economy, and recreational pursuits available in Costa Rica. A brother and sister, Joaquin and Yocsary, narrate a soup-to-nuts tour of what a visitor might find while in this intriguing land.

Each page includes a colorful illustration and a box of more fun facts after the explanation. My only criticism is that the storyline could be tightened up to read more smoothly. It feels a bit choppy because the information switches topics rapidly. On the other hand, almost any type of question that a reader might have is answered.

I recommend the series to children who love learning about new cultures, travel, and adventure. Recommended for elementary and middle-school students

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GALLIVANTING THROUGH GERMANY

Mishi and Mashi go to Germany: Mishi and Mashi Visit Europe Series

Written by Mary George

Illustrated by Lisa Sacchi

This book is part of a European travel series. Mishi and Mashi are two sisters who accompany their parents on travel adventures. The series is intended for elementary school readers.

The author manages to create a pretty comprehensive picture book. Cities visited include Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, and Frankfurt. They visit kid favorites like museums, zoos, castles, and food venues that feature German specialties. Of course, they experience an Octoberfest and Bavarian costumes. Illustrations are pastels done in soft colors.

My first book of the series, but I will definitely come back to read others.

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#LETTER SOUNDS ABOUND – a virtual book tour and giveaway

In partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Practice Readers Books

ABOUT THE BOOK

Letter Sounds Abound

Written by Catherine S. Young

Illustrated by Victoria Gesner

Ages 3-6 | 48 Pages

Publisher: Practice Readers Books | ISBN-13: 9781778066702

Publisher’s Synopsis: Letter Sounds Abound is a friendly alphabet book that highlights big ideas about how written language works for preschool and kindergarten children. It focuses on the most common letter-sound relationships while helping children tune in to the fact that letters can make different sounds in different situations to avoid confusion for beginners. The rhyming text makes it fun for parents to read to their children time and again, while simple line drawings inspire imagination without competing for attention with text.

PURCHASE LINKS

https://amzn.to/3tKfe0V

Practice Readers Books

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Catherine S. Young has spent her career putting research insights into practice across the spheres of education, public health, and electronics. The proud mother of three delightful developing readers, she founded Practice Readers Books to provide evidence-aligned books to support the unique needs of fledgling readers (and their parents) at school and at home.

For more information, visit https://practicereaders.ca/collections/alphabet-books.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Victoria Gesner (Pelletier) is an artist and educator based in Fredericton, New Brunswick. She believes in making literacy and art affordable and accessible to all.

You can find some of her other artwork at Femme des Fleurs Art at https://www.facebook.com/femmedesfleurs.art/.

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:

EASY PEASY ALPHABET

Letters Abound: A Practice Reading Book

Written by C. S. Young

Illustrations by Victoria Gesner

A simple tool to teach preschool and kindergarten students to learn and read alphabet sounds and words. The author introduces forty-four sounds and the twenty-six letters of the alphabet. Young emphasizes first skills of reading like tracking left to right and following with the finger. Gesner’s illustrations are presented as simple black and white pictures containing the single letters, digraph sounds, and alphabet letters. Children learn how to point out the capital and small letters as they find out about the sounds associated with each. Two sentences on each page rhyme to make reading out loud a fun exercise pleasing to the ear.

This book provides a teaching tool for adults to read as well as for the child to pick up independently as she becomes more confident and proficient in phonetic and reading skills. Certainly, a valuable teaching tool for preschool and early childhood teachers as well as parents.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Letter Sounds Abound, the companion practice book Alphabet Print and Colour, a beginner’s notebook, and a set of alphabet letter magnets!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

– An autographed copy of Letter Sounds Abound

– A copy of Alphabet Print and Colour

– A beginner’s notebook

-A set of magnetic alphabet letters

Two (2) winners receive:

– An autographed copy of Letter Sounds Abound

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

https://gleam.io/loYNF/letter-sounds-abound-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Wednesday, June 22, 2022The Children’s Book ReviewA book review of Letter Sounds Abound
Thursday, June 23, 2022The Momma SpotA book review of Letter Sounds Abound
Friday, June 24, 2022Writer with WanderlustA book review of Letter Sounds Abound
Monday, June 27, 2022The Review WireAn interview with author Catherine S. Young
Tuesday, June 28, 2022Lisa’s ReadingA book review of Letter Sounds Abound
Wednesday, June 29, 2022Me Two BooksA book activity to pair with Letter Sounds Abound
Thursday, June 30, 2022Barbara Ann MojicaA book review of Letter Sounds Abound
Friday, July 1, 2022Tales of a Wanna-Be Superhero MomA book giveaway of Letter Sounds Abound
Wednesday, July 6, 2022icefairy’s Treasure ChestA book review of Letter Sounds Abound
Thursday, July 7, 2022Confessions of a Book AddictA book giveaway of Letter Sounds Abound
Friday, July 8, 2022J.R.s Book ReviewsA book review of Letter Sounds Abound
Monday, July 11, 2022Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersAn article by author Catherine S. YoungFavorite Words for Beginner Readers

A GOOD WAY TO START YOUR DAY

POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS

JBC EMPOWER PRESS

This book is just what the title says, a guide to positive sentences to put in your mind to help you achieve goals in various areas of your life.

A total of 500 positive sentences you can use to motivate yourself in self-worth, achieving success, developing financial success, health, and wellness, and overall happiness in life.

If you are looking for a convenient reference guide to jumpstart your mood and outlook for the day, this book gives you a plethora of mantras to get you started on a positive mindset.

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THEATER OF THE ABSURD

Mind Swapping Madness: Bonkers Short Stories Book 1

Written by Tom Moffatt

Illustrated by Paul Beavis

This book is a perfect choice for the reluctant reader. A good variety of stories on crazy topics that are sprinkled with lots of humor. For example, a boy trapped in the body of a fly, aliens who can’t wait to kidnap children, and toads waiting to be kissed by a human. Moffat twists traditional stories and invents new ones that will delight new readers. The length of the stories varies, and some can be read in five minutes. I am not a fan of children’s books with potty humor, this book contains none.

Recommended as a chapter book for new readers and those children who ordinarily will not pick up a book without coaxing.

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SOMETHING TO CHEW ON

The Tooth Fairy’s Tummy Ache

Written by Lori Orlinsky

Illustrated by Vanessa Alexandre

A very cute, rhyming picture book selection for preschool and kindergarten readers. A little girl is eating lunch in school when she loses her first tooth. She is dismayed because she swallowed it! How will she be able to put the tooth under her pillow for the tooth fairy?

The protagonist decides on deception. She places a look-alike under her pillow. The tooth fairy takes the bait but later becomes suspicious and calls her friends to check it out. They decide to teach the little girl a valuable lesson.

Young readers will both empathize with the girl and delight in its humorous lesson. A perfect gift choice for children about to lose their first tooth.

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SIBLING RIVALRIES

Agent Darcy and Ninja Steve in …Tiger Trouble!

Written by Grant Goodman

Agent Darcy is a gifted ninja who never misses an opportunity to display her talents. Unfortunately, her younger brother, Steve, does not possess her ninja skills. Darcy never lets him forget it.

Book One in a series portrays Darcy and her cohorts as strong female role models. The sibling rivalry scenarios will ring true with elementary and middle-school readers. I believe the book is a good choice for reluctant readers as well because the characters are authentic and the story moves smoothly and quickly. It also could be an excellent tool for a short classroom daily read-aloud book to open a reading lesson.

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CUTE AND CUDDLY

T-Rex Twins: Brothers with Arms

Written by Michael Williamson

Illustrated by Kleverton Monteiro

The T-Rex twins are adorable characters. The book describes the wonderful adventures they experience together.

They do have a big problem. The twins have exceptionally long arms that make them an object of ridicule. No one wants to befriend them until outsiders realize the value of their physical differences.

Readers learn that it is okay to be different and that each individual has value. Fun and vibrant illustrations combined with well-written text that pops off the page. This book can serve as a bedtime story or a classroom discussion book. I highly recommend it for children up to age eight.

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CARE AND BEWARE

Millie the Cat Has Borderline Personality Disorder

Written by Jessie Shepherd

Some reviewers have criticized the book for being too simplistic. The author uses a cat named Millie as the protagonist with a borderline personality disorder. Using simple illustrations, Millie first explains the disorder by revealing the opposite emotions it brings on.

The second part of the book is my favorite part. Millie points out certain skills may be learned to control her emotions and then provides concrete examples of how persons suffering from this disorder have significant strengths and advantages as well as weaknesses and disadvantages.

I believe this book can be a valuable tool when used in conjunction with a skilled therapist or teacher. If read independently by a child, it will need adult explanation and elaboration to ensure there are no misunderstandings.

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