Knuffle Bunny

Title: Knuffle Bunny

Author: Mo Willems
Illustrations: Mo Willems
Published: Willems, M. (2004). Knuffle bunny. New York: Hyperion Books.
Themes: childhood, loss, family, adventure

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Trixie ventures out on a special errand with her dad to the laurdomat. As a toddler, Trixie enjoys helping her dad put cloths into the machine and put the coins in their slot. As the two travel home,Trixie realizes that her beloved bunny was left at the laundromat. How will Trixie get her stuffed animal back? Will she ever see Knuffle Bunny again?

My JK/SK class totally LOVED this book! Any why wouldn't you? The illustrations are spectacular; Willems places his cartoon-ish illustrations in front of iconic New York scenarios. This is the first of the Knuffle Bunny trilogy; Knuffle Bunny Too and Knuffle Bunny Free.

Classroom Ideas:
- This is a fantastic book to do some text-to-self connections. Who hasn't lost something in their lives? Even my JK's were able to tell me of a time when one of their toys went missing, how they felt and what they did to help find it. 
- Have students write about their favourite toy using descriptive detail.
- This would be such a great book to have students do some work at retelling.
- Have students create their own art inspired by the book. Give students a black and white scenery and have them place their own characters on top.
- Create a character map for Trixie -- check out the two sequels to see how her character develops through the years.
- Have students compare Knuffle Bunny to other iconic books about stuffed animals, such as Corduroy and The Velveteen Rabbit. Have students create a Venn Diagram to discuss the similarities and the differences.



How can you not love this book?

The Lion & The Mouse

Title: The Lion & The Mouse

Author: Jerry Pinkney
Illustrations: Jerry Pinkney
Published: Pinkney, J. (2010). The lion & the mouse. New York: Little, Brown and Company: Books for Young Readers.
Themes: wordless, friendship, kindness, Aesop fable

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In award-winning artist Jerry Pinkney's wordless adaptation of one of Aesop's most beloved fables; an unlikely pair learn that no act of kindness is ever wasted. This story shows us that even the King of the Jungle needs help, and a tiny mouse can be that helper. With vivid depictions of the landscape of the African Serengeti and expressively-drawn characters, Pinkney makes this a truly special retelling, and his stunning pictures speak volumes. Even though there are no words in this book the story about kindness still comes through. 

This is one of my most beloved picture books in my entire collection; the exquisite 2010 Caldecott Medal winner. Pinkey's illustrations need no words at all; they are so intrinsic and detailed in their own right.

Wordless books, when done properly, have a valued role within our classrooms. This book especially is a fantastic introduction into the concept of visual literacy; how can the illustrations help us know what's going on? What do the character's body language and facial expressions tell us?



Classroom Ideas:

-  Have multiple people "read" the story. Have students reflect on the question - How was the story different from the way I understood the story?
- Using a pad of sticky notes, have students create a dialogue for the characters. What are the animals saying when they're together? What are they thinking when they're alone?
- Create a T-Chart on a piece of paper. On one side write the word "Mouse" and on the other side write the word "Lion". In each column, write down character traits of each animal. How are they different? How are they the same?
- If you were to interview one of the main characters, who would you interview? What would you ask them? Create an interview between you and one of the characters. Have students either record this interview or act it out in front of the class.
- Have students turn to their favourite picture in the book. What visual cues (hints) are present that let the reader know what is happening in the story?
- Can you think of another pair of animals that would make good main characters? Have students create their own wordless book with these characters.
- Reflection question: 
a) The Lion & The Mouse demonstrates “the golden rule”. The golden rule is “do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.” What does this mean? Why is this a good rule?
b) Why do you think the author chose to include animal sounds as the only words in the book?

The Dot

Title: The Dot

Author: Peter H. Reynolds
Illustrations: Peter H. Reynolds
Published: Reynolds, P. (2003). The dot. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.
Themes: art, teacher, inspiration, creativity, self-esteem

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Vashti does not believe that she can draw, in fact she refuses to draw at all. It isn't until her teacher encourages her to make a mark and see where it takes her that she learns her full potential. 

As an educator this book pulls at my heartstrings; what a beautiful story Reynolds has created about how teachers can inspire children to take a risk. Then going further, how students can inspire or teach other students.

I am constantly intrigued and inspired by Reynolds illustrations; they're so simple, yet stunning. Art can be a scary thing for children; they have an idea that there is a "right" way to do it. Once they get past their fears, art can be a very free and liberating experience. It's our job as teachers to help our students find their way to that point.

Classroom Ideas:
- Students receive a piece of paper and will create a dot/circle on that page. They will then create something or a scene from that dot. What will they create? (ex: a monster, a person, an animal, planets, etc.).
- Discussion: ask your students what constitutes as art? What makes someone an artist?
- Check out some Jackson Pollock's artwork (picture book Action Jackson). 
- Have your students create their own dot masterpieces using various materials.


Don't you just love this book?

Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster

Title: Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster

Author: Debra Frasier
Illustrations: Debra Frasier
Published: Frasier, D. (2007). Miss Alaineus: A vocabulary disaster. Orlando: Voyager Books.
Themes: spelling, vocabulary, mistakes

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Sage is a grade five student who was sick on the day that her teacher assigned that week's vocabulary words. She calls her friend Starr who lists and spells each word for Sage, except for the last word - Miss Alaineus. I bet you can only imagine what happens when it's test time! Find out how Sage copes and how she turns her mistake into a victory!

This is a great book for older students (grade 4-6) as the content is longer and the words are more sophisticated. Frasier illustrates this book perfectly. The pictures appear to have been created on lined paper and her images are relate-able to a child in these elementary grades. I only wrote some ideas of activities for this book, but there are so many more that you'll be able to think of. You'll be able to get great mileage out of this book while stretching your students' vocabulary muscles. 

Classroom Ideas:
- Have your students open the dictionary and write a sentence using 3 words that begin with A. Try to select words that are different and unusual. When students are done with their A sentence, move on to a sentence with B words. Consider having your students write on a theme, such as daily activities. There are examples along the border of the book pages. I recommend that this is a long-term assignment you assign to your students.
-  Have your own vocabulary parade in your classroom -- students choose one of your spelling words and create a costume or t-shirt based on its definition. A great idea for a culminating activity!
- This book can help you discuss synonyms -- have students choose a word (noun, adjective or verb) and then try to find 3 words that mean the same thing (synonyms). 
- Have your students complete a placemat activity (as found here): 

- Have students create a character web for Sage. What does the author tell us about her personality or character traits? How does she act?
- Reflection Questions: a) what would life be like if there were no words? b) what would your writing be like if there was not a variety of words?