A Kid’s Book for Every Day in September

Big Universe has added a broad range of new books to its online library recently – thanks to publishing partners attuned to children’s vast interests and the wish lists of teachers. I have marveled at this website’s diverse inventory and decided to put it to the test.

“I wonder if I can find a book to coincide with each day in September?” I mused. “…Something to coincide with the holidays, historical anniversaries and other special observations from Sept. 1-30?”

Here’s what I found!

Sept. 1 – This day is set aside to remember the iconic verses of “Mary’s Lamb” – now referred to as “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” According to Rita Smith, the curator of the University of Florida’s Baldwin Collection of Children’s Literature, the poem was written by Sarah Josepha Hale and published in the September 1830 issue of a periodical titled “The Juvenile Miscellany.” Try these wooly tales to celebrate the anniversary: “Sheep,” “The Ultimate Mother Goose Collection,” (Twin Sisters) “Lambs” (Bellwether) or “Bad Day at Arnold’s Sheep Ranch” (Remedia).

Sept. 2 – The Great Fire of London started on this day in 1666. Prior to modern day safety practices, many other cities around the world experienced similar fires. Read “The Fire Department” or “Surviving the Great Chicago Fire” (Rourke) – depending on the age and maturity of the reader.

Sept. 3 – It’s the 350th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Society, an international network of top scientists, engineers and medical professionals who “exist to expand knowledge (and) support science.”Read “The Nervous System,” (Bellwether) “In Arctic Waters” (Sylvan Dell) or anything else in Big Universe’s math or science sections.

Sept. 4 – In 1893, English author Beatrix Potter first told “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” as a “picture letter” to the son of her former governess. Almost 120 years later, the classic is read all over the world in many languages. Big Universe has the book among its audible “Read Alouds.” This version is recited in Mandarin Chinese! Potter’s “The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin,” however, is recited in English. (MightyBook)

Sept. 5 – The Salmon Festivalis being held in historic Eastport, Maine. Read “The Life Cycle of a Salmon.” (Bellwether)

Sept. 6 – Today is Labor Day, a federal holiday. Read “Workers” (Teacher Created Materials) or other books about people in the work force, such as “Test Pilot” or “Forest Firefighter.” (Weekly Reader)

Sept. 7 – Today is the third annual National Clean Energy Summitin Las Vegas, Nevada. To learn more about eco-friendly power and caring for the earth, read “Going Green.” (Rourke)

Sept. 8 – International Literacy Day is celebrated worldwide on Sept. 8. Founded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), this observance was initiated to highlight the necessity of improving literacy on a global basis. Read “ABC Safari” (Sylvan Dell) or any other book on Big Universe.

Sept. 9 – This date marks singing legend Elvis Presley’s first appearance on the “Ed Sullivan Show” in 1956. Read the graphic-style book “Elvis Presley Graphic Biography” to learn more about this music celebrity. (Saddleback)

Sept. 10 – Charlotte, N.C., is holding its annual Literary Festival this weekend. Join the observation by reading “The War of the Worlds (Illustrated Classic),” “Macbeth,” “Hamlet (Illustrated Classic),” or “Julius Caesar.” (Saddleback)

Sept. 11 – It’s Raptor Weekend at the Environmental Education Center in Bristol, R.I., featuring live flight presentations and other educational activities. To learn more about birds of prey, read “Eaglets” (Bellwether), “Eagles,” “Hawks,” “Kites” or “Owls.” (Rourke)

Sept. 12 – Grandparents Day is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day. “How Far to Heaven” (Illumination Arts) is a beautiful love story between a grandmother and her grandchild, and the illustrations and words in “Grandma’s Feather Bed” (Dawn Publications) will make you smile.

Sept. 13 – Chiang Kai-Shek became the president of China on this day in 1943. To read more about this large, fascinating and complex country, read “China” (Bellwether) and another book also titled “China” published by Teacher Created Materials.

Sept. 14 – On this day in 1984, Joseph Kittinger set off on a record-making trip from Caribou, Maine, in the cabin of a helium balloon. Four days later he landed in Italy, becoming the first man to fly solo across the Atlantic in a balloon. To learn more about hot air balloons, read “Hot Air Ballooning.” (Rourke)

Sept. 15 – The United Nations has designated Sept. 15 at the International Day of Democracy. Read “Why are Elections Important?” (Weekly Reader)

Sept. 16 – To observe Collect Rocks Day, consider reading “Julie the Rockhound” (Sylvan Dell) or “Rocks, Minerals and Soil.” (Rourke)

Sept. 17 – It’s Constitution Day. Read “What is a Constitution?” (Weekly Reader)

Sept. 18 – This year, Oktoberfest begins on Sept. 18 in Germany, and festivities will continue until Oct. 3. Learn more about Germany in the Bellwether’s book “Germany.”

Sept. 19 – Aye, mate! It’s International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Read the funny story “Lucky the Pirate” (Remedia), or go to the Big Universe blog titled “Ahoy! Pirate Books for Boys (and Girls).”

Sept. 20 – It’s been 37 years since Wimbledon champion Billie Jean King, 25, defeated 55-year-old Bobby Riggs – also a Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion – in an exhibition tennis match in Houston, Texas, demonstrating women’s ability to play high-caliber tennis – even against a man (and win). Young fans of this sport may like to read “Tennis.” (Bellwether)

Sept. 21 – What better way to celebrate International Peace Day than reading books about children, homes and places around the globe. Try “We Share One World” (Illumination Arts), “Kids Around the World,” “Homes Around the World” and “Places Around the World.” (Teacher Created Materials)

Sept. 22 – Today is Elephant Appreciation Day. Read “Critters Up Close – Elephants”(Zoobooks) or “The First Elephant,” an animated story by author and Big Universe member Rick Walton.

Sept. 23– German astronomer Johann Golle discovered Neptune in 1846. Read about this planet in the book “Neptune” (Bellwether) or “Going Around the Sun: Some Planetary Fun.” (Dawn Publications)

Sept. 24 –Native American Day is a celebration to honor the first Americans. Read the treasure of information in “Rourke’s Native American History and Culture Encyclopedia, Volume 1-10,” including Native American legends in the back of each book. They are an outstanding resource for reports.

Sept. 25 – The Library of Congress is sponsoring today’s National Book Festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., a celebration of “the joy of reading.” Read “ABC Letters in the Library” (Lobster Press) or any other book you please!

Sept. 26: The fourth Saturday in September is International Rabbit Day. Read “Rabbits,” (Bellwether), “My Little Rabbit,” (Mathew Price) or “Caring for Your Rabbit.” (Bellwether)

Sept. 27 – On Sept. 27, 1862, in Greytown, South Africa, a little boy named Louis Botha was born. He grew up to become the first prime minister of South Africa, 1910-1919. While Big Universe does not have a specific book about Botha or South Africa, its non-fictions “Mansa Musa, Leader of Mali” and “Sub-Saharan Africa” (Teacher Created Materials) paint some historical background for those exploring the great continent of Africa.

Sept. 28 – It’s National Good Neighbor Day. Whether your neighbor is across a fence or sitting at the desk next to you, thoughtfulness and being kind are important facets of social interaction. Read “One Smile” (Illumination Arts) by author Cindy McKinley and illustrator Mary Gregg Byrne. This book has been read more than 3,500 times on BigUniverse.com and rates 5 out of 5 stars!

Sept. 29 – It’s Confucius Day, and you can read about this Chinese philosopher in a book titled “Confucius, Chinese Philosopher” by Wendy Conklin, M.A., and Gisela Lee, M.A. (Teacher Created Materials)

Sept. 30 – National Mudpack Day is an obscure observance with little traceable history. So, pardon my artistic license when I suggest you read a few books about pigs instead of packing on the facial goo! “Piggies in the Pumpkin Patch” (Charlesbridge) is a new addition to Big Universe’s shelves. Or read “When Pigs Fly” (Lobster Press) or “Piglets” by Colleen Sexton. (Bellwether)

That wraps it up. Have a wonderful month sharing the joy of reading. There’s something for everyone.

Simple Machines on Big Universe

Bellwether publishers will quickly become a favorite of 2nd and 3rd graders studying simple machines. These Level 4 Blastoff Readers contain full color images, labeled diagrams, captions, bold vocabulary words, fun facts, a glossary, and websites to learn more information. These books are perfect for reinforcing the use of text features and research skills. Titles offered on Big Universe include:

Wheels and Axles , Wedges, Ramps, Pulleys, Levers, and Screws.

One of my favorite stories involving simple machines is The 3 Pigs and the Scientific Wolf by Mary Fetzner. In the past, I’ve rewritten the book as a reader’s theater script and had the students create masks and costumes to act it out. This story is perfect for demonstrating the use of simple machines with an added bonus of humor.

Here are a couple of lessons using this book (Lessons can be modified for younger students):

Machines and Work Across the Ages (Grades 6-8)

Solving Problems Using Simple Machines (Grade 5)

Geography: Have Map, Will Travel

“I believe, now more than ever, in the transformative promise of geography,” said Eric Weiner, the author of “The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World.” He went on to write:

 “Change your location and you just may change yourself. It’s not that distant lands contain some special energy or that their inhabitants possess secret knowledge (though they may), but rather something more fundamental. By relocating ourselves, reorienting ourselves, we shake loose the shackles of expectation. Adrift in a different place we give ourselves permission to be different people.”

I believe this wholeheartedly, and I think it is vital that children have an understanding of life beyond their town, state, country and continent. Although travel in the physical sense may not be a blessing that everyone can afford, educating students about other countries and cultures is affordable. In fact, it’s downright profitable. It fosters understanding, peace and good global citizenship.

Mark Twain was on the same page.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”

St. Augustine’s thinking was similar. “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page,” he said.

 Big Universe’s approach to education echoes this sentiment:

 “Our desire is to use children’s books online as a way to connect the next generation – our children – and help them look past the differences between our various cultures and instead focus on our similarities, so we can come together to explore our big universe.”

Recent additions to Big Universe’s library broaden resources for teachers trying to put together a well-rounded social studies curriculum that will stretch their kids’ horizons. Check out these cross-cultural and geography-related books. They’ll take your students on all sorts of travels, expanding their vocabularies, perspectives, dreams and ideas about this great big earth that we live on.

    “Keys and Symbols on Maps” (Rourke)

    “Kids Around the World” (Teacher Created Materials)

    “Maps are Flat, Globes are Round” (Rourke)

    “Japan” (Bellwether)

    “We Share One World” (Illumination Arts)

    “Machu Picchu…The Lost City of the Incas” (Mighty Book)

    “Counting the Continents” (Rourke)

    “North, South, East and West” (Rourke)

    “India” (Teacher Created Materials)

    “Canada” (Bellwether)

    “Secret of the Dance” (Orka Book)

    “Israel” (Bellwether)

    “Around the World with Money” (Rourke)

    “England” (Bellwether)

    “Greece” (Teacher Created Materials)

Big Universe also carries Step-by-Step Reading Corner books in a variety of languages, for example: “Oranges for Everyone” in Arabic, “Dorothy and the Glasses” in Polish and “The Icicle” in Spanish. To find additional books in alternative languages, go to the website’s “Read” section and browse by language.

Back To School…..Again!

It is back to school already!?!?  I think most of us are wondering what happened to summer break; I know I am.  Break time is over with and it is back to the books and I know that there are probably many households that are “refreshing” their reading skills.  We did slack off a bit during the summertime in our reading, which I really did not intend to do, so we are going to have to play catch-up to get back on track.

My oldest son is in the 2nd grade this year and, from the words of his mouth, he says “Second grade is hard; it is only for smart people.”  I have to chuckle every time he says that.  The biggest challenge that our household faced last year was in reading.  I have searched for ways to help to make reading a bit easier and here are some things that I have found:

            a.         Consistency, consistency, consistency.  Did I mention consistency?  Yes, I feel that is the most important aspect.  When you do things in repetition, you tend to finally “get” things after a certain time period – everything just “clicks”.  So, I am determined to spend a certain amount of time, on a daily basis, with my child to go over the basics until he grows tired and weary, and can recite what was set out to be learned.

            b.         Make learning fun.  Find a character that your child enjoys and make use of that character.  Spice up the routine every now and then so the “routine” does not become so routine.

            c.         Progress and reward chart.  Your child is just like you are – loves to see progress.  Make a chart at where they are starting from to where they want to go. You will be amazed at how excited they can become once they see that they are progressing, and what a better way to celebrate their progress than with a reward?  Now, the reward does not have to be anything extravagant, maybe take them out to an ice cream treat or to see a movie that they have been wanting to see.  It will make them feel special and, most of all, it will make them feel proud of themselves. 

The vitality of mastering early reading and comprehension skills is so crucial to our children’s future.  Reading IS their future.  So, whatever steps that we, as parents, need to take to ensure the best possible learning in literacy for our children, we need to take.  Reading may be their future but our children are our future.

‘Hollywood Horses’ Part of High-interest Series

“We believe that books with good writing and amazing photos are irresistible to kids,” states Bearport Publishing, a new partner of the children’s picture book website Big Universe.

I found Bearport’s new horse books irresistible, so that must make me a big kid too! Not only was “Hollywood Horses” filled with images of celebrity equines from my childhood – Trigger, Mr. Ed and Silver – it also was chock-full of interesting trivia.

Q. Who was the first cowboy-and-horse team in Hollywood?

A. William S. Hart teamed with Fritz, a talented paint horse.

Q. How many westerns did actor Gene Autry and his trick pony Champion make together?

A. They made 91 westerns, and Champion starred on his own show.

Q. What is a “stuffie”?

A. Sometimes a mechanical horse called a “stuffie” is used to film certain riding scenes in movies.

Q. What was actress Dale Evans’ horse named?

A. He was named “Buttermilk” for his unique coloring.

Kids – especially girls – are drawn to horses like bees to honey. I was one of those and so was my oldest daughter. Other readers are drawn to trivia. Bearport Publishing has honed its topics to feed these interests, recognizing that they can be used to facilitate literacy.

“We believe that providing books kids want to read is one of the surest ways to foster reading achievement.  These… principles guide the development of all our curriculum-aligned nonfiction titles for children in grades PreK-8.”  –  Bearport Publishing.

Great photos accompany the interesting non-fiction narrative written by Meish Goldish in “Hollywood Horses.” Vocabulary words are highlighted in the text and listed in a glossary at the back of the book. The humane treatment of horses and animals in films is emphasized. Fact boxes add interest, and resources for further study are given.

Big Universe also features three other selections from Bearport Publishing’s Horse Power series (Grade 2-7), including “Working Horses” by Mary Packard, “Show Horses” by Margaret Fetty and “Police Horses” by Sunita Apte. They offer historical facts and provide great cultural context. Other books in the series include “Fire Horses,” “Military Horses,” “Race Horses” and “Therapy Horses.”

Note: I list additional children’s picture books in my blog  “20 Horse Books to Trigger Love of Reading.”  To find other high-interest series, check out Bearport Publishing’s narrative non-fiction offerings on its website.

A Simulated Journal …

I am a big fan of connecting what students read to what students write (and the other way around too). I would tell my 4th grade students that to become a better writer, they needed to read, read, read and write, write, write. While looking through Journeys: The teaching of writing in elementary classrooms by Carolyn Piazza, I came across an idea that I would like to try with students or even in an adjusted way with my 4 year old daughter.

That is the idea of simulated journals. In a simulated journal, a student writes from the perspective of a historical or literary figure. You could use something like a simulated journal after reading a story just by asking questions about what characters would think or do in situations.

For example, after reading When I Visit The Farm by Crystal Beshara with my little girl, I could ask her questions similar to the prompts for writing a simulated journal. I could ask her questions pretending she was the main character of the book:

• Why did you go visit the farm?
• What is your favorite thing from the farm visit?
• What did you see and hear while you were at the farm?
• Would you want to visit that farm again?
• Did visiting the farm make you want to go visit somewhere else?

For older elementary students, Julie the Rockhound by Gail Langer Karwaski would be a good book to read and do certain activities similar to a simulated journals. While learning about rocks and minerals, Julie learns how some words have several meanings. Students could be asked to write what Julie would write in her journal about what she learned about rocks and minerals. Students could also be asked to write about the next adventure Julie would take.

I think writing about what you read helps you better understand that book. Activities like this encourage critical and creative thinking. For children who have difficulty writing (or are too young), there are ways to slightly change the idea of simulated journals to make them work for all.

Ahoy! Pirate Books for Boys (and Girls)

From Black Beard to Anne Bonny, pirates have intrigued the masses for eons. They elicit fear and fascination simultaneously, producing folklore, Hollywood movies, school mascots and books – lots of books.

The nonfiction book “A Thousand Years of Pirates” (ages 10-14) recently earned two nominations for the Canadian Children’s Literature Awards. Written by  William Gilkerson of Nova Scotia’s Mahone Bay, the book relates the history of swashbucklers from the Vikings to contemporary pirates, who menace coastlines and open seas around the world. The book is nominated for “Best Book” and “Best Nonfiction Book,” making it eligible for $35,000 in prize money.

“This clear and compelling cross-over [history] for all ages includes not only biographical and dramatic narratives but also the rarely told sordid and sad details of piracy,” the jury said, according to a CBC News report.

For readers who like adventure, BigUniverse.com offers several pirate selections.

• “Pirates,” a graphic written by Joanne Mattern and illustrated by Chris Marrinan, features buccaneers and privateers of the seven seas. Juvenile Level. Historical, but violence mentioned. (Rourke)
• “Lucky the Pirate,” a humorous (but gruesome) tall tale, is written and illustrated by cartoonist John Lakey. Reading Level 2-3. (Remedia)
• “Vikings,” a graphic-styled book about Norsemen pirates, is written by journalism professor Don McLeese and illustrated by Chris Marrinan. Juvenile Level. Historical, but violence mentioned. (Rourke)

For other pirate book suggestions, check out National Geographic’s buccaneer book list. You also can visit the website of Charlesbridge, one of Big Universe’s publishing partners. It offers pirate-themed books such as Fluffy: Scourge of the Sea (Ages 4-7), “Pirate Bob” (Ages 5-9), “A Pirate’s Life for Me” (Ages 3-7) and “Sea Queens” (Ages 9-12).

To double the fun, host a pirate party. Visit these three links for ideas.

1. Pirate party games
2. Pirate coloring pages
3. Pirate party crafts

Pairing Fiction with Nonfiction Texts on Big Universe

This post is inspired by Dawn Little’s (AKA Links to Literacy) Book Buddies blog post where she explained the benefits of pairing fiction and nonfiction readings to increase comprehension and engagement, and to increase background knowledge about a subject. Unfortunately, most of our home, classroom, and school library book collections are limited. The public library is always an option, but there are times when you aren’t able to make the trip to the library. Why not utilize the Big Universe website for your fiction and nonfiction pairings? There are hundreds of books to choose from!

Just search for your topic using the Search bar:

Screenshot of The Big Universe Search Box

-or- Browse the different categories:

Screenshot of the Category option

Leave a comment for other pairings that you discover on the Big University website.

Here are a few to get you started:

Bears

• Nonfiction- Bear Cubs by Anne Wendorff This book answers basic questions about bear cubs: newborn facts, what they eat, how they play, & how they grow.
• Nonfiction- In the Forest by Howard Rice Learn about bears as well as other animal and plants that live in the forest.
• Fiction- Goldilocks and the Three Bears This classic fairytale is read aloud as students follow the highlighted words.

Sea Turtles

• Nonfiction- Sea Turtles by Ann Herriges This book answers basic questions about sea turtles: where they live, how they look, how they lay eggs, and information about baby sea turtles.
• Nonfiction- Sea Turtles by Cindy Rodriguez This book introduces facts about sea turtles, their offspring, their habitat, and predators.
• Nonfiction- Carolina’s Story: Sea Turtles Get Sick Too! by Donna Rathmell The true photo journal story of a critically ill loggerhead sea turtle, as she is cared for and nursed back to health at the Sea Turtle Hospital of the South Carolina Aquarium.
• Nonfiction- Zoobies – Turtles Informational magazine for PreK-K children.
• Fiction- Where Should Turtle Be? by Susan Ring Follow turtle as he hatches and tries to find his home.
• Fiction- Turtles in my Sandbox by Jennifer Keats Curtis A little girl discovers baby turtles in her sandbox. She gets information from various sources and turtle-sits them until they are ready to be released back into their natural habitat.

Birds

• Nonfiction- Migrating Animals of the Air Learn about birds and other animals and insects that migrate.
• Fiction- The Best Nest by Doris L. Mueller This folktale features native US birds as it explains how magpies build nests.

Bats

• Nonfiction- Migrating Animals of the Air Learn about birds and other animals and insects that migrate.
• Nonfiction- Why Animals Live in Caves Learn about bats, as well as other animals that make their homes in caves.
• Nonfiction- Bats by Cindy Rodriguez Examine the issues of endangered bats and how they can be saved.
• Fiction- Little Red Bat by Carole Gerber Follow the story of one red bad as she decides whether to migrate or hibernate.
• Fiction- Little Lost Bat by Sandra Markle A touching animal adoption story, based on research, about a bat who has lost his mother.

Perfect Man by Troy Wilson (Book Review)

Title: Perfect Man

Author: Troy Wilson
Illustrator: Dean Griffiths
Published: 2004 Orca Book Publishing
ISBN: 1551434350

Jump into the world of an ordinary boy, “Michael Maxwell McAllum was the smallest boy in his class. He lived in a small house in a small town on a small street.” He idolizes Perfect Man, a crime fighting super hero. The story begins when Perfect Man announces his retirement. Michael isn’t sad to hear this news because he believes that Perfect Man will reappear when needed. The school year begins and Michael has a new teacher. Mr. Clark is the perfect teacher. He seems to be everywhere at once and explains information about planets as if he had actually been there. Through his thinning hair and rounded stomach, Michael believes he recognizes his idol, Perfect Man. Mr. Clark helps Michael to discover his own super power.

This book would make a great read for parents, teachers, and children who love super hero stories. The fun, vibrant illustrations will capture the attention of all audiences. Choose this book as a beginning of the year read aloud or use it to encourage children to read and write. Perfect Man reminds us to look within for our special talents.

Discussion Starters

• What is a hero?
• Who is a hero in your life?
• What makes that person a hero?
• Think of a time when you were someone’s hero. Explain.
• What is your super power?

If you like this book, try some of the other books by Orca Book Publishers.

Conversation with Troy Wilson A podcast interview with the author.

Parent Resource: The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease

Many of you may be familiar with The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease. It has been in publication for over 30 years. It was, in fact, one of the first books recommended to me when I began teaching almost thirteen years ago. The information in it is timeless and I still refer to this book when I am in need of solid research related to reading aloud, or to help me as I parent my two children. I have begun to give it as a gift to friends who have new babies. If it were up to me, every new parent would leave the hospital with a copy in their hands.

In his sixth edition (2006), Trelease:

• Explains how reading aloud awakens children’s imaginations and improves their language skills
• Shows how to begin reading aloud and which books to choose
• Suggests ways to create reader-friendly homes, classrooms, and library environments
• Gives tips on luring children away from the television
• Shows how to integrate silent reading with read-aloud sessions
• Shares valuable lessons from Oprah’s Book Club, the Harry Potter books, and the Internet
• Includes a brand-new chapter of stories and testimonials from parents and teachers
• Offers an up-to-date treasury of 1,000 books that are great for reading aloud – from picture books to novels – and highlights some of Trelease’s favorites by theme: friendship, sports, dogs, fairy-tale parodies, and more.

This book is a treasure and must read for all parents who want to engage their children in reading. And if this isn’t enough, Jim Trelease also has his own website where he continues to share information on reading aloud for parents, educators, librarians – really anyone who wants a child to make books into friends, not enemies.
Dawn Little (aka Links to Literacy) also blogs at www.teachingwithpicturebooks.wordpress.com where she provides educators with picture book lessons based on comprehension strategies and the Six Traits of Writing.  In addition, she blogs at www.literacytoolbox.wordpress.com where she provides educators and parents with tips and tools to enhance the literacy lives of children.  She is the founder and owner of Links to Literacy, a company dedicated to providing interactive literacy experiences for children and families.  Find out more at www.linkstoliteracy.com