If You Take a Mouse to School

If You Take a Mouse to School

 

 

 

by Laura Numeroff and Illustrated by Felicia Bond

 

 

 

 

 

 

This book was written 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary

 This book was about a mouse going to school with a boy. The mouse tried to do everything the class was doing. The mouse became popular and made a lot of friends. The one thing the mouse had that was important to him was his lunch box.

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation by Genre

The genre of this book is fiction. It is one of my favorite books. It is uncommon  and unreal for a mouse to be able to do any of the things listed in the book.   

 

 

 

 

Evaluation by Illustrations

 

 The illustration's are realistic. The colors are vivid and the shapes are meaningful and significant. I seen one picture where the mouse was playing soccer with the class. The ball was bigger than he was. The text line up with the illustrations and establishes the mood, setting, theme, and characters in the story. 

 

 

 



Motivational Activities

 The book was intended for young readers ages 4 - 6 years old.

 

• Color the pictures of the mouse playing kickball at school.
• Ask the class what else the mouse might do at the school.

 

 

 

 

 

Reader Response Questions

1. Did the mouse have any friends?
2. Did the mouse participate in school?
3. What are some of the classes the mouse participated in? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Readers Comments

This is one of my favorite books, I love the vivid illustrations. I think the book is funny.

The pictures tell the story nicely as well 

Even though the story is fictional, there is a demonstration of respect. Saint Leo core value demonstrates not being judgmental about someone's talents and uniqueness. The mouse had respect of the children at the school.  

 

 

 

 

 

Other Books Written by The Author Include:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Pup Punched Me in the Eye

 My Pup Punched Me in the Eye

 

 

 

 

 

This poem was written by Ken Nesbitt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary

 

The poem is a rhyme about a boy's pets taking kung Fu lessons and demonstrating on him. The message was to not let your pets take kung Fu lessons in the poem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation by Genre

The genre of this poem is poetry. There are rhyming lines and the poem is individual. The shape and patterns of the words are well constructed.   

 

 

 

 

 



Motivational Activities

•  Draw pictures demonstrating what the pup, rabbit, ferret, lizard, kitten, and hamster did to the boy.
• Practice simple kung Fu moves in class.
• Watch a kung Fu movie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reader Response Questions

1. How many animals practiced kung fu on the boy?
2. What did the ferret do?
3. What was the lesson being taught in the poem? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Readers Comments

I thought the poem was hilarious and really enjoyed it. I can imagine the animals doing kung Fu on the boy. I like the fact that the poem had a meaning.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.poetry4kids.com/poem-438.html#.VHvq3pUtDIV

Dinosaurs Before Dark

 

 

 

 

Dinosaurs Before Dark

 

 

by Mary Pope Osborne

 

 

 

 

 

This book was written in 2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARY POPE OSBORNE is the author of the New York Times number one bestselling Magic Tree House series. The series is international and has sold more than 120 million books worldwide. The series has also been translated into 32 different languages in over 30 international markets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary

 

 Dinosaurs before dark was about a brother and a sister finding a magical tree. The tree has all sorts of mysterious books. Jack and his little sister Annie start traveling through space and time on different adventures. Some adventures lead them to finding pirates treasures, watching eggs hatch from baby dinosaurs, or finding secret passages. Through clues and reading the book in hand they learn and discover things about dinosaurs. The books can transport them to magical lands and worlds.

 

 

 

 

Evaluation by Genre

The genre of this book is fiction. It is not likely that someone could discover a magical tree that warps them to another place. It is imaginative and the worlds could exist someday.  

 

 

 

 

Evaluation by Illustrations

 

 The illustration colors are shaded and charcoal. The shape and lines go along with the text. There are dinosaur illustrations. There are also illustrations of Jack and Annie in a tree house. The texture is rough.

 

 

 



Motivational Activities

 This book was intended for children 8-12 years old. The book sets the readers at a place of adventure and opens up their imaginations.

 

• Have the class vote on their favorite adventure in the book. After they decide, make a film on the adventure.
• Read the book adventure out loud to the class and allow them to say what seems realistic? What seems fake? What should happen in the story?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reader Response Questions

1. How did Jack and Annie discover the magical tree?
2.  What are a few adventures Jack and Annie experienced?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Readers Comments

The book was excellent and entertaining. The books from the Magic Treehouse series are fun! I really enjoyed the adventures.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Books Written by The Author Include

 

Night of the Ninjas, Afternoon on the Amazon, Sunset of the Sabertooth, and Midnight on the Moon                                
 

The Mystery of the Lost Libraries

 

Young Cam Jansen and the 100th Day of School Mystery

 

Young Cam Jansen

and the 100th Day of School Mystery

 

 

 

by David A. Adler and Illustrated by Susanna Natti

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written December 23, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David A. Adler is the author of more than 175 children's books, including the Young Cam Jansen series.

 

 

 

 

 

Summary

 This book is about a school celebrating their 100th day with letters for each class. Cam is a girl that has photographic memory and was nicknamed Cam. She closes her eyes and says "click". Cam's class had the letter "p". The class was having pizza for their party, but the pizza went missing. Cam had to solve the missing pizza mystery and tracked it down to another class that had the letter "c" because they thought of cheese.

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation by Genre

The genre of this book is science fiction. Having a photographic memory like that could exist someday, but it is currently not real.     

 

 

 

 

Evaluation by Illustrations

 

 The colors are vivid and intense. The illustrations are realistic. The dialogue and attention to everyday details create a realistic tableau. The texture is smooth. The shape outlines the text and directs the viewers eyes. The shapes are meaningful and significant.

 

 

 



Motivational Activities

 100th day of School Mystery was intended for age range 6-8 years old. The book has a fascinating way of thinking of food groups that start with different letters.

 

• The class should name food and beverages starting with specific letters.
•  Bring those foods to class for a party.
• Have the children look at a picture. Have the class close their eyes and say "click". When they open their eyes, have them say what they remember out loud.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reader Response Questions

1. Why did the pizza's go missing?
2. Who had the pizza's?
3. What was the school celebrating? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Readers Comments

The story is engaging and makes an excellent reader for young children. It is an excellent way to bring mystery to reading. I enjoyed the illustrations allowing you to take a chance on seeing how photographic your memory is.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Books Written by The Author Include

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds

 

The Mystery of the U.F.O

The Snowy Day Mystery

 

A Chair For My Mother

A Chair For My Mother

by Vera B. Williams

 

 

 

 

 

A Chair For my Mother was written January 23, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary

 This book is about a Hispanic mother, daughter, and grandmother that saves all their money in a large glass jar to by a new chair. The family's belongings along with their furniture was destroyed in a fire. The mother worked as a waitress and put all her tips in the jar when she came home because she had no way to sit and relax when she did. The little girl counted all the money and when she helped out the dinner, she added that to the jar also. The family finally got their big, red chair in the end.

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation by Genre

This book genre is nonfiction. This book covers the diverse topic of loosing everything you had in a fire. The book will interest readers who have experienced lost or to someone who likes to save money for a good cause.   

 

 

 

 

Evaluation by Illustrations

 

 The illustrations are realistic using watercolor paintings. The colors are vivid  and intense. The shapes are meaningful and significant. There is an illustration of the big, red chair with rose petals all over it that goes along with the text. The text line up with the illustrations and establishes the mood, setting, theme, and characters in the story. Each page has an inventive and vibrant border on it that pertains to what is happening on that particular page.

 

 

 



Motivational Activities

 A chair for my mother was intended for Kindergarteners ages 4-8 years old. The book is a loving story and reminds me to give back to people in need.

 

• Have the children write a list of people that they know whom have suffered from fire.
• Inform the children of ways to donate.
• Inform the children of local charities.
• Collect items to donate to needy families as a class.
• Draw and color of the best chair ever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reader Response Questions

1. Why did the family save money?
2. How did the family make the money that was saved?
3. About how long did it take for the family to make enough money?
4. How did the family get the chair home?
5. What was the importance of the chair? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Readers Comments

I liked this story and enjoyed this book because it discusses hard financial times, single parenting, and families struggling to make it. I can relate personally to this topic because I am a single mom providing for my two children.  The book teaches a valuable lesson on how hard times can always be worked through.  It also shows that working hard will always make a difference.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Books Written by The Author Include:

 

 

 

 

 

Three Days on A River In a Red Canoe 

 

 

 

 

Cherries and Cherrie Pits

 

 

 

 

 

More, More, More, Said the Baby Bird Book

 

Fifty Cents and a Dream - Young Booker T. Washington

 

 Fifty Cents And A Dream

Young Booker T. Washington

 

 

 

Written by Jabari Asim and Illustrated by Bryan Collier

 

 

 

 

 

This book was written December 4, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary

 This book is about a young African American boy who had a strong desire to read. According to the book, African Americans were slaves and were beaten or worse if they were caught with a book. The young boy carried the books of his master's daughter to school for her. He listened while they girl was in class learning. That's when he began dreaming to be able to read. After the slaves became free, the young boy set out to attend &&& school where he could learn how to read and write. The journey was rough for the young boy, but his determination allowed him to reach his destination. Booker T Washington stayed at the university where he worked for room and board.

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation by Genre

The genre of this book is biography/memoir. The walk to go to college highlights the determination to read and a change in slavery of Booker T Washington's life. It is an African American classic. Booker T. Washington became a national leader and graduated from Hampton Institute with honors in 1875. 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation by Illustrations

The images are well-defined and created in watercolor and collage paper. There is a illustration of Booker T Washington carrying the young girl books to school. There are bubbles of light in the art that signifies Booker T Washington listening and dreaming throughout the text. The colors are subdued, shaded, and valued.  The shapes are meaningful and significant.

 

 

 

 



Motivational Activities

 This book was intended for preschoolers ranging in ages 3-6 years old. I learned the importance of freedom and being able to read. often times reading is taken for granted. Reading this text reminds me that some slaves went through great measures so African Americans could have an education.

 

• Allow the class to demonstrate 500 steps. Spend 30minutes a day walking in place until the number 500 steps are reached.
• Allow the class to paint a picture of young Booker T Washington.
• Allow the class to paint a picture of the Hampton University.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reader Response Questions

1. How many miles did Booker T Washington walk to get to the University?
2. How much money did he have?
3. How much money was he supposed to pay? 
4. Why did Booker T. Washington not read books in his own town?
5. What did Booker T Washington keep doing to stay focused and determined?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Readers Comments

I loved this book. I thought it was well written and the illustrations are beautiful. I would recommend this to anyone interested in history and introducing young children to history. Booker T Washington was a boy, born into slavery, was eager to read, write and study. He walked 500 miles to Hampton-Institute. With his hard work, he graduated with honors. He was the first African American to receive an honorary degree from Harvard university.  

 

 

 

Discussion

 

 Respect - Animated in the spirit of Jesus Christ, we value all individuals' unique talents, respect their dignity and strive to foster their commitment to excellence in our work. Our community's strength depends on the unity and diversity of our people, on the free exchange of ideas and on learning, living and working harmoniously.

 

 

The respect core value goes along with Booker T. Washington dream because he strived to be educated. St Leo states that they will not turn anyone down who wants to learn. It also says they are free to express their ideas. The community helped Booker t Washington make it in college. In unity, they supported him. That is the same value Saint Leo beholds, unity.  

 

 

 

 

Other Books Written by The Author Include:

 

 

 

Whose Toes are Those

 

Girl of Mine

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whose Knees Are These

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Amazon. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Jabari-Asim/e/B001H6OCF0/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

 

 

The Animal's Chrstmas Carol

 The Animal's Christmas Carol

By Helen Ward

 

 

 

 

 

 

The animals Christmas carol was written September 1, 2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Helen Ward won the first Walker Prize for Children’s Illustration and twice won the British National Art Library Award.

 

 

 

 

 

Summary

 The animals Christmas carol's was about lyrical rhymes where each animal takes a turn stating how they contributed sheltering baby Jesus. The animals were considered friendly in the lyrical verses and describes the humble gifts brought to the newborn Jesus by the lion, the peacock, the camels, the ram, the woodworm, etc. One by one, the animals pledge their services to the baby Jesus sleeping in the nearby manger. Then they all sing a  traditional French Christmas carol lullaby.

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation by Genre

The genre of this book is poetry picture book. It contains collective poems with generous inclusiveness. The poems are well constructed. The shape, patterns, rhyming words, lines, and stanzas says something about what the poem means. The book has rhythm, words as patterns, and words as pictures    

 

 

 

 

Evaluation by Illustrations

The illustrations are detailed ink-and-watercolor portraits of animals.  The illustrations are realistic.  The colors are vivid and the shapes are meaningful and significant. The text line up with the illustrations and establishes the mood, setting, theme, and characters in the story. I saw the illustration of each animal as it was portrayed and actually could see the animal protecting baby Jesus in it's own way.

 

 

 

 



Motivational Activities

 The Children's Christmas carol was intended for children 4 and up. I learned the importance of everyone's duties, including animals, in the birth of Jesus. It reminded me of Jesus's significance and why his birth had so much meaning.

 

1. Let each child take a turn telling what the birth of Jesus signifies.
2. Let the child create the animal they will portray to protect or give gifts to Jesus.
3. Create a play. Let each child be an animal and demonstrate bringing gift to Jesus while lying in a manger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reader Response Questions

1. Why did the animals bring gifts to a baby?
2. Where was the baby born?
3. What was the baby's name?
4. How many animals can you name that were in this book?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Readers Comments

I was fascinated how the book took the birth of Jesus and used animal to tell the story. I was captured by the rhymes of the stories told and was amazed how it remained consistent throughout the book. It is a wonderful story. Although I can not hear the true sounds of the French song that was singed, I can still comprehend the meaning of the words to the song.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Books Written by The Author Include:   

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse      

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Tin Forest      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finding Christmas      

 

How Many Days To America?

 

 

How Many Days to America?

A Thanksgiving Story

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary

 This book was about a Caribbean family having to leave all of their belongings and relocate to America in the middle of the night. On their journey, they encountered getting hot at, running out of food, and sickness. The family was soothed by their fathers singing. The first land they found gave them food, but would not accept them. The welcomed them by saying "Welcome to America". They were giving a small place to stay, clothing, and a big feast. The children were taught that the big feast was thanksgiving.

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation by Genre

The genre of this book is historical fiction picture book. I feel that the warmth shown by the Americans that greeted the families was heartfelt. I also think it's important that we remember to welcome others of different nationalities.  

 

 

 

 

Evaluation by Illustrations

The colors are subdued and shaded. They are a range of values creating drama or movement. The illustrations are very realistic and the shapes are meaningful and significant.  They go along with the representation of the boat and appearance of land. The text line up with the illustrations and establishes the mood, setting, theme, and characters in the story. The medium are acrylics and the texture is rough. The illustrations gives an idea of what it is like coming to America.

 

 

 

 



Motivational Activities

 How Many Days to America was intended for children ages 5 to 8 years old. Eve Bunting has written more than 200 books for children, many of which can be found in libraries around the world.

 



•  Ask the children to explain what they think the first thanksgiving was like before reading the book.
• Have the children create a boat out of paper Mache.
• The book promotes and integrated discussion. So read the book aloud and discuss how they felt about the book. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reader Response Questions

1. Do you wonder how many days it took this family to get to America? 
2. Why do you think the people had to leave their homes?
3. Could you have left everything you had behind?
4. Do you think the first land the family came to was mean to the family?
5. How do you think the family felt about America?
6. How do you think the family shows appreciation on Thanksgiving?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Readers Comments

I think the book is excellent and should be used for more than just a thanksgiving story. It promotes compassion and concern from the readers. The reader can see the hardships many immigrants face. This book is also good for people coming to America.  This book is a reminder of the people who both came before us and those that still come with hope to America.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Books Written by The Author Include:   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheyenne Again by Eve Bunting and Illustrated by Irving Toddy 

 

 

Dandelions by Eve Blunting and Illustrated by Greg Shed