#Road2Reading Challenge: Where are the How-To Books?

February 14, 2017 Alyson Beecher

All journeys have a starting place.
This is a weekly place to find books and tools
that you may use with readers at the start of their reading journey.
Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

Each week, Michele Knott and I post about new early readers and chapter books. This week, we are both looking at Early Readers.

How-To Books for Very Young Readers....

In the Kindergarten Writing Units of Study, there is an informational unit and the recommended mentor text is MY FIRST SOCCER GAME (2012).

The goal in this unit is for young writers to learn how to write "How-To" books.

The mentor text included with the units has recently undergone a change of sorts from the version above to the one below.

The cover of the new book states that there is slightly different text and art.

Though both the first version and the second version are engaging books for young readers and soccer fans, the text is stronger in sharing with readers information about the topic (in this case soccer) but is light on the how-to. (Note: Not a fault of the book just a caution when using it as part of the unit.)

However, teachers often come to me looking for additional mentor texts, specifically for How-To books. So, I started a search.

There is a fictional book, Peanut Butter and Jelly: A Play Rhyme by Nadine Bernard Westcott (1987), which talks about making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich through the use of a rhyme/song and a popular recommendation. Many teachers already have a copy of the book.

Of course, I did a little more searching and came up with a series by Capstone. This How-To series has several titles published in 2011.

How to Make Slime by Lori Shores and Gail Saunders-Smith (Capstone, 2011).

Above is a sample page and text from How to Make Slime.

There were a few additional titles I could find from obscure sources but they were not as easily acquired.

What recommendations do you have of still in print books that work well as a kindergarten How-To text? (Please note them in the comments section and I will update the post with your suggestions.)

Until I find additional books for our How-To unit...enjoy some of the other titles in the Ready-to-Read My First Series by Simon Spotlight.

I did discover that in the end pages of My First Gymnastic Class, there were a couple of pages that provide readers with directions for several poses.

Don't forget to link up your reviews....

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 2/13/17

February 13, 2017 Alyson Beecher

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Well, it seems that my professional reading continues to dominate my reading life.....

Here is a stack of what I have been re-visiting while I put together some slides for a training on Word Study.

Here are some picture books that jumped out of the stack this week...

Tony by Ed Galing; Illustrated by Erin Stead (Roaring Brook Press, February 7, 2017) - I love Erin Stead's illustrations in this charming story of friendship.

TouchThinkLearn: Fly by Xavier Deneux (Chronicle Books, March 7, 2017) - An board book for very young readers who will enjoy moving the chick and other pieces of the book from one page to the other.

Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner; Illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal (Chronicle Books, March 7, 2017) - A new book in Kate Messner's series Over and Under series and not to be missed.

The Tree A Fable by Neal Layton (Candlewick Press, February 7, 2017) - What happens when you intend to build a house in a spot where a tree exists? One couple comes up with an unusual alternative.

And I have been listening to the audiobook for In the Country We Love: My Family Divided by Diane Guerrero with Michelle Burford for next week's book club. Given the current climate around immigrants and deportations, it is quite timely.

In case you missed these posts....

#Road2Reading Challenge: Upcoming Releases

#NFPB2017 Challenge: New Releases

Mr. Fuzzbuster Knows He's the Favorite Review and Giveaway

#NF10for10: Women Who Nevertheless Persisted

Also, don't forget to check out Scholastic's Reading Report:

So, what are you reading?

#NF10for10: Books Featuring Women Who Nevertheless Persisted

February 10, 2017 Alyson Beecher

The 5th annual #NF10for10 hosted by Mandy Robek and Cathy Mere is finally here.

From Cathy's Website:

What is #nf10for10
In 2010 Mandy Robek and I hosted our first picture book event. In 2013, Julie Balen suggested we add a nonfiction picture book event that worked the same. Participants choose 10 - well, usually 10 (they're a crafty bunch) - nonfiction picture books to share. On the day of the event, we'll ask that you visit the Google Community site to add your nonfiction link to the 2017 #nf10for10 tab.

What: 10 nonfiction picture books you can't live without.
Hashtag: #nf10for10
Who: Anyone interested --- educators, media specialists, librarians, parents, and book lovers. When: Friday, February 10th
Where: All posts will be linked on the 2017 #nf10for10 page of our Picture Book 10 for 10 Google Community Site.
How: Stop by our community site, join the community, and share your favorites on February 10th.

Originally, I had a different post planned for today. However, after Tuesday evening, when the Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell attempted to silence Senator Elizabeth Warren for wanting to read a letter from Corretta Scott King from 1986 regarding Senator Jeff Session, who was up for the Attorney General's position, I knew I had to change my post. McConnell's words had an opposite effect than he anticipated by becoming a new battlecry for women everywhere.

In honor of women who #neverthelessshepersisted, I have selected ten of my favorite picture book biographies about women that I admire. I am thankful for their contributions to the their communities, countries and the world. They have shown us what it means to be women and to make a difference.

Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange; Illustrated by Kadir Nelson (Katherine Tegen Books, 2009) - I could not have a list without including a biography about Coretta Scott King given that it was her words that Senator Warren was trying to read on Tuesday night. You can read her letter here.

Hillary Rodham Clinton: Some Girls Are Born to Lead by Michelle Markel; Illustrated by LeUyen Pham (Balzer & Bray, 2016) - Hillary will always be "my president" and I will continue to admire her and the work that she has done over the years and will continue to do.

Rosa by Nikki Giovanni; Illustrated by Bryan Collier (Henry Holt & Co, 2005) - Rosa Parks did not likely realize that she would become one of the most well known faces of the Civil Rights Era but she continues to serve as a reminder and a model.

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford; Illustrated by Kadir Nelson (Hyperion, 2006) - With faith and conviction, Tubman worked to lead slaves out of the south by the Underground Railroad.

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel; Illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Balzer & Bray, 2013) - In a time, when there was little protection for any employees especially women, Clara Limlich organized a protest for better work conditions for women. She would have been leading the charge at the Women's March on January 21st if she were still alive.

Who Says Women Can't Be Dotors? The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell by Tanya Lee Stone; Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman (Henry Holt & Co., 2013) - Despite discrimination and opposition against women becoming medical doctors, Blackwell persevered and paved the way for other women to become doctors.

Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea: Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor by Robert Burleigh; Illustrated by Raúl Colón (Simon & Schuster, 2016) - Marie Tharp faced significant prejudice as a woman in the field of science research. Also, it wasn't until years later that her contributions were truly acknowledge.

For the Right to Learn: Malala Yousafzai's Story by Rebecca Langston-George; Illustrated by Janna Brock (Capstone Press, 2015) - Malala was just a teenager when she bravely took on the fight for the right to an education in a country where girls are commonly denied education.

Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees by Franck Prévot; Illustrated by Aurélia Fronty (Charlesbridge, 2015) - Wangari Maathai won a Nobel Peace Prize for her work in changing the lives of women and in bringing peace and democracy to Africa through reforestation.

Eleanor, Quiet No More by Doreen Rappaport; Illustrated by Gary Kelley (Disney-Hyperion, 2009) - Eleanor Roosevelt is another role model. Given the time period in which she lived she truly did amazing work as the First Lady of the United States.

There are many more women and books that I could feature but here are some of my favorite strong, courageous, brave and influential women. "She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted."

Mr. Fuzzbuster Knows He's The Favorite Review & Giveaway

February 10, 2017 Alyson Beecher

Mr. Fuzzbuster Knows He's the Favorite
by Stacy McAnulty; Illustrated by Edward Hemingway
Two Lions (February 7, 2017)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7 years old
Fiction * Pets * Friendship
Worldcat | Amazon

About the book:
Mr. Fuzzbuster knew he was Lily’s favorite. They did everything together. Naps. Story time. Walks. And more naps. But now four more animals lived in the house.…

To prove he’s still Lily’s favorite, Mr. Fuzzbuster will have to ask her, but will her answer surprise him? This is a sweet story for any parent dealing with sibling rivalry. Kirkus gave it a positive review: "This tale of who's the preferred pet will charm animal lovers of all stripes."

Thoughts about this book:
Our first grade Writing Workshop classes have recently started their Opinion Writing Units. The first thing students begin to write about is a favorite ____________ (fill in the blank). I have learned a lot about Shopkins recently, and about favorite toys, shells, and of course, pets as I read their writing. Children have interesting criteria for what qualifies as a favorite. Sometimes it just means that it sparkles or is the shiniest. However, just as fast as something becomes a favorite, it can also be replaced with a new favorite.

Stacy McAnulty addresses the perennial question "Whose your favorite?" in her new book, Mr. Fuzzbuster Knows He's the Favorite. Mr. Fuzzbuster knows he is the favorite of Lily (his human owner) and he as the drawing to prove it. However, the other pets in the house would happily disagree. Lily is a smart kid and knows just how to answer the question but there is a twist at the end, which just may keep Mr. Fuzzbuster up all night.

I look forward to sharing Mr. Fuzzbuster with 1st and 2nd grade teachers next week at our Writing Professional Development. For everyone else, enter to win a copy of the book below or pick up a copy at a local bookstore or library.

About the author: STACY MCANULTY is certain she's her mom's favorite. Her younger brother disagrees. She's the author of Beautiful, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff; Excellent Ed, illustrated by Julia Sarcone-Roach; and 101 Reasons Why I'm Not Taking a Bath, illustrated by Joy Ang. Originally from upstate New York, she now lives in Kernersville, North Carolina, with her three children, two dogs, and one husband. She doesn't have a favorite. You can find her online at www.stacymcanulty.com.

About the illustrator: EDWARD HEMINGWAY is certain he's Stacy McAnulty's favorite illustrator, although the illustrators of Stacy's other books may disagree. Edward himself is the author and illustrator of the children's books Bump in the Night, Bad Apple: A Tale of Friendship, Bad Apple's Perfect Day, and Field Guide to the Grumpasaurus. Originally from Bozeman, Montana, he now lives in Brooklyn where he teaches creative writing at the master's level at SVA in Manhattan. If he has any favorite students, he'll never tell. Learn more about him online at www.edwardhemingway.com.

Did you know Mr. Fuzzbuster loves writing notes? He wants to send cards to young readers across the country. Maybe he will be your favorite.

More information can be found at http://www.stacymcanulty.com/fuzzbuster-email

Enter to win a copy of Mr. Fuzzbuster Knows He's the Favorite: Participants must be 13 years old or older and have a U.S. mailing address.

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Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: New Releases

February 8, 2017 Alyson Beecher

As part of the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge, one of my favorite things is to round-up as many new quality nonfiction books for children at the beginning of a month and share them with readers of this blog. Some months, I miss the release of books and add them to the next month's post. Since I have not seen every book listed, I cannot always confirm if they are truly a nonfiction book or more of an informational fiction text or a bit of historical fiction.

Previous Nonfiction Release Post: January

January 2017