Thanksgiving on Plymouth Plantation

Diane Stanley finishes the Time Traveling Twins series with Thanksgiving on Plymouth Plantation (Time-Traveling Twins)and it is a strong end. I wish she had continued the series as I think a fantasy historical picture book series was a great way to engage younger children in learning about our country's history. I picked up the three titles she published. I will have to keep searching for someone else to fill in the historical blanks.

In this edition, the twins and their grandmother travel to Plymouth where the twins learn many historical details often left out of many textbooks for children on the topic. They learn what colony Plymouth was originally part of until they got their own charter. As the twins travel through the Plymouth settlement, the reader is introduced to historically accurate information about the lives of the Pilgrims. For instance, one of the children remarks about what a bad way it would have been to spend Christmas and his Grandmother informs him that the Pilgrims didn't celebrate Christmas.

I was impressed that a children's book could introduce so much about the lives, religious beliefs, historical figures, culture, food, education, and work habits of the time.

I would recommend this book to teachers, homeschooling parents, and anyone who will have younger children that need to be entertained on Thanksgiving Day. It is a great educational, but also entertaining resource. While I am sending the first two books in the series for an upcoming birthday, I'll be sending this book out at Thanksgiving. I think it will be more appropriate at that time.

Under Over, By the Clover What is a Preposition?

Under, Over, by the Clover: What Is a Preposition? (Words Are Categorical)is another great book in Brian Cleary's Words are Categorical series. This series is great for teaching children parts of speech.

In this book, Cleary starts with a definition of a preposition. From there he breaks down the types of prepositions children might encounter into sections, where, time and place, and direction. In each category, he provides examples with illustrations that will appeal to both young and older students.

Cleary addresses the myth of ending sentences with prepositions, which I was surprised to find in a child's picture book. Here his explanation is a bit vague and since he calls it a myth, I would think clarifying the rules regarding appropriate use at the end of a sentence would be wise. His rhyme does give an example, but many children will miss it and not understand what he means beyond saying that it is a myth.

He ends with a reminder to children that prepositions tell us when, where, and how.

This book is an entertaining way to introduce prepositions to younger children and review it with older elementary students. For children struggling with dry textbook definitions, this provides some light humor and may provide a connection to the material not available in traditional English language sources. I encourage teachers, homeschooling families, and parents to check out Brian Cleary's series. It is a great way to introduce young children to the parts of speech and to engage older children in remembering or relearning what they might not remember.

Too Hot to Hoot

I am continuing to search for picture books that combine educational concepts with fun approaches to learning. Too Hot to Hoot: Funny Palindrome Riddleshas an interesting approach to palindromes. As with most of this style of books, the author begins by defining for the reader what a palindrome is so the reader will be able to engage in the riddles. The riddles begin with three letter riddles, move to four and five letters, than multiple words. From there it progresses to phrases, sentences, and even numbers.

The format is simple and the answers are provided at the end of each chapter. If a child does not understand the riddle or just does not know the answer, he/she can refer to the answer key. It is a way to engage children in learning new vocabulary as well as introducing the concept of palindromes. I like the idea of including math in a language arts book. I think it is always important to combine the two when possible.

I think this would be a great book to add to a book box of Language Arts titles. For parents, it could be a great idea to check out library titles that share a common theme and explore some of these concepts at home. I do believe that the more children explore language outside of textbooks, the more they will understand it.

Stubborn as a Mule

Stubborn as a Mule and Other Silly Similes (Ways to Say It)is the best simile picture book I have reviewed yet. First it uses common similes that children may have heard or will likely encounter. Second, the book is written as a story, but the author uses a style that takes time out to explain the similes in the book while continuing with the story. She explains how similes are used, the different types of ways to use them, and the origins of some of the more common similes. Having a story may make it a book that children return to after the initial reading.

This would be top on my list if I were putting together a book box of picture books covering similes and metaphors. With all the picture books out there covering the topic, I think children, parents and teachers have some wonderful resources for understanding what used to be a pretty dry textbook lesson.

The Dove Dove Funny Homograph Riddles

If you are looking for a fun way to get students or your children to explore homographsThe Dove Dove: Funny Homograph Riddlesprovides an entertaining but educational look at homographs.

The books uses a riddle format to engage children in learning, but the riddles are challenging and clearly illustrate how homographs work. The author begins by defining homographs and explaining the format of the riddles to help draw children into the challenge. Unlike most of the other picture books I have reviewed this one is geared more for children who can read. While non-readers might get some benefit from reading along with a parent, children who can read and discuss this with a parent or teacher will get more from the experience.

The author begins with one and two syllable words focusing on vowel sounds. At the end of each of the sections he provides a pronounciation guide that explains how the riddles work. Chapter two focuses on the changing sound of s and how that creates homographs. Chapter 3 explains how where the accent is placed on syllables in words can also create homographs. Chapter 4 discusses how extra syllables that are added when word are pronounced create homographs. Chapter 5 gives to bonus challenging riddles that don't fit the previous rules. The end of the book provides a complete list of all the homographs used in the book

While done in the fun format of riddles, this is one of the most detailed lessons in homographs I have seen. I think it would be a great addition to an elementary lesson on the topic.

Skin Like Milk Hair of Silk

In Skin Like Milk, Hair of Silk: What Are Similes and Metaphors? (Words Are Categorical)Brian Cleary continues his Words are CaTegorical series with a study of similes and metaphors.

I have been a fan of Cleary's for a while because he provides parents and teachers with accessible picture book resources to teach, introduce, reinstruct, and entertain children regarding a range of English language topics.

I thought the introduction where Cleary explains the difference between similes and metaphors was strong. I think children will be drawn to the cartoon illustrations throughout the book. I thought the similes were better chosen than the metaphors. I do think many authors choosing to create these books would benefit from picking some similes and metaphors that most children would know and then broadening the choices to introduce new ones.

I was less impressed with the metaphors chosen for this book. I think children would understand the construction of similes from the examples chosen, I think the metaphor examples were less clear. I would have started with more obvious and familiar choices and then moved to more obscure choices.

I continue to be impressed by the move to publish picture books on English Language topics. Parents and teachers have a wide range of choices to use with children of all ages.

Zoola Palooza A Book of Homographs

I have been very impressed with the number of picture books on the market that focus on teaching English language concepts to children. I like the ones that take the time to teach children and remind parents of the concepts that are being introduced or reinforced in the book. It provides a little teaching aide for both parent and child as they work through the book. For older children using the book as a support to other textbooks, these explanations are often clearer and more easily understood with the supporting illustrations.

In Zoola Palooza: A Book of HomographsGene Barretta gives a wonderful explanation in his notes to the reader about the differences between homographs, homonyms, and homophones.

This book focuses on homographs, pairs of words that share the same spelling, but have both different pronunciations and meanings. The author uses two pairs of homographs per illustration. The examples range from tense changes like read and read to completely different meanings such as bass and bass. I did have an issue that a couple of the pairs were not actual words. I thought this was unfortunate as there were obvious choices that would have provided examples of real homographs.

The illustrations will draw readers young and old to the story. The animal characters are set in humorous situations that will draw readers into the story.

I would suggest getting books of homographs, homonyms, and homophones to familiarize children with these concepts. For older students who still might not know the differences, this is also a great way to teach them. Visual representations can help learners far more than explanations in textbooks.

Language Arts Picture Books

I have been reviewing quite a few picture books over the last year and I am trying to find ways to organize them so I can easily make suggestions when I get questions about books that are good for...

So I have decided to add pages for the Language Arts and Math picture books I've found.

Compound Words:

If You Were a Compound Word (Word Fun)Review here


Contractions:

If You Were a Contraction (Word Fun)Review here


Homonym, Homophone, Homographs:

Dear Deer: A Book of Homophones Review here

The Dove Dove: Funny Homograph RiddlesReview here

If You Were a Homonym or a Homophone (Word Fun)Review here

Zoola Palooza: A Book of HomographsReview here

Idioms:

The King Who Rained Review here

The Sixteen Hand HorseReview here


Palindromes:

If You Were a Palindrome (Word Fun)Review here

Too Hot to Hoot: Funny Palindrome RiddlesReview here

Prepositions:

Under, Over, by the Clover: What Is a Preposition? (Words Are Categorical)Review here

Similes and Metaphors:

Crazy Like a Fox: A Simile StoryReview here

Skin Like Milk, Hair of Silk: What Are Similes and Metaphors? (Words Are Categorical)Review here

Stubborn as a Mule and Other Silly Similes (Ways to Say It)Review here

Dear Deer A Book of Homophones

I love finding books that teach as well as entertain children. Finding books fun books that engage children in learning about English is a great way to increase understanding of skills that can be dry and dull. My first experience with a book like this was The King Who Rained and it took me years to find a copy of it when I was teaching as it had gone out of print. People looked at me very oddly when I tried to purchase a copy. Thankfully, I was able to borrow library copies to use with my class. It has since been reprinted and is available to buy.

Like the King Who Rained, Dear Deer: A Book of Homophones
uses the humor of illustrations to demonstrate the ideas of homophones. The title of the book comes from a letter written by Aunt Ant to Dear Deer about her adventures of living at a zoo. The book continues with the aunt describing all the wonders she encounters at the zoo. Each page has a pair of homophones paired up. The homophones are in capital letters and bolded to make them easy to identify. The children can then use the illustrations to help them identify the homophones utilized on that page.

While this is a picture book, I would also recommend it for older elementary students who are studying or reviewing homophones. It is a fun way to see the concept illustrated. One activity I loved when I was teaching was to make our own class book and share it with younger students. It was a great way to share learning across the grade levels.

As for my copy of the book, it is headed to one of my family members who homeschools. While it is going to a K aged student, I suspect the older elementary student will also get some value from the fun review of homophones.

Make Way for Ducklings

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey is the 1942 Caldecott Medal winning picture book.

I originally heard this picture book when Captain Kangaroo introduced the story on his children's morning show. I thought it was a familiar classic, but I am finding that there are so many books that some books are lost in the shuffle.

This was a favorite of my Mom's because while she raised her children in the suburbs, Mom was born and lived in Boston prior to moving to the country. She would often get lost in the story as she remembered her own childhood experiences in the places the ducks visited. I find this book has been a great gift to send homesick friends and family who miss Boston.

The story follows a duck couple as they look for a place to make a nest in Boston. They tour Boston as they check out potential sites. When the ducklings are born, the story follows the ducklings’ adventures as they travel to the Public Gardens. The illustrations are beautiful and unusually done in brown instead of traditional black and white or colored options.

This is a classic story that has been shared by generations of children. If this book is not on your bookshelf or one you have checked out of your local library, it is well worth exploring.


Free Teaching Resources:

Geography Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan Includes Maps

Live Oak Media

Robert McCloskey Horn Book Radio Interview

Teacher Vision Activities

The Sixteen Hand Horse

As I mentioned in my previous post about The King Who Rained I put a request into the library to borrow the The Sixteen Hand Horse. It arrived in time to share it with a younger relative on Easter. While she is no longer of age for picture books, this book had some of the most challenging expressions of the series.

There were a couple of phrases I had to check on. "Daddy says he caught a fish on a spoon" proved my context skills are still working. A spoon is a fishing lure, which was my guess. A family member who knew about fish eggs cleared up the fish row or roe. Several other expressions had to be explained to the student, but those were the only two that left me frustrated that the computer had been locked away for Easter.

If you have not tried these books before, I suggest you seek them out. This one provided some quality entertainment on Easter. It was a great chance to discuss expressions, idioms, and to admit that sometimes we all need to review the meanings when context clues are not enough to help us through the unfamiliar phrase.