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October 2006 Children’s Books by the Month
Suggested books and activities for October from Penguin Young Readers Group
This month we feature titles from Penguin Young Readers Group
Eats, Shoots & Leaves: Why, Commas Really Do Make a Difference!
by Lynne Truss, illustrated by Bonnie Timmons
Illuminating the comical confusion that the lowly comma can cause, this new kid-friendly edition uses lively, subversive illustrations to show how misplacing or leaving out a comma can change the meaning of a sentence.
ACTIVITY
WHERE, OH, WHERE?
Using the book as an example, have your students write a sentence twice, placing a comma or commas in different places for each. Ask them to explain how each sentence differs and then draw a picture of the different meanings. After completing your unit on commas, follow up by retyping text from newspapers and magazines omitting commas, so that students can practice inserting them. Photocopy the last two pages of the book for students to keep in their notebook for reference.
We Gather Together: Celebrating the Harvest Season
by Wendy Pfeffer, illustrated by Linda Bleck
With expressive prose and vivid illustrations, this nonfiction picture book explains the science behind the autumn equinox and the social history of harvest-time celebrations.
ACTIVITY
AUTUMN FUN
Coupling this story with the arrival of the autumnal equinox, demonstrate by using the activity outlined in the back of the book how the earth's tilt causes seasonal changes. Then make a class list of all the things associated with fall before engaging in the following activity. Fall Festival: For over 700 years, Nigerians have held a fall festival to give thanks for yams, the first crop harvested. Dancers wear raffia skirts and masks that portray turtles, lizards, trees and the sun or moon, to celebrate the cycle of nature. Have your students create their own masks, and then celebrate with music, dance and songs.
Oh, Rats! The Story of Rats and People
by Albert Marrin, illustrated by C.B. Mordan
Weaving together a mix of science, history, culture and folklore, Albert Marrin welcomes you to the fearsome and fascinating world of these astonishing creatures of survival.
ACTIVITY
THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE DARK
Share the "Rat and I" introduction with students as a preface to the following activity. Afterwards, have students partner up and give each pair their own copy of one of the eight sections in Rats. Instruct each pair to read and highlight their section, making a list of the 10 most interesting things they discover for later sharing. Follow up with a trip to the library where each student can research a creature he or she is afraid of, jotting down 10 little-known but fascinating facts about it for later sharing and inclusion in an informative paragraph.
Snapshots: The Wonders of Monterey Bay
by Celeste Davidson Mannis
Spare verse, stunning photographs and engaging facts introduce young readers to the animals and habitats of Monterey Bay, California.
ACTIVITY
A MIND'S EYE VIEW
After sharing the photos and text in this book, discuss the many different habitats that can be found around the world. Ask students to choose their own habitat to research. Have them make a list of animals and vegetation that can be found here along with some other characteristics that make this habitat unique. Then, have students make little picture books with headings similar to those found in Snapshots using the information that they have collected.
Brothers
by Yin, illustrated by Chris Soentpiet
Young Ming ventures outside of San Francisco's Chinatown and meets a kind Irish boy named Patrick. So begins a remarkable friendship that brings two very different communities together.
Writing Assignment
ACROSS TIME
Prior to reading the book, write friend in Chinese characters on the board (see Chinese characters at left). Discuss the importance of friendships and the many different types – peers, parents and children, etc. As a follow up to the reading, list your students' nationalities on the board to initiate conversations about America as a melting pot. Then invite students to interview family members to discover those who first came to this country, under what circumstances, their port of entry, etc. Encourage students to share what they have learned. Family trees can also be created, shared and displayed.
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To see the September 2006 Children's Books by the Month click here.
To see the August 2006 Children's Books by the Month click here.
