Podcasts in Schools

           Honestly, before beginning my library science courses just a year ago, I had only heard the term "Podcast" but had no idea what it was.  When reviewing the syllabus for my first course, I learned that we were going to be creating our own Podcast and I was actually pretty terrified.  It turns out that podcasting is simply the ability to create or listen to audio content either live or downloaded for later use (Wikispaces, 2012).  There, that doesn't sound so scary, does it?  Well maybe still a little if you have no idea how to begin.  Lucky for you there are some really easy, and more importantly FREE, tools available online for you and your students to create your own podcasts.

          The first podcasting site I tested out was SoundCloud.  It is very easy to sign up simply by linking to your Facebook account.  I only signed up for the free account which allows you 180 minutes of upload time, but there are also options for a Pro account for $7/month which doubles that time and includes advanced features, or even the ProUnlimited account for $15/month which allows you unlimited upload time.  I simply clicked the Upload button and was given a choice to upload a file or begin a new recording.  When you click the record button it will ask you for access to your camera and microphone.  Once you click allow, make sure you are ready to begin before pressing the record button because it starts fast.  Of course if you make a mistake, there is a button to start over thank goodness.  I suggest having a script because if not you may be starting over MANY times like me!  Once you are happy with your recording you can upload it, give it a name and description and choose whether to make it public or private. Overall, SoundCloud was very easy to use, even for a beginner.

          Signing up for AudioBoom was quick and easy, just create a user name, give your email address and create a password and your in. Or so I thought...Then I was taken to the next page that asked for my name, email, link to my current podcast, a name for my podcast, the country, the category, a description...oh gosh, when can I just record something?  Then I get to the next page and it dawns on me, I'm not exactly signing up, I'm basically applying to sign up!  After entering all that information I am taken to a screen that says they will review my information and if they feel I am a good fit they will be in touch.  So I can listen to other podcasts, but to create my own I need to be approved apparently.  In the mean time I can set up my profile and adjust my settings.  This has been a disappointment when all I really wanted to do is record my own podcast.  If your goal is just to listen to other podcasts then I guess this would be an okay site.  Otherwise you need to plan ahead and get preapproved before being able to record anything here.

          PodOmatic is another podcasting site that is easy to sign up for using your Facebook account. Then you are given a choice to sign up for the Free Basic account with 500 MB of storage, or the Pro account which runs around $120, but with a two month discount I was offered would have been only $100.  Right away at the top of my home screen I noticed a button that said Create a Podcast, so I clicked there assuming this was going to be easy.  Only there is no record button of any kind, only the option to add and upload a file.  So I had to open up my voice recorder and record my podcast, then upload that file into PodOmatic.  Gave it a name and a description and then hit publish.  It was fairly easy once I figured out what I needed to do, but maybe not so much for a student or someone brand new to podcasting.

          Out of the three sites I explored, I have to say that SoundCloud was my hands down favorite.  It was the easiest of the three for me to use and I believe students and teachers would feel the same way when trying to utilize any of these sites in a classroom or library.  Here is the podcast I created using SoundCloud (I'm kinda sick right now, so please excuse my voice)...

Scholastic Book Fair Promo, Fall 2016

          With the huge emphasis placed on differentiating instruction in recent years, podcasting is an excellent way to offer remedial or extended support for those in need, or an extra challenge for more advanced students.  It's also a fantastic way to enhance instruction for those students who are auditory learners.  Not only can students listen to gain information and knowledge, but they can also be creators of information recording their own podcast; discussing research, books they have read, conducting interviews, etc.  Teachers and librarians can also use podcasts as a way to share information with students, staff and parents about upcoming projects, events, trainings,and programs.  These are just a few of the endless ways to incorporate podcast into your classroom or library.

Resources

Eash, E.K. (2006). Podcasting 101 for K-12 Librarians. Information Today, Inc. 
          Retrieved November 12, 2016 from
          http://www.infotoday.com/cilmag/apr06/Eash.shtml

Wikispaces. (Last Revision 2012). Podcasting in Education. Wikispaces. Retrieved
          November 12, 2016 from
          http://podcasting-in-education.wikispaces.com/#x-Finding%20Podcasts

Cartoons and Comics in the Classroom

          Creating your own comic strips and cartoons is a great way to reinforce concepts taught in the classroom.  It also give students a creative way to express their ideas and show what they know.  Here are three sites that you may want to explore for fun, easy and FREE ways to create comics for your classroom or library..

          The nice thing about Make Beliefs Comix is that you don't have to create an account, you can just jump right into creating.  It automatically starts you off with three panels, but there is an option to change to either two panels or four.  There are 13 different backgrounds to choose from, or you may select a solid color background.  There are about 50 characters available for use, and each one has 3-4 different emotions to choose from to fit a variety of situations.  You can then add word or thought bubbles, panel prompts, and a number of words and objects to enhance your comic.  Adjusting the location and size of the items is simple and after playing around with the site for just a bit, I was easily able to create this comic to go along with our upcoming book fair...

Because you do not create an account, you can not save comics in Make Beliefs Comix so make sure that you either print it, email it or save it to your computer!

          To use ToonDoo, you must first create an account, but it is quick to do and soon you will be ready to create your comic.  There are a number of layouts to choose from in different sizes, both horizontal and vertical, with 1-4 panels.  Once you select your choice, loading takes a while.  In reality it's only about a minute, but in a world where we want to click and be taken to the next step immediately it was a little frustrating.  Once the creating screen loads you will find a wide variety of different characters, backgrounds, props, text options, etc. to add to your comic.  It can be a little overwhelming at first with all the choices, but with so much to choose from you can really make a quality comic for any scenario.  With the click of a button you can change the emotion and posture of your characters, adjust the size, flip them around or rotate them to fit your needs.  I made this simple comic to show parts of the water cycle, but look forward to playing around more with this site to make a more involved comic.

          Like with ToonDoo, to utilize Pixton you must first create an account.  What I like about this site is that it gives you an option to either create a comic from a blank layout, or you can also create from a template, which is a complete comic that can be modified to fit your needs.  If you choose to start from scratch, there are many options to help you make the comic that best fits your needs.  Whether you want a comic strip, story board, mind map, time line, plot diagram, or poster, Pixton can help you create just what you need.  There is a large number of backgrounds to choose from and once you select the one you want, you are provided with an option for one, two or three characters.  Depending on the background you choose, the selection of characters you are offered is different and varies from about 6-8 characters.  You may then change the poses and the expressions of the characters to fit the scene and add your desired text.  You may also add additional panels as needed.  To make my comic in Pixton, I selected a template of an already completed comic and modified it by adding characters and speech bubbles with text. I was not able to download the comic with only the free account, but I could email it to get the link to share or save.

*After playing around and making three comics I was told that I had reached the limit of my free account.

          For a list of ways to utilize comics in your classroom, visit 25 Ways to Use MakeBeliefsComix.com in the Classroom. As far as using comics in the library or classroom, here are some ways to incorporate their use...

- Students can create storyboards for books they have read

- Students can create book promotions for books they have read

- Students can illustrate knowledge of concepts introduced

- Promote events taking place at school or in the library

- Just for fun!

          My favorite sites that I enjoyed using and plan to use with students are MakeBeliefsComix and ToonDoo.  I think if you want something quick and simple MakeBeliefsComix is the way to go.  However if you have more time and are wanting something more involved, then ToonDoo is a great choice.  I believe given time to explore and play around a bit, students will enjoy and successfully use both of these sites.

Love That Dog

by Sharon Creech

Creech, Sharon. (2001). Love that dog. New York, NY: Joanna Cotler Books.

This comes just in time for Poetry Units which are beginning this week!  Jack does not want to write poetry, that's something girls do.  He tried it and he just can't, his brain is empty.  Jack exhibits all the thoughts and feelings many students experience when the unit on poetry inevitably begins.  As his teacher continues to share a variety of poems each day, and Jack contemplates each one, we see him slowly start to come around.  With some encouragement and a bit of flattery from his teacher, he also begins to gain more confidence in himself as a poet.  Then when poet Walter Dean Myers makes an appearance at his school, we know Jack is hooked.  This novel is a quick read, written as a free verse journal, and I think students, especially males and reluctant writers, would be able to relate to the main character.  Jack doesn’t write poetry; he says that’s for girls.  He doesn’t even understand half the poems his teacher shares in class.  But through simply jotting his thoughts down on paper and some encouragement from his teacher, he comes to realize that he has more to say and share than he thought, and this poetry stuff really isn’t so bad.

Love That Dog Discussion Guide

Love That Dog Book Trailer

Sharon Creech and Her Editor Discuss the Editorial Process

My Dog is Better Than Your Dog

by Tommy Greenwald

Greenwald, T. (2015). My dog is better than your dog. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

11-year-old Jimmy has two loves, an old crime fighting TV show and a series of novels about vampires.  With a mom who works long hours and a dad who is now obsessed with landing a job, Jimmy is beginning to feel neglected.  And now with the start of fifth grade just days away, he has a large red blotch on his face the size of Rhode Island and it just seems to be getting bigger.  When Jimmy's parents finally agree to let him get the dog that he has always wanted, he thinks his life is finally taking a turn for the better.  He selects an old mutt from the local shelter which he names Abby, and right away begins to notice some odd behaviors.  She sleeps all day long, becomes very playful and active at night, and has some incredibly BIG fangs.  Not only that, but she also seems to have a strong dislike of Jimmy's awful new babysitter, Mrs. Cragg.  When Jimmy's mom walks in just as Abby is about to attack the babysitter, it looks as if Jimmy may have to give up his new friend.  He just can't bear to lose Abby, not only because he's finally got the dog he's always wanted, but because he's pretty sure that Abby is a crime fighting vampire dog.  When Jimmy shares his suspicions with his best friend and the neighbor girl who lives across the street, they are pretty skeptical at first.  But then, after a series of neighborhood robberies, Jimmy, his friends and Abby have their own encounter with a thief and many secrets are finally exposed.  This first book in a brand new series titled Crime Biters, is both hilarious and full of mystery.  Both boys and girls in grades 3-5 would enjoy this story.

Crime Biters: My Dog is Better Than Your Dog Book Trailer

Lowriders in Space

by Cathy Camper

Camper, C. (2014). Lowriders in space. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books LLC.

Lupe Impala is a mechanic extraordinaire.  El Chavo Flapjack Octopus can polish a car and make it shine like no one else.  Elirio Malaria is the best detail artist around.  While these three friends from the barrio love working on cars more than anything, they are tired of working at the dealership for El Jefe.  Their dream is to have their own garage and a car that would go low and slow, bajito y suavecito.  When they come across a poster for the Universal Car Competition, they just know they have the skills it takes to win.  Of course that means taking their hunk of junk, which is a shell of a car, and basically reconstructing the whole thing.  The team sets out in search of parts at an old, abandoned airplane factory and discover a box of rocket parts.  Once the car is all fixed up, the friends decided to take it on a test drive.  That's when things get really outrageous.  The car not only starts right up, but blast them right into the stratosphere.  Through flames and asteroids, from moons to planets, the car takes them on a journey like no other, becoming even more incredible as it goes.  Then as the car begins to quickly approach a black hole, the team realizes they must do something to avoid being sucked in!  They arrive back on Earth just in time to make a grand entrance into the competition and WOW both the crowd and judges.  The black, red and blue ball point pen illustrations really bring this graphic novel to life, giving it lots of energy with unique style.  Camper sprinkles Spanish slang throughout the novel and includes a glossary of terms at then end, along with more information about low riders.  This 2016-2017 Texas Bluebonnet Nominee is recommended for children ages 8-12.

Activities and Resources for Lowriders in Space

Lowriders in Space Book Trailer

Interview with Cathy Camper

Maybe a Fox

by Kathi Appelt and Alison McGhee

Appelt, K. & McGhee, A. (2016). Maybe a fox. New York, NY: Antheneum Books for Young Readers.

Jules, 11 and Sylvie, 12, are not only sisters, they are best friends.  Jules loves rocks and can name just about every one she comes across, and Sylvie is not just fast, but the fastest girl in the whole school.  The girls live with their father in a wooded rural area in the state of Vermont.  Their mother passed years ago due to a heart condition, and while Sylvie has vivid memories of her that she shares with her father, Jules was very young when she died and is frustrated that she only has faint memories of her own.  The girls' father has a set of Do Not rules that he expects the girls to follow, one of which being Do Not go near "The Slip".  The Slip is an area where the nearby river plunges deep below the ground, and also happens to be the perfect place for Jules and Sylvie to throw their wish rocks.  One morning Sylvie takes off running toward The Slip never to return.  Upon searching for her sister, all that Jules finds is an exposed tree root and a gash in the snow that leads straight into the river.  As Jules and her father deal with their devastating loss, a mother fox gives birth to three kits; two males and one female.  Immediately the mother fox senses that there is something different about her daughter, Senna.  Senna is Kennen, spiritually connected to another living creature.  Senna was placed on the earth to watch over and protect Jules.  As if all this wasn't sad enough, Jules' good friend Sam is experiencing his own emotional roller coaster dealing with Sylvie's loss plus the return of his brother from Afghanistan who isn't quite the same since losing his best friend Zeke in the war.  Perhaps I'm too sensitive, but I honestly cried my way through this entire book.  Story time with the kiddos was difficult as I couldn't read through all the tears.  Overall, it was a touching story, but the material was heavy and not for the faint of heart.  School Library Journal recommends this book for students in grades 4-6.

Maybe a Fox Reading Group Guide

SLJ Interview with Kathi Appelt and Alison McGhee

Maybe a Fox Book Trailer

Love Monster

by Rachel Bright

Bright, R. (2012). Love monster. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux.

Monster lives in a world of cute, fluffy things...kittens, puppies, bunnies; you know, all those adorable creatures everyone loves.  But Monster, who is slightly hairy, and just a bit googly eyed is what you could call "funny looking."  So Monster sets off determined to find someone who will love him just the way he is.  After what seems to be an endless search, and more than a couple disappointments along the way, when he has just decided to give up and head home, monster finds what he is looking for and learns that sometimes love comes along when you least expect it.  Children will no doubt be entertained by Monster's story, but also Bright's colorful illustrations set against pale backgrounds which add their own touches of humor. (Such as his "Packing List for the Big, Wide World", his list of "Places to Look," and his home amid the "Official Pile of Extreme Cuteness.")  This picture book is recommended for children ages 2-7.

Love Monster Activity Kit

TPT: Love Monster Valentine's Activities Free Digital Download

Love Monster Read Aloud

I, Fly: The Buzz About Flies and How Awesome They Are

by Bridget Heos

Heos, B. (2015). I, fly: The buzz about flies and how awesome they are. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.

Why do students always study butterflies in school?  I mean really, what is so great about them?  Is it their wings?  Their ability to fly?  The metamorphic transformation? Well guess who else has all those things...the incredible fly, that's who!  Told from the perspective of a fully mature fly (he's 21 days old to be exact), this humorous story takes students through the entire life cycle of a fly and shares some fascinating details on not only what makes flies special, but why they are so much more awesome than those boring, annoying and clumsy butterflies.  Still unconvinced, the skeptical students have some serious questions about fly behavior, such as throwing up on food and spreading disease.  After the fly pleads his case, the class comes to the conclusion that "Flies rule!" and decide to capture him and study him after all.  Uh oh!  Upon finding himself trapped in a clean habitat with no trash or rotting food, he quickly decides he needs to hype up how disgusting flies are and begs for release.  Far from your typical, primary level reader on insects, this book is funny, while scientifically fact filled, and will captivate younger students.  Illustrator Jennifer Plecas manages to make the flies and even the maggots adorable, and a glossary and bibliography are included for further information and research.  This 2016 Texas 2x2 book is recommended for children in grades K-4.

I, Fly Book Preview

I, Fly Activities from the Author

We Dig Worms!

by Kevin McCloskey

McCloskey, K. (2015). We dig worms! New York, NY: Toon Books.

This Texas 2x2 book introduces young children to the importance of earthworms in a beginning level comic format.  Written especially for the K-1 crowd, the book offers interesting tidbits such as the fact that worms have no eyes or nose, they move easier when it is wet, oh and sure to garner a laugh or a chorus of "ewwws"...their "poop is good for the soil."  We even learn that worms can have 100's of babies and that the longest worm in the world grows up to 10 feet long!  The illustrations are comprised of rounded, colorful shapes drawn on brown paper bag backing, which McCloskey notes is a nod to his belief in recycling.  They do a great job of showing the fine details of not only the worms but their environment; not to mention that pesky bluebird who just wants to have lunch!

Educator's Guide to We Dig Worms!

We Dig Worms! Book Trailer

Comic Squad: Recess!  

Edited by Jennifer & Matthew Holm 

and Jarrett Krosoczka

Holm, J., Holm, M., & Krosoczka, J. (2014). Comics squad: Recess! New York, NY: Random House.

The graphic novel is one of the hottest reading trends for children today.  Ask any kid about Captain Underpants or Babymouse and chances are they will know who you are talking about.  This compilation brings together the minds of 10 of the leading authors in graphic novels for children in the industry including Jennifer and Matthew Holm, Dave Pilkey and Raina Telgemeier to name just a few.  From the boy who gets left out of the Super-Secret Ninja Club, to the Lunch Lady saving the school from a pizza monster, to Babymouse who just wants to make it through the day and get to recess, this book has something for everyone and will have readers cracking up and begging for more.  The style of this book is very unique in that it is a collection of 8 completely different graphic short stories based on some very popular characters that readers may already be familiar with.  Although each story is written by someone different, they are all equally hilarious filled with informal, witty dialogue and silly illustrations using a basic color scheme of black, white and orange.  What ties all of these stories together is that each of them take place at school, either in the building or out in the yard, and revolve around the theme of recess.  While the characters may be fantastical, such as pizza monsters, a fraction battling mouse and a talking cupcake, readers will definitely be able to relate to and find humor in these scenes and situations that are faced in and around school on a daily basis.

Videos and Author Information from Random House

Book Trailer for Comic Squad: Recess!

Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer

by Kelly Jones

Jones, K. (2015). Unusual chickens for the exceptional poultry farmer. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.

12-year-old Sophie Brown is a city girl from L.A. who has been uprooted from her home after her father lost his job and her Great-uncle Jim passed away leaving her family his run down farm.  There are not many people around their new home, and the few people she does meet automatically assume she's a poor, migrant worker.  While rummaging around in the barn she comes across a flyer from the Redwood Supply Company for "Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer."  To make things more interesting for herself, she decides to request a catalog, hoping to order perhaps some chickens, or even ducks or a peacock.  The story is told in a sequence of letters to the Redwood Supply Company's owner Agnes, her late Great-uncle Jim, and her dearly beloved, deceased abuelita.  As Sophie learns as much as possible about caring for chickens through Agnes' lessons and letters and from library books, chickens with some rather unusual behaviors begin making their way to the farm.  Sophie quickly becomes attached to these extraordinary chickens and does her best to care for them properly.  However a neighboring farmer also shows interest in these very special chickens and seems determined to steal them for herself.  A determined Sophie must foil the plot of the chicken thief and makes a few new friends in the process.  Facts and descriptions of a variety of chicken breeds, and chicken care information, add to the authentic chicken care element.  This 2016-2017 Bluebonnet nominee is recommended for grades 3-5.

Activities and Resources

Book Trailer for Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer

Interview with Author Kelly Jones

Interview with Illustrator Katie Kath

Meet the Dullards 
by Sara Pennypacker

  

Pennypacker, S. (2015). Meet the Dullards. New York, NY: Balzer + Bray.

Meet the Dullards, the world's most boring family, and mom and dad have every intention of keeping it that way.  Children will love following along as the children test their limits by reading books (gasp!), playing outside and asking to go to school.  When a snail slides across the drive way, that is it.  Mr. and Mrs. Dullard exclaim they have had enough of this "circus" and decide it's time to move.  Their children should only be exposed to the more mundane things in life such as eating plain, flavorless ice cream, watching an unplugged television and watching paint dry.  While the family may be "dull" the book is anything but.  Daniel Salmieri uses colored pencils to create the dull and monotonous scenes that is the Dullard’s world.  They are perfectly content in their world of grays, browns and beige.  The Dullard children however, and readers alike, find themselves drawn to the outside world full of bright colors and excitement.

Meet the Dullards Read Aloud

Last Stop on Market Street

by Matt De La Peña

De La Peña, M. (2015). Last stop on Market Street. New York, NY: G. P. Putnam's Sons.

As CJ and his grandmother leave church one Sunday morning, the young boy is full of questions...Why do they have to wait for the bus in the rain?  Why don't they have a car?  Why do they always have to go here after church?  Rather than scold CJ for his endless questions and envy of others, Nana continues to gently point out all the things they can appreciate that make their lives special.  While on the bus, CJ encounters many different types of people, truly reflective of a typical urban setting; a blind man with a dog, a tattooed man looking at his phone, an older woman with a jar of butterflies, teens with an IPod and a man with a guitar.  When they finally reach their stop, the last one on Market Street, as they walk down crumbling sidewalks and past graffiti covered buildings and boarded up stores, CJ inquires as to why "it's always so dirty over here?"  Nana joyfully replies that, "Sometimes when you're surrounded by dirt, you're a better witness for what's beautiful."  We come to discover that their destination is a soup kitchen, and when CJ sees the familiar, smiling faces, he exclaims that he is glad they came.  This Newbery Award winner and Caldecott and Coretta Scott King Honor book is a wonderful tribute to life in the city, encouraging kindness, appreciation, and volunteering.  

Teacher's Guide and Read Alikes for Last Stop on Market Street

Last Stop on Market Street Book Trailer

Last Stop on Market Street Read Aloud

The Terrible Two

by Mac Barnett and Jory John

Barnett, M. (2015). The terrible two.  New York, NY: Amulet Books.

Yawnee Valley...an idyllic place with rolling green hills, winding creeks and cows; lots and lots of cows.  Miles Murphy is not happy about moving to Yawnee Valley.  He had to leave his best friends, his pink apartment building near the ocean, and the corner store where he purchased all his candy.  But most importantly, Miles must leave behind his reputation as his school's biggest prankster.  A reputation he has every intention of reestablishing at his new school, Yawnee Valley Science and Letters Academy.  However on the first day of school, when he and the rest of the students discover the principal's car has been parked on the front steps directly in front of the door preventing their entrance into the school, Miles realizes he might have serious competition.  Things only get worse when the principal blames Miles for the prank and then pairs him up with the school's goody two shoes, Niles, as school buddies.  When Miles comes up with a plan to prank the entire school and really make a name for himself, he finds himself shocked when his plan is unexpectedly thwarted by Yawnee Valley's resident prankster.  Miles must make a decision, should he join forces with this formidable opponent, or declare an all out war.  Hilarity ensues as the pranks keep coming, building up to the greatest one in school history.  The black and white cartoon drawings add to the laughs and the spattering of cow facts are both interesting and silly.  Short chapters make this Bluebonnet nominee an easy read for students in grades 4-6.

Activities for The Terrible Two

Activities and Resources for The Terrible Two

The Terrible Two Book Trailer

Horn Book Interview with Mac Barnett and Jory John

Interview with Mac Barnett

Hippos are Huge!

by Jonathan London

London, J. (2015). Hippos are huge! Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Second only to the elephant, hippos are the world's largest land animal.  And any idea who is the most dangerous animal in Africa?  It's not the lion, or the crocodile; it's the big bad hippo with it's enormous mouth and gigantic razor-sharp tusks.  Follow along as the hippos swim, fling dung, raise young, and wallow in the mud.  The gorgeous illustrations, simple vocabulary, and large dark print are perfect for the youngest animal researcher.  There are also smaller printed, detailed facts, scattered throughout the text for those interested in more specific information.  An index and author's note are also included.  This Texas 2x2 book is an excellent introduction to non-fiction and would be great as a read aloud or for independent reading.  Recommended for grades PK-3.

Book Review and Classroom Integration Ideas

Hippos are Huge! Read Aloud

A Handful of Stars

by Cynthia Lord

Lord, C. (2015). A handful of stars. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

12 year old Lily lost her mother in a car accident when she was only two and lives with her grandparents in Maine with one of the only things she has left of her mother, her dog Lucky who is getting very old and almost completely blind.  All Lily wants is to raise enough money to pay for a special surgery for Lucky to try to restore his sight, even though there are no guarantees and surgery can be very difficult on an older dog.  When Lucky slips out of his collar one day and dashes across the blueberry fields and almost into the road, Lily is afraid she may never be able to catch him.  However, as luck would have it, a young migrant worker (Salma) happens to witness the commotion and entices the dog with her peanut butter sandwich allowing Lily to catch up to him.  Lily and Salma's friendship begins to blossom, just as her relationship with her former best friend Hannah starts to wane.  Salma teaches Lily about art and migrant life as she helps her paint bee houses to raise money for Lucky's surgery.  And Lily helps Salma with her endeavor to be the first migrant worker to enter and win the Blueberry Queen pageant which has a $5,000 savings bond prize that she plans to use for college.  Lily learns a lot about life, friendship, and loss in this coming of age story that has a strong multicultural element.  Young readers age 9-12 and dog lovers will enjoy this Bluebonnet Award nominee.

Activities and Resources for A Handful of Stars

A Handful of Stars Book Trailer

The Princess and the Pony

by Kate Beaton

Beaton, K. (2015). The princess and the pony. New York, NY: Arthur A. Levine Books.

Princess Pinecone's birthday is coming up, and in a kingdom full of warriors, she's expecting some pretty fantastic birthday presents.  This year in particular she made sure to let everyone know that she wanted a big, fast, strong, warrior horse.  Her parents however present her with a small, round, roly-poly pony that eats everything and farts too much.  How is the princess supposed to win the upcoming battle with this very unwarrior like, hopeless pony?  In the heat of the battle, just as Princess Pinecone is readying her weapons (spitballs) and preparing to take down Otto the Awful, a most peculiar thing happens.  Completely enamored with the pony, the warriors cease battling to pet and admire this unusual creature.  Relishing the chance to show off their cuddly side, the warriors vote Pinecone and the pony Most Valuable Warriors and the princess realizes she has the best horse a warrior could ask for.  Pinecone and her pony are not your typical princess and horse and students in PK-2 will adore this heartwarming and hilarious book.

Classroom Ideas for The Princess and The Pony

The Princess and the Pony Book Trailer

The Princess and the Pony Read Aloud

What This Story Needs Is

A Pig In A Wig

by Emma J. Virján

Virján, E. (2015). What this story needs is a pig in a wig. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.

What this story needs is a pig, in a wig; a boat in a moat; a frog and a dog.  Full of rhyming, animals and silliness, pig's boat eventually becomes overcrowded, and to keep from sinking she must kick everyone else off.  Now all alone, enjoying the sun on her own, pig discovers that she is rather lonely and what this story really needs is a bigger boat!  This Texas 2x2 book is perfect for emerging readers.

Curriculum Guide

Activity Pages

What This Story Needs Is A Pig In A Wig Book Trailer

Nightmares!

by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller

Segel, J. & Miller, K. (2014).  Nightmares!  New York, NY: Random House Children's Books.

Ever since 12 year-old Charlie Laird's father married Charlotte, and he and his little brother were uprooted from the home they shared with their now deceased mother and moved into Charlotte's spooky purple mansion, he has been plagued with nightmares night after night.  He tries his best to avoid sleeping, but when it inevitably overcomes him, the nightmares return.  On top of nightly terrors, Charlie is also convinced his new stepmother is a witch.  She dresses really weird, makes some strange and unusual food, and runs Hazel's Herbarium where she sells creepy homemade potions.  Worst of all, Charlie's father and his little brother Jack, absolutely adore Charlotte and are getting fed up with Charlie's stories and attitude.  When the witch from Charlie's nightmares kidnaps Jack and drags him through the portal into the Netherworld threatening to eat him up, Charlie must journey after them and face his fears, along with those of his friends and classmates.  After encountering gorgons, goblins, crazy clowns, deranged bunnies, and an evil principal who's also the president of the Netherworld, Charlie comes to discover that his true fears lie a little closer to home and that by facing them head on he can save himself and finally close the portal to the nightmare world.  This would be a good read for students in 4th grade and up who enjoy a good scary (but not too scary) story.

Activities and Resources for use with Nightmares!

Book Trailer for Nightmares!

El Deafo 

by Cece Bell

Bell, C. (2014). El Deafo. New York, NY: Abrams.

Cece was just like any young girl, riding bikes, singing, and playing with friends. Then one day when she was only four years old, Cece became really sick with meningitis.  As Cece recovers, she notices something unusual; she can't hear! In, El Deafo, author Cece Bell tells the story of the illness that caused her hearing loss and her struggles to adjust to her disability through a graphic novel format using anthropomorphized bunnies.  After discovering that she will be permanently deaf, Cece is fitted with a hearing device known as a phonic ear, that she must wear to school and everywhere she goes.  With this new device she can hear, but it’s not quite the same.  At first she attends a school where all the other students are just like her.  They learn the basics such as reading and writing, but also other important skills such as lip reading.  However at the end of the year, Cece’s family moves and she is forced to leave her special school behind and attend a regular school where there is no one else like her.  At first it’s lonely, and Cece is self-conscious about her phonic ear.  Many of the students think that they must yell for her to hear, which does not help Cece understand at all.  She struggles with making friends that like and accept her for who she is, and even has to deal with teachers who do not want to wear the device that will help her, or mistreat the device.  But once she discovers that she can hear her teacher from anywhere in the school, she realizes she has a super power and even gives herself a superhero name…El Deafo!  This 2015 Newberry Medal winner is written in a way that is appropriate and enjoyable for readers of all ages.

Teaching Guide for El Deafo

Book Trailer for El Deafo

CeCe Bell Talks about El Deafo

First Grade Dropout

by Audrey Vernick

Vernick, A. (2015). First grade dropout. New York, NY: Clarion Books.

A young, first grade, Lakeview Elementary student has embarrassed himself so completely that he insists that he is NEVER going back to school.  Everyone laughed and slapped their desks and stomped their feet.  Even his very best friend Tyler laughed!  Maybe he can cast a spell to unsay what was said, or build a time machine to go back to before it happened.  So what was this heinous social infraction?  "I. Called. My. Teacher MOMMY!!!"  As teachers know this is a common occurrence, and his teacher tells him not to worry that it happens every year.  But when you're a young child, humiliated in front of the whole class, it can feel like the end of the world.  And that's why this child is dropping out.  How could he ever show his face there again?!  When he runs into Tyler on the soccer field he's prepared to be laughed at all over again, but it's Tyler who ends up being embarrassed this time around.  When Tyler just laughs at his mistake, our narrator discovers that that's often the best way to deal with an embarrassing situation.  

First Grade Dropout Book Trailer

I Don't Want to be a Frog

by Dev Petty

Petty, D. (2015). I don't want to be a frog. New York, NY: Doubleday Books for Young Readers.

Frog doesn't want to be a frog.  It's too wet and slimy, not to mention the bug eating!  He'd much rather be a cat, a rabbit, or maybe a wise owl.  Dad however insist that he can not be any of those things, he's a frog.  Then along comes a wolf, who exclaims that he's hungry and there's nothing he'd love better than a tasty cat, rabbit or owl.  Lucky for little frog there is one thing that wolf never eats because they are too wet, slimy and full of bugs.  Simple and silly illustrations, and humorous dialog presented in colorful speech bubbles, make this a good book for young readers and teaches an important lesson of self acceptance.  This Texas 2x2 book would be great as a read aloud or for independent reading.

Activities for use with I Don't Want to be a Frog

Book Trailer for I Don't Want to be a Frog

I Don't Want to be a Frog Read Aloud