African American Tall Tales

John Henry

Julius Lester, author

Jerry Pinkney, illustrator

Birds, bears, panthers, and even a unicorn come out of the woods when John Henry is born.  Within moments of his arrival, John jumps out of his mother’s arms and grows taller than the roof!  The next morning he gets up and chops an acre of trees down.  As John ventures out west, he single-handedly crushes gigantic boulders and digs through a mountain!  There are many versions of this tale, but Lester’s stands out for its humorous personification, colorful hyperbole, and engaging storytelling.

Roy Makes a Car

Mary E. Lyons, author

Terry Widener, illustrator

Roy Tyle has a way with automobiles.  People say he “can grease an axle faster than you can say 'carburetor,' and he can clean spark plugs just by looking at them hard." Roy believes there is a fatal flaw in the factory cars—they can get into accidents.  So, he takes his talents to the next level—building his own car. After spending an hour in his garage, he comes out with one that is “accident proof.” In test after test, his car avoids cars and trucks by sliding over or under them.  He doesn’t stop there though…he builds a another car that goes so far as to impress God, himself!

Big Jabe

Jerdine Nolen, author

Kadir Nelson, illustrator

From the moment Big Jabe shows up as a small boy floating in a basket down the river, he uses his extraordinary abilities to help the slaves on the Plenty Plantation.  When the fish aren’t biting, he commands them to jump from the river and into the wagon.  When works needs to be done, he is able to single-handedly complete it—allowing the others some much-deserved rest.  Even the plants and animals change in remarkable ways when he is present.  When slaves begin to disappear without a trace, some wonder if Jabe is the one rescuing them.

Thunder Rose

Jerdine Nolen, author
Kadir Nelson, illustrator

On a summer night during a fierce thunderstorm, a lively baby is born.  Rather than cry out while taking her first breath of life, she sits up and takes hold of the lightning and thunder.  Then, she tells her parents she is partial to the name Rose, so they call her Thunder Rose.  Full of spunk, determination, and confidence, Thunder Rose accomplishes everything she sets out to do.  She amazes her parents by drinking her milk while holding up a cow, creating objects with scrap metal, staking a fence without assistance, and building a sky scraper—all before the age of ten! These thrilling feats are just the beginning of her story!

Peggony-Po: A Whale of a Tale

Andrea Davis Pinkney, author
Brian Pinkney, illustrator

Feisty as a kettle of just-caught fish, Peggony-Po is able to climb a look out mast and catch whales on the high seas—all before the age of 4!  There is just one whale that eludes even that most skilled sailor’s grasp—Cetus!  Peggony-Po is determined to catch that whale—known for wrecking havoc for sailors and, even, land folk.  The young boy ventures off in search of Cetus without even bothering to take a boat!  This high seas adventures, full of astonishing acts and vivid similes, celebrates the many brave African American sailors who worked side by side as equals with white sailors on whaling ships in a time of great inequality.

Non-Fiction Monday: No Backbones series (by Natalie Lunis)

On this Non-Fiction Monday, I am excited to share another outstanding non-fiction series from Bearport Publishing.   I promise.  I am don’t work for them.  I am just a huge fan of high quality books.  This week I read Squishy Sponges and Prickly Sea Stars from the No Backbone: Marine Invertebrates series.  There are four additional titles:  Crawling Crabs, Gooey Jellyfish, Slimy Sea Slugs, and Squirting Squids. 

The information, written by author Natalie Lunis, is an excellent introduction to invertebrates in general and each animal specifically.  Each 2-page layout has 4-5 simple sentences in a bullet point format for easy reading.  The independent reading level is 2-3 grade range while children as young as 3-4 years of age will understand and enjoy.  Each book has fascinating facts on areas like what each animal eats to how they eat to what eats them!  Of course, each animal has a unique body type, which makes each title high interest reading. 

I love the large, vivid pictures that accompany the text well, offering an “inside” look into the lives of these underwater creatures.  For instance, Squishy Sponges reveals how crabs use sponges to camouflage themselves and Prickly Sea Stars shows how stars use their stomachs to eat mussels.  Many of the photos are so up-close and personal that minute details are seen, such as a sea stars’ eye spot and a sponge's pores. 

Check out the No Backbone series, as well as their others, at Bearport.   Visit Instantly Interruptible for other Non-Fiction Monday selections from around the web. 

Math, Shapes, and Basic Geometry Picture Books

I have had these book tucked away for Math Monday for a few weeks. It is about time I share them!  Each selection focuses on shapes.  They move from simple to more complex.  I hope you can use these books with your youngsters at home or in school.

Shapes with Ocean Animals (by Melanie Watt)

This small board book is perfect for little hands and young minds learning or practicing shapes.  There is a basic thread that unifies the book.   It begins with, “In the ocean…”  Each 2-page layout has a short phrase that refers back to the original introductory phrase and describes the action like “Fish swimming,” “Rays gliding,” and “Crabs snapping.”   The layouts include the labeled shape at the top left corner and a framed picture of the ocean scene that sweeps across both pages, such as seen HERE.   The cheery cartoon animals are colorful and charming.  The fun verbs—swimming, snapping, crawling—on each page are perfect for imitating.  The final layout is a review of all the shapes.  Shapes with Ocean Animals is geared for ages newborn to 4.  

Are Eggs Square? (DK Books)

This see through book is entertaining for children who are already familiar with their shapes.   Each sequence begins with a question.  For instance, the first one is:  “Do ladybugs have square spots?”  The facing see-through page shows a ladybug with square spots.  Child readers or listeners may answer the question and "predict" what the correct answer will be.  A turn of the page reveals a ladybug with naturally shaped spots.  It replies:  “No, ladybugs have round spots.”  This pattern is repeated for triangles, stars, squares, ovals, and rectangles.  The easy, predictable text is good for early readers to practice on.  A quick review of shapes is provided at the end.  This fun, interactive book is perfect for ages 3-7. 

Shape Up!  Fun with Triangles and Other Polygons (by David A. Adler)

Using food and paper, Adler moves beyond basic shape recognition to introduce more advanced math concepts and vocabulary.  First, pieces of cheese and pretzel sticks serve as materials to make triangles of different kinds—scalene, equilateral, and isosceles.   Next, those same pretzel sticks and some paper depict basic angles.  Key vocabulary terms are illustrated such as vertex, right angle, and types of angles (right, obtuse, and acute).  Then, quadrilaterals—trapezoid, parallelogram, rectangle, rhombus, and square—are defined and pictured with paper, pencil, and pretzels.   He finishes off with other polygon shapes using a piece of bread and a knife to create a pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, hendecagon, and dodecagon.  The illustrations are captivating and interactive.  They will stimulate youngsters to come up with their own foods or household items to create shapes.  Shape Up!  is a fantastic tool for introducing or reinforcing geometric concepts for ages 9 and up.  

Visit love2learn2day for other Math Monday more linked up ideas and resources. 

Picture Book (Science): Star of the Sea (Janet Halfmann)

Summary of Star of the Sea: A Day in the Life of a Starfish (by Janet Halfmann):

Beginning on a starry night, an ochre sea star clings to a rock under the crashing waves.   When it is high tide, it moves along the ocean floor, avoiding predators.  On the shore, it inches along by twisting its body like a pretzel onto the shore to hunt.  Coming upon a mussel bed, it hunches over one and grips it with its strong feet.  A tug-a-war between them ensues until the sea star successfully cracks and feeds off it, in a most unusual and fascinating manner.  Follow this amazing sea creature as it fights its way back to the ocean before the tide recedes while protecting itself from predators. 

Evaluation: 

Author Janet Halfmann, along with illustrator Joan Paley, has created a superb picture book. The well-written text captures the magnificent sea star beautifully.  I found myself completely captivate by the story.  Hand-painted papers in watercolor blends are used to create a textured and enchanting vision of the ocean and the life of the sea star.  I recommend Star of the Sea: A Day in the Life of a Starfish for ages 4-10.   This book is ideal for leisure reading or as part of an ocean unit.  For more ocean related activities, see my Pinterest Teaching Activities Ocean Unit folder. 

This post is linked up with Read Aloud Thursday hosted by Hope is a Word.  

Picture Book (Science): Ocean Seasons by Ron Hirschi

Summary of Ocean Seasons:  

Similar to the seasonal changes in plant and animal life on land, there are ones in the ocean as well.  The ocean bursts with color in the spring as sea plants stretch and multiple their foliage.  Like on the land, baby animals are born in the spring and summer when there is abundant food and optimal weather.  Plankton sparkles in the sunlight.  Marine life grows bigger and stronger in preparation for the colder months ahead.  As the autumn winds blow across the ocean, plankton begin to die.  Salmon trek back toward the fresh water where they swim upstream, driving many animals to their migration to hunt them. The winter prompts the humpback whale to swim to warmer waters until the spring weather returns.  Ocean Seasons is set in the Pacific Ocean, but it reflect comparable changes in oceans around the world. 

Evaluation:

Using a distinctive, seasonal format, author and biologist Ron Hirschi brings to light the habits and changes in the ocean, providing an excellent teaching occasion to draw parallels to seasonal changes on land. The dynamic, meticulous illustrations (by Kirsten Carlson) offer a glimpse into this mysterious underwater world from the salmon swimming upstream to the humpback whales leaping through the air.  Many other fascinating marine creatures and plants are introduced, such as puffins, urchins, plankton, and orcas.  In a natural, narrative approach marine food chains and habitats are also revealed.  The food web cards provided in the book allow children the chance to recreate the food chains to demonstrate and to increase their knowledge.  Ocean Seasons is ideal for children ages 4-8. 

Teaching Opportunities: 

Sylvan Dell has created a 24-page across the curriculum teaching guide as well as quizzes and other resources at their website. 

This post is part of the Non-Fiction Monday blog hop hosted by L.L. Owens.  Check out other non-fiction titles at her website. 

Octavia and Her Purple Ink Cloud (Donna Rathmell)

Summary of Octavia and Her Purple Ink Cloud  

Octavia Octopus lives in a small, secret cave at the bottom of the ocean.  She has many playmates—a porcupine fish, a sea horse, a flounder, a sea turtle, a clown fish, and a parrotfish.  Together with her friends, she plays “hide from a hungry creature.”  As Octavia encounters each of them, she reveals how they safeguard themselves from predators.  Then, she practices her own method of protection—squirting a purple ink cloud.  It takes her several tries to get the right color ink which is at a time she needs it most:  a shark has entered their little nook in the corral reef. 

Evaluation

Octavia and Her Purple Ink Cloud  (ages 3-8) is beautifully illustrated by Connie McLennan.  The ocean floor and its inhabitants are vibrant and animated.   A peek into the real lives of some favorite sea creatures is exhibited in a natural, narrative manner.  Authors Donna and Doreen Rathmell have written a story that is playful, yet factual.  I love how so many inherent teaching opportunities are packed into this one book. 

Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans:

·         Alliteration—All the names begin with the same sound (Freddy Flounder, Polly Parrotfish)

·         Colors—Each time Octavia “practices,” she shoots out a different color

·         Sea or Ocean Habitats—Excellent trade book for a preschool or elementary unit

·         Camouflage and Protection—Examine the variety of ways animals protect themselves (also see back of book)

·         Sea Creatures like the Octopus (see back of the book—includes a Ink Cloud Craft)

·         Fantasy vs. Reality—Much of the story illuminates facts about the sea creatures but there are also elements of fantasy, such as the various animals being friends, Octavia shooting out different colors, the personification of an octopus

·         More Ideas in Sylvan Dell’s 27-Page Teaching Guide and at their Website

Picture Book: Astro The Steller Sea Lion by Jeanne Walker Harvey

Summary of Astro, The Steller Sea Lion: 

A baby sea lion, only a few days old, is separated from his mother.  Fortunately, he is rescued by a scientist and taken to The Marine Mammal Center—a place for sick, injured, and stranded marine mammals.  The lost sea lion is named Astro.  For 10 months, he is cared for and feed by the staff.  When Astro is mature enough to join the other sea lions, he is taken down to the ocean shore.  Confused and frightened, he refuses to leave the beach area to find food.  He has bonded with humans instead of other steller sea lions, so he does not feel “at home” in the open sea.   Workers attempt on two more occasions to acclimate Astro back into his natural habitat.  Each time though, he returns to the area near the Center where he seeks to interact with humans.   The staff decides to find him an alternate home.  Fortunately, an aquarium in Connecticut offers him a place to live.  After some training in the Long Marine Lab at the University of California, Astro flies on a plane across the country.  He quickly acclimates into his new home, complete with lots of people visiting him each day!   This happy and playful seal is now a stellar attraction at the Mystic Aquarium.

Evaluation:

Astro, The Steller Seal is based on real events.  Author Jeanne Walker Harvey brings this remarkable and beloved sea lion’s story to students all over the country.  Realistic pictures accompany the fascinating narrative.  This book is especially conducive to teachable moments and the classroom instruction.  The resource pages in the back give general and life cycle information on steller sea lions.  A map is provided to plot out Astro’s travels.  Also, there is a comparison of steller sea lions to harbor seals.  Finally, Sylvan Dell, the publisher, has provided a 31-page Teaching Activity Guide full of across the curriculum handouts and ideas to accompany the book.  The website includes quizzes and other information.   Families and classroom students are sure to enjoy this story! 

Visit the Mystic Aquarium to see him in person or click on Meet the Real Astro to meet him on the web.    

The Pout-Pout Fish and the Big-Big Dark (Deborah Diesen)

  
Story Summary:

In his second underwater adventure, Mr. Fish enthusiastically sets out to help Ms. Clam recover her missing pearl.   He dives through the water, searching the ocean floor closely inch by inch.  As he gets to a ledge, a hidden voice urges him to set out further to sea.   Mr. Fish swims a little deeper, but his heart goes “flit-flutter.”   Trying to muster up courage, he recites to himself this mantra:

I’m FAST as a sailfish.

I’m STRONG as a shark.

I’m SMART as a dolphin…

But I’m scared of the dark.

Deeper and deeper, he explores the ocean floor.  Each time he emerges on a new level, he is roused by a quiet whisper and his personal mantra.   As he finds himself face to face with his greatest fear—darkness, his bravery begins to wane.  The now familiar whisper (Miss Shimmer) asserts that he can do it!  She cheers him on with her own song:

Two are FASTER than a sailfish.

Two are STRONGER than a shark.

Two are SMARTER than a dolphin…

Two are BIGGER than the dark!

Together they swim deep into the darkness.   With a little light from Mr. Lantern, they locate Ms. Clam’s pearl and reward Mr. Lantern for helping them out.  The whole gang gathers around Ms. Clam to celebrate the finding of the pearl and the joy of friendship.   Together than affirm, “We are bigger. Yes. BIGGER. Always Big, Big, Bigger, than the dark!” 

Evaluation: 

The introduction in The Pout-Pout Fish post outlines my thoughts on the language, illustrations, and character.  There are several essential motifs that are worthy of exploring in The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark. The most obvious is the fear of the dark that many children (and adults J) experience.  Use this book as a spring board to discuss that fear (or any fear) and how Mr. Fish overcomes it (as well as other strategies for overcoming fears).  Also, this book is about keeping promises.  The protagonist perseveres despite his worries until he fulfills his vow.  Finally, it is a lesson in friendship.  Mr. Fish helps Ms. Clam.  Miss Shimmer and Mr. Lantern assist Mr. Fish.  A whole gang of friends come to celebrate the recovered pearl. 

The Pout Pout Fish (Deborah Diesen)

Author Deborah Diesen has created a delightful marine character—Mr. Fish.  His oceanic world is vibrant and captivating.  

The books’ themes are relevant for children—being scared of the dark and dealing with negativity.   For teachers, these selections are ideal for an ocean or a poetry unit.   

The skillful uses of alliteration, rhyme, word play, and repetition make The Pout-Pout Fish and The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark pleasurable read-out-loud books—perfect for choral reading!  The target audience is ages 3-7. 

The Pout-Pout Fish    

 Story Summary:

Deep in the ocean a “glum gloomy” fish swims grumpily through the water with an “ever-present pout.”   He declares:

I’m a pout-pout fish

With a pout-pout face,

So I spread the dreary –wearies

All over the place.

Blub.  Bluuub.  Bluuuuuuub.

Various sea creatures—clam, jellyfish, squid, and octopus—try to convince him that his grouchy attitude is unattractive and unpleasant.  They implore him to be optimistic and amiable.    Mr. Fish agrees.  Nevertheless, he insists that it is not up to him.  He believes his pout-pout face destines him to be gloomy and bad-tempered.  Everything changes when a “bright and brilliant swimmer” approaches Mr. Fish.  Instead of trying to encourage him to change his attitude, she plants a kiss right on his pout-pout lips!  Mr. Fish has an epiphany…he is a “kiss-kiss fish with a kiss-kiss face.”   He realizes his destiny is to spread “cherry-cheeries” wherever he goes!   

Evaluation:

The Pout-Pout Fish can be used to discuss negative attitudes.   Many children go through a complaining stage.  Everyone encounters difficult people.  This narrative illustrates the effect that pessimistic outlooks have on others and how random acts of kindness can help turn things around.   The story illustrates another significant lesson.   A physical feature or personal characteristic can be viewed (or used) either positivity or negatively.  Children can learn to recognize what may appear to be a handicap or hindrance can be a blessing!  It is all about perspective. 

More Teaching Idea Links for The Pout-Pout Fish:
Across the Curriculum Ideas
Preschool Sea Life Lesson Plans
Fish Activities