The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Title: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Author: Eric Carle was born in Syracuse, New York in 1929. This book is his most popular selling over 33 million copies.

Publisher: Philomel (1994)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: 1-4

Brief Synopsis: This is a story about a caterpillars journey through life to become a butterfly.

Theme/Skill: Math/Counting/cycle of a caterpillar

Pre-activity: Have the students predict what they think this book is going to be about from just looking at the cover of the book. I will then have some of the students share their responses and write them on the board.

Post-activity: Have the students create a venn diagram comparing what they thought the book was going to be about compared to what the book was actually about.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:

I like this book because it takes you through the journey of a caterpillar before it becomes a butterfly. I also enjoy the illustrations and pop-ups throughout the story. Pop-ups are very engaging to students. I feel it is a great book for elementary students.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Title: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Author: Bill Martin Jr is the author of more than 300 children's books. Eric Carle has illustrated more than 70 books, many were best sellers.

Publisher: Henry Holy and Co. BYR Paperbacks (2008)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: 1-3

Brief Synopsis: This is a story about a bear who sees a different animal and than that animal sees another animal. The storyline takes you on a journey through different types of animal colors.

Theme/Skill: Teaching children the different types of animals and colors those animals have/Sequencing/Order/Mathematics

Pre-activity: Have the students create an animal that is mentioned in the book. Then put the animal on a popsicle stick and when the animal is mentioned throughout the story the student must hold up that animal.

Post-activity: Have the students write the order of each animal and what that animal saw in order as the book. Then as a class we will go over the students list. After that I will have the students stand in line in order of when there animal that they created was mentioned in the story. This will happen as I read the story again to the class.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:

I enjoy reading this book because of the illustrations that fit the script of the story. This story provides easy predicting the next rhyme. I also like how it helps children learn different animals and this story helps children learn their colors. This story also provides participation for students.

Best Counting Book Ever

Title: Best Counting Book Ever

Author: Richard Scarry is an American children's author and illustrator who published over 300 books. He was born on June 5, 1919 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Publisher: Sterling (2010)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: 1-2

Brief Synopsis: This book introduces numbers and counting from one to one hundred, as Willy the bunny counts all the things he sees in one day. For example one day he counts two eggs on his daddy's plate.

Theme/Skill: Counting/ Math

Pre-activity: As a class we will count to 100 together aloud.

Post-activity: Have the students use their favorite number only using numbers 1-100 and create a page so that the class can put together a number book using everyones number. The students must include an illustration that goes along with their number they chose.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:
I think this is a great book to help children learn numbers. There are so many different activities an elementary teacher can use to go along with the story. I also like how the students can participate throughout the story by counting the objects throughout the story.

How Many Mice?

Title: How Many Mice?

Author: Michael Garland graduated from Pratt Institute in 1974. He began his career as an illustrator, he since has written and illustrated books. He has illustrated several enchanting picture books, that include The Mouse Before Christmas. Garland lives in Patterson, New York.

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (2007)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: K-2

Brief Synopsis: Ten hungry mice set out in a mission to find some food, facing hazards and dangers along the way. As you are reading along on each page there is a question for the student to answer.

Theme/Skill: Counting and using mathematical skills. Math & Language Arts

Pre-activity: Use a real life explain to introduce counting and how often we use it throughout the day. For example have the students go around the room and count a certain object that is in the classroom. (desks, computers, chairs....)

Post-activity: Each student will create a number book using the number 1-10. When each student has finished they will then share their number books with the class.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:
I think this is a great book for teachers to use to introduce numbers. This book does not only introduce the numbers 1-10, but it also shows the importance of counting in everyday life. It follows a sequence and uses appropriate speech patterns. The collages of scanned fabrics provide interesting patterns and textures. Overall, this is a great book for students!

Ten Red Apples

Title: Ten Red Apples

Author: Pat Hutchins is an English illustrator and writer. She was born on June 18, 1942 the sixth of seven children. Her first book called Rosie's Walk won the ALA Notable in 1968. She has written five novels and twenty-five picture books.

Publisher: Greenwillow Books (2000)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: 1-2

Brief Synopsis: This is a story about ten apples that start off on a tree. Every time an animal comes by one disappears. This continues to happen until all the apples are gone. This because a problem for the farmers wife because their are no apples for her to make an apple pie, until they see another apple tree in the distance.

Theme/Skill: Counting/ Math and Language Arts/ Long Vowel Sounds

Pre-activity: As a class we will create a concept map describing an apple.

Post-activity: Have the students create a number book using their favorite type of fruit. When each child is finished they will read their book aloud to the class. I will then hang the books up around the room.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:
Overall, I feel the children will really enjoy this story in the fall. The illustrations consist of bright colors. Since fall is about apples and making apple pie. There are a lot of pre and post activities that teachers can use to go along with this story. This story can provides a self-confidence booster for beginner readers.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

Title: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

Author: Laura Numeroff recieved a total of seven different types of awards for her work. Her first honor was from California Young Reader Medal in 1987.

Publisher: HaperCollins (1985)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: K-2

Brief Synopsis: This story is about a little boy who gives a mouse a cookie. The storyline takes you through the day of a little boy and a mouse, which in turn asks for various other favors.

Theme/Skill: Language Arts and Math/ Graphing and using correct grammar when creating a timeline/ Beginner Readers

Pre-activity: Create a graph as a class based on the topic: Favorite Types of Cookies: Chocolate Chip Cookies, Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Cookies, and Oreos. The teacher will take the students votes by using a tally chart. Then the teacher will create the graph with the students assistance.

Post-activity: Have the students complete the given worksheet that consits of fill in the blank using pictures.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:

I feel this is a great story for children to use their imagination throughout the book. This book can be used with a wide range of ages. This story uses appropriate vocabulary for all grade levels. I also feel that there are many activities teachers can use pre or post reading this story. I also like this book because it follows a sequence of events.