Snowballs by Lois Ehlert

I know, it is still February and this should be a Black History month post, but if you live in the Northeastern part of the USA, you are experiencing yet another snow storm (well it is still winter, and remember the groundhog from the February 2 post?).  So here is a great book to spark some activities to do with your young ones.  Time to clean out the collection of buttons, ribbons, paper, crayons and other crafty items to keep them busy while the snow falls, until they can get outside and make their own snowballs. Bird watching would be a fun activitiy as well.  Be sure to have the binoculars (and camera) handy. Here is a create your own Lois Ehlert bird activity.  I love this author's books for her stories and clever illustrations.  An interview with the author would be a fun video to share as well. It could be a very long few days with your kids. Have fun with it!

More Than Anything Else by Marie Bradby

This inspiring, fictionalized story, based on the early life of Booker T. Washington, provides experiences in figurative language, cause and effect, as well as distingusing between fact and opinion in the discussions and conversations during and after the read aloud session. The author has a website to check out. Filled with beautiful illustrations, interpretation of things like the meaning of holding on to the frog and where the blue book came from add intrique to the story. Check out the illustrator, Chris Soentpiet's link. Connections to other texts are many.

February is Black History Month - Ruby Bridges

Where does one start with the many books on this topic?  Check out a few to share with your children about a very different time in American history.
Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges talks about her experiences as schools were integrated in the deep South in the early 1960s. Independent reading level of mid grade 5, it would be appropriate to share and discuss with many ages.
She tells her story in her website on the foundation work as well. Check out a cute YouTube video with authentic photos as well.

The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles is an easier read, presented as an interactive Read Aloud to younger children, has great illustrations as well. Be sure to share authentic photos from the time frame with your youngsters.  Who can forget seeing the illustration from Norman Rockwell, depicting this historical event as well?

February is Black History Month - Jackie Robinson

Here is a wonderful resource for lessons, activities, links, etc. on every imaginable topic, person and event.

In a related book, check out In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

Here is an historical fiction that has memorable characters.  Starting with humor, but has some tragedy, it provides thoughtful reflection on events that have shaped our country, not so long ago. There is a substantial reading guide available for this novel in a classroom setting, although it is a great book for young adolescents to read and discuss as a family. There is a blog available as well. An online quiz of facts and events is motivating for kids. There are two YouTube videos that will help to provide background (schema) and motivation for reading.

Another title, Bud, Not Buddy, by the same author, gives readers more experience with historical fiction in another time in the past. Classroom activities are available for this title as well.  An autor study would be a great opportunity for readers to examine style, character, and theme. Check out this author.

February is Black History Month - Wilma Rudolph

Born prematurely and plagued with illness, this young girl developed into a powerful athlete. On September 7th, 1960, in Rome, Wilma became the first American woman to win 3 gold medals in the Olympics. She won the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, and ran the anchor on the 400-meter relay team. This achievement led her to become one of the most celebrated female athletes of all time. In addition, her celebrity caused gender barriers to be broken in previously all-male track and field events. Share the life and accomplishments of this famous American with your young learners.
Take a look at these discussion points and activities, timely with the Olympics going on now. This provides a great introduction to the genre of biography.

Squids Will Be Squids by Jon Sczieska

A very funny book, with a strange twist on fables.  This author Jon Sczieska and illustrator, Lane Smith, provide a forum for learning about fables in a wacky way.  Whether it is this book, or his many others, such as The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, Math Curse, or The Stinky Cheese Man, older children will be intrigued and entertained by the trademark sense of humor. Students can write their own "fractured" fairy tales or strange fables and post online at the Scholastic website. Sczieska has a great website - Guys Read, which outlines books that "guys" will enjoy. There is also another, Boys Read, which has titles, graphics, etc of interest. These two sites, along with the books by Sczieska, give young adolescents a resource for searching interesting, relevant and uninque books to encourage reading.

Try this goofy, exccentric, quirky book with your readers.