Actual Size by S. Jenkins

Title: Actual size / by Steve Jenkins.

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin, p2004, c2004

ISBN-13: 978-0-547-51291-4 
Interest/Reading Level: K-3/ 3.2  

Book Summary:

You have to see it to believe it. That is what they say right? Jenkins understand this to a fault. Children need to touch, explore, see, and do to understand. Jenkins' Actual Size takes children into the world of animals from a true size point of view, ostrich eggs really are that big, and yes there are butterflies that are as big as birds! Young readers will love the paper-cut illustrations, and even Jenkin's choice of animals are conversation starters!

My thoughts:
 Know the feeling when you stand at the foot of a dinosaur skeleton for the first time and you think, wow they really are big? This is exactly how little readers feel when holding this book. My son loved putting his head up against the bear's head or placing his hand on the gorillas. This is a one of those wonderful rereadables. Kids will ask for it again and again. I love that even the colors and textures seem so realistic that you feel as if you are sitting in a zoo looking at real animals. This is a must have for any children's collection and has instantly become a favorite of mine! 

Library Toolbox of tips and tricks:

Make a ruler!

This book is about seeing things as they are. How tall is an elephant? A Bear? The principle? Create a life large ruler from floor to ceiling in the library. As students research the size of something they can put a picture on the ruler with their name. This is a great way to get the entire school working together to see how many things are the same and ways they are different!

References:

 

Image: Actual Size [cover image] Retrieved from: 

     http://reader.follettebooks.com/books/55289?div=1&cust=1000

Knuffle Bunny : a cautionary tale by Mo Willems.

Title: Knuffle Bunny : a cautionary tale

Author:  Mo Willems.

Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children, p2004, c2004

ISBN-13: 978-0-7868-1870-9

ISBN-10: 0-7868-1870-0

Interest/Reading Levels: Grades K-3/1.9

Book Summary:

In the words of the famous Will Smith, “Parents JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND!”  This tale cautions parents to pay close attention to the faces of their children, because more often than not, it is the face not words that are saying something! Darling toddler Trixie is off the Laundromat with daddy. When it is time to leave however, readers will immediately notice dear Trixie’s “Knuffle Bunny” is still sitting in the Laundromat window. Trixie tries desperately to get Daddy to understand her despair! "AGGLE FLAGGLE KLABBLE,” she repeats to him to no avail! Trixie pulls out every stop card she knows from throwing a fit, to going limp to get Daddy to listen.  Daddy however just becomes frazzled  and embarrassed not know what the screaming child wants.  Readers need not despair however, as the moment they arrive home mommy notices right away and asks simply, “where is Knuffle Bunny?”  Of course the family hightails it back to the Laundromat to Trixie’s utter relief.

My Thoughts:

This is the absolute BEST book!   My son and I have read this over and over since the first time I introduced it to him last week and every time we laugh our heads off.   Williams is a master at making illustrations tell a story.  The story follows a wonderful sequence as Trixie and Daddy head out into the community for the day.  Even the youngest readers will pick up on how the same areas are passed each time to and from the Laundromat.  Every parent will relate to the ordeal of having a screaming child and every adult bystander will relate to watching it.  Father’s will nod at the “ah ha” moment when it is finally established what is wrong, and mother’s will smile knowingly at the facial expressions.  All of us at one time or another has had those strong feelings of frustration over loosing a “knuffle” of some sort, and this book portrays that frustration perfectly.             

Library Toolbox of Tips and Tricks:                                                                                               All in the Face:                                                       Knuffle Bunny is all about facial expressions! Work with Kindergarten students to pick out all the different facial expressions in the book. Take a picture of each of the students pointing to the face in the book and them making the same one. Then create a power-point book “Jenny’s face is angry!” "Kale's face is surprised!"  Then post the power-point the library T.V’s on a loop.  Students will LOVE to rush to the library to see who's face is flashing a new expression!

We all had Knuffles!

 Ask students to bring in, draw a picture of, or tell about their “Knuffle” growing up! I bet everyone had a favorite toy at some point!  My little Kale’s is a UNT stuffed eagle!

References:

Image: Knuffle Bunny [cover image]. Retrieved from: 

     http://www.titlewave.com/cover?FLR=21033Q6&

     SID=2dcbeefa5ae31261c2c9e6cc10abccd8&type=cover