I will post Reader Reviews as I receive them and then keep a running list of your reviews on the Reader Review page.
I'll also let you know when your review is published so you can send the link to your family and friends.
Be sure and subscribe to Wondersome Storytime so that you can receive all of the latest Reader Reviews and Storytime posts and lesson plan ideas.
Reader Review: A Weekend With Wendell
Kay Kindall
kaysjoytoyou.com
Retired Kindergarten Teacher
A Weekend with Wendell
Author and Illustrator: Keven Henkes
A Brief Synopsis of the Book: Wendall Mouse is invited to stay for the weekend with Sophie Mouse. He takes great pleasure in making Sophie unhappy by taking over each activity playing the most important character. For example he plays the baker and she has to be the sweet roll. Sophie is quite anxious for Wendall to leave until she decides to take over herself. They do begin to have fun after all.
Why Do You Love This Book: I love the book because it is perfect for discussing manners and making and being a friend.
The class could rewrite the story or act it out with Kevin making more appropriate choices. Also they might want to discuss what happened when Sophie asserted herself.
Reader Review: Bailey Goes Camping
Kay Kindall
kaysjoytoyou.com
Retired Kindergarten Teacher
Bailey Goes Camping
Author and Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Greenwillow Books (April 24, 1997)
A Brief Synopsis of the Book : When Baily the rabbit's older sister and brother go camping, Baily is very sad because he wants to go too. Who wouldn't want to roast hot dogs and marshmallows and sleep in a tent? His parents solve the problem by setting up a camping experience right at home including all the special things his sister and brother will be doing.
Why Do You Love This Book : I like this book because it encourages using the imagination and involving the parents, both so necessary in your child's development. You could act out this story or make up one of your own. How about playing store, school, doctor or carnival? With the TV turned off wonderful things can happen.
Reader Review - Hero Second Class
LeeAnn Bonds
leeannbonds.com
Hero Second Class
Author: Mitchell Bonds
A Brief Synopsis of the Book: Do you love fantasy adventures? Puns? Self-narrating clueless heroes? What about a dragon who can tell if you misspell his name when you speak it? Read "Hero Second Class" for the story of an aspiring hero learning the ropes of his chosen career. He makes exotic friends and toxic enemies on his quest to attain to full Hero status. This is Mitch's first novel, written when he was just 18 years old. The sequel is even now being finished, and should be available for reading later this year.
Why Do You Love This Book : Well, I love this book first because my kid wrote it! But it's a fantastic fantasy, and no kidding about that. It celebrates--and makes fun of--all the standard fantasy cliches and stereotypes, while telling a rollicking good story that will have your whole family laughing (and probably groaning--lots of puns) out loud. Written from a Christian worldview, this book is great for reading aloud, or silently in any place where it's okay if you suddenly start laughing.
Reader Review - Carl's Afternoon in the Park
Horace Glump
HoraceGlump.com
Woodsedge Home School
Carl's Afternoon in the Park
Author and Illustrator: Alexandra Day
A Brief Synopsis of the Book : I first discovered this author/illustrator in her book Good Dog, Carl
where Carl is askied to watch the baby and keep her out of mischief. In Carl's Afternoon in the Park
, Carl has two charges, the baby and a puppy. As the moms enjoy their tea, Carl and his small charges explore the park. They ride the carousel, ride the train, pose for pictures and find a little mischief along the way.Why Do You Love This Book : As an artist myself I can appreciate how the artist creates word pictures that are easily understood by children of all ages ( including this big kid). Each of Alexandra Day's paintings show detailed chapters of Carl's day with his friends. Take your time with this book perusing each page for the little details that make a good story. Use the illustrations as a starting point to make up your own dialogue between the characters.
Glumpism: Want to see a magical new world? Try viewing things through a child's eyes.
Thanks, Horace - great book choice. I love your Glumpism; what a joy to look at life that way.
Reader Review: Mailing May
Britta Johnson
Education and Family Sciences major at the University of Idaho
Grade: K-2
Mailing May
Author: Michael O. Tunnel, Illustrator: Ted Rand
A Brief Synopsis of the Book : In 1914, May really wants to visit her grandmother. Her parents had promised her a trip, but the train ticket costs a full day's wages. So her parents develop a creative scheme to "mail" her there, and she rides through the Idaho mountains in the Postal car of the train.
Why Do You Love This Book : Growing up my parents exuded creativity in the ways they provided for the needs of my family. This charming tale of a hard working family who gets creative with the resources at hand brings me back to my childhood. I love this story for the life attitude that it teaches young readers. Sometimes we just have to think outside of the box! I also enjoy the historical information that it offers the reader.
Thanks Britta! This is one of my favorites. I especially love Ted Rand's beautiful illustrations.
Reader Review: The Giant Jam Sandwich
Faye Spieker
Taught Kindergarten and Subbed k-12
The Giant Jam Sandwich
Story and pictures by John Vernon Lord, verses by Janet Burroway
A Brief Synopsis of the Book : The villagers in Itching Down had four million wasps fly into town. The problem was getting rid of the buzzing pests. Bap the Baker comes up with a great suggestion. Make a giant jam sandwich and trap them in it. With rhyme and humor the tale of how this is accomplished completes the story.
Why Do You Love This Book : My kindergarteners loved this book. My son loved it so he memorized the entire thing at age three. It has lots of fun humor, but most of all the words rhyme and have a great rhythm. "Thump it, bump it, bang it about" Lots of activities can be brought out from it, from making bread with ready made dough and jam tasting, to learning about the insects.
Thanks Faye! I'm off to the library to check this book out. I can't wait to read it.
Reader Reviews - The Big Orange Splot
Kay Kindall- Retired Teacher, Kindergarten
Peralta School, Phoenix, AZThe Big Orange Splot by D. Manus Pinkwater
This is the story of Mr Plumbean, who lived on a perfectly neat street. One day a sea gull flew by and dropped a can of orange paint on Mr. Plumbean's house. Of course this upset his neighbors very much. One night Mr Plumbean painted his house. The neighbors woke up to a most bright and colorful house, like a rainbow, a jungle, an explosion. They were furious. Mr. Plumbean continues to be his creative self. His answer was always, "My house is me and I am it. My house is where I like to be and it looks like all my dreams. The story continues to such a fun and surprising climax. You will want to read it again and again.
I truly enjoy reading this book because I love the bright colors and the very creative vocabularly. I'm always looking for a teaching moment. It builds to such a surprise and leads to good discussion about not being afraid to be yourself. A great activity to follow would be to have each child draw a picture of their make-believe house and write or tell about their dreams.
Thanks Kay, for the great recommendation.
