Written by Philip C. Stead; Illustrated by Erin E. Stead
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Amos McGee Misses the Bus Written by Philip C. Stead; Illustrated by Erin E. Stead When A Sick Day for Amos McGee, written and illustrated by the Steads, won the Caldecott Medal for best picture book in 2011 I wasn’t won over by my first reading. Somehow during the process of reading it sixteen times to my library classes, I found myself falling into this dear, tender story of Amos McGee, the zookeeper, and the animals he cares for. Through muted colored pencil drawings set on quiet pages, a whole world opened up of such love and friendship between the characters. So when I read that there was a sequel to this precious picture book, I waited patiently to borrow a copy of Amos McGee Misses the Bus. It was worth the wait. Ten years later I once again fell into the tender world of Amos McGee and his animal friends. Again, the illustrations are perfectly delicate, muted, detailed and expressive. Again, as reader, we follow Amos as he rushes out of his home after a bad night’s sleep to greet his animal friends at the zoo. When they realize that he is over tired, the animals take up his chores. When he awakens and finds that all has been taken care of he takes them on an outing. The last illustration sums up their friendships and shares the utter contentment between the characters and the supreme satisfaction of sharing time with each other. These are quiet gems, akin to comfort foods, to be shared with your younger readers, (preschool through grades two).
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Atticus Caticus By Sarah Maizes; Illustrated by Kara Kramer The language in this picture book, which contains plays on the “at” sound and rhyming words, begs to be read aloud to toddlers and preschoolers. It’s a delight! The boy and the cat are very playful as they go throughout their morning, afternoon and nighttime routines. It would make a sweet bedtime story book. It would also make a great kindergarten literacy read aloud focusing on repetitive sounds.
The Museum of Everything By Lynne Rae Perkins When I was in my school library I instituted a bimonthly display of studentspersonal collections in a prominent display case in the entryway to the library. It was enjoyed by those third graders who put their things on display and everyone else who viewed it. This new picture book by Lynne Rae Perkins explodes this idea of collection displays into a bigger idea. If I were in the school now, I would institute a “Museum of Everything” for every grade with rotating topics throughout the school year. Perkins offers so many possibilities for one to display; a museum of islands, bushes, hiding places,shadows… Her purpose in writing this book and sharing these museum ideas is a much bigger one. Perkins believes that, “the world gets too big and too loud and too busy.” Her remedy for this is to create museums where you can, “look at little pieces of it, one at a time.” She offers a way to slow and quiet down, practice mindfulness and thus to celebrate the wonders of our world. I think it’s a great idea that teachers should use and Perkins makes it easy for teachers to do this on her blog entry
https://lynnerae.com/2021/09/29/make-your-own-museum/ and with her Museum of Everything teachers guide at https://lynnerae.com/the-museum-of-everything-educators-guide/ It’s worth a look. |
Author For 29 years I had the best job as School Librarian in the Aaron Kushner Library for grades Pre K-3 at the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston. Although I am retired, I remain Lori the Librarian. Archives
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