Feed Me Books Friday: Which Would You Vote For?

Considering the Nominations

This week (May 2-May 8) is Children’s Book Week. Originally an effort in 1919 by the librarian for the Boy Scouts of America to improve the quality of children’s books, Children’s Book Week has since been overseen by the Children’s Book Council and the Every Child a Reader Program, a philanthropic effort on behalf of the children’s publishing industry. Prior to Children’s Book Week, children can participate in voting on-line or through classroom and library events for the books nominated for the Children’s Choice Book Awards. Books are nominated in five categories: 3 age ranges plus author and illustrator of the year categories. We requested the 5 titles in B’s age range and the 5 illustration nominations from our library so we could submit an educated vote (and share our thoughts with you). I’m curious – are you familiar with these? Did you vote? Even if you didn’t, what would your choice have been?


Book of the Year K-2

Shark Vs Train by Chris Barton

Very clever comparison story based on the premise of two boys playing with toys (a shark and a train) and discussing who would win. What is both entertaining and educational is the discovery that the nature of the contest has a very significant role in the outcome. A shark might eat more pies but a train would be a more popular carnival ride, for example.

Little Pink Pup by Johanna Kerby

This is the true story of a runt piglet adopted by the family dog and raised in an unusual way. The book is illustrated with photographs, which accents its non-fiction appeal. The story is cute on a literal level yet just below the surface is a powerful message on accepting differences in others.

Even Monsters Need Haircuts by Matthew McElligott

While the imagination and humor involved in this story are entertaining, I have to say it may be a little more than some younger children are ready for. The story itself is not the least bit menacing or threatening. A little boy takes over his father’s barber shop at night and provides haircuts to a parade of monsters and other fantastic creatures. While neither the text or the illustrations intend to make the monsters scary, the prospect of explaining each type of monster (Frankenstein, medusa, werewolf) to my preschooler who is yet unfamiliar with these specific characters was enough to make me think twice about sharing this one with B.

How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills

In this endearing story, Rocket the puppy unwittingly finds himself the student of an eager to teach bird who is enamored with reading and the alphabet. Rocket is initially disinterested in her lessons, but she lures him in by reading aloud from an enticing story. He is soon practicing letters, spelling, and reading, even though the bird must fly south for winter. He eagerly anticipates her return and resuming his studies. Appealing to book lovers and reluctant readers alike, Rocket really demonstrates the power and joy of reading.
 Hot Rod Hamster by Cynthia Lord

This book is an interesting combination of text styles. As the hamster goes about assembling a hot rod, there are bouncy, almost Suess-like rhymes posing choices in the decision making process. Children can use the rhymes as well as the illustrations to interact with the story. Between choices, the story progresses through the use of cartoon call-out style dialogue between the hamster and other animals. The many facets of this book allow it to appeal to a wide audience.


Illustrator of the Year

Robin Preiss Glasser for Fancy Nancy and the Fabulous Fashion Boutique
Detailed drawings and lots of action make these illustrations study-worthy.

Nancy Tillman for Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You
At once surreally-magical and disarmingly realistic, the illustrations are truly works of art.

Mo Willems for Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion
The combination of cartoonish drawings superimposed on realistic photographs is intriguing and entertaining. Willems also has a brilliant talent for using cartoon characters’ faces to express a huge range of emotions.

Loren Long for Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters
The illustrations of this ode to patriotism and childhood are just the right combination of peaceful and invigorating and whimsical.

David Wiesner for Art & Max
The creativity and imagination present in these illustrations is undeniable. The story is completely intertwined with the unfolding of the artwork, and each page’s illustration is part of the progress of the experience.


Our Choices:

How Rocket Learned to Read appealed to both B and I because of his current anticipation of kindergarten and my soft-spot for any one (or any bird) that can teach another to love reading.


David Wiesner is truly a genius illustrator and we couldn’t help buy enjoy and appreciate the thought, creativity, and talent evident in Art & Max. It’s the kind of art that while I might not aspire to duplicate, I am inspired to attempt a creative outlet of my own.


So – have you read these? Share your thoughts, your vote, or which you’re most intrigued to go find.


I have a request – each year for mother’s day I try to find a book that captures something special about the experience of being a mother or the relationship between mother and child. Last year I picked, Mother, Mother I Want Another. Haven’t decided for this year… suggestions?

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Election Reading Materials...

...For Your Kids

It’s Election Day across the country, and while Mr. Obama’s job is safe (for now), there are several heated gubernatorial, congressional, and senatorial elections in the news, not to mention local elections and ballot measures. Good Morning America called it the “wildest election ever.” Now, I will start with two important points: first, I am not a political blogger, and second, I find the nastiness present in some campaign ads and political media downright revolting. However, being a citizen of a democracy and instilling civic values are important to me, so I wanted to share Election Day with B to the extent that he can understand it.


Why do We Vote?


I wanted to share some political coverage with Bradley (mostly maps and photos on-line, with a few pre-viewed news videos on local candidates and issues). We also took a look at some websites aimed at kids, including Ben’s Guide (a publication of the Government Printing Office), Congress for Kids (aimed at slightly older kids, but gave me some talking points), and The Democracy Project (designed for election 2008 but still relevant information on government and election processes).


A Campaign Tale

Feeling like he was having trouble processing all these bits of information together, I went digging through my boxes of books hauled home when I packed up my classroom. (Then I gave myself a congratulatory pat on the back for remembering just the right book and locating it in a mostly organized way among the ten, yes 10, boxes of books stashed in my house.) B is always excited for a new book, so we sat down to enjoy Vote! by Eileen Christelow. The main text of each page explains the campaign and election process in a factual way. The illustrations are comic-like, with multi-panel storyboards on some pages. Through these storyboards, the tale of a fictional mom’s campaign for mayor is told from the perspective of her dog. Some of the details and humor were over B’s head, so I selectively left out some of the conversation bubbles. But he did enjoy the dog’s narration and I think feeling the dog’s connection to the candidate made him a little more invested in the result. In just 41 colorful and entertaining pages, Christelow explains the basics of platforms, campaigns, ads, political parties, debates, fundraising, polls, ballots, and returns. She even gives a little background on political efficacy and historical voting rights. The book also includes a voting glossary, a voting rights timeline, political party FAQs, and a list of useful web resources.


Putting it in Action


When we finished our reading, research, and lunch, I took the boys along with me to cast my vote at my local polling place. B was duly impressed by the large registration books and voting equipment, and after a look at my ballot inside the booth, happily entertained T in the stroller while I paged through my markings in my sample ballot. He proudly sported his “I Voted” sticker in the grocery store (I would have too, but T pulled mine of and rolled it into a ball while I strapped him in his carseat).

Appropriate for preschoolers, primary grades.
How ‘bout you? Did you vote? Did you share it with your kids? Please leave your opinions about the candidates or ballot issues out, but share your opinions about the process.
Don’t forget, you have until tomorrow to enter the giveaway I posted last week!
I’m linking up at ABC and 123’s Show and Tell, See you Friday for Feed Me Books Friday.

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