#2 All Around Me I See

Title: All Around Me I See

Author: Laya Steinberg

Illustrator: Cris Arbo

Publishing company: Dawn Publications

Copyright Date: 2005

No. of pages: 30

Genre/category: picture book

        I chose this book because it is all about nature and I like being outside. This book is all about the different things you would see in nature. A family is getting ready to go on a hike and the little girl talks about the things she sees and dreams about during the hike . The book discusses things you would see outside such as a river, rocks, leafs, grass, wind, and the forest. It tells what their purposes is such as a rock is an island for a frog.

    

       The illustrations in this story are very rich in detail. Many of them look as if they  are painted with water based paint. The pictures are very colorful and  would stand out to kids.

      This book would be good to use for kids ages three to eight. It would be good to use during a science lesson to introduce nature.  It would also be good to get kids started using their imagination to describe the purpose of things in nature and what they see. Another connection to the classroom would be for children to talk or write about something they have seen outside. The story could also be used for vocabulary comprehension. It also uses a few rhyming words. This book does not have any awards listed.

#1 Knuffle Bunny

Title: Knuffle Bunny
Author: Mo Willems
Illustrator: Mo Willems
Publishing Company: Hyperion Books
Copyright date: 9/1/2004
# of pages: 36

Genre/Category: Picture Book

          This book was chosen for me by Mrs. Strain; she read the book to the class. The book was about a toddler named Trixie and her stuffed animal named Knuffle Bunny. Trixie went on an errand with her father to the laundry mat. On the way home she realized she had forgotten Knuffle bunny at the laundry mat. She tried to tell her father that her bunny was missing but he just didn’t understand her. After a tough walk home; her mommy asked where is Knuffle Bunny. The family then ran back to the laundry mat and found her bunny. Her first words were Knuffle Bunny.
          The illustrations were mixed between digital photographs of New York City overlaid with hand drawn sketches. The digital pictures were in sepia tone. The illustrator used pastel colors along with word bubbles to make the pages pop. The word bubbles signified what Trixie was trying to say to her father.
            This picture book is appropriate for a younger audience such as second graders and younger. I would use this book in a preschool or kindergarten classroom. I would use it to teach children how to communicate effectively; use words when they want something or upset about something instead of crying or yelling. This book would also be a fun way to have students create an alternate ending. What if Trixie didn’t find Knuffle Bunny? Who has her bunny? Where is Knuffle Bunny living now? Does Knuffle Bunny miss Trixie or is he having fun at his new home? Another way I would incorporate this book in my classroom is to explain the lost and found process. If a student finds something that does not belong to them they need to bring it to the lost and found. Someone may be looking for their lost item and will go to the lost and found looking for it. It is very upsetting to lose something that you love so much like Trixie lost Knuffle Bunny.