Where the Wild Things Are

Sendak, M. (1963). Where the
Wild Things Are. New York:
Harper & Row. 

Where the Wild Things Are
Written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak
Harper & Row
New York, New York
1963
48 pages

Over the years, this fantastical story of a little boy whose imagination carries him to a fantastical land, has become iconic in children's literature. In this Caldecott Medal winner, anything is possible. 

Max is a little boy, and just like most little boys, he has a wild imagination. His mother is tired of his antics, so she sends Max to bed without supper - but, suddenly, a forest grows in his bedroom and he is taken away to the land of the Wild Things. The Wild Things make Max their king. After frolicking and romping around with the Wild Things for a while, Max lets go of the anger he has towards his mother and begins to feel lonely, wanting to go back to where "someone loved him best of all". 

Sendak's writing is free-flowing and whimsical, giving the story a dream-like feeling that seems to mirror the "organic flow of the child's mind" (scholastic). The illustrations and text are enrapturing, sure to captivate any young reader. Purchase the book here.

Classroom discussion topics/ideas:

• If you were the king of the wild things, how would you feel? Write a diary from the point of view of the King of the Wild Things.
• Write a sequel where Max returns to see the Wild Things. 
• Sendak uses "terrible" to describe the wild things repeatedly. Why did he use the word so many times? Can you think of any synonyms? 

Lesson plans & more

Consider watching the movie with your kiddos! See the trailer below. 

The Gardener

Stewart, S. (1997). The
gardener. New York: Farrar
Straus Giroux.

The Gardener

By Sarah Stewart

Illustrated by David Small

Farrar Straus Giroux

New York, New York

1997

40 pages

The year is 1935. Lydia Grace Finch is a young flower lover who, forced by the hard times of the Great Depression, must leave her family to go live with her Uncle Jim, a grumpy baker, in an unfamiliar city. She packs her suitcase with seeds and off she goes. In the city, Lydia finds a place to call her own - the rooftop of the building her uncle's bakery is in. She decides to plant a beautiful garden with one goal - to get Uncle Jim to smile. With enthusiasm and optimism, she works to bring a little bit of the farm back home to her new city home - slowly, as she makes friends with neighbors and bakery employees, Sarah brings the rooftop to life - but will she win Uncle Jim's smile?

This is a wonderful book to read aloud. David Small's illustrations are wonderfully evocative - sometimes deeply moving and other times gently humorous. They are smoothly drawn and reflect the time period well. 

This story is told through Lydia's letters home, making it a great book for a mentor text lesson on letter writing, probably for younger students. The book can also be used with older students, though, to discuss the implications of the Great Depression. 

Purchase the book here.

Literature Guide

A Teacher's Guide to The Gardener

Sarah, Plain and Tall

MacLachlan, P. (1985).
Sarah, plain and tall.
New York: Harper
& Row.  

Sarah, Plain and Tall

By Patricia McLachlan

Harper & Row

New York, New York

1985

96 pages

Winner of the 1986 Newbery Medal, the 1986 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, and the 1986 Golden Kite Award

Anna and Caleb live on the Kansas prairie with their papa. Their mother died from childbirth complications, and their house no longer feels like home now that Papa doesn't sing anymore. Papa puts an ad in the newspaper for a wife and mother. That's when Sarah comes from Maine to see if she and Papa might be compatible. She is, as the title suggests, plain and tall. Anna and Caleb wonder if they'll like her - will she sing? Will she stay? Sarah may be plain, but she is inwardly beautiful and brings lots of lovable qualities including patience, joy, and fun. She adapts to her new situation and Anna and Caleb fall more in love with Sarah every day, hoping that Papa will, too. 

This story, set in 1910 on the Kansas frontier, is simple but moving. It teaches lessons in loss and love and is a perfect short and simple book for early chapter book readers. Purchase the book here. 

Lesson Plans, Units, Worksheets, and Activities

Vocabulary from Sarah, Plain and Tall

Literature Focus Unit

Watch the 1991 movie adaptation!

Rapunzel

Zelinsky, P.,  Grimm, W., & Grimm, J. 
(1986). Rapunzel. New York: 
Dutton Children's Books.

Rapunzel
Originally published in German by Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm
Retold and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky
Published by Dutton's Children's Books
New York, New York
1987
48 pages

Winner of the Caldecott Medal

A man and his wife have only one sorrow - they do not have a child. When she finally becomes pregnant, the woman and her husband are elated. One day, while sitting by the window, the wife sees a bed of rapunzel herbs in the sorceress' garden. She craves it so badly that she fears she may die if she doesn't eat some. Her husband goes to fetch some for her but one day is caught by the sorceress. He tells the sorceress of his wife's pregnancy and serious craving for the herb and the sorceress agrees to give him as much as he needs - in return for the child. When the child is born the sorceress appears, names the child Rapunzel, and takes her away. When Rapunzel turns 12 years, the sorceress locks her in a high tower in the middle of the woods. Rapunzel's hair is so long that, in order to climb up, the sorceress only has to say, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair," and Rapunzel drops down her long braid for the sorceress to climb up. Rapunzel lives alone in the tower for years, until one day, a king's son hears her singing from the tower. He calls, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair," and enters the tower. They fall in love and are wed. When the sorceress finds out about the relationship and realizes that Rapunzel is pregnant she chops off all of Rapunzel's hair and casts her out into the wilderness. Rapunzel gives birth to twins; meanwhile, the sorceress has tricked the prince into climbing back up into the tower. She pushes him down to the ground - he does not die, but he is blinded. He wanders through the forest until finally he and Rapunzel find each other. She cries, her tears fall into his eyes, and he can see again. And you know the ending....they live happily ever after! Purchase the book here. 

My previous post, Rumpelstiltskin, was also written (or retold) and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky (clearly, he's awesome!). Like in Rumpelstiltkin, Rapunzel's illustrations are done in rich oil hues. They are absolutely exquisite and pieces of true art in and of themselves. A couple of the pages are entire spreads with no words that I could picture hanging in an art gallery somewhere. They are captivating and sure to rivet any reader, young or old. 

Classroom application ideas: 

• Watch Disney's Tangled (see trailer below) and do a comparing and contrasting activity with it and the book. 

• Learn about the herb "rapunzel". ("Rapunzel" is there German name. The English name is "rampion".) You can even order some so your students can taste it!

Rapunzel lesson plan

Rumpelstiltskin

Zelinsky, P.,  Grimm, W.,
& Grimm, J. (1986). Rumpelstiltskin. New
York: E.P. Dutton. 

Rumpelstiltskin
Originally published in German by Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm
Retold and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky
Published by E.P. Dutton
New York, New York
1986
48 pages

A Caldecott Medal award winner

A poor miller lies to the king that his daughter can spin straw into gold. The king is impressed and agrees that if she can truly do so, he will marry her. He calls for the girl and locks her in a tower with bales of straw and a spinning wheel, demanding that she spin all of the straw into gold by morning. The girl loses all hope until a strange creature enters the room and spins all of the straw into gold in exchange for her necklace. The next day, the king brings the girl to a larger room full of straw and makes the same demand. Again, the impish creature spins all of the straw into gold in exchange for the girl's ring. On the third day, the king brings the girl to yet a larger room - the girl has nothing left to pay the strange creature, but she promises him her firstborn child. Once again, he spins all the straw into gold. Keeping his promise, the king marries the girl. She bears him a child and the imp returns to claim his payment. The girl begs him to let her keep her child and the imp tells her that if she can guess his name within three days, she can keep her child. For the first two days, the girl fails. On the final night she goes out into the woods searching for him. She finds him dancing around a fire singing a chant that reveals his name... To find out what happens next,  purchase the book here! 

The illustrations in this book are exquisite. They are richly hued oil paintings that perfectly complement the smooth, simple telling of the story. The magical, fantastical story along with it's riveting illustrations are sure to captivate even the youngest of readers.

Classroom application ideas: 

• Break the story up into episodes or scenes. Divide students into groups and assign each group a scene/episode for them to re-tell or act out. This will get students thinking about sequencing, transitions, and dramatizing stories. Partake in a reader's theater!
• Have students write their own version of Rumpelstiltskin. Ideas: What would have happened if the girl had not guess Rumpelstiltskin's name correctly?, change the girl's character into a boy, change the time period and setting
• Do a science lesson on gold. Investigate the history of textile science. Watch videos on handspinning and visit the Joy of Handpsinning website. 

Watch the Rumpelstiltskin movie!

 

Shadow

Cendrars, B., & Brown, M.
(1982). Shadow. New York:
Charles Scribner's Sons.

Shadow
Translated and illustrated by Marcia Brown
Translated from the French poem La Féticheuse by Blaise Cendrars
Published by Charles Scribner's Sons
New York
1982
40 pages

Shadow lives in the forest. It prowls around fires and mingles with dancers; it does not sleep, it is always watching; Shadow is always Shadow, and it follows men everywhere. 

In this unique book, Shadow is portrayed as a person. The story tells about the African experience with Shadow and the life Shadow lives - what he is, what he isn't, what he does and doesn't do. Lyrical and somewhat eerie, Shadow brings to life the stories of present beliefs and past spirits evoked for the original author, Blaise Cendrars, by the village storytellers and shamans of Africa. 

Marcia Brown's illustrations are unique, vivid, and beautifully evocative of African atmosphere and the drama of a life enchanted by Shadow. Her illustrations are done in collage, making them unique and giving them a somewhat eerie feel. Though this book is recommended for children ages five to eight, I would carefully consider the child to whom you plan to share this book with. The lyrical text and evocative illustrations might be considered spooky for some, but with the right child, this book is a great way to introduce a different culture. 

Purchase the book here. 

Lesson idea: Read aloud Shadow by Blaise Cendrars (translated and illustrated by Marcia Brown). Have students connect the features and behavior of shadows with the actions of the character "Shadow." Discuss whether the text of the book is poetry. Why or why not? [Note: Preview this book before reading it in class, as the illustrations and imagery may be frightening for some students.]

(from readwritethink.org)

"Casting Shadows Across Literacy and Science", a unit lesson plan on shadows. 

Caldecott Medal

Three Years and Eight Months

Smith, I. (2013). Three years and
eight months. Manhattan Beach: East
West Discovery Press

Three Years and Eight Months

By Icy Smith

Illustrated by Jennifer Kindert

Published by East West Discovery Press

Manhattan Beach, California

2013

44 pages

Three Years and Eight Months is a compelling story of hardship and endurance based on true events. Told through the voice of a 10-year-old Chinese boy named Choi, the story takes place during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. One day when Choi gets to school all of the students are immediately sent home because of Japanese bombs descending on Hong Kong. Choi arrives home with his Uncle Kim only to see his mother dragged away by Japanese soldiers. Eventually Choi and his friend Taylor befriend a Japanese soldier named Watanabe-san, who offers the boys a job at the Japanese military station. One year then two years pass by and the boys are still working in the station and have secretly joined the resistance. Uncle Kim has gone off to work somewhere else - eventually he will reveal where. Finally, the United States calls for Japan's surrender... 

This book is a powerful account of the affects of war on an ordinary family. Jennifer Kindert's watercolor illustrations are spectacular and vividly depict the people's feelings of sadness, anxiety, and desperation. She pays close attention to detail in the uniforms, buildings, equipment, and even currency, taking the readers back in time to a far-off place. Some of the illustrations take up an entire page, others only half, and some just a small portion of the page. They are varied and beautiful and bring the story to life. Realistic and vivid, dark and gloomy, accurately representing the sentiments of the time. 

This book would be perfect for middle school classrooms that are learning about World War II. Though a picture book, the themes and content are deep and mature. The final two pages of the book include historical notes and photographs from the historic period from 1941-1945, providing great material for lessons and further research. 

Purchase the book here. 

15 national book awards including Moonbeam Children's Book Award, Foreword Reviews Book of The Year Award Gold Winner, Benjamin Franklin Award, CALA Best Book Award, and more.

Article: Massacre and Atrocities in Hong Kong during WWII

The Fall of Hong Kong

Video: Memories of Hong Kong: The Japanese Occupation

Kitten's First Full Moon

Henkes, K. (2004). Kitten's first full
moon. New York: Greenwillow
Books. 

Kitten's First Full Moon

Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes

Published by Greenwillow Books

New York

2004

40 pages

Kitten mistakes the moon for a bowl of milk - and she wants it! She tries and tries to reach the bowl of milk but ends up tired, hungry, and wet, until she finally gets her own, real bowl of milk. 

Kevin Henkes is a wonderful author of children's literature, known for almost 50 critically acclaimed books including Lilly's Purple Plastics Purse, Chrysanthemum, and more. Kitten's First Full Moon is one of his simpler books, intended for children as young as three. The text and illustrations are bold and simple, printed entirely in black and white. The illustrations, done in gouache and colored pencil, are extremely understated, feature bold, thick, dark lines, and express the changing emotions of the kitten simply but effectively.

Caldecott Medal
ALA Notable Children's Book
Charlotte Zolotow Award
Booklist Editors' Choice
Bulletin go the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon
Kirkus Review's Editors' Choice
Publishers Weekly Best Book
School Library Journal Best Book
New York Times Best Illustrated Book
Book Sense Top Ten Pick

Purchase the book here and visit Kevin Henkes' personal website to find out more about Kitten's First Full Moon and other books. The website also includes lesson plans and teacher resource guides, author interviews, an about the author video, and more. 

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

Gerstein, M. (2003). The man
who walked between the
towers. Brookfield:
Roaring Book Press.

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

Written and illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein 

Published by Roaring Book Press

Bookfield, Connecticut

2003

36 pages

This book is the beautiful true story of Philippe Petit, a young French aerialist, who once walked and danced and performed on a tightrope suspended between the two towers of the World Trade Center. 

In 1974, as the World Trade Center was being completed, Philippe Petit snuck up to the roof in the middle of the night disguised as a construction worker. With the help of a couple of friends he got his tightrope suspended and, at daybreak, began his walk. When he finally came down hours later he was arrested and sentenced to perform for the children in the park - he did so happily. 

Philippe Petit's story comes to life beautifully through Mordicai Gerstein's lovely ink and oil painting that provide detail, drama, and perspective guaranteed to take readers' breath away. Two of the pages include a fold-out spread that bring the aerial drama even further to life. The text, too, is perfectly lyrical; Gerstein has captured perfectly the poetry and magic of Philippe Petit's feat through his text and illustrations combined. 

The second to last line of the story, given it's own page, reads: "Now the towers are gone." This simple yet fantastically profound statement is a story in and of itself. Use this line and it's corresponding illustration, which features the New York City skyline sans the World Trade Center, as a teaching moment for your kids. Purchase the book here.

Caldecott Medal

Lesson plan for The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

Teaching math, geography, art, bravery, and ethics with The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

9/11 Lesson Plans

This Is Not My Hat

Klassen, J. (2012). This is not my
hat. Somerville: Candlewick Press.

This Is Not My Hat
Written and illustrated by Jon Klassen
Published by Candlewick Press
Somerville, Massachusetts 
2012
40 pages

A little fish has stolen a hat from a big fish. The big fish was asleep when the little fish stole it, and he probably won't even notice it is gone when he wakes up. The little fish admits his crime and thinks he'll probably get away with it. He swims into the seaweed to hide, just in case...

Jon Klassen's little fish lets the readers in on his little secret, allowing them to swim along on his little journey with him. The story is funny, charming, highly entertaining, and one of morality. It requires a sense of humor and is sure to be a hit among kids ages four to eight. 

After the little fish escapes into the seaweed all narration disappears, allowing the illustrations to do the work. Both the text and the illustrations are simple but work together to tell the story exquisitely. The dark, black background provides the backdrop for the ocean where the gray-toned fish and seaweed swim creating a monochromatic palette that makes the simple yet essential illustrations.  

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book

Caldecott Medal

New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year

#1 New York Times bestseller 

Purchase the book here. 

Teaching ideas and resources for literacy, math, science, design tecnology, art, and more

Jon Klassen activity kit