Babushka's Doll
Polacco, Patricia. Babushka's Doll.
Simon & Schuster, 1990.
SummaryBabushka's Doll sat up on a high on a shelf hidden behind a tea kettle. She was a very special doll who Babushka only ever played with once, when she was a little girl like her high-spirited granddaughter, Natasha.
When Babushka goes to the store, Natasha gets her turn to take the little doll down from the high shelf. When the naughty doll comes to life -- and is even more rambunctious than the little girl herself -- Natasha finds out why playing "once" with Babushka's doll is enough!
Recommendation to Parents
Babushka's Doll is a wonderful story that is embedded with the morals of patience and consideration for the feelings of others. These are good values that our children can carry with them for the rest of their lives. This wonderful story follows Natasha on her path to understanding the error in her ways. This can help our children understand why they can't have everything NOW and that patience is a necessary and vital part of life. The story book format allows children to understand complex principles and ideas by making the activity fun and engaging. Take the time to cuddle up and read this book with your children because this book helps us all to remember to quiet the impatient little doll in us all.
Recommendation for Other Teachers
Babushka's Doll is a great resource for English Language Learners because the illustrations do a wonderful job of depicting the emotions of the characters. Even if the students do not understand all the language used in the story, the character's feelings and the progression of the story are easy to understand through the illustrations. Also, students of Russian descent will be able to see elements of their culture depicted in the story.
Personal Note:
I first came across this book when it was being read on a children's television program. The reader brought the story to life before my ears and I felt like I really understood who the characters were through the voices she used. There is much to be said for the reader being just as important as the author who wrote the book in making a story a complete experience of the senses.
Time Warp Trio Series
Scieszka, Jon. Time Warp Trio.
Tut Tut. Ser. 6. New York: Puffin, 1996.
SummaryThe adventures begin when Joe gets a present from his Uncle Joe, the magician. "The Book" is blue with strange silver twisted writing. What his Uncle forgot to mention is that "The Book" can transport anyone it comes in contact with through time and space using a strange green mist. The Time Warp Trio is made up of Joe, Fred and Sam as they go an adventures to wherever "The Book" might lead them.
When Joe's sister accidentally opens the book, the boys are transported into a land of pyramids and Pharaohs. Now in Ancient Egypt, the boys must dodge crocodiles in the Nile, outwit an evil high priest and search for an escape route from a mummy chamber. Will they find the book in time with the help of their new friend Thutmose III, the boy king?
Recommendation to Parents
The adventures of the Time Warp Trio allow children to see history, science and literature in a whole new light. By making reading fun, through imaginative stories and illustrations, children are able to experience important content in a way that is really enjoyable.
Recommendation to Other Teachers
Time Warp Trio makes the perfect accompanyment to history, science and language arts lessons. The expansive variety of subjects covered by the different books really provide a little taste of everything. For children from 7-11, these books provide an engaging story that can open student's minds to various points in history, science and literature. Lane Smith also does a wonderful job of illustrating some of the most amusing passages throughout the books. English Language Learners and all students for that matter will delight in the illustrations and benefit from hearing such wonderful tales when they are read aloud and given life by the teacher's voice.
Personal Note:
I remeber falling in love with the Time Warp Trio books as a child. They were the perfect book for a child to pluck off the shelf at the library, find a cozy corner and get lost in a world of time travel and adventure. I want students to have the same opportunity I had which is why I chose to share them with you. Wherever the strange green mist might lead, I know that children will be in for a great adventure with the Time Warp Trio Series.
If you like this book then I recommend:
Scieszka, Jon. Math Curse. illus. Lane Smith. New York: Viking, 1995.
Scieszka, Jon. Squids Will Be Squids. illus. Lane Smith. New York: Viking, 1998.
Scieszka, Jon. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf. illus. Lane Smith. New York: Viking, 1989.
Scieszka, Jon. Time Warp Trio: Knights of the Kitchen Table. illus. Lane Smith. New York: Viking, 1991.
Scieszka, Jon. Time Warp Trio:The Good, The Bad, and The Goofy. illus. Lane Smith. New York: Viking, 1992.
Scieszka, Jon. Time Warp Trio: Your Mother Was a Neanderthal. illus. Lane Smith. New York: Viking, 1993.