readaloud

Read-Aloud Recommendations
SHOES

Click, Clack Moo: Cows That Type
by Doreen Cronin
Illustrated by Betsy Lewin

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2000

Summary:

The cows in Farmer Brown's barn have managed to get a hold of a typewriter. Determined to keep themselves warm at night, they write a note to the farmer:
Dear Farmer Brown,
The barn is very cold at night. We'd like some electric blankets.
Sincerely,
The Cows

When the farmer refuses to bend to their demands, the chickens join the cows in protest -- by refusing to provide eggs and milk.

The duck serves as a neutral party.

Recommendation for Parents:
This book is great to read to kids because they find themselves wondering what's going to happen next.

Recommendation for Other Teachers:
This book is an interesting read for the classroom. It's humorous and has many different onomotopeiac sounds for the children to engage themselves into. The kids can join in on the different things that are said, and the colorful pictures allow them to easily follow along with the story.

Also can bring up the topic of protests and why people find them necessary. Students could also talk about who was in the right: the cows and chickens ... or the farmer?

It teaches children about typing as well. They'll ask "What's a typewriter?" now that we are in the computer age.

Personal note:
I really like this book. It's fun to read and kids seem to really enjoy it as well. The illustrations are very nicely done, and the writing is humorous. It's also really good for a little story to read after recess to transition them into an activity.

The Lion Who Saw Himself in the Water
by Idries Shah
Illustrated by Ingrid Rodriguez
Publisher: Hoopoe Books, 1998

Summary (from the back cover of the book):
The story of Share the Lion King and his jungle friends will both entertain and teach children in the West as it has in the East for many centuries. It can provide them with a tool with which to overcome irrational fears, so often caused by behavior or events that they as yet may not understand.

Idries Shah's collections of Eastern oral and written literature have established the Sufi teaching story as an education instrument. The original version of this story was told by the 13th Century Sufi poet Jalaluddin Rumi.

Recommendation for Parents:
It's a good story to read to your kids to talk about irrational fears. They can talk and discuss about why things aren't so scary as they first appear. They can also discuss what is supportive behavior and why we shouldn't laugh at other people when they are scared of something.

Recommendation for Other Teachers:
This story is a good way to introduce how to be a good friend and be supportive of your friends. It's a good introduction to talk about some of the things that they may be afraid of as well.

There are very colorful pictures, with very interesting drawings. The kids can see what is going on in the story. The particular version I use is the bilingual English/Spanish book, which allows you to choose what language to read in or (if the children are reading independently) they can read in their own language as well.

Personal note:
This is a actually a great copy of the book because it is bilingual and I enjoy reading it to children, including my own nieces and nephews.

Oh the Places You'll Go
by Dr. Seuss

Summary:
Great for anyone entering a new phase in their lives. Plus it's by Dr. Seuss, so you know it's got to be good. Inspires individuals to look into the great big wonderful future that is ahead of all of them.

Recommendation for Parents:
Allows children to wonder what sort of things they can accomplish.   Parents can serve as inspiration as well, giving an opportunity to share their hopes and dreams for their children with them, to show them that their opportunities are limitless.

Recommendation for Other Teachers:
    This book is one that is great to read the first and last week of school for most every grade, but especially for Kindergarten. It's a wondrous thing to do to allow the children to let their imaginations run wild, and also to revisit it at the end of the year to see how far they have come already.

Personal note:
   Dr. Seuss is a particular favorite of mine and this book in general. I was read this in Kindergarten and at that age did not know what the future held for me. But I knew I could do anything I set my mind to.