read aloud recomendations

Read Aloud Recommendations

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	Name of Book: Chrysanthemum Author: Kevin Henkes Illustraitor: Kevin Henkes Published In: 1991 Published By: Greenwillow Books
Summary:	This book is about a young mouse with an unusual name. Her parents gave her the name Chrysanthemum because they thought it was an absolutely perfect name. She really loved her name, until she started school. In school the other children pick on Chrysanthemum about her name, until the day they meet their new music teacher Mrs. Twinkle. All of the kids like her. Mrs. Twinkle explains to the children that there is nothing wrong with Chrysanthemum's name. In fact she likes that name and plans to name her baby Chrysanthemum.
Recommendation for Parents:	This story helps children be more secure about their own differences because they can relate to how Chrysanthemum feels. Children will love the beautiful illustrations and the fun twist at the end of the story.
Recommendation for Other Teachers:	This book should be read as a class because it can help support a positive atmosphere and unity within the classroom. It will help children be aware that their actions will affect other people around them, so they should treat people with love and respect. Asking children questions about how they might feel in Chrysanthemum's situation will help them connect at a greater level to the story.
Personal Note:	I like this story because it is very important for children to learn how they should and should not treat each other. If we instill this lesson early on in school children will be able to have a more positive and productive experience during their years in school. How many children have had difficulty learning because they have been paying to much attention to the the mean things their fellow students say and not enough attention to their teacher who is trying to help them?

	Name of Book: Amazing Grace Author: Mary Hoffman Illustraitor: Caroline Binch Published In: 1991 Published by: Scholastic Inc.
Summary:	This book is about a little girl named Grace who absolutely loves reading. After she reads she acts out the characters in the stories. One day she could be Anansi the spider while another day she could be Joan of Arc. One day her teacher tells the class that they are going to do a class performance of the story Peter Pan. Everyone in the class wants to be the main character including Grace. Other students in class tell Grace that she cannot be Peter Pan because she is a girl and also black. Grace's mother and grandmother encourage her to try out for the part of Peter Pan despite what the other children say. Grace tries out for the part in the play, and gets to be Peter Pan after all.
Recommendation for Parents:	This is a good book to read to your children to encourage them to do whatever it is they are really passionate about and not listen to other peoples negative opinions. The scenes in this story of Grace acting out various storybook charactors is very humerous and will help children realize that books do not just have to be for reading, they can also be linked to play.
Recommendation for Other Teachers:	This book is a good book to read before your first class trip to the library. Grace's love for books and stories will be a good example for other children that reading can be fun. This book will also help children in the class whose self-esteam needs a boost and do not think they can do something because of what other people have said. After the story you could ask some of the children in the group what their favorite books are to make the book more relative to the students. Another activity could be a class play based on one of the children's favorite books.
Personal Note:	This book is very cute and it is important for children to know that they can do anything that they put their minds to. Sometimes children have negative feelings about who they are because of what they have heard others say about them and they need to know that those people are wrong.