Books about Sharing

I just did a lesson on sharing and our librarian helped me find these three books to introduce the topic.    Personally, I thought these three worked pretty well together and formed a fantastic trio of books.    The kids in Mirette's class loved them all. There were lots of giggles and some great conversations about sharing.

Do you have any other great books on this topic?


The Doorbell Rang
Pat Hutchins
Greenwillow Books (1986)

A very sweet book about sharing chocolate chip cookies.

Pat Hutchins lives in England and has many years under her belt of both writing and illustrating.

My Friend Fred:  A heartwarming tale about friendship and sharing
Author:  Hiawyn Oram
Illustrator:  Rosie Reeve
Tiger Tales

Grace loves her dog and wants him all to herself, but Fred wants to play catch with her sister and her sister's friends.  She tries to keep him all to herself, but eventually feels like sharing him is better for Fred.  They then all have fun together.  This can lead to a discussion on sharing friendships.

Hiawyn Oram has written many chapter books.   She also makes Vegan desserts in London:   http://www.thelivingfoodkitchen.com/


Rosie Reeve is a fine artist recently converted to children's books.  
http://www.rosiereeve.co.uk/about.html


The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!
Mo Willems
Hyperion Books for Children (2004)

Mo Willems books are always funny and enchanting.  This one is no exception, but also includes a really great message that sharing can be fun!


Mo Willems has done mostly everything--television, sculpture, children's books, producer.  He seems like a highly created and very respected guy.   Here's a link to his website:   http://mowillemsfaq.blogspot.com/
http://mowillemsstuff.blogspot.com/

Lots of fun stuff here!   http://www.pigeonpresents.com/fun.aspx

On the Day You Were Born, Activities

Some cool ideas from Debra Frasier, On the Day You Were Born

http://e2.ma/message/3wrge/3gfsqc

Eric Carle: Part Two--His life and legacy

Is it possible to have a legacy when you are still alive?  In Eric Carle's case, I think the answer is yes, especially because he and his wife founded a museum dedicated to the art of children's books.

Eric Carle has a fascinating life!   Here are some tid-bits that I picked up from my reading.  I am doing this mostly from memory, so don't count on this for 100% accuracy. I don't think I even close to capture the intensity of the things that happened to him in his life--watch this  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmiBW305rsE with all the exciting details.

He lived in Syracuse with his German family and was early on deemed to be artistic. His father nurtured his artistic talent and they spent time walking and looking at things.   Eric's  family moved back to Germany because his mother was homesick.    His dad ended up fighting in WW2 and spent time in a Russian prison--he came back a very broken man. 

Eric was evacuated and lived with  a foster family in the countryside (whom he loved dearly).    He also had to dig trenches and saw people die in front of him.  One of his teachers, while he was in Germany,  showed him real art (not propaganda) and this was a great influence.

Eric missed his friends and wanted to go back to America.   He got into advertising, worked for
 Leo Lionni, got married, had two children, got divorced and lived alone for ten years.    He then married Bobbie his current wife.     

His first book was illustrating Bill Martin's Brown Bear, Brown Bear What do you See?   His original idea for  The Very Hungry Caterpillar  was about a hungry worm, but his editor suggested he change it to a caterpillar.  

Great article on him from The Guardian:   http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/mar/14/eric-carle-author

His website:   http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html

His museum in Massachusetts:   http://www.carlemuseum.org/Home

Video:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5aJRzDYijw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmiBW305rsE

Book of the Day: My Dad is Big and Strong But

My Dad is Big and Strong But. . .A Bedtime Story
Author:  Coralie Saudo
Illustrator:  Kris Di Giacomo
Enchanged Lion Books (2012)



I love a genuinely funny book, one that allows Mirette and I to share a heart guffaw.   This read does just that.   A son attempts to put his father to bed.    Dad whines, is afraid of the dark, and begs for more stories.  

I really love the illustrations.  It almost looks as if the illustrator drew them on a grocery bag or cardboard stock, with all these different shades of brown.  The pages themselves actually feel good.   I wonder what the book is made from.

This is a relatively new one, so enjoy!  These reviews on amazon  that describe the art are way better than this tired mom can do:   http://www.amazon.com/Dad-Big-And-Strong-BUT/product-reviews/1592701221/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Coralie Saudo is French.  This book is a translation.  She is an illustrator and known for her humor, but this one is written by her and illustrated by someone else.  She has about three books written in English and they look fabulous.   http://www.coraliesaudo.com/books-languages-coralie-saudo.html

Kris Di Giacomo's website is a little hard to navigate and almost all in French, but she is an amazing illustrator and it's worth it to see some of her work.  http://krisdigiacomo.com/

Book of the Day: Emma Kate

Emma Kate
Patricia Polacco
Philomel Books (2005)


Up until now, I've basically shared one book from each author, but it's time to double dip.  Some of my favorite authors are calling out for a second showing!

Patrica Polacco is one of my favorites.   http://miretteandmommy.blogspot.com/2012/02/books-of-day-on-farm.html  Her characters are filled with adorableness.    At Mirette's school, the first thing the children do is sit in a circle and read to themselves.  It is super cute to see these three, four and five year olds reading intently (as if they can read).   

One of the parents is the school librarian and she picks out the best books.  I teach a social/emotional curriculum on Thursday mornings and I can't wait to dig into the book bucket to see what's there.   As I was searching, I saw a girl in a red dress next to a penciled in elephant. It really stood out.   The image on the cover was so compelling and snuggly.    Wouldn't you know it, it was  a Patricia Polacco book.    

The book is about a girl who has an imaginary elephant friend named Emma Kate.   Each page is shaded in black and grays except for the girl who wears a bright red dress.  This device reminds me of Olivia  http://miretteandmommy.blogspot.com/2011/10/our-little-olivia.html.  The red adds drama and tension.  It makes you really notice the relationship between the girl and the elephant.  

Happy reading and imagining!

Book of the Day: Two Eggs Please

Two Eggs Please
Author:  Sarah Weeks
Illustrator:  Betsy Lewin
Atheneum Books for Young Readers (2003)


I asked our school librarian for a book that depicted how kids can have the same feelings as their friends about some things and different feelings about other things.  

She dug up this book which so perfectly and subtly addresses this concept.  
.   
This book is so cute!   Mirette loves it and I fell in love with it too.  Basically, all these animals come into a diner and each one wants an egg cooked in a different style.   The same,  different.  

The illustrations are fantastic and Mirette likes the way you can see various animals walking into the diner, so you know which one is going to be next.  

Sarah Weeks has a great website.  The most interesting thing I learned about her is that she also writes young adult fiction,  likes pies and cooking and that she is part of a readers theater.   What this means is that she works with four other famous authors.  With script in hand, they act out two of each of their stories--bringing to life the words on the page.    She also has written some very successful chapter books for the older set.   She has a degree in music composition and has several books with songs to match.  We'll be checking them out soon.   She is also spunky and adorable!

Here's her website:  http://www.sarahweeks.com/index2.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FCfm8yPhlE

Betsey Lewin is best known for illustrating and winning the Caldecott honor for Click, Clack, Moo:  Cows that Type.   Of interest,  she loves to travel and has written some books in collaboration with her hubby.    There's some video footage on her website. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FCfm8yPhlE