Book Talk #10

 

A is for Abigail: An Almanac of Amazing American Women

Written by: Lynne Cheney

Illustrated by: Robin Preiss Glasser

            This book was written by Dick Cheney's Wife, Lynne Cheney in 2003. It is an alphabet book that discusses a prominent female historical figure with each letter. Each page is covered with pictures and little known facts about each historical figure. The book discusses well-known women such as, Emily Dickinson, Harriet Tubman, Sandra Day O'Connor and of course, Abigail Adams.

            Some letters are not used for people, but for movements in American history. The letter "P" stands for performers. The page opens up like a folder with pictures of classic famous female singers and actresses that led the way for many women in the entertainment business today. The letter "T" stand for trailblazers; women who changed "the role of a women" in American history. In the back of the book there is a glossary that covers each female figure that was discussed in the book and provides more information.

            A is for Abigail is full of information that can be used in an elementary or middle school lesson about women's history. I, myself, learned a lot by reading this book. It gives young girls an idea of truly how far women have come in American history. It can also introduce young girls to professions that might interest them when they get older. This is my favorite book talk story I have chosen and is definitely a book I will have in my future classroom.

Book Talk #9

Corduroy

 

Written and Illustrated by Don Freeman

A teddy bear named Corduroy, lives in a department store and is waiting to find a home. One day, a little girl comes into the store and tells her mother she wants to buy Corduroy, but her mother says no because Corduroy looks worn and is missing a button on his overalls. After they leave, Corduroy decides he wants to better "sell himself" and searches the store to find his missing button. He travels to the bedding department and find a button on a mattress that would fit perfectly onto his overalls. A security guard in the store finds Corduroy and takes him back to the children's section. The next day, the little girl comes back to the department store with her own money and buys Corduroy. Corduroy is so happy he finally has a home.

This is a classic story of a stuffed animal coming to life in the middle of the night. Instead of Corduroy sulking around that he does not have a home, he makes the most of it by making himself look new. The little girl who buys Corduroy, does not care either way, she likes Corduroy just as he is, old or new. She sews his button back on anyway, just so Corduroy will feel comfortable. I think this is a great book for a read aloud in a Kindergarten classroom.

Book Talk #8

 

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Written by B. G. Hennessy

Illustrated by Boris Kulikov

The Boy Who Cried Wolf is a story about a young shepherd boy who told one too many lies. The story begins with the shepherd boy feeling very bored. All he did all day was sit in his pasture and watch his sheep. They would eat and "Baaaa!" and the boy who just sit around hoping his friends would come by. One day, he decides to run into town and tell everyone that a wolf is after his sheep. The townspeople run to the pasture to find the wolf and keep it away. The boy thinks this is funny and spends the rest of his day with one of his friends in the pasture.

The next day, the boy is bored and alone again, so he runs into town saying there are two wolves after his sheep. The townspeople are hesitant, yet, they go looking for the wolves again, but the wolves are no where to be found. The shepherd boy's friend hangs out in the pasture again, wondering if the shepherd boy was telling the truth or not. The third day, the shepherd boy goes to the pasture and there are actually three wolves after his sheep. He runs to tell the townspeople but no one believes him. So, the boy has to chase away the wolves himself and try to find his sheep all alone.

Since the shepherd boy lied too many times about wolves in the pasture, no one believed him when he was telling the truth. The is a great lesson for students of all ages. It teaches students that "honesty is the best policy". This book could easily be used in a lesson in younger grades to get students thinking about what they lie about and the consequences that come from lying. The language of the book is very theatrical with  large, vivid illustrations. It is a great read aloud story.