Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse

Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse
by LeoLionni, 1910-1999
Alexander, the mouse, makes friends with Willy, a toy mouse, and wants to be just like him until he discovers that Willy is to be thrown away.

Publisher: Knopf , Distributed by Random House, 1987, c1969.

--Follett Library Resources / http://flr.follett.com

Reflection : This is a story about friendship and what one friend would do to save another. In this case, Alexander must change a granted wish to save Willy from the dust heap.

Lesson Connection : Character education/friendship may be discussed. Writing session : students write what they would do if given one wish. What would you do if you had one wish and you really wanted something -- but, your friend needed your wish more?

Frog Went A Courtin'

Frog Went A Courtin' is a Caldecott Medal picture book written by John Langstaff. The book is illustrated by Feodor Rojankovsky. The book has 32 pages.
--Cover image: Follett Library Resources, http://flr.follett.com

The book illustrates the well-known American folk song about the courtship and marriage of a frog and a mouse.
This is a wonderful children’s book. Children will learn about the marriage and have curious questions about the story. The book makes children think about adult matters from a child’s view. Students can research about different cultures and how marriage is different in each culture.
Langstaff, John. (1955). Frog Went A Courtin’. New York: Harcourt Brace.

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears : a West African Tale is a Caldecott Medal award picture book written by Verna Aardema. The book is illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon. The book has 32 pages.
The book reveals the meaning of the mosquito's buzz.

Cover image: Follett Library Resources, http://flr.follett.com

Children will love the book because the story is exciting. The story lets students think about matters that they may not have thought about before. It teaches children to ask questions and use their imagination.
Children can understand the importance of clear communication and write a story of their own about how a communication problem occurred.
Aardema, Verna. (1992). Why mosquitoes buzz in people's ears : a West African tale. (Illus. by Leo and Diane Dillon). Hong Kong: Puffin Books.

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat is a picture book illustrated in water color, gouache, pencil, ink and collage. Simms Taback is the writer and illustrator.
Potential lessons include: art-collage projects, recycling and environment, folklore and legends.

This story is based on a Yiddish folk song and is about a resourceful and resilient man who recycles his old, tattered overcoat into a variety of garments.
(Cover image: Follett Library Resources, http://flr.follett.com)

This title is the 2000 Caldecott winner.
Sometimes something old can be useful again. Students may be directed to think of an older person in their life and interview them on lessons they’ve learned. Students could also gather clothing and canned goods for needy families. Students could research history on Maine.
Taback, Simms. (1999). Joseph Had A Little Overcoat. New York: Viking.

Kitten's First Full Moon

Kitten's first full moon is a Caldecott Medal picture book written by Kevin Henkes. There are illustrations provided by author, and 32 pages.

"When Kitten mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk she ends up tired, wet, and hungry trying to reach it."
--Follett Library Resources, http://flr.follett.com

Children will enjoy this book because it has a surprising ending children will love. The book also is unique in the way it portrays objects.
Potential use would be for an art class to draw objects that are seen in many different ways. Students can become creative trying to make images something they are not.
Henkes, Kevin. (2004). Kitten’s First Full Moon. New York: Greenwillow Books.