Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge

Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge

Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge is a great picture book written by Mem Fox,  illustrated by Julie Vivas . This book is about a young boy named Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge who lives next door to a nursing home. Wilfred is well known in his little neighborhood for his kind deeds he does and friendships he make with the older community. Later in the story Wilfred is faced with the challenge of finding out what a memory is. When he gathers all of the information he can, he does the unthinkable that will touch your heart in so many ways. This is a great book for all ages, although the desired age range is 3-8 years old. This book is an easy read with great pictures making the book a pleasant read for all. The themes of the book is geared towards friendship, and helping others, which could very well be taught to our children from reading this great selection.





Discussion Questions:

• Who are the main characters in the story?
• What is a memory?
• Why did Wilfred want to know what a memory was? What did he do with it?
• What did you learn from reading this book?

Motivational Activity:

Think of a good deed/ kind act that you can do for someone who is not able to do it for themselves.

If you enjoyed this book heres a list of more books from the author Mem Fox:

• Boo to a Goose
• Feathers and Fools
• Night Noises
• Shoes from Grandpa
• Sleepy Bears
• Sophie 

Candy Shop

The author of this children's fiction book is Jan Wahl, Illustrated by Nicole Wong. This book is about a little African American boy named Daniel who earned money from doing his chores, and while running errands with his Aunt he anxiously awaits the moment to spend his hard earned savings. Just like most children, Daniel could hardly wait to spend his money on a piece of candy. Young readers around the ages 4-8 are the target for this nice easy read. The words in the book are not complicated and students will be able to connect to the story more because of the interest of topic. The pictures in this book are nice and colorful, and the printed words are big enough to read smoothly.


Discussion Question:
⦁ What are some of the chores you do in your house?
⦁ Why was Daniel in a hurry to get to the store?
⦁ When you earn money, what are some of the things you like to buy from stores?
Motivational Activity:

For a Math lesson you could teach a lesson on money and present students with worksheets and manipulatives to familiarize them with money. After the kids are familiar with the money you can allow them to spend their play money on things in the classroom; this will give them an understanding of money making decisions, even at a young age.

For more books from this Author check out the list below:
⦁ The Art Collector
⦁ The Furious Flycycle
⦁ Pleasant Fieldmouse
⦁ Knock! Knock!

⦁ Bear Dance

Daniel in The Lions Den

This little book is by far one of my favorites I've done, while working on the blogs for my Literature collection.This book is written by Mark Ammerman and Ron Wheeler.  This book is not the usual story you would openly share in a public school setting, not that the content isn't appropriate, but for other rules and regulations. On the other hand this book would be perfect for those students who are in private Christian schools, and those who are home schooled. This book seems so small and simple, yet the message this book carries is powerful and life changing, not only to the younger reader but to all ages! In this book you will learn about a man named Daniel, who was thrown into a Lions Den for doing what is right. Although Daniel was unfairly punished for doing the right things, God saved his life when he was thrown into the lions den. You would have to read a little more about this story to get the full story but just from this brief summary you can see that It pays to do what is right, no matter the consequence because God will rescue you!  We can also see that when others try and do something mean to you, it comes back on them. 

Discussion Questions:

1. In your words, tell me what it means to do what is right?
2. Who is Daniel?
3. Why did Daniel get thrown into the lions den?
4. Did Daniel die in the lions den?

Motivational Activity:

Challenge your students to do the right things, no matter the situation, or who is looking, Give your students scenarios to act out to show them what it means to do the right things at all times.

Related books:

• Jonah and the big Fish
• Jesus fees the 5,000
• Esther

Wood's Runner

Now this Historical Fiction book is a little more advanced than the others I've posted, being that is a chapter book; yet it's still powerful in text features and sentence structure as with the others. This book is filled with excitement and suspense from beginning to the end, and it is written by Gary Paulsen. In this story we meet a young boy who goes by the name of Samuel, he lives with his parents who are new to the frontier lifestyle. Samuel loves to hunt and basically lives in the woods as a hobby, but sooner than later his hobby became his lifestyle. War breaks out right before his eyes, his parents are taken away from him and he fights through the adversities of life to save his parents from the hands of the enemy. So many emotions and thought fill your head while reading this story, I encourage readers from grades 6-8 to read this detailed book filled with new vocabulary words and a touch of background history.

Discussion Questions:

1. Who is Samuel, and what are some of the things he likes to do for fun?
2. Who captured Samuel's parents?
3. Can you imagine having your parents one day, then losing them the next? How would you feel if you were in Samuel's position?

Motivational Activity:

Through skit, song, or poem have your students to reenact The Woods Runner Story. 

More books from this Author:

• A Christmas Sonata
• Alida's Song
• Brian's Hunt
• Brian's Return
• Captive

Night Noises

This suspenseful story was written by Mem Fox, and Illustrated by Terry Denton. Filled with suspense this novel is targeted for our young readers around the ages of 3-6. There is an elderly lady by the name of Lily Laceby who lived with her companion, and one afternoon she drifted off into a deep sleep. While Lily was sleeping there were strange noises that filled her house,but she was sleeping too hard to hear them. Finally when Lily awaks she find out where all the strange noises were coming from. The illustrations and choice of words were great for the targeted audience of this book.

Discussion Questions:

1. When you fall asleep, do you have dreams?
2. When you hear strange/scary noises in your house what do you do?
3. Where were the strange noises coming from in Lily Laceby's house?

Motivational Activity:

Students could draw a picture of some of the things they dream about while sleeping. 

If you enjoyed this book here's a list of books from this Author:

• Possum Magic
• Baby Bedtime
• Ten Little Fingers, and Ten Little Toes
• Goodnight Sleep Tight
• Guess What?

Do Cows Eat Cake?

This Juvenile Nonfiction book is written by Michael Dahl, Illustrated by Sandra D'Antonio. Although this book may seem silly to older readers this text providers our younger readers, around the ages of 4-9 with facts about what animals eat, and what they do not eat. The book introduces a variety of animals and the foods that they eat. This book is an easy, fun read informing children about the different foods of animals through text as well as pictures. 

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some foods you like to eat?
2. Do cows eat cake?
3. What are some of the things cows eat?

Motivational Activity:

You can construct a mini research lesson and have the students to pick any animal of their choice, and have them find three things they eat and three things that animal does not eat. 

More books from this Author:

• Brazil
• Canada
• China
• Inclined Planes
• The Ruby Raven

First Year Letters

This narrative story is written by Julie Danneberg, Illustrated by Judy Love. On her first year of teaching, Mrs. Hartwell creates a classroom post office to encourage her students to become better writers. With all of the crazy letters, projects, and field trips Mrs. Hartwell survives her first year of teaching, receiving recognition for being such a great teacher. The interest level for this fun narrative is K-2nd grade. The diversity in cultures and learning styles in this book allowed you to see the creativity in the letters that the students would write to their teacher. 

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some things you would like to do in your classroom to make learning fun?
2. Can you remember your favorite teacher?
3. Why did the kids write letters in the story?

Motivational Activity:

Show your students how to write letters to individuals and have them to write a letter about their day at school.

More books from this Author:

• Last Day Blues
• The Big Test
• First Day Jitters

Mama Panya's Pancakes

A Village Tale from Kenya

This sweet and caring story was written by Mary and Rich Chamberlin, Illustrated by Julia Cairns. This heart whelming story is about a little boy and his mother going to the market to buy ingredients for pancakes that his mother would prepare later that day. As the little boy went through the market he invited almost everyone he greeted to come join them for pancakes, causing his mother to worry how would she have enough to feed everyone. To the mothers surprise, when it was time for the dinner to begin all the guest cam with items to help prepare the pancakes. This story has a great theme/lesson to it, which is if you give it will be given back to you, more than you can imagine. I love the illustrations in this book, from page to page they make the story come alive though the vivid detailed pictures. The text features were good in this book, along with the diversity.One that stood out in this book to me was the picture dictionary located in the back of the book, what a great tool to have tp help familiarize and teach kids the meanings of words and places. 

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you like going to the store with your parents?
2. What are some of your favorite things to eat?
3. Was it a good thing for Adika to invite friends over for dinner?

Motivational Activity:

To add on to this fun lesson you can make a batch of Mama Panya's Pancakes for your students

The Name Jar By: Yangsook Choi

What a cute little book! This realistic fiction book was written and Illustrated by Yangsook Choi (2001). From experience and memories we all know how it feels to be the new kid in town, its not so pleasant all the time and in this book we have the chance to experience it again, from a different view. One of the most common challenges with being the new student at school is for everyone to learn your name, and to pronounce it correctly. With a little help from her classmates, and her grandmother this little girl overcomes the confrontation with the battle of her names, and she does it Gracefully might I add. This truly is a great book for our young readers around the ages of 4-8 years old. The pictures in this book is of good quality and brings great insight so the children can visualize what the author is portraying through written words.


Discussion Questions:

1. How did you feel on your first day of school?
2. Why did Unhei keep her name a secret?
3. What did she learn about her name?

Motivational Activity:

Create a name jar for the students in your class, allow them to place their names in the jar and when someone pulls it out they can share one nice thing about that person. 

If you enjoyed this book here's a list of more books from this Author:

• Behind The Mask
• New Cat
• Peach Heaven
• Good-bye

Dogs

This great Nonfiction book for children was written by Ann Larkin Hansen, aimed for young readers around the grades of 1-5. In this book the author provides the young audience with words of wisdom and knowledge concerning dogs. The subjects that are spoken about in this book are well needed and useful to make sure that those who have dogs, and those who are looking to get a dog as a pet can properly take care of them. The text features in this specific book were excellent for our young readers; the table of contents, bold letters, pictures, and the glossary were all on one accord, which made this book an easy read for all ages. 

Discussion Questions:

1. How many of you have dogs as a pet?
2. Name some of the things you do for your dog to make sure they're well taken care of?
3. After reading this book, name one thing you could do better to take care of your dog.

Motivational Activity:

Take one of the suggestions from the book that you've read on Dogs, and try it on your pet dog at home. You can use one of the exercises that was talked about in the book, or one of the training methods, the choice is yours.

If you enjoyed this book here's a list of more informational books from this Author:

• Cats
• Pigs
• Turtles
• Farm Kids
• Birds
• Seasons on the farm

Have You Filled a Bucket Today?

This encouraging easy read is written by Carol McCloud, Illustrated by David Messing. This Juvenile kids fiction book is filled with positive inspiration and tools for kids to become better stewards in today's society. I love this book personally for many reasons, but ill just briefly share a couple of them. For one the diversity the author showcases in this book is spectacular; the diversity ranges from age, to skin color, to cultures, and characters. Another thing I love about this book is that it's teaching our children how to be loving and positive in a world that is filled with negativity and hatred. Although this book is targeted for readers around the ages of 4-9 years old I would encourage every child to read this book; it can go with them a long ways.

Discussion Questions:

1. Based on the information from the book, what is a bucket?
2. How can you fill your bucket?
3. Explain one thing you could do to fill someones bucket?

Motivational Activity:

Create a Love Wall and have each child to post something positive about their classmates on the wall. 

If You enjoyed this Book review here's a list of some more books from this Incredible writer, Carol McCloud:

• Will You Fill My Bucket?: Daily Acts of Love Around The World
• Baby's Bucket Book
• Growing Up With A Bucket Full Of Happiness: Three Rules For A Happier Life

Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding

Multicultural Literature 

Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding is written by Lenore Look, illustrated by Yumi Heo. This book is aimed for young readers around the ages of 3 to 7 years old. In this story a little girl named Jenny is not very happy about her uncle getting married. Jenny fears that if her uncle gets married he will no longer have time for her. Throughout the story Jenny compares how things would have been 100 years ago and 200 years ago, comparing the times and changes in traditions. This book is good for children because it brings exposure to the different routines of weddings in other cultures and the traditions they share during wedding ceremonies.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you have a favorite Uncle or aunt?
2. Why do you think Jenny was upset about her Uncle's wedding day?
3. What are some things you would do at a wedding?

Motivational Activity:

Allow the time for students to do more research about the Chinese culture, and wedding traditions.  Have each child to write about the similarities and differences between their own traditions and the Chinese culture.

If you enjoyed this book below is a list of more books from Lenore Look:

1. Henry's First Moon Birthday
2. Polka Dot Penguin Pottery
3. Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and other scary things
4. Ruby Lu, Brave and Tru



Look, Lenore (2006) . Uncle Peter's Chinese Wedding. Anne Schwartz/ Anthem.