Autism Awareness Giveaway Hop April 11th - 17th

April is Autism Awareness Month.  To help spread the word about Autism we are hosting a giveaway hop.

What is Autism? Here are ten facts about autism.

KidsHealth is a wonderful site that explains Autism to children using simple language and facts. Autism Speaks is another site with great resources for people with autism including apps. Check out Oliver's Guide to Autism, a very cute and informative way to learn about autism from a young boy name Oliver who has autism.

Book Giveaway!

Title: Since We're Friends: An Autism Picture Book 

Author: Celeste Shally 

Illustrator: David Harrington

Publisher: Awaken Specialty Press, September 1, 2007

Topic/Theme: Autism, Friendship, Acceptance, Special Needs

Ages: 3-8

Opening: It's finally summer vacation! It's going to be perfect because I'm going to hang out with my friend Matt who lives across the street.

Summary: Since We're Friends is about two boys. One has autism, the other does not. The story of their relationship provides practical examples of how to make such a friendship work. It will help children see that their peers with autism can make a fun, genuine contribution to friendship. 

Resources

See links above.

Why I like this book:

I love this book! I have a sibling with autism. Naeem, my oldest brother, was diagnosed with autism when he was three years of age. I love this book because it helps children and siblings with understanding and learning how to help their friends with autism. It is important however to know that not all children and adults with autism are the same. In the case of my brother Na'eem, he is different from Matt in this story in that he can not and does not like to engage in group activities, he does not engage in conversation with others not even me or my family. He is sometimes able to relay in very simple vocabulary what he needs or wants. This story is very particular to the relationship with Matt and his friend. But the book does give a general idea in how to help and engage a friend with autism. 


Remember, this is a blog hop. So hop along to the various blogs for more books and giveaways! 

A-Z Challenge: H is for Hosni the Dreamer

Title: Hosni the Dreamer: An Arabian Tale

Author: Ehud Ben-Ezer

Illustrator: Uri Shulevitz

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), September 30, 1997

Ages: 4 – 8

Themes/Topics: Multicultural Folktale, Desert, Shepherd, Dreams, Arabia

Summary:

Hosni is a shepherd who has always wanted to see the city across the desert. One day the sheik he works for asks Hosni to make the journey with him and other shepherds to sell his camels. Each shepherd is given one gold dinar, and Hosni spends his on a piece of wisdom. Everyone laughs at Hosni for squandering his small fortune, but his purchase soon saves his life--and changes it forever.

Resources:

1) A class discussion on times when someone had given us advice and we did not take it.

2) Partner up and make up our own fortunes

3) Have students research the Arabian Peninsula. Find pictures of deserts, camels and nomad and make a collage.

3) Coloring Pages: Camel, Caravan, Camel in desert 

Why I like the book:

 Here is another folktale that comes from the Arabian Peninsula. While this type of story has been done before, quite a lot actually, the lone dreamer, the wise fool who outsmarts everyone else, Ben-Ezer does a great job making this tale unique and fresh. The illustrator does a wonderful job creating the arid dry desert scenes and vibrant desert marketplace. 

A-Z Challenge: G is for The Grand Mosque of Paris

Title: The Grand Mosque of Paris

Author:  Karen Gray Ruelle

Illustrator: Deborah Durland Desaix

Publisher: Holiday House, Aug 1 2009

Ages: 8 and up

Theme/Topics: Holocaust, Courage, Survival, Hope, Rescue, Muslims, Jews

Opening:

“Save one life, and it is as if you’ve saved all of humanity.”

Summary:

When the Nazis occupied Paris, no Jew was safe from arrest and deportation. Few Parisians were willing to risk their own lives to help. Yet during that perilous time, many Jews found refuge in an unlikely place--the sprawling complex of the Grand Mosque of Paris. Not just a place of worship but a community center, this hive of activity was an ideal temporary hiding place for escaped prisoners of war and Jews of all ages, especially children.

Beautifully illustrated and thoroughly researched, this compelling book reveals the almost unknown story of how French Muslims' courage, faith, and devotion to justice saved the lives of so many Jews.

Resources:

The publisher provides an excellent Educator’s Guide.

Why I like this book:

These days there is so much turmoil in the Middle East, the whole world for that matter, this story is greatly needed to show that at the end of the day, we are all brothers and sisters in humanity. And when one person hurts because of oppression, we all hurt. This book tells a story of oppression, fear, survival, courage, and most importantly, brotherhood and hope. A story that is not told in history books. This is a great book to add to the study of the Jewish holocaust. It adds to the story of their struggle, plight, sacrifice and also their survival with the help of a few brave French Muslims. 

Perfect Picture Book Friday & A-Z Challenge: F is for The Farmer's Wife

Yes, I am cheating!! But why re-invent the wheel? :D Happy Friday everyone!!!
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Title: The Farmer’s Wife

Author: Idries Shah

Illustrator: Rose Mary Santiago

Publisher: Hooppe Books, June 2005

Suitable for: 3 and up

Themes/Topics: Culture: Afghanistan, Folktale/lore, Problem-solving,

Opening:

Once upon a time there was a farmer’s wife. One day when she was picking apples from a tree, one of the apples fell into a hole in the ground and she couldn’t get it out.

Brief synopsis:

This is a cumulative tale about a woman's efforts to retrieve an apple from a hole in the ground. Children will enjoy learning the highly predictable lines by heart. But when a surprise event changes the direction of the tale, their expectations will be jolted in a most amusing way, and they will have learned its valuable lessons about the nature of problem solving and discovery. Rose Mary Santiago’s striking illustrations evoke the story’s origins and, at the same time, add a uniquely playful atmosphere to this funny tale.

Links to resources:

Activity and discussion ideas. 

*What was the moral of the story? Have your child(ren) discuss what they got out of the book. 

*This story can be used to talk about problem solving. Let your child(ren) discuss alternative ways the farmer’s wife could have retrieved the apple from the hole. 

*Talk about the importance of treating animals with kindness. Is it ever okay to have one animal hurt another? 

*Notice the dress of the farmer’s wife? Where is she from? Have your child(ren) guess where she is from. This story is an Afghani folktale. Where is Afghanistan? Have your child(ren) look up the country and research the culture.

*Afghani girl cultural dress coloring page. 

*Read the story online.

Why I like this book:

This was a really cute tale that reminded me of the stories I grew up reading like the Old lady who swallowed the fly, the napping house, etc. I always loved a story that started off, “Once Upon A Time.” :D Those are the classics. There is always a lesson to be learned in a ‘once upon a time’ tale! In this story children learn that being persistent will sometime lead to remarkable outcomes. For young children, it helps to have the repetition in the story. It helps them anticipate the rest of the story and encourage early literacy skills. The illustrations were playful and hilarious! I loved them.  Another neat thing about the books is that it is translated into Spanish as well. I took Spanish in college and tried reading and well let’s just say I need to go re-learn the language! :(

A-Z Challenge: E is for The Empty Pot

Title: The Empty Pot

Author: Demi

Illustrator: Demi

Publisher: Square Fish, September 15, 1996 

Ages: 4 and up

Theme/Topic: honesty, bravery, Integrity, consequences, virtue,

Opening:

A long time ago in China there was a boy named Ping who loved flowers. Anything he planted burst into bloom. Up cam flowers, bushes, and even big fruit trees, as if by magic!

Summary:

When the Chinese emperor proclaims that his successor will be the child who grows the most beautiful flowers from the seeds the emperor distributes, Ping is overjoyed. Like the emperor, he loves flowers and anything he plants bursts into bloom. But the emperor's seed will not grow, despite months of loving care, and Ping goes before the emperor carrying only his empty pot. The emperor ignores the beautiful blossoms brought by the other children and chooses Ping, revealing that the seeds he handed out had been cooked and could not grow.

Resources:

This site has wonderful extension ideas and activities.  Homeshare has another wonderful lesson plan to go with this book. (Note, I believe this may be a Christian site as they have a section bible related but it includes lots of fun activities for math, science, social studies and more.)  More lesson activities including a fill in the blank worksheet. 

Lessons about honesty 

Why I like this book:

I love folk tales from other cultures. This one teaches children to be honest and the importance of integrity, honesty and accountability. I love that the father encourages the son to accept the fact that he worked really hard on trying to grow his seeds and to accept that he did his best. He did not suggest for Ping to cheat but to take his empty pot to the emperor. Children learn about consequences as well. The children who cheated did not win the emperor’s approval or his throne. But Ping won through his honesty, integrity and virtue.

A-Z Challenge: D is for The Day of Ahmed's Secret

Title: The Day of Ahmed’s Secret

Author: Florence H. Parry & Judith Heide Gilliland

Illustrator: Ted Lewin

Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers, April 25^th, 1995 

Ages: 6 and up

Theme/Topic: Egyptian culture and lifestyle, 

Opening: Today I have a secret, and all day long my secret will be like a friend to me.  Tonight I will tell it to my family, but now I have work to do in my city

Summary: Ahmed drives his donkey cart through the streets of Cairo, delivering butane gas cylinders to his father's customers. He knows everyone and has a part to play in the life of the city. He is proud to be strong enough to help his family, but most of all he is proud of his precious secret, a secret that he keeps until the end of the day. The book reveals a lot about Ahmed's life, and finally his secret - that he can write his name.

Resources:

I found a couple of sites that have some good lesson ideas and plans that can be used to expand on the book. Homeschool Share has a lesson plan that includes social studies, language arts, science, math and art.  Here is another lesson plan that is for early elementary kids. Basic facts about Egypt. More facts about Cairo, Egypt. Photos of Egypt. 

Why I like this book:

This is a really moving tale about a boy named Ahmed who has learned how to write his name. Ahmed is a young boy who has to work to help his family out. In most third world countries poor families have to let their children work to support the family. Education is only for people with money.  But education is coveted, even by the poor. They do realize that their children would profit if they learned how to read and write but circumstances does not allow them to send their children to school. I saw this time after time when I worked overseas. I loved the illustrations. They transport you to Cairo, Egypt.  They are rich and vibrant as they paint the culture and day to day lifestyle of the Egyptian people in one of Egypt’s most popular cities.  The book is written in the voice of Ahmed so you see the city through his eyes as he goes about his daily work routine and schedule.

A-Z Challenge: C is for The Color of Home

C is for change and colorful reminders of home.

Author: Mary Hoffman

Illustrator: Karin Littlewood

Publisher: Frances Lincoln, March 1, 2003

Ages: 6-9

Theme/Topic: Relocation, Somalia, Adjusting to new country and culture, healing through art,

Synopsis:

The Color of Home follows first-grader Hassan through his first few days at school. Hassan has only recently arrived in the United States after he and his family were forced to flee Somalia, and he deeply misses the colorful landscape of his former home in Africa. But with the help of his parents, an understanding teacher, and a school art project, Hassan finds that by painting a picture of his old home and sharing his story, his homesickness and the trauma of leaving a war-torn country are lessened. And he finds that there are many things to like about his new home in America. 

Resources:

This book can be used with students from pre-K, where there might be students that have experienced the same or maybe they are English learners. The Color of Home allows readers to understand how hard it might be for some people to relocate. You can also talk about different reasons of why people have to or choose to move from their home-country. You can also discuss what difficulties not knowing the language most people talk can produce, and how ESL students might feel while learning a new language. 

Facts about Somalia

World factbook

Why I like this book:

Many people do not know what it is like to leave the only home they have ever known to be in a new place with a new language, a new culture and new environment. It is also hard to know and understand what it is like to live in a war-torn country, the experiences and trauma that a person, especially a child experiences. Even more so, children do not know how to relate to or help new classmates and friends from poverty-stricken and war-torn countries. The Color of Home does a beautiful job of bringing to light the heart of Hassan's struggle as he learns to accept and embrace his new home.  

Cover Reveal: To Ride A Puca by Heather McCorkle

Hey everyone! How is April treating you so far? Any fun April Fool's jokes, pranks or otherwise other fun happenings? Well, I have a fun Happy April treat for you. I am honored to be a part of a cyber-wide cover reveal of my wonderful friend, Heather McCorkle's, newest release, To Ride A Puca. And here is the wonder woman herself to share a little more about her lastest book! :)
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Heather: I'm so excited to share the cover of my young adult historical fantasy novel, To Ride A Púca, with you. I've been waiting for so long to reveal the news and the cover that it's been driving me crazy! This novel is special to me, as many of you know, because it felt like my heart and soul has gone into it. It isn't a part of the channeler series, though it is a tie-in novel as it's about one of Eren's ancestors. This is a stand alone of a very different flavor and I hope you love it as much as I do.

Here is a bit about it:



Invaders are coming to take what isn't theirs, again.



Neala wants to stand and fight for her homeland, but as one of the last druids, she may be standing alone.



Persecuted, hunted down, forced to live in obscurity, the druids have all but given up. Can the determination of a girl who has barely come into her power bring them together? Or, just when she finally finds her place among her kind, will they end up losing a homeland their very magic is tied to?

This novel is intended for mature teens and adults as it contains some difficult subject matter. 

I had to throw that warning in because I had one person who was disturbed by some of the subject matter in The Secret Of Spruce Knoll. To Ride A Púca is a much darker novel than Spruce Knoll and will certainly not be appropriate for some readers. Slavery, oppression, and violent situations are within this novel. It certainly falls under the dark YA catagory. But it is also about hope, love, and belonging. It releases this May! To add this novel to your Goodreads lists click here. To pre-order a signed hardback (to ship at the end of May), click here.

A-Z Challenge: B is for Big Red Lollipop

B is for being a big sister and birthday parties!

Author: Rukhsana Khan

Illustrator: Sophie Blackall

Publisher: Viking Children's Books, March 4, 2010

Topics/Themes: Greed, Temptation, Sibling Rivalry, Cultural differences in celebrations, Adapting to new cultures, Forgiveness

Ages: 4 and up

Synopsis:

Rubina has been invited to her first birthday party, and her mother, Ami, insists that she bring her little sister along. Rubina is mortified, but she can't convince Ami that you just don't bring your younger sister to your friend's party. So both girls go, and not only does Sana demand to win every game, but after the party she steals Rubina's prized party favor, a red lollipop. What's a fed-up big sister to do?

Resources:

You can find a wonderful teacher's guide for K-3 grade with many activities and discussion topics here.

Why I like the Book:

I like this book because it deals with what most older siblings have to go through. I know I certainly had to tug my little sisters around. But this story is more than about siblings not getting along and making a disaster out of birthday parties, it also shows how children adjust, adapt and learn to love and help each other. It also has very subtle but illustrated hints of how many immigrant families adjust and assimilate into a new culture.

A-Z Challenge: A is for Ashanti to Zulu

 

April is here and so begins the blogging from A to Z Challenge! I will be blogging and sharing with you all wonderful books that have multicultural themes and fla-va! Enjoy and Happy Reading!

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A is for African Traditions in Ashanti to Zulu.

Author: Margaret Musgrove

Publisher: Puffin Books, July 15th, 1992

Ages: 3 and up

Info about the book:

Artists Leo and Diane Dillon won their second consecutive Caldecott Medal for this stunning ABC of African culture. 

This Caldecott Medal-winning book gives fascinating facts about African tribes and customs. The different tribes are listed in alphabetical order, and the illustrations are rich and beautiful.

Why I like this book: 

This book brings back wonderful memories of my childhood. It was a family favorite to check out at the library. :)

Perfect Picture Book Friday: In My Flower

Title: In My Flower
Author: Sara Gillingham
Illustrator: Lorena Siminovich

Publisher: Chronicle Books; Board book edition (December 30, 2009)
Suitable for age: 1 - 4
Opening: 

In my flower, I scatter pollen with my wings.

Brief Synopsis: Turn the colorful die-cut pages of this irresistible board book to discover just what makes little butterfly's flower so cozy. Bright pictures, sweet reassuring messages, unique layered pages, and an adorable finger puppet combine to create interactive reading and playtime fun!


Resources and Activity Ideas:
There are so many things you can do to expand on the ideas of this book. You can study butterflies and flowers. I used it during our week learning about spring and gardening.  Observe flowers bloom, watch butterflies in your garden (if you don't have a garden, visit a butterfly garden/observatory), butterfly life cycle, and raise your own butterfly. Learn about butterfly rearing here.  Here, here and here are some flower and butterfly coloring pages as well. Here are some cute butterfly craft ideas. Butterfly hand prints are fun and easy. DLTK has a bunch of fun flower and butterfly related crafts and art activities that I have tried out in my classroom with much success and I work with one year olds! :D

What I like about this book:


 My toddlers love this book especially when I stick my fingers in the butterfly puppet and make it fly. This book was added to our spring curriculum as we talked about flowers and things associated with flowers. The last page reinforces family as the butterfly is seen with her family. The thick pages are great for young hands just learning how to turn pages (and teething). It is colorful and simple to read, which is great because it will quickly become a favorite and you will have to read it over and over and over again! :D

Kick Butt Character Winners!

The winners of the Kick Butt Character blog hop are;

Kristen @ Blood Sweat and Books - winner of Arctic Drift

and

Sweety - international winner of the Amazon gift card.

Congratulations to you both!!!!! :) 

Choose Your Own Adventure: Nod and flee

Welcome to Choose Your Own Adventure
IF you are just starting please click on the link here to start at the beginnng of the story :) Enjoy!

You nod and flee the instant its back is turned

The dragon's penetrating eyes glare at you as it pulls you closer. Your feet brush against the top of its lips. A plume of smoke nearly chokes the life out of you. Your eyes sting and begin to water. You gulp and nod your head. You don't dare breathe or cough for fear the dragon will swallow you whole. The dragon drops you to your feet.

“Wise choice," it says licking, its lips. "Get on, the master is out right now. You can retrieve the relic from his dojo."

You take timid steps onto the dragon's back.

"How can I hear it," you think to yourself. "Am I 'tele....'

The dragon turns to look at you. A sinister curl in his lip.

"You are not telepathic," it says.

Before you can respond, it leaps from the ground and you are airborne and soaring above clouds. The rush of wind blinds you. It is not long before you feel an abrupt jolt and thump.

"Get off," the dragon demands. You fall off as it jerks its body. You see sensei's dojo up ahead. You dare not smile for fear the dragon would understand your plan.

"Where is the relic," you ask not looking at the dragon.

"He keeps it inside his study. Now go!"

You run up the last flight of stairs. You burst through the doors and shut them close. You look around, pounding on the walls.

"Where is it," you think. "Where is the hidden panel that leads to the secret escape tunnel to the forest behind the dojo."

"Human!!" the dragon shrieks.

You panic. It knows. You scramble to find the panel. You hit a back wall and it shifts. You push it open with all your might. You stumble into the dark and the door shuts behind you. You feel your way to the end of the tunnel. When you emerge, you are in a clearing surrounded by thick brush and old trees. You take a deep breath and nearly choke with laughter. You start to take off when suddenly the ground underneath you shakes violently, throwing you off your feet. You  roll over onto your back to catch your breath. Staring down at you, the dragon screeches at you. Its razor teeth comes inches from tearing you apart.

"Vile creature," it spits, then snatches you up and takes flight.

The dragon takes you to its lair. You pass by a shimmering curtain of mist protecting a deep cavern. Beyond the mist you see four large eggs. The dragon mournfully looks at the eggs.

"As long as I am imprisoned by sensei, I can not get to my young ones. They will hatch soon but have no hope of survival if I can't enter the protected cave.”

A tear rolls down the dragon's face before it glares down at you. You feel bad for the dragon. You are placed in a dark dungeon. Maybe you should have helped the dragon after all. In the warm dank cell, your feet are chained to a wall. As you think of a way to escape, you hear distant chains rattle. The sounds get closer. Out of the pitch blackness you hear a voice.

"Did you give it to her?" it asks.

You are startled. "Sensei?" You feel his hands grip your shoulder. You flinch.

"Did you give it to her?" he asks again more sternly.

"Give who what?" you answer.

"Did you give the dragon the relic?"

You shake your head then remember it is dark.

"No," you say out loud. "I never looked. I tried to escape through the woods but the dragon caught me. After all I have learned, I should have helped."

In the dark, your hands stay busy.

"She? The dragon is a she?" you ask.

You don't wait for an answer, you are just buying time. You are angry that your master would keep a mother from her children. Sensei had always taught you to respect others including animals. And here he was, committing a serious offense. You accusingly ask him questions about the relic and why the dragon was kept from her eggs. Clink. Your feet are free. You make a run for it.

"Wait," your sensei calls after you. "Help me. Set me free, and I will tell you everything. The dragon is not what she appears to be."

You pause. You are conflicted. You want to return to the dojo and find the relic to free the mother dragon so she can reunite with her eggs before they hatch. But you also want to know the mystery of the dragon and the relic.

Do You: Abandon sensei to help the dragon?
Do you: Free sensei and find out more about the mysterious dragon and relic?

Start over

Choose Your Own Adventure: Run out of the Japanese Tea Garden

You run out of the Japanese Tea Garden and take cover at the Bison Pavilion
You watch the large beast flap away then collapse flat on your back. You count to ten before getting up and making your way out of the Japanese Tea Garden toward the Bison Pavilion. There is a security guard station there where you can report the dragon. You start running then stop. 

Are you out of your mind? Who in their right mind would believe you? Dragons in San Francisco. Yeah, that will get you thrown in the looney bin faster than you can say....... before you can complete your thought, the ground shakes again. Oh no, you think, it is the dragon again. 

You duck behind a tree and scan the sky but don't see anything. You step out from behind the tree then all of a sudden six dragons drop to the ground surrounding you. Their chest rising and falling and their snouts puffing like a chimney. The smoke swirled around you, you can feel the heat of their breath burning your skin underneath your clothes. A low, trembling grumble sounds deep in their throats. These beast were mad. Fire raged in their eyes.

"Is this the human," you hear one growl. 

You turn in circles trying to locate the beast who was talking. Two massive beasts separate to allow another beast through. Well what do you know, it's the little dragon. On his back is a little girl who managed to talk the big dragons out of beating up the little dragon and accept him as he is. You give a weak chuckle. 

"He, he, hey," you say, How's it going?" You try to smile but your lips press to a grimace.

The dragon narrows his eyes at you and frowns.

"Yeth," he says looking up at the biggest of the dragons, 'Heeth, the one. Heeth the mean humanth who abandoneth me to my demeyeth. I athked for help and he juth ran away. He wath going to let you rip me aparth. Heeth juth rude and unfrienthly." 

The dragons roar.
"No one can be mean to our little dragon brother and gets away with it," the dragons bellow and begins stomping the ground around you. You fall to your knees. This is the end. You are going to die.

"Please don't eat me," you cry out. "I was afraid, I didn't know what else to do?" You are trembling, your face in your hands.

"Good heavens we aren't going to eat you," one of the big dragons says rolling his eyes.

"We don't eat meat," another says.

"Yeah, especially a scrawny pint like you," another dragon says flicking you onto your back with his claw.

"No, we have something special for you," the biggest dragon says with a sneer.

The dragons circle you, laughing and puffing smoke on you.

"The next time someone comes to you asking for help, you better think twice before running away," they taunt before flying off, leaving you hanging from the flag pole by your underwear just as the high school bell rings.
The End

Go Back: Run like the Devil away from the effeminate Beast

Go Back: Stay and try and help him?

Start Over: