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Dragons Dragons & other creatures that never wereby Eric Carle, compiled by Laura Whipple
- Paperback: 68 pages
- Publisher: Puffin Books, New York (2004)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 014240103X
- Age: 6-9
Illustrated poetry celebrating mythology and legends from around the world
Eric Carle's illustrations are always stunning and delightful. The poetry chosen for the collection include selections from well known authors including Anne McGaffrey, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, William Blake, and William Shakespeare. The large pull out pages to include the Chinese dragon are remarkable and offer so much by way of creative story telling.
Potential use
With the included glossary of creatures and the index, this book could be used for curriculum support as well as enjoyable story time reading.
Content and appeal
Including such a wide range of poets and poetry styles is appealing to the parents who will end up reading this collection over and over again. They are delightful verses, and not what one might expect in a child's poetry collection. My own copy is worn and well loved.
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Behind the Legend: Zombies
Behind the Legend: Zombies
by Erin Peabody, art by Jomike Tejido
- Series: Behind the Legend
- Hardcover: 128 pages
- Publisher: Little Bee Books, New York (2017)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 149980461X
- Age: 8-10
Non-fiction accounts of zombie folklore from Mesopotamia to Haiti and North America
Book quality
One probably wouldn't expect appealing art work in a zombie book, but the art is well done. Creepy, without being morbid or too scary. The author keeps her age group in mind and adds a caution before continuing on to the chapters regarding how deplorable slavery was. She also included a bibliography as well as recommendations for further reading.
Potential use
As nonfiction, this would be a terrific curriculum support when studying myths, or ancient civilizations.
As nonfiction, this would be a terrific curriculum support when studying myths, or ancient civilizations.
Content and appeal
Given the subject matter, this is going to appeal to anyone interested in zombie lore. However, it may be a little too gory and creepy for the younger readers. As a librarian, I would be weary of suggesting it to the younger elementary students.
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Whiskers, Tails & Wings
Whiskers, Tails & Wings
Animal Folktales from Mexico
by Judy Goldman, illustrated by Fabrico VandenBroeck
- Hardcover: 64 pages
- Publisher: Charlesbridge, MA (2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1580893724
- Age: 8-12
Traditional Mexican animal folktales
Book quality
This book is packed full of text! It's a mix of folklore and facts about Mexico. The pages with the folklore include beautiful and colorful illustrations. The art on the pages telling the story of a particular people group are more realistic, reminding readers that they're now reading the non-fiction portion.
This book is packed full of text! It's a mix of folklore and facts about Mexico. The pages with the folklore include beautiful and colorful illustrations. The art on the pages telling the story of a particular people group are more realistic, reminding readers that they're now reading the non-fiction portion.
Potential use
The cultural aspect of this collection would make it a tremendous asset to curriculum and homework assistance.
The cultural aspect of this collection would make it a tremendous asset to curriculum and homework assistance.
Content and appeal
Each folk tale is followed by an introduction to a specific people group within Mexico, as well as a glossary of Spanish words and phrases used in the story. It's a collection that a young child can grow up with for a bit. Starting with the simple folktales, then progressing up to reading more about the people of Mexico. In a global culture, understanding more of our world is a good thing.
Each folk tale is followed by an introduction to a specific people group within Mexico, as well as a glossary of Spanish words and phrases used in the story. It's a collection that a young child can grow up with for a bit. Starting with the simple folktales, then progressing up to reading more about the people of Mexico. In a global culture, understanding more of our world is a good thing.
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Polka-Bats and Octopus Slacks
Polka-Bats and Octopus Slacks
by Calef Brown
- Paperback: 32 pages
- Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers, New York (2005)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0618111298
- Age: 4-7
Nonsense poems and equally nonsensical, delightful illustrations
Book quality
14 silly and off-beat poems, all illustrated with equally silly and off-beat artwork. The poems vary in style and rhythm, as well as length. The combination of art and poetry create a delightfully engaging collection!
14 silly and off-beat poems, all illustrated with equally silly and off-beat artwork. The poems vary in style and rhythm, as well as length. The combination of art and poetry create a delightfully engaging collection!
Potential use
Beyond storytime, this would be a wondrous addition for introducing poetry or a weekly reading in the classroom.
Content and appeal
I sincerely hope people who aren't already familiar with Calef Brown are introduced through this reading log! For all of us raised on the nonsensicalness of Dr. Seuss, his poetry, made up words, and artwork are a delightful addition to our reading.
Awards
Marion Vannett Ridgway Award Honor Book
Wyoming Buckaroo Book Award
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National Geographic
National Geographic
Book of Animal Poetry
edited by J. Patrick Lewis, U.S. Children's Poet Laureate
- Hardcover: 192 pages
- Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (September 11, 2012)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1426310099
- Age: 4-8
A collection of poetry all about animals and stunning photography
Book quality
Full color National Geographic photography accompanying well known and loved poetry is a charming combination. The collection is divided into different categories of animals--big ones, little ones, winged, water, strange, noisy, and quiet. They are also an indexed by title, poet, subject, and even first line if one would rather look them up that way.
Full color National Geographic photography accompanying well known and loved poetry is a charming combination. The collection is divided into different categories of animals--big ones, little ones, winged, water, strange, noisy, and quiet. They are also an indexed by title, poet, subject, and even first line if one would rather look them up that way.
Potential use
The sheer number of classic and well known poets included in this collection make it the ideal curriculum support for fostering interest in poetry with students.
The sheer number of classic and well known poets included in this collection make it the ideal curriculum support for fostering interest in poetry with students.
Content and appeal
This is a massive volume chock full of poems and images! It would be ridiculously weighty for a kindergartener to check out of the library. However, as a resource, it's invaluable! Teachers and librarians could use it for curriculum support from introducing various forms of poetry to a unit on different animals and their habitats.
This is a massive volume chock full of poems and images! It would be ridiculously weighty for a kindergartener to check out of the library. However, as a resource, it's invaluable! Teachers and librarians could use it for curriculum support from introducing various forms of poetry to a unit on different animals and their habitats.
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