There are few things that I find more disgusting than bugs. And yet, after reading Joyful Noise, I find myself a little more willing to learn more about these little critters. Thus, Bug Dictionary. The book opens with a brief overview about bugs, where they live, how they are grouped and about their life cycle. As the reader moves into the dictionary section, each letter of the alphabet has a page or two with one to ten examples of bugs beginning with that sound. For each bug the name is highlighted and a description is given, as well as a picture and a size comparison symbol. This symbol is either an eye or a hand. Below the symbol is a shadow of the insect and the measurement of the insect or its wingspan. This helps the children to see just how big or small each bug actually is. Additionally,the colorful illustrations are detailed without being frightening. The book ends with a glossary and index.
Bug Dictionary is a wonderful tool for children to use during a bug unit, when they find a bug they have never seen before, or to help them learn dictionary skills. The simple text with a smattering of scientific words invites readers to learn about each insect in a context they can understand and appreciate. For example,
"Ladybug 0.3 in. (7.6 mm)
Under its hard red wing cases, the ladybug has a pair of larger, more delicate wings. Ladybugs and their larvae are useful insects because they have a huge appetite for aphids and other pests. Their colorful bodies warn enemies that they taste awful. If the ladybug is faced with a dangerous enemy, it will squeeze out foul-smelling fluid from its knees." (p. 31)
As you can see, this text is easy to follow, inviting and interesting. A child unfamiliar with aphids can find a description located in the A section. An illustration is provided of the ladybug with its wings open showing both sets of wings and the body beneath.
I look forward to using this book throughout the spring and summer to learn more about some of the unique bugs that we find. I think my six year old will benefit from the early dictionary skills as well. What a lucky find!
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
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Piggy Monday A Tale About Manners written and illustrated by Suzanne Bloom
Suzanne Bloom is fabulous. My preschoolers are big fans of her Is This the Bus For Us, Gus?. My family just got Piggy Monday A Tale About Manners and we love it! When I first looked at the cover, I thought it would scare my chidlren, 4 and 6. That they would be afraid of turning into pigs themselves. Quite the contrary.
The book begins with a class of children who are teasing, being rude, talking in class, etc. As their behavior deteriorates throughout the day, they begin growing pig snouts, hooves, and tails, until they are all little pigs. The Pig Lady comes to the rescue and reminds them of their manners. As they begin to use manners, their pig parts disappear and they become polite young children. By the end, they are all complementing each other, reminding each other of the proper way to say things and do things, and saying please and thank you.
The illustrations are fabulous inspiring fits of laughter from my children as the students tear apart the classroom and acquire one pig part at a time. The story is in verse which always attracts the attention of young listeners and the dedication, "to that sparkling class who inspired this tale" was a great topic of conversation afterwards - "Did this really happen?" "Are there really kids who don't have any manners?" "Kids can't turn into pigs!"
A few days after reading this book my children were arguing over some precious toy they both desperately needed at the same time and I looked in the doorway and said, "I see a pig tail ... and an ear!" My children stopped arguing immediately and started looking at each other for their pig parts. They rolled in a fit of laughter and actually apologized to each other without being told to!!!! It was terrific! Later that night my husband forgot to say please and my son was quick to say, "Be careful Daddy, you're going to get a pig tail." Humor is such a great way to remind children to make good choices, rather than getting angry or frustrated. The kids catch each other and because of the fabulous imagery from the illustrations, they can't help but laugh at the thought.
I'm so glad I did not judge this book by its cover.
3 comments:
THis sounds like a book my K students would love! They love when I read nonfiction and at this age, they are curious about EVERYTHING! I have a book that sounds similar to this where the descriptions are easy to follow and kid-friendly. I'll definitely have to try and find this one.
My boys would love this book. Since I am bug challenged, I could use some help guiding them through the woods behind our house and answering the million questions they ask about the creepy things they dig up.How were the illustrations?
The illustrations were neat, but they were not photographs. I think for young children they would serve the desired purpose. Good luck!
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