Favorite Series: Fox and Hen

Fox and Hen Together
by Beatrice Rodriguez
Enchanted Lion Books, 2011
review copy provided by the publisher

The surprise in Chicken Thief (a PW Best Book of 2010), the first book in this trilogy (watch for Rooster's Revenge in September), is that when the fox steals the chicken, the outcome is happily ever after and not chicken feathers at the corners of fox's mouth. In this book, Chicken leaves Fox in charge of her egg while she goes out to catch a fish for dinner. The adventure that ensues for Chicken takes up the rest of the book, except for the part at the end where there's a surprise with that egg.

I'm not telling. Sorry. You'll have to read it for yourself.

Why I love this series:
1. It's more than just the Fox and the Chicken, it's a whole series of wordless books that Enchanted Lion is doing called Stories Without Words. (see also my review of ICE by Arthur Geisert)
2. The size and shape of the books -- they are different from other books -- long and skinny.
3. Wordless picture books are "just right" books for EVERY reader in my classroom.

Poem #20 -- Happy Birthday, Franki !!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FRANKI !!

We're the cupcakes,

You're the frosting.

You're the sprinkles on the top!

We're the shelves,

You're the books.

You could practically be the shop!

You're the fulcrum

of our balance.

You remind us to stay sane!

You're the laughter

that brightens our days.

A toast to you, with poetic champagne!

©Mary Lee Hahn, 2011

I hope you'll add your birthday wishes to Franki in the comments! Help me celebrate a fabulous blogging partner, a good friend, and a dynamic teacher/librarian. Three cheers for Franki !!!

SEED SOIL SUN: EARTH'S RECIPE FOR FOOD by Cris Peterson

I picked up quite the fun pile of books at the Debbie Miller workshop this weekend. One book that I am really excited about is SEED SOIL SUN by Cris Peterson.  This is a nonfiction book with gorgeous photographs.

I was surprised at how much I loved the writing in this book and how much I actually learned. I assumed this would tell me about plants growing as so many other books do.  But this book takes a unique look at the topic. Each page has several gorgeous photos accompanied by a bit of text giving details about the way plants grow. I loved information like this, "Microscopic one-celled bacteria that munch away on dead leaves and insects in the soil are so minute that it would take a thousand of them lined up in a row to reach across the head of a pin."  The author does a great job of creating visuals that help readers understand difficult concepts.

One of the interesting new things I learned, was, "Each handful of soil contains more living things than all the human beings on Earth."

The author does a great job of making this book accessible to young readers and at the same time introduces very sophisticated concepts ideas.

The length of this book makes it good for both read aloud and independent reading.

Poem #19 -- Life

Flickr Creative Commons Photo by ADoseofShipBoy

LIFE

the price of gasoline

pistachio ice cream

colonoscopies

bunches of daisies

stages of cancer

a friend with the answer

haze in the sky

pecan pie

graffiti

confetti

©Mary Lee Hahn, 2011

Patrick Carman on Multimedia Books

I recently had the opportunity to interview author, Patrick Carman for Choice Literacy. In this podcast, Patrick Carman talks about his commitment to literacy and the role multimedia can play in hooking kids into reading.  If you are interested, you can listen to the podcast on the Choice Literacy site.

Patrick Carman also talked about this at a recent TED NYEd Talk.


If you had not had a chance to hear Patrick Carman speak about Mutlimedia books and the doors they can open, I would highly recommend it. He really helped me see possibilities for students that I hadn't seen before.  Also, if you had not had time to take a look at his multimedia books (Skeleton Creek, Trackers) or his new 3:15 project, they are brilliant.  I promise they will totally hook you.  Great stories and amazing use of various forms of media.  I love the fact that Carman has some multimedia books and then more traditional books that kids can go to once they get hooked on his writing.

Poem #18 -- To Educate

TO EDUCATE IS TO FUNAMBULATE*

My students are the
absorbate
for all that I
communicate.

All day long I
motivate,
they
concentrate,
we
collaborate.

For some I must
abbreviate,
for others I
accelerate.

On my best days I
fascinate and
motivate.

On the other days I
hesitate
dubiate**
cogitate

then

reinvigorate,
regenerate.

©Mary Lee Hahn, 2011





*Funambulate -- to walk or dance on a tight rope.

**dubiate -- to doubt

POETRY PICNIC!

This week in the library, we are having a POETRY PICNIC! There is no food at this picnic, but we are just getting a taste of poetry. The library is set up to look like a picnic and there are about 20 places that kids can choose from--places to try things having to do with poetry. My big goal is to get kids' hands on different types of poetry books and to give them time to explore poetry with friends. Classes come to the library every 4 days and we'll keep the picnic set up for 2 rotations. The library is set up so that students can be independent--with directions at each station inviting them to try some things. Many of the tables are set up with a certain type of poetry for kids to read together or on their own. Below are some of the things kids can choose from:


LIST POETRY
At this table, students can read poems from Georgia Heard's book FALLING DOWN THE PAGE. I have also included skinny strips of paper and pencils at this table so kids can try their own list poetry writing.

POETRY TAG ON THE KINDLE
I love the POETRY TAG TIME kindle book that Mary Lee told me about. Several children's poets got together to play poetry tag and write poetry. One poet began and tagged another. The next poet writes a poem that is connected in some way and tags someone else. Most of our kids don't have any experience with ebook readers so just putting this out to play with has been good.


POETRY ON THE IPODS
I have several song and poetry apps on the ipods. TALES2GO has a poem that kids can listen to. DUCK DUCK MOOSE has several songs, and I just discovered POET KIDS which is like magnetic poetry on the ipod.


POETRY PLACE MATS
I gathered many food poems and food poetry books. At this table, kids can read poems about food and make a place mat. After weaving the place mat, kids then add some food poems to the place mat. Some books at this table are WHAT'S ON THE MENU?, EATS and FRANKENSTEIN MAKES A SANDWICH.


ORIGAMI POETRY
FOLD ME A POEM by Kristine O'Connell George has always been popular in our library. I found directions for making the dog in the book on George's website. At this table, kids can read the poems and make the dog or other items from the book.


SHAPE POEMS
Many kids have never taken the time to look at the great shape poems in books such as DOODLE DANDIES. This table is full of those. I may introduce TAGXEDO this week so that kids can create their own shape poems with this tool.


SONGS
This table includes many song books. A new favorite is IF YOU'RE HOPPY AND YOU KNOW IT. Alan Katz's books such as TAKE ME OUT OF THE BATHTUB are also popular. Kids are having a ball finding the accompanying songs on the Internet and playing clapping games with others (such as MISS MARY MACK).

FUN WITH WORDS
One table celebrates playing with words. Included are games such as Bananagrams and Hinky Pinky and books. The books invite kids to play with words in a variety of ways. Some of the favorites are ANIMAL SOUP, MOM AND DAD ARE PALINDROMES and 13 WORDS.

POETRY SPLATTER ON THE SMARTBOARD
I found POETRY SPLATTER on RIF's website. (Thanks, Carol!)  I put this up on the Smartboard and kids are having fun dragging over words to create their own poems.

POETRY WITH FRIENDS 
This table has lots of fun poetry books to read with friends.  The YOU READ TO ME series as well as JOYFUL NOISE are part of this table for kids to read together.

POETRY WEBSITES
Computers are set up for students to explore websites such as GIGGLE POETRY, POETRY4KIDS, and Shel Silverstein's website.

LEMONADE
This table only houses the new poetry book LEMONADE, some magnetic letters, pencils and paper. Students can read and enjoy the poems and also try some of their own scrambled poetry here.

Other spaces include pillows for reading poems by favorite poets, a table with Acrostic and Haiku and a space to try Poetry Riddles.

We are all looking forward to a fun week of poetry!

Poem #17 -- Book Spine Poem, Poetry Edition

To My Daughter With Love:

No Roof But Sky;

From This Soil,

For the New Year:

Tickets for a Prayer Wheel.

Nurture

Sweet and Bitter Bark --

Our Ground Time Here Will Be Brief.

©Mary Lee Hahn, 2011

Poem #16 -- Two Haiku

Empty nests are caught

in the budding skeleton

of the maple tree.

First leaves interrupt

the criss-cross calligraphy

of the bare branches.

©Mary Lee Hahn, 2011

Poem #15 and Poetry Friday -- I'm Your Mom

Flickr Creative Commons Photo "Mother Hen and Chicks" by Frances Taylor

I'M YOUR MOM

I'm your mom when you're in school.
I mom you sharply when you're cruel.
I mom you gently when you're hurt.
I mom the buttons on your shirt!

(I mom the music teacher's tie.)
I always mom you when you cry.
(I mom the plants on the windowsill.)
I mom you when you're feeling ill.

I'll never be your mom at home.
I'll never see what you'll become.
I'll never tuck you into bed,
Never hold your feverish head.

But I'm your mom when you're in school
And I'll mom you into shape with rules
Because I love you like you're mine...
I hope your real mom doesn't mind!


©Mary Lee Hahn, 2011



The first two lines of this poem came to me while I was brushing my teeth yesterday. Luckily, I took the time to write them down so the poem wasn't lost!

Our fourth graders had their spring concert this week, and the boys looked so nice in shirts with buttons! Unfortunately, that meant that one shirt got buttoned lopsidedly. So I really did "mom the buttons" on a shirt! The music teacher's tie was peeking out from under the back of his collar, so I really did "mom the music teacher's tie."  On Wednesday, our garden club planted giant sunflower seeds, birdhouse gourds, and pumpkins in cups that are now sitting on classroom windowsills throughout the school. The ones in my room join the ancient geraniums that live in my classroom during the winter. Again, I really do "mom the plants on the windowsill!"

The thing that delights me most about this poem is using mom as a verb. Perfect, no?  :-)

Diane has the Poetry Friday Roundup at Random Noodling today. Take your noodle over to her blog and check out this week's offerings. Happy Poetry Month!

Poem #14 -- Lost and Found

Flickr Creative Commons Photo by the.sprouts

LOST AND FOUND

I look behind the sofa,

I gape under the car,

I gaze out in the garden,

But my poem isn't there.

I open all the junkmail,

I snoop behind the door,

I check last Sunday's paper,

There's no poem anywhere.

I scan inside the cupboards,

I peer atop the fridge,

I peek into my closet,

But my poem's out of sight.

I glance down at my paper,

I read between the lines,

Find the moral of the story:

Set pencil free and it will write!

©Mary Lee Hahn, 2011

BOOKS I COULD READ A MILLION TIMES: Me...Jane

I have heard about the book ME...JANE by Patrick McDonnell but hadn't gotten around to ordering it. I saw a copy while shopping in San Antonio and fell in love with it IMMEDIATELY. This is by far one of my favorite books of the year so far.

I am always on the lookout for good picture book biographies and I love stories about people who have made a difference in the world. And, I have always been a huge Jane Goodall fan. (Really, how could you not be?) I am fascinated by her life and her work.  I have read many of the books written about her and her work and I continue to be fascinated and inspired by her. So, I knew I would like this book. Just because it was about one of my favorite people. But I loved it even more than I expected and I imagine I will love this book forever. This is the story of Jane Goodall as a child.  A child who had a toy chimpanzee named Jubilee and who loved everything about the outdoors.  As of this moment, it is my choice for the Caldecott Award. And any other award that it is eligible for.  


Really, I think I could read this book more than a million times.  It makes my list of BOOKS I COULD READ A MILLION TIMES for so many reasons. Here are a few of those reasons:
-This book is great for readers of all ages.  There is not a ton of text so it is great for young readers. It is an amazing story of Jane Goodall's childhood so older children and adults will also love it.
-Patrick McDonnell's illustrations somehow capture Jane Goodall's spirit.
-This is a story about someone who discovered her passion early in life --gotta love that!
-I always love great picture books about people/kids who have made a difference in the world and this is one of those.
-The ending illustrations in the book are breathtaking.  Truly brilliant.
-One of the pages includes illustrations and puzzles that were created by Jane Goodall as a child!
-The end notes (one about Jane Goodall and one that is a message from Jane Goodall) give the reader a bit more information and inspiration.
-And the last page tells us a bit more about the illustrations, "Throughout this book, ornamental engravings from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries are included collectively evoking Jane's lifelong passion for detailed, scientific observation of nature."


This book captures the serious of Jane Goodall's work and the energy of her passion. With very little text, this tells us about Jane as a child and how her dream has lived on for her throughout her life.


This is a MUST MUST have book for everyone. It makes me happy every time I read it.


If you'd like to hear what others are saying about it, you can read about it here:
Fuse #8
100 Scope Notes
Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
The Daily Green
The Hornbook (Starred Review)

Poem #13 -- A Message to My Critic

IT'S MY POEM

I wrote it.
You read it.
You like it
Or not.

If not
Then you leave it.
But don't you rewrite it.

They're my words.
I chose them.
I wrote it.
I lived it.

You leave it
Alone.

©Mary Lee Hahn, 2011

Favorite Series: Lunch Lady

Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit
by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Alfred A. Knopf, 2010
review copy purchased for my classroom

When all the sweets for the bake sale disappear after a sudden power outage, Lunch Lady and her sidekick Betty gather clues and identify suspects. Meanwhile, the Breakfast Bunch (and Orson, the safety patrol nerd) are kidnapped by Brenda, the evil bus driver. In the climax of the story, it's Buszilla vs. the Lunch-cycle. In the end, "Justice is served." "And baked goods." The bake sale is back on, and so is the field trip to the museum...which looks to be the next adventure for Lunch Lady (Lunch Lady and the Field Trip Fiasco, due out September 2011).

Why I love this series:
1. The art. The style fits the story perfectly.
2. Lunch Lady's curses: "Greasy Bacon!" "Porridge!" "Brussel Sprouts!"
3. The whole idea of the lunch lady as super hero. Doesn't this mean that ANYBODY might have super powers? ANYBODY could save the world and the bake sale?

PEACEFUL PIECES: POEMS AND QUILTS ABOUT PEACE by Anna Grossnickle Hines

While in San Antonio this weekend. we visited the local independent children's bookstore, Twig. I always like to visit bookstores in different cities. Even though we have the best children's bookstore here in Columbus (Cover to Cover), I know that other stores might have books by local authors and other things I may have missed.  I always find a few little surprises when I go to bookstores while traveling.

PEACEFUL PIECES is a poetry book that I picked up in San Antonio.  I was so excited to see this book. I don't know the author so I think it was the idea of peace that drew me in.  This book is amazing. It gives readers to much to think about. The book is filled with poems around the idea of peace.  And the author, Anna Grossnickle Hines looks at the idea of peace from so many angles.  Some poems ask questions like, "What If?". Others celebrate peacemakers in history. (Additional biographical information on the peacemakers is included on the last page of the book.)  Still others deal with the kind of peace that children can truly relate to--peace in the home, with siblings, etc.  This is a brilliant book. Not only is the quilt art amazing, but the poems are written in a way that are powerful and also accessible to children. I love that it gives readers so many ways to think about peace.

This is definitely a poetry book I am excited to add to my collection!



Carol at Carol's Corner has also reviewed this book.  She has some other great links in her post. I so love that we seem to have discovered this book at the same time!

Poem #12 -- Between Rain Showers

Flickr Creative Commons photo by deb mae

BETWEEN RAIN SHOWERS

The boy in the yellow slicker
riding his tricycle
up and down the driveway across the alley
stops to watch the old woman bend
carefully all the way down
until her face is next to the ground,
next to the hyacinths still wet with rain.
He studies her without moving, and he
cannot imagine the scent
of the stalk of waxy blooms.
The troubles of her day dissolve.
She catches his eye when she stands up,
and she returns his serious gaze.

©Mary Lee Hahn, 2011

Poem #11 -- Similies, Metaphors, and Idioms

Flickr Creative Commons Photo by Graham Canny

Crafty metaphor is a sly fox,

hiding in plain sight.

Simple simile is as easy as 1, 2, 3,

as obvious as your nose on your face.

Idioms run around 

like chickens with their heads cut off,

get down to brass tacks, and

hit the hay when they get tired.

©Mary Lee Hahn, 2011

Flickr Creative Commons Photo by NitroxAnyOne

Poem #10 -- Book Spine Poem, Notables Edition

KEEPER

Half upon a time

one crazy summer,

the dreamer,

spilling ink:

Zora and Me,

Lulu and the Brontosaurus...

We are in a book!

©Mary Lee Hahn, 2011

To make this book spine poem, I used only books from the 2011 NCTE Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts.  For an AMAZING gallery of book spine poems, check out 100 Scope Notes. Then go get a stack of books and give it a try yourself!

Poem #9 -- Politically Correct

POLITICALLY CORRECT

Stand.
And know why you stand.

Speak.
And let your passion ring out.

Listen.
And make sure that you hear.

Fight.
And prepare to compromise.

Believe.
And stay firm in the truth.

©Mary Lee Hahn, 2011