Book Review #71

 Fish Eyes:A Book You Can Count On

Author: Lois Ehlert
Publisher: Clarion Books, 2001 (Brdbk ed.)

ISBN: 978-0152162818
Reading Level: 3 through 5 years

Main Characters: Many interesting fish and one small fish at the bottom of each page. 

Plot: A simple 1 to 10 counting style book that teaches early math concepts such as, number words and symbols, basic addition, and relationships between numbers. A small fish introduces the other fish while counting them and adding himself. 

Settings: Underwater,"flipping down rivers and splash[ing] in the sea."

Genre/Theme/Style: Counting 1-10, simple math, fish, nature, and underwater fun.

I Gave This Book 5 Roars!🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars? I love this book! As a Pre-K teacher and librarian, it is always on my shelf. I have used it to teach basic math concepts, big and small, colors, sizes and shapes, and incorporated it into theme units like water, eyes, or nature. It works well at keeping the reader's attention. 

The only thing I disliked about it was the easily torn book pages from children putting their fingers in the cutouts. I solved that by purchasing it as a board book. The board book is a nice solution and a great way to save a few bucks. 

Critical Analysis: The interesting artwork, vivid color selection, and surprise cutouts for kids to find, keep younger readers learning without the book feeling like work. 

I also think the small fish is such a big part of why small children identify with the story. There are many different kinds, colors, sizes, and shapes of fish moving around the small fish in his underwater world. This feels very similar to small children exploring all of the differences in their own environments. 

The book has an easy rhythm that helps the reader along and of course who doesn’t love "all of those fish eyes looking at me." Young readers will ask for this one over and over. 

Every so often, you find a book that you have to experience for yourself to fully appreciate its value. This is one of those books.

Connections: Fish Eyes:A Book You Can Count On Read-A-Long

Happy International Day of Awesomeness!

International Day of Awesomeness

March 10, 2022

The International Day of Awesomeness was first observed in 2008 by Kevin Lawver, the day’s creator. Because everyone needs an excuse to be awesome and because no one’s perfect, but everyone can be awesome.

It celebrates the awesomeness in all of us! 

Let's Roar for Awesomeness!

Book Review #70

 Talia and the Haman-tushies

Author: Linda Elovitz Marshall
Illustrator: Francesca Assirelli
Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing, 2019
ISBN: ‎ 978-1512408263
Reading Level: 4 - 8 years

Main Characters: Talia and Grandma

Plot: The story of how Queen Esther saved the Jewish people as told to Talia by Grandma. Jewish people celebrate Purim. Purim is the holiday that remembers the salvation of the Jewish people from Haman, who was the Prime Minister of the Persian Empire. Talia confuses the name of the pastries they are making with Haman-tushies, instead of Hamantaschen. (The Yiddish word “tash” means pocket.) 

Settings: Grandma’s farm in Springtime.

Genre/Theme/Style: Children’s Picture Books, Children’s Holiday Books, Purim.

I Gave This Book 5 Roars!🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars? This is such a cute way of explaining Purim and the book of Esther to children. Purim is celebrated once a year on the fourteenth day of the Hebrew month of Adar (in late winter/early spring). On Purim, Jews often celebrate by reading the book of Esther, giving gifts to the poor, making Hamantaschen, and dressing up in costumes. This children’s book also has a recipe for Talia’s Haman-Tushies in the back for families, if they want to try making this pastry.

I picked up this book after purchasing Talia and the Rude Vegetables and Talia and the Very YUM Kippur. I was not disappointed with any of the books in this series.

Critical Analysis: Talia’s misunderstanding of the word Hamantaschen leads to a fun way to discuss the Jewish holiday Purim.

“Talia mishears her [Grandma] and thinks edible posteriors are on the menu – yuck! (Parents, be prepared to translate the joke.) As they cook, Grandma tells the Purim story, which is folded into the baking activities as smoothly as sugar into margarine. Francesca Assirelli’s illustrations are a joy, especially Grandma, beaming so roundly that the bridge of her specs is stretched to a foot long. Luckily, the tushie misunderstanding is cleared up in time for Talia to taste the hamantaschen. Giggles guaranteed for ages three to five." 

~~The Jewish Chronicle

Illustrations: The illustrations are a great fit with the story and add a touch of childish humor.

“The illustrations, which appear to have been made from paintings, are clear with a cheerful palette and make the story easy to follow for young children. There is also a recipe for Hamantaschen at the end, which would be a great follow-through activity for young readers and their adult companions."

~~Jewish Book Council

Connections: The book offers a recipe for Talia’s Haman-Tushies that would be a nice way to celebrate Purim or experiment with baking something new.