Who Was Albert Einstein?

About This Book

Who Was Albert Einstein? by Jess Brallier and illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker is about the genius Albert Einstein. Jess Brallier tells the facts about Albert Einstein’s life and how he changed the world with his inventions, in a fun way.

Genre

Who Was Albert Einstein? is a biography. The black and white illustrations by Robert Andrew Parker are very entertaining and helps the reader connect to the story.

Importance

It is important for children to learn about historical figures who have made major contributions to society. The simple text of this book allows children to learn history and entertain them at the same time.

Discussion Questions

• What did you already know about Albert Einstein prior to reading this book?
• What new things did you learn about Albert Einstein after reading this book?
• What type of things did Albert Einstein enjoy thinking about?

Activities for The Children

• Draw a black and white illustration of your favorite scene out the book.
• Write 2-3 sentences why the picture you drew is your favorite scene out of the book?
• Have the children write all the words they did not know in the story and write the definitions for those words.

Brallier, J. (2002). Who Was Albert Einstein? New York: Grosset & Dunlap.

Other Books by Jess Brallier

• Coach
• Tess’s Tree
• No Sweat Projects Bouncing Science

The Ugly Duckling

About This Book

The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney is about the journey of an awkward little duck who was discriminated and teased by his family for being different. The awkward duck survived hunters, rough seasons, and hecklers. He never gave up and turned into a fluent swan.

Genre

The Ugly Duckling is a folklore. The watercolor illustrations by Jerry Pinkney brings the story to life.

Importance

The Ugly Duckling is a oldtime favorite folklore that demonstrates the perseverance of a duck that was struggling to survivor when he was still a young awkward duck. The story shows children that if they do not give up they can survive the hardships in life.  

Discussion Questions

• Ask the children why they believe it was important for the duck to keep pushing forward instead of giving up.
• Why is it wrong to tease someone for being a little different from everyone else?
• How would you feel if you were teased by your family or friends?

Activities for The Children

• Have the children draw and color the duck family.
• Have the children get into groups and write down 5 reasons why teasing someone is wrong.

Christian Andersen, H. (1999). The Ugly Duckling. New York: Morrow Junior Books.

Other Books by Hans Christian Andersen

• The Wild Swans
• The Princess and the Pea
• Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales

If Animals Kissed Goodnight

About This Book

If Animals Kissed Goodnight by Ann Whitford and illustrated by David Walker is about a little girl who has a talk with her mom at bedtime. The little girl wonders how animal families would say goodnight. She wondered how bears, wolves, elephants, sloths, and other animals kissed the children goodnight.

Genre

If Animals Kissed Goodnight is a poetry picture book. The simple but vivid colorful illustrations by David Walker bring life the story.

Importance

If Animals Kissed Goodnight is a perfect book to get young children to use their imaginations. The rhymes in the book will captivate children and make reading enjoyable.

Discussion Questions

• How do you think animals would say goodnight to their children?
• How do you and your family say goodnight at bedtime?
• How long do you think sloths would take to kiss?

Activities for The Children

• Have the children draw their favorite animal out of the book.
• Have the children write how they believe each animal in the book would say goodnight.

Whitford Paul, A. (2014). If Animals Kissed Good Night. Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR).

Other Books By Ann Whitford Paul

• Manana, Iguana
• Eight Hands Round: A Patchwork Alphabet
• Tortuga in Trouble

Rosa

About This Book

Rosa by Nikki Giovanni and illustrated by Bryan Collier is about an African-American woman named Rosa Parks.  Rosa was riding a city bus in Montgomery, Alabama, when she was asked to give up her seat in the front of the segregated bus and move to the back of the bus where blacks were allowed to seat. Rosa’s refusal to go to the back of the bus lead to her arrest and the beginning of a civil right movement. Rosa became one of the most influential people of America’s civil right movement.

Genre  

Rosa is a historical non-fiction picture book. The watercolor and collage art illustrations by Bryan Collier wonderfully compliments the historical story of Rosa. The illustrations grabs the attention of the reader.

Importance

It is important for young children to learn the history of America’s civil rights movement. This was a movement that affected the country as a whole.

Discussion Questions

• Do you think Rosa was wrong for breaking the law and not moving to the back of the bus?
• Would you have moved to the back of the bus?
• Is there another way Rosa could have handled the situation without breaking the law?

Activities for the Children

• Have the children break into groups and write a paragraph on why they think Rosa was justified in breaking the law.
• Have the children paint with watercolors a picture of Rosa on the bus, these pictures can be printed on line.

Giovanni, N., & Collier, B. (2005). Rosa. New York: Henry Holt.

If you enjoyed Rosa, check out other books written by Nikki Giovanni.

• The Sun Is So Quiet
• The Genie In The Jar

Heidi

About This Book

Heidi by Johanna Spyri is about a five-year-old little orphan girl who goes to live with her long lost grandfather and her blind grandmother, in the Swiss Alps. Heidi brings great pleasure to everyone she meets in the Swiss Alps with her love of life and pleasant attitude. Heidi is then traumatized when she is forced to leave the mountains to serve as a companion to a woman named Klara. Heidi comes home to visit and shares memorable moments with her friends and family. Heidi has changed with lives of everyone she has had connect with, with her unforgettable and pleasant personality.

Genre

Historical Fiction

Importance

Heidi would be a great book for children to read. The book shows children how being grateful and pleasant can have a long lasting affect on people they encounter. Heidi will also teach children to cherish their family and friends because Heidi was an orphan and not fortunate to have a family before she found her grandfather.

Discussion Questions

• How do you think Heidi felt living as an orphan?
• How would you feel if you no longer had your families and friends?
• How does Heidi bring light to her blind grandmother?

Activities for the Children

• Have the children draw a picture of Heidi with her Grandfather and her goat.
• Have the children draw a picture of their family members.
• Write a vocabulary list of the words in Heidi and have the children study their meaning.

Spyri, J. (2000). Heidi. Mineola, N.Y.: Dover Publications.

Baby Brains and RoboMom

About This Book

Baby Brains and RoboMom by Simon James is about a baby that is the smartest baby in the universe. Baby Brains comes up with a great idea to build a robot to help his mom Mrs. Brains do the chores. Mrs. Brain is grateful for the help at first but then becomes resentful when RoboMom takes over the special moments like bedtime.

Genre

Baby Brains and RoboMom is a science fiction picture book. Simon James uses ink drawings with water colors for the illustrations. The illustrations are funny and engaging.

Importance

Reading Baby Brains and RoboMom will help children stretch their imagination. The book will help children realize the importance of quality family time.

Discussion Questions

• Do you think RoboMom was intentionally trying to take over Mrs. Brain’s motherly duties?
• How could Baby Brains programm RoboMom better?
• Would you want a robot in the house to help do chores?  

Activities for the Children

• Have the children build a robot out of arts and crafts?
• Have the children draw their favorite scene from the book.
• Have the children write a list of chores they can do around the house to help their parents.

James, S. (2008). Baby Brains and RoboMom. Candlewick Press.

If you enjoyed Baby Brains and RoboMom check out other books by Simon James.

• Rex
• Dear Greenpeace
• George Flies South
• The Wild Woods
  
  
  
  

Wonder

About This Book

Wonder by R. J. Palacio is about a ten-year-old boy named August who has a facial deformity. August just wants to be a regular kid, but he knows he’s not because other kids laugh him off the playground. Up until now August has been homeschooled. August is not looking forward to attending a regular school this year because he is afraid how the kids will perceive him. August just wants to be a normal kid and show the other kids in school that he’s just like them.

Genre

Contemporary realistic fiction

Importance  

Wonder is an important book for school age children to read. Kids can be very cruel to other children who are physically different or do not look like them. This book allows children to see how hurtful their rude and ignorant remarks can be to a child. People who have deformities are just like everyone else, they just look different, but they still are real people with real feelings.

Discussion Questions

• Ask the children how would they feel if they had a physical deformity and other children made fun of them.
• What are ways that the children in August’s new school can make him feel comfortable and welcomed?  
• What should you do when yourself or you see another child being bullied?

Activities for the Children

• Have the children draw a picture of August.
• Next to the picture the children drew, have the children write 5 ways to make August feel welcomed.
• Have the children write all the positive things about August on their picture.

Palacio, R. (2012). Wonder. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers.

If you loved Wonder, check out these books by R.J. Palacio.

• Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories
• Shingaling: A Wonder Story
• Pluto