Madeline

Module 2 - January 25-31

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

Summary:
Classic story about a spirited little girl, Madeline, and her life at her school with her teacher Miss Clavel. One night, Madeline wakes up in pain. She is taken to the hospital to have her appendicitis out. Her friends worry about her but soon discover that being sick has it's perks! This simple tale is told in rhythmic rhyme. The illustrations alternate from colorful to simple yellow and black. Readers young and old can appreciate this simple tale.

Thoughts of a Book Worm:
This book is a classic favorite of mine. This well written rhyming tale has a fun song like quality. Although the tale is simple, the illustrations add to the story by giving us a clear visual of Madeline, a brave little girl who seems to love life. The love how the ending reminds me of my own children and how they do tend to envy the care and attention that the sick receive.

Reviews:
"Mr. Bemelmans' drawings of the Opera, of Notre Dame in the rain, of the sun shining on birds and children in the Luxembourg and Tuileries gardens have put an authentic Paris within the covers of the book. The rhymes in which the tale is told make it one that children will enjoy repeating." - The New York Times


Activities:
This book lends itself to discovering and playing with rhyming words. Kids can have fun exploring and finding the rhyming words on each page. An extension activity could be to have the children form a circle. One child starts by saying a word & rolling a ball. The child that receives the ball would need to come up with a word that rhymes. This would continue until there are no more rhyming words. Then a new would could be picked and the rhymes can continue.

This book can also be used to help children deal with a hospital stay (whether it is themselves or a loved one who needs to be in the hospital.) An extension activity could be to make 'Get Well' cards.

Biography:

Bemelmans, L. (1939). Madeline. New York: Puffin Books.

Little Women

Module 2 - Janurary 25-31

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Summary:
This book takes his into the lives of the four girls of the March family: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. The setting takes place during the Civil War and shows how the girls and their mother cope with the hard times as the father is off at war. The story follows these girls through their adolecent years as they follow their own very different paths to find love, peace, and true happiness.

Thoughts of a Book Worm:
I thought this was a beautifully written book that truly inserts the reader into the setting with this close family. I enjoyed getting to know the individual personalities of the four sisters. This book reminds me of the ties I have to my own sister. Although their family ties are strong - they soon learn that they must each follow their own path to happiness. The style of writing/language is different from more contemporary writers - so younger readers may find themselves reading this book a little slower to gain the full understanding of the text.

Reviews:
"Many of us grew up reading Louisa May Alcott's books and lived vicariously in the world of Jo March and her family. They struggle to make ends meet during the Civil War, and gave to those who had even less. Jo befriended and in turn was befriended by Mr. Laurence and his grandson. She struggles mightily to control her temper and battles to break out of the decorum society imposed on women. She never loses her spirit and even in this much-abridged version of the story, the warmth and caring which epitomized the March family shines through. Gerver has retained the essence of Alcott's story, and this version is filled with wonderful period and those that depict life during the Civil War. For today's readers this may be as close as they will come to Alcott, but it is my hope that interest will be piqued and that her other books (Little Men, Jo's Boys, Rose in Bloom, etc.) will soon find their way into readers hands." 1999, Marilyn Courtot - Children's Literature

Activities:
This story would make a great lead in to discussion about how life was different during the time of the Civil War. Students could research different aspects such as : clothing, food, social expecations, economic classes, how the Civil War affected families, and how men and women helped out during the war to name a few.

Another activity, geared for girls, would be to have the girls pick one of the characters that they can relate to the most. Have the students discuss why they chose this character, giving examples from the book.

Biography: Alcott, L. M. (1996). Little women. New York: Viking.

The Giving Tree

Module 1

January 19-21

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Summary:
This is a story that follows through the passage of time to tell the story of how a tree sacrifices and gives to a loved one. It starts with the tree naturally being able to keep a young boy happy. The story continues on to show how as the boy gets older his needs and wants change. The tree finds ways to give to the boy in order to provide him with happiness. In the end, the tree and the boy find happiness in each other once again.

Thoughts of a Book Worm:
I can see how his moving tale has remained a favorite story through the years. It shares such a moving lesson of love and sacrifice in a very simple way. This book can be truly enjoyed by readers of all ages.

Reviews:
"Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy." Shel Silverstein's 1964 tender picture book parable about a self-sacrificing apple tree and about a demanding boy has touched millions of readers and even inspired lively scholarly symposiums about its underlying message. Adults can debate the moral of its story, but The Giving Tree continues to give unmitigated pleasure to millions of young readers around the world. A poignant, unforgettable tale for all ages." - Barnes and Noble

Suggested Activities:
This simple book can be utilized as a lead in to a variety of lesson topics

It would serve as a great lead in to discussing the relationship between trees and people. Students can discuss and chart various ways that trees are important resources to people and animals. Students can then discuss and chart ways that people can preserve and ensure trees continue to be viable resourse.

The Giving Tree is also a great book to introduce a lesson on the passage of time and life cycles.
Students can create a timeline of how humans change and how their needs change along with them.

Bibliography:
Silverstein, S. The giving tree. Harper Collins Publishing. 1964