Wiesner, D. (2001). The three pigs. NY: Clarion.

Assignment #1:  http://padlet.com/julietrevino716/9exjnomf378v 

I have definitely read several versions of the 3 Little Pigs, but never had I read a version in which the characters/pigs took ownership of the story through the illustrations.  As the story progresses, the pigs that are being cut from the story line, but are suddenly reappearing from a different perspective, with a shift, in the who the central characters are.  As I was reading the story, it was initially complicated.    As I continued reading, the illustrations presented an entertaining twist of the story that kept me intrigued.  I had no idea where the story was taking me.  Definitely this book is filled with laughter that children will sure love. 

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Talk About It

Share Personal Responses: Ask children to describe their favorite part of the book. Invite them to check their predictions.

Is this version of the story the same as or different from other versions you have heard? What parts are different?

How do you think each pig felt when it heard the wolf at its doors? Why?

What character in the story made the smartest decisions? Why do you think this?

Think About It

Create Alternative Story Endings: Ask children to think about the story ending. Discuss other endings children have heard or imagined for The Three Little Pigs.

Do you prefer happy endings or sad endings?

What different ending would you like to see for the three little pigs?

Make a “Happy Endings/Sad Endings” chart. Fill it in with children's story ending ideas. Then encourage them to illustrate their endings.

http://www.kizclub.com/storypatterns/folktales/threepigs.pdf

Urban, L. (2009). A crooked kind of perfect. NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Assignment #3-  http://padlet.com/julietrevino716/9ik5yfjbpdbi 

If there is something to learn about this story is that “life is not perfect!” For Zoe, early in the book, we learn that she is a very determined girl who has her mind set on becoming a professional pianist. Unfortunately, her dreams become halted by the type of “piano” she receives. The Perfectone D-60, definitely is not what she was expecting and sets the stage the events that begin to follow. As the story progresses, things begin to fall in place and eventually the puzzle becomes complete. She ended up discovering her talent, and realized that things do not have to be perfect in order for things to work out. She discovered she was great at playing the D-60, which allowed her to enter an organ competition, which indirectly, also gave her a new best friend. Even though this book is most leaned towards children, adults can also benefit from reading this book and learning an important part of life: embrace what comes your way, even if it's not what you planned for, sometimes it works out for the best! 

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Reading Group Guide: https://clubs2.scholastic.com/clubs/pdfs/guides/crooked_kind_guide.pdf 

Sweet, M. (2011). Balloons over Broadway: The true story of the puppeteer of Macy's parade.

Assignment #1- http://padlet.com/julietrevino716/9exjnomf378v  

The book provides a great transition through the life of Anthony “Tony” Sarg. Images provided were both real and illustrated; therefore, making the book very attractive and fun to read. Though you may initially assume by the cover that this story is fictional, as you progress through the pages, you'll realize the details become elaborate and much more descriptive about the character unfolding-Anthony Sarg.  It is a friendly and great book to expose young children to biographies of great people! 

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Extended Lessons: http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=27322#ActivityGuides

Smith, L. (2011). It’s a book. NY: Roaring Brook

Assignment #1- http://padlet.com/julietrevino716/9exjnomf378v 

This is a very short story that portrays the unawareness of what a book is about.  The story if revolved around two characters.  One is persistently being inquisitive by asking multiple questions on what a book is or could be.  He provides a lot of self definitions of what he assumes, such as "Can it text, blog, scroll, etc?"  This is a very cute book that could introduce the significance and relevance of a book to a young child.

Singer, M. (2010). Mirror, Mirror. NY: Dutton.

Assignment #1- http://padlet.com/julietrevino716/9exjnomf378v 

This book has a very unique way/style of being presented.  It is not your traditional, fictional story, consisting of a story line.  The author intrigues the reader by providing a twist to how traditional stories are written and read.  It allows a child to be fascinated by the alternative messages created when words are reversed in their order.  The author’s styles is creative and possibly poetic!!!

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http://missrumphiuseffect.blogspot.com/2010/11/marilyn-singer-and-mirror-mirror-book.html 

• Teacher's Guide for The Poets' Grimm - While the book is decidedly for older students, there are some great ideas here.
• Explore Point of View in Fairy Tales - A good lesson that encourages kids to write fractured fairy tales. This can easily be adapted to writing poems!
• Fractured Fairy Tale Interactive - An online tool for writing a fractured fairy tale. This can also be adapted to writing poems.
• ReadWriteThink Interactive Poetry Tools - These seven tools can help students work through the process of writing their own poems.
• The Journal of Mythic Arts: Fairy Tale Poems - If you are looking for poems to share, you'll find work here by Neil Gaiman, Margarita Engle, Margaret Atwood, Holly Black and others.
• Fairy Tale Poems - Elaine Magliaro wrote this wonderful post for the Blue Rose Girls blog (Feb. 2007). You will find some terrific book suggestions here.
• Fairy Tale Poems - Elaine Magliaro shares many of her original fairy tale poems at her blog, Wild Rose Reader. While you're there, check out her classroom connections for ideas on writing poetry with children.

Sendak, M. (1963). Where the wild things are. NY: HarperCollins.

Assignment #1- http://padlet.com/julietrevino716/9exjnomf378v  

What I absolutely love about this book are the illustrations' precise way of matching the setting with the story being presented page by page.  A child would be able to follow and understand the story line by observing solely the illustrations.  A boy is taken into a dream world where he becomes friends with the unexpected and travels through multiple settings.  It is an absolute children’s classic.  

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Where the Wild Things Are Activities: Games, Lesson Plans and Movie News-

http://www.fantasyjr.com/where-the-wild-things-are-lesson-plans-and-movie-news/

Selznick, B. (2007). Wonder. NY: Scholastic.

Assignment #6- http://padlet.com/julietrevino716/mfea7meuxemq 

The images in this book are fascinating to see and were creatively done by the author to tell a story within another story. The style of book allowed the central characters to collide with each other’s lives.  Though set at different times and age, readers instantly become hooked to the story line.  The despair and hope of each character is depicted through words and most fascinating, through the illustrations.  Missing one page is like missing a whole chapter!  Definitely a book worth picking up for people of all ages! 

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Meet the Author: http://wonderstruckthebook.com/home.htm