Memoir Children's Literature

Rotten Richie and the Ultimate Dare
Author: Patricia Polacco
Publisher: Philomel Books


I know there many people out there who have had a sibling that bothers, annoys, and makes fun of them constantly. I chose this book because children can relate to Patricia Polacco's predicament of having a sibling that she just can't stand. The descriptive details of her feelings towards her brother are hilarious and I know we can all relate to some of those choice words she said. This entertaining story delves into Polacco's personal experience with her brother and the big dare they did when they were children. She asks him to be a ballerina at her dance recital and he in turns tells her to skate on his ice hockey team. This dare was an experiment in who is better and what sport is harder to do. As far as siblings go, this type of dare has happened in my house.

This sibling relationship turns from rivalry to cohesiveness of respect and admiration they both have for each other deep down inside (which I think we all do for our siblings). The last paragraph of the book is heart warming and explains how they came up with their nicknames for each other out of this dare.

Patricia took her experiences and transformed them into this wonderful story. Her love of ballet and her brother, who really was a red head and played ice hockey, are the basis for this story. There true life tiffs come to life in this tale of a brother and a sister. Look at the inside flap of the book and see how she included family photos of her and her brother. Actual pictures of what happened in this story are shown.

This would be a book to read to 4th graders. As a teacher I would have students use their prior knowledge and creative writing to prepare a collage of a an experience that had with a sibling or a best friend. Under each picture, students can put captions depicting what was going on just like the Author did.

Poetry Children's Books

Animal Snackers
Author: Betsey Lewin
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
ISBN#: 0-8050-6748-5


I chose this book because of the variety of lessons that could be taught to young students. Each poem is based on what a particular animal likes to snack on. First, Science is taught throughout these poems. What I found interesting is that the author used some animals that children might not be aware of like an ant eater or a puffin. They also learn what these animals like to snack on and their dining habits in a rhyming way. These simple poems are a great introduction to the poetry world.

The illustrations are bright watercolors depicting what the animal is snacking on. Not only do these children learn what these unusual animals eat, they get a visualization of what they look like.

The back cover also lists the animals that were used in the book along with some interesting facts about each one.

This is a fun and educational way to teach poetry to children using subjects that kids can relate to. Kids love animals and food. As a extension to this read aloud I would do, children can write a simple poem about what their pet at home likes to eat or their favorite animal. I would also have them draw their pet and hang their poems on the classroom wall for all to see.

This would be a great lesson for 2nd graders. Standards on writing will be taught. Standard 1 on Information and Understanding will be covered. Students will use information on writing their poems and connect with personal experiences. Standard 2 for literacy response and expression will be covered. Using rhythm and rhyme to create a short poem will be taught. Along with a mini-Science lesson explained throughout makes this a great interdisciplinary curriculum.

This author has over illustrated over 50 books and has written many as well for children. She received a Caldecott Honor for her illustration on Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin.

Fairy Tale Childrens Book

Hansel & Gretel
Original Author: The Brothers Grimm
Retelling Author and Illustrator: Will Moses
Publisher: Philomel Books
ISBN: 0-399-24234-1


Good verses Evil. As most fairy tales from the past are told,that seems to be the on-going theme. From Little Red Riding Hood to Cinderella and then there's Hansel and Gretel. I chose this famous fairy tale because I heard of it but never knew the story that well. As I was reading this tale, I first thought of famine and darkness A family that is starving and the evil stepmother that wants to get rid of the children. I felt sorry for these children. Then a witch appears and wants to starve the children to eat them. Then Good prevails and the evil witch is burned alive in her stove. That story to me was dark and a little depressing.

After I thought about the story though I looked at the positive side of the story. The relationship of a brother and sister is shown as love and family bond that will never end. The challenges that these children go through are brave, courageous and adventurous and very witty. These children overcame adversity and ended up with a life of love and prosperity.

In the time period when most of these fairy tales were made, the harsh reality of famine and survival were rampant. I think fairy tales brought reality to life but ended it with a twist of compassion and happiness so people would have hope that with perseverance and love, life can be happy.

On a side note, by 9 year old daughter loved this fairy tale and was awestruck by the illustrations (as I was too). Oil pastel painting on 2 page pictures of lush forests and the gingerbread house was simply beautiful.