Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct By Mo Willems

Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct By Mo Willems

Bibliography:

Willems, Mo. 2006. Edwina, the dinosaur who didn't know she was extinct. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

ISBN: 0786837489

Plot Summary: This story is about a dinosaur named Edwina who lives among humans. She plays with neighborhood kids, does favors for people, and is seen as very polite. Everyone loves her except a little boy named Reginald. Reginald thinks that he knows everything and has to tell people that he knows everything. So, one day he decides to tell his class that dinosaurs are extinct. However, all of his classmates question him about Edwina and he gets upset that no one believes him about dinosaurs. He then decides to tell the entire town that dinosaurs are extinct. He does this by making flyers and protesting, but no one listens to him until he comes across Edwina. He tries his hardest to convince Edwina that dinosaurs are extinct, and eventually does, but she doesn’t care, and in the end of the story neither does Reginald.

Critical Analysis: This text draws reader’s attention by the title of the story and beautifully illustrated cover. From the beginning of the text, we are introduced to Edwina, the main character in the story. She is loving, polite, helpful, and above all makes chocolate chip cookies for the town. However, there is one problem, how is a dinosaur living amongst the people in this town? Shouldn’t they be extinct? The townspeople do not see this, but a young boy named Reginald does. He is the classic know- it- all child who tries to persuade the townspeople that dinosaurs are extinct. They question him since Edwina is a member of their little town, but as any know-it-all child, he persists and makes flyers and protests about dinosaurs being extinct. Since no one will give him any attention, he begins to cry and sweet Edwina comes and listens to him. She becomes convinced that she is extinct. But, at the end of the story, she does not care, and after all of his persistence, neither does Reginald. This story is completely relatable to children and adults because, there is always that one person that has to know everything. This is a great book to teach different strategies about friendship and can also be used as an anchor text for a unit on persuasive text.

Throughout the book, the illustrations are bright and cheery and with the pastel color palate, the cartoon images jump off the page. The backdrop of the text is blue throughout the book and on some pages the images seem to jump off the page. The book also includes hidden images of some of Willems well known characters that children will be able to find when reading. In all, the bright cover with a Dinosaur is sure to draw in any reader.

Review Excerpts:

From Booklist -

• Willems takes a break from his Pigeon chronicles to write about a dinosaur named Edwina. Everyone loves Edwina, except class know-it-all Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie, who tries to convince everyone that dinosaurs are extinct. No one listens, except Edwina, who is shocked. Eventually Edwina decides that she doesn't care, "and by then . . . neither [does] Reginald." In true if-you-can't-beat-'em, join-'em fashion, the final scene shows Edwina baking cookies for a much happier Reginald. Pacing is varied to highlight the more dramatic scenes, with much of the drama provided by Reginald in a way resembling Pigeon trying to get his way. Set against plain, light-blue backdrops, the pictures, in Willem's familiar cartoon style, show Reginald up to his dastardly deeds as well as characters in the classroom, on the playground, and in the park. Children will have fun searching the art for hidden pictures of Pigeon and Knuffle Bunny. Consider this an enjoyable visit to a happy community that has no room for curmudgeons. Randall Enos

From School Library Journal

• Kindergarten-Grade 2–Edwina the dinosaur is known and loved throughout the town for her many acts of kindness and her excellent chocolate-chip cookies. The literal-minded class know-it-all, Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie, sets out to prove to everyone that dinosaurs are extinct. No one pays the slightest attention to him; ironically, only Edwina is convinced (not that she cares). In the end, as Reginald sits enjoying her cookies, he finds that he doesnt care either. Willemss expressive cartoon style makes the most of his fabled ability with line. Readers will enjoy Edwina in her straw hat, handbag, delicately painted claws, beribboned hat and simple strand of pearls, and especially her expression of utter shock when she realizes she is extinct. Aesthetically, this is neither as elegantly designed as Willemss Pigeon books (Hyperion) nor as bold a departure as his Knuffle Bunny (Hyperion, 2004), but it will nonetheless please the authors many fans. The added pleasure of finding Knuffle Bunny and Pigeon in the illustrations is an unexpected bonus.–Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Old Greenwich, CT

Connections/Activities:

·         This book can be used in a persuasive text unit.

·         This book can be used when discussing friendship and making good choices.

·         Have students make inferences about Edwina and Reginald.

·          Use the book for creative writing activities/ readers response. For example: Have students pretend that they are Edwina, would they react the same way if they found out they were extinct?

·         Explore Cause and Effect relationships within the text.

·         Have students sequence the events in the story and create a story map.

·         Have students write about and/or discuss character changes within the story.

·         Have students participate in a role-playing activity to see how it feels when people act like they know it all, and discuss feeling associated with this behavior.

·         Select other books by Mo Willems

o   Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale - 0786818700

o   Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus – 078681988X

o   Leonardo the Terrible Monster – 0786852941

o   Waiting is not easy –  142319957X

·         Related Texts

o   Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs as retold by Mo Willems – 0062104187

o   Time to Say Please By Mo Willems – 0786852933

o   How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends By Jane Yolen and Mark Teague - 043985654X

Personal Connections:

I remember reading this story to elementary students when I was in the Ready Set Teach program in High School. It holds a lot of memories for me because; this is when I decided that I wanted to become a teacher. I think that this is a great story to share with students. When reading it, students are able to make multiple connections and draw on their personal experiences. I especially like reading this story when discussing persuasive texts, and my students really enjoy listening to it as well. I think that it is a staple that should be in every elementary classroom library.

The Snowy Day By Jack Ezra Keats

 

The Snowy Day By Jack Ezra Keats

Bibliography:  Keats, Ezra Jack. 1962. The snowy day. New York: Viking Press.

ISBN: 9780670062591

Plot Summary:

This is the story of a young African American boy named Peter who wakes up one morning to a snow day. He is delighted, and goes outside to explore this new winter wonderland that has taken over his neighborhood. The book is colorful, and follows Peter as he walks throughout his neighborhood. He makes tracks in the snow with his feet, knocks snow off of a tree with a stick, contemplates joining a snowball fight with older kids, makes a snowman and snow angels, slides down a mound of snow, and eventually puts a snowball in his pocket for later. When he returns home, he tells his mother about his adventures, and takes a bath. In the meantime, his snowball melts and he becomes very sad. He goes to bed and dreams about all of the snow melting overnight, but is overjoyed when he wakes up to see that there is more snow than the day before.   

Critical Analysis:

From the very beginning of this text, readers are drawn in by the colorful illustrations, and the main character, Peter's excitement for a snow day. He goes on many adventures during his snow day, that all children can relate to, making tracks in the snow, building and making snowmen and snow angels, sliding down a mound of snow, and even having a snowball fight.  Readers are drawn into this simple text because of the basic story structure, and problem that is relatable. Peter, puts a snowball in his pocket, and goes inside. When he does this, the snowball melts and he becomes saddened, and even dreams that all the snow will be melted in the morning, like his snowball. However, when he awakes, the snow is still there, bringing joy to all readers hearts because he is able to have another snow day. The text if anything, is relatable to everyone that has ever experienced a snow day, and shows the pure excitement that a child can have with the simplest of things.  

The illustrations in this book are very bright and vibrant. Mr. Keats uses a mixture of watercolors, collages, and cut-outs to create the winter wonderland that Peter explores in the text.  The color scheme is bright, and allows the reader to become immersed in the text, and feel as though they too are having a snow day. The layout of the text allows the reader to fully experience Peter's snow day with a illustrations that span both pages. As a whole, the design of the book is very vibrant and draws the reader's attention.

Review Excerpts:

Caldecott Medal Winner - 1963

"In this book sparkling with atmosphere, a small boy experiences the joys of a snowy day. The brief, vividly expressed text points out his new awareness". — The Horn Book

"Ezra Jack Keats's classic The Snowy Day, winner of the 1963 Caldecott Medal, pays homage to the wonder and pure pleasure a child experiences when the world is blanketed in snow."—Publisher's Weekly

The first book I would run to on my trips to the library. Just wonderful. – Hotspur Closser

Connections/Activities:

• If it is snowing, have students make snowballs and see how long they last in the classroom under different conditions.
• Have students create their own snowflake.
• Have students write about their own snow day adventures.
• Have students create an alternate ending for the text.
• Have students sequence the main events of the story.
• Have students find cause and effect relationships within the text.
• Compare/Contrast to other books that feature a snow day. One book is Snow Day! by Barbara M. Joosee  (0395968909)
• Select other books by Jack Ezra Keats featuring Peter:
• Whistle for Willie - 0670880469
• Peter's Chair - 0140564411
• A Letter to Amy - 0670880639
• Goggles - 0140564403  
• Related Texts:
• Snowy Day By Anna Milbourne - 0794511473
• Snow Day By Betsy Maestro - 0590460838
• The Snow Day By Komako Sakai - 0545013216

Personal Connections:

I have always heard of this story by Jack Ezra Keats, but had never read it for myself or to my students. I also do not remember reading it in school. However, it is in my classroom library because I received it as a gift. I enjoyed reading the story, and can think of many ways to incorporate it into my 3rd grade classroom. The text is simple, yet there are many cause and effect relationships within the text, as well as inferences that can be made. I really enjoyed reading this book, and I will have to read it to my students whenever there is an impending snow day. It is a colorful and vibrant text, and I love the watercolors, and collages that let the images jump off the pages! In all this is a wonderful book, and I now know why it is one of the classics!

Grandpa Green By Lane Smith

 

Grandpa Green By Lane Smith

Bibliography:

Smith, Lane, and Molly Leach. 2011. Grandpa Green. New York: Roaring Brook Press.

ISBN: 9781596436077

Plot Summary:

This is the story of Grandpa Green. Grandpa Green is a artistic gardener who recreates his life in the form of topiaries in his garden. The story begins with Grandpa Green as a child living on a farm, and progresses through his life. He becomes a soldier in the war, a husband, father, and grandfather. With the help of the garden that Grandpa Green creates, his grandson is able to relive the most important memories of his life, and create a bond with his grandfather that cannot be unmatched.

Critical Analysis:

From the very beginning of this text, readers are immersed in a colorful and imaginative world. It is the story of life, and aging, and the important bonds that we create within our families. Grandpa Green shares every aspect of his life with his grandson. From getting Chicken Pox at a young age, to stealing his first kiss in middle school, and then going off to war, and meeting the love of his life. This book instills the idea of a family bond like no other. The boy watches his grandfather forget his hat and simple things about his life, but he still is able to create a beautiful garden with all of the important memories of his life. In the end, Grandpa Green shows us the importance of family and creating memories with our loved ones.

The illustrations in this book are the main focal point when paired with the simple and short text. The color scheme is very subdue with primarily grey, black, and green tones. Grandpa Green and the trees are sketched whereas, the topiaries that he creates throughout the book, are bright and vibrant. Also, when Grandpa Green goes to war, there is a touch of orange and red to show the war and ammunition. The illustrations in the book tell the story of Grandpa Green and they are very detailed to show the reader all of the aspects of his life, and greatly add to the story. It can even be suggested that the double page layouts within the text allow the reader to see how vast his grandfathers garden is, to show how long of a life he has lived, and the great memories that he is able to remember. As a whole, the design of the book is easy to read and the illustrations are wonderful, and add to the distinctive style of the story.

Review Excerpts:

Caldecott Medal Honor -2012

“Though this book has lots of adult appeal, it will also be a wonderful bridge to exploring family history with the very young.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Sketched with a finely lined fairy-tale wispiness and dominated by verdant green, the illustrations are not just creative but poignant.” —Booklist

“It's a rare glimpse into Smith's softer side--as skillful as his more sly offerings, but crafted with honesty and heart.” --Publishers Weekly Starred Review

"Visually intriguing and emotionally resonant, this is a book to pore over and talk about. With each subsequent reading, it offers new layers of meaning and visual connections."–School Library Journal Starred Review

"The perfect book to help kids understand old age." - Booklist

Connections/Activities:

• This book can be incorporated into a compare and contrast realistic fiction unit.
• The words could be covered, and students would have to make inferences based off of the illustrations.
• This book would be a good book to use when learning how to sequence, and recall facts within a book.
• Have students make connections between the print and illustrations.
• See if students understand and are able to interpret the phrase, "the garden remembers things for him".
• Students can explore the changing point of view within the text.
• Select other books by Lane Smith:
• It's a Book - 1596436069
• Madam President - 1423108469
• Select other Caldecott Medal Books:
• Locomotive- By Brian Floca - 1416994157
• Journey - Aaron Becker - 0763660531

Personal Connections:

Before reading Grandpa Green, I had been familiar with Lane Smith and his work, and this book was honestly better than I could have imagined. It is a sweet book that you can incorporate many reading lessons into. The underlying theme of family bonds and creating memories reminds us all that we are only here for a short time, and the lives that we lead are important. Grandpa Green lived a full life, and he is able to share it with his grandson through his artwork. The book alludes to Grandpa Green having Alzheimer's but does not explicitly state it, and I cannot find anywhere that this is what the author intended. But, I think that it would be a great book for Children who may have grandparents with Alzheimer's  because, it shows them that sometimes our grandparents are not able to remember everything, but the memories that they do have are important and mean a lot. In all this is a wonderful book, and I look forward to sharing it with my 3rd grade class.