This is a wordless picture book for kids of all ages. A young girl finds a magical red book that reveals another world where a boy has the same book and can see her as well. The girl finds a way to join her friend at the end of the book and leaves you wondering. It is a delightful story with simple yet telling colorful illustrations.
This book is a good choice for introducing the genre of magical fantasy to young readers. It offers children an opportunity to discuss the story as they look at the details in each successive frame. For older children, they could write text to match the pictures and practice targeted literary skills. Here is the story for the "Red Book" red out loud.
After reading this book or viewed you can make some great collage, that show places, people transportations etc. The great thing about this book is that you make your own story by just seeing the pictures in the book and how you does it ends.
Dear Parents/ Caregivers
I would like to introduce you a little more in the Asian culture with this book and the meaning of certain names like "Wabi-sabi" is underplayed and modest, the kind of quiet, undeclared beauty that waits patiently to be discovered. This book talks about the story of a cat named Wabi Sabi who lives in Kyoto, Japan. Within the story, Wabi Sabi begins to wonder what her name means, and sets out determined to discover its meaning. After receiving similar answers from her master, a cat, and a dog that her name was too difficult to explain, she sought out a monkey at Mount Hiei. Wabi sabi is a way that one may see the world; this concept began from the ways of the Ancient Chinese, and began to sculpt Japanese culture.Basically, wabi sabi is a way or a feeling in which one can see harmony and beauty within simplicity.This concept also incorporates humility, and its importance in the world. Age range : 7+
This bookcan be classified as a multicultural children’s picturebook that incorporates fiction, a nonfiction concept, as well as poetry. This book includes a cat’s story and haiku poems that can be found in both Japanese and English. I really enjoyed reading Wabi Sabi, as it took a concept that was difficult to understand, wabi sabi, and broke it down into a children’s story. I found the narrative to be especially useful to understanding the concept, and the haiku complemented the story beautifully; however, such poetry may be difficult for young readers to understand. The back of the story does include several translations for several haiku phrases in both Japanese and English. Here is a short story from the book so you can have and idea.
Below are 2 motivational activities and reader response questions that would be beneficial for students within the classroom: (3rd/4th grade Activites)
The first activity would incorporate art and poetry for the students. After reading Wabi Sabi, students would be able to create a collage of something that represented beauty to him or her within nature/the world. Students would be encouraged to use watercolors, realistic objects, outlining, and any other media or techniques that would bring the picture to life. After the collages were finished, students would begin writing a haiku about the beauty within the collage. (Remember, haikus are poems with 3 lines; the 1st has 5 syllables, the 2nd 7, and the 3rd has 5 syllables. Haikus also use one’s senses and objects of nature.) As in the concept of wabi sabi, the collage may appear simple, but holds great beauty!
The 2nd activity would allow students to look up one’s own name and its meaning. Each student would be given the opportunity to search for the meaning of one’s name on the computer. Students would also be able to ask one’s parents why this name was chosen for him or her. After all of the information was gathered, students would create a small poster with his or her name, including pictures and text describing the meaning.
Reader Response Questions:
What was the author trying to tell you through this book?
Have you ever seen something that others thought was simple and imperfect, but you thought it was beautiful? Explain!
Why do you think Wabi Sabi’s friends had such a difficult time explaining the meaning of her name?
Dear Parent's/ Caregivers. Today I will share a book that tell's the story about the people and culture of a relevant and distant part of the world in a gorgeous collage, while sharing a example of how one person can change thousands of lives. -Interes leves: k-2 - Reading levels: 4 -Gender: Adventure -Theme/Subject Social studies communities and way of life in other country like Asia, middle east, kindness and compassion.
Listen to the Wind, by Greg Mortenson, is a beautiful true story of a man who lost his way on a climb of K2 in Pakistan, but was rescued and nurtured back to health by the people of the Korphe village. Mortenson knew he had to give something back to the people of Korphe so he asked the village wise man what he should do, the wise man told him “Listen to the wind” and when he did Mortenson knew what he needed to do…
The story Listen to the wind is told from the children of Korphe’s point of view. It is a very inspiring story of one mans gratitude and a villages strength to work together. The illustrations in the book are by Susan L. Roth. When making her collages she uses materials just like the women of Korphe do to make their clothing. Roth’s collages alone tell such a heart warming story.
At the end of the book there is a collection of photographs of the villagers journey through this story. It allows readers to see how true the story really is and it gives readers more insight to how the people of the Korphe village look and where they live.
Curriculum connections.
Listen to the Wind is a great book that can be used in multiple areas of education. There are so many lessons being taught in this story from the one that Dr. Greg learns about giving back to those that help you to the lesson of community and how working together can accomplish some wonderful things. This book is a great tool to introduce China and the mountains that separate it from Pakistan (Geography 2.4). There is a great lesson in cultural differences and in economics with showing how different cultures have different wants and needs (Economics 2.9) The book can be used in an art class to show how everyday materials can be used to make beautiful clothes just as the people of Korphe do. There is a strong message of community service and a good way to introduce different charities like Pennies for Peace (Civics 2.10c). Listen to the Wind is a true story and it can be used in a language arts lesson to talk about the differences between non-fiction and fiction. The book is written from the eyes of the children of the Korphe village and this can be used to have students write their own stories.
Dear Parents / Caregivers
Today I would introduce one of my favorites books, which I think parents will love! What's special about this book is not only the illustration but how it relates to the real life with parent's. It tell the story about a mother trying to have her five minute break from all chaos that is in the house and as you read the story you will realize how easy it is to explain after to the kids that even though mommy loves them very much some times she also need a five minutes break.!
Speaking and Listening.
In pairs the children's can retell the story to each other. For example if they are Mrs Large then the other's might ask, “How did you feel when everyone interrupted you?” The children can re-enact the story or mime the parts when the story is reread. Each illustration tells a story in itself and is an opportunity for children to play a memory game and recall what each character is doing in a particular picture. Writing Adjectives describing each member of the family could be found.For younger children a sequencing event to check if they can recall what happened and when. Or if they are to young you can always practice the "where, when, why" by asking them.
Numeracy.
The title refers to time. For children who are studying time then this book makes an excellent starting point. The children can explore questions such as “What is five minutes?” At random intervals the teacher can ask, “What time will it be in five minutes?
Here is a shore video of the story.
Hope you enjoy it as I did!
Bath Salts for Mothers Day.
The recipe assumes you are making this with a few children or if you're making the project to package as gifts for a couple of people. You can half or quarter it if you are only want one batch.
Materials:
Large Bowl (ex: empty margarine container) per color for mixing
4 cups Epsom Salts (purchase at the drug store)
2 cups coarse salt or 1 cup table salt - I prefer coarse salt
1 cup baking soda
food coloring
jars with wide mouths and lids (baby food jars and small jam jars work well)
spoon
ribbon.
Optional: 1/2 tsp glycerin (purchase at the drug store).
Optional: essential oil (scented oils like vanilla or citrus) -- available at most craft stores (I also use them for candle making) OR
Optional: a few drops of strong perfume (erm, this is a good use for some of the perfumes you might get for mother's day that you don't really wear much *grin*)
Instructions:
Mix the two kinds of salt and baking soda together in one large bowl
Optional: Add 1/2 tsp glycerin and about 10 drops essential oil (or about 5 drops of perfume) to the big batch of salt.
Sprinkle it all over instead of dumping in one spot so it's easier to mix.
Mix well.
split the salt into as many batches as you need for the colors you want (for example, if you want pink, blue and white you'd use three bowls and split the salt into three batches).
Add two to six drops of the color you have chosen and mix well with the spoon.
don't get too carried away with the food color -- keep it pastel -- we don't want to turn grandma blue!
(note: Put each drop in a different spot so the mixing is easier)
Carefully spoon the salt into the jar.
While spooning, you can alternate colors to give a nice pattern.
Tightly seal the jar.
Tie a ribbon around the jar and add a gift tag if you like.
This book is not only wonderfully written but the illustration {done by Jane Chapman} are so bright and creatively detailed. Your students will have fun looking at all of the human objects that Big Mouse and Little Mouse have used to make their special home. My favorite is the drain stop used as a tree swing...sooo cute!
Big Mouse has a lot of work to do and really wants some help. Unfortunately, Little Mouse is too busy thinking about his dream to help. As the day wears on Big Mouse is growing more frustrated with Little Mouse as he makes daisy chains, collects clovers, and lays around thinking about his dream. Finally, at the end of the day with Big Mouse tired and grumpy, Little Mouse comes running out of the kitchen with a surprise for Big Mouse. While Big Mouse was working and thinking that Little Mouse was doing nothing, he was really making Big Mouse a sun hat! Big Mouse was so surprised the he was no longer in a bad mood. He realized that Little Mouse really was doing something, making him a special sun hat.
Here is some more information that you might find useful.
asking questions - {before} - What is going to keep the characters busy? Why do they have a wheelbarrow made out of clothespins? {during} - What was Big Mouse planting in the garden? Why wouldn't Little Mouse help Big Mouse? What is Little Mouse dreaming up? Why did Big Mouse dump Little Mouse out of the wheelbarrow? Where did Big Mouse and Little Mouse get all the stuff they have? Why is Little Mouse collecting bird feathers? {after} Why was Big Mouse not mad at Little Mouse any more? Why did Little Mouse make a sun hat for Big Mouse?
author's point of view - 3rd person point of view
author's purpose - entertain
beginning, middle, end - {beg.} Big Mouse was working in the garden and wanted Little Mouse's help. {mid} - Little Mouse would not help Big Mouse because he was busy doing something else. {end} Little Mouse gave Big Mouse the sun hat that he was making all day and Big Mouse was happy. They were so tired from all their work that they took a nap.
cause and effect - Why was Big Mouse upset with Little Mouse? because Little Mouse would not help Big Mouse in the garden. Why did Big Mouse dump Little Mouse out of the wheelbarrow? because he didn't want to push the weeds AND Little Mouse. Why did Big Mouse and Little Mouse take a nap? because they were both tired from all the work they did.
characterization - describe Big Mouse, describe Little Mouse
compare & contrast - compare Big Mouse to Little Mouse
connections - text-to-self - having to do all the work while a brother or sister does nothing. Working in the garden. Being tired after a long day of work. Text-to-text - connect this book to The Little Red Hen. They both ask others for help and don't get it.
drawing conclusions & inferencing - What feelings does Big Mouse have toward Little Mouse during the story? {clues from text} Big Mouse keeps asking Little Mouse to help and he wont.{what I know} I know that when I ask for help and no one helps me I get angry or frustrated.{conclusion} Big Mouse is angry and frustrated with Little Mouse during the story. How does Big Mouse feel about Little Muse at the end of the story? {clues from text} Little Mouse gives Big Mouse a new sun hat. {what I know} I know that when someone gives me a gift I get happy. {conclusion} I think Big Mouse is not angry at Little Mouse anymore because even though he didn't help him he was doing something, he made him a sun hat.
predict - What do you think Little Mouse was dreaming about? What do you think Little Mouse is doing?
problem & solution - {problem} Big Mouse wants some help in the garden and Little Mouse won't help him because he is busy doing something else. {solution} At the end of the story Little Mouse gives Big Mouse a sun hat that he had been working on all day. Big Mouse realized that Little Mouse was actually doing something.
sequencing - Big Mouse asked for help in the garden. Little Mouse said he was too busy to help. Big Mouse asked Little Mouse to plant some seeds. Little Mouse said that he was thinking about his dream. Big Mouse needed the wheelbarrow so he dumped Little Mouse out of it. Little Mouse made a daisy chain while Big Mouse picked up all the weeds. Little Mouse picked clover as Big Mouse dumped the weeds. Big Mouse wanted Little Mouse to help rake but Little Mouse was busy collecting feathers. Big Mouse wanted Little Mouse to help carry strawberries but Little Mouse ran into the kitchen to get something and didn't help. Little Mouse rushed out of the kitchen with a gift for Big Mouse, it was a sun hat he made for him. Big Mouse and Little Mouse were so tired from their busy day they both lay down to take a nap.
