TRAVEL WITH BOOKS: CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEWS TEMPLATE

BOOK INFORMATION
Title: Johnny Appleseed
Author: Steven Kellogg
Illustrator: Steven Kellogg
ISBN: 987-0688064174
Genre: Fable/folktale/Multicultural
1. What age is this book most appropriate for? Why? (State reasons from text to support your decision.)

This book is most appropriate for ages 4-6, because the extent of the content is not digestible for
children 3 and under.

2. Brief Summary (2-3 sentences):

John Chapman became known as Johnny Appleseed because he left apple seeds everywhere he
went from Massachusetts to Indiana. He wanted to leave something nice behind for the
generations to come.

READ ALOUD INFORMATION

1. BEFORE READING- List a question (open-ended) AND an activity that you would do to prepare
your students for the reading of this book. Get them exited and motivated to listen!

What do you think a legacy is?

How can we become a legend?

2. DURING the READING List two questions, short activities or strategies that you would use while
reading this book to your class. (Be brief so not to interrupt the flow of the story but to keep focus.)

What is the best apple you have ever eaten?

Why do you think he left behind the apple seeds? Why not orange trees or plum trees?

3. AFTER READING- List one follow up question (open-ended) that you would ask your students
about the book. Make the question meaningful to help check for understanding/comprehension.

What is something nice that we can do for the people who come after us?

EXTENSION ACTIVITY
Using Peek with Books, the internet, or your own ideas, describe an extension activity that relates to
the content of this book that you could implement in a classroom of 3 6 year old children (this could
be a song, art project, math project, cooking, etc) Describe this activity in detail (a paragraph) so that
someone could implement it easily. Include a list of necessary supplies.
1) List your Website/Source (where you found your idea): I did this in my second grade class

2) EXTENSION ACTIVITY (paragraph description):

It is a fun activity to make candy apples. This will be a teacher assisted project because it involves
children messing around heat. You will need two melting pots and one for the candy apples and one for
the caramel apples. While the candies are melting allow the children to wash the apples and turn place
them stem side up. Place the candy apple stick straight down until its a snug fit (about ways down).
When the candy is near boiling dip candy and swirl lift up and let excess run off. Place on the wax
paper on a cold surface. (Stone boards that hold coolness or a cookie sheet fresh out the freezer. Allow
them to cool and and enjoy!!!!
3)Needed Supplies:

Caramel & Candy Melts

Candy Apple Sticks

Melting Pot

wax paper

metal pan

VOCABULARY WORDS
List any vocabulary words that you may discuss with your students
Orchard
REFLECTION
1. Would you read this book to your students? Why or why not?
I would read it to my class because it is a great book for the fall time as well as a grande activity to
create some fun memories.

TRAVEL WITH BOOKS: CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEWS TEMPLATE

BOOK INFORMATION
Title: Nest Full of Eggs
Author:Priscilla Belz Jenkins
Illustrator: Lizzy Rockwell
ISBN: 978-0-06-445127-7
Genre: Nature
1. What age is this book most appropriate for? Why? (State reasons from text to support your decision.)

This is an age appropriate book for children age 3-6 years. The pictures are tell the story itself
text is an added bonus

2. Brief Summary (2-3 sentences):

Birds are amazing creatures and are characterized by their feathers. Birds go from birth to egg
to hatching is a 12 week process.

READ ALOUD INFORMATION

1. BEFORE READING- List a question (open-ended) AND an activity that you would do to prepare
your students for the reading of this book. Get them exited and motivated to listen!

What makes a bird a bird?

What is your favorite type of bird?

2. DURING the READING List two questions, short activities or strategies that you would use while
reading this book to your class. (Be brief so not to interrupt the flow of the story but to keep focus.)

What would you use to make a nest?

How do birds keep their eggs warm?

3. AFTER READING- List one follow up question (open-ended) that you would ask your students
about the book. Make the question meaningful to help check for understanding/comprehension.

Why cant baby birds fly? Why do they have to wait until their strong feathers come in?

EXTENSION ACTIVITY
Using Peek with Books, the internet, or your own ideas, describe an extension activity that relates to
the content of this book that you could implement in a classroom of 3 6 year old children (this could
be a song, art project, math project, cooking, etc) Describe this activity in detail (a paragraph) so that
someone could implement it easily. Include a list of necessary supplies.
1) List your Website/Source (where you found your idea):
2) EXTENSION ACTIVITY (paragraph description):

We could get an egg from the farm and keep it in an incubator to watch it grow. Each week we will
observe the egg to see if we notice any cracks and to make sure that we keep the right temperature. We
will need an incubator and place straw in the inside like a nest. We will set the temperature to that of
the temperature that the mother bird makes to keep the eggs warm. We will not bother the egg but let
nature take its course.
3) Needed Supplies:

Incubator

freshly laid egg

straw

VOCABULARY WORDS
List any vocabulary words that you may discuss with your students
Incubator
REFLECTION
1. Would you read this book to your students? Why or why not?
I think this book may be a bit more difficult for the children to understand it is very wordy but the
pictures tell the story but it kind of jumps around the place. So I would not read to my students. But a
great reference book.

TRAVEL WITH BOOKS: CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEWS TEMPLATE

BOOK INFORMATION
Title: I Miss My Pet
Author: Pat Thomas
Illustrator: Lesley Harker
ISBN: 978-1-4380-0188-3
Genre: Bibliotherapy
1. What age is this book most appropriate for? Why? (State reasons from text to support your decision.)
This book is appropriate for ages 4-7 years of age. It helps to cope with losing a best friend (a pet).
2. Brief Summary (2-3 sentences):
Pets are just like humans, they can make us happy and they can make us sad. Pets live and the die, but
it helps to talk about how you are feeling and reflect on the good times you had with your pet.
READ ALOUD INFORMATION
1. BEFORE READING- List a question (open-ended) AND an activity that you would do to prepare
your students for the reading of this book. Get them exited and motivated to listen!

Do you have a special pet?

Pull out a stuffed animal and tell them why he is my favorite pet.

2. DURING the READING List two questions, short activities or strategies that you would use while
reading this book to your class. (Be brief so not to interrupt the flow of the story but to keep focus.)

What did you do with your special pet?

What is your best memory with your pet?

3. AFTER READING- List one follow up question (open-ended) that you would ask your students
about the book. Make the question meaningful to help check for understanding/comprehension.

How did you feel when your pet died? What did you do?

EXTENSION ACTIVITY
Using Peek with Books, the internet, or your own ideas, describe an extension activity that relates to
the content of this book that you could implement in a classroom of 3 6 year old children (this could
be a song, art project, math project, cooking, etc) Describe this activity in detail (a paragraph) so that
someone could implement it easily. Include a list of necessary supplies.
1) List your Website/Source (where you found your idea):

2) EXTENSION ACTIVITY (paragraph description):

The children will draw a picture of their pet and tell us the story behind the picture.
3) Needed Supplies:

Crayons

colored pencils

markers

paper

VOCABULARY WORDS
List any vocabulary words that you may discuss with your students
Death, funeral
REFLECTION
1. Would you read this book to your students? Why or why not?
This is a great book to have not only can you have this book to describe loosing a pet but you can
relate this to loosing a family member. How to deal with death and how to deal with your emotions.
Getting children to open up and talk about what they are feeling.

TRAVEL WITH BOOKS: CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEWS TEMPLATE

BOOK INFORMATION
Title: Three Little Cajun Pigs
Author: Mike Artel
Illustrator: Jim Harris
ISBN: 0-8037-2815-8
Genre: Fairytale
1. What age is this book most appropriate for? Why? (State reasons from text to support your decision.)
This book is appropriate for ages 3-6. It is the classic three little pigs with a southern twist.
2. Brief Summary (2-3 sentences):
A mother pigs decides her three little piggies are not so little anymore and tells them that its time for
them to move into their own homes. The first two little pigs made weak houses and the that old sneaky
'gator Claude comes along and stirs up trouble for the little pigs.
READ ALOUD INFORMATION
1. BEFORE READING- List a question (open-ended) AND an activity that you would do to prepare
your students for the reading of this book. Get them exited and motivated to listen!

What types of homes do pigs normal have?

Bring in replicas of the houses to aide in the story telling.

2. DURING the READING List two questions, short activities or strategies that you would use while
reading this book to your class. (Be brief so not to interrupt the flow of the story but to keep focus.)

How do you think the 'gator Claude is going to knock down the houses?

Where would you see an alligator, where do they live?

3. AFTER READING- List one follow up question (open-ended) that you would ask your students
about the book. Make the question meaningful to help check for understanding/comprehension.

How could we have made the straw and stick houses stronger?

EXTENSION ACTIVITY
Using Peek with Books, the internet, or your own ideas, describe an extension activity that relates to
the content of this book that you could implement in a classroom of 3 6 year old children (this could
be a song, art project, math project, cooking, etc) Describe this activity in detail (a paragraph) so that
someone could implement it easily. Include a list of necessary supplies.
1) List your Website/Source (where you found your idea):
Peak with Books Marjorie R. Nelson, Jan Nelsen-Parish
2) EXTENSION ACTIVITY (paragraph description):

Making a Roux:
You will need to cut the vegetables up in small halves (dice). You will need to turn the ire on high and
place the pot on top of the stove. Put the butter in the pot and let it melt. When it is all melted pour int
the flour little by little. Stir consistently, this will burn if left unattended for even a second. Pour the
chicken stock in the pot and add the vegetables. Wash the meat/peel seafood if needed. Add to the
soupy mixture. Let is boil to cook up in the meat, then allow it simmer. You can add rice if you want
but it should be okay with the potatoes.
3) Needed Supplies:

Vegetables (carrots, potatoes, beans, corn)

Seafood/meat (shrimp, crawfish)

Chicken stock

huge gumbo pot

flour

butter

VOCABULARY WORDS
List any vocabulary words that you may discuss with your students
Bayou, Derriere, Roux, Tout De Suite, Mon Cher, Mon frer, Couchon de lait, Mon Ami
REFLECTION
1. Would you read this book to your students? Why or why not?
I think it is a great book to welcome in different cultures. It has french terms and the dialect is in a
Cajun Louisiana accent. I think it is fabulous.

TRAVEL WITH BOOKS: CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEWS TEMPLATE

BOOK INFORMATION
Title: Joseph Had a Little Overcoat
Author: Simms Taback
Illustrator: Simms Taback
ISBN:0-670-87855-3
Genre: Caldecott Award Winner
1. What age is this book most appropriate for? Why? (State reasons from text to support your decision.)
This is appropriate for ages 3-5 years of age.
2.Brief Summary (2-3 sentences):
Joseph was poor man who finds many uses for his coat once it gets old and worn out. He was a very
creative man that made something out of nothing.
READ ALOUD INFORMATION
1. BEFORE READING- List a question (open-ended) AND an activity that you would do to prepare
your students for the reading of this book. Get them exited and motivated to listen!

How many things could you make from a coat?

Bring in an old ragged coat to get them to thinking what they could see being made out of this
coat.

2. DURING the READING List two questions, short activities or strategies that you would use while
reading this book to your class. (Be brief so not to interrupt the flow of the story but to keep focus.)

What do you think he will make next?

What would you have made out of the scarf?

3. AFTER READING- List one follow up question (open-ended) that you would ask your students
about the book. Make the question meaningful to help check for understanding/comprehension.

What else could he had used instead of the coat?

EXTENSION ACTIVITY
Using Peek with Books, the internet, or your own ideas, describe an extension activity that relates to
the content of this book that you could implement in a classroom of 3 6 year old children (this could
be a song, art project, math project, cooking, etc) Describe this activity in detail (a paragraph) so that
someone could implement it easily. Include a list of necessary supplies.
1) List your Website/Source (where you found your idea):

2) EXTENSION ACTIVITY (paragraph description):

Our little Overcoat experience:
The children will be given numerous supplies and asked to use their imagination to come up with some
fantastic usable supplies out of clothe, sticks, paper towel rolls, etc. This is a complete child centered
project giving them complete control of what they see in the supplies provided.
3) Needed Supplies:

Clothe

sticks

paper towel rolls

strings

markers

crayons

glue/tape

VOCABULARY WORDS
List any vocabulary words that you may discuss with your students
overcoat
REFLECTION
1. Would you read this book to your students? Why or why not?
I think this would be in my classroom to teach frugality. I see children learning how to use their
imaginations and becoming to creative people.

TRAVEL WITH BOOKS: CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEWS TEMPLATE

BOOK INFORMATION
Title: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Author: Bill Martin Jr., Michael Sampson, Lois Ehlert
Illustrator:
ISBN:978-1442466135
Genre: Rhyming and Poetry
1. What age is this book most appropriate for? Why? (State reasons from text to support your decision.)
This is a fun book appropriate for ages 3-6 years old. It makes it fun to rhyme and learn your ABC's
2. Brief Summary (2-3 sentences):
A told B and B to C to climb up the coconut tree. The rest of the letters follow suit until the tree
becomes so crowded and heavy all of the letter fall out of tree
READ ALOUD INFORMATION
1. BEFORE READING- List a question (open-ended) AND an activity that you would do to prepare
your students for the reading of this book. Get them exited and motivated to listen!

What do you think this story will be about?

Have ever climbed a tree/something and fell down?

2. DURING the READING List two questions, short activities or strategies that you would use while
reading this book to your class. (Be brief so not to interrupt the flow of the story but to keep focus.)

What do think is going to happen to the tree?

How many letter do you think can climb up the tree before they all fall out

3. AFTER READING- List one follow up question (open-ended) that you would ask your students
about the book. Make the question meaningful to help check for understanding/comprehension.

Why do you think they capitol letters came to comfort the lowercase letters?

EXTENSION ACTIVITY
Using Peek with Books, the internet, or your own ideas, describe an extension activity that relates to
the content of this book that you could implement in a classroom of 3 6 year old children (this could
be a song, art project, math project, cooking, etc) Describe this activity in detail (a paragraph) so that
someone could implement it easily. Include a list of necessary supplies.
1) List your Website/Source (where you found your idea):
www.hubbardscupboard.org/chicka_chicka_boom_boom.html

2) EXTENSION ACTIVITY (paragraph description):

Fill the bucket full of sand and plastic letters and give the children shovels to dig out the letters. The
teacher is to call out some letters that he children will have to look for as well as hold up a picture so
the will have to find capitol and lowercase letters. They will have fun and learn the letters in the
process.
3) Needed Supplies:

Plastic Bucket

Plastic Alphabet Magnets

Sand

Small Shovels

VOCABULARY WORDS
List any vocabulary words that you may discuss with your students
Capitol, lowercase
REFLECTION
1. Would you read this book to your students? Why or why not?
This is a great book to teach children their alphabet. I will definitely read this in class.

TRAVEL WITH BOOKS: CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEWS TEMPLATE

BOOK INFORMATION
Title: There's a Wocket in my Pocket!
Author: Dr. Seuss
Illustrator: Dr. Seuss
ISBN: 978-0-394-92920-0
Genre: Classic
1. What age is this book most appropriate for? Why? (State reasons from text to support your decision.)
This book is most appropriate for age 3-6
2. Brief Summary (2-3 sentences):
There's a boy that lives in a house where everywhere you turn there is a rhyming creature with the
object they are on or near. Some are friendly and some are not so nice but, he would not trade his house
for anything.
READ ALOUD INFORMATION
1. BEFORE READING- List a question (open-ended) AND an activity that you would do to prepare
your students for the reading of this book. Get them exited and motivated to listen!

What is the strangest creature you have seen in your house?

What do you think a wocket is?

2. DURING the READING List two questions, short activities or strategies that you would use while
reading this book to your class. (Be brief so not to interrupt the flow of the story but to keep focus.)

Where do you think these creatures came from?

Why do think they were in the places they were?

3. AFTER READING- List one follow up question (open-ended) that you would ask your students
about the book. Make the question meaningful to help check for understanding/comprehension.

What other creatures can you think of and where could we find them?

EXTENSION ACTIVITY
Using Peek with Books, the internet, or your own ideas, describe an extension activity that relates to
the content of this book that you could implement in a classroom of 3 6 year old children (this could
be a song, art project, math project, cooking, etc) Describe this activity in detail (a paragraph) so that
someone could implement it easily. Include a list of necessary supplies.
1) List your Website/Source (where you found your idea):

2) EXTENSION ACTIVITY (paragraph description):

Draw pictures of the animals that they found in the classroom and tell us what it is and where we could
find them
3) Needed Supplies:

paper

crayons

markers

VOCABULARY WORDS
List any vocabulary words that you may discuss with your students
REFLECTION
1. Would you read this book to your students? Why or why not?
This is just a fun nonsensical read for children to enjoy, I would not read this to the class but for our
SSR time it would be in my collection.

TRAVEL WITH BOOKS: CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEWS TEMPLATE

BOOK INFORMATION
Title: If You Take a Mouse to School
Author: Laura Numeroff
Illustrator: Felicia Bonds
ISBN: 978-0-06028328-5.
Genre: Classic
1. What age is this book most appropriate for? Why? (State reasons from text to support your decision.)
This book is most appropriate for ages 3-5.
2. Brief Summary (2-3 sentences):
If you take a mouse to school, he will want a snack, your paper and pencils. He will want everything
and will have so much fun he will forget your lunch box, which means you will have to go back to
school.
READ ALOUD INFORMATION
1. BEFORE READING- List a question (open-ended) AND an activity that you would do to prepare
your students for the reading of this book. Get them exited and motivated to listen!

Why do you think a mouse would want to go to school?

What are some fun things you can do when you are in school?

2. DURING the READING List two questions, short activities or strategies that you would use while
reading this book to your class. (Be brief so not to interrupt the flow of the story but to keep focus.)

What tasty treat do you get in your lunch box?

Have you ever made a book about yourself?

3. AFTER READING- List one follow up question (open-ended) that you would ask your students
about the book. Make the question meaningful to help check for understanding/comprehension.

Have you ever left something behind either on the playground or in school? Did you go back to
get it?

EXTENSION ACTIVITY
Using Peek with Books, the internet, or your own ideas, describe an extension activity that relates to
the content of this book that you could implement in a classroom of 3 6 year old children (this could
be a song, art project, math project, cooking, etc) Describe this activity in detail (a paragraph) so that
someone could implement it easily. Include a list of necessary supplies.
1) List your Website/Source (where you found your idea):
http://www.brighthubeducation.com/lesson-plans-grades-1-2/99218-if-you-give-a-mouse-a-cookiediscussion-questions-and-extension-activities/

2) EXTENSION ACTIVITY (paragraph description):

Have students form a circle. The teacher starts off the game by saying "If you give a boy a crayon.......",
or "If you give an elephant a peanut....." etc. Ask the children to take it in turn to add to the story. Be
ready to improvise if any student flounders with a response - this should be a fun game.
3) Needed Supplies:
Voices
VOCABULARY WORDS
List any vocabulary words that you may discuss with your students
REFLECTION
1. Would you read this book to your students? Why or why not?
This would be a great story as well as extension activity. I would read this in class. It gives
children the chance to use imagination and tell the story their way to an extent.