Read Up! And be Yourself.

In my most recent "Read Up" entry, I shared a fun book with a them of individuality, and said I'd be sharing my ideas of other books that would go well together for a "same" theme.  Well, here they are, starting with the book a repeat of what I wrote about that jumping-off book from the last-time around!




The Hueys in The New Sweater Oliver Jeffers
 "The thing about the Hueys...was that they were all the same."  All the same until one of them--Rupert--knitted himself a sweater; now he was different.  Before long, everyone would be different--in the exact same way!  It's fun to see the lightbulbs go on over many kids' heads as I share this one. At a recent storytime, I paired this book with Extra Yarn, due to the link of new sweaters popping up everywhere. 

 

The Sneetches and Other Stories
Dr. Seuss The Sneetches have a VERY class-conscious society.  The Star-Bellied Sneetches, of course, think they are the best--leaving the non-starred as easy victims to a new huckster in town.  Before long, though, everyone's out a lot of money!  They eventually do learn a lesson, though, and there's plenty of Seuss rhyme along the way!













The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Pinkwater
and 
The Araboolies of Liberty Street by Sam Swope & Barry Root
I love to read these two together whenever I can!  Both begin in neighborhoods where the houses all look all the same--and when the bland uniformity is threatened, H.O.A. behavior is launched!  I love the dreaminess of Pinkwater's version, and the many opportunities to yell out "I'll call in the army" from the Swope & Root work!

 It's Okay to Be Different
Todd Parr
In a world where people are singled out for ridicule for their differences, we need more creators like Todd Parr.  The wide range of cheerful, colorful differences illustrated here can launch a parent/teacher & child off in all of the other, wonderful ways people can be different.

I'm not sure about the whole "eating macaroni & cheese in the bathtub," though.

 A Penguin's Story
Antoinette Portis
Edna the penguins world is nothing but black, white, & blue--and she knows there must be something different out there.  Edna eventually finds a little color, and it brings excitement to the entire community!  One reaches the end of the book sensing that the penguins' adventure is only just starting.

Yoko
Rosemary Wells
It's a widely-held belief that children are afraid to taste new foods.  Well, their parents are horribly fearful, too!  When Yoko is teased for bringing sushi to school, grown-ups in the storytime audience will often smile & say, "sushi is so good!  I love sushi!"  Okay, smugsters--but would you try natto?  Two things: 1) don't be afraid to try new things, and never say "yuck" about something you've never even tried; 2) if you don't like it, try it again sometime!  But in the meantime, be respectful toward people who do like it.  For instance, I hate macaroni & cheese mixes, but I try not to make a face around people who seem to love the stuff.  I do need to work harder at my poker face, but I do try.  Usually.



Check these books out! Have fun with them, & let me know what you think. Do you have any favorite books about individuality, or trying new things--or whatever? Please let me know!

Click on this link & READ UP!  I have many more great books to share with you!

Storyteller John Weaver

Check out the new book: How to be a Storyteller: Essays and Advice on the Art of Storytelling (link HERE)!

Read Across America: Every Day!

Read Across America Day is coming!  Sure, it's happening on March 2nd--about a month & a half away as I write this--but it's never too early to start planning, or to start reading!

The Read Across America initiative was created by the National Education Association to celebrate Dr. Seuss (whose birthday was on March 2), and also something that author celebrated in every one of his books for young people: the joy of reading.  Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel was no fan of the beginning reader books of his day, which featured thrilling text along the lines of, "See Mark.  See Janet. See Mark sit.  See Janet sit.  Sit, Mark.  Sit Janet.  See Mark and Janet sit." These are the memories of my bored inner five-year-old; my school had apparently not yet adopted Seuss (though my parents had), and in class I had to read about the "adventures" of Janet, Mark, and their equally-thrilling dog Tip ("See Tip.  Here, Tip.  Come, Tip.  Tip-Tip.").  Ugh.

Thank goodness for Dr. Seuss, who came along and gave beginning reader books what they needed: FUN.  The Foot Book, for instance, combines its simple vocabulary with rhyme, silliness, bright & inventive illustrations--AND also manages to cover the subject of opposites!  Hooray for Dr. Seuss, on his birthday and every day.

So, how to celebrate Read Across America Day?  Schools & libraries do it by hosting special events with guest readers or storytellers, or just by doing a little extra reading on that day.  Seuss-related crafts are very popular, as are campus parades and dramatizations from the works of Dr. Seuss.  Does the whole day have to focus on Seuss works, though?  NO!  It's about celebrating the joy of reading!  Is Read Across America just for schools & libraries? No, please don't leave it there; any person or organization can have an event, no matter big or small.  Parents?  You can read, too!  It would be a nice birthday present for Dr. Seuss, and an even bigger gift for your children--today, March 2, and every day.



Read Across America