Penny and Her Song

 

Henkes, Kevin. Penny and her song. New York: Greenwillow Books, 2012. Print.

ISBN:  978-0062081971

Audience: Ages 4-8, Grades PK-3

Summary:  Penny has made up a song and she desperately wants to sing it for someone. Unfortunately, first the babies are sleeping, and then songs are not for the dinner table. Finally, Penny gets to sing her song for her family and they love it. Mama and Papa join in and they put on a show that puts the babies right to sleep in time for bedtime. 

Strengths:   Henkes’ distinctive colorful illustrations bring Penny and her family to life. The concept is a sweet one, which would be easily identifiable for many kid. The characters are a familiar family grouping, and the vocabulary would be accessible for 1st and 2nd graders. 

Weaknesses:   This book is definitely for the older end of the suggested age group with a great deal of words that would make it difficult for a four year old. The character is sweet but doesn’t have the exuberant personality of some of Henkes’s other characters.

Uses:  Student could write their own narratives about Penny and her brothers and sisters. (CCSS ELA:W.3 Grades K-4). It also is a good example for retelling of a story (CCSS ELA: RL.2 Grades K-2).  A music teacher could use this book to talk about the joys of music and singing and how it brings people together.

Read-alikes:

·      Penny series -  Kevin Henkes (the continuation of the series)

·      Amelia Bedelia  – Herman Parish (another fun character)

·      Amanda Pig and Her Big Brother Oliver – Jean Van Leeuwen (series about a girl and her brother)

·      Bink and Gollie – Kate DiCamillo (series about two friends who are very different)

·      Mercy Watson to the Rescue – Kate DiCamillo (a pig named Mercy Watson)

                                                                                                              

Other: Starred reviews in Booklist, Horn Book, and Publisher’s Weekly

Resources for teachers and librarians:

Activity Guide: http://www.kevinhenkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/penny_color_poster_back.pdf

Hi! Fly Guy

Arnold, Tedd. Hi! Fly Guy. New York: Scholastic, 2005. Print.

ISBN:  0-439-63903-4

Audience: Ages 4-8, Grades PK-3

Summary:  Fly Guy meets the boy Buzz while he is out looking for slimy, tasty food. Buzz is looking for a pet for the pet show and is excited that Fly Guy can say his name. He takes him home, but he has to convince the rest of the world that flies can be pets. Fly Guy ends up amazing the judges with his tricks and winning a prize.

Strengths:   Offbeat cartoon illustrations would grab the attention of the most reluctant reader. The setting is familiar and the characters are easily identifiable for the average reader. While there is very little text, the word choice is excellent and the book is full of hyperbole, puns, and broad humor. The inclusion of four “chapters” will convince beginning readers that they are reading a big kid book not a baby book.

Weaknesses:   The subject matter is sometimes gross, especially in some of the later books.

Uses:  This book can be used to develop students’ ability to notice key details (Common Core State Standard ELA:RL.1 Grades K-3)   and then transferring these details to writing their own narratives about what other adventures Buzz and Fly Guy might have (CCSS ELA:W.3 Grades K-4). It also is a good venue for retelling of a story (CCSS ELA: RL.2 Grades K-2). The characters are well written in this story and would be good ones for a character study (CCSS ELA:RL.3 Grades K-6).  For Science, the book would introduce a study of life cycles, flies, and other insects. This book is perfectly suited to put in the hands of reluctant readers, especially boys who enjoy gross out humor.

Read-alikes:

·      Fly Guy series -  Tedd Arnold (the continuation of the series)

·      Diary of a Fly  – Doreen Cronin (story told from the point of view of a fly)

·      Mr. Putter and Tabby – Cynthia Ryland (series about a man and his cat)

·      Frog and Toad are Friends – Arnold Lobel (classic series about two unlikely friends)

·      Bink and Gollie – Kate DiCamillo (series about two friends who are very different)

Awards: 

Theodore Suess Geisel Award