Rocket Writes a Story

Author & Illustrator:   Tad Hills
Publisher:  Schwartz & Wade
Publication Year:   2012
Location: Knox County Public Library- Lawson McGhee

Awards:   School Library Journal best book; Kirkus, Publisher's Weekly, & School Library Journal starred reviews

Summary:  For Rocket, a book is "a place he'd never been, like a friend he'd never met." He loves books and words and decides he will write his own story. Unfortunately, a blank page is scary! His teacher and the bird try to help him with ideas, and he decides to write a story about an owl he sees living in a pine tree. As he visits Owl and learns more about her, he finishes her story and shares it with his new friend Owl.

Classroom Ideas: Obviously, this book is perfect for beginning writers- the intimidation of the empty page, the coming up with inspiration, the choosing good words, the writing of an ending. There is also lovely language here and some figurative language as well. (I love how Rocket goes to sniff out new words! What fun that would be to create a bulletin board around...)

That Is NOT a Good Idea!

Author & Illustrator:   Mo Willems
Publisher:  Balzer + Bray
Publication Year:   2013
Location: Knox County Public Library- Powell

Awards:   starred reviews from Horn Book, School Library Journal, & Publisher's Weekly

Summary:  This book is set up like a silent movie with full-page illustrations (my kids were thrilled to spy Knuffle Bunny & the Pigeon) opposite pages of black and white dialogue between a Fox and a Goose. The only other dialogue comes from some chicks warning the characters. While the ending seems to be obvious, Willems of course has a surprise up his sleeve that made us giggle. It is dark, noir, and completely hilarious!

Classroom Ideas: This book is a good example of the idea of perspective and narrator. As writers, kids can see how easy it is to be confused by unclear narrative (on purpose here of course).