BeachCombing exploring the Seashore

Become a Beachcomber and learn about the beach, it's inhabitants, and how they interact together. This book gives an in depth look of the various things readers will see at the beach. From seashells to the coral reef, and sharks, diagrams in the book identifies all types and variations as well as their parts.

This book could be read before Spring Break when students are preparing to go to the beaches or lakes. This could give them somethings to look for while on their trips and provide and educational component to show them that science is every where.


Modern Fantasy and Science Fiction

The Polar Bear Son by: Lydia Dabcovich

An Inuit Tale
An old woman of the Inuit village finds a polar bear cub all alone and abandoned one day while out hunting. She takes him home and gives him food. The old woman adopts him as her son and names him Kunikdjuaq. Kunikdjuaq grows up with the village children as a gentle and loving bear. After a while the village hunters threaten to kill the polar bear because they were jealous of his hunting abilities. In order to save the polar bear, the old woman takes him far away and tells him never to return. Every now and then when the woman misses Kunikdjuaq she goes out and calls his name. Soon the polar bear come running to her.

This book would be great in the classroom when talking about love, family, and friendships. This story is a great story about loyalty and love. This book would be great for studying Native American culture, their way of life and their nature of love and loyalty. Teachers could use this book for its unique and eloquent art work as well.


Traditional or Folk Literature

The Magic School Bus

Inside a Hurricane

Based on the TV show, "The Magic School Bus, Inside a Hurricane" takes place in Ms. Frizzles class. Ms. Frizzle's class is like no other classroom. Her students explore science in an extraordinary way, on the magic school bus. Learning is always an adventure and today they are learning about Hurricanes. Through out the book learn with Ms. Frizzle's class through comic book style diagrams, reports, and dialogue.

This book, along with the large series of Magic School Bus books, could be implemented in any science lesson. This one in particular is about hurricanes and could be read during a unit on weather and inclement weather.

Modern Fantasy and Science Fiction

Aranese and the Lizard

- A West African Tale -

As the Ananse the spider is traveling a long he sees a note posted by The Chief. The note declared that if anyone was able to guess his daughter's name, they would win half of The Chief's land, marry his daughter, and rule as Chief. Before he could even finish reading the note, Ananse hurried off to the Chief's village. The Chief's daughter's name had never been spoken outside of the palace so whoever was able to guess her name was considered worthy of her hand in marriage. However, the Chief told the men that whoever guessed her name incorrectly would have their head cut off and fed to the buzzards. While out late look for a snack, Ananse over hears the Chief's daughter talking to her servants and learns her name is Ahoafe. The lizard tricks Ananse into telling him the name of the Chief's daughter by volunteering to introduce Ananse to the Chief. Instead, the lizard went to the Chief with the intentions to marry his daughter. Ananse made an oath to one day find the lizard and tear him limb from limb. Today this is why you can always find a lizard in a dark corner shifting his eyes side to side checking for Ananse's presents.

This book would provide a lot of entertainment for students. Tales such as this are always fun for anyone. Students could come up with their own tale for various animals. This could be a writing assignment. Students could also draw pictures.

Traditional or Folk Literature

Nature's Paintbrush by: Susan Stockdale

The Pattern and Colors Around You

Take a nature walk and experience various animals in their natural habit. Meet a poisonous dart frog and learn why they're always such a vibrant array of colors. Ever wonder why butterfly fish have an eye spot near their tails? Well questions like this are answered in "Nature's Paintbrush". With eye opening illustrations, readers get to see animals camouflaged and interacting in their habits. Readers are able to make connections between an animal's colors, their habitat, and means for survival.

Teachers could use this book when talking about habitats, niches, and landforms. This book would show students why animals live in these areas, and how the area caters to their needs and way of life. This could also be compared to the basic needs we have as people possess.


Modern Fantasy and Science Fiction

Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson

"Show Way" by Jacqueline Woodson tells the story of a black American family reaching back eight generations to the time of slavery. Each generation facing the struggles of their time, but holding on to the memories of the past for courage and strength. Sewing was one skill each of them possessed and their patch work has shown the way out of their hard times. From slavery, to freedom, and the Civil Rights Movement, the women pressed on and made it through their time, and told the story of those before them.

This book could be useful when doing a unit on family and heritage. Students could listen to the story "Show Way" and develop ideas of their own heritage and how their family tree looks. Students could also consider some of the cherished traditions or keepsakes their families may have. These could be things their family has passed down year after year, generation to generation. This book could also be used during black history month or when students are studying slavery.


Realistic or Historical Fiction

Celebration of Lights by: Nancy Luen

A Year of Holidays Around the World

The purpose of this book is to show how various cultures all use light in their rituals and traditions. Varying from the African American holiday of Kwanzaa to the Brazilian New Years, lights are used through out the year and around the globe. The book is organized by the months of the year. Each month a different culture is highlighted and their celebration and traditions during this time period are briefly described. For example, during the month of April, selected groups celebrate Buddha's birthday by burning incense and decorating their courtyards with lanterns and floral decoration.

"Celebration of Light" would be useful in emphasizing the similarities among cultures and people. Even though in various areas of the world, people celebrate in very similar ways.

Multicultural and International Literature