I Love You, Bunny Rabbit

I Love You, Bunny Rabbit
Written by: Shulamith Levey Oppenheim
Illustrated by: Cyd Moore
Published by: Boyds Mill Press 1995
Grades: K-2
Genre: Picture Book, Realistic Fiction

Synopsis: This book is a story about Micah’s rabbit called Bunny Rabbit. Micah’s rabbit is very dirty and old. Bunny Rabbit has been through so much that she has no fur, has applesauce and chocolate milk all over her, and has been chewed extensively.As a result, his mom says that it is time to buy a new stuffed rabbit. He goes into the toy store, but nothing convinces him or appeals to him to buy a new one.Micah loves it so much just the way it is that his mother lets him keep it. 

Theme:  Attachment, Love, Family and Relationships, Friendship, Toys, Social Acceptance.

About the Author: Shulamith Levey Oppenheim

   

Growing up in her house, books were everywhere to be found.  She was read to extensively by her parents which also gave her a deep respect for books.  During her teenage years, she read many adult literature novels and poems.  She never dreamt of becoming a writer until she was influenced by another author.  She has written books including, Rescuing Eintsein’s Compass, The Seaking, Yanni Rubbish, The Fish Prince, and many more.  She lives in Amherst, Massachusetts with her husband, Felix.  She has three children and five grandchildren.   

Source used: http://www.shulamithoppenheim.com/

Pre-Reading Activities:  Prior to the day, send home a note to the parents to have children send in something they really enjoy.  The parents will be asked to help their children write three riddles for it and a reason that they like it so much.  Then on that day, the teacher will also bring in something that they really like, such as a bunny.  The teacher will model how the activity will go by having children give three guesses of what it could be.  If they don’t get it then they will have to reveal one of their riddles.  Children will raise their hands to guess again.  This will continue until all riddles are read and then the item revealed.  The teacher will reveal also the reason they like it so much.  Each student will then have a turn to do this. 

Post-Reading Activities:  After reading, ask questions such as: How would you feel if your item was taken away from you? Why would you feel like this? How would you explain your feelings to somebody else? Then have children draw a picture of their item they brought in.  Depending on their ability, students will write a word or sentence about their item.  These pictures will be collected and put together into a class book or onto a bulletin board for everyone to see.  They will be kept as records of students writing progress throughout the year.

Reflection:  I like how this book relates so well to little children. It hits on things that many little kids go through, having an attachment to some toy, blanket, or person that they do just not want to part with no matter how dirty or torn it may get. It helps children logically cope with things that may occur in their life. The illustrations of different size and shapes helps draw in the reader through the artwork. I think this is a good book to use to help children understand events they may go through in life in the most simplistic way that is possible.   

Song and Dance Man

Song and Dance Man

Written by: Karen Ackerman
Illustrated by: Stephen Gammell
Published: Dragon Fly Books 1992
Grades: 1-3
Genre: Children’s literature, Realistic fiction, Picture BookAwards: Caldecott Medal 1989

Synopsis: It is a story that takes place in the attic of the grandfather of three children.  He takes them up there to entertain them while they await dinner.   Their grandfather is seen as the song and dance man, when he uses his imagination to have fun with his grandchildren in the attic.  The children put on hats and pretend to dance like they are on stage too.  Grandpa demonstrates some of the songs, dances, and jokes he performed when he was a vaudeville entertainer.  All of the children cheer with laughter and beg him to do more.  But in the end, grandpa would never trade his days back then for what he has now.

Theme/Skill: Performing Arts, Family

About the Author: Karen Ackerman

Karen was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1951.  She graduated from Woodward High School.  She is known as an American author of over 25 children’s books.  Her first book was published in 1982.  The book above mentioned, Song and Dance, won the 1989 Caldecott Medal.  She is also credited for the books Flannery Row, I Know a Place, Moveable Mabeline, The Night Crossing, and This Old House. 

For more information visit:  http://www.juggle.com/karen-ackerman

About the Illustrator: Stephen Gammell

Gammell grew up in Des Moines, Iowa.  He was given inspiration to be an artist from the periodicals his father brought home from his magazine.  He worked in commercial freelance until he became interested in children’s book illustrations.  He is known for his illustrations in books including, Scary Stories to tell in the Dark, More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Scary Stories 3, Where the Buffaloes Begin, and Song and Dance.  He received the Caldecott Medal for his book Song and Dance as well as Where the Buffaloes Begin, and The Relatives Came.  He lives with his wife in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Source used: http://www.jacketflap.com/stephen-gammell/145693

Pre-Reading Activities: Students will close their eyes and scribble on paper while thinking in their mind of anything using their imagination.  After they are given a couple minutes, students will come back together.  We will discuss the word imagination and then we will make a web chart of when we use our imaginations and the feelings they create inside of us.

Post-Reading Activities:  After the book we will come together as a class and discuss how the grandfather and the children in the story used their imagination and also how it made them feel.  Students will then take their scribble papers from prior to reading and switch with a partner.  The students will look at the scribbles and use their imaginations to color in different parts of the scribble to make a picture and how it makes them feel.  They will then share with the class. 

Reflection:  This book received a Caldecott Medal for many reasons. I love books that have illustrations that help illuminate the story. The story line goes hand and hand with the pictures and is good for readers who need context clues to help them decipher words. The story helps the audience use their imagination and show how people can have fun with the most simple things. I love how its from the children's perspective and allows them to see their grandpa or elders in a different light.