Remembering Mrs. Rossi

     This book was very touching, and at times emotional, to read. I found this story to be one of growth and strength; sometimes things the characters didn't realize they'd had within themselves. I was engaged throughout the duration of reading this book and felt as if I could relate to it through my own, outside connections. Losing someone you love can be a definite struggle, but inspiring stories of getting yourself back up again afterwards, are great to have around.
      I would love to use this story in my future classrooms. I think it is appropriate, but realistic. Even the minor aspect of the teacher's students making a memory book about her after she passes, is a great point to talk about it as a book discussion. I feel this will open pathways for the class to ask questions, express concerns, share stories, and communicate with one another back and forth between the novel and their own personal connections. I think this book would achieve a teacher's goal in creating unity through a single classroom assigned reading.

Remembering Mrs. Rossi
by: Amy Hest
illustrated by: Heather Maione
Published in 2007

What's Happening To Grandpa?

      I really liked this book. I thought it did a wonderful job of showing the relationship between a young girl and her grandfather, who has Alzheimer's. The illustrations were captivating and helped express what was going on in the story and provided character personality. I felt emotional reading through this and knew it had successfully sent its message in doing so.
     In terms of children reading this story, I feel it would be more than appropriate. The concept of growing old can be confusing for kids and I think the author did a great job at demonstrating the changes that occur. It is so important for children to spend time with their grandparents, because they can learn so much. Whether its history, social values, deeper appreciation for how life is today, or many of the other potential stories grandparents may want to share with their grandkids, having that time together is crucial. I think this would be a great resource for parents to use as well, because it shows how the two characters worked together to keep whatever memories he had left, intact.

What's Happening To Grandpa
by: Maria Shriver
illustrated by: Sandra Speidel
Published in 2004

The Lion and the Mouse

       I had heard so much about this book lately and it must be because it recently won the Caldecott medal. I knew it was the perfect time to check into it. The cover alone enticed me to read the story, because it was highly original in concept. I believe it was based off of a fable, but I thought the story was sweet and sent a great message. I think it is important for students to be aware of their actions and how they may affect others, because that's exactly what happens in this book. The lion and the mouse save each other's lives through little gestures of kindness.
      I think little kids would love this story. It's an unlikely match and parts of the story leave the readers on the edge of their seats wondering what's going to happen. I feel this would be a great book to have the children respond to as I read it to them. Asking about their predictions and thoughts on each portion of the book will help engage them further into the story's plot. I will ask students to share their stories of acting kind to another after we've finished reading the book.

The Lion and the Mouse
by: Jerry Pinkney
Published in 2009

Pinkalicious

      Pinkalicious is an adorable book I came across while babysitting. The book is covered in pink things from start to finish. Everything is all about pink in this book! It's very cute that the author celebrated such a girly thing, but I really enjoyed the main point which was that being yourself is the best thing of all. I found it uplifting and light and a fun read.
      I know firsthand that little girls adore this book as well. I can confidently admit that it typically would not be enjoyable for the average male student. This is something that may be an area of trouble, but if given an option as a choice book, I think this book would do well in the classroom. I would not require all students to read this, but I'd suggest it to anyone who expressed an interest.

Pinkalicious
by: Victoria and Elizabeth Kann
Published in 2006

A Story For Hippo: a book about loss

     This is another example of an incredibly well done book. I would definitely feel comfortable sharing this story with younger students and using it for an assignment in my classroom. The illustrations are brightly colored and painted in design. They take up the entire page and are displayed from cover to cover. Though there were portions of the story that made me upset, the overall message is a happy one and I felt hopeful at the end of the story.
     A Story For Hippo is appropriate for young children and I feel that they would be fond of this book. The story is clear in its intent to express hippo's death and the process monkey goes through to cope with it is ideal for students finding themselves in a similar situation. Monkey takes it upon himself to carry on the hippo's story-telling and I think that is a great thing to teach kids about. Though we may miss someone, there are things we can do to feel closer to them and to keep their spirit alive.

A Story For Hippo: a book about loss
by: Simon Puttock
illustrated by: Alison Bartlett
Published in 2001

Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories

     This was my absolute favorite book of the entire course. I was totally amazed by the illustrations and found myself sharing this story with most of my classmates. I've sparked many interests in this book and look forward to reading the rest of the Chester Raccoon stories in the future. I really appreciated how well this author addressed losing a friend. It had the perfect amount of emotional responses to it and was realistic in its goal of sending a positive message about how to remember someone you lost.
      I think this would be an excellent resource to use in a classroom. It covers the topic very well, but the illustrations alone are outstanding. I think children will enjoy this story and all that it has to offer. Though the characters are animals, I think the students will find it relatable because the main character ventures on a journey to find an object that reminds him of his friend. I think every child has a special something they have as a keepsake of their childhood. I love this book and can't wait to share it with even more people!

Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories
by: Audrey Penn
illustrated by: Barbara L. Gibson
Published in 2009

When A Pet Dies

     My initial reaction to this story was that of uncertainty. I felt this was very controversial. Not only is this a challenging topic for students to grasp, but it is also rather realistic in its use of photographed pictures. At one point they show the family burying the pet. Yes, that is a part of the death process and is important to know, but the pictures seemed a bit harsh and I'm not sure I would feel comfortable sharing that with a young child.
     I do like how the story is fairly straightforward in mentioning how an event such as this one could emotionally affect a child. It is important for a student to understand that sad things sometimes happen and that it is not in our control. Overall, I think this is a book that should be decided to use based on parental consent. I feel that I would not put this in my classroom.

When A Pet Dies
by: Fred Rogers
Published in 1988

Her Mother's Face

     When I originally read this story, I was left feeling a bit confused. After rereading it, I realized there is a large chunk in the middle that is a bit abstract and unusual. I appreciated how it tackled the topic of a child missing her deceased mother and how she's frustrated that she can't remember her; but I didn't like that it went on such a tangent. The pictures were well drawn, but the coloring wasn't interesting or bright. Words covered most of the page and the drawings were lightly placed on every other page or so.
     My biggest concern when sharing this with children is whether or not the kids would be able to grasp the combination of the story line and the subject matter. Losing a mother can be a very scary thing for children and I worry that this may not successfully send the message the intended audience is supposed to receive. I would use this as a resource for students in upper elementary and as a resource for parents interested in a book dealing with this topic.

Her Mother's Face
by: Roddy Doyle
illustrated by: Freya Blackwood
Published in 2008

The Memory String

     This was an interesting story about a little girl whose father remarried after her mother's death. The little girl struggles with accepting her stepmom through numerous misjudgments. She finds strength in her family's memory string with buttons representing each ancestor. I think this story was interesting to read because of the fact that it remained so neutral on such a heavy topic. I thought it did a great job of showing both sides of the situation and came up with some great lesson plan ideas to use in my own classroom if I used this as a part of my curriculum.
     The illustrations are eye-catching and I think children would really like that aspect of the book. I think it may be difficult for the students to relate to the story if they haven't experienced what the little girl is going through, but hopefully they will have gained some form of understanding on the topic and feel more knowledgeable post reading it.

The Memory String
by: Eve Bunting
illustrated by: Ted Rand
Published in 2000

Goodbye Mousie

      Goodbye Mousie is a book that shows the various emotions a child can encounter when confronted with the loss of a pet. I like this book, because it is very honest about showing the boy when he's in denial, angry, sad, and finally understanding. I am not a fan of mice, but still found the story to be enjoyable and a nice read.
      I felt that the illustrations were a bit outdated or uninteresting while I read it. I fear that that may be the case for students who read this as well. The colors are somewhat bland and there isn't a lot to the illustrations in general. This book covers a difficult topic, and for that I would suggest it; however, in terms of engaging the reader, I'm afraid it's lacking.

Goodbye Mousie
by: Robie H. Harris
illustrated by: Jan Ormerod
Published in 2001

Mary Louise Loses Her Manners

      I thoroughly enjoyed this picture book. It's really creative and effectively transitions the misbehaved girl into a well-mannered little lady. The pictures add some humor to the story and I think kids will love reading through it. The point is clear: use your manners properly and you will be treated with respect and acknowledged as a mature human being in society.
      Children should read this story to hear about manners in another source other than their parents. This could be a wonderful resource to use in the classroom if a teacher is having difficulties with respect or manners from their students. This may bring some laughter to the subject, but hopefully the teacher will drill in the real message that he or she wants the students to obtain from it.

Mary Louise Loses Her Manners
by: Diane Cuneo
illustrated by: Jack E. Davis
Published in 1999