Crab Moon

Author: Ruth Horowitz

Illustrator: Kate Keisler

Publisher: Candlewick Press 

Publication Date: 2000

Genre: Fiction, Concept, Science and Nature

Audience: Gr.1-4

Awards: NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) Children’s Book Council Outstanding Science Trade for Children

Overview: 7 year old Daniel is vacationing at the seashore with his family. On a night of the full moon, Daniel's mother wakes him up to take him to the beach to see the Horseshoe crabs spawning. Daniel sees hundreds of crabs on the beach.  What does Daniel see the next morning when he walks down to the beach? Readers will learn about horseshoe crabs, their history and spawning in a fictional story. The illustrations are done in oils with beautiful detail.  Each page is a two page spread which bring the story to life.

Activity: Have the students write a poem about a horseshoe crab that they found on the beach.

Reviewer's Name: Paula Pavon

The Popcorn Book

Author/Illustrator: Tomie De Paola

Publisher: Holiday House

Publication Date: 1978

Genre: Concept-General, Myths, Legends & Folklore, Science and Nature

Audience: Gr. K-4

Overview: A fun look at the history of popcorn in the United States with historical facts that are probably not well known, stories and even a popcorn recipe. The illustrations are fun and really draw the reader into the story. This book is informative and enjoyable. The facts would be very useful in a report about popcorns history.

Activity: Make popcorn with the class using the recipe in the book while discussing the history of popcorn.

Reviewer's Name: Paula Pavon

The Umbrella

Author/Illustrator: Jan Brett

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Publication Date: 2004

Genre: Fiction picture book, science & nature

Audience: Gr. pre-k-3^rd grade

Overview: As usual Jan Brett’s illustrations are beautifully done in watercolor medium. Each page is artwork to study and catch each detail.  The umbrella is reminiscent of The Mitten.  This story takes place in the Costa Rican cloud forest. A small boy named Carlos takes his banana umbrella into the forest to look for animals. He puts the umbrella down to climb a tree. Carlos gets his umbrella and walks home wondering why he did not see any animals that day.  Find out what happened in the rain forest that day.

Activity: Before reading the story, have the students  predict what they think happened to the umbrella in the rain forest that day.

Reviewer's Name: Paula Pavon