Booksmiles #2

Sorry for the late post!  We've been all consumed with baseball games and getting ready for Disney!  We are going on Wednesday...the first time for both of my sons!

In a rare moment of down time (between two baseball games on Sunday) I was reading several picture books from the library to my four year old when we stumbled upon a book that made him laugh...a perfect #booksmiles book.

In Dan Bar-el's "Not Your Typical Dragon" Crispin is about to turn seven.  With the other fire-breathing dragons of his family looking on, Crispin is looking forward to lighting his own cake.  However, instead of fire, whipped cream comes out.  After a trip to the doctor doesn't help, Crispin runs away from his home.  Crispin meets Sir George, a young knight sent out to slay a fire breathing dragon.  In a duel, Crispin can only manage bubbles.  The two begin a friendship as Sir George tries to help Crispin with his problem.  

When they return home, their fathers engage in a duel of their own!  Crispin saves the day!  Packed with colorful, funny illustrations, exaggeration, and relatable characters (even Crispin the dragon!), this book puts a smile on your face while teaching powerful lessons!

Books Make Me Smile #1

When I heard about this blog, I thought of many books that make me smile.  The book I want to share with you is “My Teacher is a Monster” by Peter Brown.  After reading both “Creepy Carrots” and “Mr. Tiger Goes Wild” I knew I needed to own this book.  I was NOT disappointed!  This book made me smile the first, second, and third time I read it...and I know I’ll smile when I read it to my students on the first day of school!

Bobby is that student who seems to always get himself into trouble.  To Bobby, when he looks at Ms. Kirby, all he sees is a green, sharp-toothed monster.  To forget his problems with Ms. Kirby, Bobby likes to spend time in the park.  Unfortunately, so does Ms. Kirby.  Wanting to run away, Bobby and Ms. Kirby strike up an awkward conversation.  Suddenly a gust of wind knocks off Ms. Kirby’s hat, and it’s Bobby to the rescue.  When Bobby saves the day, Bobby and Ms. Kirby begin to see each other in a different light.

 

There are several reasons why “My Teacher is a Monster” made me smile.  I enjoyed seeing Ms. Kirby from Bobby’s perspective.  The expressions on both of their faces were priceless throughout the story. The pictures helped to tell the story just as much as the words do!   I smiled as Ms. Kirby transformed from a monster into a “person” before the reader’s eyes.  I smiled as the story forced me to revisit earlier scenes that included Ms. Kirby to see these changes.  I also smiled at the ending, a true reality for many students and teachers.

 

You will not be disappointed in this book…a book guaranteed to put a smile on your face each time you read it!