Princess Picky

If you are looking for a great book that you'd like the children to make predictions about then Princess Picky by Marjorie Priceman is the book for you!

Princess Picky (her real name is Princess Nikki) was a perfect princess until the Great Vegetable Rebellion.  The King ordered the members of his staff to convince the princess to eat vegetables but only one staff member succeeded.  The students were very interested in the methods each staff member used to bribe the picky princess.

Unfortunately, I did not find any websites with activities for this book but here is a link to more information about the book itself, http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-7613-1525-4. 

The Giant Carrot

Have you read the old Russian folktalk "The Turnip"?  I asked the students and they said "Noooo" while shaking their heads.  Ohhhhhhh, I wish I had of read "The Turnip" first!  But too late . . . The Giant Carrot by Jan Peck will have to do. 

This picture book is about a family who plants carrot seeds while discussing their plans for the carrot when it is harvested.  Even the youngest one, sweet Little Isabelle gets in on the action.  Although the members of the family do all the right things to make the carrot grow, sweet Little Isabelle's odd actions get the best results!

There are many activites that can be done with this book!  Please view http://www.janpeck.com/curriculumcarrot.pdf  and http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/lessonplan.jsp?id=1009 for a few ideas!

Chicks and Salsa

My students enjoyed listening to me read a picture book entitled Chicks and Salsa by Aaron Reynolds. This story is about some farm animals that are tired of eating the same old thing every day so they steal vegetables from the farmer's garden to make salsa and other southwestern dishes.  As I began reading the story one child said, "Are we talking about the salsa dance or the the kind of salsa we can eat?"  I thought this was an interesting question since it had not entered my mind to discuss the word salsa as a homophone!  

As we continued reading this humorous story, a child asked, "What is cilantro?"  I was glad he asked because it was the perfect opportunity for me to pull out cilantro, green onions, and garlic.  Unfortunately, the students were so "excited" about viewing the vegetables, smelling the vegetables, and offering their opinion about the vegetables that I failed to discuss what part of the plant we eat.  But we will discuss that tomorrow . . ..

Once we finished reading and discussing the book, we made salsa of course!  Olé!

For more information about Chicks and Salsa by Aaron Reynolds and the salsa recipe we used visit http://ux1.eiu.edu/~psstorm/Monarch10/chicks.html
http://southernfood.about.com/od/salsarecipes/r/bl80807d.htm

The Vegetables We Eat

Today I read The Vegetables We Eat by Gail Gibbons to a small group of third and fourth-grade students in our summer library program.  The book is very informative!  Gibbons discusses how vegetables are labeled (leaf vegetables, bulb vegetables, flower bud vegetables, etc.) and provides the reader with information about what part of the plant the vegetable comes from. 

The book also goes into detail about how to plant and take care of a vegetable garden.  I think this is the perfect book for educators who plan to give their students the opportunity to delve into planting a garden and/or learn about all the different kinds of vegetables there are to try.

The students in the summer library program seemed to be very interested in the book.  I believe the illustrations aided in keeping the students' attention and the explanation of harder vocabulary such as botanist, perennials, and annuals prevented the students from being turned off from the text.  The students asked many questions about farming and the processing of vegetables.  This was one of those days I wish I was Mrs. Frizzle with a magic school bus!

For more information about The Vegetables We Eat by Gail Gibbons visit http://www.gailgibbons.com/the_vegetables_we_eat.html
http://www.personal-nutrition-guide.com/vegetables-we-eat.html  

Granny Torrelli Makes Soup

I attempted to read Granny Torrelli Makes Soup by Sharon Creech to a group of students (Grades 3-5) in our summer library program.  Since our program is focusing on food, nutrition, and cooking, I thought this would be a great chapter book to share with the students!  Unfortunately, as I began reading the book, heads laid on tables, talking ensued, glances were directed toward the clock, and facial expressions of disappointment were displayed.  The students seemed interested in who the characters were but lost interest during the flashbacks.  So, I gave up and decided to read the book for myself instead.

The 141-page chapter book begins with Rosie being upset with her best friend, a boy named Bailey (this is another reason why I selected the book, it has a boy and girl as the main characters).  Rosie's grandmother (Granny Torrelli) sees she is upset and tries to coax her into telling why she is upset.  Rosie refuses to tell Granny Torrelli what is wrong and continues to talk about how much she hates Bailey.  As the conversation between Granny Torrelli and Rosie continues, they prepare homemade chicken zuppa (soup).  This may be why the students lost interest . . . Rosie takes too long to tell why she is mad at Bailey.  But as I finished the book, I understood that Creech (the author) is telling the story of how the friends' relationship grew and informing the reader of Granny Torrelli's childhood. 

If the students could of held on a little longer, they would have found out why Bailey and Rosie's relationship is so important!  The students would have heard even more interesting stories from and about Granny Torrelli.  The students woud have also learned that even though our grandparents seem "old", our grandparents have had some of the same experiences, thoughts, and emotions that we have today.  Additionally, the students would have realized how important it is for us to spend time cooking in the kitchen with family.  Not only do you learn how to cook, but a bond is formed through conversations during the cooking process.

I think this book would of been more fitting for a book club or literture circle of fifth-grade girls, instead of a group of boys and girls who may or may not have been forced to attend a summer library program!  Believe it or not, the students have not asked me one thing about that chapter book we started.  Hopefully, I will find another chapter book that peaks their interest from the beginning . . . any suggestions?

For more information about Granny Torrelli Makes Soup by Sharon Creech visit http://www.sharoncreech.com/novels/12.asp.