48. Owl Babies by Martin Waddell

Bibliographic Citation:

Waddell, Martin. Owl Babies. Illustrated by Patrick Benson. Candlewick Press, 1996. 22 p. ISBN 978-1564029652. 

Awards/Selection Lists:

Format Examined:
Board book

Annotation:
Three little owls are left on their own while their mother goes in search of food.

Personal Reaction:
This book works through many emotions through a format that children can understand. When Owl Mother leaves the nest to search for food for her owl babies, the baby owls awaken to find that she is gone. The three owls work together to try to figure out where their other has gone, while also encouraging each other not to worry or be afraid. When all three begin to worry, they close their eyes, and wish Mother Owl would come home, and she does, which delivers a strong message to young children who worry about separation from their parents.

Age Recommendation:

I would recommend this book for children 18 months-3 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Separation anxiety, trust, parent/child relationship, siblings 

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.

Narrative Skills: 
The opportunity for children to participate in the narration of this book is provided through modeling, as well as through familiarity of the repeated line, "I want my mommy!", which children may recite as it is recited repeatedly.

Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.

Print Awareness:
The text of this book is printed in varying pastel shades on the dark background of each page, calling attention to the text.

Print Motivation: 
This book makes a good choice for bedtime reading together, and also provides a positive lesson for children who may feel anxiety about separating from their parents. Children may choose this book for a parent to read again due to its positive message and cute owl illustrations.

Vocabulary:
The vocabulary in this book deals with the types of food that owls might eat, as well as descriptions of the owls' habitat in a tree in the forest.

Author/ Illustrator Website:
No official website

26. When Will it be Spring by Catherine Walters

Bibliographic Citation:
Walters, Catherine. When Will it be Spring? New York, NY: Dutton Children's Books, 1997. 32 p. ISBN 978-0525458814.

Awards/Selection Lists:

None

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:

Alfie is a bear cub who doesn't want to go to sleep for the winter until he knows when spring will come. 

Personal Reaction:

Alfie's story is one that resonates with parents of children who do not want to go to bed at night. Changes in weather from fall, to winter, to spring, are taught through Alfie's experiences as he waits for spring to come. Children also learn about hibernation as Alfie's mother attempts to get Alfie to hibernate with her through the winter months. Alfie learns to be patient just in time for spring, and then falls asleep.

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 3-5 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Seasons, hibernation, bears, patience/waiting

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.

Narrative Skills: 
Children are encouraged to help tell the story through recognition of illustrations of familiar seasonal settings.

Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.

Print Awareness:
The text of the things that Alfie thinks he sees is printed in all capital letters in order to connect to the illustrations on the page. This draws a child's attention to the print on the page.

Print Motivation: 
This book offers an enjoyable story that children will enjoy hearing every year as they wait for spring to arrive. The illustrations are soft and subtle, and Alfie's confusion provides the opportunity for children to arrive at the correct answers before Alfie does.

Vocabulary:
Children are encouraged through the text to learn about hibernation, as well as to identify what animals and climate changes are a part of the seasons.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
No official website

21. Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert

Bibliographic Citation:
Ehlert, Lois. Growing Vegetable Soup. New York, NY: Voyager Books, 1987. 32 p. ISBN 978-0152325800.

Awards/Selection Lists:

Parents' Choice Gold Award

Format Examined:

Paperback

Annotation:

A father and child grow a garden of vegetables that become ingredients for vegetable soup.

Personal Reaction:
Colorful collage art is used to represent vegetables that are grown in a garden by a father and child. Each step of gardening, including planting seeds, watering, weeding, and picking/digging up vegetables is represented. Each type of plant is labeled in small print, as well as each tool. The story ends with the father and child going through each step to make a vegetable soup with the vegetables which they have grown.  A recipe for vegetable soup is included on the back cover of the book. 

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 3-5 years of age. 

Themes/Issues:

Vegetables, growing seeds, gardening, patience/waiting, food

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.

Narrative Skills: 
Children can be encouraged to help tell the story as they view the illustrations for each step that is needed to grow vegetables. 

Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.

Print Awareness:
Simple text is represented by large, black print on the top of pages. Tools, plants, vegetables, and other objects are also labeled with small, black print on each page. This can be used to encourage children to notice print and how it connects to the story. 

Print Motivation: 
When children are encouraged to name objects represented by illustrations and text within the book, they will enjoy being a part of telling the story. Revisiting the story through growing vegetables and/or making the vegetable soup with the recipe on the back of the book can also encourage children to revisit this book. 

Vocabulary:
The names of tools, plants, vegetables, and other objects are represented by illustrations, and are labeled with corresponding words to help children learn the names of titles of the things represented on the pages.

Author/ Illustrator Website:

No official author website