Archive for February 29, 2016

Green Bean! Green Bean!

Written Patricia Thomas
Illustrated by Trina L. Hunner

Poetic and rhyming, this new book highlights the life cycle of the lowly bean.

A hoe to help grow.

      And a curlicue catching dew.

   Curlicue catching dew.

      Oh no! Wind roars. Rain pours.

A young girl plants beans, with the help of her dog. As the garden grows, the girl discovers all the aids and perils for her burgeoning plants. Beetles and snails chew on the leaves. Moisture, hoeing, and stakes help the plants grow. A rabbit comes for a snack, but is thwarted by netting. Patience and sharing with birds and bees bring forth a bountiful harvest. And rejected beans make sure the cycle begin again. Wonderful, lively illustrations accompany this sweet story.

This is a great companion for a first or second grade unit about the life cycle and could easily include kids sprouting their own beans, potatoes, or avocadoes. Some of the activities even encourage eating the beans and other fruits and vegetables!

Order on Amazon

  • Green BeanTitle: Green Bean! Green Bean!
  • Author: Patricia Thomas
  • Illustrator: Trina L. Hunner
  • Published: Dawn Publications, March 1, 2016
  • Reviewer: Sue Poduska
  • Format: Hardcover, 32 pages
  • Grade Level: PreK to 3
  • Genre: Science, Agriculture
  • ISBN: 978-1-58469-544-8
  • Extras: Many, including “Life Cycle,” “Words to Know,” and “Fun Things to Do”

Wild Ones: Observing City Critters

Written by Carol L. Malnor
Illustrated by Cathy Morrison

Nature and its variety of animals are everywhere, even in the city. The author follows a dog as he explores many of the scenes present in every city. A squirrel and an opossum lurk near a shed. Ducklings are in danger on a ledge. A beaver and a gull are busy near the water. Starlings raid a trash bin. A rabbit snacks in a garden. Geese gather near a pond. Foxes, owls, and bats fascinate the dog. This approach is both captivating and enlightening.

As always, Morrison’s illustrations are lively, accurate, and fun to look at. With each illustration, more details are revealed about the natural world of the city.

Second graders will learn a lot about the critters they pass every day. In addition to learning more about the creatures, many reading activities are suggested by the text, including looking for squirrels and their activities on every page. Kids can make observations and maps in their own backyard. Many facts and resources for further learning are listed after the story ends.

Order on Amazon

  • Wild OnesTitle: Wild Ones: Observing City Critters
  • Author: Carol L. Malnor
  • Illustrator: Cathy Morrison
  • Published: Dawn Publications, March 1, 2016
  • Reviewer: Sue Poduska
  • Format: Paperback, 32 pages
  • Grade Level: PreK to 3
  • Genre: Fiction, science, environment
  • ISBN: 978-1-58469-553-0