Blog 5

Are You a Horse?
Author/Illustrator: Andy Rash
Age level: Preschool- First grade
Summary: Roy receives a saddle as a birthday present. He does not know what it is, but it comes with instructions. First, it says find a horse; however, Roy does not know what a horse is either. Second, it says enjoy the ride. Roy goes through a series of events meeting lots of different objects and animals trying to find a horse.
Reaction: This book provides opportunities to discover different animals, and traits about those animals. Bright, big, clear pictures easy for children to see in a group read.

Blog 4

Fiona’s Luck
Author: Teresa Bateman
Illustrator: Kelly Murphy
Age level: First to Third Grade
Summary: Fiona takes on the leprechaun king in a mission to get the luck back for Ireland, which the leprechauns held.
Reaction: A fun story of a young girl’s wish to return Ireland its luck. Great illustrations. This book provides opportunities for children to discover Ireland’s folktales, and leprechauns.

* Shannon and the World’s tallest Leprechaun
Author: Sean Callahan
Illustrator: Kathleen Kemly
Age level: First to Third Grade
Summary: When Shannon’s hard shoe heel breaks off her Irish step dancing shoe she wishes for a leprechaun by counting backwards in Gaelic. The leprechaun appears and gives her three wishes, but teaches her some very valuable lessons along the way.
Reaction: Being an Irish step dancer myself; I love this book!

Blog 2

* Wangari’s Trees of Peace
Author/ Illustrator: Jeanette Winter
Age level: Preschool and up
Summary: Wangari is a girl from Africa. After returning to Africa from going to school in America she discovers all the trees have been cut down. She begins to replant trees one by one. Wangari inspires many people to do the same throughout Africa.
Reaction: Great book for teaching. Easy read, with bright colorful pictures. Very inspirational.

Blog 1

Ballyhoo Bay
Author: Judy Sierra
Illustrator: Derek Anderson
Age level: Preschool- Second grade
Summary: Mira Bella, the artist, taught art classes at Ballyhoo Beach, she taught grannies and kids, and all the sea and beach creatures. Until one day there was a plan developed by the city builders to build buildings on the beach! Mira Bella convinced all of her students that they needed to fight to save the beach. Mira Bella and her students beat the builders at the town meeting, and then held an art fair at the beach.
Reaction: Great teaching tool! The book has bright bold pictures. Rhyming text will hold children’s attention.