Post #2: The Perfect Sandwich

Title: Peanut Butter and Jelly
A Play Rhyme

Written and Illustrated by: Nadine Bernard Westcott

ISBN: 0-14-054852-1

Publisher: Penguin Group, Puffin Books



This weeks blog is based on a children's picture book. I recently learned there is much more to picture books than just being an easy read for the children. Some types of picture books are baby books, interactive books, toy books, wordless books, and alphabet books; these are just a few examples. I also learned that some of the books I was exposed to at one point when I was younger may not be the best to share with a potential class someday, because even though I know there are levels and standards for what books should read in each grade it still surprised me. I never thought of books not being "good enough quality" anymore.

The picture book I am sharing with you today is one that reminded me of what Professor Berry was explaining in class when she was modeling her teaching methods on how letters are formed in their rightful "house". It was a routine to follow the 3 R's, which are rhyme, rhythm, and repetition. And I think this book not only does this for you but also shows you in the very back how to include suggested hand and body actions while reading it.

This child's picture book has many uses, for instance it's an interactive book, a concept book, a pattern book and a predictable book. I also believe this book is the perfect how to, as well as sequence book to do with children because it shows how to make something and the order in which it is made even with something as simple as an everyday pb&j sandwich.

This book is about two children who receive help from others to make a sandwich, but not just any sandwich, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Now you would think that there isn't much help required to make this easy sandwich, otherwise my mother wouldn't have made it as often as she did because a little hint: she doesn't cook, but step by step on making the sandwich from scratch!

... I think I'm hungry now but I'm going to take the easy way and go get my peanut butter and jelly out of the jar ...

Only if You Truly Believe

Title: The Polar Express

Written and Illustrated by: Chris Van Allsburg

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company

When I was younger I used to believe in Santa Clause. The whole idea of a big fat jolly old man holding a huge sack full of presents to give to every girl and boy on the night before Christmas made it the best holiday of all. I can close my eyes and literally see him all red, big black boots and saying "Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!" And just like in the songs we hear every year, he was always watching us to check if we were being "naughty" or "nice". I believed in Santa so much that not only did I leave out milk and cookies for him but I also left out carrots for his reindeer! Thinking about it now I find it silly but there was something about it that holds a child's innocence. I think it is the cutest thing; the idea that every young girl and boy trying stay up for as long as possible on Christmas Eve to catch Santa putting the presents underneath the tree but failed to do so each year. 

Sadly enough, eventually reality kicks in and as we get older we stop believing and the whole experience that seemed magical to us at one point in our lives becomes a never ending list of toy requests given to our parents. I remember I used to write Santa a letter about how good I've been and what I would like for Christmas, now I ask for the usual, cash. I don't even make a list!

 The Polar Express is one of my favorite books. It reminds me of the thoughts and feelings I had when I was little. The excitement of Christmas morning, tons of presents under the tree and all because of Santa and his elves. The story is about a little boy who believes in Santa Clause and waits up for him one Christmas Eve to hear the bells from the sleigh. Instead the Polar Express arrives heading to the North Pole where the little boy receives a gift. On the way home he realizes he's lost it. Lucky for him he finds the bell under the tree and when he rings the it his mother says it's broken, but that is because she hears nothing while the little boy hears the ringing. From then on he always believed and only those who believe can still hear the ringing of the bell.