Hey Everyone

Over the last few weeks I have read a number of books.

Of Mice and Men written by John Steinbeck was the first book I read. I thought I would discuss the themes within the book.

Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work.

Themes  

• The predatory nature of human existence

• The importance of fraternity and idealized relationships between men

• The impossibility of the American Dream

• The destructive imbalance of social power structures in American society.

This book would probably be suitable for a year 9 English class. 

In Week 2 I read Emily Eye Finger. It is the first book in the series written by Duncan Ball. In this novel we discover that Emily has an eye on the end of her finger and throughout the novel her eyefinger comes in use.
Emily Eye Finger is a fun, fantastic novel for students in a primary school classroom. It has large writing so is easy for younger students to read. 



Week 3

This week I read Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat. It features a tall, mischievous cat, wearing a tall, red and white striped hat and a red bow tie. In the book the cat brings a cheerful and exuberant form of chaos to the household of two young children while their mother goes to work. 

Dr Seuss books are very entertaining for children. It would be a brilliant teacher resource in a primary classroom as it engages students with its humour and would bring joy to the classroom. 

Week 5

This week I read Saving Francesca written by Melina Marchetta. This is an appropriate novel suitable for teenagers. Many students would be able to relate to the novel and have an understanding of what other peoples family experiences may be like. 

Life changing family experiences have a large impact on a young child’s life. In the novel Saving Francesca, Francesca’s mother becomes very ill. It is completely opposite to what Francesca’s mother is usually like, as she is always up first in the mornings playing motivational music to try and inspire the household about life. “One of her daily pep talks which usually begins with a song which she puts on at 6:45.”(pg.1). 

Francesca’s way of seeing who she is and who she is going to become through her mother motivating her is completely cut out of life. Francesca has learnt to support herself as well as help out and be there for her mother, instead of her mother taking on the maternal deeds. With Mia becoming very ill, this tears apart the family and nothing will ever be how it was. This is an immense change and it is also very confronting for Francesca and her family.




The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
This book, along with its famous illustrations, tracks one caterpillar who takes a bite of just about everything. I believe that this book would be a very valuable teacher resource in a reception - year two classroom. It shows the students the life cycle of a butterfly. How the caterpillar develops into a butterfly in a creative way. It is a very simple, flowing book and is easy and fun to read. The book uses the same sentence structure on each page but would be beneficial for students and they would be able to individually read it after a while. 

Week 6

This week I read three of Beatrix Potter's books. I read them while at home to a four year old girl who thoroughly enjoyed them and was attentive throughout both the books. 
The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher

The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher endures as one of Beatrix Potter's most popular and well-loved tales. It tells of an optimistic and slightly accident-prone frog, who sets off on a fishing expedition across the pond, only to find himself bitten on the toe by a water-beetle, fighting with a stickleback, and eventually nearly eaten by a trout!

The Tale of Jeremy Fisher is number seven in Beatrix Potter's series of 23 little books.

The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck

Poor Jemima. All she wants to do is lay her eggs in peace, and be allowed to hatch them herself. At last she flies off and finds the perfect place. But little does the silly duck know, the charming gentleman who has lent her his woodshed is busily planning a delicious meal of . . . roast duck!

Jemima was a real duck belonging to Beatrix Potter, who lived at her farm, Hill Top. The story also features Beatrix's own sheepdog, Kep, who thankfully manages to save Jemima from a nasty fate!

The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck is number nine in Beatrix Potter's series of 23 little books.

The Tale of The Flopsy Bunnies

When the cupboard is bare at the Flopsy Bunny's burrow, the family all have to go in search of food. They soon find some old lettuces on Mr. McGregor's rubbish heap, but who can imagine the horrors that await them as they enjoy a nap after lunch!

Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny are two of Beatrix Potter's most popular characters and they are brought together in this exciting tale of danger and friendship.

The Tale of The Flopsy Bunnies is number ten in Beatrix Potter's series of 23 little books.

Beatrix Potter's books would be great to use with young primary school students as they have capturing illustrations for students to visualise the story. Some of the vocabulary used in the books would be new and exciting for young students and they are able to gain new meanings of words. 

Week 7

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch

The Princess Elizabeth is slated to marry Prince Ronald when a dragon attacks the castle and kidnaps Ronald. In resourceful and humorous fashion, Elizabeth finds the dragon, outsmarts him, and rescues Ronald--who is less than pleased at her un-princess-like appearance

Guess How Much I Love Youby Sam McBratney, Anita Jeram

"Guess how much I love you," says Little Nutbrown Hare. Little Nutbrown Hare shows his daddy how much he loves him: as wide as he can reach and as far as he can hop. But Big Nutbrown Hare, who can reach farther and hop higher, loves him back just as much. Well then Little Nutbrown Hare loves him right up to the moon, but that's just halfway to Big Nutbrown Hare's love for him





Chloe