The High-Rise Private Eyes #2: The Case of the Climbing Cat (illustrated by G. Brian Karas)
This book is written in the third person point of view. The story is about two detectives, Bunny Brown and Jack Jones. Bunny and Jack are hanging out at Jack’s apartment eating Chinese takeout when they hear Miss Nancy, Jack’s neighbor, yell from the hallway. Bunny and Jack go to see what is wrong. Miss Nancy informs them that a cat has stolen her binoculars. Bunny and Jack decide to investigate and help Miss Nancy find this cat. While Bunny searches Miss Nancy’s apartment for clues, Jack takes off down the stairs to avoid his fear of heights. Jack and Bunny both find clues that help with solving the case.
By putting their clues together, Bunny and Jack predict that the cat that stole Miss Nancy’s binoculars is a bird-watcher. They decide to go to the Aviary to look for a cat that has a pair of binoculars with “MN” on them in pink. Bunny and Jack find Seymour, the cat with Miss Nancy’s binoculars. Seymour explains that he did not intend to take the binoculars, but that Miss Nancy had scared him. He planned to return the binoculars to Miss Nancy’s apartment later that night when she was sleeping. Bunny and Jack believed Seymour. Seymour was so grateful for their kindness that he spent the rest of the day teaching Bunny and Jack about birds and showing them around the Aviary. Seymour even bought Bunny and Jack gifts from the gift shop! The three of them and Miss Nancy all became friends.
Classroom Ideas:
By putting their clues together, Bunny and Jack predict that the cat that stole Miss Nancy’s binoculars is a bird-watcher. They decide to go to the Aviary to look for a cat that has a pair of binoculars with “MN” on them in pink. Bunny and Jack find Seymour, the cat with Miss Nancy’s binoculars. Seymour explains that he did not intend to take the binoculars, but that Miss Nancy had scared him. He planned to return the binoculars to Miss Nancy’s apartment later that night when she was sleeping. Bunny and Jack believed Seymour. Seymour was so grateful for their kindness that he spent the rest of the day teaching Bunny and Jack about birds and showing them around the Aviary. Seymour even bought Bunny and Jack gifts from the gift shop! The three of them and Miss Nancy all became friends.
Classroom Ideas:
- This book could be used in the classroom to introduce students to making predictions.
Mr. Putter and Tabby Bake the Cake
(illustrated by Arthur Howard)
This book is written in the third person point of view. It begins with Mr. Putter and Tabby sitting at their window watching the snow fall. Mr. Putter and Tabby loved to sit and watch the snow fall while they dreamed about things that they enjoyed in the winters when they were young. Mr. Putter loves winter because it brings Christmas, and Mr. Putter loves to give gifts at Christmas. Mr. Putter is very generous, as every year he gives gifts to the librarian, postman, and grocer. Mr. Putter also gives a gift to his neighbor every year, but he struggles to come up with ideas for her gift.
Mr. Putter’s neighbor, Mrs. Teaberry, likes things that most people would consider odd. After a lot of thought, Mr. Putter decides to bake a cake for Mrs. Teaberry. The only problem is that Mr. Putter is extremely unprepared for this task. After Mr. Putter finally gathers the materials that he needs, he hurries home to bake the cake. Mr. Putter stays up all night with Tabby baking cakes until they make a cake that is perfect. When they deliver the cake to Mrs. Teaberry, she is thrilled! Mr. Putter is exhausted and accidentally falls asleep, so Mrs. Teaberrry waits patiently. When Mr. Putter wakes up, he and Tabby spend the rest of the evening with Mrs. Teaberry and her dog eating cake and watching the snowfall.
Classroom Ideas:
Mr. Putter’s neighbor, Mrs. Teaberry, likes things that most people would consider odd. After a lot of thought, Mr. Putter decides to bake a cake for Mrs. Teaberry. The only problem is that Mr. Putter is extremely unprepared for this task. After Mr. Putter finally gathers the materials that he needs, he hurries home to bake the cake. Mr. Putter stays up all night with Tabby baking cakes until they make a cake that is perfect. When they deliver the cake to Mrs. Teaberry, she is thrilled! Mr. Putter is exhausted and accidentally falls asleep, so Mrs. Teaberrry waits patiently. When Mr. Putter wakes up, he and Tabby spend the rest of the evening with Mrs. Teaberry and her dog eating cake and watching the snowfall.
Classroom Ideas:
- Writing: Step by step directions involved in baking a cake.
- Writing: Have you ever tried to do something and had trouble? How did you handle the situation? How did Mr. Putter and Tabby show determination?
- Graphing: Before reading the book, make a graph of how many students in the class like fruitcake and how many do not. (Integrated Learning- Math and Literature)
-http://www.harcourtbooks.com/BeginningReaders/Downloads/brs_mrputterandtabby_guide.pdf
In November
(illustrated by Jill Kastner)
This book is written in the third person point of view. The story begins by painting a picture of November, when animals begin to prepare for the winter and the trees lose all of their leaves. November is described as a time when birds say good-bye to each other as some fly away and others prepare for the cold, hard days ahead. During November, animals pile up close to each other to keep warm and take naps.
November is a time that people often enjoy orange foods such as squash and pumpkin, and homes that smell of cinnamon. During this month, people tend to show more kindness to one another. November is also a time that people travel far to share a meal with loved ones and show gratitude for their blessings. Cynthia Rylant uses words that do an excellent job of describing November.
Classroom Ideas:
November is a time that people often enjoy orange foods such as squash and pumpkin, and homes that smell of cinnamon. During this month, people tend to show more kindness to one another. November is also a time that people travel far to share a meal with loved ones and show gratitude for their blessings. Cynthia Rylant uses words that do an excellent job of describing November.
Classroom Ideas:
- Seasons (Integrated Learning- Literature and Science): This book could be used in a unit about the four seasons. It does a wonderful job of describing Fall.
- Using Adjectives to Describe Imagery: This book would be a great example of how strong adjectives are used to paint visual images in the readers' mind.
The Old Woman Who Named Things
(illustrated by Kathryn Brown)
This book is written in the third person point of view. It tells a story about an old woman who has outlived every one of her friends. For this reason, she begins to only name things that she knows she can’t outlive. The old woman names her house, car, chair, and bed. By only giving names to non-living things, the old woman feels as though she is protecting herself from disappointment and hurt.
One day, a small dog appears at her gate. She gives the dog food and tells it to go home. The dog appears again the next day, and the old woman feeds it and tells it to go home. The dog continues to return every day and the old woman continues to feed the dog and then send it home. The old woman does this on a daily basis, but refuses to give the dog a name. One day, the dog does not show up at her gate. The old woman goes to look for the dog and after many days, finds it at a shelter. She names the dog, “Lucky.” She takes Lucky home with her and makes room for another living creature to be in her life once again. The old woman is overcoming her fear of losing someone or something close to her.
Classroom Ideas:
One day, a small dog appears at her gate. She gives the dog food and tells it to go home. The dog appears again the next day, and the old woman feeds it and tells it to go home. The dog continues to return every day and the old woman continues to feed the dog and then send it home. The old woman does this on a daily basis, but refuses to give the dog a name. One day, the dog does not show up at her gate. The old woman goes to look for the dog and after many days, finds it at a shelter. She names the dog, “Lucky.” She takes Lucky home with her and makes room for another living creature to be in her life once again. The old woman is overcoming her fear of losing someone or something close to her.
Classroom Ideas:
- Thoughshots: Learning about Internal Dialogue within writing.
-http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson1129/old.pdf
The Relatives Came
(illustrated by Stephen Gammell)
This book is written from the perspective of a family member who has relatives that come to visit during the summer. The relatives are traveling from Virginia and they drive many miles. When they finally arrive, the house is immediately full of hugs and laughter. The relatives stay for weeks. They eat up all of the strawberries and melons, but promise that their relatives can do the same to their grapes and peaches when they come to visit in Virginia. After the relatives leave, both families miss each other very much. The beds seem too big and too quiet without the relatives there to share with. Both families are anxious for next summer when they will be reunited with their precious relatives.
Classroom Ideas:
- Writing: Cynthia Rylant writes books that are inspired by her family members and personal childhood experiences. Write about one of your favorite memories.