The Five Chinese Brothers

The Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Huchet Bishop 

The story, The Five Chinese Brothers, is a Chinese old folk story that emphasizes strengths found in each individual brother. 

Despite their physical appearance similarities, they are very different and unique when it came to the way they looked. 

Once the brother that tried to hold the sea, ended up being accused of murder because the young boy was lost. One by one the brothers began trying to take the place of the brother being accused. Due to having their unique strengths, each brother survived the executions. 

This allows the readers to see that the unique strengths one carries are al for a purpose and can be very helpful in situations!

The Magic Pot

 The Magic Pot by Pleasant DeSpain

The Magic Pot is a Chinese folktale that speaks on being blessed with good fortune. 

The man did not know that a pot he had found on the side of the road would bring so much fortune to his home. The woodcutter's wife was so happy because they realized that the pot would duplicate each item that was in the pot. 

This meant that they would be able to have more of the things they needed. They put dinner and coins into the pot and they doubled. They became more and more rich, the woodcutter planned a great future thanks to the magic pot. The man doubled the wife, and did not know what to do. 

The wife's were smart and put him in the pot so that there could be two of the husbands. Since there were two of each, they formed another couple. 

They worked together to build a beautiful future and home and give thanks to the relatives who had given them the good fortune. 

This shows that we should always be grateful for the unexpected blessings and to not take the little things for granted!

The Llama Who Had No Pajama

The Llama Who Had No Pajama by Mary Ann Hoberman

This poem is one that could be used before bedtime, it relaxes and allows the child's brain to rest. They can relate to them because everyone grows and wears out their clothes at a point. 

And though for adults it wouldn't be a big issue, children could look at this as a big problem.

 It also creates a connection with the parents because they allow the parent and child to bond because the child can see the parent as a helpful hand. 

This also let's the child feel comfortable in their own body and to not try to be like everyone around them.

"When he woke up in the morning,

To his mama he said with delight,

What a wonderful sleep I've been sleeping all night,

my head feels so clear and my eyes feel so bright.

When we looked for pajamas how foolish we were, 

for I sleep so much better in nothing but fur. 

It fits me so nicely, it's light as the air

it's the practical thing for a llama to wear."

-Mary Ann Hoberman

One Leaf Rides the Wind

One Leaf Rides the Wind by Celeste Mannis

This is a Haiku, and Celeste uses the numbers that we know to create a whole book out of Haikus!

With the use of the numbers, children are able to learn them better and have connections to the animals and nature that surround them on a daily basis. 

The repetition and reiteration of the numbers allow the readers to practice their counting and their words! Also, the images lay out the exact amount that the child is reading in order for an easy follow and book interaction.

"8, 

What do flowers dream?

Adrift on eight pond pillows,

pink-cheeked blossoms rest."

- Celeste Mannis

Once I Laughed My Socks Off

   Once I Laughed My Socks Off by Steven Attewell

 

 

The personification found throughout the poem was so fun to listen to! Steven Attewell does a great job at personifying and putting the readers into the socks perspective.

 It is a great fit for students who are at young age and find life entertaining and fun. I believe it gives a more brighter look at the smaller things. 

When one looks at socks, they wouldn't think of something serious. Yet, steven changes the look on them.

 He relates it to running and then slipping them on to his feet which is what one does everyday. Sometimes socks can also be tricky! We can tend to lose a pair or one sock. Especially when we move around a lot and one slips off! 

"Next time I laugh, I will ensure, 

My shoes are firmly on, 

That should stop my naughty socks,

From such a carry-on." 

- Steven Attewell

Wonder by R.J Palacio

Wonder By R.J. Palacio

 "Such a simple thing, kindness. Such a simple thing. A nice word of encouragement given when needed. An act of friendship. A passing smile. (pg.300)." 

The quote I placed above stuck with me as I finished reading Wonder. I believe it is because I realized how much it tied into the book and the way August was treated and the differences between kindness and bullying or simple judgement. 

I enjoyed reading Wonder because there was many things that one can see as we face working with children and especially the middle aged ones. As I work with middle schoolers, I am able to see how judgments affect them and their self-esteem. There's feelings that go beyond words, and negativity that can be passed despite the words that one says.

For example, being in the position of not having the choice to look the way one looks and having to live with the way one is and getting judged for it can be hurtful. Yet, with one act of kindness, can change the way one sees life and the impact and affect in the way we being to live the life we were given. 

Dot Day!

"I bet you can" -Vasthi (--from The Dot by Peter Reynold.)

When we look into the world we face now in days, we are able to see the different things we can accomplish without believing in ourselves.

We can tend to underestimate our abilities, yet if someone is there to support us and push us to do better, we can begin to have faith that we can be successful.

In the book The Dot by Peter Reynold, I found it interesting how Vasthi did not believe that her simply not trying to do the best she could, would still be something. I relate to this because although sometimes it might not be the best we can make or do at first, it's a start and better than nothing. Once we get the hang of it, and try to be better, we can only become more than what we used to be.

Making my dot was fun, because I was able to add any color that I wanted and did not have to work extremely hard and stress out about making little dots!

Here I am placing a picture of the dot I made myself! It isn't perfect, but I kind of used inspiration for Vasthi's dot because even when it seems like if there can only be one type of way, there is actually more than we can imagine. Also, it shows that we can create something with the things and details that surround us!