Showing posts with label Mo Willems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mo Willems. Show all posts

Pigs Make Me Sneeze!
by wonderful and marvelous Mo Willems


Pigs Make Me Sneeze! is a cute book that certainly had the little ones worrying at first. You see as the book opens Piggie is cartwheeling up to Gerald, as happy as can be. Gerald is delighted, as usual, to see his friend. But then it begins. Gerald begins sneezing and sneezing. In fact, his giant elephant sneezes blow Piggie all around. But he just can't stop. Which is when he frighteningly concludes that he just might be allergic to pigs.

The drama is heightened when Gerald leaps to the conclusion that this sneezing could be the end of their friendship. To find out if that is the case, he visits a new character, Dr. Cat. Dr. Cat is examining him when the sneezing begins again. And guess what? Gerald concludes he's allergic to cats as well.

Is this the end of Piggie and Gerald's friendship? Will Gerald have to find a new doctor? Well... you'll have to read and find out.

Talking Points:::
Written at the first grade level --AR generic "1"-- Pigs Make Me Sneeze! is a cute story in the Elephant and Piggie Series.

Though not our favorite, it's well worth tracking down and reading. The artwork is typical Mo-- which is to say wonderful. And I really like the message that you coincidence does not mean causality.

It's a good Read-Aloud.

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs

Pigs Make Me Sneeze!


related posts:

Elephant and Piggie
Pigeon
Other
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Labels: Accelerated Reader , Accelerated Reading , AR 1X , Elephant and Piggie , Humor , Mo Willems

Two New Books from Mo Willems!
Elephants Cannot Dance!
Watch Me Throw the Ball!


Fans of Mo Willems rejoice. He's got two new books out that feature the bespectacled Elephant and vivacious Piggie.

In Elephants Cannot Dance! Piggie wants to teach Gerald to dance. He shows her though that on page 11 of the "What Elephants Can Do" handbook that it says that elephants can't dance. To which the irrepressible Piggie answers: Gerald, it does not say that you cannot try!

This book is great fun and as usual there's a Mo twist to the plot that will entertain small fry and teach them a small life lesson



In Watch Me Throw the Ball! Piggie is really impressed by how far Gerald threw his ball and she wants to try too. Gerald tries to infer that there's a secret to throwing REALLY far, but Piggie insists that the key is to have fun.

Piggie takes her shot at it and my kids -- who are 7 and 9 and who ought to be too old for these books -- thought the results were hysterical. (Okay, I thought it was amusing too. Says something about Mo Willems that he has fans of all ages.)

This one has message about the value of fun, and like Elephants Cannot Dance! it's a great read-aloud and primer.


Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs


Elephants Cannot Dance!
  • Accelerated Reading level : generic 1st Grade (month has not been determined)
  • Hardcover: 64 pages
  • Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (June 9, 2009)
  • ISBN-10: 1423114108

Watch Me Throw the Ball!
  • Accelerated Reading level : generic 1st Grade
  • Hardcover: 64 pages
  • Publisher: Hyperion Book (March 17, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1423113489

  • Paperback: 64 pages
  • Publisher: Walker Books Ltd (September 7, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1406322199


related posts:

Elephant and Piggie
Pigeon
Other

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Labels: Accelerated Reader , Accelerated Reading , AR 1X , Book for Elementary Aged Kids , Book for Kindergartner , Book for Preschooler , Humor , Mo Willems

TODAY I WILL FLY! by Mo Willems


bookcover of TODAY I WILL FLY! (Elephant & Piggie) by Mo Willems

TODAY I WILL FLY! is another great Mo Willems book. Like the others in the Elephant and Piggie series it presents children with the pair's warm friendship, combined with a big helping of kid-humor.

In this book, Piggie decides to fly. Elephant is wisely skeptical and he tells Piggie:
You will not fly today.
You will not fly tomorrow.
You will not fly next week.
YOU WILL NEVER FLY!

To which Piggie nobly responds, "I will try."

The story ends on a delightfully funny note after Piggie manages to 'fly' with some help from friends-- which leaves Elephant to decide that he wants to fly too!


Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs
TODAY I WILL FLY! 

Reading Information: 
Word Count: 180
Page Count: 57
Accelerated Reading level: 0.5 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 154575
More Elephant and Piggie:

New Elephant and Piggie! (Pre-Orders)

related posts:

Elephant and Piggie
Pigeon
Other
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Labels: Accelerated Reader , Accelerated Reading , Animals , AR 1X , Birthday idea , Book for Kindergartner , Book for Preschooler , Book for Toddler , Book Ideas for Kids , Mo Willems , Pigs

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed
by Mo Willems

bookcover of Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems

This Mo Willems story starts out with a wonderful bit of lyrical writing:
There is so much to learn about the fascinating little creatures known as naked mole rats. But, for this story, you only need to know three things.

1. They are a little bit rat.
2. They are a little bit mole.
3. They are all naked.
Well, that is with the exception of Wilbur. Wilbur, you see, is a Naked Mole Rat who likes clothes. And it is this trait that gets him into trouble with his fellows. In fact, they get so aggravated with Wilbur's strange ways that they haul him off to be 'sentenced' by Grand-pah. Grand-pah, however, is a wise old NMR and rather than jump to a conclusion, he goes off to think about this whole wearing clothes business.

Children probably won't see what's coming, although adults likely will.


Thoughts~
The artwork is cute, but not Pigeon cute. You get to see Wilbur in a variety of outfits, and this particular Willem's story teaches the moral of tolerance.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed is not our favorite Mo Willems book. But do consider it for your next run to the library.

Pam T
Somewhere in the X-burbs



Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed
by Mo Willems

Word Count: 482
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reading level: 2.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 127705
Lexile: AD470L



related posts:

Elephant and Piggie
Pigeon
Other

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Labels: AR 2X , Book for Kindergartner , Book for Preschooler , Mo Willems

Are You Ready to Play Outside? by Mo Willems

No more for the moment. But a Mo Willems book none-the-less. This one features Elephant and Piggie and is really rather sweet. In the story, Gerald and Piggie are excited about going outside to play. Piggie exclaims that they are going to run! and skip! and jump! And the friends head out to have a great time, but then it begins to rain. And not just a little splitter splatter. It REALLY rains: a torrential downpour.

Piggie laments, "I have never seen so much rain in all my life! I DO NOT LIKE RAIN! HOW CAN ANYONE PLAY OUTSIDE WITH ALL THIS RAIN!?!"

Piggie is on the verge of a temper tantrum when she (he?) notices two earth worms having a perfectly good time splashing about. With Gerald's gentle nudging Piggie gives it a try and soon the friends are having a great fun, when suddenly... the rain stops.

Well, just like a human child, Piggie is just as upset about the lack of rain. That is, until Gerald figures out how to help. (**spoiler: he uses his trunk to make it 'rain'**) And Piggie shouts with glee: "Elephants make the best friends!"

Talking Points:::
This is a sweet book for younger children. A Good Read-Aloud, parents can use the story to urge children to be more flexible and adaptive. [The adage of making lemonade from lemons, also comes to mind.] The book additionally emphasizes the importance of friendship and the lengths to which friends will go for one another.

Complete Accelerated Reading testing of this book has not been done yet. It has been put in the 1st Grade category without any further clarification as to exactly what month it is at. The font is very large, and there is not much text per page. The quotes (see Piggie's lament, above) are an example of what you'll find. The book can be read, of course, to any age.

Definitely worth reading to younger children - toddlers through 1st Grade. It may be used as a practice reader for newer readers who have a little experience under their belts. It is not a book that I would necessarily buy for the home shelves.

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs


related posts:

Elephant and Piggie
Pigeon
Other

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Labels: Accelerated Reader , Accelerated Reading , AR 1X , Book for Kindergartner , Book for Preschooler , Book for Toddler , Good Read-a-Loud , Mo Willems , Practice Reader , read-to-kids , Reading Level

Okay, One More Pigeon Book (Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late)

bookcover of Don't Let The Pigeon Stay Up Late! by Mo WillemsI'm going to remind you of one more Pigeon book, which is Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late. It's simply great, with the fiesty pigeon at his (her?) best trying to get the reader to let him stay up late.

I hear there's a good show about birds on TV tonight.
... Should be very educational.

How about five more minutes?
... C'mon! What's five minutes in the grand scheme of things!?

I'm in the mood for a hot dog party!

Considerations:::
Good humor for all ages. Pigeon is currently my favorite book character.

Word Count: 197
Accelerated Reading level: 1.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 106284
Lexile: AD270L
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Labels: Accelerated Reading , AR 1X , Mo Willems , Pams Picks , Pigeon , Reading Level , Reviewed by pam

Pigeon Wants A Puppy! by Mo Willems

If you have a youngster that likes , then please get thee to a library and check out this latest addition to the Pigeon legacy.

My two children, currently 6 and 8, just adored this book. Since we checked it out, they've read it to each other about 10 times -- each! It starts out conversationally with Pigeon saying 'hi' to the reader, and then goes into a rant about how much Pigeon wants a puppy.


"By the way, do you know what I want?"
"What I've wanted forever...?"
"At least since last Tuesday...?"
"A PUPPY!"
"Puppy!"
"Puppy!"
"Puppy!"

Pigeon then goes on to show that he/she hasn't ever met a puppy, but that's all part of the fun. "I promise I'll water it once a month." (LOL!!!)

Word Count: 149
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reading level: 0.7 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 134214
Lexile: BR

While you're at it, check out the boardbook "The Pigeon Loves Things That Go!" This little book has some humor that Toddlers and Preschoolers will enjoy. (Okay, my goofy 6 year old son liked it and begged to check it out.)

Considerations:::
No Accelerated Reading level is given for this book. You should assume that it must be read to children. (My guess would put it on a latter part of the first grade level.)

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs






related posts:

Elephant and Piggie
Pigeon
Other
0 comments
Labels: Accelerated Reader , Accelerated Reading , AR 1X , Mo Willems
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