Children Literature

Here are a few books from many of my favorite authors.

Chato's Kitchen
By: Gary Soto

Grade Level: 2nd -3rd grade

Book Summary:
Chato’s Kitchen (Soto, 1995) is a hilarious bilingual story about a cat that tries to surprise a family of mice but instead gets an even bigger surprise. The story begins one day while Chato is hunting for something to eat. Chato hears the sound of little feet coming from next door and discovers new neighbors moving into the house next door. Chato invited the new family of mice over for a tasty dinner. The unknowing mice accept the offer not knowing Chato’s plan to make then the main course. After the mice accept the offer they remember that a friend is expected to come over and ask Chato is they could also bring the friend over for dinner. Chato thinks he will have a larger meal than first expected. To the surprise of Chato and his hungry cat friend Novio Boy the extra guest turns out to be a dog. The tale come to an end as all new found friends sit down to enjoy a great meal no mice included.

Teacher Use and Critique:
This book contains some Spanish words within the text. At the very beginning of the book there is a Spanish/English glossary to explain the words used in the story. This book can be used to show how having all sorts of friends help in life. The story is set in East LA and the author really sets the tone for this story by using Spanish slang to set the mood. I think this book would be greatly enjoyed by bilingual students.



Horton Hears a Who!
By. Dr. Seuss
Grade Level: 2nd -3rd grade

Book Summary:
Horton Hears a Who! (Seuss, 1954) is one of many Dr. Seuss classic collection of stories. This story features Horton who hears a very small voice on a speck of dirt. Although no one believes Horton’s crazy idea of little people on a speck of dust he is convinced he must protect the speck. After placing the dust on a clover he discovers the speck is home to a town of who’s from Who-ville. Horton is determined to save his new friends despite those around who do not hear the who’s. After having the speck taken away Horton searches for hours until he finds the clover that carries the speck. Horton tells his new friends that they must speak up to avoid an unavoidable death. Horton helps the who’s prove they exist and continues to protect them from harm.

Teacher Use and Critique:
This book can be used during a Unit celebrating Dr. Seuss. This book shows how someone can stick up for someone else to protect them from harm. Besides displaying friendship this book also encourages everyone to speak up and be heard. Although this book has great illustrations it only uses three colors. Red, White, and Blue can be seen on every page. This book has been featured in a full length movie as well as a short movie adapted from the book.



Gilbert the Great
By: Jane Clarke & Charles Fuge
Grade Level: 2nd -3rd grade
Book Summary:
Gilbert the Great (Clarke & Fuge, 2005) is a fiction book that shows a strong friendship between a great white shark and a remora. Gilbert the shark and Raymond the remora have been inseparable since Gilbert was a tiny pup. The two are suddenly forced to say goodbye when Raymond moves away with his family. Gilbert is brokenhearted and finds himself alone and unable to forget his friend. One day Gilbert’s mother takes him to a ship wreck to try to lift his spirits where Gilbert finds a crying remora. Gilbert befriends the remora and ask why she is crying. Rita the remora replies that she unexpectedly has moved with her mother and that she had to leave her best friend a shark. The two broken hearted friends realize that each has the other as the darkness that has been over them lifts opening up a new friendship.

Teacher Use and Critique: This book can be used by students who have recently moved or who have had friends move away. This is a great book to show that friends may leave but others come along. I feel that this book can be used to introduce or reinforce the idea of symbiosis. This is a good book to use to show the interaction of the two very different animals. One thing I did not like about this book was the fact that the Author did not mention the word symbiosis when telling the story.