Texas 2 x 2 Reading List

Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa by Erica Silverman and painted by Betsy Lewin

2006 Texas 2 x 2 Reading List

Silverman, E. (2005). Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa. Orlando, FL: Harcourt, Inc.

I love this book because as a child, I always wanted a horse. But my parents said “No!” An emphatic “no” is what they offered me. Now that I’m older, I realized the responsibility involved with caring for an animal and Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa does not shy away from the daunting and exhausting care needed cherish a horse as a pet. As the test of time can vouch for, children love having a pet. Kate, a witty and brave young cowgirl, knows how to herd cows and reprimand her always hungry horse, Cocoa. I can use this book to teach accountability and kindness towards others. This four chapter book models friendship well and exemplifies personification, giving Cocoa a voice. The illustrations entice young readers eyes to visualize the harmony between people and animals, whether the creature’s your friend or your responsibility.

Birds written by Kevin Henkes and illustrated by Laura Dronzek

2010 Reading List

Henkes, K. (2009) Birds. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.

Most children are fascinated by anything that has aerodynamics and birds fit the bill. Much to the amazement of children, birds sing, fly, peck, hunt and eat. The fact that they come in a variety of colors is icing on the cake. Therefore, Henkes' book will soar high in likability within the classroom. Within this picture, children can learn the power of unity and individuality because birds demonstrate the power of both traits wonderfully. Whether one studies the science behind a bird's swiftness of how their hollow bone and dense feathers protect them from human created and natural element, birds baffles us. Dronzek illuminates the page with just a single red bird (or leaf) and captures the ascension of a flock fluttering flawlessly high in the sky. Whether eagle or robin, birds are gender neutral creatures that astonish the human race. We share similarities, but their one ability alludes us--flying. Yes, it caused the Wright Brothers to take flight, but it also charmed the heart of a little girl, who knew she had more in common with a bird than just song and admiration.

Dog and Bear: Three to Get Ready by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

2010 Texas 2 x 2 Reading List

Seeger, L. (2009). Dog and Bear: Three to Get Ready. New York, NY: Roaring Press Books.

This is a charming first book for an adventuresome two year old. Seeger uses innocent, yet simple narration that a new toddler speaker can master in no time, soon to narrate to Mom and Dad, instead of vice-versa. The illustrations are primary color supportive and offer a variety of sizes to mimic the dialogue and action in the text. For instance, when bear gets a bucket hilariously stuck on his head and dog has resolved how to removed the buck--tying one end of a string to an open door knob while the remaining end of the string is tied to the bucket on bear's head and running to "jump-kick" the door with "doggie paw power"--the illustrations duplicate into six progressive pictures that denote the excitement of bear to be free of the bucket...and also the foreshadowing and delightful end to the first of three dog and bear adventures within the book. This collection encourages problem-resolution, foreshadowing, anticipation and reasoning, which are the foundations for critical thinking, all while using tummy-tickling adventures that most little ones find themselves getting into, exploring this exciting and enchanting new world!

Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

2005 Texas 2 x 2 Reading List

Henkes, K. (2004). Kitten’s First Full Moon. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

This story would work well to teach character building traits and would work well in a pre-kindergarten or kindergarten class. Kitten mistakes the moon for a bowl of milk one evening. She earnestly tries to capture that bountiful bowl in the sky. On an adventure that carries her to a pond, kitten believes she finally has the bowl of milk within her grasp. Mistaking the moon’s reflection in the pond, she jumps in to quench her thirst. “Tired, wet and hungry” she turned home; her persistence unrewarded. However, much to her surprise, a loving bowl of milk waited on the porch for her. Imagination, adventure and determination soar up to the heavens and across the pages in the illustrations. Whether the text spilled across the open pages, mimicking the distance to the moon, or a page spread was divided into four sections to compliment kittens multiple efforts to “drink” the moon, Henkes locks the readers with his verbiage and visual images.

CLICK, CLACK, MOO: Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin and pictures by Betsy Lewin

Cronin, D. (2000). CLICK, CLACK, MOO: Cows that Type. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Animal owners will vouch that at some point in time, their animals will give them a look that speaks volumes as to what they're thinking. Even more peculiar, is that they owners will respond and talk back, as though they're having a conversation with a human and dare a naysayer to say anything to the contrary. Well CLICK, CLACK, MOO: Cows That Type has blown the top right off of that rationale. Cronin has charmed the readers will witty remarks, "Sorry. We're closed. No milk today." all given from the "moo-perspective." The joyous illustrations Lewin provides span the pages with colors and humor. The eyes squint with detest and bulge with shock, when appropriate. This would find great placement in a history lesson during civil rights, when strikes were commonplace and need. Equality, whether chicken or cow, black or white, meant business. Any other unacceptable injustice sought a swift compliance, using reason and words not violence. The cows and chickens prevailed because they had Farmer Brown by the pail. What stole the show, however, were the ducks! "Clickety, clack, quack!"