The Case Of The Stinky Stench

Thank you to Sterling Books

for sending me a copy of this book to review 

and for providing a copy of the book 

for me to giveaway! (Details below!)

Title: The Case of The Stinky Stench
Author: Josh Funk
Illustrator: Brendan Kearney
Publisher: Sterling Books 
Publication Date: May 2nd, 2017
Genre/Format: Fiction/Picture Book
GoodReads Summary: 
"Uncle,” Croissant said, “the fridge is in trouble! 
A mystery stench turned a whole shelf to rubble! 
I’m the last hope or the fridge will be lost! 
Help me or else we’ll be cooked, served, and sauced.” 

There’s a stinky stench in the fridge—and our favorite foodie friends must solve a smelly mystery! Sir French Toast’s nephew, Inspector Croissant, begs him and Lady Pancake for help in finding the source of the foul odor. Could it be the devious Baron Von Waffle? A fetid fish lurking in the bottom of Corn Chowder Lake? Featuring the same delectable wordplay and delicious art that won critical raves for Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast—there’s even an actual red herring—his fun follow-up is an absolutely tasty treat for kids!What I Think: Today at our book fair, I was just talking to a student who really enjoyed a mystery chapter book she read and we started talking about mysteries and what we love about them. She said the whole time she was reading, she couldn't wait to find out who the mystery person was. Mysteries capture our attention and our brains can't help but want to find out whodunit. And this is exactly what you'll get with The Case of The Stinky Stench! Josh funk took his super fun character from Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast and gave them a mystery to help with. With so many fun fridge friends, readers will be guessing the whole time as they try and figure out where the stink is coming from.
     I love introducing elements of mysteries to readers and this book is a great mentor text for looking at mystery story elements. Once a reader can recognize elements of a mystery, he or she can start to write his or her own mystery. My favorite was the red herring!
     And, of course, Josh uses rhyme throughout the book so it's another opportunity to look at how rhyme works and to listen for rhythm because of it as well. As a listening activity, you can ask students to listen for rhyming words as you read, ask students to write down rhyming words when they see them, or give students a word bank and have them listen for the rhyming words they hear in the story as you go along.
Snatch of Text:  

"'I've got to succeed,' said Croissant with a sob.

'I've solved zero cases since getting this job.'"

Writing Prompt: Write about a time in your life when you had to solve a mystery. Write about a time when you wanted to give up like French Toast. What did you do and how did you decide to handle the situation?

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Mighty, Mighty, Construction Site

Title: Mighty, Mighty, Construction Site
Author: Sherri Duskey Rinker   
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld 
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Publication Date: February 14th, 2017
Genre/Format: Fiction/Picture Book  
GoodReads Summary: At last—here from the team behind the beloved international bestseller comes a companion to Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site. All of our favorite trucks are back on the construction site—this time with a focus on team-building, friendship, and working together to make a big task seem small! Down in the big construction site, the crew faces their biggest job yet, and will need the help of new construction friends to get it done. Working as a team, there's nothing they can't do! The millions of fans of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site are in for a mighty good time! 
What I Think: Reading Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site reminded me of when my boys were little and we would always be on the lookout for trucks or buses or trains. Peanut had a board book that had pictures of all sorts of different types of trucks. We'd be driving to the mall and I'd call out, "Cherry picker!" or "Front loader!" It got to the point that I would do it even when he wasn't in the car. Those were fun days. Now, I have a close friend who's son is four and loves trucks so I get to share fun truck books like Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site with him. 
     I absolutely adore this book. I love that it rhymes. I love that it has bright, bold colors but is still sweet. I love that it's got such a positive, collaborative tone to it. As a mentor text, I could see using this at the beginning of the school year in a kindergarten or 1st grade class to build community. It's also an opportunity to talk about rhyme. 
Snatch of Text:  

"They wipe their faces,

greet the sun, 

load up, fuel up,

rev up...run!"

"Down in the big constrution site,

five trucks wake to morning light.

It's time to S-T-R-E-T-C-H, roll out of bed,

and gear up for the day ahead!"

Writing Prompt: Write your own narration to any vehicle you see from day to day. 

Groovy Joe Review and Giveaway! #groovyjoe

Title: Groovy Joe: Ice Cream and Dinosaurs 
Author: Eric Litwin   
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld 
Publisher: Scholastic - Orchard Books 
Publication Date: August 20th, 2016  
Genre/Format: Fiction/Picture Book 
GoodReads Summary: Groovy Joe was living the dream.He had a spoon and tub of doggy ice cream.

And he started to sing:
Love my doggy ice cream! Love my doggy ice cream!

Eric Litwin, author of the bestselling and beloved Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, and bestselling artist Tom Lichtenheld, illustrator of Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site, have created a captivating new canine character who will groove his way into readers' hearts and have them grooving and giggling all the while. In his debut adventure, Groovy Joe faces three roaring dinosaurs hungry for his doggy ice cream! Oh no! But Joe knows just what to do and soon enough he has them all sharing while moving and singing along.
What I Think: Having a puppy who turns one on Thursday, loves good treats, and her best friends is only part of the reason why I'm excited about Groovy Joe. Groovy Joe has a great attitude and is excited about his doggy ice cream...and even excited about sharing with his friends. As a mentor text this book is offers a great opportunity for young readers and writers to think about sharing. They can write their own story about sharing something they love or write about at time when they shared something or someone shared with them. And sharing is caring so it's a great topic to write about!
    Also in terms of a mentor text, this book offers an opportunity to talk to students about repetition and for them to think about including this in their own writing. Especially with young readers, this is is a great format to use when creating their own books or a shared class book even. You could even use each child as a character eating his or her favorite treat when a friend walks in and he or she shares with their peer. How cute would that be? Let me tell you: super cute!
     Finally, Groovy Joe is full of rhyme. Have students recognize the words that rhyme in the text and see if they can come up with their own rhymes! I have a friend who responds, "Living the dream!" whenever you ask him how he is. Maybe kids can up with their own catch phrases to share and celebrate.
Snatch of Text:  

"Groovy Joe was living the dream.

He had a spoon and a tub of ice cream."

Writing Prompt: Write about a time when you shared with someone or someone shared with you and how you felt. Write a story about sharing your favorite treat with a friend or friends...or maybe dinosaurs!?
Book Trailer:

Additional Resources: Visit the website to hear free downloadable musical performances of this rocking story in English and Spanish. While you’re there, check out “The Groovy Dance,” Joe’s very own disco doggy dance track!”

Groovy Joe: Ice Cream & Dinosaurs is the first book in a series about the fun-lovin’ and guitar-strummin’ pup. The next Joe story, Disco Party Bow Wow, will be out in the fall of 2017!

A great big, groovy thank you to Scholastic for 

sending me this title to share and is also for 

providing a prize pack for one lucky Teach Mentor Texts reader! 

Be sure to enter!

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Dear Dragon Review and Blog Tour

Title: Dear Dragon
Author: Josh Funk   
Illustrator: Rodolfo Montalvo 
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers 
Publication Date: September 6th, 2016 
Genre/Format: Fiction/Picture Book 
GoodReads Summary: A sweet and clever friendship story in rhyme, about looking past physical differences to appreciate the person (or dragon) underneath.

George and Blaise are pen pals, and they write letters to each other about everything: their pets, birthdays, favorite sports, and science fair projects. There’s just one thing that the two friends don’t know: George is a human, while Blaise is a dragon! What will happen when these pen pals finally meet face-to-face? 
What I Think: Connecting with others through letter writing is such an awesome experience. I love the twist Josh incorporate into Dear Dragon. Can you imagine finding out your pen pal is a dragon?! This book is a great opportunity to discuss letter writing and to have students think about what they might share about their day with a friend. This is also a great opportunity to start a discussion about communication in general. We have so many ways to communicate now! Have students make a list of all the different ways and what makes each unique. Then think about which mode of communication might work better for some instances than others. To take this to another level, think about how information can be mistaken through written communicate. There are so many intricacies of language...but with social media now, with emojis and text speak and having to read between the lines. There are so many advantages and disadvantages to discuss when it comes to being as connected as we are (or can be) these days.
Book Trailer:

I'm so excited to have Josh Funk here today 

to give some advice to any reluctant writers out there! 

Josh Funk’s Advice for Reluctant Writers

For all of you reluctant writers out there, let’s unravel what ‘writing’ really is.

Writing is creating.

Every book starts with someone writing. But it’s not just books. Movies, television shows - they all start with someone writing the story. Even video games, many of the best ones have great stories, compelling characters, conflicts with villains, and so on.

“That doesn’t help me when I’m staring at a blank page, Josh,” you say. Well, you’re right. But what do stories, especially the best stories, do? They make you feel. They evoke emotions. Maybe they make you laugh or cry? Get excited or scared? Make you think or see the world differently? Or maybe they just entertain you for a little while.

Even the dictionary definition of ‘write’ means ‘to express or communicate’ (in writing). So how about this, my reluctant writer friend?

Make someone feel.

Pick an emotion. Any emotion. Whatever you’re feeling right now. Or whatever you want to feel. Or whatever you want someone else to feel.

Write something that will make your friends laugh.

Write something to gross people out.

Write about someone you love.

Write about something that excites you.

Write the saddest thing you can think of (without being mean, of course).

And if words aren’t for you, then draw a picture to make people feel. Or draw and write.

Or maybe write a letter. In Dear Dragon, both George and Blaise aren’t terribly excited about their assigned pen pal project … but they do it anyway. And (spoiler alert), it turns out that they become great friends!

Oh, and also, don’t worry about spelling. Real authors don’t worry about spelling. That’s what spell-check and editors are for.

About The Author: ​​Josh Funk is the author of Dear Dragon (Viking/Penguin) and other picture books. Josh is a board member of The Writers' Loft in Sherborn, MA and the co-coordinator of the 2016 and 2017 New England Regional SCBWI Conferences. Josh grew up in New England and studied Computer Science in school. Today, he still lives in New England and when not writing Java code or Python scripts, he drinks Java coffee and writes picture book manuscripts. Josh is terrible at writing bios, so please help fill in the blanks. Josh enjoys _______ during ________ and has always loved __________. He has played ____________ since age __ and his biggest fear in life is being eaten by a __________. Find out more at www.joshfunkbooks.com and on twitter @joshfunkbooks.

A big thanks to Josh for sharing his thoughts on writing with us!

You can visit the other stops on the Dear Dragon blog tour!

LibLaura5 – September 5

The Late Bloomer’s Book Blog – September 6

Teach Mentor Texts - September 7

As They Grow Up – September 8

Emily’s Reading Room – September 9

Reederama – September 10

What do you want to write about today?

Hey A.J., It's Saturday! Blog Tour

I'm super excited to be sharing my thoughts on Hey A.J., It's Saturday! and how it might be used as a mentor text to kick off the blog tour. Each blog will have a giveaway so be sure to check all the blog stops to join in on the fun!

Title: Hey A.J, It's Saturday! 
Author: Martellus Bennett 
Genre/Format: Fiction/Picture Book 
GoodReads Summary:  
A.J. Is an imaginative girl who finds another world that is strangely right downstairs in her kitchen. So strange there’s already a feast, breakfast being served by creatures and beasts.

Oh! What is going in this kitchen of hers? Pancakes! Waffles! Scrambled eggs! And a Jamaican Giraffe?

Breakfast will never be the same. Ever!
What I Think: Honestly, Marty Bennett's imagination comes to life in this wonderfully imaginative breakfast adventure. As a mentor text, I love that reading this book might spark kids' imagination and give them some ideas they can incorporate into their own writing or even spur some stories. I would stop at the two-page layout that invites readers to listen up close as Marty explains some secrets about breakfast and ask students to brainstorm what some secrets they might know about breakfast...and then even brainstorm some other secrets they might know about other parts of their days or lives. Insider information is exciting to write about and helping writers see that they might be secret experts is a fun way to engage them and get them into writing.

Marty also includes some alliteration and rhyme as you can see in the second snatch of text here. Alliteration is just so much fun! Stop and have kids listen to the sounds - not only the repetition of the "f" sound and the "s" sound but also point out the assonance here as the short "i" is repeated throughout.  Ask kids to write their own silly sentences using alliteration or assonance.

Snatch of Text:  

"There's a couple of things about breakfast that no one in the world knows. 

I'm going to tell you these secrets so listen up close."

"Fifty silly fishes,

swimming in the dishes.

This cannot be right.

Why are animals

in the kitchen?"

Writing Prompt: Write about your most outlandish breakfast ever or the wildest breakfast you can imagine!
Additional Resources: Order Hey A.J., It's Saturday! at the Hey A.J Shop. And find the app on iTunes and the Google Play Store.

Here are the stops on the blog tour!

Jen at Teach Mentor Texts - 8/16

Niki at Daydream Reader - 8/17

Michele at Mrs. Knott's Book Nook - 8/18

Jessica at Little Lake County - 8/19

Linda at Teacher Dance - 8/20

Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers - 9/4

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Thanks to The Imagination Agency for send me this title

and providing a prize pack for one winner from my site!

Pirasaurs Are Taking Over!

I may have stolen borrowed Pirasaurs from Josh Funk at nErDcamp...

 And now they're taking over the blog today 

because they have something very important to say!

We’re Pirasaurs! We’re Pirasaurs!

We grunt and roar and sneer!

We’ll steal your books with tails and hooks

And own the blogosphere!

We’re Pirasaurs! We’re Pirasaurs!

We post a giant threat!

We’ll slash and duel and soon we’ll rule

The world-wide internet!

We’re Pirasaurs! We’re Pirasaurs!

Our story is fantastic!

This grand hardback by Funk & Slack

Is published by Scholastic!

… and available August 30th wherever books are sold!

Take it from me, you'll want pre-order this one.

And they didn't make me say that!

Good Morning Yoga Review and Giveaway!

Title: Good Morning Yoga: A Pose-By-Pose Wake Up Story 
Author: Mariam Gates 
Illustrator: Sarah Jane Hinder
Publisher: Sounds True 
Publication Date: March 1st, 2016 
Genre/Format: Fiction/Picture Book 
GoodReads Summary: Yoga helps children learn how to focus, relax, and both self-monitor and self-soothe Good Morning Yoga instills these four skills and more, enabling children to jumpstart the day with energy and excitement and meet the adventures that come with mindfulness and perspective. 

Good Night Yoga tells the story of the world retiring for the evening and a new generation of readers has fallen in love with the relaxing sequences and beautiful pictures that lead them to dreamland. Good Morning Yoga weaves gentle exercises with a heartwarming narrative and wonderful illustrations to empower children to manage the energies that visit throughout the day from the fiery volcano to the mountain quiet and still. Good Morning Yoga concludes with a visualization for kids to set intentions for the day. 
What I Think: I'm such a yoga fan and really enjoy how Mariam wove yoga poses into a story of how the characters feel. You have to check out the video below of her reading the book aloud, it definitely brings it to life. It's easy for kids to follow along and get the full experience by watching the video. This reminds me of a very calm, super mellow brain break! I can see using this to center and calm kids before a sit-still activity. I can also see this used to help kids think about their emotions and feelings throughout the day and how that impacts the choices they make. It reminds me of Dr. Seuss' My Many Colored Days which talks all about how we might feel like a different color based on our emotions. Pairing these together might offer an opportunity to talk about emotions.
     As a mentor text, there are some great examples of figurative language in Good Morning Yoga! You'll find alliteration, rhyme, and especially metaphors. After reading the text, students can think of their own metaphors for how they feel in the different poses. Have students pay attention to the descriptive language in each of the metaphors. Mariam uses specific words to help the reader get a good picture in his or her heads and students can try this themselves. This is a good less in how even in a short text, we can use strong description. To add a digital spin to this, students can take a picture of themselves in a pose and write their own metaphor to describe how they feel in that pose. Then use an app like Chatterpix Kids to bring their drawing to life!
Read Together: Grades Pre-K - 2 
Read Alone: Grades Pre-K - 2 
Read With: I Am Yoga by Susan Verde, My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss, Tommy Can't Stop by Tim Federle
Snatch of Text: 

"Today I'm a fiery volcano reaching high,

a brave ski jumper ready to fly,

a lightning bolt flashing across the sky."

Writing Prompts: Write about how your brain feels when you are in each of the different poses. Do you agree with how the author describes how the characters feel in the poses? Pay attention to your body throughout the day, how do you feel when you are happy, mad, sad, scared, surprised, etc? 
Topics Covered: Integration - Physical Education, Health, Wellness, Mindfulness 
Additional Resources: Mariam Gates holds a master’s in education from Harvard University and has more than twenty years’ experience working with children. Her renowned Kid Power Yoga program combines her love of yoga with teaching to help children access their inner gifts. She is the author of Good Night Yoga (Sounds True, April 2015), and lives in Santa Cruz, CA, with her husband, yoga teacher Rolf Gates, and their two children. For more information, visit mariamgates.com. You can also follow Mariam on Twitter at @gatesmariam and on Instagram at mariam.gates. Check out this downloadable kit for how to get started with yoga. 

I *heart* It:

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Follow the Tour!

(Giveaways at every stop!)

Wed, Feb 24	Teach Mentor Texts	http://www.teachmentortexts.com/#axzz3yHmVeUfE
Fri, Feb 26	Where Imagination Grows	http://whereimaginationgrows.com/
Mon, Feb 29	A Rup Life	http://www.aruplife.com/
Tues, Mar 1	Proseandkahn	http://proseandkahn.blogspot.com/
Wed, Mar 2	Kid Lit Frenzy	http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/
Thurs, Mar 3	5 Minutes for Books	http://books.5minutesformom.com/
Fri, Mar 4	Once Upon a Story	http://mariaburel.com/
Mon, Mar 7	Wrapped in Foil	http://blog.wrappedinfoil.com/
Tues, Mar 8	Sharpread	https://sharpread.wordpress.com/
Wed, Mar 9	A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust	http://www.foodiebibliophile.com/
Thurs, Mar 10	Unleashing Readers	http://www.unleashingreaders.com/
Fri, Mar 11	Children's Book Review	http://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/
Tues, Mar 15	The Library Fanatic	http://www.thelibraryfanatic.com/

*Thanks to Blue Slip Media for 

a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review 

and the opportunity to offer the giveaway above!*