Jump for Joy

 I think "wow, just wow!" with this book. It was the perfect book to share for COLOR OUR WORLD because it starts with black and white pictures and emerges into color. It has a very relatable/familiar story line. The girl Joy, who wishes for a dog. The dog, Jump, who wishes for a girl. They wish and wish and wish and wish and wish. This book has a very happy ending which is conveyed through vibrant colors. They are a relief and everyone made a sigh of happiness when I read this aloud to students and reached this page. There is also a spread three quarters of the way through that lent itself to discussion. Joy and Jump on each side of a river are separated and looking away from each other. This gives us a breath and the anticipation of resolution. Wonderful!

Respect!

A beautiful book about gravitating toward someone who respects you and appreciates the same things that you do. I read this to small children today who totally got the point that Trampoline Boy had a special perspective and was willing to share it with Peaches. The two pages where they assess each other are great! "He crawled off the trampoline and stood beside Peaches, then peered closely at her face."; "They helped each other up, and Peaches searched his eyes. 'Show me,' she said." Excellent.

 

A book about paying attention!

Duck apparently is a good friend to Cow because he knows what she likes. For cow's birthday, Pig and Mouse are busy making a cake. They keep telling Duck he is wrong about his desired addition of a TURNIP. The funny twist is that Cow loves turnips!