Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Two Favorite Read Aloud Books

I have two favorite books that continue to read as I get into classrooms this fall. When I only have a short amount of time in a room (it doesn't matter if they are Kindergarteners or 5th graders) I choose to read aloud The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant, Stephen Gammell (Illustrator) . It really is a perfect time of year to read--as the family in the story packs up for a road trip as the grapes are almost ripe (but not quite). Adults and students alike have thoughts dancing in their heads about road trips their families have taken and the hugging, eating, conversations and "breathing" that takes place.



Tops & Bottoms by Janet Stevens, Janet Stevens (Illustrator) has been a read aloud favorite of mine the last two fall seasons. Bear and Hare become business partners and all Bear has to do is sleep. Each planting season Bear must decide if he wants the "tops" or the "bottoms" of the vegetable crop that Hare and his family will plant. You'll have to read it for yourself, but Bear learns a good lesson in the end. Tops & Bottoms usually takes me 20 minutes to do a read aloud--so it is a bit more lengthy.

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