Spiders

Bishop, N. (2007). Spiders. NY, NY: Scholastic. This book by Nic Bishop centers on the physiology, habitat, and habits of spiders. Bishop begins by reviewing what makes a spider, critical attributes, if you will. He then extends the discussion to include different types and species of spiders, where spiders might live, and other information. One of the hallmarks of Bishop's work in the field are the incredible photographs he takes and uses to illustrate all of the various information he provides. When he talks about spinnerets, he shows a close up of that body part. The photos are in full color, clear, and sharp, and attention-getting. This book, and others by Bishop, would be ideal for science teachers who want their students to learn more about a species. The books are also good for browsing.

Where the Wild Things Are

Sendak, M. (1964). Where the wild things are. New York, NY: Harper. Max has gotten into trouble for misbehaving. He's sent to his room where he imagines leaving on a voyage. He encounters the wild things, and travels back home. Dinner is waiting, and it is still hot. Sendak uses line to indicate texture of the wild things. Additionally, the illustrations grow in size until they cover one page and then extend across the double page spread. Sendak's color palette consists of earth tones, that convey a message of being grounded. Using the book in a lesson on how to identify theme would be good for older readers. There are multiple themes in this book which allow students to look at the story more deeply.

True Blue Scouts of Sugarman Swamp

Appelt, K. (2013). True blue scouts of Sugarman Swamp. New York, NY: Atheneum. Two raccoons, a giant rattle snake, and a cousin of the Yeti, battle alongside a very human boy for the swamp and surrounding area. A corrupt politician and an alligator wrestler have plans to cement over the swamp and ruin the environment. In a warmly humorous account, Appelt makes us care about all the creatures of the swamp. This book reached the bestseller list several times early in the year as it was on the shortlist for the National Book Award and perhaps was being considered for the Newbery. Voice is what makes this novel so appealing. The raccoons, snakes, and human inhabitants of the swamp are individually developed and fascinating to watch in action. Here is a link to the trailer for the book: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wHUMloYN2A‎