Title: Just a Baby Bird

Author: Mercer Mayer

Genre: Fiction

Summary: This book is about a family who finds a baby bird in their yard and tries to help the bird find its family. Meanwhile they take care of the baby bird feeding it and making a home for the baby bird. Eventually winter comes and the baby bird is all grown up and leaves. When the warm weather returns the bird returns with a family of its own.

Review: This book made me remember what it was like to be a kid again. Creating a home for an animal I’d discovered while exploring and making the animal part of my family. This book was a concentrated story and created family dynamics well.

Content Area Connection:

• Science: Studnets can learn about bird habits and the nature of birds actions.
• Social Studies: Students can focus on family dynamics and relationships between members of a family. They can also discuss what makes up a family.

Title: Peter’s Chair

Author: Ezra Jack Keaths

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Summary: Peter is a little boy who has a new baby sister. Everything begins to be about his little sister. He has a blue chair that is all his. His crib has already been changed for his baby sister. Now his chair is going to be painted pink as well. Peter runs away because he is upset but realizes his family is important and paints the chair with his father for his sister.

Review: This book teaches children how changes in life can be for the better even if you don’t agree with them at first.

Content Area Connection:

• Art: The illustrator uses collage to portray the story to the readers. The book can be used to talk about the art technique.
• Social Studies: The author uses family to build a sense of relationship between siblings. Young learners typically learn about social studies starting with their own neighborhoods and communities, family is part of this learning.