The Biggest Bear
by Lynd Ward
1953 Caldecott Medal winner
ISBN 978-0-395-14806-8
Summary:
Young Johnny goes on a bear hunt so he can hang up a bear skin on his barn. Instead, he comes home with a bear cub. The neighbors are unhappy with the mischief the bear gets into, so Johnny tries to return the large bear to the woods, three separate times.
My Impressions:
This book won the Caldecott Medal in 1953 for excellence in illustration in children's books. Mr. Ward used opaque watercolors to illustrate this book. I find the pictures captivating. They are so detailed and precise, the story could be told without words. Johnny sets off into the woods to find the biggest bear hide he can, but instead, finds a bear cub that he immeditaly falls in love with. The bear, in order to feed his huge appetite, destroys a neghbor's corn field, a smokehouse, and even Johnny's own kitchen. Johnny is supposed to take the bear into the woods and leave him, only to have him show back up at Johnny's house. The fourth time Johnny takes the bear into the woods he is supposed to shoot him. The illustrations are perfect for conveying the tenderness of the relationship between the boy and his bear. And, thankfully, there is a happy ending to the book where the bear is taken to a zoo and able to eat all the maple syrup squares Johnny brings him.
Professional Reviews:
"This is one of my favorite books of the year. Mr. Ward has told a story full of action, suspense and humor, in the fewest possible words (not another word is needed and not one should be left out). Some of his best pictures supplement the story. It concerns young Johnny Orchard, who decided to shoot a bear so that his farm would not be the only one without a bearskin nailed to the barn. He found a bear, all right. But did he shoot him? That’s the exciting part of the story. An outstanding book in every way."
No author. (2013, April 5). Horn Book reviews of Caldecott Medal winners, 1950-1959 [Review of the book The biggest bear]. Retrieved from http://www.hbook.com/2013/04/choosing-books/reviews/horn-book-reviews-of-caldecott-medal-winners-1950-1959/
Having Fun in the Library:
Maps/Compass/Directions. Johnny takes the bear west, east, south and north. Have a sheet with a simple map of the neighborhood on it. Have students complete sheet. Show them which wall in the library faces west, east, south and north.
Venn Diagram. Have a sheet for each student with a Venn Diagram on it. On one side, have the students list foods they like to eat. On the other side, have students list the things the bear liked to eat. In the middle, write the foods they have in common, if any.
Math. Display the book on the Promethean Board. Give each student a piece of paper and a pencil. Page by page, have them tally how many chickens, pigs, apples, trees, etc. they see.
Ward. L. (1952). The biggest bear. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.
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Officer Buckle and Gloria
by Peggy Rathmann
1996 Caldecott Medal winner
ISBN 0-399-22616-8
Summary:
Officer Buckle loves to teach children safety rules. The problem is that he's very boring. Then he acquires a police dog, Gloria, who livens up his safety presentations.
My Impressions:
This is just a fun story with fun illustrations. Officer Buckle really wants to do the right thing but he's just so boring. Gloria is entertaining and cute and kids usually gravitate toward animals in books so she is always a hit. This story is a good lesson in learning to laugh at yourself and shows that pouting gets you nowhere.
Professional Reviews:
When rotund, good-natured Officer Buckle visits school assemblies to read off his sensible safety tips, the children listen, bored and polite, dozing off one by one. But when the new police dog, Gloria, stands behind him, secretly miming the dire consequences of acting imprudently, the children suddenly become attentive, laughing uproariously and applauding loudly. The good policeman is first gratified with the response, then deflated to learn that Gloria was stealing the show. Finally, he realizes that he and Gloria make a great team, and they take their show on the road again, adding a new message, "ALWAYS STICK WITH YOUR BUDDY!" Like Officer Buckle and Gloria, the deadpan humor of the text and slapstick wit of the illustrations make a terrific combination. Large, expressive line drawings illustrate the characters with finesse, and the Kool-Aid-bright washes add energy and pizzazz. Children will enjoy the many safety-tip notes tacked up on the endpapers and around the borders of the jacket front. Somehow, the familiar advice (like "Never leave a bar of soap where someone might step on it" or "Never tilt your chair back on two legs" ) is more entertaining accompanied by little drawings of Gloria hamming it up.Phelan, C. (1995, November 1). Officer Buckle and Gloria [Review of Office Buckle and Gloria]. Booklist. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA17756662&v=2.1&u=txshracd2679&it=r&p=LitRC&sw=w
Having Fun in the Library:
Basic personal information. Have students write down, on an index card, their name, address, and phone number. They should also be able to write the names of their primary caregivers.
When to call 9-1-1. Discuss with the students when and how to call 911. Make up some scenarios. Should you call 9-1-1 if your dog is sick? Should you call 9-1-1 if your pet goldfish jumps out of his bowl? Should you call 9-1-1 if mommy falls down the stairway and can't get up? Child should know what situations are considered enough of an emergency to call 911.
Working dogs. For older students, discuss working dogs. There are all kinds of different jobs that dogs can do. Gloria was a police dog, but dogs can help people in a great number of other ways. If time permits, read Ben: The Very Best Furry Friend - A children's book about a therapy dog and the friends he makes at the library and nursing home by Holly Raus
Rathmann, P. (1995). Office Buckle and Gloria. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons.
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