Fish Had A Wish

Garland, Michael  Fish Had A Wish         

 Holiday House     2012  unp $14.95 

978-0-8234-2394-1       elem   VG     I Like to Read series        

Part of the I Like to Read series, this picture book uses controlled vocabulary to create an engaging story for young readers.  Wood-grain-like illustrations evoke the atmosphere of the pond and the creatures who live nearby.  On each two-page spread, Fish swims around in the pond, fantasizing about what he could do if he were a bird, a turtle, a beaver, a skunk, a bobcat, etcetera.  In the end, a mayfly lands on the pond, and after eating it, Fish decides that he wants to remain a fish.  The message, that of being happy with oneself, is presented in a fun and attractively illustrated way.  Pair this with It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marilyn Sadler.  It can also be a springboard for numerous language and art activities: for example, students articulating what animals they would like to be and why, students drawing the animals they would like to be, or students illustrating a "book" about each student’s animal “wishes.”  This is a delightful book that will find a useful place in preschool through first grade curricula.         

VG    Pat Naismith      Wishes, Self-realization, Easy readers

 

Garland, Michael. Grandpa’s Tractor.

Garland, Michael.  Grandpa’s Tractor. 

Boyd's Mills      2011  unp   16.95 978-1-59078-762-5 

elem    Historical        VG-BNe      

Timmy and Grandpa Joe visit the family farm and reminisce about Grandpa’s old red tractor.     

 Inspired by a rusty tractor embedded in a hillside near his home, Garland interviewed the

vehicle’s owner and was inspired to write “Grandpa’s Tractor.”  Tractors have

ongoing appeal for many young readers, who are fascinated by large, powerful

vehicles.  On a farm, tractors can be used for a variety of tasks, and are

endlessly useful.

     Timmy and Grandpa visit the site of the family farm, now run-down and

ramshackle.  Here they discover a rusted tractor.  Grandpa brings the tractor’s

usefulness to life and shares with Timmy the many ways that the tractor was

useful on the farm: to till fields, gather the harvest, transport workers to the

orchard, and bring fruits and vegetables to market. Timmy’s imagination is

sparked, and young readers will enjoy the cheerful artwork that recreates a

bygone era.  The brightly colored double-page spreads will complement the read-

aloud experience, especially with large groups.

Welliver, Hilary