I am Rosa Parks

I am Rosa Parks in a multicultural biography children's book intended for young readers, ages 3 to 5 years old. The story was written by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Chistopher Eliopoulos in 2014. Author, Brad Meltzer brings this book to life with his first person narrative, while illustrator Christopher Eliopoulous illustrations portray a unique comic style.

Rosa Park's always stood up for what she knew was right. She is best known for not moving to the back seat on a city bus when asked to. She stood up for equality of all. On city buses, black skin meant you had to ride in the back of the bus, only white people were allowed to sit on the front of the bus. 

This story follows Rosa Parks's civil right movement. She knew that everyone deserved the same respect and rights, no matter what color your skin was. She remained seated one morning when was told to move for a white passenger. This a Civil Rights movement that changed the United States of America laws forever. This made Rosa Parks a role model and a brave American hero. 

This book is great for children because they are able to learn about importance historical events through a great story! This book sends a wonderful message to children. It shows children to do what is right, even is you are standing alone. This book allows children to see that any ordinary person can make a difference in our big world. The artwork in this book makes the story entertaining and engages students. Teachers will enjoy the deep message this book teaches students. They will also appreciate the great multicultural lessons that derive from this meaningful story! This book will grasp the readers attention and truly makes learning fun!


Discussion Questions:

• What would you have done if you were Rosa Parks that day on the bus? Did Rosa do the right thing?
• Why is Rosa Parks considered a hero in our country?
• Why were blacks and whites separated on the bus, along with other public places at this time? What do you think about that?
• How did Rosa Parks learn to respect herself?
• How would you explain what "boycott" means? Can you think of a time you ever "boycotted" anything? If so, when and why?
• Do you think a boycott was a good way to make sure unfair laws were changed? Would you have done this differently or the same?

Motivational Activity!

• Have students make time line on the important events in their own life. Provide examples of what to include on the time line, such as birth, first tooth lost, the arrival of a sibling, a family trip,and/or an award earned. Have students sequence the events in order on their time line and present it to the class after they are all finished. This allow students to see how important little events in their life can be and the impact they are able to make as one person!

If you enjoyed this book, check out some other books written by Brad Meltzer

Some Examples:

• I am Jackie Robinson
• Heroes for my Son
• I am Amelia Earhart
• Heroes for my Daughter
• I am Abraham Lincoln

"Stand up for what you know is right, even if it means you are standing alone"

Metzer, B. (2014). I am rosa parks. New York, NY: Dial.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a children's picture book that was written and illustrated by Eric Carle in 1994 for primary readers ages five to eight.

This story is a best selling children's book of all time. The author, Eric Carle, incorporates bright, colorful collage like illustrations that really bring this picture book to life! The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a book about a hungry caterpillar that eats his way through this book until he is finally full at last and forms a cocoon and goes to sleep. This book is great for teachers and younger students grades kindergarden to second because it incorporates important concepts for children's development such as shapes, numbers, and days of the week.

Discussion Provoking Questions:

• What kind of shapes did you see in the pictures of this book?
• What was your favorite part of this story and why?
• Why do you think the caterpillar was so hungry?
• How do you think the illustrator of this book made the caterpillar?
• Why were there holes in this book? Did the author and illustrator of the book do this on purpose? Why?

Fun Activity for students:

• Eric Carle's book, especially The Very Hungry Caterpillar represents shapes through his many illustrations. For younger readers, this is an excellent opportunity for them to practice drawling shapes! Have the children put together their own drawling Eric Carle's Caterpillar! Allow them to draw 7 circles in a row to form the caterpillars body and head. After the main outline is done, ask them to draw the eyes, ears, and surrounding body parts of the caterpillar using any shape they would like! After they are complete, ask them to identify which shapes they used.

Interactive Video

Eric Carle Story Time!

If you enjoyed this story, here's a few more of Eric Carle's books you might like:

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
• 1,2,3 to the Zoo
• The Tiny Seed
• Do you Want to be My Friend?
• The Grouchy Lady Bug

Carle, E. (1994). New York, NY: Penguin Young Readers Group.

Charlotte's Web

Charlotte's Web is a children's literature fantasy book about animals. Although the story of Charlotte's Web is older, written by E.B White and published in 1974, it is a story every child has known and loved. This book is intended for readers ages 6 to 11 years old.

This story follows  a little pig, Wilbur, who becomes famous with the help of his friend Charlotte's and the animal neighbors. Wilbur is the runt of the litter who struggles to survive from the very beginning. Fern begs her father, Mr. Arable, to raise Wilbur and nurse him to health. Fern's plan works and Wilbur moves to Zuckerman Farm, where he learns the true meaning of friendship from Charlotte, a big grey spider! When Charlotte and Wilbur realize Wilbur is being well fed for a reason, Charlotte and Wilbur are determined to ruin Mr. Zuckerman’s plans. With the help of Charlotte and her webs, Templeton the rat, and the other barnyard friends, Wilbur becomes the prize-winning pig of the County Fair and the most famous pig to ever exist!

This story is great for students and teachers alike! This story contains many important messages and values that teachers will love and students will learn from. Teachers will appreciate the story because of the lessons involved such as loyalty, and the importance of friendship. This will help teachers educate their students on the great importance behind friendship and loyalty. Students will enjoy the pictures in the book and the animal fantasy attributes. The animal fantasy style story will have students engaged and will ultimately enrich their development.

Class Discussion Questions:

• What did Charlotte write in her Web for Wilbur?
• Have you ever had an pet or animal that you felt very close with?
• Why was Mr. Zuckerman feeding Wilbur so much? What was his plan?
• What did you think of Temptation the Rat in this story? Did you see him as a good friend or a bad friend to Wilbur?
• What would you have done if you were Wilbur in this situation?
• Why did Wilbur end up being "the most famous pig ever" in the end of the story?

Class Activity!

• Ask the students to sit in a circle after reading the book Charlottes Web. Allow children to go around the circle and name one quality that makes someone a good friend, like Charlotte was to Wilbur. Ask them to name someone they know that portrays the qualities a good friend has. When they think of someone, allow them to draw a picture of this individual. Under the picture provide the children with lines to write three qualities that person displays that makes them a good friend. Allow each child to share!

If you enjoyed the book Charlotte's Web, you should check out the trailer for the movie made in 2006!

Some other books written by E.B. White include:

• Stuart Little
• The Trumpet of the Swan

White, E.B. (1974). Charlotte's web. Glasgow: Harper Collins.

Twelve Dancing Princesses

Twelve Dancing Princesses is a fairy tale. This story is retold and illustrated by Brigette Barragers in 2011 and is intended for readers ages 4-8 years old.

This book is beautifully retold by Brigette Barragers. The magical illustrations are done with great detail and really enhance the story! The twelve princesses in this story are under a spell that makes them dance all night long in their sleep. Their father, the king, can not figure out why the princesses are so tired every day and the princesses can not figure out why they wake up with their shoes worn out every morning. Everyone is very puzzled. One night, the princesses shoe maker follows the princesses to see what is going on with them and their worn dancing shoes. This is when he realizes they are under a spell that causes them travel to magical balls, all around the world, in their sleep to dance all night, every night. The handsome shoemaker rescues them by breaking the spell that had been set by kissing the lead sisters hand. You won't want to put this one down!



Young students and teachers will enjoy this fairytale. It allows young readers to use their imagination because it keeps them guessing until the very end. This is a great way for teachers to interact with their young students! When a child isn't certain about how fairy tales like this might end they are forced to use their imagination and create their own questions and scenarios. This book has a great potential to spark great intellectually motivating discussions between teachers and students!

Group Discussion:

• What was your favorite part about this book?
• Why were the princesses feet hurting them every morning when they would wake up?
• What spell was set on the twelve princesses?
• How did the shoemaker who made their dancing shoes end the spell?
• Can you think of any fairytales you have read before that remind you of this story? What fairytale was it and how does it remind you of this book?

Fun Activity:

• Ask students to participate in story circle! Begin to read the students the story as a group but instead of reading the story until the end, keep the kids guessing by stopping halfway through! At this point allow the children to go around the group and discuss how they each think the story is going to end. After each child has brainstormed using their imagination, read the rest of the book to them. Lets see if anyone guesses the ending!

If you enjoyed the way Brigette Barrager told this story you should check out some other rewritten stories.

Some examples include:

• Little Red Riding Hood by Jerry Pinkney
• Strongheart Jack and the Beanstalk by Despain
• The Three Bears by Paul Galdone
• Frog Prince by Kathy Jo Wargin
• Cinderella: A Fashionable Tale by Steven Guarnaccia

Barragers, B. (2011). Twelve dancing princesses. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books

Twelve Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammad Ali

Twelve Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammad Ali is a biography/memoir story written by Charles R. Smith and illustrated by Bryan Collier. This story is intended for older readers ages 8 and above. The dynamic duo between the author and illustrator follows the champion boxer Muhammad Ali through his accomplishments as a boxer and individual. The story is told in a rhyming text that brings the book alive. This is a must read!

The author of this story does an amazing job at capturing and portraying the powerful energy of Muhammad Ali while the illustrator brings the story to live with his detail oriented artwork. This story is a tribute to the life of the american hero boxer Muhammed Ali. The story is told in a rhyming, rap context which really illuminates the fighter and all he had to offer. The story shows Ali as a heavy weight boxer and also portrays the remarkable individual he outside of the boxing ring. This book is a great story for older children to read because Muhammed Ali is a great example of a role model. This book is also great for teachers because it can be looked at in a multicultural way. There are many cultural issues brought up in this book. The issues encountered provide a great way to start a discussion with students about cultural differences along with everyday issues Muhammad Ali encountered throughout his daily life. The book shares his journey with issues such as racism, refusing to fight in the Vietnam war, and ultimately his final battle with Parkinson's disease. This book sets a great example for school aged children. Teachers will enjoy this story because of the great meaning and value's that Muhammad Ali cherished. He is a remarkable human being who sets a great example for children. He is able to show children the importance of sports, energy, winning, determination, and respect.

Discussion Provoking Questions:

• Why do you think the author of this book chose to use rhyming words throughout this story?
• Do you think the rhyming verses helped you to visualize Muhammad Ali? If so, how did it help you to do so?
• What is one trait about Muhammad Ali that you respect most and why?
• Why is Muhammad Ali seen as a hero?
• Who is a modern day hero that compares to Muhammad Ali? How are they similar and how are they alike?

Motivational Activity for Students:

• After students read this book, ask them to think of three things or events that shaped them into the person they are today. After they have those three things or events, ask students to define those events and how it shaped them through a poem.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

This book and the activities provided definitely align with the Saint Leo Core Value of Respect. The Core Value of Respect is defined by Saint Leo University as "Animated in the spirit of Jesus Christ, we value all individuals’ unique talents, respect their dignity, and strive to foster their commitment to excellence in our work. Our community’s strength depends on the unity and diversity of our people, on the free exchange of ideas, and on learning, living, and working harmoniously". The actives provided encourage students to reflect on this core value and how to portray it in our everyday life as individuals and members of society. The activities based from this book reflect Muhammad Ali who demonstrated respect in every way he possibly could.

If you enjoyed this book there is a similar book written about Muhammad Ali's journey as person and champion written for younger readers, ages 4-8. Check it out!

• Muhammad Ali: Champion of the World written by Jonah Winter and illustrated by François Roca

                                                        ***BOOK TRAILER***                                                                              

Twelve Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammad Ali

Smith, C., Collier, B. (2007). Twelve rounds to glory: the story of muhammad ali. Caimbridge, MA: Candlewick Press

Chelsea's Chinese New Year

Chelsea's Chinese New Year is written by Lisa Bullard and illustrated by Katie Saunders. This multicultural nonfiction story was published in 2012 and intended for children ages 5 to 8. This book is simple for children to understand and the bright, colorful illustrations in this book jump out at you! This book will leave you wanting to join the celebration!





The book follows a young girl Chelsea as she celebrate the Chinese New Year! This is a special day for Chelsea as she gets to take part in this special cultural celebration! On this day Chelsea gets to watch a parade, play games, see fireworks and enjoy a huge feast with her family while she learns about the history of the Chinese New Year. Chelsea also learns how the Chinese New Year is celebrated in China and the United States and how each celebrate differs. Chelsea also learns about luck and the color red along with it's significance in the Chinese New Year.





Teachers and students: If you are looking for a multicultural children's book, this is the one for you! The vibrant, colorful illustrations illuminate the story and make you feel like you are there at the celebrate. If you want to have fun while reading an interesting education story, come along with Chelsea as she experiences the Chinese New Year, you won't regret it!


Discussion Questions: Get Involved!

1. What was your favorite part of the Chinese New Year celebration? Why?
2. What is a holiday you celebrate that is important to you as the Chinese New Year is to Chelsea's family and culture? How was it different and the same?
3. What is the difference between the Chinese New Year in the United States versus the celebration in China? Which celebration would you rather be at?
4. Have you ever been to or seen a parade that reminds you of the parade Chelsea attended for the New Year? What was it for?
5. What does the color red symbolize in the Chinese culture?
6. What kind of food did Chelsea and her family eat at the celebration feast? Were they foods you have ever tried or heard of?

Time for a fun activity!

The Red Envelope 

• In class students will make their own red envelopes, similar to the red envelopes that Chelsea explained in the story. Instead children will decorate these with their own symbols and meanings that are special to them. After children construct their envelops they will explain to the class what the symbols on the envelopes mean and why those symbols are special to them!

If teachers are looking for a book for their younger students to help explain cultural celebrations, this is the perfect one for you! Children will be intrigued by the beautiful celebration that is explained through words and pictures! The educational value of this book is endless! A great story to get the class involved in discussion and activity.


If you enjoyed this book about the Chinese New Year, check out some other cultural celebrations around the world! For example:

• The night before Christmas by Clemet C. Moore
• It's Hanukkah! by Jeanne Modesitt
• Seven Candles for Kwanzaa by Andrea Davis Pinkney
• Celebrate!: Connections Among Cultures by Jan Reynolds

Bullard, L., Suanders, K. (2012). Chelsea's chinese new year. Minneapolis, MN: Millbrook Press

The Ugly Duckling

The Ugly Duckling is a popular folklore book written by Sarah Delmege and illustrated by Polona Lovsin. The updated hardcover edition was published in 2012 by Parragon Books and is intended for readers ages 2 to 5 years old. It is the perfect book for beginning readers! The illustrations show great emotion and capture the reader with the bright colors. This book is a classic that definitely will not disappoint!

The Ugly Duckling is a duck who does not seem to fit in with the other ducklings. He is gray, clumsy, and much bigger than the other ducklings. Because he is very different from the rest he is picked on and left other by the other ducklings in the pond. Eventually the ugly duckling gets tired of being made fun of and left out so he decides to to flee away from the pond. On his journey he encounters beautiful white birds and wishes that one day he would be as beautiful and elegant as they are. One day after the ugly duckling spent a cold, lonely winter away from the pond he see's his reflection in the water. The once odd duckling that everyone shunned, turned out not to be a ugly duckling. He looked so different because he was not a duck at all, he was a beautiful swan! Not only was the ugly duckling a swan, he was the most beautiful swan in the whole pond!

This story shows children it is ok to be different. Everyone is different, you just must find your own identity. This story is a great book for teachers to read to young children for two reasons. Firstly, this book shows children how it feels to be left out and made fun of. Teaching them this lesson will help them to avoid doing this themselves. Secondly, this book deals with values such as respect, determination, uniqueness, and the value of everyone being different! This is a great story for teachers to read to their young students. They are able to depict the story and it's message from the bright, vibrant illustrations provided!

Discussion Time! 

Reader response questions:

1. How do you think the ugly duckling felt in the beginning of the story when he realized how different he was from all the other ducklings in the pond?
2. What were some things that you think made the duckling "ugly" in this story?
3. Why do you think the other ducklings in the pond shunned and made fun of the ugly duckling? How did you feel about those ducklings doing that to him?
4. What did you learn about this story and how could you use what you learned from the story in real life?
5. Why did the ugly duckling run away from the pond?
6. What do you do if someone is teasing you or you see someone teasing a peer?
7. Have you ever seen someone make fun of or leave someone out because they were different in any way? When?
8. Did you like the ending of the story? Why was duckling so different from the all the others in the pond all along?
9. How could you help someone who was being treated the way the ugly duckling was?

Motivational Activity:

• Ask students to draw a picture of the duckling when he was considered "the ugly duckling" and ask them to use an adjective to describe how the duckling looks or feels. Next to the drawling of the "ugly duckling" ask the students to draw a picture of the swan he turned into and one adjective to describe how he feels when he realizes he has transformed into a swan. Ask students to then describe how the duckling and swan were treated differently.

RESPECT:

The activities I have chosen that correspond with The Ugly Duckling story reflect St. Leo's Coe Value of Respect in many ways. The discussion and motivational activities aim to make children about why people do not respect others and how this makes other people feel.  Respect entails treating others as you would want to be treated by admiring the feelings, rights, and wishes of others. These activities allow them to deeply think about how they can respect others.

Just For Fun:

If teachers or students want to watch an animated edition of The Ugly Duckling it is available here:

If you enjoyed this story, you may also enjoy similar books such as:

• The Three Little Pigs
• Jack and the Beanstalk
• Little Red Riding Hood
• The Gingerbread Man
• Hansel and Gretel

"Treat everyone how you would want to be treated"

Delmege, S., & Lovsin, P. (2012) The ugly duckling. New York, NY: Parragon Books.