Caldecott award winning: This Is Not My Hat, by Jon Klassen.

BOOK REVIEW  OF . . .

Part One:

Book Information:

Klassen, J. (2012). This Is Not My Hat. Somerville, Mass.: Candlewick Press.

Genre: Children Fiction / Picture Book / Humor

Grade Level: Kindergarden – Third.

Recommendations would include K-3rd grade students due to the simplicity of the words and font size choice. It is great for younger children since the pictures tell the story and perfect for third grade level students to read.

Part Two:  Response to the book: Predictions, thoughts about craft and possible issues raised

I looked at a few different titles of books of those that have won a Caldecott award. I came across this book first and had watched a mother reciting the book on a YouTube video. She really caught my attention because she was in full character when she read it, emotions and all. It was almost hard not to laugh out loud! I thought this would be the book everybody choose, so I didn’t want to pick it for that reason. Eventually, I thought about the possible “story” this book tells and what issues might be raised or discussed by parents. In order to talk about this, let me give you an introduction as to what the book is about.

This book is about a fish, who is wearing a hat that he just stole from a bigger fish. This fish narrates the whole book. He stole the hat from the big fish when he was asleep. “And even if he does wake up, he probably won’t notice that it’s gone” (Klassen, 7-8). If the big fish wakes up, he probably wont know, or be able to guess who stole his hat and where it went. So, the little fish continues to run off with the stolen hat into the tall huge plants that are so close together, he will never be found. Except, the person who saw him steal the hat (the third character) the crab, does know where the little fish went. Eventually, the little fish was found and the big fish ended up with his hat back on himself.

One of the issues raised with this story, could include the concept of stealing; although the little fish never got away with it. He says, “I know it’s wrong to seal a hat. I know it does not belong to me. But I am going to keep it .It was too small for him anyway. It fits me just right” (Klassen, 20). This book does have humor, especially for children, but I can see how parents might get upset with about the content of this book. My prediction is that there are arguments that could be made whether or not this book is teaching good morals. I personally think that this book is great for children because of the humor and images captured by the artist. The images really tell the story and add to the humor. The ending reveals that the little fish who stole the hat did not get away with it, like he thought he would. The fish also admitted that he/she was wrong for stealing. Morals could actually be taught from this book, especially to young readers. (Even though they think no one is watching or that they will never get caught, the truth always “pans” out.)

Part Three: Critique  

This really is a great book and truly deserves a Caldecott award. The artist captures the story with images in this book. You can understand the humor and emotions in the images through the small details (for example, the position and design of the eyes on the fish). The author’s word choice and punctuation also contributes to the humor of the story. The little fish is narrating the whole story which makes it more realistic to understand and keeps the book interesting.  The setting and characters help create a fiction story in a real life situation. The plot could be slightly controversial (because the fish has stolen) but also adds to the humor of the book. The design of the cover and book fit perfectly with the theme and are unique to the story. The author is also clever not to reveal the ending of the story and leaves the audience to make his/her own conclusions. A wonderful, creative picture book for children in grades K-3.

Part Four:  Lesson Plan / Activity (Grade: 2nd)

Using the California Content Standards for English Language Arts…

Standard 3.2.  Generate alternative endings to plots and identify the reason or reasons for, and the impact of, the alternatives.

Objective:

• The student will be able to write their own ending/conclusion to the book This Is Not My Hat, by Jon Klassen.
• The student will be able to identify they have chosen an alternative ending and how that may impact the story/book.

Lesson outline:

• Teachers will read the book This Is Not My Hat, by Jon Klassen to students.
• Without revealing the ending, follow with a few discussion questions (found below).
• Have students write their own ending to the story.
• Put students in groups to discuss the endings they have written with their peers. (These could also be shared to the whole class.)
• Have students write a sentence or two that describes how changing the ending has affected the story.

Discussion questions:

• What happened to the little fish?
• Does the author give you the ending to the story?
• How do you think the story ends?
• Would it be a different story if the ending was changed?
• Did the little fish get away with stealing the hat? Why or why not?

Links to outside resources:

This website provides a few activity ideas that could be used with students and that are related to the book. http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/library/books/thisisnotmyhat.htm

Here is the video I watched that got me interested in this book. I love the narration and emotions that are used. 

Here is the direct link to that video:(http://youtu.be/6ZtrNYewSUY)

The author, Jon Klassen discusses this book and his talents in an LA times article.  http://articles.latimes.com/2012/oct/07/news/la-jc-kids-book-author-jon-klassen-talks-about-this-is-not-my-hat-20121005

Good Reads Book Review: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13531024-this-is-not-my-hat

Touchstone Reading Response: Lincoln a photobiography by Russell Freedman

Here is my Response on the book: Lincoln a photobiography by Russell Freedman. 

Source & Background:

Freedman, R. (1987). Lincoln: a photobiography illustrated with photographs and prints. New York, NY: Clarion Books.

Genre: Informational text. Children’s/Youth Non-fiction, biography with illustrations describing the life of Abraham Lincoln (America’s 16^th president).

Suggest grade level would include (yet not be limited to) 3^rd grade through middle school. (This would also depend on the readers complexity level.)

Thoughts & Reflections

This was actually a great, informational book that discusses a well known, famous, historical figure. Even though the book was fairly easy to read (for someone my age), it held my interest because the words, sentences and chapters flowed so smoothly. The illustrations of this book helped create a connection to the reader and paint the picture imagined. I can see why this book won a Newbery award in 1988. Even though it may be a little outdated, I would suggest this book or perhaps use it in my own classroom for a lesson. Students can use this book to understand more about the wars during that time, or learn more about slavery and that history. The thing that I really liked about this book was that it captured images and provided portions of Lincoln’s speeches or famous quotes. This would be a great way to have students create a historical timeline of that period or research more about one of America’s presidents. I like how every chapter there is a quote said by Abraham Lincoln. For example, “If my name ever goes into history, it will be for this act.” That could be a clue as to what students are going to be learning about. Why did he say this, and what act is he talking about? The answer, creating and signing his full name on the emancipation pronunciation document because he never signed his full name prior to that. Students could continue learning about how he played a dramatic role in freeing the black slaves.

Critique

This was a great, informational biography to read about Abraham Lincoln. The plot was perfect. It took you to where Abraham Lincoln was born and followed around with him until he later passed in 1865. It was believable and accurately displayed the information. The reader was kept up to date throughout all the locations he traveled. With the details and flow of the writing, it was easy to paint a picture and be present during those years. The setting takes place on the same day Abraham Lincoln was born (February 12, 1809) in Hodgenville, Kentucky. The theme includes American History, The Civil War, Presidency and Historical Figures. This book provides facts about Lincoln’s life struggles and successes. It was a well written biography that captured the success of America’s 16th president. It definitely deserved a Newbery Award, and I believe students would be interested to read it.

Lesson Ideas

Objective:

I like the idea of student’s recreating a story or in person. It helps them understand more of the details they may have not payed particular attention too and it grasps students attention in a different way. I think a good idea would be to have maybe 6th grade students act out a scene or particular theme within the book.

Here is an example of a video students created based on the book. http://youtu.be/1_uKfK_btns. Students could pick a certain portion of the book to create a video that represents their portion of the book. Students can be creative and have fun with it while learning and acting out historical periods and past events. Students in this video portrayed when Lincoln was assassinated, but they could also portray The Battles of Bull Run or The Gettysburg, or even famous speeches spoken by Lincoln.  Teachers can be very creative with this book.

The objective would be similar to something like this: Using the book Lincoln a photobiography by Russell Freedman, the student will be able to describe a specific event within historical time period, or a personal moment of president Lincoln’s that that has helped shape the future of our history in America.

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.2 Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.3 Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes).
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.3 Identify key steps in a text’s description of a process related to history/social studies (e.g., how a bill becomes law, how interest rates are raised or lowered).

Discussion questions could include:

1) What tragic events occurred while president Lincoln was in office?

2) What type of preparation did Lincoln go through to achieve his presidency?

3) How has America’s 16th president been a historical figure to remember and praise. How has this president forever changed the history of America?

Or another activity could be to have students write an essay comparing the differences between the biographies written. This would be a good example to show students in the comparison of authors and factual data. The standard for that would include but not be limited to:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.9 Compare and contrast one author’s presentation of events with that of another (e.g., a memoir written by and a biography on the same person).

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.2 Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/ experiments, or technical processes.

There are many other standards that could also relevant. There are also other topics that could be discussed from this book. Students could learn more about other subjects including: the personal life of Abe Lincoln, the Gettysburg address, the emancipation proclamation, or Lincoln’s second inaugural address. What is should have said is, here are a million and one ways to use this book! Possibilities are endless!

Want to learn more about Lincoln? Here is a biography of Abraham Lincoln (not specifically related to the book). History Channel Documentary Biography of Abraham Lincoln: http://youtu.be/FuxO4OO0O-k

Here is a link to another blog that has been written by a mother’s child read the book. http://michelledicken.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/lincoln-a-photobiography-by-russell-freedman-julias-reading-project/ which I thought was interesting.

Here is a link to an interview with Russell Freedman discussing a passage from the book.

http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=3428