Reading for fun, not just to be done

A young boy is left behind to protect the sheep from wolves while his dad went into the city. The boy thinks it’s funny to yell to the town that there is a wolf. Repeatedly he lies about a wolf being there just to get the whole town to run to the field and go searching for the wolf. He finally learns his lesson when this father returns and there is actually a wolf taking the sheep. The town was conditioned by the boy’s lies don’t respond to his pleas for help and the sheep are gone. Not only are the sheep gone but each time the boy called for help, each of the towns people lost something of their own. The illustrations in this book definitely help the reader particularly young ones see the emotion in both the young boy and the frustrated town people. This fable can be used to teach young children to be honest or it could come back and bite them. I would read this book to a kindergarten or first grade class to teach the value of honesty.

This traditional literature children’s book can be used to teach young children the value of hard work and dedication. Three pigs build shelters to hide from a big bad wolf, two of them decide to take it easy and build a quick shelter so they can play. The third wolf takes his time and builds a brick house with hard wok. In the end the big bad wolf tears down the two flimsy houses and the well built one prevails. Young children through the pictures and story can understand the importance of hard work.

This Aesop fable is brought to life by Jerry Pinkney. His stunning watercolor illustrations depict the emotions as well as the realistic characteristics of the characters. He also incorporates other animals in the story to add background and realism. This story teaches young children the value of returning the favor of good deeds.   A sleeping lion once angered by a disturbing mouse is later rescued from a poachers trap by the same mouse. This leads to a great friendship and life lesson taught to young readers.

Another one of Jerry PInkney’s wonderful illustration pieces. The ugly duckling in tis book is portrayed greatly by Jerry Pinkney, he maintains a realistic quality to his pictures while explaining the story so well. He takes the words of the story and makes them grab the reader’s attention.   This story takes in the reader by showing the journey of acceptance one little bird took. This story can be related to so many children who are just starting something new, or are trying to be something that they just aren’t. This can teach young students the value of being yourself and not try to be who you aren’t, stay true to yourself and don’t be afraid to take risks and one day you will blossom into something beautiful.

This fairy tale teaches young children to stay on the safe path and don’t take risks that aren’t safe and don’t pay off. The illustrations in this book are smoother and more cartoon like than the traditional little red riding hood books I am used to seeing. I like this version of the story because of the illustrations being clearer and less gritty than older versions. I feel as if young children would be more drawn to and follow this version better than others.  

Fish Faces by Norbert Wu This book is a nonfiction book meant for young children. The book includes real pictures taken by the author marine biologist Norbert Wu. The book uses repetition for emphasis and different sounds of language to help influence the readers interest in the book. This nonfiction book offers students the opportunity to be introduced to different species and patterns in the ocean. The book also offer more information about each fish species in the back of the book. This book can be used in a kindergarten to third grade  classroom specifically in science class in order to make students aware of some of the camouflage patterns in the ocean. This can also be used to make students aware of the different ecosystems of the world.

I'm Jacob Miller a junior Education major at Houston Baptist University. My goal through this blog is to give insight and introduce children's books to all of those seeking them. As the title says, reading should be for fun and not just to get an assignment done, this mentality needs to be instilled whiting the younger generations and our young students.