School's First Day of School ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

This is the perfect book for back-to-school!

by Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell

School's First Day of School
By Adam Rex
Pictures by Christian Robinson
(Roaring Brook Press, 2016)

School was new.

He was so new that he didn't realize children would soon come pouring through his doors. Gasp! Janitor was his confidant and friend and tried to tell him things would be great.

But School was anxious.

And the children came to school. Some were bored (that hurt School's feelings), some cried and were afraid to stay at school (School was that bad?), and School even had an accidental fire drill the first day!

Would School enjoy being School?

I LOVED this story! Who would have thought about first-day-of-school-new-building story from the viewpoint of the school!

Funny, imaginative, and realistic. School's First Day of School will lighten the hearts of all readers.

KID KANDY:

Draw a Picture of Your School

Materials: paper, pencils, markers, crayons

1. Use the pencil to outline your school. Maybe you go to a huge elementary school, a small private school, or homeschool. Whichever type of school you attend, draw a picture of it.

2. Decorate your school. Maybe you could name your school, or print the name it already has on the top of the building.

3. Share your picture.

How do you think School felt before the first day? How did the boys and girls feel about going back to school? How do YOU feel about going to school?

I love school! Now that I am a writer and I work from home, I don't get to enjoy the first day of school as a teacher. I miss school! But I hope to visit again soon and read books with my favorite people - the students.

The Perfect Dog ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

by Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell

The Perfect Dog
By Kevin O'Malley
(Crown Books for Young Readers, 2016)

Her parents have finally said she could get a dog. The perfect dog.

But what makes a perfect dog? Big, bigger, biggest? Maybe or maybe not.

Humorously written and brightly illustrated, The Perfect Dog shares the tale of a young girl who is searching for the perfect dog companion. All goes well, until a dog chooses her.

I enjoyed this funny book and the comparative language used to tell the tale. Readers will laugh and begin to predict before the story is told.

KID KANDY:

Compare Your Toys

Materials: variety of toys, at least 3 different sizes of each type (3 dogs, 3 cars, 3 blocks, and so on)

Can you line up your toys by comparing them to each other?

Get 3 dogs. Put them in order of big, bigger, and biggest. Or maybe they are small, smaller, and smallest!

How about 3 blocks? Tall, taller, tallest? Or long, longer, longest?

Do you have 3 dolls? Tiny, tinier, tiniest?

3 instruments? Loud, louder, loudest? Quiet, quieter, quietest?

There are all sorts of ways to compare objects! See how many different words you can use to show comparisons. I'd love to hear your favorite!

The Typewriter ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

What a vibrant cover!

By Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell

The Typewriter
By Bill Thomson
(Two Lions, 2016)

There are not many words to read in The Typewriter, but oh, what a story they tell!

Three children out riding bicycles discover an old-fashioned typewriter on the back of a merry-go-round bee (the merry-go-round is not working). Fascinated, they place the typewriter on the ground and start to type out words. Very few words.

That's because each word that is typed instantly becomes reality.

Beach. Ball. Ice Cream. Crab...

Each word does not come to life in the size one would imagine. Some are much larger. Imagine what would happen if a crab the size of an elephant appeared?

The children discover the ways of the typewriter and finally decide enough is enough.

I was enthralled by the illustrations and story line of this simple yet complex picture book. Readers will be surprised and enchanted as they read The Typewriter.

KID KANDY:

Typewriter Exploration

Materials: an old typewriter (the kind with a ribbon, not a printer), paper, crayons

Hint: Borrow an old typewriter or find one at a thrift store.

Welcome to old-fashioned computers!

1. First, you have to roll a piece of paper between the rollers on top. Turn the knob on the right side to advance the paper.

2. Now you are ready to type words or write a story. Start by typing your name.

3. Explore what each key does. Can you find the shift key? Punctuation marks?

4. To go to the next line to continue typing, you have to advance the paper again with the handle on the right side.

Fun, isn't it?

5. Try typing single words like in The Typewriter. Use your crayons to illustrate your own story.

Dog. Cat. Cactus. Bee. Rain. Lightning. Car. Wind. . .

Anything could happen!

Chester ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

By Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell

Chester
By Melanie Watt (and Chester)
(Kids Can Press, 2007)

Chester is a cat.

Not just any cat, but a very talented, imaginative, and creative cat.

Chester loves to be in the limelight. He also has ideas about what type of limelight and focus he wants.

And while Chester is all of the above, he is also - gasp - somewhat NAUGHTY!

Meet Melanie Watt, the author who is trying to tell the story of Chester, a very large calico cat who carries his own red correcting pen. At all times.

Meet Chester, the star of the book, who repeatedly hijacks the story and turns it to his own purposes.

Chester and Chester's Back! are delightful, funny, and imaginative picture books. The voice of Chester interacts seamlessly with the author's voice of Melanie. Kids will love Chester and his antics.

But beware, kids might get some ideas from Chester!

KID KANDY:

Make a Paper Plate Chester

Materials: wax-free paper plates, construction paper, scissors, glue, markers, crayons

1. Draw a cat face on your paper plate. Include eyes, nose, whiskers, and mouth.

2. Color your cat Chester colors (or any color you like - that's what Chester would do).

3. Cut ears, paws, and a tail from construction paper. Glue them in place.

4. Cut a pen from construction paper. Make sure it is red! Glue it to Chester's paw.

Now you have your own Chester. Both of you can make up your own stories!

Meow!

Chester's Back!
(Kids Can Press, 2013)

Little Red Gliding Hood ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

Doesn't that title sound vaguely familiar?

Little Red Gliding Hood
Story by Tara Lazar
Pictures by Troy Cummings
(Random House, 2015)

Little Red's skates are worn out and ready to fall apart. Without her trusty skates, she won't be able to visit Grandma every Sunday. But the upcoming skating competition first prize is a pair of brand new gold skates!

Little Red is a great skater, but she doesn't have a partner. Everyone else is matched up, but who will Little Red find to join her for the competition?

Fairy tale characters and stories abound in this fractured tale. Readers will laugh and enjoy the antics of Little Red and her friends as she finds an unexpected partner. Dare we say the bad guy turns good?

Delightful text and imaginative illustrations come together to make one great picture book. Both adults and children will love Little Red Gliding Hood.

KID KANDY:

Make Up Your Own Silly Fairy Tale

1. Choose a favorite fairy tale. Think of the characters and the problems they encounter in the story.

2. Now, choose one thing to change. You can:

- change a name
- change the problem
- change the setting (where the story takes place)
- add new characters
- mix two fairy tales together

3. Make up your own fairy tale.

4. Tell your new silly fairy tale to a friend or a sibling. Did they laugh?

Storytelling is fun, isn't it?

My Two Blankets ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

A perfect book to grow empathy for those new to our country

by Angie Quantrell Quantrell Quips

My Two Blankets
By Irena Kobald
Illustrated by Freya Blackwood
(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014)

She used to be called Cartwheel. And then there was a war.

My Two Blankets is the story of a girl who moved to a new country where everything was new, different, and confusing. She loved her old blanket of the sounds and words she grew up with. It was warm and made her feel safe.

In her new country, the girl had nothing. Then she met a friend at a park. The girl befriended her and slowly gave her new words to learn and new experiences. As the girl learned to speak a new language, she realized she was creating a new blanket of sounds and words. By the end of the story, she was comfortable with both blankets.

My Two Blankets is a wonderful picture book. Readers who are new to this country or readers who want to learn how it feels to live in a completely different home with a strange language will find this book insightful and refreshing.

KID KANDY:

Do a Cartwheel and Listen to a New Language

1. The girl in this story was called Cartwheel by her auntie because she loved to do cartwheels. Do you have a nickname?

Go out on the grass or playground and do cartwheels. If you don't know how, ask a friend to teach you.

2. To see how the girl felt when she first moved to a new country, listen to a different language. You could:

- listen to a radio station
- check out a book in a different language from the library (look for books that have listening CDs)
- watch a television show featuring actors speaking a different language
- ask an adult to help you find an online video of someone speaking or singing a different language

How did you feel when you couldn't understand the words?

What would you do if you had to move to a place where no one spoke your language?

Can you think of a friend at school or in your neighborhood that speaks a language different from yours? Maybe he or she needs a friend!

Four Feet, Two Sandals ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

Four Feet Two Sandals is the perfect book to read when learning about new families moving to our country

Four Feet, Two Sandals
By Karen Lynn Williams & Khadra Mohammed
Illustrated by Dough Chayka
(Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2007)

Lina and Feroza met at a refugee camp after traveling to escape war torn countries.

One day, while gathering clothing from a relief truck, two girls secure one sandal from the same pair. Eventually the girls decide to take turns wearing both sandals and they become good friends.

Everyone at the camp is waiting for a new home. Life goes on as they wait. Finally, the day came when Lina's family reads their names on the list of those who get to travel to America.

What to do with the sandals? The friends figure it out in time to say good-bye.

Four Feet, Two Sandals is a story about current events. This picture book tackles a difficult subject in a realisic yet simple way. Almost everyone has heard about refugees, wars, and relief work. Read this book to help children discuss the challenges and transitions that some families face.

KID KANDY:

Donate Outgrown Clothing

Many families in America, both newly arrived and those who have lived here for a long time, need help. You can help by giving clothes to agencies that help families.

1. Ask mom or dad to help you go through your clothes. Put everything that doesn't fit anymore in a box or bag. Shoes, coats, pants, shorts, shirts, dresses, and other items are all needed.

2. Help mom or dad find a nearby organization that collects clothes for families in need.

3. If you can, go with your parent to deliver the clothes. If you can't go, I'm sure they will tell you how the clothes will help other boys and girls.

Way to go! You just helped families that need our help.

I always have a bag or box ready to go. As I find clothes I can't wear anymore, I place them in the bag. When the bag is full, I donate it to a place that helps others.

I'd love to hear where you gave your outgrown clothes!

Don't Eat the Baby! ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

No one is going to eat his baby!

By Angie Quantrell Angie Quantrell

Don't Eat the Baby!
By Amy Young
(Viking, 2013)

Don't Eat the Baby! is a funny story about new babies, big brothers, and misunderstandings.

Tom is not sure he wants a new baby. In fact, he names the baby The Blob. At first he is jealous of all of the attention being placed on baby Blob. But soon, Tom hears people saying they want to eat the baby because it is so adorable.

What? They can't eat his baby. Tom decides he has to save the baby. His baby.

Families with new babies will love reading this as they merge the new family member with older siblings. This book also provides humor as discussions take place about silly things adults say.

KID KANDY:

Baby Doll Play

Materials: baby doll, doll clothes and accessories, doll bed or toys

Do you have a new baby sister or brother? They are noisy, tiny, cute, and here to stay. While mom and dad are busy taking care of the new family member, this is your time to play and take care of your own baby.

Pretend the baby is your baby. Feed, rock, burp, and put the baby doll to bed. You can even give your baby a name. It's fun to pretend, isn't it?

You can also ask mom or dad how you can help with your new sibling. Maybe you can go get a diaper for mom or hand dad the blankie. Snuggle in close while baby is sleeping. You used to be that tiny!

Congratulations on being the big brother (or sister)!

The Whisper ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

Enchanting picture book where the reader gets to help tell the stories.

By Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell

The Whisper
Written and Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski
(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015)

The Whisper is a magnificent book that encourages readers to use their imagination.

A young girl who loves stories borrows a special book from her teacher. Once she gets home, she discovers that the words have disappeared! Encouraged by a whisper, she rereads the book and imagines the stories told by the illustrations. A surprise visit from Mr. Fox tells where the words have flown.

Told through minimal text and delightful illustrations, The Whisper allows readers to concentrate on the images and after a short introduction to a possible story line, complete the tale to their own liking. Each two-page spread offers the opportunity to make up a new story.

Readers will love the colorful illustrations and creating their own tales when they read The Whisper.

KID KANDY:

Look at Art and Make Up Your Own Stories

1. First, look at paintings, sculptures, or works of art. Really study them. You can even look at calendar pages, book covers (without reading the story inside), or photos.

2. Next, ask some questions.

- Who is in the art?
- Do you see people or animals?
- Where does the art take place? Outside, inside, at dinner, bedtime?
- What is happening?
- Why is it happening?
- What feelings can you see or feel when you look at the art?
- What problem is going on?

3. Now, make up a story about the art.

For example, I have a calendar page of a large rabbit, beautiful flowers, and a dragonfly. It almost looks like the dragonfly is friends with the rabbit and one is whispering to the other. Why? I think perhaps the rabbit has lost a friend and the dragonfly is helping to find the friend. "Look, over there," he flutters, "see those purple flowers? I think I see shiny eyes and long ears." Maybe the eyes and ears are not a friendly rabbit, but a wily fox!

And then I could keep imagining the story of the rabbit and the dragonfly, adding problems and adventures and changes.

Look around you. Choose a picture you can use to imagine a story. Go ahead.

Tell me. I want to enjoy your story, too!

It's Never Too Early to Start Giving Books to Kids

It's never too early to start giving books to kids.

Meet Gage. He is 6 months old and he already loves to sink his (2) teeth into a good book.

Read for life!

My Pen ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

My Pen
By Christopher Myers
(Disney - Hyperion, 2015)

My Pen perfectly captures the artist imagination of Christopher Myers.

Within the black and white pages, detailed illustrations point to the power of expression that is held in the hand of someone with a pen. Oh, the dreams, ideas, and worlds that can be drawn with a pen.

Imagination is a big thing. Readers will love the creativity and ideas found in My Pen.

KID KANDY:

Draw With a Pen

Materials: sketch pad or paper, pen

Go ahead. Do it. Doodle. Draw. Scribble. Create. Imagine. Tell a story with your drawings.

It's ok to not be perfect. Even Mr. Myers says his work does not always do what he wants. Just turn those mistakes into something new.

Have fun!

P.S. What is your favorite drawing?

The Bear in the Book ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

The Bear in the Book
By Kate Banks
Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben
(Frances Foster Books, 2012)

Who doesn't love books about bears?

The Bear in the Book is a story of a boy, a book, and bedtime. Oh, and of course a big black bear features prominently in this tale of a mother convincing her child to go to sleep.

As the mother reads about the bear in the book, the little boy learns all about winter and hibernating bears and seasons. Winter turns to spring and the bear awakes, ready to cross the pages of the book to get into sunshine.

But the boy has fallen asleep.

Young readers will love the muted illustrations (though brightly colored), the snoozing bear, and all that goes on outside the den while the bear sleeps away the winter.

KID KANDY:

Make a Den

Bears spend winter hibernating in caves or dens. Make your own den.

Use a sheet or blanket (or several). Spread it over a table and let it hang over the edges. Or you can push furniture together to make the walls and use the sheet over the top. Clothespins will help hold the edges down.

Turn yourself into a bear. Creep around on your hands and knees. Pretend to eat lots of nuts and berries and fish to get fat for the winter (bears don't eat all winter long!). Fat enough? Now it's time to hibernate.

Crawl into your den. Make a cozy nest with pillows and blankets. Scooch around until you are comfy.

Shhh. Good-night, little bear. Good-night.

Square Cat ABC ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

 

Square Cat ABC

By Elizabeth Schoonmaker

(Aladdin, Simon & Schuster; 2014)



 

Square Cat ABC is the story of Eula and her friends, Mouse and Porcupine.

 

Mouse finds Square Cat digging in dirt. After discovering that Eula is planting a garden, Mouse begs Eula to plant spinach. Eula detests spinach and resists, only to find that Porcupine loves it as well. After finally being convinced to try the spinach, which Eula deems yucky, Mouse suggests that zucchini is included in the garden.

 

This story is told over the course of the alphabet. Giant letters on each page (beginning and middle of words) highlight which letter is being included. The alphabet is not the focus (though it really is), but the story is what is totally fun and engaging.

 

Readers will love meeting Square Cat Eula and her friends. Simple, bright and clever illustrations add the perfect touch to Square Cat ABC.

KID KANDY:

Chalk Alphabet Song

Materials: sidewalk chalk and a sidewalk or driveway (cement)

Write the alphabet letters in order along a sidewalk or driveway. Give plenty of space between each letter. Make sure you don't forget any letters!

Sing the "ABC Song" as you jump from one letter to the next. You can also be creative as you sing the song. You can:

~ dance
~ spin
~ ride a bike or tricycle
~ skip or gallop
~ jump on one leg
~ hold hands with a friend and go together
~ crawl
~ roll
~ kick a ball between your feet
~ toss a beanbag to the next letter as you go
~ use a stick for a pointer

OR you can make up your own way to move along the alphabet.

What did you do? I'd love to hear.

A B See ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

A B See is an engaging alphabet board book.

Embossed and sturdy, A B See shows one or two letters of the alphabet on each page. The letter (bumpy for touching) is composed of small illustrations of things that begin with that letter.

For instance, the letter Q is made up of a quilt, question marks, a queen, a quetzel, a quarter, a quarterback, a quacker, quartz, and a quill. The short line that goes over the oval part is a quail.

The intricate and fascinating illustrations capture attention. Each letter also has a simple sentence with most words beginning with the letter.

Delightful! I know my Donavyn will love this book. He is two-years-old and loves to see the 'etters!

Preschoolers and early readers will learn and enjoy A B See. Any way you can engage young readers in books and the alphabet is worth the effort!

KID KANDY:

Find the Letter of Your First Name

1. Go ahead. Read A B See. Sing the "Alphabet Song." Enjoy the pictures.

2. Find the page with the first letter of your first name.

3. Look at all of the pictures and words that begin with that letter and are a part of the illustration.

4. What is your favorite thing that begins with the same letter as your name? Can you think of anything else that begins with that letter?

5. Can you bend your body to make the first letter of your name? Try and spell out your whole name with your body! Maybe mom or dad can take pictures of you making each letter.

Thanks for reading and loving books!

G is for Goat ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

G is for Goat
By Patricia Polacco
(Philomel Books, Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers, 2003)

I'm back! The internet is once again in working order. Thanks for being patient.

G is for Goat is a delightful alphabet book that consists of cavorting goats. Now, that doesn't sound too exciting, but it really is cute. If you know anything about goats at all - say, how naughty they can be, how they love to nibble on everything in sight, how they leap and act goofy - you will laugh when you read this picture book.

G is for Goat is wonderfully illustrated. The main character, a young female, certainly has her arms full with wayward charges. The alphabet incorporated into the story is wonderful. As an early childhood educator, I am always looking for clever alphabet books with which to reinforce letters, language, and reading fun, all experienced within the pages of a good book.

Farmers, readers, young children, animal lovers - all will love reading G is for Goat.

KID KANDY:

Make Your Own Alphabet Page

1. What does your name begin with? Find that page and reread it.

2. Make your own alphabet page. It doesn't have to be with goats. Choose something you love that begins with the first letter of your name.

3. For instance, my first name is Angie.

Looking at the Aa page, I see that Patricia Polacco (the author and illustrator of this lovely book) shows apples that begin with Aa.

On my page, I can print the letters - Aa - and choose something that begins with Aa to put on my page. Hmmm, let's think: apple, aardvark, ant, automobile, author, anthill, avocado, ape...

4. Illustrate your alphabet page.

5. Show your alphabet page. Choose another letter and make a second page!

Sing the alphabet song. Don't you love letters and words and reading and singing and drawing?

Me, too.

Fetch ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

Fetch
By Jorey Hurley
(A Paula Wiseman Book, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Children, 2015)

One can probably tell by the title Fetch that this picture book is about dogs.

And one would be correct.

Fetch is the beautifully illustrated story about a dog at the beach. A single word joins the dog and his adventures on each page. The dog does what dogs do. It shakes, fetches, floats, and plays. But that is not all.

Imagine a trip to the beach and the dogs you've seen there.

Fetch is about those dogs. Young readers will love reading about the dog at the beach. Dog lovers will recognize every single action and be ready to head to the beach with their own dogs.

KID KANDY:

Doggy Time

Do you have a dog? It's time to go out and play with the dog.

You can:

-go for a walk
-play ball
-play catch
-give the dog a bath
-take a nap under a tree with your dog
-go to the beach (if you are so blessed to live near a beach)
-teach your dog a trick like shaking hands or sitting up on it's hind legs
-brush your dog

What else does your dog like to do?

P.S. If you don't have a dog for a pet, maybe one of your neighbors or your grandma or grandpa has one you can play with for a bit.

Matilda and Hans ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

Matilda and Hans
By Yokococo
(Templar Books, Candlewick Press, 2012)

Matilda and Hans is a book about two cats.

Two completely opposite cats. Matilda was all things positive and calm. Hans was loud and got into trouble. After one particularly wild night (the zoo animals somehow escaped from their cages), a wanted poster was put up for Hans. Matilda knew exactly where Hans would be the following night and she informed the police.

When the policeman arrived, there was Hans, up to no good. Slowly Hans removed his hat, his mask, and his whiskers. And who was left standing?

You will need to read Matilda and Hans for yourself (and your child, of course). No spoilers!

KID KANDY:

Chalk Art

Chalk art is featured on one of the pages in Matilda and Hans. Chalk art is fun - but only when permission is given for the artists to draw on sidewalks and cement walls. Always ask permission first!

~ Purchase some fat chalk sticks from the store

~ Ask permission to draw on cement (driveways, roads, sidewalks, playground).

~ Draw pictures with the fat chalk.

~ For fun, get a bucket of water. Soak the chalk in the water and then draw with the chalk.

~ Experiment with the chalk and water.

Have fun. And always try to be like Matilda. Or is that not like Matilda?


P.S. Thanks for reading! If you would like to get future blog posts delivered to your email inbox, just sign up in the box below. Thank you!

Counting Crows ~ Wacky Wednesday Picture Book & KID KANDY

Counting Crows
by Kathi Appelt
illustrated by Rob Dunlavey
(Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2015)

Let's count some crows on this Wacky Wednesday. That's better than eating crow, right?

Counting Crows is a funny picture book about counting crows. The author, Kathi Appelt, creatively adds rhyme and tasty snacks for the crows being counted. The counting goes up to a dozen crows. Do you know how many crows are in a dozen? (Think a box of donuts.)

Counting Crows has very amusing illustrations as well. Thank you, Rob Dunlavey. The pages are filled with black, white, and red. Crows wear red and white striped sweaters. One crow is sporting a red and white polka dotted scarf, which becomes very important by the end of the story.

Readers will love to count the silly crows and find out what happens to make the crows disappear. Wacky Wednesday loves Counting Crows.

PS Do you know what eating crow means?

KID KANDY:

Count Crows

Summer is the perfect time to count crows. They are loud, big, black and everywhere! But don't expect to find them wearing red and white striped scarves.

Crows are very smart. As you count, watch to see if you can find them doing something clever. The crows in my neighborhood love to fly up high and drop walnuts on the asphalt road to break them open. Then the crows fly down and eat the nut meat. Pretty smart, huh?

What Is Part This, Part That? ~ Terrific Tuesday Picture Book & KID KANDY

What Is Part This, Part That?
By Harriet Ziefert
Illustrations by Tom Slaughter
(Blue Apple Books, 2013)

What Is Part This, Part That? is part rhyme, part language, part literacy. Ziefert shows readers how to look at the same object from different points of view. The glass is part empty, or is it part full?

I love this book! Readers will be engaged to figure out the opposite of each object. The illustrations are bold and simple. Fold out flaps, cut-outs, and other features make this a fun book to read. The last part of the book is a long list of both parts of something - and the reader gets to guess what the object is from the two parts.

Kids will learn, read, and enjoy. I even had fun reading this clever book.

KID KANDY:

Figure Out the Object from Both Parts

On the very last page of What Is Part This, Part That?, Harriet Ziefert gives a big list of two parts for something. How many can you figure out by just knowing the parts?

Challenge: Make up your own part this, part that list. Try them on your family or friends at school.

Hint: Brainstorm some compound words (treehouse, catbird, ladybug). Use them to make your own what is part this, part that?

What Will You Be, Sara Mee? ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

What Will You Be, Sara Mee?
By Kate Aver Avraham
Illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien
(Charlesbridge, 2010)

What Will You Be, Sara Mee? is a story about Sara Mee and her brother. Sara Mee is celebrating her first birthday. In Korea, babies who turn one have a tol, or the first-birthday celebration that includes many guests, gifts, and the ritual event of the toljabee.

Toljabee is a prophecy game where items symbolizing different careers are placed in front of the child. Whichever item the baby chooses first supposedly indicates what he or she will become when he or she grows up.

Sara Mee celebrates with her older brother, who helps with the toljabee.

What Will You Be, Sara Mee? teaches readers a little about cultural practices in Korea. Sara Mee lives in America with her family, but the family still enjoys Korean traditions.

If you want to learn about other cultures, and maybe about some of your own neighbors, What Will You Be, Sara Mee? is a good place to begin.

KID KANDY:

What tradition does your family have?

~ Think about the things you like to do with your family.

~ What is one thing you do the same, every year, week, month, or holiday? Is that your family tradition?

~ Choose one family tradition. How did it begin? What does it mean? Did other generations have the same tradition or is it new for your family? What do you like about the tradition?

~ Think about What Will You Be, Sara Mee? What did you find interesting about the toljabee? What was different to you? What was the same?


Traditions are often passed down from parents to children to grandchildren. Families, cultures, and countries have different traditions. But the important thing is that celebrated traditions help us become who we are and understand our family.

And it is so much fun to learn about other traditions, isn't it?