World Book: Dramatic Learning

World BookClassroom:  Dramatic Learning

Format:  Online Resource

Recommended Age:  Teacher’s resource.

Although this resource states that is tied to state achievement benchmarks, the version that my district has the subscription to offers connections to the BC curriculum.  This would stand to reason that the resource is adapted to meet the needs of the subscribers throughout the US and Canada.  

The layout and navigation for this resource is clear and uncomplicated.  It doesn’t have the flash and colour that the other World Book resources have besides a beautiful front page; but I find that as a teacher, I don’t need the distraction of the extras; I just want the resources NOW!  The layout includes a straightforward menu to guide readers through the site.  This resource includes a professional development section including videos, the “hows” and “whys” of dramatic learning, extensions to the Dramatic Learning resources for critical thinking, FAQs, as well as an online tutorial for using the website.  

Other sections of this site include mini-inquiry projects, lesson plans, rubric, step-by-step how tos, and accompanying posters and programs.  This resource is ideal for teachers who have done reader’s theatre but would like to extend the learning and experience from simply performing plays for practicing fluency. 

World Book Kids

World Book Kids

Resource:  Electronic Encyclopedia

Format: Website

Suggested age:  7 +

This resource is available for use through a paid subscription policy although many school districts and public libraries already own subscriptions for this and make it available for their patrons and staff.  

World Book Kids is easily accessible through a simple log in screen, the colourful front page is appealing to audiences young and old. 

Users have the option to do a simple keyword search, advanced search or choose one of the search options such as pictures, world of animals, important people, science projects, dictionary, maps and more, compare places, plants and animals, history and government, Science and Math, Arts, sports and hobbies,  and games and activities.  Once a search has been entered World Book Kids supports the user in narrowing their search criteria to yield useful results. 

 

This interface is quite user-friendly and the designers have kept the page aesthetically pleasing yet uncluttered and easy to navigate.  Users can choose to learn about their topic via articles, exhibits, or quick facts.  At any time a user needs assistance, they can click on an information/help button to access a video tutorial.  From the home page, users can also access World Books other resources such as World Book Discover, Advanced, Student, Dramatic Learning, and Early World Learning.  The site also offers world book resources in French and Spanish.  As a teacher-librarian I would feel comfortable recommending this resource to primary and early intermediate teachers to support their curriculum. 

Baby Animals eBook

Genre:  Non-fiction

Text: Mariah Bear & Sonia Vallabh

Picture Research:  Brandi Valenza

Voice Over:   Robyn Ginsburg Braverman

EPUB ISBN 978-1-616-28-347-6

Quadrum Ltd.  2007

“From the top of the tree to the bottom of the sea, animals are everywhere—and every one of them starts out as a baby!” (p. 66).  Bear and Vallabh’s nonfiction eBook, Baby Animals, is indeed true to its title.  
Over the course of sixty-six pages a wide variety of baby animals from all geographical regions are introduced and snippets of facts are sprinkled liberally throughout.  This book is a good starting point to introduce animals but I would have liked to see a few more specific facts about the animals that were awarded a two-page layout in this book.   

 This eBook originally caught my attention for a few  different reasons, the first reason was because it was a free download from the app store for my iPad, the second reason, it featured baby animals which is my toddler daughter’s current infatuation.  Now, I am always leery of free apps and eBooks as they tend to lack in quality or have so many ads that it detracts from the experience.  I was pleasantly surprised that the reader is not inundated with pop up ads throughout this title.  The text is simple, but accurate and appropriate for a primary audience and Robyn Ginsburg Braverman provides a clear voice-over for the read along option, albeit I found the tempo lagging slightly but novice readers following along may find this speed helpful.  There are 60 other eBook titles to choose from featuring bugs, cars, trucks, underwater animals and more.  While I wouldn’t recommend this title for in-school use to support the curriculum, it is a lovely book to share with a child aged 15 months-4 years of age for the beautiful photography.

Just Imagine

Genre: Picture Book

Format: Hardcover

Suggested age: 4-12

Author: John Thompson & George Schultz

Illustrator:  Wodin

ISBN:  9780974019062

Publisher:  Illumination Arts Publishing Company 2006

Join Thompson and Schultz as they describe their wanderings and imaginative adventures from garden parties to daring exploration through swamps and sea.  Simple, yet elegant, prose will draw young ones in to the book and will inspire imaginative play while it will also give the mature reader moments of reminiscing about their own childhood fantasies.  The hands that are present in Wodin’s illustrations suggest support for the children’s play.  One is left wondering who’s hands are “the hands I trust”, as a parent I see my own role in my daughter’s life supporting and encouraging but a secondary meaning could also lead to more spiritual and broader meaning.

On a lighter note, I must admit that I’m a sucker for amazing illustrations.  I love bold colours that bring out the richness and intricacy of life, whether fantastical or real.  Wodin’s illustrations were really the selling point for this book as the prose throughout seemed to play “second fiddle” to the images which makes me wonder what came first, the story or the paintings?  I’m not saying that Thompson and Schultz’s poetry was lacking by any means but Wodin’s illustrations stole the show and I had to remind myself after turning each page to read the text.  Now, if that was the purpose, great!  If not, I would humbly suggest that the prose interact with the illustrations weaving through the paintings as in Hanson’s book, The Next Place to ensure equal attention. 

Flabby Cat and Slobby Dog

Genre: Picture Book

Format: Hardcover

Suggested age:  3-8

Author: Jeanne Willis

Illustrator:  Tony Ross

ISBN:  9780761351511

Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.  2009

Flabby Cat and Slobby Dog are perplexed at why they are having trouble fitting on their couch one day.  Slobby Dog is sure that the couch has shrunk while Flabby Cat insists that the cushions have grown; however, their solution to this problem is to comfort themselves by eating and sleep more.  When that doesn’t solve their problem and their house becomes too small, they turn to their distant relatives, Cunning Tiger and Wild Wolf, in hopes that they can stay with them.  The two set out on an adventure.  After much adventure and searching, the two find that that they don’t need Wild Wolf and Cunning Tiger to make room for them, they were with them all along.

The saying, “show, not tell”, comes to mind after reading this book.  After reading too many thinly veiled attempts at dealing with obesity, I think that I have finally found a book that I would feel comfortable recommending to my colleagues who are looking for picture books to support their healthy living units.