Riley, F. (Creator), & Mitchell, J. (Director). (2009). Special agent Oso [Animated television series]. United States: Disney Channel's Playhouse Disney.
Interest Level: Ages 5 and under
Genre: Cartoon,
Subjects/Themes: Animals, Secret Agents, Daily Activities, Reasoning Skills
Running Time: 11 minutes each episode
Plot: Special Agent Oso is a bear who is also a secret agent. Each episode starts off with Oso trying to accomplish a mission, such as recover a gem from deep inside a cave. Oso usually fails his mission on his first try. His mission is then interrupted by a special mission where he must then go and help a child with a certain activity, such as cleaning their room. During that special mission, agent Oso is given three special steps to follow in order to help the child complete the activity. After helping the child, Agent Oso returns to his first mission and is able to accomplish it by remembering something he learned when helping the child.
Personal Thoughts: The show promotes thinking things through to accomplish daily activities. While Agent Oso's missions are in far off and tropical areas, the children he helps are in very ordinary homes doing ordinary everyday things. The cartoon helps children learn to accomplish everyday activities on their own such as brushing their teeth. The "three special steps" also help children learn to break big chores into smaller pieces in order to make them easier.
Cartoon Website: Playhouse Disney's Special Agent Oso Website
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Some Babies Sleep (Book)
Cotton, C. (2007). Some babies sleep. New York, NY: Philomel Books. ISBN: 978-0-399-24030-0
Interest Level: Ages 4 and under
Genre: Picture Book
Subjects/Themes: Bedtime, Sleeping, Animals, Stories in Rhyme
Plot: The story describes the different places animal babies sleep using rhyming text. Whether in the desert, snow, under ground, or in a bed the story explains that all babies sleep. The illustrations show a little baby in red pajamas sleeping with different animals in the places described.
Personal Thoughts: A sweet bedtime story whose simple rhymes offer a gentle lullaby rythm. The animal names are never mentioned in the story only the different places they sleep. A fun game would be to have a child guess which animal is sleeping in the places described. The illustrations are soft and sweet with animal parents, animal babies and the human baby all cuddled up with one another.
Other Books by the Author: Snow Ponies (2001); At the edge of the woods (2002); Rain Play (2008)
Author Website: Cynthia Cotten Children's Author Website
Interest Level: Ages 4 and under
Genre: Picture Book
Subjects/Themes: Bedtime, Sleeping, Animals, Stories in Rhyme
Plot: The story describes the different places animal babies sleep using rhyming text. Whether in the desert, snow, under ground, or in a bed the story explains that all babies sleep. The illustrations show a little baby in red pajamas sleeping with different animals in the places described.
Personal Thoughts: A sweet bedtime story whose simple rhymes offer a gentle lullaby rythm. The animal names are never mentioned in the story only the different places they sleep. A fun game would be to have a child guess which animal is sleeping in the places described. The illustrations are soft and sweet with animal parents, animal babies and the human baby all cuddled up with one another.
Other Books by the Author: Snow Ponies (2001); At the edge of the woods (2002); Rain Play (2008)
Author Website: Cynthia Cotten Children's Author Website
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (TV Show)
Kallis, D. & Geoghan, J. (Producers) (2005). The suite life of Zack & Cody [Television series]. Burbank, CA: Disney Channel.
Interest Level: Ages 8 to 17
Genre: Family/Teen Sitcom
Subjects/Themes: Family, Siblings, Comedy, Hotel,
Running Time: 23 minutes per episode
Rating: TV-G
Plot: The series focuses around Cody and Zack who are twin brothers living in the Tipton Hotel with their single mother. Their mother works at the Tipton Hotel as a lounge singer. Their father, Kurt, is a musician who travels around a lot. The boys tend to get into a lot of mischief trying to pass the time or make some extra cash. London Tipton, the rich hotel owner's daughter, is a bit air brained, gets what ever she wants, and also lives at the hotel. Maddie works for the hotel as a candy counter girl and is the opposite of London being both smart and frugal. Mr. Moseby runs the Tipton hotel and is often the person trying to stop the boys from destroying the hotel or disturbing the guests.
Personal Thoughts: A great show for boys or girls. Each of the characters have their strengths and weaknesses. We also see the characters grow up in the series from childish pranksters to more social savvy teens. The hotel setting offers a lot of different opportunities for the boys to meet different superstars, officials, and tourists that normal they would not come in contact with. Each episode usually revolves around the boys coming up with some plan that ends up with them crossing paths with a Tipton Hotel vistor. London and Maddie are often doing other activities or schemes that sometimes has them working with the boys. The series ended in 2008 and was followed by the sequel The suite life on deck. In the sequel, the boys and London are attending a semester away at sea on the Tipton cruise ship. Mr. Moseby is also there as manager of the ship. A great show for all ages, definitely a Must See!
Awards/Recognition:
BMI Film & Television: Cable Award (2005 & 2007)
Young Artists Award: Best Family Television Series (Comedy) (2007)
Kids' Choice Award, UK: Best Television Series (2007)
ASCAP Award for Top Television Series (2008 & 2009)
iParenting Media Award (2008)
Website: Disney Channel's The Suite Life Website
Interest Level: Ages 8 to 17
Genre: Family/Teen Sitcom
Subjects/Themes: Family, Siblings, Comedy, Hotel,
Running Time: 23 minutes per episode
Rating: TV-G
Plot: The series focuses around Cody and Zack who are twin brothers living in the Tipton Hotel with their single mother. Their mother works at the Tipton Hotel as a lounge singer. Their father, Kurt, is a musician who travels around a lot. The boys tend to get into a lot of mischief trying to pass the time or make some extra cash. London Tipton, the rich hotel owner's daughter, is a bit air brained, gets what ever she wants, and also lives at the hotel. Maddie works for the hotel as a candy counter girl and is the opposite of London being both smart and frugal. Mr. Moseby runs the Tipton hotel and is often the person trying to stop the boys from destroying the hotel or disturbing the guests.
Personal Thoughts: A great show for boys or girls. Each of the characters have their strengths and weaknesses. We also see the characters grow up in the series from childish pranksters to more social savvy teens. The hotel setting offers a lot of different opportunities for the boys to meet different superstars, officials, and tourists that normal they would not come in contact with. Each episode usually revolves around the boys coming up with some plan that ends up with them crossing paths with a Tipton Hotel vistor. London and Maddie are often doing other activities or schemes that sometimes has them working with the boys. The series ended in 2008 and was followed by the sequel The suite life on deck. In the sequel, the boys and London are attending a semester away at sea on the Tipton cruise ship. Mr. Moseby is also there as manager of the ship. A great show for all ages, definitely a Must See!
Awards/Recognition:
BMI Film & Television: Cable Award (2005 & 2007)
Young Artists Award: Best Family Television Series (Comedy) (2007)
Kids' Choice Award, UK: Best Television Series (2007)
ASCAP Award for Top Television Series (2008 & 2009)
iParenting Media Award (2008)
Website: Disney Channel's The Suite Life Website
Monday, November 29, 2010
Orange Pear Apple Bear (Book)
Gravett, E. (2007). Orange pear apple bear. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 978-1-4169-3999-3
Interest Level: Ages 3 and under
Genre: Picture Book
Subjects/Themes: Bears, Play on Words, Colors, Shapes, Foods,
Plot: Using only five words (apple, pear, orange, bear, and there), children explore the concept of connecting different words to describe things in different ways. For example the phrase "orange bear" is used with a picture of an orange fruit and a bear as well as with an orange colored bear.
Personal Thoughts: A great sight word learning tool. The repetitiveness of the words is anything but boring when paired with the different illustrations. The water color illustrations pop against the white background. The bear juggles and eats the different fruit. The bear is described using fruit colors and shapes.
Awards/Recognition:
ALA Notable Children's Books - Young Readers Category (2009)
Oprah's Kids' Reading Lists - New Releases: 3-to-5 Years
School Library Journal Best Books (2007)
Author's Website: Emily Gravett's Website
Other Books by the Author: Dogs (2009); The Odd Egg (2009); Monkey and Me (2008); Wolves (2006);
Interest Level: Ages 3 and under
Genre: Picture Book
Subjects/Themes: Bears, Play on Words, Colors, Shapes, Foods,
Plot: Using only five words (apple, pear, orange, bear, and there), children explore the concept of connecting different words to describe things in different ways. For example the phrase "orange bear" is used with a picture of an orange fruit and a bear as well as with an orange colored bear.
Personal Thoughts: A great sight word learning tool. The repetitiveness of the words is anything but boring when paired with the different illustrations. The water color illustrations pop against the white background. The bear juggles and eats the different fruit. The bear is described using fruit colors and shapes.
Awards/Recognition:
ALA Notable Children's Books - Young Readers Category (2009)
Oprah's Kids' Reading Lists - New Releases: 3-to-5 Years
School Library Journal Best Books (2007)
Author's Website: Emily Gravett's Website
Other Books by the Author: Dogs (2009); The Odd Egg (2009); Monkey and Me (2008); Wolves (2006);
The Lion & The Mouse (Book)
Pinkey, J. (2009). The lion & the mouse. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 978-0-316-01356-7
Interest Level: Ages 8 and under
Genre: Picture Book
Subjects/Themes: Animals, Folk Tales, Stories without Words, Cooperation,
Plot: Without the use of words, the pictures in this story retell Aesop's classic tale of the lion and the mouse. The only text is a few scattered animal sounds in the background. This tale is set in a more modern animal preserve in the African Serengeti. The mouse, running from an owl, gets captured by a lion. The mouse is let go by the lion and returns to its baby filled nest. Hunters arrive and set a trap for the lion. The lion is caught in their net. The mouse hearing the lion's roar runs to the lion and chews through the ropes freeing the lion. The story ends with the mouse taking a piece of the rope back to its nest for the baby mice to chew on.
Personal Thoughts: The lack of words in this story only make the meaning behind it sweeter. The animals and the background are all realistically drawn. The body language and facial expressions on the lion are life-like showing grumpiness at being awaken, curiosity in the mouse, pride when walking around, startlement at being caught and gratitude towards the mouse. I can almost see the mouse actually scurrying across the pages from one place to another. So wonderfully done, its no surprise why it was choosen as a Caldecott Award Winner. Definitely a Must See Book for any age! Great for children to browse through on their own. A possible lesson plan would be to have children write their own dialog for the story.
Awards/Recognition:
ALA Notable Children's Books - All Ages Category (2010)
Booklist Editors' Choice - Books for Youth - Young Readers Category (2009)
Caldecott Medal (2010)
Indies' Choice Book Awards: Children's Illustrated (2010)
New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books (2009)
Parents' Choice Awards - Picture Books (2009)
School Library Journal Best Books (2009)
Other Books by Author: Three Little Kittens (2010); The Ugly Duckling (1999); The all-I'll-ever-want Christmas doll (2010)
Interest Level: Ages 8 and under
Genre: Picture Book
Subjects/Themes: Animals, Folk Tales, Stories without Words, Cooperation,
Plot: Without the use of words, the pictures in this story retell Aesop's classic tale of the lion and the mouse. The only text is a few scattered animal sounds in the background. This tale is set in a more modern animal preserve in the African Serengeti. The mouse, running from an owl, gets captured by a lion. The mouse is let go by the lion and returns to its baby filled nest. Hunters arrive and set a trap for the lion. The lion is caught in their net. The mouse hearing the lion's roar runs to the lion and chews through the ropes freeing the lion. The story ends with the mouse taking a piece of the rope back to its nest for the baby mice to chew on.
Personal Thoughts: The lack of words in this story only make the meaning behind it sweeter. The animals and the background are all realistically drawn. The body language and facial expressions on the lion are life-like showing grumpiness at being awaken, curiosity in the mouse, pride when walking around, startlement at being caught and gratitude towards the mouse. I can almost see the mouse actually scurrying across the pages from one place to another. So wonderfully done, its no surprise why it was choosen as a Caldecott Award Winner. Definitely a Must See Book for any age! Great for children to browse through on their own. A possible lesson plan would be to have children write their own dialog for the story.
Awards/Recognition:
ALA Notable Children's Books - All Ages Category (2010)
Booklist Editors' Choice - Books for Youth - Young Readers Category (2009)
Caldecott Medal (2010)
Indies' Choice Book Awards: Children's Illustrated (2010)
New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books (2009)
Parents' Choice Awards - Picture Books (2009)
School Library Journal Best Books (2009)
Other Books by Author: Three Little Kittens (2010); The Ugly Duckling (1999); The all-I'll-ever-want Christmas doll (2010)
Strega Nona (Book)
De Paola, T. (1975). Strega Nona. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 0-671-66283-X
Interest Level: Ages 3 to 7
Genre: Picture Book
Subjects/Themes: Magic, Folk Tales, Witches, Pasta, Greed, Temptation, Caldecott
Plot: Strega Nona is a witch who creates potions to help other people with their problems. She hires Big Anthony to help her keep house. The one rule of the house is that Big Anthony is never to touch Strega Nona's pasta pot. Strega Nona's pasta pot would make pasta appear when she sang to it and disappear when she sang again to it and blew it three kisses. Big Anthony told the townsfolk about the magic pasta pot but nobody believed him. When Strega Nona leaves on a trip Big Anthony makes the pot make pasta for the whole village. But Big Anthony had only saw Strega Nona singing to the pot not blowing kisses and could not get the pot to stop making pasta. Soon the pasta overflowed the house and into the village. Strega Nona comes home and rescues the village from the pasta. As punishment, Big Anthony is forced to clean the village and Strega Nona's house by eating all the pasta.
Personal Thoughts: A good folk story with a good moral of listening to what you are told and following the rules. Big Anthony is a realistic character and gets angry when the townsfolk don't believe his story. Strega Nona is depicted as a kind old witch who helps others out with her potions but also disciplines them appropriately. The illustrations are full of detail and help tell the story well. A great story for preschool storytimes with a friendly witches or doing the right thing theme.
Awards/Recognition:
Caldecott Honor Book (1976)
ALA Notable Children's Book
Kirkus Choice
Horn Book Honor List
Nakamori Prize
Brooklyn Museum & Public Library Art Books for Children Citation (N.Y.)
Other Books in the Series:
Strega Nona Her Story (1996); Strega Nona Meets Her Match (1993); Strega Nona Takes a Vacation (2000)
Author Website: Offical Tomie de Paola Website
Interest Level: Ages 3 to 7
Genre: Picture Book
Subjects/Themes: Magic, Folk Tales, Witches, Pasta, Greed, Temptation, Caldecott
Plot: Strega Nona is a witch who creates potions to help other people with their problems. She hires Big Anthony to help her keep house. The one rule of the house is that Big Anthony is never to touch Strega Nona's pasta pot. Strega Nona's pasta pot would make pasta appear when she sang to it and disappear when she sang again to it and blew it three kisses. Big Anthony told the townsfolk about the magic pasta pot but nobody believed him. When Strega Nona leaves on a trip Big Anthony makes the pot make pasta for the whole village. But Big Anthony had only saw Strega Nona singing to the pot not blowing kisses and could not get the pot to stop making pasta. Soon the pasta overflowed the house and into the village. Strega Nona comes home and rescues the village from the pasta. As punishment, Big Anthony is forced to clean the village and Strega Nona's house by eating all the pasta.
Personal Thoughts: A good folk story with a good moral of listening to what you are told and following the rules. Big Anthony is a realistic character and gets angry when the townsfolk don't believe his story. Strega Nona is depicted as a kind old witch who helps others out with her potions but also disciplines them appropriately. The illustrations are full of detail and help tell the story well. A great story for preschool storytimes with a friendly witches or doing the right thing theme.
Awards/Recognition:
Caldecott Honor Book (1976)
ALA Notable Children's Book
Kirkus Choice
Horn Book Honor List
Nakamori Prize
Brooklyn Museum & Public Library Art Books for Children Citation (N.Y.)
Other Books in the Series:
Strega Nona Her Story (1996); Strega Nona Meets Her Match (1993); Strega Nona Takes a Vacation (2000)
Author Website: Offical Tomie de Paola Website
Cinderella (Book)
Eilenberg, M. (2008). Cinderella. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN: 978-0-7636-3856-6
Interest Level: Ages 3 to 8
Genre: Picture Book
Subjects/Themes: Fairy Tale, Princesses and Princes, Fairy Godmothers,
Plot: A retelling of the classic Cinderella tale. The stepmother is jealous of Cinderella's beauty and makes her cook and clean. The stepsisters were just as mean and made fun on Cinderella. Cinderella's fairy godmother helps transform mice, rats, pumpkins and lizards into footman, horses, drivers, and a carriage. her fairy godmother transforms Cinderella's rags into beautiful gowns three different times for the three different balls. The first two balls Cinderella manages to leave the ball well before midnight. On the third night she barely escapes, losing a shoe in the process. The prince goes looking for the owner of the shoe. When it looks like Cinderella might not get to try the shoe on, her father speaks up in her defense for the first time. Cinderella's godmother returns and transforms her gown one more time. Cinderella and the Prince get married while her step-family tries to be supportive.
Personal Thoughts: This fairy tale retelling is nice and simple using words and descriptions that are easily understood by younger children. The illustrations are a mixture of soft pastel colors and sharp lines. The facial expressions on most of the characters are pretty plain. Cinderella doesn't really have any expression throughout the whole story. The animals on the other hand are quiet cute and full of silly expressions and smiles. The sound effects and simple text make the story a good choice for storytime reading.
Other Books by the Author: Beauty and the Beast (2006); Squeak's good idea (2001); Cowboy Kid (2000);
Interest Level: Ages 3 to 8
Genre: Picture Book
Subjects/Themes: Fairy Tale, Princesses and Princes, Fairy Godmothers,
Plot: A retelling of the classic Cinderella tale. The stepmother is jealous of Cinderella's beauty and makes her cook and clean. The stepsisters were just as mean and made fun on Cinderella. Cinderella's fairy godmother helps transform mice, rats, pumpkins and lizards into footman, horses, drivers, and a carriage. her fairy godmother transforms Cinderella's rags into beautiful gowns three different times for the three different balls. The first two balls Cinderella manages to leave the ball well before midnight. On the third night she barely escapes, losing a shoe in the process. The prince goes looking for the owner of the shoe. When it looks like Cinderella might not get to try the shoe on, her father speaks up in her defense for the first time. Cinderella's godmother returns and transforms her gown one more time. Cinderella and the Prince get married while her step-family tries to be supportive.
Personal Thoughts: This fairy tale retelling is nice and simple using words and descriptions that are easily understood by younger children. The illustrations are a mixture of soft pastel colors and sharp lines. The facial expressions on most of the characters are pretty plain. Cinderella doesn't really have any expression throughout the whole story. The animals on the other hand are quiet cute and full of silly expressions and smiles. The sound effects and simple text make the story a good choice for storytime reading.
Other Books by the Author: Beauty and the Beast (2006); Squeak's good idea (2001); Cowboy Kid (2000);
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