Read-to-Me-Mama- Mondays #5

In this edition of R2MM Mondays, we were able to review a series of books by Nicholas Oldland (author /illlustrator) of the three titles we received.

Big Bear Hug, 

© 2009, 

4-color • 8 x 8 • 32 pages, 

Ages: 3 to 7, 

Grades: Pres

chool to 2, 

Hardcover Jacket, ISBN:978-1-55453-464-7, $16.95 CAD

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

Science & Technology

Life Science
habitats
ecosystem
READING LEVELS
Fountas & Pinnell I
Grade Level 1/2
Reading Recovery15-16
Accelerated ReaderLG   2.5
About the book: 
Bear is a hugger...yes a huge bear is wandering through the forest and he's hugging everything he sees! A beaver? And a moose? And a bird? And a tree?Welcome to the world of Big Bear Hug, a contemporary fable about a bear who has an appetite for hugging everything in sight - even creatures that bears have been known to eat. One day, the benevolent bear meets up with a human. This human proceeds to do something the bear cannot understand: he raises his axe and begins to cut down a tree. Suddenly the bear doesn't feel like hugging anymore and must make a difficult decision on how to stop this destruction in his forest. The environmental message of Big Bear Hug is both funny and powerful, while simple enough to engage very young children and show them the awesome power of a hug.
My Review: I love the premise behind this story...of which there are many. First, the bear hugs everything he sees...even things he has been known to eat. Second, when faced with a decision, bear realizes he must take stand and make hi point known to the human. And third, the environment message underlying that leads you to ask "what would the animals do if they took a stand on the harvesting of trees?" makes you wonder if all humans in the forest would meet the same demise as this one did???? I love the things that come into my adult brain when I read this, especially because I was raised in a town where the forestry industry is the main staple of income for most. What if the animals all rebelled to the cutting down of trees...how would they do it? What would be the end result? This book brings to a lighthearted look on the ecosystems and habitats of animals a great way to touch briefly on the environment as well. I discussed with Princess B, what bear could have changed to his reaction in the trees being cut down. We also talked about emotions and how they get expressed differently in various situations.

Making the Moose Out of Life, © 2010, 4-color • 8 x 8 • 32 pages, Ages: 3 to 7, Grades: Preschool to 2, Hardcover Jacket, ISBN:978-1-55453-580-4, $16.95 CAD

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

Language Arts

Picture Books

READING LEVELS

Fountas & Pinnell I

Grade Level 1/2

Reading Recovery15-16

About the book:

Moose is from the start of the story, quiet and reserved in his character. This moose may live in the wild, but he doesn't act it — he watches from the sidelines as his friends have fun. Every now and then, he wonders if he's missing out on anything. When the moose finally takes a chance and goes on a solo sailing trip, a raging storm carries him far from everything he knows. Will he curl up in a ball and cry, or make the 'moose' of it? This once mild-mannered moose, soon learns how to take life by the antlers.

The moose's unlikely hero-journey is a lighthearted, contemporary fable that celebrates living life to the fullest.

My Review: This is a great read to show how not everything we do is set in stone, and when we are faced with a dilemma we must make the 'moose' of it. Live life to its fullest potential. this book introduces kids to the idea of making friends as well as getting to know yourself. The pun also kept me interested as an adult. It talks of how trying something new gives you confidence and self-esteem.

The Busy Beaver, © 2011, 4-color • 8 x 8 • 32 pages,  Ages: 3 to 7, Grades: PreSchool to 2, Hardcover Jacket, ISBN: 978-1-55453-749-5, $16.95 CAD
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

Language Arts

Picture Books

READING LEVELS

Fountas & Pinnell I

Grade Level 1/2

Reading Recovery15-16

About the book:
The busy but careless beaver spends his days following random impulses, rarely thinking things through and leaving in his wake a devastated forest filled with stumps, half-nibbled trees and injured, homeless animals. But then one day the beaver finds himself on the wrong side of a falling tree, which as it turns out, is just the thing to knock some sense into him. After reflecting on his behavior, he decides to make some changes. Soon, the now wiser and gentler beaver is getting down to the business of making things right, much to the delighted surprise of his forest friends. This charming story which gently teaches youngsters how to take care with others, as well as the world around us.
My Review: I love the idea behind this book that if we rush through things without taking the time...things don't get done right. This is something for my new JK'er, she rushes everything and fails to take her time just so she get things done. This leads to carelessness and messy work along with disorganization in the long run. It shows how if you just slow down and look around you notice how things were not done in the greatest of your potential and could cause harm others around us.



This series of books by Nicholas Oldland, are colourful and the illustrations are stunning. Oldland has wonderful ideas that come to life in his 3 books here. We really enjoy reading them time and again.

Disclaimer: I received these books from Kids Can Press for the purpose of writing a review of the them, free of charge. There was no monetary gains made on my part. The opinions expressed here at strictly that of mine and you are free to make your own judgement.