Green Eggs and Ham

By Dr, Seuss

This book is about a character trying to pressure another character into eating green eggs and ham, where he responds no every single time. When he finally gives in, he realizes that he enjoys the green eggs and ham even though it is different. 

This story is classified as fiction because the story is unrealistic and made up. I enjoy the illustrations because of the bright colors and it brings me back to my childhood when I would read all of his stories.

An activity I would have my students do is to make green eggs and ham (one I did while I was in school) and see if they like it even though it is a weird color. Another activity I would do is have the students make a list of things they have tried that they never thought they would, even other than food.

Reader Response Questions

Why do you think Sam-I-Am wanted the other character to try the green eggs and ham?

Do you enjoy the rhyming in Dr. Seuss' books?

What other Dr. Seuss books have you read?

Dr. Suess' real name was Theodore Geigel. He lived from 1904-1991 and wrote 60 books in his lifetime, with Green Eggs and Ham being one of his most famous. His first children's book was called And To Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street in 1937. His books changed the world and are famous in all countries for children. His rhyming stories are iconic and will be read to children for many more years to come. 

 (n.d.). Retrieved October 06, 2016, from http://www.biography.com/people/dr-seuss-9479638 

Love You Forever

Written by Robert Munsch; Illustrated by Sheila McGraw

This is a story about a son and mother who have a loving relationship as she is always there rocking him to sleep no matter what the age, and as the mother becomes older, it is the son's turn to take care of her and rock her. It is a very touching story that has a lot of meaning as you get older and understand how important the relationship with your mom can be. The mother eventually passes on, and the son continues his mother's tradition with his own daughter. 

This story is realistic fiction because it can take place in real life, however, this particular story was made up. The illustrations in this story have lots of shadows and lines and also, very bright colors. 

One classroom activity would be to have the students write a story on a time they remember that their mother or guardian has taken care of them and it made them feel good. Another activity would be to have the students draw a picture along with their story of the time their guardian had made them feel good.

Reader Response Questions

How do your parents show them they love you?

What makes you happy?

What does it mean when someone says to "pass on"?

Robert Munsch is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was diagnosed with OCD and manic-depressive disorder and has been attending 12-step meetings for over 25 years. He publishes around 2 books a year with a total of 54 books published to date. 

 Munsch, R. (n.d.). The Official Website of Robert Munsch. Retrieved October 06, 2016, from http://robertmunsch.com/about 

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Written by Lemony Snicket

These stories are about 3 chilren that come and live with their relative, Count Olaf, after their parents die in a terrible fire.

This is classified as a children's chapter book series, There are 13 of these books that takes them through their time living with their relative who is not very nice. These illustrations are very dark and dreary which coincides with the stories. 

An activity I would use in my classroom would be have the students write a list of alliterations related to these stories because all of the stories have an alliteration as its title. Another activity I would use would be to have a crossword puzzle made with a word bank of all of Sunny's words that she uses and have the students complete it.

Reader Response Questions

Do you enjoy this series of stories?

How do you think the children's lives will be if they continue to live with Count Olaf?

Do you have a relative that you could compare to Count Olaf?

Lemony Snicket has made a very reputable series of books that has sold over 60 million copies and is translated in 41 different languages. All the books were published from 1999-2006. 

 A Series of Unfortunate Events. (n.d.). Retrieved October 06, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Series_of_Unfortunate_Events

Who was Walt Disney?

Written by Whitney Stewart; Illustrated by Nancy Harrison

This story is a biography of Walt Disney and his life and how he started his journey into making the happiest places on Earth.

This story is classified as a biography because it is someone else writing about a person's life. If the person that the story is about wrote it, it would be called an autobiography.

An activity I would use in my classroom would be to have the students write about their favorite spot in Disney World and why. If a student hasn't ever been, have them write why they do or do not want to go there. Another activity would be to have the children make their own amusement park and list everything they would include in their park.

Reader Response Questions
Have you ever been or would you like to go to Disney World?
What do you think about Walt Disney's journey?
Do you enjoy learning about celebrities' lives?

I love the illustrations for this book. They remind me of characitures that you would get done, say, in Disney World!


In my research, I found that there are so many of these biographies all with illustrations by Nancy Harrison. These biographies are a series of books for young children to learn about famous people they learn about in school.

Fab Four Friends

By Susanna Reich and Illustrated by Adam Gustavon

This book tells the story of how John Lennon and his band played at a local fair. Paul McCartney was in the audience and joined the band, while Paul's friend George Harrison kept showing up at their practices until the older boys let him in and lastly, they found the perfect drummer, Ringo Starr and create The Beatles. It tells their story of their journey making the band and how they got to where they are now. 

This story is nonfiction because it is a real story that took place in our world.

One classroom activity I would use woud be to have the students think of what theimselves and three other friends would do if they had the chance to do something they all love together.  Another activity would be to have the students come together in groups of 4 and act out the story. 

Reader Response Questions
Have you ever heard of the Beatles?
Do you think they made the right choice being in a band so young?
What do you think of this story?

I like these illustrations because they are very detailed and look just like the real Beatles.

Susanna Reich is an author of many books for children, including "Fab Four Friends," and has won several awards . She lives in New York's Hudson Valley with her husband. Adam Gustavson is the award-winning illustrator of over twenty books for children, including "Rock and Roll Highway: The Robbie Robertson Story." Adam teaches at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. 

Miss Nelson is Missing

By Harry Allard; Illustrated by James Marshall

This story is about a class of students who are rude and out of control. Miss Nelson could not get them under control so one day, a substitute, Miss Swamp, comes in and is a wicked witch to all the children. The children realized how good they had it when Miss Nelson was there and couldn't wait for her to come back and became the most well behaved class after that. 

This story would be considered contemporary realistic fiction because everything that happens in this story can happen in real life although this story was made up.

One activity I would have would do in my classroom would be to have the students make conclusions on what they think happened to Miss Nelson and share their theories with the class. Another activity would be to have a worksheet with a missing poster on it and they would draw their own teacher and describe her and why they want her found.

Reader Response Questions
Where do you think Miss Nelson went?
Do you think the kids were being too bad?
Have you ever had a substitute that was very mean?



I read this story as a child and really liked it. This author collaborates with this illustrator, James Marshall, on most of his books. I like the illustrations because of their bright colors and lines. Other books this team has made together are a series of books including: The Stupids Step Out, The Stupids Die, and The Stupids Have a Ball. There are also more Miss Nelson books including: Miss Marshall is Back and Miss Nelson Haves a Field Day.