Blogroll

Educating Alice:

http://medinger.wordpress.com/2009/03/18/that-yellow-brick-road/#comment-15927

Miss Rumphius Effect:

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7320080607016581524&postID=8846081526306046039&page=1&isPopup=true

Poetry for Children:

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31122236&postID=1590644885540247782&page=1

Go Away, Big Green Monster!

by: Ed Emberley
Published by: Little, Brown and Company
Copyright 1992

Summary: Die-cut pages through which bits of a monster are revealed are designed to help a child control nighttime fears of monsters.

Strengths: The concept is very cute. I like how the majority of the book is the color black until one body part is emphasized in a different color. The cut outs are appropriate fun for children to view. The monsters in the book are viewed as not scary which would be a great way for children to get rid of their fear of them.

Concerns: The vocabulary is a little young and not very enhanced with little range in broadness.

Age level: Primary (PreK-2)
Classroom Use: Shows children that monsters are not scary and they are silly and there is no need to be scared of them!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows

by: JK Rowling
illustrated by: Mary Grandpre
Published by: Arthur A. Levine Books
Copyright 2007

Summary: The 7th and final year of the epic tale of Harry Potter.

Strengths: This is my absolute favorite book in the entire world! It is extremely easy to follow and understand and gives great description and imagery and imagination. The chapter titles explain what is going to happen and I could not put it down. The illustrations in the beginning of each chapter are very cute. I love the climactic surprises and how it keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Concerns: The length of the book is intimidating and this can turn off readers. I feel like, just how the movie is going to be, it could have been split up into 2 books since there is so much that happens that could fill it in 2 books.

Age level: All ages

Classroom Use: It is fun for pleasure and the characters are very relatable minus the magic and wizardry portion.

The Phantom Tollbooth

by: Norton Juster
illustrated by: Jules Feiffer
Published by: Yearling
Copyright 1961

Summary: A boy's adventure that comes about through a mysterious tollbooth.

Strengths: Each chapter has a title. There are cute illustrations that break up the text- each picture is in black and white which emphasizes the pictures and coincides with the text. I like the imagination and thought put into writing this book-it shows through greatly.
Concerns: The time travel concept could be a little confusing to young children and the story itself is a little long.

Age level: Upper (5-6)

Classroom Use: Teaches about time travel, fantasy, and what imagination can bring about.

The Giver

by: Lois Lowry
Published by: Dell Laurel-Leaf
Copyright 1993

Summary: At age 12, a young boy learns about truth and life's pleasures from the giver.

Strengths: It is an extremely enticing novel. When I picked it up, I basically judged this book by its cover: I did not think I would enjoy this but it is one of my favorites now! It relates well with us by using the main character around the age in which is appropriate for readers of this book.

Concerns: There are some dark images at parts which could become too graphic for children.

Age level: Middle

Classroom Use: Teaches about the pleasures of life and what it has to offer us. It also explains the importance of being truthful.

A Wrinkle in Time

by: Madeleine L' Engle
Published by: Square Fish
Copyright 1962

Summary: Meg Murry and her friends become involved with unearthly strangers and search for Meg's father, who has disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government.

Strengths: It is an easy read with the print being extremely big and visible to readers. Each chapter has both a title and a corresponding number. It is an extremely magical book and I had a hard time putting it down.

Concerns: If trying to teach realism to children, this is not the book to demonstrate those concepts.
Age level: Upper (5-6), Middle
Classroom Use: Teaches children about fictional fantasies

Manga Sisters

by: Saopi Takapai and Misato Takapai
Published by: Manga University
Copyright 2007

Summary: What a sister really is.

Strengths: There are many good messages portrayed.

Concerns: Some of the pictures are graphic and this novel does not come across as a graphic novel.

Age level: Upper (5-6)

Classroom Use: To learn the strong bonds between sisters and family.

Rapunzel's Revenge

by: Shannon and Dean Hale

illustrated by: Nathan Hale
Published by: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Copyright 2008

Summary: Traditional Fairy tale takes a unique turn in heroism

Strengths: There are colorful illustrations. I also like how the story is broken up into parts and the story itself is easy to understand. I like how the author starts out with a fairy tale that we all know and love.

Concerns: They imply femministic ideals which can be a hard concept for children to grasp. It is also a very dark book which can be scary for children to read.

Age level: Elementary (3-4), Upper (5-6)

Classroom Use: It is a different twist on a traditional tale which brings another perspective for children to see.

The Plain Jones

by: Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg
Published by: DC Comics
Copyright 2007

Summary: A girl deals with the problems of moving to a new city

Strengths: There are good illustrations, an easy read, and a very good concept.

Concerns: I really do not enjoy the setup of graphic novels and the fact that it was all in black and white.

Age level: Elementary (3-4), Upper (5-6)

Classroom Use: We can relate easily with our daily lives and problems we encounter.

Tokyo MewMew

by: Mia Ikumi
illustrated by: Reiko Yoshida
Published by: Kodansha Ltd
Copyright 2002

Strengths: There are many detailed illustrations and displays much multiculturalism.

Concerns: There are many scattered pictures and text in which it is extremely hard to follow. It is also hard to relate because it is in a different language and displays a different culture.

Age level: Elementary (3-4), Upper (5-6)
Classroom Use: It displays diversity and multiculturalism.

Hannah Montana

Published by: TokyoPop
Copyright 2007

Summary: The typical, daily life of Hannah Montana/Miley Stewart

Strengths: I like how in the beginning of the book, it explains who is who. The presentation is very well done by using clips from the hit TV show. The dialogue is easy to understand and it is portrayed in bubble captions.

Concerns: The pictures are scattered and hard to distinguish the order in which it is happening.

Age level: Elementary ( 3-4)

Classroom Use: Its a fun book to read for pleasure

Who Made God and Other Things We Wonder About

by: Larry Libby
illustrated by: Corbert Gauthier
Published by: Zonderkidz
Copyright 1996

Summary: Learning about creation and who God is.

Strengths: There are many detailed pictures. I like how the questions that set off and are answered in description. It also brings inadvertently a religious aspect and this books simplifies potentially difficult areas of study.

Concerns: Although I like how it teaches children a religious aspect, quoting from the the Bible, I feel, is putting too much emphasis for children at such a young age. I feel young children would find it difficult to grasp and the book would be just as strong without this emphasis.

Age level: Upper (5-6), Middle
Classroom Use: Teaches children about God, creation, and his importance in our universe.

Little Town on the Prairie

by: Laura Ingalls Wilder
illustrated by: Garth Williams
Published by: HarperTrophy
Copyright 1971

Summary: Winter ended and spring arrives with new events for the Wilders.

Strengths: The characters are of a family in which children are a part of. I like how there are some pictures on pages which break up the text and the text itself is big and easily visible. Also, I like how the chapter headings are not in numbers.

Concerns: It is a little too long with not a whole lot of action going on.

Age level: Elementary (3-4), Upper (5-6)
Classroom Use: Children are able to learn what life was like in a different time period with families just like theirs.

Number the Stars

by: Lois Lowry
Published by: Yearling
Copyright 1989

Summary: Two girls living in the time of the war and the Nazi invasion.

Strengths: The characters are easy to relate too which makes the novel an easy read and very understandable. Each chapter title gives a basic idea of what the chapter is about and it is not just labeled with numbers. This is one of my favorite books when I was little and I feel that it definitely deserved its honor award. The chapters are not too long or short and the captivated my attention.
Concerns: I was very sad when it ended and I wanted to keep reading and it to prolong.

Age level: Elementary ( 3-4)

Classroom Use: To teach about the horrors of the Holocaust and Jewish history.

The Watsons go to Birmingham-1963

by: Christopher Paul Curtis
Published by: Dell Laurel-Leaf
Copyright 1995

Summary: A family heading to visit Grandma in Birmingham during one of the darkest moments in the history of America.

Strengths: The chapter titles are not numbers and actually give a little idea of what the chapter will be about. It also gives history on a dark moment in American history and relates to us what an average family had to go through.

Concerns: I did not care much for the book. I felt it was too slow moving for me. The print is also very small and hard to read.
Age level: Upper(5-6), Middle

Classroom Use: Children are able to learn what life was like in Birmingham at this time. It also informs children about blacks and diversity.

Before John was a Jazz Giant

by: Carole Boston Weatherford
illustrated by: Sean Qualls
Published by: Henry Holt and Company
Copyright 2008

Summary: Tells the story by John Coltrane's claim to fame

Strengths: The text and pictures correspond accordingly( the pictures are on the same page that the text is referring too). There are good illustrations and the use of color portrayed- it feels like it took place in a different time period than life today.

Concerns: Although the text and pictures complement each other, on the same pages I feel there is too much going on and it is very busy and when looking at it, your eyes scatter everywhere on the page. The ending was also a little unclear- I had to look back because it is not directly stated and no directly ended: it kind of implied a metaphorical ending.

Age level: Elementary ( 3-4)

Classroom Use: It teaches children that their dreams can really come true

Titanic: Disaster at Sea

By: Martin Jenkins
Illustrated by: Brian Sanders
Published by: Candlewick Press
Copyright 2008

Summary: The story of the Titanic

Strengths: There are great pictures of the ship and the event. Each page is unique in how it presents the information displayed on the page.

Concerns: The vocab is a little hard for youngsters to comprehend. There is so much text on the pages that it can become overwhelming and intimidating. It did not seem suitable for an elementary children's book. It seems like it would be more appropriate for middle school reading level.

Age level: Upper (5-6), Middle

Classroom Use: Children can learn about shipwrecks and the importance of the Titanic. It also teaches how ships have changed their safety measures because of the Titanic

Smart About the Presidents

written and illustrated by: Jon Buller and Susan Schode, MaryAnn Cocca-Leffler, Dana Regan, Jill Weber
Published by: Grosset and Dunlap
Copyright 2004

Summary: What life is like being a president of the United States

Strengths: It gives a brief overview of what life is like as a president and the background of presidential duties. It talks briefly about the most important things each president contributed to the country. The print is relatable to children because it looks like a child's handwriting.

Concerns: Its very busy. There is too much busywork with all the different pictures and writings all together.

Age level: Primary (PreK-2), Elementary (3-4)

Classroom Use: To learn about the presidential leaders of our country and political life. It teaches students a beginning to American History

If You Lived in Colonial Times

by: Ann McGovern
Illustrated by: June Otani
Published by: Scholastic
Copyright 1964

Summary: Life in the colonial times.

Strengths: The table of contents are displayed through questions which will directly be answered in the chapter and it is very easy to find. It is also a very easy read in which it simplifies concepts that could be complicating. The pictures coincide with the text and easily relatable for children in both the text and the pictures.

Concerns: Some of the pages address too many points that it can become overcrowded.

Age level: Elementary ( 3-4)

Classroom Use: Children are able to learn about colonial times in which to compare and contrast it to present day. They are informed of what life was really like in 1565-1776 in New England colonies.

Introducing Michaelangelo

by: Robin Richmond
Published by: Little, Brown and Company
Copyright 1991
Summary: A biography of the Renaissance artist, illustrated with reproductions of his work.

Strengths: The illustrations are detailed which describe the text on the page. It does a good job at projecting the information and the titles explain what the select passage details out.

Concerns: Some pages are too busy-there is too much going on whether it is many pictures or more text or both. Some of the illustrations are not suitable for young eyes to view such as Michelangelo's David and other statues.

Age level: Upper (5-6)

Classroom Use: To teach children about Michelangelo and his life and paintings. To learn about Italian art as well and the importance of the Rennaissance period.

Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story From the Underground Railroad

by: Ellen Levine
Illustrated by: Kadir Nelson
Published by: Scholastic
Copyright 2007
Summary: Henry Brown's life as a slave

Strengths: There are very detailed illustrations and present itself with an emphasis on the time period given and the mood of the story. For example, the dark colors indicating that slavery was a very dark time in history. The main character's thoughts are italicized to show he is thinking it rather than saying it.

Concerns: There is abrupt transitioning in that it shows his aging but it was very sudden and had me taken aback. The print is very small and hard to read with the vibrant emphasis on the pictures.

Age level: Elementary (3-4)

Classroom Use: Information on what slavery is and its brutality. Comparing to children now and what it was like for children back then to live through this period in history.

Little Women

by Louisa May Alcott
Illustrated by Louis Jambor
Published by Grosset and Dunlap, Inc
Copyright 1947

Summary: Four sisters living with their mom and the challenges they face growing up.

Strengths: The illustrations were very good: I liked how on one page there was an illustration and the other was the text that portrays the picture. It is a story that is easily understandable even though it is set in a different time period than present day. The titles of each chapter give a good sense of what the chapter is about.

Concerns: There are many different versions on the story and it is way too long. The story itself is very enjoyable but I feel that if some details were left out, the story would be much more enjoyable to read since the length is intimidating.

Age level: Upper(5-6)

Classroom Use: To learn about kids just like us but living in a different time period in history.

The Face on the Milk Carton

by Caroline B Cooney
Published by Dell Laurel-Leaf, an imprint of Random House Children's Books
Copyright 1993

Summary: A girl glanced at an ordinary girl on a milk carton realizing it was she.

Strengths: It was a book I could not put down. I kept wanting to know what would happen. The characters in the story were very easy to relate too.

Concerns: The print is tiny to the point that its as if you woulf need a magnifying glass to read it.

Age level: Upper(5-6)

Classroom Use: It is a good book for pleasure reading and to also see a different life other than your own of the same age.

Ramona Quimby, Age 8

by Beverly Cleary
Illustrated by Tracy Dockray
Published by Harper Trophy(registered trademark of Harper Collins Publishers)
Copyright 1981

Summary: It goes through the daily life trying to be a 3rd grader.

Strengths: There are cute illustrations scattered throughout the pages. I like how it is still primarily a chapter book even with pictures that give the reader a break from just reading pages of just text. The text is big and visible and the titles summarize the chapters in a sentence.

Concerns: I did not like the book itself. It was not eventful and not much happened.

Age level: Elementary(3-5)

Classroom Use: It encourages free reading and children can relate their experiences to the ones exemplified in the book.

Where the Red Fern Grows

by Wilson Rawls
Pulished by Yearling ( imprint of Random House Children's Books)
Copyright 1961

Summary: A boy and his two dogs adventure into the hunting grounds of the Cherokee country.

Strengths: It is such a heart warming story. It is very easy to read and sparked my interest being an animal lover, especially for my love of dogs. The length of the chapters was perfect: it wasn't too long or too short.

Concerns: The chapters did not have titles but roman numerals. Roman Numerals make it hard to find out what chapter you are on. Maybe if it did not want to have chapter titles, to have numbers for the chapters and not roman numerals. Also, the print is small that it is hard to read.

Age level: Upper(5-6)

Classroom Use: Teaches that animals are part of the family since they are very protective creatures and love you unconditionally just like parents and siblings.

Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems

by Joyce Sidman
Illustrated by Beckie Prange
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company
Copyright 2005

Summary: A collection of poems that provide a look at some of the animals, insects, and plants that are found in ponds, with accompanying information about each.

Strengths: The illustrations are fantastic! It looks like the pictures are popping out of the page which almost looks three dimensional. The words take on different shapes in the presentation of the text. There is also a brief description and background information of each animal being described. The bright colors on the page drew me in.

Concerns: I would not have known about this book if it was not on the capital choice list and we were not required to read one on this list. It turned out to be a poem I could not put down and wanted to read more.

Age level: Elementary(3-4) and Upper(5-6)

Classroom Use: Learning about different animals and their habitats

A Bad Case of the Giggles: Poems that will make you laugh out loud

Illustrated by Stephen Carpenter
Published by Meadowbrook Creations
Copyright 2008

Summary: A collection of humorous poems by such authors as Jack Prelutsky, Shel Silverstein, and other lesser known poets.

Strengths: I like how each poem is divided into different categories in which the peom pertains to a specific category. Pictures that take over two pages relates to two seperate poems, but it brings both poems by a single picture. The illustrations are cute and can easily grab children's attention.

Concerns: Its very similar to Shel Silverstein even helping that some of his poems are in there. The title is misleading-the select poems that I read did not make me laugh out loud; it just brought a smile :)

Age level: Elementary(3-4) and Upper(5-6)

Classroom Use: Explaining that poems can be classified into categories

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

by Robert Frost
Illustrated by Susan Jeffers
Published by Dutton Children's Books
Copyright 1923,1969

Summary: Illustrations of wintry scenes accompany each line of the well known poem.

Strengths: The illustrations are very detailed and a good representation of the setting. The colors express the time of day for example, the darker the picture shows a later part of the day. There are bright colors surrounding the mostly white page bring out the pictures even more. I also like how the words on each page illustrate the picture's action.

Concerns: I felt the poem's language was hard to comprehend even for me let alone young children. I feel it is to poetic for young children.

Age level: Upper(5-6) and Middle School

Classroom Use: It is a good poem to teach when introducing the art of poetry.

Falling Up

by Shel Silverstein
Published by Harper Collins Publishers
Copyright 1996

Summary: A Collection of funny, cute, light hearted poems.

Strengths: These poems are cute and funny that are extremely imaginative. The illustrations enhance the poem even more especially since they are in black and white. Whether the poems are short or long, some take up the entire two pages with the text and illustrations. I like this because it is all random in which takes over two pages or one.

Age level: Elementary(3-4) and Upper(5-6)

Classroom Use: Reading Shel Silverstein's poetry is a fun, leisurable activity to engage with children. It is also a good thing to do on a rainy or snowy day especially since many of his poems pertain to activities pertaining to this.

The Witch's Children

by Ursula Jones
Illustrated by Russel Ayto
Published by Henry Holt and Company
Copyright 2001

Summary: When the two older witch's children use their magic to create trouble in the park, the Little One knows how to fix the problem.

Strengths: The illustrations were good and detailed. The illustrations using a double page spread are essential and exemplify the action. With the use of words and pictures, it relates well to a child's point of view. Certain words are exemplified in BIG BOLD LETTERS that involve emphasis.

Concerns: The words are scattered all over the pages which can get a bit confusing as I was reading.

Age level: Primary (K-2)

Classroom Use: Teaches children to always ask their parents when they need help. It is also a good book to read right before Halloween to get the kids excited about the upcoming fun holiday!

The Snowy Day

by Ezra Jack Keats
Published by Puffin Books
Copyright 1962

Summary: The adventures of a little boy in the city on a very snowy day.

Strengths: There are such cute illustrations which provide a wide variety of colors. Some pictures are expressed in a double page spread which works because it creates a scenic scenery of winter time and this is expressed across both pages. I like how this book shows how much fun someone can have on a snow day. The texture in the snow is not just plain white, but it has musty colors embedded which makes the snow look more realistic in a way. Both the sounds and words illustrate each picture's actions.

Age level: PreK

Classroom Use: Teaches children about sounds and a fun book to read on a snowy day

Grimm's Fairy Tales: The Companionship of the Cat and the Mouse

by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
Illustrations by Walter Crane
Published by Borders Classics
Copyright 2008

Summary: A Collection of Grimm's Fairy Tales

Strengths: Their are clever names used throughout the tale. It is also easily readable and able to be understood. This story possesses similar characteristics of the movie/show Tom and Jerry which makes me want to believe their is some connection that lies there.

Concerns: The ending of this tale is violent which is not suitable for young readers in many aspects.

Age level: Upper (5-6)

Classroom Use: Teaches the act of greediness and deception. This is a great tale to teach children not to act this way. Always choose your friends wisely.

Classic Fairy Tales: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Illustrated by Scott Gustafson
Published by The Greenwich Workshop Inc
Copyright 2003

Summary: An illustrated collection of ten traditional fairy tales including "Goldilocks and the Three Bears", "Puss in Boots", "Little Red Riding Hood", "Snow White", "Tom Thumb", "Hansel and Gretal", "The Frog Prince", "Rumpelstiltskin", "Cinderella", and "3 Pigs."

Strengths: Its such a classic story with very good illustrations. I like how certain words of the text emphasize emotions such as expressing anger when the bears are angry.

Concerns: Some of the text stated does not illustrate the selected pictures shown on the page.

Age level: Primary (K-2)

Classroom Use: It teaches to always use your manners and to always be respectful and polite.

The Korean Cinderella

by Shirley Climo
Illustrated by Ruth Heller
Published by Harper Collins Publishers
Copyright 1993

Summary: In this version of Cinderella set in ancient Korea, Pear Blossom, a stepchild, eventually comes to be chosen by the magistrate to be his wife.

Strengths: The illustrations are incredible. This version was not at all how I expected it to be- it didn't resemble the Cinderella story that we know and love today and it brought a different cultural aspect to it for us to embrace. The text sets up the action of the picture on the next page. It is extremely creative, diferent, and not what one would expect with the title given as Cinderella.

Concerns: It is a little hard to understand if one is not familiar with the Korean culture. I had to reread some events that happened a couple times because it was hard for me to understand and comprehend.

Age level: Upper

Classroom Use: It embraces a new culture and helps students learn about different cultures other than their own. This story helps students see how classic stories are portrayed in different cultures and countries.

Rapunzel

by Paul O Zelinsky
Published by Dutton's Children's Books
Copyright 1997

Summary: A retelling of the German folklore in which a beautiful girl with long golden hair is kept imprisoned in a lonely tower by a sorceress.

Strengths: The illustrations are extremely detailed with lots of vivid colors. Alot of the pages have the text one one side with the picture on the other emphasizing it. The colors displayed in the illustrations do a good job enforcing night time and day time settings.

Concerns: I personally did not like this version of the story. I felt it was more violent especially when the prince is thrown off the tower and becomes blind. His blindness is cured from one of Rapunzel's tears which is extremely unrealistic. This version also seems to tie in an Adam and Eve aspect when Rapunzel's mother eats the rapunzel food from the sorceress's garden anyway when told not too. In consequence, her child is given to the sorceress as she continues to eat the rapunzel.

Age level: Elementary, Upper

I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean

by Kevin Sherry
Published by Dial Books for Young Readers
Copyright 2007

Summary: A giant squid brags about being bigger than everything else in the ocean-almost.

Strengths: There are very cute illustrations and the text and pictures do a good job at corresponding with each other. The many double page spreads throughout the book works well with the story as well as the folding pages containing repeated actions.

Concerns: The text ends before the book ends and leaves it up to the pictures to finish off the story. Although the illustrations are good, I didn't like how the text just ended. I feel some of the vocabulary does not correspond to the elementary level. In addition, some of the illustrations of the creatures are scary looking.

Age level: PreK-Primary

Classroom Use: Teaches about the ocean and the size of creatures

Love You Forever

by Robert Munsch
Illustrated by Sheila Mcgraw
Published by Firefly Books
Copyright 1987

Summary: Tells the story of a child growing up

Strengths: There are very detailed illustrations with lots of colors. The song the mother sings to her child in the book repeats throughout the story and this reinforces how important a mother's love is for her child. Also, the repeated action of the mother going into the son's room every night shows her love for her son. On the pages that contain just text, the black and white spotted drawings makes these pages more lively.

Concerns: The text pages with no spotted drawings are very plain and the text itself is on the small side. Some events in the story show rambunctiousness from the boy which can give readers the wrong idea of behaving.

Age level: Elementary

Classroom Use: teaches the love of your family and its unconditional love

Happy Birthday Moon

by Frank Asch
Published by Aladdin Paperbacks
Copyright 1982

Summary: When a bear discovers that the moon shares his birthday, he buys the moon a beautiful hat as a present.

Strengths: The illustrations do a very good job at reflecting the night time scenery without giving off a scary mood. They are also displayed in a frame setting which outlines the page and in the frame, there is a good variety of small and big illustrations.

Age level: Primary ( K-2)

Classroom Use: possesses determination- when you put your mind to something don't give up for example when the bear lost the moon's birthday present and he traveled across the rivers and mountains to get it back for him.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

by Eric Carle
Published by Philomel Books
Copyright 1969 and 1987

Summary: Follows the progress of a very hungry caterpillar as he eats his way through a varied and very large quantity of food, until, full at last, he forms a coccoon around himself and goes to sleep.

Strengths: The illustrations show a wide variety of vivid colors and being happiness because of such the bright colors. The author's use of the white spaces works in this book because it brings out the vivid use of colors. The illustrations are also simplistic which makes it easy for readers to depict what things are.

Concerns: It is just the same black font throughout the entire book and it is also small which can be hard and difficult for viewers to see who are sitting farther away in a classroom.

Age level: (PreK, Primary)

Classroom Use: It is good for progressions in which the caterpillar goes from being very small to being very fat and it goes through the stages of becoming a beautiful butterfly. Also, this book emphasizes counting principles by counting how many foods he eats each day when he becomes fat.