Tiger and Mouse: The Gift of Helping Others



 

 Tiger and Mouse: The Gift of Helping Others is was written by Theodore Allen Lightfoot and illustrated by Elizabeth and Phillip Armstrong. I automatically fell in love with this children's book because of the lesson it can teach its reader. This book is about a young mouse that has to help his mother by finding food for his family and receives a helping hand from his friend, Tiger. This book would be classified in the fantasy genre because its literature and characters are based on events that could not happen in real life. For example, the tiger and the mouse talking to each other.

                                           

 

     This book teaches its readers to help one another and not expect something in return. A motivational activity that was suggested in the book that I think is a great idea is to have my class bring in canned goods to donate to a local food bank. This will teach my students the joy of doing a good deed. Another activity I could do is have my class come up with a list of helpful things that they can do to help someone in need. After reading this book with my class I have them answer questions like:

      1. What is one helpful thing you can do at home?

      2. Do you think Tiger was helping Mouse to get something in return?

     

   One of my favorite parts in the book was when the Mouse family stepped outside to see all the food Tiger had brought them. They were so excited and were ready to dive in; however, Mother Mouse made sure to remind them to give thanks before they ate.

 

                                              

 

     Theodore Lightfoot gains most of his inspiration to write from his two children. He has created other books that have Mouse and Tiger as the main characters. A few similar books to Tiger and Mouse are :

        The Bee Bully by: Angela Muse

        The Fox and the Grapes by: Roberto Piumini

        Monkey and Croc by: Will Terry

 

References

 

Galda, C. &. (2011). Literature and the Child Seventh Edition . Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing .

 

Lightfoot, T.A. (2011). Tiger and Mouse The Gift of Helping Others. Lightfoot Books





I Love the Skin I'm In!

             I Love the Skin I'm In written by Mayma Raphael and illustrated by Hailey Cryan is an eye opening read for any young reader. I Love the Skin I'm In is about a little girl named Ruby who is curious as to why her skin color is different. Throughout the story Ruby asks her mom questions like, "Mommy, whys is my skin brown?" Ruby's mom educates her and expresses to her that her skin color makes her unique. Her mother also explains to her that her skin color can tell her a lot about her family and ancestors.

 

          The illustrator does an amazing job incorporating visual appeal to the reader; as well as, the way he portrayed the children. The genre, I Love the Skin I'm In is contemporary realistic fiction. This genre fits this book best because the story line is based on realistic events; as well as, holds a well-defined conflict. The questions Ruby asks her mom throughout the story are questions that I'm sure many children ask their parents. Ruby's mom did an excellent job of answering Ruby's questions. Ruby was filled with confidence in knowing that her beautiful skin can take her wherever she wanted to go.

 

                          

 



          

      There are a few motivational activities that I would incorporate in my classroom after reading I Love the Skin I'm In. For example, in the story there is a discussion about how your skin color can tell you a lot about where you are from and about your ancestors. I would have my students create a family tree. This would teach my students about the history of their family; as well as, the history and culture of their friends ancestors. Two response questions for this assignment would be:
                      

• Where are your ancestors from?
•  What did your ancestors do for fun?  

Another class activity I would do is discus with my students what they want to be when they

 grow up. I would have them create a list of professions  and what is needed in order to have that profession. For example, if they wanted to be a firefighter I would ask them what tools would be needed in order to be a good firefighter.

 

 

For another activity I would use one of the examples from the book. I would bring in bags of different colored apples; however, I would peel them so the students couldn't "see" the difference between a green apple or a red apple. I would place the different colored apples in separate bowls and allow the children to taste them. I would then ask these response questions:

• Does bowl one look different than bowl two?
• Is there a difference in taste from bowl one and two?

I believe I Love the Skin I'm In educates readers on the importance of multicultural diversity. It teaches readers that skin color has nothing to do with what is on the inside. I believe this book incorporates Saint Leo's Core Value of Respect in regards to expressing the strength in cultural diversity; as well as, having respect for individual uniqueness.

Mayma Raphael got inspiration from her children to write I Love the Skin I'm In. Originally from the Dominica Mayma now resides as a stay at home mom in New York. One similar book to I Love the Skin I'm In is Shades of People written by Shelley Rotner.
 
                                              References

  Galda, C. &. (2011). Literature and the Child Seventh Edition . Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing .

Raphael, M. (2012). I Love the Skin I'm In! Yorkstown Heights: Mom Publishing .