Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett

Pay really close attention to the pictures in this book. First, the pictures tell some of the story of what is happening to Sam and Dave. Also, look closely at the pictures at the beginning and end of the story. Look really closely.

That's (Not) Mine - Partner Read

Yesterday we read You Are (Not) Small by Anna Kang, and today we get to read another book by the same author with the same characters. Once again you get to be the purple character and I will be the orange character. Watch closely! You get to start.

Number the Stars Chapter 6-7

Let's keep looking for BIG ideas in Number the Stars. Once you see a lesson, or a theme, that is being taught in a story, it becomes easier to find evidence of that theme. Keep listening for evidence in the characters' words and actions that show the themes in Number the Stars.

Chapter 6:

Chapter 7:

You Are (Not) Small - Partner Read

Time to read another book together. I will be the orange character you see on the cover. You will be the purple character that looks a lot like him.

Number the Stars Chapter 4-5

Today keep looking for BIG ideas or lessons from the story. All good stories have BIG ideas (also called lessons or themes) that readers can use in their own lives. None of us live in Denmark during World War II, but we still can use some of the lessons learned in Number the Stars.

As you think of those BIG ideas, look for the small moments that teach those lessons. Look at what characters say or do. Think about how characters react to the events in the story and ask why they act that way. For example, one BIG idea came from Mrs. Johansen in chapter 3. She says that friends will take care of the Hirsch family. "That's what friends do," she says. If friends taking care of one another is a theme in Number the Stars, can we find examples of characters doing just that?

Chapter 4:

Chapter 5:

Beauty and the Beast read by Paige O'Hara

Paige O'Hara is the voice of Belle in Beauty and the Beast, the original animated Disney movie. I hope you enjoy this short story version of Beauty and the Beast, read by Belle herself!

The Book with No Pictures by B. J. Novak

A friend recommended this book to me. "The kids will love it!" my friend said. "You just need to read it out loud for them. It will be great!"

I'm not sure I should trust this friend anymore. Just watch the video and you'll see why.

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown

It sure seems odd to see a Tiger walking around on two legs and wearing a suit and a top hat. Actually, it's strange to see all the animals doing that. It seem like they act that way because everyone else is. 

What changes for Mr. Tiger? What does he do about it, and how does his decision affect everyone else in the city? What do all the animals learn about who they should be?

Finally, what important lesson is there for all of us in this book? 

Monkey and ME - Partner Read

Your job for today's partner read is to tell what the girl and her monkey go to see. Use the pictures and BIG WORDS to read each animal they go to see. 

Forky in Craft Buddy Day by Drew Daywalt read by Tony Hale

A story about Forky read by ... Forky? Here is Tony Hale, the voice of Forky in Toy Story 4, reading Forky in Craft Buddy Day by Drew Daywalt. Enjoy!

Number the Stars Chapter 3

As you listen to chapter 3 today, be listening for any parts that you feel are important. Are there any sentences or paragraphs that stand out to you, almost like they are written in bold words because they are so important? Pay attention! Authors are always giving hints and clues, and if something seems important to you, there's a good chance you noticed it for a reason.

This is a Ball - Partner Read

This book is different than most of the books we have had for partner reads. The other books had two parts, one for me to read and another for you to read. Or at least the other books have a part you can read with me, like a repeated line.

But for this one you just need to follow along and tell me what you think as I read. I really need you to help me get everything right. Ready? Thanks!

The Yellow Star by Carmen Agra Deedy

The Yellow Star: The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark is a great book by itself. It tells the story about how the King of Denmark quietly and bravely stood up to the Nazi army of Germany at the beginning of World War II. The Yellow Star is also an introduction to the next 4th grade read aloud book, Number the Stars.

Fourth graders, pay close attention to the story and what Denmark was like at the beginning of World War II. Everyone else (and fourth graders too) enjoy the story.

A New Purpose (from Toy Story) read by Ally Maki

Ally Maki is the voice of Giggle McDimples in Toy Story 4. Here she is reading a story called A New Purpose from Toy Story.

Savvy Chapter 37 - The End

Nunber the Stars Chapter 1-2

As we start a new read aloud book, be sure to pay attention to who, what, where, when, why, and how of the story. All of this information in the first couple chapters of any book are super-important to understand and remember. Number the Stars takes place in the past which makes it historical fiction. Pay close attention to when the story takes place. It matters a great deal to the events of the story.

Chapter 1: 

Chapter 2: 

Wolves by Emily Gravett

Yesterday we read The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs, but it was told from the wolf's perspective. In the story the wolf says, "I don't know how this whole Big Bad Wolf thing got started, but it's all wrong." Maybe this book will help him understand.

Did you pay close attention to the pictures in Wolves? At first the pictures seem pretty simple, but there's actually a lot happening. What did you notice? What was happening in the story while our main character, Rabbit, was lost in his new library book?

Savvy Chapter 35-36

One Family - Partner Read

One Family is a counting book. One Family is a book with things hidden in the pictures. Most importantly, One Family is a book about how families are all so different from one another yet are still families.

As you read with me, look at how different each family is from the others in the book. Which family is most like yours? Also, listen to what is named in the reading and see if you can find those items in the pictures. Feel free go back and watch the video a second time and pause it when you need to.

A Place for Mulan by Marie Chow read by Ming-Na Wen

Ming-Na Wen is the actress who does the voice of Mulan in the original animated Disney movie. (A different actress, Liu Yifei, plays Mulan in the new live-action movie coming out this summer.) This story is about how Mulan tries to fit in but finds it difficult. She learns a great lesson from her father about being who you were meant to be - yourself. Everyone has gifts of their own, and no one needs to try to be like everyone else.

Koala Lou by Mem Fox - Partner Read

For today's partner read you get to read the part of a mother who loves her child very much. You only have one line, but it repeats a lot. You get to say, "Koala Lou, I DO love you!" Make sure to make your voice sound like a mom who loves, loves, loves her child!

Let's read Koala Lou by Mem Fox together.

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka

The narrator of any story will tell the story from their own perspective. Perspective is how you look at something or how you feel about a certain thing. In a story a narrator's perspective is affected by who they are and role they play in the story.

You know the story of the three little pigs, of course. How would that story change if it was told from the wolf's perspective? Do you think the wolf would look at the events in the story differently than the pigs? Let's find out in The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by A. Wolf.

Savvy Chapter 34

Chewie and the Porgs by Kevin Shinick read by Joonas Suotamo

Here's another Star Wars book read by a Star Wars actor. This one is read by Joonas Suotamo, the actor who plays my favorite character, Chewbacca! This book gives more details about what happens when Chewbacca is on Ahch-To, the planet where Luke lives in The Last Jedi.

After the Fall by Dan Santat

All of you probably know the short nursery rhyme about Humpty Dumpty.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again.

Author Dan Santat took that short nursery rhyme and wrote a story that tells what happened to Humpty Dumpty after his great fall.

What message can you take from this story? That's what a theme is: a lesson you can take from a story and use in your own life. What lesson do you learn in After the Fall, and how or when could you use it in your own life?

Savvy Chapter 32-33

Should I Share My Ice Cream? - Partner Read

Time for another Elephant and Piggie book. Let's read Should I Share My Ice Cream? together. This time I am reading Gerald the Elephant's part, and you get to read Piggie's part.

Moana and the Ocean by Heather Knowles read by Auli'i Cravalho

Moana is one of my favorite Disney movies, so I thought it was pretty cool to hear a Moana book read by Auli'i Cravalho, the actress who is the voice of Moana!

First, a quick lesson. The narrator of a story is whoever tells the story. Sometimes the narrator is "first person" which means that a character in the story tells the story. You can spot a first person narrator because they use words like I and me to tell the story. Sometimes the narrator is "third person" which means the story is told by a narrator that is not in the story. Third person narrators use words like he and she and they because they are telling a story about other people.

This story has a first person narrator. But what is interesting in this story is that the character telling the story is the ocean. Wait, the ocean is a character in a story? How can the ocean tell a story? It will make sense when you hear the story.

Let's Say HI to Friends Who Fly! - Partner Read

Here's another Cat the Cat book by Mo Willems. You get read all of Cat the Cat's speech bubbles once again. Here we go!

Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken by Kate DiCamillo, Part 2

Chapter 3:

Chapter 4:

Savvy Chapter 30-31

BB-8 on the Run by Drew Daywalt read by Daisy Ridley

Here's another Star Wars book read by someone in the Star Wars movies. Yesterday was Anthony Daniels. Today it's Daisy Ridley. I hope you enjoy BB-8 on the Run as much as I did.

R2-D2 and the Renegade Rescue read by Anthony Daniels

If you are a Star Wars fan like me, then you will enjoy this short story read by Anthony Daniels. You might not recognize his face or name, but Star Wars fans will definitely know his voice.

The story was first written in a Star Wars comic book and then rewritten for this storybook. In the story C-3PO has been captured by the Empire and R2-D2 tries to rescue him.

Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken by Kate DiCamillo, Part 1

Chapter 1:

Chapter 2:

Tough Boris - Partner Read

Savvy Chapter 28-29

Chowder by Peter Brown

Fitting in can sometimes be a problem, but Chowder does two things that I think are awesome. First, he does what he loves. He loves people toys more than dog toys, so that's what he plays with. He is true to himself. Second, he looks for friends like him. He doesn't change himself to try and fit in, rather, he finds the place where he does fit in. 

Cat the Cat Who Is That? - Partner Read

The main character in this book is named Cat the Cat, and she speaks in speech bubbles. I'll read the main text and any text bubbles for other characters, and you read all of Cat the Cat's speech bubbles.

Thanks and... Blarggie! Blarggie!

Savvy Chapter 27

We Found a Hat by Jon Klassen

Once again we have an ambiguous ending. (However, in my opinion, this one is a little more clear than the other ones.) What do you think happens at the end of We Have Found a Hat? Leave a comment if you'd like with your explanation of the ending. Thanks!

Let's Do Nothing! - Partner Read

This is one of my favorite picture books. The two parts are Sal (tall, orange hair) and Frankie (short, yellow hair). I will read Sal's part, but to get us started I will also read Frankie's part since he has a really long part in the beginning. After the first couple pages, you get Frankie's part. Ok? Great! Then...

Let's do nothing! I mean, Let's. Do. Read Aloud!!!

Savvy Chapter 26

Turtle in Paradise Author's Note

No background information links today since an Author's Note is basically just that - background information. I hoped you enjoyed the book!

Say Something by Peter H. Reynolds read by Governor Tony Evers

Tony Evers is the governor of Wisconsin. Recently he shared this video on Facebook of him reading Say Something by Peter H. Reynolds. As it says in the book, "Everyone has something to say." Thank you, Governor Evers, for sharing a great book with students of Wisconsin.

In addition, Governor Evers thanked Wisconsin students and parents for all we are doing to work from home. He knows it's not easy, but it is keeping people healthy.

I also want to say thank you to the many Wisconsin students and parents who are tackling school from home. It's not easy, but I appreciate your efforts to help keep our communities healthy and safe. #COVID19 #SaferAtHome

— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) April 15, 2020

A Trip to the Bottom of the World with Mouse - Partner Read

In this book one of the main characters is a man with a bald head. I hope it's okay that I read his part since, you know, we have the same haircut. You get to be Mouse. Remember to pause or back up the video if you need to fix a mistake or read something better. Ready? Let's go!

By the way, do you know where they visited? The title includes "the bottom of the world," which is a pretty big clue. There are also clues in the weather and the animals they see. Leave a comment if you know where they went. Thanks! 

This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

Once again author Jon Klassen has given us an ambiguous ending. He purposely left out some details to make the ending unclear. What do you think happened? What happened that we readers couldn't see inside where the plants are big and tall and close together?

Savvy Chapter 25

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

At the end of the video I said that author Jon Klassen made the ending ambiguous on purpose. Ambiguous means something is unclear or it could have more than one possible ending. He wanted readers to make up their mind about what happened on their own. 

What do YOU think happened at the end of the story? What clues make you think that? 

Museum Day - Partner Read

Museum Day was designed to be read with a partner. The directions are in the video. Listen for rhyming words. What rhymes do you hear? 

Savvy Chapter 24

Turtle in Paradise Chapter 18

Here is the background information for chapter 18 of Turtle in Paradise. See the Key West Colonial Hotel, what a Panama hat looks like, and if kids or grown-ups can be as sweet as Necco Wafers, what are they, exactly?

That is NOT a Good Idea! - Partner Read

Time for our next partner read. I will read what happens with Hungry Fox and Plump Goose. You read the part of the Baby Geese. 

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett

That's a pretty amazing box of yarn. Why do you think Annabelle's box never ran out of yarn?

It's really interesting that the box worked like that for Annabelle, but to me it's even more interesting that it did NOT work for the Archduke. Why do you think the yarn box did NOT work for the Archduke? 

Savvy Chapter 22-23

Turtle in Paradise Chapter 17

The background information for chapter 17 includes a map of where the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 hit in Florida as well as a newspaper from the next day. It was a huge storm. Imagine living through a storm that big like the Diaper Gang did!

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown

Peter Brown based The Curious Garden on an actual place, a park in Manhattan in New York City. The High Line park is built on an abandoned elevated railroad track. The park is long and skinny and winds its way through the city just above the streets. Use the arrows on the map below to walk the path through The High Line. Don't forget to stop and look around. Click and drag the screen to turn and look out over the city. The map starts at the southern end of the park.

In addition you can also visit The High Line website. The site has tons of photos of the park, the trails, and the artwork made for the park. It is also cool to see historical photos of what the tracks looked like when they were built and used as well as the time after the tracks were closed but before the park was created. It looks a lot like Liam's garden as it started growing!

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! - Partner Read

We've had a lot of books by Mo Willems, but so many of his books are great for partner reading! We've read a bunch of Elephant and Piggie books together, now it's time for the Pigeon. You get to be the Duckling. Make sure to get your Duckling voice is sweet and cute and nice! Are you ready? Let's read The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog ... With Special Guest Star: The Duckling!

Turtle in Paradise Chapter 16

This chapter just wouldn't be complete if you don't see and hear the real Shirley Temple singing "On the Good Ship Lollipop." Click here for background information on chapter 16. After seeing Shirley Temple sing the song, think about why Turtle doesn't like her. Then imagine what the Diaper Gang would sound like singing at the top of their lungs in the shack.

Savvy Chapter 20-21

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes

How do you feel after getting a haircut? Have you ever gotten a haircut that was a big change from what it used to be, like a completely new style or color or going from long to short? Or do you usually just get it shaped up and looking nice again? How does it feel when you look in the mirror? How does it feel when people see you with that new cut?

Turtle in Paradise Chapter 15

Just how far is "halfway to Cuba" from where they are? Take a look at the background information for chapter 15 and you'll see a map of what the area looks like. Key West is actually closer to Cuba (90 miles) than it is to Miami (163 miles). Also, this isn't the first time Turtle mentions the Bellewood, the house that she and her mother dream about living in. See what the actual Bellewood looks like.

Savvy Chapter 19

Eat Pete! - Partner Read

Today's book for partner reading is a not-so-scary monster book. (Unless you are scared of building towers with blocks and crashing them down. Then it might be scary.) Your job is to be the monster. Take a look at the monster on the cover of the book. What might his voice sound like? That's your voice!

Remember, if you have a partner at home, you can turn off the sound and read it with your partner at home. Or you might even read the whole book by yourself. Happy (hungry) reading!

Watch Me Throw the Ball - Partner Read

Once again you get to be Piggie for this partner read. Make sure to read it the way Piggie would sound. Piggie is happy, excited, and having fun. (I do my best to sound like Gerald the Elephant - a little proud and like a know-it-all.)

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

Sometimes enough is enough. That's the way the crayons feel in this book feel. They all have a problem with Duncan and the way he uses them.

Try this. Take a look in your crayon box. (Maybe it's a messy pencil box or a perfect Crayola box or a plastic bag with years of crayons stuffed inside.) Which crayons might have some complaints with you? What might your crayons be complaining about?

Once you imagine what your crayons' complaints with you might be, how would you make it better for them? I'd love to hear you responses! Leave a comment below this post or have a grown-up help you email me. Thanks!

Savvy Chapter 18

Turtle in Paradise Chapter 14

Here is the background information for chapter 14. Laurel and Hardy were a famous comedy team in the movies in the 1930's. This is how Turtle describes Pork Chop and Beans as they try to sail the boat. Then she says Ira and Kermit are a couple of stooges thrown in. She's talking about the Three Stooges, another famous comedy team in the movies at that time. After watching these videos, can you imagine what 4 kids acting like these characters would look like trying to sail a boat?

Savvy Chapter 17

Chapter 17 was recorded in two short videos instead of one.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Turtle in Paradise Chapter 13

Check out the background information for chapter 13. See all the monsters the boys were talking about. All of them were from popular movies in the 1930's.

June 29, 1999 by David Wiesner

Holly Evans is quite a scientist, sending seedlings into space like that. What happened to Holly's seedlings? (You'll have to look carefully at the pictures. Pause the video if you need to.)

What sort of science work are you doing at home?

Think about one science thing you have done at home. Now use your imagination and think about what sort of crazy, unexpected thing could happen with that science activity?

It's Not Fair! - Partner Read

Today's book isn't really a partner read, but there is a part that you can help with. Get your worst voice ready for the "It's not fair!" parts. Wish I could hear you!

Savvy Chapter 15-16

Turtle in Paradise Chapter 12

Not too much to say about chapter 12 except maybe two things: 1.) Poor Aunt Minnie  2.) Poor Smokey. There's really only one thing you might want to see from chapter 12. (Or maybe not.)

I Really Like Slop! Partner Read

This is such a fun book to read out loud. I wish I could hear your voices and see your faces when you read Elephant's part, especially when he says, "Yikes!" and "NO WAY!" and "Urp!" and "Eek!" and "Ack!" and "Oop!" and "Urk! Urk! Urk! Urk! Urk!"

Savvy Chapter 14

Turtle in Paradise Chapter 11

Meet John D. Rockefeller and Shirley Temple right here.

A Giraffe and a Half by Shel Silverstein

This is a great book of rhymes, so here's your rhyming challenge for today. After listening to the book one time, how many rhymes can you remember? Make a list of all the rhymes from the book that you remember, and then draw a line under them. Now go back and watch the video again and add all the rhymes you missed or forgot from the first time through.

How did you do? I'd love to see your lists! You can leave a comment at the bottom of this post or send me a picture of your list. Thanks!

Savvy Chapter 12-13

If you've been listening to Savvy up to this point, maybe you've been wondering what YOUR savvy would be if you were in the Beaumont family. Would it involve controlling something or a sort of superpower? You've heard several examples in the book already - Rocket's electricity, Fish's storms, Mama's perfection, and my favorite, the aunt who goes back in time 15 minutes whenever she sneezes.

What would your savvy be? 

In chapter 12-13, Mibs is starting to figure out her savvy and she's realizing that there are problems that come along with it. Earlier in the book we were told that the Beaumonts need to "scumble" their savvy, or learn to control it.

Think about what you said your savvy would be. Now think about what problems might come with it? If you had to scumble your savvy, what might you need to control? 

We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins

School can be challenging, but not everyone faces the same challenges at school. For example, Penelope finds it hard to not eat her classmates. (After all, children are delicious.) It gets easier, however, after she learns a lesson from Walter.

Our situation is different from Penelope's. Of course, it's not the first day of kindergarten and not one of us is a T. rex. But we're also trying to do school from home. What challenges do we face in our new school situation? What makes school from home challenging? Share your answers with someone at home or you can share your by leaving a comment beneath this post.

Turtle in Paradise Chapter 10

See what a bottle of Je Reviens perfume looked like and learn more about Amelia Earhart (like who she is and why she's up in the clouds, as Turtle says) by following this link.

I'm a Frog! - Partner Read

In today's partner read, you get to be Piggie, and you have to start. I'll point for the first couple pages to get us started, but after than you are on your own, Piggie! Let's read!