Author/Illustrator: Sarah Weeks/David Diaz
Plot Summary: The plot is thin here but the pictures are cute. A boy can't fall asleep so he decides to count sheep as they stroll in to his bedroom. However, rather than simply counting them, he has to get rid of them and does so in funny and unique ways. A good review of colors and numbers in English and Spanish.
Comments: Although the reviews were positive, I am having a hard time understanding how this book would fit with a collection. Our Spanish teachers don't like it because they prefer books that are entirely in Spanish, however, this one could be read to kindergarten or first grade students in Spanish. I'm not sure a child with the interest level in this book would really be able to read and pronounce the words in Spanish but reading the transliterations. And I'm not sure a teacher or librarian who did not speak Spanish would be able to properly pronounce the words unless they had some coaching and practiced first. Mispronouncing the Spanish would not be a good idea; you are better off not reading it at all - in my opinion.
Extensions:
1. Book Buddies - in our school, third graders would be paired with kindergartners for weekly reading times. This would be a great book for a third grader to read as they would be able to pronounce the Spanish words.
2. The sheep are illustrated with interesting curlicues to represent the wool. This would be an interesting collaboration with the Spanish teacher who could read the book and the art teacher who could teach students to make the sheep with the appropriate colors complete with curly wool.
Themes/keywords: sheep, bedtime, counting, color, Spanish language materials
Age/Reading Level: Interest level - k-3; Follett reading level - 1.4
Standards:
This book would reinforce the teaching of colors and numbers in Spanish.
Publisher's Info: Antheneum Books for Young Readers, New York. 2006
ISBN-13: 978-0-689-86750-7
ISBN-10: 0-689-86750-6
Awards/Review Sources:
School Library Journal 06/01/06 | Library Media Connection starred 11/01/06 |
| Booklist 06/01/06 | Kirkus Review starred 07/01/06 |
| Horn Book 04/01/07 | Multicultural Review 12/01/06 |
| Criticas 07/01/06 |
Genre/Dewey: Fiction:Easy/Everybody
Websites:
Author's website
Illustrator biography from the Scholastic website
Notes for Booktalk:
Vocabulary: Spanish colors and numbers
Comments