Skip to main content

Toy Dance Party


In Toy Dance Party, readers will fall so deeply in love with a courageous buffalo named Lumpy, an ever so bossy StingRay, and a little round ball named Plastic, that they will almost forget that the characters are not real people. "Children like to see animals dressed like people and believe in them readily. Young children often are willing to invest in any kind of creature or object with human characteristics" making this a perfect fantasy novel (Galda, 2017). Jenkins does a magnificent job weaving in relatable themes like friendship and the meaning of life, while connecting with any child who has ever had a deep connection to an inanimate object. Stingrays do not play cards and washing machines do not sing so it is very easy for young readers to decipher between fact and fantasy, while still enjoying this imaginative tale. 

Teachers can use this text:

  • as a "feel good" read aloud for students to connect with and enjoy
  • to teach themes of friendship, imagination, and adventure

-------

Author: Emily Jenkins

Illustrator: Paul O. Zelinsky

Year Published: 2008

Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 6-10/ Grades 1-4

Genre: Fantasy

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Uncle Jed's Barber Shop

Uncle Jed is a talented barber, beloved by many, who even without a shop never gives up on his dream. The setting is integral to the story and evokes a vivid historical time consistent with historical and geographical evidence. Social issues are portrayed honestly, without condoning bias for race, gender, or other differences. "Even though I was unconscious, the doctors wouldn't look at me until they finished with all the white patients" (Mitchell, 1998). This book is a fantastic is a fantastic read aloud for young children to teach them, regardless of time, place, situation, to never give up on their dreams. Teachers can use this text:  to teach about topics such as saving money, segregation, perseverance, and grit culturally Response Teaching use as a read aloud or anchor text for writing ------- Author: Margaree King Mitchell Illustrator: James E. Ransome Year Published: 1998 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 4-7, Grades K-2 Genre: Historical Fiction  
Post a Comment
Read more

Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah

This true story teaches young readers that believing in oneself and having courage to persevere is the greatest ability of all. Born with a deformed leg in Ghana, many judged and dismissed Emmanuel due to his disability. Throughout this text, there is a unifying theme of overcoming adversity. Thompson does a fantastic job grounding the story in facts, providing details that are vivid, accurate and linked to the accomplishments of Emmanuel (Galda, 2017). Teachers can use this text to:  explore themes such as overcoming adversity, perseverance, and self-reliance Culturally Response Teaching discuss conversations about privilege  ------- Author:  Laurie Ann Thompson Illustrator:  Sean Qualls Year Published:  2015 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 5-8 , Grades  K-2 Genre: Memoir
Post a Comment
Read more

The Dragon of Doom

  Readers will be instantly transported to the little town of Pigbone, with it's big hills and cottages. In the Dragon of Doom, characters, setting and events are very detailed and almost believable (If magic was real). Bruce Coville has created a plot that although not realistic, "what happens in the story is logically consistent within the story world" (Galda, 2017). Chairs can walk across the room whimpering, as Moongobble tries to improve his magic skills (Coville, 29, 2003). Katherine Coville's witty illustrations with Bruce Coville's whimsical and wacky word choice, makes for a fantastic novel that will cast a spell of delight on anyone who reads it.  Teachers can use this text: as a read aloud book club book as an anchor text for writing lesson on - setting, writing about fantasy, talking animals, using descriptive language, etc.  ------- Author: Bruce Coville Illustrator: Katherine Coville Year Published: 2003 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 6-10/ Grades 1-5...
Post a Comment
Read more