John MandersReseñas

children's picture book (illustrations by John Manders, to the words of a traditional Mexican folk song). I don't think I did the song justice with my singing voice today, but the kids enjoyed it anyway. (2nd/3rd graders, but can also be enjoyed by younger/older kids, provided I practiced a bit more.) Several in the class wanted me to read it again right away, and some didn't (haha). The end of the book includes sheet music, which I like to point out to the kids as another neat reading skill they can acquire--learn to read and write music and songs like this can be shared with and learned by strangers who have never met you or heard the song before.

Illustrations- digital and mixed media

The cat made a nest to attack birds in order to make an omelet. Then 3 birds laid eggs and started fighting over the perfect nest. The cat tried to lure them away by telling them there was another nest at the farm. They left their eggs. They hatched and then the cat ended up having to take care of them. He realized he did make the perfect nest.

I really enjoyed the pictures in this book. Some of them were really silly. I think it is a book that students would find entertaining and be a fun book to read/get into.

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In a kingdom where you're fed to crocodiles if you play music, Piffaro must run from the king and his knights. Join Piffaro and other refugee musicians as they play music and run from their deaths. When the musicians play together, they sound awful but their horse helps them learn how to play together. This book shares musical terms in a fun and engaging way for young readers to understand them. I enjoyed hearing all the musical terms being characterized as people.

The perfect read aloud! A flustered cat and his determination to make a meal of three eggs that rest in the perfect nest!

In Catherine Friend's book, The Perfect Nest, we meet three barnyard animals that feel as if the nest they had laid their egg in was meant for them and them only. This nest is built by ,Jack the cat, in hopes that it will attract the perfect chicken for the perfect omelet, but little does he know that a chicken is not the only animal on the farm that can lay an egg. He lands the chicken that he wants ( "Caramba!") , but also a duck ("Sacre bleu!") and a Goose ("Great balls of fire"). With the thought of three omelets in mind, Jack jumps for joy until uproar and feathers get ruffled.- and Jack gets much more for breakfast than he bargained for. With plenty of adventure, curiosity, excitement and much more readers of the younger grades would truly enjoy hearing this story for the first time.Not only can it be used for a great read aloud but also great resource for lessons that have to do with culture and language as well. So, get to reading!

Awwwwww How sweet

The Really Awful Musicians is a very fun and entertaining story. The story is about a few musicians who are not allowed to play their instruments because the King had threatened to feed them to the Royal crocodiles because of how awful the music sounds. They eventually learn to play together, thanks to Charlamange the horse. This is an adorable story that kids are sure to love.

Nice illustrations - very colorful

This is a humorous book that I like to incorporate in my kindergarten farm unit. A cunning cat is the main character, trying to lure a bird into "the perfect nest" to eat. This book is great for classification because of all of the farm birds in the book; the cat comes across geese, ducks, and chickens.

A cat in overalls, a Mexican chicken, a French duck and a hillbilly goose. I don't know why. The cat builds a cozy nest with pillows and romantic lighting in the hopes of luring some poultry in there to lay an egg for his breakfast. I won't spoil it by saying more.

This is a hysterical book about a goose, a duck and a chicken that are trying to lay the perfect egg. The pictures are beautiful and young children love the different voices.

ack the cat is building the perfect nest, bound to attract the perfect chicken that will lay the perfect egg to make the perfect omelet. But Jack's plan hatches more than he expected. First a chicken, then a duck, then a goose, claims the nest, calls it perfect and refuses to leave. Cries of "FIRE!" "FLOOD!" and "WOLF" don't budge their ruffled feathers, until Jack hints the next farm over has an even better nest. Fowl free, he thinks; Jack's mouth waters in anticipation of an egg breakfast, lunch and dinner. But just as he reaches for the eggs, they hatch and immediately imprint on Jack as their father. To escape their peeping demands, he tries to hide, but the three fuzzy chicks find him and drag him back to the nest for warmth and sleep. Henpecked into a new paternal responsibility, Jack curls up with the chicks and realizes his nest is perfect. The gouache illustrations cluck with humor and details that add giggles: the face-on double spread of Jack in his bib overalls with whisk in one hand and spatula in the other; the wolf scene in which Jack wears a red riding hood; and Jack's egg-yolk eyes. Perfect fine-feathered fun. (Picture book. 4-7) (Kirkus Reviews)

This story was okay. It felt a little long and drawn out, so I didn't really fall for the character's change of heart at the end. The illustrations were probably my favorite part--vibrant colors and some great action shots.

Jack the cat gets much more than he bargained for when he decides to build the perfect nest to attract the perfect chicken.