Could I Sit on a Cloud?
by Kay Barnham
The first page of both of these books answers the titles questions, leaving the reader to discover more answers to life's questions. Each page is simple, bright and asking questions most of us probably asked our own parents, like "Why aren't birds electrocuted when they sit on wire?" Or "Can you tickle yourself?"
Can You Like Your Own Elbow?
by Paul Mason
Though these books are geared towards younger readers, I am sure a 4th or 5th grader would be interested in the questions and answers. Sometimes learning needs to be simple and funny, and these books do a great job helping the reader have a good time.
Always My Grandpa
by Linda Scacco
Every summer Daniel and his mom visit Daniel's Grandpa, who is great fisherman and storyteller that lives by the sea.
On the way to their visit, Mom reminds Daniel that Grandpa will probably be different this summer. When Grandpa had begun to forget daily things, it was discovered by the doctor that he has the onset of Alzheimer's. But when they first arrive to Grandpa's, he seems like his old self, telling tall fishing stories and playing with Daniel.
After some time, Daniel begins to see how Grandpa is different. He left the stove on, which could have created a fire. He forgot who Daniel and his mom were once. He couldn't remember Daniel's friends name, even after being told numerous times. All of this together was very upsetting to Daniel, but his mom handles it very well.
By the end of the story, Mom has decided that Grandpa is moving back home with them. Though this may not happen so neatly in real life, it was a clean ending to the book. The reader feels the love of the family.
Written for a younger school audience, 1st-4th grade, this would be a great story for any family dealing with grandparents or older loved ones diagnosed with dementia or alzheimer's, whether as a read-aloud or read-alone. The soothing, watercolor sketch pictures offer an extra comfort to the story.
Big Bad Sheep
When a few sheep in the meadow overhear the Three Little Pigs yelling, "The Wolf is Dead! The Wolf is Dead!" two sheep friends, Karl and Locke, begin to wonder what The Big Bad Wolf was really like.
"What do you think he was like? Bad!"
"Really bad?"
"Of course." Karl knew what he was talking about. "That's the way wolves are."
As the conversation continues Karl realizes that The Big Bad Wolf was paid and his job is now officially open. Karl, the sheep, wants to be The Big Bad Wolf. He will apply for the job.
Karl and Locke walk to the Job Center, interviewed by the office manager, an official dwarf. After much convincing the dwarf hands over the wolf's clothing where Karl will be on probation for 2 days.
And the story only gets more silly, tongue-in-cheek, and laugh out loud funny from there. Keeping in line with traditional fairytales, there are a few moments of gruesome detail when Lockes's friend,Rene, has to deal with Locke's bullying and briefly gets eaten by the Big Bad Wolf.
If you enjoy fractured fairy tales, this story will not disappoint. The story reminded me of a different version of "A Tale Dark and Grimm" by Adam Gidwitz. I have booktalked that book for 4-6th graders. Like in that story, Big Bad Sheep is not afraid to make the reader squirm a little, drawing them into the story even further. This book is much shorter at 64 pages and has black and white sketches throughout. Geared to 3-5th grades, I believe boys would especially appreciate this story.
