Monday, February 9, 2009

February is National Cherry Month!

It's National Cherry Month, so I've got a couple of cherry-related books for you today!

Williams, Vera B.
Cherries and Cherry Pits.
1986.
Greenwillow Books, New York, NY.

Ages: 5-8
Genre: Fiction
Guided Reading Level: M

Review/Summary:

In another wonderful story by Vera B. Williams, we learn of Bidemmi. A person tells of her neighbor, Bidemmi who loves to draw. When going to visit, Bidemmi is always greeted at the door with a new kid or color of marker. We learn of stories that are important to Bidemmi through the pictures she draws. Eventually, we hear Bidemmi's own story - the story where she purchased cherries from a man selling them from the back of his truck. Bidemmi is warned not to eat the cherries to fast and she does just that, making sure to save each cherry pit. The cherry pits are eventually planted and Bidemmi draws out pictures to show the reader what will happen to the pits - roots, sprouting, growing a trunk and branches until we see the cherry blossoms appear and the pleasure people get from the cherry trees.

The perspective from which this story is told allows readers to use their imagination and be creative. Who lives inside the apartment where Bidemmi knocks on the door? Perhaps students could pretend to be Bidemmi and tell that person's story through pictures and words. The story could also be integrated into a unit on the life cycle of a plant.

Priceman, Marjorie.
How to Make a Cherry Pie and See the U.S.A.
2008.
Alfred A. Knopf: New York, NY.

Ages:
Genre:
Guided Reading Level: N/A

Review/Summary:

In this companion to How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World, Priceman takes readers on a journey across the United States in the hopes of collection all the materials needed to make a cherry pie.

I must be honest and say that I enjoyed How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World the best, but this would definitely be a great book to share with children who enjoyed the original! Of course, a map of the United States and a cherry pie recipe is included at the end!

Lesson Plans/Book Activities:

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