New Zealand ABCs
Written by: Holly Schroeder
Illustrated by: Claudia Wolf
I found this book in the non-fiction section of the library and I thought it was really cute. It is an A-B-C book, so it doesn't have a story. However, it is tied together by everything in this book having something to do with New Zealand. A few of the letters are: K is for kiwi, R is for rugby, and T is for the Treaty of Waitangi (why-TANG-ee). I really liked this book because besides just what it stands for, it also talks about how that has to do with New Zealand and a picture of the action or thing.
For example: J is for jumping.
Thrill seekers from around the world travel to New Zealand to bungee jump off tall towers, bridges, and cliffs. They strap long rubber cords to their ankles, and then leap. Jumpers bounce up and down like yo-yos before they are pulled back up to safety.
Fast Fact: People in Polynesia have been doing a sport like bungee jumping for centuries. But it was a New Zealander who invented bungee jumping as we know it today.
I really liked this ABC book because kids really can learn something from it besides the ABC's. This would actually be a good book for older students to learn about New Zealand, and I'm sure there are books like this for most every country.
Not every page has "Fast Facts" so it will keep the kids interested to wait for the next fast fact.
That is a link for a lesson plan about promoting cultural values through alphabet books.
I am so sad that I missed this book talk! But the book sounds amazing! Your right about using this for the older kids and fun facts. There are some benifits of showing older students how valuable ABC books are, you could even encourage students to do and ABC book about there town or school. Thanks for sharing a wonderful book.
ReplyDeleteWow! Talk about killing two birds with one stone! I love how this book tied in the alphabet with New Zealand's culture. I think this a great book about diversity and I loved Joanna's idea about sharing this book then having them do their own ABC book about their town.
ReplyDeleteThis book looks really neat! It's cool to see an alphabet book that is adapted for older students. After reading this book to and older class you could have them create their own alphabet book about locations they are learning about and add the fun facts, similar to those you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteThis book was awesome! I learned so much about New Zealand with this book. It was very interested and a new outlook on the world for young readers. I never knew there was a bird called a Kiwi that does not fly. I always thought only penguins couldnt fly lol. Kids would love this book!
ReplyDeleteThis book could be used for so many lessons in a classroom. You could even use it with older kids. Each kid is assigned a letter and has to do further research on what their letter represents in the book. I also think Joanna's idea would be great too!
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