Margot Apple

Brave Martha is a light hearted and funny read. It is about a little girl and her cat that helps her get ready at night for bed. Without spoiling the plot, I believe this book is good for the children who have trouble sleeping at night. Read this book before going to bed to show them that there is nothing to be afraid of.

Blanket is about a boy's attachment to his blanket. His mother has to leave it outside over night on the clothesline to dry. But, the boy still can not sleep. So, all the things around him begin to help. The moon has a voice, the wind, the clothes, the kitty. I think this is a great book to foster imagination. I believe children would highly enjoy the fact that the clothes, blanket, and boy all dance together. There is also dialogue within the text which I think fosters a good sense of story show more line. I would highly recommend this book. show less

The little boy in this story can't sleep without his blanket but his mom said it had to be washed. That night mom tired to find some other way to comfort the boy so he could sleep. They read a story and she put his favorite stuffed animals in bed with him. In the middle of the night, the boy wakes up and with a little help from his friends he gets his blanket. Mom is shocked and wonders how he got the blanket in the middle of the night.

Summary: Martha has a cat named Sophie that always helps her get ready for bed and keeps her company at night. When Sophie is missing one night, Martha must face her fears without Sophie. Martha discovers that the things in her room really aren’t scary and is learning to more independent. Martha also discovers that the noises in room are coming from Sophie and Martha realizes there is nothing to be afraid of.
Critique: This realistic fiction shows that many young children are afraid of show more things in their room and that they can face their fears and learn that there really is nothing to be afraid of in their rooms. This story portrays many children’s feelings even if this particular story is not true. This story also had a definite plot. There is conflict in the story, a climax, and a resolution that helps Martha face her fears and sleep peacefully again.
Teacher Use: A teacher could use this book with younger students that probably have fears just like Martha. This story can show students that they have the same fears and that they too can overcome them and find that there really is nothing to be afraid of.
Media: Oil Paints show less