Frances Wolfe

I think this book is cute. It doesn't have *much* of a takeaway, but it *could* potentially be a good book to introduce an aquatic science unit or something of that sort.
The language that is used through is calm and easy to follow. Specifically on pages 1 and 2, it says, "sunbeams sparkl[ing] like diamonds on water". The illustration also perfectly represents the text. This figurative language allows students to explore and make connections with what they are reading. The illustrations show more definitely enhance the story and encourage the calming mood of the story. For example, I also like how on the last page there is an illustration of a girl writing, and the text says, "Where I live... the SEASIDE". It gives the reader closure of exactly where it is that she lives and ties the whole story together.
There isn't much of a plot to the story, it is kind of just information thrown at you- so that's a small fault I saw in this writing. I feel this was intentional for the kind of story that it is, but it kind of bored me in a respect. At the same time, the pace of the story was good. The ideas were well organized, on each and every page, but just very broad and open to interpretation.
The big idea or message that can be taken from this book is the idea to respect where people come from. It is important to be open minded to the way they do things/ and why they do them in that way. Everybody lives their life by their own terms and it's important to be knowledgable and mindful of where other people come from. show less

If I love anything if life, it would be the ocean, so I immediately fell in love with this book. It’s very simple and beautiful. In my humble opinion it will be a great book to teach during ELA class. The pictures are just amazing. Also there is a hint about the location of the author, that can only be figured out, if you read the book. I won’t spell the beans, if you want to know it, you have to read it.

Summary: Each poem in this story is telling the reader about the things the author thinks about when she thinks about where she lives. They are all alike because they are explaining different things about where she lives. Each one has a picture showing what the author is writing about. It is traditional poetry not rhyming poetry.

Personal reflection: This book makes me think of all the things that make where we live special. The little things that happen everyday that make things home. The show more white noise of traffic and sirens, the unpredictable weather and the things that my family does on a daily basis. It makes me think of how cool it would be to live on the ocean and how peaceful it is there.

Classroom Extension Ideas: I would have the kids draw a big picture of their home and illustrate what everyone does everyday at their house. I would also have them each share what they see in town each day. Having the children go outside sit in a circle and have each one explain the noises they hear would be a good idea too. show less

This is a nice scaffold for a piece of poetry. I could teach with this. It's extremely short, but it's so multi-layered. The simple repetition of one line at the end of each stanza, plus the underscored acrostic sketch is so easy not to notice. Thank goodness they tell you its there if you bother to read the back cover. This book is very well done.