Susan Allen (1) (1951–)

This alphabet book is centered around all the different kinds of reading we can do. It begins by asking on the first page, "Read anything good lately?" and then begins listing something to read and a place to read it for each letter of the alphabet. For example, "Tall Tales in my Treehouse" or "Fairy Tales by the Fireplace". The text is light with just one line per page and the letter being featured is in red. I find the ideas humorous and I think kids will too. The illustrations add to the show more humor. (My favorites are "Joke books in the Jacuzzi" and "the Newspaper in my Nightie".) Reading this will likely give children an awareness of all of the reading they do in a day and ways reading is helpful. RECOMMENDED show less

This is a realistic fiction book about writing. The book goes through each letter of the alphabet and gives examples of things to write about for each letter, then asks you about what you have written lately. It is a book used to stimulate and give students ideas about what to write about. I would use this for 3rd grade classes when they are having trouble thinking of topics to write about.

Summary

This book talks about how writing can be fun and how the reader can incorporate their everyday lives into a story. This books uses the alphabet to give ideas about what to write about like in the classroom, on a picnic, and in a forest. The examples teaches that imagination goes along with writing out thoughts and ideas.

Personal Reflection

I liked this book because it teaches the child to use their imagination when creating a story with their own words.

Extensions

1. Have the children show more talk about what they see with their eyes everyday.
2. The children will write a story about the things they see.
3. The children will draw what they have written. show less

Written Anything Good Lately is an informational book that goes through the alphabet describing the different things someone can write. As the book progresses students learn about haikus and essays, verses and reports, and fables and myths. This book offers a great opportunity to discuss the different types of writing and what they're used for.