From: Alison O'Reilly <alison_at_suffolknet.org>
Date: Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:34:50 -0400

Argus by Michelle Knudsen and illustrated by Andrйa Wesson (Candlewick, 2011) is a wonderful school story! It’s a sweet, funny picture book about kindness and tolerance in the classroom, and the best part is: the author skillfully sidesteps didacticism. Young Sally and her classmates are hatching chicks from eggs as part of their science unit. When Sally complains that her egg looks different, Mrs. Henshaw replies: “Don’ t be difficult. Some eggs just look different.” Sally’s chick Argus actually is different – he’s a dragon! Young readers will be so busy laughing a t the zany dragon and the seemingly clueless Mrs. Henshaw that they won’t even suspect they’re exploring the concept of good classroom citizenship.

Alison

Alison O'Reilly

Youth Services Consultant

Suffolk Cooperative Library System

627 N. Sunrise Service Road

PO Box 9000

Bellport, NY 11713-9000

631-286-1600 ext. 1002

alison_at_suffolknet.org

http://sclsyouthservices.wordpress.com/
Received on Wed 07 Sep 2011 12:34:50 PM CDT