Module 2: Justin Morgan had a horse

Bibliography
Henry, M. (1974). Justin Morgan had a horse.                                                          
NY: Rand McNally & Co.

Summary
When a young boy, Joel Goss, first sees the horse he calls Little Bub, he instantly forms a bond.  Through many hardships, such as Joel going to live with another family to make money for his family, Joel survives to save his money so that some day he can buy Little Bub.  In the meantime, Little Bub, Justin Morgan's horse is sold and resold and becomes a racehorse.  Finally, one snowy day, when Little Bub is older and cannot race anymore, Joel, a grown man, happens upon him and buys him.  Bub, who is sick and weak is nursed back to health by his trusted friend, Joel.

My Impression
 Well written historical fiction book which includes not only customs of America in the 1700's, but an emotional theme of friendship and loyalty.
Reviews
School Library Journal
"With Grandfatherly ease, John McDonough narrates this classic horse story, a Newbery Honor book by Marguerite Henry (Wilcox & Follett, 1945). Listeners are tossed emotionally from high to low as the story of a boy and his love for a special horse unfolds.  Justin Morgan, a Vermont schoolmaster in the late 1700's receives two horses as payment for a debt. Joel Goss, the son in the household where Morgan boards, is with Morgan when the odd colt he call "Little Bub" is acquired and participates in Bubs training and competitions, with the seemingly impossible goal of someday saving enough money to buy the stalwart runt of a horse. Tracing the history of a famous American horse breed, the Morgan, this quality tape, will to please horse lovers and provide satisfying fare for family listeners".    
Use in Library
This title can be used as an introduction to Newbery Honor Books, a unit on horse stories, as an author study of Marguerite Henry, or used in conjunction with a history unit of the 1700's. Henry wrote some 50 books about horses during her lifetime.  Library media specialist could have a Booktalk including several of Henry's titles.

Review. (1997, December 1).  [Review of the audiobook Justin Morgan had a horse, by Marguerite Henry]. School Library Journal. Available from: http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2110/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=124f3dc2-b349-4ae1-be83-568098187448%40sessionmgr114&vid=7&hid=103
Image from http://books.simonandschuster.net/Justin-Morgan-Had-a-Horse/Marguerite-Henry/9780689852794/high_res_images (Originally published in 1954.)

Module 2: Peter's Chair

Bibliography
Keats, E.J. (1967). Peter's Chair.
NY: Harper & Row

Summary
Peter's life changes as his family welcomes a baby sister to his house.  Peter is first asked to play quietly, then as he looks around the house, he sees his mother fussing over the baby in his old crib that has been repainted, and then his father repainting his highchair.   Peter takes his dog and runs away to the front yard.  After he realizes he has out grown some of his old things, Peter is welcomed back home and helps his father repaint his little blue chair for his sister.
My Impression
Although this book has a rather old-fashioned look, the story is one that never changes.  As long as there are first children and then second, Peter's Chair will be relevant.  
Review
Booklist
"Peter becomes angry when his father paints his baby furniture pink for his new sister.  After camping in the front yard, Peter concludes that he has outgrown his chair after all. Sibling jealousy and acceptance of change are strong themes in this contemporary classic."
Use in Library
This book would be good for teaching emotions and how sometimes when others are happy, we are not.  Students can write about a time when they were happy and a time when they were sad.
Review. (2001, February 1).  [Review of the book Peter's Chair, by E.J. Keats]. School Library Journal. Available from: http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2110/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=bc85dc1f-59e7-4342-a5d2-18c85623be40%40sessionmgr13&vid=5&hid=103

Module 1: The Runaway Bunny

               
Bibliography
Brown, M. W. (1942). The runaway bunny.
NY: Harper & Row.
Summary
In this 1940's tale, Margaret Wise Brown uses a mother and her baby bunny to symbolize a mother's love for her children.  Baby bunny tells his mother that he will run away and become a fish, a rock on a mountain, a crocus, a bird, a sailboat, a trapeze artist, and a little boy in order to leave her. But mother bunny has an answer for each of his escape ideas.  Clement Hurd's use of black and white, as well as colorful illustrations help the author tell the story of how a mother will always search and find her child.
My Impression
The Runaway Bunny  is a great book to include in a young child's library.  Whether read in your home or in a classroom setting, children can relate to the love a mother feels for her child.  Children will enjoy the illustrations, especially those in color because those are the pictures that reinforce the underlying theme of Brown's book.

Reviews
Kirkus Reviews

"This is one of the nicest things Margaret Wise Brown has done, and Clement Hurd has made enchanting pictures, with line drawings and eight double spreads in four colors, beautifully reproduced. The text pattern is a successful dialogue with almost nursery rhyme repetition and rhythm (those in prose)."
Use in Library
This book can be read to young children at story time to introduce Mother's Day holiday.  Children can make cards for their mother. 

Review. (2011, October 19). [Review of the book The runaway bunny, by Margaret Wise Brown]. Kirkus Reviews. Available from: http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/margaret-wise-brown/the-runaway-bunny/#review
Image from:http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/books/Runaway-Bunny/?isbn13=9780064430180&tctid=100