Book Review: Too Tall Houses

Author/Illustrator: Gianna Marino
Interest Level: Ages 3 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Owl and Rabbit are good friends and neighbors and live happily in two small houses next to each other...UNTIL Rabbit's garden grows a little too tall and blocks Owl's view. Now Owl isn't so happy. Maybe building a bigger house will solve the problem. But now Rabbit isn't happy. Maybe building his house taller will be the solution. And before long, there are two very tall houses and two very unhappy neighbors. What will it take to make them friends again?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This book could not have come at a better time. I am doing some reteaching with grades K-2 on solving problems. Owl and Rabbit are a great example of what happens when you argue and fight. They are also very stubborn and won't give in because each wants their way and wants to be right. They try and one up each other by building their houses taller and taller....which was a great metaphor for how big they are making the problem.

It has a very cute ending showing a fixed friendship and a solution at work. The morale of the story is it's a huge waste of time to involve yourself in negative behavior when faced with a problem - it only makes things worse and results in the loss of a friend. This generation needs LOTS of conflict resolution encouragement. Great book.

A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find  Helpful: 

 

Book Review: Problems With Pete The Pencil And Eddie The Eraser

Written and illustrated by 3rd grade students of Kingsland Elementary School in Spring Valley, Minnesota

Interest Level: Ages 5-11

About This Book: Big problems ensue for a little boy named Bradly when Pete the Pencil and Eddie the Eraser begin to disagree about who is more important! Bradly is excited when his mother brings home a new package of pencils. The next day at school, problems start. The pencil and the eraser start fighting. They erase Bradly's work, put holes in it, etc. which gets Bradly in a lot of trouble with his teacher and his parents. This is a humorous book that reminds us about the importance of getting along. This children's story is written by the third-grade students of Kingsland Elementary School in Spring Valley, Minnesota.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I nabbed this little gem at the school book fair a couple of years ago. It has never failed me on the importance of team work, respect, and problem solving. Arguing is a lose-lose situation for all involved. This book sends that message loud and clear. Plus, it's funny and engaging. Using pencils and erasers as props is also a hit with the kids. Problems With Pete The Pencil And Eddie The Eraser is written by a third grade class, the students find it inspiring that other kids are taking on social issues through writing. Very cool.