Chapter Two is Missing!

Blog Tour and Inspiring Learning Ideas

I love me a good picture book. Okay; let’s be honest. We love pretty much all books. But a great picture book? One which pulls you in visually and offers a ton of learning opportunities… You know we’ve just got to share it!

This past week our family was given an opportunity to preview Chapter Two is Missing written by Josh Lieb and illustrated by Kevin Cornell, and we can’t say enough about it’s goodness. Once we finally stopped staring at the charming illustrations and murmuring over the lovely hardback book, the learning potential of this read began to take shape. Friends, this clever read is true learning inspiration.

“Chapter Two is Missing is a hilarious picture book mystery starring a hopelessly lost narrator, an unqualified detective, and a very sneaky janitor, who are all surprised to discover that second chapter of the very book of which they are a part is–gasp–missing!”

Penguin Random House

A great picture book has the ability to offer a multitude of learning possibilities, and Chapter Two is Missing certainly hits the mark. Thinking along the lines of Five In A Row, there are a wide variety of activities from which we could easily create a unit study.

Art & Illustration

Chapter Two is Missing is a picture book. Why not start our learning adventure with an exploration of art and illustration? Readers will quickly note the book’s illustrations use very little color. Can they create a picture book with only a few colors? Which colors would they use, and does the choice in color convey a mood or feeling which helps tell the story? We might also take a moment to explore negative space and clever page layout.

Grammer & Spelling

Chapter Two… does a clever job of exploring the importance of grammar and punctuation. Was reading certain portions of the book a challenge for our students? What did they think of these sections? This is a fun opportunity to show our learners the importance of these areas of study.

Science & History

In Chapter Two…, Milo seeks helps from Detective McGarrigan in discovering the whereabouts of the missing chapter, and there is so much potential here. We refuse to give away details of the story, but we can tell you there are many adventures to be explored. The history of detectives would be a great place to start. How long has this been a career option, and what does it take to be a detective?
Finger print activities would be a fantastic science concept to cover, along with the possibility of exploring mirrors, reflections, and the anatomy of eyes. (Sorry, you’ll have to read the story to find out why!)

Logic

Near the end of our read, Milo makes an observation, “Go look… If a giant blue diamond isn’t there, you’ll know that Milo succeeded…” Is his reasoning valid, or is there something wrong with his logic? Can you identify his fallacy? We could easily use this as a springboard for launching a conversation on everyday fallacies and how we can learn to spot them.

Organization

Everything has a place and a purpose. Some things need to be cleaned up, while others serve a purpose in remaining available. Milo learns this first hand, and so can our kids. Is there such a thing as being too much of a minimalist and what areas of our home could possibly be better organized?

Learning Fun

Aside from these areas of more formal study, Chapter Two is Missing offers a ton of fun learning adventures. Inside the book readers will find a phone number for Detective McGarrigan. Trust us when we say you’ll want to give the number a call. It’s hilarious! What type of message would our children leave on their own machines, if they had the ability? This might be a perfect time to write down their thoughts and even test it out for a day to hear people’s reactions. There is also an email address for the detective. What happens when they email her and/or Tweet her?

Honestly, we could go on. But I think you get the picture. – No pun intended. – Chapter Two is Missing is a fantastic book, and one which has the potential to launch a learning adventure you won’t want to miss. We would highly recommend this book for all beginning readers, young learners, and anyone who just loves a great picture book. It’s a gem!

If you’d like to learn more about Chapter Two is Missing, please visit them at the Penguin Random House website!
To read additional reviews and explore the potential of this read, please visit the blog tour:

Here There Be Dragons – Inspired by the Book
The Literacy Junky – Review + Creative Instagram Picture
Geo Librarian – Review
What’s a Kid To Read – Review + Activity

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Review: Nothing by Natalee Creech

It has been said a picture is worth a thousand words. Perhaps this is why picture books continue to draw people in, no matter our age. When we find a book which perfectly blends the magic of illustration with the gift of words, we know we’ve found a keeper. A recent family find, Nothing by Natalee Creech, published through WorthyKids, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, not only fits the bill but is using the medium of picture books to share the Love of God. It doesn’t get much better!

Worthy Publishing Group is an established book company whose mission is, “To help people experience the heart of God.” Of their vast selection of titles, WorthyKids creates vibrant children’s literature including Nothing by Natalee Creech. Together, former teacher turned librarian, Ms. Creech, and talented illustrator, Joseph Cowman, bring to life this beautiful picture book expressing the heart of Romans 8:38-39.

“NOTHING can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord: note death or life, not angels or rulers, not present things or future things, not powers or height or depth, or any other thing that is created.”

Nothing is a hardbound, full-color picture book with over thirty pages of beautifully created illustrations. Readers will find this to be a book of highest quality. From the dust jacket to the pages within, Nothing is a well-crafted read. Suggested for children aged four to seven, Ms. Creech’s rhymes are sure to delight and teach the depth of this passage, while Mr. Cowman’s art will draw them in.

I no longer have littles in our home. (There are days I am still coming to terms with this sad fact.) However, a good picture book should always be appreciated, no matter our age! I specifically wished to review Nothing as my husband is an illustrator and the cover of the book immediately caught my attention. I also have the privilege of having little people visit me on a regular basis and having new picture books to share with them is a treat. Nothing was no exception.

Upon receiving our read, I was immediately impressed with the quality of the book. The illustrations were everything I previewed online and more. The cover and dust jacket are simply magnificent. A mix of mat and high gloss layers, with a rich color palette, this book pulls you in and begs to be read. The pages within are well bound, easy to turn, and equally charming to behold. And while the illustrations are worthy of many moments of admiration, the text itself is no less lovely. Through her gift of rhyme, Ms. Creech reminds readers there is nowhere we can go where we are separated from the love of our God. Her ability as a writer, her heart for children, and her love of the Lord shine through wonderfully. Readers could visit this book regularly and never tire.

We mentioned Nothing is suggest for children aged four to seven, but we would slightly disagree. While we find the reading level to be accurate; frankly, we would recommend this read to anyone who has an interest in beautiful picture books and a heart for poetry. Nothing might be intended for the young, but will bless those of any age. Myself and my children, ages ranging from seventeen to twelve, all agree; this is a beautiful book.

From time to time, everyone should be reminded that nothing separates us from the love of Christ. Even us adults. Especially when we are deceived into thinking we are unlovable or our mistakes too big to be forgiven. Nothing is a heartfelt, touching reminder for all of us, from the young to the old, that we are loved beyond anything we could imagine.

If you’d like to learn more about Nothing by Natalee Creech or WorthyKids, an imprint of Hachette Book Group please visit them at their website and on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram!

To read additional reviews like this one, and gain more insight into this fantastic read, please visit The Homeschool Review Crew.

We’d like to know… What was the last picture book you read and with whom?

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Chanterelle Finds a Family

“Once in a cool, wooded forest lived a puppy. She was smart and very curious. She was also proud and stubborn. She did not need help from anybody.”

And so begins the story of Chanterelle; a smart, yet curious dog. Living alone in the woods, Chanterelle spends her day with friends, Porcupine and the Beaver family. She enjoys her romps through the woods, but each night returns home, alone. Saddened and curious, Chanterelle wonders what it would be like to have her own family. One day, while exploring the woods and looking her for friend, Chanterelle hears the sound of people talking. What follows is a charming story of discovering family.

When Nicole Brierre was assigned to write a children’s book while studying to become an elementary school teacher, she realized that she did not need to look any further for inspiration than her family’s trusty canine companion. The project became a true family affair when Brierre’s brother and his girlfriend joined on as the illustrators of the book Chanterelle Finds a Family. 

Brierre recounts the story of how the beloved pet came to join her family, while playfully imagining the puppy’s life before she was adopted. The dog at the heart of the story is an independent, stubborn puppy who believes she does not need help from any human or animal.

 This was a cute story with quaint illustrations. It would be perfect for animal lovers and younger children. Chanterelle Finds a Family (published by New Generation, RRP $12.99) is currently available and can be ordered online at Amazon.com and from all good bookstores.