Picks From THE PIT Read Alouds

It's hard to believe, but we're in the last month of school. Things are beginning to wrap up all over the building, and the library is no exception. One thing that is not wrapping up is the fun we're having in THE PIT! I have sort of unofficially decided that Mo Willems may be my favorite read aloud author this year. Three of his title have been shared, enjoyed, and laughed at in THE PIT by all ages, pre school through fifth grade. I could easily add the Pigeon and Elephant and Piggie to Franki's list of books that I love every time I read them. Here are few from the last several months.

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog by Mo Willems: The Pigeon is always funny and in this one he shares the spotlight and a hot dog with a very funny baby duck side kick. Mo Willems subtle humor and simple characters make me LAUGH OUT LOUD with my students every time. Check out the Pigeon's website where you can dress a naked mole rat, watch Elephant and Piggie dance, and put your favorite toppings including smelly socks and dirty underwear on a hot dog for Pigeon.


Are You a Horse? by Andy Rash: Roy the cowboy gets a saddle for his birthday. Since he's not really much of a cowboy, he doesn't know what a saddle is for, or even what a horse is. He sets out across the desert searching for a horse, asking everything he sees including a wagon, cactus, pig, crab, sloth and zebra, if they are horse. Each thing gives him another clue to what a horse is until he finally finds a horse for a funny surprise ending.


My Mom is Trying to Ruin My Life by Kate Feiffer: Even though she looks like a perfectly nice mom, the little girl in the story believes she is trying to ruin her life by...well..um...caring for and loving her! What a nuisance! So the little girl comes up with a plan in which both Mom and Dad end up in jail. Then she realizes how awful it will be without them around and the book ends right and all with a bit "I love you Mom and Dad!" AWWWWW, no, really it's not too sappy and the elaborate plan to rid herself of her parents reminds me of giving a mouse a cookie or a moose a muffin.