Writing Lesson Mini-Unit, using a Mentor Text: Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, by Eileen Spinelli, illus. by Paul Yalowitz

February is upon us, and with its arrival comes Valentine's Day frivolity, with lots of hearts, and candy, and love stories...you know the drill. But sometimes, people get a little lost amongst all that Valentine hoopla, and feel very lonely indeed. And sometimes, a book comes along that reminds us that there is good in this world, and plenty of people who care about us, even when we think we are all alone. Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, by Eileen Spinelli, with pictures by Paul Yalowitz, is one of those books. And though it's a story that can be read any time at all, it's especially fitting to read in February.

Storyline Online has a video read-aloud of Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, and it is the reason I found and fell in love with this book, read by one of my favorite actors, Mr. Hector Elizondo. In fact, this story stuck with me so completely that, when I was a second grade teacher, I wrote a short set of writing lesson plans for my class, using this book as a mentor text. They're meant to be taught right around Valentine's Day, so the students can share their finished writing pieces with someone they care about very much, to celebrate the day. 

Some technical notes:

• The plans are aligned with Pennsylvania Common Core standards, but you can easily adapt to the standards in use in your state.
• The plans were written for and taught in second grade. However, they can be easily adapted for other grades - just select your core standards and tweak the plans accordingly to fit.
• The plans are written as two lessons, but in practice they took my second graders 3 days to complete, so they can easily be expanded if needed.
• The plans use the book below as an anchor text

Title: Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch

Story by: Eileen Spinelli

Pictures by: Paul Yalowitz

Pages: 32

Age range: 3-8 years

Publisher and Date: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (January 1, 1996)

Edition: 1st 

Language: English

Published In: United States

Price: $17.09

ISBN-10: 0689718721

ISBN-13: 978-0689718724

And finally, the plans:

• Clicking the link below will take you to the shared Google Doc, and you can download the plans and accompanying handouts from there.
• Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch - Writing Mini-Unit

Thank you for visiting, and happy reading and writing :)

Picture Book Round-Up For Valentine's Day

When Valentine's Day comes around, I think of friendship and family and love. Here is a selection of some of my favorite picture books that fit right into those themes:

My Penguin Osbert, by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel, illustrated by H. B. Lewis

A cute story illustrating the cautionary admonition "be careful what you wish for," and showing the lengths to which a boy will go for the happiness of his pet.

Bad Dog, Marley! by John Grogan, illustrated by Richard Cowdrey

Marley's family loves him, but his puppy antics are ruining their home and their things as he gets bigger and bigger. So they decide they must find him a new home...until Marley's big save surprises them all and pulls him even further into their hearts.

Frog and Toad Are Friends, by Arnold Lobel

The quintessential friendship between Frog and Toad is timeless, endearing, and a great example for the little ones of what friendship is really all about.

Chrysanthemum, by Kevin Henkes

Chrysanthemum, in the cocoon of her caring family, loves her name. Then she goes to school, and the kids make fun of her name, and they make fun of her, and then she does not love her name, and she does not love school. But when she and her class meet the music teacher, things start to change...

Just Like You, By Jan Fearnley

A sweet story about all the little things a mom does to show her great love for her special little one.

Rainbabies, by Laura Krauss Melmed, illustrated by Jim LaMarche

An old couple who longs for a child to care for has their wish granted many times over when, after a moonshower, they discover twelve tiny rainbabies. A story of love, and devotion, and the rewards that can come from both.

The Patchwork Quilt, by Valerie Flournoy, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Tanya's grandma uses patches and scraps of fabrics from everyone in the family as she works on a family quilt. Each piece of fabric has a story to tell, and her grandma shares the tales as she works. When her grandma gets sick and can't work on the quilt anymore, Tanya decides to take up where her grandma left off, and soon the whole family joins in to help. A wonderful story about family, and love, and memories, and togetherness.

Goodnight, My Angel: A Lullabye, by Billy Joel, illustrated by Yvonne Gilbert

Originally a song written to his daughter, Billy Joel has converted that hit single into an equally touching bedtime book. A lovely story showing the special bond between parent and child, the book also includes a CD of Joel's single, Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel).

The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn, illustrations by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak

Chester Raccoon is afraid to leave his mom and go to school. But his mom is clever, and she finds a way for him to feel close to her no matter how far away he is. A tale of love and reassurance.

Miss Spider's Wedding, by David Kirk

A love story about a very unlikely pair. Will they let others dictate their feelings? Or will they follow their hearts?

Book Review: Pete & Pickles, by Berkeley Breathed

Pete was a perfectly predictable pig.

He was also a perfectly practical pig.

And a perfectly uncomplicated pig.

Being all those perfect things, Pete might have run for the hills if he had known what was coming that night.

Summary:

Pete is a very orderly pig. He likes to have things just so, and bristles when things get out of whack. But he also harbors a sadness in his heart, and suffers nightmares on stormy nights. One such night, Pete is startled from his usual nightmare by a late-night visitor: a fugitive elephant from the circus, named Pickles. When a clown comes looking, Pete rats her out, and the clown leads Pickles away. The next day, Pete is cleaning up and finds a dandelion - a gift left behind by Pickles. "Ridiculous," he muttered. He goes about his usual day, until that afternoon. While on his usual short walk, clutching Pickle's dandelion, he sees a circus tent. And then, Pete's life begins to change.

 

For Teachers and Librarians:

Pete & Pickles is a sweet story that will hold your little people's attention, and their hearts. When reading it aloud, be sure they all have a good view of the book, as the words and pictures work inextricably to tell the whole story. Pete is a pig who lives alone, grieving his deceased wife and moving through life by simply going through the motions. But then Pickles comes into his life, turning his orderly existence upside down. It is a story about friendship, and love, and big changes. And though Pete goes through trials and scary moments, he comes to find that big changes can bring much happiness. 

You could easily use this book as a springboard into a friendship unit: things friends do for each other, stuff friends do with each other, how friends feel about each other - from happy to sad to mad and lots of other feelings in between. Use it as a step to soothe children facing a big change in their life that they're unsure of, to show that it might be hard, and scary, but that change can be good. And of course, use it as a lovely story for a simple read aloud. There are lots of possibilities, here. Which will you choose?

For Parents, Grandparents and Caregivers:

Your little guys will love Pete & Pickles. It will remind you somewhat of The Odd Couple in that Pete the pig and Pickles the elephant are such opposites: Pete is small, Pickles is big. Pete is orderly, while Pickles is not. Pete likes routine, but Pickles craves excitement and new adventures. But, it is ultimately a story about love, and friendship, and change, and the very big things a friend will do for a friend in need. When you read this, be sure your kiddos have a good view of the pictures, and be prepared for them to break into your reading as they notice all the little things nestled into the illustrations, and how the illustrations tell even more of the story that the words don't say. It is a story they will cherish long after they're not so little anymore. And so will you.

For the Kids:

Have you ever heard of a pig and an elephant being friends? If you read Pete & Pickles, then you will find out! Pete the pig meets Pickles the elephant when she hides in his house in the middle of the night, escaped from the circus. (She tries to hide under Pete's couch! Can you believe it?) The circus sends a clown to come get her, and Pete is glad. But, the next day, Pete finds himself searching for Pickles, and then they have lots of adventures together, until one day they argue. And then something happens, and Pickles finds herself in quite a pickle. What happens to her? Will she be saved? And what happens to Pete? Better go get the book and find out.

For Everyone Else:

Pete & Pickles is one of those books. You know, a kids' book that you'd swear was sending a message to all the adults out there, too. And it is. But the great thing is, this book can touch you no matter how old you are. It is a story that will pull you in, remind you of similar times in your own life, make you sad, make you smile, make you hope, make you laugh, make you worry, and flood you with relief. And then, it will make you smile all over again. Find it. Borrow it. Pretend you're buying it for a kid you know (instead of yourself), if it will make you feel better. But get it. Read it. You won't regret it.

Wrapping Up:

Pete & Pickles is a story of love, friendship, change, fun, discovery, and caring. Pete the pig and Pickles the elephant will find their way into your heart, and set up camp there for a long time to come. From Breathed's carefully chosen words, to his evocative and detailed illustrations, Pete & Pickles is a book that you will definitely want gracing your own personal bookshelf. No matter how old (or young) you are.

Title: Pete & Pickles

Author and Illustrator: Berkeley Breathed

Pages: 48

Reading Level: Ages 4-8

Publisher and Date: Philomel, October 16, 2008

Edition: 1st

Language: English

Published In: United States

Price: $17.99

ISBN-10: 0399250824

ISBN-13: 978-0399250828