written and illustrated by Jan Thomas
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Co, 2017
review copies from public library
I knew when I saw these two new titles by Jan Thomas at our public library, I would immediately fall in love. I found myself not reading her books in second grade as much because they are simpler. I missed the love and enjoyment my kindergarteners had with her titles. I was surprised when I dabbled in #classroombookoftheday at the end of the year that my students had missed listening to Jan Thomas books in kindergarten and in first grade. We read my collection and joy just radiated with belly laughter. I can't wait to add these titles to my collection and include them in a daily read aloud at the end of our day.
There's a PEST in the Garden! is filled with voice, character energy, and humor. There's a pest in the garden eating the crops that have started growing. Dog, donkey, and sheep try to predict what Pest will eat next while Duck is warning them it could be the turnips! Pest eats the item not predicted and Duck comes up with a plan to save his turnips. I can't give it away but let's just say the new garden has a fence to avoid the Pests. Did you notice Pest went to Pests? The illustrations are filled with information to help tell this story.
Leave it up to Duck to be worried something is chasing him and require help from his friends. Each friend listens to the clues and imagines an unfriendly creature. Thankfully, Dog recognizes the creature and the friends come to find out the creature is trying to return a turnip to Duck! The creature drops an acorn and gets scared when the friends try to chase him to return it. This book as with all of Jan Thomas books are filled with voice, character energy, and humor.
In both books, carefully notice the end pages before and after reading the text. Cute connections once you've read the story.
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