The Magic School Bus Flies With The Dinosaurs

        The Magic School Bus Flies with the Dinosaurs by Martin Schwabacher

(Based on books and characters by Joanna Cole)

Illustrator: Carolyn Bracken

Publication: Scholastic

Date of Publication: September 1, 2005

ISBN #: 9780439801065 9781436437127

Pages: 32

Theme: Fiction

Format: Print, Easy Reader Level 2, Fiction

Ages: 4-8

That silly and wacky science teacher, Ms. Frizzle is teaching her class about dinosaurs. When one classmate draws a picture of a bird another classmate laughs and explains that birds are not dinosaurs, however this is where the adventure begins and the magic school bus goes back in time to the dinosaurs. Join Ms. Frizzle and the gang to learn more fun facts about dinosaurs and when they ruled the world.

The Magic School Bus series has been popular for nearly twenty years and introduces a fun and interactive approach to learning factual information in story form. In this early reader edition based on the beloved books by Joanna Cole, Martin Schwabacher takes readers on a ride back to the time of the dinosaurs via that super cool magic school bus to learn about different kinds of dinosaurs and what the world was like when the dinosaurs ruled the land.

In this adventure, the author presents the story when a classmate draws a bird for a class assignment on dinosaurs. Another classmate looks at the drawing and explains birds are not dinosaurs…or are they? Ms. Frizzle sets out on a new adventure to help her class learn about evolution and that over millions of years dinosaurs may have evolved into birds. Find out for yourself and read a long in another fun filled adventure with Ms Frizzle, Liz the lizard and learn for yourself if dinosaurs became birds.

The Magic School Bus is a series of books that focus on teaching science in a fun, easy and interactive way for children to learn about life in the real world. Although this series is indeed fictionalized, the stories present real, factual information and material for children to learn about. Joana Cole came up with a fantastic way for children to learn about things that go on in our world; she makes it relatable and easy to understand. This series is a fantastic resource to use when teaching/introducing science in elementary schools. The Magic School Bus is also a great series to bring into story times that focus on adventure and science.

My personal experience with The Magic School Bus series was a big part of my childhood. We only had a few books because this series was born in the nineties while I was growing up but we read what we had to death. They eventually came out with computer games where I seriously spent hours playing and learning all about the ocean in The Magic School Bus Explores the Ocean Floor. A fantastic story that brings back many memories. 

(images via google)

Mr Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea

   Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea by Cynthia Rylant

Illustrator: Arthur Howard

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

Date of Publilcation: March 30, 1994

ISBN #: 00152009019

Pages: 44

Theme: Family, Friendship

Format: Print, Beginning Chapter Book, Fiction

Ages: Grade 1-3

In the first in the series, Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour The Tea, we are introduced to Mr. Putter an elderly man who is lonely and wants to spend the rest of his life with a companion, a fury companion. He makes his way to an animal shelter and finds an older tabby cat to take home with him. They start their day sharing muffins and tea and end the day with Mr. Putter telling Tabby all his wonderful and full of life stories. By the end of the book, Mr. Putter and Tabby are inseparable and can’t imagine their life without each other. Join in on a truly fantastic story and learn all about Mr. Putter and Tabby.

Cynthia Rylant, Newbery and Caldecott award winning author has created several beginner chapter books like Poppleton and Henry and Mudge, but her series that explores the life of Mr. Putter and finding an old cat, their adventures together make these stories warm, cozy and children and parents wanting to read them again and again.

In one of her most loved, Mr. Putter and Tabby, Cynthia Rylant’s creates “wonderful stories that allow you and your audience to share the reading…the stories are light and have a twist that make it fun for adults and children alike.” (PBS Tracker) The simplicity of Mr. Putter’s life and finding Tabby to share his experiences with is the perfect combination for young readers to fall in love with reading. Mr. Putter an old man is looking for company, after going to an animal shelter to find an older cat to fit his personality, Mr. Putter brings home an old tabby cat and they become lifelong friends. Sharing muffins, scones and tea, Mr. Putter and Tabby become friends and can’t imagine life without one another.

Rylant’s work in the first book of the series is wonderful and full of charm. “Rylant’s text reflects admirable concern for brevity and meticulous consideration of every word. They are in perfect sync with Howard’s expression sketches…” (Publisher’s Weekly) I couldn’t agree more with this review, Cynthia Rylant is a master at storytelling and Arthur Howard’s illustrations completely complement the text and storyline. A fun and engaging read for parents and kids, Mr. Putter and Tabby is sure to become a classic. A great beginner series to introduce to elementary school age children in preparation for early literacy skills and finding the enjoyment of pleasure reading.

I was not introduced to this series until I started working in the Children’s Department at the local library when parents and kids kept coming to me to find Cynthia Rylant beginner books. Once, I was acquainted with the characters, I couldn’t help but read all the Mr. Putter and Tabby books we had.