INCH BY INCH by Leo Lionni

HarperTrophy--HaperCollins Publishers

ISBN  978-0-13283-5

     In this whimsical book, an inchworm is so proud that he can measure anything.  He first crosses paths with a hungry robin who is about to eat him but, the clever inchworm convinces this feathered flyer that he is of great importance and that measuring is his skill.  The robin is easily convinced and asks to have his tail measured,  "one, two, three, four, five inches" said the green inchworm.  He then goes on to measure other birds: a flamingo's neck, a toucan's beak and so on.  But then, the inchworm crosses paths with a nightingale who threatens to eat him for breakfast unless his song is measured. How would you measure a song you ask?  Well, the clever and insightful, green as emerald inchworm comes up with an idea and measures away until he is out of sight.

     I chose this book because of the title--it seemed to fit my interest of finding a math book that was different from other math books I read and used in the classroom.  I also loved the cover (despite knowing to "never choose a book by its cover"), it reminded me of one of my other favorite childrens author, Eric Carle.....similar in illustration style.  As I did a walk through, I noticed that the text was appropriate for early childhood school children and such a comfortable read with colorful and viabrant illustrations yet, not an overload on each page, which would make it easy for children to follow along.

     I have been able to use this in the classroom for a math lesson.  At the end, I asked students: "What do you think the inchworm measured next?" and "Where do you think the inchworm went?" Listening to the various answers gave me an idea:  I had each student cut out their own five inch-inchworm out of green construction paper and invited them to measure various things in the classroom (such as: books, pencils, seat, etc.).  I then made a list of the various objects that were measured and posted their results on the bulletin board under "....and the next thing he measured was our classroom".

     Leo Lionni did a wonderful job of putting together this book that can be used for different kinds of lessons in the classroom.  Inch by Inch had also received a Caldecott Honor award and a New York Times best Illustrated book award, it's very easy to see why.  I look forward to reading more of his books and expect the same simple and classic style as this one had to offer.

A TREE IS NICE by Janice May Udry Illustrations by Marc Simont

     Trees serve many purposes and this book gives us an insight on the many reasons we need and should love our trees.  They help with our environment and are fun to have around. "Fun", you may say?  Well, yes! You can swing from them, climb them, sit on a limb and think from them, lay under it and take a nap, and so much more.
     Janice May Udry's usage of poetry and descriptive language in her writing makes this a pleasant read.  It is easy to get a vision when you hear, "The leaves whisper in the breeze all summer long".  This is one feeling of summer that I enjoy and having others experience it with me is even better.  Her overall writing style is enchanting, it is simple and comforting and an ideal read for any child (or an adult).
     Marc Simont did a wonderful job with the illustrations for this book.  The pictures are so vivid (like children's imaginations) and it completes Udry's writing style.  What I found to be even more interesting is that the illustrations are in both color and black-white, they seem to be taking turns as you turn each page.....I can imagine asking the children what they think is the reason for the variation in illustrations and get answers like: "maybe he ran out of colors to use" or "I bet he was being silly" and I like to think it is the latter!
     I am a big environmental buff and I can definitely see myself using this book as an introduction to a lesson on caring for our environment.  I can surely see why it has earned the CALDECOTT MEDAL.