Module 1: Open This Little Book

APA Reference of Book: Klausmeier, J. (2013). Open this little book. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.

Book Summary: Each turn of the page portrays animals who are reading their own different colored books about the next featured animal. The animals gather together one by one to form a big group of friends who enjoy reading. They help their friend, Giant, to open up her own book because her hands are too big. In the end the animals close their own books one by one, and then the narrator tells the reader that he/she is closing their own book but will open up another one to read soon after.

Impressions: This book is both clever and interactive. I like how the book features the covers of different colored books of different sizes, which makes the reader feel like he/she is truly opening up the cover of a brightly colored book along with the animals (such as a little green book about a frog, a little red book about a lady bug, etc.). Children, and even adults who are young at heart, would enjoy opening the covers of all the little books. It makes me feel like I am truly a direct participant of the story. I also appreciate it that the animals show teamwork and care for their friend, Giant, to help her open up her little book. The illustrations are playful and bright, which makes them stand out.

Professional Review: "In this series of opening story lines, the rolling text gently instructs readers. "Open this… Little Red Book and read about Ladybug, who opens a… Little Green Book and reads about Frog, who opens a… Little Orange Book and reads about Rabbit, who opens a…." The plot quickly turns when a giant lacks the agility to open her tiny rainbow book featuring each of the previous characters, so the story's companions read the giant's tale instead. With the final turn of the page, the group decides to read another story in a cozy final spread. The format reflects changes in size and scope; pages become smaller and smaller until the giant's story and then the illustrations grow accordingly. The book requires careful manipulation as the story expands and shrinks to reflect the characters' experiences. Individual book covers provide a visual clue to the delightful details within as each book becomes physically smaller and smaller on the page; the little red cover features prominent polka dots for the ladybug, and the yellow book highlights honeycombs on its cover. Nimble lines highlight quiet participation as the characters star in their own stories. Pencil and watercolor spreads allow the colors to extend beyond the featured designs. Digitally manipulated scenes reflect the interactive qualities within this gentle narrative. This charming format creates a thoughtful package of interwoven beginnings and connected endings."

Smith, M. (2013). Open this little book [Review of the book Open this little book, by J. Klausmeier]. School Library Journal, 59(4), 134. Retrieved from https://libproxy.library.unt.edu:9443/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=brd&AN=86694072&scope=site

Library Uses: Have an activity where kids can create their own books out of construction paper, coloring tools, stickers, glitter, glue, ribbon/string, and other craft items. Encourage them to make their books big or small, brightly colored or darkly colored, neat and patterned or randomly designed. Once they finish designing their books, they can write a mini story inside. Perhaps it will encourage them to become writers and one day transform their mini stories into fully developed stories.