Slice of Life: A Surprise Meeting ... and a Surprise Ending #SOL19 #TWTBlog #classroombookaday

As we turn the corner, I see it.  The Vermont Book Shop.  I love independent book stores.  My family knows me. They know they cannot counter the gravitational pull a book store has on me.  We change direction and everyone settles into their section of choice. 

My arms are nearly full. I am adjusting my stack and thinking I need to head to the register when I hear a young voice.  

A puppy!

I go investigate and sure enough…

I meet Tippy …  and author  Mary Beth Stevens

 Tippy Finds A Home is a sweet, heartfelt story of a dog finding his forever home.  Young readers will read with hope and anticipation as Tippy tries to find his way.  The illustrations are beautiful and add layers of meaning to the text.  They help young readers consider mood, point of view, and conflict.  The illustrations will also be wonderful mentors to writers as they use pictures to elaborate their narratives.  Craft moves such as thought bubbles, dialogue, strong verbs, and ellipses will support young writers. 

This book will inspire conversation in read-aloud and book clubs.  Young reads will want to talk about the collar, the big ideas, and the LOL ending.  This is a book you can turn to again and again.

 When I finished this book, a few other titles immediately came to mind for readers who want to create a text set about animals and their forever homes. What others would you add?

Thank you, Betsy, Beth, Deb, Kathleen, Kelsey, Lanny, Melanie, and Stacey for this weekly forum from Two Writing Teachers. Check out the writers, readers, and teachers here.