The Silver Charm: A Folktale from Japan

The Silver Charm: A Folktale from Japan by Robert D. San Souci and illustrated by Yoriko Ito was published in 2002. This book is for children ages 4-8 and is about a little boy named Satsu, who has a pet fox cub and a puppy. Satsu’s pets are very loyal to him and his family. Before Satsu goes out to play, his mother tells him not to go near the woods, because there is an ogre there that likes to eat disobedient children. Satsu’s father tells him not to lose his good luck charm, which is a tiny silver ship that he wears in a bag hung on a cord around his neck which has been in his father’s family for many years. If he loses this, misfortune will occur. When Satsu goes out to play, his pets come with him, but he wanders off near the woods. He is soon caught by the ogre and he gives the ogre his good luck charm in exchange for not being the ogre’s dinner. As soon as he gives the ogre his silver charm, he becomes ill. His pets have to find a way to get the silver charm back in order for Satsu to get better and survive.

I enjoyed reading this folktale, because I have a pet of my own that is loving and loyal. I think the illustrations are pleasing to look at, because most of them are by the beach or by trees. Children will enjoy looking at the pictures, because most of the characters and animals look friendly and happy. This is a great book for children to read or have read aloud to, because, they can put themselves in Satsu’s shoes, they will want to find out if Satsu will get his silver charm back, and they will want to see if Satsu will get better.

From this book, children learn about the Ainu people, the types of food they eat, what they wear, and words in Japanese. From the events that take place in the book, students learn that they should listen to their mother and father.

Building with Dad

Building with Dad by Carol Nevuis and Illustrations by Bill Thomson was published in 2006. It is narrated by a little boy who tells about his day at work with his father, who is a construction worker. He talks about the machines, the materials being used, and what is being built. The boy lets the reader know that his dad is building a new school which he will atttend.

The characters do not have names, but the illustrations are great! They are colorful and appealing to young children because they are life-like. Some of the illustrations really pop out at you as if you were looking at a picture of a close-up. I think it is a great book for children ages 4-6 because it is easy to read, it rhymes, and they will like that the book is held vertically instead of horizontally. It has to be held vertically because the illustrations take up the length of two pages. It is a great way for children to learn about what construction workers do. They also learn new words and can discuss if they have ever been to work with their mother, father, or another relative. Students can take turns telling their classmates what they want to be when they grow up, and teachers can have a career day where parents or gaurdians come in and tell the class what their job is and what they do. There can also be a dress up area where children can put on clothes and pretend to be a fireman, policeman, construction worker, clown, judge, and more.