a cold reception for Antarctica

I wish I could say I was in love with our group reading choice for chapter 11…but I’m not. I think I am missing some huge piece of the what-makes-books-for-elementary-aged-children-good puzzle. Antarctica by Helen Cowcher wasn’t horrible. I appreciate the message of humankind’s serious threat to wildlife populations and the environment. But I just wasn’t drawn in to the story or pictures. The style (slightly disjointed) of writing and the aesthetic of the paintings didn’t move me. However, I feel almost certain that I haven’t learned how to read a book for elementary aged children yet. I need to talk with some of the teachers in class and get their take on what my problem may be. Just last night, I was reading to my best friends 2 year old. The book was Stomp! Stomp! and as I was reading it to Toby I was thinking that this kid couldn’t possibly be enjoying this. Suddenly he started bouncing in my lap, slapping at the book, laughing, and yelling “stomp! stomp!” It was then I realized…I really don’t get it. Maybe I should see what he thinks of Antarctica.