Looking for new and exciting resources for teachers and students to use in the classroom is an important part of what we do. We strive to find books that engage student learning and promote humane education, as well as create activities that align with the curriculum. Here are two books we found that do just that!
What Pet Should I Get? – Dr. Seuss
Grades 1, 2 & 3
There’s something about a Dr. Seuss book that is special. Maybe it’s the whimsical creatures, maybe it’s the rhyming pattern; whatever it might be, it’s undeniable that Dr. Seuss has written some of the most memorable children’s books ever. In 2013, years after he passed, his wife Audrey found a box containing materials for various projects in his studios. Among the contents in the box were the manuscript and finished line art for what would become What Pet Should I Get?
What Pet Should I Get? captures a timeless childhood moment of choosing a pet. It follows two school aged siblings as they try and decided on what pet best fits the family. It is also a story about making decisions. This book captivates students to think about how different pets need different things and not all pets are right for all situations.
For post reading activities, including curriculum connections and additional resources, click here!
Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla
– Katherine Applegate
Grades 4, 5 & 6
Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate chronicles the true story of Ivan, a silverback gorilla who was captured as a baby and placed in a shopping mall. For twenty-seven years, Ivan spent all his days in captivity inside the mall. It wasn’t until concerned citizens began to work together to speak up for Ivan that he was eventually transferred to an animal sanctuary where he spent his final years.
This book is a great resource to introduce the ideas of captivity, wildlife conservation, and how actions of a community can make a difference. Students will begin to critically think about how the actions they take impact others, including animals. Learning the importance of speaking up for those without a voice, is another a valuable lesson from this book.
For post reading activities, including curriculum connections and additional resources, click here!
Whether these books are used as part of a lesson, or just placed in the classroom library for independent reading, we hope students enjoy these books, and that they spark discussion about our responsibility towards animals.
