Elementary Book Trailers

Just as we are finishing the 2012 year, fourth grade students have been busy finishing their book trailers using Animoto.  Students choose a book they had already read that was available in our school libraries.  They then planned out what they were going to say about the book to get students interested in reading but not give away the whole story.  (Many kids wanted to give a summary of the book, which included the ending so lots of re-writing was done after the first try.)  I gave students a planning sheet that looked like this: 

After students were done planning, we used our subscription to Britannica ImageQuest to find images that would illustrate our sentences. 

We used Animoto to create our book trailers.  Here are two but check out our full set of trailers on our school webpage. 




We also had a few students go further and create a book trailer for a series of graphic novels.  You can see those trailers on this page, also a school webpage. 

Students said they loved making these videos and the second time was a lot easier than the first (for those who had time to work on a second one). 

Zita the Spacegirl

Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke came to our libraries last spring.  I did not get the chance to read it when it first came in but she captured my attention on the shelf yesterday so I sat down right then and there to read it.  She is so fun!

Zita and her friend Joseph are playing outside when they discover a large crater.  At the bottom of the crater is a thing with a red button.  What do you do when you see a button?  You push it of course!  Joseph and Zita both end up in another world.  Joseph is kidnapped and it is Zita's job to find him.

She begins looking but no one will help her.  Eventually she starts meeting some very interesting characters.  She brings them along on her journey and before you know it, she has a team of characters all looking for Joseph.  They have to battle the bad guys to get through and make some surprising discoveries along the way.

Zita is a graphic novel that moves along quickly and has awesome illustrations.  You can check this book out at any of our libraries (741.5 HAT) and you can check out her website HERE.

Squish: Super amoeba

One of our newest books in the library is Squish: super amoeba by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm.  (They are brother and sister.)  The Holms are the same authors who wrote the Babymouse series.  I know a lot of students love the Babymouse books!

This book is about a blob named Squish, who is an amoeba.  He has two best friends, Pod and Peggy.  Peggy is always happy and talks to anyone.  When she starts to talk to the class bully, Lynwood, she doesn't realize he is about to eat her!  Squish must do something!  Will he be able to stand up to Lynwood and do what's right?  Read this awesome graphic novel to find out!

Babymouse - a graphic novel

Wow!  This school year has been flying by so fast!  It has been wonderful seeing everyone in the library and computer labs! 

Have you checked out the book series Babymouse yet?  It is sooo good!  It is by Jennifer and Matthew Holm and is a pretty easy read, great for 2nd graders and up.  (Fun fact:  Jennifer and Matthew are sister and brother and write these books together!)  

Here is a picture of the first book:  

Almost all of the books look like this.  Black, pink, and white are the three colors they use in their books.  Here is a picture of the inside pages of one book: 

Doesn't that look neat?  Babymouse is the main character and she is always telling stories about her family and her school.  Some stories about her friends or being bullied or the school dance recital.  You should try one out!