Weslandia

=//Weslandia//=

Paul Fleischman

1999, Candlewick Press



Basics: Ages: 7-10 Type: Picture book Length: 32 pages Categories: Feeling different, Independent thinking, Resourceful, Imagination

Main Character: Wesley

Reviews: This story was about a boy, Wesley, who feels like an outcast. His parents are aware of it too. He spends his summer daydreaming. One night, mysterious seeds appear in his backyard. Wesley comes up with different ways to use this magical crop as a natural resource. Classmates become curious and start entering his yard. Before he knows it, Wesley realizes that he has made friends.

"The size of this slim volume belies the profound message of hope it contains."

Weslandia is a Great Book This is the only children's book that I have found worth buying (as opposed to the library). It has a multitude of themes, such as weather, math, and language. Not only that, but this book was actually fun and interesting. As a teacher, I know that it apeals to a large audience- including adults! buy the book, you won't regret it

Published on December 4, 1999 by Elizabeth Abramson

Personal Recommendation: This is a good story to use as an introduction/reinforcement of new vocabulary (i.e., morale, civilization, blunders). Another use for this book might be for a child who feels different than his/her peers. This book demonstrates independent thinking.

Links to Lessons: [|Trumpet Club]

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A great companion text to //Weslandia// is //Seedfolks.// //Seedfolks// focuses how a group of individuals from various cultural backgrounds unite and form a community due to their interest in garden. http://www.paulfleischman.net/works.htm

Brief summary of //Seedfolks//: A Haitian boy, a pregnant Mexican teen, a British nurse, and 10 other characters tell the story of the founding and first year of a neighbornood garden in an immigrant area of Cleveland. A hymn to the sense of community. Read [|**__EXCERPT__**]. See "From Seed to Seedfolks" in the Articles section for how the book came to be written.