Someone Says

by Carole Lexa Schaefer, Pierr Morgan (Illustrations)

An energetic combination of onomatopoeic language and vivid illustrations follows a group of Asian children as they use their imagination throughout the day, transforming themselves into prancing ponies, swooping birds, and slurping tigers.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Realistic Fiction, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 2003

About the author

When Carole Lexa Schaefer was growing up, she wanted to be both a poet and a journalist. In an unexpected way, she feels she achieved her ambition. While studying for a master's degree in early childhood education, she once put together a picture book made of photo essays. "The lyrical, every-word-counts genre captivated the poet and journalist in me," Carole Lexa Schaefer recalls--and she's been writing stories for children ever since. Her first book with Candlewick, THE COPPER TIN CUP, traces the origin of a family keepsake that's been handed down for generations. "It was inspired by my connections with my immigrant relatives through stories and songs--invisible heirlooms--to keep handing on," she says.

The longtime director of a Seattle preschool that she founded in 1980, Carole Lexa Schaefer often draws on her experience with young children when writing stories. In DOWN IN THE WOODS AT SLEEPYTIME, not one of the baby animals in the woods is ready to go to bed, until Grandma Owl finally finds a way to settle everyone down. The author says she was inspired "by all my friends at Little Friends Preschool who like to play just a little bit longer--even at sleepytime." Luckily, preschool teachers now have some help at nap time: DOWN IN THE WOODS AT SLEEPYTIME, says PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, is a book in which "author and artist make bedtime about as appealing as it gets."


With her next books, Carole Lexa Schaefer switches gears from sleepytime to partytime. FULL MOON BARNYARD DANCE is a rousing read-aloud that showcases farm animals dancing as they learn to appreciate their differences. ONE WHEEL WOBBLES, a zany counting book, follows one fun-loving family on Family Parade Day as they roll along on an ever-increasing number of wheels--Gramma on a motorcycle, Sister on a trike, and Grampa on some snazzy skates. Of ONE WHEEL WOBBLES, Carole Lexa Schaefer explains, "I wanted to create a counting book for children with which they could have a rollicking good time."


Carole Lexa Schaefer, who has a master's degree in early childhood education from the University of Washington, taught school for ten years in places as varied as Taiwan, Switzerland, and Micronesia, as well as Missouri and Washington. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, the author now lives in Seattle.

Reviews

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing illustrations to show off imaginations

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely text and illustrations!

[Jordan Smith]

Summary: This book shows the rhythmical way children move and play with words as they engage in creative play and work together. In the morning, as always, we line up to go into school. Someone says, "Let's leapfrog in" and the children do. This lively group of Asian children pretend and imagine their way through the day, becoming ponies that prance, birds that swoop, tigers that slurp, and dreamers who invent a thousand other things to become.

Activity: This book ultimately teaches children to use their imagination. However, it also incorporates students acting out things that involve movement and physical activity. For example, instead of just walking into school, the students leapfrog into school. You could use this book in a classroom to carry out some of the things that the children do in the book into your classroom. One morning as your students walk in the door, you could tell them to leapfrog to their seats. This could also possibly help with behavior issues because it could let those hyperactive students get that little ounce of energy out in the morning before it is time to settle down and get busy with work.

[Ryan Vignetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

GPS: ELAGSE1RL3 Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key
details.

This is a great book that shows that the only difference between us and people who were born in different nations is where they are born. It also has great artwork.

Students will be read the book as a class. They will then write a paragraph about where the book takes place and what things the children in the book do that are the same as what they may do every day.

[Natalie Schmitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The kids tell their routine at school. Only instead of it being a normal day, the kids use their imagination to make it a day full of fun. This book would be great for students to create imaginative pieces by having the students use their imagination and create a full day of fun.

[Amanda Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great book to engage students to use their imagination in grades k-2nd. Teacher could discuss daily routines and class could compare and contrast their routine to what happens in the book.

[Brandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this picture book for younger children, a group of creative preschoolers imagine fun activities throughout their day. The Chinese-inspired illustrations are good and add to the fantastical fun of the children.

[ColumbusReads · Rating 1 out of 5]

For every one exceptional children's book I read with the 3-yr old there's about 15 bad to awful ones. This is an awful one. You know it's boring when the little one looks up at you as if to say, "i hope you're enjoying this crap 'cause I'm not." Nope, not good.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the illustrations and the way the artist renders the children's imaginations as surrounding their identity. Lovely.

[Allison Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book shows Chinese children engaging in rich, imaginative play all through their school day. Chinese New Year story time?

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just beautiful illustrations that share a different perspective and aesthetic without hitting you over the head. Also features fun language and would be a nice introduction to a classroom setting.

[D Nine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letter S

[Ruenn Shy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it!