"Wemberly worried about EVERYTHING."
Title: Wemberly Worried
Author: Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Publisher: Greenwillow
Date of Publication: 2000
Genre: Fiction
Readability Lexile: 170L
Summary
Wemberly worried about big things, little things, and things in between. When Wemberly was going to start school she worried more than ever before. Her parents and grandmother told her not to worry and that she would love school but she didn’t believe them. On the first day of school the teacher introduces Wemberly to someone who is just as worried as she is, Jewel. At first both girls were not too sure about the other but soon enough they became best friends. Wemberly learns that she doesn’t have to worry about everything; that things usually turn out just fine… or better! This book would most interest kindergarten through second grade students but I think the theme in this book can be relevant for students of all ages.
Summary
Wemberly worried about big things, little things, and things in between. When Wemberly was going to start school she worried more than ever before. Her parents and grandmother told her not to worry and that she would love school but she didn’t believe them. On the first day of school the teacher introduces Wemberly to someone who is just as worried as she is, Jewel. At first both girls were not too sure about the other but soon enough they became best friends. Wemberly learns that she doesn’t have to worry about everything; that things usually turn out just fine… or better! This book would most interest kindergarten through second grade students but I think the theme in this book can be relevant for students of all ages.
Evaluation
This is such a sweet story about a little mouse girl who is always sick with worry. I can relate to this character and I know other children can too. The plot and characters of this story are very believable because it is the classic tale of a shy student on their first day of school. Wemberly overcomes some of her shyness and worry by the end of the story. She is still a worrier but now has someone, her new best friend, Jewel, to worry with. The setting, like so many others of Henkes' books, is at school and at home; the two places that children spend most of their time. A story of the first day of school is a great plot for a character that worries about everything because school can be exciting and scary for new students. The language and setting fit with the characters and the main character's actions and language fit with her personality.
Literary Elements:
1. Theme: The theme of this story is very worthwhile for children. This story teaches us that its okay to worry sometimes but it should take over your entire life and that sometimes the things we worry about turn out just fine or actually really good. Wemberly learns this when she meets her new friend, Jewel, who is just as nervous as she is. She was very worried about school but then it turned out to be fun.
2. Alliteration: This book is full of alliteration since Wemberly is always worried. This would be a fun book to use when teaching the W sound or when teaching alliteration.
3. Conflict: This book is a good example of self-conflict. Wemberly struggles with her own emotions and fears in this book. She is so busy worrying that she can't have any fun. By the end of the story she is feeling a little better about herself now that she knows school isn't as scary as she thought and that she has new friend, Jewel.
Illustrations:
The illustrations in this book are really fun because the author/illustrator uses difference ways of framing his pictures. On the pages that say, "Wemberly worried about everything. Big things, small things, and things in between.", the illustrator shows an example of the things that Wemberly is worrying about. Without the pictures here the text would be confusing and boring for students.
Mini-Lesson Idea:
I would use this book to teach the W sound. Its a fun book with great word choice and an important theme. I think students would enjoy reading this book and would like the name Wemberly and all of the alliteration that goes along with it. As a class we would find all of the W words and practice saying them out loud and then spelling them. We could even write a poem or story using many W words.
Literary Elements:
1. Theme: The theme of this story is very worthwhile for children. This story teaches us that its okay to worry sometimes but it should take over your entire life and that sometimes the things we worry about turn out just fine or actually really good. Wemberly learns this when she meets her new friend, Jewel, who is just as nervous as she is. She was very worried about school but then it turned out to be fun.
2. Alliteration: This book is full of alliteration since Wemberly is always worried. This would be a fun book to use when teaching the W sound or when teaching alliteration.
3. Conflict: This book is a good example of self-conflict. Wemberly struggles with her own emotions and fears in this book. She is so busy worrying that she can't have any fun. By the end of the story she is feeling a little better about herself now that she knows school isn't as scary as she thought and that she has new friend, Jewel.
Illustrations:
The illustrations in this book are really fun because the author/illustrator uses difference ways of framing his pictures. On the pages that say, "Wemberly worried about everything. Big things, small things, and things in between.", the illustrator shows an example of the things that Wemberly is worrying about. Without the pictures here the text would be confusing and boring for students.
Mini-Lesson Idea:
I would use this book to teach the W sound. Its a fun book with great word choice and an important theme. I think students would enjoy reading this book and would like the name Wemberly and all of the alliteration that goes along with it. As a class we would find all of the W words and practice saying them out loud and then spelling them. We could even write a poem or story using many W words.
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