Andy And The Lion

This week, since we would be "traveling to Kenya," I chose a FIAR book about Lions. (We'll continue to study a different African animal during the 5 weeks we study nations of Africa. And as a surprise we'll finish off our study with a visit to the Wild Animal Park or the San Diego Zoo.)

We read Andy And The Lion by James Daugherty.

L's summary: Andy went to the library. He got a book about lions. He took it home and read it. He read all evening. He read all through breakfast. The Andy walked to school. He saw something move. Andy and his dog looked closer. It was a LION. Andy though he should be going. The lion thought that too. They ran and ran. Then Andy needed to catch his breath. So did the lion. They both stopped running. The lion showed Andy he had a thorn in his paw. Andy said, "Just hold on a minute." Andy always carried a pair of pliers in the back pocket of his overalls. Andy pulled on the thorn with all his might. It popped out. The lion said, "Thank-you." Andy went to school.

Andy loved going to the circus. The lion jumped over the steel cage. ROAR! went the lion. The people were terrified. Andy was in the lions pathway. Then they recognized each other. It was Andy's own lion. The lion didn't hurt Andy. Then the people came back to capture the lion. Andy said, "Wait, don't hurt this lion. He's a friend of mine."

The next day there was a parade with the lion. Andy got a medal for bravery. The End.

We also read Dandelion By Don Freeman

L's summary: Dandelion went outside to look in the mail. There was an invitation for a party at Madame Giraffe's house. It said, "Please come to my party." Dandelion said, "Good. I'm having a haircut today and I can get some fancy hairstyle for the party." The person at the barber shop told him to get a cane to go with his new hair-do. Dandelion went to get a cane and the cane person told him to go to a store and buy a checkered shirt so he would look fancy. Dandelion found the shirt and bought it. Then he went to the party. Dandelion knocked on the door. The giraffe answered and said, "You came to the wrong address." because she didn't know who he was. She slammed the door in Dandelion's face. He walked away. Then there was a big storm. The rain washed away his cane, his shirt, and his hat. It flatened his hair. Dandelion went back to Giraffe's house and rang the doorbell. All his friends were waiting for him. Madame Giraffe asked if Dandelion was stuck in the rain. Dandelion said, "Y-E-S!" Madame Giraffe told Dandelion about the silly lion at her door. Dandelion said, "It was me." They all laughed so hard, and Dandelion almost spilled his cup of tea. Madame Giraffe said, "I will never shut the door on anybody again." Dandelion said, "From now on, I'll be just me."

And we used the November 2006 issue of Your Big Backyard to further study lions.