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Frank Glew -- Author and Self-Publisher

Section 5: Book Reviews

When I grow Up I want To Be Just Like My Dog, by Frank Glew, 2002,

ISBN #0-9688494-2-3.

When I grow Up I Want To Be Just Like My Dog, is a humourous, rhyming, and easy-read story for children aged four to six. It brings out all the positive characteristics that a dog displays openly such as unconditional love, loyalty, friendship, forgiveness and unending fun. We humans could take many lessons from our four footed friends. The story is a series of humourous incidents that a dog goes through with his little friend. “He doesn’t seem to have a care. He doesn’t wear any underwear”, sends the children into spontaneous laughter. It begs the question, ”What type of person do you want to be like when you grow up?” Each page is brought to life by the excellent water-colours illustrations by the Marna Twins, Marlene and Myrna McBrien.

The story is based on 17 years of personal anecdotes that the author experienced while sharing time with his dog. He now believes that his mission in life is to be as good of a person as his dog thought he was. It has been said many times you can tell a person’s character by the way they treat animals.

The story is an invitation to discuss care responsibility for pets and wild animals. It encourages teachers to bring a dog to school to be used as a realistic, exciting educational resource to teach many Life Strand expectations such as characteristics of living things, classification, food chains, life processes, adaptation, needs, care and observational skills.

It also has a 16-page teacher’s guide to help teacher relate the experience to the common curriculum. 

Samuel’s Most Important Message

Reviewed by Carolyn Pearce, Feb.28/05                                                               

Primary Environmental/Science Education: An empowering picture book that teaches respect and responsibility for life and habitat.

     Author Frank Glew

     Illustrated by the Marna Twins, 2005.

     ISBN 0-9688494-3-1, 26 pages

 “As an educator, I am always searching for books that can be used to support the Proficient Reader Research. I look for text that can be used to help children make connections, ask questions, create mental images, draw inferences and/or synthesize information. Samuel’s Most Important Message met all these educational objectives while thoroughly entertaining the children.” These are the words of a Waterloo teacher who summarized this new highly motivating picture book. The story is based on a native legend that teaches us to take our heads out of our shells and take care of this precious Earth. It shows students that no matter how old you are, you have the potential to many important things. The author uses real life experiences from his past environmental advocacy when writing the story. The setting, theme and main character, Samuel the turtle, are real.

This book explains to us the true definition of habitat (food, water, shelter, space, air soil, and sunlight) and the importance to care for the Earth for ourselves and for those not born yet. Even though this is a fairly complicated concept for primary students, the author

has smoothly put this message in an age appropriate and highly motivating form.

The story line is about a Blanding’s Turtle who loves his wonderful home until developers move in and cause many big problems. However, Samuel found a magical way to change this negative situation into a positive one. While doing so, he also gives everyone a strong message of hope and care for the present time and for the future.

The plot covers many primary and junior science expectations such as, characteristics of living things, basic needs, omnivores, food chains, wetland habitat, natural community, growth and change, adaptations, overwintering, seasonal response, and human response.

A 16 page teacher’s guide has been written by the author that relates it explicitly to the Ontario Science Curriculum.

 That Chickadee Feeling

All COEO people have experienced the magic of feeding a Black-capped Chickadee out of their hand. Outdoor centres are one of the easiest places for many school children to have this unique experience. There is now available a children's picture book that captures this moment and prepares students for the exciting field trip.

The author has prepared a picture book, entitled Having taught all grades from kindergarten to university, he has found students' reactions to feeding a friendly Black-capped Chickadee out of their bare hands to be the same, regardless of age. This story highlights the happy, exciting feeling that is captured on the face of a child when feeding a Chickadee out of their hand for the first time. In ancient times it was believed that divine forces could talk to us through the natural world. I believe that these forces are still at work today. The story follows a single mother and child who bond through a fascinating meeting with the Black-capped Chickadee in a natural setting. The child, who could be taken to be either male or female, is bored with technological gadgets such as television and computer and video games. The child wants something exciting to do. The mother wisely decides to give the child a chickadee experience. The mother invites her child to a natural area. The child soon has the exciting experience of a dose personal encounter with a Chickadee when it lands on his/her hand. The child gets a spine-tingling overwhelming feeling of surprise — a feeling aptly named "That Chickadee Feeling." The child soon learns that Chickadee Feelings can be obtained by other means as well. The mother and child discuss all the wonderful happy moments in their lives that could be described as Chickadee Feelings. The mother relates that the very, very best Chickadee Feeling she ever had was on the day her child was bond. The child isn't bored any more. The story demonstrates how the gregarious little Chickadee can be an inviting and spiritual vehicle for connecting with nature, and a high-quality bonding agent between parent and child. It dearly shows that the best gift you can give a child is your time.

The book's realistic illustrations of twenty-seven local winter birds teach indirectly the identification and characteristics of a natural Chickadee community. A list of twenty-three thought-provoking questions is included with the story. The Mama Twins, Marlene and Myrna McBrien of Muskoka Ontario, are the illustrators of the book. Marlene is a naturalist, mother, artist and environmental educator who performs with her identical twin sister, Myrna.

Myrna is an accomplished singer, actress, artist and teacher who performs at many environmental school assemblies and local theatres. The book's illustrations are a mixture of realism and cartoon. Marlene illustrates the realistic portions of the book and Myrna creates the cartoon parts. The book encourages a moral obligation to the future by planting and cultivating a positive self concept in children and grandchildren by encouraging them to find beauty, love and happiness in themselves, others, other species and the world,

Frank Glew is a retired Canadian educator and long-time member of Friends of the COEO

The author of this book, Dr. Frank Glew, is one of Canada's leading environmental educators. For over 25 years he has worked with children and adults in the roles of teacher, principal, consultant and, most recently, university professor. He has been a sup porter of OSEE since its inception in 1990, and presents regularly at our annual conference. He is widely recognized as an expert in the values aspect of environmental education. Teachers throughout the world have used Frank's Instinct for Survival, 1974, an effective outdoor exercise in which students take on the roles of wild animals and develop a forest food pyramid.

When Frank taught at Wrigley Comers Out door Education Centre in the Waterloo District School Board, I visited on several occasions to observe this unique and effective environmental educator at work. My fondest recollection of my visits is watching the reactions of young children when chickadees lit on their hands. I know exactly what Frank means by "That Chickadee Feeling".

In this book Frank uses the "chickadee feeling" that arises when a child feeds a chickadee on her/his hand to develop a spiritual connection with nature. He then proceeds to use this excursion into nature to develop a parent/child bond. Through subtle messages and fabulous artwork, children who read this book will learn about winter birds, their habitats and food chains. Most important, the book will encourage readers to seek the experience of feeding chickadees on their hands and, through this experience, they will have "that chickadee feeling" - a feeling of joy, love, and oneness with nature.

Frank gave me a copy of the book at our annual conference. I immediately got involved in trying to identify the winter birds that are scattered through the pages of the book. A page at the end of the book identifies 27 winter birds, all of which appear throughout the book. This book would be an excellent addition to the school and classroom library to support the teaching/learning of the Grade 2 unit "Growth and Changes in Animals". Most Grade 2 students could read it with little difficulty.

Further Information Contact Frank Glew at: fsglew@kw.igs.net

Reviewed by Bill Andrews  MAY/JUNE2001

     This story is thoroughly engaging.  While I have read and enjoyed the environmental messages embedded in other stories by the same author like, That Chickadee Feeling, this text had a twist.  It cleverly uses nature as a source of characters, while it delivers a message from the heart...a message that could be applied to all living things!  There is a lovely sentiment to the story that can bring tears to the eye.  Without exception, the child within us all, craves for that elusive hug of love and acceptance, just like Saphira in this story.
     Saphira, who had never had a hug in 2007 years, cleverly learns how to wave her branches magically in the air to create words.  She finally persuades a park visitor to give her that much needed hug by saying, "I need a hug, I need a hug, I need a hug, hug, hug", despite the trickster wind who keeps changing her message.  Saphira, a giant Redwood Tree, teaches children the importance of a caring hug no matter how old or how big you are.  The book brings out the many benefits of trees to humans and other animals through a very humourous but meaningful story.
     I believe that the true test of a story is how it can be used effectively to support deepening children's comprehension, and how well the text can support text-to-self or text-to-text connections.  I shared the story several times throughout the week, each time reading for a different purpose.  The children still giggled at the trickster wind's word manipulations and they loved the humourous events.
     It has great author notes on the purpose of the book and how the author got the idea for the story.  There are 16 practical questions included at the end of the story to help teachers promote comprehension and deeper connections.
     The book is a clear example for children on how to use all the seven elements of writing to improve their story.  Frank Glew is an authror of the best selling book, That Chickadee Feeling.
     It can be purchased through email or telephone for $12 including mailing.  A teacher's guide is available for $2.

Butterfly Wishes

This charming book for grade 2 to 4 students is full of invitations for teaching many curriculum expectations and creating a sense of place.  It is based on the seasonal migration of the Monarch butterfly from southern Ontario to Mexico.  The Monarch's life cycle is brought out clearly and accurately.

Elzine is beautiful Monarch butterfly whose sole purpose is to help others.  She discovers she can grant wishes, a power she uses as she travels from Ontario to Mexico and halfway back.  The wishes come true only if they are for others, not for the one who wishes.  Elzines' gift is inherited by her 300 children, and their 300 children, who use it to make the world a better place.

The story can be used to teach many science expectations, as well as the values of altruism, care, and benevolence.  A glossary and a series of questions are included at the end of the story.  An accompanying teacher's guide brings out the environmental issue of the plight for the Monarch and addresses curriculum expectations.

Butterfly Wishes is illustrated with vibrant colours by Ontario teachers Marlene McBrien and Myrna McBrien.  Hidden in the illustrations are pictures of the

By Carolyn Pearce, Teacher, at Franklin PS, Waterloo RDSBd.

BOOMer Rules,  ISBN 978-0-9688494-7-7

BOOMer Rules is a timely book about nature that plays on the noisy "Jugarump" call made by a handsome, caring Bullfrog named Boomer.  Boomer is a gigantic Bullfrog who uses his loud, unforgettable song to become, surprisingly, the hero of the river.

"Jugarump!  Jugarump!  Our habitat is not a Dump." By example, he teaches all his friends how one frog can make a big difference by solving problems creatively.  Boomer becomes so popular he is awarded the Noble Frog Peace Prize.  The fact-filled book uses the interesting and humourous characteristics of the endangered Bullfrog to bring out the need for us to protect the Earth both locally and globally.

This book was written to aid teachers who want to pursue the seven traits of literacy.  The book is and excellent example of each trait in a meaningful, realistic way.  The VOICE in this story is exceedingly strong.

The idea for this book came from hearing years of foreboding and unheeded warnings about potential global issues.  Many altruistic people who dedicated their lives to teaching why and how we should look after our precious habitat were never taken seriously.  Now as global warming becomes a frightening household word, will we and our governments listen to these warnings and react in time to change our path of habitat destruction?  I hope the call to positive environmental action, like BOOMer's call, willl be heard and have a profound effect upon our lifestyles to promote the present and future healing of this planet.  The worst atrocity we could ever commit is to ruin the Earth for our children, grandchildren and future generations who are not able to speak for themselves. 

The book is written at two levels.  Teachers may take the book at face value and use it for teaching literacy traits and science expectations or take it to another level and address environmental issues. 

I feel it is important to address environmental issues even at a child's level, but I leave this decision up to the teacher as every class has different needs.

This book is an open invitation to initiate children in positive dialogue with each other and adults at an appropriate level of understanding and sensitivity.  Children often feel like helpless victims who can do nothing to help.  Teachers and parents should always emphasize the positive ways to lower our ecological footprint upon this fragile planet especially with this age group.  This could start by simply sharing nature with children.  Engaging children with nature offers opportunities for play, observing their own environment, first hand learning and the development of a much needed and connecting bond to our planet Earth.

BOOMer Rules is the children's voice for awakening our environmental conscience.

Boomer's List: (growing list of public examples) Al Gore, Richard Branson, Leonardo Dicaprio, Alanis Morissette,
Keanu Reeves, David Suzuki, Bill Andrews, Elizabeth May, Dave Arthur , Canada Trust Friends of The Environment, OSEE, COEO, Earth Rangers, WWF, World Watch.  YOU!

A young wolf who is having a dreadfully bad day learns why it is much better to look always on the positive side of things.  Little wolf's wise old grandfather teaches how a simple thing like feeding the good wolf inside us can change life for the better.  The story is based on a native legend that shows how the elders used stories to teach optimism and right from wrong.  The book promotes a vehicle for parents/teachers for teaching good values and decision making at a child's level.  It fosters the popular universal core values taught in Character Education; respect and responsibility.  The story line also brings out the plight and natural characteristics of the much-maligned wolf.

The seven elements of writing can be seen clearly in this story.  The whole story is a rich metaphor with many similes that give children a vivid picture.  The VOICE in this story is exceedingly strong.  The content can be applied to many science expectations such as characteristics of living things, habitat, adaptations, food chains, basic needs, human effect and behaviour.

The idea for this story came from a wonderful Cherokee legend.  Native American stories are lessons taught through metaphors.  Their stories emphasize a bonding relationship with the natural world as opposed to control.  Native people see themselves as part of nature, not apart from it. They use natural interesting images to teach good morals that will promote a happier, sustainable relationship among each other and between people and the earth.   The characters, voices are vehicles for teaching wisdom and values.  Their stories can be inviting springboards designed for classroom values.  This story can help exercise our wonderful gift of free choice when teaching decision making between good and evil.  It can be stretched to teach a fundamental value such as optimism and how important it is to choose a positive outlook in one's life.  This value has many names such as, "The Power of Positive Thinking, The Secret or Law of Attraction"  It is important for children to learn and develop good attitudes at an age when values are being formed.

Life is what your thoughts make it.  (Marcus Aurelius)

The core universal values of Character Education are RESPECT and RESPONSIBILITY.  This story can help develop character that puts these values into practice at home or at school.

Respect means showing admiration or high regards for the inherent worth of someone or something.  It means respect for self, other humans near and dear, other humans globally, other species and the natural environment for now and in the future.  This includes respect for property, authority and common courtesy.

Responsibility means the obligation to respond to respect.  In other words we must cross over the apathy line and put respect into practice.  It is not good enough just to know and feel respect; we need to activate our values into actions.  It means being dependable and respecting others' rights.  It means fulfilling our obligations; alleviating suffering and building a better world which includes sustaining our fragile ecosystem on which all life depends.  It can include gratitude, fairness, kindness, good judgement, honesty, self discipline, empathy, courage, integrity, compassion, optimism and perseverance. 

This is an excellent book for teaching classroom values and expected acceptable behaviour.  I would recommend this book highly for all levels of elementary school.

The three best ways to teach values are:  Example, Example, and Example...

Frank Glew

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