"Circulate Everything" and Other Thoughts on My School Library Collections

Thanks to the blizzard, I've been catching up on some professional reading, including past issues of Knowledge Quest. The May/June 2012 edition includes two articles that really struck a chord with me.

Weeding and Growing
I've begun rather ruthlessly weeding my two school library collections; if something is more than 30 years old and has only 1 circulation recorded in the past 10 years of online records, then it's out.

Maybe if I got a new edition of
the book,more kids would check
it out? They totally judge by
the cover. Source: amazon.com

Goodbye, Hardy Boys. Goodbye, Boxcar Children. Goodbye, random coming-of-age novels that I enjoyed back in the 80s but can't convince anyone to check out now. (I will, however, admit to hanging on to Little Women and The Witch of Blackbird Pond because they are favorites of mine ... I know, I know, so much for being ruthless and objective. And before you say, "Newbery!" ... a subjective award does not a keeping criterion make.) Goodbye, nonfiction about how someday we might have computers in all of our homes. Goodbye, biography of Dwight D. Eisenhower that was written when he was still in office. Goodbye, 200-page book about Mozart's operas (how did THAT end up in a K-6 library??).

Even though I have a ludicrously tiny budget (unavailable until spring), I want to make room for stuff that I know the kids really do want to read. I stock up at Savers and at public library book sales. I ask for Barnes & Noble gift cards for holidays ... I should probably start making bookplates for the Rita Moore collection (my mom's generosity has enabled many purchases of new books). I am thankful to the parents' groups that each gave me a bag of requested books from their bookfairs.

I have personally read almost every item I've added to my collections since September. Which have included a lot of graphic novels, YA, and horror/suspense/mystery. Because that's what my kids want. I want to give them what they want. Because I want them to think that reading is FUN.

While I understand budget constraints, I am especially frustrated at the district's arbitrary decision that no school may spend more than $150 on periodicals. A magazine is not a book, but that doesn't mean it doesn't count as reading.

Most-circulated title at one
of my schools. By a LOT.
Source: sikids.com

In her article "Showing You Care," Nichole L. Smith discusses how to build relationships with students, colleagues, and administrators. She stresses the importance of understanding and supporting student reading choices: "Classic novels are not necessarily at the top of students' reading lists; students are often more interested in reading magazines, newspapers, websites, lyrics, e-mails, letters, magazines, games, etc. In schools, these materials are not always considered reading materials, and what students read by choice is sometimes ignored." (p. 19)

She continues: "Reacting to a constant push from a school librarian to read books, adolescent students, especially males, can be turned off from reading. ... This feeling is especially evident when materials students self-select for leisure reading are rejected by teachers - and maybe even the school librarian - as 'not challenging enough.'" (p.20-21)


Heading Out the Door
At the same time, I've been letting kids take out pretty much anything they'd like, even from the reference section. (Note: I do require a note from home for anyone below grade 6 to take Twilight, and I reserve Wimpy Kid for third grade and up ... anything else is fair game.)

You're interested in reading the encyclopedia? Here you go. Want to bring home the World Almanac for Kids? As soon as the fourth grade is done comparing TOC and index searches. You only want magazines and drawing books? No problem.

A beautiful early nonfiction collection on bugs had been used for research lessons and never circulated ... I put it out for the kids, and they LOVE them. Yes, the pages are now wrinkled, and the corners are banged up, but the first-graders dying for more "books about real stuff" are happy.

In her article "The Transformative Power of Care," Olga M. Nesi provides this advice on p. 12:

• Demonstrate that we care more about children reading than we do about the books and the damage they might incur by being read.
• Refrain from imposing reading restrictions - genres, numbers of pages, "significance" of topic, etc.
• Circulate everything.
• Model good reading habits by reading widely ourselves, and by enthusiastically and systematically sharing our reading with students.

Did I mention that
it's getting made into
a movie? Source:
jennielsen.com

My new year's resolution for school this year was to do more booktalking. Among other titles, I purchased The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen. One Friday, I held each new book up and described the plot; since the books weren't in the catalog yet, kids could either sign into the catalog and request from another school themselves or write out a slip of paper for me to place the holds on our copy. By the end of the day, I had SIXTEEN requests for The False Prince. So much more effective than sticking a new book on a "New Books" shelf. So exciting to me that the kids were excited.

Since I started in September, I've upped the circulation limits set by my predecessors (mainly for their sanity after all library secretaries were laid off a few years ago ... I've been recruiting student volunteers to put the books all back on the shelves) and use extra books as a PBIS award.

All of this takes time, energy, and money out of my own pocket. But more importantly, it shows the students that I care. I care about them having a vibrant collection of resources. I care about their interests. I care about them. I guess it's fitting that the theme of the KQ issue was "Caring is Essential."

Mock Newbery 2013 - Finalist Reads

(I will be adding to this post as I make it through the list ... favorites at the top)

 See You at Harry's by Jo Knowles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Devastatingly heartbreaking. Fern's voice is authentic, the dialogue is believable, and the grief is crushing. I lost it at the answering machine.




The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. I loved it. Not sure if kids will appreciate its somber tone, but I sure did. Killer comments close out many of the tiny chapters: "Old age is a powerful disguise." ... "I always tell the truth although I sometimes confuse the facts."

Actually, now that I think about it, it's almost like a novel in verse, even though it's written as prose. Applegate's writing is a hell of a lot more poetic than so many of those "verse" novels out there that just seem to have returns sprinkled randomly through sentences.

And it's based on a true story.


Wonder by R.J. Palacio
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I completely second Brandi Rae's review, and rather than trying to paraphrase, she said I could just use it for mine:

"For the most part I really enjoyed this. Auggie was born with many extreme facial deformities. After extensive surgeries, he is starting 5th grade; attending a public school for the first time. This was thoughtful, funny, touching ... the rotating points of view were varied enough that upper elementary would like it as well as lower middle school (good 5-7 book). There were some flaws (I did find the ending ridiculous). But overall, a good book ...."


The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well-crafted story that sucked me in immediately - a page-turner with a twist that I appreciated. Kind of annoyed that it's already set up to be a trilogy, though. I hope Nielsen continues to write well and doesn't phone it in by the end.

Speaking of trilogies and similar plotlines, I wonder if I could push "Westmark" to my students.


View all my reviews Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lin does a lovely job weaving together traditional stories with an original plot (that still feels very traditional ... in a good way). Most of the questions that arise as you read get answered, but the ending confused me. I'm still not exactly sure how the moon fell from the sky ... the timing seemed off. Anyways, I did enjoy it, and I was surprised by how much I came to care for the characters.


 The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm glad I stuck with this one. At first, I was kind of turned off by Marlee and her assigning people drink personalities and her loving math and her not speaking. But I grew to really like her, especially when she began making her first few acts of defiance.

I also liked that I learned about a facet of the Civil Rights Movement that I wasn't aware of before. The hypocrisy and bigotry made me want to scream, and the hatred that went into threats against children ... wow.

Some stock characters, some unlikely events, but a good book.


Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An engaging read, but at the end I felt let down. Other reviewers have stated that feeling manipulated fits in with the overall theme. And I guess I should have thought a little more about some of the things that made me say "What?" Anyways, good parts included smile therapy, big picture v. dots, and spelling reform via Bob Edwards Who Draws. And I always did find the taste bud map suspect.


Kepler's Dream by Juliet Bell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I started off really liking this book. I didn't have time to read most of the books on our December list, so I read a bunch of first chapters, and this was the only one I wanted to keep reading. It started in medeas res, Ella had a great sense of humor, the writing was fresh, and I always like mysteries. "We have to find the missing book!" reminded me of the Peggy Parish novels I read back in elementary school (haven't revisited, so I don't know if they hold up).

Unfortunately, my enthusiasm waned as I made my way to the end. After a relatively slow pace, too much happened all at once, and the solution to the mystery was kind of ridiculous. It made me say "(expletive deleted)."


Goblin Secrets by William Alexander
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Who is voting for the National Book Award? Because I was not terribly impressed. What's up with the coal? And the river flooding? Don't leave me hanging just because you have a contract for a trilogy. The "resolution" with Rowan was stupid. Pfffft.

That said, I did enjoy the goblin troupe members.

Ideas from Nov/Dec 2012 American Libraries

EveryLibrary.org: Interesting ... a PAC for library-related ballot initiatives. According to their site, "Many library associations – both at the national and state level – are organized as 501(c)3 educational associations. Current law and regulations prohibit these associations from engaging in direct voter advocacy or funding political campaigns. As a 501(c)4 organization, EveryLibrary can act where these associations cannot."

How-To Festival: One of my schools is looking for more activities for next year's fall festival. I am going to suggest recruiting parents and community members to teach mini-lessons on subjects ranging from yoga to BBQ. Thanks for the idea, Louisville Free Public Library!

Excellent quote: "Here's the thing about librarians: They are the only people in the world I know who are incredibly excited TO DO YOUR WORK FOR YOU. ... As online resources become more complex, we need wise humans to help act as guides. Librarians know how to do that better than you do. Ask them for help. They also, typically, are warm, curious, helpful people." - Justin Reich, "Librarians Are Completely Awesome," Education Week: EdTech Researcher, Aug. 16.

Personal Branding: Five questions to ask yourself:

• What would an employer learn if he or she googled me?
• What kind of job amI looking for?
• What's my personal mantra?
• If I asked my friends to describe me, what would they say?
• How can I make myself stand out in a crowded field?

Telling your library's story to the community: Two quotes of note from the OCLC report Geek the Library: "Perceptions of the librarian are highly related to support." and "Library support is only marginally related to visitation."

I have started blogs for my two schools - Garden City and Stadium. Now I need to promote them. I think a personal growth goal for next year will be to get coverage in the local paper ... or at least Patch ... for some activities/events. Like our National Game Day celebration! The Great Librarian Write-Out contest pays the author of an article published in a print-based nonlibrary publication between the 2012 and 2013 ALA Midwinter Meetings.

RI Mock Newbery 2013 - November Reads

(I will be adding to this post as I make it through the list ... favorites at the top)

 See You at Harry's by Jo Knowles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Devastatingly heartbreaking. Fern's voice is authentic, the dialogue is believable, and the grief is crushing. I lost it at the answering machine.




One Year in Coal Harbor by Polly Horvath
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am always buying copies of "Everything on a Waffle" when I see it, and giving it to people, but I couldn't clearly remember why I loved it so much. Then I read the first page of "One Year in Coal Harbor" and it all came flooding back.

Delightful.

Loved it.

I read the entire thing in one sitting while waiting for my car to be fixed, and the dealership employees got to watch me laugh, grin, shake my head, and, finally, cry.

THIS is Polly Horvath! (I was so disappointed in the bunnies last year.) There are so so so so many quotable quotes.

12: "All your worry should be able to be traded in for a good result. i know that's superstitious but somehow I can't help thinking I can save the things I love with the force of my feelings."

33: "I liked everyone at that table and I couldn't believe how wrong they were all getting it. I felt I should hand out scripts."

72: "You know none of us can stay entertained with just our own life. We gotta be kept up to date with a bunch of different lives and what's happening in them. That's why TV's so popular, I guess."

75-6: "They didn't improve the ice cream but they didn't hurt it either and I thought that was what you could say about most things. Although I couldn't quite get to the kernel of that idea, the feeling of it made me happy because it meant in a way you didn't have to sweat and work so hard to improve things and you couldn't much ruin them either. You could change them but that was the most you could do. It kind of took the pressure off your time on earth. Mini marshmallow theory of life."

88: "This was to ward off any of the attempts they might make to throw us into burlap bags and drown us in the river. I knew this was probably just a flight of my imagination but I think it is better to be prepared in such instances than not. Then I wondered why burlap bags? ... was it because guys who looked like these were usually very environmentally conscious and wouldn't even think of using plastic?"

Vegetarian war orphans

167: Poem by Miss Lark:
Pussy pussy on the hill
Why so quiet, why so still?
Why no movement for so long?
Was it something I did wrong?
Are you just a peaceful cat?
Meditating this and that?
On your tranquil grassy bed.
Oh, my goodness, you are dead!


View all my reviews Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An engaging read, but at the end I felt let down. Other reviewers have stated that feeling manipulated fits in with the overall theme. And I guess I should have thought a little more about some of the things that made me say "What?" Anyways, good parts included smile therapy, big picture v. dots, and spelling reform via Bob Edwards Who Draws. And I always did find the taste bud map suspect.


What Came from the Stars by Gary D. Schmidt
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I am sad that I didn't really like this book. I saw Gary Schmidt speak at the Lincoln School Festival of Children's Authors and Illustrators, and he moved me to tears. I hadn't been able to find my copy of "The Wednesday Wars" to bring with me, so I bought this one for him to sign. Now I really wish I had found "The Wednesday Wars."

I was very confused by a lot of things. How did Tommy create an O'Mondim? How was Mr. PilgrimWay able to trick everyone? Etc. Etc. By the end, I was just glad it was over, and I couldn't even finish the Valorim history section.


View all my reviews The Boy on Cinnamon Street by Phoebe Stone
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Ugh. Terrible. Slow reveals were super annoying. THUMB's obliviousness got old quick. "Oh, why is he looking at me like that while I prance about in my dress?" Naive and traumatized does not have to equal cluelessly dumb.

And she decided on PAGE 151 that she is STARTING to crush Benny? Who even says "crush" like that? Who goes to writer's camp in the middle of spring semester? Who gets to randomly show up at a different school for lunch? Why didn't Reni know where she lived before if they were so close?

Also, the voice just didn't ring true. And enough Justin Bieber references.

I HATED THIS BOOK and I wish I hadn't bothered finishing.

RI Mock Newbery 2013 - October reads

(I will be adding to this post as I make it through the list ... favorites at the top)


Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Convoluted mystery set in a small town with kooky residents, written with fantastically vivid language. Examples:

- "I wouldn't say stole, but I did borrow it pretty strong." (later referred to as a "surprise borrowing")

- "The cafe relaxed."

- "I hear whispers the way a knife-thrower's assistant hears knives."

- Rumors "swirl like ink around an octopus."

- He looked "like time had grabbed his face with both hands

- "My earth found its axis and my starts found their sky."

I will be voting for this one to stay on the list for now.


 The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm glad I stuck with this one. At first, I was kind of turned off by Marlee and her assigning people drink personalities and her loving math and her not speaking. But I grew to really like her, especially when she began making her first few acts of defiance.

I also liked that I learned about a facet of the Civil Rights Movement that I wasn't aware of before. The hypocrisy and bigotry made me want to scream, and the hatred that went into threats against children ... wow.

Some stock characters, some unlikely events, but a good book.


The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sweet depiction of a bookish girl experiencing growing pains, including a friendship crisis and an "embarrassing mom." Would be interesting to see if students made the inferences to figure out what's happening at Laura's house before it's spelled out. I have read almost every book Anna refers to ... will have to put "My Louisiana Sky" on the list.



May B. by Caroline Starr Rose
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Not as "poetic" as I think a book in verse should be (otherwise you're just kind of sticking returns into the middle of your sentences). But would be great to hand to any Little House fans, especially those who are reluctant readers. Were the plum trees on a creek bed a shoutout? I was surprised the hay and flour lasted as long as they did ...



Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I had a really hard time getting over the premise.






The Fairy Ring: Or Elsie and Frances Fool the World by Mary Losure
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Meh. A somewhat interesting episode written crisply, but it just kind of lies there. I'm still fuzzy on motivation. I did find it interesting that the "authorities" could only conceive of tampering after exposure, not that what was actually in the photos might be pretend. And that class attitudes meant that they dismissed Elsie and Frances' ability to successfully execute any tricks.

Complaint: I think that ANY photo mentioned in the text should be included as a visual, not just described. The entire book is about photos, so show them to us!!

Gee, We Should Be Playing More Games in School

What He Said 

The latest #levelupbc read was What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy by James Paul Gee. I have to admit, it was a slow read ...which I didn't finish. However, I did manage to get through a few chapters, and these quotes resonated with me:

p. 36: "The game encourages him to think of himself as an active problem solver, one who persists in trying to solve problems even after making mistakes, one who, in fact, does not see mistakes as errors but as opportunities for reflection and learning. It encourages him to be the sort of problem solver who, rather than ritualizing the solutions to the problems, leaves himself open to undoing former mastery and finding new ways to solve new problems in new situations."

p.61: "The learner must be enticed to try. ... The learner must be enticed to put in lots of effort. ... The learner needs to be sucked in."

p. 62: "For learners of all levels of skill there are intrinsic rewards from the beginning, customized to each learner's level, effort, and growing mastery and signaling the learner's ongoing achievements."

p. 68: "Indeed, for many learners it is these times, when they are operating at the edge of their regime of competence, when learning is most exciting and rewarding."

p.114: "Educators tend to polarize the debate by stressing one thing (telling or immersion) over the other and not discussing effective ways to integrate the two."

p. 122: "A good video game adapts to the level of the player, rewards different players differently (but rewards them all), and often stays at the edge of the player's regime of competence."

p. 134: "Players make choices that allow them to play the game according to their own favored styles or explore new ones. There are multiple routes to solve problems."

p. 136: "This is just-in-time and on-demand information, situated in the sorts of contexts in which it makes sense and can be used."


What We Said 

We discussed several topics during a Twitter chat on August 2. Here are some of my thoughts:

• Assigning roles can help kids break out of their comfort zone and surprise others by coming from a different perspective.
  
• Idea that ties into advocacy: ask community for research topics... what info do they need? They can "hire" students to find, evaluate, and report.
  
• Getting kids to think about different perspectives is important ... both for basic empathy and for good research habits.
  
• Strategy, curiosity, cooperation are more valuable skills than writing a citation.

And those of other #levelupbc members:

• @mistisikes :To be more "game-like" and engaging, our learning spaces should incorporate opportunities for groups to collaborate.
  
• @SEMSLibraryLady: Presentation: THINK, CREATE, SHARE, GROW: SETTING THE STAGE FOR COLLABORATIVE INQUIRY.
  
• @MatthewWinner: Mastery learning. Make the time to let your students master content and everyone wins.
• @jenniferlagarde: Interesting that classes where kids get their hands dirty creating (art, industrial tech, etc) are all a) separate & b) elective.

RICBA Nominees 2013

I will be adding to the list as I make my way through the nominees ... favorites closest to the top.

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

This is how you do a novel in verse.

Fuse8's review pretty much sums up my thoughts as well: http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/...



Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ok, so the plot was not the most earth-shattering genius of the world, but it was interesting and engaging. And after forcing myself to finish some other Mock Newbery nominees, it was so nice to WANT to keep turning the pages and find out what happened. I couldn't wait to see how the stories intertwined, and I kept going back to the picture of the special exhibit that Rose explored.

Also, the change in movies from silent to talkies made me think about the current sea change ... Red Boxes and streaming Netflix. You don't even need to wait for the DVD to be mailed to you anymore!


When Life Gives You O.J. by Erica S. Perl
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a funny, sweet story. Cranky grandfather + fake dog + early adolescent angst = charming. And the touches of grief and understanding elevate it beyond quirky. Very nicely done.




Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I did not expect to read this all in one sitting. Or to sob through the entire second half. Wow. There's a little bit of cheesiness, a little bit of predictability. But it's still done very well. I think this could be a life-changing book for a kid, because it drives home the point (again and again) that who you see in class is not necessarily the whole person. And that speaking up is necessary. And that being a kid is hard. And that it's probably not your fault.


Pie by Sarah Weeks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Started off a little slow, but turned into a charming old-fashioned mystery complete with red herrings.





Worst of Friends: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and the True Story of an American Feud by Suzanne Jurmain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Chock full of facts and written in a slightly arch tone ... I will break this out when my students hit the American Revolution.



Sidekicks by Dan Santat
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Dan Santat, have you seen the movie "Mystery Men"? Because your plot makes me think so. I was yet again confused by fight scenes, and I am not sure where that peanut came from, but I did enjoy this RICBA nominee. Predict that I will need to buy extra copies in the fall to keep up with demand.



The PS Brothers by Maribeth Boelts
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was going to say that this is much darker than other RICBA nominees, but then realized the ones I've read already deal touch on the Vietnam War, bullying, and racism. Nonetheless, this one has crime and violence on top of poverty. Which you really wouldn't expect from the cover. Luckily, it also has resourceful kids and a happy (if a little too neat) ending.

I did like it, but I don't know that I will be reading it to the students.


Jake by Audrey Couloumbis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Simple and sweet.






My Life as a Stuntboy by Janet Tashjian
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Oh, the conflicts! And a monkey! Much appeal for reluctant readers. Who may start illustrating their own vocabulary words.

Parkour! http://www.nbc.com/the-office/video/p...



Marty McGuire by Kate Messner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Cute. Will recommend to Judy Moody fans.





Fractions = Trouble! by Claudia Mills
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Cute story that introduces fractions and the scientific method (loved that Josh brought the baked pickle to the science fair). Also can make struggling kids feel better about needing a little extra help and realize that different people learn in different ways. Need to figure out when which grades cover fractions so I can do the readaloud then ... hopefully before RICBA voting!


Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Will probably read this the week before Thanksgiving and have the kids design their own balloons/floats. For older grades, maybe try and tie in to marketing somehow ... pick a product/service/company and come up with a visual? Or even just do a "can you ID this logo" game to show how these things get stuck in our brains.

http://desktoppub.about.com/od/logoco...

Which could lead to a unit on fonts! Ooh, now I am excited.


Won-Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku by Lee Wardlaw
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Great artwork, okay poetry. I remember learning somewhere along the line that in a haiku, the last line should offer some kind of contrast from the first two. The beginning poems do this, and I think they're more effective.

Regardless, I will be using this in class (not sure which grade(s) yet) and having the kids write their own haiku. Maybe about pets. Maybe about library rules. Or give them the choice. I'm trying to embed more choice in my lessons this year.

And from the "it's funny 'cause it's true" department: Letmeoutletme / outletmeoutletmeout. / Wait - let me back in!

A Nation's Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis by Matt de la Pena
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Anything Kadir Nelson does is going to be beautiful. Reading the book to students is going to require a lot of context, though. I'm surprised there was no author's note. And the proofreader in me had fits about the lack of periods.



Tortilla Sun by Jennifer Cervantes
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

I was totally on board until the visit to Socorro and the gobbledygook about seeing the truth. Then there was just too much schmoopiness and annoying fatalism.

I did like the idea of Izzy's story cards ... could have students write their own beginnings and then have others continue them? Could also develop a lesson on famous first lines, the power of a hook ... relate to music as well. Although I am now so decrepit, the kids probably won't recognize any of the songs that would first come to mind.


Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I did not enjoy this at all. If it weren't a RICBA nominee, I would not have finished it. The entire premise pissed me off ... I realize that Jack wanted to protect his mother, but come on. Just call your grandmother already. Also, I didn't get much of a sense of Jack's personality. He loved his mom and he loved elephants. The end.

And the narrator should not have bothered with attempting different voices ... his female ones made me want to punch the CD player. I don't remember Bob the Builder being so annoying.