- Author: Janell Cannon
- Illustrator: Janell Cannon
- Year Published: 1997
- ISBN: 0-15-201028-9
Science Topics
Minimum Suggested Grade Level
Maximum Suggested Grade Level
Summary
Verdi's mother wants him to grow up big and green, but he likes being small and yellow! Besides the big green snakes are old and boring and sit around all day. Verdi vows to never turn green and boring and does his best to be adventurous, until one day he gets hurt and the big greens take care of him while he heals. After laying still for a long time, Verdi sees the forest change and grow around him and begins to appreciate it until he turns completely green. Even though he is big and green, Verdi can still have fun with the small yellow snakes.Evaluation
- Appropriateness: High
- Authority: Medium
- Accuracy: High
- Liteary Artistry: High
- Appearance: High
Questions
Does the book foster development of processes?
This book fosters development of processes of science. It allows students to observe actions of snakes as well as infer and predict based on clues given in the pictures. It allows for students to practice measurement a bit because we see Verdi grow and can compare him to the other small and adult snakes. It allows for classification of the snakes because it talks about how Verdi is a green python. Communication would also be used when teaching this book because student’s would have to communicate the ideas they have from itDoes the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?
This book allows children to ask questions about pythons and why they change color and what that means for their survival. It doesn’t tell them the answer but gives them enough hints for them to infer the answers themselves.Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?
I would say that this book allows children to think for themselves about how snakes live and survive among the other animals presented in the book. This book presents information and allows them to question what will happen next and make connections between the beginning and end of the book.Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?
Yes, the science topic could lead into an inquiry lesson on reptiles, or more specifically, snakes. The information listed in the back of the book would definitely help a lesson because it gives students facts on snakesIs the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?
The information is accurate. Green pythons do start out yellow, but they turn green., just as the book says. The book also shows snakes resting in a position common to green pythons. It also hints about their camouflage. No information given is incorrect.Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?
This book does distinguish between fact and fiction. Most of the facts about snakes are presented in the book but there are more included at the end. It does clarify that snakes do not usually fly through the air like they were catapulted.Are the illustrations clear and accurate?
The illustrations are very realistic and portray the snakes in a realistic manner with no exaggerations or cartoon-like drawings.Is the book written at the level of your students?
This book is at the level my students would enjoy to read on their own but not as a read aloud. It would be fairly easy for my students to read in 5th grade with perhaps a few challenging scientific words in the back of the book.Younger students would also enjoy this book because the easily understandable story and art.Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?
There doesn’t seem to be any presentation of culture or stereotypingIs the book free from gender bias?
- Verdi is a boy and of the other snakes, there is only one girl presented, besides Verdi’s mother. I would expect there to be either more gender neutral names or more females present.