Snowflake Bentley Book Review

Title: Snowflake Bentley
Author: Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Illustrator: Mary Azarian
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Pages: 32
Genre: Biography

Rating System: Elementary 5 (recommended)
This book is great for all elementary grades. The text is very easy to follow, even though there are some challenging words at times. The illustrations and photography really help make this book come alive. The photos of the snowflakes helps show students how different snowflakes really are and how no 2 snowflakes are the same. This book is a must have for a classroom, especially when incorporating art in your classroom.

Summary:
Wilson Bentley saw snowflakes as little miracles every since he was a little boy. He wanted to capture these crystals with his camera. No one really understood his love for snowflakes.  He really liked how every snowflake was different and how no 2 snowflakes are the same, which not only made them unique to him but also very beautiful. What does he do with his photos? Do people finally see his fascination with snowflakes?

Educational Purpose:
I will read this book to my students. I will really spend time showing them the different pictures of the snowflakes in the book. I will emphasis how no 2 snowflakes are alike. I will ask them to go back to their seats. I will ask them to get out their scissors while I pass out blank white pieces of paper. I will explain to them that they are making their own unique snowflake. I will show them how to fold their paper and show examples of different cuts for different designs. I will give them time to make their snowflakes. When everyone has made at least two, we will do a gallery walk and look at each others snowflakes. After the gallery walk, we will hang our beautiful, unique snowflakes up in our classroom.