GEORGE the Drummer Boy

  I read “GEORGE the Drummer Boy”

 Two years ago, Boston belonged to England. There were a drummer boy, George and the King’s soldiers in Boston. One day, the British commander, General Gage decided to send troops to Concord where was a town about twenty miles away from Boston. He told two companies of Boston soldiers that they were going to have special training. Then, George was not allowed to ask someone and had to obey the soldiers silently.

 It is sad story. Although George was not a solider but a drummer, he had to take part in the war. It was impressive that Georges had no choice but to do what the soldiers said. The war robs people of all things, such as freedom, happiness, and lives. The war is bad, but it is going on even now. I hope that the war disappears from the world.

New Vocabulary

 troop=軍隊、兵士、群がる wad=固まり、を固める ashore=岸に thud=ドスンと落ちる hooves=hoof（ひづめ）の複数形 chirp=をさえずる、楽しそうに話す disperse=を四方に散らす

BIG MAX AND THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING GIRAFFE

  I read “BIG MAX AND THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING GIRAFFE”

 

 There was Big Max, a detective. One day, the King Punchapillow asked him Max to find his pet giraffe, Jake. Then, they looked for Jake. They found that Jake was playing soccer with many giraffes.

 

 Max was a clever detective, and the animals who cooperated with Max was very kind. I thought it is cute that Jake liked to play soccer. I also thought it was especially interesting that Max flew in the sky only with his umbrella when he moved far because it is impossible in the real world. I wish I could fly with an umbrella like him.

New Vocabulary

 giraffe=キリン spout=を吹き出す、噴出する、噴水 snop=ポキンと折れる

 

Thumbelina

 I read “Thumbelina”

 There was a woman who wanted a child. The old woman gave her the seed and told her to plant it. The woman planted the seed and flower grew. Surprisingly, a little girl appeared from inside the flower. The woman called the girl Thumbelina. Then, she met various animals, but they were all bad. However, one day, she met a bird. He was kind and helped her. She made a true friend with him. Consequently, she could marry the good man thanks to the bird.

 I thought that having true friend is difficult, but I want to make friends who can help each other. 

New Vocabulary

 mole=モグラ

Big Baby Finn

 I read “Big Baby Finn”

 There were big baby Finn and his friend Oonah. They always played together. Eventually, they married. 

 It was unique and interesting. I wondered how Big Finn and Oonah who was the same size as ordinary people met. I thought that it was nice of them to love each other, even though they were different races.

New Vocabulary

 cradle=揺りかご、幼年時代

DANIEL’S DUCK

 I read “DANIEL’S DUCK”

 Jeff and his brother Daniel lived in a cabin on a mountain in Tennessee. Jeff was good at making things by carving wood. There was Henry Pettigrew. the best wood carver in Tennessee. Jeff wanted to be like him. Then, Jeff, his family, and Henry began to make things for the spring fair. Jeff made a box of wood and Daniel made a duck of wood. At the spring fair, everyone laughed at Daniel’ duck. He picked it up and ran away. However, Henry said that the duck was good and he wanted it. Daniel gave it.

 I love this story. I was moved to read Henry’ kindness. The duck is only one. Therefore, it is precious, even though it is ugly.

New Vocabulary

 cabin=小屋 lid=ふた rug=敷物、じゅうたん、毛布 coon=アライグマ

Amrita and the Trees

  I read ‘Amrita and the Trees.’

 Amrita was in the hot village. The trees there were very necessary because they could hold the mud when it was raining, and they could protect the villagers from hotness. One day, a man with axes came to the village and chopped down the trees for the King. Therefore, the mud filled the river and then flooded the village. Amrita had to build the village and plant the new trees with villagers.

 I thought that the man chopped the tress and the King should have considered the villager’s feeling. It is important for everyone to care for others. I also thought it was nice for Amrita and the villagers not to give up rebuilding the villages. I want to be a person who have a strong  mind like Amrita.

FROGGY GETS DRESSED

 I read " FROGGY GETS DRESSED"

“So froggy put on his socks—zoop!
 Pulled on his boots—zup!
 Put on his hat—zat!"

 It was snowing. Froggy wanted to awake and play while frogs are supposed to sleep all winter. He put on his boots and his hat and wore warm clothes. He seemed hard to consider which clothes he should wear in winter.

 It was interesting that the author invented some onomatopoeic expressions himself, for example, "zoop! ", "zup!", "zat!". These words are not found in a dictionary or the Internet. I also thought to choose clothes is difficult like Froggy. 

The Twelve Dancing Princesses

  I read “The Twelve Dancing Princesses”

 There were twelve beautiful princesses. At. Evening, the king told them to go bed, not to go out of the bedroom. However, they were tired and their shoes were all worn at morning. The king said that the man who could come to know what the princesses were doing at evening would marry one of the princesses. Although a lot of princes came the castle, none of them could not watch the princesses’ action at evening since they made the princes sleep with drink. One day, a solider could see everything due to the magical cloak given by an old woman. The princesses were dancing and playing outside every night.

 I thought that the twelve princesses wanted to play like general people. I also thought that they were very fine to play outside every night.

THE RAINBOW FISH

 I read “THE RAINBOW FISH”

 There was the most beautiful fish in the entire ocean. His scales were various colors such as blue, green, purple, and sparkling silver. He was called Rainbow Fish by other fish. He would always not join in the school of fish. One day, a little blue fish asked him for his sparkling scales. However, he denied it coldly. Then every fish came to hate him and he became lonely. He did not why he was disliked. He went and meet the wise octopus. The octopus told him that he should give his scales to the other fish. He did not want to do so, but finally he gave the scales to the other fish. He was glad to see the happy face of them.

 I was happy that Rainbow Fish could make friends. I thought being kind to others is very important and true happiness is having friends.

COYOTE

 I read “COYOTE”

 There was a blue coyote whose nose troubled. He was always in trouble deo to his nose. One day, he saw a flock of crows singing and dancing. The coyote thought if only he could fly. He called the crows and asked them to join him. The crows plucked a feather from their wing and stuck it in the coyote. He sang and dance with the crows and became boastful. However, when the crows flew into the sky, he fell to the ground.

 I hope that the coyote would find his charm points. The crows flying freely in the sky may have seemed so cool for him, but I think he also has a lot of attraction such as his long nose. I think his nose is very cool while he disliked it. I thought it is important for all creatures to be proud of their own goodness, not to imitate others.

Sid the science Kid: The Trouble with Germs

 I read “Sid the science Kid: The Trouble with Germs”

 Sid’ father caught a cold. He and his wife told Sid to wash his hands so as not to catch his father’s cold germs. However, he could not understand why had to wash his hands because he did not see any germs in his hand. His mother explained germs were too small to see with their eyes. Then she showed him germs with a very strong microscope. At school, his teacher talked about germs. He learned that germs were invisible, but he could pass them to people. When he got home, he washed his hands first. 

 Children can learn it is important to wash their hands to read this story. I thought that this book is very good for not only children who live in English-speaking countries but also Japanese children because they can learn English at the early stages. I hope “Sid the science Kid”—series of this book will be introduced to elementary school education.

SNOW

  I read “SNOW”

 The whole city was gray. The boy with dog was excited to see it was snowing. In the other hand, adults were indifferent to snow. Snow continued to fall one after another. The whole city was white.

 The boy’s curiosity about snow was impressive. It made my heart warm. I always thought that snow is troublesome, but after I read this story, I thought that snow is beautiful. I want to pay attention the usual scenes I have seen ever and find the attractive points of them.

FROGGY BAKES A CAKE

 I read “FROGGY BAKES A CAKE”

 Froggy was making a cake in the kitchen for his mother’s birthday. He wanted to make it all by himself. However, he dropped a carton of milk on his foot and broke four or five eggs. Then, he shoved the cake into the oven and blew up the balloons while waiting for it to bake. After he readied all, he called his mother doing farm work outside. He opened the oven door, but the cake exploded. Then he brought a fresh mud pie with a candle and gave it to his mother. She was pleased and her birthday succeeded.

 It was interesting that froggy failed a lot. I thought that it is important not to give up even though I failed many times. I also thought that froggy and his father were very nice to try to please froggy’s mother. I want to try to do the best for my family like froggy.

RANGO

  I read "RANGO"

 There was a chameleon in the hot sun. His name was RANGO. He wanted water and decided to adventure for water. Then he traveled with his friends. One day, a very big snake with red eyes appeared. His name was Rattlesnake Jake. He made RANGO to go away. Furthermore, RANGO was taken his land. However, he defeated Rattlesnake Jake and RANGO was a hero. The animals got beautiful water and were very happy.

 I was also happy to read this story. I hope that the animals will not need to worry about shortage of water.