Levels 2

-3

Blue Reader

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Teaching Focus:

Simile

Authors use similes

to compare two

things that don’t have

anything in common

using the words like

or as. Find the similes

used in this story. How

does each simile help

you when you read

the story?

Level: N Word Count: 389 words100th Word: of page 6

Levels 2

-3

Blue Reader

Levels 2

-3

Tips for Reading this Book with Children:

1. Read the title and make predictions about the story.

Predictions – after reading the title have students make predictions about the book.

2. Take a picture walk.

Talk about the pictures in the book. Implant the vocabulary as you take the picture walk.

Have children find one or two words they know as they do a picture walk.

3. Have students read the 1st page of text with you.

4. Have students read the remaining text aloud.

5. Strategy Talk – use to assist students while reading. • Getyourmouthready • Lookatthepicture • Think…doesitmakesense • Think…doesitlookright • Think…doesitsoundright • Chunkit–bylookingforapartyouknow

6. Read it again.

7. Complete the activities at the end of the book.

Teacher Notes available at rem4teachers.com

Words to Know Before You Read

backwardscelebrate

disappearinggianthalter

lumberjackmountain

orchardtoothpicks

townspeople

© 2013 Rourke Educational Media

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher.

www.rourkeeducationalmedia.com

Edited by Precious McKenzieIllustrated by Robin KoontzArt Direction and Page Layout by Renee Brady

Library of Congress PCN Data

Paul Bunyan / Robin KoontzISBN 978-1-61810-193-8 (hard cover) (alk. paper) ISBN 978-1-61810-326-0 (soft cover)Library of Congress Control Number: 2012936794

Rourke Educational MediaPrinted in China, Artwood Press Limited, Shenzhen, China

customerservice@rourkeeducationalmedia.com • PO Box 643328 Vero Beach, Florida 32964

rourkeeducationalmedia.com

Written and Illustrated by Robin Koontz

The people of Shadowtown lived in the deep, dark shadow of a mountain.“We need to move to the sunny side!” said the mayor.“But our houses are here,” said Thomas.“We will move our houses, too!” said the mayor.4

“How?” asked Thomas.“We will ask Paul Bunyan and Babe to help,” said the mayor. “I will send a message to them.”

5

6

Paul Bunyan was a giant of a lumberjack. His best friend was Babe the big, blue ox. Babe could pull a cart of logs as if they were a little box of toothpicks.

Paul and Babe were working in the woods when the message from the mayor arrived.“We need to help the people move their houses!” said Paul.Paul and Babe headed to Shadowtown.

7

First, Paul tied a big rope to a house. He attached it to Babe’s halter. “Pull, Babe, pull!” he called.

8

Babe pulled. The house flew like a bird, disappearing into the fields.

9

“Let’s try a new plan,” said Paul.He tied a rope to a house. He asked the townspeople to hang on.“Push, Babe, push!” he called.

10

The townspeople were ready in case Babe pushed too hard. Babe pushed with her huge head.

11

The house scooted across the fields and out of sight. The townspeople flew after it.

12

“That almost worked,” said Paul. He scratched his head. “I have an idea,” said a little boy named Ezra.

13

Ezra showed Babe a basket of apples. Babe sniffed at the apples.

14

The leaves in the trees shook with each snort. Babe gobbled up the apples.

15

Ezra ran to the orchard and came back with another basket of apples.

“Hold them out in front of Babe,” he said to Paul.Paul held the basket in front of Babe.

16

“Push, Babe, push!” he yelled. Paul walked backwards holding the basket. Babe followed. She pushed a house to the sunny side of the mountain. Then Paul gave Babe the apples. 17

The townspeople gathered more apples. Babe pulled a house and got apples. She pushed another house and got more apples.18

By the end of the day, the entire town had been moved to the sunny side of the mountain.

19

Babe took a nice, long nap while the townspeople had a party to celebrate their sunny, new town.

20

21

You and the Story...

Where was the town of Shadowtown? Why would people not like to live in the shade?Can you think of another way that Babe could have moved the houses?Can you think of a new name for their town?

Words You Know Now...

Write down all of the words on this list. Find five words that have another word inside them.

backwardscelebrate

disappearinggianthalter

lumberjackmountain

orchardtoothpicks

townspeople

After Reading Activities

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You Could...Make Up a New Tall Tale About Paul Bunyan and Babe • Whatisthesettingforyourstory?

• WhatjobdoyouwantPaulBunyanandBabetodoin your story?

• HowdoPaulBunyanandBabecompletethejob?

• Howdoesyourstoryend?

• Shareyournewstorywithyourfriendsandfamily!

23

About the Author and IllustratorAbout the Author and IllustratorRobin Koontz loves to write and illustrate stories that make kids laugh. Robin lives with her husband and various critters in the Coast Range mountains of western Oregon. She shares her office space with Jeep the dog, who gives her most of her ideas.

Ask The Author!www.rem4students.com

24

Comprehension & Extension:

• Retell the Story:

What was the problem in the story?

What was the solution?

• Text to Self Connection:

Have you ever moved to a new town? Would you want to move your entire house if you moved or move into a new house? Why or why not?

• Extension: Change the Story

Tall tales contain parts of a story that could never really happen but make reading the story fun. Illustrate and write about other fun ways they could have tried to move the houses.

Sight Words I Used:attachedentirehugemessagewere

Words to Know:

(See activity on page 22.)

Levels 2

-3

Blue Reader

Birdie BooksLittleLevels

2-3

Blue Reader

Vibrant illustrations and engaging leveled text in Little Birdie Books’ Leveled Readers work together to tell fun stories while supporting your transitioning readers. Before reading vocabulary building and after reading activities develop young readers’ vocabulary and reading comprehension.

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rourkeeducationalmedia.com

Printed in China