I received an unexpected email last week from someone I would refer to as one of my “literacy heroes”. I had sent an email to a website, inquiring about things like reading levels for some of Joy Cowley’s books for early readers, as well as a few other questions. Apparently the website sent my email to Joy Cowley (of Mrs. Wishy Washy fame) directly. The next day, a beautifully written email arrived in my inbox all the way from New Zealand. (Yes, you guessed it, I dissolved into a squealing mess. When I am a fan, I am a fan! I’m especially a fan of someone who has devoted their life so fully to making literacy a reality for so many young readers!).
Just getting to have this brief encounter with Joy, set my mind to thinking of all the many books
Ms. Cowley has written. I began to notice all the titles in the Guided Reading Library written by Mrs. Cowley. I began to think of my years as a Reading Recovery teacher, and these books I have dearly loved and missed. I began to think of the smiles on the children’s faces, as they read about Greedy Cat or The Meanies. As I researched, I found Joy has written much more literature for children and young adults than I had even imagined. I look forward to reading more of her work and introducing my own children to the joys of reading Joy!
Ms. Cowley has written. I began to notice all the titles in the Guided Reading Library written by Mrs. Cowley. I began to think of my years as a Reading Recovery teacher, and these books I have dearly loved and missed. I began to think of the smiles on the children’s faces, as they read about Greedy Cat or The Meanies. As I researched, I found Joy has written much more literature for children and young adults than I had even imagined. I look forward to reading more of her work and introducing my own children to the joys of reading Joy!
Below I have listed ten of my favorite Joy Cowley books that I have used in a variety of ways in my classroom, in private tutoring, in Reading Recovery, and as a Reading Specialist in Guided Reading. I had to stop at ten, because there were just too many favorites to list. What are some of your favorites?
1. Quack, Quack , Quack ( My all-time favorite!)
2. Mrs. Wishy Washy’s Tub
3. The Meanies Came To School ( I read this as a Big Book).
4. Dan, the Flying Man
5. Big Moon Tortilla—I cherish this one. I have a signed copy. It’s a beautiful Read Aloud).
6. Greedy Cat’s Breakfast
7. Captain Bumble (This one if a play/ reader’s theater and great for building fluency).
8. The Hungry Giant
9. Horace
10. Who Will Be My Mother (Okay, it’s a bit sad, but it ends beautifully).
Please post in the comment section some of your personal favorites by Joy Cowley, as well as some of your favorite memories using Joy Cowley’ texts in your classrooms or homes.
Looking for information on Joy Cowley and her books, as well as her newer series? Follow these links:
http://www.hameraypublishing.com/
http://www.joycowley.com/
Happy Weekend!
Heather
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