FeedAre You a Horse? by Andy Rash
November 1, 2012 in Art activities, Books with Science Content, Books with Science Content, Elementary Educators, Picture Book, Rash Andy Tags: books about horses, silly picture books
*Picture book, preschool through 2nd grade, FUNNY!
*Cowboy as main character
*Rating: On one level, Are You a Horse? is just funny and silly–kids will love it. But teachers and parents can use it for science objectives, writing objectives, and more! I adore books like this.
Short, short summary: Cowboy Roy gets a saddle from his friends for his birthday with instructions that tell him to find a horse and enjoy the ride. The problem is Roy doesn’t know what a horse is, so he has to go around to different objects/animals and ask, “Are you a horse?” For example, he asks a wagon, “Are you a horse?” and the wagon replies, “A horse is a living thing.” So, now he has to find something that may enjoy a ride AND a living thing. He continues on this way, asking various animals if they are a horse, getting all the way to a zebra–SO CLOSE–before he finally spots a horse. But then you won’t believe what he does–check out the book to find the surprise and FUNNY ending!
So what do I do with this book?
1. You can teach science objectives with this picture book. Not only does it go into the difference between living and non-living things, but it also goes into different categories and characteristics of animals. So, in other words, classification. You can use the book as a starting point for the science lesson and goes as far as your children want to or need to depending on age and objectives.
2. You can also teach some language arts/writing objectives by writing descriptions. One reason why the cowboy has such a hard time in this book is because animals/objects tell him only a part of the description each time. Ask students to write a description of a horse before reading this book. Read them the book and ask them to write a description of a horse again. Did they change it at all based on the book and learning how specific you have to be to make people understand?
3. Let students write instructions for the cowboy that they would give him with the saddle on how to use it. Obviously the instructions he receives are not clear enough for him! 
November 4th, 2012 at 11:49 pm
Sounds like a fun “thinking” book. Sometimes we tell people to do something and don’t tell them how or what they need to know to do it. Good questions and activities. Your summary description reminded me of a book my daughter and I loved to read “Are You My Mother?” Thanks for sharing.
November 5th, 2012 at 10:28 pm
Penny:
Yes, I think it is a similar style to Are You My Mother!