abbydiamond.weebly.com · Web viewAbby Diamond. Dr. Hoaglund. Children’s Literature. Reading...

Abby Diamond

Dr. Hoaglund

Children’s Literature

Reading File- 100 Picture books

20 Caldecott

1. Title: The Little House

Author: Virginia Lee Burton

Grade level: K-2

Genre: Caldecott

Synopsis: The story centers around a house built at the top of a small hill in the country. “The Little House” watches the seasons pass and wonders what it would be like to live in the city. Before long, a road is built by the house, then houses, apartments, and eventually a subway and skyscrapers. The little house realizes that she doesn’t like the noise and lights of the city and misses living in the country. One day the great-great-granddaughter of the builder sees the house and then arranges to have the house moved back to a hill in the country where she can watch the seasons pass and live happily ever after.

Activity: Have students draw a picture of their house and talk about where they live

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. I loved this book! I think the story is sweet and the illustrations are very colorful and pretty. Children learn about the seasons and also the difference between city and country. I think that this book is a classic.

2. Title: Ox-Cart Man

Author: Donald Hall

Grade level: 1-3

Genre: Caldecott

Synopsis: This story is simple story of a man who fills his ox-cart with all the goods his family has produced over the last year like wool, mittens, candles, linen, maple sugar, goose feathers and apples and takes them to the market. After selling everything, even the ox and cart, he buys a few items for his daughter, son, and wife and then walks home. The rest of the book follows the year’s cycle of work that the family does through each of the seasons.

Activity: Draw on the board a picture of a sheep, a goose, a tree, and farm field and have students fill in the pictures with words or phrases to tell what the family gets or makes from

these. Ask the students what need each listed item meets. To relate this to modern times, talk about a product today and have students trace it back to its original source.

Review: **** 5 out of 5. I think this a good book. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is well-written and easy for children to follow. It gives children a picture of daily life in rural New England a long time ago in contrast to modern society in which foods and goods are easily purchased without knowing where they came from. This book allows children to think about where items they purchase at the store come from.

3. Title: Make Way for Ducklings

Author: Robert McCloskey

Grade level: K-2

Genre: Caldecott

Synopsis: The story starts out with Mr. and Mrs. Mallard looking for a place to live to raise a family. They make it to Boston and decide to live there, on the Charles River. Mrs. Mallard lays eight eggs and before long they have eight little ducklings. With the help of some policeman, Mrs. Mallard takes her eight ducklings all the way across town to the pond in the Public Garden. In the end, they decide to live on the little island in the pond and eat peanuts from a boat.

Activity: You could use this book to introduce children to the city of Boston and point out the famous landmarks in the book. You could also use this book to teach about rhyming words through the names of the ducklings.

Review: **** 5 out of 5. This is a great book. The author/illustrator does a great job capturing the personalities of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their ducklings perfectly. The story is engaging and comical, especially when the policeman halts the traffic to make way for the ducklings. The story is relatable because it is set against a real city with well-known landmarks, but there is just enough adventure and silliness to keep a child engaged in the story.

4. Title: Blueberries for Sal

Author: Robert McClosky

Grade level: K-2

Genre: Caldecott

Synopsis: The little girl, Sal, in the story went out to pick blueberries with her mother on Blueberry Hill to can them for winter. At the same time a little bear is out with her mother eating blueberries on the same hill to store up food for winter. At one point, the little girl and the little bear switch places. They eventually go back to their real mothers and Sal and her mom go home to make jam.

Activity: Have students count blueberries as a way to practice math. Talk about the difference between bears and humans; the fact that bears eat a lot to store up fat for the winter, where as humans do not.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. This is a classic children’s book which I grew up reading as a child. The story is sweet because it emphasizes the special relationship between mother and child which exists between humans and animals. However, it is not super engaging for children.

5. Title: Madeline

Author: Ludwig Bemelmans

Grade level: K-2

Genre: Caldecott

Synopsis: The story starts out in an old house in Paris at an all girl’s school where 12 little girls live under Miss Clavel. Madeline is the smallest girl and the most daring. One night Madeline has a pain in her stomach and must go to the hospital, where she has her appendix out. The other girls come to visit her and see that she is feeling better. That night Miss Clavel is awakened by all of the other girls crying because they want their appendix out too like Madeline. The story closes with the familiar saying “and she turned out the light, and closed the door, and that’s all there is, there isn’t any more.”

Activity: The story of Madeline is set in Paris so you could study French culture and geography. Have students look through the book and point out real landmarks in Paris. Then have them locate France on a map and label Paris and other important parts of France on the map.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. The author’s writing is simple and sweet as he writes the story in rhyming text and narrates the story. The illustrations are simplistic and creative, especially of the images of the landscape of Paris being colorful while the regular situations between the girls and Miss Clavel are in yellow, white and black colors. This is another classic book that is well-known across the world. Madeline has a sense of adventure and fearlessness, which is not always common in stories about little girls.

6. Title: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Author: William Steig

Grade level: K-2

Genre: Caldecott

Synopsis: Sylvester is a donkey whose hobby is collecting pebbles. One day he finds a red, shiny pebble that turns out to be a magic pebble. He can wish for anything while he is holding the pebble. When he comes upon a lion, in a moment of panic he wishes he is a rock. Since he turns into a rock, he no longer has hands to hold the pebble so he is stuck being a rock for a year. Eventually, his parents come have a picnic in the field where he is and they pick up the red pebble and put it on Sylvester, who is the rock they are eating their picnic on. Sylvester then turns back into a donkey and they decided to lock the magic pebble into a safe so that they are not tempted to use it without thinking.

Activity: Talk about the consequences of our actions and the importance of taking care of nice things we have. Have young students draw a picture of Sylvester in his field on Strawberry Field. Talk about if they have a hobby like Sylvester did collecting pebbles.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. I think this is a great book because it teaches a good lesson to kids about the consequences of doing something without thinking. Sylvester gets caught up in the excitement of having a magic pebble, but makes a bad decision and has to suffer the consequence. The illustrations are cute as well.

7. Title: Madeline’s Rescue

Author: Ludwig Bemelmans

Grade level: 1-3

Genre: Caldecott

Synopsis: This is another book that follows the adventures of twelve little girls and Genevieve, the dog, around Paris. One day Miss Clavel takes the young girls for a walk and Madeline doesn’t listen to Miss Clavel’s instructions and ends up falling into a river and almost drowns. Genevieve, a stray dog, jumps in and rescues Madeline. After this, Madeline and Genevieve become best friends and the dog comes to live at the school. In the end of the book, Genevieve gives birth to puppies and this ends the girls fighting over Genevieve.

Activity: Since the book is written as a poem, use it to go over poetry. Discuss what a poem is and point out common characteristics of poetry found in the book. Then have students write their own short poem about Madeline.

8. Title: Officer Buckle and Gloria

Author: Peggy Rathmann

Grade level: K-2

Genre: Caldecott

Synopsis: Officer Buckle is a policeman who gives safety speeches at Napville School. One day he is given a new dog called Gloria who starts to go to all his speaking events. Before Gloria came with him, the students would always fall asleep and no one listened to his advice or put them to practice. Gloria would act out each of the safety tips. One day, Office Buckle figured out that people always clapped and cheered for Gloria’s tricks. He got discouraged and sent Gloria alone without him, but Gloria didn’t do anything without officer buckle. In the end, officer buckle realized he and Gloria made a great team and they continued to give safety speeches.

Activity: Go through some of the safety tips that Officer Buckle says and are in the book. Talk with students about the importance of putting safety first. Have students draw a picture of Gloria doing a trick.

Review: **** 5 out of 5. I love this book! I have such great memories reading it. It is a funny book that is sure to keep kids paying attention. The illustrations are phenomenal as well, and the storyline is fast-paced and engaging.

9. Title: Where the Wild Things Are

Author: Maurice Sendak

Grade level: K-3

Genre: Caldecott

Synopsis: The story focuses on a young boy named Max who one night makes a lot of mischief while dressed in his wolf suit. His mother calls him ‘wild thing’ and sends him to bed without supper. While in bed, Max’s bedroom turns into a jungle environment and he ends up in a boat going to an island where there are wild beasts known as “Wild Things.” Max goes on to tame the wild things and crowns himself as their king. After enjoying playing with his new subjects, he gets lonesome and decides to return home. After arriving in his bedroom, Max finds a hot supper waiting for him.

Activity: Have students imitate what the “wild rumpus” in the book might have looked like. Spilt up the class into several groups and have them organize their own wild rumpus, complete with dances steps and music.

Review: *** 3 out of 5. This is sort of a weird book, although it does emphasize the powers of child’s imagination. This was not my favorite book as a kid because of the weird creatures and odd storyline. However, the book has imaginative creatures and illustrations and something fascinating about it, especially for children. One lesson from the book is that even with all his powers over the wild things, Max still missed home.

10. Title: Mirette On The High Wire

Author: Emily Arnold McCully

Grade level: K-3

Genre: Caldecott

Synopsis: Mirette lives in a boardinghouse in France because her mom is the owner of the boardinghouse. Acrobats, jugglers, actors, and mimes come to stay there. One day she meets a man named Bellini, a famous tightrope walker and she begs him to teach her how he does it. Mirette doesn’t realize that the stranger was once the Great Bellini—a master wire walker. With the help of Mirette, he performs in front of a big crowd for the first time in a long time and conquers his fears.

Activity: Have students draw their own picture of the final scene in the book of Mirette helping Bellini. Discuss with students what fears are and the differences between irrational and rational fears.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. I really liked this book. The watercolor pictures were beautiful and I loved the storyline of the girls helping an older man conquer his fears. It teaches a good lesson that practicing a skill over and over will get results. If you set your mind to something, you can do it.

11. Title: Olivia

Author: Ian Falconer

Grade level: K-1

Genre: Caldecott

Synopsis: This book is about the adventures of an energetic little pig named Olivia. Everyday she runs around the house and does activity after activity without stopping. Whatever she is doing, she gives it 150%. For example, when her mom shows her how to make a sand castle, she makes the empire state building. In the end, her mother tells her that although Olivia wears her out, she loves her anyway.

Activity: Olivia does many different activities. Have each child make a mini book showing, with pictures and words, things that they enjoy doing.

Review: *** 3 out of 5. I like this book okay, but I did not think it was phenomenal. It just describes Olivia running around doing activity after activity. I do not think it has much of a lesson for children to learn. However, the author’s illustrations are really cool because he uses black and white with splashes of red on each page.

12. Title: In the Small, Small Pond

Author: Denise Fleming

Grade level: K-1

Genre: Caldecott

Synopsis: This book starts out with a pond and tadpoles in the pond. It’s springtime and a green frog leaps into a pond where tadpoles and minnows scatter. The book then goes through each of the seasons while describing the animals that are in and around the pond and what they do.

Activity: I would pick out the action verbs that are used throughout this book like hover, shiver, waddle, wade, jiggle, etc. Pull out some of these descriptive verbs and write them on the board. Ask students what they think they mean and go over the definition of each. Then pick one student to act out the verb.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. I think this book is great for young readers because it has bright, colorful pages full of animals. It is a rhyming book with great, expressive verbs which students may have never heard before. Something cool about the book is that the frog is on each page; students will enjoy finding the frog on every page.

13. Title: Owen

Author: Kevin Henkes

Grade level: K-1

Genre: Caldecott

Synopsis: Owen is a mouse who has a fuzzy yellow blanket that he has had since he was a baby. He carries it wherever he goes. But his mom thinks Owen is getting too old to carry the blanket around everywhere so she tries many tricks to get him to stop carrying it around, like dipping it in vinegar and the Blanket Fairy. However, Owen will not give it up. In the end, Owen’s mother ends up sewing it into a handkerchief that he can still take with him wherever he goes.

Activity: Have students draw a picture of Owen with his fuzzy yellow blanket. Then have the students write 2 simple sentences on what activities they could take their blanket on if they were Owen.

Review: *** 3 out of 5. I think this book is an okay book, but it is nothing phenomenal. It would be good for children who may have a blanket or something they are still attached to. The pictures are charming and the storyline is nice but I don’t think that it teaches a great lesson.

14. Title: The Hello, Goodbye Window

Author: Norton Juster

Grade level: K-2

Genre: Caldecott

Synopsis: This story is about a little girl who is visiting her grandparents. There is a special window in the kitchen of her Nanna and Poppy’s house that she calls the Hello, Goodbye Window. She thinks that the window is a magical window because through it she watches the stars, plays games, works in the garden, and listens to Poppy play the harmonica. In the end, her mom comes to pick her up and she is sad to leave the Hello, Goodbye Window but she hopes that one day she can have one too.

Activity: Read this book aloud to students. Use this as part of a social studies unit on families and relationships. Have students pair up and talk about their family and/or grandparents. Have each student share one thing special about their grandparents or parents or something they like to do with their grandparents or parents.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. This is a sweet story about a little girl and her relationship with her grandparents. It highlights the special relationship grandchildren can have with their grandparents. The childlike drawings in the book are unique and memorable and I love how the illustrator depicts the grandparents and parents as multi-racial couples.

15. Title: The Gardner

Author: Sarah Stewart

Grade level: 1-3

Genre: Caldecott

Synopsis: This story is about a girl named Lydia Grace Finch who lives with her mother, father, and grandmother in rural town during the great depression. She goes to live with her Uncle Jim who is a baker and she brings a suitcase full of seeds, plenty of stationary, and a passion for gardening to the city. Uncle Jim doesn’t smile very much but Lydia finds comfort in the seeds her grandmother sends with her. She decides to create a garden on top of the rooftop to encourage Uncle Jim who is always worried about things. In the end, she brings joy to him and everyone around her and she gets to go back home because her dad finds a job.

Activity: Read this book before starting a unit on plants. If your class is growing a plant, have them each create a “Plant Journal” to track the progress of the plants, sort of like what Lydia does in the book. Describe to students the life cycle of plants and how they start out as seeds. Have students draw the stages of a plant’s life.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. I like how this book is written in the format of short letters that she writes home to her parents and grandma. It is a touching story of a girl who tries to bring joy and happiness to those around her during hard times. The warm, vibrant colors explode off of each page and you can’t help but to love the girl.

16. Title: The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses

Author: Paul Goble

Grade level: 1-4

Genre: Caldecott

Synopsis: It is a story of a Native American girl who longs to be one with her horses. It begins with a young girl who gets lost on the plains with her tribes’ horses after a thunderstorm. She meets wild horses and she lives among them until one day men from her tribe find her and bring her home. She is happy to see her family but misses the horses. She gets sick so her family takes her back to her horses and she goes back to live with them. Every year she returns to visit her family and bring them a colt. One day she doesn’t return because she truly becomes one of the horses.

Activity: The book could be used as an introduction to an art lesson. From the illustrations in the book as a guide, have students create their own traditional Native American pattern on a piece of paper. Also go over vocabulary words which describe the region of the country that the book is set in.

Review: *** 3 out of 5. This is an interesting story that I am not sure if children would like that much or not. I like how the illustrations throughout the story represent Native American culture with its colorful artwork and detail. Although it is an old Native American folktale, the story is a little odd. The author does do a good job, however, of making the folktale quite interesting and dramatic.

17. Title: The Snowy Day

Author: Ezra Jack Keats

Grade level: K

Genre: Caldecott

Synopsis: The book tells a very simple story of a boy named Peter who wakes up to find it has snowed and goes out to play in it. He explores his neighborhood in the city and has some adventures in the snow. Before he comes inside, he makes a snowball and puts it in his pocket. That night he dreams that the sun melts all the snow, but when he wakes up the next morning, the snow is still there. Peter and his friend go out to play in the snow again.

Activity: Ask students if they can remember what things Peter did in the snow. With your discussion, record the student’s responses in a list form and have them copy it on their own paper. Then have students add one more sentence of another activity in the snow that Peter could have done.

Review: **** 3 out of 5. The story’s plot is very simple, but I like that the pictures are warm and inviting. I also like that the main character is a black boy. The author does a good job of capturing the wonder kids feel when going out to play in the winter. Children who love winter and snow will enjoy this book, and it is a good book for very young readers.

18. Title: The Polar Express

Author: Chris Van Allsburg

Grade level: 1-3

Genre: Caldecott

Synopsis: A young boy is awakened on Christmas Eve by a magic train that appears right outside his home. The train is called the Polar Express and is journeying to the North Pole. The boy climbs on the train and finds that the train is filled with candy, chocolate, and other children. At the North Pole, the boy is handpicked by Santa to receive the first gift of Christmas. He chooses one bell from one of the reindeer’s harness. On the train ride home, the boy loses the bell after putting it in his pocket. On Christmas morning, he finds a package for the boy under the tree which contains the bell. He rings the bell and he is amazed at the beautiful sound.

Activity: In the book, the boy chooses a bell from one of the reindeer’s harness. As a fun activities, make a reindeer craft using popsicle sticks, googly eyes, brown pipe cleaners, red pom poms, and 8 inches of yarn.

Review: **** 3 out of 5. This book has stunning illustrations and is a magical story that most kids will enjoy. It is a classic. However, it is told in first person which is different. I don’t love how the story is all about Santa because I didn’t grow up even believing in Santa.

19. Title: When I Was Young In The Mountains

Author: Cynthia Rylant

Grade level: K-2

Genre: Caldecott

Synopsis: This book is about a little girl who lived with her grandparents and is remembering what it was like to grow up in the Appalachian Mountains. Every paragraph starts with the phrase “When I was young in the mountains” and goes into detail what this girl did when she was young growing up in a small mountain town. This includes everything from swimming in a muddy swimming hole to eating corn bread, pinto beans, and fried okra. In end by the girl saying she never wanted to go anywhere else in the world except for the mountains.

Activity: Have students write a journal entry of their favorite place. I would prompt them with questions by asking where it is, how often they visit, who they go with, etc. After they finished, I would ask the students to share.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. The pictures throughout the book are beautiful. I like how you can really feel what it life was like to grow up in the mountains through the pictures and text. This is good for children today to get a sense of what it was like to grow up in a small mountain town. Although the family lives in humble circumstances, the children don’t seem to lack anything and they are content in their circumstances.

20. Title: One Morning in Maine

Author: Robert McCloskey

Grade level: K-1

Genre: Caldecott

Synopsis: This book is about Sal, a cute little girl from Blueberries For Sal, who awakens one morning and discovers she has a loose tooth. She is supposed to go with her dad to Buck’s Harbor that day so she walks out to the beach with her little sister Jane to find him. While she is helping her dad dig for clams, her tooth falls out and is lost in the sea. Although she is bummed because she won’t get to ask for a wish, she still goes to Buck’s Harbor with her dad and little sister. They get the items they need at the store for their mom. While there, Sal’s wish comes true and she gets a chocolate ice cream cone.

Activity: In this book, there is a lot of ocean life that is represented. Go over some of the animals in the book like herons, clams, crabs, lobsters, hawks, seals, seagulls, etc. Have students color pages of different ocean animals and make a mini book titled Ocean Life.

Review: *** 3 out of 5. I think this is a sweet story that follows up about Sal, who is the main character in Blueberries for Sal. It describes the simple life of a family in rural Maine and I love the relationship between Sal and her father. The illustrations are in black and white which gives the story an old fashioned feeling. McCloskey also does a great job capturing the character’s emotions.

10 Seasonal/holiday

1. Title: Valentine’s Day

Author: Annie Rockwell

Grade level: K-1

Genre: Seasonal/holiday

Synopsis: This book is about students in a class writing valentines to send to their friend Michiko in Japan. Every student creates a different valentine and decorates it on their own. Then the kids put all the letters in a big envelope and send it to Japan. On Valentine’s Day, the class receives a package from Michiko with a valentine for each of the students in the class.

Activity: Talk about the background of Valentine’s Day and share its history. Have each student create a valentine poem for another student in the class.

Review: *** 3 out of 5. This is a cute book about students in a class making valentines for a little boy in Japan. I like the lesson it teaches about thinking of others; however, I didn’t think it was anything phenomenal. I did like how each valentine that the students made was very unique.

2. Title: The First Thanksgiving

Author: Linda Hayward

Grade level: 1-3


Synopsis: This chapter book follows the pilgrims coming over from England and settling into America. It starts out with the conditions on the Mayflower and all of the hardships of being on a ship. The pilgrims then make a life for themselves but building houses and establishing a home in the new world. They form friendships with some of the local Indians and in the fall, have a big feast with the pilgrims and Indians. This eventually becomes a tradition known as Thanksgiving.

Activity: Talk about what stood out to the students in the story. Talk about how the holiday of Thanksgiving has changed and evolved over the years. Have them draw what they are thankful for and share with the class.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. This is a great educational book that gives a good background on the holiday of Thanksgiving. The language is perfect for kids to understand, but also to learn about the Pilgrims and where the holiday of Thanksgiving came from. It has good pictures as well.

3. Title: The Story of Holly and Ivy

Author: Rumer Godden

Grade level: 2-4


Synopsis: The story is really about three people wishing for something: a young orphaned girl wishing for a doll, a Christmas doll wishing for a girl, and a childless woman wanting a child. The story starts out with Ivy who is a lonely orphan wishing for a place to belong. She is put on a train to be sent to another orphanage but instead gets off at another station in search of her “grandmother” even though she doesn’t have a grandmother. Ivy sees Holly, a doll in Mr.

Blossom’s toy shop, who wishes to find her little girl because she hasn't been sold this Christmas. At the same time, childless Mrs. Jones aches for a son or daughter to share their holiday. In the end, all three wishes come true: Holly is given to Ivy and Ivy is adopted by the Jones.

Activity: Have students draw a picture of Holly the doll and then share about their favorite toy at home.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. I think this is a good book. It is more of a short story than a picture book which allows it to develop characters and atmosphere. It’s a touching and heartwarming story about a doll and girl finding a home. The illustrations are really good too.

4. Title: The Nutcracker

Author: E.T.A Hoffmann

Grade level: 1-4


Synopsis: The story begins on Christmas Eve with a young girl, Marie, receiving a nutcracker as a present from her godfather Drosselmier. Marie soon discovers that her nutcracker is a special one who turns out to be a young man who has been put under an evil spell by an evil mouse queen. Marie’s bedroom is then transformed into a battleground of good and evil. Ultimately, the nutcracker wins and she travels to his kingdom called Toyland and other magical lands. The nutcracker turns out to be her godfather’s nephew and because she pledged to be his friend despite his ugliness, she broke the evil curse. Marie goes on to marry young Drosselmier, and they rule over the magical Kingdom of Toyland.

Activity: Using the Nutcracker as a model, the teacher could explore various components of fairy tales like what a fairy tale is, what are some special characteristics, and what kind of plots, characters, and settings do you expect to find in a fairy tale. Identify these in the story of the Nutcracker.

Review: *** 3 out of 5. I liked this book alright, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as watching the ballet or play. The story is kind of drawn out and long. However, it is a holiday classic and there are elements about the story that children will enjoy, like the fairy tale aspect of it, toys coming to life, etc. It is also a good story about the power of seeing the best in people.

5. Title: Thanksgiving Day

Author: Anne Rockwell

Grade level: K-2


Synopsis: The story is about a little boy named Charlie who learns about the story behind Thanksgiving in his class. Then, his class puts on a thanksgiving play about the pilgrims and Indians and the first thanksgiving. Each of the students describe what they are thankful for while

they are in character to tell the story. The story ends with Charlie and his family celebrating Thanksgiving feast.

Activity: Use this book to tell the history of the Thanksgiving holiday. Have students draw a picture of what they are thankful for and then have students share with the class.

Review: *** 3 out of 5. This book has beautiful illustrations and is a good introduction about thanksgiving for young students. There is not too much information so students should not get bored. However, it might be too simple for older kids other than preschoolers.

6. Title: How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Author: Dr. Seuss

Grade level: K-2


Synopsis: The Grinch is a bitter, grouchy green creature who leaves in a cave on the side Mount Crumpit which is near the city of Whoville where the Whos live. His only companion is his dog Max. When he hears the Christmas festivities going on in Whoville, he decides to stop Christmas by stealing all of the presents, trees, food, etc from their houses by disguising himself as Santa Claus. The next morning he expects to hear the Whos crying because of the loss of all their stuff, but instead he hears them singing Christmas songs. For the first time, he realizes that maybe Christmas is more than presents and trees and his heart suddenly grows three sizes bigger. He then returns all of the presents and trees that he stole.

Activity: Talk with students about the elements of a plot and have students fill in a plot worksheet using the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Have them draw a picture of their favorite scene as well.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. This is a classic Christmas story that kids will enjoy. The rhyming text of Dr. Seuss is always enjoyable and the storyline is creative and hilarious. The illustrations are just enough but not too much. The best part of the book it the message and moral it conveys to children about how Christmas is more than physical items but about the people you share it with.

7. Title: The Velveteen Rabbit

Author: Margery Williams

Grade level: 2-5


Synopsis: A stuffed rabbit is given as a Christmas present to a little boy, but the little boy stops playing with him because of other newer presents he gets. One night the rabbit is given to the boy to sleep with and he becomes the boy’s favorite toy and he goes everywhere with him. He gets discrougaed because other real rabbits tell him he is shabby and is not real. When the boy become sick, the doctor orders that all the toys be burnt. The night before he is going to be

destroyed, the velveteen rabbit meets a fairy. After giving him a kiss, the velveteen rabbit becomes a real rabbit.

Activity: Ask children to think about their favorite toy and it is their favorite toy. Have students write three sentences as to why it is their favorite toy. Then have them bring their toy to school and share their three sentences and their toy to the class.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. This was one of my favorite children’s books growing up. I love this sweet story of how a well-loved toy becomes real. Kids will be able to relate to this because most kids have some kind of companion toy. I love how it demonstrates in a way the transforming power of love.

8. Title: Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears


Grade level: 1-3


Synopsis: Mr. Putter is an old man who has a cat named Tabby. In this story, it is fall and things are growing in Mr. Putter’s backyard—apples, tomatoes, and pears. Mr. Putter dreams of all the juicy things he loves to eat, but most of all he wants to make pear jelly. Because he is so old and he has “cranky” legs, he can’t climb the ladder to get to the pears. He is sad because he can’t get to the pears so he makes a slingshot using apples. He then realizes that he can get the pears out of the tree by using a slingshot and his problem is solved.

Activity: Before reading the story, describe to students that Mr. Putter loves the fall and fall foods. Specifically, he really wants to pick the pears. Have students write down why they think he wants to pick the pears so badly. After the story, have students look back at the sentence they wrote and compare student’s answers to what really happened in the story. Then have students write “I love fall because” and list the things that they love about fall.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. Mr. Putter and Tabby are some of my favorite children’s book. The books are always hilarious because they describe the adventures of an old man and his old cat. This one especially is full of humor and kids are sure to enjoy it.

9. Title: The Little Match Girl

Author: Hans Christian Andersen

Grade level: 3-5


Synopsis: This story is about a poor girl who is trying to sell matches on the street on New Years Eve. She is freezing cold but is afraid to go home because her father will beat her if she does not sell any matches. The girl lights the matches to warm herself and starts to see visions of Christmas with a holiday feast and a tree. She then sees a vision of her grandmother, the only

person who ever treated her with love and kindness. When she runs out of matches, the child dies and goes to heaven. In the morning, people passing by find the child dead and pity her.

Activity: Give students a comprehension sheet that has short answer questions on it to test their comprehension of the book. Lead a discussion about the questions.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. Although this is a sad story that does not have a happy ending, it is a touching story. It is emotional and sad because the girl does not even have a name and she lives a terrible life. The illustrations accurately portray the poverty and hopelessness of the girl’s situation.

10. Title: The Pine Tree Parable

Author: Liz Curtis Higgs

Grade level: K-2


Synopsis: This story is about a farmer and his wife who sell Christmas trees every year. One year a poor family comes to their farm to pick out a Christmas tree. They go to the section of the farm where the “free” trees are, but the little girl found the biggest, prettiest tree and asked if they could buy it. However, this was the tree that the farmer’s wife had put a not for sale sign on because it was the tallest and prettiest tree. She had told everyone who wanted to buy it that it was not for sale. In the end, the farmer’s wife ends up giving the tree to the poor family for free as a gift. The family left full of joy.

Activity: Make Christmas tree ornaments out of popsicle sticks, ribbon, glue, and decorations. Lead a discussion about the meaning of the story. Ask questions like “Why do you think the farmer’s wife gave the poor family the tree?” and “Would you do that if you were the farmer’s wife?”

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. I love this book because of the heartwarming message it. The illustrations are cute and I love the message of the farmer’s sacrifice. Kids will enjoy the book because of the sweet story.

5 Math/number/counting

1. Title: The Great Divide: A Mathematical Marathon

Author: Dayle Ann Dodds

Grade level: 1-3

Genre: Math/number/counting

Synopsis: The book starts out with eighty contestants in a cross-country race called The Great Divide. As the race goes on, the number continues to get smaller and smaller due to obstacles

like a canyon, a whirlpool, rocks in their shoes, and being blown into a storm in hot air balloon. As the race comes a finish, there is only one racer left and so she wins the Great Divide.

Activity: Use the book to teach students about division and dividing numbers in half. Talk to students about how division is repeated subtraction. Divide students into groups and have them work out the math in the book to see if the author is correct in the end, then play a big group game where you have the students act out what happened in the book. For example, dividing themselves in half, and then half again and so on.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. This is a cute story about a race and the things that happen that cause the number of contestants to continually be reduced. The illustrations are great and many lessons could be tied into this book, particularly about division and remainders. I really like the funny rhyming text and the engaging storyline.

2. Title: The Grapes of Math

Author: Greg Tang

Grade level: 2-4


Synopsis: This book is a book full of different math puzzles. Every page has a different theme (like ants, strawberries, or pizza) and a problem to solve. The problems are word problems and they always rhyme. Each problem hints at how to use a simple problem solving technique to find the answers to the challenging questions fast.

Activity: Use this book to introduce multiplication to students. Read aloud one of the riddles in the book that deals with multiplication and ask the students the question. Have students work in pairs to figure out the answer to the riddle.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. This is a fantastic math book for children because it uses rhyme, riddles and visual clues to help kids find new ways to group numbers and count them. These are valuable strategies for kids to learn. Also, each riddle deals with different mathematical concepts which is awesome for the teacher.

3. Title: The Greedy Triangle

Author: Marilyn Burns

Grade level: K-2


Synopsis: The book starts out with a triangle who wishes he could change his shape. He is then turned into a quadrilateral after a visit to the shapeshifter. He enjoys his new life as a quadrilateral because he could be television screen, a computer screen, or a picture frame. But the quadrilateral was not satisfied the way he was so he kept asking the shapeshifter to change his shape and give him more angles. In the end, he ends up as a shape with too many sides and angles. He has trouble keeping his balance and his friends don’t want him around. In the end, he

asks the shapeshifter to change him back into a triangle, and he is happy with his job as a triangle.

Activity: Use this book to introduce a lesson on polygons. Tell students the definition of a polygon and discuss the different shapes presented in the book. Talk about how many sides and angles they have. Cut out an assortment of polygons in several colors and have students choose one and write “ I want to be this shape because…”

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. I think that this is a great book to teach children about shapes. This book allows the teacher to introduce geometry and how many sides/angles that shapes have. The storyline is cute which kids will enjoy and the pictures and fun, especially with the shapes have faces.

4. Title: 1 2 3 for You and Me

Author: Meg Girnis

Grade level: PreK-K


Synopsis: This book is a short book that goes through the numbers one through twenty. For each number, a different item and a child is portrayed on each page whether that is a bird, butterflies, bananas, etc. The book ends with the number twenty and a child with twenty balloons.

Activity: Practice numbers and have students draw their own pictures of numbers 1-10 with different items, animals, foods, etc that they choose. Use the book to let students count each item so they can see what a number looks like visually.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. This is a great book for young children learning their numbers. It is colorful, and the photographs are crisp and clear against a white background. The items that the author chose to use are easy for children to relate to and understand.

5. Title: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Author: Eric Carle

Grade level: K-1


Synopsis: The story starts out with a green baby caterpillar who hatches from an egg. Since the time he is born, he craves food. He eats through fruits on five days, then experiments with different kinds of food. Before long, he eats too much and nauseates himself. After he is no longer hungry, the big, fat caterpillar spins a cocoon in which he remains for two weeks. In the end, the caterpillar emerges as a bright, colorful butterfly.

Activity: You could do many activities with this book. For one, you could focus on the days of the week and have children tell what the caterpillar does on each day. Quiz students on the days of the week on a calendar. Also, have students count out the food the caterpillar eats each day.

Then ask them questions comparing the number of food items he eats on one day compared to another by using addition/subtraction.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. This is a well-beloved classic book with bright, colorful illustrations and holes on the pages for children to enjoy. It has a simple storyline, but I like it because of the many teaching opportunities and activities that can come out of this book from math to science to art. Children will enjoy the humor of how much the caterpillar eats and how the pages increase in size as the days of the week progress due to the caterpillar eating more.

10 Science/animal/nature

1. Title: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Author: Eric Carle

Grade level: K-1

Genre: Science/animal/nature

Synopsis: The book starts out with the narrator asking the Brown Bear, “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see?” The bear then tells the audience what he sees. After each character describes what they see, they ask them what they see and the process is repeated. It features a brown bear, red bird, yellow duck, blue horse, and a green frog, among other characters. It ends with the goldfish asking the teacher what he sees who then ask the children.

Activity: One activity you go do with this is to talk about different colors and/or animals. You could use it as a science lesson to talk about different animals and their habitat. Ask the students questions about the animals’ colors in the book that are different than what you would normally see. You could also have students do an activity where they look around the room and must write and draw what THEY see.

Review: *** 3 out of 5. This is not my favorite children’s book as it is not super exciting or funny. However, it is a good book for young children who will enjoy the bright pictures and the rhythm and repetition of the words. Each page also has a slide window that shows a miniature version of the animal that will appear on the next page which children will enjoy. It is a good book to practice colors and animals.

2. Title: The Very Busy Spider

Author: Eric Carle

Grade level: K-1


Synopsis: One morning a little spider begins to spin her web on a fence post by a farm. As she spins her web, the animals on the farm try to distract her. They do this with their own sound and way to distract her. For example, the pig says “oink” and try to get the spider to roll in the mud. However, the spider continues to work on her web and doesn’t answer the animals. At the end of the day, the spider shows the animals her big, beautiful web.

Activity: Use the book as a stepping stone to talking about farm animals and the sounds they make and the activities they do. Have students pick their favorite farm animal to draw and then act out, complete with noises. You could also go in depth about spiders and the process of spinning a web and what the web is used for. With strings and black construction paper, have students make their own spider and web. Another option would be to lead a discussion about how hard work pays off.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. All of Eric Carles’ books have beautiful illustrations and are hands on, but this has to be my favorite. I love the storyline of the spider who will not stop working on her web even with the other animal’s distractions. Children will love it because they are able to actually feel the spider web for each line of the web is raised. It is a creative and interactive book that kids are sure to enjoy.

3. Title: Bushbaby

Author: Adrienne Kennaway

Grade level: K-2


Synopsis: Bushbaby loves eating figs so he goes on a quest to find delicious figs for himself. He goes to another island and finds a big fig tree and eats until he is full. He thinks he is by himself, but underneath the tree is a lizard who is guarding the tree and is not happy that bushbaby ate his figs. Bushbaby then has to sleep in the tree all night and in the morning, jumps from the tree and lands back safely on his island. He is then happily reunited with his mom.

Activity: Discuss what type of animal a “bushbaby” is along with its characteristics, habitat, diet, and life span. Talk about other African animals that live in the same habitat and area as the bushbaby. Then have students draw a picture of the bushbaby’s habitat.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. I really like the book. I think the storyline is good for young children because it highlights the negative results of going off on your own and of disobeying your mother. I think the illustrations are beautiful and very detailed as well.

4. Title: “Stand Back,” said the Elephant, “I’m going to sneeze!”

Author: Patricia Thomas

Grade level: K-2


Synopsis: The story starts out with an elephant who knows he is about to sneeze. He goes on to warn all of the animals that he is about to sneeze and he doesn’t want to harm them. In the past his sneeze has caused a disaster. The elephant goes about his day and realizes that he actually doesn’t have to sneeze and this surprises him so much that he laughs instead. But his laugh is just as powerful as his sneeze so in the end, his laugh causes as much disaster as his sneeze would have.

Activity: There are a lot of rhyming words in this book so you could teach a lesson about rhyming words. Have the students pick out rhyming words from the book and then talk about what rhyme is.

Review: *** 3 out of 5. I really like this book, although I do not think it is a classic or something all children should have to read. However, it has cute illustrations and a funny storyline that children will enjoy. The writing style that the author uses is upbeat and entertaining and she uses a lot of rhyming words.

5. Title: Chickens Aren’t The Only Ones

Author: Ruth Heller

Grade level: 1-4

Genre: Science/animal/nature/etc

Synopsis: The book starts out talking about how chickens lay eggs and from there goes on to describe all of the animals that lay eggs like birds, snakes, crocodiles, frogs, etc. The book ends with the author talking about animals who don’t lay eggs and instead have babies born alive.

Activity: You could use this book as a starting point to teach a study of oviparous animals which are animals who lay eggs. Start out by having the class make a list of different ways to prepare eggs and have each student share their favorite way to eat eggs. Before reading the book, give students pictures of animals and have them sort the animals between oviparous vs. not oviparous. Then after reading the book move animals around if need be.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. I think that this is a good book because it teaches children what kinds of animals lay eggs in a fun way. The author/illustrator does a good job of making learning science fun by using colorful illustrations and rhyming words with just the right of information. This is a great book to use to teach a science lesson about reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and other invertebrates. The bright, detailed pictures and minimal text make the book an easy read for young children.

6. Title: The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks

Author: Joanna Cole

Grade level: 1-4


Synopsis: This book follows Mrs. Frizzle’s class on a field trip in the magic school bus. It is no ordinary class trip to the “waterworks” however. The bus leaves the ground and Mrs. Frizzles goes on to park the bus on a cloud; in addition, everyone shrinks to raindrop size. Then the whole class begins to rain into a mountain stream, then into the city reservoir, then into a storage tank, then into water pipes throughout the city, and eventually back to the store and come out normal size again.

Activity: Use the charts and facts throughout the books to teach about water, the water cycle, and how water is purified in the city.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. I love Magic School Bus! The pictures are bright and colorful and full of great facts about the water cycle. Children will love it because of the magic/fantasy part of the story (shrinking into raindrop size, for example) and also all of the funny comments that the students make throughout the book.

7. Title: Goodnight Moon

Author: Margaret Wise Brown

Grade level: K-2


Synopsis: The story starts out with a little bunny, tucked away in bed in a great green room. The little bunny says goodnight to all of the things in the room, from the clocks, to his socks, to the mouse. In the end, the little bunny says goodnight to everything one by one in his room.

Activity: This is a great book for young children, preschoolers or kindergarten, because it has simple, easy words. Pull out these words and go over the vocabulary. For older students, show them the picture of the little bunny in the whole room and have them write their own short story or poem of what is going on in the room. You could also use this to talk about poetry

Review: *** 3 out of 5. This is a classic book as well, and I love the simple repetition and poetry of the words. The illustrations are beautiful, and I like how each page alternates between black and white and color. However, I do not like how the narrator ends the book saying goodnight to nobody but the noises in the room. It’s a weird ending.

8. Title: Harry The Dirty Dog

Author: Gene Zion

Grade level: K-2


Synopsis: The book is a story about a white dog with black spots named Harry who hates bath. One night, he decides to take the scrubbing brush and hide it in the backyard then goes on to get so dirty that he turns into a black dog with white spots. His family doesn’t recognize him, until he digs up the brush then runs to the bathtub. Once he gets a bath, his family recognizes him and everyone is happy.

Activity: The teacher could discuss with students the importance of personal hygiene and cleanliness, and the importance of good hygiene to maintain a healthy body. I could also have students write a make-up story about how they lost their “dog” and have to describe him; this would use their creativity and writing skills.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. This is one of my favorite children’s books and series. It is a fun story told with humor and great illustrations that children will enjoy. It is a straightforward storyline that children can relate to that teaches a good lesson about hygiene.

9. Title: A Tree Is Nice

Author: Janice May Udry

Grade level: 1-3


Synopsis: This book starts out with the line “trees are very nice” and goes to gives many reasons why trees are good to have around. Some of the examples she gives include that they fill up the sky, make everything beautiful, and you can hang a swing in them. She goes on to explain that even one tree is nice, if it is the only one you happen to have. It ends with a little boy planting a tree.

Activity: I would read this book before teaching students about a science lesson about plants and trees. After reading this book, have students listen three things that trees are useful for. Then, if you have the resources available, buy a seed of a small plant and plant it in a pot in your classroom.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. I love this book because it teaches the concept of trees and what can be made out of trees. Kids will enjoy this book because some of the reasons the author gives that trees are nice are funny, while others are real facts. But they are all written in a simple sentences with child-like logic. The paintings are beautiful and have a simple, child-like quality about them.

10. Title: The Little Island


Grade level: K-2


Synopsis: This book starts out with a little island in the ocean. The book goes on to describe what happens on the island—how the seasons and storms affect it, what animals live on it and what they do, and how a kitten visits the island in a boat with people going on a picnic. The kitten tells the island that it is not part of the world, but after talking to a fish who says that all land is one land under the sea, the kitten believes the island. In the end, the island is happy and content to be a little island, a world of its own surrounded by water.

Activity: After reading this book, talk to students about what an island is. Have students define what it is after reading the book. Then, tell them the definition to make sure they fully understand what it is. Have them write a one sentence definition of what an island is and then draw a picture of an island labeld “The Little Island.” Also have them label a piece of paper with the four seasons on it and have them draw a picture of something (from the book) that happens in each season.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. I had never read this book before, but I actually really liked it. I think this is a great book to teach children about what an island is and what seasons are. The illustrations are very detailed and colorful which kids will enjoy. There are a lot of animals that are represented in the book which kids will like as well.

10 Social Studies/historical fiction

1. Title: The Story of Ferdinand

Author: Munro Leaf

Grade level: 1-4

Genre: Social studies/historical fiction

Synopsis: The story is about a bull named Ferdinand. It begins with Ferdinand’s mother worrying about him not enjoying roughhousing with other young bulls and choosing instead to smell flowers. Later, when he is all grown up, five men from Madrid come over to pick the biggest, strongest, fiercest bull to fight in the bull fights in Madrid. Ferdinand gets taken because they see him right after he is stung by a bee. During his first bullfight, however, he chooses not to attack the bullfighters and lies down and smell flowers. The show is ruined, and Ferdinand is sent back to his pasture where he sits under his favorite tree and smells flowers.

Activity: Do a study on Spain and Spanish culture. Use aspects of the book to highlight Spanish culture like the bull fights, the scenery, etc. Point out Madrid on a map.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. I love this book because of the significance in the simplicity of the story: the irony that Ferdinand is a bull who is not fierce and like to fight but is content with his life in Spanish countryside. Ferdinand seems to defy stereotyped expectations, instead remaining true to himself. The black and white illustrations are well done and fit the story perfectly. This is a timeless classic with a great message.

2. Title: The Story about Ping

Author: Marjorie Flack

Grade level: K-2

Genre: Social Studies/ historical fiction

Synopsis: The story is set on the Yangtze River and is about a duck named Ping who lives on a boat with his family of ducks. Every day they are taken out by their owner to feed on the riverbank and every evening they return. One day Ping is the last duck to return, so he hides to avoid being spanked. The next morning Ping tries to return to the boat, but it is nowhere in sight. A boy then captures him and he is going to be cooked for his family’s dinner; however, the boy releases Ping that evening. The next day Ping sees his master’s boat and hurries to return to his family. Even though he knows he will the last duck again, this time he accepts the punishment.

Activity: Talk with children about Chinese culture including occupation, life styles, clothing, etc. Have them create their own boats out of construction paper and crayons and make two wise eyes

with black construction paper on the front of the boat. Discuss the idea of being separated from your family like getting lost at the mall, on the beach, etc. and how that makes them feel.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. I really liked this book. I thought it was cute and taught a good lesson about the consequences of going off on your own thing to avoid punishment. It also allowed children to get a glimpse into Chinese culture.

3. Title: Abraham Lincoln

Author: Ingri and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire

Grade level: 3-5


Synopsis: This is a short biography of Abraham Lincoln. It outlines young Abe as he grows up in the wilderness of Kentucky, the deep woods of Indiana, and the prairies of Illinois. The book outlines his days as a clerk to teaching himself law to practicing law in Springfield . He first runs unsuccessfully for office and then ultimately becomes President of the United States.

Activity: Use this book to teach a lesson about Abraham Lincoln. Have students write three sentences about what they learned the most from the book.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. I absolutely love this book. It is well-written and beautifully illustrated about the life of one of the most important and famous presidents. It is written in a child-friendly style and the authors did a good job between historical fact while also keeping it interesting and humorous. The full-page illustrations in the book are beautifully done.

4. Title: When Jessie Came Across the Sea

Author: Amy Hest

Grade level: 2-5


Synopsis: Jessie is a young, European girl who looses her parents when she is young. She is raised by her grandmother, who insists that Jessie learns to read and write from the rabbi. At night, Jessie teaches her grandmother what she learns. The rabbi chooses Jessie to go to America to help his cousin in her sewing factory. Jessie travels to New York and makes a life for herself in America. In America, she works hard and saves her money. She gets married and uses all of her money to purchase a ticket so that her grandmother can come join her.

Activity: In the book, the main character leaves her grandmother behind in Europe to start a life in America. Using a postcard handout, have students pretend to be Jessie and write a postcard back home, describing the journey and their new life in America.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. This book is a touching story of an immigrant and her new life in America. The book is illustrated with paintings full of warmth and detail. I love the message of courage and hope it conveys.

6. Title: A New Coat for Anna

Author: Harriet Ziefert

Grade level: K-3


Synopsis: This story is about a little girl who ask her mom for a new coat. It is set post-World War II when times are still hard. Anna’s mother agrees to make a new coat. To do this, she trades valuable items she owns for wool as well as the services of the spinner, weaver, and a tailor. By the time it is finished, it is Christmas time and Anna’s mom invites all of the people who contributed to the making of the coat for a Christmas dinner.

Activity: Discuss students about what life was like post-World War II. Have students draw pictures on a piece of paper to illustrate the process of how the coat was made, from the wool from the sheep all the way to the tailor who makes alterations for Anna.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. The illustrations in this book are tremendous and reflect the time period wonderfully. I love the story because it shows a dedicated mother who doesn’t have the money to buy her daughter a new coat, but gives of whatever she has out of love for her daughter. This is a good book to teach children of how are the war impacts average citizens in their day to day.

7. Title: The Yankee at the Seder

Author: Harriet Ziefert

Grade level: 2-5


Synopsis: This is the story of a young Jewish boy named Jacob who is living in Virginia right after the civil war is over and the Confederates have lost. Since the family is Jewish, they are preparing to celebrate Passover. Then Jacob meets a Yankee solider who is Jewish and asks to eat Passover meal with Jacob and his family. His mom agrees and the solider, named Corporal Levy, eats the meal with them and Jacobs sees how a Yankee solider can still be a nice guy and also still follow all Jewish customs. The next morning Corporal Levy headed back to his unit, but he writes a book to Jacob’s family thanking them for having him over. He also gives Jacob a silver goblet engraved with the words from Leviticus that are famous in Philadelphia.

Activity: Use this book to pull out Jewish vocabulary and define words that students may not know. Pick the most important words and have students use their comprehension strategies and problem-solving tactics to try to figure out what the words mean. Once they have worked on this on their own, give students the definition.

Review: ***** 4 out of 5. This is a good book to teach children about Jewish culture and also about how important is to be nice to people for who they are and not hold prejudice or judgment against them. The book is full of Jewish vocabulary that may be confusing for students who are

not Jewish, however. It is kind of a long, detailed book as well but the pictures are realistic and it has a great message.

8. Title: Silent Lotus

Author: Jeanne M. Lee

Grade level: 1-3


Synopsis: This book starts out with a man and women who live in Cambodia and have a daughter named Lotus. However, they soon realize that Lotus can not talk. She grows up not having many friends but instead would rather be around the animals and the lake. However, one day they go to a temple and after watching the dancers, Lotus starts to dance. Lotus ended up loving dancing and she went on to take lessons at the temple and make friends. In the end, she becomes the most famous dancer in the Khmer kingdom and she dances in the king’s court.

Activity: The teacher will identify Cambodia on the globe and ask students to think of questions they have about Cambodian culture. This will be done before reading the book. After reading this book, students will practice a note-taking assignment in which, using a chart, they will compare and contrast facts about Cambodia’s culture with facts about their own culture.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. This was an unusual book unlike any I have read before. However, I liked it because it portrayed a child who had a disability (she was unable to speak) but still had a great talent. I think this teaches a great lesson to kids that all children have abilities and talents and should be treated with respect. The pictures are colorful and show the traditional dress of Cambodia.

9. Title: The House on Maple Street

Author: Bonnie Pryor

Grade level: 1-3


Synopsis: This book starts out with a family with a mom, dad, and two daughters named Chrissy and Jenny who live on 107 Maple Street. The story then goes back in time to three hundred years ago when there was no house or street but only a forest and spring. It then tells the story of the Indians who first lived there, then the wagon trains of people going out West, then how a family decided to stay in that spot and live there, and how a town eventually grew up around the house. It ends with the house being sold to a family with two girls named Sally and Jenny. They find an arrowhead, which came from the Indians, and a china teacup, which came from the first family that settled there, in their back yard one day and wonder where they came from.

Activity: Discuss the story that took place over many years. Then, have children make a timeline by ordering the events in the story chronologically. Write the big events of the story on the board so children can copy them. If it is younger children, have them cut out pictures and paste them on the timeline.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. I like this book because it tracks the development of a house starting from three hundred years up to the present. This allows children to see how civilizations and peoples have come and gone. I love how the author ties the story together using the arrowhead and the tea cup which the children dig up in their backyard.

10. Title: The Butterfly

Author: Patricia Polacco

Grade level: 2-4


Synopsis: This book is about a little French girl who is growing up during the Nazi occupation of France. One night Monique meets a little Jewish girl who age named Sevrine and she finds out that she actually lives in her house. Her parents are hiding her and her family from the Jews to keep them safe. Over the next couple of weeks, Sevrine and Monique hang out and play in the middle of the night when there parents don’t see. But one night, their neighbor sees them playing through the window and so Monique and her family must help Sevrine and her family escape to another French village near the Swiss border.

Activity: Have students compare and contrast Monique and Sevrine; have them journal about how they are alike and how they are different and what their life’s are like.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. I really liked this book. I thought this was a great story to introduce to children what it was like to be a Jew during the Nazi occupation of part of Europe. It is not too graphic or depressing for young children, but instead offers a picture of hope as the family escapes to another village. I like how the focus of the book is the two young girls becoming friends.

10 Multicultural

1. Title: A Million Fish… More or Less

Author: Patricia C. McKissack

Grade level: 1-3

Genre: Multicultural

Synopsis: This story is about Hugh Thomas, a young boy who lives in the Louisiana Bayou. Growing up, he has heard many tales of what happens on the Bayou Clapateaux. Papa-Daddy and Elder Abbajon tell stories of 500-pound turkeys, lamps that never burnt out and snakes that take to their legs and run. Hugh catches on so he makes his own story of “catching a million fish” when in the end he only has three.

Activity: Use this as a math lesson to introduce big numbers and greater than and less than and subtraction. Also introduce to students the concept of estimation and how big numbers is often exaggerated for a huge number of something. For a fun activity, have students guess a variety of a group of things like number of jelly beans in a jar.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. This book is a good book to promote cultural awareness to children about people living in the Bayou areas and the distinct culture. The writing style and language used is unique and the illustrations are elaborate. It is a comedy as each unlikely event is topped with the next.

2. Title: Flicka, Ricka, Dicka Bake A Cake

Author: Maj Lindman

Grade level: 1-4


Synopsis: Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka are three little girls who live in Sweden. They have blue eyes and yellow curls. They decide to bake a surprise cake for their mother’s birthday with Aunt Betty’s help. She tells them how to make their mom’s favorite cake and instructs them to bake it just half an hour. Unfortunately, the girls go outside to play and forget about the cake and it turns out burnt. They end up making another cake and it comes out perfectly and they surprise their mom on her birthday.

Activity: Use this book to teach about time and clocks. Point out the time on the clock when they put the cake in the oven and then when they take it out and notice how much time went by. You could also lead a discussion about doing things for your mom.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. I love these books! The plot is cute and the illustrations are adorable. It teaches a good lesson about being responsible but also the message of trying again and getting something right the second time. The text is simple enough to read aloud to young children or for early readers to read on their own.

3. Title: The Keeping Quilt

Author: Patricia Polacco

Grade level: K-2


Synopsis: The story is told from the point of view of Patricia, but she tells the story of her great-grandma Anna coming to America from Russia. The only things she had when she came from Russia was her dress and the babushka she threw up in the air when she was dancing. When Anna outgrew the dress, her mother decided to make a quilt to remind them of home and incorporate the dress and the babushka into it. Each generation passed the quilt on and used it as a tablecloth, a wedding canopy, and even a baby blanket.

Activity: Investigate your classroom’s heritage. Have them ask their parents about their heritage and make a chart and map to show where different families came from. Then talk about traditions that each child has in their family.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. I thought this was a cute book that gave a good picture of what it was like for immigrants coming to the United States. It highlighted Russian culture and traditions.

The sepia colored illustrations create a feeling of recollection and the quilt being full of color highlights the its importance and the story’s theme.

4. Title: Flossie & the Fox

Author: Patricia C. McKissack

Grade level: K-2


Synopsis: The story starts out with a little black girl named Flossie Finley who goes on an errand to deliver eggs to Miz Viola because there is a fox on the loose who has been scaring the chickens. Flossie encounters the fox but is not scared because she has never seen a fox before and has no reason to be. She continues to pester the fox because she doesn’t believe he is one. In the end, she makes it safely to her destination and the fox gets chased by the hound.

Activity: Explain what a folktale is—a tradition story passed down orally from one generation to another. Have students share with a partner an example of a story that their parents or grandparents have told them. Also lead a discussion on how Flossie outsmarts the fox by thinking quickly and ends up keeping herself safe.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. This is a fun book that kids will enjoy because of the wit and humor and the attitude of the little girl. I like how the book portrays rural south and its rich Black dialogue. It’s a great book for children to learn about African American culture.

5. Title: Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and the New Dotted Dresses

Author: Maj Lindman

Grade level: 1-4


Synopsis: Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka are three little girls who live in Sweden. They have blue eyes and yellow curls. They go off to play in their new red, polka, dotted dresses. Their mother warns them to be careful and stay clean. As they are playing, they run into an old woman who needs help with chores. They end up helping her but get dirty in the process. They are worried their mother will be mad, but when they come home their mom is not mad but instead glad that they helped the old woman. The next morning they wash and mend their dresses.

Activity: Lead a discussion with students about the importance of helping others out, especially older people. Have them share a time they have helped someone out and how much the other person appreciated it.

Review: ***** 4 out of 5. This is one of my favorite Flicka, Ricka, Dicka books because it teaches a lesson about the importance of helping others out. I love that their mother does not get mad at them for their dresses but instead teaches them to wash them the next day and encourages them to go back and help the old woman. I love that the books encourage love, generosity,

honesty, helpfulness, and responsibility. The only negative is that the girls help a stranger which is not encouraged for children in our world today.

6. Title: The Quiet Place

Author: Sarah Stewart

Grade level: 1-3


Synopsis: Isabel and her family move to the United States from Mexico, but Isabel misses all things she left behind in Mexico. She experiences a lot of new things that she enjoys like her first snowstorm. The story is set in the 1950’s and is told through Isabel’s letters to her Aunt Lupita. By writing to her aunt, she practices her English and describes life in America.

Activity: Pull out some Spanish vocabulary from the book and define the words. Talk to students about Spanish culture. Use this book to teach students the proper letter writing format by using each letter she writes on each page.

Review: ***** 4 out of 5. I think this is a great book because it offers a unique perspective from a child’s point of view of moving to America. The format of the book in that it is told through letters is very unique. It is a great story of assimilation and immigration told through a child’s perspective. The illustrations are beautiful too and I like how the author uses yellow colored paper for the letters.

7. Title: Grandfather’s Journey

Author: Allen Say

Grade level: K-2


Synopsis: In this story, Allen Say retells his grandfather’s story of immigration from Japan to the United States and later return to his homeland. The story documents his life in America as he grows up, gets married, has a daughter, then moves back to Japan. The daughter gets married and has a child, which is the author. In the end, the author ends up moving back to California and experiences the same feelings of being torn between two countries as his grandfather.

Activity: Have students write their own story titled “My Journey.” Use the beginning of the story as a model for students’ stories about their own journeys. This could be a trip to a different city or state, a move, or a visit to their grandparents. Have them write it in the format of a letter.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. The author does a great job of capturing the emotions of the the grandfather who has a love for two countries and his constant desire to be in both places. It has exquisite illustrations and the language is personal and expressive. It is a great book for students to see what it’s like for immigrants to merge two cultures.

8. Title: Goin’ Someplace Special

Author: Patricia C. Mckissack

Grade level: 2-5


Synopsis: This story is about a girl named Tricia Ann who is a black girl growing up in a southern town in the 1950s. She begs her grandmother to let her go on a bus into town by herself to go to “Someplace Special.” While on the bus, she has to sit in the back behind the Jim Crow sign. As she continues on her trip, she encounters hurtful signs and painful comments and she wonders why life is so unfair. However, she remembers her grandmother’s words that she is a somebody, a human being. In the end, she makes it to Someplace Special which is the library, where all are welcome.

Activity: Use this as part of your history lesson to talk about segregation and Jim Crow laws in the south. Give examples of Jim Crow laws but also talk about the leaders of the Civil Rights movement who wanted everyone to be treated equally. Ask students questions about how Tricia Ann was treated and if they would have liked that.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. I thought this was an awesome book. It did a great job telling the story of a black girl growing up in a segregated town where African Americans were treated with disrespect. I love how the author does not focus on the negative aspects of segregation and civil rights, but instead incorporates her grandma into the story who instills in her love, respect, and pride. This is a great story for students to hear.

9. Title: Tikki Tikki Tembo

Author: Arlene Mosel

Grade level: K-3


Synopsis: This book is set in ancient China and is an old Chinese folktale where parents honor their first born sons with long, elaborate names while second born sons are given short, unimportant names. A boy named Tikki Tikki Tembo-no Sa Rembo-chari Bari Ruchi-pip Peri Pembo and his younger brother Change are playing near a well and Chang falls in. The older brother tells the mom, and she gets the Old Man with the Ladder to rescue him. Later, both boys decide to play near the well again, but this time the older brother falls into the well. Change runs to his mother to tell her what happened but when he tries to tell her his name, he mispronounces it and she does not understand what he is saying. He continues to try, but eventually his mom just tells him to get the Old Man with the Ladder. After some confusion, the Old Man with the Ladder goes with Change and rescues Tikki Tikki from the well. But because of the long time in the well, he takes him a long time to recover. The end of the story says this is why Chinese have short names.

Activity: Since this book might not be completely accurate about Chinese culture, I would use the repetition and rhythm in the book to teach a lesson about rhythm. In addition, I would teach a lesson about authentic Chinese culture and make sure students know this is a fictional book.

Review: ** 2 out of 5. I thought this book was really interesting and I enjoyed learning about Chinese folktale. The way that the author always repeats Tikki Tikki Tembo’s long name is funny and kids will enjoy trying to say it. The illustrations seem to capture Ancient China from the scenery to the clothing. However, some aspects of Chinese culture that the book highlights might not be completely accurate, like the name of the first-born son and its definition.

10. Title: Henry’s Freedom Box

Author: Kadir Nelson

Grade level: 3-5

Genre: Multicultural (also Caldecott)

Synopsis: Henry is a slave who works in a big house with a master who is good to Henry and his family. Henry is given to the master’s son and goes to work in a factory where he meets Nancy and marries her. They have children but one day Nancy and the children are sold. He meets a white man named Dr. Smith who thinks slavery is wrong. He helps Henry escape to Philadelphia in a crate and he is given freedom.

Activity: Use this book to teach reading comprehension to students. Put students in groups of 3-4 and give them a handout with questions on it. Before reading the book, tell students to listen carefully to what happens. After reading the book, give the students the sheet of questions and then go over all of the questions together once they are done. Questions could include “Why didn’t Henry know his birthday?” or Why did Henry ship himself in a box?” After this is over, have students share information that they learned about slavery and write it on he board.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. This is a powerful book based on a true story. The story shows what it was like to be a slave during that time in history. It is sad but hopeful because in the end Henry escapes to freedom. I think this is an excellent book to introduce children to what slavery was like.

5 Issue

1. Title: Tacky the Penguin

Author: Helen Lester

Grade level: 1-4

Genre: Issue- being yourself is better than trying to fit it and be like other people; being an individual

Synopsis: Tacky the Penguin is about an odd penguin and his graceful, well-behaved companions: Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect. It is clear that Tacky is different than the other penguins by Tacky’s behavior, loud Hawaiian shirts, loud singing, and splashy cannonball. But one day, hunters arrive looking to trap them for money and it is Tacky’s antics

that save the day. In the end, his friends agree that “Tacky was an odd bird, but a nice bird to have around.”

Activity: Use this book to talk about self-esteem and the importance of being yourself. You could also talk about bullying and discourage children from being mean to others.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. This is one of my favorite children’s book because of how funny it is. Children will enjoy the loud, slightly obnoxious behavior of Tacky. The illustrations clearly show the odd behavior of Tacky. It is a perfect book to be used as a read aloud because you can change voices and kids are highly entertained.

2. Title: Tackylocks and the Three Bears

Author: Helen Lester

Grade level: 1-4

Genre: Issue

Synopsis: The story starts out with the penguins practicing the play Goldilocks and the Three Bears for Mrs. Beakly’s school. For weeks, they all practiced their lines including Tacky, who will play Goldilocks. When it came time to actually perform the play, the audience was extremely bored and no one was paying attention. Not until Tacky came onstage as Goldilocks. Although it seemed like he ruined the play and it didn’t go at all as planned, in realty he added humor and the children loved the play.

Activity: Talk about the classic story tale of Godilocks and the Three Bears. Tell children about the background and details of the class story and have them act it out.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. I think the Tacky books are absolutely hilarious and especially this one with its twist on the classic story of Goldilocks. The funny storyline and dramatic illustrations are spot on. Kids are sure to love this book.

3. Title: The Little Engine That Could

Author: Watty Pipper

Grade level: K-2

Genre: Issue (perseverance, determination)

Synopsis: The story starts out with a train filled with toys and gifts for little boys and girls. However, the train breaks down while it is trying to get over a mountain before reaching the children. The broken down train asks several trains that pass by for help to get over the mountain, but each train refuses; these include a shiny new engine and a big engine. Eventually, a little blue engine comes by and agrees to help since she realizes that if she doesn’t help, the boys and girls would be without their toys and food. The little blue engine slowly begins to pull the train over the mountain while saying “I think I can, I think I can” over and over. In the end, the little blue engine makes it over the mountain and delivers the toys to the children.

Activity: Before reading the book, go over vocabulary words in the book that children may not know; for example, the words berth or roundhouse. Another idea is to lead a discussion on trains and ask students to share their experience with trains. Show other photographs of different kinds of trains. Talk about different items that trains carry.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. This is a classic children’s book. The illustrations in the book are vibrant and colorful and the objects have faces which young children will enjoy. The best part of the book is the story though. The story conveys how important it is to be determined, persevere and never stop trying as well as to help someone out who is in need. I love how even though the little engine wasn’t big, he agreed to help and through his determination and hard work he made it to the other side of the mountain. What a great message.

4. Title: You Are What You Eat

Author: Serge Bloch

Grade level: K-2

Genre: Issue- children being picky eaters

Synopsis: The book goes through funny food phrases and puns that are common today. The book starts out with a boy whose mother always says “you are what you eat.” The rest of the book follows the boy as he goes to his friend’s house to eat dinner and his friend’s mom serves tofu dogs. Although Oliver doesn’t want to eat them, he tries it to be polite and ends up liking them.

Activity: This book is the perfect book to go along with a health lesson because it talks about he importance of eating good foods and eating a variety of foods. Use this to talk about what a balanced meal looks like. Go through the book and explain some of the funny phrases the author uses like “you are what you eat.”

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. This is a really cute book about the importance of eating healthy and is a great book for picky eaters. I love how the author has simple illustrations with real pictures of food. I like that it is a short, simple book but has a great meaning behind it: trying a food before saying you don’t like it.

5. Title: You Look Ridiculous, Said the Rhinoceros to the Hippopotamus

Author: Bernard Waber

Grade level: Pre K-2

Genre: Issue (self-esteem, loving yourself the way you are and not trying to be like other people, bullying)

Synopsis: A hippopotamus is happy and content in her favorite mudhole until a rhinoceros comes along and tell her that she looks ridiculous because she doesn’t have a horn on her nose. The rhinoceros goes on to walk through the forest and ask animal after animal if she looks ridiculous. They all say yes but for different reasons; for example, the elephant says she looks ridiculous because she doesn’t have big, floppy ears. She becomes depressed about her looks until a dream

shows her what would happen if her wish came true. In the end, she becomes content with the way she is, a “big, fat, wonderful hippopotamus.”

Activity: Have students draw their own version of what the hippopotamus looks like in her dream with all of the different animal characteristics. Talk about each animal and the characteristic which makes them unique. Then have the students name one thing that they like about themselves.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. I love this book because it teaches a great lesson to young children about the importance of being happy and proud with who you are and not trying to be like other people. It shows the disastrous results of trying to be someone you aren’t and also highlights the special, unique differences of each of the animals. It has great pictures and contains a lot of good dialogue between the animals.

10 Favorite character/series

1. Title: Amelia Bedelia

Author: Peggy Parish

Grade level: K-3

Genre: Favorite character/series

Synopsis: Amelia Bedelia is a hired maid for a wealthy family called the Rogers. Although she means well, Amelia cannot seem to do anything right because she takes all of her instructions literally. Mrs. Rodgers gives her a list of chores to complete while the family goes out for the day, and she takes all the chores literally; for example, she “dresses the chicken” in tiny clothes. When the family returns home, Mrs. Rogers is mad because none of the chores are done. After having a bit of Amelia’s pie, however, she forgives Amelia and decides to keep her.

Activity: Talk to students about dual meanings of words and how misinterpretations of intended meaning can create conflict. Go over puns and discuss with students what they are and give examples.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. I love this book! Amelia Bedelia is hilarious, fun and kindhearted. The illustrations fit perfectly with the funny storyline. Children are sure to love this book because of the humorous situations in it.

2. Title: Amelia Bedelia 4 Mayor

Author: Peggy Parish

Grade level: K-3


Synopsis: Amelia Bedelia is a hired maid for a wealthy family called the Rogers. She always does what she’s told to do (literally), so when Mr. Rodgers tells her she should run for Mayor Thomas’s office, she literally runs to City Hall. After a series of misunderstandings, she ends up

running for office in a political sense and enters the race for mayor. She gathers support from the townspeople, but ends up withdrawing from the race after she proves her point to the mayor. In the end, her integrity inspires the mayor to keep his promises.

Activity: Teach students about the meaning and usage of words, like homonyms and puns. Lead a discussion about the election process and talk about the steps for running for office and elections in general.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. I love Amelia Bedelia! All of the books are hilarious and full of adventure. They keep kids engaged and interested. This book especially helps introduce to kids the election process in a light-hearted, fun way.

3. Title: Curious George

Author: H.A Rey

Grade level: K-2


Synopsis: This book tells the story of a little monkey named Curious George who is very curious. Curious George is caught in the jungle by the Man With The Big Yellow Hat and brought back to the city. He is taken to the man’s house, has a meal, and smokes a pipe. He accidently calls the fire station when he is playing with the phone and then he gets put in jail. He ends up escaping from the jail, then flying into the air on a whole bunch of balloons from a street vendor. The man eventually finds him, however, and takes George to his new home at the zoo.

Activity: Discuss with children where Africa is on the world map. Then ask students if they have ever been to the zoo and talk about where animals come from in a zoo. Have them draw a picture of their favorite animal at the zoo.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. I love Curious George! The illustrations are beautiful and the story is entertaining. Children will enjoy George’s funny antics and the many mistakes he makes. It teaches children to be curious about their surroundings, but always being cautious and safe.

4. Title: Curious George Goes to the Hospital

Author: Margaret and H.A Rey

Grade level: K-2


Synopsis: The story starts out with George and the man with the yellow hat assembling a jigsaw puzzle when George accidentally swallows a puzzle piece. George then has to go to the hospital to get the puzzle piece removed. While he is in the hospital, George cheers up other kids in the hospital and even makes Betsy laugh for the first time. After George is sent home, he opens a package sent by the nurse and in it contains the missing puzzle piece.

Activity: Ask students if they have ever been to the hospital and why. Have students act out a typical scene at a hospital (like in the book) between doctor, nurse, patient, etc. Bring in things that doctors use and describe them and demonstrate how they are used.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. I think Curious George is a wonderful series for young children. I like this story because it teaches children about the hospital and different people that work there. The story is heartwarming and cute.

5. Title: Curious George Goes to the Hospital

Author: Margaret and H.A Rey

Grade level: K-1


Synopsis: In this story, Curious George goes on an adventure to the library for story hour. But Curious George does not want to wait for the librarian to read the book he wants, so George decides to take the book so that his friend, the man in the yellow hat, can read it to him. George continues to go around the library finding more and more books while making a bigger and bigger mess.

Activity: Plan a trip to the local library where the students can take a tour and learn more about how the library works or just talk about the library and the different parts of the library.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. This book has the same charm and classic illustration style as the rest of the series. Although it is a very predictable book, children will still love to find out what disaster Curious George will get into. These books also give the teacher or parents a good time to discuss what he should have done in the situation.

6. Title: Bravo, Amelia Bedelia

Author: Herman Parish

Grade level: K-3


Synopsis: Amelia Bedelia is a hired maid for a wealthy family called the Rogers. Mrs. Rogers sends her to the station to pick up the musical conductor for the school concert, but instead she brings back the train conductor. She continues to confuse things; when asked if she plays by ear, she rubs her ear across the strings of a violin. In the end of the story, Amelia rushes on the stage at the end of the concert with a “bang” by crashing into the bass drum. Both the audience and the conductor get a good laugh out of it.

Activity: Teach students about music and the different members of a concert/orchestra like the conductor and orchestra musicians. It could also be used to introduce older students to chapter books and you could teach reading comprehension skills to them.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. This book is great for kids to introduce them to the word of musicians and the orchestra. Once again it is a story full of miss understandings and hilarious mix ups. The illustrations are both cartoonish and clear.

7. Title: Mr. Putter and Row the Boat


Grade level: 1-3


Synopsis: Mr. Putter is an old man who has a cat named Tabby. One day it is very hot and they are all sweating; so Mr. Putter and Tabby decide to take a trip to the lake with their neighbors Mrs. Teaberry and her dog, Zeke.

Activity: Students pick their favorite scene from the book and act it out. They take on the roles of Mr. Putter, Tabby, Mrs. Teaberry, and Zeke. Divide students into separate groups and have them each act out a different scene.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. This is another great Mr. Putter and Tabby book. This is a great book for early readers or more advanced readers. I love how the book depicts active, fun loving senior citizens. The text is simple but also contains a lot of good vocabulary words for kids. The watercolor illustrations are beautiful.

8. Title: Bedtime for Frances

Author: Russell Hoban

Grade level: K-2


Synopsis: The story starts out with Frances, a little badger, trying to delay her bedtime. She tries to do whatever she can so that she won’t have to go to bed whether that is a request for kisses or milk. Once she gets in bed, she imagines that there are scary things in her bed and goes to get her parents multiple times. Eventually she stops going to get her parents when she is threatened by a spanking and then falls asleep.

Activity: In the story, Frances sings an ABC song. Have students finish her song or create their own. You could also use the book to practice telling time and discuss telling time on a clock.

Review: *** 3 out of 5. I think this is a good book, but it is not my favorite Frances book. It is a cute story with good illustrations but the concept of Frances trying to get out of going to bed is not the best for young kids (they might get in their head they can get out of bed too). I do like that her parents patiently tolerate her requests and that she learns from her experiences.

9. Title: Bread and Jam for Frances




Synopsis: Frances, a badger, decides that bread and jam are all she wants to eat. Her parents decided to grant her wish and feed her bread and jam at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacktime. At first she enjoyed it, but then she got sick of it. Francis cries at the dinner table and asks if she could please have some spaghetti with meatballs like the rest of the family is eating. In the end, she decides she doesn’t want just bread and jam anymore.

Activity: Have students cut out pictures of their favorite foods from old magazines and make a collage with them. Then talk about the different food groups and what a “balanced” meal looks like.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. I loved this book. It is entertaining and very well-written. It is a descriptive book with good words for children to read. This is good story for children who are picky eaters because the author promotes eating a balanced, varied and interesting lunch compared to just eating bread and jam. It also has a good moral about being careful what you wish for.

10. Title: A Baby Sister for Frances




Synopsis: Frances the Badger suddenly has a new baby sister Gloria in the house and she starts to feel forgotten—that her parents don’t have time for her anymore. So she packs her bags and decides to run away underneath the kitchen table. But when she overhears her parents talking about how much they all miss her, she decides that she should go back home. She warms up to the idea of having a sister and is happy to be a big sister.

Activity: Identify and describe the behaviors and emotions of Francis toward her baby sister in the beginning of the story. Have students draw a picture of their family and share about their family—mom, dad, brother, sister, etc. Talk about what it is like to have brothers and/or sisters.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. I loved this book. This book provides a lot of perspectives and allows children to learn that not everything revolves around them all of the time. It is a good look into family life and is very comical, while the animal characters make it enjoyable for children. It is a perfect book for any child transitioning to a new child entering the family, but it also would be good in the classroom because it addresses sharing and showing other children also have to be cared for in the classroom.

10 Folktale/ fairytale

1. Title: Petunia

Author: Roger Duvoisin

Grade level: 1-3

Genre: Folktale/fairytale

Synopsis: The story starts out with a silly goose named Petunia who finds a book and thinks she has become wise just because she carries the book around. All the other farm animals see her carrying around the book and think she is wise so they ask her advice. The animals suffer bad consequences from listening to her unwise advice. It culminates when she tells all the animals that a box of firecrackers is actually a box labeled “candy” and they open it and everyone gets hurt. The story ends with Petunia understanding that it was what was inside the book that made people wise so she set out to learn to read.

Activity: Talk about farm animals and have students research about a particular farm animal. Petunia is a snow goose, so you could talk in detail about snow geese and their diet, eggs/nest, migration patterns, etc.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. I think the author did a great job with both the illustrations and the writing for this story. The illustrations and the storyline are really creative, and his writing style is hilarious which seems to fit Petunia perfectly. It is a great story because it teachers children the concept of true knowledge and how sometimes people confuse wisdom with the appearance of wisdom. It also teaches children how important it is not to jump to conclusions without knowing the full story first, and that being overly prideful can have consequences.

2. Title: The Runaway Bunny


Grade level: K-2


Synopsis: This book is about a little bunny who wants to run away. His mother, however, tells him that “if you run away, I will run after you.” The rest of the story is the little bunny telling his mother in numerous ways how he will run away. In turn, his mother responds back in numerous ways how she will come after him. In the end, the little rabbit decides to stay with his mother.

Activity: Use this book to research about rabbits and their habitat, what they eat, etc. Have students create their own imaginary situation of how the bunny will try to run away and how the mom will come to get him.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. This is not my favorite children’s book, although it is a classic. It is a very loving book about the unfailing love of a parent. The illustrations are imaginative yet simple, and the book has good vocabulary. It highlights the relationship between mother and son, and the repetition in the book will make it easy and able for a younger student to understand.

3. Title: Stone Soup

Author: Marcia Brown

Grade level: 1-3

Genre: Folktale

Synopsis: This story starts out with three soliders who come into a French village looking for food and place to stay after a war. The peasants in the village don’t want to give the soldiers food or a bed to sleep in so they lie and say they don’t have any food. The soldiers then propose an idea to the peasants to make stone soup, which is essentially soup made of a variety of ingredients. Each peasant contributed a little bit of food to make a delicious soup for the whole village and the peasants. After the soldier’s brilliant idea of making stone soup, the peasants let the soldiers stay the night and they thank them for what they taught them.

Activity: Have students write their own summary of the story. It should be no longer than 4 sentences and should include the main events. They can draw a picture as well.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. I like this book because it is an old folktale that has been given a facelift. The pictures are extremely intricate and detailed which children will enjoy. A good story about giving to those in need and how to make do with the little we have.

4. Title: Drummer Hoff

Author: Barbara Emberley

Grade level: 1-3

Genre: Folktale

Synopsis: This is a lively folk tale all about building a cannon. It starts out with Drummer Hoff firing the cannon off. As the story progresses, different military men bring in additional parts of the cannon, however each time Drummer Hoff fires it off. The story ends with the firing off of the cannon with a bang.

Activity: Explain to students how the firing off of the cannon could not have happened without teamwork. Give the example of sports teams. Then ask students these questions: “Which character’s job would you like to have? Why?” Also point out how each of the character’s names rhymed with the item they brought. Give a couple of students names like Captain Bear or Admiral Bat and have them say an item they could bring. Hint: the item has to rhyme with their name.

Review: *** 2 out of 5. Although I like the rhyming nature of this book, I was not very impressed with this story. It is kind of a boring folktale and I do not think kids would enjoy it very much. It is too slow paced. However, the bright colors and mosaic-like pictures are appealing.

5. Title: The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!

Author: Jon Scieszka

Grade level: 1-3


Synopsis: This story is the story of The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf told in the perspective of the wolf whose name is Alexander T. Wolf. At the beginning of the story, Al as he is called plans a cake for his grandmother’s birthday. He doesn’t have sugar so he goes to the pig with the house made of straw. The pig won’t let him come in, and then Al starts to sneeze because of his cold and kills the pig because of his sneeze. After eating the first pig, he goes to the next pig’s house but the same thing happens and he eats the body of the second pig. When he goes to the pig’s house made of bricks, however, the house does not fall down when he sneezes. He continues to sneeze and then tries to break through the pig’s door. Then the police come and the news reporter writes the story. After that the wolf was put into prison for 10 years for eating the two pigs. At the end of the story, he asks polity for a cup of sugar.

Activity: First, read the original story and talk about the differences between the traditional story and the one told by the wolf. Have students work in small groups and come up with their own version of the Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf. Then have each group act out their version of the story.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. This is a really funny story that kids are sure to enjoy because it is told from the wolf’s perspective. The pictures do a great job illustrating the storyline. The text as well is written as if the wolf was wrongly accused. It is a classic story told from a different perspective.

6. Title: Jack and the Beanstalk

Author: Steven Kellogg

Grade level: 1-4


Synopsis: This is the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. The story starts out with a boy named Jack and his mom who have no money. His mother sends jack to the store to sell their cow in order to get money for food. Instead, Jack trades the cow for magic beans which grow into a beanstalk. The next morning Jack climbs up the beanstalk and finds that it leads to castle where ogres live. He steals some gold and then rushes back down the beanstalk. This is enough for Jack and his mom to live off of for a little bit, but when it runs out he climbs back up the beanstalk and steals some more gold. He does this one more time, but the last time the ogre follows Jack down the beanstalk and Jack kills him. With a golden harp and a hen that lays golden egss, Jack becomes rich and goes on to marry a princess.

Activity: Have students work on summarizing a story. Tell them to summarize the story in a paragraph. They must use at least 4 sentences but they can also use pictures if they want.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. I like the author did a great job retelling this classic story. The pictures are incredible and do a great job of illustrating the story, especially the ogres. Children will enjoy this story because of Jack’s cunning and adventure.

7. Title: The Emperor and the Nightingale

Author: Hans Christian Anderson

Grade level: 1-3


Synopsis: This story is about a Emperor who hears about a nightingale that can sing beautifully. He instructs his servants to go find the nightingale and bring it to him. When the bird is brought, it sings for the emperor and the emperor thinks the tune is so beautiful that he has the bird kept in the palace in a special garden to sing to the emperor whenever he wants. However, one day a mechanical bird with gold and jewels is sent to the emperor and replaces the nightingale. After many years, the Emperor gets really sick and the only thing that saves him is to hear the music from the original nightingale.

Activity: Talk to students about the parts of a story—the main characters, the plot, the climax, and the conclusion. Have students identify these in this story. Ask them whether they like this book or not.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. I had never read this book before, but I really liked it. I thought it had a great storyline and a really good message. I love how the nightingale is originally judged because it is not pretty, then it gets replaced by something which is prettier and more “perfect” but how in the end, the nightingale is the one who saves the emperor. The illustrations are perfect for presenting traditional Chinese culture and dress.

8. Title: Peter and the Wolf

Author: Chris Raschka

Grade level: 1-4


Synopsis: This story is an interpretation of the classic orchestral work written by Sergei Prokofiev. The story starts out with a boy who goes into the woods for a walk even though his grandfather told him not to. He meets many animals on his travels, including a cat, bird, duck, and a wolf. It follows Peter, his grandfather, and various animals as they try to escape from the wolf’s grasp. In the end, the duck is swallowed by the wolf and Peter ties the wolf up in a noose using a rope. Hunters come to shoot the wolf but Peter gets them to help him take the wolf to the zoo.

Activity: Perform a reader’s theatre since each part is clearly marked and different. Also, play some of the original orchestra piece for students to listen to. Discuss student’s reaction to the music.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. This is an adaption of the orchestral folk tale by Sergei Prokofiev set in a Russian forest, and I think the author does a great job reworking it into a picture book. The illustrations are beautiful and perfectly compliment the book. I love how the book introduces each charter in turn, with a voice and sound, and has them appear on the stage. There are a lot of activities that could be done with this book.

9. Title: The Ugly Duckling


Grade level: 1-3


Synopsis: The story starts out when a mother duck’s eggs hatch. But one of the little birds is seen by the other birds to be little creature and is verbally and physically abused. He leaves the barnyard and goes on a journey. The story is about the little bird’s journey running from hunters, other animals, and bad weather. After the ugly duckling is fully grown and mature, he does not want to live a life of solitude anymore so he joins a flock of swans and is surprised when they accept him. After looking at his reflection in the water, he realizes that he has grown into one of them.

Activity: Ask students comprehension questions and have them discuss in small groups. For example, “Where does the story take place?” or “What are the problems the main character must face?” Then, have students write their own alternative ending to the story.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. This is a touching story about a little duckling who is treated badly because is smaller and looks different than the rest of the ducklings. I love the message that it communicates about the ugly duckling finding his true identity and place after a life of oppression and struggles. It teaches kids to accept who they are and find people who accept you for who are. I think it is cool how both his perception of himself changes and his perception from his peers. The illustrations are detailed and artsy too.

10. Title:


Grade level: K-1


Synopsis: This story is about a prince who is desperate to find himself a princess that he goes on a search to the four corners of the earth but with no success. One stormy night a young women drenched with rains seeks shelter in the prince’s castle. The prince’s mother lets her because she claims to be a princess. To test whether this is true or not, the queen places a single pea underneath 20 mattresses and 20 feather beds for the princess to sleep on. In the morning, the queen asks the princess how she slept the night and princess responds that she didn’t sleep very well because there was something hard in the bed. The queen says that only a true princess would be sensitive enough to feel a pea through all of that bedding. The prince is happy and the two get married.

Activity: Give each child a collection of cut-out characters from the book. The children would then be instructed to cut out the characters, specifically the animals, and glue them on construction paper in the order that they characters appear in the book. This will help teach them about sequence of events in a story.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. This has always been one of my favorite children’s books. I think it is a comical story and a light-hearted, fun read for children. The illustrations by Janet Stevens are creative and expressive. Children will enjoy the animated animals in the book.

10 Fantasy/ other

1. Title: Put Me in the Zoo

Author: Robert Lopshire

Grade level: K-2

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis: The story starts out with a bear that has spots and wants to be put in the zoo. However, people will not let him in the zoo. He is sad and thinks he has nothing he can do. Then he figures out he can change the color of his spots, put them on anything he wants, change their size, etc. In the end, he figures out that the best place for him is in the circus where he can use his special gift with his spots to use.

Activity: Go through rhyming words. Have students find rhyming words throughout the story. Talk about how everyone has been given unique gifts/talents and is good at something. For the bear in the story, this was his spots!

Review: **** 4 out of 5. This book is full of rhyming words and is upbeat. It has a cute storyline as well. I like that it celebrates the fact that everyone has a special talent even if it’s different than other people.

2. Title: Green Eggs and Ham

Author: Dr. Seuss

Grade level: K-2

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis: The story starts out with Sam asking whether or not the big cat likes green eggs and ham. The cat continually says no. Sam goes on to ask multiple questions about if he would like them a certain way, in a certain place, or with a certain thing. In the end, the cat eventually agrees to try green eggs and ham and finds out that he actually likes them after all.

Activity: Talk about foods that students may think are gross or do not know; have them draw a picture of a food they do no like. Then ask whether they have ever tried them or not, and point out how sometimes foods are good if we actually try them.

Review: **** 4 out of 5. Dr. Seuss are well-loved children’s book and classics. I think this is a good Dr. Seuss book because of the lesson it teaches children about the importance of trying food before saying they don’t like something. The pictures are imaginative and expressive.

3. Title: Go, Dog, Go!

Author: P.D Eastman

Grade level: K-2

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis: The book is all about dogs. It talks about dogs uses opposites; for example, big dog, little dog and the blue dog is in, the red dog is out. It goes through different sizes and colors of dogs and dogs doing different activities. Throughout the story, there is one day that always ask another dog if he likes her hat. He always says “no” until the very end of the book when she has a huge hat full of random things and he says “yes.”

Activity: Talk about the opposites in the book: in/out, up/down, big/little, black/white, etc. Explain that these words are used to compare two things. Ask the students if they noticed a common storyline throughout the book; this is called a plot.

Review: *** 3 out of 5. This is not my favorite Dr. Seuss book, but it does offer a lot of good contradictions and opposites. Children will enjoy the funny parts of the book and all of the different kinds of dogs in it. The illustrations are very colorful and fun.

4. Title: Are You My Mother?

Author: P.D Eastman

Grade level: 1-2

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis: The story opens with a mother bird sitting on her egg. She leaves to find food for her baby who is about to be born, but as she is gone the egg hatches. The baby bird is alone and so sets out on a search to find his mother. He asks everyone and everything he meets, “Are you my mother?” In the end, he returns back to his nest and meets his mother returning home.

Activity: Lead a discussion asking students whether they have ever felt like the baby bird felt. Make it into a science lesson and teach students about birds and how they lay eggs, feed their young, etc.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. This is a great story that is a classic. The book is interesting and young students would be able to identify with the baby bird’s fear of being separated from his parents. The repetition, simple sentence structure and animated illustrations are perfect for beginner readers.

5. Title: Corduroy

Author: Don Freeman

Grade level: K-1

Genre: Fantasy/ other

Synopsis: The book tells the story of a teddy bear named Corduroy, displayed on a toy shelf in a department store. One day a girl named Lisa comes into the stores and wants to buy Corduroy but her mother says no because he is missing a button from his overalls. That night after the store closes, Corduroy goes on a trip around the store in search of this missing button, but he never finds it. The next day, Lisa comes back with her own money and buys Corduroy; she then sews on a button to replace the one missing.

Activity: Print out pictures of the teddy bear Corduroy for children to color. Have buttons for children to choose from to glue onto their picture.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. This is one of my all-time favorite children’s books. The story is very heartwarming, original, and fun and the illustrations are beautiful. Children will enjoy the story because it is told through Corduroy’s eyes, especially the adventures that happen while he is locked in the store for the night. I love the end because both the girl and Corduroy find what they are looking for: a true friend.

6. Title: A Pocket for Corduroy

Author: Don Freeman

Grade level: K-1

Genre: Fantasy/ other

Synopsis: The book tells the story of a teddy bear named Corduroy who gets taken to the Laundromat with Lisa and her mother. He overhears the mother talking about taking things out of her pockets and Corduroy is sad that he doesn’t have any. He begins an adventurous search to find a pocket which includes getting watched in a watching machine and playing with laundry detergent. When Lisa finds him the next day, he tells her he wants a pocket and she sews him on a purple one.

Activity: Provide envelopes for children to use as pockets. Tell them to draw a picture of something to place in their pocket. Have them also write their name and put it in their envelope. Talk about the story and have students share their favorite parts. Have them think put themselves in the little girl’s shoes if they lost their toy and how they would feel.

Review: ***** 4 out of 5. Corduroy is one of my favorite children’s book so I love this one as well. However, there is not too much complexity or depth to the story for teachers to use. It does teach a good lesson about responsibility and keeping track of your belongings. It is a good story for young readers because it is an easy read and they can relate to it if they have ever lost a toy that was close to them.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. I love Madeline books! This book specifically is illustrated with very detailed and fantastic images that follow the story closely. Children are easily able to picture the story as it happened. Bemelmans brings to life both the characters and setting.

7. Title: Angelina Ballerina

Author: Katherine Holabird

Grade level: 1-3

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis: Angelina is a pretty little mouse who wants to become a ballerina. She dances everywhere she is whether that is at home, at school, or in her dreams. Her parents get upset at her because she forgets about all the other things she is supposed to be doing, like chores, eating and at meals. Her mother comes up with the idea to send her to ballet lessons and Angeline is so thankful that she learns to help around the house and also work hard at dance class. In the end, Angeline becomes a famous ballerina.

Activity: Use the book to lead a discussion about how important it is to have dreams and passions. Have each student tell the class what is one dream or passion they have. Talk about the importance of working hard toward a goal and never giving up.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. I love Angelina Ballerina. Part of the reason I love this book is because I was a dancer, but in all honesty, I think this is a great book. The pictures are extremely detailed and I love that it is a story about Angelina following her passion and doing what she loves. It teaches the importance of letting young children have dreams and to pursue something they like to do. It is a great read-aloud.

8. Title: Angelina, Star of the Show

Author: Katherine Holabird

Grade level: 1-3

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis: Angelina is a pretty little mouse who wants to become a ballerina. The story starts out with Angelina about to perform a new dance at the Mouseland Dance Festival. Most of the story takes place on her grandparent’s canal boat. Angelina is too busy practicing her dance and trying on her costume that she doesn’t help out on the boat and ends up getting her new costume covered in black grease. After that, she helps out on the boat and ends up wearing her grandma’s old sailor costume for her dance recital.

Activity: Have students share about their grandparents. Lead a discussion with the students about what Angelina did and the consequences of her actions. Use the dialogue in the book to teach children about voice.

Review: ***** 5 out of 5. This is a great Angelina Ballerina book because it teaches children the importance of helping out and obeying their parents or else there will be consequences. For Angelina, her beautiful costume was ruined because she wouldn’t listen. I love how this story features Angelina and her grandparents, and touches on the relationship between grandchildren and grandparents.

9. Title: Harold and the Purple Crayon

Author: Crockett Johnson

Grade level: K-3

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis: The main character is Harold, a curious four year-old boy who has a magic purple crayon. He starts out in a world of nothingness with nothing but his magic crayon. With it, he creates a world of his own simply by drawing it. He draws a road, field, dragon, ocean, and island among many other things. In the end, he draws his own house and bed and goes to sleep.

Activity: Use this to teach a math lesson about different types of shapes and lines. You could also give students specific shapes/lines and have them create some sort of art from their own imagination.

Review: *** 3 out of 5. This is a fun children’s book about a child’s imagination and all the places imagination can take you. This is an interesting book because it is not a journey into the imagination or a real magical world from which Harold can return home to his own house. Instead, he has to create his room and bed. However, I love that this book encourages creativity in children.

10. Title: The Boy Who Ate the Moon

Author: Christopher King

Grade level: K-2

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis: This is about a little boy who lives when animals talked and the sky reached all the way to the ground. One night, the boy notices that the moon is trapped by the fingers of Grandaddy Maple, a maple tree. The boy believes that it is up to him to save the moon and set it free. So he climbs up the tree. As he climbs up the tree, various animals tell him not to do it. When he finally gets to the moon, he finds it is coated in moon sugar and he goes on to eat it all. He then starts to float with the moon in the sky all night until the sun comes up and he is thrown down. In the end, he returns to the tree where he started and lands in his father’s arms.

Activity: Use this book to introduce a science lesson about the moon. First of all, ask kids whether they think the moon is edible like in the book. Then, tell students true facts about the moon and explain that this book is in the fantasy genre meaning it is not real. Have them make a list with true things about the moon vs. false things about the moon that kids might think.

Review: *** 3 out of 5. This is a sweet, whimsical book but it is a little weird for me. The language does a great job of painting a picture in the reader’s mind even without the watercolor illustrations. Although I thought the storyline was different, kids might enjoy the magic and fantasy part of the book. The fact that the boy eats the moon will fascinate kids.

abbydiamond.weebly.com · Web viewAbby Diamond. Dr. Hoaglund. Children’s Literature. Reading...

Documents

Transcript of abbydiamond.weebly.com · Web viewAbby Diamond. Dr. Hoaglund. Children’s Literature. Reading...