A Ball for Daisy
by Chris Raschka published by Schwartz and Wade Books in 2011 is the 2012 wordless
Caldecott Award winning book that follows Daisy the dog. Daisy is very content on playing with her red ball. She chases it,
sleeps with it, and is distraught when it is ruined. She is comforted when she is
given a new blue ball. This very
sentimental and creative story can be open to interpretation It can be
used when addressing issues of self-expression for children in kindergarten to
second grade. Wonderful detailed illustrations truly help the reader understand
the plot and setting.
Grandfather’s Journey by
Allen Say. This 1994 Caldecott winner published by Houghton Miffin Company in 1993
chronicles the narrator’s grandfather as he travels from his small village in
Japan to the United States. In the U.S, he meets new and exciting individuals
from all backgrounds. After a period of time, he returns home to Japan to raise
his family. Years later, his grandson decides to do the same thing. Great multi-generational
story about the feelings a person experiences when immigrating to a new
country. A great read-aloud tool as well as one that can be used for Social
Studies units. Most appropriate for
second and third graders.
Me Jane by Patrick
McDonnell. Little Brown and Company,
2011. This 2012 Caldecott Honor Book tells the story of a little girl named
Jane. Jane loves animals especially her chimp Jubilee. Together the go on many adventures
where they observe the wonders of nature. Jane dreams of living in Africa when
she is a grown up so that she can work and care for animals. Eventually she accomplishes
this dream and becomes the renowned anthropologist Jane Goodall. This wonderful
work can be used for introductory science lessons. K-3 grade.
Joseph Had a Little
Overcoat by Simms Raback. Penguin Group, 1999. In this very creative 2000 Caldecott winning
book, Joseph starts out with a large overcoat and overtime it gets altered and becomes
a jacket, scarf, and handkerchief and so on, until it eventually is dwindled to
nothing. The moral of the story…you can make something out of nothing. The
interactive cut-outs are wonderful visuals that can be used to enhance the
story. Great for read aloud activities for first and second graders.
The Lorax by Dr
Seuss. Random House, 1971. The “Once-ler" describes to a young boy the reasoning
as to why his community is so polluted and depressed. The Once-ler states the community was once a prosperous place containing beautiful vegetation, most
specifically, truffula trees. The truffula trees were protected by the “Lorax” who warns
the Once-ler to respect his beloved trees but to no success. This moving Dr.
Seuss classic examines the ramifications of one’s behavior and actions.
Important issues addressed can be use in a variety of thought provoking activities
for younger as well as older elementary school students.
The Giving Tree by
Shel Silverstein. Harper Collins,1964 tells the story of the special
relationship between a boy and his favorite tree. The tree is very happy to give the boy
anything that she is physically capable of giving him. Throughout the book, the reader can see the boy develop at various intervals of his life and witnesses the common desires that affect a person at those common stages. Over those years the (boy, man, older man, senior citizen man) forces the
tree to completely deplete her resources until they are both left with
absolutely nothing at all. The wonderful writing and simplistic illustrations
are used to help the reader gain a sense of compassion for the tree and her
deep love for the boy. A classic work of literature for kindergarten to third graders.
Gershon’s Monster: A Story
for the Jewish New Year. Retold by Eric A. Kimmel. Scholastic,2000. An ALSC’s Notable Children’s Book for 2001. Gershon
is a selfish man who shows little remorse for his bad behavior and actions.
Every year at Rosh Hossanah, he throws his past bad deeds into the ocean in the
hopes that they will go away and never bother him again. Unfortunately, these
actions fester and develop into one big monster near his children who are playing by the
ocean. In order to protect them, he acknowledges his past behaviors and
pleads with the monster for forgiveness. All is forgiven. This work is perfect for holiday lessons that can
teach students about morals and appropriate behavior. Great for students in
4th- 6th grade.
Hope Was Here by
Jane Bauer. G.P Putnam’s Sons, 2000. This heartfelt story is a wonderful example
of finding yourself and your belonging. Abandoned by her mother as a baby, sixteen
year old Hope is raised by her Aunt Addie who is a talented chef and works in diner
style restaurants. The two are
constantly moving from city to city where Hope has been brought-up
busting tables to eventually working as a waitress herself. When Addie gets
a job as a cook at the Welcome Stairways diner in Malhoney, Wisconsin, Hope
is a bit apprehensive and unhappy about the move from Brooklyn. Upon arriving to Malhoney, the two develop a
deep bond between the owner of the Welcome Stairways diner G.T Stoop who is diagnosed
with leukemia. G.T is a kind and caring
individual who decides to run for mayor against a corrupt incumbent. Hope becomes involved in G.T's campaign for justice
in the community and along the way develops meaningful and life changing
relationships with members of her new world.
Through this process, not only does Hope find the meaning of her own self
worth, she uncovers the true meaning of love and loyalty in the most
unexpected places. This wonderful young adult novel was recognized by the ALSC
Notable Book Award in 2001. The issues addressed are appropriate for upper elementary
students, as well as for middle and high school students. Serious issues including
abandonment, corruption, developmental delays, illness and death are addressed.
When Sheep Cannot Sleep: The
Counting Book by Satoshi Kitamura is a lovely children's book that
follows Woolley. When Woolley finds himself unable to sleep, he encounters various
items at each turn. It is the reader’s responsibility to uncover and count those
items situated in the illustrations. Published in 1986 by Farrar, Straus and
Giroux, this concept book would be wonderful for k-2 graders.
10
Little Hermit Crabs by Lee Fox, illustrations by Shane McG. Published by Allen and Unwin, 2009. The cartoonish style illustrations
enhance the overall appearance of this basic counting book about a group of
hermit crabs that are each eliminated in some way at the end. Perfect for pre-school
and kindergarten students.
Just A
Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book by Yuyi
Morales. Chronicle Books, 2003. Based on traditional folklore, Senor Galavea (a
skeleton) arrives to take Grandma Beetle to a new adventure to the afterlife
but Grandma continues to delay her trip by finding more household activities to
complete in the house. This book provides number translations in Spanish. Most appropriate
for 1-2 graders.
A
Little Alphabet by Trina Schart
Hyman. Harper Collins, 1993. Each page of the book is devoted to illustrations
of a girl and a boy engaging in activities to each letter of the alphabet.
Great illustrations that can be used to help young emerging readings become
familiarized with the alphabet. Great for kindergarteners.
Illustrations by Gennady
Spirin. Philomel, 2005. Based on a traditional nursery rhyme, each letter is
referenced in documenting the excitement a group of Victorian children have on
their quest to enjoy a famous apple pie. A great read aloud for children in
grades 1-3. Beautiful and alluring illustrations.
Alphabet from Z to A
(with much confusion on the way). Judith
Viorst. Aladdin Paperbacks, 1997. Starting with the letter Z and working its
way back to the beginning of the alphabet, the book addresses the irregularities
of the English language. Would definitely recommend this read to children in
1-3 graders.
The
Schoolchildren's Blizzard by Marty
Rhoades Figley. Carolrhoda Books, 2004. In this easy reader, sisters Annie and
Sarah survive a historic 1888 blizzard on the prairies of Nebraska due to the
heroic efforts of their teacher Minnie Freeman. This book can be used for read
aloud purposes for 2-3 graders.
Dixie by Grace Gilman. HarperCollins Publishers, 2011. Dixie is Emma's dog and they are very close until Emma lands the lead in the school play. When trying to focus on her lines, Emma does not provide Dixie with the attention he needs causing the dog to act out. A very animated plot for 2-3 graders.
Benny and Penny and the
Big No No by
Geoffrey Hayes. Raw Junior, 2009. Winner of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award. Two
siblings Benny and Penny are curious about their new neighbor across the fence.
After getting off on the wrong foot, the three become friends and learn not to
jump to conclusions too quickly. This great graphic novel contains colorful illustrations
for young readers in 1-3 grades.
Tales For Very Picky Eaters by Josh
Schneider. Houghton Miffin Harcourt, 2011. This book is the 2012 winner of the
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award. James is a young boy who is very particular about
the food he eats. Hi father provided him with outlandish stories as to why he
should eat broccoli, lasagna, eggs and drink milk. The illustrations help to enhance
the quality of the story. Would make a great read aloud for 2-4 graders.