THE UGLY DUCKLING

Title: The Ugly Duckling
Author: Van Gool
Genre: folktale
Summary: This story is about a little duckling who really wasn't a duckling at all. He could swim in the water, and do all the other things his brothers and sisters could do, except he was grey and ugly. Until one day the little duckling looked over the edge of the water and found that he really wasnt' a duckling at all, but a beautiful swan.
Comments: This story is very inspirational for and child to read. Even though we do not all look the same, we have something special inside us waiting to come out. This was one of my favorite stories growing up.
Characters: the ugly duckling, mother duck, duckling brothers and sisters, the 2 field mice, and the swans.
Grade level: Preschool-3rd grade

BEARS

Title: Bears
Author: Emma Helbrough
Illustrators: Michelle Lawrence and Josephine Thompson
Genre: Informational
Summary: This book discussed different kinds of bears that live in all regions of the world. From hairy bears, to young cubs, habitats, and food, this book led us through the day and a life of different bears.
Comments: This book went along with my theme: "Bears". My students were excited to learn about different kinds of bears, where they live, and what they eat. It is a very easy read, and each page is titled with what is being talked about.
Grade level: Preschool-1st grade.

FREDERICK

Title: Frederick
Author: Leo Lionni
Genre: Fable
Summary: This story was about five little mice busily getting ready for winter. However, one little mouse thought he should work to get different things to survive winter. The other mice got food to eat, straw to lay on, and a warm place to stay. While Frederick soaked up the colors, the rays from the sun, and words to speak when the winter days were long. And when winter finally came and the food ran out and the others were cold, Frederick offered his rays of sun, colors from life around them, and plenty of words to keep his friends warm.
Comments: This story was very easy to read and captured my students attention. There was a little hidden meaning that when we are in dire need, it is our dreams of happier times that can help sustain us.
Characters: Frederick, four little mice.
Grade level: Preschool/Kindergarten.

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters

Story Title: Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters

Author: John Steptoe

Illustrator: John Steptoe

Genre: Folktale

Characters: Mufaro, the father; his two daughters, Manyara and Nyasha; and Nyoka, the snake/king

Summary: Manyara and Nyasha are two beautiful girls with very different personalities. Manyara is jealous and deceitful, while Nyasha is kind and good. One day a messenger comes to their house to announce that the king was looking to marry. Mufaro insisted that both his daughters travel to the kingdom to see if they had a chance to become queen. Manyara sets out early, upsets everyone and everything in her path, and finds that the king is not what she expected. Nyasha is kind to everyone and everything on her journey, and in the end, wins the king's heart.

Comments: This is similar to the story of Cinderella. It carries a very important message that all children should learn. Kindness and generosity always prevail over jealousy and malice. The illustrations are excellent. They blend perfectly with the words of the story and they are a true representation of Africa. At the beginning, it explains that "the illustrations were inspired by the ruins of an ancient city found in Zimbabwe, and the flora and fauna of that region." This is a Caldecott Honor book.

Grade Level: Kindergarten through Third Grade

The True Tale of Johnny Appleseed

Story Title: The True Tale of Johnny Appleseed

Author: Margaret Hodges

Illustrator: Kimberly Bulcken Root

Genre: Biography

Characters: Johnny Chapman (aka Johnny Appleseed)

Summary: This story covers the life of Johnny Appleseed. The author describes his adventures of traveling and planting apple seeds from Leominster, Massachusetts to Fort Wayne, Indiana. It emphasizes his care for everything in nature - animals, plants, and people alike.

Comments: Johnny Appleseed is a wonderful role model for children. This story teaches children the importance of being respectful to all people and taking care of all things in nature. It truly captures the wonderful characteristics of Johnny Appleseed's persona while incorporating small facts about his life throughout the story.

Grade Level: Kindergarten through Third Grade

Where the Wild Things Are

Story Title: Where the Wild Things Are

Author: Maurice Sendak

Illustrator: Maurice Sendak

Genre: Fantasy

Characters: Max and the Wild Things

Summary: Max dresses up as a wolf and sasses his mother, so he is sent to bed without dinner. His bedroom magically turns into a forest and he sets out to find "where the wild things are." Max wins the hearts and respect of the wild things and plays with them until the smell of food interrupts his adventure and brings him back to reality.

Comments: This story was the 1964 Caldecott Medal Winner for the Most Distinguished Picture Book of the Year. It is a timeless classic that inspires children to never forget the importance of their imagination.

Grade Level: Preschool/Kindergarten

Louhi Witch of North Farm

Retold by Toni De Gerez

Illustrations: Barbara Cooney

Genre: myth/legend

Summary: This story is taken from the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala and tells of the struggle of light and dark and the need for order in the primeval world. When the witch, Louhi, steals the sun and the moon, all chaos breaks out. It is Vainemoinen the Knower and Seppo the Smith who carry out their cosmic duty of returning the moon and sun, so order can be restored in the world. The story is told with great beauty and the pictures are stunning. Children will enjoy its magic and lyrical quality.

Grade level: Kindergarten through second grade would very much enjoy this story, with the younger children loving it read aloud and the older ones reading it themselves. The fact that Finland is in the far north and has long cold winters would be an excellent and interesting point to bring up also, complete with a peek on the globe or map.

Poetry for Young People

Author: Emily Dickinson and edited by Frances Schoonmaker Bolin

Summary and Comments: This is a beautifully selected collection of poetry from Emily Dickinson, one of America's best loved poets. Dickinson writes about simple and ordinary things like nature and people in a new way and the editing helps allow her unique thoughts to be understandable for the young. There are definitions of words from the poetry at the bottom of each page, plus an explanation of each of the poem's topics. The beautiful illustrations assist in our enjoyment and understanding of each poem. These poems should be enjoyed by all, especially with discussion and explanation of difficult to understand parts and unfamiliar vocabulary. Poetry is so important to share with children and they are never too young to enjoy its great richness.

Grade level : This book is for the very young up to adults. I feel that to get the most from it, it can be read and discussed together. After this, it would be great to have the book available (or poems posted in room) for additional reading and enjoyment.

Fancy Nancy

Title: Fancy Nancy

Author: Jane O'conner

Illustrator: Robin Preiss Glasser

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Characters: Nancy and Family

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Summary: Jane O'Connor's story is about a little girl who loves being fancy. She thinks her family is not fancy enough. Nancy eventually convinces her unfancy family to fancy up and go out to dinner one evening. They all have a great time until disaster falls

Comments: I highly recommend this book for all ages. This book has wonderful illustrations and encourages creativity and vocabulary.

Bears

Author: Bonnie Kalman and Tammy Everts

Photographs: Tom Stack & Associates

Genre: Informational

Summary: This is a wonderful and informative book on the many kinds of different bears and their habitats. It is designed for young readers and listeners with simple vocabulary words and even a glossary. The book is loaded with fascinating facts on what bears like to eat and and how they spend their time and raise their young. There is even an excellent description on what happens when bears hibernate. The many bright and beautiful photographs add to the charm and value of this reference book. This is a top notch book to add to your collection and everyone will learn much about bears by reading it.

Grade Level: The very young through third grade will benefit from the reading of this book. This is a perfect book to add to your selections when studying about bears. Pre-readers will get much from just looking at the many colorful photographs and the older children will be able to read the fairly easy words.

Title: Animals should definitely not wear clothing.

Author: Judi Barrett

Illustrator: Ron Barrett

Genre: Fantasy

Summary: This humorous book is bound to make everyone laugh as well as think about each mentioned animal’s limitations. It is so very funny and enjoyable to see familiar animals in clothing and to see through pictures why clothes for them are not the best idea. Children will love this book and want to look through it many times over. It shows even the youngest child why animals are perfect “undressed”, just as they are!

Characters: Ms. Barrett uses common zoo and farm animals and shows us what would happen if each dressed in clothes. It is not possible to read and look at the pictures of this book without enjoying it. Child and adult will love this book and reading it together will be great fun.

Age Level: This book is appropriate for children in the 3-7 age groups. Younger children can have it read to them and older children can read it themselves .There are some sophisticated words blended with high-frequency words to make it appropriate reading for the first-grade child.

Title: Hey, Al

Author: Arthur Yorinks

Illustrator: Richard Egielski

Genre: Modern fable

Summary: This story is wonderful in demonstrating for us that the grass is always greener on the other side and if you are actually on this side, you realize that it really isn’t as perfect as you had imagined. Al, a janitor, lives with Eddie, his dog in a humble one room apartment. Eddie, especially, didn’t appreciate their life (which is all too true of all of us) and the yearned for a big dwelling place and excitement. They get an opportunity to go to a lush and beautiful island in the sky when a large bird comes and takes them. Life seems like paradise here until they start turning into birds. Both Al and Eddie want to return to their simple life at this point and Al returns home alone when Eddie falls into the water. At this point, heartbroken Al shows us what is truly important. It certainly isn’t fancy material possessions, it is relationships and love. Fortunately, Eddie is a good swimmer and appears to the overjoyed Al at the end of the story. Both are grateful and content to return to their simple life.

Characters: I love the warmth and caring between Al and Eddie. They are the only characters besides the bird and their close relationship and the fondness between them is depicted nicely through the beautiful illustrations in the story.

Grade Level; This story seems appropriate for pre-school to second grade. It would be an excellent story read aloud and discussed. There are sophisticated words that could be somewhat of a challenge for second graders to read and the younger children to have explained. This is a great book to be enjoyed by all!

Title: The Magic Fish

Author: Freya Littledale

Illustrations: Winslow Pinney Pels

Genre: Folktale

Summary: This is a wonderful book with enchanting pictures about how selfishness and wanting too much will never bring any happiness. The story tells about a humble and easy-going fisherman who has a selfish and dominating wife. When the fisherman catches a magic fish and respectfully puts him back after hearing from the fish that he is magic, the grateful fish grants the fisherman wishes. The fisherman doesn’t wish for himself, but instead for his insatiable wife, who is simply not satisfied after each increasingly more elaborate gift from the fish. At the end, the couple loses everything, because the fish has finally gotten angry by the wife’s endless demands.

Characters: The characters are well-developed, even though the book is short. The fisherman is sweet, meek and satisfied with little, the fish is good but just and the wife is selfish and satisfied with nothing for long. The moral of how greed is never something that brings happiness resounds from this beautiful little book. Adult and child alike will enjoy and get something out of it.

Grade Level: This book is appropriate for children ages 5-8. The text has repetition and would be good reading for a first and beginning second grader. The story will also be enjoyed by a group of children who are being read to. It is a delightful addition for any classroom.

The Other Side

Title: The Other Side

Author: Jacqueline Woodson

Illustrator: E.B. Lewis

Genre: Historical Fiction

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Characters: Clover (the girl), other girls, Mom, Dad

Summary: A story of friendship across a racial divide. Clover, the young African-American narrator, lives beside a fence that segregates her town. Her mother instructs her never to climb over to the other side because it isn't safe.

Comments: This book is wonderful and easy to read. I think its easy to understand and it explain how segregation existed.

The Legend of the BlueBonnet

Title: The Legend of The BlueBonnet

Author and Illustrator: Tomie DePaola

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Genre: Myths/Legend

Summary: This story is a retelling of the Comanche Indian Legend of how a little girl's sacrifice brought the flower called bluebonnet to Texas.

Comments: It was my first time reading this book and loved it. This girl is an orphan who lives alone and has to sacrifice her prized possession. I recommend this book.

Dr. Seuss's ABC An Amazing Alphabet Book!

Title: Dr. Seuss's ABC An Amazing Alphabet Book!

Author: Dr. Seuss

Reading Level: Ages 4-8

Genre: Traditional literature

Summary: This book teaches young children the alphabet and the sound that each letter makes. It has funny illustrations and ryhmes that keep children interested.

Comments: This book is great for young children just learning the alphabet. It is especially great for those just learning to read. The illustrations are wonderful. I highly recommend this book.

Title: Abraham Lincoln

Author: Sonia Black

Illustrator: Carol Heyer

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Paperback: 32 pages

Genre: Biographies

Summary: This book is about Abraham Lincoln's life. The book start out by talking about his childhood. It shows where he lived and what he did as a child. Then it talks about his mom passing away and how his dad remarried. Then it moves on to his adolescence and finally him as the 16th President of the United States.

Comments: This book outilnes Abraham Lincoln's life and it's easy for children to understand. The illustrations are great and help children understand how it was during his time. I highly recommend this book to help children about our 16th President.

Shout!: Little Poems that Roar

Author: Poetryby Brod Bagert

Illustrator: Sachiko Yoshikawa

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Genre: Poetry

Summary: This book has many poems that revolve around the school year. The poems are full of silly humor that children will enjoy.The illustrations are inacrylic and pastel with cartoon style illustrations. Short, simple rhyming phrases and lots of repetition make this a suitable choice for newly independent readers.

Comments: I highly recommend this book because it makes children want to participate. The poems are filled with excitement and adventure. I also recommend this book because the poems relate to familiar kids topics.

Penguins

Penguins

Genre: Informational

By Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld (Author)

Reading level: Ages 4-8 (This book is easy for an early reader to read without help.)

Paperback: 32 pages

Genre: Informational

Characters: Penguins

Summary: This book is very useful to teach your students about Penguins. This book teaches students where Penguins live, what they eat, how they are born and raised and how they survive in their enviornment.

Comments: I have been using this book for the past four years and love it. It provides useful information and the illustrations are wonderful. I would recommendthis book when teaching about Penguins or just to read in class.

The Tortoise and the Hare: An Aesop Fable

An Aesop Fable adapted and Illustrated by Janet Stevenson

Reading level: Ages 4-8 (Easy enough for a first grader or early reader to read.)

32 pages

Genre: Fable

Characters: Hare, Tortoise, Friends

Summary: This book is about a Hare that made fun of a Tortoise for being so slow. One day the Tortoise was with is friends and the Hare came by and made funof the Tortoise because he was really slow. The Tortoise felt embarrassed and sad because the Hare was teasing him. The Tortoise friends encourage him to race against the Hare. At first the Tortoise said no but his friends convinced him and he agreed. His friends help him get into shape for the race. During the race the Hare slacks off because he is confident that the Tortoise can't win the race because he is so slow. The Hare eats, sleeps and rests while the Tortoise give it his all until he completes the race. The Tortoise won the race because he kept trying and didn't give up.

Comments: This fable is great story to read. This story teaches all of us that making fun of others is wrong. It also teaches us that we can do anything if we work hard to obtain it. I highly recommend this book.

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

Laura Joffe Numeroff (Author)

Felicia Bond (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages Kindergarten and up

32 pages

Characters: Boy and Little Mouse

Genre: Fantasy

Summary: This book is about a little boy that offers a mouse a cookie then the mouse keeps asking for more and more stuff.The little mouse makes a mess but continues to ask for more things. The illustrations are wonderful with enough detail in each picture. This story makes my students laugh at all the things the little mouse does.
Comments: This story is funny and it will make you laugh. The illustrations are wonderful and it makes the children want to read the book and talk about the pictures. My students loves to read this story especially because they are familiar with Laura Numeroffs books for example, If You Give a Pig a Pancake or If You Take a Mouse to School. This book also comes with a CD that can be used in the listening station. I highly recommend this book.

Harriet Tubman

Author: Catherine Nichols

Illustrator: Brian Denington

Genre: Biography

Summary: The true story of Harriet Tubman is beautiful and inspiring. Students will learn how terribly difficult life was as a slave and how Harriet overcame incredible obstacles to lead a life of honor in helping others. The story of Harriet's life is gripping and will provide young children with important information concerning slavery. The story starts from Harriet's birth and continues until her death and includes her very difficult childhood, her young adulthood and marriage, and finally the many courageous trips she took on her Underground Railroad.

Grade level: This book is for the kindergarten through second grade level. It would make an excellent read-aloud during Black History month or any time. There are some challenging words that can be discussed. This would be a great book for good readers in first grade and for most readers in second.

Meet Kit - American Girl

author: Valerie Tripp

illustrator: Walter Rane

vignettes: Susan McAliley

genre: historical fiction

age appropriate: independent reading - 8 years and up / read aloud-6 years and up

characters: Kit, Mother, Father, Charlie, Aunt Millie, Ruthie, Stirling, boarders

summary: There are a series of Kit books based on the American Girl doll, all taking place during the depression in the 1930's. Meet Kit is the first book and gives a picture of how this young girls life changes when her father looses his job. They have to take in boarders in order to afford their home and Kit must give up her room. She has to wear clothes that are too small. She sees people who are better off than her, as well as people who are less fortunate. The author allows readers to learn about how the depression impacted so many people in different ways but still keeps the story lighthearted through Kit's relationships with her family and friends. Each book ends with vignettes explaining historical facts from the story with real pictures from that time period.

comments: I am not a fan of American Girl basically because it is so commercial and I cannot comment on any other book series they write. However I love this series! My six year old daughter received the doll and books as gifts and I read aloud to her, we are both addicted. It is fascinating to follow one family as they cope with the challenges of this difficult time in history. The little things you learn about what people did to get by, such as plant vegetable gardens in their front lawn, keep chickens in their yard or use potato sacks to make underwear are amazing. It may not appeal to an entire classroom but it is excellent for a school aged girl.

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears

author: Verna Aardema
illustrators: Diane and Leo Dillon
genre: myth/legend
age appropriate: pre k -3rd grade

summary: This African legend is said to explain why mosquitoes are pests. It begins with a mosquito whispering in the ear of an iguana who no longer wants to hear what the mosquito is saying so he puts sticks in his ears. As he walks through the jungle he sets in motion a chain of events with all the other animals that eventually leads to the sun not rising. The lion king calls a meeting and the problem is resolved when the animals realize it was a misunderstanding and that the story kept changing as it was passed on from animal to animal.

comments: A great story to explain why mosquitoes are pests and the pictures really give you a sense of being in Africa. A good game to play after reading this story is the telephone game, where you begin a secret at one end of the circle and have the children whisper it to each other until it reaches he last person. Rarely will the secret be the same at the end-which is a great demonstration of what happened in the story.

Komodo Dragon

author : Edana Eckart

genre: informational

age appropriate: pre k - 3rd grade

summary : This non fiction book is full of actual photographs from Komodo Island where these large lizards originate from. The book is written in simple factual text with a table of contents and a glossary. Each picture demonstrates what the words say on the opposite page, which makes it easier for decoding and comprehending. The book describes their physical characteristics, eating habits, reproduction and where they live.

Comments: This is a great book that fascinates me, as well as my students. The pictures are amazing. It is of high interest especially because many children are not familiar with this animal. If planing a trip to the Shedd Aquarium, this book is a most and there is an excellent movie on livetext too!

Author: Pete Seeger

Illustrator: Michael Hays

Genre: Legend/Myth

Characters: The boy, the father, the townspeople, and Abiyoyo

Grade Level: Preschool - Third Grade

Summary: The boy plays his ukelele and his father is a magician who makes things disappear. The townspeople become annoyed with both of them and send them to live outside of town. Then one day the giant Abiyoyo comes to town and eats all the animals in his path. The townspeople run for their lives. The boy decides to play a song about Abiyoyo for the giant on his ukelele and the giant dances until he falls down from exhaustion. Then the father makes him disappear and they both become heroes.

Comments: I like this story I think that the illustrations are very simple and fitting for the story.

Gingerbread Baby

Author: Jan Brett

Genre: Folktale

Characters: Gingerbread baby, Matti, the mother, the father, Martha and Madeline, the cat, the dog, the fox

Grade Level: Preschool - Fourth Grade

Summary: Matti decides to make a gingerbread boy cookie, but when he opens the oven too soon a gingerbread baby jumps out. Many people chase the gingerbread baby because they want to eat him, but he outsmarts them all. Matti ends up catching the baby by making him his own gingerbread house.

Comments: I like this version of the story best because the gingerbread baby does not get eaten. I also like that Matti is not trying to eat him. The students in my class also voted for this version.

The Story of Ruby Bridges

Author: Robert Coles

Illustrator: George Ford

Genre: Historical Fiction

Characters: Ruby, her family, and her teacher Miss Hurley

Grade Level: Kindergarten - 4th

Summary: This book tells the story of a little African American girl that has the honor and burden of being one of the first African Americans to attend a white school in the 1960's. Six year old Ruby is the only one in her class and she has to deal with an angry mob each day when she enters school.

Comments: I think this book makes a topic like segregation more understandable to younger children.

Frog and Toad are Friends

author & illustrator: Arnold Lobel

genre: fable

summary: A simple chapter book, ideal for young readers. Usually composed of 5 short stories about two friends adventures and problems and relationship. Some topics include; willpower, hibernation, spring, growing plants and bravery. The two amphibians take on believable human characteristics that are evident in their conversations with one another.

characters: Frog, Toad

This book is appropriate for a read aloud at the kindergarten level but can be independently read in grades 1-3.

Comments: Arnold Lobel uses humor and wit to capture his audience. The short stories almost always have a clever ending that leaves you smiling. The friendship between Frog and Toad comes across as very genuine and heartwarming which adds to it's appeal.

Casey at the Bat

Title: Casey at the Bat: A Ballad of the Republic Sung in the Year 1888
Author: Ernest Lawrence Thayer
Illustrator: Christopher Bing
Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary: This book is a depiction of the famous poem by Ernest Lawrence Thayer about Mighty Casey and the Mudville Nine. The illustrations portray the team and their supposed hero Casey in his big at-bat. In addition, each drawing includes fictional newspaper clippings, ticket stubs, photographs, and other historical memorabilia from baseball in the 1800s.

Commentary: This is a beautiful storybook that brings to life a classic tale. While readers enjoy the detailed and historical drawings, they are exposed to the dramatic language of Thayer's poem. This book really deserves its Caldecott Honor. Bing did an amazing job recreating the nation's pastime.

Reading Level: This book is appropriate for Pre-K and up, but the language is sophisticated enough to make it at least 3rd grade level.

Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter Yarrow & Lenny Lipton

Title: Puff the Magic Dragon

Authors: Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton

Illustrator: Eric Puybaret

Genre/Theme: Fantasy

Characters: Puff the Magic Dragon and Jackie Paper

Summary: This book is an illustrated tale of Puff the Magic Dragon, the folk song that has been popular for decades. The lyrics are the text and the pictures depict Jackie Paper and Puff and their whimsical adventures in Honalee. They encounter pirates and other dangers until Jackie comes no more. Poor Puff retreats to his cave but the illustrations show that there is a young girl ready to pick up where Jackie left off.

Commentary: This is a lovely story with simple text and beautiful pictures. The book also includes a CD of Peter Yarrow's famous song and two others. The pictures really make this book and capture the fantasy and adventure of the original song.

Age level appropriateness: enjoyed by all ages, 2rd grade reading level (because of some unusual words)

The Giving Tree

Author: Shel Silverstein

Genre: Fable

Summary: This story follows the friendship of a little boy and a tree throughout the boys life. He always turns to the tree when he needs something but forgets about the tree when he does not. The tree gives the boy his apples, his branches, his trunk, and even his stump. All the tree wants is to make the boy happy.

Comments: This is probably my favorite story I always get choked up when I read it. It reminds me of an unconditional love that a parent may feel for their child.