PERSONAL CHOICE

The Spider and the Fly

Based on Poem by: Mary Howitt
Illustrator: Tony DiTerlizzi

Howitt, M. B., & DiTerlizzi, T. (2002). The spider and the fly. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Genre: Poetry

Awards: 2003 Caldecott Honor Book

Summary: In this poem, the cunning spider attempts to woo the fly into his web.  The illustrations are reminiscent of a 20s and 30s melodrama with black and white sweeping artwork. 

How this book relates to young children: Children will enjoy the old-fashioned illustrations in the story.

How I would use this book with young children: Use during a lesson about strangers and how to be safe.


 

The Stranger

Author/Illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg

Van, A. C., & Juvenile Collection (Library of Congress). (1986). The stranger. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Genre: Fantasy

Awards: 1986 New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book List, 1986 Parent's Choice Award for Illustration

Summary: When a farmer runs over a strange man and he comes to stay with them, their lives are forever affected...as is the weather.  The illustrations allow the reader to infer many things unsaid.

How this book relates to young children: Children will enjoy the mystery of who the stranger really is.

How I would use this book with young children: This book is great to use as part of a lesson over generating questions while reading.

ORBIS PICTUS

Actual Size

Author/Illustrator: Steve Jenkens

Jenkins, S. (2004). Actual size. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Genre: Informational

Awards: 2005 Orbis Pictus Honor, Editors' Choice Top of the List Winner 2004 Youth Nonfiction, The Children's Literature Choice 2005, Natural History Best Books for Young Readers 2004

Summary: Collage illustrations allow children to see the actual size of different animal parts...including a full size giant worm.  

How this book relates to young children: Children will enjoy seeing how they "measure up" to the animals in the book.

How I would use this book with young children: Use during a science lesson when discussing animal characteristics.

The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins

Author: Barbara Kerley
Illustrator: Brian Selznick

Kerley, B., Selznick, B., Saylor, D., & Scholastic Inc. (2001). The dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins: An illuminating history of Mr. Waterhouse Hawkins, artist and lecturer. New York: Scholastic.

Genre: Biography

Awards: 2002 Orbis Pictus Honor, 2002 Caldecott Honor

Summary: Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins becomes the first person to sketch and build models of dinosaurs.  The illustrations are based on Hawkins' own personal sketches and have deep vivid colors.

How this book relates to young children: Children will love imagining a time
when people had no idea what dinosaurs looked like and then having dinner inside one!

How I would use this book with young children: Can be used during a unit on dinosaurs or as part of a study of inventors and artists.

Amelia Earhart: The Legend of the Lost Aviator

Author: Shelley Tanaka
Illustrator: David Craig

Tanaka, S., & Craig, D. (2008). Amelia Earhart: The legend of the lost aviator. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Genre: Biography

Awards: 2009 Orbis Pictus Award, 2008  Cybil Award Finalist

Summary: The biography of Amelia Earhart told in picture book form, with lots of text and full page paintings as the illustrations based on original photographs. 

How this book relates to young children: Children will enjoy reading about Earhart in a format they are more comfortable with.

How I would use this book with young children: A great book to use as part of a social studies unit on American heroes.

ROBERT F. SIBERT AWARD

The Voice that Challenged a Nation:
Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights

Author/Illustrator: Russell Freedman

Freedman, R. (2004). The voice that challenged a nation: Marian Anderson and the struggle for equal rights. New York: Clarion Books.

Genre: Biography

Awards: 2005 Robert F. Sibert Award, 2005 Newbery Honor Book

Summary: Marian Anderson became a famous singer despite the limitations placed on her due to race.  Archival photographs act as the illustrations.

How this book relates to young children: Children will be exposed to an American hero that they may never have heard of and can discuss how she almost never was.

How I would use this book with young children: Can be used as part of a Black History month study or part of a study of American heroes.

Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream

Author: Tanya Lee Stone

Stone, T. L. (2009). Almost astronauts: 13 women who dared to dream. Somerville, Mass: Candlewick Press.

Genre: Biography

Awards: 2010 Robert F. Sibert Award, 2010 Orbis Pictus Honor

Summary: The story of the "Mercury 13" who fought their way into the spotlight while attempting to become NASA astronauts.  Large photographs aid in understanding the importance of these women.

How this book relates to young children: Children enjoy any stories involving space travel and the photographs in this book will appeal to them.

How I would use this book with young children: Can be used as part of a social studies lesson on women's rights or American heroes.

SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARD

The Pirate of Kindergarten

Author: George Ella Lyon
Illustrator: Lynne Avril

Lyon, G. E., Avril, L., Sfetsios, D., & Atheneum Books for Young Readers. (2010). The pirate of kindergarten. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Genre: Realistic Fiction 

Awards: 2011 Schneider Family Book Award

Summary: Ginny suffers from double vision until an eye patch becomes the solution...leading her to become the "pirate" of kindergarten.  The illustrations  allow the reader to see what Ginny sees.

How this book relates to young children: Children will enjoy how Ginny overcame her disability by making the most of her eye patch.

How I would use this book with young children: Use at the beginning of the year as part of a lesson on acceptance.

Dad, Jackie, and Me

Author: Myron Uhlberg
Illustrator: Colin Bootman

Uhlberg, M., & Bootman, C. (2005). Dad, Jackie, and me. Atlanta, Ga: Peachtree.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Awards: 2006 Schneider Family Book Award, 2006 Comstock Book Award

Summary: A young boy and his deaf father share in the excitement of Jackie Robinson's first season in the MLB.  Large full-color illustrations take the reader back to the 1940s.

How this book relates to young children: Children can relate to being embarrassed at times by people's differences.

How I would use this book with young children: Can be used to teach the theme of acceptance.

My Pal, Victor

Author: Diane Gonzales Bertrand
Illustrator: Robert L. Sweetland

Bertrand, D. G., Sweetland, R., & Vega, E. . (2004). My pal, Victor. Green Bay, Wis: Raven Tree Press.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Awards: 2004 Schneider Family Award, 2004 New York Suggested Reading List

Summary: The story of two young boys and their close friendship despite one being in a wheelchair.  The illustrations are "cartoonish" as opposed to realistic.

How this book relates to young children: Children will enjoy the use of Spanish and English in the book. 

How I would use this book with young children: A great book to use at the beginning of the year when discussing friendship and tolerance.

ALA NOTABLE CHILDREN'S RECORDINGS

Lon Po Po

Translator/Illustrator: Ed Young

Young, E., Young, E., Stevens, J., Stevenson, N., Philomel Books., South China Printing Co., & Juvenile Collection (Library of Congress). (1989). Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood story from China. New York: Philomel Books.

Genre: Traditional Literature

Awards: 2007 ALA Notable Children's Recordings List

Summary: A dark depiction of Little Red Riding Hood as told in China shows how three young girls take on the ominous Lon Po Po before she can eat them. Narrated by B. D. Wong.

How this book relates to young children: Children will enjoy listening to this unusual retelling of a classic story.

How I would use this book with young children: Use when comparing and contrasting fairy tales across different cultures.

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

Author: Jon Scieszka
Illustrator: Lane Smith

Scieszka, J., & Smith, L. (1989). The true story of the 3 little pigs. New York, N.Y., U.S.A: Viking Kestrel.

Genre: Traditional Literature

Awards: 2007 ALA Notable Children's Recordings List

Summary: The story of the three little pigs as told by the wolf, in an attempt to prove his innocence.  Narrated by Paul Giamatti. 

How this book relates to young children: Children will love trying to decide if the wolf is telling the truth.

How I would use this book with young children: Can be used to teach point of view when writing.

Mystery on the Docks

Author/Illustrator: Thacher Hurd

Hurd, T. (1984). Mystery on the docks. New York, N.Y: Harper & Row.

Genre: Mystery

Awards: 2002 ALA Notable Children's Recordings List

Summary: An opera loving rat helps rescue his favorite opera singer who is being held for ransom.  Narrated by John Beach.

How this book relates to young children: Children will be amused by the different voices used by the one narrator.

How I would use this book with young children: Can be used when studying the mystery genre.

USBBY INTERNATIONAL LIST PICTURE BOOKS

Traction Man Meets TurboDog

Author/Illustrator: Mini Grey

Grey, M. (2008). Traction Man meets TurboDog. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Genre: Fantasy

Awards: 2009 USBBY International List, 2008 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Summary: When Traction Man's sidekick, Scrubbing Brush, is disposed of, he must travel to the "bin" to rescue him.  Retro-like illustrations are colorful and help move the story along.

How this book relates to young children: Children will enjoy the use of imagination in the story.

How I would use this book with young children: Use to study story structure (beginning, middle, and end).

Ellen's Apple Tree

Author/Illustrator: Catarina Kruusval
Translator: Joan Sandin

Kruusval, C., & Sandin, J. (2008). Ellen's apple tree. Stockholm: R & S Books.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Awards: 2009 USBBY International List Picture Books

Summary: Ellen and her brother love playing in the apple tree in the yard until a storm knocks it down.  The illustrations are simple watercolor paintings that add a sweetness to the story.

How this book relates to young children: Many children will relate to the sadness the children feel when something they love is gone.

How I would use this book with young children: Can be used as part of a science lesson about the life cycles of plants.

Who Made This Cake?

Author: Chihiro Nakagawa
Illustrator: Junji Koyose

Nakagawa, C., & Koyose, J. (2008). Who made this cake?. Asheville, N.C: Front Street.

Genre: Fantasy

Awards: 2009 USBBY International List Picture Books

Summary: A woman orders a birthday cake for her son and readers see the cake being constructed by teeny-tiny people and machines as though they are architects.  The white background of the story allow the reader to see all the action without any distraction.

How this book relates to young children: Children will enjoy using their imagination as they read the story.

How I would use this book with young children: A great book to use as an introduction to an imaginitive writing lesson.

BANK STREET COLLEGE BEST BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

Little Devils

Author/Illustrator: Robert J. Blake

Blake, R. J. (2009). Little devils. New York: Philomel Books.

Genre: Fantasy

Awards: 2009 Bank Street College Best Books for Children List

Summary: Three Tasmanian devil cubs become worried when their mother doesn't return to the den and set out to find her.  The lifelike illustrations allow the reader to feel as though they are watching a real journey.

How this book relates to young children: Children will enjoy the story about animals they don't normally read about or see.

How I would use this book with young children: Can use to teach about the theme of bravery and independence.

Pearl and Wagner: One Funny Day

Author: Kate McMullan
Illustrator: R. W. Alley

McMullan, K., & Alley, R. W. (2009). Pearl and Wagner: One funny day. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.

Genre: Fantasy

Awards: 2010 Bank Street College Best Books for Children List

Summary: Wagner is subjected to various April Fool's Day jokes at school before he finally gets the last laugh on his classmates.  The illustrations are colorful yet soft and are perfect for the youngest of readers.

How this book relates to young children: Children will enjoy the tricks played by the students and teachers.

How I would use this book with young children: Opens up a discussion about the pros and cons of April Fool's Day.

Shampoodle

Author: Joan Holub
Illustrator: Tim Bowers

Holub, J., & Bowers, T. (2009). Shampoodle. New York: Random House.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Awards: 2010 Bank Street College Best Books for Children List

Summary: When a group of cats wander into the local pet salon as a group of dogs are getting primped, mayhem breaks out.  The artwork is vibrant and adds a dimension of action to each page.

How this book relates to young children: The simple rhyming text make it easy for children to participate in the reading.

How I would use this book with young children: Predicting rhyming words at the end of sentences.

Along a Long Road

Author/Illustrator: Frank Viva

Viva, F. (2011). Along a long road. New York: Little, Brown.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Awards: 2012 Bank Street College Best Books for Children List

Summary: Follow a man on his bike along a bright yellow road as he rides along seeing many different types of scenery.  The books uses only 5 colors yet everything seems the right color.  

How this book relates to young children: Children will enjoy looking deeper at the pictures to discover new things.

How I would use this book with young children: Introduce the book by discussing journeys they have been on and what they have seen along the way. 

Stuck

Author/Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers

Jeffers, O. (2011). Stuck. New York: Philomel Books.

Genre: Fantasy

Awards: 2012 Bank Street College Best Books for Children List

Summary: When a young boy's kite becomes stuck in a tree, he will throw anything into the tree to get it down...no matter how ridiculous.  The illustrations are simple, yet sophisticated.

How this book relates to young children: Children will enjoy the outrageous pictures.

How I would use this book with young children: Great book for sequencing.

ALA CHILDREN'S NOTABLE

All the World

Author: Liz Garton Scanlon
Illustrator: Marla Frazee

Scanlon, E. G., Frazee, M., & Beach Lane Books. (2009). All the world. New York: Beach Lane Books.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Awards: ALA Children's Notable, 2010 Caldecott Honor

Summary: The story follows a young family on a summer's day as they begin with time at the beach and then move on to the rest of their packed day.

How this book relates to young children: Children will enjoy the rhyming verse used in the book.

How I would use this book with young children: This book can easily be used to teach sequencing.

Interrupting Chicken

Author/Illustrator: David Ezra Stein

Stein, D. E., & Candlewick Press. (2010). Interrupting chicken. Somerville, Mass: Candlewick Press.

Genre: Fantasy

Awards: ALA Children's Notable, 2011 Caldecott Honor

Summary: Chicken wants a story read to him by his dad but cannot stop interrupting the stories with his own.

How this book relates to young children: Children will enjoy the humor in Chicken interrupting and shortening the stories.

How I would use this book with young children: Great book to teach listening skills.

Lilly's Big Day

Author/Illustrator: Kevin Henkes

Henkes, K. (2006). Lilly's big day. New York: Greenwillow Books.

Genre: Fantasy

Awards: ALA Children's Notable, 2007 Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book

Summary: Lilly's teacher is getting married and she is convinced that she needs to be the flower girl.

How this book relates to young children: Children can relate to not always getting what they want.

How I would use this book with young children: Good book for teaching students to infer mood.

Houndsley and Catina

Author: James Howe
Illustrator: Mary-Louise Gay

Howe, J. (2006). Houndsley and Catina. Somerville, Mass: Candlewick.

Genre: Fantasy

Awards: ALA Children's Notable

Summary: Houndsley and Catina are the best of friends who learn a lesson about when it is appropriate to hold your tongue and knowing what to say to friends.

How this book relates to young children: Children can relate to how difficult it can be for friends to know how to critique one another.

How I would use this book with young children: Great book for teaching children about constructive criticism.

Scaredy Squirrel

Author/Illustrator: Melanie Watt

Watt, M. (2006). Scaredy squirrel. Toronto: Kids Can Press.

Genre: Fantasy

Awards: ALA Children's Notable

Summary: Scaredy Squirrel is terrified of the dangerous world outside of his tree and is prepared for any emergency, until one day when he is forced outside.

How this book relates to young children: Children can relate to the theme of worry and caution.

How I would use this book with young children: Great book to use as a mentor text to teach students about organizing a story.