CHARLOTTE ZOLOTOW

Balloons Over Broadway

Author/Illustrator: Melissa Sweet

Sweet, M., Newborn, R., Paquette, C., Houghton Mifflin Books for Children., & Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. (2011). Balloons over Broadway: The true story of the puppeteer of Macy's Parade. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Awards: 2012 Charlotte Zolotow Award, 2012 Robert F. Sibert Award, 2012 Orbis Pictus Award

Summary: The history of the man who created the giant helium balloons that have become a staple of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  The illustrations are a mix of artwork, newspaper clippings, photographs, and diagrams.

How this book relates to young children: Children will enjoy hearing about the history relating to something they have seen on TV.

How I would use this book with young children: Great book to use as part of a discussion about American inventors.

City Dog, Country Frog

Author: Mo Willems
Illustrator: J. J. Muth

Willems, M., & Muth, J. J. (2010). City Dog, Country Frog. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

Genre: Fantasy

Awards: 2011 Charlotte Zolotow Honor, 2011 ALA Notable List

Summary: Story of the friendship between a dog and a frog and the adventures they have based on who is visiting who.  The illustrations are soft, watercolor paintings that add a sweet nature to the story.

How this book relates to young children: Children will relate to the story of friendship gained and lost.

How I would use this book with young children: Can read a create a Venn diagram comparing this book to Town Mouse, Country Mouse.

How to Heal a Broken Wing

Author/Illustrator: Bob Graham

Graham, B. (2008). How to heal a broken wing. Cambridge, Mass: Candlewick Press.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Awards: 2009 Charlotte Zolotow Award

Summary: The story of a young boy who cares for an injured bird the help of his family and his hope for the bird's recovery.  The illustrations add to the sweetness of the story.

How this book relates to young children: Children will care deeply for the bird and anxiously wait to see how he fares.

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