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.