This is the way a baby rides

Title: This is the way a baby rides   

Author: Susan Meyers

Illustrator: Hiroe Nakata 

Date of publication: 2005

Publishing Company: Harry N. Abrams Inc. Publishers

Awards: n/a

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre: Animals

Theme: No matter how different we may appear, we are all alike in some way.

Primary Characters: baby

Secondary characters: several different animals

Classroom Use: good book about comparison between a baby’s motions/behaviors and those of several baby animals. 

Summary: The story compares behaviors and motions of a baby to several different baby animals that are at the park. Gives a message about how things may appear different, but yet they are alike in some way. It’s a very cute children’s book.

Alligator arrived with apples: A Potluck Alphabet Feast

Title: Alligator arrived with apples: A Potluck Alphabet Feast

Author: Crescent Dragonwagon

Illustrator: Jose Aruego & Ariane Dewey     

Date of publication: 1987

Publishing Company: Aladdin Paperbacks

Awards: n/a

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre: Animal Fantasy

Theme: Alphabet animals & foods throughout the ABCs

Primary Characters: animals of the alphabet

Secondary characters: n/a

Classroom Use: a great book to use for learning/reviewing the ABCs, letter recognition, and the holiday, Thanksgiving.

Summary: Different animals of the alphabet all bring a dish for a thanksgiving feast. Each animal and their food all correlates to a specific letter of the alphabet. For examples, the alligator brings apples to the feast to share.

Mini Racer

Title: Mini Racer

Author: Kristy Dempsey    

Illustrator: Bridget Strevens-Marzo 

Date of publication: 2011

Publishing Company: Bloomsbury Books for Young Readers

Awards: n/a

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre: Animal Fantasy

Theme: Anyone could win the race….doesn’t matter how fast, slow, big or small you are.

Primary Characters: different animals racing in their race cars

Secondary characters: n/a

Classroom Use: Very cute book to read with lots of rhyming words and cute illustrations.

Summary: Lots of animals are all taking part in an obstacle course race. They are all ready to zip & zoom in their racecars. It gives suspense to see which animal will speed to the finish line and be the Mini Racer champ.

Children of the Great Depression

Title: Children of the Great Depression

Author: Russell Freedman

Illustrator: Photographs taken by different photographers    

Date of publication: 2005 

Publishing Company: Clarion Books 

Awards: Orbis Pictus winner

Genre: Non-Fiction

Subgenre: Bibliography

Theme: A look at children’s lives during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Primary Characters: children of the Great Depression era

Secondary characters: n/a

Classroom Use: Informational book that can be used during a history lesson especially when learning about the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Summary: This book gives a look of what the children’s lives were like through the Great Depression. It lets you know about their lives, rough living conditions and their hardships through details and actual photos taken during the time of despair and poverty that struck America. 

Amelia Bedelia

Title: Amelia Bedelia

Author: Peggy Parish

Illustrator: Fritz Siebel

Date of publication: 1963

Publishing Company: Harper Collins Publishers Inc.

Awards: n/a

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre:

Theme: The story seemed to flow on a theme about obeying and following directions that are given to a person.

Primary Characters: Amelia Bedelia

Secondary characters: Mr. & Mrs. Rogers

Classroom Use: I would have this book available to read for my developing readers. The book is a level 2 which would be perfect for a developing reader. It’s a story that is fun & easy to read.

Summary: The storybook revolves around Amelia Bedelia having her first day of work as a maid. She is given a list of house chores to complete. She completes each task as ordered; however, Amelia Bedelia doesn’t do them quite right! Amelia Bedelia is quite an interesting character with a silly way of completing things. The story is fun & silly for kids. 

Roses are pink, Your feet really stink

Title: Roses are pink, your feet really stink

Author: Diane de Groat

Illustrator: Diane de Groat  

Date of publication: 1996

Publishing Company: Hong King by South China Printing Company

Awards: n/a

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre: Modern Fantasy

Theme: Forgiveness & being kind to others (even if they were mean to you)

Primary Characters: Gilbert

Secondary characters: n/a

Classroom Use: Cute book to read for Valentines day and reading about topics like forgiveness and being nice to others, especially when they have been mean towards you.

Summary: Story is about Gilbert who has to write valentine’s day cards for his classmates, the only problem is that he wonders “why does he have too when some classmates haven’t always been to kind to him.” He decides to write mean poems for those that weren’t too nice to him. However, the classmates find out that Gilbert wrote the mean poems and it isn’t until Gilbert explains on why he wrote them and apologizes for being mean, that they all become his friend again. The book teaches a lesson about forgiving others and also about being the better person and being kind towards others even if they haven’t been kind to you. 

Do you love me?

Title: Do you love me?

Author: Joost Elffers

Illustrator: Curious Pictures

Date of publication: 2009

Publishing Company: The Bowen Press- an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers

Awards: n/a

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre: Realistic Fiction

Theme: The theme of the story is emotions. For example, feelings like love, tenderness & caring for another. There are several emotions portrayed throughout the book.

Primary Characters: the Snuzzle family

Secondary characters: n/a

Classroom Use: I could use this story during a feelings/emotions unit lesson. It elaborates on the several emotions that occur throughout a family.

Summary: The book in a very cute manner depicts the emotions that are shown between the Snuzzle family to one another. It’s cute and in a simple format for children to be able to read it.  

Overboard!!

Title: Overboard!

Author: Sarah Weeks

Illustrator: Sam Williams

Date of publication: 2006

Publishing Company: Harcourt Books

Awards: n/a

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre: Animal Fantasy

Theme: A Playful child (rabbit) that likes to throw things.

Primary Characters: a small child (rabbit)

Secondary characters:

Classroom Use: I could use this story when teaching a lesson about rhyming words. The author used rhyming words throughout the story.

Summary: The story is about a small child (rabbit) that seems to enjoy tossing everything that he gets his hands on.

 He tosses everything-- Overboard!!!

It’s a very cute story with colorful illustrations.

Color Zoo

Title: Color Zoo

Author: Lois Ehlert

Illustrator: Lois Ehlert

Date of publication:1989

Publishing Company: Harper Collins Publishers

Awards: Caldecott Honor Award (1990)

Genre: Non Fiction

Subgenre: Concept

Theme: Colors & Shapes

Primary Characters: Zoo animals

Secondary characters: n/a

Classroom Use: Great book to read about the different shapes and colors.

Summary: The author used colors & shapes to form several different zoo animals. The storybook can help children learn and review their colors and shapes.

Don't let the pigeon drive the bus!

Title: Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus!

Author: Mo Willems

Illustrator: Mo Willems

Date of publication: 2003

Publishing Company: Hyperion books for children

Awards: Caldecott Honor Award (2004)

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre: Animal Fantasy

Theme: Silly story about responsibility, obedience, and not falling into peer pressure.

Primary Characters: a persistent Pigeon

Secondary characters: the bus driver

Classroom Use: I would use this book to read to children—just for the fun of it! However, it could be used when talking about peer pressure and obedience. It’s a silly & entertaining story that will get the kiddos rowled up & giggling. The book is a perfect example of a great kid involvement book. It’s a great book that a teacher can get animated in telling.

Summary: This is a funny book about a bus driver that needs to step away from his bus for a moment. He asks that the students watch out for the pigeon & not to let him drive the bus! The main storyline is about a persistent pigeon that tries & tries over again for the students to let him drive the bus. It’s all up too the children to tell the pigeon, “No!” Cute and funny story that kids will love to read.