Jarrell, R. (1972). Snow
white and the seven dwarfs: a tale from the brothers grimm. Illus.
by Nancy Ekholm Burkert. Canada: Sunburst Book.
This familiar story is well illustrated. There are fine details in each illustration
and even children who cannot read can tell the story using the pictures. The pictures clearly illustrate the
text. The pictures use the contrast of muted
and vivid color to define the features of Snow White and other characters and
shows how the characters grow and mature as the story progresses. The story allows children to see what can
happen when you do not obey the rules. This book can be used be to teach the elements of fairy tales.
Genre: Tradition
fantasy
Format: Picture book
Suggested Age or
Grade level (s): Ages 4-8
Awards: 1973 Caldecott Honor
Juster, N. (2005). The hello,
goodbye window. Illus. by Chris
Raschka. New York: Hyperion Books for
Children.
This is the story of
a little girl’s visit to Nanna and Poppy’s house. The story is told through the
eyes of the child and in her own voice.
She tells of her favorite place in the house, the hello, goodbye window
in the kitchen. There are many other
windows in the house but this one is special because it can be many different
things and places. The story tells of all the fun things she discovers at the
window and of all the adventures seen through the window.
This story meets of the criteria for
a good picture book. As the story unfolds, it allows children to remember a fun
visit to their grandparents or a special friend’s house and think about a
favorite palace they may have there. The story also allows the child remember
how sad they were to leave that special place even though they were happy to go
home to mom and dad. The illustrations
look like the art of a small child. They
allow the reader to imagine the child drawing the pictures as they tell this
story. The pictures correctly depict the dialogue in the story. The book cover
looks like a small child’s art project and lets the audience see a picture of
the author.
Genre: Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s): Ages 3 - 8
Awards: 2006 ALA Notable Books
for Children
2005 Boston Globe Horn Book Honors
2006 Caldecott Medal
2005 New York
Times Best Illustrated
Rohmann, E. (2002). My friend rabbit. New York: Roaring Brook
Press
This is a great story
for beginning readers. Easy to
understand text and vivid pictures make the story easy to follow. There is very little text; each page is
filled with bright pictures showing the newest animal that rabbit has recruited
to help.
Genre: Fiction
Format:
Picture book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s): Ages 2 - 6
Awards: 2003 ALA Notable Books
for Children
2003 Caldecott Medal
Sendak, M. (1963). Where
the wild things are. New York: Harper Collins Publisher
Pictures show such detailed illustrations that you can
see the striations on the trees and animals.
The cover shows a wild thing asleep as Max’s boat approaches. Pictures follow the text and can be “read”
even if the child can not yet recognize words.
The story shows children how you travel anywhere you want without
leaving your room.
Format: Picture book
Suggested Age or
Grade level (s): Ages 3-7
Awards: 1964 Caldecott Medal
1963 New York Times Best Illustrated
Taback, S. (1999). Joseph
had a little overcoat. New York
Joseph had
an overcoat that is very special to him and when it gets old and worn and he is
no longer able to use it as an overcoat he makes it into something else that is
smaller but still useful until finally he makes something from nothing.
This is an
exceptional illustrated lyrical book with the add feature of a cutout of each
page that allows the audience to try and guess to Joseph has made the overcoat
into this time. This book can be used to teach sequencing.
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s): Grades 4 - 8
Awards: 2000 ALA
2000 Caldecott Award
