Bank Street College Best Books for Children List

   

Finlay, L (2010). Little Croc’s Purse. Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.

            Little Croc finds a pink purse while playing hide and seek with his friends.  The friends quickly begin trying to decide how to spend the money found inside but Little Croc decides they must do the honest thing and take the purse to the police station so that the owner may be noticed.  He faces some challenges to his resolve as he makes his way to the police station.  Will he turn the purse in or not?

The illustrations appear colorful with child like scribbling.  This book be use to teach the value of honesty and money.

Genre:   Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages  4 - 7
Awards:   2011 Texas Library Association 2X2 Reading List  

Raschka, C. (2011). A ball for Daisy. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books.

        
            This wordless book tells the story of a dog, Daisy, and her beloved red ball.  She does everything with her ball.  One day she and her owner go the park with her ball and something happens.  The blurred watercolor illustrations depict the joy Daisy derives from playing with her ball.  This book can be used to introduce inference.

Genre:   Fiction

Format: Picture Book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 3 - 7
Awards:  2012 Texas Library Association 2X2 Reading List  

Stevens, A., & Blackall, S. (2011). Edwin speaks up. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books.

  
            The mom ferret is rushing around trying to getting ready for baby Edwin's birthday party.  Mom must go to the store to buy the items for the party.  She asks the kids to make sure she doesn't forget to buy the sugar for Edwin's cake.  Baby Edwin who only babbles tries the keep the family on task.  This book contains bright illustrations that help move the story along.

Genre:   Fiction

Format: Picture Book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 4 - 7
Awards:   2012 Texas Library Association 2X2 Reading List  


Surgal, J., & Mathieu, J. (2010). Have you seen my dinosaur?. New York: Random House Children's       Books.
           

            This book, told in Dr. Seuss style rhyme,  tells the story of a young boy searching all over town for his lost dinosaur. He begins his search by asking his mom and they search the house.  As he goes from person to person he is told that dinosaurs no longer exist but this does not stop his pursuit of the elusive dinosaur.  The colorful illustrations bring the story to life. This book can be used to teach rhyme.

Genre:   Fiction

Format: Picture Book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 5 - 8
Awards:   2011 Texas Library Association 2X2 Reading List  

Willems, M. (2010). Cat the cat, who is that?. New York: Balzer + Bray.

      
            As Cat the Cat strolls through town, she introduces us to all friends like mouse and fish.  She is startled to see someone she doesn't know.  Are they friend or foe?  In true Mo Willems style the illustrations are simple but this time is uses vivid primary colors. 

Genre:   Fiction

Format: Picture Book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 3 - 5
Awards:   2011 Texas Library Association 2X2 Reading List