My Choice

Cannon, J (1997). Verdi. Orlando: Harcourt Inc.

           

            Verdi the python has just been released in the wild by his mother and told to hurry and grow big and green.  He is so excited as he admires his yellow spotted and stripped skin that can not understand the haste to grow big and green.  He heads off to find out from the older snakes what the hurry is and maybe he can get some of them to play with him while they answer his questions.  He is very disappointed to find that all the older snakes do is lay around and he decides that he never wants to grow big and green and lazy.

            The illustrations are so fabulous that look they could almost be photographs.  The pictures clearly show all of the adventures and dangerous stunts of Verdi on his journey to the truth that eventually everyone must grow up.  The story also shows that you can still have fun even when you grow old.

Genre:   Fiction

Format: Picture book

Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 5-8

Awards:    1999 Texas Bluebonnet Award

                 ABA's Pick of the Lists
                 ABC Children’s Booksellers’ Choice
                 Buckeye Children’s Book Award [Ohio]
                 Georgia Picture Storybook Award [Georgia]
                 IRA-CBC Children’s Choice
                 Louisiana Young Readers Choice Award [Louisiana]
                 Maryland Children's Book Award [Maryland]

                NCSS-CBC Notable Children’s Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies

                Show Me Readers Award [Missouri]
              

Kotzwinkle, W and Murray, G. (2001). Walter the farting dog. Illus. by Audrey Coleman.             California: Frog Ltd  

       Introducing Walter, a dog with an intestinal malfunction, who is adopted by Betty and Billy.  As the children’s mom catches a whiff of Walter she tells the children he must have a bath.  Unfortunately for Walter the bath does not help, in fact nothing helps Walter’s odor problem.  The smell causes problems in Betty and Billy’s home until one day Walter’s intestinal problem helps the family.

            This is a fun book to read and it helps children see the even some of your worse traits may one day save the day.  The pictures have beautifully textured look that illustrate the text well.  The cover gives a strong hint of what is contained between the pages. Children are always amused and fascinated by the sounds the body makes.

Genre:   Fiction

Format:   Picture book

Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 5-8

Awards:   None

Orbis Pictus Award or Honor Books (picture books)

Ryan, P. (2002). When Marian Sang. Illus. by Brian Selznick. New York: Scholastic Press.

       This is the story of Marian Anderson noted African-American singer and her struggles in life to gain a musical education and to forward her career.  Marian always loved to sing and everyone loved to hear her sing.  She just could not imagine that singing had a color.  She would learn over the course of her life that although her voice was accepted everywhere her person and skin color was not.

            Illustrations the simplicity of the church choir and the grandeur of the opera houses in which Marian sang.  The pictures also show the diversity in color on status of the groups that attended her performances.  The cover depicts Marian as described in the book with her eye closed “as if to find the music within.”  The end paper display smooth rich mocha color of her skin.

 

Genre: Nonfiction Biography

Format:  Picture book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 6-10
Awards:   2003 ALA Notable Books for Children
                2003 Notable Books of the English Language Arts
                2003 Notable Social Studies Trade Books

Bryant, J., & Sweet, M. (2008). A river of words: The story of William Carlos Williams. Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.

                "Gurgle, gurgle -- swish, swish, swoosh--gurgle, gurgle" the sound of the river flowing creates the meter of poetry which flows through William Carlos Williams.  As life speeds up, the rhythm of the words bring everything back into perspective.

            The illustrations of Melissa Sweet bring to life the words that were the heartbeat of Willie Williams.  She uses beautiful painting as well as scrapbook pages with words from his poems flow and spill onto every surface to depict what an integral part of the man words were. This book is a great way to introduce free verse poetry and to express that poems can be spawned from common place things.  

Genre:   Non Fiction-  Biography

Format: Picture Book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 7 and up
Awards:   2009 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Recommended Book  
                 2009 Caldecott Medal Honor Book
                 2009 ALA Notable Children's Books
                 2008 New York Times Best Illustrated Books  
                 2009 IRA Teachers' Choices Reading List
                2008 School Library Journal Best Books  
                2008 Parents' Choice Award (Recommended)  
                A Junior Library Guild selection

Rappaport, D., & Kelley, G. (2009). Eleanor, quiet no more: The life of Eleanor Roosevelt. New York: Disney/Hyperion Books.

            Eleanor Roosevelt was the wife of the 32nd president of the United States but that is not all that defined her.  She born into an affluent family with a loving but alcoholic and often absent father with a critical and difficult to please mother.  Through this story we learn how Eleanor discovered she had a voice and how she use it to aid many down trodden people.

            In a style we have come to recognize as Doreen Rappaport's, the audience is allowed to "hear" the voice of Eleanor Roosevelt through the large boldfaced quotes on each page.  The illustrations which appear as full page paintings or sometimes more than a page are very dark and shadowed at the begin of the book the illuminate the darkness of she existence.  As the story progresses there is more white space used on each page to bright the illustrations.  This book can be used to teach biographies and U.S. history.  

 

Genre:   Non Fiction-  Biography

Format: Picture Book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 5 - 8
Awards:   2009 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Recommended Book                   2003 Orbis Pictus Award

                2003 Robert Sibert Informational Book Award

Robert H. Sibert Award or Honor Books (picture books)

Kerley, B., & Fotheringham, E. (2008). What to do about Alice?: How Alice Roosevelt broke the  rules, charmed the world, and drove her father Teddy crazy!. New York: Scholastic Press.

        
            Theodore Roosevelt was one of America's finest leaders and a Nobel Peace Prize winner.  He faced, solved and overcame many challenges in his life except the taming the antics of his beloved daughter Alice.  This book sheds light on the undaunted spirit of Alice Roosevelt, the struggles she faced and her zeal for life.

            This well-written story engages young audiences through humorous anecdotes that depict the relationship between Alice and her president father which can easily be related to current experiences. The retro-style illustrations give life to the seemly animated text which moves up, stair-step, down or straight depending on the topic being discussed.  This is an engaging way to introduce biographies to young children.  My Kindergarten students loved it and it led to discussions of topics like inaugurations, leg braces and life in the White house.

Genre:   Non Fiction-  Biography

Format: Picture Book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 7-10
Awards:   2009 Robert F. Sibert Medal Honor Book
               2008 Boston Globe- Horn Book Award-Nonfiction Honor Book  
               2008 School Library Journal Best Books of
               2008 Parents' Choice Award    
               2009 ALA Notable Children's Books  
               2009-2010 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List

    

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..

               Anthony "Tony" Frederick Sarg was an innovator from childhood.  From designing a way to feed the chickens to the upside down marionette, he found ways to redesign systems to create more efficiency.  His puppets have been used from store fronts to Broadway to one of the world's largest parade, The Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade.

            Melissa Sweet uses a combination of design, collage and illustrations to depict the life of Tony Sarg.  The book consists of some pages resembling a scrapbook page, others the text is a collage of newspaper clipped letters and others a painting hanging on the wall.  This is another great way to introduce biographies and research.

    

Genre:   Non Fiction-  Biography
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 4-8
Awards:   2012 Robert F. Sibert Medal
                2012 ALA Notable Children's Books
                2012 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award
                2013-2014 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List
                2012 Golden Kite Award (Picture Book Illustration)
                2012 IRA Teachers' Choices Reading List

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Schneider Family Book Award( Picture Book Category)

     

Alexander, C (2012). Back to front and upside down. Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans Books for   Young Readers.

It's Mr. Slipper's birthday and whole class is creating him a birthday card.  Stan is overjoyed at the prospect until he realizes that writing is involved. How will Stan overcome this obstacle. This book helps young reads see that they are rarely the only one with any problem.  It also highlights where they should go for help and how that can free others to ask questions too.

 

Genre:   Fiction

Format: Picture Book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 4 - 8
Awards:   2013 Schneider Family Book Award

 

 
Seeger, P., Jacobs, P. D. B., & Christie, R. G. (2006). The deaf musicians. New York: G. P.          Putnam's Sons.

Lee played piano in a jazz club band that was in sync with each other until the night the band members noticed he wasn't answering their notes like before.  Lee realized he was losing his hearing. They tried to cover for him but it wasn't long before the band leader noticed, too. Lee must now learn how to function in his new world and figure out if music will fit in that world.  After all, who would want to listen to a deaf musician?

Genre:   Fiction

Format: Picture Book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 4 - 8
Awards:   2007 Schneider Family Book Award

 

 

Bertrand, D. G., Sweetland, R., & Vega, E. . (2004). My pal, Victor. Green Bay, Wis: Raven        Tree Press.

         
        This is a story of boyhood friendship that is unimpeded by the limitations nature has placed on them .  The reader is carried along on the  adventure as two friends Dominick and Victor enjoy a carefree summer.  The vivid illustrations provide a window through which the can enjoy the adventures that occur in the character's minds as well as in their reality.  A great story to help teach character building skills.

 

Genre:   Fiction

Format: Picture Book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 9 - 12
Awards:   2005 Schneider Family Book Award

Book/CD Audio Book Kit from ALA Notable Children’s Recordings

Cronin, D., & Lewin, B. (2006). Dooby dooby moo. New York: Atheneum Books for Young       Readers.

           

            This story is narrated by Randy Travis.  The story tells the antics of farmer Brown's animals as they tried to sneak to practice for the state fair without farmer Brown's watchful eyes catching them. Duck was determined to win the trampoline.  The narration is excellent with wonderful modulation of voices to match the animal sounds.

Genre:   Fiction

Format: Audio/Picture Book

Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 3 - 7

Awards:   2008 ALA Notable Recordings

Hurd, T. (1984). Mystery on the docks. New York, N.Y: Harper & Row.

           

            A boat horn sounds as eerie music play.  Ralph music lover notices a dark ship dock, two tough rats disembark and walk to his diner. While they are eating, Ralph sees an article in the paper about the kidnapping of a famous opera singer in Ratsville. The rats run out of the diner when he mentioned the kidnapping.  Ralph ends up kidnapped with the singer.  Will they get away?     Excellent recording actors sounded like gangsters.

Genre:   Fiction

Format: Audio/Picture Book

Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 4 - 8

Awards:   2002 ALA Notable Recordings

Young, E. (1989). Lon po po. New York: Penguin Putman Group

          Mother has got to visit Grandmother for her birthday and will not return until tomorrow.  She warns her three daughters Shang, Tao and Paotze to lock and latch the door tight at sunset.  Mother then sets off on her journey and is spied by the hungry old wolf.  The disguised himself as an old woman, goes to house and convinces the girls to let him in because he is their grandmother (Po Po).  Now the three girls locked in the house with the wolf must figure out a way of escape.

            Beautiful shaded illustrations are used to add a sense of eeriness and danger to the story.  The pictures become clearer as the children recognize the wolf.   Great cover with the glowing eyes of the wolf shining from his darkly shaded body.

Genre:   Traditional Fantasy

Format:  Picture book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 4-8

Awards:   2007 ALA Notable Recordings
                 1990 ALA Notable Books for Children

                 1990 Boston Globe Horn Book Award Honor
                 1990 Caldecott Medal
               1990 Horn Book Fanfare Honor

USBBY International List Picture Books List

Coat, J. (2012). Hippopposites. New York: Appleseed Books.

             This innovative board book uses to shape of a hippopotamus to display common opposite attributes such as right/left, large/small, thin/thick... It also helps build vocabulary with terms like opaque/transparent, clear/blurry and free/caged.  An excellent book for young and older readers as it well help expand their scope of language. 

 

Genre:   Fiction

Format: Picture Book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 1 - 4
Awards:   2013 USBBY International List Picture Books List
                2013 ALA Notable Children's Books  

 

 

 

Davies, N., & Rubbino, S. (2012). Just ducks!. Somerville, Mass: Candlewick Press.

             From the time she is awakened by the quacking to the stillness of bedtime, our main character explores the activities of ducks. The audience is carried through the activities of a ducks daily life in all seasons by the commentaries of our main character.  Nicola Davies uses small "captions" next to watercolor images to increase the readers knowledge of ducks.             

                  

Genre:   Fiction

Format: Picture Book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 5 - 9
Awards:   2013 USBBY International List Picture Books List
                2013 ALA Notable Children's Books  



Hovland, H (2012). John jensen feels different. Grand Rapids, Mich:Eerdmans Books for Young    Readers.

       From the time he wakes up until he goes to sleep John Jensen ponders what makes him different.  He speculates that people everywhere see him as different but is that really true or is it that he is the only one obsessed with him seeming different.  The bright brightly colored comic strip like drawings help the reader see the reality of John's surroundings.  A great story to help teach character building skills.

 

 

Genre:  Fiction

Format: Picture Book

Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 4 - 9

Awards:   2013 USBBY International List Picture Books List

 

 

 

 

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