Librarianjk recommends Ish

Ish

by Peter Reynolds

Summary: Ramon loses confidence in his ability to draw, but his sister gives him a new perspective on things.

I love this book. The first time I heard it read to a class I nearly cried because it is so sweet. A great follow-up activity is to have a child create something challenging that they may have been afraid of trying.

Interest Level: grades k-3

Reading Level: grade 2

Librarianjk recommends There Was and Old Lady Who Swallowed Fly Guy

 

There Was and Old Lady Who Swallowed Fly Guy

by Tedd Arnold

  

Summary: After accidentally swallowing her grandson's pet fly, Grandma tries to retrieve it by consuming

progressively larger animals. 

This book is very funny. I recommend this book to reluctant readers. The bright, appealing cover has influenced a child's decision to check it out many times. Sometimes you can judge a book by its' cover, especially when it is a book with pictures!

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades k-3

Reading Level: grade 2

Librarianjk recommends I'm a Truck Driver

I'm a Truck Driver

by Jonathan London

Simple rhyming text introduces sounds and activities of a wide variety of trucks.

This is an excellent read for young readers and listeners interested in motor vehicles!

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grade k-3
Reading Level: grade 2

Librarianjk recommends The World that Loved Books

The World that Loved Books 

by Stephen Parlato

Summary: In the world where all creatures read, marvelous transformations occur. Cats reading about mice become mice. Horses reading about fish become fish.

The illustrations in the book are absolutely beautiful! Each animal is shown as a collage of what they are reading about. This book is a wonderful book to celebrate reading.

Interest Level: infants, ages 2-4, grades k-3

Reading Level: grade 6

Librarianjk recommends What Should I Make?

What Should I Make?

by Nandini Nayar

While his mother makes chapatis, Neeraj transforms a piece of dough into different animals. Recipe included for chapatis.

This is a very cute book. It would be fun to play with clay after this or actual chapatis dough! Also, this would be a great book for discussing real vs. make-believe and fears.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 1

Mystery Books for Beginning Readers

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Librarianjk recommends City Dog, Country Frog

City Dog, Country Frog 

by Mo Willems

Through the seasons, whenever City Dog visits the country he runs straight for Country Frog's rock to play games with him, but during the winter things change for them both.

This book is an emotional one that allows for much discussion. The watercolor illustrations are beautiful.


Interest Level: grades k-3
Reading Level: grade 2

Librarianjk recommends Everyone Poops

Everyone Poops

 by Taro Gomi

Summary: Explains the hows, whys and wherefores of defecation.

Who could resist doing a double take at the cover of this book? This book is of interest to many children who enjoy bathroom humor. Also, parents read this book to children during potty training. I could see it working for the child who is afraid of toilets. I think it is a little strange but whatever works is a good thing

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades k-3
Reading Level: grade 2

Librarianjk recommends The Rough-Face Girl

The Rough-Face Girl

by Rafe Martin

Summary: In this Algonquin Indian version of the Cinderella story, the Rough-Face Girl and her two beautiful but heartless sisters compete for the affections of the Invisible Being.

This is my favorite picture book in the folk tale/fairy tale genre. The illustrations are beautiful along with the story line and moral of the story. I recommend this book for kindergarten to sixth grade, but adults also enjoy reading it!

Interest Level: grades k-3, grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 6

Librarianjk recommends Harry the Dirty Dog

Harry the Dirty Dog

by Gene Zion

Summary: When Harry runs away from his bath, he soon becomes so dirty that his family no longer recognizes him.

This book is very cute. I saw a school media specialist read it to a young audience and they ate it up especially when she did voices.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends A Beach Tail

A Beach Tail

 by Karen Lynn Williams

When his father tells him not to leave the lion he is drawing on the beach, a little boy starts making a very, very long tail--and a trail to follow back.

This book has beautiful illustrations. This book is great to discuss beach safety and shore tides.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 2

Librarianjk recommends The Secret Science Project that Almost Ate the School

The Secret Science Project that Almost Ate the School

by Judy Sierra

Summary: A boy sends off for "Professor Swami's Super Slime" to use as his science fair project and then has to cope with the funny disaster that follows.

This is an awesome, humorous book for reluctant readers. This book is a nice introduction to young students first doing science projects. The lesson is that you should create your own project and make sure you know what you are doing before you begin! During a library program, I read this book, and we made our own slime afterwards. I read a non-fiction book about real slime, as well-The Book of Slime by Ellen Jackson. I did this with younger children; the purpose was mostly to have students interested in books and enjoy time in the library. However, with older children, it is appropriate to discuss scientifically how the slime is created.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Beginning Reader Adventure Books

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Librarianjk recommends Bad Day at Riverbend

Bad Day at Riverbend

by Chris Van Allsburg

Summary: When Sheriff Hardy investigates the source of a brilliant light and shiny slime afflicting Riverbend, he finds that the village is becoming part of a child's coloring book streaked with greasy crayons.

This book is a very unique concept. With younger children, simply coloring is a great follow-up activity.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends Picasso and the Girl with a Ponytail: A Story about Pablo Picasso

Picasso and the Girl with a Ponytail : A Story about Pablo Picasso

by Laurence Anholt

Summary: Sylvette gradually begins to gain self-confidence during the summer. She models for the renowned artist Pablo Picasso in the French village of Vallauris.

This is a wonderful historical fiction book. When read with a child, do not forget the end note about the truth in the story! I always loved these as a child, and I am sure others do too!(period) I also love the photograph next to the note of the real Sylvette and Picasso.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto

The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto

by Natalie Standiford

Summary: Recounts the life of Balto, the sled dog who saved Nome, Alaska in 1925 from a diphtheria epidemic by delivering medicine through a raging snowstorm

This is an excellent non-fiction read for beginning readers! This is an inspiring survival tale about the abilities of dogs. This might be a good book to discuss with children that a dog can make it on their own when they are on vacation or to inspire hope if a dog is lost.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 2

Librarianjk recommends Ooh La La Polka-Dots Books

Ooh La La Polka-Dot Boots

by Ellen Olson-Brown

Summary: Illustrations and brief rhyming text sing the praises of polka dot boots, which add panache to any outfit.

This is a cute book that is great for the very young. There are very few words on the pages. The children in most of the illustrations are shoeless until a flap is turned which exposes boots. This book is excellent for predicting what will happen next. If you have a young child who does not especially like to stay still, try this great interactive book!

Interest Level: infants, ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 1

Librarianjk recommends God's Dream

God’s Dream

by Archbishop Desmond Tutu

The author shares his vision of God's dream with young readers, and offers the essence of his ubuntu philosophy of unity and forgiveness.

You do not have to be Christian to appreciate this book on acceptance and love by the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize winner from South Africa. This book teaches a concept common in many religions. The illustrations depict children of a variety of nationalities and religions.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades k-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends City Dog, Country Frog

City Dog, Country Frog

by Mo Willems

Summary: Through the seasons, whenever City Dog visits the country he runs straight for Country Frog's rock to play games with him, but during the winter things change for them both.

This book is an emotional one that allows for much discussion. The water color illustrations are beautiful.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 2

Fractured Fairy Tales

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Librarianjk recommends Nugget on the Flight Deck

Nugget on the Flight Deck

by Patricia Newman

Summary: Aboard an aircraft carrier, a lieutenant introduces a new aviator to the "lingo" and layout before taking him on a practice dogfight.

I recommend this book to older readers interested in aircrafts. This book has many bold words with definitions at the bottom (about four per page). This might be confusing for younger readers and listeners.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends Fire Drill

Fire Drill

by Paul DuBois Jacobs

Summary: In this story told in brief rhyming text, students in a class follow the proper procedures during a fire drill.

This book is in rhyme with very few words on each page. This book is appropriate for young readers and younger academic levels to prepare for a fire drill or for students who are afraid of fire drills.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 1

Librarianjk recommends Olive's Ocean

Olive's Ocean

by Kevin Henkes

Summary: On a summer visit to her grandmother's cottage by the ocean, twelve-year-old Martha gains perspective on the death of a classmate, on her relationship with her grandmother, on her feelings for an older boy, and on her plans to be a writer.

I recommend this book to students who enjoy realistic fiction and coming of age stories.

Interest Level: grades 4-6, grades 7-8
Reading Level: grade 6

Librarianjk recommends Mr. Tanen's Tie Trouble

Mr. Tanen's Tie Trouble

by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Summary: Mr. Tanen loves his ties, but when his school runs out of money to build a new playground, he decides to sell his ties in order to raise the needed money

This is a wonderful, inspiring story about the power of giving. I recommend this book to people of all ages. When read to a class, a discussion afterwards about “random acts of kindness” is appropriate. As a follow-up activity, students could design their own tie for special occasions on a piece of paper or decorate a cloth tie.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 5

Librarianjk recommends Ocean's Child

Ocean's Child

by Christine Ford

Summary: A mother and her child canoe along the Alaskan Beaufort seacoast, viewing Arctic marine wildlife

This book is very cute. It shows how sea animals sleep. With the books' beautiful illustrations and repetition of “to ocean’s child we say good night”, this is a great book to read before sleep. However, the first few times it is read a child may be excited to see how sea animals sleep!

Interest Level: infants, ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends The Amazing Voyage of Jackie Grace

The Amazing Voyage of Jackie Grace

by Matt Faulkner

Summary: A young boy's imagination takes him on a wonderful adventure

This book was published in 1987; by today’s genres it would be called a graphic novel. Its format is similar to a comic strip. This is an excellent adventure picture book. The illustrations are fabulous!

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 2

Historical Fiction for High School Students 1950s-Present

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Librarianjk recommends A Mama for Owen

A Mama for Owen

by Marion Dane Bauer

Summary: When the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami separates a young African hippopotamus from his mother, he finds a new snuggle partner in Mzee the giant tortoise. Based on a true story.

The illustrations in this book are beautiful! This book cuts out some parts of the true story; I recommend the non-fiction books about Owen and Mzee over this book. However, it is a quicker read and is appropriate for a crowd with a shorter attention span, such as the very young and students with disabilities. In a large class with mixed abilities, a teacher could read this book to the class and show the non-fiction books that students may read on their own. As an extension, the more advanced students could read the other books in addition and complete a compare and contrast activity.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends Jack and Jill: The Miracle Dog with a Happy Tail to Tell

Jack and Jill: The Miracle Dog with
a Happy Tail to Tell

by Jill Rappaport

Summary: This is the true story of an abandoned puppy that was rescued by NBC's Today show correspondent Jill Rappaport. Jill named him Jack, and together they lived on a farm. Life with Jill was grand, all right! Jack spent his days running through fields, digging holes, playing with the horses, and chasing deer. But one day Jack's leg started to hurt. When Jill took him to the vet, she received bad news. Jack had bone cancer. In order to beat the disease, Jack's hurt leg had to be removed. Would life with only three legs be as grand as it was before?

This is an inspiring story. It is classified as non-fiction because it is a true story, but it is told from the point of view of Jack, the dog. This could be a great book to introduce disabilities to children. Also, if a child is scared about having cancer or another disease, an adult can show them that life can still be grand! The photographs of dogs are great.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 2

Librarianjk recommends The Music of Dolphins

The Music of Dolphins

by Karen Hesse

Summary: After rescuing an adolescent girl from the sea, researchers learn she has been raised by dolphins and attempt to rehabilitate her to the human world

This book is an interesting concept. I would not recommend this book to everyone but to someone interested in something different, someone who likes books told in the first person by a female, or someone who likes dolphins.

Interest Level: grades 4-6
Reading Level: Grade 3

Librarianjk recommends Prehistoric Actual Size

Prehistoric Actual Size

by Steve Jenkins

Summary: Discusses and gives examples of the size and weight of various animals and parts of animals. Pictures are actual size.

This book is very cool and is great for those who do not usually like books. There are other Actual Size books. It is a great book for introducing a lesson on dinosaurs.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 4