Librarianjk recommends The Trucker

The Trucker

by Barbara Samuels

A boy who loves trucks is disappointed when he receives a cat named Lola instead of a toy fire truck, but Lola proves to be a "trucker" after all.

This book is adorable. I recommend it to young children who like trucks, automobiles, or cats.

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

Librarianjk recommends Rosie's Walk

Rosie's Walk

by Pat Hutchins

Summary: Although unaware that a fox is after her as she takes a walk around the farmyard, Rosie the hen still manages to lead him into one accident after another.

This book is very cute and the illustrations are bright. With text on every other page, the book is wonderful for asking young reader’s prediction questions, as well as asking them, “what is happening in this picture”?

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

Librarianjk recommends Goodnight Baby Bear

Goodnight Baby Bear

by Michael Shoulders

Summary: Nightly, the members of a bear family that values books and reading share a personally inscribed book and a cookie with Baby Bear to celebrate milestones and memorable days in his life. Includes recipe for honey oatmeal cookies.

This is a precious picture book that is terrific when used as a bedtime story.

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

Newbery Award Winners of the 1950s

Librarianjk recommends Flotsam

Flotsam

by David Wiesner

Summary: The story of what happens when a camera becomes a piece of flotsam.

This is a very creative story. As with all wordless book, it is wonderful for teaching pre-reading skills, and asking children what is happening in the pictures. For older children, they may write a story about what is happening in the pictures.

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

Librarianjk recommends Hello, Goodbye Window

The Hello, Goodbye Window

by Norton Juster

Summary: A little girl loves going to her Nanna and Poppy's house because their kitchen window is a magical portal to a world of discovery and imagination, in a delightful story that celebrates childhood and the love of family.

This is an adorable book about grandparents and creativity.

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

Librarianjk recommends Miss Daisy is Crazy!

Miss Daisy is Crazy!

by Dan Gutman

Summary: Miss Daisy's unusual teaching methods surprise her second grade students, especially reluctant learner A.J. (series Weird School)

I recommend this series to reluctant readers and reading lovers alike. It is very comical, though somewhat of a rip-off of Sachar’s Wayside School series that I grew up with and loved.

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

Librarianjk recommends Pantaloon

Pantaloon

by Kathryn Jackson

Summary: Pantaloon is a poodle with a sweet tooth. He adores cookies and yummy pastries. So when the Baker is looking for a helper, Pantaloon applies for the job.

This is a cute book that could be used to discuss prejudice.

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

Librarianjk recommends Animal Crackers Fly the Coop

Animal Crackers Fly the Coop

by Kevin O'Malley

Summary: In this humorous take-off of "The Bremen Town Musicians," four animals that aspire to make it big as comedians leave their owners and seek their fortunes.

This is an amusing book. I recommend it to young animal lovers and children who find puns funny. It is a tale about being useful in a non-traditional way and following one’s dreams.

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

Librarianjk recommends Shells! Shells! Shells!

Shells! Shells! Shells! 

by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

Summary: When Buddy Bear and his mother go to the beach, she teaches him all about shells and mollusks. Includes facts about shells.

This picture book is lengthily, but very cute. The illustrations are part drawing and part photograph of real shells. I would not recommend this book as a read aloud to a class, but I recommend reading it alone with one child.

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

Newbery Award Winners of the 1940s

Click on image for larger print

Librarianjk recommends Where is Catkin?

Where is Catkin? 

by Janet Lord

Summary: Catkin jumps off Amy's lap to go for his daily hunt, and although he hears many creatures in the yard, he cannot find them.

This is a very cute book to read to a child one-on-one. The reader can ask the child where the different animals are in the pictures. It is great for encouraging children to interact with books even if they cannot read themselves.

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

Librarianjk recommends Just Like Mama

Just Like Mama

by Lesléa Newman

Summary: A young girl enumerates all the things that her mother does in inimitable fashion, from scooping her up in a hug in the morning to tucking her in at night.

This is a very sweet book. It is an excellent read for Mother’s Day. When read to students grade 1-3, children could write a sentence or more about other things no one does “just like mama”.

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

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

by Mordicai Gerstein

Summary: A lyrical evocation of Philippe Petit's 1974 tightrope walk between the World Trade Center towers.

This is a beautiful, true story. It may be used to celebrate the World Trade Center. A person should know his or his/her audience before reading it aloud, as it is a very sensitive subject for many.

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

Librarianjk recommends I'm the Best

I'm the Best

by Lucy Cousins

Summary:When Dog's constant boasting makes his friends sad, they find a way to teach him what it means to be a good friend.

This is an excellent book for discussing bragging and friendship.

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

Librarianjk recommends Lottie's New Beach Towel

Lottie's New Beach Towel

by Petra Mathers

Summary: Lottie the chicken has a number of adventures at the beach, during which her new towel comes in handy.

This book is very cute. It is good for discussing resourcefulness and re-use during Earth Day celebrations.

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

Librarianjk recommends Franklin's Big Dreams

Franklin's Big Dreams

by David Teague

Summary: A young boy's sleep is repeatedly interrupted by unusual building projects during the night.

This book is unique and has beautiful illustrations. I recommend it to children interested in transportation vehicles and night dreams.

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

Newbery Medal Winners of the 1930s

Librarianjk recommends What the Ladybug Heard

What the Ladybug Heard

Julia Donaldson

Summary: Although much quieter than the farm animals that moo, cluck, or oink, a gentle ladybug is instrumental in foiling a plan to steal the farm's prize-winning cow.

This book is not especially remarkable but is entertaining. I recommend it to farm animal and ladybug lovers.

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

Librarianjk recommends Chalk

Chalk

by Bill Thomson

Summary: A wordless picture book about three children who go to a park on a rainy day, find some chalk, and draw pictures that come to life.

This book is unique and imaginative. The illustrations are extremely life-like and beautiful. As with all wordless books, a young child can explain to an adult what is happening in the pictures or create his/her own story. Older children can write their own story from the illustrations.

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

Librarianjk recommends Harriet, The Spy

Harriet, the Spy

 Louise Fitzhugh

Summary: Harriet's ambition to become a writer motivates her to write down, in a secret notebook, everything she sees. This causes her to get into big trouble, when her notebook is found and read out loud by her classmates.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book when I was in sixth grade. Students at this age can be mean and I could relate. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in realistic fiction.

Interest Level: grades 4-6, grades 7-8
Reading Level: grade 5

Librarianjk recommends Hello Puppy

Hello Puppy

by Jane Cowen-Fletcher

Summary: A child spends time with her new puppy, learning what it means when puppy yawns, stretches, and sniffs.

This is a delightful, simplistic picture book. I recommend this book to very young children who are getting a puppy or who love puppies.

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

Librarianjk recommends The Best Pet Ever

The Best Pet Ever

by Victoria Roberts

Summary: The little girl wants a pet, but her mother says "We'll see". So the girl tries a rock that she names Fluffy as a pet. Next a glove, a candy wrapper, and a balloon are pets. With imagination, anything can be a pet. But what will be the best pet of all.

This is and adorable book about the power of pretending.

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

Librarianjk recommends Did My Mother Do That?

Did My Mother Do That?

by Sharon Holt

Summary: With the promise of hearing about the day she was born, Holly and her father first imagine the birth of several different animals including chickens, kittens, and kangaroos.

This is a wonderful book for celebrating both mothers and fathers!

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

Newbery Award Winners of the 1920s

Click on image for larger print

Librarianjk recommends Christian the Hugging Lion

Christian the Hugging Lion

by Justin Richardson

Summary: When Ace and John find a lion cub for sale at Harrods department store, they buy him, name him Christian, and the three live happily for a year in a London apartment, but eventually Christian grows too big and they must let him go to live the life of a wild cat. Based on a true story; includes an author's note.

I love this story! Any animal lover should read it. I recommend watching the youtube video just as much! It is extremely touching.

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

Librarianjk recommends Todd's TV

Todd's TV

by James Proimos

Summary: When Todd's parents are too busy to take care of him, his television steps in to handle the parenting.

This book is very humorous. It is also a cautionary tale for parents.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3

Reading Level: grade 2

Librarianjk recommends Whatever Happened to the Pony Express?

Whatever Happened to the Pony Express?

by Verla Kay

Summary: A family's cross-country communication changes during the development and demise of the Pony Express.

This is a fantastic historical read! It is wonderful for discussing technology changes, specifically in communications.

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

Otto Goes to School

Otto Goes to School

by Todd Parr

Summary: After a breakfast of juice, cereal, and a banana split, Otto goes to school for the first time, where he makes new friends and learns how to wag his tail without knocking things over.

This is a cute and humorous picture book. It is short and most appropriate for children entering preschool.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 2

Librarianjk recommends Frankie Stein Starts School

Frankie Stein Starts School

by Lola M. Schaefer

Summary: Frankie begins his first day at Miss Wart's Academy for Ghouls and Goblins excited and eager to learn, but when the other students tease him for being different, he demonstrates what he already knows about being scary.

This book is appropriate for discussing that all people are unique, yet similar. It can also be used as a Halloween treat, especially for young ones who do not want to hear something scary.

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