Librarianjk recommends Wanted: The Perfect Pet

Wanted: The Perfect Pet 

by Fiona Roberton

Summary: A boy who desperately wants a pet dog ends up with a duck instead.

This is a humorous book that would be fantastic to use as a read-aloud. It can be used to discuss being yourself, and accepting others for their own special qualities. A follow-up activity for younger students is to have them draw and write about a pet that would be perfect for them, even if it is an animal that does not exist!

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

Reading Level: grade 3

The Sandwich Swap by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah

The Sandwich Swap

by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah

Summary: Best friends Lily and Salma disagree over their preferred foods, but after trading sandwiches to see how they taste, the girls change their minds. And learn a lesson about tolerance.

This is a beautiful and touching story. On a basic level, it could be used to discuss “you never know until you try something.” On a deeper level, this book is fantastic to discuss not only tolerance, but acceptance and celebration of our differences. After this book, one may want to research this queen of Jordan. Her life story is interesting.

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

Librarianjk recommends My Side of the Mountain

My Side of the Mountain

by Jean Craighead George

Summary: A young boy relates his adventures during the year he spends living alone in the Catskill Mountains including his struggle for survival, his dependence on nature, his animal friends, and his ultimate realization that he needs human companionship.

I recommend this book to fans of survival stories and young people who dream of running away. I read this book when I was in grade school. I am not a huge fan of survival stories, but I remember this book was very popular among the boys in my class.

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

Librarianjk recommends I Want My Light On!: A Little Princess Story

I Want My Light On! : A Little Princess Story

by Tony Ross

Summary: A little princess wants her light to stay on when she goes to bed, not because she is afraid of the dark, but because she is afraid of ghosts.

This is a brilliant bedtime story, especially for those afraid of the dark.

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

Librarianjk recommends The Lion and the Mouse

The Lion and the Mouse

by Jerry Pinkney

Summary: In this wordless retelling of an Aesop fable, an adventuresome mouse proves that even small creatures are capable of great deeds when he rescues the King of the Jungle.

The pictures in this book are fabulous, especially in depicting a ferocious lion. I have never seen this fable as a wordless book; in fact, even the front cover is wordless! This book is excellent for working with a child one on one to develop pre-reading skills. Adults, who may not be comfortable asking a child what is happening in a story they do not know themselves, may want to read this tale with words ahead of time.

Librarianjk recommends Tally Cat Keeps Track

Tally Cat Keeps Track

by Trudy Harris

Summary: Alley cat Tally McNally loves to tally and loves to win, but when his competitive streak gets him into trouble, he has to rely on his friends for help.

This is a superb book to open a math lesson on tallying. It is also wonderful for discussing that everyone has strengths and weaknesses.

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

Newbery winners of the 1990s

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Librarianjk recommends Heads

Heads

by Matthew Van Fleet

Summary: A cast of irresistible critters use their heads!
This book is spectacular! This popup book is wonderful for engaging very young readers. Though be forewarned, there are gross parts!

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

Note: popup, toy book, touch and feel, toddlers, babies, preschool

Librarianjk recommends Kitten's First Full Moon

Kitten's First Full Moon

by Kevin Henkes

Summary: When Kitten mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk, she ends up tired, wet, and hungry trying to reach it.

This is a great book for young children. It may be used before discussing moon cycles on a simplistic level.

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

Librarianjk recommends Make Like a Tree and Leave

Make Like a Tree and Leave

by Paula Danziger

Summary: Sixth-grader Matthew gets into trouble at home and at school, spars with his older sister, and helps save an elderly friend's property from the hands of a developer.

This is an easy to digest comedy. I recommend it to those who enjoy realistic fiction.

Interest Level: grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 5

Librarianjk recommends Dotty

Dotty

by Erica S. Perl

Summary: Ida's imaginary friend, Dotty, is tied to her with a blue string and when Ida's classmates tease her about Dotty, Ida is surprised to discover that her teacher carries a red string with her wherever she goes.

This is a very cute book. It could be used to teach children that having an imagination is a good thing and teasing is unkind and inappropriate.

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

Librarianjk recommends Read to Tiger

Read to Tiger

by S.J. Fore

Summary: A little boy who wants to read his book keeps being distracted by a tiger who is busy chomping on gum, growling, and practicing karate kicks.

This precious book is great for celebrating reading. The moral of the story is if someone is distracting you when you are reading, you should read to them!

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

Librarianjk recommends Yuck! That's Not a Monster!

Yuck! That's Not a Monster!

by Angela McAllister

Summary: As Mr. and Mrs. Monster's three eggs begin to hatch, they happily welcome the first two ugly little monsters to come out, but are shocked and disappointed when they see what pops out of their last egg.

This book is adorable. It is a great way to discuss that everyone is important and that we should learn to appreciate each other. It is appropriate to discuss that people do not have to fit into one mold.

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

Reading Level: grade 2

Newbery Award Winners of the 1980s

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Librarianjk recommends Mirette on the High Wired

Mirette on the High Wire

by Emily Arnold McCully

Summary: Mirette learns tightrope walking from Monsieur Bellini, a guest in her mother's boarding house, not knowing that he is a celebrated tightrope artist who has withdrawn from performing because of fear.

This book has gorgeous illustrations and is wonderful for a discussion on overcoming fears.

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

Librarianjk recommends Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China

Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China

by Ed Young

Summary: Three sisters staying home alone are endangered by a hungry wolf who is disguised as their grandmother
This is a wonderful Red-Riding Hood story. The illustrations are beautiful but at times blurry. I believe that was meant to symbolize illusion.

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

Librarianjk recommends How to Eat Fried Worms

How to Eat Fried Worms

by Thomas Rockwell

Summary: A small boy is challenged by a friend to eat fifteen worms in fifteen days for fifty dollars.

I recommend this book to anyone of any age with a sense of humor! My teacher read this book to my class in third grade. We were all laughing but thoroughly grossed out.

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

Librarianjk recommends Over the Rainbow

Over the Rainbow

by E.Y. Harburg

Summary: Illustrates the well-known song with paintings of a young girl's search for happiness.

This book has beautiful, imaginative illustrations of what lies over the rainbow.

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

Librarianjk recommends So You Want to Be President?

So You Want to Be President?

By Judith St. George

Summary: Presents an assortment of facts about the qualifications and characteristics of U.S. presidents, from George Washington toBill Clinton.

This is an excellent book for reluctant nonfiction readers! The moral is any type of person can be president. This book could be used as a read aloud for intermediate level students and an introduction to a social studies lesson.

Interest Level: grades k-3, grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 5

Square Cat

Square Cat

by Elizabeth Schoonmaker

Summary: Eulah the cat is square, and while she longs to be round like other cats, her friends show her the benefits of the shape that she has.

This is a very cute book that is excellent for celebrating differences and different people’s abilities.

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

Newbery Award Winners of the 1970s

Librarianjk recommends Who Loves the Little Lamb?

Who Loves the Little Lamb?

by Lezlie Evans

Rhyming text reveals that, although baby animals are not always perfect, their mothers love them and help them through difficult moments.

This is a very cute book. It’s repetitive nature is ideal for asking young children prediction question. It is wonderful for discussing accidents are okay, and that animal and human mother’s love their children no matter what.

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

Librarianjk recommends The Village Garage

The Village Garage

by G. Brian Karas

Summary: Throughout the seasons the workers at the Village Garage are busy taking care of the town and its residents.

This is a wonderful book for discussing seasons and community workers. I recommend it to lovers of big automobiles, as well.

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

Librarianjk recommends Politically Correct Bedtime Stories

Politically Correct Bedtime Stories

by James Finn Garner

Summary: “Politically correct" versions of traditional fairy tales or bedtime stories that have been changed to be feminist, equal-opportunist, etc.

Though many people do not recommend this book for children because of content and comprehension, I enjoyed this book in fourth grade. I did not understand everything, but what I did understand I found hilarious. There are others in the series I found just as entertaining. However, for a younger child there are now more age-appropriate fractured fairytales.

Interest Level: Young Adult
Reading Level: Young Adult

Librarianjk recommends But I Wanted a Baby Brother!

But I Wanted a Baby Brother!

By Kate Feiffer

Summary: Oliver Keaton wants a baby brother more than anything but when he gets a baby sister instead, he sets out with his dog Chaplin to trade his sister for the perfect baby brother.

This is a wonderful book for children who are disappointed with the gender of their new sibling. It is great for discussing that each baby is special, as well.

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

Librarianjk recommends I Am the Dog

I Am the Dog

by Daniel Pinkwater

Summary: Jacob trades places for the day with his dog Max and discovers the joys of chasing balls, eating kibble, and getting scratched behind the ears.

This humorous book is super, simply for entertainment. I was surprised to find that the book does not contain a didactic message by any means.

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

Librarianjk recommends Too Much Noise in the Library

Too Much Noise in the Library 

by Susan Margaret Chapman

Summary: Ms. Reade's media center is full of different noises.

This is a fun read about the way libraries have changed. I recommend it for storytimes in school media centers and public libraries.

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

Newbery Award Winners of the 1960s

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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 very touching.

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

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 dreams.

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

Librarianjk recommends Fairy's Mistake

The Fairy's Mistake

by Gail Carson Levine

Summary: In this humorous retelling of a Perrault tale, the fairy Ethelinda rewards one twin sister for good behavior and punishes the other for bad, only to discover that her punishment is more pleasing than her reward.

I recommend this book to children who enjoy fairytales and are requesting a chapter book. This book is very different from many fairytales. It explores that sometimes what we think will be wonderful is not, that good intentions do not always give us the best rewards, but in the end, things seem to work out.

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