April Fool, Phyllis!

by Susanna Leonard Hill

Summary: When Phyllis forecasts a blizzard on April Fools' Day--the same day as the Spring Treasure Hunt--the other groundhogs are convinced that Phyllis is pulling a prank. Includes information on the origins of April Fools' Day and how it is celebrated around the world.

This is a terrific April Fool’s Day read! Phyllis is a character from Punxsutawney Phyllis, a book about Groundhogs’ Day. I enjoyed this story more.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

Big Bunny

Big Bunny

 by Betseygail Rand

Summary: Big Bunny cannot paint eggs without breaking them. So very sad, she runs away until the other little Easter bunnies think of an important task that is just right for Big Bunny to do.

This is a sweet Easter story. It is appropriate for discussing that everyone has a place and can do a special job.

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

We are Extremely Very Good Recyclers

 

We are Extremely Very Good Recyclers

by Lauren Child

Summary: Lola does not ever want to be stinky and messy, so she's throwing out all her old toys. After Charlie suggests she recycle them, she wants to recycle everything!

Though the title is a little over the top, this is an excellent read aloud for Earth Day or environmental discussions with young children. The book contains ideas for protecting our Earth that even the very young can do!

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

Mysteries for Grades 6-8

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Do You Have a Cat?

Do You Have a Cat?

by Eileen Spinelli

Summary: Introduces famous, historical figures and the cats that they have owned

This is an entertaining book, especially if one is a cat lover. People have labeled it for ages 4-8, but I think it is most appropriate for third-fourth graders to read to themselves. Perhaps, it may be appropriate for strong second grade readers as well.

Interest Level: grades K-3, grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 2

Banana!

Banana!

by Ed Vere

Summary: In a book about manners, two monkeys have a dilemma when there is only one banana to share and the monkey without the banana does not know the "magic word."

This is an adorable, humorous book that has only one word on each page.

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

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

by E.L. Konigsburg

Summary: A young girl has a plan, not to run away, but to run to someplace. She takes her brother along and they stay in a museum.

This book is an excellent realistic fiction book that largely about sibling relations. As a follow-up activity, a class can experiment with velvet and other materials. A trip to a museum afterwards would also be appropriate.

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

I Like You the Best

I Like You the Best

by Carol Thompson

Summary: Dolly the pig and Jack Rabbit are best friends, even after they have a fight.

This is a sweet story that is great for discussing that sometimes friends fight and need a little time to “cool off” before making up.

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

Raj, the Bookstore Tiger

Raj, the Bookstore Tiger

by Kathleen T. Pelley

Summary: When a new manager brings Snowball, a grouchy cat, to the shop where Raj and his owner live and work, Snowball informs Raj that he is not the tiger everyone believes him to be.

This heart-warming story is terrific for discussing a range of subjects including self-perception. It also may be used for celebrating libraries, bookstores, and reading.

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

Dear Tyrannosaurus Rex

Dear Tyrannosaurus Rex

by Lisa McClatchy

Summary: Enamored of dinosaurs, Erin writes a letter inviting a real one to her sixth birthday party.

This is a very cute and humorous book about a child who invites a dinosaur from a museum to her party. This book is wonderful for discussing make-believe and reality. Also, it may be used as an introduction to museums or to prepare a child for a trip to a museum.

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

Historical Fiction for Young Teens

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In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

by Marion Dane Bauer

Summary: Describes in verse the lion that is March weather, which finally gives way to the lamb of spring.

The water color illustrations in this book are beautiful. This is a delightful story for celebrating the beginning of spring.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

Blue Chameleon

Blue Chameleon

by Emily Gravett

Summary: A lonely chameleon tries to change his color and shape to fit in with other animals, including the swirly snail, the pink cockatoo, and the green grasshopper, but he cannot find anyone that is just like him.

This book is a creative approach to learning colors. It also is a fun read in general, especially for children interested in chameleons.

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

Where the Red Fern Grows

by Wilson Rawls

Summary: A young boy saves money to buy two dogs. They become great companions.

I sobbed for at least an hour after reading this book. I do not recommend reading as a class, but if you do, be very cautious if a student has lost a loved one.

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

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The Night Before St. Patrick's Day

by Natasha Wing

Summary: In this poem based on "The Night Before Christmas," Tim and Maureen go to great lengths to set a trap, hoping to catch a real leprechaun on St. Patrick's Day and take his pot of gold.

This is a fun read. It is ideal for reading aloud at the end of the day while enjoying a St. Patrick’s Day treat!

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

Slide ‘N’ Seek Colors by Chuck Murphy

This book contains one color on each page with the name of the color. A reader or listener can “slide” out a piece which has a picture of an item that color with the name.

I recommend this book for children ages 2-5. This book can be interactive one-one-one read by asking a child what color is shown and what things are that color. Then, they can slide out a piece and see what else is that color. It’s also can be a “peek-a-boo” type game or guessing what will be shown.

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

Cars Galore

Cars Galore

by Peter Stein

Summary: Cars of all shapes, colors, and sizes--including an igloo ice-fueled polar car and an eco-friendly car that runs on air--are presented in illustrations and rhyme.

This is an entertaining book that young children who like cars will enjoy.

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

Vampire Reads for Young Adults

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Carl's Afternoon in the Park

Carl’s Afternoon in the Park
by Alexandra Day

This is mostly a wordless book. The first and last pages contain dialogue between two women putting Carl the Dog in charge of a puppy and a baby. The three have adventures together in-between.

This is a great book to pick out details and ask what a child thinks when reading one-on-one. A child can tell a story themselves! I would however, want to let a child know that I would never leave them in charge with a dog, no matter how smart the dog is!

Interest Level: ages 2-4

Diary of a Fly

Diary of a Fly
by Doreen Cronin

Summary: young fly discovers, day by day, that there is a lot to learn about being an insect, including the dangers of flyswatters and that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.

This is a great class read-aloud. It would be an excellent introduction to a lesson on flies, amongst other scientific concepts. It also would be appropriate as an opening for a discussion about self-image, perception, opinions, and the way people view life. I love the illustrations and the little details the reader or listener can point out. 

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends Boy2Girl

Boy2girl by Terence Blacker

Summary: After the death of his mother, thirteen-year-old Sam comes to live with his cousin and as a prank, he dresses up as a girl for school, but it soon gets out of hand.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This book would be great for someone who wants to read about young teens with real emotions. I believe both males and females would enjoy the way the author depicts gender roles. This includes the differences in how boys and girls act and how they think they should act as a boy or girl.

Interest Level: young adult
Reading Level: young adult

The Napping House
by Audrey Wood

Summary: A variety of beings sleep on top of each other. One is awoken suddenly, and all are disturbed.

This is a beautiful and funny book. My family has had nights like this… This book could be used in teaching lessons about who belongs sleeping in which bed when it is time for a child to sleep alone.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

 Horn to Toes and In-Between
by Sandra Boynton

Summary: The book discusses body parts that children as well as the creatures illustrated have. It describes the functions of some of these body parts as well.

After a long day, or testing young children’s attention span’s to a maximum, this can be used as a lively interactive book. Children can point out the body parts discussed on their own bodies. Children can also do activities the creatures do in the book such as count their fingers, count their toes, and tickle. I often use books such as this with the kindergarten-second grade age group at library story times in-between two less interactive books.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

Ellla Fitzgerald-The Tale of a Vocal Virtuoso
by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Summary: A brief recounting of the career of this jazz musician in the voice of "Scat Cat Monroe."

The cat speaks in lingo of the jazz era. Though children may not be familiar with these words, I think they would enjoy the rhythm of the words, especially when read to in a lively manner.

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

Adventure Books for Young Adults

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Sandy's Incredible Shrinking Footprint

Sandy's Incredible Shrinking Footprint

by Femida Handy and Carole Carpenter

Summary: While visiting the beach, Sandy is horrified by the mess left by other visitors and starts to clean up, and a local environmentalist tells her about limiting her footprint--the effect that how she lives leaves on the environment.

This book is a splendid Earth Day or environmental awareness read-aloud. The use of collage allows for unusual but appealing illustrations

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

Hands are Not for Hitting

Hands are Not For Hitting
by Martine Agassi

The book begins with hands saying “hello” and ends with hands saying “good bye”. Other things hands can do is draw, play (itsy bitsy spider), build, eat, drink, dress, keep safe (holding on to parents hands when they cross the street), take care (brushing teeth), help, and hug.

This book would be great for a child who has begun hitting. It is positive in discussing a negative action. It first tells the children all of the things they should do and then quickly touches on what they should not do. There is a push in education for teaching rules in this way. This book would also be wonderful as a class read aloud and discussion.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

Evermore
by Alyson Noel

Summary: Since the car accident that claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras and hear people's thoughts, and she goes out of her way to hide from other people until she meets Damen, another psychic teenager who is hiding even more mysteries.

I love this book! This book would be great for fans of Twilight, especially if they enjoyed the strange romance aspect of Twilight. Unlike the lead girl in Twilight, Ever has a supernatural aspect to her as well, and I feel is a better character.

What kind of ending without completely giving it away:

At times this book is sad. Ever is the narrator and tells what she is thinking about including her family’s death and life. I thought I knew exactly where the book was heading but I was pleasantly surprised that I was wrong. The story reminds me of my Romantic Era Music class and the operas we watched. It is very romantic, but not in the candle lit dinner type of way. However, the ending is neither depressing nor a Disney fairy tale “happily ever after” ending either. It’s the kind of ending I like to call “Life’s hard, but we are trying”.

Reading Level: YA
Interest Level: YA

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs!
by Jon Scieszka

Summary: The wolf gives his own version of what really happened when he tangled with the three little pigs.

This was one of my favorite books when I was a child. This books is a good opening to a lesson on points of view and how there are two sides to every story. With a more mature audience, an adult reader could point out that in the book one story is told by “The Daily Wolf” and the other by “The Daily Pig”. This could spark a discussion of examples in the media in which two different sources portray one event very differently.

Interest Level: grades k-6
Reading Level: grade 2

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Summary: This is the story of a caterpillar’s birth, extensive eating, and transformation into a beautiful butterfly.

I LOVED this book as a child. I would ask to have it read to me every night for a long time. The holes throughout the pages indicating where the caterpillar ate were very appealing. I always loved Saturday reading the variety of food the caterpillar had eaten.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

Happy March!

March is:

Women's History Month

Poetry Month

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Check out the labels below for themed books