Just Because

by Rebecca Elliott

Summary: A younger brother describes all the fun he has with the big sister he loves so much—just because— in this heartwarming picture book about being perfectly loved, no matter what.

This is a very heart-warming story. I really appreciate this book because I was a special education teacher. The book challenges children who ask, “Why are they different?” to consider “why do I like certain things?” The younger brother’s reason to why his sister is different and why he loves her is “just because.” I love the message of this story and recommend it to parents and educators of children who are curious about disabilities. I also recommend it for class discussions on disabilities, especially when a new student has a disability.

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

Books to Discuss Values for grades 3-8

Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons

by Il Sung Na

Summary: While other animals migrate, hibernate, or stay busy all winter, a little white rabbit watches.

This is a cute book. It is appropriate to read this book when discussing seasons and how animals behave during the winter.

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

Animals Home Alone

by Loes Riphagen

Summary: After a young girl and her father leave, the animals left in the house engage in all sorts of antics, with the fish leaving his bowl, the cat calling his friends, and the dog trying on shoes.

This is a funny book with very detailed illustrations. As with all wordless book, the reader should ask children what they think is happening and to tell a story from the pictures. When reading with a young child one on one, it is appropriate to play a “find and point” game which entails asking a child if they can point out certain details in the illustrations.

Interest Level: ages 2-4

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

Summary: The adventures of the three Darling children in Neverland with Peter Pan, the boy who would not grow up.

It is interesting going back to read the original classic after seeing many of its offspring. Growing up I watched the Disney cartoon and Hook over and over again. In high school, I performed in the musical. The movie Peter Pan from 2003 claimed to stay true to the story, but it really did not. Personally, I think it is great to have children read books if they have seen the movie version, especially with recent movies, because today’s movies often do not follow the book closely. A good follow up is to compare and contrast the two. This is an important academic skill, such as in research papers.

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

The Sunflower Sword

by Mark Sperring

In a land marked by endless fighting between knights and dragons, a mother gives her eager little boy a sunflower rather than the sword he requests, and when he wields it against a real dragon, new understanding begins.

Children may find the boy’s dilemma amusing. I enjoyed the ending that changes the tone from comical to sweet.

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

Scritch-Scratch a Perfect Match

by Kimberly Marcus

Summary: When a flea lands on a stray dog, it starts a chain of events that ends happily when the dog is adopted by a pet-loving man.

This comical tale is sure to entertain young children.

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

My Mom Has X-ray Vision

by Angela McAllister

Matthew believes his mother has x-ray vision because she always knows what he's doing. So one day he decides to test his theory. What will he find out about his mother having super powers?

This is a comical story. The reader could make this a very interactive book simply by repeating, “How did she know that?”
Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

The Great Big Book of Families

by Mary Hoffman

Summary: Families come in many shapes and sizes and this book celebrates them all.

This is a fabulous text for discussing the reality and diversity of families today. I recommend this to any child who is struggling to understand why his or her family is different from other families or why another family is different than their own. This book is also wonderful for reading to young children and asking them to point things out in the detailed illustrations.

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

 

Painter and Ugly

by Robert J. Blake

Summary: Painter and Ugly, two sled dogs who are inseparable best friends, are put on different teams for the Junior Iditarod, but they manage to find their way back to one another for the big race.

This is a touching story about friendship. I am a huge dog lover and I would believe this story could be true if it did not mention that the two dogs share a food bowl. My three docile labs will only become aggressive about that. The book includes a note from the author about how and why the book was written.

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

Always Room for One More

by Sorche Nic Leodhas

Summary: In this Scottish folk song, a generous family always has room for another person and invites in everyone who passes by

This book won the Caldecott Award (a prestigious American Library Association award) in 1966. The illustrations are wonderful, though simple, black and white figures with splashes of color. Considering this book is an old song from Scotland, it is appropriate to use this book for this summer’s national reading theme, “One World, Many Stories.” I would use it during storytimes only if I could sing the song with the melody provided at the end of the book. The author notes after the story that he changed lyrics in the song to make it more understandable to American children. However, a few Scottish words were left in because he felt they sounded better. He provides a short glossary of these words. I would sing the song, go over the words, and then have the children sing with me.

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

Tarra and Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends

by Carol Buckley

Summary: Presents the story of the unusual friendship between Tarra, a retired circus elephant, and Bella, a stray dog, who are both cared for at the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee.

This story is AMAZING. I saw a recorded news segment on youtube long before the book came out. When I saw it in a book magazine, I insisted that my library purchase several copies. I recommend the youtube video as well. I love to read, but the elephant and dog in action is something else. If you enjoy this book, try Owen and Mzee books.

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

It's a Book

by Lane Smith

Summary: Two readers compare print to digital media, and learn that books are still valuable.

I love this book! As a librarian, I appreciate the statement that this book makes through humor. Children will find it funny that the animal does not know what a book is!

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 1

 Look! A Book!

by Bob Staake

Summary: Easy-to-read, rhyming text invites the reader to search for items on a different theme on each page, while celebrating the wonder of a picture book.

This is a cute rhyming story. This book is like an I Spy book with better text.

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

Perfect Square

by Michael Hall

Summary: A perfect square that is perfectly happy is torn into pieces, punched with holes, crumpled, and otherwise changed but finds in each transformation that it can be something new, and just as happy.

This is a visually appealing book. It is arguable that the story symbolizes making the best of things. However, if read on surface level only, I am sure children will enjoy this book.

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

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We’ve started restoring the posts that were temporarily removed and expect Blogger to be back to normal soon.


— latest update on Friday, May 13, 2011
 
It seems there are still problems. I am having a few troubles. I wish everyone on blogger luck!

I Like Me

by Nancy Carlson

Summary: By admiring her finer points and showing that she can take care of herself and have fun even when there's no one else around, a charming pig proves the best friend you can have is yourself

This is a great book for discussing self esteem. I was hoping the end would include something about how having friends around is fun, too.

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

When the World Was Waiting For You

by Gillian Shields

Summary: Illustrations and simple rhyming text tell the story of a family anticipating the birth of a baby.

This a sweet story to read to a child before bedtime.

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

The Voyage of Turtle Rex

by Kurt Cyrus

Summary: Follows the life of a giant prehistoric sea turtle.

This is a fantastic read for anyone interested in turtles or prehistoric animals. It is appropriate to pair this book with a dinosaur lesson.

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

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We’ve started restoring the posts that were temporarily removed and expect Blogger to be back to normal soon.
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To get Blogger back to normal, all posts since 7:37am PDT on Weds, 5/11 have been temporarily removed. Blogger is in read-only mode for now. We expect everything to be back to normal soon.
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Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix

by Gary Golio

Summary: Before he became one of the greatest guitar players of all time, Jimi Hendrix was a boy who loved to paint and listen to records, and who asked himself an unusual question: could someone paint pictures with sound? Run-on

This book won the prestigious American Library Association (ALA) Coretta Scott King illustrator honor award. The beautiful and unique illustrations are used in a creative way. I was surprised ALA picked a book on Jimi Hendrix to celebrate the African-American experience. The story itself is child friendly and has a positive message. At the end of the book there is a note about Jimi Hendrix’s death and substance abuse resources for young people.

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

Teach us Amelia Bedelia!
 by Peggy Parish

Summary: The very literal minded Amelia Bedelia becomes a substitute teacher for a day.

I loved this book at the beginning of second grade! I recommend any of the Amelia Bedelia books for reluctant readers and lovers of reading. They are very funny. Though they are beginning readers, and not in a large picture book format, these books are great for teaching homonyms, or words that sound alike but have different meanings. In these books, Amelia Bedelia is always confusing words. For example, when the teacher leaves instructions to “call the roll” or take attendance, Amelia takes out a roll for a sandwich and calls “Roll! Roll!”

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

Dog in Boots

Dog in Boots

by Greg Gormley

Summary: After reading "Puss in Boots," an adventurous dog sets out to find the perfect pair of shoes to suit his every need.

This is a humorous tale that is wonderful for discussing how sometimes the things that we need the most, are the things we already have!

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

In My Den

In My Den

by Sara Gillingham

Summary: What makes little bear's den so cozy? Is it little bear's warm earth and fluffy bed of leaves? Turn the colorful die-cut pages of this irresistible board book to discover just what makes little bear's den so cozy.

This board book’s text is mediocre, but the adorable bear finger puppet attached to the book is fantastic. The puppet can be used throughout the book because of a large hole in each page. This book is engaging for very young children and especially wonderful for children who are not interested in traditional books.

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

Kindergarten: Short and fun read alouds!

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Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace

Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace

by Jen Cullerton Johnson

Summary: A biography of Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize winner and environmentalist Wangari Maathai, a female scientist who made a stand in the face of opposition to women's rights and her own Greenbelt Movement, an effort to restore Kenya's ecosystem by planting millions of trees.”

This book’s beautiful illustrations are inspired by handmade quilts. It is the winner of the prestigious American Library Association (ALA) Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent (Illustrator) Award. It is an interesting biography of a strong African woman. It is appropriate for this summer’s national public library theme, “One World Many Stories.”

Interest Level: 3-6
Reading Level: grades k-6

Owen & Mzee : The Language of Friendship

by Isabella Hatkoff

Summary: Provides the true story of the strong relationship between Mzee, the 130-year-old tortoise, and Owen, the orphaned baby hippo rescued from the tsunami floods, that has developed between this unlikely pair through their special form of communication of soft sounds and gestures.

This story is AMAZING. It is the sequel to Owen & Mzee : The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship. If you have not read the first book, you may choose to skip it because the first story is mostly retold in the second book.

Inerest Level: ages 2-grade 6
Reading Level: grade 6

Librarianjk recommends Number the Stars

Number the Stars

by Lois Lowry

Summary: This is the story of the Christian community in Denmark helping Jews escape to Sweden in order to prevent the Germans from “relocating” them.

This is an excellent historical fiction book. At the end of the book, the author describes what aspects of the story were based on facts. Like many historical fiction books, students in a class may further research the time period. This book is often used to introduce the Holocaust or as an extension to a Holocaust lesson.

Interest Level: grades 4-8
Reading Level: grade 5

The Fire Keeper’s Son by Linda Sue Park

Summary: This is a historical fiction story set in Korea. A young boy’s father is responsible for lighting a fire on top of a mountain every night to let the village next to them know everything is fine. The next mountain is lit all the way up to the king. If the light is not lit, soldiers will be sent. The boy’s father is hurt, and he takes on the responsibility. He toys with the idea of not lighting a fire because he would like to meet the soldiers.

With children, a teacher may have a conversation about their responsibilities and if they ever had to take on something very important. Have they ever had to choose what is right vs. what they want? There is a blurb in the back describing the complicated procedure of lighting historically. With older children, they could further research this or other historical traditions. An extension could be to have students read other historical fiction on their own and research history in that time as well.

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

I Spy With My Little Eye

I Spy With My Little Eye

by Edward Gibbs

Summary: Asks young readers to identify the animal based on their color, including blue for a blue whale, white for a polar bear, and green for a frog, in a text with a die-cut opening on the cover containing an eye.

This is a spectacular book to read to very young children. The interactive elements in this book make it appealing to reluctant readers.

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

The Boy Who Cried Ninja

The Boy Who Cried Ninja 

by Alex Latimer

Summary: A young boy named Tim is accused of lying when he tells his parents that a ninja ate the last piece of cake and a sunburned crocodile landed on the roof, so he figures out a way to prove that he is telling the truth.

This is a humorous story that puts a twist on The Boy Who Cried Wolf. It is best to read this book simply for entertainment.

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

Recommended Reads for Fifth Graders

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Town Mouse, Country Mouse

Town Mouse, Country Mouse

by Jan Brett

Summary: After trading houses, the country mice and the town mice discover there's no place like home.

This tale is retold with Jan Brett’s beautiful, detailed illustrations. The book is somewhat lengthy, and may be best suited for taking turns reading with a beginning reader.

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