Ants In Your Pants, Worms In Your Plants!

by Diane deGroat

Summary: Gilbert seems to be the only one in his class who cannot think of any ideas for an Earth Day project.

I like how Gilbert’s parents encourage him to come up with his own ideas. They suggest relaxing and walking in order to clear his mind which eventually leads to an idea. This is an important lesson to overachievers with anxiety. Of course, as the title suggests, this book can be used to discuss the environment and going green.

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

A Good Knight's Rest

by Shelley Moore Thomas

Summary: The Good Knight's hard work has earned him a vacation, but his three little dragon friends come along and make the trip anything but relaxing.

This humorous book illustrates the frustrations of driving a group. The story may be used to discuss respecting adults when traveling.

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

Pirate vs. Pirate: The Terrific Tale of a

Big, Blustery Maritime Match

by Mary Quattlebaum

Summary: One pirate from the Atlantic Ocean and one from the Pacific Ocean meet and have a contest to see who is the best pirate in the world.

As mentioned in the title, this is a terrific tale. At first glance it may appear to be a story that will appeal more to a masculine crowd. However, one of these pirates is a woman, and the ending might surprise boys and girls alike. This is a lengthy tale; it is most appropriate for an older crowd.

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

African Animal Alphabet

by Beverly Joubert

Summary: Pairs wildlife photographs of African animals with corresponding letters of the alphabet. The book includes brief information about each included animal, such as cheetahs, elephants, lions, and zebras.

This is a great book for an older child to read to a younger child. If a person reads all the details, it is quite lengthy. However, an older person and a younger person may alternate reading the more challenging and less challenging text.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 5

Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat

by Philip Christian Stead

Summary: Jonathan sets sail in the big blue boat in search of his lost stuffed bear, Frederick, and collects a ragtag assortment of friends along the way.

The illustrator’s use of collage in this book is impressive. The illustrations are extremely detailed with pieces of old stamps, travel tickets, and newspaper clippings which give the book a nostalgic feel. The story is good, but examining this book’s details and playing a “look and find” game with a child are more rewarding and may be great ways to motivate reading.

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

Catch That Baby!

by Nancy Coffelt

Everyone, from Mom to Grandpa, joins the chase when baby Rudy decides he does not want to get dressed after his bath

This is a humorous story to share with one’s family, especially if someone in the family is not a fan of wearing clothes. This book can be used to discuss dress and behavior. However, I think it is better to read this book simply for enjoyment.

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

MORE Summer Reading Theme 2011 One World Many Stories for Grades 3-5

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Ducks In a Row

by Lori Haskins Houran

Summary: Max the duck wishes he could do something for the other animals living at Irene's house, but when his aunts arrive for a visit, he gets more than his fill of being helpful.

This is a humorous story about overextending one’s self. It is appropriate to discuss manners when you are at someone’s house and to be careful what you wish for.

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

Jam and Honey

by Melita Morales

Summary: Tells the story of a young girl and a honeybee who learn to coexist peacefully in the same garden as they go about their respective tasks.

This is a sweet story about respecting others and the world around us. It is great to share with a child who is afraid of bees. An adult can discuss how the bee is “just as scared of you as you are of it.” However, a person should give a bee its space.
 
Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

Tales of Mystery and Magic

by Hugh Lupton

Summary: A bewitching world of mystery and magic awaits young readers in a collection of seven stories with an uncanny edge from Chile, Greenland, India, West Africa, Seneca, Russia, and Scotland.

The digital collage illustrations contained in this book are beautiful. The stories are lengthy and each contains a few pictures. A few of these stories are fantastic, and others I enjoyed less. This book is great and fits well with this summer’s national reading theme, “One World Many Stories.”

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

Owl Howl

by Paul Friester

Summary: Who is that in the forest, howling and howling? It's a little owl. Everyone in the neighborhood from hedgehog to crow to squirrel to mole to stag beetle tries to comfort the little owl. What on earth could be the matter?

This is an adorable book that children will find humorous. It is a short and simple story that allows young children to become involved in the story through predictions. An adult can involve a child by asking, “What do you think happens next?” or “Do you think the owl will stop crying?”

Interest Level: K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

This Tree, 1, 2, 3

by Alison Formento

Summary: A tree behind a school counts for students the ten ways that it serves the needs of different animals.

This is a unique counting book. The pages are extremely thick, which makes it ideal for young children who like to hold books themselves. When reading to a preschool age child, an adult can discuss the double meaning of “this tree counts.” The tree literally counts things but also counts or makes a difference in this world. This book is appropriate for any environmental discussions with young children.

Interest Level: birth-age 2
Reading Level: grade 2

ABC Kids

by Basher

Summary: Introduces the letters of the alphabet through illustrations and alliterative text that places characters in silly, humorous situations.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an original ABC book. With so many alphabet books to choose from, this book stands out because of its zany sentences. On each page there is a letter and a sentence. Each word in the sentence begins with the same letter.

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

MORE Summer Reading Theme 2011 One World Many Stories Reads for First and Second Graders

The Woods

by Paul Hoppe

Summary: When a boy can't find his favorite stuffed bunny, he heads into the woods to find it.

This adorable story is wonderful for discussing why people are sometimes grouchy towards others. This can happen for various reasons and isn't always the fault of any one person. The boy in this book is able to confront grouchy people gently and include them on his adventure. The characters welcome such a distraction. I think this approach beats the philosophy, “if you are nice to people, they will be nice to you” or “if someone is mean to you, just ignore them.”

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

I'm Me!

 by Sara Sheridan

Summary: When Imogen comes to visit, Auntie Sara wonders if they should pretend to be other people. Imogen eventually decides it would be more fun for them to just be Auntie Sara and Imogen for the day.

This is a sweet story about being one’s self. All of the things Auntie Sara suggests that they could be may spark dramatic play.

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

The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Eighth Grade Bites

by Heather Brewer

Summary: For thirteen years, Vlad, aided by his aunt and best friend, has kept secret that he is half-vampire, but when his missing teacher is replaced by a sinister substitute, he learns that there is more to being a vampire, and to his parents' deaths, than he could have guessed.

This is the first book in the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series. It is an excellent read for anyone who is interested in vampires without a mushy romance element. Many young adult boys have requested this action story set in the present. Although Vlad is not entirely human, his emotions and characteristics seem to resonate with male and female teens alike. The small mysteries in the story held my interest throughout the book.

Interest Level: grades 6-12
Reading Level: grade 6

You're Finally Here!

by Mélanie Watt

Summary: Although Bunny is excited to finally have a reader open his book, he expresses his impatience over the long wait.

This is a humorous book that could be used to discuss manners. It uses a picture book format, but it could be used as an easy reader.

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

Ribbit Rabbit

by Candace Ryan

Summary: Frog and Bunny are the best of friends, even though sometimes they get into fights.

This delightful story filled with onomatopoeia. Involve children in this story by asking them to imitate the sounds in the book.

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

Goldie and the Three Hares

by Margie Palatini

Summary: When Goldilocks, running from the three bears, falls down a rabbit hole and hurts her foot, a family of hares tries to help but she proves to be a very loud, demanding, and tenacious guest.

This story is superb for discussing how to act appropriately when one is a guest. It is also useful for teaching a child about manners. An educator can use th is humorous tales when teaching fractured fairy tales.

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

MORE Summer Reading Theme 2011 One World Many Stories for Preschool and Kindergarten Students

The Story of the Leprechaun

by Katherine Tegen

Summary: A clever leprechaun who has amassed a pot of gold by making beautiful shoes for people decides to hide his money at the end of a rainbow, knowing that no one will find it there.

This is a fabulous St. Patrick’s Day read. Additionally, it can be used for this year’s national summer reading theme , “One World, Many Stories.”

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

The Loud Book!

by Deborah Underwood

Summary: From the blare of an alarm clock in the morning to snores and crickets in the evening, simple text explores the many loud noises one might hear during the course of the day.

This is a fun book simply for entertainment value. In order to make this book interactive, ask children to imitate the every day noises mentioned in the book.

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

Babe: The Gallant Pig

by Dick King-Smith

Summary: A piglet destined for eventual butchering arrives at the farmyard, is adopted by an old sheep dog, and discovers a special secret to success.

Having seen the adorable movie, Babe more times than I should admit, I decided to read this book when I came across it. It is short, humorous, and very enjoyable. I recommend it especially to any pig lovers, dog lovers, or lovers of any farm animals at all. I understand that Dick King-Smith has written other animal stories, and that they were incorporated into the movie Babe.

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

Daddy Adventure Day

by David Keane

Summary: Daddy Adventure Days are always special, and this one, featuring a boy's first visit to a baseball stadium, is no exception.

This book has fantastic water color and digital collage illustrations. The story is great for celebrating fathers and the small sacrifices they make on a day out. Dads, read this to your child on Father’s Day or any day!

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

Why Do I Have To Make My Bed?

by Wade Bradford

Summary: When a boy asks his mother why he must make his bed, she tells him a story about his ancestors who posed the same question through the centuries, going all the way back to a cave boy and his mother.

This is a humorous introduction to historical fiction! A teacher could discuss how one can pick a fiction book from any of these times that interest them. Another follow up activity option is to research place in different eras. This book is best suited for school age children. It is somewhat lengthy for younger children. The story is also appropriate for this summer’s national public library theme One World, Many Stories.

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

If Rocks Could Sing: A Discovered Alphabet

by Leslie McGuirk

Summary: This book displays photographs of rocks that resemble the letters of the alphabet and objects represented by each letter.

This is a very unique book. The author devoted a page at the end of the book to describing how she found each rock photographed in the book. I recommend reading this book to children who are close to mastering the alphabet. An appropriate question to ask is, “What letter does this look like?” The photographs may be confusing to children who have recently begun to learn the alphabet.

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

Summer Reading Theme 2011: You Are Here Reads for grades 6-8

These Hands

by Margaret H. Mason

Summary: An African-American man tells his grandson about a time when, despite all the wonderful things his hands could do, they could not touch bread at the Wonder Bread factory. Based on stories of bakery union workers; includes historical note.

This is a wonderful picture book to share with children in conjunction with a Black History or Civil Rights lesson. The illustrations are simple and beautiful, like the text.

Interest Level: grades K-3

Reading Level: grade 3

Numbers on the Move

 by Teresa Benzwie

Summary: Young children learn by moving and dancing in this playful book.

This is an incredible book for kinesthetic learners! It is believed that certain children learn best by moving or kinesthetically. The book teaches counting and other number concepts with physical activities. I recommend this book to use in any classroom that has children who like to move.

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

The Adventures of Mark Twain By Huckleberry Finn

by Robert Burleigh

Summary: Presents a biography of Mark Twain told from the perspective of one of his most famous characters, Huckleberry Finn.

This is an outstanding biography. The Huckleberry Finn in this book narrates in the vernacular of Mark Twain’s Huckleberry. This makes the book interesting, though at times difficult to follow, especially for younger children. This book is a great read aloud “hook” for a first lesson on any Mark Twain story.

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