Bathing

by Liesbet Slegers

Summary: A book filled with illustrations that celebrate bathing at bath time.

This is a short small board book. The sturdy pages allow very young children to hold this book. This is an excellent read for young children who do not want to take baths. It also may be helpful for older children with special needs who are reluctant to take baths. In a special school, where I worked we “scripted” everyday matters for students up to age 21, as many educational institutions for special needs children do. The scripts would include steps involved in common situations that certain students regularly become frightened, angry, or confused during (for example, doctor visits, fire drills, and bathroom usage). To overcome the anxiety associated with these situations, we scripted steps to make those overwhelming daily activities manageable for children with special needs.

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

Great Biographies of Lesser Known People

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How Dalia Put a Big Yellow Comforter Inside a Tiny Blue Box 

by Linda Heller    

Summary: After learning about the Jewish tradition of tzedakah boxes, Dalia shares her knowledge with her younger brother, Yossi, by telling him what her savings can help to provide for someone in need.

This is a sweet story that is great for discussing helping others. It is also appropriate to use this book as part of a unit lesson on world traditions.

Interest Level: grades k-3

Reading Level: grade 3

Bear's Birthday 

by Stella Blackstone

Summary: Bear celebrates his birthday with a party, games, and ten balloons that disappear one at a time throughout the day.

This is a cute book for first exposing children to counting down. The thick board pages make it an ideal book for young children.

Interest Level: ages 2-4

Reading Level: grade 2

  

The Pirates of Plagiarism 

by Kathleen Fox

Summary: A pirate crew's plan to capture Mrs. Finch, the librarian, and a treasure chest in the library is foiled when a group of students come into the library to do research.

The humorous aspect of this story will be enjoyed by young ones, but most likely not completely comprehended by primary school students. I recommend this book as a read aloud for older elementary school students. The story is wonderful for discussing values, especially cheating and plagiarism. 

Interest Level: grades k-6

Reading Level: grade 4

Be Quiet, Mike! 

by Leslie Patricelli

Summary: Monkey Mike is reprimanded for making noise when he taps pencils and clangs trash cans until he sees a drum set in the music store and puts his hands-on talents to work in a most impressive way.      

This is an amusing story that will be enjoyed the most by young children. This book is excellent for discussing that everyone has a niche.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 2

Waiting for the BiblioBurro 

by Monica Brown

Summary: When a man brings to a remote village two burros, Alfa and Beto, loaded with books the children can borrow, Ana's excitement leads her to write a book of her own as she waits for the BibliBurro to return.

This is an amazing fictionalized tale of a real library that travels on a donkey. This book is a great read aloud for National Library week. This story allows for a discussion on how a library is not necessarily a place and the power of reading. Additionally, it is motivating to begin a service project for those who live in poverty. 

Interest Level: grades k-3

Reading Level: grade 4

My Best Shoes 

by Marilee R. Burton

Summary: Celebrates the variety of shoes that can be worn, from sturdy lace up high shoes to naked feet and toe shoes.             

This is a cute book. The story can be read to a child to discuss dress and behavior, or just for fun!

Interest Level: ages 2-4

Reading Level: grade 2

MORE Picture Books: It's Night!

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Benny's Pennies

by Pat Brisson

Summary: Benny sets off in the morning with five shiny new pennies to spend and eventually buys something for his mother, brother, sister, dog, and cat.

This book will be enjoyed by young children for its repetitive and predictable nature. The sweet story is great for helping children understand sharing without being didactic.

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

Kitten's Winter

by Eugenie Fernandes

Summary: A young kitten explores the woods on a cold winter day as other animals shelter from the weather or engage in their usual seasonal activities.

This story in rhyme is a wonderful read aloud. I love the illustrator’s use of collage. The story is appropriate for use as an introduction to lessons on hibernation, winter, or seasons in general.

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

Sister Bear: A Norse Tale

by Jane Yolen

Summary: Halva is traveling with her trained bear to visit the King of Denmark when they stop for the night at a cottage where, they learn, a pack of trolls is about to make its annual Christmas Eve visit, causing trouble and making a big mess. Includes author's note about the story's origins.

This is a captivating tale with gorgeous, vibrant illustrations. This lesser known European folktale is wonderful for genre studies lesson units. However, is lengthy and I do not recommend reading this book aloud to a young class.

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

Goodnight iPad: A Parody for the Next Generation 

by Ann Droyd

Summary: A bedtime story for bidding electronic gadgets goodnight, from the Blackberry and the Nooks to the iPad and the MP3s.      

This is a humorous parody of Goodnight Moon, a classic bedtime story. Young children to adults will enjoy this book.  I enjoyed the last page the most.      

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 6
Reading Level: grade 4

The Pout-Pout Fish 

by Deborah Diesen

Summary: The Pout-Pout Fish believes he only knows how to frown, even though many of his friends suggest ways to change his expression, until one day a fish comes along that shows him otherwise.          

This book will be appreciated by young children, although the story is of mediocre value. I understand the author’s intended message, but a pout fish is not able to change its face and kissing everyone is not appropriate.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 3

 

Goldilicious 

by Victoria Kann

Summary: A little girl and her brother play with her imaginary gold-horned unicorn that can float on water, fly, and turn herself into a fairy princess.                           

This book is one of the sequels to the very popular book, Pinkalicious. The story is not particularly noteworthy, but it will be enjoyed by fans of the series.

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

It's Night!

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What Animals Really Like: A New Song Composed and Conducted by Mr. Herbert

by Fiona Robinson

Summary: When the National Animal Chorus gathers to perform the immortal works of Mr. Herbert Timberteeth, the performance doesn't go exactly as planned due to certain preconceived notions of what animals like to do.

This is a silly and humorous tale that could be used to discuss a serious subject matter, stereotyping. The message is that people do not always like what you think they would like. The book has “song lyrics” amongst the text, but does not provide a melody. Nevertheless, a reader could read this book aloud in a sing-song voice or create a melody. This story could be made into a very interactive read aloud by asking children questions throughout the book, such as, “What do you think these animals like?” A great follow-up activity is to ask children to imagine what other animals not mentioned in the story may like. They may use their imaginations to draw a picture and or write about animals’ talents.

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

Art 123: Count from 1 to 12 with Great Works of Art

 by Stefano Zuffi

Summary: Simple, rhyming text invites the reader to count from one to twelve and more, while illustrations introduce works of art by such masters as Gainsborough, Van Gogh, and Matisse.

The intended audience of this book seems to be younger children who are learning numbers. However, what to count within the pictures is confusing. I recommend this book for introducing primary grade children to famous artists.

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

Levi Strauss Gets a Bright Idea:

A Fairly Fabricated Story of a Pair of Pants

by Tony Johnston

Summary: Retells, in tall-tale fashion, how Levi Strauss went to California during the Gold Rush, saw the need for a sturdier kind of trouser, and invented jeans.

The author formatted this book in a creative matter to present the history of jeans. This lengthy story presents facts and exaggerations about Levi Strauss’ life. The language may seem obscure to young children, therefore, I recommend this book to intermediate grade students. However, the engrossing pictures and silly storyline may appeal to younger ones. As I read this book, I could not help but think of researching the “real” Levi Strauss when I finished the story. Towards the end of the book, information about Levi Strauss and exaggerations used in the text are provided. However, not everything is explained, so this book allows for the curious, like myself, to do some fact finding. Adults may make this book interactive as a read aloud by asking children questions such as, “do you think that really happened? Do you think this part is possible?” A follow up talk about not believing everything one reads is appropriate as well.

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

Mealtime

by Elizabeth Verdick

Summary: Explains how to behave during mealtime

Although this is not an exciting story, it is useful in teaching toddlers about mealtime. This book may be helpful for older special education students. In a special school I worked at we “scripted” everyday matters for students up to age 21, as many educational institutions for special needs children do. The scripts would include steps involved in common situations that certain students regularly become frightened, angry, or confused during (for example, doctor visits, fire drills, and bathroom usage). For students who are new to a cafeteria situation, this book allows teachers to discuss what happens and how to behave during mealtime. At the end of the book, there is advice for parents regarding mealtimes with children.

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

Puddle's New School

by Amber Stewart

Summary: Puddle the Duckling starts to have second thoughts about going to duckling school for the first time, but with some encouragement and kindness from his mother, he is able to enjoy his new environment.

This is a cute story that can help prepare children for a first day of preschool. Teachers may read this book aloud on the first day of school and discuss how their school will be similar and different to the duckling’s

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

Everything I Need to Know Before I'm Five

 by Valorie Fisher

Summary: A picture book designed to help children learn the basic concepts they need to know before starting kindergarten, including numbers, letters, colors, shapes, opposites, and seasons.

It is debatable if this book contains everything a child needs to know before age 5, but I think it is an excellent tool to practice concepts with young children. The amount of information in this book may be a little hard for some children to take in. The unique illustrations contain photographs of retro toys. In addition to learning concepts, children’s interest may be piqued by picking out the many details in the photographs.

Interest Level: ages 2-4

Happy Chinese New Year!

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Red Sled

by Lita Judge

Summary: At night, a host of woodland creatures play with a child's red sled.

This book is wordless, except for the sounds that are made throughout the story. Such books are ideal for sharing with pre-readers on a one-on-one basis. The simplicity of the story allows for a young child to be creative in narrating a story of their own based upon the pictures.

Interest Level: ages 2-4

Solomon Crocodile

by Catherine Rayner

Summary: Solomon Crocodile's rough play prevents him from making friends down by the river until a stranger comes stomping through the reeds!

The illustrations in this book are appealing, especially the sparkles on the cover and blotches on the animals within the story. This alone may hold a child’s attention during this short book. However, the storyline is a bit overdone.

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

Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan

Summary: In 1919, independent-minded fifteen-year-old Rosalind lives in India with her English parents, and when they fear she has fallen in with some rebellious types who believe in Indian self-government, she is sent "home" to London, where she has never been and where her older brother died, to stay with her two aunts.

I admire the main character, Rosalind. What I consider her strongest character traits, were seen as negative traits in females during this time in British culture  This is a very strong piece of historical fiction; while one may never have considered the types of choices people of this time had to make, the characters’ feelings are relatable. Even as an adult with a good amount of knowledge about the time period, I saw from a new angle how people of this time and place lived. This book may be very eye-opening to grade school students. I found the ending disappointing and inconclusive, but thoroughly enjoyed everything else about this story.

Interest Level: grades 4-8

Reading Level: grade 7

Big Little Brother

by Kevin Kling

Summary: A four-year-old boy explains that his little brother is bigger than he is, follows him everywhere, and is annoying, but his presence becomes indispensable when bullies are around.

This is a sweet story about sibling rivalry and love. Self-perception, specifically size-perception, is effectively addressed in this story.

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



Happy Birthday, Hamster

by Cynthia Lord

Summary: Follows Hamster and his friend Dog as they prepare for a birthday party.

This is an excellent interactive one-on-one read with a young child. As with any picture book, the reader may engage the child by asking what is happening in the illustrations and what he/she thinks will happen next. The pages contain pictures with increasingly obvious clues for what will happen at the end of the story. The text allows for a quick re-read in which a reader may ask a child how the pictures relate to the ending.

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

Ready, Set, 100th Day! 

by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

Summary: Minna's family pitches in to help her come up with the perfect project for the hundredth day of school, from twenty sets of five sticks to two sets of fifty pieces of pasta.

This book is a neat concept book for primary grade children. Students may practice counting by intervals with this text. I still remember my 100^th day of school celebrations in first and second grade. Teachers, use this book on your 100^th day of school to teach skills in a fun way!

Interest Level: grades k-3

Reading Level: grade 2

Concept Books: Colors

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Thank You, Miss Doover

by Robin Pulver

Summary: Jack learns the value of revision as he practices Miss Doover's lesson on how to write a proper thank-you note.

This is an amusing story. Before a teacher first requires children to write several drafts, this book would be an excellent read aloud.

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

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS!

Also known as Three Kings Day and the Epiphany

(January 6th)

MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR DAY IS
JANUARY 16TH

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

(January 23rd)

See the labels below for books related to these holidays