Happy March!

March is.. 

Women’s History Month

Music in Our Schools Month

National Nutrition Month

Red Cross Month

Irish American Month

Purim is March 8^th

St. Patrick’s Day is March 17th

International Earth Day is March 20^th

Spring Starts March 20^th

^{Celebrate with a great read!}

^{Check out the labels below for previously posted books and bibliographies} 

Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!

by Candace Fleming

Summary: After planting the garden he has dreamed of for years, Mr. McGreely tries to find a way to keep some persistent bunnies from eating all his vegetables.

This repetitive story is excellent for actively engaging children in a read aloud. The reader may ask children questions such as “What do you think will happen next?” The story is somewhat repetitive and predictable, which is ideal for involving young children and developing an interest in literature.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
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

I Like Vegetables

by Lorena Siminovich

Summary: An introduction to several different vegetables and also to the concept of opposites.

This is a super board book to share with very young children. There are one or two words on each page; a child does not need to have a large attention span in order to enjoy this book. The textured illustrations make this book ideal for any child who likes to hold books or touch the pages. For preschool age children, this book is great to introduce the concept of opposites.

Interest Level: age 0-4

Reading Level: grade 1

Apple Pie ABC

by Alison Murray

Summary: A story about a girl baking an apple pie and a puppy observing the activities teaches the letters of the alphabet.

This a cute book that approaches teaching letters of the alphabet in way I have not seen before. The text includes large letters, a to z, in order. Underneath the large letter is a word or phrase that begins with that letter (except x, that is the second letter in the word). The words and phrases tell a story starring a dog who looks a lot like Charles M. Schulz’s Snoopy, whom I love; but I wish the illustrator was more creative in depicting this character.

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

The Picky Little Witch

by Elizabeth Brokamp

Summary: Mama Witch tries to get her daughter to eat some Halloween soup before going out to trick-or-treat, but Picky Little Witch finds many reasons to refuse. Includes a recipe for soup.

This is a cute picture book about trying new things (namely food). Towards the end of the book, there is an amusing twist of events.

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

Night of the Pumpkinheads

 by Michael J. Rosen

Summary: Determined to make Halloween a frightening night of the pumpkinheads, the pumpkins transform themselves into a variety of scary monsters and then head for town hoping to terrify everyone they meet.

This is an excellent Halloween story. The illustrations are drawings and photographs of pumpkins the illustrator carved. It is most appropriate to read this story to young children, but older children may choose to look at the illustrations for carving ideas. This story is humorous because the characters are not frightened of the pumpkins. I thought some of the pictures were frightening!

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

Miss Fox's Class Shapes Up

by Eileen Spinelli

Summary: When Miss Fox realizes that her students do not have healthy habits, she teaches them that healthful living is fun and rewarding, which they find to be true on Field Day.

This story is best for preschoolers due to its mildly didactic nature. For primary grade students, it is appropriate to read this book before field day.

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

A Mango in the Hand: A Story Told through Proverbs

by Antonio Sacre

Summary: Guided by proverbs from his father and other relatives, Francisco makes several attempts to bring ripe mangoes home for dessert on his saint day, and in the process learns lessons in love and generosity. Includes glossary of Spanish words and phrases.

This is a fantastic book that teaches many morals at once. It is not a bilingual book in the sense that the entire story is written in both English and Spanish. However, this book contains Spanish phrase translated which makes it ideal for older children who are native Spanish speakers and are learning to read English. The book is lengthy and most appropriate for elementary students to read to themselves, but an adult could read this book with a young child with a long attention span one on one.

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

Chew, Chew, Gulp!

by Lauren Thompson

Summary; Illustrations and simple, rhyming text demonstrate a variety of ways to eat different foods

This book is a celebration of food! When reading aloud, listeners can be involved by making the noises that are in the book.

Interest Level: infant-age 4
Reading Level: grade 1

Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji

by F. Zia

Summary: Aneel and his grandfather, Dada-ji, tell stories, use their imaginations, and make delicious roti, a traditional Indian flatbread.

This is a fun story that is most appropriate for reading before cooling, especially roti. Other uses for this book are to celebrate grandparents and diversity. It is a great read for this summer’s national reading theme “One world Many Stories.”

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

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

by Roald Dahl

Summary: A young boy named Charlie finds a golden chocolate wrapper that is his ticket to a special tour through a chocolate factory.

I read this book in fifth grade and thoroughly enjoyed it. Many parts are funny in an obscure way, and I will admit I did not understand all of the humor until I re-read it later in life. It would be fun to have a class chocolate party after completing this book. Of course, a teacher would need to identify any allergies.

Inerest Level: grades 3-6
Reading Level: grade 5

Mean Soup

Mean Soup

by Betsy Everitt

Summary: Horace feels really mean at the end of a bad day, until he helps his mother make Mean Soup.

This is a fantastic book for discussing that everyone has bad days and that it is okay if one takes it out in a harmless way.

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

Little Mouse and the Big Cupcake

Little Mouse and the Big Cupcake

by Thomas Taylor

Summary: A very small mouse finds a very big chocolate chip, raspberry cream cupcake and must ask for help from his animal friends to get it home--all of whom agree in exchange for a little nibble.

This is an adorable book for discussing sharing, as well as reading before, during, or after eating cupcakes!

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
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

How Do Dinoasaurs Eat Their Food?

How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food?

by Jane Yolen

Summary: Describes how a dinosaur eats; with no rude noises and while sitting very still.

This is a funny, entertaining tale that may be used to discuss table manners. Each page has the dinosaurs labeled, though you may have to search to find it!

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

Nonna Tell Me a Story

Merry Little Christmas!

 

Nonna Tell Me a Story: Lidia's Christmas Kitchen

 by Lidia Bastianich

Summary: Italian-American chef Lidia Bastianich shares her memories of the Christmases she spent in Italy, where she learned to cook with her Nonna Rosa, and provides holiday recipes and decorating ideas.

This is a superb Christmas story. It is fantastic for discussing holiday traditions across cultures, and the importance of family.

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

Cooking with Henry and Elliebelly

Cooking with Henry and Elliebelly

by Carolyn Parkhurst

Summary: Five-year-old Henry, along with his two-year-old sister, pretends to make waffles on a make-believe television show.

This is an amusing story, especially for anyone who has had a younger sibling interfere with their plans. I would use it simply for entertainment, perhaps using different voices for the sibling, but it can also be used to discuss why older siblings do not always want to play with younger children.

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

Librarianjk recommends Christmas with the Mousekins

Christmas with the Mousekins

by Maggie Smith

Summary: A mouse family tells stories, bakes cookies, makes crafts, and more as they prepare for Christmas. Includes directions for each of the crafts and recipes for cookies.

This book is adorable with beautiful detailed pictures. The story is on the longer side, but a young child with a longer than average attention span would love it. In addition to the story, the pages include both new poems and twists on old songs.

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

Librarianjk recommends Ugly Pie

Ugly Pie

 by Lisa Wheeler

ummary: After baking a scrumptious ugly pie, made from ingredients donated by his neighbors, Ol' Bear invites everyone over for a slice. Includes pie recipe.

This is a fantastic book for reading aloud because of its repetitive nature. It would also be wonderful for reading before a cooking lesson, especially if making a pie or following the pie recipe at the back of the book.

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

Reading Level: grade 2