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

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

Pig Kahuna

by Jennifer Sattler

Summary: Fergus and his little brother, Dink, love collecting the things that wash up on the beach, especially if it means that Fergus doesn't actually have to go in the water. Then one day, they spy the greatest treasure of all—an abandoned surfboard. But when it accidentally gets cast back into the ocean, can Fergus find the courage to rescue it?

This is a humorous book that can be used to discuss overcoming fears, namely, swimming in the water.

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

The Water Hole

 by Graeme Base

As ever growing numbers of animals visit a watering hole, introducing the numbers from one to ten, the water dwindles.

This counting book has stunning illustrations. It is appropriate for discussing the environment and using resources sparingly.

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

I Love Vacations

by Anna Walker

Summary: A young zebra named Ollie enjoys his vacation by the sea.

This simple story is terrific for reading before a child’s first beach vacation!

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

Doodleday

by Ross Collins

Summary: Despite his mother's warning, young Harvey draws on Doodleday. But when his drawings come to life in frightening ways, only his mother can help.

This is an entertaining book. It is a unique tale with There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly elements.

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

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

The Legend of the Golden Snail

The Legend of the Golden Snail

by Graeme Base

Summary: Wilbur loves the legend of the Golden Snail, an enchanted galleon, and vows to become its next master.

This is a lengthy picture book. The vibrant illustrations in this book may help to hold younger readers’ attention. I recommend it to those who enjoy strange nautical adventures such as The Pirates of the Caribbean.

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

Librarianjk recommends Flotsam

Flotsam

by David Wiesner

Summary: The story of what happens when a camera becomes a piece of flotsam.

This is a very creative story. As with all wordless book, it is wonderful for teaching pre-reading skills, and asking children what is happening in the pictures. For older children, they may write a story about what is happening in the pictures.

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

Librarianjk recommends Shells! Shells! Shells!

Shells! Shells! Shells! 

by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

Summary: When Buddy Bear and his mother go to the beach, she teaches him all about shells and mollusks. Includes facts about shells.

This picture book is lengthily, but very cute. The illustrations are part drawing and part photograph of real shells. I would not recommend this book as a read aloud to a class, but I recommend reading it alone with one child.

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

Librarianjk recommends Lottie's New Beach Towel

Lottie's New Beach Towel

by Petra Mathers

Summary: Lottie the chicken has a number of adventures at the beach, during which her new towel comes in handy.

This book is very cute. It is good for discussing resourcefulness and re-use during Earth Day celebrations.

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

Librarianjk recommends Bats at the Beach

Bats at the Beach

by Brian Lies

Summary: On a night when the moon can grow no fatter, bats pack their moon-tan lotion and baskets of treats and fly off for some fun on the beach.

This book is a lot of fun. I recommend this book especially to bat and beach lovers.

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

Librarianjk recommends What If?

What If?

by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

What if a boy found a beach ball and kicked it into the ocean? What if two seals found it and began to play? What if a third seal appeared on the beach looking for a friend? Enjoy this visit to the beach and the chance to guess what happens when different choices are made.

This book is excellent to use as one can use a wordless picture book. With very little text, a child can tell what is going on in the pictures or create their own story. The illustrations are beautiful.

Interest Level: ages 2-4

Librarianjk recommends A Beach Tail

A Beach Tail

 by Karen Lynn Williams

When his father tells him not to leave the lion he is drawing on the beach, a little boy starts making a very, very long tail--and a trail to follow back.

This book has beautiful illustrations. This book is great to discuss beach safety and shore tides.

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

Librarianjk recommends City Dog, Country Frog

City Dog, Country Frog

by Mo Willems

Summary: Through the seasons, whenever City Dog visits the country he runs straight for Country Frog's rock to play games with him, but during the winter things change for them both.

This book is an emotional one that allows for much discussion. The water color illustrations are beautiful.

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

Librarianjk recommends Olive's Ocean

Olive's Ocean

by Kevin Henkes

Summary: On a summer visit to her grandmother's cottage by the ocean, twelve-year-old Martha gains perspective on the death of a classmate, on her relationship with her grandmother, on her feelings for an older boy, and on her plans to be a writer.

I recommend this book to students who enjoy realistic fiction and coming of age stories.

Interest Level: grades 4-6, grades 7-8
Reading Level: grade 6

Librarianjk recommends Ocean's Child

Ocean's Child

by Christine Ford

Summary: A mother and her child canoe along the Alaskan Beaufort seacoast, viewing Arctic marine wildlife

This book is very cute. It shows how sea animals sleep. With the books' beautiful illustrations and repetition of “to ocean’s child we say good night”, this is a great book to read before sleep. However, the first few times it is read a child may be excited to see how sea animals sleep!

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

Librarianjk recommends The Amazing Voyage of Jackie Grace

The Amazing Voyage of Jackie Grace

by Matt Faulkner

Summary: A young boy's imagination takes him on a wonderful adventure

This book was published in 1987; by today’s genres it would be called a graphic novel. Its format is similar to a comic strip. This is an excellent adventure picture book. The illustrations are fabulous!

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

Make A Splash! Summer Reading 2010 for First and Second Graders

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Make a Splash! Summer Reading 2010 for Pre-School and Kindergarten

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