Picture Book #10

Title-The Day the Babies Crawled Away

Author-Peggy Rathman

Illustrator-Peggy Rathman

Genre- Fiction

Subgenre-Realistic

Theme-Babies, Rescue, Picnicking, Humor

Primary and secondary characters-babies

Date of publication-2003

Publishing company-G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Brief summary-This is a cute book that starts out with moms and dads eating at a pie-eating contest.  The babies crawled away while their parents were distracted!  Peggy Rathman makes the reader the one to save the babies from the caves, trees, out on a ledge and more!  You will become the hero while reading this imaginative story. 

I would use this book to humor my students and make them feel special.  It is a funny story and they would easily pay attention to the interesting details. 

Picture Book #9

Title-Knuffle Bunny Too-A Case of Mistaken Identity

Author-Mo Willems

Illustrator-Mo Willems

Genre- Fiction

Subgenre-Realistic

Theme-Friendship, family, school, problem-solving, humor

Primary and secondary characters-Trixie, Knuffle Bunny, Sonja

Award(s)-Caldecott Honor, ALA Notable Book, Kirkus Review Best Book of the Year, Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Date of publication-2007

Publishing company-Hyperion Books for Children

Brief summary-This is a story about a young girl named Trixie and her favorite stuffed animal, Knuffle Bunny.  She gets so excited to take her bunny to school for show and tell.  When she gets to school that day, another student has the same bunny!  Somehow these bunnies get switched and the girls become distraught.  The parents find a solution, and the girls decide to be best friends. 

I would use this book to show students how important friendship and sharing are. 

Chapter Book #4

Title-Little Rat Makes Music

Author-Monika Bang-Campbell

Illustrator-Molly Bang

Genre-Chapter Book

Subgenre-Fantasy Fiction

Theme-Violin, Music, Concerts, Rats

Primary and secondary characters-Little Rat, Mama Rat, Daddy Rat, Miss Wingbutton, Kitty

Award(s)- Center for Children's Books, Blue Ribbon Book 

Award

Date of publication-2007

Publishing company-Harcourt Books

Brief summary-Little Rat wants to learn how to play music, but she hates practicing on her violin. She also doesn’t like that her violin squawks a lot.  But her new teacher is very patient and asks Little Rat to play with one of the more experienced students in a duet.  Little Rat has enough support to learn how to make beautiful music.

How would you use the book with students-I would use this book to show young readers that with persistence, dedication and practice, you can achieve any goal. 

Chapter Book #3

Title-The Friendship

Author-Mildred D. Taylor

Illustrator-Max Ginsburg

Genre-Chapter Book

Subgenre-Realistic Fiction

Theme-African Americans, Southern states, Race relations, Prejudices

Primary and secondary characters- Cassie, Stacey, Tom Bee, John Wallace, The Logan family

Award(s)-Coretta Scott King Award, an ALA Notable Book

Date of publication-1987

Publishing company-Puffin Books

Brief summary-This is a story of two men in Mississippi and their racial confrontation in 1933.   A black man saves a white man when they were young and they promise to stay friends.  Cassie and her brothers must be careful what they say around white people.  They witness some brutal scenes one summer afternoon.

How would you use the book with students-I would use this book to show students how hard life was for black people before the Civil Rights movement.  It shows how serious racial struggles were for blacks and would be a good book to help children understand what racism is/was.  This would be better for older readers though because of the complex, southern language.

Chapter Book #2

Title-Stinky Stern Forever

Author-Michelle Edwards

Illustrator-Michelle Edwards

Genre-Chapter Book

Subgenre-Realistic Fiction

Theme-Bullies, Death, Schools, Friendship

Primary and secondary characters-Pa Lia, Mrs. Fennessey, Howie, Calliope

Award(s)- Gryphon Award

Date of publication-2005

Publishing company-Harcourt Books

Brief summary-Pa Lia is teased by Matthew “Stinky” Stern just like all the kids in their second grade class.  But when Stinky runs out into the road without looking, Mrs. Hennessey’s class is changed forever.  The death of Stinky affects everyone as they share their stories about him, good and bad.  He is gone forever.

How would you use the book with students-This book is very serious and about the death of child who gets hit by a car.  It is suggested for ages 6-9.   I would use this to show students about bullying and consequences of running out into a street.  Also, it would be great to show children why we always are nice to others.

Chapter Book #1

Title-Poppy

Author-Avi

Illustrator-Brian Floca

Genre-Chapter Book

Subgenre-Unrealistic Fiction

Theme-Love, friendship, loss, humor

Primary and secondary characters-Poppy and Mr. Ocax

Award(s)- Maryland Children’s Book Award; Boston Globe-Horn Book Award; Land of Enchantment Book Award; ALA Notable Children’s Book; ALA Booklist Editor’s Choice

Date of publication-1995

Publishing company-Orchard Books

Brief summary-Mr. Ocax is a great horned owl who watches over all of the Dimwood Forest.  He is the ruler and everyone must answer to him.   When Poppy and her boyfriend, Ragweed, decide to go dancing in the moonlight on Bannock Hill without permission from Mr. Ocax,  Ragweed gets eaten by the owl.  Poppy barely escapes.  Later, Poppy must get permission from Mr. Ocax to move to a new house and a new farm.  Mr. Ocax immediately says no and Poppy decides to set off on her own journey.

How would you use the book with students-This book is a sweet fable and is a great way to teach courage to students ages 11-14.  It is humorous and charming.