Chapter Book #11 The Underneath

TITLE: The Underneath
AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: This book was written by Kathi Appelt.
GENRE: Fiction Chapter Book
THEME: forming a friendship regardless of societies expectations
AWARDS: Newbery Honor Book, National Award Book Finalist, ALA notable Children's Book
CHARACTERS: Mother Calico Cat, Ranger, Gar-Face, Grandmother Moccasin 

PUBLISHING DATE AND COMPANY: Antheum Young Readers, 2008.

SUMMARY: An abandoned Mother Cat is about to have kittens.  Mother cat and Ranger, a hound dog form an unlikely friendship that will help keep one another alive.  The animals struggle to survive against the mean ruling of Gar-Face, the man who lives int he house.  The kittens, and the friend pair live underneath the house (hence the title).  With the help of each other and Grandmother Moccasin, the group will survive regardless of the abusive owner.  This story is a great way to display the idea of "being friends with someone no matter what others think" to younger children.  They will appreciate the animal version an understand it better.  This would also be a great way to introduce higher level thinking skills when dealing with segregation in history and other topics that are similar.

Chapter Book #12 What Jamie Saw

TITLE: What Jamie Saw
AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: This book was written by Carolyn Coman.
GENRE: Fiction Chapter book
THEME: domestic violence impact on a family
AWARDS: Newbery Honor Award
CHARACTERS: Jamie, Nin, Patty, Earl, Van

PUBLISHING DATE AND COMPANY: Puffin, 1997.

SUMMARY: This story is told from the perspective of Jamie, a little boy who sees his stepfather, Van, physically and verbally abuse his mother and younger sister.  This image haunts Jamie afterwards.  His mother, Patty, gets her and her children away from Van and begins to try and survive on her own in the not most desirable conditions.  However, with the help of a few kind people, Patty, Jamie, and Nin make it through a troubling situation.  This book is great for older children.  It could be useful in a classroom during domestic violence awareness week, or even when talking about bullying.

Chapter Book #10 Lily's Crossing

TITLE: Lily's Crossing
AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: This book was written by Patricia Reilly Giff.
GENRE: Historical Fiction Chapter Book
THEME: the effects of lying, the importance of friendship
AWARDS: Newbery Award
CHARACTERS: Lily, Albert, Lily's father (Poppy)

PUBLISHING DATE AND COMPANY: Bantam Doubleday dell, 1999.

SUMMARY: Lily's world completely changes in 1944.  Her best friend and her father move away from her home in New York, leaving Lily to have trust issues.  Lily then befriends Albert, a Hungarian refugee.  Their friendship forms quickly as they learn to depend on each other.  However, things begin to go awry when Lily lies to Albert by telling him she could get him back to Europe.  In order to find out what consequences will occur, read this excellent book!  This book would be great in a classroom to discuss the history of World War II.  Often, educators focus on the war and how it effected the general population; however, very rarely do we focus on a child's perspective.  This would be an excellent way for children to connect with Lily and Albert as they go through this trying time.

Picture Book #26 Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale

TITLE: Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale
AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: This book was written and illustrated by Mo Willems
GENRE: Fiction Picture Book
THEME: communication
AWARDS: Caldecott Award
CHARACTERS: Trixie, Daddy, Knuffle Bunny

PUBLISHING DATE AND COMPANY: Hyperion, 2004.

SUMMARY: Trixie, daddy, and Knuffle Bunny all take a trip to the Laundry mat.  While enjoying herself at the laundry mat, Trixie completely forgets her bunny.  However, because she is too young to speak real words, her daddy does not understand what she is saying.  Finally, when getting home, her mother informs her father that they forgot Knuffle Bunny!  This book is excellent for children to understand why communication is so important. This book would be an excellent introduction to a writing unit for communication and reading.

Picture Book #25 The Red Book

TITLE: The Red Book
AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: This book was written and illustrated by Barbara Lehman.
GENRE: Picture Book
THEME: The adventures found in a book
AWARDS: Caldecott Honor Book
CHARACTERS: Children who encounter the book

PUBLISHING DATE AND COMPANY: Houghton Mifflin Book for Children, 2004.

SUMMARY: This is an amazing wordless picture book that will take all readers on quite a journey!  A little girl who lives in the city discovers a red book covered by the snow.  In this book she finds a map of an island and sees pictures of a little boy reading the same book; however, in his red book the story shows the city-girl.  I see this book as a play on words.  When I see the word "red", I think of the homophone "read".  I think this story would be great  to demonstrate to children how "red"/"red" books can lead everyone to a different place/perspective; however, they will all enjoy it at the same rate.

Picture Book #24 Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

TITLE: Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: This book was written and illustrated by Mo Willems
GENRE: Fiction Picture Book
THEME: following directions under pressure
AWARDS: Caldecott Honor Book
CHARACTERS: Bus Driver, the Pigeon

PUBLISHING DATE AND COMPANY: Hyperion Press, 2003

SUMMARY: In this book, the readers are left responsible as the Bus Driver asks us to watch the bus ad "Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!"  Throughout the story the pigeon asks, begs, pleas, bargains to drive the bus.  All while the readers insist  that he cannot drive the bus.  This book is a humorous way to teach children that persistence in doing the right thing is always needed.

Picture Book #23 Color Zoo

TITLE: The Color Zoo
AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: This book was written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert.
GENRE: Fiction Picture Book
THEME: Physical attributes do not determine the outcome
AWARDS: Caldecott Honor Book, 1990.
CHARACTERS: lion, goat, monkey, ox, mouse

PUBLISHING DATE AND COMPANY: HaperCollins, 1989.

SUMMARY: Throughout this book, nine shapes and sixteen colors will change a lion into a mouse, and other animals along the way. This book is an excellent way to form the idea of "diversity"' in the classroom at a young age.  The book demonstrates that just because the animal looks different than the other does not mean they are not made from the same "shapes and colors".

Picture Book #22 Song and Dance Man

TITLE: Song and Dance Man
AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: This book was written by Karen Ackerman and illustrated by Stephen Gammell
GENRE: Fiction Picture Book
THEME: relationg to others' memories
AWARDS: Horn Book FanFare winner, 1988; Booklist Books for Youth Editors Choice, 1988; Caldecott Medal Winner, 1989
CHARACTERS: Grandpa, the three grandchildren

PUBLISHING DATE AND COMPANY: Dragonfly Book, 1988

SUMMARY: Three grandchildren follow their Grandpa up to the attic where memories are soon to be relived!  He shows them a cane, a hat, and tap shoes once they are in the attic.  He then puts his memory to use and begins to slide across the floor in order to show his grandchildren what it was like to dance and sing.  This story is excellent for grandparents appreciation day or even to show to appreciate elderly people.

Picture Book # 21 I Took the Moon for a Walk

TITLE: I took the Moon for a Walk
AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: This book was written by Carolyn Curtis and illustrated by Alison Jay
GENRE: Fiction Picture Book
THEME: learning through friendships
AWARDS: n/a
CHARACTERS: Moon, the little boy

PUBLISHING DATE AND COMPANY: Barefoot Books, 2004

SUMMARY: This is a lyrical book that is beautifully written.  The perspective of the story is told from the little boy when he befriends the moon.  They go all over and the moon and they little boy share great facts with one another.  This book is a softer book, so a nap time afterwards is likely a good idea! This would be excellent in a classroom to introduce a unit on space or the moon.

Picture Book #20 I Want my Hat Back

TITLE: I Want my Hat Back
AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: This book was written and illustrated by Jon Klassen
GENRE: Fiction Picture Book
THEME: Appropriate detective skills, remembering small details
AWARDS: 2012 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book
CHARACTERS: Bear, other woodland animals

PUBLISHING DATE AND COMPANY: Candlewick Press, 2011.

SUMMARY: The bear's hat is missing, which leaves him utterly confused.  He cannot remember where he put his hat and he cannot remember who might have had his hat.  He asks all of his neighbor inhabitants about his hat.  The animals all reply no, some say no quite precisely others elaborate more.  However, once he sees one animal his memory is sparked! Read this wonderful, hilarious picture book to see if Bear ever gets his poor hat back!


This book would be excellent in a classroom in order to show story development.  Because some characters elaborate on their answer to the bear, children can see how to elaborate characters and situations.

Picture Book #19 Clip-Clop

TITLE: Clip-Clop
AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: This book was written and illustrated by Nicola Smee.
GENRE: Fiction Picture Book
THEME: Having fun with friends.
AWARDS: n/a
CHARACTERS: Mr. Horse, Duck, Cat, Pig, Dog

PUBLISHING DATE AND COMPANY: Frances Lincoln, 2006.

SUMMARY: The animals, duck, cat, pig, and dog all love riding Mr. Horse.  However they always encourage Mr. Horse to go faster.  Mr. House proceeds to do just as his animal friends ask!  However, disasters await the animal friends-read to find out what happens!  This story is great for younger children to explore the idea of team work and how and when it is appropriate.

Picture Book #18 Tops and Bottoms

TITLE: Tops and Bottoms
AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: This book was written and illustrated by Janet Stevens.
GENRE: Fiction Picture Book
THEME: Hard work pays off.
AWARDS: Caldecott Honor Book
CHARACTERS: Bear and Rabbit/Hare

PUBLISHING DATE AND COMPANY: Harcourt, 2005.

SUMMARY: The lazy Bear is always sleeping through the cropping season; therefore, the Hare wants to take advantage of Bear's lack of labor.  He proposes the idea to Bear that he can pick "top or bottom" of the plot of land.  Whichever Bear picks, he never has a successful harvest.  This story helps show children the importance of hard work and how it will pay off.

Picture Book Number #17 Junkyard Wonders

TITLE: Junkyard Wonders
AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: This book was written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco.
GENRE: Fiction Picture Book
THEME: Being different or unique does not stop one from accomplishing goals.
AWARDS: n/a 
CHARACTERS: younger Trisha, Gibby, Jody, Stuart, Ravanne, Mrs. Peterson

PUBLISHING DATE AND COMPANY: Philomel, 20120.

SUMMARY: This story is told from the perspective of a young Patricia Polacco.  After moving away from her old school because of ridicule, "Trisha" encounters the same feeling at her new school.  However, in the "Junkyard Wonders" class (the special education classroom), she finds an excellent group of friends.  The teacher, Mrs. Peterson, splits them into tribes where the students become great friends.  Mrs. Peterson shows them why they are "Junkyard Wonders" and that they can accomplish any goal they set.  Through a sad turn of events, the "vanilla" tribe becomes closer than ever and attempts to accomplish their goals together, despite what others try to tell them.  This story is excellent for a classroom in order to show diversity.  With inclusion being such a popular strategy, it is vital to explain to students that "different" is not weird, that it is okay and should accepted as everything else is.