Insect Detective by Steve Voake illustrated by Charlotte Voake

A wonderful addition to many insect books. A multi-level book- in addition to the main "story line" in smaller font there are additional, more specific insect facts.  The illustrations are earthy, light in hue.  At the end the author suggests several fun insect activities to experience first hand these amazing creatures.  Even includes an index.  A great book to show a preschool the layout and format of a nonfiction book.

Little Owl's Scarf by Tatyana Feeney

Little Owl's mother knits him an orange scarf.  He does not like it and tries to lose it.  Together, Little Owl and his mother, create new scarf that he likes.  The illustrations, which are created in only orange, aqua/teal and black, add humor and more details to this simple, fun story.  Pair with "No Roses For Harry" by Gene Zion and discuss how the stories are similar yet different.

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

One day when Duncan reaches in his desk for his crayons, he finds a stack of letters addressed to him. . .from his crayons.  Each color has written him a letter-mostly of complaints on how he uses them (or not uses them).  At the end of the story, Duncan listens to their suggestions and creates a very creativity picture (and crayon)!  Delightful humorous story and illustrations.
Teachers could use as an example of how to write from a different point of view and personifying.

The Story of Fish and Snail by Deborah Freedman

Fish and Snail live in a book.  Fish is the adventurous one, leaving their book to explore other books and then shares his adventures with Snail.  One day Fish wants to Snail to leave his familiar home/book and experience the story.  Snail is reluctant.  The friends argue.  A story of compromise.
The illustrations are dynamic-the water and Fish and Snail seem to move through the water and leap off the pages.  The story was a bit lacking-when it ended, it seem abrupt.

Two Old Potatoes and Me by John Coy illustrated by Carolyn Fisher

A girl almost throws out two old potatoes but her dad stops her.  Together they plant the potatoes and watch their progress as they grow into plants and then finally into lots more potatoes!  The book depicts a thorough process of planting, caring for and anticipating a crop of vegetables (even includes a part where they must remove the potato bugs!!).  The girl's parents are divorced.  The story takes place only at the dad's house but they talk a bit about what she is doing with her mom at her house.  The page layouts are all over the place which makes it unique but not good for story time for a large group.  A recipe for mashed potatoes is shared at the end.

The Gigantic Turnip by Aleksei Tolstoy illustrated by Niamh Sharkey

This version of the Russian folktale adds some more characters to assist in the turnip pulling-canaries, geese, hens, pigs.  More descriptive words are utilized in this retelling than the traditional and tinges of humor are sprinkled throughout the story.  The illustrations are whimsical yet allude to the folk art style.  I like this retelling the best of the ones I have read so far.

The Gigantic Sweet Potato by Dianne de Las Casas

Adapted from the Russian  folktale "The Giant Turnip".
A repeated rhyme throughout could be used during read aloud-as a chant
Sweet Potato pie recipe is included in the back along with facts about sweet potatoes.  Included in the fact section is a blurb about George Washington Carver.
This version would be fun to include when reading the original Russian folktale.

The Great Big Enormous Turnip by Alexei Tolstoy illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

The traditional story
 This book was Helen Oxenbury's second picture book.  Her style has certainly changed over the years.  This version was first published in 1968 in England.  I like her current style better!  She is married to John Burningham (author and illustrator).

The Enormous Turnip by Alexei Tolstoy illustrated by Scott Goto

A Green Light Reader book for grades 1-2
Illustrator Scott Goto makes this version of the Enormous Turnip a stand out. The illustrations are bold, colorful and realistic.
Perfect for beginning readers.

In the Garden with Dr. Carver by Susan Grigsby

An AV2 Fiction Readalong book where reader enters the book's code and then the book is read aloud to them on the computer.
This historical fiction book shares about George Washington Carver's many discoveries about plants and how his main focus was on taking care of the soil and improving its production rate.  Told from a girl's point of view, facts about Dr. Carver are revealed as he interacts with the girl and her classmates at their school and as he teaches them how to garden.

Castles, Caves and Honeycombs by Linda Ashman illustrated by Lauren Stringer

Different animal homes are shared.  Precise words are used for each home so children learn some vocabulary.  Each one is perfect for its inhabitant. Very simple text.  Ends with children snug in their beds.  I think the book would have been even more informative if additional tidbits about the animal and its home would have been included at the end (and the animals' names).

Gifted Hands The Ben Carson Story by Ben Carson, M.D. with Cecil Murphey

An inspiring story how a boy from the inner-city pursues excellence and academics because of his mother's encouragement and God's transforming power.  In  a humble manner he shares his successes as a pediatric neurosurgeon including surgery on Siamese twins.  Photos are included.

Crankee Doodle by Tom Angleberger

The main character is really cranky and whiny!  Banter occurs between the "Yankee" and his pony.  Tidbits of truth and history are inserted as the Yankee argues and whines.  At the end the author includes the history of the song "Yankee Doodle".  The illustrations are bold, comic-like and are mostly in primary colors.  Include as a read aloud in an early American History unit if you do not mind sarcasm and bad attitudes!

The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut-Bowling Alley Bandit by Laurie Keller

Arnie the doughnut and his beloved "owner" Mr. Bing share an adventure in a bowling alley.
I liked the original picture book that introduced everyone to Arnie better.  My six year old son thought this chapter book was funny.  The illustrations are comic-like.  Lots of humor!  This title is book one in a new series.  

Hero Tales A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Christian Heroes by Dave and Neta Jackson

A collection of stories about people who lived out their faith and made a difference.  The format for each person is: a short biography and then three short stories relating events from their life and the choices they made.  Each story focuses on a character trait.  Also included are a full page drawing of each person, a definition of the character trait as it relates to God and our faith, a Scripture passage and questions for further discussion.
Examples of people included in this book are:  David Livingstone, Martin Luther, Dwight L. Moody, Menno Simons, Hudson Taylor, Harriet Tubman, William Tyndale and John Wesley and others.
Both boys, ages 3 and 6, enjoyed these stories and often asked me to read more than one story at a time.

Scien-Trickery Riddles in Science by J. Patrick Lewis

Nineteen poems that are also riddles are science themed.  Some topics are lasers, rust, lunar eclipse, magnets, electricity.  The last page provides additional information about each topic.  

The Chance by Karen Kingsbury

Karen Kingsbury is amazing how she keeps creating and writing well developed stories.  This novel reinforces how God is always working in the lives of His people and that He truly will work things out for the best to those who love Him.

Oh No, Jonah!

Bold, colorful illustrations.
Rhyming text retell this familiar story.
This author has written more Bible stories that I would like to read.