Poem-Mobiles by J.Patrick Lewis and Douglas Florian illustrated by Jeremy Holmes

"Crazy Car Poems"
A very fun, imaginative collection of transportation poems!
Creative table of contents and a humorous introduction poem.
The illustrations enhance the poems and their silliness.
Some examples: dragonwagon, hot dog car, banana split car
Lots of puns/play on words

Maple by Lori Nichols

When Maple was just "a whisper", her parents planted a maple tree to honor her life.  Maple grew up loving to play around and under the tree.  When her a new addition enters the family, Maple introduces her sister to the maple tree.  Through the pictures, the reader can infer that the parents have planted a tree in honor of the baby sister-a willow.  The baby sister's name?  Willow!
Sweet, sweet illustrations.
**I would read The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein after or before reading this title and make T-T connections.

Eat Like a Bear by April Pulley Sayre illustrated Steve Jenkins

Follow a grizzly bear from the time she awakens in spring until she nestles down for the winter in November.  Witness the various foods that are available at those times of the year and how a grizzly bear goes about eating the food.
Told with Ms. Sayre's typical rhyme and rhythm chants.
Of course, Mr. Jenkins' art is amazing!
A two page spread sharing more facts about bears and what they eat are in the back of the book.

I Spy Pets by Edward Gibbs*

Another adorable book by Mr. Gibbs.  Readers can peer through a spy hole and try to guess what pet is on the next page.  Written clues include descriptive words about the pet's outer "skin/fur" and what they like to eat.  At the bottom of each page is a drawing of their typical home.
A great series to introduce predicting/inferring by using background knowledge to our youngest readers/scholars.
Sturdy cover and pages.
*Highly recommend.
Others in series: I Spy With My Little Eye, I Spy Under the Sea, and I Spy on the Farm (reviewed on this blog too)

Tim and Ginger by Edward Ardizzone*

If you are looking for a longer picture book to read to your preschooler or Kindergartner, the "Tim" series by Edward Ardizzone is a great choice.
Tim is a boy who lives by the sea who has many adventures.  In this book Tim and his best friend Ginger have a scary experience being stranded out in the ocean.
*Highly recommend.

Unicorns by Lucille Recht Penner illustrated by Mel Grant

Stepping Stones  R.L. 2.8
An engaging chapter book that explores the history and legends of unicorns.
Short chapters make this a book an appealing one to reluctant readers.

Magic Tree House #37 Dragon of the Red Dawn by Mary Pope Osborne illustrated by Sal Murdocca

Jack and Annie must find four secrets of happiness to help their beloved Merlin.  To find one secret of happiness they travel to Old Japan where they meet Basho who saves them from fierce Samurai.

Chalk by Bill Thomson*

Three children come to a playground on a rainy day.  They discover a gift bag full of chalk hanging from a plastic dinosaurs mouth.  As they draw, all magic breaks loose!!  Not the boring, rainy day they thought it was!!
*Highly recommend!!!
Strategies: sequencing, predicting, inferring.

Fossil by Bill Thomson*

Mr. Thomson is an amazing illustrator!
In this one a boy and his dog discover fossils which make for a very adventurous day!
Strategies: sequencing, inferring, predicting
*Highly recommend!!

A Single Pebble A Story of the Silk Road by Bonnie Christensen*

Young Mei longs to travel with her father to the end of the road.  Of course she is not permitted to go.  Instead she sends along a pebble and her father gives it to a monk who in turn gives it to a sandalwood  trader and until the pebble really does reach the end of the road.
An intriguing story.
Wonderful map of the route on the end pages plus historical notes from the author.
*Highly recommend.
Strategy: sequencing

Rotten Richie and the Ultimate Dare by Patricia Polacco

Richie and Trisha each have their own pursuits.  Near disaster strikes as each one attempts to participate in each other's sports.
Funny!
Based on the author/illustrator's childhood.

Chicken Sunday by Patricia Polacco*

Trisha's friends, Stewart and Winnie, have a wonderful grandmother named Miss Eula.  When they notice her admiring a hat in Mr. Kodinski's hat shop, they try to save enough money to purchase it for her by Easter.  Their earnings come in an unusual manner!!
*Highly recommend.
Based on the author/illustrator's childhood.

Some Birthday! by Patricia Polacco

Trisha believes that her father and the rest of her family have forgotten about her birthday.  They have a night of adventure with the Monster at Clay Bottom.  Trisha does not forget this birthday!
Story from author/illustrator's childhood.

Judy Moody by Megan McDonald illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds*

Judy Moody is not thrilled about beginning school again and has a negative attitude on the first day of school.  Many more days offer her opportunities to be in a horrible mood but she soon learns how to take negative circumstances and rise above them.
Love the family dynamics and the imaginative minds of Judy, her brother Stink and her friends.
Skills/strategies: figurative language, inferring, character development,
*Highly recommend.  More books in series!

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper*

Melody has cerebral palsy yet has an incredibly intelligent mind.  Because she cannot talk and is severely physically handicapped, people around her doubt her intellect.  Her supportive parents and amazing neighbor Mrs. V help her achieve more than she can imagine.
Heartbreaking . . .reveals how people automatically judge and can be mean-spirited/selfish.  The story does not end perfectly.
I think every upper elementary and junior high student should hear/read this book.
*Highly recommend.
Skills: character traits/character study

Just Me and 6,000 Rats by Rick Walton illustrated by Mike Gordan and Carl Gordan

"A Tale of Conjunctions"
A boy enters a town with 6,000 rats.  They enjoy all the sights the town has to offer until the mayor and other official people tell them to leave.  The last page with evoke giggles!
Each page ends with a different conjunction.  The conjunction is in a different font color from the rest of the words.
Skill: conjunctions

Dog's Colorful Day by Emma Dodd*

"A Messy Story about Colors and Counting"
A wonderful combination of identifying colors and counting to ten.
*Highly recommend.

Hippospotamus by Jeanne Willis illustrated by Tony Ross

Hippopotamus has a red spot on her back side.  Various animal friends offer her diagnoses.  The ending is quite funny!!
Rhyming text.

Winnie the Pooh by A.A.Milne illustrated by Ernest H. Shephard*

A classic!
These chapters had my four year old son giggling!
*Highly recommend.

The Eleventh Hour by Graeme Base*

"A Curious Mystery"
Love this author/illustrator!
Horace the elephant invites his friends to share his eleventh birthday celebration.  When it is time to eat, the delectable food spread has been devoured/destroyed.  In the illustrations clues await the reader to solve the mystery.  Answer keys in the back.

Cloud Dance by Thomas Locker*

I shared this book with preschoolers and K students and they thought the illustrations were photographs!

Mr. Locker is an amazing illustrator!

After studying different types of clouds, older students could look at the various illustrations and decide which type of cloud each page contains.

More facts about clouds in the back plus a few cloud activities/crafts.  

*Highly recommend.

It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw*

Various shapes clouds can be.
Repetitive sentences so fun to share with a group and have them call out what shape it is.
*Highly recommend.
Fun craft: fold blue construction paper in half.  Lay flat. Around and  on the crease dribble white paint.  Then child folds it, squishing the paint to create their own cloud.  Then they can state what it is and label it.

Little Cloud by Eric Carle

Observe little cloud changing shapes and then joining other clouds to produce lots of rain!
A fun book to share at story time!
This book can be found in board book, regular paper back and big  book format.

The Cloud Book by Tomie dePaola

A fun book to introduce different types of clouds.
Even a cloud index!

Dog Breath by Dav Pilkey*

We loved this book!
Tosis family owns a dog with very bad breath-Hally.  After the kids try various methods to rid her of the horrible breath, they conclude with sadness that only a miracle can solve the problem.  A miracle comes in an unexpected form.
A great book to use to model/practice predicting and to demonstrate how illustrations help tell the story.
Strategies: predicting/confirming, story elements, sequencing

Sheepchase by Paul Rogers illustrated by Celia Berridge

Flossie, the sheep, escapes while Jack, the boy shepherd, naps on a haystack.  She has her eyes set on the country fair.  The reader will enjoy trying to find Flossie in each illustration as she eludes her pursuers.
Picturesque British countryside illustrations.
We enjoyed peering at the small bird's eye view of the countryside setting on the title page.

Nate the Great and the Snowy Trail by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat illustrated by Marc Simont*

Rosamond loses Nate the Great's birthday gift so he must try to find it.  When he does find it, he is not so sure that is a good thing that he is a good detective!!
Love this series!-*Highly recommend

Brimsby's Hats by Andrew Prahin*

Brimsby, the hat maker, enjoys making hats and daily visits from his best friend.  In time his best friend leaves the area to pursue a dream career.  As Brimsby deals with is loneliness, he discovers that one can have more friends and still keep the first and treasured one.
All the characters are animals.
The illustrations are an interesting pastel palette.
Strategies: predicting, theme/main idea

Clara and Davie by Patricia Polacco*

"The True Story of Young Clara Barton  The Founder of the American Red Cross"
Ms. Polacco has written many books based on her family history.  Here we discover that Ms. Polacco is related to Clara Barton!!
A very interesting story about Clara's childhood.  A sweet book about sibling loyalty and love.
Strategies: connections, inferring

Beware of the Frog by William Bee

Sweet Mrs. Collywobbles lives at the edge of a dark, scary woods.  Her protection?  Her pet frog!  Creatures like a goblin, troll, and an ogre threaten to eat her but the frog proves his worth.  When Mrs. Collywobbles asks how to thank him, she is in for a big surprise but the frog is in for a bigger surprise!!
Some readers (mostly parents) will find the end a bit disturbing . . .to some it will be funny!

And the Train Goes by William Bee

The illustrations remind me of Drummerhoff and 1970's! Various people enter a train and make specific sounds and/or phrases.  A parrot repeats everything it has heard at the end of the story.

Elephant's Story by Tracey Campbell Pearson

Gracie loses her favorite book at the zoo.  The elephant sees it and by accident sniffs up the words.
Gracie returns and helps the elephant put the letters into words and the words into a story.
A great book to read when talking with students about language and words/stories.
My favorite parts were: the elephant's friends-a word was made floating above them using the letters from the book that related to the animal and the alphabet on the end pages made out of an elephant's body!

Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle

A 2014 Caldecott Honor book
A wordless book shares how a girl, Flora and a flamingo learn to dance with each other.
Fun lift the flaps.  Great expressions and drawn with fluidity.
Mostly a pink palette.
Strategy: inferring

Peek-A-Boo Bunny by Holly Surplice

A sweet story of bunny playing hide and seek with his friends.
It is fun for the reader to find the friends who are hiding.
The mixed media and collages are well put together-gives it an unique texture.

Worst of Friends by Suzanne Tripp Jurmain illustrated by Larry Day*

Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and the True Story of an American Feud
Well written-entertaining yet the reader learns a lot about Colonial America and its beginnings plus interesting information about two presidents.
*Highly recommend.
Skill: compare/contrast

I Spy on the Farm by Edward Gibbs*

What a clever book!!
Each new page starts with, "I spy with my little eye . ." and then it mentions the color and the first letter of the animal.  For an additional clue, it has the animal's sound in a speech bubble.  A peep hole has part of the animal's fur/feathers and another peep holes has its eye.  On the bottom of each spread is place where the animal likes to reside-for the pig there is lots of mud pictured.
Strategies: background knowledge, predicting
Skills: letter sounds/identification, colors
The book itself is on the bigger side with a sturdy cover and thicker pages.  Smart thinking since it is one that kids will want to revisit!

Hey, Rabbit! by Sergio Ruzzier

As Rabbit strolls along with his suitcase various animals come up to him and request a specific item from his suitcase.  Rabbit delivers in a big way!!
Strategy: predicting/confirming predictions

Colors for Zena by Monica Wellington*

I love Ms. Wellington's books for preschoolers.  Bold, colorful illustrations, simple text.
This one is about Zena mixing the primary colors to create more colors.
In the back is a color wheel with suggested color activities.
*Highly recommend.

Clam I AM All About the Beach by Tish Rabe illustrated by Aristides Ruiz and Joe Mathieu*

The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library
Beginning readers can learn all about the beach and the creatures that reside there through this fun rhyming book.
*Highly recommend.
Text Features: glossary, further reading, index
Lots more titles in the series(space, birds, rain forest, dinosaurs, weather, seeds, bugs, maps, fish, trees, mammals)

The King's Chessboard by David Birch illustrated by Devis Grebu*

The King of India wishes to reward the wise man who has served him well.  The wise man, however, does not wish to rewarded.  The King pushes until the wise man asks to be given rice but the amount doubling after each day.
The King learns about the danger/outcome of pride and about being content.
Excellent story!
*Highly recommend.

Super Nature Encyclopedia by Derek Harvey*

DK Smithsonian  "The 100 Most Incredible Creatures on the Plant"
Full of incredible photographs and amazing facts
Each animal has "stats and facts" section plus "at a glance" box
Text Features: table of contents, diagrams, charts, comparisons, close ups, picture captions, cutaways/cross sections, glossary, chart of abbreviations, index
*Highly recommend.

God's Creation series by Michael and Caroline Carroll Cartoons by Travis King*

Four books in the series told from a Creationist perspective.

1-Space and Time

2-Sky and Sea

3-Rocks and Minerals

4-Fish, Bugs, and Birds

Full of amazing facts. Even mentions how some Creationists have differing views of the meaning of "days" vs. "ages".  

Text Features: headings, subtitles, photographs, diagrams/arrows, closeups, index

*Highly recommend.

Whose Mouth Is This? by Lisa Morris Kee illustrated by Ken Landmark

Readers view a two page illustration with part of the animal's mouth visible.  Readers must infer whose mouth it is.  More facts on each page plus in the back.
Very fun!
Strategy: inferring

The Boxcar Children #50 Mystery in the Cave created by Gertrude Chandler Warner illustrated by Charles Tang

The Alden children stay at camp to explore caves and rock hunt.  As they venture into a cave, they encounter some interesting adults who do not want them there!

Jon Scieszka's Trucktown Truckery Rhymes illustrated/layout by David Shannon, Loren Long, and David Gordon*

Nursery Rhymes with trucks and other machinery.
Very clever.  Helps if the reader knows traditional nursery rhymes to get the humor.
Strategy: T-Tconnections
*highly recommend.

Little Red Train-All Aboard! by Benedict Blathwayt *

Six stories featuring a red train and his driver Duffy.  All stories take place in England.
We love the illustrations-full of details . . .make you want to visit the English countryside.
I bought this collection five years ago and am so glad we own it!
*Highly recommend.
A transitional reader could read these stories.

Peppe The Lamplighter by Elisa Bartone illustrations by Ted Lewin

Based on  a real family, real history and real setting.
Peppe needs a job to support an ill father and many sisters.  As he searches for a job in Little Italy, the only job he can find is a substitute lamplighter.  His father is disappointed and ashamed.  Peppe slowly crumbles beneath his father's disapproval until he proves that his job is one that is valuable.
Strategies: inferring; reading with expression
Award:  Caldecott Honor

Big Al by Andrew Clements illustrated by Yoshi*

Big Al, the fish, longs for friends but his bulging eyes and enormous teeth scare all the other fish away.  One day Big Al proves to the other fish that he is truly a nice fish.
Discussion to follow could include: judging how others look; accepting people who are different from you; kindness
Strategy: predicting, inferring (feelings), determining importance-sequencing

Saint Valentine by Ann Tompert illustrated by Kestutis Kasparavicius*

A wonderful book to read on Valentine's Day.  Ms. Tompert explains the various legends about Saint Valentine with a story layout.  It was not overly didactic yet the reader learns a lot about this Saint and the possible Valentine's Day traditions.  The author's note at the end offers more information about Saint Valentine and the possible connections of the legends tot our current traditions.
*Highly recommend.

Big George How a Shy Boy Became President Washington by Anne Rockwell illustrated by Matt Phelan*

A very thorough, interesting book that focuses on Washington's life with his half brother Lawrence and then his progression in the military to his election of the country's first president.
A longer picture book-great for the intermediate grades.
The illustrations are very pastel/light.
One learns a lot about our country's early beginnings when reading this book.
*Highly recommend.  One I would like to buy.

An Awesome Book of Love! by Dallas Clayton

Whimsical, fun illustrations.  Rhyming text declaring one's love for another.
Sweet!

Make It 100! Little World Math Concepts by Joanne Mattern

A very simple book with bold photographs.  This books shows how to count to 100 by 1's, 2's, 5's and 10's.  It is simple enough for a first grader to read (beginning/transitional reader).
Great for the 100th day of school.
More in the series: number line; plus 0,minus 0; plus 2, minus 2; math toolbox, sequence, fraction and addition/multiplication

Reading in the Wild by Donalyn Miller with Susan Kelley*

"The Book Whisperer's Keys to Cultivating Lifelong Reading Habits"
Ms. Miller and Ms. Kelley created a wild reader survey.  Based on its outcomes they came up with traits that "wild readers" exhibit and expound on them.  Easy to read with helpful ideas.
Useful notebook sheets and surveys are included in the Appendices.  A genre book list recommended by wild readers is also in the Appendices.
*Highly recommend.

Guys Read Funny Business Edited by Jon Scieszka

Ten funny short stories by excellent authors.  Boys will enjoy these stories.  Your typical potty humor in some stories, adventure, gross behavior.
One disturbing story that I did not enjoy- A Fistful of Feathers (it was well written but did not like the father-son relationship and it was sort of gross  . . .but the grossness of it proves how effective the author wrote!!!).
Some stories end abruptly and do not have a nice, neat ending.
The boys in the stories do not represent model-behavior.  It might be awhile before I let my boys read them.  Parents should preview to see if they are okay with content.
Target audience is for 8-12 year old boys . . .I would not let my sons hear/read these stories when they are second graders.

Goldie Locks Has Chicken Pox by Erin Dealey illustrated by Hanako Wakiyama

Different fairy tale characters and nursery rhyme characters appear as Goldie deals with her chicken pox.
Strategy: connections

A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams

The main character and her mother are saving their spare change to buy a new chair.  All of their possessions burned in a fire at their previous home.
Sweet-family working together.
Author's craft-flashback

Betsy Who Cried Wolf! by Gail Carson Levine illustrated by Scott Nash*

Betsy really does see a wolf but the sly wolf hides. As a result the farmers of the town do not believe her and they punish her.  Betsy takes matters into her capable hands and surprises the town with the results.
*Highly recommend.
Strategy: connections/venn diagram

Cranberry Thanksgiving by Wende and Harry Devlin*

Maggie invites her friend Mr. Whiskers to her and Grandmother's Thanksgiving dinner.  Grandmother is not thrilled.  She, on the other hand, invites elegant Mr. Horace.  Looks can be deceiving!
*Highly recommend.
Wonderful series!

The Boy Who Cried Wolf by Bob Hartman illustrated by Tim Raglin*

Little Wolf is tired of lambchops and Sloppy Does and longs to eat Boy.  So one day he cries out, "Boy!" to avoid eating his dinner.  As a result, dinner is ruined and they have snacks for dinner!  Since it worked so well the first night, he proceeds to do this the next night.  His parents realize his trickery and a lesson is learned.
Strategies: connections/venn diagram

Meet Abraham Lincoln by Patricia A. Pingry illustrated by Stephanie McFetridge Britt

Adorable illustrations.  Lots of information about Mr. Lincoln's life.  Tells about his assassination but does not show the shooting, just the steam engine carrying him to Springfield, Illinois.

George Washington's Teeth by Deborah Chandra and Madeline Comora illustrated by Brock Cole

This humorous book shares how George Washington struggled from tooth pain throughout his career.  In rhyming text this book is fun to read aloud and share.
Love Mr. Cole's drawing style!
Wonderful addition in the back:  time line with "important events in his life-from his own letters, diaries and accounts".  **Two photos of his actual dentures too!!
*Highly recommend.

Our Abe Lincoln by Jim Aylesworth illustrated by Barbara McClintock*

I love this team!  I love Ms. McClintock's illustration style.
The story is told to the tune of the folk song "The Old Grey Mare".  Abe Lincoln's life is told via children acting it out on stage.  They do share his assassination but only the funeral procession.
Wonderful addition in the back: Each verse in the song is explained with more detail.
*Highly recommend.

President George Washington by Kathy Allen illustrated by Len Ebert*

"Our American Story" series
The cover did not draw me to it but wow, this book does a wonderful job of sharing Washington's life from the time he fought in the Revolutionary War to his retirement.  The last page also talks about the Washington Monument.  It is also wonderful because it shares how our country was started and all the work people dedicated to make sure it was run well.  The U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights are mentioned.
I like it especially because the text was written simply enough that mature preschooler could sit and listen and learn.  Not many books out about the presidents that can accomplish that!
*Highly recommend.
Text structure: timeline, glossary, learn more section
More in this series:  The First American Flag, Paul Revere's Ride, Writing the U.S. Constitution.

Abe Lincoln The Boy Who Loved Books by Kay Winters illustrated by Nancy Carpentar*

Very comprehensive book about Lincoln's life from an early age to being elected as president.  The common theme throughout the book is how he loved books, words and learning.
The illustrations are folk art-like.
*Highly recommend.

Abe Lincoln's Hat by Martha Brenner illustrated by Donald Cook*

"Step into Reading-Step 2  Grades 1-3"
A true story how A. Lincoln stored important papers in his hat.
Real photos of the individuals who are in the story are provided in the back.
*Highly recommend.

Who Will See Their Shadows This Year? by Jerry Pallotta illustrated by David Biedrzycki

Different animals are impatient for spring to arrive.  To hurry its arrival, they try seeing their shadows.  What their shadows bring is not what  they had in mind!
Very funny, simple text.
My four year old son giggled a lot throughout the reading.
Bold illustrations with animals wearing comical expressions.

It's Valentine's Day by Jack Prelutsky illustrated by Yossi Abolafia

A collection of humorous Valentine's Day poems.
Perfect transitional/independent readers.

Hang Glider and Mud Mask by Brian McMullen and Jason Jagel

Two books in one that join together at their endings.  Very unique.
My seven year old son thought it was "cool".

The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man by Michael Chabon illustrated by Jake Parker

A great story of a boy pretending to be a super hero.
Advocates imagination.  Moms will like the last page. :-)
Strategy: inferring

Superhero ABC by Bob McLeod*

A created superhero for each letter of the alphabet.  Most words describing the superhero and other people talking in the picture begin with that letter.  Very bold, colorful illustrations-very appealing.
Both my boys love it.
Skill:  Alliteration, word choice
*Highly recommend

Getting to Know . . Nature's Children-Pandas and Lions by Merebeth Switzer (Pandas) and Elizabeth MacLeod

Part of a nonfiction series that my seven year old son enjoys.
Great nonfiction for the transitional reader.
Text structure: contents, headings, photos, picture captions, maps, glossary and index.
Published in 1988 so quite old but still great!

One Smile by Cindy McKinley illustrated by Mary Gregg Byrne

A young girl smiles at a sad young man and the kindness continues from one person to the next until it comes back to the girl who started it.

The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond

Cornelia Augusta goes walking one February day.  Hearts pour down on her.  She catches them and creates special valentine cards for very special friends.
Sweet.

The Night Before Valentine's Day by Natasha Wing illustrated by Heidi Petach*

To the style of Clement Moore's Night Before Christmas, this book reveals what various children are doing to prepare for the festive day.
Very fun and humorous!!  Love the principal and the secret admirer.
*Highly recommend.

Apple Cake A Recipe for Love by Julie Paschkis

Alfonso tries to attract Ida's attention.  But her nose is always in a book and ignores his advances.  He finally breaks through her single-focused mind when he bakes her an apple cake.  Recipe is included in the back.
Whimsical, fantastical illustrations.

It's Milking Time by Phyllis Alsdurf illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher

A beautiful depiction of a father and daughter milking cows together.  Took me back to my childhood.
Great word choice that lends itself to visualizing and the senses.
This farm and its set up is definitely not modern.  The girl is dressed as a girl would dress/appear today but the equipment and is from at least 50 years ago!

Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson illustrated by Fumi Kosaka

Mary, a young girl, decides to leave blueberries on her neighbor's doorstep which leads to a series of kind acts.  Includes the number of possible people impacted . . . a snowball effect!

The Biggest Kiss by Joanna Walsh and illustrated by Judi Abbot

Different animals, different kisses, different types of kisses.
Simple text, big pictures = great for sharing at story time.

The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting illustrated by Jan Brett*

Mr. and Mrs. Bear always miss Valentine's Day because they are hibernating.  This year, Mrs. Bear is determined to change that!  She carefully plans a special day that Mr. Bear will not forget!  And maybe one she will not forget!
How can one go wrong when Eve Bunting and Jan Brett publish a book together?!!

The Kindness Quilt by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

Mrs. Bloom asks Minna and her classmates to write and illustrate how they are kind.  The project explodes, thanks to Minna's creativity and involves the whole school!

Cranberry Valentine by Wende and Harry Devlin*

Mr. Whiskers has never received a valentine!  Maggie is horrified with the idea and boldly proclaims it to her Grandmother.  Then to Mr. Whiskers horror, he starts receiving lacey valentine cards every day!
How I love this series!  Check out other Cranberry stories for all of the holidays.

Cheerios Count to 100 by Justine Fontes illustrated by Carolyn Croll

This book is great to use for counting by 1's, 5's, and 10's.  One could also incorporate the beginning concepts of multiplication with the equal groups.  A shape hunt is also encouraged on some of the pages.
Not a book to sit down and read for a story but a great aid in teaching math lessons.

Baby Penguins Love Their Mama! by Melissa Guion

Six days a week a mama penguin tirelessly teaches her babies all they need to know about being a penguin.  Sundays she collapses!
Simple text and sweet illustrations.

Rocks and Minerals by Steve Tomecek illustrated by Kyle Poling*

Jump into Science series by National Geographic
Wonderful NF layout for 2nd-4th graders.
Covers what a rock is, the different types and how they form and the rock cycle.
One simple experiment and one activity are included.
Text structures: headings, diagrams, labels, cross sections/cut aways, photos

Shadows and Reflections by Tana Hoban*

A talented photographer provides many photos so younger children can grasp the concept of shadows and reflections.  No words/text.
Highly recommend all of her books-there are many!

Guess Whose Shadow? by Stephen R. Swinburne

Photographs of shadows.
Very basic text which is perfect for introducing the concept of shadows with toddlers/preschoolers.  Later in the book the reader can guess whose/what shadow it is.
Could use for a groundhog day unit.

The Nazi Hunters by Neal Bascomb*

"A team of spies and survivors captured the world's most notorious Nazi."
Wow!  An incredible account of how a group of men and one woman worked together to capture Adolf Eichmann.  The book reads more like a spy novel than a history book.  Mr. Bascomb is clearly a talented researcher and writer.
*Highly recommend.

The Spiffiest Giant in Town by Julia Donaldson illustrated by Axel Scheffler

George, the giant, is in desperate need of new clothing.  Fortunately a new shop opens and supplies him with a nice outfit.  As he walks home,  various creatures need his help.  By the time he almost reaches home, he hardly has any clothes!

Henry and Mudge and Mrs. Hopper's House by Cynthia Rylant illustrated by Carolyn Bracken*

It's Valentine's Day and Henry's parents are off to a Valentine's Day dance.  Henry and Mudge stay with Mrs. Hopper and have a surprisingly fun evening.
*Highly recommend.
-We own this book.

Lego Star Wars Darth Maul's Mission by Ace Landers illustrated by David White

Darth Maul wants to defeat the Republic must conquer the Jedi Knights.  Told in comic style.
The font style and all capital letters made it difficult for my seven year old to read.  He enjoyed it anyway.

Science Vocabulary Readers-Sharks by Justin McCory Martin

Great nonfiction series for transitional readers.
Text structure: contents, photographs, diagrams, labels, fast fact blocks, headings, graphs, close ups, comparing, bold font, glossary, comprehension questions, bonus facts.

A to Z Mysteries The Canary Caper by Ron Roy *

Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose help the police discover who is taking pets in their neighborhood.  Easy enough for young readers to solve the mystery.
Highly recommend series.

Josephine by Patricia Hruby Powell illustrated by Christian Robinson

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Josephine pursued her passion as a dancer with determination.  In France she found acceptance and soon settled there.
The book is divided into different time frames  of her life.  The pictures, the word choices, sentence structure, the text layout and fonts all seem to flow with a rhythm-like dancing.  

Jake's 100th Day of School by Lester L. Laminack illustrated by Judy Love

Jake has been working diligently on his 100th day project.  On the morning of the 100th, he forgets his project at home.  His understanding principal helps him out . . .plus Jake brings in a special guest to his classroom.
Very sweet!

Zero the Hero by Joan Holub illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

So fun and humorous!
Lots of math and number puns included.
Zero is not appreciated until the other numbers realize that they do need him (plus he saves them from the Roman Numerals!).
*Highly recommend.

It's Up to You, Griffin! by Susan T. Pickford illustrated by Marcy Dunn Ramsey

Mother Nature chooses Griffin to be the one to inform everyone that it is spring.  He wakes up and sees a shadow which he thinks is a monster (it is really his shadow) and goes back to sleep for a few weeks.  His sense of duty encourages him to try once more and he fulfills his promise.
The illustrations are adorable and includes some cut-aways of animals sleeping.
I did not care for the "mother nature" aspect.

Super Shadows from Science Rocks series by Nadia Higgins illustrated by Andres Martinez Ricci

Colorful comic-like graphics make this book appealing.  The "science" of shadows is explained very well.
Text Structures:  table of contents, side notes, labels, diagrams, activities, fun facts, glossary, index.
Great for primary ages.
A series with six other books.

The Princess and the Pea by Lauren Child captured by Polly Borland

Ms. Child drew and created each miniature dollhouse scene while Ms. Borland took the photographs of the scenes.  Amazing!
The story has Ms. Child's usual sense of humor and creative twists.  Not as funny as her other stories but just as fun!  Longer text.
Strategies/skills: connections, venn diagram

Born to Be Giants by Lita Judge*

"How Baby Dinosaurs Grew to Rule the World"
An unique perspective on baby dinosaurs-discoveries of fossilized eggs, embryos, nests etc. and then inferring how their beginnings were like.
The layout and tone is like a story but this "little" book is packed with new information and perspectives.
Evolutionists viewpoint but one part I think supports Creationist viewpoint (a fossilized mammal is found with remains of a dinosaurs (a Repenomamus was found with a baby Psittacosaurus in its ribcage).

Text structures: In the back- different time periods time line, a blurb about each dinosaur featured in the text with its pronunciation, comparing sizes-a drawing of a human next to each featured dinosaur, a glossary, bibliography, and author's note (her background as a geologist-fascinating and encouraging)

Strategies: determining importance, reading NF, inferring