Usborne Discovery Internet-Linked-Roman Army by Ruth Brocklehurst

With a mixture of illustrations and photographs along with organized sections, the reader learns about the history of the Roman empire and the life of a Roman solider.
*Borrowed from the library.
Text features: table of contents, photographs, labels, picture captions, diagrams, index

National Geographic-How to be a Roman Solider by Fiona Macdonald illustrated by Nicholas Hewetson

This book is written in second person, asking the reader if he/she would like to join the Roman army.  The following pages share what the training and life of the Roman solider was like.
Text features: headings, table of contents, different size font/bold font/italic font, labels, picture captions, photographs, diagrams, glossary, index
*Borrowed from the library.

The Slowest Book Ever by April Pulley Sayre illustrated by Kelly Murphy

I love Ms. Sayre's picture book chants about nonfiction topics for toddlers, preschoolers and early elementary.  This book, for older readers, explores the topic of s-l-o-w.  Our society tends to pursue tasks with quickness so this unhurried book was refreshing!
Topics range from "slow nature thoughts" to "slow animal facts" to "slow plant facts" to "slow body facts" and more.
I especially found it fascinating that jack in the pulpit plants can take up to seven years before they have enough energy in their roots to send up a flower and seeds.  A whole new appreciation for these plants!!
Did you know that some farmers have cows swallow a special kind of magnet so when they digest bits of barb wire and other metal they stick to the magnet and not cut holes in their stomach?
Text features: table of contents, different size fonts, headings, charts, fact boxes, glossary, detailed end notes!!, index
Point to discuss: "old earth" belief
*Borrowed from the library.

Red-The True Story of Red Riding Hood by Liesl Shurtliff*

The final book in Ms. Shurtliff's "true story" series.
My boys love this series (and so do I!).
Red's grandmother is dying so she sets out to find magical objects so her Granny can live forever.  Along the way she encounters some unlikely friends-Goldilocks and the Wolf.  She also discovers easy, quick solutions usually have an  unpleasant consequence.
This book was more sinister than the first two books.  The villains in the other books are almost goofy but the villain in this book is quite evil.  Ms. Shurtliff definitely portrays him well.
Warnings/points to discuss: magic, Granny is a witch (and so is Red), the evil character tries to kill Red and other characters.
*Highly recommend.
*We own this book.

A Great Big Cuddle by Michael Rosen illustrated by Chris Riddell

Poems for the Very Young
Silly, funny poems!
Some poems were a bit odd in my opinion but a lot of the nursery rhymes are odd, aren't they?!
I like how large the book is-perfect for holding a little in your lap and sharing it or for a large group story time.
*Borrowed from the library.

The Girl in the Torch by Robert Sharenow

Sarah and her family dream of seeing Lady Liberty and stepping foot on American soil.  Sarah does fulfill this dream but without her parents.  In Russia, her father was murdered in a pogrom and her mother dies once they arrive to Ellis Island.
To avoid being return to a disinterested uncle in Russia, Sarah hides out in the Statue of Liberty's torch, playing cat and mouse with the watchman each night.  When her scheme to hide out there is discovered, she is introduced to the Chinese culture in Chinatown and how generous and kind Americans are and how some are dishonest and prejudice.
Mr. Sharenow incorporates a lot culture diversity within these pages.  He explains how he distorted some aspects to fit his story in the "author's note.  A time line for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are included in the back.
An interesting read to utilize during an immigration unit.
*Borrowed from the library.
Warning/points to discuss: Sarah's father is murdered and his appearance after the murder is described; one time a character swears; Sarah goes into a bar to hide where prostitutes are hanging around (they are not called that but one can infer what they are); someone calls Sarah a "painted lady"; Maryk is an alcoholic and his drinking habits are shared throughout the story.

The Man in the Iron Mask by Alexandre Dumas adapted by Paul Mantell

Step into Classics
My third grader read this book to himself.
The Musketeers are loyal to the king and defending him.  But what happens when the country could go into civil war regarding twin brothers who both want to be king?
My son enjoyed reading the book but he said it had a sad ending.
*Borrowed from the library.

The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop by Kate Saunders

Oz and Lily Spoffard, along with their parents, inherited a house with a family business (a chocolate shop).  Apparently the house and shop are reeking with magic and to their surprise, so are Oz and Lily!  As they discover their family's magical history, they experience a summer vacation beyond their imagination.
A talking cat and smelly yet endearing rat show them the ropes of SMU (The Secret Ministry of the Unexplained).  The SMU need the twins to stop a terrorist group from finding a chocolate recipe which will make them immortal.
Exciting!
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.8
Points to discuss/warnings: pg. 84 The Uncle Isadore swears.  The children and their uncle are technically witches.  Magic is abundant.   Ghosts and goblins frequently make appearances.

Old MacDonald Had a Truck by Steve Goetz illustrated by Eda Kaban*

A fun twist on a traditional song.
Construction vehicle enthusiasts will love this book!
*Highly recommend.
*Borrowed from the library.


 

People of the World by Nancy Loewen and Paula Skelley*

The photographs of various ethnic groups are beautiful and celebrate diversity.  The text is very simple but the message meaningful.
I like how the children's country of origin was on the photograph and then all the countries identified were labeled on a world map in the back.
I will be using this book when I teach Sunday School.
*Highly recommend.
*Borrowed from the library.
Text features: labels, photographs, map, glossary, "read more" section

There Is a Tribe of Kids by Lane Smith

A child searches for a group of his own and as he explores, he encounters various groups of animals.  Mr. Lane incorporates whimsical illustrations with the learning opportunity about collective nouns (colony of penguins, smack of jellyfish, unkindness of ravens etc.).
Strategy: expanding vocab./word choice

The Real Poop on Pigeons! a toon book by Kevin McCloskey

Level One Toon book: Grades K-1 Guided Reading Level: E-J
A gentleman settles on a bench next a woman in a park where he declares his annoyance towards pigeons.  Suddenly children appear dressed as pigeons and throughout the rest of the book they share interesting facts about pigeons.  By the end of the book the gentleman's view of pigeons has been transformed.  Then he makes a comment about squirrels . . . .hmmm. . . a foreshadowing of another book?!
I liked Mr. McCloskey's first book about worms better.
*We own this book.

Absolutely One Thing Featuring Charlie and Lola by Lauren Child

My kindergarten enjoys listening to books about this sibling duo.
In this book Charlie and Lola walk to the store with their mother who promises to buy them one thing.  Over the course of the stroll, Lola counts objects as older brother Charlie corrects her mistakes.  Young mathematicians will enjoy figuring out the problems.
*Borrowed from the library.

Yanni Rubbish by Shulamith Levey Oppenheim illustrated by Doug Chayka

While his dad is in Germany building skyscrapers, Yanni helps his mother make ends meet in Greece collecting people's trash and depositing it.  Yanni's "friends", however, make fun of him.  With his mom's help, Yanni makes some changes that result in his friends' approval.
This book was recommended to use to encourage "asking questions".
*Borrowed from the library.
Strategy: asking questions

You'll Get Through This by Max Lucado*

Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times
Mr. Lucado examines Joseph's life and how God transforms him over many years through trials.
As always Mr. Lucado couples truth and encouragement.
*Highly recommend.
*Borrowed from the library.

Detective Gordon The First Case by Ulf Nilsson illustrated by Gitte Spee

Detective Gordan is a fat toad with a magnificent stamper.
One wintry night squirrel bursts into the police station exclaiming how thieves had stolen 204 nuts he had stored for winter.  Detective Gordan immediately left his toasty office with tea and cakes to investigate.  As the case progresses, he is blessed with an assistant who is spry and nimble but of course, not as clever as he is!
Can the two of them find the missing nuts and administer justice?
*Borrowed from the library.
Unique humor . . .I enjoyed the humor!

The Lighthouse Family #5 The Octopus by Cynthia Rylant illustrated by Preston McDaniels*

We love this series!
In this book Whistler and Lila explore the estuary and the new creatures waiting for the tide to return.  They discover an octopus in a pool of water and engage in a lively conversation with him.  Then Lila realizes she is stuck in the mud.  With quick thinking Cleo (the octopus) manages to free her before the tide washed over them.
*Highly recommend.
Perfect fantasy series for toddlers/preschoolers to hear read aloud and a gentle fantasy for elementary readers.
*Borrowed from the library.