A dog is given a strawberry. This imaginative dog decides he and this strawberry are going to race. Throughout the story the dog narrates his progress vs the strawberry's progress. A surprise and funny ending.
Kids will love hearing this story. A fun read-aloud (especially if the narrator assumes the voice of a broadcaster)
Sort of a fractured Tortoise & the Hare tale
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
A wide variety of poems about dogs
Some poems are from the dog's point of view; others are from the human's point of view. Based on his poems, Mr. Saltzberg has observed dogs and their antics very well! Fun poems!
I especially like the last poem!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
On Christmas Day Theo and his dog, Ari venture out to Echo Lake- Theo, wearing his new snowshoes, and Ari, wearing a new sweater (made by Yiayia-Grandmother in Greek). Ari does not like the sweater. But when the snow flutters down and covers their tracks, the yarn from the sweater leads them home!
I like the Greek allusions.
I find that Ms. Brett's illustrations of people are not very crisp. But her illustrations of animals and setting are still stunning!
-Borrowed from the library.
Tomie's last fully written book before he passed away in 2020
Tomie relates how special his dog, throughout its life and how much he misses him when Bronte dies.
Written in 2nd person-directly to Bronte
Children who love their pets will connect with Tomie's love for Bronte.
Ms. McClintock mimics Tomie's illustration style well. She includes the dove with a heart on it throughout the pages.
-Borrowed from the library
A Story About Young Emily Dickinson
A graphic novel
RAR recently added this title to one of their lists.
I loved this book. Ms. Corry integrates facts, Emily Dickinson's poems, and a narrative seamlessly. Before the book begins, she explains what artistic liberties she took. At the end, she shares additional information about Emily and her dog Carlo. This book focuses on Emily's love for botany and flowers.
**Highly, highly recommend. It is a title I may buy.
-Borrowed from the library.
Since her dad is a Marine, Jody has lived in several places. Relocating to Pearl Harbor in 1940 was just another move, wasn't it? Then why is her mom reluctant to transfer and seems to live in fear? Thankfully, Jody has Happy, her mixed breed huge dog, to help her adjust and find "happiness" despite the uneasiness at home. Then her mom's fears are realized when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. Jody, her mom, and her sister are evacuated to the mainland. Their mom sinks into depression. Her older sister is assaulted. Can Jody be the leader her dad asks her to be in his absence?
I liked learning about Pearl Harbor from a survivor's point of view.
Some chapters are from Happy's point of view. Although a Christian publisher (Zonderkidz) published this book, God is not mentioned. I think the phrase "after church" was mentioned and a "Oh, thank, Jesus" was included.
Considerations/Discuss: WWII, Pearl Harbor, Japanese American camps, mental illness, parent abandonment, Jody's older sister is assaulted by a man
Based on the memoir, The Children of Battleship Row, by Joan Zuber Earle.
*Highly recommend for 5th grader and older. (although the cover makes it seem like it is for a younger crowd)
A young girl moves into an apartment in a new city with her mom. Since she is reluctant to interact with new people, her patient mom decides to adopt a dog. This dog, Millie, is outgoing and friendly. Millie leads the young girl to her first friend.
A sweet book! The end pages help tell the story.
-Borrowed from the library.
My parents recently visited Alaska. My mom asked me to request this picture book for her to read.
Susan, a musher, loves her sled dogs. People say she will never win the Iditarod because she babies them. When Granite was born, his knock-knees and timid nature seem like hinderances to becoming a sled dog. Over time he develops into a strong lead sled dog, winning the Iditarod three times. This book relates the trials he and Susan to endure to accomplish this feat.
Sadly in 2006 Susan died of leukemia.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
It all started with a squirrel. Penelope spies a squirrel with buckteeth stealing one her Lady's raspberry tarts. A good pup would defend her Lady, so she pursues the squirrel with no success. Then she realizes she has lost her Lady in the middle of Puggleton Park, London. For months Penelope searches for her owner. Will she ever be reuntied with her Lady?
~A cute chapter book for readers who need to build stamina ~Numerous illustrations are included within each chapter. ~Great character development despite being a shorter book for younger readers
Book #2 is also available.
Consideration/discuss: The main human character, Lady Diggleton, has recently lost her husband. She misses him. Grief is explored throughout the book.
-Borrowed from the library.
Over a month ago I met with a friend to help her select books for a literature classe she was teaching. She introduced me to this gem!
Paolo resides (is imprisoned) in a hair salon. He longs to escape and explore the wonders of Rome. Finally, one day the door is left open, unnoticed by his owner. Freedom! With eagerness, he explodes out onto the streets, discovering the ancient and new treasures of Rome. When he rescues nuns, his future as a free dog in Rome is secure.
Paolo leads readers around Rome, reinforcing its history and culture. The richness of the book will be enjoyed only if readers linger, ask questions, and make connections.
**Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Based off of Aseop's "The Dog and His Reflection"
Simon discovers a bone and is quite pleased with it. As he walks by the pond, he spies another dog with a bone. This bone appears better. The rest of the story shares how Simon interacts with the other dog. It concludes sweetly. My favorite illustration is the last one-because of what the reader will infer. I also love how the reader must orient/hold the book to read it.
*Highly recommend. I hope Mr. Tabor continues to write & illustrated clever picture books!
-Borrowed from the library.
This book celebrates family, traditions, and rural living. The watercolor illustrations are precise, expressive, and detailed.
All year the Bryan family awaits the day near Christmas when they gather to make cream candy (the description reminds me of pulled taffy?). Cousins, aunts, uncles, and a grandmother drive from far away to stay at the farm where the narrator (I can't figure out his name . . .his Great Gram calls him by the wrong name throughout the entire book!!), his parents, his brothers, and Great-Gram live. This Christmas the narrator's dog, Luke, goes missing and causes him to be distracted from the festivities.
*Highly recommend. Please add it to your stack of Christmas read alouds!
Moxie, one of the Kauffman's dachshund, offer the reader an inside tour of the Kauffman's home, Fallingwater designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The glossary is unique. Next to each definition is a mini illustration with the object/term circled in red. Perfect for more visual learners.
-Borrowed from the library.
Winner of the 2023 Caldecott Medal
An adorable book! A dog and his owner leave the blistering heat of the city for a day at the beach. The illustrations enhance the story and relate the emotions.
**Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
A sweet, wordless picture book that reveals the determination of a boy to prove to his dads that he is responsible enough to own a dog. Mr. Cole based it off of a young boy he heard about who really wanted a dog. Once again I love how Mr. Cole illustrates the entire story in pen with only one vital object in color.
Warning: The boy's parents are two dads.
-Borrowed from the library.
Doug, the dog, loves to dig. Despite reprimands, he continues to dig. Adventure abounds! The rhyming make this a wonderful read-aloud.
I love the illustrations. My thirteen-year-old read this book and declared the pictures "clever". The layout is unique (& clever! 😉).
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Recently I listened to a podcast on RAR featuring Philip and Erin Stead, a husband-wife team. I was so impressed with them, I requested a bunch of their picture books from the library.
I'd Like to Be the Window for a Wise Old Dog Words & pictures by Philip Stead-Mr. Stead imagines what it would be like to be different objects. I found the concepts a bit abstract and not very appealing. Kids may enjoy it as it employs imagination. Teachers could use it as a mentor text for creative writing.-Borrowed from the library.
These two books will make beginning/transitional readers laugh and enjoy reading!
In See the Cat -Three Stories About a Dog- a dog is depicted who objects that the writer is narrating about a cat. The writer and dog negotiate throughout the book. Simple words but an enjoyable plot that will engage readers. An Award-winner
In See the Dog-Three Stories About a Cat-the cat substitutes for the dog as the main character and protests the different actions she must perform.
To build stamina and fluency, a parent or older sibling could read the "book"parts and the reader could read the dog or cat words.
Strategy/skill-building stamina, fluency
*Highly recommend both books.
-Borrowed from the library.
Nicky's Uncle Everton drops off his dog for her before he travels the world. Barkus is the perfect dog-smart, does tricks, gets along with people, only barks when he wants to, and doesn't bite. He adds spice and adventure to Nicky's life (even at school) and introduces the family to another new pet.
Lots of illustrations and simple text to support beginning/transitional readers.
3 books in the series
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Award-winner- Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor
Told from perspective of King, a dog, this sweet story for transitional readers involves King's favorite peanut butter treats which go missing. Kayla thinks he snitched them. Can King find the real thief?
*Highly recommend. Five short chapters will build transitional reader's stamina and confidence. So far this series has seven books. In August 2022, the eighth book will be available called, King and Kayla and the Case of the Lost Library Book.
-Borrowed from the library.
