The Bird, the Frog, and the Light by Avi illustrated Matthew Henry

 I usually find Avi's stories engaging. I, however, was not overly impressed with this story.

A pompous frog demands that bird utilizes its friendship with the Sun to fetch one of the Sun's rays to shine on frog's domain. The bird bids his wish. The ray, however, reveals who the frog really is.

-Borrowed from the library.

Simon and the Better Bone by Corey R. Tabor*

 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.

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

 Award winner-Michael L. Printz Award 2007

Three plots-1. Jin Wang, the only Chinese-American student at his school who desparately wants to fit in

                   2.  The Monkey King-an old Chinese fable

                   3.  Danny, dreads his cousin Chin-Kee's visit each year.  After each visit, Danny has to transfer

                        schools because he is humilated by Chin-Kee's behavoir.

Mr. Yang deftly ties these three plots together.  A book about idenity and accepting who you were created to be.  It was interesting how the author included Psalm 139 in the storyline and a picture of Christ's birth.  Tze-Yo-Tzuh was depicted as the Christian God (but only the references I mention overlap with the Christian faith).  

Warning/points to discuss: a game he would play with his only friend when in elementary would require him to wear a bra on his head, swearing, guys staring at girls' breasts, by accident Jin Wang said "rake the breast", "American bosom", bullies, prejudice

-Borrowed from the library.

Once a Mouse by Marcia Brown*

Award winner-The Caldecott Medal
This simple yet profound fable from Ancient India can be enjoyed by a variety of ages.
A hermit frees a mouse from the clutches of a crow's beak and feeds him some comforting food.  But when a cat threatens the mouse, the hermit magically changes the mouse into a vicious cat.  Each time the "mouse" faces danger, the hermit transforms him into a bigger and more intimidating creature.  At last the "mouse" is a formidable tiger. Pride is the animal's downfall.
All the illustrations are created with woodcuts-amazing!
My eight year old read this to himself to support our study of Ancient India.
Strategy: inferring
Wonderful word choice too.
*Highly recommend.

Lousy Rotten Stinkin' Grapes by Margie Palatini illustrated by Barry Moser*

We loved this humorous version of Aesop's Fox and the Grapes.
Ms. Palatini expands this short fable with lots of humor and character development.
I would use this book as a mentor text in how one can take a fable and elaborate the plot and characters.
This book would be perfect to rewrite as a Reader's Theater.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Cat from Hunger Mountain by Ed Young

Unique collage artwork
The wealthy cat indulges himself day after day, even wasting his rice which he has washed down the river.  Then a drought causes everyone to leave the area in search of work and food in the city.  The cat is the last to leave and finds a monk who is sharing rice.  He wonders how this monk could have all of this rice during a time of drought.  The answer surprises the cat  . . . and will startle the reader!
-Borrowed from the library.

When Turtle Grew Feathers by Tim Tingle illustrated by Stacey Schuett*

The Choctaw people share their version of Aesop's Fable -The Tortoise and the Hare.
After turkey by accident breaks turtle's shell, he and the ants help mend the shell.  Pleased with their kindness, turtle permits turkey to try on his shell.  Just then hare arrives, bragging about his speed and challenges turtle to a race (not realizing it was turkey inside the shell!).
A very fun book!  A great read aloud book for story time.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Race by Caroline Repchuk illustrated by Alison Jay

The traditional hare and tortoise race takes on a new twist as Ms. Repchuk has the two animals racing each other across the world.
Hare has fast paced adventures while tortoise enjoys a leisurely cruise to New York City.
-Borrowed from the library.
I really like Ms. Jay's crackled illustrations.

The Great Race by Kevin O'Malley*

Nate Tortoise is sick and tired of hearing people rave about Lever Lapin, the hare who has won many races.  When Nate is kicked out of his favorite table at his favorite restaurant, it is the last straw.  He challenges the arrogant lapin to a race.
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.
Warning: insults, name calling

Hare and Tortoise retold by Alison Murray*

This new version of a well loved fable portrays the race as a friendly competition and portrays hare in a more positive light.
The layout and text depict each personality in clever ways.
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.

The Hare and the Tortoise retold and illustrated by Helen Ward*

I love the beautiful illustrations in this book and her word choice surprises me in this slightly sparse retelling (great words she uses: hurtled, havoc, tumbled, unbiased, plodded, peculiar ---just to name a few).
Ms. Ward's alternations to the original fable are clever and entertaining (the reason for the start of the race, the race course/obstacles, how the hare is tricked).
A couple pages at the end reveal the actual names of the unique, beautiful animals in the illustrations and facts about the animals.
**Highly, highly recommend.
Strategies: vocab. expansion, inferring
*Borrowed from the library.