Crinkle, Crackle, Crack It's Spring! by Marion Dane Bauer illustrated by John Shelley*

 Unusual narrator: 2nd person (you)

A child enters the late winter night with a bear. The bear says, "It's time." As the child follows the bear, more creatures join their stroll, saying, "It's time." Time for what? The child and reader will be surprised by what bursts out of a huge egg.

I loved the word choice (just a few examples-lumbering, curving claw, pokes, mud sucks at your feet), figurative language, and onomatopoeia. I am not sure if younger readers will understand what pops out the egg-it may require parent discussion. It is a metaphor.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL.

Watersong by Tim McCanna illustrated by Richard Smythe

Readers follow a fox through a rainstorm.  He also meets a "Mrs. Fox" and a family life is brought into the world!
The entire story is told via onomatopoeia!
On the last page the author discusses habitats, watersheds, ecosystems and the water cycle.
This book was one of Sarah Mackenzie's book of the week from Read Aloud Revival.
-Borrowed from the library.

Good Trick, Walking Stick! by Sheri Mabry Bestor illustrated by Jonny Lambert*

This book share amazing facts about the walking stick, from how its eggs incubate over winter (thanks to ants) to how they survive predators as they mature to their reproduction.

After reading this book aloud to my boys, I have a whole new appreciation for this insect.

*Highly recommend.  **A must read during any insect unit!

*Onomatopoeia words!

-Multi age book (younger children can learn a lot from the main text while older readers may read more details about the different topics each page features.).

-Borrowed from the library.

The Rain Stomper by Addie Boswell illustrated by Eric Velasquez*

It is the first day of spring and Jazmin is excited to welcome it with a parade in which she will twirl her baton.  To her dismay, a thunderstorm quickly squelches any hope for a parade.  With plenty of onomatopoeia and personification, Ms. Boswell portrays the intensity of the storm.  Jazmin reveals her frustration and also her spirited-personality by venturing out into the storm and becoming a "rain stomper".
Mr. Velasquez exhibits Jazmin's intensity well and also depicts her active stances in a realistic manner.
*Highly recommend.
*Borrowed from the library.
Strategies: connections (T-S), figurative language (personification, onomatopoeia) 

Thunder-Boomer! by Shutta Crum illustrated by Carol Thompson*

The heat is oppressive at the farm.  Mom declares that they need a "thunder-boomer" to bring reprieve.
When one arrives, everyone dashes to the house for cover.  The narrator's favorite chicken, Maizey, however, is still out in the storm.  When dad rescues her, she seems annoyed.  What is she hiding?  Cute ending.
The title is cleverly designed.
Lots of onomatopoeia words!  A perfect book to share when introducing onomatopoeia words.
*Highly recommend.
*Borrowed from the library.

Geronimo Stilton Mouse Overboard! #62 *

Geronimo and his family were retracing the journey of explorer Vasco da Gama when Geronimo learns that someone is trying to sabotage the voyage.
My third grader read this book to himself.
He loves this series!
We own this book.
*Highly recommend.
Guided Reading Level: R (beginning of 4th)

Geronimo Stilton Heromice-The Invisible Thief*

My third grader read this book to himself.
In Muskrat City an invisible thief has been stealing diamonds.  Now Duchess Marilyn Mousekovia is visiting the city with her "Star-Studded Gemstone".  A perfect stealing opportunity for the invisible thief.  Can the Heromice protect the Duchess and capture the Invisible Thief?
*Highly recommend.
My third grader loves this series!
We own this book.
Guided Reading Level: Q (beginning of 4th grade)

Jingle-Jingle by Nicola Smee*

This adorable book is perfect to turn into an interactive read aloud.
Lots of onomatopoeia words.
Mr. Horse comes into the barnyard pulling a sleigh.  He offers a ride to cat, dog, pig and duck.  What a fun afternoon together in the snow!  Read to find out who has the most fun!
This book was recommend to use for Christmas story times but I think it is better suited for a winter theme.
*Highly recommend.
Borrowed from the library.

Fire Engine No. 9 by Mike Austin*

Mr. Austin relates the rescue through onomatopoeia words.
I especially liked the lay out of the book.  The reader must turn the page vertically when the fire rescuers slide down the pole and climb down the ladder.  As the engines race through the streets to the fire, the reader can trace the path they take by following the words "Weooo! Weooo!" through the streets.
Happy ending for everyone!
At the end the author provides a list of fire safety rules and guidelines.
End pages display various fire tools and equipment.  The reader can see them being used throughout the book.  After reading the book it would be fun to revisit the story and identify where the tools are being utilized in the story.
*Highly recommend.  A must read aloud during Fire Safety month!
Strategies: inferring, retelling

Geronimo Stilton-The Dragon Prophecy -The 4th Adventure in the Kingdom of Fantasy*

My second grader read this book to himself-he loves this series.
Geronimo must find the last existing dragon egg which has been stolen.  If he does not, then the dragons would be become extinct.
My son says he really likes Scribblehopper (a frog) who is Geronimo's guide in the Kingdom of Fantasy.
Text features: font size and color, fact boxes, headings, diagrams, maps, cross section/cutaways
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.7
*Highly recommend.

Geronimo Stilton The Quest for Paradise-The Return to the Kingdom of Fantasy #2*

My second grader loves this series.
He told me that Geronimo must find the "heart of happiness".  He enjoyed the little puzzles throughout the story-he said they were easy enough that you were able to find hidden objects and return to the story quickly.
As Geronimo travels to different fantasy lands (fairies, ogres, land of sweets, land of toys, kingdom of comfort, land of gold, land of fairy tales), he hears various tales from the featured creatures.
Fact boxes, maps, onomatopoeia words abound!
*Highly recommend.
Guided Reading Level: T (4th grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 4

Geronimo Stilton-The Kingdom of Fantasy *

My second grader read this book in two days!  I could not pull him away from it.
He liked how Geronimo traveled to different lands.  He also enjoyed all of the maps.
Geronimo Stilton runs a newspaper.  On the evening of June 21st he finds a mysterious music box, golden staircase in his attic which lead to a golden door.   Then his adventure begins and he encounters giant scorpions, sea serpents, pixies etc.
*Highly recommend.
Lots of onomatopoeia and hyperbole, different font sizes/color, maps, codes, charts.
Guided Reading Level: T (4th grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 2.4 (**Don't agree with this level.)

Geronimo Stilton Heromice-Mice to the Rescue -#1

This series has been around for a long time-they keep publishing different spins with the character.
My second grader read this book to himself.  He said it was cool because the mice save the city and are heroes.
Geronimo Superstilton and the Heromice save Muskrat City from a blackout instigated by the Sewer Rats.
Colorful comic-like illustrations.
Various words within the text are in different colors and fonts.

Shoe Dog by Megan McDonald illustrated by Katherine Tillotson*

From the cover to the title page, the reader can begin making predictions about this story's plot.  I love when a book embraces all features of itself to tell the story!
The main character, a dog, is sooo happy when a lady adopts him from the local shelter.  He settles into his new home well until he finds her shoes and has a good chew.  His shoe chewing is an ongoing problem so much that he is fearful of returning to the shelter.  An unexpected discovery solve this problem in a sweet way.
Shoe Dog tells the story but whenever his owner speaks, her words are featured in speech bubbles with the color background reflecting her mood.
What I loved: the word choice (similes, strong verbs) and how Ms. McDonald reveals the perspective of a dog very well with her word choice-"New Box" "Noisy Paper", "Corner Rug", "Big Bed", "Land of Upstairs", "She Herself"

**Highly recommend.
Strategies: inferring, expanding vocab/word choice, figurative language-similes

Secret Agent Dingledorf-The Case of the Drooling Dinosaurs #4 by Bill Myers illustrated by Meredith Johnson

Bernie Dingledorf is presenting his report about dinosaurs to his classmates when his tiny plastic dinos come alive!  Then his underwear begins beeping.  Big Guy, the head of the secret agency, is calling him to help . . . .a machine is making all kinds of dinosaurs come to life and only Secret Agent Dingledorf can stop the machine.
As Bernie scrambles to save the city, he learns a thing or two about the importance of rules and following them.
This book is considered "Christian" but God or straight Biblical references are not included.  A verse about following rules is featured the opposite page of the table of contents.
LOTs of onomatopoeia words (I found it rather it annoying but kids may find the amount and frequency of them humorous?!).
Short, fast paced chapters make this a good match for reluctant readers.

Big Rig by Jamie A. Swenson illustrated by Ned Young*

An eighteen wheeler talks to the reader with trucking lingo as he delivers a important cargo.
Bold, bright illustrations.
Last page has a trucking glossary.
Strategies/skills: onomatopoeia, inferring-context clues (the trucking vocab.)
*Highly recommend.

A Dollar Bill's Journey by Suzanne Slade illustrated by Susan Swan*

One day recently my five year old asked how money is made . . .this book provided the answer.
The dollar bill in the story has an eye and makes comical comments.
Explained well.  At the end is a diagram of the dollar bill's journey.
Text features: diagrams, fact boxes, glossary, "learn more" , index
Follow It series (other titles-Germ's Journey, Plastic Bottle's Journey, A Raindrop's Journey)
*Highly recommend.

I'm Brave! by Kate and Jim McMullan*

A must read for fire engine junkies!
A confident fire engine shares his exciting job with readers.
Full of humor, attitude and great noise words (onomatopoeia)!
I learned some terminology while reading this book to my preschooler.  In the beginning the McMullans have the reader try to match the tools and equipment found on the engine.  Then as the reader continues reading, he/she can use picture clues to confirm or fix his/her predictions.
Strategy/skill: context clues, vocab. expanding
*Highly recommend.

Rattletrap Car by Phyllis Root illustrated by Jill Barton*

A father and his three children want to visit the sea for the day but their car has some difficulty reaching the desired destination.  Problem solving and group effort make for an interesting trip.
Cute and fun!
Onomatopoeia words.

Slop Goes the Soup A Noisy Warthog Word Book by Pamela Edwards illustrated by Henry Cole*

A perfect book to introduce and reinforce onomatopoeia words!
Two warthogs are trying to prepare dinner when a stray feather floating down creates quite a disturbance!
Fun!