We Are Growing! by Laurie Keller*

Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie Like Reading series.
My first grader loved reading this book!
Blades of grass converse over how each of them are growing.  Who ever thought that watching grass grow could be so fun?!!
Perfect book for the beginning reader or the reluctant reader.
Teaching idea: Use this book to introduce superlatives.
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.

The Christmas Boot by Lisa Wheeler illustrated by Jerry Pinkney*

Hannah Greyweather lives in a ramshackle cabin in the woods.  As she goes out into the snow to gather firewood in her rag covered feet, she discovers a black boot lying in the snow.  When she tries it on, it fits her foot perfectly! She relishes in its comfort and warmth.  That night she wishes for another boot and finds one lying next to her bed.  Why stop at boots?!  Soon she wishes for mittens, a fluffy bed, a fabulous feast and a big fancy house.
Then the owner of the black boot appears at her fancy house, asking for his boot. Life returns to normal for Hannah Greyweather but a sweet surprise awaits her.
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.

My Favorite Pets by Jeanne Birdsall illustrated by Harry Bliss

Gus must write an essay about his favorite pet for his teacher Ms. Smolinski.  The text is situated on lined school paper and the font looks handwritten.  The reader learns about Gus' humorous escapades with the family's seventeen sheep.
Gus is a bit sneaky and naughty and not very nice to his little brother.
-Borrowed from the library.

Before I Was Born by Carolyn Nystrom illustrated by Sandra Speidel*

God's Design for Sex Book 2 Ages 5 to 8
This book goes into more detail about how God has created male and female and their differences. It also explains more about puberty and sexual intercourse.  Like Book 1, it celebrates the different genders and marriage.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from a friend.
Part of a series (Book 3 -What's the Big Deal?  Why God Cares About Sex (ages eight to eleven); Book 4- Facing the Facts:  The Truth About Sex and You (ages eleven to fourteen)

The Story of Me by Stan and Brenna Jones illustrated by Joel Spector*

God's Design for Sex  Book 1 ages 3-5
This book celebrates how God created each gender and the institutions of marriage and family.
In a natural way the child listening to this book learns a bit about how babies are formed, how they born and the proper names for gender specific body parts.
*Highly recommend.
Part of a series.
-Borrowed from a friend.

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park*

Based on a True Story
Ms. Park heard about Salva Dut's nonprofit organization Water for Sudan and was able to interview him about his life.  From those interviews, she wrote this book based on his life.
She reveals the turmoil Salva experiences in war-torn Sudan and how he vows to help his country to have clean water.  The story begins in 1985 when Salva flees for his life into the bush to escape Muslim soldiers, away from his family and home.  For eleven years he travels the desert and lives in several refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya.  During that time, he leads twelve hundred boys to Kenya to a refugee camp.  These boys are called "The Lost Boys".  Ultimately Salva is blessed to be sent to Rochester, NY where a family adopts him.  He, however, does not rest in the comfort of the United States but begins his nonprofit organization to help his country.
An alternating story is interwoven throughout the book about the girl Nya who must walk far just for water and how her life is impacted positively by Salva.
An inspiring story!
I am not sure kids will pick up this book on their own accord.  But, once they begin to read it, they will be drawn to the amazing story.
Points to discuss: war, violence
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.4
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Busy Tree by Jennifer Ward illustrated by Lisa Falkenstern*

We loved the illustrations in this book.
With rhyming text, the book depicts how the oak tree provides shelter, food and safety for many creatures.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.