Reading List Incoming Kindergarten 2015 Dear Parents, Some of these books will be available at the Book Fair, but all of them are available at the BWL School Library. If you would like to see the Reading Lists for other grades, they are posted on the BWL Reads! page of the BWL website. This list is only a starting point. Enjoy! Incoming Kindergarten 2015 Classics & Old Favorites Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish Anna Banana and Me by Lenore and Erik Blegvad Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business by Esphyr Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by John Archambault An Extraordinary Egg by Leo Lionni The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crocket Johnson Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Leonni Love You Forever by Robert Munsch Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans Oh, the Places You ll Go! By Dr. Seuss Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister Slobodkina The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats Swimmy by Leo Lionni ** A Caldecott Honor Book The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak Picture Books Actual Size by Steve Jenkins Any Questions? By Marie- Louise Gay 1
Bad Dog, Marley! By John Grogan Click, Clack, Moo by Doreen Cronin David Goes to School by David Shannon Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers Duck for President by Doreen Cronin First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crocket Johnson Henry and the Bully by Nancy Carlson How Do Dinosaurs go to School by Jane Yolen How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids by Tom Rath How To Be a Friend by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown Hug Machine by Scott Campbell If Kids Ran the World by Leo and Diane Dillon I Like Me by Nancy Carlson I m A Frog! By Mo Willems Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Weber It s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr Jungle Bullies by Steven Kroll Journey by Aaron Becker The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin by Joe Troiano Locomotive by Brian Floca Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come! By Nancy Carlson Olivia by Ian Falconer Pocket Full of Kisses by Audrey Penn Secret Pizza Party by Adam Rubin Strega Nona by Tomie depaola Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make my Day by Jamie Lee Curtis Town Mouse, Country Mouse by Jan Brett Folk and Fairy Tales Anasi the Spider by Gerald McDermott Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Jan Brett Boy Who Cried Wolf by B.G. Hennessy The Contest Between the Sun and the Moon by Heather Forest The Emperor s New Clothes: a Tale Set in China by Demi The Mitten by Jan Brett Stone Soup by Marcia Brown Strega Nona by Tomie Depaola Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People s Ears by Verna Aardema 2
Chapter Books & Story Collections Arthur (series) by Marc Brown Franklin (series) by Paulette Bourgeois Frog and Toad (series) by Arnold Lobel George and Martha Series by James Marshall Greek Myths by Geraldine McCaughrean The Magic School Bus (series) by Joanna Cole The Magic Tree House (series) by Mary Pope Osmond Poetry Animals, Animals by Eric Carle Hi, Koo by Jon J Muth A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein Pocket Poems by Bobbi Katz Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein Non- Fiction The Emperor s Egg by Martin Jenkins From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons Groundhog Day by Gail Gibbons If You Decide to Go to the Moon by Faith McNulty Mapping Penny s World by Loreen Leedy Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney Picking Apples and Pumpkins by Amy and Richard Hutchings Postcards from New York City Traveling with Ana by Laura Crawford The Scrambled States of America by Laurie Keller Thanksgiving Is by Gail Gibbons Two Eyes a Nose and a Mouth by Roberta Grobel Intrater William is Going Green by James Martin II A World of Food by Carl Warner 3
Classics & Old Favorites Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst - - People of all ages have terrible, horrible days, and Alexander offers us the cranky commiseration we crave as well as a reminder that things may not be all that bad. As Alexander's day progresses, he faces a barrage of bummers worthy of a country- western song: getting smushed in the middle seat of the car, a dessertless lunch sack, a cavity at the dentist's office, stripeless sneakers, witnessing kissing on television, and being forced to sleep in railroad- train pajamas. He resolves several times to move to Australia. This is a timeless classic. Adults and children will enjoy the experience. Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish - - From dressing the chicken to drawing the drapes, Amelia Bedelia does exactly what Mr. and Mrs. Rogers tell her to do. If things get a bit mixed up, well, that's okay. When Amelia Bedelia is involved, everything always turns out perfectly in the end! Anna Banana and Me by Lenore and Erik Blegvad - - Anna Banana is fearless. She swings high in the playground, invents stories about huge, terrifying goblins - - and believes in magic. The small boy she plays with is afraid. He would never do the things that Anna Banana does, even when they're together. But one day, when he's most scared, he uses a little bit of her magic - - and makes some of his own. Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business by Esphyr Slobodkina - - A peddler walks around selling caps from a tall, tottering pile on his head. Unable to sell a single cap one morning, he walks out into the countryside, sits down under a tree, checks that all the caps are in place, and falls asleep. When he wakes up, the caps are gone- - and the tree is full of cap- wearing monkeys. His attempts to get the caps back generate the kind of repetitive rhythm that all children will adore. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by John Archambault - - In this lively alphabet rhyme, all the letters of the alphabet race each other up the cocunut tree. Will there be enough room? Oh, no - Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom! The well- known authors of Barn Dance and Knots on a Counting Rope have created a rhythmic alphabet chant that rolls along on waves of fun. Lois Ehlert's rainbow of bright, bold, cheerful colors makes the merry parade of letters unforgettable. An Extraordinary Egg by Leo Lionni - - It's an extraordinary day on Pebble Island for three frogs when one of them discovers a beautiful white egg. They've never seen a chicken egg before, but they're sure that's what this must be. So when the egg hatches and out crawls a long green, scaly creature, they naturally call it... a chicken! From award winning- artist Leo Lionni, here's a hilarious case of mistaken identity that children are sure to delight in. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein - - The Giving Tree tells the classic tale about a relationship between a young boy and a tree in the forest, how the tree loves the boy and helps the boy with his needs throughout life, from the boy's childhood until his golden years. Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crocket Johnson - - "One night, after thinking it over for some time, Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight." Armed only with an oversized purple 4
crayon, young Harold draws himself a landscape full of wonder and excitement. Full of funny twists and surprises, this joyful story shows just how far your imagination can take you. Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes - - Lilly loves everything about school, especially her cool teacher, Mr. Slinger. But when Lilly brings her purple plastic purse and its treasures to school and can't wait until sharing time, Mr. Slinger confiscates her prized possessions. Lilly's fury leads to revenge and then to remorse and she sets out to make amends. Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Leonni - - Little blue and little yellow share wonderful adventures. One day, they can't find one another. When they finally meet, they are overjoyed. They hug until they become green. But where did little blue and little yellow go? Are they lost? Love You Forever by Robert Munsch - - A mother sings to her sleeping baby and she still sings the same song when her baby has turned into a fractious 2- year- old, a slovenly 9- year- old, and then a raucous teen. So far so ordinary- - but this is one persistent lady. When her son grows up and leaves home, she takes to driving across town with a ladder on the car roof, climbing through her grown son's window, and rocking the sleeping man in the same way. Then, inevitably, the day comes when she's too old and sick to hold him, and the roles are at last reversed. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans - - Nothing frightens Madeline not tigers, not mice, not even getting sick. To Madeline, a trip to the hospital is a grand adventure. Oh, the Places You ll Go! By Dr. Seuss - - A perennial favorite, Dr. Seuss s wonderfully wise graduation speech is the perfect send- off for children starting out in the world, be they nursery school, high school, or college grads! From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a Lurch on a prickle- ly perch, Dr. Seuss addresses life s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and illustrations, while encouraging readers to find the success that lies within. Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister - - Rainbow Fish will enchant even the youngest child with his silver scales and heart of gold in this award- winning book about the beautiful fish who learned to share his most prized possession. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats - - Peter wakes up to find the world covered in snow- crisp, clean, and white. Excitedly, Peter ventures out to play. His feet make a variety of tracks, and when he hits a snow- laden tree with a stick, the snow falls off- plop! onto his head. Keats's sparse collage illustrations capture the wonder and beauty a snowy day can bring to a small child. Swimmy by Leo Lionni - - Deep in the sea there lives a happy school of little fish. Their watery world is full of wonders, but there is also danger, and the little fish are afraid to come out of hiding... until Swimmy comes along. Swimmy shows his friends how with ingenuity and teamwork they can overcome any danger. ** A Caldecott Honor Book 5
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter - - Mr. McGregor has two things on his mind when he sees Peter in his garden. One is the safety of his lettuces; the other is rabbit pie. Peter was carefully told not to go into Mr. McGregor's garden, but some little bunnies have to learn things the hard way. Beatrix Potter's classic story has been lovingly placed at the center of this creative effort, and David Jorgensen has given Peter and his family wonderfully droll and expressive character and charm in his illustrations. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak - - Where the Wild Things Are is one of those truly rare books that can be enjoyed equally by a child and a grown- up. Max dons his wolf suit in pursuit of some mischief and gets sent to bed without supper. Fortuitously, a forest grows in his room, allowing his wild rampage to continue unimpaired. Sendak's color illustrations are beautiful, and each turn of the page brings the discovery of a new wonder. Picture Books Actual Size by Steve Jenkins - - In striking torn- and- cut paper collages, Jenkins depicts 18 animals and insects or a part of their body in actual size. One illustration compares an atlas moth with a 12- inch wingspan to a dwarf goby fish, which is 1/3- inch long. Mixing deceptive simplicity with absolute clarity, this beautiful book is an enticing way to introduce children to the glorious diversity of our natural world, or to illustrate to budding scientists the importance of comparison, measurement, observation, and record keeping. Any Questions? By Marie- Louise Gay - - Many children want to know where stories come from and how a book is made. Marie- Louise Gay s new picture book provides them with some delightfully inspiring answers though a fictional encounter between an author and some very curious children together they collaborate on writing and illustrating a story. Marie- Louise Gay has scribbled, sketched, scrawled, doodled, penciled, collaged, and painted the words and pictures of a story- within- a- story that show how brilliant ideas creep up on you when you least expect it and how words sometimes float out of nowhere, asking to be written. Any Questions? Bad Dog, Marley! By John Grogan - - Make way for Marley! Mommy, Daddy, Cassie, and Baby Louie welcome Marley, a lovable puppy, into their home. But Marley doesn t stay a pint- sized pup for long. He grows and grows, and the bigger Marley gets, the bigger trouble he gets into. Big, bad- boy trouble. Will this family have to find a new home for their misbehaving pooch, or will he prove he can be a good boy? Click, Clack, Moo by Doreen Cronin - - Farmer Brown has a problem. His cows like to type. All day long he hears Click, clack, MOO. Click, clack, MOO. Clickety, clack, MOO. But Farmer Brown's problems REALLY begin when his cows start leaving him notes... Doreen Cronin's understated text and Betsy Lewin's expressive illustrations make the most of this hilarious situation. Come join the fun as a bunch of literate cows turn Farmer Brown's farm upside down. 6
David Goes to School by David Shannon - - David's teacher has her hands full. From running in the halls to chewing gum in class, David's high- energy antics fill each school day with trouble- and are sure to bring a smile to even the best- behaved reader. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett - - The beloved, bestselling tale of edible weather is brought to life! If food dropped like rain from the sky, wouldn't it be marvelous! Or would it? It could, after all, be messy. And you'd have no choice. What if you didn't like what fell? Or what if too much came? Have you ever thought of what it might be like to be squashed flat by a pancake? Life is delicious in the town of Chewandswallow where it rains soup and juice, snows mashed potatoes, and blows storms of hamburgers- - until the weather takes a turn for the worse. The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers - - Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Beige Crayon is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown Crayon. Black wants to be used for more than just outlining. Blue needs a break from coloring all those bodies of water. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking each believes he is the true color of the sun. What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best? Duck for President by Doreen Cronin - - It is our pleasure, our honor, our duty as citizens to present to you Duck for President. Here is a duck who began in a humble pond. Who worked his way to farmer. To governor. And now, perhaps, to the highest office in the land. Some say, if he walks like a duck and talks like a duck, he is a duck. We say, if he walks like a duck and talks like a duck, he will be the next president of the United States of America. Thank you for your vote. First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg - - Everyone knows that sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach just before diving into a new situation. Sarah Jane Hartwell is scared and doesn't want to start over at a new school. She doesn't know anybody, and nobody knows her. It will be awful. She just knows it. With much prodding from Mr. Hartwell, Sarah Jane reluctantly pulls herself together and goes to school. She is quickly befriended by Mrs. Burton, who helps smooth her jittery transition. Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo - - Sarah is hiding under her covers as her father asks, "You don't want to miss the first day at your new school do you?" From under the blanket she replies, "I'm not going." He reminds her how much she liked her other school and asks her to think of all the new friends she'll meet. Mr. Hartwell finally gets Sarah to stumble out of bed, eat a bit of toast, and get into the car where she slumps down into her seat. At school, the principal cheerfully welcomes her and takes her to the classroom where she is introduced as "Mrs. Sarah Jane Hartwell," the new teacher. There is a bit of foreshadowing that Sarah is an adult, but as she is always partially hidden, the ending will come as a surprise to most readers. The ink- and- watercolor illustrations are full of action and maintain the lighthearted tone. 7
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld - - Say goodnight to all of those marvelous machines found at a construction site in this wonderfully illustrated rhyming text story. Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crocket Johnson - - Harold's wonderful purple crayon makes everthing he draws become real. One evening, Harold draws a path and a moon and goes for a walk- and the moon comes too. After many adventures, Harold gets tired and can't find his bedroom. Finally, he remembers that the moon always shines through his bedroom window. He draws himself a bed, and "the purple crayon dropped on the floor, and Harold dropped off to sleep." This little gem is filled with visual and written puns. Henry and the Bully by Nancy Carlson - - The lovable Henry is back and he's being bullied on the soccer field at school! When no one's advice seems to help, it's up to Henry to solve his bully problem for himself. Classroom favorite Nancy Carlson encourages young readers to use creativity and empathy to deal with one of childhood's toughest challenges. How Do Dinosaurs go to School by Jane Yolen Off to school with our prehistoric pals from the popular How Do Dinosaurs...? series, in which familiar scenes are made riotous by the scale- skewing enormity of elementary school- student dinos. The standard- sized schoolyard and show- and- tell provide plenty of opportunities for giant lizards to be acrobatic, misbehave and generally cause a ruckus, but each of these dinosaurs earns top marks and works well with others. How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids by Tom Rath - - Organized around a simple metaphor of a dipper and a bucket, How Full Is Your Bucket? shows how even the briefest interactions every day profoundly affect people's relationships, productivity, health, and longevity. Coauthor Donald O. Clifton, hailed as the grandfather of positive psychology, spent half a century studying the effects of emotions, interviewing people around the world. His discoveries are at the heart of How Full Is Your Bucket? How To Be a Friend by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown - - Find out: who can be your friend, how to show someone you would like to be friends, how to handle bosses and bullies, the best ways to be a friend and ways not to be a friend, and ways to settle an argument with a friend. Hug Machine by Scott Campbell - - Much like cats, young children can be quite persnickety about whom they embrace and when. Not so with this story's protagonist, aka the Hug Machine. This boy takes it upon himself to calm and cheer everyone, and everything (rocks, trees), he encounters with a warm hug. He takes his work quite seriously and no challenge is too tough (a porcupine) or large (a whale) for him to wrap his arms around. It's a big, important job that requires frequent refueling (pizza) to keep his "hugging energy high," but he's up to the task. Finally, when he's about to collapse from exhaustion, he acquiesces to his mom's request and lets her hold the Hug Machine in her arms. Campbell's stylized watercolor cartoon art is the perfect foil for the straightforward text. The humor is deadpan and the illustrations, though quirky, are enormously appealing. 8
If Kids Ran the World by Leo and Diane Dillon - - All roads lead to kindness in this powerful final collaboration between Leo and Diane Dillon. In a colorful tree house, a rainbow of children determine the most important needs in our complex world, and following spreads present boys and girls happily helping others. Kids bring abundant food to the hungry; medicine and cheer to the sick; safe housing, education, and religious tolerance to all; and our planet is treated with care. Forgiveness and generosity are seen as essential, because kids know how to share, and they understand the power of love. I Like Me by Nancy Carlson - - An exuberant pig proclaims "I like me!" She likes the way she looks, and all her activities...when she makes a mistake she picks herself up and tries again. I m A Frog! By Mo Willems - - The latest adventure of Elephant and Piggie is filled with humor as elephant tries to accept Piggie s decision to act like a Frog. Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Weber - - Ira is thrilled to spend the night at Reggie s, until his sister raises the question of whether he should take his teddy bear. What would Reggie think? Of course Ira s big enough to sleep without his beloved bear... isn t he? An appealing picture book that depicts common childhood qualms with empathy and humor. It s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr - - Featuring Todd Parr's trademark bold, bright colors and silly scenes, this book embraces difference in a unique way. Deceptively simple in appearance, It's OK to Be Different cleverly delivers its important messages of acceptance, understanding, and confidence in a child- friendly package. Jungle Bullies by Steven Kroll - - No one in the jungle will share. Elephant orders Hippo out of the pond and as Elephant is much bigger than Hippo, he splashes out of pond leaving Elephant to bathe in peace. In turn Hippo orders Lion out of the path; Lion orders Leopard out of the grass; and Leopard orders Monkey off the branch of the tree. But Monkey's Mama has some very good advice. "Son, you have to stand up to bullies. You go back to Leopard and you tell him there's enough room for two on that branch." Monkey does just that. "Don't you tell me what to do, this tree's big enough for two. Share it with me as a friend, don't be mean to me again." Leopard agrees and in turn confronts Lion with the same words who then speaks to Hippo who, with all the animals behind him, tells Elephant that the pond is big enough for two. In fact, "big or little, large or small, this pond's big enough for all." The colorful double- page illustrations and the recurring refrain make this an ideal read- aloud and a good introduction to a discussion of sharing. Journey by Aaron Becker - - Enjoy traveling with the main character to the far off lands of her imagination in this Caldecott Honor Book. The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin by Joe Troiano - - One day in the pumpkin patch, the strangest little pumpkin hatched... Spookley the Pumpkin was different. All the other pumpkins teased him, until Spookley proved that being different can save the day! Locomotive by Brian Floca - - The descriptive text and illustrations of this Caldecott Award winner will excite as one learns about the old transcontinental trains. 9
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate - - It's the first day of kindergarten and Miss Bindergarten is hard at work getting the classroom ready for her twenty- six new students. Meanwhile, Adam Krupp wakes up, Brenda Heath brushes her teeth, and Christopher Beaker finds his sneaker. Miss Bindergarten puts the finishing touches on the room just in time, and the students arrive. Now the fun can begin! This rhyming, brightly illustrated book is the perfect way to practice the alphabet and to introduce young children to kindergarten. Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard - - The kids in Room 207 take advantage of their teacher's good nature until she disappears and they are faced with a substitute. "Rarely has the golden rule been so effectively interpreted for children. Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown - - Excitement ensues as Mr. Tiger decides to abandon his proper ways and go wild so that he can have a little more fun in his life. Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come! By Nancy Carlson Olivia by Ian Falconer - - The first day of kindergarten is finally here, and Henry can't wait to paint pictures, sing songs, and practice counting. When he gets to school, though, he's not so sure he's ready for kindergarten. But before long Henry discovers that the only thing he's not ready for is how much fun he's going to have at school! This gently humorous, encouraging story will give children about to enter kindergarten an extra boost of confidence. Pocket Full of Kisses by Audrey Penn - - Penn provides parents with another tale of love and reassurance to share with their children. Chester Raccoon has a baby brother and the baby brother is taking over his territory. When Chester sees his mother give his baby brother a Kissing Hand his Kissing Hand he is overcome with sadness, but Mrs. Raccoon soothes his fears with her own special brand of wisdom, finding just the right way to let Chester know he is deeply loved. Secret Pizza Party by Adam Rubin - - From the creators of Dragons Love Tacos comes this humorous story of a Raccoon who just can t get enough pizza. Follow along as he devises his pizza party plan! Strega Nona by Tomie depaola - - Tomie depaola serves as "biographer" to his delightful Italian sorceress, Strega Nona, in this beautifully drawn prequel. The tale begins with little Nona's birth on a dark and stormy night, and ends where the original Strega Nona picks up- with Strega Nona taking on the bumbling, knock- kneed Big Anthony as an apprentice. This winsome story is illustrated throughout with Tomie depaola's warm and sunny watercolors! Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make my Day by Jamie Lee Curtis - - Silly, cranky, excited, or sad everyone has moods that can change each day. Jamie Lee Curtis's zany and touching verse, paired with Laura Cornell's whimsical and original illustrations, helps kids explore, identify, and, even have fun with their ever- changing moods. 10
Town Mouse, Country Mouse by Jan Brett - - A story filled with suspense and humor, this classic tale of a town mouse and a country mouse takes a new twist in the imaginative and talented hands of Jan Brett. She introduces two engaging mouse couples eager to get away from their everyday lives. But when they agree to swap homes, they find unexpected adventures around every corner. Lush green scenes alternate with the elegant details of a fine Victorian townhouse to make a sumptuous and stunning picture book. Folk and Fairy Tales Anasi the Spider by Gerald McDermott - - Anansi the Spider is one of the great folk heroes of the world. He is a rogue, a mischief maker, and a wise, lovable creature who triumphs over larger foes. In this traditional Ashanti tale, Anansi sets out on a long, difficult journey. Threatened by Fish and Falcon, he is saved from terrible fates by his sons. But which of his sons should Anansi reward? Calling upon Nyame, the God of All Things, Anansi solves his predicament in a touching and highly resourceful fashion. Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Jan Brett - - Everybody loves the story of the curious little girl named Goldilocks, who made herself quite at home in the house of the three bears. Jan Brett's lavish illustrations for this classic tale, full of details and surprises, gives this edition a special flair. Children will marvel at the enchanted world created herein. Lost in the woods, a tired and hungry girl finds the house of the three bears where she helps herself to food and goes to sleep. Boy Who Cried Wolf by B.G. Hennessy - - "Nothing ever happens here," the shepherd thinks. But the bored boy knows what would be exciting: He cries that a wolf is after his sheep, and the town's people come running. How often can that trick work, though? B.G. Hennessy's retelling of this timeless fable is infused with fanciful whimsy through Boris Kulikov's hilarious and ingenious illustrations. This tale is sure to leave readers grinning sheepishly. The Contest Between the Sun and the Moon by Heather Forest - - This ancient tale celebrates the power of gentleness. Walking along a winding road, a man finds himself swept into a magical world where a contest of strength takes place. The Emperor s New Clothes: a Tale Set in China by Demi - - Long ago in a province in China there lived an emperor whose greatest pleasure in life was to dress in new clothes. So begins Demi's retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale about a proud emperor who does not see what is obvious until he hears the truth from a child. The Mitten by Jan Brett - - When Nicki drops his white mitten in the snow, he goes on without realizing that it is missing. One by one, woodland animals find it and crawl in; first, a curious mole, then a rabbit, a badger and others, each one larger than the last. Finally, a big brown bear is followed in by a tiny brown mouse and what happens next makes for a wonderfully funny climax. As the story of the animals in the mitten unfolds, the reader can see Nicki in the boarders of each page, walking through the woods unaware of what is going on. Stone Soup by Marcia Brown 11
Clever soldiers outwit greedy townspeople with the creation of a special soup in this cherished classic, a Caldecott Honor book. First published in 1947, this picture book classic has remained one of Marcia Brown's most popular and enduring books. This story, about three hungry soldiers who outwit the greedy inhabitants of a village into providing them with a feast, is based on an old French tale. When three hungry soldiers come to a town where all the food has been hidden, they set out to make soup of water and stones, and all the town enjoys a feast. Strega Nona by Tomie Depaola - - Strega Nona (Italian for "Grandma Witch") warns foolish Big Anthony never to touch her pasta pot. One day, Big Anthony sees Strega Nona sing to it, and the pot magically fills with spaghetti. What Anthony doesn't see is the three kisses Strega Nona blows to make the pot stop. Left alone for the day, Big Anthony excitedly uses the pot to feed the whole town, but is helpless when pasta flows everywhere. Strega Nona returns, stops the pot- and punishes Big Anthony by handing him a fork! Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel - - "Tikki tikki tembo- no sa rembo- chari bari ruchi- pip peri pembo is the full name of the firstborn son in the Chinese family of this story. As the firstborn's, his name must be spoken completely and reverently. This old folktale of what happens when the boy falls into a well and his younger brother attempts to get help is nicely retold and should make excellent read- aloud material. The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka - - In this humorous story, Alexander T. Wolf tells his own outlandish version of what really happens during his encounter with the three pigs. He claims that he runs out of sugar for a cake that he is making for his grandmother. In an effort to locate sugar for his recipe, he visits the homes of his pig neighbors. At the first two houses, he goes into sneezing fits and ends up blowing the houses down, killing both pigs. Of course he couldn't let those two good meals go to waste, so he eats them up! When he visits the third house, occupied by a grouchy pig, the wolf endures nasty insults, and as a result, tries to knock down the front door. When the police arrive at the scene, they capture an angry sneezing and wheezing wolf. After he ends up in jail, the wolf claims that he is being framed by the media, who are "blowing" the whole story out of proportion. Smith's simplistic and wacky illustrations add to the effectiveness of this fractured fairy tale. Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People s Ears by Verna Aardema - - Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears is an African folktale which offers a great lesson to be learned by children. The story is about a mosquito who tells a lie to an iguana and annoys the iguana. This sets off a series of events that affects everyone who lives in the forest and the initiation of daylight. It is an excellent story for a young reader to learn the consquence of telling lies and the detrimental affect it can have on individuals and/or communities. Chapter Books & Story Collections Arthur (series) by Marc Brown - - Arthur stars in this children's series about growing up. Typical childhood problems such as bratty siblings, schoolyard bullies and classroom cliques are addressed by this popular series. 12
Franklin (series) by Paulette Bourgeois - - Franklin is a tiny turtle who suffers from all of the fears and trials of childhood. As he overcomes them, Franklin teaches children lessons about trust, friendship, bravery, family, and many other topics, but he accomplishes this in a different way than most children's book characters do. Frog and Toad (series) by Arnold Lobel - - Frog and Toad are always there for each other - - just as best friends should be. From sledding in winter to eating ice cream on hot summer days, these two friends have fun together the whole year round! George and Martha Series by James Marshall - - Like all best friends, George and Martha do everything together go to the movies, play at the beach, and just hang around not doing much of anything. George and Martha teach each other (and adoring readers) that even in a close friendship, privacy is important, practical jokes can sometimes backfire, and among other things, pouring split pea soup into your loafers to spare the chef s feelings is not the best- laid plan. Greek Myths by Geraldine McCaughrean - - The heroes and heroines of ancient Greece- - and their evil counterparts- - come to life in this excellent introduction to mythology. The stories that examine human foibles and were originally designed to explain the mysteries of life and the course of nature have formidably weathered the test of time. Readers meet the curious Pandora, ultra- strong Heracles and the lovesick musician Apollo, among others, in these 16 exciting and mystical tales. McCaughrean's retellings feature modern language and simplified plot lines and genealogical information, while retaining much of the drama of the more classical adult versions. The Magic School Bus (series) by Joanna Cole - - The Magic School Bus is a series of children's books about science, written by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degan. They feature the antics of Ms. Valerie Frizzle and her class, who board an anthropomorphic Type A school bus which takes them on field trips to impossible locations, such as the solar system, clouds, the past, and the human body. The books are written in the first person from the point of view of an unnamed student in "the Friz's" class. The class pet Liz, a lizard, accompanies the class on their field trips. Since the Magic School Bus books present scientific facts in the form of stories in which fantastic things happen (for example, a bus turns into a spaceship, or children shrink to the size of blood cells), each book has a page at the end detailing in a humorous manner which parts of the book represented scientific fact and which were fanciful storytelling. The Magic Tree House (series) by Mary Pope Osmond - - The Magic Tree House series revolve around siblings Jack (age 8) and Annie (7), who discover that a tree house in the woods near their home can transport them to different places and historical periods. The children are sent all around the globe to achieve specific goals, usually to rescue an important historical document. The books are all highly entertaining and educational. Each volume follows a certain suspenseful arc, so the children end up in at least one precarious situation, but things always turn out well. 13
Poetry Animals, Animals by Eric Carle - - From leaping, flying fish to dancing butterflies, and camels that "trollop along," Eric Carle's brilliant and colorful collage designs bring to life animal poems from such diverse sources as Shakespeare, Lewis Carroll, Rudyard Kipling, Emily Dickinson, and Jack Prelutsky, as well as Bible verses, Japanese haiku, American Indian poems and more. This celebration of the wonder and variety of earth's animals is "joyous...a book to be shared" Hi, Koo by Jon J Muth - - Caldecott Honoree and NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author/artist Jon J Muth takes a fresh and exciting new look at the four seasons. With a featherlight touch and disarming charm, Jon J Muth- - and his delightful little panda bear, Koo- - challenge readers to stretch their minds and imaginations with twenty- six haikus about the four seasons A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein - - No children's poetry collection would be considered complete without several volumes of Shel Silverstein's poems. This special new edition of the original 1982 publication of A Light in the Attic contains twelve new poems and drawings. To celebrate, shelsilverstein.com has included new animated videos of some poems and expanded its content. Some readers will enjoy tapping into this resource. Among the featured poems on the internet site is "Backward Bill." Silverstein's poems are fun- filled and present an original and unusual view of life, providing a glimpse of childhood fun and fears. Sometimes wistful, sometimes weird, always highly original, the poems will enchant new readers, and those already familiar with them will enjoy greeting old favorites again. Shel Silverstein is remembered not only as a poet and artist but as a performer and recording artist. Included in this high recommended volume are 147 poems. Pocket Poems by Bobbi Katz - - This lively collection is packed with kid- friendly, "pocket- sized" poems of eight lines or less by such well- known poets as Eve Merriam, Karla Kuskin, and the anthologist herself, Bobbi Katz. The easy- to- memorize, pint- sized poems reflect many different facets of children's lives and are embellished with witty, winning art by the beloved Marylin Hafner, making a package that will be welcomed by children and their teachers. Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein - - Come in... for where the sidewalk ends, Shel Silverstein's world begins. You'll meet a boy who turns into a TV set, and a girl who eats a whale. The Unicorn and the Bloath live there, and so does Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout who will not take the garbage out. It is a place where you wash your shadow and plant diamond gardens, a place where shoes fly, sisters are auctioned off, and crocodiles go to the dentist. Shel Silverstein's masterful collection of poems and drawings is at once outrageously funny and profound. Irreverent, hilarious and wildly popular, Silverstein s collection of verse is hard to put down. His black pen drawings are an integral part of the poems, which range from funny and gross to introspective or tender. Silverstein is a master at tickling the funny bone, and his book is definitely not just for kids! Non- Fiction The Emperor s Egg by Martin Jenkins - - This book describes the parental behavior of Emperor penguins, focusing on how the male keeps the egg warm until it hatches and how the parents care for the chick after it is born. 14
From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons - - Gibbons's introduction to plant growth and reproduction offers clear yet basic information about the entire plant cycle from seed pollination to mature growth. Included at the end of the text are simple facts about seeds and plants as well as a "From Seed to Plant" project that explains how to grow a bean plant. Gibbon's distinctive bold and colorful illustrations include easy- to- read labels, with simple and clear descriptions throughout the text. Groundhog Day by Gail Gibbons - - Every February 2, people all across the country wonder about the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil. Will he see his shadow on that day or won't he? Will spring come early or late? Here is information about Groundhog Day, its origins, and the animal at the center of this delightful annual event. If You Decide to Go to the Moon by Faith McNulty - - Two artists at the height of their powers have created a beautiful book with an unforgettable message about the moon and an even more important message about the earth. "If you decide to go to the moon," writes Faith McNulty, "read this book first. It will tell you how to get there and what to do after you land. The most important part tells you how to get home.written in the second person, the text allows the reader to participate in every aspect of the journey, from packing ("don't forget your diary and plenty of food") to liftoff (at first you'll feel heavy; don't worry") to traveling thorugh space (where "the moon glows like a pearl in the black, black sky"). The reader lands at the Sea of Tranquility, the site of the first lunar landing Mapping Penny s World by Loreen Leedy - - Lisa and her dog, Penny, learn the basics of mapmaking in this delightful sequel to "Measuring Penny Lisa's class is learning how to make maps. The teacher says they can make maps of anyplace, so Lisa starts with her bedroom. She includes all the things that people will need to read the map, such as a scale and a key to the symbols she has used. Her dog, Penny, helps with the map. This gives Lisa an idea: Why not map Penny's world? Making maps is so much fun that Lisa and Penny decide to visit some of the exotic places that they've drawn- but they won't forget to take a map along! After learning about maps in school, Lisa maps all the favorite places of her dog Penny. Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney - - Illustrated in full color. In this playful introduction to maps and geography, step by simple step, a young girl shows readers herself on a map of her room, her room on the map of her house, her house on the map of her street all the way to her country on a map of the world. Once the reader is familiar with the maps, she demonstrates how readers can find their own country, state, and town all the way back to their room on each colorful map. Easy- to- read text, bright artwork, and charming details give children a lot to search for and will have them eager to help navigate on the next family vacation. A child describes how her room, her house, her town, her state, and her country become part of a map of her world Picking Apples and Pumpkins by Amy and Richard Hutchings - - It's fun to pick apples! Take a hayride, climb up into the apple trees, and pick the apples you like best. Then, pick out a big orange pumpkin! Spend the day with Kristy, her family, and two best friends as they pick apples and pumpkins at Battleview Orchards in New Jersey. 15
Postcards from New York City by Ana by Laura Crawford - - While Anna is visiting New York City with her parents she sends postcards to family and friends back at home. The postcards carry pictures of many landmarks and places of interest in the city. While the messages that Anna writes on the cards are in English, the facts of interest about the various locations are in both English and Spanish. In addition to the illustrations shown on the cards, there are drawings of Anna and some of her adventures as well. This combination of fiction and fact works well, and Anna is an appealing young tourist. Grand Central Station, Broadway, Times Square, the New York Stock Exchange, and the Empire State Building are all featured, as is the World Trade Center Memorial. Kids will learn a little about history as they read the sections about Ellis Island and the Brooklyn Bridge. They will want to visit New York City to ride the carousel in Central Park and see Yankee Stadium. The Scrambled States of America by Laurie Keller - - The states become bored with their positions on the map and decide to change places for a while. Includes facts about the states. Thanksgiving Is by Gail Gibbons - - In this bountiful Thanksgiving offering, Gail Gibbons walks young readers through the entire history of harvest celebrations, from ancient Egyptian times to the Pilgrim and Indian Thanksgiving of 1621, a cornucopia of fun. Two Eyes a Nose and a Mouth by Roberta Grobel Intrater - - Two eyes, a nose, and a mouth features that are on millions of faces. Yet, it is the subtle change of these features that makes each face unique. Bright, close- up photographs of many faces show the similarity and difference of each person. William is Going Green by James Martin II - - William is Going Green is the first book in the series, introducing William the Garbage Truck to children. At first a smoky white garbage truck, William learns about conservation, makes friends, learns lessons and eventually transforms to a green hybrid recycling truck committed to the fight against global warming. A World of Food by Carl Warner - - Carl Warner is a professional photographer known for his miniature landscapes made entirely from edible ingredients. A World of Food presents 12 of his amazing pictures, each one showing young readers what the world might look like if there were only a single color. Yellow is a desert made of pasta palm trees, cereal sand, and swiss cheese pyramids, while Orange features pumpkin cottages, carrot trees, and apricot leaves. Playful verse accompanies each image, guiding viewers through the pictures and inviting them to figure out the various foods used (which are all identified at the back of the book). This is a wonderful book about colors and creativity for parents and children to look through together and discover the many different foods that make up Warner s fantastical world. 16