Gunning, Monica. (2004).
A Shelter in Our Car. Illustrated by Elaine Pedlar. Children's Book Press.
This moving story follows the story of a little girl and her mother who are struggling to get by after having moved to America from Jamaica. After the recent death of little girl's father, they have found their circumstances a little more difficult than they had originally planned for.
This is a great story to help children understand more about immigration and homelessness.
Yolen, Jane. (1988)
Owl Moon. Illustrated by John Schoenherr. NY. Penguin Group USA Inc.
Amazon.com ReviewAmong the greatest charms of children is their ability to view a simple activity as a magical adventure. Such as a walk in the woods late at night. Jane Yolen captures this wonderment in a book whose charm rises from its simplicity. "It was late one winter night, long past my bedtime, when Pa and I went owling." The two walked through the woods with nothing but hope and each other in a journey that will fascinate many a child. John Schoenherr's illustrations help bring richness to the countryside adventure. The book won the 1988
Caldecott Medal.
Riggio, Anita, (2002)
Secret Signs; Along the Underground Railroad. Boyds Mills Press.
*Sign Language
*Slavery
*Underground Railroad
Fleming, Candace. (2004)
A Big Cheese for the White House; A True Tale of a Tremendous Cheddar. Illustrated by S.D. Schindler. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Low, William
Martin, Jacqueline. (1998) Snowflake Bentley. Illustrated by Mary Azarian. NY. Houghton Mifflin for Children.
Amazon.com ReviewMost children are captivated by snow, but how many go on to make it their lifework? This beautiful biography, winner of the 1999 Caldecott Medal, tells the true story of a Vermont farm boy who was mesmerized by snowflakes. Wilson Bentley was fascinated by the six-sided frozen phenomena, and once he acquired a microscope with a camera, his childhood preoccupation took on a more scientific leaning. Bentley spent his life taking countless exquisite photographs (many that are still used in nature photography today), examining the tiny crystals and their delicate, mathematical structures. Jacqueline Briggs Martin tells this tale with simple, graceful prose that will engage children's imaginations. Edifying and snowflake-scattered sidebars offer more information about Bentley's methods and snowflake science. The artwork of Mary Azarian, whose 19th-century hand-press illustrations decorate the charming
Barn Cat, shines once again in
Snowflake Bentley, with woodcuts that reveal an appreciation for detail as well as for the man who loved snow. The lovely illustrations and equally fresh text will inspire and comfort youngsters (and grownups too) who wish they could capture snowflakes all year long. (Ages 4 to 8)
--Brangien Davis Click
HERE to visit the Wilson Bentley site.
Krull, Kathleen.
Summary from
betterworldbooks.com: Before Wilma was five years old, polio had paralyzed her left leg. Everyone said she would never walk again. But Wilma refused to believe it. Not only would she walk again, she vowed, she'd run. And she did run--all the way to the Olympics, where she became the first American woman to earn three gold medals in a single olympiad.
Ada, Alma Flor (2002) I love Saturdays y domingos. Illustrated by Elivia Savadier. New York: NYAtheneum Books for Young Readers.
The child in this story is from a bi-cultural family. She celebrates the weekend with grandparents from two different cultures and shares her story in this endearing tale.
Cronin, D. (2000) Click, Clack Moo; Cows That Type. Illustrated by Betsy Lewin. NewYork: NY. Simon & Schuster's Childrens Publishing Division.
This wonderfully illustrated picture book provides some insight into what might happen on the farm if cows could type. Farmer Brown definitely has his hands full and your classroom will be full of laughter when you share this book.
This
site also offers up some ideas for conversation about this book.
You can purchase this book by clicking the picture above or the link below:
Sendak, M. (1963) Where the Wild Things Are. New York: NY. Harper Collins Publishers.
This book is another classic from my own childhood. This is the story of one little wild boy named Max and his incredible imagination.
You can purchase this book by clicking the picture above or the link below:
Rathmann, P. (1995) Officer Buckle and Gloria. New York: NY. G.P. Putnam's Sons.
Office Buckle likes to travel to the schools and talk about safety but his act is pretty boring until he is joined onstage by Gloria. Gloria's onstage antics keep the children interested and Officer Buckle becomes a speaking sensation. This Caldecott winner focuses on teamwork and safety.
This book is another that emphasizes student letter writing.
Kaufman, K. (2004)
I Wanna Iguana. Illustrated by David Catrow. New York: NY. G.P. Putnam's Sons.
This delightful picture book follows the written exchange between a boy and his mother. The little boy really wants a pet and what follows is a humorous exchange between the mother and son.
This book is beautifully illustrated and fun to read.
*Pets
*Letter Writing
*Iguanas
*Baby Brother
HERE is another website that offers curriculum connections to this book:
De Paola, T. (1981) Fin M'Coul: The Giant of Knockmany Hill. New York: NY. Holiday House.
The simple story of Fin M'Coul and his wife Oonagh who helps him defeat his arch nemisis. Although a bit violent, still a delightful tale of brains versus brawn.
This is traditional Irish folklore that is retold and illustrated by Tomie de Paola.
You can click on the picture above or the link below to purchase this book:
Golembe, C. (1999) Annabelle's Big Move. Boston: MA. Houghton Mifflin Company.
This colorful, simple book is the story about a dog named Annabelle who moves with her family to a new town. The book is divided into two different stories, one that talks about the move and one that covers how Annabelle makes new friends.
The perfect book to share with children or their classmates, before or after a move!
You can purchase this book from Amazon by clicking the picture above or the link below:
