Bad Apple: A Tale of Friendship by Edward Hemingway

Mac was an apple that enjoyed all the simple joys of apple life.  One day he meets Will, a worm.  Will and Mac quickly become friends.  The other apples are not so nice about the new friendship.  They call Mac names and will not talk to him. WIll decides it is for the best if he disappears from Mac's life.  Mac though is very sad.  He misses his friend.  Mac decides to set off in search of his friend despite what other apples may say.  Good starting point for discussion about friendship, bullying, and standing up for what you believe. 

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  3 Buckeye leaves

Up Above and Down Below by Paloma Valdivia

The ones above think the people down below are different.  The people below think that people on top are different.  But are they really?  Do the ones on top live like the ones down below?  Do the ones below live like the ones on top?  A great book to start the discussion about similarities and differences among all of us.

Text:  3 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

I'm Bored by Michael Ian Black

First of all, BORED is outlawed in our house....well, it is for the CHILDREN (adults can say it but never pertains so.......)  The little girl in the book, as you probably can guess, is BORED.  But not a little bored....SOOOOOO BORED.  She comes across a potato and is quite confused as what she could possibly do with a potato.  Then the potato announces that it is BORED.  Well, the girl is quite confused how a potato could be bored with HER!  The potato would rather be in the company of a flamingo.  The girl begins to list all the many, many things that she, as a human, can do.  Potato is not impressed.....and finally gets its wish when a flamingo arrives on the scene....but..............

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves - I was amused but will be interesting to see reaction of kids.
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Paul Bunyah and Babe the Blue Ox: The Great Pancake Adventure by Luckhurst

Pancakes - Paul and Babe love pancakes.  Paul's mom warns them against eating only pancakes but they refuse to eat anything else.  The two friends get a job working for a logger that pays them with pancakes.  Soon Babe starts to feel sick from eating too many pancakes.  Where can they find a variety of good foods to eat?  Fun version of Paul Bunyan story that includes interesting and fun books kids will be interested in.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves