I Am the Book

I Am the Book is a collection of poems about reading and books and the celebration within each page. Lee Bennett Hopkins collected the thirteen poems from a variety of authors, including Karla Kuskin, Jane Yolen, and Jill Corcoran, encourage readers to enjoy reading, anytime, anyplace. This collection of poems would make a great addition to any library, classroom, or home, where reading is valued and enjoyed.

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short FABLES

Author Mary Ann Hoberman and illustrator Michael Emberley are back again in the fifth book of the You Read to Me series. This installment covers fables such as The Boy Who Cried Wolf, The Hare and the Tortoise, The Lion and the Mouse, and the Grasshopper and the Ant, to name a few. Each short fable is set up, just as in the pervious books, with the idea that two (at least) readers will be sitting together reading. (If you are unfamiliar with these books, see below as a sample) Saying students LOVE these books is an understatement. Kid's will sit for hours with friends taking turns reading the parts. These are also perfect books for parent and child to read together. Would make a great gift for early reader.

Story: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye Leaves

The Jellybeans and the Big Camp Kickoff by Laura Numeroff and Nate Evans

Friends Emily, Bitsy, Anna, and Nicole are back in the third book in the Jellybeans series. This time the friends are headed to summer camp. It does not take long for each to find something they enjoy at summer camp, except Nicole. She loves soccer and Camp Pook-A-Wow does not have a soccer team. Can the three friends pull to gether to help Nicole find a way to enjoy camp.

Story: 4 Buckeyes leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves (Illustrator Lynn Munsinger - one of my favorite illustrators!)

Others in the series:
The Jellybeans and the Big Book Bonanza (Great for promoting literacy and the love of books!!)
The Jellybeans and the Big Dance

The Tortoise and the Hare Race Again by Dan Bernstein

Ever since the much discussed race, the lives of Tortoise and Hare have been altered. A rematched is scheduled and Hare is determined not to let the same thing happen again. Hare is armed with numerous alarm clocks as the race starts. But unfortunately he falls into the same trap again. Hilarious epilougue to the original story, this book uses all the puns possible. Although younger kids will enjoy the story and how the race ends, it is the upper grades that will truly understand the humor behind the author's word choices.

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 3 Buckeye leaves

You're Mean Lily Jean! by Frieda Wishinsky

Simple, short, & to the point! Lily Jean moves into sister's Carly and Sandy's neighborhood. Lily Jean always makes Carly be the less desirable "roles" when playing: cow, baby, dog, etc. When Carly finally decides to fight back and stand up for herself, she is pleasantly surprised whenSandy stands up to Lily Jean as well. A book that would be a great book to be used in Kindergarten, first, or second grade to discuss how others should be treated , etc.

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 3 Buckeye leaves

Play Ball, Jackie by Stephen Krensky

Opening day 1947 and Matty Romano is happy to be at the game with his father watching the Brooklyn Dodgers vs the Boston Braves. Matty is confused as to why his father was given the tickets for free from a coworker. Matty's father explains that the person does not believe first baseman Jackie Robinson should be playing. Great example of historical fiction with civil rights movement and Jackie's Robinson's struggles to overcome prejudice and play the game he was gifted at. Upper elementary will appreciate the short concise historical fiction/biography.

Story: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves (Love end pages!!)

A Fabulous Fair Alphabet by Debra Frasier

Without too much trouble I could probably recite this book by memory. The three year old here LOVES this book so much that we have actually returned it to the library and had it requested again. The illustrations are fun with great opportunity for letter recognition practice. I love how she has created the different pages using different examples of the same letter.

Story: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5+ Buckeye leaves

When I asked the three year old if this was his favorite book, I was told, "Tied with Hot Rod Hamster!" (Guess I better buy our own copy!!)

The Green Mother Goose by Jan Peck and David Davis

I know there is a much deeper meaning...BUT this book cracked me up! I have said before I always like when there are GOOD new "remakes" and this is no exception. The author's definitely worked on this book to be able to create something educational in the form of the well-known Mother Goose rhymes. One of my favorites would be Hickory, Dickory, Dock and One, Two, We Can Renew. Kids will love these catchy rhymes and hopefully learn some Earth saving techniques as well!

Story: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Chicks Run Wild by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen

I can relate to mother chicken....you put the kid(s) to bed, walk out the door, and....PARTY TIME!!! Told in rhyme, poor mother chicken just can't get the 5 chicks to go to bed. What is that saying? If you can't beat them, then join them? So she does until THEY beg to go to bed! I think the illustrations are hilarious. I love the little chick with the glasses and something about a little chick hitting another little chick over the head with a down pillow just cracks me up! Kids will love the book or at least get some new bedtime ideas!!

Story: 4 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Arthur Turns Green by Marc Brown

Arthur is a current favorite at our house, so I was very happy to get my hands on the latest. Arthur's class is working on a project - "Big Green Machine". Each student must find ways to make the planet a better place. Students will present their ideas at school family night. As Arthur works on his project over the next few weeks, DW is very worried as she sees him "turning green"! DW is quite surprised on family night to find out the truth about the Big Green Machine. Another soon-to-be-Arthur-classic which brings home the ideas of conservation in simple terms that kids can understand.

Story: 5 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Brownie & Pearl Take a Dip by Cynthia Rylant

It is hot and Pearl and Brownie are ready to go out for a swim! First they must get ready - swimsuit, beach ball, and sunglasses - all set. The latest Pearl and Brownie adventure by Cynthia Rylant once again provides a cute story for early readers.

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Rain Brings Frogs: A Little Book of Hope by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

I love this book. I am thinking I should start each day by reading this book (and in some cases end the day with it as well!). Nate is the one that ALWAYS sees the bright side of things..although in our house I would change "Nate" to "Jim" my husband.

"When his sister says, Its so ugly!" (in regards to a scarf)
"Nate says, It's so warm!" (showing the scarf tied up nice and toasty)

Although this book is written in simple terms, I really think it would be better used with 2nd grade and older and even then, only with discussion. It would be a great beginning of the year book to talk about thinking positive and some days you may be a "Nate" and other days, you are not. I also expect to see this one in the "gifts for grads" display at the stores.

Story: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Flora's Very Windy Day by Jeanne Birdsall

On a very windy day Flora gets the opportunity that MANY big sisters dream about: the chance to give away their pesky little brothers. As Flora and Crispin fly through their adventure Flora decides that maybe her little brother is not quite as bad as she thought. A fantasy adventure with a morale for children about family.

Story: 4 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Ants in Your Pants, Worms in Your Plants!

Ants in Your Pants, Worms in Your Plants! is the latest Gilbert book by Diane deGroat. With so much emphasis on going "green" and Earth Day coming up this month, this book came out at a perfect time and Gilbert/deGroat fans will not be disappointed. Gilbert is having a horrible time coming up with a spring poem and then he has to also come up with an Earth Day project idea. As Gilbert's class presents their projects, readers will learn many ways everyone can help save our planet and go green. And of course, Gilbert is finally able to come up with a great idea!

Story: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

LaRue Across America: Postcards from the Vacation by Mark Teague

Mark Teague's latest LaRue book takes readers on a road trip across the United States. Ike is really hoping for a relaxing cruise but that does not happen when instead he must go on vacation with Mrs. Hibbin's cats after she falls ill. The cats are not allowed aboard the ship, so instead they hit the road, and of course, there is trouble from the start. I love the humor in the LaRue books. They can be enjoyed by younger kids but I think the older elementary kids can truly appreciate the humor on a different level.

Story: 5 Buckeye leaves - funny as always AND could spur some great geography lessons
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Sunday Chutney by Aaron Blabey

Sunday Chutney has lived all over the world. She has found that being the new kids is not always easy but you always have to be yourself. She may not like the same thing other kids like, but she is ok with that. I love Sunday's attitude. She does not care what others think, at least most of the time. A great role model for all kids!

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Looking for Easter by Dori Chaconas

Looking for Easter by Dori Chaconas is not a new book (2008) but it is new to me so I thought I would share it. This book takes the main idea of "Easter" and combines it to nature, and beautifully in my opinion. Little Bunny is looking for "Easter". Along the way he smells the sweet smells of spring. With each animal he meets, Little Bunny adds to "Easter" that he is carrying. At the end he has a basket with grass and berries. But Little Bunny still wonders what Easter is and gives his basket to Robin who is in need of a a new nest. Weeks pass and finally Little Bunny discovers what "Easter" truly is.

Story: 5 Buckeye leaves
illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Say Hello To Zorro! by Carter Goodrich

Mister Bud likes to have things a CERTAIN way. All the time. He has a very set schedule of 10 things....no exceptions. THEN Zorro comes on the scene and there is bound to be trouble. Very simple pictures. Very simple text. I think kids will respond to the two dogs and be able to relate to some of the "difficulties" they must overcome to live together happily. I love the facial expressions of the dog. They are right on and kids will be able to see through these, just exactly how these dogs feel!!

Story: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

If You're Hoppy by April Pulley Sayre

Saw this book on bn.com and could not WAIT to get it from the library. Love it!! It is so fun and I plan to use it as interactive with my 6 kinder classes (I better stop at Caribou that morning). As in the "traditional" song it starts off, "If you're hoppy and you know it you're a......FROG." From there though it changes, by adding additional animals that fit the criteria - like "a bunny or a cricket". So super cute and fun. Can't wait to share it with my kindergarteners!!

Story: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Ant and Grasshopper by Luli Gray

A new twist on an old favorite! A new focus on language arts standards in Ohio (so I have been told) is folk tales and fairy tales so I was happy to find this. As in the traditional Ant and Grasshopper story, the ant is doing all the work and the grasshopper is too busy playing. What is different about this version is the authors alternate ending. Do not want to spoil it but let's just say the ant in this version is a little nicer! I love the illustrations in this book! The illustrator truly captured the personalities of the characters. You can just tell what that ant is like - my way or NO WAY - who else would count their food EVERY DAY!?!

Story: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

First it was QUIET...then LOUD!!

In 2010 Deborah Underwood and Renata Liwska published The Quiet Book which describes all the things that are quiet...such as(these are some of my favorites)...

Right before you yell "SURPRISE!" quiet.
First snowfall quiet.
First one awake quiet.

Now I will admit I read this book when it first came out and loved the illustrations but did not give it much thought....until I have read it again, and again, AND AGAIN! And it all makes so much more sense. I love the snowfall one as that is one thing I do love about Ohio winter. Well, actually take the last two from above. I am usually the first one up, in our whole neighborhood (I get up at 4:30 am) and especially on those winter mornings when there is snow on the ground and it is so light outside because of the reflection - you can HEAR the quiet.


And now, for the opposite!! We have had tons of fun with this...the NOW 3 year old and I have been reading it this week and he cracks up at some of the examples....and argues about some of the LOUD examples!

Some of my favorites:
Candy wrapper loud (picture is in a movie theater)
Spilling your marbles in the library loud (they have never been in my library - ha!)
Ants loud (pictures a little girl animal holding an apple covered with ants...her crying!)

Both of these are very enjoyable and great discussion starters with any age. I would love to see what 5th graders could come up with to add to either book in comparison to 1st graders or kindergarteners.

Story: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

For more information about the author and illustrator:
Deborah Underwood
http://www.deborahunderwoodbooks.com/

Renata Liwska
http://www.renataliwska.com/

Red Wagon by Renata Liwska

Let me first explain when I saw this at Barnes and Noble the other day, I HAD to stop and read it. There is a story, really more of a legend, about my first Christmas. According to those that were there, I spent that first Christmas day at my aunt's in a red wagon. Furthermore the legend states that my nana guarded me, apparently afraid the other 3 kids would "break" me! So of course I had to read this book.

Lucy is so excited to have a brand new red wagon. She can't wait to start playing with it. BUT Mom instead wants her to go to market to buy vegetables for dinner. Her trip to the market takes an interesting turn as she rides the waves in the high sea, takes off into space, through a circus and construction site. Lucy is however able to complete the task for Mother.

Story: 5 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 5+ Buckeye Leaves (Love them! Best word to describe them is "sweet")

Cars Galore by Peter Stein

Black car, green car,
nice car, mean car.
Near car, far car,
Whoa! Bizarre car!

And so a new adventure in fun and rhyme begins. There was no doubt when I saw this book at the library, we would need to take it home!! All kinds of cars, all shapes, all sizes, all colors and described in this rhyming, fun text will make any child laugh. Every time you read it, and yes, we have read it QUITE a few times already, you see something new in the illustrations. Soon to be a library favorite, it already is a favorite at our house!!

Story: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves (Great endpages too!)

Animal Antics A to Z

I read Hanna Hippo's Horrible Hiccups by Barbara deRubertis from the Kane Animal Antics A to Z series. In this book Hanna Hippo is battling a horrible case of hiccups. Hanna is hungry and hopes to have one of Homer Hog's huckleberry muffins. So you can see where this is going. I have read another from this series as well and as I have warned before, PREREAD because this is a tongue twister to read aloud! Each of the books in this series takes one letter, creates a character, and sends the character on an adventure, connected to their letter. I can already hear my kindergarten and 1st grade classes giggling at these books, or at least giggling at ME as I try to read them aloud! If I could find them all in paperbacks, I would purchase them for my schools as well as our house! The soon to be 3 year old thought it was quite funny and was really able to tell me the H sound after reading this!

For more information about the series:
http://www.kanepress.com/intro-animal.html

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

The Fantastic 5 & 10 Store J. Patrick Lewis

J. Patrick Lewis, resident of Westerville, Ohio - yahoo!, newest book is written as a rebus, will certainly delight children of all ages. I found it to be quite fun to read. I am anxious to see how the younger readers would do with this type of book because there are so many drawings used throughout the text. (The full poem is written at the back end page)


Story: 5 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye Leaves (great end pages too!)

Author site:
jpatricklewis.com

Some of My Favorite ABC books....

Living with an almost 3 year old, I am constantly looking for new and FUN ABC books. These are some of my favorites (as well as LMNO Peas that I mentioned in earlier post - see March 17th).

The Zoo I Drew by Todd H. Doodler

ABC book where each letter of the alphabet is a different letter which provides a mix of both fiction and nonfiction information in a fun rhyme.


The Sleepy Little Alphabet by Judy Sierra

A great bedtime story. All the lower case letters are going to bed. Great endpages, filled with letters, are a bonus!!

Shiver Me Letters: A Pirate ABC by: June Sobel

The same soon to be 3 year old also is on a pirate kick so I am embracing it to find more books to hook him. Each letter that is mentioned in the rhyme on that page is also hidden within the picture

Where's Walrus? Stephen Savage

In this wordless picture book the walrus has escaped from the zoo and the zookeeper is in hot pursuit! The walrus hides throughout the city in hopes of finding a new "occupation". Young kids will find the walrus's choices funny as they guess where he will turn up next.

Preview video is available at bn.com

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustration: 5 Buckeye leaves

Don't Read This Book! by Jill Lewis

Although I think younger kids would enjoy, Don't Read This Book! I am more excited to share it with my older elementary kids. They will "get" the humor the best. I thought it was hilarious. I love the illustrations. The illustrator created the illustrations to look just like the king is tearing through the pages and carries the idea of a construction site with graph paper background and various "workers" working on the book. Throughout the king threatens the reader not to read any farther. The king is trying to guess the title of this under construction book as he sees mattresses carried in, a pea, a queen and a prince. Great fun!!

Story: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Gigi in the Big City Charise Mericle Harper

I LOVE Charise Mericle Harper's books....and this is no exception. It is so fun! I would definitely, which I do not like to do, put this in the category as a GIRL book. Gigi is spending the day in the big city. While she is there she visits many neat stores, meets new people, and goes to many museums. Children will love the pulling tabs, lifting flaps, turning wheels, etc. Great interactive book.

Visit Barnes and Noble.com to see a video of the book!
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Gigi-in-the-Big-City/Charise-Mericle-Harper/e/9780375842351/?itm=1&USRI=gigi+in+the+big+city

Story: 5 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye Leaves

Author's Website:
http://www.chariseharper.com/SITE/HOME.html

Shout! Shout it Out! By Denise Fleming

Younger kids will love the latest book from Ohio favorite, Denis Fleming. From numbers to colors kids will love the invitation to SHOUT, not that most kids need an invitation!!! It has a certain rhythm to the text that even after reading it, Adam and I were saying the words. Love Denise for my little one!

Story: 5 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye Leaves

Goldilocks and the Three Bears: A Tale Moderne by Steven Guarnaccia

I admit I love a good retelling of a story - folk tale, fairy tale, tall tale, whatever. I happened to come across this one after I had read this author's Three Little Pigs book. I love the freshness of these books. Something different. Of course it is close enough to the original that kids will be able to relate the two easily. I LOVE the endpages. I try very hard to get ALL my students to really look at those endpages as they often provide "clues" about the story of some kind. These endpages show all the "moderne" pieces from the book and provides the name of the artist, year, etc. Will kids miss that? Probably unless it is pointed out to them. I missed in on the other book.

Story: 4 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Check It Out! By Patricia Hubbell

Yahoo!! I know what my beginning of the year book is for 1st grade is for fall!! Through this new book readers will be introduced to some of the many tasks of a librarian. It is written in simple enough text that young students will be able to understand these responsibilities. This book would obviously be perfect for beginning of the year lessons by the librarian as well as lessons in classrooms about different occupations.

Story: 3 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 3 Buckeye leaves

Happy Birthday, Big Bad Wolf by Frank Asch

We are prepping at our houses for TWO big birthdays this Friday, April 1st....one is turning 3 years old (that would be my son Adam) and the other is well, she might not want me publishing her age but also my mom's bday! Yes, both on April 1st. So when I saw this birthday book and the author's name, I had to grab it. Adam was GLUED to it. When the Big Bad Wolf shows up at the Pig house, Little PIg mistakes his parent's intentions and thinks they are having a surprise birthday party for Big Bad Wolf. Momma and Poppa Pig play along with the surprise birthday party idea and the Big Bad Wolf softens as he receives chocolate cake, a present, and games. A twist on the usual Big Bad Wolf stories which all ages will enjoy.

Story: 4 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye Leaves

Curious George Plants a Tree

"George was a good little monkey and always very curious."...and so begins another Curious George adventure. And to not be out done by other furry book characters, he is going GREEN!!! On a trip recent trip out, George learns that the science museum will be sponsoring a “Green Day” dedicated to recycling and planting trees. George wants to help out but in true George style, he takes it a bit far. Young and old that knew George growing up will be delighted to see him back in this latest adventure.

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: "Illustrated in the style of H. A. Rey"

Can't Sleep Without Sheep by Susanna Leonard Hill

"Ava had a hard time falling asleep. Her mind was always so busy!" I laughed when I saw this beginning line in Can't Sleep Without Sheep..I am guessing most adults reading this book can relate to this. I found this books to be hilarious though, I am not sure the almost 3 year old got all the humor. The sheep are tired of visiting Ava every night and trying to help her go to sleep. The sheep propose having other animals take over their responsibilities in helping her go to sleep. A number of other animals, chickens, cows, pigs, hippos, etc, "apply" for the job and try their hand at jumping over Ava's fence. Ava and the sheep soon realize the best "animal" for the job is the sheep and things return to normal.

Illustrations are adorable and funny. Love the endpages with the sheep in night hats! Cute!

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye Leaves

Kindergarten Day USA and China/China and USA

In its "flip me over" format by Trish Marx and Ellen B. Sensisi, Kindergarten Day USA and China (or China and USA...depending on which way you start from) examine the ways in which each classroom, a half a world away are similar and how they are different. The book looks at two kindergarten classes, one in Beijing, China and one in the New York. The book includes great photographs that correspondence with the text. Chinese words for different activities, along with easy pronunciation guides, are provided on the Chinese side of the book. I, of course, had a special interest in this book as we continue to wait for a referral to adopt from China, but I think most children will find this book to be very interesting.

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves.

Zoo Borns! Andrew Bleiman & Chris Eastland

The book Zoo Borns, which began as a blog, covers a variety of baby animals from the cute to the zany, from around the world. Ever seen a baby aardvark or baby crowned sifaka? By reading Zoo Borns! readers will meet seventeen different animals babies, including the aardvark named Amani that lives in Michigan and the Tahina the crowned sifaka that lives in France. I know the kids will LOVE this book....baby animals ALWAYS get a big thumbs up from the kids. Teachers and parents will love the additional information at the back of the book including where each animal featured lives and a little bit about them. Of course, MY students will love the first animal in the book - Beco the Asian elephant that lives at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium!

The blog: http://www.zooborns.com/

Story: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves (photographs)