The Art of Miss Chew by Patricca Polacco

For any teacher that has ever felt undervalued....add this Polacco book (along with quite a few of her others) to the list to boost your morale and to remind you of your POWER!  This book again looks at another, actually two, powerful teachers in "Trisha's" life.  Trisha has begun another new school year and loves her teacher, Mr. Donovan.  He soon recognizes Trisha's struggles and tries to help her by allowing her to have extra time when completing work.  He also soon recognizes her talent in art and sets her up with a special art teacher, Miss Chew, at the high school.  Miss Chew works with Trisha and her art ability grows.  But one day Mr. Donovan receives horrible news that his father in Ireland has passed away.  Mr. Donovan leaves for Ireland and the new substitute is not as understanding or supportive as Mr. Donovan.  She believes Trisha is wasting her time taking art classes with Miss Chew.  Believing in Trisha's talent, Miss Chew works to save her prized student from being taken out of art classes.  Another inspirational book from Polacco - for students as well as teachers. 

"I spy with my little eye...something with big claws." 

This book of under the sea riddles with a "cut away eye" will delight and challenge young children.  Readers will be able to sharpen their counting skills as they explore the creatures below the water.  A great interactive book.  And my favorite 4 year old....LOVES this book!  :)

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Waking Up Is Hard To Do

I LOVE THIS ONE! And it will be stuck in your head for DAYS.....Poor Dinosaur is having a hard time getting out of bed. Admit it! You have been there! AND I figured on a Monday this is the perfect book to share. The CD will have you tapping your feet as you go through dinosaur's morning. Colorful, fun illustrations accompany the great lyrics and provide great enjoyment for all ages!

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye Leaves

Scary Mary by Paula Bowles

Mary is very scary. When the other animals ask her to play, she scares them away. She does everything she can to make them go away. She makes signs and makes a big fuss. When she is finally alone she realizes that being scary is also very lonely. She misses the other animals and changes her mind about being scary. Adorable illustrations accompany this simple story about getting along with others. Scary Mary could be used with any level to spark discussion about treating each other nicely.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Secret Agent Splat by Rob Scotton

Splat is back and this time he must use his detective skills to investigate. A number of ducks are being taken and returned with missing beaks. Splat begins his investigation by asking his family about the crime. This turns up no useable clues except the name "Mr. Nobody". Splat decides this is a job for Secret Agent Splat. He devises an elaborate plan and is shocked by what he uncovers. Spike is the duck thief....or is he?

To view a book trailer of Secret Agent Splat click HERE!!

The Jellybeans and the Big Art Adventure by Laura Numeroff

The Jellybean friends are back again!! Bitsy and the other girls are given the honor of creating a mural on the side of Petunia's Candy Store. Each girl decides on what they want to add to the mural but Bitsy has the hardest time deciding what the add because she is worried about others not liking what she adds. Will Bitsy be able to decide?

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves (Lynn Munsinger is one of my most favorite illustrators!)

Blue Chameleon by Emily Gravett

The amazing chameleon....able to change colors....and in this case, shape, to look more like other objects. Fun book with great exposure to colors as well as a discussion about chameleons!

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Artist Ted by Andrea Beaty

Ted is back and this time he is the ultimate "artiste"! Ted decides he needs to spruce up the boring, plain walls around him and creates his own paint and his own brushes to do just that. Ted takes his artistic expression too far when he decides to create a masterpiece on the shirt of the new student Pierre. It is up to Artist Ted, and his friends, to make Pierre feel better and less anxious about his new school.

(Follow up to Doctor Ted and Firefighter Ted)

I Speak Dinosaur! by Jed Henry

A boy decides when he speaks "dinosaur" he does not have to worry about using good manners. He can say what he wants and how he wants it. He quickly discovers that is not the case. What he does discover is when he speaks "dinosaur" he is quite lonely. When he meets other dinosaurs he is surprised to learn that dinosaurs are polite and use good manners. Maybe he needs to change his "dinosaur-language". I Speak Dinosaur! will appeal to dinosaur loving kiddos. The book has a great message about using manners and being polite though at times it was somewhat confusing to follow. Hopefully kids would see beyond that to the deeper message.

Text: 3 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

When Blue Met Egg by Lindsay Ward

"One SNOWY morning, Blue was awakened by something extraordinary flying through the air..."

So begins a journey for Blue, a little bird, and a rather quiet, cold egg. Blue is determined to find Egg's mother, figuring the mother would be very worried. Blue travels all around New York City looking for Egg's mother, without any luck. Blue continues to search for the mother while caring for Egg until slushy April arrives and Blue begins to notice that Egg is getting smaller....and smaller....and one day is gone and in its place something pink (flower) has bloomed and a new friendship begins. Sweet story - with adorable pictures. Small children may miss what "Eggs" truly is.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Endpages: 5 Buckeye leaves (scenes of NYC!)

Piggy Bunny by Rachel Vail

Liam is a piglet. He is a perfect piglet according to his pig parents.

"We love your squiggly tail and your little black eyes and your snouty nose and your adorably triangular ears."

But Liam does not think he is perfect. Liam does not want to be a pig. Liam wants to be the EASTER BUNNY! Everyone told Liam he could NOT be the Easter Bunny. Everyone that is except his grandparents. Liam's grandparents encouraged Liam. They told him to get a costume, which was ordered on the Internet. And Liam started practicing. Finally Liam became the Easter Bunny he always wanted to be. Such a cute story about believing in yourself and what you want to BE. The illustrations and text fit each other perfectly. Very enjoyable.

Text: 4 Buckeye Leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Wake Up, It's Spring! by Lisa Campbell Ernst

It is that time of year.....SPRING!! The snow is melting, the long cold (well, except this winter) is over and it is time for all things spring to arrive! Once the sun has warmed up, the earth wakes up and "nudges" the earthworm. The earthworm wakes up and "sang" to its neighbor the seed. This continues on and on. A great book for sequencing activities with young children as the storyline is fairly simple to follow. This book would also be a great book for a flannel board story - will put that on my "to do" list for the summer.....

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves (I always enjoy Ernst's illustrations!)

The Duckling Gets a Cookie! by Mo Willems

The Pigeon and his little "friend" Duckling are back! (Yes, it came out today.....and yes, I drove to B and N to get it at lunch....yes, I am probably more excited than the kids!) So this time the Pigeon is upset because the Duckling has a cookie and he does not. How did the Duckling get a coookie? Hasn't the Pigeon asked for things before? Why is he never given anything? It is just NOT fair! The Duckling being a kind Duckling decides to.....share. BUT why? What makes this Duckling sooooo willing to share?? LOVE the Pigeon and his little friend! Can't wait to share this one tonight at bed time....Thanks again Mo!

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Kite Day by Will Hillenbrand

Friends Bear and Mole are back and this time they want to fly a kite. Working together the two friends create a kite and are ready to take off. Once the kite is up and flying a bad storm rolls in, causing the kite string to snap. Bear and Mole are disappointed until they realize that their kite served a new purpose for some baby birds. The simple storyline will allow even the youngest reader to understand the main events of the story with some additional explanation for the ending.

(Second book in the Mole and Bear series - first one was Spring Is Here!)

Text: 3 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

I don't want to be a pea! by Ann Bonwill

I love this book! The illustrations are adorable and the simple story with endearing characters really made this an enjoyable book to read. Now my students....I think they missed part of it...ho hum. Hugo, a hippo, and Bella, a bird, are getting read for the Hippo-Bird Fairy-Tale Fancy Dress Party. They must decide on a costume which is where the trouble begins. Hugo wants to dress as the princess and have Bella dress as the pea but Bella is not in favor of being a pea! Bella has other ideas. Bella thinks she should dress as a mermaid and Hugo could be a rock. Obviously Hugo does not like this idea. It goes on and on until the two friends are not speaking, and not going to the party together. Will they ever be able to come to an agreement and save their friendship?

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves









To check out the book trailer click HERE!



Author's website click HERE!

It's My Room by Robert Munsch

I am trying hard to catch up on the new books I have read....and not doing such a good job. A few second grade classes at school study Robert Munsch so in an effort to prep for their classes tomorrow, I am writing this up. I will admit that I am maybe not the biggest Munsch fan....mainly because I do not always "get it". This one took me a couple times to really appreciate. I am anxious to see what the kid's think.

Matthew is very excited when his mom announces that they will be moving to a new trailer. He is even more excited to hear he will not have to share his room. Of course it is not long before various relatives and/or their pets arrive and Matthew is forced to share his room. Matthew has reached his limit. He knows he must come up with a plan....a lasting plan....that will make a big impact. Though he still has to share his room, it is not with relatives or their pets.

Penny and her Song by Kevin Henkes

Penny has a new song. Penny wants to share her new song. Every time she tries to share her song, she is told, "NO!" Mama and Papa do not want the babies woken up. Mama and Papa say no singing at the table. Will Penny ever get to share her song? What will her family think of her new song?

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

10 Hungry Rabbits by Anita Lobel

Ten hungry rabbits are helping Mama Rabbit add to the soup pot for dinner. Each rabbit adds another item which of course is a different color.

"...NINE GREEN peas in a pod...TEN BLACK peppercorns in his pocket..."

Great concept book about colors and numbers as well as vegetables. Simple to read and understand.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Possible flannel board to go along with the book, click HERE.

Otto The Book Bear by Katie Cleminson

Feel like I am FINALLY starting to get my head above water....waiver day presentation of grades 3-5 picture books - check; levy passed - check (though this is not all sunshine and roses as unfortunately, cuts still have to be made including some cuts in the library program as well as many other programs district wide....but that is a discussion for another day). So I am now trying to catch up on my younger picture book reading which thanks to my wonderful soon-to-be- 4 year old son, I have my audience always ready and waiting!

This is a new favorite of mine! I paired this book with Dog Loves Books (by Louise Yates) and The Wonderful Book (by Leonid Gore) for my first grade classes today. Otto is a book bear. What is a book bear? A bear that lives in a book of course! And at night Otto climbs out of his book to explore and read. He is quite content with his life until the day he is out of his book exploring and gets left behind. Otto decides to take off on an adventure but soon realizes he is not so crazy about what he finds. Finally he comes upon a building with lots of.....BOOKS!!! He soon discovers many book creatures within the rows and rows of books. Otto is once again happy to be

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves
Endpages: 5 Buckeye leaves LOVE THEM!!

What We Wear: Dressing Up Around the World

LOVE this book.....children from 45 countries are included in this colorful, simply written book about the way cultures all over the globe dress. Love this book....part of the proceeds from the book's sales will be donated to The Global Fund for Children. Love this book...BECAUSE KAZAKHSTAN IS REPRESENTED!!! WOOHOO!!!! Guess who will be buying this book?? Any book with my baby boy's birth country in it.....gets a special spot on our book shelf!

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Zero the Hero by Joan Holub

The other numbers think zero is worth nothing…nada….diddly squat….useless. From addition to subtraction, zero is nonexistent! When it comes to division, forget it. Zero decides to roll away. Then one day, Zero the Hero must swoop in and help save the day when the other numbers are taken over by the Roman Numerals. This book is HILARIOUS!! I was cracking up the whole time....HOWEVER reading it aloud to a group of kids may be challenging as the quotes in speech bubbles really make it funnier but may be hard to include in the reading aloud. Some kids may not get all the humor.

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Just a Second by Steve Jenkins

Love this book! This will be perfect for my older (4th and 5th gr) students because it is PACKED with interesting tibits of information like:

In one minute a charging grizzly bear gallops one half-mile.

In one second a cheetah sprinting flat out can travel 100 feet.

In one hour 15,913 people are born and 6,933 people die.

The book lends itself to interesting lessons about not just time but other number and measurement concepts.

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Love Twelve Miles Long by Glenda Armand

Frederick waits anxiously for his mother to visit from another plantation where she lives. Each time she visits she recounts the 12 miles journey she has endured to visit him.

"The seventh mile is for singing!" Frederick said. "What do you sing, Mama? Sad songs or happy ones?"

Frederick's mother dreams of the day when they will own their own land, work their own land, and not be owned by anyone. She dreams of the day Frederick will do big and important things. Frederick's mother did not live to see the important things Douglas did after he changed his name from Bailey to Douglas. A different look at the lives of slaves prior to the Emancipation Proclamation and a tender look at the relationship between family members that were forced to endure separation during this time.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Jack's Path of Courage: The Life of John F. Kennedy by Doreen Rappaport

As a child John F. Kennedy was often overshadowed by his older, stronger brother Joe. It was believed that Joe would be the one to run for office. When Joe was killed in a plane explosion, Jack decided he would step up and fill that role in the family. His life was often filled with back pain yet he went on to serve in Congress, write a Pulitzer Prize winning book, Profiles in Courage, and eventually running for president. Written using quotes from Kennedy's life, another great biography from Rappaport. Easily used to teach students about biographies as well as the life of one of our US Presidents.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Jingle Bells: How the Holiday Classic Came To Be by John Harris

Can't wait to read this to my students.....in 10 months. It is the Summer of John Lord Pierpont was living in Savannah, Georgia, working as a choir director for a Unitarian church under attack for their willingness to welcome former slaves into their congregation. John has been trying to come up with a song for the Thanksgiving program but the heat, homesickness for New England, and the violence from those in favor of slavery is hindering his ability to do so.

Great story the kids will love about a song that every child seems to know.

LOVE the endpages! Took me a minute to realize what it was....

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Here Come the Girl Scouts! by Shana Corey

Juliette Gordon Low, or “Daisy” as her friends and family called her, was born during a time when girls were supposed to be dainty and delicate. Daisy wanted more. She wanted adventure and excitement. Daisy discovered a group in England for boys called the Boy Scouts. This group spent a lot of time outside doing the very things Daisy enjoyed. Daisy was especially excited to learn there was a sister group called the Girl Guides. Daisy soon began making plans for her own version of the Girl Guides, known as the Girl Scouts, in Savannah. Daisy spent much of her time traveling around the country giving speeches and raising money for Girl Scouts, and before long Girl Scout troops could be found throughout the country, as they still are today. Great informational biography about a woman that has impacted the lives of many girls throughout the country. A great length for introducing biographies to younger students.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Freedom Song: The Story of Henry "Box" Brown by Sally M. Walker

Henry "Box" Brown was born a slave. Henry sings his way through his daily life as a slave, dreaming on the day he is free. When his wife and children are sold he knows it is finally time to find a way to freedom. Using a box, Henry "mails" himself to freedom. A great companion to a study of the Underground Railroad.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

We March by Shane W. Evans

Just as in his 2011 book Underground, author Shane W. Evans provides a glimpse into history using simple text and powerful illustrations in his new book, We March. August 28, 1963 was a momentous occasion as more than 250,000 people participated in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Great introduction to the Civil Rights Movement.

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Article from the Washington Post click HERE!

Animal Fights by Catherine Ham

Animals "fight" for a variety of reasons. Through short, easy to read text, the reader learns the variety of ways that animals use their different adaptations to fight other animals. Easy to read text makes this a great nonfiction book for read aloud or introduction to nonfiction.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves - Great photographs.

George Washington's Birthday: A Mostly True Tale by Margaret McNamara

George is so excited to celebrate his 7th birthday but is quickly disappointed when it seems everyone else has forgotten, something he is sure people won't do in the future. Based loosely on facts and stories from Washington's life, readers spend the day with Washington.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 3 Buckeye leaves

Let's Play in the Forest...While the wolf is not around! By Claudia Rueda

Not a new book (copyright 2006) but new to me and I can't wait to share this one with the little ones. The story is told through speech bubbles which lends itself nicely to a readers theater experience. The animals are asking the wolf, "Wolf, are you there?" The wolf responds each time as he gets dressed. The animals become more concerned as they realize the wolf is almost dressed. The surprise ending will leave the reader laughing and the animals relieved.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Fruit Cake: A fruit-filled play on words

You must pull, turn, and lift your way through this book of fun word play. Pull and the banana becomes banana split. Lift and the blue becomes blueberry pancakes. Great colorful pages with constant interaction will allow readers to become part of the book. This was has quickly become a favorite of our house.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Chopsticks by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Amy Krouse Rosenthal is one of my favorite authors. I was ecstatic to go to one of her sessions last year at the Dublin Literacy Conference and found her to be so totally down to earth that I think I love her books even more now. In one of her latest books, Chopsticks her usual humor shines beginning with the cover. A "sequel" to her book Spoon, though according to the cover, "More like a change in place settings," Chopsticks must learn to stand on their own when an injury separates them. With jokes and puns, that quite possibly younger children will miss, adults will enjoy this book as much as her other books.

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Listen To My Trumpet by Mo Willems

Piggie and Elephant is back! We are big fans of Piggie and Elephant books at our house and throw in a musical instrument and we are all over it! Piggies is super excited to perform with his new trumpet for Gerald. Gerald listens but is not impressed. He is trying to be a good friend but does not want to hurt Piggie's feelings. But what exactly IS Piggie trying to perform? Kids will love Piggie's attempts to perform with his new trumpet....I had an almost 4 year old on the ground laughing at the sounds Piggie was creating. Thanks Mo for another laugh....and another book for our Mo Willems collection!

My Heart Will Not Sit Down by Mara Rockcliff

When Kedi learns about the Great Depression in her teacher's "village" in the United States, she knows she wants to help feed the starving children. She asks everyone in her village to help feed the starving children but no one can help given their own needs. Kedi is pleasantly surprised later when her village is able to send $3.77 to New York City to help buy food for the starving people. Inspired by actual events of a village in Cameroon helping by sending money to people whose faces we have never seen. Beautifully written, great language, and a reminder of what we all should be doing - helping each other.

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Jim Henson: The Guy Who Played With Puppets by Kathleen Krull

Jim Henson, creator of Muppets, began entertaining before he ever had a television set. As a child he enjoyed creating shows for his friends and family and wanted nothing more than to have the audience laugh. Despite his father's desire for Jim to study science, he graduated from college with a degree in home economics and left to paint in Europe where puppets more widely accepted as a form of entertainment. He continued his dream of entertaining until his death at the age of 53. A great book to use to introduce students to "biographies" as most children will know the Muppets or characters from Sesame Street.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

An Awesome Book of Thanks by Dallas Clayton

From friends to trains to boxes to pretend with, so much to be thankful at all ages. Simple text accompanied by simple illustrations reminds readers of the many, many things to be thankful for. Great springboard for discussion about being thankful and grateful. Good for all ages.

To visit Dallas Clayton's website click HERE!

The Game of Mixed-Up Art by Herve Tullet

Being a fan of Tullet's book, Press Here, I was excited to see this book. In a nut shell, FUN! A "board book" in material, but definitely appropriate for "kids" age 1 - 101! Each "page" is divided in 3 parts which can be turned to create new "art" using the different squiggles, lines, and shapes of bright colors.

Help Me Learn Numbers 0-20 by Jean Marzollo

I would argue that every preschool, kindergarten, and 1st grade classroom (as well as special needs classrooms and ESL classrooms) should have this book. Clear, photographs on each page with a corresponding rhyme for each number. Great fun for kids to practice their counting AND rhyming! Two for the price of one!

Gingerbread faces

all in a line

How many are there?

I count _________ (nine)

I read it with Adam and he really "got it" though I think he was understanding the rhyming part more so than some of the higher numbers....still working on those.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Snowed Under and Other Christmas Confusions by Serge Bloch

It is the day before Christmas and the preparations for the big day are in full swing. Everyone is showing their Christmas spirit, or are they? As in his other books (which I love for older elementary kids), Bloch creates a story using common sayings and idioms to describe the confusion for the big day. Great fun and opportunity for discussion. Wonderful springboard for challenging older students to write a similar story.

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Bear In Long Underwear by Todd H. Doodler

Bear and his friends head outside to enjoy the new snow but BBBRRRR it is CHILLY! The animals enjoy snow angels, sledding, snow ball fights, and building snowmen. But the snowman looks COLD and the animals decide to "warm" him up with some of Bear's clothes, right down to his red long underwear. Of course the other animals want some long underwear of their own. A hilarious, fun book young children will enjoy. Doodler is definitely an author that knows how to make kids (ok, fine, and adults too :) laugh! Great fun!

A New Year's Reunion by Yu Li-Qiong

It is time to celebrate the new year and Maomao is waiting for her father, who builds houses in faraway places, to arrive home to join in the celebration. When he finally arrives home Maomao does not recognize him. Papa gets a haircut and Maomao begins to see the papa she remembers. Soon the family is making sticky rice balls, visiting family, cleaning and fixing the house, and watching the dragon dance down Main Street. All too quickly it is time for Papa to return to work. A great glimpse into the Chinese New Year celebration of a family in China as well as the life migrant workers throughout China.

Text: 3 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Blackout by John Rocco

One hot summer day in the city, the lights go out. Now what? Seems everyone has more time now that there are no distractions. A family climbs to the roof to discover the light - stars - up above. Then down to the street where a party has developed. Family fun with no distractions. But the electric is back on life returns to "normal" but not for long. Very important story given all the distractions in our lives today. Incredible illustrations (yup, Caldecott Comm. I agree with this one - they will be relieved) which truly extends the story, providing a better understanding. Love this one more after my initial reading some months ago.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves (Perfect amount as not to distract from the illustrations)

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye Leaves

Ride Fly Guy, Ride! by Tedd Arnold

We have ALL the Fly Guy books....and go through phases that we read one after another, after another....after another :) So we are now the proud owners of the NEWEST Fly Guy book and this one is PERFECT for Adam...all about different types of transportation. One day Dad, Buzz, and Fly Guy take off for a ride in the car. All of a sudden Fly Guy got sucked out the window and the great chase begins as Fly Guy bounces from a truck to boat to circus train, etc. Will Buzz ever be reunited with his friend Fly Guy? Fly Guy fans will be delighted with this latest adventure.