Litwin, Eric. Pete the Cat, I Love My White Shoes. Harper, p2010, c2008.
This book singlehandedly, okay with a bit of my help, brought my entire library population to it's feet in the month of June. At the first sight of Pete, I instantly fell in love. This quirky, very cool and hip cat just loves his new white shoes...Soooo Much...he walks along singing a song. But all is not smooth for this cool cat and the students learn to cope with his bumps in the road, just as he does. The accompanying jingle, extensions, including readers theater performed by the 5th grades for our kindergarten, turned this simple, joyful story into a three week run, with return requests sung loudly by many if not all my students until the very last day. Perhaps one of my most rewarding experiences thus far in my humble and short career. I thank my collegues who endured!
This book singlehandedly, okay with a bit of my help, brought my entire library population to it's feet in the month of June. At the first sight of Pete, I instantly fell in love. This quirky, very cool and hip cat just loves his new white shoes...Soooo Much...he walks along singing a song. But all is not smooth for this cool cat and the students learn to cope with his bumps in the road, just as he does. The accompanying jingle, extensions, including readers theater performed by the 5th grades for our kindergarten, turned this simple, joyful story into a three week run, with return requests sung loudly by many if not all my students until the very last day. Perhaps one of my most rewarding experiences thus far in my humble and short career. I thank my collegues who endured!
For both see below
Carlson, Nancy. It's Not My Fault! . Carolrhoda Books, p2003, c2003.
One of the best bi-lingual lessons of the year. Tumblebooks used for the Spanish and I read the English, it was a total experience for Kindergarten through Second grade. How many of parents have heard "It's Not My Fault!" ? The students dramatized the choral repetition of this book, both in Spanish and in English and it was clearly a universal and unifying experience for these students. Who could not relate? There was such great demand for these two books that I arranged to circulate them as pairs into the bi-lingual classrooms rather than allow individual check out, after I had finished my scheduled lessons.
One of the best bi-lingual lessons of the year. Tumblebooks used for the Spanish and I read the English, it was a total experience for Kindergarten through Second grade. How many of parents have heard "It's Not My Fault!" ? The students dramatized the choral repetition of this book, both in Spanish and in English and it was clearly a universal and unifying experience for these students. Who could not relate? There was such great demand for these two books that I arranged to circulate them as pairs into the bi-lingual classrooms rather than allow individual check out, after I had finished my scheduled lessons.
Shannon, David. No, David! . Blue Sky Press, p1998, c1998. David wreaks havoc in every room of the house and even runs down the road nude. He reaches too far for the cookie jar, tracks in too much dirt, bangs too loudly, and creates a potato head with string-bean arms and chicken legs instead of eating his dinner. He even sticks his finger up his nose farther than anatomy would seem to allow. The text consists mostly of his mother saying, "No, David," until.... There is no mystery as to why almost every boy I know, and girls as well, want a chance to bring No, David!! home. The best part is when the kids find out this is somewhat biographical!
David Goes to School runs a close second to No, David!
David Goes to School runs a close second to No, David!
Seeger, Laura Vaccaro. First the Egg. Roaring Book Press. New York: 2007
Vibrant color and texture of oil on canvas illustrate the simple story of life, growth, and change; beginning and beginning again, giving the chicken and the egg its rightful place in the introduction of life cycle transformations to the youngest reader. The text so simply accompanies the illustrations and gives just enough companion information to complement the story as it’s told.
Bridwell, Norman. Clifford the Big, Red Dog! Scholastic. New York: 1963 - 2011
All there is to say about Clifford is keep them coming. The simple yet boundless friendships, and bungling adventures caused by mistakes any child can understand being made,, make Clifford the most popular dog in the library. His stuffed representative has dried many a tear, warms the kids' hearts and draws them to the "B" section shelves en mass. Too many versions to show here, but never too many for my students. A classic that is not yet tired.
Falconer, Ian. Olivia, Olivia and the Missing Toy, Olivia Forms a Band, Olivia Goes to Venice, ...Helps with Christmas, ...Saves the Circus: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Olivia books do not stay on the shelves, but unlike Clifford, there are fewer published. Often times a sharing agreement must be brokered! Olivia is just like someone everyone knows, independent, curious, exciting, dramatic, lively and endearing. As always suggested, she is often paired with Kevin Henkes prize pig Lilly, but Olivia's appeal is overwhelmingly more apparent in our library.
Willems, Mo. Don’t Let Pigeon Drive the Bus! Hyperion Books for Children. New York: 2003 (Or any other Pigeon, Elephant and Piggie or Cat the Cat series)
The Busdriver needs to leave his bus for a moment and asks the reader not to let Pigeon drive the bus. But Pigeon tries every which way possible to convince the reader to let him/her do just that. The simplistic yet action filled illustrations tell the story without words and lead the reader through the range of strategies Pigeon employs to connive and persuade the reader. Then Pigeon gets another idea! ALSO:
The Busdriver needs to leave his bus for a moment and asks the reader not to let Pigeon drive the bus. But Pigeon tries every which way possible to convince the reader to let him/her do just that. The simplistic yet action filled illustrations tell the story without words and lead the reader through the range of strategies Pigeon employs to connive and persuade the reader. Then Pigeon gets another idea! ALSO:
Mitton, Jacqueline. Zoo in the Sky. National Geographic Society. Washington, DC: 1998 and Once Upon a Starry Night. National Geographic Society. Washington, DC: 2003 Both magnificently illustrated, foil laced pictorials of constellations, the former is an introduction to the animal constellations in the night sky and the latter is a companion book which presents an overview with illustrations focusing on the mythological and legendary imagery of the constellations. Each book ends with a brief appendix containing factual information on space phenomena.
Hayes, Geoffrey. Benny and Penny in Just Pretend. A Little Lit Library. New York: 2008 Benny and Penny are sibs. This charming graphic novel tells the story of sibling tension. Benny begins an imaginary adventure as a pirate and is interrupted by Penny, who wants him to play with her. Benny’s fantasy is cut short when he tries to dissuade Penny and she calls his “pirate ship” the plain old box it is. Resentful that he must play with Penny, he devises a game of hide and seek. Benny loses Penny when she does not appear in the hiding place he left her. Searching in earnest for Penny, he discovers he could use a playmate more than he realized. More in the series.
Henkes, Kevin. Chrysanthemum. Greenwillow Books. New York: 1991
A picture perfect baby was given an absolutely perfect name. Chrysanthemum. While growing and blossoming, Chrysanthemum loved her name until she went to school. Rita and Joe thought her name was too long. Victoria was named for her grandmother, not a flower! Wilted, Chrysanthemum arrives home and is assured that her name is “precious and priceless and fascinating and winsome”. "Picked at and smelled at" all the next school day, and the day after that, Chrysanthemum wilted and wished she could change her name. Then the music teacher, Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle, shared unexpected news that no one could have guessed! ALSO:
A picture perfect baby was given an absolutely perfect name. Chrysanthemum. While growing and blossoming, Chrysanthemum loved her name until she went to school. Rita and Joe thought her name was too long. Victoria was named for her grandmother, not a flower! Wilted, Chrysanthemum arrives home and is assured that her name is “precious and priceless and fascinating and winsome”. "Picked at and smelled at" all the next school day, and the day after that, Chrysanthemum wilted and wished she could change her name. Then the music teacher, Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle, shared unexpected news that no one could have guessed! ALSO:
Grant, Judyann Ackerman. Chicken Said, “Cluck!”. Harper Collins. New York: 2008 (Geisel Honor 2009)
A simple story about friendship, sharing and contribution. Earl and Pearl plant a pumpkin patch, always shooing away Chicken. All goes well until the pumpkin patch is invaded by grasshoppers and Chicken unexpectedly saves the day. Great read aloud for emergent readers, with simple illustrations and controlled text. A high interest story. Everyone has once felt like Chicken!