What an Imaginative Dog!

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The Adventures of Polo

by Regis Faller

published by Roaring Brook Press, 2002

Summary: "Polo the dog sets out from his home and enjoys many adventures, including sailing his boat on top of a whale, roasting hot dogs over a volcano, and taking a ride in a spaceship built from a mushroom."

Strengths: This book by a French author presents an imaginative story of a dog who travels to many interesting places. I like how Polo meets a variety of characters along the way who all return at the end of the book as he is reading a book called "Polo". All of the little things that Polo does, such as cooking hot dogs over lava and making his boat into a plane are all things that children could imagine doing. The pictures are bright and fun!


Concerns: I have no concerns about this book, as long as it is read by an appropriate age group. Older children may become bored of the book since it has many random elements.


Classroom Use/Other Comments: Teachers could use this book to introduce wordless books. Older students could write their own story to go along with the pictures. Ages 3 to 8 would enjoy reading this book.

A Tale of the Meaning of Love

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The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

by Kate DiCamillo

illustrated by Bagram Ibatulline

published by Candlewick Press, 2006

Summary: "Edward Tulane, a cold-hearted and proud toy rabbit, loves only himself until he is separated from the little girl who adores him and travels across the country, acquiring new owners and listening to their hopes, dreams, and histories."

Strengths: This beautifully, but simply written story tells an interesting tale with a wonderful message of the power of love. Children may be able to relate to both Edward, the rabbit, and Abilene, the girl who loves him. The simple pictures at the beginning of each chapter provide a clue to what will happen in the chapter. I also like the various full pages of color illustrations throughout the book. The dialogue and thoughts of the characters show some humor and show how Edward learns a lot from listening to the stories of the people he meets. I like that the book is wider than most books and that the text is very spaced out. The plot and how Edward moves from place to place keeps the story fast paced and keeps the reader's attention. I especially love the last chapter of the book and the coda.

Concerns: Edward learns about the lives of the people whom he meets, some of whom have very sad stories, such as death, homelessness, and abuse.


Classroom Use/Other Comments: Children aged 8 and up would enjoy this book. Teachers could begin with a picture walk to predict what will happen in the book. The simple text would allow upper elementary readers to read this by themselves and the book would also be excellent read aloud. Teachers could use this as an introduction to the journey of characters. A lot of interesting vocabulary is used in the book, so it can be used as a tool to expand vocabulary, with words such as "conquering (p. 61)" or "callused (p. 61)". In addition, as the number of days Edward is in each location is told, a math lesson could be incorporated in addition to discover how many days, weeks, months, and years have passed.

Breathtaking Unsung Heroes

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We Are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball

Words and Paintings by Kadir Nelson

Published by Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, NY, 2008

Summary: "The story of Negro League baseball is the story of gifted athletes and determined owners; of racial discrimination and international sportsmanship; of fortunes won and lost; of triumphs and defeats on and off the field."

Strengths: The combination of beautiful, realistic pictures and interesting, informative text, this book provides an excellent introduction to a topic that is not well-known. The statement on the cover describing the pictures as "oil paintings- breathtaking in their perspectives, rich in emotion, and created with understanding and affection for these lost heroes of our national game." The word breathtaking really describes these illustrations full of action and emotion. I like that the book takes you through the story of these athletes and includes an index. I also like that the chapter headings are titled innings and that a quote is written under each chapter heading. The text is fast-paced and captivates the reader.

Concerns: This book is rather lengthy, but if the reader is interested in the topic, the fast-paced text and illustrations will allow him or her to stay interested.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This book can be used as a resource for students interested in baseball, as well as an excellent book for investigating segregation. Students can select chapters to read, look at the pictures, or look in the index for specific information. Ages 8 and up would enjoy reading this book.

I read and commented about this book on a blog with a mock Coretta Scott King Award.

Everyone Needs a Friend

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Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship

told by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumbu

photographs by Peter Greste

Summary: A "true story of two great friends: a baby hippo named Owen and a 130-year-old giant tortoise named Mzee".

Strengths: This book is fairly easy to read as a nonfiction book. The photographs match the text well and provide insight into the reality of the story. The book has an inspirational message involving friendship, animals, and the effects of natural disasters.

Concerns: The book has some sad elements, such as the hippo losing his family.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: Children aged 7 and up will enjoy reading this book to learn more about animals and the effects of natural disasters.

This Little Light of Mine...

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Let it Shine

by Ashley Bryan

published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, NY, 2007

Summary: Illustrated versions of three well-known hymns.

Strengths: The amazing illustrations in this book are extremely colorful and intricate. The words go well with the pictures and the illustrations provide an interesting context for these classic songs. I like that the music of the songs are shown at the end of the book.

Concerns: The concept of religion is present throughout the book, although the book does depict a variety of places of worship on one of the pages.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: Older children can be introduced to the concept of "Spirituals" through this book. Art classes can learn a lot from the designs and cut outs used in this book. Ages 3 and up would enjoy this colorful book!

Life Depicted Through Poetry

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Here's a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry

collected by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters

illustrated by Polly Dunbar

published by Candlewick Press, MA, 2007

Summary: "Here's a Little Poem gathers poems from various parts of the English-speaking world, including Great Britain, the Caribbean, Australia, and the U.S."

Strengths: This excellent collection of sweet and funny poems are depicted in beautiful illustrations. I like the diverse characters and the fun interpretations of poems about everyday topics.

Concerns: The bedtime poems may be more appropriate for parents to read to children before bed than for school.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: Children aged 3 and up will enjoy these poems. Students can select a poem to improve fluency and learn about language.

A Sporty Take on a Classic

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Jabberwocky

Poem by Lewis Carroll

Reimagined and illustrated by Christopher Myers

Published by Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, NY, 2007

Summary: An interpretation of Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky taking place on a basketball court.

Strengths: This fabulous interpretation of Jabberwocky has an interesting basis described in a note by the Myers. I think that the font and highlighting of certain words is excellent for this interpretation. The pictures are bright and exciting and bring the story to life in a way in which students can relate.

Concerns: If students are not introduced to this story and the concept of nonsense words, they may be very confused. I was also concerned by one of the illustrations that had a person with multiple arms, which made this realistic interpretation less realistic.

Classroom Use/ Other Comments: The students can read the poem without these illustrations, make their own interpretations, and then read this poem. Students could also read this book first and then look at the poem by itself without pictures to make it more clear. This book is an excellent introduction to nonsense words used in poetry. Children aged 8 and up would enjoy this interpretation and younger children may enjoy being read the book.

Simple Pleasures

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Sky Sweeper

by Phillis Gershator

pictures by Holly Meade

published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, NY, 2007

Summary: "Despite criticism for his lack of 'accomplishments,' Takeboki finds contentment sweeping the flower blossoms and raking the sand and gravel in the monks' temple garden. Includes a note on the art and beauty of Japanese gardens."

Strengths: Readers discover the message of finding pleasure in simple things and insight into Japanese culture through the beautiful illustrations and repetitive text. I really liked the double page spreads of how Takeboki takes care of the garden during the four seasons. The importance of nature is seen in the intricate Japanese garden.

Concerns: Some parents may be concerned if teachers introduce this book to young students because of the book's element of religion.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This book would be appropriate for ages 5 and up. Teachers can use this as an introduction to the Japanese culture or just as an interesting book to read aloud. If children live in New York, they could visit the Brooklyn Botanist Garden that is described in this book and compare it's garden with the Japanese garden in this book.

Peaceful Night in the City

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At Night

by Jonathan Bean

published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, NY, 2007

Summary: "A sleepless city girl imagines what it would be like to get away from snoring family members and curl up alone with one's thoughts in the cool night air under wide-open skies."

Strengths: The calming pictures and peaceful tone in the easy-to-read text provides readers with a fun read. Readers can relate to not being able to fall asleep. This can provide an insight to life in the city.

Concerns: Older children may find this book not extremely interesting, but I have no concerns if this is read by children for whom it is intended.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This book would be good for children aged 3-6. Older children can try to read this book on their own, but younger children would enjoy hearing the story.

Laughing with Moxy

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Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little

by Peggy Gifford

photographs by Valorie Fisher

published by Yearling, NY, 2008

Summary: "With summer coming to an end, about-to-be-fourth-grader Moxy Maxwell does a hundred different things to avoid reading her assigned summer reading book."

Strengths: This hilarious book is full of charismatic characters with funny photographs. The chapter headings relate to the text excellently and add humor. Students can definitely relate to not enjoying summer reading and procrastination. The story also makes divorce and children's interest in the future commonplace ideas. Finally, I really enjoyed the funny scenes, like the dog pulling up the mom's garden, as well as the final scene of the book.

Concerns: Parents may be concerned that their children will learn to follow Moxy's bossy and procrastinating attitude.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: Teachers can introduce this book with a walk through the pictures and chapter headings. This story would be an excellent kick off for reading Stuart Little. Students can build their own lists of possible career paths. Children aged 7 and up would enjoy this fascinating piece of realistic fiction.

Underpraised Heroes

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Windflyers

by Angela Johnson

illustrated by Loren Long

published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, NY, 2007

Summary: The Tuskegee Airmen are introduced through the stories of a boy's great-great-uncle who loved to fly.

Strengths: This book has beautiful illustrations, especially of the sky and clouds, which is where the main focus of the book is. The story is fun and is not too straightforward, while sharing an important part of history. Children can relate to the story because it is told by a child. The uncle's passion for flying and his sacrifice for our country is clearly depicted.

Concerns: The story had some sad moments, such as when the reader discovers that not all of the Airmen made it home. However, it is written in such a way that this may not affect young readers. Readers may also be slightly confused that the narrator introduces the main character as his great-great-uncle, but later he just calls him just "Uncle".

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This story could be an introduction to war and to African Americans in the war effort. In addition, this book would be a fun way to introduce a writing prompt in which students can share a story from their own family. Children aged 5 and up would enjoy this book.

True Bravery

picture from amazon.com Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad

by Ellen Levine

illustrated by Kadir Nelson

published by Scholastic, NY, 2007

Summary: This book tells the true story of Henry "Box" Brown as he takes a heroic journey from slavery.

Strengths: Beautiful illustrations taken from a variety of perspectives with excellent texture connect with the easy to read text to tell this fascinating story. This book creates many emotions and makes the reader relate and empathize with Henry. I was brought to tears of sadness when Henry's family was sold and tears of happiness when he reached freedom. I like that the story shows how Henry grew and changed throughout his life.

Concerns: The topic of this story may be upsetting for younger children, especially when Henry's family is sold. I also want to know what happens after Henry becomes free!

Classroom Use/ Other Comments: This book could be used as an introduction to slavery and the Underground Railroad. Ages 7 and up would enjoy reading this book or having it read to them.

A Girl's Best Friend...

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Fred Stays with Me!

by Nancy Coffelt

illustrated by Tricia Tusa

published by Little, Brown and Company, NY, 2007

Summary: "A child describes how she lives sometimes with her mother and sometimes with her father, but her dog is her constant companion."

Strengths: This simple book with earth-toned illustrations has a message of constancy through divorce. Children learn how parents can work with their kids to problem solve or compromise if there is a situation. This is an excellent introduction to divorce and may provide a mirror to children with parents going through a divorce.

Concerns: I think that the font used in this book would make it difficult for children to read by themselves. The letter, k, for example looks like the cursive letter k.

Classroom Use/ Other Comments: This book is an excellent book to read aloud to children aged 4 and up. Students may be able to make self to text connections through the narrator's love of her dog and through her experience with divorce.

Chuckles for the Chicken Chaser

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The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County

written by Janice N. Harrington

pictures by Shelley Jackson

published by Farrar, Straus and Girous, New York, 2007

Summary: "A young farm girl tries to catch her favorite chicken, until she learns something about the hen that makes her change her ways."


Strengths: This picture book contains beautiful illustrations with a hilarious, but thoughtful message to which children can surely relate. I enjoy the variety of materials, such as cloth, buttons, paper, and letter cut-outs, used in the illustrations. This variety of materials provides texture and depth to the page which draws in the reader. The storyline in this book has an obvious plot of the "Chicken Chasing Queen" trying to catch her favorite hen. The ending adds a surprise and lesson that will delight readers. The characters have very distinct personalities and their thoughts and ideas provide much amusement. One of my favorite parts of the story is when the main character of the story pretends that she is a chicken so that they will not notice her and shares her thoughts of what a chicken thinks.


Concerns: Although I really enjoyed the story because of the unique illustrations, children may have difficulties reading the words that are cut-out and colorful, like some of the chicken sayings, because they do not standing out over the illustrations.

Classroom use/Other Comments: This book can be read to children as a fun and silly story to teach students about why things may not be as they appear. The students can also discuss self to text connections about when they discover something and then change their behavior or when they don't do what their parents tell them to do. The story uses many noises that the chickens "say", like "pruck", "squawk", and "pee-o", which can help students learn the relationship of sounds and words. I think this story would be good as a Reader's Theater project for children to create with the characters of the main character and Big Mama. This story could also be used as an art project and lesson for practice using different types of fabric and material in illustrations. Children aged 4-10 would enjoy this book.

Warmth in a Grimm's Classic

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Little Red Riding Hood

by Jerry Pinkney

Published by Little, Brown and Company, New York, 2007

Summary: "A sweet little girl meets a hungry wolf in the forest while on her way to visit her grandmother."

Strengths: This picture book is beautifully illustrated with warm colors and detailed, delicate depictions. The people, animals, and nature in the book are presented with many colors and the pictures lure in the reader. Although the story of Little Red Riding Hood is well known, this book enthralls the reader with the illustrations, which correlate well with the words. I like the way that the illustrations are drawn from a variety of views: above, close up, far away, and looking into the house. The descriptive words in this book are a great introduction to new vocabulary, such as "cunning wolf", "frail voice", "crafty scoundrel".

Concerns: This classic story has some complicated or considerably negative elements, such as the grandmother and Little Red Riding Hood being eaten and the wolf being killed. In addition, students may be bored with the book if they already know the story.

Classroom use/Other Comments: This story can be compared to other versions of Little Red Riding Hood and spoofs on Little Red Riding Hood or can be used to teach about the importance of not talking to strangers. In addition, this story could be read and then acted out by the students to practice sequence of events. Teachers can also have students learn about adjectives through this book and have students write their own descriptive sentences. Children aged 4-8 would enjoy this book for these purposes, but all ages can appreciate the illustrations.