Love That Dog

Creech, S. (2001). Love That Dog. New York, NY: HarperCollins.


A young student, Jack comes to love poetry through a personal understanding of what different famous poems mean to him, surprises himself by writing his own inspired poem.
Love That Dog is a free verse poetry book that will appeal to older elementary students, especially boys who will connect with the main character, Jack. It may also appeal to students who are not strong readers as the short poetry excerpts may seem less intimidating to those readers. 
Creech has written many books, including Walk Two Moons, Ruby Holler and Bloomability. The other books are all written in narrative, unlike Love That Dog but they all feature adolescent characters embarking on personal journeys in which they learn more about themselves.

Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j--cq_tyNrg

Wonderstruck

Selznick, B. (2011). Wonderstruck. New York: Scholastic.

Ben lost his mother and his hearing in a short time, so twelve-year-old Ben leaves his Minnesota home in 1977 to seek the father he never knew in New York City, and meets there Rose, who is also longing for something missing from her life. Ben's story is told in words; Rose's in pictures.

Wonderstruck will appeal to readers who are drawn to graphic novels but also to those who like historical fiction. Set in both 1977 and 1927, the stories of Rose and Ben wind around each other as they come to their mutual conclusion. The beautiful illustrations are intermingled with a fascinating story would be a huge draw to many readers. The illustrations captivate as does the puzzle style of storytelling that Selznick uses to advance the plot. 

Brian Selznick's other books include the hugely popular Caldecott winner The Invention of Hugo Cabret, The Houdini Box, and The Robot King. The Invention of Huge Cabret is similar in style and scope. The Houdini Box is also a historical fiction with illustrations, though it is less involved than Hugo or Wonderstruck. The Robot King also features beautiful illustrations, but the story is a more fragmented realistic novel without the trappings of history that surround the other three books.

Book Trailer: https://vimeo.com/25236357

Skulduggery Pleasant

Landy, D. (2007). Skulduggery Pleasant. New York: HarperCollins.

When Gordon Edgley, the writer for horror novels dies, he leaves everything to his twelve year old niece, Stephanie.  With this, came a whole new world, one with magic, adventure and lots of danger.  She meets Skulduggery Pleasant, a skeleton wizard detective.  Together they try to find out the reasons for her uncle's death, and she starts to believe that her uncle's horror novels were not completely fiction.  

Evaluative Criteria:

Theme: The main conflict described in Skulduggery Pleasant is good versus evil. When Stephanie’s(Valkerie Cain) uncle, Gordon Edgley, dies everyone thinks he dies of natural causes. But his good friend (skeleton detective) Skulduggery Pleasant thinks he has been murdered. Together with Stephanie, they go on the hunt to destroy the evil Nefarian Serpine who is their primary suspect in the murder. They must stop him before he gains too much power and brings back the Faceless Ones.

Style: Derek Landy the author of Skuldruggery Pleasant introduces the reader to a dark, sarcastic, and yet at times pleasant much like his name-Skuldruggery Pleasant. Throughout the book Landy uses conversations with Stephanie to characterize Skuldruggery. His sarcastic tone is consistent throughout the story. Even when the story reaches a tense moment, Skuldruggery comes up with his one liners to break the tense ice adding a hint of comic relief to the story. His sarcastic tone is very of today’s times which makes the reader want more of Skuldruggery Pleasant.

Book Trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE87tuzw0kM

Comics Squad: Recess!

Krosoczka, J. (n.d.). Comics Squad: Recess!

What a collection! A great way to get someone interested in some of the best graphic novels out there right now. This book offers a glimpse into one of today’s more popular formats for novels – the classic comic strip goes full-length novel. Although this particular book does not contain a full-length novel, it has some short stories by the writers who are making them popular!

Evaluative Criteria:

Characters: Recess is a time of adventure, playing, and imagination such is the example illustrated by the characters in Comics Squad. Even though she is not human, most young readers will sympathize with Baby Mouse from the story “Baby Mouse: The Quest for Recess”. All week Baby Mouse looks forward to recess, but for some reason or other something prevents her from going and the day she can finally go out and play it rains.

Setting: All the stories in Comics Squad revolve around recess. Some stories such as “The Super Secret Ninja Club” take place during recess while others like “Book’em Dog Man” which was probably created during recess and describes a world having an endless recess and where animals learn nothing at all. Even though all authors use a different style to tell each story, they all come together and have some connection to recess.

Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jHXAvpd-9I

Rapunzel's Revenge

Hale, S., & Hale, D. (2008). Rapunzel's revenge. New York, N.Y.: Bloomsbury.

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair! But did you know that Rapunzel was a kidnap victim living in the old west? Well, in this version she is and she is awesome. She doesn’t need a prince charming to save her, she can save herself, of course she is not as graceful about it as she might have been if he had been there, but regardless – she can handle it herself! She can even rescue the boy-in-distress with her butt-kicking hair flicks and super moves she has taught herself…look out bad guys, here comes Rapunzel!

Evaluative Criteria:

Theme: A theme expressed in Rapunzel’s Revenge is that love is more important than power. When Rapunzel finds out that Gothel is not her real mother, but that she was taken from her real mother, she is devastated. When she informs Gothel that she no longer wants to live with her but wants to be with her real mother, Gothel locks her up in a tall tower. While she is locked up, Rapunzel only has time to let her hair grow and to think of how to get back with her mother and to get back at Gothel for separating her from her mother.

Plot: Most young readers are familiar with the Rapunzel story. Rapunzel uses her hair to escape a tall tower. Rapunzel’s Revenge is no different. Gothel took Rapunzel from her real mother and kept Rapunzel from her. As she is locked up Rapunzel has time to let her hair grow and think of how to get revenge on Gothel and how to get back together with her mother. Using her hair to escape she meets Jack. Together they overcome various obstacles and defeats such as a large snake and defeat various villains such as kidnappers and bank robbers.

Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4_Slu5J67M

The Graveyard Book

Gaiman, N., & McKean, D. (2008). The graveyard book. New York: HarperCollins Pub.

A slightly disturbing beginning, leads to a lifetime adventure for one small boy. Nobody Owens doesn’t live a typical life, he lives in a graveyard and is being raised by its inhabitants – ghosts and other scary type creatures. As he grows older he learns more about the world he is living in and the world outside of the graveyard. The world outside of those gates holds more danger to him than the unusual world he has been raised in.

Evaluative Criteria:

Setting: A graveyard is not a place most people would like to visit, but for Nobody Owens a graveyard is his home. Neil Gaiman the author of The Graveyard Book describes the graveyard as dark and isolated. The illustrations of shadows in the graveyard help set the mood of the setting. When Bod arrives as a baby to the graveyard, the author describes the coffin full of cobwebs and dust. He also goes on to describe the graveyard full of grassy hills, yet the corners of the graveyard where Bod is not allowed to go he describes it as abandoned and full of weeds.

Characters: Most young readers are able to relate to the protagonist Nobody “Bod” Owens. He is your typical curious and inquisitive child that grows into a mature and caring young man. He is a likable character that most reader may grow fond of. Just like most children growing-up, Bod at times feels lost and confused. He feels lost between the world of the living and the world of the dead. Like most parents, Bod’s parents and guardian can be a bit over-protective of him.

Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_UUVwTaemk

Gregor the Overlander

Collins, S. (2003). Gregor the Overlander. New York: Scholastic.

Gregor and his baby sister, Boots, fall to a new world through a hole in the wall of their apartment building’s laundry room. When they arrive they are greeted by giant cockroaches, who escort them to the kingdom of the human-type inhabitants of their world. While he is there Gregor manages to battle larger-than-life rats, and have other huge adventures. This is the first book in a series of five.

Evaluative Criteria:

Theme: A theme expressed in Gregor the Overlander is that love is more than power. When Gregor is informed that he is the warrior that is mentioned in the prophecy predicted by the founder of the Underland he decides to go along with it so he can find his father. He has no desire for power, he only longs to find his father who has been missing for over two years.

Plot: The plot of Gregor the Overlander starts in reality before gradually moving into fantasy. Gregor has to spend his summer taking care of his two year-old sister Boots instead of going to summer camp. While doing the laundry, Boots and Gregor get sucked into a dark shaft which leads to the Underland. The story has many aspects of the Journey of the Hero, where the hero is someone young and inexperienced, must go on a quest, has a mentor, and is put through different tests.

Lesson Ideas:
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/gregor-overlander-storia-teaching-guide

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!

Schlitz, Laura Amy. (2007). Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices From a Medieval Village. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.

This children’s play written by Laura Schlitz is a collection of 22 monologues that provide young readers a chance to experience the medieval times. This is accomplished by reciting and bringing to life fictional characters from that era. Through distinctive stories that connect and relate to one another, Schlitz takes readers through the typical village life of these characters. Set in 1255, readers can experience the smell, language, beliefs and customs these characters had back then. Through the narration of these young villagers we get a glimpse into their lives and learn about their sorrows, the splendid life of a few, and the poverty of many. We come to the realization that not all children had the same fortune. Some children lived great lives, while others suffered tremendously. Various villagers speak and talk about their own lives including the plowboy, Will, who speaks about his grueling days plowing the Lord’s fields and having little to eat.  Throughout these monologues and dialogues, Schlitz’ use of writing is easy to understand because she lightly uses language from that time. In addition she provides excellent insight into this hopeless time with additional information about the three-field system and the Crusades.

Lesson Ideas:
http://www.candlewick.com/book_files/0763615781.btg.1.pdf

http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=8246&a=1

The Watsons go to Birmingham- 1963

Curtis, C. P. (1995). The Watsons go to Birmingham--1963. New York: Delacorte Press.

Set in the 1960s, this historical fiction novel focuses on the Watsons family and their everyday family difficulties along with the challenges during the Civil Rights Movement. Kenny Watson is the middle child of this African American family who resides in Flint, Michigan. Byron is Kenny’s older brother who sometimes bullies him with unkind words and hurtful punches. Joetta is the youngest child, and she is a sweet girl who will do anything to prevent harm to her brothers. Through Kenny’s perspective we learn that Byron is a problem child and a school bully who is always getting in some type of trouble. When the family has had enough of Byron’s nonsense, they decide to travel to Birmingham, Alabama to visit Grandma Sands. The Watsons believe Byron will straighten up by spending a summer or perhaps a school year with her. During this trip, the Watsons experience incidents in which they learn to come closer as a family. When Kenny almost drowns we notice Byron’s heroic and loving act of saving his brother. In addition, Curtis, the author, plays tribute to the real and unforgettable burning of the Sixteenth Avenue Baptist Church explosion where Joetta is believed to be. This incident causes the family to become closer despite their difficulties and problems. Their love is evident in their kind words and actions portrayed in each of their characters.

Lesson Links:
http://www.walden.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/watsons_ed_resource_v9_sec2_WebRes_Units1-7.pdf

http://www.webenglishteacher.com/watsons-go-to-birmingham-1963-lesson-plans.html

Bridge to Terabithia

Bridge to Terabithia

Paterson, K. (1972). Bridge to Terabithia. NY: Crown

Jess Aaron has been practicing all summer long to be the fastest runner in fifth grade, and he would have been if it wasn't for the new girl, Leslie.  Despite this, they become great friends and together they create a magical kingdom that they called Terabithia.  Unfortunately, while Jess is away something terrible happens. Leslie dies and Jess has a difficult time dealing with his loss.  Eventually he allows his sister become Queen of Terabithia.

Evaluation Criteria: Gender & Culture and Setting

Gender and culture expectations play an important role in this novel.  In the beginning of the story, the boys did not want to allow Leslie run against them.  The only reason that Jess allowed it was because he really didn't think that she would win.  Leslie proved them wrong. Leslie was made fun of when she mentioned that she didn't have a TV in her room. For a lot of children not having a TV in their house goes against what is our cultural norm.  This cultural difference is defining for Leslie’s character who really isn’t like anyone the others know and makes her unique.  The small town setting is special to this story since there really isn’t a lot to do in small towns and the land of Terabithia evolves from the imaginations of these two characters because of the lack of activity in a small town.

Lesson Ideas:

http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/litlibrary/pdf/bridge_to_terebithia.pdf

Timmy Failure

Timmy Failure

Pastis, Stephan. 2013. Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made. Indiana. Candlewick Press

Young Timmy may have an unusual last name but he tries to make the best of it. His detective agency is off to a rocky start with a polar bear as a business partner and a home office in his mom's closet, Timmy tries to make a name for himself. His misadventures make for a hilarious story filled with irony. Timmy's unique perspective on the world is evident on every page. This story is a quick, easy, funny read well worth opening the book and jumping into Timmy's world.

Evaluation Criteria:  Style and Characters

Timmy Failure is written in a style similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid with comical illustrations made by Timmy himself. The story, narrated by Timmy, described all of his delusional adventures alongside with his illustrations and his efforts to fix mysteries and mistakes but fails to do so effectively while pinpoint some of his own mistakes and flaws in a comical way. Timmy can be described as imaginative but almost delusional with a high sense of superiority although his way of thinking as well as his trouble with school and home life beg to differ. Although that is the case, it is astounding the world Timmy creates for himself to bring a sense of happiness and control in his life in a very humorous way. 

Book Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mcp8Sfx0aqA

A Crooked Kind of Perfect

A Crooked Kind of Perfect

Urban, L. (2007). A crooked kind of perfect. NY: Scholastic.

Young Zoe Elias dreamed of playing the piano at Carnegie as a protégé. However, her dream dimmed when her father bought her an organ. As she is learning her new instrument while taking the free lessons that came with the purchase, Zoe gets wrapped up in the organ competition; The Perform-O-Rama. While juggling best friends and possible boyfriends, she prepares for the competition by practicing frequently. When competition time comes and her mom is delayed, Zoe must rely on her agoraphobic father to take her. She ends up learning a lot about making mistakes, and remembering to just keep playing.

Evaluation Criteria:  Style and Plot

The title for the book is very fitting to what the Zoe’s life in the story entails. Zoe starts wanting to own a grand piano but ends up getting an organ instead. With the help of her slightly dysfunctional family and unexpected friends, she goes through the organ lessons and signs up for the annual Perform – O – Rama organ competition but does not expect too much out of it due to how things in her social life have been going. The plot of the story is a slightly complex one with all the little bumps happening in Zoe’s life that keep her from her main goal but she still ends with a happy ending. The author’s chosen style of writing although short within chapters did not abruptly pause the story but led to Zoe’s actions and thought processes. 

Book Trailer:

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/asset/crooked-kind-perfect-book-trailer

Rules

Lord, C. (2006). Rules. New York: Scholastic.

In this book, Catherine is the big sister that helps her younger brother while her parents have to work to support the family.  It seems pretty normal except that her brother has autism and this makes things harder to deal with.  When Catherine meets Jason, who is disabled, she finds out the real meaning of normal.  

Evaluation Criteria: Theme and Character

The major themes in this book are friendship, honesty, acceptance and diversity. Catherine who is twelve years old has a major dilemma.  As much as she loves her brother, she hates that he embarrasses her.  While at therapy with her brother, she meets and becomes friends with Jason who also has a disability.  He is in a wheelchair and is mute.  She also meets her new next door neighbor who ends up liking Ryan, the boy that makes fun of her brother.  She wants to be normal and fit in, so Catherine lies and eventually this creates the main conflict of the story.  As the story progresses, she eventually faces the truth and her character grows and changes.  She realizes that being different is part of being normal.

Book Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V3U5eNXIyQ

Lesson Ideas:

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/rules-storia-teaching-guide

Out of my Mind

Out of my Mind

Draper, S. M. (2010). Out of my mind. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Melody is a smart young girl with a photographic memory, but she also has cerebral palsy.  She is eleven years old and has never spoken a word.  She cannot do anything on her own, so people don't know that she is one of the smartest girls in school, until one day her life changes.  She is given a tool to communicate, and it is then that she starts feeling a bit normal.  

Evaluation Criteria: Character and Plot

Melody like other girls her age many times go unheard.  In her case, things are different but not unique.  Melody’s voice and struggle make her character one that children can easily root for and hopefully find some understanding of other’s that are different than themselves.  This book's language is believable and reflect the way children really think and talk at that age.  The plot of this story is also something that children can identify and relate to.  Melody has to cope with the problem that she cannot express herself.  With the help of tool that she was given to communicate, she is finally able to express herself.   Even with this amazing tool Melody’s struggle is not over and just when you think her problem is solved she still has to deal with social inequalities that happen to people with Cerebral Palsy.

Book Details:

http://sharondraper.com/bookdetail.asp?id=35

Sharon Draper speaking about the book:

http://bcove.me/j2s0gepx

Dear Mr. Henshaw

Cleary, B. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. NY: Morrow.

A ten year old boy feels lonely after his parents divorced and had to move away to California.  For a class assignment, he begins writing to his favorite author.  He surprisingly replies and asked him a set of questions that he doesn't want to respond.  Eventually, the boy replies and also follows his advice to start a journal. This leads to positive changes in his life.  

Evaluation Criteria:  Character and Theme

The character of this story goes through many of the problems that young children his age experience. He deals with an internal journey of acceptance and reassurance.  The fact that he is in a new place and feels lonely is a normal feeling for anyone.  The theme of this story can also be related to what many young children go through.  Dealing with a divorce is part of many children's lives.  He wishes his father would come back and would treat him differently, or at least that he would call more often, but he doesn't. This struggle for children of divorce is easily relatable to children who are dealing with or who have dealt with this can find some reassurance with their feelings in this book.

Lesson Ideas:

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/dear-mr-henshaw-teaching-plan

Hitler Youth

Bartoletti, S. (2005). Hitler youth. NY: Scholastic.

This book is about the children and teenagers who followed Hitler during 1933-1945. It contains the stories of boys and girls who belonged to the Hitler Youth. The Hitler Youth was a group that gave its members hope and power. Some members took this opportunity to rebel against their parents, teachers, clergy and other authority figures.

Evaluative Criteria: Organization

Hitler Youth has a clear organization from beginning to end. The layout of the book helps the reader pick what she or he wants to read. This book includes a table of contents, epilogue, time line, quote sources, bibliography and index.

Book Resources:

http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=8286

We are the Ship

Nelson, K. (2008). We are ship:  The story of Negro League Baseball. New York:  Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children

In his book, We are the Ship, Kadir Nelson recounts the history of the Negro Baseball Leagues in the U.S.; from the creation of them to the inclusion of their players in the Major Leagues.  The story of the Negro Leagues is about the unsung heroes who overcame segregation, hatred, terrible playing conditions, and low pay to do the one thing they loved more than anything else in the world:  playing baseball.

Evaluative Criteria:  Organization

In this book the author uses his knowledge of baseball to organize the chapters into “innings” and thus keeps with the theme of the sport throughout the book.  The book is also organized with interesting quotes at the beginning of each new chapter and an easy to read bibliography at the end of it.

Book Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km5vbhrKJ8E

How they Croaked: The awful ends to the awfully famous

Bragg, G. (2011). How they croaked: The awful ends of the awfully famous. NY: Walker

How They Croaked: The awful end of the awfully famous talks about the strange deaths of very important people, such as Leonardo DaVinci, Albert Einstein, Julius Caesar, Christopher Columbus, Henry VIII among others. All of them died from different causes like infection, diseases, stabbing etc. This is a book for children that are not afraid to talk about death.   

Evaluative Criteria:  Accuracy

This book is written in a very friendly and casual tone. It contains accurate and factual information. Readers will probably be wondering about the living conditions at the time the characters died. They will also make connections on how medicine has advanced and changed over the centuries.

Book Resources:

http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=23590&a=1

Balloons over Broadway

Sweet, M. (2011). Balloons over Broadway: The true story of the puppeteer of Macy's parade. NY: Houghton

Tony Sarg was a child who loved to figure out how to move things around. When Tony grew up, he moved to London and then to New York City. R. H. Macy's was the biggest department store on Earth. They asked Tony if he could do some puppets for the puppets parade, and he agreed. They had the parade on Thanksgiving Day 1924.

Evaluative Criteria: Design

The design this book has is very attractive and inviting for the reader. The use of different fonts, color and illustrations makes the book very interesting. The illustrator of the book picked a variety of visuals like, cut outs, marionettes, buttons and colorful pictures.

Book Resources:

http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=27322&a=1

Rosa

Giovanni, N. (2005). Rosa. NY: Holt.

This book talks about how Rosa Parks represented all the black people. She was tired of having separate balconies, drinking fountains, taxis for black and white people. One day she decided to get together with other black people to defend their rights. After a year of her arrest, the Supreme Court ruled that segregation was wrong.

Evaluative Criteria:  Style

The style of Rosa by Nikki Giovanni makes the reader understand the passion the main character has towards equality. It encourages curiosity and wonder during the time of the boycott.

Book Trailer:

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/asset/rosa-book-trailer

Book Resources:

http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=5807&a=1

It's So Amazing

Harris, R. (1999). It’s so amazing. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press.

It's so amazing talks about parts of the body, puberty, intercourse, adoption, birth control, chromosomes, how to adapt to a new sibling, reproduction, etc. The pictures are cartoon style but very specific to the content of the book.

Evaluative Criteria: Accuracy

This book has 100% accuracy on the text, but not on the illustrations. The information is reliable and very informative. The pictures of the sperm has faces on them, children might think that’s the way it actually looks and might get them confused.

Book Resources:

http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=3543&a=1

Primates

Ottaviani, J., & Wicks, M. (2013). Primates: The fearless science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas. New York: First Second.

This book is lively and interesting as it introduces the reader to three female scientists.  The three scientists were recruited by the great anthropologist Louis Leakey, these remarkable women are responsible for some of the biggest advances in both primatology and our understanding of what it means to be human. The unique design of the book and how the author intertwines the lives of these notable scientists will keep the reader turning the pages.

Evaluative Criteria: Design

This comic book style is a distinctive way to discuss the major accomplishments of these three scientists and their importance in their fields. The author keeps with his style of writing nonfiction science-oriented comics with this story. At first glance the reader may not be interested but once they open it they will continue to read because of the unique design. 

Book Resources:

http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?aid=11716&a=1&a2=1

Me...Jane

McDonnell, P., Schultz, J., & Little, B. (2011). Me…Jane. New York:  Little, Brown.

This book tells the reader the charming tale of scientist Jane Goodall’s childhood.  It takes you through her experience of watching the miracle of a chicken laying an egg and how patiently she waited for that moment in the hen house.  She studied everything she could about animals she wanted to so badly be a part of their world.  She dreamed of a life in Africa, living with and helping all animals.  This book uses some of Jane Goodall’s actual drawing as illustrations in the book.   

Evaluative Criteria:  Style

This book does and amazing job of presenting biographical work on Jane Goodall as a typical children’s tale.  The illustrations keep with the idea of a children’s book while also adding Goodall’s own sketches to bring validity to the work.

Book Resources:

http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=22956&a=1

Spiders

Bishop, N. (2007). Spiders. New York: Scholastic Nonfiction.

This book talks about different kinds of spiders. The author talks about their size, body parts, venom, eyes and their sight. The hair on their legs help them sense sound. They shed the skin. Something very interesting I read on this book is that tarantulas can live up to thirty years. Most of the spiders live only one to two years.

Evaluative Criteria:  Accuracy

The accuracy of the information the author is providing is 100% reliable and credible. The three sources of information for Bishop’s books are:

1. Information he learned when he studied Biology

2. Observation

3. He visits University libraries to research and get information from academic books.

Book Resources:

http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=10287&a=1

Olivia

Falconer, I., & Falconer, I. (2000). Olivia. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Olivia, a delightful little pig. . She's very good at lots of things, especially wearing people out and herself. When she gets dressed, she tries on everything; at the museum she stares at her favorite painting and sees one that she thinks she can do in five minutes at home so she tries.  Then spends time thinking about what she did.  At night she's ready to go to sleep, but only after four stories and I love yous.  And the next day begins again.

Visual Element:  Color

Color is used to convey emotion and symbolism.  In the case of Olivia, the combination of bright red against the blacks and greys of the illustrations serve to highlight her personality. In a world that may seem boring and predictably monochrome, Olivia is a flash of brightness and vibrancy that simply cannot be ignored.

Evaluation Criteria: Characters

Olivia is an absolutely memorable and delightful character.  Olivia, is insistent, humorous and honest. Her experiences are true to those of a small child. Her unique worldview and personality shine through the pages and are revealed in her dialogue, the way others interact with her and even through the illustrations themselves.

Book Resources:

http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=5097&a=1

My Teacher is a Monster

Brown, P. (2014). My teacher is a monster! Boston: Little, Brown and Company.

Bobby thinks his teacher, Ms. Kirby, is a roaring, teeth-gnashing, giant green monster and it has nothing to do with the paper airplane he threw in class.  When Bobby goes to the park, something terrible happens: he runs into his ghastly teacher. Ms. Kirby isn't happy to see Bobby, either, but after some awkwardness, they start a friendly conversation. When Ms. Kirby’s hat is blown away Bobby's the one who catches it before it flies into the pond and soon Ms. Kirby and Bobby are showing each other their favorite places in the park. As the story winds down Ms. Kirby looks less like a grumpy monster and more like a friendly young teacher.

Evaluation Criteria: Theme

The theme of My Teacher is a Monster shows us that sometimes everyone can behave a little monstrous but if we take a look at each other in a positive light or have a positive interaction, we can all find the person underneath. This theme is slowly brought to light, both in the illustrations and in the writing Ms. Kirby changes from a monster to a regular, fallible but loving teacher. This theme can be extended to everyone, including Bobby.

Book Resources:

http://www.peterbrownstudio.com/

http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=40066&a=1

The Paper Bag Princess

Munsch, R., & Martchenko, M. (1980). The paper bag princess. Toronto: Annick Press.

Elizabeth the Princess was all set to marry Ronald the Prince until a fiery dragon came and demolished the castle and took Ronald captive.  Elizabeth wasn’t going to let the dragon win so she set out in the only clothing she could find which was a paper bag.  She finds her prince by cleverly tricking the dragon, but the princess and the prince are in for a surprise in the end.

Evaluation Criteria:  Plot

The plot of Paper Bag Princess isn’t a traditional retelling of an age old story. Instead, the reader follows the princess as she takes control of her destiny in the face of adversity and chooses her own path. The plot moves along at a quick pace, leading up to the climactic moment of rescue, which quickly changes direction as our heroine instead chooses not to settle for a prince that doesn’t appreciate her talents.

Lesson Plan: 
http://www.education.com/lesson-plan/the-paper-bag-princess/

The Three Pigs

Wiesner, D. (2001).  The three pigs.  New York: Clarion.

Three pigs went out into the world to seek their fortune.  Each build a home that the wolf tried to blow down.  Expect that in this story, the wolf blows the pigs right out of their story and are thrown into other stories.  They explore other tales and eventually bring in some of the characters from the other stories to the third pig's house and they live happily ever after.   

Visual Element: Texture

Texture can be used to enhance the realistic quality of illustrations or to stimulate the imagination.  The Three Pigs uses texture to create two different worlds within the story. The first world is a two dimensional traditional telling of the three little pigs, and the second world is a three dimensional, realistic world where the pigs escape their pages and travel through other books to solve their wolf problem. The contrast in texture is what tells the reader which world each section of the story is in. The three dimensional versions of the characters pop with texture, from the fur of the pigs to the scales of the dragon.  

Book Resources:

http://www.vickiblackwell.com/lit/threepigs.html

It's A Book

Smith, L. (2011).  It's a Book. New York: Roaring Brook.

Jack has never seen or used a real book.  Throughout this story, he asks Monkey questions about the use of it.  When he gets the book to read it, he wants to treat it like an electronic device.  However as he's going through the book, he starts understanding it and really enjoys the book.

Visual Element: Shape

Shapes can convey action and motion. The simple shapes of the animals in It’s a Book intensify the message of the book. The shapes the donkey’s ears make as they shift while he reads for hours show his mood and reflect the way the book has drawn him in. The exact position of the circle clock above the donkey’s ears show the passage of time. The chairs are created with simple rectangles, giving the book a unique feel.

Book Resources:

http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=20045&a=1

Mirror, Mirror

Singer, M. (2010). Mirror, Mirror. New York:  Dutton.

Summary:

This is a book of fairy tales told through poems and written in reverso. Each tale tells two sides of the story. In Sleeping Beauty, Beauty tells us how it's no fun sleeping while the Prince is looking for love, and on the other side of page the prince tells how it's no fun to be at work looking for love while Beauty is sleeping.  As you read each one, they all make perfect sense.

Evaluation Criteria: Style

Mirror, Mirror invites the reader to take a second look at fairy tales and poems from a different perspective. The use of reversos throughout the book is both intriguing and innovative, forcing the reader to think about the way different characters would feel or act in a well-known story. The poems beg to be read aloud. Each scene quickly gives voice to familiar characters and the whole book is tied together stylistically both with illustrations and with the poems.

Book Resources:

http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=20045&a=1

Where The Wild Things Are

Sendak, M. (1963).  Where the wild things are.  New York:  Harper & Row, Publishers.

One day, Max, an adventurous and mischievous young boy, is sent to his room without supper.  Once in his room, his imaginations goes wild!  He imagines himself sailing off to an island where the wild things are, and he can do as he pleases.  All the creatures join him in a rumpus and they make him their king.  When he gets tired, he sails back to his room and dinner is waiting for him.

Visual Element:  Composition

This classic picture book is the height of composition. Each illustration is a work of art. The balance of each page using texture, line, shape and color creates a completely believable world for the reader. Texture slightly dominates the visuals, but is not overbearing. The layout of each page is balanced and draws the eye toward the action. Each charming illustration advances the story and supports the plot.

Evaluation Criteria:  Illustrations

Illustrations in a children’s book can have a profound impact on the story. Where the Wild Things Are has illustrations that are absolutely art pieces in themselves. Each illustration adds to the story and sets the mood of the book. The textures and colors come together to impact the story in such a deep-rooted way it is often impossible to separate the story from the images.

Book Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqkNfWy7ayQ

Book Resources:

http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/library/books/where-the-wild-things-are