Digital Storybook Websites--Nosy crow

Nosy Crow

NosyCrow

Nosy Crow was started in January 11 and publishes children's books and apps.  Nosy Crow has won the Independent Publishers Guild Children's Publisher of the Year award.  They serve the audience of young children to young adult, featuring fiction and nonfiction books.  There is a cost for this site, however it will let you search and read a small summary of the text.  It looks as though you order through amazon.com.

Of all the websites I searched through, this one was the most user friendly.  I was impressed that you could download a QR code to hear the stories read aloud.  A wifi signal is needed for this option, however I really thought this was a great way to have text on your mobile device.  I also liked that the website has a blog that helps users keep up with what's new and what's on the website. 

Digital Storybook Websites---TumbleBook Library

Tumblebook Library

Click here for Tumblebooks!

Tumblebook library is a digital storybook website with a lot of popular titles.  The picture books have interactive talking and the books are read aloud to the reader.  There is also the option to read the book yourself, as well as animation, sound, and music.  This website does have a cost, however a school subscription gains access to common core state standards and activities.  There are 540 titles to date and they are constantly updating the titles.  The website also has categories, such as picture books, chapter books, award winners, etc.

I was impressed with the titles available on this website.  Being that a subscription costs the user, I am guessing that is the reason why. 

Digital Storybook Websites--Children's Library

International Children's  Digital Library

Click here to view website.


Children's Library is an international digital library for children.  It has many titles, as well as titles in all different types of languages.  It is separated by age, topic, language, size of the book, chapter books, picture books, and award winners. 

I found this website to be really unique.  I liked the fact that it had books in all languages.  It was very user friendly and easy to search.  This would be a great website for your students to explore and find topics and books in which they are interested. 

Seed Folks

Seed Folks

Paul Fleischman
2002

 

Seedfolks is an interesting tale of a group of people who come together for the common good of a vacant lot in Cleveland.  They all strive and manage through their differences to work together to make a vacant lot a garden in the middle of a rough part of the city.  In the tale, each unique person finds their place in the city and where they fit in.

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I was a little surprised at the ending of the book and how it was compared to the movement of slaves in the 1860s.  I thought it was interesting how the author used every one's uniqueness to reveal the story or seeds.  I enjoyed how it was a "pass it on" theme throughout the text with these total strangers.  It was neat how the author brought the book full circle as well.

Poetry Books--Falling Up

Falling Up

Shel Silverstein
1996

Shel Silverstein has captured the minds and made us laugh with a full book of poems in "Falling Up".  He entertains us with hilarious poetry surrounding the elements of childhood. 

I couldn't not include one of my favorites poets and writers this week on Poetry Books.  As I child I loved the poetry of Shel Silverstein.  I found myself reading them over and over and always laughing.  I think, as a child, I could relate to some of these antics he writes about in his poems.  I enjoy using these in my teaching as well. 

Poetry Books---Something Big has Been Here

Something Big has Been Here

Jack Prelutsky
Drawings by James Stevenson

"Something Big Has Been Here" is a collection of hilarious poems that elementary aged children will love.  From funny characters to interesting animals, Jack Prelutsky brings to life many adventures for the entertainment of all. 

This book of poems is an excellent go to when you need a quick read aloud or a funny poem to lighten the mood in the room.  I have shared these with my students and absolutely love the funny antics of the poetry.  Jack Prelutsky has several other poetry books but another famous one of his is "New Kid on The Block".  These poems can be used to teach figurative language, as well as other poetic devices.

Poetry Books--The Best Poems Ever

The Best Poems Ever

A Collection of Poetry's Greatest Voices
edited by Edrie S. Mesmer

2001

This collection of poems ranges through the classics of The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe to Buffalo Dusk by Carl Sandburg.  William Shakespeare is also included.  These poems of moods and dialects from the early 20th century. 

I actually used the Carl Sandburg poem with my class called "Buffalo Dusk"  just this week.  Some of these classic poems would be hard for some of the elementary students to interpret without guidance.  However, I enjoy having this book in my classroom to share of these timeless favorites.

Picture Book (your choice)--Peter Pepper's Pet Spectacular

Betty Paraskevas
Paintings by Michael Paraskevas
2007

Peter Pepper's Pet Spectacular  is an interesting tale of Peter Pepper and his pet show.  All the kids in town bring their own amazing pets and display them in a pet show.  The reader gets to decide which pet they think is the best.

This book is a special one in our house also.  My sister in law actual designed the lay out of this text.  She shared it with our family.  It is entertaining and a good laughable story for bedtime reads.  I like it for the local flair as well. 

Picture book (your choice)--Best of All

Best of All

Max Lucado
Illustrated by Sergio Martinez
2003

In this sequel to You Are Special, Wemmicksville has an exclusive club.  In order to be a member you have to be made of the best wood in the forest, maple.  Punchinello just doesn't add up and people look down on him.  However, he finds out that he is special in his own way.

This is a special book in our house.  It was given to my youngest son upon his kindergarten graduation last spring.  It shows that everyone is different and special in our own way.  I enjoy the themes of Max Lucado's work for children. 

Picture Book (Your Choice)---Sir Cumference and Dragon of Pi

Sir Cumference and Dragon of Pi

Cindy Neuschwander

2004



Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi  is an interesting story about how the circumference of a circle was discovered.  The king is turned into a dragon and his son, Radius, with his mother Lady di of Ameter have to figure out the remedy for the cure. 

I shared this story with my students on Friday, March the 14th because it was Pi day (3-14).  They enjoyed the story and some even got the witty banter in the text and related it to geometry, even though they won't learn about circumference until middle school.  This is an excellent source to use and connect literacy with math in the classroom. 

                                                                                          

Click HERE to hear the story read to you!

Graphic Novel--A Very Baby Mouse Christmas

A Very Baby Mouse Christmas

Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm
2011

 

A Very BabyMouse Christmas is the 15th in a series of graphic novels.  In this particular book, Baby Mouse is only concerned with getting presents on Christmas.  In this funny story, Baby Mouse doesn't care about all the celebrating!  If all her wishes come true, she will have the answer to all her cares if she finds a Whizbang Gadget under the tree.

 

Wow!  What a series! I had not had any experience with graphic novels of this sort until this school year.  The female students in my class are crazy about baby mouse.  I can see why.  The reading goes quick and the pictures help to move the story along, making it easy to read and not to mention funny!  My only experience with graphic novels, until now, was only comic books. 

Verse Novel---Tofu Quilt

Tofu Quilt

Ching Yeung Russell
2009

 

Ching Yeung Russell captures the story of how she grew up in Hong Kong and as a young girl her love for reading and writing grew.  She recalls how, as a female, she was seen as inferior to her male family members.  She realizes after going to a private school to pursue her writing and reading that she can achieve anything she sets her mind to.

 

I have honestly never read a novel designed in this format.  This was a new experience for me as a reader.  I love the way Russell captured what all authors do while using poetry.  Often we see poetry as mounds of figurative language, rhythm and rhyme, but this novel does the job of telling a unique story and experience using verse. 

Author Study Books--Sit In-How Four Friends Stood Up By Sitting Down

Sit-In

How Four Friends Stood Up By Sitting Down

Andrea Davis Pinkney
2010

Andrea Davis Pinkney captures the story of the Greensboro Four and how they stood up by sitting down on that faithful day, February 1, 1960.  It outlines the story of that day from the point of view of how the four peacefully took a stand and started a revolution. 

Andrea Davis Pinkney captured the moment of that day, along with her husband as the illustrator of the book.  The book gave my students another source to reveal the account of what happened on February 1, 1960.  Written the year of the 50th anniversary to commemorate the event, I couldn't help but imagine the fear in the those 4 as they decided to this.  Little did they know that they would begin a movement to accomplish their dream of all dreams. 

Author Study Books-Hand in Hand-Ten Black who Changed America

Hand in Hand-Ten Black who Changed America

Andrea Davis Pinkney
2012

 

Hand in Hand Ten Black Men Who Changed America outlines the magnificent work done by 10 amazing history changers in our world.  The book discusses each of the 10 by explaining their plight with the past and how they are remembered.  Each biographical section begins by displaying a poem that describes each of the historic moves they made, from Benjamin Banneker to Barack Obama.

 

I found this book to be extremely interesting, as well as educating to me.  I learned something new about each of these African American men, as well as learning about them for the first time.  Pinkney carefully selected these 10 to show a span across time and how times has changed America and America has changed time. 

Author Study Books- Boycott Blues-How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation

Boycott Blues-How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation

Andrea Davis Pinkney
2008

Boycott Blues is told from a point of view a Blues singing dog.  He tells the story of how Rosa was "dog tired" and needed to sit on the bus for the ride home that day.  With the southern roots of blues, the book outlines the story of how folks stood up and walked for what they believed in, as they were inspired by Rosa Parks and her plight not to give up her seat that faithful day in Alabama. 

My students truly enjoyed the rhythm of this story and how it was told from the point of view of the dog.  We really looked closely at the color sequence of the story, as well as figurative language used throughout.  This book also included the music in language as Tunnel and Jacobs described well written picture books.  The book is capable of stirring emotional responses in its readers, as it did in my classroom. 

Multicultural Literature Novel--Lockdown by Walter Dean Myers

LOCKDOWN

Walter Dean Myers
2010

Reese Anderson is in juvenile detention and has to try with all his might to fight his mischievous ways.  He struggles throughout the book to do what is right by sticking up for a friend, setting a good example for his family, and keeping up with his work release program.   He befriends an elderly man who shares his past and helps Reese see his way through Lockdown. 

This book was interesting to me because I don't usually read stories of this subject matter.  It was interesting the way the character struggles with himself as much as any other characters he comes in contact with throughout the story.  His personal struggle is overwhelming, as well as fascinating, especially watching the character grow throughout the story.  This is a story to make you believe in second chances. 

 

Multicultural Authors---Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki

Baseball Saved Us

 Ken Mochizuki
1993

Baseball Saved Us is a miraculous story of a family who is sent to concentration camp after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  To fight against the depression and hurtful feelings, a father and son start a baseball league within the camp.  This helps the people of the camp overcome their depression of being imprisoned.

I can't imagine being held against my will to die due to my skin color or religious beliefs.  I am sure that the people in these situations do the best they can to overcome their disenchantment of living in capture.  I see it as a way to survive. 

Multicultural Authors--Pecan Pie Baby by Jacqueline Woodson

Pecan Pie Baby

Jacqueline Woodson
Sophie Blackall (illustrator)
2010 Hardback/ 2013 Paperback

Gia is anxiously waiting the arrival of a new sibling but it is an uneasy time for her.  She is not sure how the change is going to effect her life and her relationship with her mother.  Her mother helps her through the transition and awaiting of the new baby.

As the oldest child, I understand how Gia felt.  I was 5 when my brother was born.  I don't remember worrying but I do remember thinking how things may be different when my brother arrived.  I think this would be an excellent book to read to siblings awaiting a new arrival.  It would help them see that it is a change but how to deal with the change in a positive manner. 

Multicultural Authors--Max Found Two Sticks by Brian Pinkney

Max Found Two Sticks

Brian Pinkney
1994

Max is wanting to keep to himself one day and doesn't feel like talking to anyone.  He is looking around for something in which to make music.  He ends up with two sticks and to his surprise he gets to further his musical ability.

Max Found Two Sticks is a favorite at our house.  Both of my boys enjoyed hearing this book as small children and both are lovers of music now.  I think music is a great outlet for our emotions, as well as ways to express ourselves, when talking doesn't isn't always the easiest mean of communication. 

Multicultural Authors---One Green Apple by Eve Bunting

One Green Apple

Eve Bunting
2006

Farrah is in a new school, in a new country.  She feels no connection with the other students, especially not speaking the language.  During the events of a field trip, she is able to make connections to home.

 

I can't imagine what is would feel like to move to a different country and have to make my way without knowing how to communicate.  I also cannot imagine being a child or taking my own child and moving to a new country where we don't speak the native language.  I think as humans we are always looking for a connection to something that is familiar.  This is exactly what Farrah does in One Green Apple. 

 

 

Non-fiction/ Informational--A Journey into the River

A Journey into the River

Rebecca L. Johnson
Illustrated by Phyllis V. Saroff
2004

A Journey into the River is a book in a series of Biomes in North America.  The book contains all types of ecosystems that exist in the aquatic biome of the river.  It chronicles through different types of animals and  plants living in the river, as well as giving characteristics of a river itself.

This text is very informative of all the types of living things in the river.  It also describes how flooding, drought, and erosion occur around the river.  I use this book when we are studying the biomes of North America, including land and aquatic biomes.  The book contains real photographs, from around the country, of rivers and living things found in the rivers or around the rivers.  Students find this book interesting, especially the different types of living things that can be found in and around the river, as well as how they work together throughout the ecosystem. 

Non-fiction/ Informational Text--Muscles

Muscles-Our Muscular System

Seymour Simon
1998

Muscles, Our Muscular System  is an excellent informational text that is of high difficulty.  It describes, in detail, what our muscles do and how they work.  The book contains diagrams, as well as pictures and real photographs that show our muscles in different parts of the body.  The book continues through all the parts of the body and describes the functions of the muscles in each part of the body. 

This book is an excellent resource to use within our Body and Its systems unit.  I use it the pictures within my lessons on the muscular system to show students what the muscles look like, as well as reading some of the text to tell how they work.  The book is written on a higher reading level, so it may not be accessible to all students but it is helpful with instruction. 

Non-fiction/ informational text-When the Wolves Returned

When the Wolves Returned 

Restoring Nature's Balance in Yellowstone

Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
Photographs by Dan Hartman and Cassie Hartman
2008


When The Wolves Returned is a telling true story of how the wolves were introduced back into Yellowstone National Park.  Scientist had realized that the natural balance of the Ecosystem had been effected because the wolf was no longer a piece of the natural system.  Ten years after the wolves returned, the balance is being restored. 

Not being a scientist, I don't always recognize the small things in nature.  I can't imagine eliminating a population of an animal but it is done.  This story proves that ALL types of animals are essential for the balance of nature.  When one small piece is eliminated, other species will take over. 

Novel---(Own Choice)

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh

Robert O'Brien
1971

In this fantasy story, Mrs. Frisby is a widowed mouse who has 4 children, one who is a sickly child.  The family needs to move to their summer home but can't due to Timothy's sickness.  Mrs. Frisby does all she can and even goes to unlikely friends for help with her family's delimma.

This story is one of my favorites.  I read it aloud to my class each year around February and March.  After the first time I read this, it made me look at the "real" mice and rat population differently.  I can't help but wonder whether mice could be trained in such a way.  I feel that it may be a possibility with all the experiments done on rats for research. 

Realistic Fiction- Picture Book-Elena's Story

Elena’s Story

 Nancy Shaw, Illustrations by Kristina Rodanas

2012

Elena tries to find her place in the family as she helps out with her two younger siblings, as well as helping her mother with housework.   The family realizes the importance of reading, when she reads aloud to her brother to get him to go to sleep.

Elena's story is a great picture book to share with students and discuss the cultural differences of people around us.  It was an eye opener for me, as I witnessed this family's structure.  I wondered how many of my students' families were structured this way. 

 

 

Realistic Fiction--Picture Book-The Favorite Daughter

The Favorite Daughter

Allen Say

2013

Yuriko doesn’t like her name anymore because the art teacher called her Eureka and the students at school made fun of her.  Her father helps her to see the importance in her culture and inspires her through the challenging time.

 

Again, great story to share with students about bullying.  This story is also good to talk about family structure.  I loved the way the father made the daughter feel special in the story and helped her realize that she was a unique individual.  The book addresses cultural differences.  It would be a good way to bring in global awareness and how we are all different in certain ways. 

 

 

 

 

Realistic Fiction--Picture Book--The Boy Who Loved Words

The Boy Who Loved Words

Roni Schotter

Illustrations by Giselle Potter

2006

Selig has an extreme love for words.  He realizes his mission in life is to share them with the world.

 

This is a great book to share with students when starting a vocabulary unit.  I enjoyed the emotion the author shows and how well he portrays the boys feelings for his words.  He collects them and cherishes them.  I have used this book, as an introduction to having my students start their own personal word collection or word wall, for later use or when they find a new word. 

 

Click on the link below the picture for a read aloud.

 



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTScRTNvIcI

Realistic Fiction--Novel--Wonder

Wonder

R.J. Palacio
2012

August Pullman is starting public school for the first time, as a fifth grader.  He is up against some issues, as he was born with face deformities.  He struggles with trying to fit in and how other people respond to him.

Thinking about August and the challenges he faces in this text, I feel somewhat sad for him.  It is very empowering how he tries to move forward with all the issues he faces as he begins public school for the first time.   The way the book is set up really lends itself well to the reader being able to feel the emotions of the characters,  August and others included.  This book is a great resource for 5th graders to middle school aged students.  It covers a realm of challenges that the age group faces and then some.

Watch the book trailer here:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgB7_KpBDss

Wordless Book--Fossil

Fossil 

Bill Thomson
2013
 
A boy and his dog are hiking one day and finds fossils.  The fossils then come to life and reveals what they once were...an ancient plant, a dragonfly and pteranodon.  Once this happens, he has to figure out how to get things back to normal. 
 
Wow!  The illustrations in this book trigger the imagination, as well as leave the reader to wonder what's next.  Told from the boy's point of view, he has to figure out how to send the dragonfly and pteranodon back to the fossil for good.  This would be an excellent book to have older elementary students write captions or words for the text.  It is an entertaining story that would be interesting to a variety of ages.   Students could even write their own story of finding a fossil and imagine what happens next when their fossil "breaks open".

Wordless Book---The Umbrella

The Umbrella

Ingrid Schubert and Dieter Schubert

 2011

 

A little dog has a "blowing" experience when he finds an umbrella one windy day.  Once he grabs the umbrella, he is lifted up and taken on a trip around the world.

This story is well told through pictures.  The reader is able to "feel the adventure"  as the dog is whisked around the world and sees all types of biomes around the planet, including the North Pole.    The reader is taken on the adventure as well, as he travels throughout the planet.  The Umbrella is an entertaining book for all ages.  I would have students write the text from the dog's point of view within the classroom. 

 

Wordless Book--Unspoken: A Story of the Underground Railroad

Unspoken:  A Story from the Underground Railroad

Henry Cole
2012

This wordless picture book tells a powerful story of the underground railroad.

A young farm girl finds a runaway slave hiding in her families barn.  She struggles with doing the right thing and making a hard choice of whether to help the runaway or tell on him. 

Henry Cole tells a powerful story through the pictures of how a  simple farm girl helps a runaway slave.  The pictures touch on how the girl struggles to make the decision to help or not to help, knowing that it is against the law.  Cole shows the compassion of the girl through the emotion shown in the illustrations.  Its will truly touch your heart and how it must have felt for these two young children who were so different, yet so much the same. 

Newberry Honor Novel- One Crazy Summer

One Crazy Summer                                                    

Rita Williams-Garcia

2010

Newberry Honor Novel

Coretta Scott King Award

Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction Winner

National Book Award Finalist

As a multiple award winning novel One Crazy Summer is a unique story about a girl and her 2 sisters.  They were abandoned by their mother when Delphine, the oldest, was 4 years old.  Now, 7 years later the girls travel across the country to spend a summer with the mother they barely know.  It truly is "one crazy summer" for these 3 girls. 
 
I can only imagine the anxiousness the 3 girls were feeling on the plane flying from New York to California.  How does one reconnect with someone who has abandoned them to pursue a "better life"?  How does a mother leave 3 young girls to be raised by a father and grandmother? The author creates a connection between the girls and their mother, even though their mother is complacent.  The author reveals the reasons why throughout the text in a sympathetic way, as to not paint her as a failure of a mother.  What an amazing story unveiled perfectly by the author, consisting of laughable moments as well as tearful moments. 

Historical Fiction--Freedom on the Menu

Freedom on the Menu:  The Greensboro Sit-Ins

Carole Boston Weatherford
2007

Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins describes a day in the life of an 8 year old African American girl in Greensboro, North Carolina.  She is in the Woolworth Store downtown with her mother and knows that there are signs everywhere telling her where she can go, where she can sit, and what drinking fountain in which she can drink.  She sees that she is no different from other girls and boys her age.  She witnesses the brave sit in of 4 A & T students who choose to stand up for what they believe in.

I can't imagine how Connie feels when she is forbidden to eat at the lunch counter. Even so, she had to eat her snack in the back of the store, not at the lunch counter.   I am always amazed that the author mentioned how Connie (the 8 year old girl)  notices the white girl's purse is just like hers.   This is a great book to share during black history month.  It also outlines historic events that took place here locally. 

Historical Fiction Novel--I Survived, The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912

I Survived, The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912

Lauren Tarshis
2010

I Survived, The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 is a historical story of a brother and sister who are sailing on this huge ship with their aunt.  They are having the time of their lives, until of course, the Titanic hits  an iceberg.  The chapter book moves on to discuss George's survival story and how he managed to survive this horrible nightmare, while rescuing and helping others.

I can only imagine how cold it was on the ocean in the shipwreck of the Titanic.  I was amazed at George's bravery and how he truly willed himself to survive the wreck.  I can't imagine being in George's shoes and choosing to stay behind and help others.  What a huge decision to make as a young boy?  This would be an excellent story to share with students who are interested in The Titanic or survival stories. 

Click on the link below to watch a trailer on the book.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNoYYfI2lOQ

Historical Fiction--Latkes and Applesauce

Latkes and Applesauce

Fran Manushkin
1990

Latkes and Applesauce is a story about a Jewish family that is poor.  They hardly have any food but are not selfish when it comes to taking in 2 animals during a blizzard during Hanukkah.  The story explains the traditions of Hanukkah. 

Latkes and Applesauce tells a story but within the story it gives history about the celebration of Hanukkah.  The story discusses the customs and traditions they celebrate during the 8 nights of Hanukkah.  I found it interesting because I didn't know a lot about the history of Hanukkah.  We have such a melting pot of cultures and religions here in the United States.  This book would  be an excellent way to bring global awareness to the classroom. 

 

Historical Fiction---Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King

Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King

Jean Marzollo
1993

Happy Birthday Martin Luther King is a well told story of his life.  It outlines the major events of his life in "kid friendly"  wording from his birth to death.  The story explains the ways his used non-violent protests to speak up for civil rights for all.

This is an excellent story to share with students of all ages.  It helped me to understand more about Martin Luther King and his life and some of the important things he spoke about during the Civil Rights Movement.  Jean Marzollo very delicately goes through the events throughout Martin Luther King's life and tastefully explains them, even though they are not always happy instances.  This book would be a great choice to share with students around the Martin Luther King holiday. 

Historical Fiction---White Socks Only

White Socks Only

Evelyn Coleman

1996

White Socks Only is a story about an African American girl living in Mississippi in the midst of segregation.  On a summer day, she asked her grandmother is she can walk into town.  Her grandmother proceeds to tell her the story of her experience as a little girl of mistaking the meaning of the "whites only" sign at the drinking fountain.  The town is in uproar when she does drink from the "whites only" water fountain.  Innocently, she thought she could due to her wearing "white socks".

I can't imagine living being an African American child or adolescent through segregation.  I don't understand how this was even a fathomable lifestyle expectancy for so long.  I feel sorry for the girl in the story who is ridiculed by the townspeople for truly not understanding what "whites only" meant.  This is an excellent story to teach tolerance, as well as concepts of what segregation was like for so long.  Several reading strategies can be taught using this story as well.

Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business

Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business (Novel series)

Barbara Park

1993

Junie B. Jones is quite a character first grader.  In this book in the series, she is expecting to be a big sister at any time and she is not happy about it.  She is having some issues adjusting to everyone around her thinking that the new baby brother is great.   She tries everything she can to “show out” due to the new addition to the family. 

Thinking back to my childhood, I was about Junie B. Jones’ age when my brother was born also.  Junie also has a close family throughout the story, as well as she herself being close to her grandparents.  I, too, was close with my grandparents and I remember them trying to make me feel special when my brother was born.  I can see how this story in the series would be easily connected to many of the students we teach.  As a first grader, my son, who is now a fourth grader, loved Junie B. Jones and the series because his teacher had read aloud some of the texts in the series.  He would imitate the voice she would portray when reading Junie B’s part aloud to the students.  I remember this being his first experience with chapter books, which was a truly positive one. 

Millie Waits for the Mail

Millie Waits for the Mail
Alexander Steffensmeier
2007

Millie seemed like an ordinary cow, but she has some strange ideas of fun.  Millie enjoys lying in wait for the mailman to SCARE him.  She continually hides, day after day, and scares the mailman.  He, of course, drops the mail for the farmer, which doesn't make the farmer happy at all.  The mailman even has nightmares.  Both the mailman and the farmer try to find ways to solve the problem and think they have one day but it only brings around more damage to more property of the farmer and the mailman.  So, Millie ends of doing something she loves in the end because of all the mishaps.

 

This story is quite an entertaining story.  Steffensmeier, the author, must have an excellent sense of humor.  I can see this book fitting well into a themed unit on the farm or farm animals.  As a fifth grade teacher, this book would be a nice read aloud to model cause and effect, as well as problem and solution.  Teachers could also use the book as a read aloud to discuss text and how different characters reacted to the problem in the story.  I think it would be enjoyed by all ages of elementary students. 

A Kiss Goodbye by Audrey Penn

A Kiss Goodbye
Audrey Penn
2007

A Kiss Goodbye is a picture book in a series of stories about a raccoon and his relationships with his loved ones.  Chester, the little raccoon, has some separation anxiety throughout several major events in his life.  In this particular book in the series, he and his family are having to move from the home that he has always known because their tree was being cut down.  Chester's mother is always supportive and tries to find strategies to help him cope with what is worrying him at the time.  Chester finds a new friend at his new home and decides he will stay. 

As I reflect on this story, I can't help but have a connection with Chester's mother.  I, as a mother, know what it is like to try and help my sons through things that bother them.  We have never moved or had to move, however there are everyday worries that creep up.  I think this would be an excellent story to share with a young student who is having to move for some reason or is just going through a big change in their lives. 

Journey by Aaron Becker

Journey
Aaron Becker
2013

Journey is a wordless, picture book.  It is about a girl who feels neglected by her friends and family.  She retreats to her room, only to embark on an imaginary world where she does feel wanted.   She uses a read marker to draw her mode of transportation to take her where she wants to go next in her mind.  She uses a boat, hot air balloon, and a flying carpet as modes of transportation.  She moves through the adventure and meets up with lots of adventure on her journey.  In the end, her red marker saves the day and brings her back to reality.

Journey is a wordless book, as mentioned before.  I have only had experience with wordless books in graduate school, so I just began to use them in my classroom.  I am intrigued by them.  Very little color was used in the beginning of the book but as the lonely girl continued into her wanted world, the color in the pictures emerged.   As I read the pictures, I imagined myself as the lonely girl in the book.  At times as I child, I felt lonely because my brother was 5 years younger and we were always going to his baseball games.  At times, I would feel lonely and spent a lot of time in my room.  I am very intrigued by picture books with no words.  As an upper grades teacher, I haven't used picture books as much as some of the younger grades but I know that when I do use them in my teaching, my fifth graders love them.  I can only imagine the stories they will tell when I give them wordless books and have them write the text or script.