Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Randolph Caldecott Award Winners, Notable books and classics



Blackout - John Rocco
Reading level: PreK+
Publisher: Disney - Hyperion Books, 2011

The story centers on a little boy, and his inter-racial family during a city summer night. When the lights go out, his family rediscovers the beauty of a world without technology. The artwork is done in a comic book style and the text is minimal, but the message of "taking time out for family" is easy to understand.


Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale - Mo Williams
Reading level: PreK-1
Publisher: Hyperion, 2004

When Trixie goes on a big adventure to the laundromat with dad, something terrible goes wrong. This funny little tale is filled with cartoons drawn over actual photographs taken in park slope Brooklyn. Kindergardeners and 1st graders would enjoy the gibberish words spit out by Trixie, who is too young to speak, making this a enjoyable read aloud.


Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity - Mo Williams
Reading level: PreK-2
Publisher: Hyperion, 2007

Once I found out there were sequels, I had to read them all. This is the second installment of the popular Trixie trilogy from Mo Williams. This time Trixie can talk, and does she ever. As the reader gets older they can follow characters adventures and become familiar with series reading. In a case of mistaken identity, Knuffle Bunny gets lost again. Only this time around Trixie finds a friend (other than Knuffle Bunny). This episode deals closely with new friendships that look beyond our cultural differences and focus on how we are all the same inside.


Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion - Mo Williams
Reading level: PreK-2
Publisher: Blazer + bray, 2010

The final installment of the trilogy, Trixie goes on a international adventure and so does Knuffle Bunny. This time, Trixie learns to brave the world on her own without her friend. The same illustrative style follows through all three of these books, and in this final episode, Trixie learns to be brave and empathize by considering the feelings of someone other than herself.


Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type - Doreen Cronin
Reading level: K-2
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2000

The cows on Farmer Brown's farm have learned to type and have begun making demands. A humorous tale about compromise and being fair. I seen this book done as a read aloud to 1st graders, which went over very well.


E-mergency - Tom Lichtenheld
Reading level: K-3
Publisher: Chronicle Books, 2011

All the letters of the alphabet live together, but one day E falls down the stairs and gets hurt. Now it is up to the rest of the alphabet to help their injured friend. The pictures are filled with clever puns and dialog between characters that will make children and parents chuckle. Readers will learn so much about language through mispronunciation. It would be difficult to read aloud, but a parent and child together will have a blast trying to get through this book.


Fox in Socks - Dr. Seuss
Reading level: K-3
Publisher: Random House Children's Books, 1965

Not as popular as "Green Eggs and Ham" or "The Cat in the Hat", Fox in Socks is almost void of any of Dr. Seuss' gibberish words that are utilized to teach phonics. This book teaches pronunciation through silly young twisting rhymes. I find it strange my wife refuses to read this one aloud to our kids when they ask. All I hear is: "Go ask you father"


12 Angry Men - Reginald Rose
Reading level: Grade 10-12
Publisher: Penguin Group, 2006

Written in 1954, this classic piece of theatrical literature is set during the deliberation of a jury who are sentencing a 19 year old boy to death for the murder of his father. A tribute to the American judicial system and the concept of "reasonable doubt", it puts the reader into the shoes of every juror. Throughout the course of the text each juror is swayed from the original 11-1 guilty verdict. I choose this one as an audio book, and the added emotion in the characters brought more power to this classic.


Peter Pan - James M. Barrie
Reading level: Grade 3-7
Publisher: Viking Juvenile, 1994

Peter Pan, the boy who refused to grow up. This classic is just right for young boy who loves to read. Sometimes a little violent as certain characters meet their demise, without the slightest form of regret from Peter Pan. Female characters fall into a very stereotypical “damsel in distress” role, which may be considered politically incorrect today. The story is filled with pirates, indians, mermaids, fairies, a youthful boy who could fly, and adventure in every chapter. Unlike the magical frosted re-telling from Disney, this is a bit darker and a favorite classic of mine (not the Disney version). I read this in middle school, and forgot how much I loved it, until I read it again.


Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
Reading level: Grade 4-8
Publisher: Simon and Schuster, 2010

This tale is considered by most, a classic of children's literature. Some people love it and others dislike it. 10 year old Alice finds herself in a curious world full of odd creatures who lack common courtesy and respect for one another. The language of this book is British English and old fashioned, but easily decipherable. After reading it a second time, I am still on the fence on how I feel about it. What I think readers will get out of this, is how to behave properly by learning improper behavior from the residents of Wonderland.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Easy Readers


I Want My Hat Back - Jon Klassen
Reading Level: K-1
Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2011

A New York Times award winner and a winner of a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor. The Bear is distraught over the loss of his hat and asks everyone if they have seen it. Until... he remembers. The easy to read colored text represents which animal is speaking and simple illustrations make this a wonderful book to read to a kindergarden or 1st grade class.


Bink And Gollie - Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee
Reading Level: Grade 1-3
Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2010

Two vastly different girls who are the best of friends. Each of the short chapters are connected in small ways but all carry friendship sub-theme throughout. The words and concepts are explained through the colorful and attractive illustrations. And no matter what comes between them, their friendship remains as strong as ever.


Fly Guy Meets Fly Girl - Tedd Arnold
Reading Level: Grade 1-2
Publisher: Cartwheel Books, 2010

The 8th book in this popular series. Fly guy has been bitten by the love bug. What will become of friendship with Buzz? Simple illustrations are easy to recreate for artistic children. (Boys LOVE drawing Fly Guy) Each chapter within the book is a "episode" in the complete storyline. This may not be a good read-aloud, but it's repeated words makes it a very good first read, so kids don't feel like they are struggling. Even though the boys like Fly Guy, this one attracts the attention of young girls too.


Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same - Grace Lin
Reading Level: Grade K-2
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2010

A pair of Chinese twin sisters who only look the same, but are quite different. The story's from each chapter follow a continuity throughout the book starting with a mishap at the barber, which allows you to tell the sisters apart. This book is perfect to express the concept of individuality and being yourself. The language used is perfect for the beginning reader and the last story ties all previous chapters nicely.


Chicken Said "Cluck" - Judyanne Ackerman Grant
Reading Level: Pre K-1
Publisher: Hapercollins, 2008

Pearl and Earl are trying to grow pumpkins and Chicken just wants to help. My son loved this one and even laughed at the expressive illustrations. He stopped to tell me what Chicken was thinking on every page. Especially when Chicken was proud of her accomplishments, The controlled vocabulary and repeated text makes it easy for any first time reader.


Henry & Mudge and the Great Grandpas - Cynthia Rylant
Reading Level: K-3
Publisher: Aladdin, 2006

A winner of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award in 2006. This book would be a great read to first graders. It teaches wonderful family values and the important practice of waiting for an adult before going swimming. Kids would get quite a laugh from pictures of everyone swimming in their underwear. Not to mention another word for underwear "skivvies"


Ten Apples Up On Top - Dr. Seuss
Reading Level: K-2
Publisher: Beginner Books, 1961



One of my favorites as a child and I was overjoyed when I added it to my kids library. The vocabulary utilizes rhyming words to also teach math. The three main characters start off competing to be the best, but end up cooperating in the end. This book can be used in lesson plans with kindergarden and first graders after a read aloud.


Hippos Go Berserk! - Sandra Boynton
Reading Level: Pre K-1
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2000

Absolutely Hysterical. The counting story and clever rhymes are paired with simple illustrations that actually make you feel sympathetic for the “One hippo all alone.” You never get tired reading it, no matter how many times you do. Young children love to memorize the poetic text of this book.


Snug House, Bug House! - Susan Schade & Jon Buller
Reading Level: K-2
Publisher: Random House, 1994

6 bugs find a tennis ball and get creative. Excellent use of action and rhyming words. The illustrations are colorful and tell the story even if the child is too young to read.


First 100 Words: Bright Baby - Roger Priddy
Reading Level: 6 Months+
Publisher: St Martins Press, 2005

This oversized board book is full of bold colorful photographs of everyday objects and clear, easy to recognize text. It helps a infants build vocabulary. I used this book in my home to help my boys recognize objects at the age of 9 months by having them point out what I was looking for.