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.
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.
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