Jimi: Sounds Like A Rainbow

Title: Jimi: Sounds Like A Rainbow
Author: Gary Golio
Illustrator: Javaka Steptoe
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: Picture Book
Publisher: Clarion Books
Date of Publications: 2010
Award: Coretta Scott King
Theme: Being creativity and Music
Primary/ Secondary Characters: Jimmi Hendrix/
Summary: Jimmi Hendrix is a great known guitar player, but before he was a great guitar player he was a young boy. This book tells about the life of Jimi Hendrix when he was a kid. It talks about how he had an extremely creative mind and loved anything to do with music. He also loved to paint and draw, In fact he loved to do anything that involved creativity. When Jimmi was a boy he continuously wondered if a person could paint a picture with sound.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could be used with students to see how fun being creative can be. It can also be used to start an activity based on creativity where the students use their creatives sides for the activity. This book could also be used in a music class as way to look at the childhood of Jimmi Hendrix.

Kiss Me, I'm Perfect

Title: Kiss Me, I'm Perfect
Author: Robert Munsch
Illustrator: Michael Martchenko
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: Picture Book
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Date of Publication: 2006
Theme: Everything is not what it seems
Primary/ Secondary Characters: Lacey/ Mom, Grandma, Cat, Dog, Eagle, Teacher, Johnny, and Bear
Summary: Lacey has no clean clothes to wear anywhere, so she runs downstairs and asks her mom for a clean shirt, but the only one she has is the one Grandma gave Lacey. This shirt has the phrase Kiss Me I'm Perfect on it and Lacey did not want to wear it, but she did any way. On her way to school a cat saw Lacey's shirt and gave her a kitty kiss. Then Lacey saw a dog, eagle, and moose and got kisses from all of them. She thought it was really neat so she ran into class and told her teacher. Once Lacey sat down she got a surprise kiss from Johnny which she thought was gross, but then she went outside and received a bear kiss. It turn out Lacey's shirt was cool and everyone wanted one.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could be used with students to help them see things are not always what they seem. In this book Lacey did not want to wear Grandmas shirt because she thought she would be made fun of, but everyone loved it. Students will be able to see that somethings are not as bad as they think they are from reading this book.

Buzz Said the Bee

Title: Buzz Said the Bee
Author: Wendy Lewison
Illustrator: Hans Wilhelm
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: Picture Book
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Date of Publication: 1992
Theme: Sounds of animals
Primary/ Secondary Characters: Bee/ Duck, Hen, Pig, Cow, and Sheep
Summary: A bee sat on a duck. The duck quacked and then sat on a hen. The hen clucked and did a jig then sat on a pig. The pig oinked, bowed, and sat on a cow. The cow then mooed, began to weep, and sat on a sheep, who was asleep. Then the cow mooed, the pig oinked, the hen clucked, the duck quacked, and the bee buzzed. Then the sheep woke up and that is that.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could be used with students as a fun way for them to learn what noises certain animals make. Throughout the book there are different animals and the noises they all make. This book is a fun way for students to learn animal sounds.

Just Going to the Dentist

Title: Just Going to the Dentist
Author: Mercer Mayer
Illustrator: Mercer Mayer
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: Picture Book
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Date of Publication: 1990
Theme: Going to the Dentist
Primary/ Secondary Characters: Narrator/ Mom, Nurse, and Dentist
Summary: The Narrator has to go to the dentist to get a check-up so his mom took him. When they got there they had to wait for his turn. It was his turn so the nurse came and got him and took him back to the room where he sat in a funny chair. The nurse then cleaned his teeth and took some x-rays. Then the dentist came in
to look in his mouth. Next the dentist, narrator, and his mom looked at the x-rays and realized he had a cavity. The dentist put the narrator back in the chair and fixed his cavity. Afterwards he got a treat and went home.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could be used with the students to help them learn about going to the dentist and what happens when going to the dentist. The students can see the different thing that happen when they go to the dentist so maybe they will not be so scared. The students can also see how important it is to brush their teeth so they do not get a cavity.

The Magic School Bus Comes to Its Senses

Title: The Magic School Bus Comes to Its Senses
Author: Kristin Earhart
Illustrator: Carolyn Bracken
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: Picture Book
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Date of Publication: 2009
Theme: Learning about the five senses
Primary/ Secondary Characters: Ms. Frizzle/ Arnold, Ralphie, Keesha, Phoebe, Carlos, Tim, Wanda, and Dorothy Ann
Summary: Ms. Frizzles Class is learning all about the senses so she takes the kids on a field trip to learn more. The class goes to the apple orchard where a family is having a picnic and then the bus shrinks. The students then learn about the five senses; hearing, seeing, feeling, tasting, and smelling, as the travel through the body. When they are all done they get back on the bus and head back to the school for a picnic.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could be used with students as a way for them to learn all about the senses. As Ms. Frizzle and the kids travel through the body looking at the senses students can learn about the senses. The students can also test their knowledge on the senses when Ms. Frizzle ask questions throughout the book.

Curious George Vists the Library

Title: Curious George Vists the Library
Author: Margret and H.A. Reys
Illustrator: H.A. Rey and Martha Weston
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: Picture Book
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
Date of Publication: 2003
Theme: A trip to the Library
Primary/ Secondary Characters: George/ Man with the yellow hat, librarian, children, and library volunteer
Summary: George and the man with the yellow hat went to the library. At the library George went to story time to listen to stories, but he started to get impatient when he saw a dinosaur book sitting on the table. George then went to go get the book and made a scene in story time. Now that George has the dinosaur book he went to find the man with the yellow hat and on the way he found more books he wanted. He then found a library cart and started to roll through the library collecting books when all of a sudden the cart crashed and books went everywhere. George and the kids then helped the library volunteer put all the books back. After all the books were up the library volunteer helped George get a library card and check out his books.
Summary of how to use with the students: This book could be used with students as a way to show them how fun the library can be. The students can also see that in the library you need to be quiet. Students can see from reading this book that a library is a fun place where you can find all kinds of books.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Title: Chichka Chicka Boom Boom
Author: Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Illustrator: Lois Ehlert
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: Picture Book
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Date of Publication: 1989
Theme: Learning the Alphabet
Primary/ Secondary Characters: Letters A-Z/ Mamas, Papas, Aunts, and Uncles
Summary: All of the letters are racing to the top of the coconut tree, but will there be enough room. Once all the letters make it to the top of the tree they all fall out. Mamas, Papas, Aunts, and Uncles then run to the coconut tree to help their loved ones. Finally everyone was back with their loved ones and then letter A was out of bed and went back up the coconut tree.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could be used with the students as a way to help them learn the letters of the alphabet. Throughout the book all the letters are mentioned in the text as well as shown in the illustrations. This way the students can learn the letters of the alphabet and what they look like.

Big Wolf and Little Wolf

Title: Big Wolf and Little Wolf
Author: Nadine Brun Cosme
Illustrator: Olivier Tallec
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: Picture Book
Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books
Date of Publication: 2009
Award: Mildred L. Batchelder
Theme: Feelings and Friendship
Primary and Secondary Characters: Big Wolf/ Little Wolf
Summary: Big Wolf lives alone and one day he sees a Little Wolf approaching him. Without saying anything Little Wolf sits down next to Big Wolf. At first Big Wolf ios not to sure about Little Wolf, but he grows to like him. Then Little Wolf disappears and Big Wolf starts to become upset. Finally Little Wolf comes back and they agree to never leave each other again.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could help the students see how important friendships are. Students can see that having a friend can make a person happy and without a friend they can be lonely.

Through My Eyes

Title: Through My Eyes
Author: Ruby Bridges
Illustrator: Margo Lundell
Genre: Nonfiction Biography
Sub genre: Picture Book
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Date of Publication: 1999
Award: Orbis Pictus
Theme: Racism and Civil Rights
Primary/ Secondary Characters: Ruby Bridges/ Mother
Summary: Ruby Bridges was a six year old girl living in New Orleans during the the 1960s. She talks about the role she played in the integration of public schools. Ruby was the only black girl chosen to attend William Fretz public school. In the book she talks about the emotions, feelings, and situations she went through because of the circumstances.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could be used with students to help them understand more about racism and civil rights. Through this book students will be able to see what students went through back then. They will also be able to learn about the feelings and emotions they experienced during this time.

Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachin Spring

Title: Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachin Spring
Author: Jan Greenbery and Sandra Jordan
Illustrator: Brain Floca
Genre: Historical Fiction
Sub genre: Picture Book
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Date of Publication: 2010
Award: Robert F. Sibert
Theme: Creating Appalachin Spring
Primary/ Secondary Characters: Martha Graham/ Aaron Copland and Isamu Noguchi
Summary: Martha Grahama had an idea to tell the story of America through movement and music. Martha was doing the choreography but she need people to help her with music and scene designs. So Aaron Copland does the music and Isamu Noguchi does the scenes. Together they create a great show that tells the story of America. The show is called Appalachin Spring.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could be used with students to show them that there are many ways to express themselves. They can see that they can use movement, music , drawing and many more things to express their feelings or ideas. An activity students could do is practicing expressing themselves using different ways.

One Crazy Summer

Title: One Crazy Summer
Author: Rita Williams Garcia
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: Historical
Publisher: HarperCollins
Date of Publication: 2010
Award: Coretta Scott King
Theme: Equal Rights
Primary/ Secondary Characters: Delphine/ Big Ma, Pa, Cecile, Fern, and Vonetta
Summary: Delphine and her two younger sisters are being sent to their mothers for the summer. The girls do not know their mother because she left when they were younger and had nothing to do with them. When the girls got to their mothers they wanted to go back home because the mother was treating them badly. They were sent to camp during the day and then  had to fend for themselves night. While the girls are there they realize that the center where they are at was a rights activists group called the Black Panthers, which their mother was a part of. One night after camp when the girls got home and their mother was being arrested and they had to stay with friends. Later in the summer the girls participated in a festival for the Black Panthers where they read a poem about separate but equal rights. At the festival their mother heard the poem and it brings them all closer together. When it was time for the girls to leave they did not want to.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could help the students understand more about equal rights and life during this  point in history. It is important for students to know what people went through and felt during this time in history and this book does just that.

The African Safari Discovery

Title: The African Safari Discovery
Author: Josh Greenhut
Illustrator: Macky Pamintuan
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: Adventure
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Date of Publication: 2011,
Theme: Going on an adventure
Primary/ Secondary Characters: Stanley/ Arthur, George Lambchop, Harriet Lambchop, Mr. Dart, Bisa, Odinga, Captain Tony, Dr. Livingston
Summary: Stanley, Arthur, and their dad go on a trip to Africa to see the recently found flat skull. They are hoping to find information to help Stanley. When they got to Africa Arthur met Odinga and Bisa who helped them get a flight to where they needed to go from their father. Captian Tony was flying the Lambchop family when he heard about a fire back home so the Lambchops had to jump off the plane. Once they landed they saw a safari as they traveled farther. They then reached the river and saw a canoe. The Lambchops borrowed he canoe and traveled down the river. Finally they found the site, but the skull was a fish skull not a human one. Stanley got upset because he made his family travel for no reason. Mr Lambchop and Arthur said it was ok because they had fun adventures that they would not of had.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could help students see how fun going on an adventure can be. If a teacher uses this book in class an exercises she or he could have the students create an adventure they would like to go on. This activity will let the students to use their creativity and imagination.

Surviving the Applewhites

Title: Surviving the Applewhites
Author: Stephine S. Tolan
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: Chapter Book
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Date of Publication: 2002
Award: Newberry Honor Book
Theme: People are not always what they seem
Primary/ Secondary Characters: Jake Semple and E.D. Applewhite/ Aunt Lucille, Cordelia Applewhite, Destiny, Randolph, Zedediah Applewhite, Uncle Archie, Sybil Jameson, and Hal
Summay: Jake Semple has gotten in trouble and expelled from every school he went to. Now his only chance is the homeschool ran by the Applewhites. All of the Applewhites are artist except for E.D., who wants order and predictability. E.D. gets paired with Jake for the cooperative education experiment and neither are happy. As time goes on Jake becomes more involved and even participates in the Sound of Music performance. Jake and E.D. face many struggles, but end up developing a strong friendship and finding hidden talents.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could be used with students to help them see that you have to get to know a person before you judge them. Jake and E.D. ended up becoming friends which they thought would never happen because they were to quick to judge each other. Students   can learn from Jake and E.D. that they need to get to know people before they are quick to judge and make decisions about a person.

Hilary and the Troublemakers

Title: Hilary and the Troublemakers
Author: Katheleen Leverich
Illustrator: Lorraine Walter
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: Chapter Book
Publisher: HarperCollins
Date of Publication: 1999
Theme: Making right decisions
Primary and Secondary Characters: Hilary/ Owl, Piggy Bank, Sheep, and Snow people
Summary: A homework-eating owl, an angry piggy bank, several talking sheep, and some snow people help Hilary to make the right decisions at home and at school.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could be used to help the students learn about making right decisions and telling the truth. It is important that the students know the importance of making right decisions and not telling lies and this book can do just that.

The Man with the Black Glove

Title:The Man with the Black Glove
Author: Ursel Scheffler

Illustrator: Christa Unzner

Genre: Fiction

Sub genre: Mystery

Publisher: Night Sky Books

Date of Publication: 1999

Theme: Cracking the Case

Primary/ Secondary Characters: Martin Pitman and Pauline/ Man next door, Policeman

Summary: Martin and Pauline watch a the man next door walk into the shed. When he went into the shed he had a silver suitcase, gloves, and a leather jacket, but when he cam out the suitcase was gone.They then thought they would become detectives and find out what the man was hiding. They then find a wallet on the ground so they take it to the police and make a deal with the policeman. The policeman allows them to go find the owner. Martin and Pauline find the owner of the wallet. They also find out that the man next door is a robber, so they help the police crack two cases.

Summary of how to use with students: This book could help the students realize that they can do just about what ever they want as long as they work hard at it and believe they can. Just like Martin and Pauline become detectives students can see that they can be anything they want as well. This is important because we want the students to be able to dream big.

 

A Jugsaw Jones Mystery- The Case of Hermie the Missing Hamster

Title:  A Jugsaw Jones Mystery- The Case of Hermie the Missing Hamster
Author: James Preller
Illustrator: R.W. Alley
Genre: Fiction
Sub-genre: Mystery
Publisher: Scholastic Inc
Date of Publication: 1998 
Theme: Things are not what they seem
Primary/ Secondary Characters:Jigsaw/ Wingnut and Mila.
Summary:  Jigsaw is a second grade boy who is a detective. He charges a dollar a day to solve a case and has a partner named Mila who gets half the money. One day a Wingnut can not find his pet hamster. Jigsaw and Mila try to  solve the case and find the hamster. Whenever they thought they had it they were wrong. Finally they solved the case and realize that not everything is what it seems. 
Summary of how to use with students: I could use this book to help students see that not everything is what it seems. Just like Jigsaw and Mila thought they knew the case of the Hamster they did not because it was not what it seemed. Students sometimes think they know everything but here they can learn that not everything is what it seems.

Firefighters to the Rescue

Title: Firefighters to the Rescue
Author: Kersten Hamilton
Illustrator: Rich Davis
Genre: Fiction
Sub-genre: Picture book
Publisher: Penguin Group
Date of Publication: 2005
Primary/Secondary Characters: Firefighters/ Other People
Theme: Learning about firefighters
Summary: The Firefighters are working the fire house when the fire bell rings. The firefighters put on their boots, coats, and hats. Then they hop on the firefighter and head to the fire with their sirens and light going. When at the house they get their hoses, ladders, and with water put the fire out. Then they hear a little boy calling for his dog Ben, so the firefighters go into the house and rescue the dog. The firefighters came to the rescue.
Summary of how to use the students: This book could be used to teach students all about firefighters. Sometimes when kids are younger firefighters can look scary especially in their suits. Therefore, it is important that the students know they are not bad or scary, but that they are there to help them. This book can show students what the firefighters do and that they are only there to help them.

Because of Winn Dixie

Title: Because of Winn Dixie
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Genre:  Realistic Fiction
Sub-genre: Young Readers
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Date of Publication: 2000
Award: Newberry Honor Award
Primary /Secondary Characters: India Opal Buloni/ Father (preacher), Miss Franny, Otis, and Gloria Dump
Theme: Making Friends
Summary: India Opal Buloni just moved to a small town in Florida with her father, her mother left when she was younger and her father will not talk about her. Opal is lonley and sad because she has no friends. One day while she was at the Winn-Dixie grocery store Opal found a dog. She ends up naming him Winn Dixie after the store and gets to keep him. Together Opal and Winn Dixie make friends with the locals around the town. They meet Otis, Miss Franny, and Gloria Dump which they become really close friends with.Winn Dixie also inspires Opal to convince her father to tell her things about her mother. One day Opal and Gloria were throwing a party when there was a thunderstorm and scared Winn Dixie away. Everyone searches for Winn Dixie including her father, which helps build the between Opal and her father. They end up finding Winn Dixie under the bed. Winn Dixie helps Opal make friends and brings her closer to her father.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could be used to teach students about making friends. Just like Winn Dixie and Opal make friends students can see that they can make friends as well. They can also see how important friendships are and what it truly means to have friend. Because of Winn Dixie is great example of true friendship.

When Sophie Gets Angry Really Really Angry

Title: When Sophie Gets Angry Really Really Angry
Author: Molly Bang
Illustrator: Molly Bang
Genre: Fiction
Sub-genre: Picture Book
Publisher: Blue Sky Press
Date of Publication: 1999
Award: Caldecott Honor Book
Primary/Secondary Characters: Sophie/ Sister, Mom, and Dad
Theme: Handling anger
Summary: Sophie gets really angry when her sister takes gorilla from her because her mom says it is Sophie's sisters turn. Sophie gets so angry that she runs out of the house till she can't run anymore. Then she cries and after she cries Sophie climbs a tree. While up in the tree  she feels the breeze and watches the water. Sophie then feels better so she heads back home. When she gets home everyone is happy to see her and Sophie is no longer angry.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could be used to help students handle anger. Just like Sophie gets angry everyone gets angry and everyone has different ways to handle it. From reading this book students can see that there are different ways to handle anger and can learn about those different ways.

Luke Goes to Bat

Title: Luke Goes to Bat
Author: Rachel Isadora
Illustrator: Rachel Isadora
Genre: Fiction
Sub-genre: Picture Book
Publisher: G.P. Putman's Sons
Date of Publication: 2005
Primary/Secondary Characters: Luke/ Nicky, Jackie Robinson, and Grandma
Theme: Do not give up on your dreams.
Summary: Luke wanted to play baseball so bad, but his brother Nicky wouldn't let him so Luke just practiced by himself. One day Luke finally got a chance to play, but he messed up and didn't hit or catch any balls. That afternoon Grandma told Luke that they were going to see the Dodgers play. Luke was so excited because his hero Jackie Robinson played for the Dodgers. At the game it was amazing and the Dodgers won. That night on the roof Luke saw a figure of Jackie Robinson that told him not to give up on baseball that he could do it. Luke told him that he wouldn't and he didn't.
Summary of how to use with Students: This book could be used to teach students not to give up on their dreams. In the book Luke wanted to be baseball player, but he believed that he couldn't play and was going to give up. His hero Jackie Robinson came to him told him not to give and then Luke decided he wouldn't and  kept on trying. Students will be  able to see that everyone has dreams and that they are sometimes not easy to achieve, but not to give up.

The Seeing Stone

Title: The Seeing Stone: The Spiderwick Chronicles Book 2
Author: Tony Diterlizzi and Holly Black
Illustrator: Tony Diterlizzi and Holly Black
Genre: Fantasy
Sub-genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Date of Publication: 2003
Primary/ Secondary Characters: Jared/ Mallory, Simon, Goblins, Troll, Thimbletack, and Hogsquel
Theme: Helping a loved one in need.
Summary: Jared's brother Simon is kidnapped by a group of goblins and he and Mallory have to safe him. They use a seeing stone during the journey to be able to see where the goblins are. During their search and rescue Jared and Mallory run into a troll, but the end up getting away. They continue on into the woods and finally find the goblin camp where they see Simon up in a cage. Jared decides to climb up a tree to get Simon. While he is in the tree he sees a goblin named Hogsqueal who tries to get Jared to let him out. After he let Simon out Jared let out Hogsqueal who in return spitted in Jared's and Simon's eyes so that they could see everything without the seeing stone. Then the Goblins notice that they are escaping and begin to chase them, but Jared thinks fast and leads them to the Troll who eats the goblins up. Jared, Simon, and Mallory go back to the goblin camp and rescued all the animals.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could be used to help students in their creative side. In a classroom this book could be read to introduce students to a fantasy type book. The students could then be given the opportunity to write there own fantasy just like this book. This would allow the students creativity to build.

Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth

Title: Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth
Author: Barbara Park
Illustrator: Denise Brunkus
Genre: Fiction
Sub-genre: Young Readers
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Date of Publication: 1993
Primary/Secondary Characters: Junie B. Jones/ Mrs., Jim, Grace, Janitor, Mom, and Dad
Theme: Lying is not a good thing.
Summary: Junie B. Jones can not figure out what she wants to be when she grows up and she has to. There is a job day at school and all the kids know what they want to be except for Junie B. she has no clue. When the other kids are talking about what they want to be Junie B. opens her big mouth and says she is going to be three different jobs in one. Junie B. now has to come up with that job so her classmates at school do not make fun of her. After helping her mom and dad at home Junie B. realizes what she wants to be , a Janitor.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could be used in class as a way to teach students that they do not need to lie because lying can get a person into more trouble. When Junie B. said that she was goin to be three different jobs she was lying and now she had to fix it all. Students should learn that if they do not lie then they will not have to do all the work trying to fix it.

Thank You World

Title: Thank You World
Author: Alice B. McGinty
Illustrator: Wendy Anderson Halperin
Genre: Fiction
Sub-genre: Picture Book
Publisher: The Penguin Group
Date of Publication: 2007
Primary/ Secondary Characters: Narrator
Theme: Learning about different cultures
Summary: The narrator wants to thank all the special things in his or her life. The narrator thanks the sun, sky, swing, grass, breeze, trees, clouds, rain, window, stars, and mommy.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could be used to teach the students about different cultures around the world. Throughout the book on each page there are eight different picture of different cultures on each page. Through these pictures the students can compare different cultures to each other.

The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush

Title: The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush
Author: Tomie dePaola
Illustrator: Tomie dePaola
Genre: Legends and Myths
Sub-genre: Picture Book
Publisher: G.P. Putmans Sons
Date of Publication: 1993
Primary/ Secondary Characters: Little Gopher/ Young Indian Maiden, Old Grandfather and the People
Theme: Do not give up keep trying till you succeed.
Summary: Little Gopher was visited by the Young Indian Maiden and the Old Grandfather who told him that he was going to be a painter. They said that he would paint beautiful pictures and bring the colors of the sunset to his people. So Little Gopher painted and painted, but the right painting and the right colors had just not come yet. Then he was visited again and because he was loyal they gave him paintbrushes that were filled with beautiful colors. Little Gopher then took the brushes and started to paint. The picture turned out great and all of the people loved it.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could be used in the classroom to teach the students to not give up on what they want to achieve. The Little Gopher could not paint the right picture with the right colors, but he did not give up. He kept on trying and he finally did it. The students can learn that they can do what they put their mind to as long as they try and do not give up.

Apple Farmer Annie

Title:Apple Farmer Annie
Author: Monica Wellington
Illustrator: Monica Wellington
Genre: Fiction
Sub-genre: Picture Book
Publisher: Dutton Children's Books
Date of Publication: 2004
Primary/Secondary Characters: Annie
Theme: Learning words that start with the letter A.
Summary: Annie is an apple farmer and has a lot of apple trees. In the fall she picks lots and lots of apples and then organizes them all. Annie then uses the apples to make many different things. She makes apple cider, apple cakes, apple pie, apple muffins, apple cakes, and apple pies. Although Annie uses the apples to make these delicious treats, but she saves her best apples to sell at the market.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could be used in a classroom to help kindergartners learn about the letter A. It helps them learn the letter A by introducing them to different letters that start with the letter A. This book can also be used to help students learn Spanish since it is written in Spanish as well.

The Invisible Moose

Title: The Invisible Moose
Author: Dennis Haseley
Illustrator: Steven Kellogg
Genre: Fiction
Sub-genre: Picture Book
Publisher: The Penguin Group
Date of Publication: 2006
Primary/Secondary Characters: Boy Moose/ Girl Moose, Professor Owl McFowl, and Steel McSteal
Theme: Learning to help others.
Summary: There was a boy Moose who knew that this girl Moose was the most beautiful  moose ever. The girl moose got kidnapped and the boy moose knew he had to save her. Therefore, he decided to go see Professor Owl McFowl to ask for help. McFowl gave him a poition that would make invisible so he could travel and save the girl moose. The now invisible moose travels to the city to save the beautiful moose. When he finds her she is locked up. The guard, Steel McSteal, who is gaurding the moose was asleep so the invisible moose gets the keys and beautiful moose free. He the gives her some potion so they can both get home safely.
Summary of how to use with students: The book, The Invisible Moose, could be used as a way to teach students about helping others who are in need of help. Just like the boy moose helped the girl moose the students can learn that helping others is a good thing.

Little Monkey Lost

Title: Little Monkey Lost
Author: Keith DuQuette
Illustrator: Keith DuQuette
Genre: Fiction
Sub-genre: Picture Book
Publisher: The Penguin Book
Date of Publication: 2007
Primary/ Secondary Characters: Little Monkey/ Mother and other Monkeys
Theme: Learning about the New World Monkeys
Summary: Little Monkey is tired of just sleeping and being bored so he wanted to do something fun. One day he saw a lily pad floating by so Little Monkey hopped on and away he went. Not long after Little Monkey was lost, but he remembered his mom told him that if he was ever lost to find other monkeys and he would find his way home. Little Monkey found all kinds of monkeys and learned a lot of new things. Finally Little Monkey found his way home and was never bored again.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could be used in the classroom as a fun way to teach the students about the New World monkeys. Throughout the book Little Monkey runs into different breeds of monkeys each with a particular trait. When reading the book children can learn the all about the New World monkeys and their characteristics.

Fudge-a-Mania

Title: Fudge-a-Mania
Author: Judy Blume
Genre: Humorous Fiction
Sub-genre: Children & Young Adult
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Date of Publication: 1990
Primary/ Secondary Characters: Peter Hatcher, Fudge Hatcher, Shelia Tubman, Mom, Dad, Mr.& Mrs. Tubman, Grandma, Buzzy Senior, Libby, Tubman, Mrs. A, Big Apfel, Mr. Fargo, and Tootsie
Theme: What is on the inside is what matters.
Summary: Peter and his family were going on vacation to Maine, but Peter just heard the worst news they are staying next door to his enemy Shelia Tubman. To make things better, Peter mom told  him he could invite his friend Jimmy to go with them, but Jimmy could only go a couple of weeks. Once Fudge and his family arrived at the house in Maine he realized that not only were they next door to the Tubmans, but they were sharing a house. Peter truly thought this was going to be the worst vacation ever. A couple of days after being there Shelia asked Mrs. Hatcher if she could babysit Fudge and Mrs. Hatcher agreed, Peter did not like this either. While on vacation the families made friends with another family down the street where the grandfather happened to be Big Apfel the baseball star, who is Peters hero. In fact they all got to play a baseball game with him. At the end of the book to everyone's surprise Buzzy Senior and Grandma got married.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could be used in the classroom as a way to show the students that what you see on the outside is not necessarily what is on the inside. Just like Peter sees that Shelia can have good traits students can see that even their enemies can be good. Another example of not judging people just by what is on the outside is how nobody really knew that Buzzy Senior and Grandma were in love till they said they were getting married.

Dinosaurs Before Dark

Title: Dinosaurs Before Dark
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Illustrator: Sal Murdocca
Genre: Fiction

Sub genre: Chapter Book

Theme: Learning about dinosaurs

Primary and Secondary Characters: Jack and Annie/ Dinosaurs and Mom
Date of publication: 1992

Publishing company: Random House
Summary: Jack and Annie were walking through the woods and ran into a tree house. Annie climbed up the ladder and Jack followed after her. In the tree house there were lots of books. Jack found one about dinosaurs and wished he could see one in really life. All of a sudden the tree house started to spin and when it stopped Annie and Jack were in some strange land. They looked out the window and saw a real dinosaur then they realized they went 65 million years in the past when the dinosaurs were alive. Jack and Annie then climbed down from the tree house and explored. The saw lots of dinosaurs in really life and were able to learn about them from the book and observing them. Annie and Jack then ran into a Tyrannosaurus rex that was going to eat them. Annie made it back to the tree house, but Jack did not because he ran to get his pack. Annie then asked the nice dinosaur Pteranodon to fly over and get him and he did. Jack made it back to the tree house just in time and quickly found a book and wished to be back home. One Annie and Jack made it home they decided not to tell anyone about their adventure, but they did decide they would go back to the tree house for another adventure.
Summary of how to use with students: This book could be used to help students be excited about dinosaurs. It could also be base to start teaching about dinosaurs. The students could read the book and then in class go into more detail about dinosaurs. Another way this book could be used with students is after reading the book the students could be asked to think of a place they would go if they had their own magic tree house. Each student could then tell the class about their place. This would get the students to use their imagination and creativity.

Little Loon and Papa

Title: Little Loon and Papa
Author: Toni Buzzeo
Illustrator: Margaret Spengler
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: Picture book
Theme: Do not be afraid to try something new

Primary and Secondary Characters: Little Loon/ Papa
Date of publication: 2004
Publishing Company: Dial Books for Young Readers
Summary: Papa is trying to teach Little Loon how to dive in the water, but Little Loon is afraid to and sneaks away when Papa is showing how to dive. When Little Loon sneaks away he runs into some animals that are bigger and scare him. Little Loon gets so scared at one point that he tries to dive and he does it. As soon as Little Loon pops back up his Papa his holding him . Little Loon could do it he just did not think he could.
Summary of how to use with students: This book shows students that sometimes it is scary to try something new, but until you try it you do not know if you can do it. Students can be scared sometimes to try new things just like Little Loon was. The students can relate to this feeling and they can also see that if they try it they might just be able to do it like Little Loon did. Little Loon is a character that most younger elementary students can relate to.

Pictures of Hollis Woods

Title: Pictures of Hollis Woods
Author: Patricia Reilly Giff
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: Contemporary Realistic
Theme: Wanting a family

Primary and Secondary Characters: Hollis Woods/ Josie, Steven, Old Man, Izzy, Beatrice, Mustard Lady
Awards: Newbery Honor 
Date of Publication: 2002
Publishing Company: Wendy Lamb Books
Summary: All Hollis wants is to have a family. One day she is sent to live with an elderly woman named Josie who is a artist just like herself. Hollis grows to really liking Josie, but unfortunately Josie is growing more forgetful everyday. When social services finds out that Josie is loosing her memory they tell Hollis she will have to leave. That night Hollis packs up all of her and Josie's things and head to a house where she spent one summer with the  Regan family she wants to be a part of. Once they were at the house Hollis noticed things out of place and Josie wanted to go back home. Eventually Hollis decides that it is time to take Josie back home so she walks up the street to find a phone. On her way Steven, the boy who is in the Regan family, drives up on a snowmobile and takes her to the phone. Steven tells Hollis that his family misses her everyday and wishes she would not have ran away. Hollis gets Josie back home and finally starts a family with the Regans.
Summary of how to use with students: This book can help students see the importance of a family. Sometimes kids do not see how lucky the are just because they have a family, well this book can help them see what some kids go through that do not have families. Hollis Woods is a good example of a 12 year old girl who just wants to belong in a family. If this book is used in a classrooms students can learn and see that not every kid in the world have families

Winni Allfours

Title: Winni Allfours
Author: Babette Cole
Illustrator: Babette Cole
Genre: Fiction

Sub genre: Picture books
Theme: You do not always get what you want
Primary and Secondary Characters: Winni/ Mom and Dad
Date of publication: 1993

Publishing company: Troll Associates Inc.
Summary: Winni wants a pony and will do anything to get one. Unfortunately her parents say no so Winni decides to eat all of her vegetables to try to get her parents to let her have a pony. Though one day after eating her carrots Winnie turned into a pony. A horse racer saw Winnie running one day and asked her parents if he could race her. So Winnie ran races and won. After one of her races mom and dad said if we feed her junk food maybe she will turn back, but Winnie said no she liked being a pony.

Summary of how to use with students: This book will help students see that they do not get everything they always want. Just like Winnie did not get her pony students will see that they may want something, but that does not mean they will always get it.

Groundhog Gets A Say

Title: Groundhog Gets A Say
Author: Pamela Curtis Swallow
Illustrator: Denise Brunkus
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: Picture book
Theme: All about Groundhogs
Primary and Secondary Characters: Groundhog/ Squirrel, Crow, and Groundhog fan
Date of publication: 2005
Publishing Company: G.P. Putnam's Sons 
Summary: Groundhog is tired of people just paying attention to him for only a day. He thinks that it should be groundhog month so he starts talking about everything that makes a groundhog special. After he is all done the Squirrel and Crow see all the neat things about groundhogs.
Summary of how to use with students: This book would be a fun way to explore groundhog day and groundhogs in the classroom. The students could learn important facts about groundhogs but through a book with colorful pictures.

Lissy's Friends

Title: Lissy's Friends
Author: Grace Lin
Illustrator: Grace Lin
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: Picture Book
Theme: Making Friends
Primary and Secondary Characters: Lissy/ Mommy and Paige
Date of Publication: 2007
Publishing Company: Viking
Summary: Lissy is new to her school and has no friends. Lissy is really shy so she makes friends out of origami. One day Lissy took her origami friends to the park and while they were playing on the merry-go-round all her friends got blown away. As Lissy was sitting there upset a girl walked with one of Lissy's origami friends and asked her if she could show her how to make it. Lissy finally made a friend and her name was Paige.
Summary of how to  use with students: This book could be used at the begining of the year when students are making new friends. The book can show students that it is hard to make friends that they can do it. It can also show students that if they see a new student all alone go up and ask him or her if he or she would like to play.

Rooster Can't Cock-a-Doodle-Doo

Title: Rooster Can't Cock-a-Doodle-Doo
Author: Karen Rostoker-Gruber
Illustrator: Paul Ratz de Tagyos
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: picture book
Theme:  Helping out friends
Primary and Secondary Characters: Rooster/ Hens, Cows, Lambs, Pigs, and Farmer Ted
Date of publication: 2004Publishing Company: Dial Books for Young Readers
Summary: Rooster woke up with a sore throat and could not cock-a-doodle-doo so he could not wake up Farmer Ted and the animals.The Rooster then went to the hens for help, but they did not know what to do so they went to the cows. When they got to the cows and asked for help the cows did not know what to do so they went to the sheep and the pigs. Nobody knew what to do until Rooster said lets go to the house. All of the animals walked to the house and together they got Rooster inside and he was able to wake up Farmer Ted. Framer Ted hopped out of bed and started to work but he knew he would not get everything done so the animals came together to help him. At the end of the day all of the chores got done and Rooster got his cock-a-doodle-doo back.
Summary of how to use with students: This book can  show students what it means to help out friends. It gives good examples of friends helping friends when the animals help Rooster get into Farmer Teds room and when the animals help Farmer Ted with the chores. Students can see from this book that when a friend is in trouble and needs help the thing to do is help as much as you can.

Officer Buckle and Gloria

Title: Officer Buckle and Gloria
Author: Peggy Rathman
Illustrator: Peggy Rathman
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: Picture Book
Theme: Working as a team
Primary and Secondary Characters: Officer Buckle and Gloria/ Mrs. Toppel and students
Awards: Caldecott award
Date of publication: 1995
Publishing Company: G.P. Putman's Sons
Summary: Officer Buckle did safety speech's at local schools through out the year. One day the police department got a police dog named Gloria. When Officer Buckle went to make his safety speech Gloria went along and little did He know that Gloria was acting the safety tips behind him. All the kids in the assembly got really excited and Officer Buckle got invited to do more speech's. Once Officer Buckle realized what Gloria was doing he got mad and stopped doing safety speech's. Gloria went to the speech alone, but it was not the same and there was a major incident at the school. Officer Buckle later got letters from the kids at the school asking him to come back. Officer Buckle then realized that he and Gloria made a good team.
Summary of how to use with students: This book is a good book to use when teaching kids about team work. It shows that not everything can be done by just one person and that sometimes it is good to work as a team. The students can also see that team work is not always easy at first, but in the end it works out for the best. Officer Buckle and Gloria do a good job of showing what it really means to work as a team.

The Chicken of the Family

Title: The Chicken of the Family
Author: Mary Amato
Illustrator: Delphine Durand
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: Picture Book

Theme: Being friends with your siblings
Primary and secondary Characters: Henrietta/ Kim, Clare, Chickens, and Farmer Barney
Date of Publication: 2008
Publishing Company: The Penguin Group
Summary: Henrietta's Older sisters convinced her that she was a chicken so Henrietta went down to the farm to find her real family. While she was there she played all kinds of games with the chickens. Later that day Henrietta's sisters cam by to apologize and tell her she was not a chicken because their parents told them to. Henrietta did not listen to them because she was tried of them being mean to her so she kept on playing. Later  her sister Clare asked if she could be a chicken too and Henrietta said yes. Together the two sisters had fun playing while their older sister Kim was not.
Summary of how to use with students: This book shows that siblings can be mean at times but they can also be your friends. Using this book with students who have siblings can help them see that their siblings can be their friends even though they can be mean.

Ella Sarah Gets Dressed

Title: Ella Sarah Gets Dressed
Author: Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Illustrator: Margaret Chodos-Irvine 
Genre: Fiction
Sub-Genre: Picture Book


Theme: learning to be yourself

Primary and Secondary Characters: Ella Sarah/ Mom, Dad, and Sister
Awards: Caldecott Honor (2004)
Date of publication: May 2003
Publishing Company:Harcourt Children's Books
Summary: Ella Sarah wants to wear a certain outfit that she put together, but her family is tries to change her mind. Ella Sarah say no to each of them and gets her self dressed in the outfit that she wants  to wear.
Summary of how to use with Students: This book gives a good example of how one little girl makes her own choice of what to wear even though her family wants her to wear something else and be more like them. This book will help students to be themselves no matter what other people think. It is important for students to know they can be themselves and this book will help show that.

Homework Hassles

Title: Homework Hassles
Author: Abby Klein
Illustrator: John Mckinley
Genre: Realistic
Sub Genre: Fiction
Theme: Struggling with homework choices
Primary and Secondary Characters: Freddy/ Robbie, Suzie, Mom, Dad, Dr. Carton, and Mrs. Wushy
Date of Publication: November 2004
Publishing Company: Scholastic Inc.
Summary: Freddy does not know what nocturnal animal to pick for his class project so his best friend Robbie comes over to help him. That night Freddy and Robbie sneak outside to look for nocturnal animals. While they were outside Freddy climbs a tree to hang upside down and ends up falling and breaking his arm. Freddy then thinks that he can get out of doing his project, but his teacher Mrs. Wushy will not let him. Freddy then has one night to find an animal and he finally knew what to animal to pick. He picked a bat  and he did his report perfectly.
Summary of how to use with students: This book shows that everyone can struggle and be nervous about homework and projects. It can show students that they can figure out what to do for their homework if they just slow down and get help from a friend or parent. Students sometimes can get sacred of homework and this book can show that it is normal.

Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot Vs. The Voodoo Vultures from Venus

Title: Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot Vs. The Voodoo Vultures from Venus
Author: Dav Pilkey
Illustrator: Martin Ontiveros
Genre: Comedy and Humor
Sub genre: Science Fiction
Theme: Standing up to Bully's
Primary and Secondary Characters: Ricky Ricotta / Ricky's Robot and the Voodoo Vultures
Date of Publication: February 2001
Publishing Company: Scholastic Inc.
Summary: One day Ricky and his Robot got into trouble so they could not watch television. It just so happened that that night the Voodoo Vultures took control of the humans mind through the TV. Since Ricky and his robot were the only ones who were not watching TV they were the only ones who were not under the Vultures control. Ricky and his Robot decided that they were going to stand up to the the Vultures and stop them from having control of their family and friends. Ricky and his Robot end up stopping the Voodoo Vultures and saving the day.
Summary of how to use with the students: This book gives a good example of how a student might stand up to a bully or a group of bullies. It shows that if you believe that you can stop someone from being mean and picking on others then you really can. Like Ricky and his Robot stopped the Voodoo Vultures from controlling the town, the students can stop bullies from picking on others. This book does a great job of teaching students about standing up to bullies.