Muncha Muncha Muncha

Title Details Title: Muncha! muncha! muncha!
by Candace Fleming ; illustrated by G. Brian Karas.
 Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, p2002, c2002 ISBN-13: 978-0-689-83152-2 ISBN-10: 0-689-83152-8
LCCN: 99-024882 Dewey: -
E- Classifications:
 Fiction Easy Interest Level: K-3 Reading
Level: 2.7

Subjects: Rabbits Fiction. Gardening Fiction. Illustrator: Karas, G. Brian After planting the garden he has dreamed of for years, Mr. McGreely tries to find a way to keep some persistent bunnies from eating all his vegetables. From the Publisher: Tippy, tippy, tippy, Pat! That's the sound three hungry bunnies make when the sun goes down and the moon comes up and Mr. McGreely's garden smells yum, yum, yummy. While he's dreaming of his mouth-watering carrots, the bunnies are diving over fences and swimming trenches to get the veggies first! Hammer, hammer, hammer, Saw! That's the sound Mr. McGreely makes when the sun comes up and the moon goes down and he sees what those twitch-whiskers have done....Nibbled leaves! Empty stalks! Mr. McGreely will build something bigger and better, sure to keep even pesky puff-tails away. Children will cheer for the bunnies -- or for Mr. McGreely -- as they delight in Candace Fleming's clever sound effects and G. Brian Karas's vibrant, funny illustrations.

The Gullerywasher

 

 

Title Details

Title: The gullywasher / written and illustrated by Joyce Rossi = El chaparron torrencial / escrito e ilustrado por Joyce Rossi.
Publisher: Rising Moon, p1998, c1995

FollettBound ISBN-13: 978-1-40469-120-9 FollettBound ISBN-10: 1-40469-120-0 Original ISBN-13: 978-0-87358-728-0 Original ISBN-10: 0-87358-728-6
Dewey: -E-	Classifications:  Fiction Easy
Interest Level: K-3	Reading Level: 3.0

Subjects:

Grandfathers Fiction. Cowboys Fiction. Spanish language materials Bilingual. Storms Fiction. Tall tales.

Notes: Text in English and Spanish.;Translation of: The gullywasher. Leticia's grandfather, who was a vaquero as a young man, provides fanciful explanations for how he got his wrinkles, white hair, round belly, and stooped frame. Presented in English and Spanish.

This is a endearing story of a girl and her grandfather.  With words in Spanish told in English, this will help to connect with your ELL students.  Great for a Unit of Tall Tales.

Title Details

Title: Polar bear, polar bear, what do you hear? / by Bill Martin, Jr. ; pictures by Eric Carle.
Publisher: Henry Holt, p2011, c2004

ISBN-13: 978-0-8050-9066-6 ISBN-10: 0-8050-9066-5
Dewey: -E-	Classifications:  Fiction Easy
Interest Level: K-3	Reading Level: 1.7

Series: World of Eric Carle

Subjects:

Animal sounds Fiction. Zoo animals Fiction. Stories in rhyme. Animal sounds Fiction. Zoo animals Fiction. Picture books for children.

Illustrator: Carle, Eric
Notes: . Zoo animals from polar bear to walrus make their distinctive sounds for each other, while children imitate the sounds for the zookeeper..
From the Publisher: Since its publication twenty years ago, Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle's bestselling collaboration, Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? has become a perpetual favorite for generations of teachers, parents, and children, selling more than seven million copies in various formats and languages. 

This delightful children's favorite strengthens receptive and expressive language skills and can be use across the curriculum.  Also a favorite of parents this is an easy to read rhythmic story book with wonderful illustrations and a interactive story.

Title: Frida Maria : a story of the Old Southwest / Deborah Nourse Lattimore.
Publisher: Voyager Books, p1997, c1997

FollettBound ISBN-13: 978-0-329-62346-3 FollettBound ISBN-10: 0-329-62346-X Original ISBN-13: 978-0-15-201515-2 Original ISBN-10: 0-15-201515-9
Dewey: -E-	Classifications:  Fiction Easy
Interest Level: K-3	Reading Level: 3.5

Subjects:

Sex role Fiction. Southwest, New Fiction.

Because she does not sew, cook, or dance like a "proper senorita," Frida cannot please her mother until she saves the day at the fiesta with her special talent. This is a funny tale filled with Spanish words and phrases.  Children will love this story and it is a great gender role theme.

Title Details

Title: Woolbur / by Leslie Helakoski ; pictures by Lee Harper.
Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers, p2008, c2008

ISBN-13: 978-0-06-084727-2 ISBN-10: 0-06-084727-1	LCCN: 2007-033393
Dewey: -E-	Classifications:  Fiction Easy
Interest Level: K-3	Reading Level: 2.3

Subjects:

Individuality Fiction. Sheep Fiction. Parent and child Fiction. Behavior Fiction.

Illustrator: Harper, Lee
Woolbur, a young sheep who thinks differently than the others, worries his mother and father with his free-spiritedness, but his grandfather thinks he will be fine.  The children enjoyed this book and had many laughs at the antics of Woolbur! Great for K-3rd

From the Publisher: Woolbur's list of Do's and Don'ts: DO express yourself creatively... DON'T worry if you weave your forelock into a pot holder! DO march to your own beat... DON'T worry when Maa and Paa tell you to stay with the herd! DO be bold and brave... DON'T be afraid to BE YOURSELF! Woolbur is not like other sheep. He hangs out with wild dogs, cards his own wool to avoid the shearing barn, and even dyes his wool blue. "Don't worry!" says Grandpaa when Maa and Paa fret that Woolbur is different. But when they tell their son to follow the flock, the opposite happens-the flock follows him! Soon everyone is copying his wild hairstyles and taking turns on the spinning wheel. Leave it to Woolbur to find a new way to step ahead of the herd. Spunky, funky, and refreshingly distinct, Woolbur will strike a chord with anyone who's ever felt different. And that's all of us!

The Lorax

Title: The Lorax / by Dr. Seuss.
Publisher: Random House, p1999, c1999

ISBN-13: 978-0-394-82337-9 ISBN-10: 0-394-82337-0
Dewey: -E-	Classifications:  Fiction Easy
Interest Level: K-3	Reading Level: 3.1

Subjects:

Pollution Fiction. Stories in rhyme.

The Once-ler describes the results of the local pollution problem. Learn how The Lorax was lifted away. Classic Dr. Seuus tale that never becomes old to read .  Children will  love this endearing tale of the Lorax, and the cirriculum extensions are endless.

From the Publisher: " Unless someone like you...cares a whole awful lot...nothing is going to get better...It's not." Long before saving the earth became a global concern, Dr. Seuss, speaking through his character the Lorax, warned against mindless progress and the danger it posed to the earth's natural beauty. "The big, colorful pictures and the fun images, word plays and rhymes make this an amusing exposition of the ecology crisis."- School Library Journal.

The Foot Book

Title: The foot book / by Dr. Seuss.
Publisher: CTPC, p2008, c2008

ISBN-13: 978-7-5001-2026-1 ISBN-10: 7-5001-2026-5
Dewey: -	Classifications:  Fiction Easy
Interest Level: K-3

Series: Dr. Seuss classics

Subjects:

Foot Fiction. Stories in rhyme. Chinese language materials Bilingual Readers (Elementary) A classic written in the rhyming pattern that we all know Dr. Seuss for, this book brings laughter and rhyming rhythms out of children.

Chicken Sunday

Title: Chicken Sunday / Patricia Polacco.
Publisher: Putnam & Grosset, p1998, c1992

FollettBound ISBN-13: 978-0-7587-2225-6 FollettBound ISBN-10: 0-7587-2225-7 Original ISBN-13: 978-0-698-11615-3 Original ISBN-10: 0-698-11615-1
Dewey: -E-	Classifications:  Fiction Easy
Interest Level: K-3	Reading Level: 4.1

Included in These Sets/Series:

Regina Medal Award 2012

Subjects:

Egg decoration Fiction. Easter Fiction. Friendship Fiction. Grandmothers Fiction. Race relations Fiction. African Americans Fiction.

To thank Miss Eula for her wonderful Sunday chicken dinners, three children sell decorated eggs to buy her a beautiful Easter hat. A heartwarming story with illustrations that are soft and warm.

From the Publisher: After being initiated into a neighbor's family by a solemn backyard ceremony, a young Russian girl and her African American "brothers" determine to buy their grandmother a beautiful Easter hat. A loving family story woven from the author's childhood. An ALA Notable Book. Full color.

There was an Old Women Who Lived in a Boot

Title: There was an old woman who lived in a boot / by Linda Smith ; illustrated by Jane Manning.
Publisher: HarperCollins, p2003, c2003

ISBN-13: 978-0-06-623746-6 ISBN-10: 0-06-623746-7	LCCN: 2002-151929
Dewey: -E-	Classifications:  Fiction Easy
Interest Level: K-3	Reading Level: 4.5

Subjects:

Characters in literature Fiction. Noise Fiction. Magic Fiction. Stories in rhyme.

Illustrator: Manning, Jane K.

The old woman who lives in a boot uses a magic potion to quiet the noisy children who live in a shoe. this is a rhythm an rhyme book, children enjoy the words an illustration. Written in the style of Dr. Suess, this is a book for a group or individual children.

Who Took the Cookies from the Cookie Jar?

Title: Who took the cookies from the cookie jar? / by Bonnie Lass & Philemon Sturges ; illustrated by Ashley Wolff.
Publisher: Little, Brown, p2000, c2000

ISBN-13: 978-0-316-82016-5 ISBN-10: 0-316-82016-4	LCCN: 99-016877
Dewey: -E-	Classifications:  Fiction Easy
Interest Level: K-3	Reading Level: 1.5

Subjects:

Animals Fiction. Cookies Fiction. Food habits Fiction. Stories in rhyme.

Illustrator: Wolff, Ashley
Tracings: Sturges, Philemon.

A raccoon tries to find out which of his animal friends stole the cookies.Each animal has a colorful turn explaining why they could not have taken the cookies. Then who did?

From the Publisher: "Every child loves chanting this favorite refrain.Now, in this fun new adaptation of the classic playground song, readers can help Skunk solve the mystery as he asks each of his animal friends--Mouse, Raven, Squirrel, Rabbit, Turtle, Raccoon, Snake, Beaver, and Frog--this question.Who took the cookies from the cookie jar?Open this book and find out!"

Merry Christmas Big Hungry Bear

Merry Christmas big hungry bear! (#12171N9)

by Wood, Don, 1945-
Publisher's Hardcover 2002


A little mouse shares the Christmas spirit with the big hungry bear he once feared, after realizing the bear will have no presents. This book is for Preschool through 3rd grade. A simply and festive tale about the little mouse and the big hungry bear.  The illustrations in this book are colorful, bright, cheery, and engage children. The illustrations tell a separate story that children will see unfold. A great holiday book to read aloud for young children.

Extension; Bears, Christmas, giving, generosity

The Libarian of Barsa

Book title: The Librarian of Basra : A True Story From Iraq

Author: Winter, Jeanette

Copyright date: 2005

Publisher:Harcourt

In the Iraq war in 2003, Librarian Allia Muhammed saves thirty thousand books from destruction. This is heart warm nonfiction narrative about the courage of a one women and few who assist her. Will Allia save the books of Basra? The illustrations in this book are colorful and very well executed. The illustrations support an tell the story of this courageous women. I recommend this books for everyone, it is a true story of great perseverance and can been read aloud to younger children and shared with older children.

Extensions of this book in the classroom are numerous. This book can be used as a scaffolding into a uniton Middle Eastern Culture, visiting a public library, and courage .

Patrica, Polacco.(Author & Illustrator)
Babushka Baba Yaga
Canda, Philomel Books, 1993.

A frightening old women of Russian fol tales finds acceptance, love, an a family while facing the truth of how the people see her as the Baba Yaga.

Appropriate Age/Grade Level: 1st - 4th Grade. (with adaption)

Evaluation Criteria
1. Content
The Baba Yaga shows us how awful it is to lives isolated. Reminds us that being different does not have to be wrong, and reenforces the concepts of compassion, love, an tolerance.

2. Illustrations
The cover of the book is immediately engaging with fairies, colorful woods and an interesting Baba Yaga.

3. Theme
As Baba Yaga sets out on her quest to find a family, we learn how people who are isolated may feel. When Baba Yaga is finally accepted, we learn about compassion.

Personal Reaction
Patricia Placco wties an illustrated a wonderful tale of the Baba Yaga. She expresses compassion an tolerance in a folf fairy tale that is truly endearing and fun. I enjoyed this book very much and would read to my 1-4th grade classes. This book will be a great tool for a unit or theme an will support many additional lessons an acticities. I reccomend  Babushka Baba Yaga by Patricia Pollaco  it is a great read aloud.

Discussion questions
1.Why did BabYaga need a disguise?
2.Can you think of a time you felt alone?
3. At the end of the story, what happens to Baba Yaga?

Charlie the Catapillar

De Luise, Dom .(Author)
Chrisopher Santoro (Illustrator)
Charlie the Caterpillar
New York: Simon & Shuester, 1990.

Compassion , empathy, socialization and science concepts are introduced by journeying with Charlie, the caterpillar as he learns about life, love, and change. Patterning, rhyming and repetition are also used in this story and may used to engaged children being read to into the actions of the story.

Appropriate Age/Grade Level: Preschool age (3–5 years) - 4th Grade. (with adaption)

Evaluation Criteria
1. Content
Charlie the caterpillar has an amazing metamorphosis from an ugly caterpillar that no one want to play with to a lovely butterfly that everyone now wants to play with. This book tell a story about change, belonging, longing, an social behavior and empathy are a main focus in the theme of this book.

2. Illustrations
The cover of the book draws in the child by expressing the warmth of Charlie, the main character. Children love caterpillars an butterflies and the illustration on this book certainly are colorful , bright, and eye appealing. The illustrations support the written word, a child could easily look at the pictures and tell a story. With all the interesting animals within the story represented with an illustration, this book is certainly filled with plenty of color inviting and charming illustrations.

3. Theme
As Charlie goes on his journey he desperately needs a friend. He encounters pain along his short path to self realization an finally in the end prevails with a true friend. The theme in this book is one near every child an adult can empathize with- not fitting in. Suddenly, Charlies finds himself wanted by all once he is a butterfly. Empathy, compassion, and social behaviors is the theme of this book.

Personal Reaction
Dom De Luise and Illustrator Christopher Santoro did a did a warm , charming, and heartfelt job writing Charlie the Caterpillar. This is a book that I have shared with my children an the children I work with. The book has appealing an engaging illustrations and an classic heartfelt message. Children live vicariously and empathize with Charlie, the main character. From preschool to upper primary this book can be a useful leaning opportunity as well as a time true theme retold in a charming story that children will simply love to read again and again.

Discussion questions
1.Why was Charlie so sad in the beginning of the story?
2.Tell me how you felt when the other animals were mean an Charlie could find no friend?
3.What happened at the end of the story?

Grandfathers Journey

Allen, Say .(Author & Illustrator)
Grandfather's Journey Cadelcott Winner
Massachusetts: Haughton Miffilin Co, 1993.

A young Japanese man journey's to a new land an life , yet yearns for the country he left behind in this heartwarming story book about the Authors own Grandfather an cross-culture family.

Appropriate Age/Grade Level: Preschool- 4th Grade.

Evaluation Criteria
1. Content
Grandfather's journey takes the reader on an adventure across the oceans, era, an familiar generations. Story expresses the emotions of migration , pride and love for two countries and the experience of a family. Conceptual it introduces travel words an transposition concepts.

2. Illustrations
The cover of the book draws children in with its colors and questions; who is the man on the front, why is he on a boat, what is he doing? The illustrations are detailed, colorful, and simply charming. They express the written word and story can easily be inferred by the illustrations.

3. Theme
As Grandfather journey's to a new land and and back to old again , a theme of changing travel and transportation emerges. Overall, a theme of the emotions that being a cross-culture family have are expressed in this easy to read book.

Personal Reaction
I found this book to flow well an the illustrations to be amazing. I enjoyed the way it expressed the love of two countries for a cross-cultural person and family, as I feel this certainly applies to many children today in Unites States.


Discussion questions
1.What was Grandpa's journey?
2.Where was grandpa from?
3.How did grandpa get from Japan to California?

Seven Blind Mice

Ed, Young .(Author & Illustrator)
Seven Blind mice, Cadelcott Honor Winner
NY: Philomel Books, 1992.

Seven Mice blind mice go out into the unknown one at a time to investagate a odd sighting.

Appropriate Age/Grade Level: Preschool- K.

Evaluation Criteria
1. Content
Days if the week, colors, descriptive words.

2. Illustrations
The cover of the book draws engages children immediately. The dark black with the colorful detailed illustration serves to hold attention as the reader goes about the journey of the seven colorful blind mice.

3. Theme
Each day has a mouse, each mouse is a color. Each colored mouse venture out one by one to investigate a strange sighting, not the end of the book do they realize what this is. The theme centers around days of the week an colors.

Personal Reaction
I found the book to be a delight for young children. The bright colors truly keep attention and the rhythmic flow of words will have the children engaged quickly. I would read this again to ages preschool through 1st grade.


Discussion questions
1.What are some of the days of the week?
2.What some of the colors of the mice in the story'?
3.What happend at the end of the book?

A Splendid Friend Indeed

Suzanne, Bloom .(Author & Illustrator)
A Spelndid Friend Indeed, Cadelcott Honor Winner
Pennsylvania: Bourds Mill Press, 2005.

A Goose befriends a Polar bear with his nonstop chattering, unil Bear realizes he is a friend indeed.

Appropriate Age/Grade Level: Preschool- K.

Evaluation Criteria
1.  Content
Goose tries to befriend Polar bear. Acknowledging the differences of point of view , through voice change. Understanding some friends can be difficult, but we all have good qualities.

2. Illustrations
The cover of the book draws children immediately , the color palette s a feast for the eyes and the illustration of the characters is both warm an dramatic.

3.  Theme 
As Goos chatters an interrupts Bears thinking, Bear becomes annoyed, then Goose does something heartwarming an Bear realizes he is a friend indeed.

Personal Reaction
I found the book to be charming, simple, easy to read and engaging for the correct age group. This is a a book you can build basic concepts on and great for the beginning reader.


Discussion questions
1.What are some clues that make you believe this story is fantasy?
2.What other words mean the same as 'splendid'?
3.What are some things you have done for a friend an what has a friend done for you?

Library Lion

Michelle , Knudsen .(Author)
Kevin, Hawkes (Illustrator)
Library Lion
Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2006.

A Library is against the rules! Rules, Library rules, helpfulness, breaking rules, and how to respond to an emergency are covered in this book as Lion learns about rules and when they can be broken.

Appropriate Age/Grade Level: 1st - 4th Grade. (with adaption)

Evaluation Criteria
1. Content
The Library Lion learns how to behave in the library, and then he learns when and why it is ok to sometimes break rules, even in the library. This books introduces children to library vocabulary and expected behaviors.

2. Illustrations
The cover of the book is immediately engaging, with a lion surrounded by children an books. The cover draws in the imagination. Kevin Hawkes did a fabulous job with the subdues toned illustrations that truly project empathy as the the story follows the illustrations.

3. Theme
As Lion learns the rules of the library he is faced with a difficult decision; to break a rule or not. He then must accept the consequences of his choice. The theme of the story is library use and expected behavior, and when if ever it is ok to break rules.

Personal Reaction
Michele Knudsen does a wonderful job of expressing rules and why an how sometimes we must break them. The characters are endearing in each his own way an the book reads very well aloud. The illustration are very calm, with subdues colors an soft feel. I would have liked to seen a bit more brighter illustration, as I at first sight thought the book was far older then it is due to the type of illustrations. Overall, this book is one I read aloud an will continue to for the valuable lessons expressed through warm characters.

Discussion questions
1.Why did Lion break the rules?
2.Can you think of a time it might be ok to break a rule?
3. At the end of the story, what happens to Lion?

The Little House

Virginia, Burton .(Author & Illustrator)
The Little House Cadelcott Winner
Massachusetts: Haughton Miffilin Co, 1942.

A little House withstands the test of time an the urban revolution. Join the little house as she both enjoys the seasons an braves the changing world.

Appropriate Age/Grade Level: 3rd - 6th Grade.

Evaluation Criteria
1. Content
The Little House teaches about seasons, outdoors, and the changing world. The change of transportation, growth, the fast paced life of urban and industrial change go on all around the Little House. This books faces the very real concepts of population, growth, an urbanization, that almost more applicable now then when the book was written in 1942. A book with a lot of words, I use this book for older elementary children. Children can experience the concept of urbanization through the Little House.

2. Illustrations
The cover of the book I feel is not that appealing for today's youth. A child may loose out on a good book due to the cover. The illustrations are colorful an show great details of the story, however for today's children I feel it may not engage them as it did children 40 years ago.

3. Theme
As the Little House stands firm the word all around changes. The story begins with the changing seasons an delights the imagination with details. Soon, the Little House withstand the changes of transportation, urban growth , population, noise, until finally Little House cannot even tell the change in seasons anymore. The theme is one of change.

Personal Reaction
This books did not hold my attention. The theme an how it was expressed through the Little House was darling an I loved the concept, however I felt there were far to many words and the illustrations lacked eye appeal, ironically for today's changing youth. However, I do appreciate the timelessness an consider The Little House to be a classic story told through the eyes of The Little House.

Discussion questions
1.Tell me about the seasons?
2.Can you think of a time when you had a lot of changes in your life?
3.What happened to Little House an why at the end of the story?