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Joha Makes A Wish: A Middle Eastern Tale

Joha Makes A Wish: A Middle Eastern Tale

By Eric A. Kimmel 40 pages Children

Danny Says

Kimmel’s adaptation of a classic Middle Eastern tale of a man who finds a magic stick, only to deal with one curse after another, is sure to entertain young readers. Omar Rayyan’s illustrations are magnificent, as my own children giggle at his beautiful illustration of the donkey that poor Joha winds up carrying on his back to Baghdad. Wonderful come-uppance at the end to the greedy Sultan makes this a favorite.
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Library Lion

Library Lion

By Michelle Knudsen 48 pages Children

Danny Says

This is a MUST purchase. I love any books that promote libraries, and I cherish touching books about friendship. This book delivers both, as one library’s patrons come to love a lion who treasures the library. My favorite part is when the resentful Mr. McBee seeks out the lion to cheer up head librarian/rule aficionado Miss Merriweather. Beautiful illustrations, courtesy of Kevin Hawkes. 
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Animal Fair (Board Buddies)

Animal Fair (Board Buddies)

By Ponder Goembel 24 pages Children

Danny Says

This book has touched my heart, as my son Sean sings the song lyrics that accompany Goembel’s magnificent illustrations. This is the first book Sean has “mastered” on his own, and I love watching him and my daughter Kate compete to see who can read the song first. 
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Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship

Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship

By Isabella Hatkoff,Craig Hatkoff,Paula Kahumbu 40 pages Children

Danny Says

I have listed Greste as the author, as his photos of a baby hippo and adoptive mother tortoise are the true stars of this amazing story publicized following the Indonesian tsunami in 2004. I have been recommending this book to audiences for years and never realized I had not listed it among my lazyreaders.com recommendations. Make sure to check this one out (along with Jeanette Winter’s Baby).
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Show Way

Show Way

By Jacqueline Woodson 48 pages Children

Danny Says

Woodson is a rock star who does not need me to promote her books. I cannot resist recommending this one, though. It is a great book to introduce to students when teaching them the importance of writing their personal family stories. Woodson is one of the most gifted storytellers of our time, and I thank goodness I get to expose her works to my students. She has inspired a lot of my young writers. By the way – Hudson Talbott’s illustrations are phenomenal.
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Not a Stick

Not a Stick

By Antoinette Portis 32 pages Children

Danny Says

Portis has developed a delightful Not a… series of books with simple illustrations that inspire children to use their imaginations. Great motivation for young writers and illustrators.
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Some Kind Of Love

Some Kind Of Love

By Traci Dant 34 pages Children

Danny Says

Dant touches me with this book of poems about the members of her family. Absolutely beautiful illustrations by Eric Velasquez. This is the kind of book I buy multiple copies of for students, as it emphasizes love and kindness.
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Monster Speller (Monster and Me)

Monster Speller (Monster and Me)

By Robert Marsh 40 pages Children

Danny Says

With fun illustrations courtesy of Tom Percival, this graphic novel series is a hit with the young boys for its style, humor and easy-to-read format.
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Home on the Range (Down Girl and Sit Series)

Home on the Range (Down Girl and Sit Series)

By Lucy A. Nolan 64 pages Children

Danny Says

I think I am on an illustrator kick this month, as I selected this month’s children’s books for the illustrations just as much as the stories. Mike Reed’s pictures remind me of Quentin Blake’s work for my favorite Roald Dahl books. Third graders enjoy the short chapters and sometimes longer (more challenging) sentences in this fun tale about the experiences of two dogs (Down Girl and Sit, respectively) as they visit a ranch.
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Pick a Pumpkin, Mrs. Millie

Pick a Pumpkin, Mrs. Millie

By Judy Cox 32 pages Children

Danny Says

Judy Cox has created a wonderful series of wordplay books featuring the silly Mrs. Millie, whose students always have to correct her gaffes, from looking for orange “pumas” (instead of pumpkins) to carving “gecko’”-lanterns (instead of jack-o’-lanterns). Great book for involving students in the story.
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By the Light of the Halloween Moon

By the Light of the Halloween Moon

By Caroline Stutson 32 pages Children

Danny Says

Fun poem in the spirit of There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. Beautiful illustrations by Kevin Hawkes, and some good vocabulary for the kiddies. 
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Frankie Stein Starts School

Frankie Stein Starts School

By Lola M. Schaefer 32 pages Children

Danny Says

My own kids love this story about Mr. and Mrs. Frankenstein’s new son, Frankie, who just happens to be…cute! Their repeated efforts to make him scary fail until Frankie appears as his own cute self, making him the scariest Stein of all to the Steins. Great illustrations by Kevan Atteberry, and a read aloud that scores laughs on almost every page.
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Cleversticks

Cleversticks

By Bernard Ashley 32 pages Children

Danny Says

I have to confess that the illustrations enticed me to grab this book, as well as the illustrator’s last name (Derek Brazell…close enough to Brassell). A nice story about a boy who feels out of place at his new school until his teacher discovers his special skill: using chopsticks. A lovely book for showing students that each of us has special talents to share with the world.
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Jitterbug Jam (New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books (Awards))

Jitterbug Jam (New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books (Awards))

By Barbara Jean Hicks 40 pages Children

Danny Says

Terrific read aloud about a monster scared by the boy under his bed. The illustrations by Alexis Deacon are superior, as this book always gets a lot of kudos from the little ones (not too little, though, as it can be a bit scary).
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Raisin and Grape

Raisin and Grape

By James Proimos 32 pages Children

Danny Says

If you are a grandparent, this is the perfect book to read aloud with a grandchild. Grandpa Raisin shares a day at the park with his grandson Grape. Simple story with intriguing illustrations by Andy Snair.
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