Children

This autobiographical yarn by one of my favorite children’s authors makes a perfect read aloud for upper elementary students – particularly mischievous young men.

So what if I am fascinated by penguins? Kids love them, and they make me giggle. I enjoy this book because it blends my fascination with travel and adoration for penguins. Kids love Webb’s delightful illustrations, and I enjoyed her anecdotes about how she had to add alcohol to her paints to avoid them from tuning to slush on paper. The book makes me want to visit Antarctica.

A sweet story appropriate for parents preparing little ones who are off to school for the first time. This is pure saccharin with adorable raccoon illustrations by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak. I must admit, though, that one of the motivating forces for me to get this book were the free stickers inside!

Banyai is a master of creating wordless picture books that will attract the curiosities and imaginations of all ages.

A little goose wants to be different than all the other geese, so she imagines becoming an array of different animals. When she tries to roar like a lion, she offends the lion and scurries back to her flock. She learns that it is not so bad to be part of a group, and she maintains her own unique qualities (her Rroarrhonk sound). Little kids love participating in this silly, interactive read aloud.

If you think you have problems, my advice is to read this book about Alexander’s crises.

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.

Goofy, clever read aloud that is always a hit with kids for its funny rhymes and assortment of holiday characters (from the Easter Bunny to the Tooth Fairy) for fill-in for Santa while he takes a needed vacation.

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.

Keep your creativity in mind when relaxing this summer.

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.

Every year my students and I “travel the United States” through literature by finding books featuring authors and stories taking place in all 50 states. For Alabama, we enjoyed this story of a young girl’s first trip to Fairhope in the 60s, where she witnesses her first “jubilee,” a cool natural event where various aquatic creatures wash up on shore. Inspired my students to take photos of some of the annual rituals that occur in their lives. Great illustrations by Julie Dupre Buckner.

This mathematical love story was made into an Academy Award-winning short film by Chuck Jones. Buy this,and read it to that special someone. I GUARANTEE you will enjoy this story.

Inspired by Tolkien’s The Hobbit, this tale of a remarkable “nibbling” adventure should resonate with anyone who has ever been picked on before. I like to use this book with elementary students to model how to write short and compelling chapter books.

Yes, I guess I am trying to be ironic with this book, as the Northeast just got pounded with 2-3 feet of snow. I always enjoy stories seen through the eyes of children, and Jim LaMarche’s illustrations are absolutely beautiful.