Children

Another in the delightful series of two dogs, Down Girl and Sit. Down Girl narrates her adventures with Sit as they deal with obedience school and proffer important advice like “ cats and squirrels are dangerous” and “dogs need attention.” Kids get a giggle, and they especially enjoy Mike Reed’s illustrations.

Part of the funny Zinc Alloy graphic comic novel series, this episode follows Zack Allen as he constructs his very own robot suit to combat noogies and super-slimy wet willies.

Great introduction to the history of “picture writing” and how to crack different writing codes. Also provides some fun writing activities for kids.

If you have not yet read one of DiSpezio’s books and are trying to find a way to get your kids jazzed up about science, you are in for a treat. This book has over 70 experiments for kids, and DiSpezio is truly a gifted teacher in that you catch his infectious passion for all things science. Truly, a wonderful author.

A lot of teachers and parents have asked me about non-offensive books for kids that help them understand the war in Iraq. I am not sure that any books dealing with wars are non-offensive (or should be), but this true story of one librarian’s heroic efforts to preserve her library in Iraq sends a lot of important messages that I want people to remember. Namely, books are one of society’s greatest resources. Have you ever noticed the correlation between the number of books that are available to a citizenry and their literacy rate? FYI – America’s inner-city libraries are in worse shape than many libraries in Iraq. That’s why organizations like BookEnds, The Wonder of Reading and Reading Is Fundamental are so essential, in my eyes.

Winter creates a fictionalized account of the 1987 story of a New York City barge loaded with trash and sent on its way to find a place to dump it. The story is funny and the message is important (“don’t make so much garbage!”), but the artwork by Red Nose Studio is the real star.

This month I speak at the International Reading Association’s annual convention in Orlando, Florida, and I am thrilled that Super Bowl champion coach Tony Dungy will be speaking there, as well. This book is pure Dungy, offering inspiration for all children searching for what they are good at, and the illustrations by Amy June Bates are lovely.

This book would make a wonderful precursor to students interested in reading Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos, as students (and parents, for that matter) delight in these relatable adventures of a third grade boy with ADHD.

Beginning readers will enjoy this story of a little Native American boy who encounters a horse (set free by a Spanish explorer) for the first time. This book has a mystical quality to it.

Why not teach your children about the continents this summer? This book is good for inspiring students to write about their own summer travels.

The true story of an actual tortoise who went over Niagara Falls, this story will have your students laughing and asking for re-readings.

I want you all to remember to vote on Nov. 2nd. I figured that since most folks have only an elementary understanding of our political system (including some candidates), it would be fitting to include a few children’s books that enlighten us on the Presidency. I like the pictures and simplicity of this book, which profiles 17 Presidents.

A teacher asked me for a fun book to read aloud to her kindergartners for Groundhog’s Day (Feb. 2nd), and I suggested this amusing tale I recently discovered about a groundhog who tricks his forest friends into believing Spring has arrived, so he can stay out late and play with his friends. They are not amused when they learn that winter is still here. Silly, with wonderful illustrations by Jean Cassels.

Here’s an oldie but goodie that many folks had forgotten about. The first in a series of a dozen books by New York Public Library children’s librarian and publisher Esther Averill, this classic follows the adventures of Jenny Linsky, the famous little black cat of Greenwich Village.

A witch decides to move into the ten timid ghosts’ happy haunted house and creates havoc, but one clever ghosts has other ideas.