Children

This is the perfect book to put a smile on your face at the end of a long day.  Enjoy the story of a frustrated mother dog who cannot understand why her puppy will quack and meow but not bark.

Fun look at whether legendary beasts like the Loch Ness Monster might exist and how to search for them. Very enjoyable reading adventure for kids and parents alike.

One of the biggest mistakes I see schools make is labeling young children poor readers. The majority of the time, poor readers are considered poor students. Big mistake, as a lot of poor readers are excellent mathematicians. Long’s series of math-oriented Wing Wing books are lighthearted and witty, and they consistently pull in a lot of reluctant readers.

Not that Klassen needs my publicity – but I just had to include this book, as my kids delight in this goofy fish tale that ranks up there with two of my other warped favorites, Ugly Fish and Tadpole’s Promise.

Since I recommended one Caldecott winner this month, I figured I could get away with another. Becker’s illustrations are simply stunning! This book is the inspiration for artful storytelling that you will never find in mandated school reading programs. Truly beautiful work.

Matthew Reinhart and Robert Sabuda have redefined the pop-up book. Combine 40 pop-ups, Star Wars and tons of trivia and you get a book that every dad (or Star Wars geek) will treasure reading with his children. I know I do!

A great book to get kids in the holiday mood and an opportunity for teachers and parents to expose children to one of America’s greatest poets.

This is a sweet little book that my children enjoy. In the land of Oris, Aurora and her brother Boris fly like birds, slide down moonbeams and explore all parts of the sky…and that’s why the Northern Lights are known as the Aurora Borealis.

I believe this is both the shortest book I have ever included on the list and the first pop-up book I have included. Buy this one for the artwork, as it is a beautiful book that will dazzle young children. I’d classify this book in the supermodel category: there’s not much substance, but it sure is pretty to look at.

I have discovered that my best test audience includes my own two children, and they love this cute little book that would make a perfect read aloud for Valentine’s Day. Froggy has a crush on Frogilina, but his heart is reserved for someone else who gives him “kisses.”

I have had the pleasure to speak at two conferences in the last month with Peter Catalanotto, and if you have not yet seen him speak, go out and do it ASAP. This book is my new favorite read aloud! Ever been in a class with two students with the same first name? Try teaching 26 kindergartners with the same name, “Matthew.” Each Matthew has a characteristic that fits a particular letter of the alphabet, which also makes this book an outstanding alphabet tool. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. A MUST READ FOR ALL AGES!!!!!

Another title in the popular Complicated Life of Claudia Cristina Cortez series that is great at building reading confidence for third graders starting chapter books. The books are all teacher-friendly, with discussion questions, writing prompts and helpful illustrations by Brann Garvey that make these books ideal candidates for Readers’ Theatre.

Sometimes I take it for granted that everybody knows who the greatest children’s authors are. I was terrified to discover a friend recently who had never heard of Jan Brett. Blasphemy! Her book The Mitten is a favorite of my own children, and I figured I’d be timely and include The Easter Egg just in time for a certain holiday.

Hutt organized her fourth graders to write letters to Lt. Falvey while he was deployed to Iraq, and this book includes the kids’ letters and pictures, as well as Falvey’s responses and photographs. I use this book to inspire students to write.

Many folks believe I read every book that is published annually, and that simply is not true. I miss a lot of gems, and this is one of those that has been around for a while but off of my radar. Hakes Noble has created my kind of hilarious story that kids cannot get enough of. The added treat? Illustrations by Steven Kellogg, simply one of the best in the business.