Children

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.

The author’s mom, Helen Tabibian, gave me a copy of this book, and I immediately recalled reading it to my students many years ago. This is a great book for sparking students’ curiosity toward science and history. Great illustrations, as well. This will get kids looking out their bedroom windows and using their imaginations.

A fun dog rhyme perfect for parents and children to share together, with terrific illustrations by Arthur Howard.

The 11^th in a popular series that is a great way to get your young elementary students acquainted with entertaining chapter books.