It's So Amazing

Harris, R. H. (1999). It's so amazing: a book about eggs, sperm, birth, babies, and families.  Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

Harris approaches the often taboo subjects of sexual development, reproduction, love, adoption, sexually transmitted diseases, and families in a straightforward manner using child friendly yet accurate text. Her comfortable explanations are nonjudgmental or stereotypical and provide opportunities for parents to share their family values with their children.  The organization of this book gives parents the option to use only the parts they are ready to share with their child or to utilize the whole book.  Emberley's cartoon illustrations help to avoid some of the awkwardness that these subjects could produce while his simple drawings provide a visual to benefit the understanding of the child.  This book is written for children ages 7 and up, although as a parent, you may choose to use this book to only answer the questions they are asking at that young age.

Book Trailer:  https://youtu.be/RBnbtbBR0Ms

Available for purchase through Amazon.

The Underneath

Appelt, K. (2008). The underneath. NY: Simon and Schuster.
Ranger, a lonely, abused hound dog lives chained underneath a house in the forests of East Texas, just West of the Sabine River. His owner, Gar Face, is a man filled with hatred who barely gives him what he needs to survive. Ranger takes in an abandoned Calico cat, who is pregnant and they become a family.  One day, one of the curious kittens leaves the safe area under the house and sets off a series of events that attest to the power of love and the destructive power of hate. Appelt weaves in another story - one of magic, family, and revenge from the Caddo Tribe. Deep in the forest, there is a bowl, buried under a tree, containing a serpent known as Grandmother Moccasin. Throughout the book, we learn why she is in the bowl and eventually her story intertwines with the rest of the characters.  Appelt uses descriptively beautiful language and themes of abuse, abandonment, death, and revenge to create a dark, sad tone. David Small's pen and ink line drawings contribute to the tone of despair the the author has created. Despite the overwhelming sadness the reader feels, this is a book that you can't put down because you are hopeful that the characters will find a happy ending.  Through it all, the love of a family remains. This heart wrenching, beautifully written story is written for children ages 10 and up and would be a good choice for a reading group and discussion.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/eZ4Ds1Yub3Q

Available for purchase through Amazon.

How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous

Bragg, G. (2011).  How they croaked: the awful ends of the awfully famous.  NY: Bloomsbury.

This book is an informational nonfiction read about how nineteen famous people died.  It can be a bit gory, but at the same time it is humorous and keeps the reader engaged and wanting to know more.  It makes one very grateful for the advancements in medicine we have today. Between the individual stories, Bragg has included various explanations of historical medicine, common ailments, procedures, and interesting tidbits of information.  She discusses the "awful ends" of well known people such as George Washington, Albert Einstein, Christopher Columbus, Cleopatra, and Pocahontas, among others.  Kevin O'Malley's quirky black and white, cartoon drawings complement Bragg's lighthearted take on the subject. If you like the disgusting details, then this is the book for you.  Children ages 10 and up will definitely get a kick out of this book!

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/v_g1DKSH6T8

Available for purchase at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/How-They-Croaked-Awfully-Famous/dp/0802727948

Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler's Shadow

Bartoletti, S. C. (2005) Hitler Youth: growing up in Hitler's shadow. NY: Scholastic.

In her award wining, nonfiction book, Bartoletti tells the true stories of the youth in Germany during Adolph Hitler's regime and World War II.  Her focus is the young people that were exploited by Hitler to create a strong military.  Bartoletti utilizes books, diaries, letters, photographs, and interviews of survivors to explain history through the eyes of the youth who were there. She tells how they felt about their lives, school, Hitler, and the war.  Not only does she explain why some children chose to follow Hitler, but also why some resisted.  Bartoletti personalizes the war by following the lives of these children, making it a great addition to a study on World War II, racism, conformity, and peer pressure.   It would be a excellent nonfiction book to pair with Lois Lowry's Number the Stars or The Diary of Anne Frank.
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/cQzIQQcsXcE

Available for purchase through Amazon.

Magic Windows / Ventanas Mágicas

Garza, C. L. (1999). Magic windows. San Francisco, CA: Children's Book Press.

Carmen Lomas Garza honors her Mexican heritage through the traditional folk art of painting and paper cutouts.  Photographs of her art show the reader that family life and culture are important to her.  Through this how-to book, Lomas is passing on these traditions to the next generation.  She explains the art of picado (cut paper projects) in an easy to understand format in English and Spanish.  Children ages 9 and up, as well as adults, will enjoy creating these beautiful, tissue paper designs which include banners, tiles, and fans.

Visit the artist's website at http://carmenlomasgarza.com

Available for purchase through Amazon. 

The Secrets of Animal Flight

Bishop, N. (1997). The secrets of animal flight. Boston, MA: Houghton.

Bishop has created a nonfiction book that explains the mysteries of flight in birds, bats, and insects in terms for children.  It uses scientific terms to explain what we know about flight, what scientists have yet to learn, and is full of fascinating facts, diagrams, and photographs. Children are sure to love the beautiful high speed photography of animals in flight that accompany the well written text.  This book is sure to lead budding scientists into the backyard to observe nature for themselves.

Visit the author's website: http://www.nicbishop.com

Other books by Nic Bishop:

Bishop, N. (2012). Frogs. New York: Scholastic.

Bishop, N. (2011). Butterflies. New York: Scholastic.

Bishop, N. (2012). Snakes. New York: Scholastic.

Balloons Over Broadway

Sweet, M. (2011). Balloons over Broadway: the true story of the puppeteer of Macy's parade. New York: Houghton.  

Tony Sarg loved to figure out how things moved in order to create new items.  As an adult, his most well known creations are the balloons in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This is a nonfiction book that is accurate, easy to read, and will inspire children to observe and create things. Sweet's mixed media illustrations of collage and paint as well as diagrams, photographs, and newspaper clippings add interest to the story and complement the chronologically organized text. While you won't find pictures of modern day parade balloons, this story is fun and engaging for all readers.  

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/FnfW3MdNpOU

Available for purchase at Amazon.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Selznick, B. (2007). The invention of Hugo Cabret. New York: Scholastic.

Hugo Cabret is an orphaned son of a clock maker that is taken to live with his uncle at the Paris train station upon his father's death.  His uncle trains him to fix the clocks in the train station and soon afterwards he disappears.  Hugo keeps the clocks running so he no one will find out that he is alone.  He keeps his father's memory alive by working on a mechanical man that was his father's project.  Hugo completes the project by solving the mystery of the missing key, his father's notebook, and a message from his father.  Selznick combines aspects of graphic novels, picture books, as well as cinematography to help advance the plot.  The graphite drawings on black backdrops are a detailed and stunning addition to this highly visual novel. I cannot say enough about how all the visual media enhance this story.  It is a must read for readers ages 8 and beyond!

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/dYiumrSxAg8

Available for purchase through Amazon.

Skullduggery Pleasant

Landy, D. (2007). Skullduggery pleasant. NY: Harper Collins.

When Stephanie Edgley's uncle passes away, she inherits his house as well as his friendship with Skullduggery Pleasant - a skeleton mage who also happens to be a stylishly dressed detective.  Working together, they fight against an evil sorcerer to solve the mystery of her Uncle's death and protect the world. Landy has created a fantasy adventure that is action packed and full of supernatural characters.  He keeps the tone light with the witty banter between the two main characters. Tom Percival uses line drawings to illustrate the cover and pictures in this story.  The smiling skeleton on the front of the book takes the edge off what could be seen as a macabre character. This magic detective story has a simple theme of good versus evil that will keep readers ages 11+ and the young at heart reading to the end and then through the remainder of the series.  

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/vh3aDBAY1EA

Available for purchase through Amazon.

The Graveyard

Gaiman, N. (2008). The graveyard book. NY: HarperCollins. 

From the author of Coraline, comes the story of a toddler who narrowly escapes the murder of his family by going out through an open front door. He finds himself in an old cemetery and is taken in and protected by the supernatural occupants. They name him Nobody Owens, but often call him Bod. Gaiman takes the traditional tale of The Jungle Book and sets it in a graveyard with the ghostly and otherworldly inhabitants raising the orphaned boy. The simple brushpen drawings by Dave McKean provide an old fashioned style of illustration in gray-scale that enhance the creepy feel of the story.  This fantasy novel follows Bod as he grows from toddler hood into a teenager and explores in and out of the graveyard.  Readers can relate to Bod because he wants to fit in and is struggling to find his own identity just as many children do.  Gaiman provides suspense, humor, and engaging characters in this dark tale that will keep readers interested through the end.

Book Trailer:http://youtu.be/P_UUVwTaemk

Available for purchase through Amazon. 

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!

Schlitz, A. (2007). Good masters! Sweet ladies! Voices from a medieval village. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.                                                                                                                  This book is a collection of one and two person plays set in a medieval village in England in 1255.  The plays are about the youth from the village and each of the monologues and dialogues explain part of life in a medieval village.  The young characters include the lord's daughter, the doctor's son, the half-wit, and a runaway villein. The reader gets a glimpse of history and the author includes explanations of terms and customs to help the reader understand what they are talking about as well as how the play should be acted.  Robert Byrd illustrates these monologues with realistic pen and ink drawings featuring crosshatching and line details with watercolors that remind one of art from the medieval times.  These plays are a creative way to bring historical fiction to life for young readers and is educational and entertaining for adults as well.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/B6rVF_J6pyw

Available for purchase at Amazon. 

Rosa

Giovanni, N. (2005). Rosa. New York: Holt.

Giovanni  has written a beautifully illustrated picture book about Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955. Rosa Parks is an African American woman that is dealing with the historical realities of racial discrimination.  She is tired of being treated badly because of the color of her skin. One day after work, Rosa pays for a seat in the neutral black and white section of the bus, but when the driver orders Rosa to give her seat to a white passenger, she refuses.  The driver calls the police and Rosa is arrested.  Community leaders including Dr. Martin Luther King organize a bus boycott until segregation is ended. Giovanni relies on interviews with Rosa Parks to write this children's book accurately. She uses language that young learners can understand, but students will need an adult to fill the gaps in the knowledge of segregation and the Civil Rights Movement.  Bryan Collier's bold and colorful illustrations are a combination of watercolor and collage that are realistic with details of textures and patterns in clothing and capture the quiet strength of Rosa Parks.  This historical picture book is a great choice as a part of a unit on equality and Civil Rights.

Visit the author at http://www.nikki-giovanni.com

Available for purchase through Amazon. 

The Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963

 

Curtis, C. P. (1995). The Watsons go to Birmingham, 1963. NY: Delacorte.

In 1963, the Southern United States was struggling with segregation and racial violence. The "Wierd" Watson family lives in Flint, Michigan and have been leading a pleasant racially integrated life of relative equality and peace. Kenny Watson, is the 10 year old son that is the narrator of their journey and it's life altering experiences. His thirteen year old brother Byron has been getting into trouble and the family travels to Birmingham so he can stay with Grandma Sands and she can straighten him out. While visiting Grandma Sands, their younger sister Joetta goes to Church with a family friend. During the services, the church is bombed by two white men. Joetta survives, but the violence leaves its mark on the family and Kenny struggles to make sense of his emotions.  This work of historical fiction takes the reader back to a time of hatred as viewed through the eyes of an innocent child.  Curtis uses the historical bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church on September 15, 1963 as the turning point in his novel. Kenny realizes that though his life has been good, there are people in the world that would kill him just because of the color of his skin.  Children ages 8-12 will benefit from the authentic voice of young Kenny as he narrates this account that tells of a family who's love for each other and strength will hold them together through good times and bad.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/b7yLMoAKAXo

Available for purchase through Amazon. 

We Are the Ship

Nelson, K. (2008). We are the ship: the story of Negro League baseball. New York: Hyperion.

The history of Negro League baseball from it's beginning in the 1920's to its end in 1960.  The story is told in the viewpoint of a ball player of the Negro League.  He chronicles the differences between Major League Baseball and the Negro league as well as the problems they endured due to racial segregation and inequality.   He recognizes the star players of their league - those who went on to eventually play in the majors as well as those that didn't, and the accomplishments of the Negro League in the face of adversity. Nelson's story telling ability and informal conversational tone keeps the reader interested in the story that is being told. His illustrations are full page paintings with a photographic quality that compliment the text.  Numerous footnotes and citations speak to the research and authenticity of information that Nelson put into this book.  This is a historical fiction novel that is sure to engage readers who love the sport of baseball as well as those that are casual watchers of the game.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/FkUpsNDlVOY
Available for purchase through Amazon.

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute

Krosoczka, J. (2009). Lunch lady and the cyborg substitute.  NY: Random House.

Lunch Lady is a school cafeteria worker and a secret crime fighter.  A trio of three students follow her only to see this unlikely heroine save the school by foiling a jealous teacher's plot to get rid of the popular teachers so he can be the teacher of the year.  From her hairnet and spatula weapons to her kitchen themed yells of "Cauliflower!", this is a delightfully funny and lively read that young readers will enjoy.  This graphic novel features pen and ink drawings, highlighted in yellow that keep readers entertained and extend the story.  This is the first in a series of books that are geared toward 8-12 year old readers.

Book Trailer : http://youtu.be/WhRE8Zb_yRo

Available for purchase through Amazon.

Babymouse: Heartbreaker

Holm, J & M. (2006) Babymouse: Heartbreaker.  NY:  Random House.  

A graphic novel about a mouse that daydreams, has problems with her locker, and struggles to fit in at school and find her own identity.  When Valentine's Day arrives, Babymouse anxiously waits to see if she will have a date for the dance. Our spunky mouse has conversations with the narrator who encourages her and gives her suggestions. When she is not asked, she goes alone and and dances with someone who has admired her all along. The story borrows scenes from other stories such as Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and even a scene from the movie Dirty Dancing.  The pink and gray illustrations are simple in appearance and work well to complement the story.  This is number five in a series of humorous graphic novels geared for second through fifth grades.  Readers will love the fun and entertaining story line that teaches them to persevere and that it's okay not to be perfect. 

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/LPWcnSuYFoM

Available for purchase through Random House.

Dear Mr. Henshaw

Cleary, B. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw.  York: Harper Collins.

Leigh Botts begins writing to the famous author Mr. Henshaw in second grade as part of a school project and continues to write to him for the next four years.  After receiving advice to write down his thoughts in a journal, we learn about Leigh's parents' divorce, his living situation, his feelings, his problems at school, his desire to be a writer, and his struggle to find his personal identity.  Cleary touches on the difficult situations of divorce, single income families, and the need to be accepted in a realistic way to which the readers can relate. However, in this age of technological advance such as cell phones, internet, e-mail, and blogs, the story is a little outdated.  A good read for third through fifth graders and fans of Beverly Cleary.

Visit the author's website: http://www.beverlycleary.com

Available for purchase through Amazon.

Out of My Mind

Draper, S. M. (2010). Out of my mind. NY:Atheneum.

Melody is a very smart girl, but no one knows it because she can't speak.  In fact, she really can't do much because she has cerebral palsy and cannot walk, talk, or really move much at all.  Melody finally has a chance to show everyone what she knows and understands when she receives a special computer that talks for her.   This contemporary realistic novel is narrated from Melody's point of view so readers can understand that she just wants to be accepted by others, wear cool clothes, and have her intelligence recognized.  Melody hopes that when she can communicate, everything will be right for her, but she quickly realizes that she will always be different and struggles to find her identity.  An eye opening book for students and teachers that helps you to understand the challenges that people with disabilities face.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/HkQisi1ua9Y

Available for purchase through Amazon.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Kinney, J.  (2007).  Diary of a wimpy kid.  NY: Amulet Books.

Greg Heffley is a middle schooler journaling his first year in middle school in this "novel in cartoons".  Each chapter features another one of Greg's schemes in which he doesn't quite see the flaw in his plan, but the reader sure does.  He wants to be popular and goes about it by trying to become school treasurer, writing the comic for the school paper, and getting the most candy at Halloween as well as other schemes.  This realistic novel is is the first in "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series written by Jeff Kinney.  Readers will relate to Greg's typical teenage problems and his search for his independent identity. The doodle-like illustrations compliment the humor in the book.  His slapstick humor and wit will keep middle schoolers coming back for more.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/4j4TwMqrRug

Available for purchase through Amazon.

Rules

Lord, C. (2006). Rules.  NY:Scholastic.

Twelve year old Catherine wants to live a normal life.  She spends her summer days babysitting her autistic younger brother and writing down social rules for him to follow.  She becomes friends with a new girl who moves next door and a handicapped boy in a wheelchair that she meets at her brother's therapy session.  Catherine tries to reconcile her feelings between social acceptance and her true self which leads her to the question - " What is normal?" This contemporary realistic novel is an engaging story that is true to life.  Lord captures the daily life of a family with an autistic member in a sometimes humorous, and realistic way.  Children can empathize with Catherine's desire to be normal and her search for her own identity.    Rules is an insightful and captivating story that is well written and heartwarming.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/EacSMcS2yc0

Available for purchase at Amazon.

Bridge to Terabithia

Paterson, K. (1972). Bridge to Terabithia. NY: Crown.

 
     Jess Aarons, a quiet and artistic fifth grader in the small rural town of Lark Creek, makes a new friend when free-spirited Leslie Burke moves in next door. They both have experienced feelings of being an outsider and become fast friends.  Together they build an imaginary kingdom in the forest behind their houses where they are the rulers.  Jess comes to understand love and loss when Leslie has an accident and dies. Paterson uses age appropriate language to remind the reader that tragedy can happen to people of all ages and feelings of grief and loss are normal.  Through his grief, Jess chooses to honor his friend by building a bridge to the kingdom where she was loved and accepted in order to share it with others.  Paterson has created an engaging and memorable story of friendship through the character development of Jess and Leslie with whom children easily identify. Recommended for children 9-12 years of age and adults that remember the make-believe worlds of their childhood.

     Book Trailer : http://youtu.be/0GOfZCs60E0

     Available for purchase through Amazon. 

Mirror Mirror

Singer, M. (2010). Mirror, mirror. NY: Dutton.

Singer has created a book of poems that mesmerizes its audience with reversed lines. Each poem tells two different sides of the same fairytale. First the poem is written in the perspective of one character, then the poem is written  in the view of the other character with the lines in reverse with only changes in capitalization and punctuation - a truly challenging feat!  Josee Masse's dual perspective painted illustrations are a perfect compliment to Singer's reversos and give clues as to the identity of the characters. Children will love these poems of some of their favorite traditional characters including Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf, Cinderella and her stepsisters, and Beauty and the Beast, among others.  If you would like to try writing your own reversos, an explanation of Singer's craft is included at the end.  An excellent book to create an interest of poetry in children (and adults)!

View an excerpt from the book : http://marilynsinger.net/books/mirror-mirror-dutton-2010/

Available for purchase through Amazon.

Rapunzel's Revenge

Hale, S. & Hale, D. (2008). Rapunzel's revenge.  NY: Bloombury.

In this graphic novel, the authors have borrowed traditional fairytale characters and created a unique western version that will capture readers attention.  Rapunzel is taken from her mother at a very young age by a witch named Gothel.  She discovers at age 12 that her mother is still alive and is working for Gothel in her mines.  Gothel has power to make plants grow or die and the townspeople must pay her so she will make their crops grow.  Rapunzel does not feel this is right and rebels against Gothel.  Gothel locks in her a tower for four years.  She uses her long hair to escape and soon meets Jack.  The two become friends and set out to destroy Gothel and help others along the way.
Hale and Hale have taken the traditional damsel-in-distress and turned her into a hero.  The illustrations by Nathan Hale add an extra dimension to the plot.  A must read for middle school students.

Book Trailer : http://youtu.be/wV_zxzkaBlU
Available for purchase through Amazon.

The Legend of the Bluebonnet

dePaolo, T. (1983). The legend of the bluebonnet. New York: Putnam.

Tomie dePaolo retells the Comanche Indian legend of how the bluebonnet came to Texas.  The legend tells of a tribe in Texas that is suffering through extreme drought and famine. A brave, orphaned Comanche girl, She-Who-is-Alone, sacrifices her one possession so the spirits will forgive her tribe for their selfishness.  The girl's heroic act of love is rewarded the next morning with bluebonnets growing on the hill and rain that begins to fall to end the drought. The tribe renames her One-Who-Dearly-Loved-Her People.
DePaolo's vivid and vibrant full page paintings, paired with the powerful retelling shows an understanding and appreciation of the Native American culture and customs. This book is a great way to introduce the concepts of selflessness, legends/folktales, and State Symbols of Texas.  

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/4gcGlxsTrqE

Visit the author at http://www.tomie.com

Available for purchase through Amazon.

It's a Book!

Smith, L. (2010).  It's a book.  New York: Roaring Book Press.

This story is a humorous conversation between a jackass, a mouse, and a monkey about the differences between books and technology.  At the end of the story, Monkey has sold Jackass on the qualities of a book and must go to the library for something else to read.  Smith points out in his witty way that books continue to be special and wonderful in this day where technology is in use by everyone at all times.  He uses simple, modern pictures to accentuate his story.  The jackass who is using the technology is dressed more modern clothing and when he speaks, his words are written in blue lettering in a common computer font.  In comparison, the monkey is wearing a more old fashioned  polka dotted shirt and a small hat.  Then monkey's text is orange like the book he is reading.  I thoroughly enjoyed this funny book!

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/x4BK_2VULCU

Available for purchase through Amazon.

The Three Pigs

Wiesner, D. (2001). The three pigs. New York: NY: Clarion Books.

The Three Pigs are tired of the traditional folk tale where they are eaten by the big bad wolf. They escape between the pages of a book where they discover other fairy tale characters and invite them to escape as well.  They decide to go back to the brick house that was built by one of the pigs. The pigs rearrange the letters on the pages to make a new story and live happily ever after. Weisner uses his illustrations to show that while they were in the traditional tale, their lives were dull, hence the plain, simply colored pictures.  When the pigs escape, he uses lines to accentuate the pigs making them look more realistic and come to life with his imagination. The background of the new story loses all color so the children's focus is on the new adventure of the pigs.  Weisner also uses different types of text to differentiate his story.  The traditional tale is told with traditional lettering across the top of the page versus the new story written in speech bubbles with more modern lettering.  A wonderfully inventive twisted fairy tale that will enchant young readers.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/U41VWexL6gE

Available for purchase through Amazon.

A Big Guy Took My Ball!

Willems, M. (2013). A big guy took my ball!  New York: NY: Hyperion.

Piggie is upset that a big guy has taken her ball. Gerald does not think this fair and goes to get her ball back only to discover that the big guy is a whale that is much bigger than he is. Gerald and Piggie make a new friend when they realize that the whale is only looking for someone to play with him.  In this beginning reader, Willems reminds us that there are always two sides to every story.  His cartoon like characters and solid white backgrounds allow children to focus on the simple text inside the speech bubbles. The speech bubbles grow in text with the emotions and voice level of the characters.  The facial expressions that tell how the characters really feel and words work together perfectly to tell this entertaining story.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/Z3iUiTOCz8c

Available for purchase at Amazon.

Where the Wild Things Are

Sendak, M. (1963). Where the wild things are. New York: Harper Collins.

Max gets in trouble for misbehaving and is sent to his room.  He goes on an adventure in his imagination and becomes the king of the wild things.  He returns home to find his mother has left his dinner for him and it's still warm.

Sendak uses lines and a a crosshatching technique to add details to his pictures such as the fur on the wild things and the wind catching the sail of Max's little boat.  He uses earth tones in his illustrations to match the setting of the forest where the wild things live.  One of the biggest artistic elements is Sendak's use of growing pictures as Max becomes more imaginative and shrinking pictures as he becomes homesick and wishes to return home. Together his use of a simple storyline and his imaginative pictures have made this one of the most loved children's books of all time.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/fqkNfWy7ayQ

Available for purchase through Amazon.

This is Not My Hat

Klassen, J. (2012). This is not my hat. Boston, MA: Candlewick.

A small fish takes a hat from a big fish that's sleeping and thinks he'll get away with it even though he knows it was wrong. There is more to this story than just the words as the pictures tell a bigger tale. In this humorous account, Klassen uses simple pictures set on a dark background to engage children in the unwritten parts of the story from the little crab who slyly points to the tall plants where the confident little fish is hiding to the big fish that follows him and takes his hat back.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/IhbYyEdYWY8

Available for purchase through Amazon. 

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach

Deedy, C. A. (2007). Martina the beautiful cockroach. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree.

Living in a lampost in old Havana, Martina is a 21 day old Cuban cockroach looking for a husband. While her relatives try to help her be more attractive, her grandmother advises her to spill coffee on her suitors shoes to test their reactions. Her suitors are unexpected for a cockroach- a rooster, a pig, and a lizard.  Martina follows her grandmothers advice and is saved from being unhappily married or eaten!  Martina worries that she will not find her true love but by following her grandmother's advice, she finds someone who is perfect for her - Perez the brown mouse who has been there all along!  The moral of the story is that you should get to know your suitor better before you marry them.

Deedy has taken a traditional folktale and made it her own using subtle humor and puns such as a rooster that is too "cocky", a lizard that is "cold-blooded", and Martina is ready to give her "leg" in marriage. She uses a mix of Spanish words, names, and common forms of Spanish address to give an authentic Cuban feel. Children will love the natural rhythm in the story as well as the repetitive line " Martina Josefina Catalina Cucaracha, beautiful muchacha, won't you be my wife?".

Michael Austin, the illustrator has done a perfect job of enhancing this humorously written and entertaining Cuban folktale.  His bright, colorful pictures are very detailed through the use of texture and show common Cuban objects re-purposed for a cockroach home.  Children will soon realize that every page has a little brown mouse hidden in the illustrations. My favorite illustration is at the beginning of the story when the grandmother tells Martina of the Cuban coffee tradition.  The look on Martina's face in the picture is very human and portrays her shock that her grandmother would have such a sneaky plan.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/Z28ChgqayU4

Available for purchase through Amazon.