Frog and Toad Are Friends

Bibliographic Information: Lobel, A. (1970). Frog and Toad Are Friends. New York, NY: Harper & Row.

Brief Annotation: Frog and Toad are best friends. They do everything together and are there for each other. They are lonely without one another, lend a helping hand, can laugh at each other, and know how to cheer them up; just as friends should be!

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary Realistic Fiction, Picture book

Level: K-3

Readers who will like this: Children who are just beginning to read; Children who have best friends that they do everything with; Children who like toads and frogs; Children who enjoy humor in stories.

Response/Rating: 4; Frog and Toad are best friends and through reading this book it made me think back to my best friend and how similar her and I are to them. I found myself giggling out loud to some of their experience and relating it back to my life. The wittiness throughout this book is remarkable, yet easy for children to pick up on.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: What do you like to do with your best friend?

Black is brown is tan

Bibliographic Information: Adoff, A. (1973). Black is brown is tan. Illus. Emily Arnold McCully. New York, NY: Harper & Row.

Brief Annotation: This cleverly written book is about an interracial family. It depicts everyday tasks that the family takes part in, reflecting the fact that no matter the color of you skin, we are all the same.

Genre: Picture book, Poetry and Verse, Fiction

Grade Level: K-1

Readers who will like this: Children who come from interracial homes; Children learning about diversity; Children who are curious of other people.

Response/Rating:4; this book is perfect! It has a cleaver way of explaining the differences and similarities of people. The innocence of the writing and depictions is so child reared! Even the illustrations were unique and assisting in the cultural differences within families! Love this book, would recommend it.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: What makes people different? What makes them the same?

Smoky Night

Bibliographic Information:

Bunting, E. (1994). Smoky Night. Illus. David Diaz. Orlando, Florida: Harcourt Brace & Company.

Brief Annotation:

Daniel and his mother watch from their window rioting that is going on down on the street. Their building starts on fire and Daniel loses his cat. When they are finally reunited, Daniel learns some lessons about friendship and accepting others.

Genre: Fiction/Historical Fiction

Grade Level: 2-4

Readers who will like this: Readers who like action and adventure. Readers who like historical stories.

Rating/Response: 3 for the story, 4 for illustrations. This book was a warm story about being brave and accepting others even if they are different from you. It is a threshold into talking about riots and why people all over the world fight, and why riots happen. The collage illustrations in the background of the painted pictures were amazing! All the collages and texture made the story and character pictures pop.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: Have you ever seen a riot in person, on TV, in a movie? Have you ever not liked someone, but after getting to know them, changed your mind?

Fish Eyes: A Book You Can Count On

Bibliographic Information: Ehlert, L. (1990). Fish Eyes: A Book You Can Count On. New York, NY: Harcourt Brace & Co.

Brief Annotation: A counting book that has colorful fish from one to ten. There is also a small fish on every page that wishes to be a fish, and includes little comments beyond the number counting.

Genre: Picture book, Counting book

Grade Level: Pre K-1

Readers who will like this: Children who are learning to count; Children who like color.

Response/Rating: 3; this is a great counting book! It has colorful artwork that keeps children engaged. I really enjoyed the fact that the little fish on every page would comment on certain ideas, like one plus one equals two. Neat way to sneak in some extra lessons!

One question you would ask before a read aloud: How high can you count?

Caps For Sale (Picture Book)

Bibliographic Information: Slobodkina, E. (1987). Caps For Sale. Harper & Row Publishers.

Brief Annotation: The story followers a peddler who is selling caps. He is unique and keeps his caps on his head, stacked one on top of the other. He stops under a tree to take an afternoon nap and wakes up to find that all of his caps were missing; the only one left was his. But where could the caps be and how will he find them?

Genre: Fiction, Humor, Picture book

Grade Level: K-2

Readers who will like this: Children with humorous imaginations; Children who like hats; Children who like monkeys.

Response/Rating: 4; Absolutely love this book! The interactions between the peddler and the monkeys was quite humorous, as I could imagine monkeys acting just as they were and very stubborn. It was also refreshing to read a book that had no deep meaning, scary plot, or danger zones. This book was one in which is clearly just for fun.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: What is the goofiest thing you have had on your head or seen on someone else’s?

Smoky Night

Bibliographic Information: Bunting, E. (1994). Smoky Night. Illus. David Diaz. New York, NY: Harcourt Brace & Company.

Brief Annotation: A riot breaks out in a city street as a mother, her son, and their cat watch through their apartment window. They are woken up in the middle of the night to find that there is a fire and they must evacuate the building. They are forced to leave without their cat. The cat assists in creating a friendship among them and a woman of a different decent, reinforcing the idea of being friends no matter your background.

Genre: Fiction: Picture book, Fiction

Grade Level: 1-6

Readers who will like this: Children who are exposed to others with different cultures than their own; Children who are unsure of people who are different from them; Children with cats.

Response/Rating: 4; Wow! This book was amazing. At first when I was reading it I had mixed feelings about it. I couldn’t believe that a children’s book was going so into detail about a riot and the ugly of the city, but as the book began to end I realized that the true meaning of the book was more important than the riot. The details in the picture were AMAZING! I loved the mixed media throughout, each reflecting what the page said. GREAT BOOK!

One question you would ask before a read aloud: What are your friends like? What do you look for in a friend?

My Friend Is Sad

Bibliographic Information: Willems, M. (2007). My Friend Is Sad. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children.

Brief Annotation: This is an Elephant & Piggie book, one in which Gerald, the elephant, is sad and his friend, Piggie, tries to cheer him up. Piggie dresses up as many different characters in hopes of making his friend happy. Each costume he puts on cheers up Gerald for a brief moment, but can Piggie make Gerald stay happy for a longer time?

Genre: Picture book

Grade Level:Pre K- 3

Readers who will like this:Children who find humor in the simplest of things; Children who have felt sad; Children who have tried to make others feel better when they are sad.

Response/Rating: 4; This book is so cute! Not only does it send the positive message of friendship but it also has a funny way of presenting it. The witty illustrations add even more to the humor of the words. While this is lower-leveled reading book for a child I think that children of all ages would enjoy it!

One question you would ask before a read aloud: What makes you sad? What makes you happy?

Mouse Paint

Bibliographic Information: Walsh, E.S. (1989). Mouse Paint. Illus. Ellen Stoll Walsh. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Books.

Brief Annotation: This book is about three white mice discovering three primary colors and and how they mix to make new colors! Will the cat find them while they're playing with the different colors?
Genre: Fiction, Concept Book
Grade Level: Pre K-2
Readers who will like this: Young artists who are learning about color will enjoy this book.
Response/Rating (1-4): This book is very useful for introducing the concept of primary colors and mixed colors. This book would be useful for beginner readers to practice associating words with corresponding pictures. I have also used this book to teach the children that I nanny the colors in Spanish.
One question you would ask before a read aloud: What are colors that you know? What kinds of things are 'red', 'yellow' and 'blue'? What do you think these mice will paint? What color are the mice?

The Real Mother Goose

Bibliographic Information: Author Unknown. (1992). The Real Mother Goose. Illus. Blanche Fisher Wright. New York, NY: Barnes & Noble Books.

Brief Annotation: This book is full of children's nursery rhymes like: Miss Muffet, Banbury Cross,The Clever Hen and The Flying Pig.

Genre: Fiction; Nursery Rhymes

Grade Level: Pre K-3

Readers who will like this: Young readers who enjoy listening to the fluid sounds of Mother Goose Rhymes and who enjoy looking at the illustrations will be happy to sit with this book. Young readers who are learning how to read will enjoy the pace of these simple rhymes.

Response/Rating (1-4): I have loved this book since I was a child! What got me interested in these nursery rhymes were the illustrations. Blanche Fisher Wright depicts snapshots of the rhymes that give the reader a jumpstart for the imagination to continue on long after the rhyme is over. I rate this book 4 of 4.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: Who is Mother Goose? What is a nursery rhyme? What nursery rhymes can you recite?

Bibliographic Information: Bunting, E. (1994). Smoky Night. Illus. David Diaz. New York, NY: Harcourt Brace & Company.

Brief Annotation: This is a story of a boy and his mother watching the riots, that broke out in Los Angeles, from their apartment window. They eventually end up in a shelter when their apartment complex is engulfed in flames and smoke. Led by the example of two cats, this boy and his mother learn the importance of getting along with others who have a different background or nationality.

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: K-5

Readers who will like this: Young readers who are beginning to read chapter books but still enjoy the picture book format will enjoy is poignant story of friendship.

Response/Rating (1-4): This story is powerful in how Eve Bunting describes the riots, emotion and tone of the time. I would definitely use this story to illustrate riots: how they are started, what people can do when they are angry and what happens when people get angry. I would also use this as a conversation starter for lessons of kindness, neighborliness, diversity and friendship. The illustrations are powerful, full of texture, and conversational pieces as well. I rate this book 4 of 4.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: What is a riot? Why do people riot? From the cover, what do you think Smoky Night is about? What do you see in the background of these pictures? Has anyone ever had to spend a night in a shelter, how did that feel?

Strega Nona Takes a Vacation

Bibliographic Information: dePaola, T. (2000). Strega Nona Takes a Vacation. Illus. Tomie dePaola. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

Brief Annotation: Strega Nona (Italian for Ninth Witch) has a dream about Grandma Concetta. Strega Nona says goodbye to Big Anthony and Bambolona and goes to Grandma Concetta's seaside cottage. Her vacation is cut short when she is called back home after Big Anthony covers the town in bubbles, making it "molto pulito--very clean".

Genre: picture book; fantasy fiction

Grade Level: K-3

Readers who will like this: Young readers who enjoy fairytales, humor and a bit of silliness will enjoy this book. Children who are learning about different languages will also enjoy the introduction to Italian.

Response/Rating (1-4): Tomie dePaola's transparent acrylic illustrations are bright, full of emotion and details of a Renaissance Italy. I rate this book 3 of 4.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: What is a dream? What is a vacation and what do people do on vacations? From the cover, where do you think Strega Nona goes for her vacation?

Veronica

Bibliographic Information: Duvoisin, R. (1961). Veronica. Illus. Roger Duvoisin. Canada: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.

Brief Annotation: Veronica is an inconspicuous hippopotamus who longs to be very conspicuous. She follows her dream to the big city only to find that being conspicuous is tiresome. But, when she returned to her riverbank she was famous!

Genre: Animal fiction

Grade Level: K-3

Readers who will like this: Young readers who are beginning to feel what it is like to "blend into the crowd" or to "stick out like a sore thumb" will relate to this story of the lovable Veronica. Readers who enjoy stories about animals and humor will like this story.

Response/Rating (1-4): I LOVE Roger Duvoisin's sense of humor, language and illustrations! Everyone has a dream that they long to have fulfilled. Everyone, at one time or another, has felt that feeling of being inconspicuous. Everyone has experienced what it is like to realize that you don't always have to leave your family and home to realize your dreams. Roger Duvoisin describes it all through the perspective of a hippopotamus. Duvoisin's language is descriptive, emotional and challenging for young readers. I rate this book, 4 of 4.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: What does 'inconspicuous' mean? What does being 'famous' mean? Why do you think the "nice old lady scolded the policemen and onlookers" for taking Veronica to jail?

Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom

Bibliographic Information: Martin Jr., B. and John Archambault. (1989). Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom. Illus. Lois Ehlert. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division.

Brief Annotation: This is a colorful and rhythmic way to learn the A,B,C's! The letters of the alphabet chase each other up a coconut tree and . . . Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom!

Genre: Alphabet book

Grade Level: Pre K-1

Readers who will like this: This book will be fun and interesting for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers who can expand their reading/comprehension skills by: listening to the rhythms and looking at the colorful, sequential pictures. For beginner readers, this book will be rewarding to read and finish this rhythmic and patterned alphabet story.

Response/Rating (1-4): This book is almost too fast. I wanted to have a little more rhyming between each letter. Even as an adult, I enjoy reading this to children and saying, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. I rate this book 3 of 4.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: From the cover (reading the title aloud) what do you think this story is about? What kind of tree do you think is on the cover? What colors are the letters 'a', 'b' and 'c'?

The New Kid on the Block

Bibliographic Information: Prelutsky, J. (1984). The New Kid on the Block. Illus. James Stevenson. New York, NY: William Morrow & Company.

Brief Annotation: This book has over 100 children's poems that discuss important topics like: boneless chickens, jellyfish stews, bad moods and what it would be like to fall off a mountain! Prelutsky uses fresh humor, snappy rhyming rhythms and challenging vocabulary. These poems would make for humorous classroom lesson icebreakers.

Genre: Poetry

Grade Level: Pre K-4

Readers who will like this: Readers of all ages will appreciate Prelutsky's witty and verbally challenging poems.

Response/Rating (1-4): I thoroughly enjoyed these poems! They are fast paced, stuffed with challenging vocabulary, yet related to any child--or adult. I rate this book, 4 of 4.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: What kinds of poems do you like? What is a poem? What rhymes with _____(give any descriptive word like: sloppy)?

Sarah, Plain and Tall

Bibliographic Information: MacLachlan, Patricia. (1985). Sarah, Plain and Tall. Illus. Marcia Sewall. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.

Brief Annotation: This story is about a family that has lost their wife and mother as well as her songs. Papa sends out an advertisement for a wife and mother. Set in the prairies of the West, this farming family learns to love and accept Sarah, plain and tall, as their own. She is from the East coast and brings with her a seal grey cat, sea shells, songs, determination and lots of love for her new life and family.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Grade Level: Read alouds, grades 2-4; Independent reading ages 8-12

Readers who will like this: If you enjoy stories of the West and historical fiction, you will enjoy this wonderfully poignant and beautifully descriptive story.

Response/Rating (1-4): Every time I read this story my senses are fully engaged; I can smell the sea and hear the wind howling over the prairie grasses. This book is short but the story is tender with emotion and is humorous. I know there are other stories in the series, but I wish this story went on a little longer. I rate it 3 of 4.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: How would you describe the landscapes of the West and East? From the title, what do you think Sarah is like? What does "plain" mean? Why do yo think people put advertisements in newspapers for wives?

The Cloud Book

Bibliographic Information: DePaola, T. (1975). The Cloud Book. New York: Holiday House.

Brief Annotation: The Cloud Book is an informative book that describes the three different types of clouds, and the beliefs there once was on clouds. It is very informational.

Genre: Nonfiction

Grade Level: Pre.K- 3

Readers who will like this: Children who are interested in clouds; Children who are learning about clouds or weather.

Response/Rating: 2; While this book is very nicely written and has excellent depictions of clouds, I found it a bit boring. It helps in describing different types of clouds and beliefs on them, but there was no climax in the story and no excitement.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: What do you know about clouds? What is a cloud?

ABEL'S ISLAND

Bibliographic Information: Steig, W. (1976). Abel's Island. New York: Square Fish.

Annotation: This book is about a young mouse that finds himself stranded on an island after a storm. While on this island he finds out about who he is and what his strengths are as a mouse.

Grades: 3-6
Genre: Animal Fantasy.

Who would read this book: Children that are beginining to read chapter books I think this is a goos beginners books becasue it contains pictures as well as a good story line. Also readers who enjoy adventure and discovery would enjoy this book.

Rating/Response: 3 of 4 -- I thought this was a fun and exciting book for first time chapter book readers. The book was extremely clever and well thought out.

Question: Have you ever been lost? How did you find your way back?

Shrek!

Bibliographic Information: Steig, W. (1990). Shrek!. New York, New York: Square Fish.

Brief Annotation: A repulsive ogre named Shrek encounters a witch who tells him his future, a journey he must carry out. His journey is that he will go on and find a princess in a tower and marry her. Then a donkey takes Shrek to the tower where he must fight and defeat the worst of all creatures, and defeats a knight to get to the princess to marry her. 


Genre: Fantasy


Grade: K-2

Readers who will like this: Children who like stories of fairy tale creatures.

Response/Rating: 3 out of 4.

One question I would ask before a read aloud: Do you like when people call you ugly?

Abel's Island

Bibliographic Information: Steig, W. (1976). Abel's Island. Illus. William Steig. New York, NY: Square Fish.

Brief Annotation: Abel is separated from his wife Amanda during a terrible storm. He is casted away on an island where he lives all alone for a year, learning how to survive and discovering what his talents are. He never gives up hope of returning home to Amanda and his family.

Genre: Animal Fiction


Grade: 4-6

Readers who will like this: Children who enjoy animal fantasy. When animals have human characteristics.

Response/Rating: 4 out of 4. Very detailed and well-told story.

One question I would ask before a read aloud: What was the longest time that you have been away from your family?

The Amazing Bone

Bibliographic Information: Steig, W. (1976). The Amazing Bone. Canada; Harper Collins Canada Ltd. .

Brief Annotation: A pig named Pearl meets an extraordinary friend. They go through many challenges. They encounter highway robbers and a fox that wants them for dinner.

Genre: Storybook; Animal Fiction.

Grade: 1-4

Readers who will like this: Young children who have an interest in fantasy stories.

Response/Rating: 1 out of 4. The story was not very appropriate for young children.

One question I would ask before a read aloud: Who knows what to do when a stranger talks to you?

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Bibliographic Information: Steig, W. (1969). Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. New York, Ny: Aladdin Paperbacks

Brief Annotation: A donkey named Sylvester has a hobby of collecting pebbles. One day he comes across a shiny red pebble that is magical. It will grant him any wishes he pleases. On his walk back home a lion confronts him. Scared, he wishes to become a rock and spent many seasons away from his parents.

Genre: Storybook

Grade: K-3

Readers who will like this: Kids who like fantasy, giving non-human objects human qualities.

Response/Rating: 3 out of 4. Good story.

One question I would ask before a read aloud: If you had a magical item, what are some things you would wish for?

Pete's A Pizza

Bibliographic Information: Steig, W. (1998). Pete's a Pizza. New York, NY: Harper Collins.

Brief Annotation: Pete finds himself discouraged when he discovers that it is raining and he is no longer able to go play ball with his friends. His father comes up with an idea to cheer Pete up. He decides to make a pizza, but this pizza is no ordinary pizza. It's pizza made out of Pete! This cheered Pete up, and just as the pizza was finished the rain had stopped and the sun come out, now Pete can go play ball with his friends.

Genre: Picturebook

Grade: Pre-k- 1

Readers who will like this: Beginning readers, pre-primary, early elementary.

Response/Rating: 4 out of 4. Great story for very young children.

One question I would ask before a read aloud: What are some things you like to do on rainy days?

Brave Irene

Bibliographic Information: Steig, W. (1986). Brave Irene. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.

Brief Annotation: Irene is the daughter, of a seamstress who is very sick. Irene willingly volunteers to take on the task of bringing the duchess her dress made by Irene's mother through a violent snowstorm. While on her way to the palace the wind sweeps the dress away. Irene now scared, cold, and alone, is stuck with the decision to either press forward and inform the duchess of what has happened or to give up and go back home. She makes the decision to press on, and just as she reaches the palace the dress appears in sight pinned by the wind up against a tree.

Genre: Picturebook

Grade: K-3

Readers who will like this: Young readers who may be struggling to complete certain tasks. This books shows strong will, and perseverance even when everything is not going in your favor.

Response/Rating: 3 out of 4. Good book, very cute how Irene took care of her mom.

One question I would ask before a read aloud: Can you tell the class of a time when you tried your very hardest on something?

THE AMAZING BONE

Bibliographic Information: Steig, W. (1976). The Amazing Bone. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.

Annotation: This book is about a young pig named Pearl. Pearl is on her way home from school and stops along the way in the forest to enjoy the beautiful scenery. But, while soaking up the greatness of the outdoors she discovers a talking bone and decides to take it with her along the rest of the way home.

Genre: Animal Fantasy.

Who would enjoy this book: I think that younger readers would really enjoy this book becasue of the imagination that is required to have while reading.

Grade Levels: K - 3

Rating/ Response: 4 of 4 -- I really enjoyed this book because of the imagination involed in the story. I really enjoyed the concept of a talking bone.

Question: Have you ever found something cool like the bone while on a walk or in the woods?

SHREK!

Bibliographic Information: Steig, W. (1990). Shrek! New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.

Brief Annotation: Shrek is the story of someone who does not fit in, he is unique and rude to those unlike him but once he finds out that true love may be in store for him he goes on a life changing journey to find the one he truly loves.

Genre: Fantasy.

Grade Level: K- 4; technically all ages.

Response/Rating: 3 of 4 -- Great book for kids, and for people of all ages. Fun interactive book, especially since the film, not many know the book exists.

Question: Have you ever felt you looked different from others? How did that make you feel?

SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE

Bibliographic Information: Steig, W. (1969). Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. New York: Windmill Books Inc.

Brief Annotation: Sylvester Duncan the donkey collects magic pebbles one day after finding a red pebble on vacation while on his journey home to show his parents his new pebble he is confronted by a lion and wishes to be transformed into a lion. In result Sylvester is unable to see his family for months.

Genre: Animal Fantasy

Grade: K-3

Readers who would like this: Readers that are intrested in magic and animals would really enjoy this book.

Rating/Response: 2 of 4 -- I believe that this book is extremely clever but, I don't understand the what the exact point of the story is. Is it be careful what you wish for??

Question before the read aloud: If you could wish to be anything what would you wish to be?? Have you ever been away or separated from your family?

BRAVE IRENE

Bibliographic Information: Steig, W. (1986). Brave Irene. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
Brief Annotation: Brave Irene is a story of a young girl who endures the blistering winds and snow to make sure her mother is well represented to the dutchess by delivering her dress for the ball. Brave Irene is a great story of determination, bravery, and escaping the hard obstacles along the way.
Genre: Storybook. Fiction.
Grade Level: K - 4
Readers who would enjoy this: Readers who would enjoy this are readers that enjoy adventure and the determination to succeed.
Rating/Response: 4 of 4 -- This was a great book. I really enjoyed reading this book it was cute and made me want to go on my own journey thru a Minnesota blizzard.
One question you would ask before reding aloud: Have you ever gone on a journey thru the Minnesota snow?

PETE'S A PIZZA

Bibliographic Information: Steig, W. (1998). Pete's A Pizza. New York, NY: Harper Collins.
Brief Annotation: Pete is upset one day because the rain is keeping him from playing outside with his friends, in an effort to cheer Pete up Pete's father bakes him into a pizza which not only brightens Pete's day, but brightens the weather outside's day as well.
Genre: Storybook. Fiction.
Grade Level: Pre-K - 1
Reader's who will enjoy this book: I believe that first time reader's will really enjoy this book, it gives young readers the start they need to begin their own journey of loving to read.
Response/Rating: 3 of 4 -- Great for first time readers very funny and charming.
A Question you would ask before a read aloud: What do you like to do on rainy days?

Brave Irene

Bibliographic Information: Steig, W. (1986). Brave Irene. Illus. William Steig. Canada: Douglas & McIntyre Ltd.

Brief Annotation: This is an inspiring story of a one girl's bravery, determination and resolve to honor her mother's hard work.

Genre: Storybook

Grade Level: K-3

Readers who will like this: For anyone who has been faced with a daunting task and overwhelming obstacles that try to keep you from it will enjoy this story.

Response/Rating: I want to be Irene! She is full of determination, sass and has plenty to say to the forces that would keep her from accomplishing her goals. I love that the hero in this story is in fact a heroine. As a professional nanny, I have used this story as an illustration of what it means to be brave and determined. I love the fact that Steig even gave the wind a personality. I rate this book 4 of 4.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: What do the words 'Bravery' and 'Determination' mean to you? How have you been brave and determined?

Shrek

Bibliography Information: Steig, W. (1990). Shrek. Illus. William Steig. New York, NY: Square Fish.

Brief Annotation: An ugly ogre who leaves home to find his true love, a stunningly ugly princess, and all he has to say is, "Apple Strudel".

Genre: Fantasy

Grade Level: K-2

Readers who will enjoy this: Readers who understand that just because you don't look like everyone else doesn't mean you can't find happiness will enjoy this read.

Response/Rating: 3 of 4

One question you would ask before a read aloud: What do 'Persistent' and 'Pursue' mean? What are some things that we should pursue and be persistent about until we get them?

Abel's Island

Bibliographic Information: Steig, W. (1976). Abel's Island. Illus. William Steig. New York, NY: Square Fish.

Brief Annotation: This story is about a mouse who gets lost in a storm and finds himself on an island where he discovers who he is on the inside as well as his vocation. Abel discovers his own strength, fortitude and resilience while learning how to live in the wilderness.

Genre: Storybook, Animal Fantasy

Grade Level: 2-5

Readers who will like this: Readers who enjoy discovery, pictures, scintillating language and mice will love this endearing story.

Response/Rating: 4 of 4

One question you would ask before a read aloud: Can you think of a time when you were lost and afraid? How did you get found and were there people to help? What other ways might Abel have been able to get off the island?

Pete's A Pizza

Bibliography Information: Steig, W. (1998). Pete's a Pizza. Illus. William Steig. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers Inc.

Brief Annotation: This is a story of a father putting to good his creativity and some cooking knowledge when his son gets in a bad mood due to rain.

Genre: Storybook

Grade Level: Pre-K-1

Readers who will like this: Anyone who had ever been in a bad mood and need a little chuckle to help them snap out of it will enjoy Pete's a Pizza.

Response/Rating: 3 of 4

One question you would ask before a read aloud: How do you snap out of a bad mood? What makes you happy?

The Amazing Bone

Bibliographic Information: Steig, W. (1976). The Amazing Bone. Illus. William Steig. Canada: Douglas & McIntyre Ltd.

Brief Annotation: Pearl, the pig, and her talking bone try everything possible to escape the wiles of a fox. Steig uses language, pictures and magic to portray this battle of the wits.

Genre: Animal Fantasy

Grade Level: K-2

Readers who will like this: Reader who enjoy a good battle of the wits and can escape easily into Steig's world of fantasy will enjoy this book.

Response/Rating: 2 of 4

One questions you would ask before a read aloud: What would you have done if you were Pearl's new friend and knew she was in danger?

Syvester and the Magic Pebble

Bibliographic Information: Steig, W. (1969). Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. Illus. William Steig. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division.

Brief Annotation: Sylvester finds a magic pebble. Thinking this magic pebble will astonish his parents he begins his journey home. That journey takes an unexpected turn when he is confronted by a lion. This story portrays something found, something lost and something found again.

Genre: Animal Fantasy

Grade Level: K-3

Readers who will like this: Children and adults, alike, who enjoy adventure, fantasy and a good story of a family reunited under the most unlikely circumstances.

Response/Rating: 3 of 4

One question you would ask before a read aloud: If you were confronted by a lion and you had a magic pebble, what would you wish for?

Pete's a Pizza

Bibliographic Information: Steig, W. (1998). Pete's a Pizza. New York, NY: Harper Collins.

Brief Annotation: Pete becomes discouraged when he cannot go outside and play due to the weather. As a way to cheer him up, his father makes Pete into a pizza. Pete enjoys this very much, and just as they are through playing the sun comes out and Pete can finally go out and play!

Genre: Storybook

Grade: Pre-k- 1

Readers who will like this: Children who have funny imaginations; children who enjoy pizza; children who find humor in imaginative play.

Response/Rating: 3; This book was an entertaining. While there was no real lesson to it, it had a fun, quirky storyline.

One question I would ask before a read aloud: What is your favorite type of pizza?

Brave Irene

Bibliographic Information: Steig, W. (2007). The One and Only Shrek! Plus 5 Other Stories. New York, NY: Square Fish.

Brief Annotation: Irene is a young girl who, during the middle of a snowstorm, is given the responsibility of bringing the duchess her dress, made by Irene’s mother. On her way to the palace a gust of wind sweeps away the dress, leaving Irene scared, cold, and worried for she has lost the dress-or has she?

Genre: Storybook

Grade: K-3

Readers who will like this: Anyone who has felt the weight of responsibility; children who enjoy winter; children who find joy enchanted palace-like stories.

Response/Rating: 4; This was such a fun little book. The illustrations are just as I remember winter storms, and the way in which Irene first loses the dress, feels bad, and then as it reappears before she is invited to the ball, makes anyone feel happy.

One question I would ask before a read aloud: What do you like to do in the snow?