E.B. WHITE READ ALOUD - HONOR BOOK

AUTHOR - KATHRYN OTOSHI

GRADES - PRE - 1

E.B. WHITE READ ALOUD - HONOR BOOK

BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW

Here is a color and counting book that offers a lesson on how to deal with a bully, who is portrayed by Red. When  Red  meets Blue, he says “Red is HOT. Blue is NOT.” Red also intimidates the other colors who are too afraid to say anything. Then One comes along and he says, “If someone is mean and picks on me, I, for One, stand up and say, No." His bravery encourages the other colors to change into numbers and stand up to Red. This causes Red to become smaller. At the end, Blue offers him an opportunity to be counted and to join the group as an equal. Strength in numbers is the theme represented here and it works very well. I like the way the author allowed Red the opportunity to be part of the group.

1. What lesson did you learn from the story?


2. Why was Red called a hot color?


3. In the story, Red was called a hot head. What does that mean?


4. At first, the other colors did not tell Red to stop picking on 
Blue.Why?


5. At the end of the story, the numbers all shouted, “Everyone Counts!" 
What 

    does that mean?


6. If you could be a color, which one would you be? Explain.

AUTHOR - ROBERT C. O'BRIEN 

GRADES - 3-5  

NEWBERY AWARD  - WINNER -

The Newbery, is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, to the author of "the most distinguished contributions to American literature for children”.
 

SCHOLASTIC - 100 GREATEST BOOKS FOR KIDS #78 

AMAZON'S TOP 100 BOOKS FOR CHILDREN 

TIME Magazine - 100 GREATEST BOOKS FOR CHILDREN #88 

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL TOP 100 NOVELS FOR CHILDREN #33

GOODREADS -100 CHILDREN'S BOOKS TO READ IN A LIFETIME - #66  

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY TOP 100 CHILDREN'S BOOKS IN LAST 100   YEARS   

The author portrays rats as lovable, intelligent creatures in this story of survival. Scientists, who have been working at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), have been experimenting on rats to increase their intelligence.  These rats learned to read and write and think like humans. They became so smart, that they eventually figured out a way to escape.The rats are constantly in danger from a farmer, the farmer’s cat, and exterminators. They are also needed to help Mrs. Frisby, a mouse, who is trying to save her son who is dying. Great read-aloud. It is number two on my all time favorite books for children in grades 3-5.

1. Is it a good idea to increase the intelligence of animals?
        

2. Who was the bravest character in this story? Explain.
        

    Answers will vary. Mrs. Frisby would be a good choice. She sat
 on a bird

    who flew her to see an owl. She visited the rats and went 
on a mission to

    put powder in the cat’s bowl. This was the same cat that killed he

    husband. 

3. Do you think Mrs. Frisby will ever see the rats again? Explain.    

    At the end of the story, one of her children thinks it is a good idea.
 Mrs. 

    Frisby wants to think about it. 

AUTHOR -JULIE FOGLIANO 

GRADES - PRE-K

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW 

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN.  - NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK

KIRKUS - STARRED REVIEW 

BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW 

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY -STARRED REVIEW 

BULLETIN FOR THE CENTER OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS - STARRED REVIEW

Written in verse, the author describes what happens when a curious baby meets a patient dog. The great illustrations make this a perfect read for those in the pre-k group.

1. Why is this dog good-natured?
  

    It doesn’t mind when baby wakes him up. It doesn’t mind when baby 

    plays with his paws knees, and ears. It doesn’t mind when baby rests his 

    head on 
dog’s chest.        

2. How do you think the dog feels about the baby? 
Explain.
         

    He likes the baby. He licks him and allows the baby 
to touch him.
 

3.  Who do you think is friendlier - the baby or the dog?

AUTHOR - MIRANDA PAUL

GRADES - 1-4

GREEN EARTH BOOK AWARD - HONOR👍

 is the nation’s first environmental stewardship book award for children and young adult books.

EL DIA DE LOS NINOS/EL DIA DE LOS LIBROS SELECTION👍

Highlighting diverse children’s books to honor the culture and languages of all children

WE ARE KID LIT COLLECTIVE SUMMER READING LISTS👍

recognizing the humanity of Indigenous and People of Color (IPOC) in youth literature, people with disabilities, and people from the LGBTQIA+ communities

CHILDREN’S AFRIKANA BOOK AWARD - COMMENDED

When goats die after eating plastic bags, a young woman decides to do something about plastic bag pollution. She collects the bags and washes them. Then she makes plastic threads which she crochets into purses. Other women also follow suit and donate part of their earnings to improve the health of their community. This is a wonderful story that promotes ecological awareness and illustrates how one person can make a difference. The author provides added information about this project along with a short bibliography of similar books.

This picture story written in verse, illustrates the unfairness of the separate but equal doctrine. The last few pages contrast the old order with conditions after more humane laws were passed.

What can you do to make your community a better place?

AUTHOR - CAROLE BOSTON WEATHERFORD 

GRADES - 3 - 6

😪WARNING! THIS BOOK HAS BEEN BANNED!😪

MAIKA PENN AWARD FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE -

    HONOR BOOK👍

This award is given annually to the author of an outstanding children's book addressing human rights issues or themes such as discrimination, equality, poverty, justice, war, peace, slavery, or freedom.

CORETTA SCOTT KING AWARD - WINNER👍

The Award is given to an African American author and illustrator for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions. The Coretta Scott King Book Award titles promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contribution to the realization of the American dream of a pluralistic society.

JANE ADDAMS CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD - HONOR👍

The Jane Addams Children’s Book Award annually recognizes children’s books of literary and aesthetic excellence that effectively engage children in thinking about peace, social justice, global community, and equity for all people.

SKIPPING STONES HONOR AWARD 👍

promote an understanding of cultures, cultivate cooperation and/or encourage a deeper awareness of nature, ecology and diversity. Award winning books foster respect for multiple viewpoints and closer relationships within human societies.

CYBILS - Finalist👍

seeks out and recognizes books that represent diversity, inclusion, and appropriate representation for children and teens

NOTABLE BOOKS FOR A GLOBAL SOCIETY - WINNER👍

This is an annual list of 25 books created by the International Literacy Association which enhance student understanding of people and cultures.
 

NCSS/CBC NOTABLE SOCIAL STUDIES TRADE BOOKS FOR YOUNG  

       PEOPLE - WINNER 

CALDECOTT MEDAL - HONOR

NEW YORK TIMES/NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST ILLUSTRATED 

   CHILDREN'S BOOK - WINNER

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOKS FOR KIDS - WINNER

CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST OF THE BEST BOOKS - WINNER

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOK OF 2021 - WINNER

HORN BOOK BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR - WINNER

This multi-award winning book was written by a superstar in the world of civil rights literature for children.
In 1921, a black community in Tulsa, Oklahoma was burned to the ground by an angry mob of white people who resented the fact that the residents were mostly prosperous and enjoyed a high standard of living. Hundreds of people were killed and thousands became homeless. The police failed to respond. This massacre was covered up for almost one hundred years before investigators brought the story to the attention of our nation and the world. 

1. Why do you think it took 100 years for this story to be told? 

2. If your house was on fire and you could take only one thing, what would that

   be?      

AUTHORS - AMY KROUSE ROSENTHAL, TOM LICHTENHELD 

GRADES - GRADES 1-3

PARENTS' CHOICE AWARD - SILVER HONOR 

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW 

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK

 An exclamation mark found happiness as he discovered his own identity. At first he tried to be like everyone else. When that failed, he became depressed. Then he met a question mark who asked questions nonstop causing a loud STOP! from exclamation mark. He suddenly realized his own talent and began shouting to everyone. He learned to live with the idea that being different had its own rewards.

1. Turn to the page where the question mark is asking all the questions and 

    ask, “Why is the question mark smiling and the exclamation mark 
sad?”    

    The question mark is doing what he likes to do, while the exclamation

    mark is annoyed. 

2. What did the authors mean when they said that question mark broke free

    from a life sentence? 

3. At the end of the story, exclamation mark went off “to make his mark.” What

    does that mean?

AUTHOR - DENISE FLEMING 

GRADES - PRE-1  

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - BEST BOOK 

CALDECOTT AWARD - HONOR - BEST ILLUSTRATED BOOK 

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK 

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY'S ONE HUNDRED TITLES FOR READING    AND SHARING

Mix alliteration, rhymes, vocabulary, award winning illustrations, along with the movements of pond animals, and you have a wonderful introduction to nature.      

There are no follow-up questions as discussing the new vocabulary and identifying the animals allow listeners to develop their critical thinking skills.

AUTHOR - LAURA VACCARO SEEGER

GRADES - PRE-1

KIRKUS REVIEWS - STARRED REVIEW 

BOOKLIST -STARRED REVIEW 

SHELF AWARENESS - STARRED REVIEW

Rabbit has so many questions to ask his friend the bear. The best part of this book is the author’s decision not to print the question. The reader/listener must figure it out by looking at the picture and hearing the bear’s response. In addition to the critical thinking aspect, the illustrations are wonderful.

Just about every page poses a critical thinking question.                                                          

AUTHOR - KATE READ 

GRADES - PRE-1

CYBILS  AWARD👍 - 

seeks out and recognizes books that represent diversity, inclusion, and appropriate representation for children and teens. 

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW 


PARENTS' CHOICE - GOLD AWARD 

CHARLOTTE ZOLOTOW AWARD (HIGHLY COMMENDED)
 

The Charlotte Zolotow Award is an American literary award presented annually for outstanding writing in a picture book published in the United States during the preceding year.  

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY - BEST BOOKS FOR KIDS

While there are numerous counting books, this one is unique. The numbers one - ten are woven into a tale about a fox and his prey. Vocabulary enhancement and critical thinking opportunities can be found on just about every page.

1. What are silent steps? 

2. What are beady eyes? 

3. Do you think the fox will return? Explain.

AUTHOR -BRUCE EDWARD HALL

GRADES - K-3

JANE ADDAMS CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD  👍

The Jane Addams Children’s Book Award annually recognizes children’s books of literary and aesthetic excellence that effectively engage children in thinking about peace, social justice, global community, and equity for all people. 

NOTABLE BOOKS FOR A GLOBAL SOCIETY AWARD👍 

This is an annual list of 25 books created by the International Literacy Association which enhance student understanding of people and cultures.


When two groups of people have their differences, a compromise may be the solution. This story, based on true events, takes place in Chinatown. Henry Chu and his friends fly kites from his roof. Tony Guglione, from neighboring Little Italy, and his friends, throw rocks at the kites. A confrontation develops and Henry learns that his kites are scaring Tony’s pigeons. They decide to fly the kites in the morning, while the pigeons are in their coops.   

1. When Tony saw that the kites were scaring his pigeons, he began to  throw 

    rocks at the kite. Could he have done something else that would 
 have been 

    better for him?  

2. How can you tell that Mr. Chin was a kind and patient man?
   

    The children loved to be with him. He took the time to show the  
 

    children how to make kites. He kept making the kites after the boys 


    destroyed them. Making each kite required a lot of work and patience. 

3. Henry says that they call Mr. Chin Grandfather because it is a sign of

 
   respect. What does that mean? 

4. What do you think Tony and his friends will do the next time they see a  kite? 

5. Is there anyone in your neighborhood that reminds your of Mr. Chin?  If 
yes, 

    explain. 

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