ENDORSED BY AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ☮️
JOURNEY, THE
AUTHOR - FRANCESCA SANNA
GRADES - PRE-2
HONORS/AWARDS 👍🏿👍🏿
ENDORSED BY AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL 👍🏿
READ FOR EMPATHY COLLECTION - EMPATHY LAB👍🏿
Recognizing literature recommended by children, teachers, and librarians to help build children’s empathy
A WALL STREET JOURNAL'S BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS OF 2016 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOKS OF 2016
KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST PICTURE BOOKS OF 2016
A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY'S BEST BOOKS FOR KIDS 2016
BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW
KIRKUS REVIEW - STARRED REVIEW
SHELF AWARENESS - STARRED REVIEW
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW
THE HORN BOOK - STARRED REVIEW
THEME - THE HUMAN COST OF WAR
What happens to a family when war disrupts their lives? After the death of the father, a family travels from place to place searching for safety. A perfect way to introduce young children to the realities of becoming a refugee.
GENRE - CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. What was the scariest part of their escape?
2. Discuss the meaning of the last line in the story.
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK
GRANDPA GREEN
AUTHOR - LANE SMITH
GRADES - K-3
HONORS/AWARDS
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK
CALDECOTT - HONOR BOOK - BEST ILLUSTRATED BOOK CAPITOL CHOICES - NOTEWORTHY TITLES FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS
VERMONT RED CLOVER CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD MASTER LIST
THEMES - AGING, LOVE, FAMILY HISTORY
Listeners are taken on a wonderful journey through a magical garden where they relive the life of Grandpa Green. He lived on a farm, had the chickenpox, went to war, and created the most magnificent garden. At the end of the story we see how he passed on his love for greenery to his great-grandson.
GENRES - REALISTIC FICTION, NATURE
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. What do you think the young boy will do when he grows up? Explain.
2. How does the young boy feel about his great-grandfather?
3. Is his great-grandfather still alive?
HORN BOOK - STARRED REVIEW
FIELD TRIP TO THE MOON
AUTHOR - JOHN HARE
GRADES - K-2
HONORS/AWARDS
CHILDREN’S FAVORITES AWARD
Recognizing books evaluated and voted on by children as books they really enjoy reading
HORN BOOK - STARRED REVIEW
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. NOTABLE BOOK FOR CHILDREN
A GOLDEN DUCK NOTABLE PICTURE BOOK
THEME - FRIENDSHIP
On a field trip to the moon, a child gets left behind and has a remarkable adventure. This wordless story forces the reader to interpret the illustrations and draw conclusions.
GENRE - CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. Do you think the girl will tell anyone about the moon creatures? Will they
believe her?
2. Why didn’t the moon creatures show themselves to the others?
3. How do you think the girl is feeling as she returns home?
NYT BOOK REVIEW - BEST ILLUSTRATED BOOK OF THE YEAR
FIRST THE EGG
AUTHOR - LAURA VACCARO SEEGER
GRADES - PRE-2
HONORS/AWARDS
HORN BOOK MAGAZINE FANFARE LIST
CALDECOTT HONOR BOOK - FOR BEST ILLUSTRATIONS
THEODOR SEUSS GEISEL HONOR BOOK - FOR BEST ILLUSTRATIONS NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW - BEST ILLUSTRATED BOOK OF THE YEAR
THEME - LIVING THINGS CHANGE
You never know what to expect when you read a Seeger book. In this excellent read-aloud, children will experience a surprise on every page. The theme focuses on how things begin as readers/listeners will find themselves guessing what will come next. On the opening page, you see the word First. Opposite, you see the words the EGG. Under the egg is a cutout oval which looks like an egg. When you turn the page, the oval becomes the body of a baby chick, which then becomes an adult chicken. The rest of the book follows this pattern of cutouts that have dual purposes.This irresistible book should be a favorite not only as a read aloud, but for independent reading as well.
GENRE - CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK - NATURE
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
There are none for this book as each “first” page requires a critical thinking
response.
JANE ADDAMS CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD - PICTURE BOOK WINNER
THEY CALL ME TEACH - LESSONS IN FREEDOM
AUTHOR LESA CLINE-RANSOME
GRADES - 3,4
HONORS/AWARDS👍🏿👍🏿
JANE ADDAMS CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARD - PICTURE BOOK WINNER👍🏿
A national committee of members with passion for and expertise in children’s literature and social justice is responsible for making the choices each year.
CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN’S LITERATURE BEST BOOKS - SELECTION👍🏿
a committee of the Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature (CSMCL) identifies the best in multicultural books.
NOTABLE CHILDREN’S BOOKS IN THE LANGUAGE ARTS AWARD - SELECTION
NOTABLE SOCIAL STUDIES TRADE BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE -
SELECTION
THEME -HELPING OTHERS
Young readers will learn that it was against the law for slaves to learn to read. However, a young slave boy does learn to read by watching the master’s son. The slave became known as Teach because he taught young children the alphabet, forged travel passes for escapees, and informed his friends of current events from the local newspaper. This was dangerous behavior which would have resulted in a whipping had he been caught.
GENRE - HISTORICAL FICTION - CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. Why did Teach continue to read after he was warned not to do it?
2. Why do you think slaves were not allowed to read
HORN BOOK - STARRED REVIEW
FARMER AND THE CLOWN, THE
AUTHOR - MARLA FRAZEE
GRADES - PRE-2
HONORS/AWARDS
HORN BOOK - STARRED REVIEW
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW
THE BULLETIN FOR THE CENTER OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS - STARRED REVIEW
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR - 2014
BOSTON GLOBE - BEST PICTURE BOOK - 2014
HUFFINGTON POST - BEST FRIENDSHIP BOOK 2014
BANK STREET BEST PICTURE BOOK - 2015
THEME - FRIENDSHIP
This wordless story features a farmer, who appears to lead a lonely, unhappy life. He sees a circus train pass by and notices a small clown fall or jump out of the last car. The farmer rescues the boy and takes him home. While the boy dances and jumps around, the farmer looks glum. However, at bedtime, the roles seem to change. The boy washes his face and loses his makeup, as well as his ability to play the clown. The farmer becomes revitalized and begins to enjoy his life. When the train comes back, the farmer is waiting by the track to return the boy. What will happen to the farmer? It is a secret to be revealed on the last page.
GENRE - CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. When the clown meets the farmer, he begins to run around. What is the farmer
thinking about?
He does not look too happy. He is probably wondering what to do with
the clown.
2. After the boy gets washed, he looks sad. Why? His makeup was washed off. 3. Why does the farmer make faces and dance around?
He wants to cheer the boy up.
BOSTON GLOBE HORN BOOK - PICTURE BOOK - WINNER
LEAF MAN
AUTHOR - LOIS EHLERT
PRE - 2
HONORS/AWARDS
BOSTON GLOBE HORN BOOK - PICTURE BOOK - WINNER
BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW
NATIONAL OUTDOOR BOOK AWARD - HONORABLE MENTION
MIDWEST BOOKSELLERS CHOICE AWARD - WINNER - CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK
BOOK SENSE BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD - CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED
HONOR BOOK
THEME - CELEBRATING LEAVES
In October, when the leaves start to fall, it is time to share Leaf Man with your class. What makes this book so unique are the hidden pictures that the leaves represent. For example, when the leaves are blowing along a river, with a little imagination, you can see the shapes of fish. All illustrations are made from real leaves. Listeners will find themselves following Leaf Man as he gets blown from one place to another.
GENRE - CHILDREN'S NATURE BOOK
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. Would you rather be the wind or a leaf?
2. Why does Leaf Man have to go somewhere when the wind blows?
3. What do you think would happen if leaves were sticky?
4. What do you think would happen if leaves were very heavy?
SKIPPING STONES - NOMINEE ☮️
LET THEM PLAY
AUTHOR - MARGOT THEIS RAVEN
PRE - 3-6
HONORS/AWARDS 👍🏿
SKIPPING STONES - NOMINEE 👍🏿-
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.
CARTER G. WOODSON BOOK AWARD
COOPERATIVE CHILDREN'S BOOK CENTER - CHOICES
BILL MARTIN JR. - PICTURE BOOK AWARD - NOMINEE
INDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS TEN OUTSTANDING BOOKS OF THE YEAR
WILLIAM ALLEN WHITE CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD
THEME - RACISM
This read-aloud presents a harsh lesson involving prejudice and bigotry as the all black Charleston baseball team was denied the opportunity to play in the Little League World Series. The all white teams in South Carolina resigned from the Little League rather than play a team with black players, causing the Charleston team to win the state championship by default. The Little League officials allowed the Charleston team to warm-up on the field, however, they could not play. It turned out to be one of the darkest days in Little League history. Forty-seven years later, the team returned to Williamsport where they were honored.
GENRE - CHILDREN'S BOOK - HISTORY
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. How do you think the white baseball players felt when they were told that
they could not play the all black team? Answers will vary.
2. What do you think was the best part about going to Williamsport, PA?
Answers will vary. Possible answers - practicing on the field, hearing
thousands of people chanting for them to play .
3. What were the officials in South Carolina afraid of when they refused to allow
the white teams to play the all black team? Answers will vary.
NEWBERY MEDAL - HONOR
CHARLOTTE'S WEB
AUTHOR - E.B. WHITE
GRADES - 2-4
😪THIS BOOK HAS BEEN BANNED.😪
HONORS/AWARDS
NEWBERY AWARD - HONOR -
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”.
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - TOP 100 BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSN. -TOP 100 BOOKS FOR CHILDREN #1
SCHOLASTIC - 100 GREATEST BOOKS FOR KIDS #15
AMAZON'S TOP 100 BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
GOODREADS - 100 CHILDREN'S BOOKS TO READ IN A LIFETIME #2
NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY - TOP 100 BOOKS OF LAST 100 YEARS
THEMES - FRIENDSHIP, LOYALTY
This tale of friendship and loyalty would be especially enjoyed by mature second graders and up. If I were a school superintendent, this book would be required reading or listening. It is hard to find a better read aloud. It is a classic in every sense of the word.
GENRE - CHILDREN'S FANTASY
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. What is the theme of this story? What is the author trying to tell you?
A good friend should be loyal and be there for you in difficult times.
2. Does this story change the way you feel about spiders and/or pigs? Explain.
3. Which would you rather have - a great friend or a million dollars? Explain.
4. Do you think E.B. White would have written Charlotte’s Web if he didn’t grow
up on a farm?
NEWBERY MEDAL - HONOR
BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE
AUTHOR - KATE DICAMILLO
GRADES - 3-5
HONORS/AWARDS 👍
NEWBERY AWARD - HONOR -
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”.
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - TOP 100 NOVELS FOR CHILDREN #20
NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY - TOP 100 CHILDREN'S BOOKS OF LAST 100
YEARS👍
NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSN. - TOP 100 BOOKS FOR CHILDREN #6
GOODREADS - 100 BOOKS TO READ IN A LIFETIME
JOSETTE FRANK AWARD 👍 -
This award for fiction honors a book or books of outstanding literary merit in which children or young people deal in a positive and realistic way with difficulties in their world and grow emotionally and morally.
MARK TWAIN AWARD
DOROTHY CANFIELD FISHER AWARD
BOOK SENSE BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK
NEW YORK TIMES - BESTSELLER
THEMES - LOVE, KINDNESS, JUDGING OTHERS, RELATIONSHIPS
A ten year old girl finds herself in a strange town with no friends. Then she meets and adopts a big stray dog, which she names Winn-Dixie, and all good things happen to her. They meet a collection of interesting people including a librarian who fought a bear with a book, an ex-con who sings to animals, and a lady with a big heart. They all become friends because of Winn-Dixie. This tale of kindness, friendship, and understanding is a real gem.
GENRE - REALISTIC CHILDREN'S FICTION
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. Why do you think the dog followed Opal home in chapter one?
Answer will vary. Maybe the dog was hungry or thirsty. Maybe it was
looking for someone to take care of him.
2. Is it easier to make friends with an animal or a person? Explain.
3. Who benefited the most from Winn-Dixie - the preacher or Opal?
4. Who benefited most from their relationship - Opal or Winn-Dixie?
5. Gloria Dump says that the whole world has an aching heart. What does that
mean? Do you agree?
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