Picture Book # 16 "The Apple Doll"

Written and illustrated by Elisa Kleven
Published by Farrar Straus Giroux  2007
Genre: Picture Story Book
Theme: Show and Tell, Preservation

Summary:This book describes an unique way a young girl found to adjust to beginning school for the first time. By being imaginative and carefree she met new friends and also provided new ideas for her classroom and teacher. 

Book usage: This book would be good to use in an elementary school classroom to introduce show and tell. It can also be used to demonstrate an art project.

Picture Book #15 "One City, Two Brothers"

Written by Chris Smith
Illustrated by Aurelia Fronty
Published by Barefoot Books 2007
Genre: Picture Story Book; Jewish fable; Arab folktale
Theme:Negotiation, Brotherly love

Summary: A folktale that describes how the historic city of Jerusalem possibly came to exist. Discover how two brothers put aside personal concerns in order to assist each other. What happens later when another set of brothers decide they cannot come to an accord after thier father's death? Who should they turn to and how do they maintain peace?

Book usage: This is a good tale that should be read to encourage multicultural studies. Read it as part of a class or group reading. It can also be used as part of a geography lesson or introduction.
Book usage:

Picture Book #14 "Madam President"

Written and illustrated by Lane Smith
Published in Hyperion Books for Children 2008
Genre: Picture Book; Fiction
Theme: Politics
Summary: What would You do if you were elected President of the United States? Would you follow the same path as those before you while governing. Would you be daring and blaze your own trail, establishing new posts and modifying offices to suit your plan. Enjoy this book and explore how a young girl becomes president and shows how it is done.

Book usage: Use this book during group reading time or as a general introduction to American politics.

Picture Book # 13 " Lemons Are Not Red"

Written and Illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Published by Roaring Book Press 2004

Genre: Picture Book; Concept

Theme: Color association

Summary: This picture book helps children learn colors by associating them with different objects. It uses cutouts and takes the reader into the world of what is not versus what they are.

Book usage: This is a good book to introduce in kindergarten or at home during family reading time. It will aid children in identifying colors with the help of recognizable shapes and objects.

Chapter book # 8 " Roxie and The Hooligans

Written by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Illustrated by Alexander Boiger
Published By Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division 2006
Genre: Chapter Book; Fiction
Theme: Bullying, Survival and Adventure

Summary: Roxie uses the things she loves the most to help her survive being bullied by other kids at her school. Several kids find themselves in more trouble than they can handle and Roxie takes charge and lead them through it.

Book usage: This book is good for individual reading time. Boys and girls alike would enjoy this book as it contains humor and the adventure moves at a steady pace.

Chapter Book #7 "The Fairies of Nutfolk Wood"

Written by Barb Bentler Ullman
Jacket art by August Hall; Designed by Hillary Zarycky
Published by HarperCollins Publishers 2006
Genre: Chapter book; Modern Fantasy
Theme: Magic, Divorce, Nature

Summary: This is a story of a young girl who is led or guided by unknown forces to the one place she needs to adjust to the divorce of her parents. She meets new people young and old who helps to restore her health and provide a sense of adventure and mystery to her new life.

Book usage: A wonderful book for individual reading. A touch of realism blended into folktales that will give the reader a hope of something wonderful that yearns to be discovered.

Chapter book # 6 "Out of The Dust"

Written by Karen Hesse
Cover designed by Elizabeth B. Parisi
Published by Scholastic Press 1997
Genre: Chapter Book, Historical Fiction
Award: Newberry Medal 1998; Scott O'Dell Award 1998
Theme: Tragedy, Depression, Natural Disasters, Restoration

Summary: Billy Jo, a fourteen year old girl being raised in Oklahoma during the mid 1930s, shares her experiences during a troubled period of American history.The setting, written about a period referred to as "The Dust Bowl" adds a sense of dread and hopelessness, which helps the reader identify with the plight of Billy Jo. How can a young girl endure so much and still maintain the strength to grow and not lose faith in life? Will the ever present dust continue to shape the course of Billy Jo's life?

Book usage: This book should be used in middle or high school as part of the curriculum of a Social Studies class. It will help children understand the hardships encountered by farmers as they struggle to survive personal, financial and natural hardships to grow the crops necessary to feed others.

Picture book #12 "Cendrillon"

Written by Robert D. San Souci
lllustrated by Brian Pinkney
Edited by Simon and Schuster 1998
Genre: Picture Story book, Folk Tale
Themes: Fantasy, Step-parent and child relationships

Summary:This book is a variation of the traditional folk tale of Cinderella, narrated by a Caribbean godmother. Told through a different point of view and expressed in a different culture, it adds humor to the original Cinderella.

Book usage: Use this book as part of a group reading to introduce different cultures and points of view.

         

Chapter Book #5 " A Season of Gifts"

Written by Richard Peck
Illustrated by Brandon Dorman
Edited by Dial Books/ Penguin Young Readers Group 2009
Genre: Chapter Book, Realistic Fiction
Theme: Bonding, Religion, Bullying and Acceptance

Summary: " A Season of Gifts" is about the relationship between an eccentric elderly lady and a family that recently moved into town. Mrs. Dowdel is a polarizing force in town and everyone has their own opinion of her. Some are intimidated, but they all respect her. Explore the plots within plots as she maintains order.

Book Usage: A great use for this book is family reading time, or individual reading. The narrator is a ten year old boy so an appreciation of humor and sarcasm makes this book an interesting read when seen through his eyes. A good book to help children transition into new environments and help ease possible anxieties. 

Picture book #11 "George Did It"

Written by Suzanne Tripp Jurmain
Illustrated by Larry Day
Editor: Dutton Children's Books/ The Penguin Group 2006
Genre: Picture Story Book, Historical Fiction
Theme: Politics, Humor, Anxiety

Summary: A story about why George Washington did the things he did. Was it because of curiosity? Maybe he was just being daring and feeling adventurous. What comes to mind when you think of something the first President of the United States is known for? Now read the book and experience another side of George Washington.
Book Usage: Use this book to introduce your students or children to a portion of American History. It could be used as an introduction before beginning the topic with traditional textbooks.