Love That Dog

By: Sharon Creech
Ages: 8-12 (Any age will love this book)

How do you start writing a poem? How do you share it with everyone? What if no one likes what you have composed? We all face these questions and Love That Dog looks at all of these questions by following a student's personal journal throughout the year in school. There are many stigmas that follow writing - it has to be long, it has to have a certain type of content, and even it has to be "good." How do we get past these false ideas? Sharon Creech uses the journal of one student to explain the struggle that many students have when writing poetry. If you think that you hate poetry, I can guarantee you that Creech's amazing novel will change your mind about what defines writing in the first place. The author drops hints in the book, like talking about how great the writing the student does would look if it were on yellow paper and in blue writing - the cover of the book is yellow and the title is in blue. The book itself is a novel - but what is a novel? How many paragraphs or what kind of structure should a novel have? Creech forces us to look at the way that we construct writing and how we define writing. What is really awesome about Love That Dog is that the author included all of the poems in the back of the book that are mentioned throughout the text. This book would be AMAZING for a classroom read aloud or for an introduction into a poetry unit. I fell in love with Love That Dog and I cannot look at poetry in any other way than individual. Read this book if you read anything at all the rest of your life, it will truly change your mind about everything you ever thought writing was.

Once I ate a Pie

by: Patricia MacLachlin and Emily MacLachlin Charest
Ages: 5-8

It's truly a dog's life through fabulous portraits of many different breeds and amazing poems that tell the stories that all dogs seem to want so badly to share. From Gus, Abby and Mr. Beefy (who once ate pie), the book takes the stories of dogs and expresses them through creative word play in poems. Each page shows an adorable illustration of a different dog along with a poem that describes what they have to share with the world. The words are big, small, colorful and are structured in a way that changes how the reader might "read them" aloud. It is a GREAT choice for a read aloud to kids and could be used by taking turns seeing how each person might read each page differently. I would highly recommend this book to beginning poetry writers because it makes poems more understandable and accessible to kids. Poetry does not have to rhyme (truly an epiphany that I had as a child) and it can be as creative as you (the writer) decide.

Purplicious!

by: Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann
Ages: 5-8

Deciding who you are? Afraid that others don't like who you are? Pinkilicious feels this way when all of her friends make fun of her for liking pink - although she feels sad about how her friends are treaing her, she finds an outlet through poetry. She writes in free verse and decides that she will take her own path regardless of what anyone thinks. She finds that someone much like her, "Purplicious" loves the color purple and decides that being yourself is the most important thing, even if others cannot accept who you are. A really cute story with vibrant pictures that emphasize how amazing an outlet like art and poetry can be for children. Definitely a good pick for girls who might feel left out or for girls who may be participating in excluding others.

Dogku

by: Andrew Clements
Illustrated by: Tim Bowers
Ages: 4-8

Introducing the idea of "poems" to kids can be overwhelming at times. Especially specific types of poems that are structured a certian way and are read a specific way. Dogku is an adorable take on Haiku poems and does a great job of taking a poem structure and making it accessible to children when Haikus in general can be overwhelming. Looking at poems in a less traditional way make them easier to teach and break down for students. The story follows an adorable puppy who needs a home, thoughout the story (in great Haiku form!) the family he stays with decides to keep him. Hopefully after reading this, students will try out Haiku poems in their own way - much like Clements did with "Dogku."

The Misfits

By: James Howe

I can rembember my middle school experience, and it seems to be full of many memories that I would rather forget. It is such a precious age when you begin to decide who you are and at the same time, you are acutely aware of how others see you. You pick friend, pick sides and are likely to be picked on. The Misfits submerges readers in the reality of middle school and how cruel kids can really be. I felt that Middle School could have been possibly the worst experience of my life. Besides the fact that I was overweight, I jumped groups of friends, begging for anyone to sit with me at lunch. It still amazes me that I have friends to this day because every day in middle school, I was sure that I would turn out to be the friend that noone wanted to have. The Misfits spoke to me - I was Addie - outspoken, always looking for everyone to recognize me for something that I did right, wanting so badly to not be alienated. This book is what every middle schooler, regardeless of the social group they hang out in, needs to read. I can't imagaine that middle school has somehow become any better than when I was there. It seems to have become worse with texting, blogging and technology in general. Bullying is so hurtful at that tender age, when you are so unsure of who you are and so afraid that anyone might call attention to you. Any person can find themself inside of one of Howe's characters - Skeezie the outcast, Joe - who is very sure he is gay, and Bobby who is slighly overweight. The way that they pull together to be who they are and stand up to those who make fun of them reminds me of the courage I wish I had in middle school. It is a must read for all middle schoolers, to know that they are not alone and that labels are only labels and are far from defining any person.

Race you to Bed

By: Bob Shea

Reading a bedtime story tends to result in the phrase, "just one more book!" - sound familiar? "Race you to Bed" could possibly the best way to bribe your child to bed, the last sentence reads, "Race you to Sleep!" The adorable fluffy bunny (which seems to be a blog theme of mine) races all over creation to his own bed for a good night sleep. The illustrations are not anything exciting to talk about, but the text is in rhyme with a slight reminiscence of Dr. Seuss. I would recommend this book for little readers who might have a hard time getting to bed. I could see this book quickly becoming a favorite "last book" read of the night.

Ages: 3-5

The Three Little Tamales

By: Erick A. Kimmel
Illustrated by: Valeria Decampo

By the looks of the cover, you probably would not guess that "The Three Little Tamales" was a fractured fairytale. Based on "The Three Little Twigs," with a Texan twist and a Spanish flare, this book tells the survival of three very hot tamales. With many Spanish words throughout the book that help to support the ambiance of the story, "The Three Tamales" ends well as all fairytales do with the tamales surviving because of the strong and prickly cactus they have for a house. The way this book is influenced by Spanish culture allows for students to use the language as a way to support the text and the region of the United States that the book describes. A definite read for a unit on Fractured Fairytales and a great way to explore Spanish with a class.
Ages:K- Grade 3

Earth - Feeling the Heat

By: Brenda Z Guiberson
Illustrated by Chad Wallace

Life cycles become a very exciting topic for young children who are beginning to understand all forms of life and how they continue to reproduce. From the African Savanna deep down in the great Oceans, Guiberson explores the many animals that are affected by global warming. Each open double page features a beautiful illustration that is done in a chalk-like way. The book poses questions to the reader, "Who can help these animals?" The book helps readers to critically look at the way our planet is functioning and the effect that pollution, global warming and other factors has on the many different species that cover the Earth. The beautiful creatures that live on this Earth are slowly beginning to disappear - Who can help? Be sure to look at the Orangutan page - the thunderstorm illustration is absolutely exquisite.
Ages: K-3

The Terrible Plop

Ursula Dubosarsky
Illustrated by: Andrew Joyner
Run! Quick! Here comes the Plop! Although the characters (a cute little bunny and his friends) do not find out that the Plop is only a little splash made by an apple in a nearby lake until the end of the story, the exciting PLOP gets all the forest animals running. Although the story is a little corny and slightly ridiculous, there is a cute rhyming scheme that follows along as the little bunny tells his friends about the great PLOP that is on its way. I did not think that this book had much more than a decent rhyme and found it to be tedious at times to read... I suppose very young readers may like this, but past 1st grade would be a stretch. To be completely honest, I am amazed this was published - I am not too sure where the author was going with this book, but it sure ended in a great FLOP.

Ages: 3-6

First Family

By: Deborah Hopkinson Illustrated by: AG Ford

Why is it that what the things that we do not know about tend to be among the most interesting topics to investigate? "First Family" explains the daily life of President Obama, the First Lady, Michelle and their two daughters, Malia and Sasha. The Pictures are by far the most fascinating - illustrations that capture perfectly the many expressions that the general public has seen the First Family express on Television. Even the dog, Bo gets a page all to himself. It is a great way to begin talking about government with the class, or just to explain how the President goes about his important daily activities. Even as an adult, I found out incredibly interesting facts about what the President does and how the White House functions on a daily basis. A fun read that all children will likely be fascinated by.

Ages: 4-7

Where Do Polar Bears Live?

By: Sarah L. Thomson
Illustrated by: Jason Chin

Another note about Earth Day coming up - What about the Polar Bears! We couldn't possibly leave them out! "Where do Polar Bears Live?" is a non-fiction piece about the life that polar bears lead and how they have learned to survive in the Arctic. What is so appealing about this factual book are the great illustrations that bring the polar bear close to students - even into a doctor's office! The book also discusses Global Warming and how the habitat that polar bears survive in is slowly melting away - nothing like pulling at the heart strings with some cuddly polar bears! I think that this would be a great book for a unit on the Arctic or cold climate animals - definitely a good pick with great information that is delivered in style for young readers.

Ages: 5-9

Miss Brooks Loves Books! (and I don't)

by: Barbara Bottner Illustrated by Michael Emberley

"I hate reading..." we hear this from early readers who have a difficult time reading or getting in touch with their inner literary side! With a great echo of "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-good, Very Bad Day," "Miss Brooks Loves Books! (and I don't)" reminds us of the hostility many of us had as young children for something that just didn't click with us. For me that was math - it became my "and I don't" part of my own story. This book in particular would be awesome for children who don't click with reading. One child that I have been working with in Iowa City does not like to read, but he loved this book - hmmmm... very interesting. For kids to understand that they are not alone, that others have felt or do feel the same way that they do offers comfort and helps them to comeout of their shell. As Miss Brooks says, "anyone can find something funny and fantastic and appalling in the library." - this book might just be your ticket.

Ages:5-8

When Jack Goes Out

by: Pat Schories

You, as the reader will have to fill in the pages and decide what happens to Jack the dog when he goes outside. This picture book has no words, but tells a very exciting story about a puppy who sees a group of aliens come down from outer space after he is let out by his owner. What is so great about this book is the fact that dogs cannot actually tell us what they see or what they think, much like the way this book is written. I think that this would be a great class activity to constuct a text that would match each picture in the book and decide what happens to the puppy. I really enjoyed "reading" or viewing, rather this book and I would recommend it for lower elementary students.

Dodsworth in London

By: Tim Egan

A perfect chapter book for younger readers - Dodsworth in London is great for those who are beginning to read slightly longer chapter books. At the same time, the pictures of historical markers in London are great to keep the attention span of the reader. In this series, there is a Dodsworth in New York and a Dodsworth in Paris - both of which are set up in the same short chapter form. What I like about this book are the adorable characters - Dodsworth and his friend, Duck. They travel about London in this particular book and sight see, cause a little trouble and get separated from each other! After finding their way back to each other, the pair adorably set out on another adventure. This book is a great way to introduce a new topic to students (travel, London, etc.) or one I would recommend to 2nd -3rd grade students who are progressing to more difficult chapter books.

Ages: 6-9

Princess Pigtoria and the Pea

By: Pamela Duncan Edwards and Illustrated by:
Henry Cole

Get ready for endless "P -letter" words! This adorable fractured fairytale about a Princess named Pigtoria has fantastic words that are sure to get a roaring laugh as well as an expanded vocabulary to any child who reads through the pages! There are multiple scenes on each page and the text is broken up in a way that would allow for multiple students to read together. The pictures are very vibrant and help to support the text for readers that may not know all of the "P-letter" words. What I like so much about this book is the way that the author used fabulous vocabulary to enhance each page and the story itself - words like "prickled and parlor and pity." I think that this would be a great way to help students expand what they know about how words are used - it might be fun to go through the book again but with a different letter in mind and try to think of words to substitute that have the same general meaning (for older students). Pick this book up for a fractured fairytale unit - you will not be disapointed, just pickled!

Ages:PreK- 2nd Grade

This Tree Counts!

April 22nd is Earth Day! This Tree Counts! by Sarah Snow is a great way to begin talking to young readers about the importance of taking care of our beautiful Earth. The book goes through a Tree and explains each living thing (animals and organisms) that need the tree to survive. The students in the book quickly become attached to the tree and begin to understand how they can help to preserve the Earth themselves. The pictures are layered and look as though they were cut out of a magazine and taped to the page. There are also numbers that follow through the book which would help very young students - incorporating this book into a math lesson. This book would work as a great introduction to a new "Earth Unit!"

Dogs by: Emily Everett

This might be my favorite picture book that I have read - possibly ever. To start off, the book has amazing pictures of detailed dogs of all different breeds. The book is perfect for young readers who are not yet very confident in their reading skills. The book is repetative, "I love big dogs and I love small dogs." Although the text is simple, the adorable pictures of the different breeds being compared to eachother keep the reader engaged and excited as to what dog is going to come next. I cannot rave enough about the illustrations particularly because they have such finite detail that takes such a simple piece of literature (text wise) and makes it something extraordinary. I have enjoyed many of the books this semester but this was has something special about it that you can only understand through going to the library and checking it out!

Grades: PreK- 3rd grade (adults will love it too!)