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

The Giver by: Lois Lowry

Imagine a world that is perfect. Mistakes are instantly corrected and everyone has a role to play in a community that thrives on being alike in nearly every way. The Giver, by Lois Lowry creates this world and gives insight to what life would be like if choices were non-existant. Lowry does an amazing job of captivating the reader. As you turn each page, you become trapped in "The Community" and you want to follow the rules just as all of the memebers do. What is so haunting about the book is the fact that the reader becomes caught up in the functions of the community and the journey that the main character Jonas (12yrs old) makes as the next Reciever (a role chosen for him by the community). The reader feels Jonas's physical pain as he trains to take over this highly regarded role in the community. Jonas is the reciever of all of the memories of the world. Jonas is able to see color, something no one else in the community can do and experience things that no one else would understand. As he lears from the previous Reciever he discovers this ability more. The Giver has short, concise chapters that are perfect for upper elementary students. There are new words that help create and understand Lowry's community and will keep children interested in the story. I cannot rave enough about the insight that The Giver gives to children about what life would be like if freedom of choice was not an option. It is an amazing book that I read as a 6th grader and still enjoy today.

Ages:5th-6th Grade