Something old and something new…
Here are a couple new books, and a couple of older ones you may have forgotten.
Move Over, Rover!
by Karen Beaumont
This is a pattern book that builds as the dog invites each of the animals who pass by his doghouse into the shelter during a storm. Fun language, and a twist ending (one of the animals is a skunk!) will delight younger readers. It is reminiscent of “The Mitten” and other such tales.
What’s the Most Beautiful Thing You Know About Horses?
by Richard Van Camp
Grades K-6
I love this picture book in which a Native American boy goes around and interviews people in his village about horses, but the information he gets back goes far beyond that. The language is brilliant and beautiful, and the illustrations are a joy. This makes a great starting place for a writing assignment on detail and ideas.
Coraline
by Neil Gaiman
Grades 4-10
This is a creepy but compelling novel about a girl who discovers a paralell world where there is another family like hers, but at the same time not. Gaiman’s subtle details send shivers without being overtly frightening. For kids who like scary stories, Coraline is one of the smart ones.
Fortunately
by Remy Charlip
Grades K-3
This is a simple, but entertaining pattern book where every other event turns the story good or bad. The repetition, and the interpretation of what’s fortunate and what’s not could lead to some fun writing ideas.
That’s Good! That’s Bad!
by Margery Cuyler
Grades K-3
This book goes so well with “Fortunately”, that I had to share them together. Again, a fun pattern with energetic illustrations. Every event you think is good turns out to be bad, and what seems bad turns out to be good. Some wonderful writing opportunities, group writes especially.
Locomotion
by Jacqueline Woodson
Grades 4-6
I am a fan of the prose poem novel, and this one by Woodson is a powerful story about an eleven year old kid who has been through a lot and is learning how to tell his own story. A lot of our kids will relate to this one. It was a Coretta Scott King Honor book.
