Mrs. D’s Reads

Frederick

by Leo Lionni

Grades K-2

This classic story still has its charm, and is a wonderful antidote for the wintertime blues.  Simple text and wonderful illustrations.

 

Winter Poems

Selected by Barbara Rogaski

Grades 3-up

This is a nice collection of poems by some of the world’s great poets.  All of them have the theme of winter.  Trina Schart Hymen does the lovely illustrations.  Use one or two, or read one a day all month!

 

Wild Christmas Reindeer

by Jan Brett

Grades 2-4

So many of Brett’s Scandinavian stories have a winter or holiday theme.  This is among the best of the stories.  The memorable heroine is inspiring, and the lessons about responsibility and caring are great.

 

Lady In The Box

Ann McGovern

Grades 4-6

This gentle picture book confronts some difficult ideas about homelessness and helping, especially around the holidays.

 

Tree Of Cranes

Alan Say

Grades 3-6

This beautiful story looks at the conflict of culture between traditional Christmas celebrations, and the traditions of a Japanese family trying not to lose their own traditions.  How they marry the two makes for a nice discussion on diversity.

 

Too Many Tamales

Gary Soto

Grades 3-5

A lighthearted story about an hispanic family holiday  celebration that goes slightly wrong when a young girl looses her mother’s ring while making the traditional tamales. A nice lesson about fixing your mistakes and telling the truth, as well.

 

Tacky the Penguin

Helen Lester

Grades 1-4

Tacky is a misfit who wears hawaiian shirts and longs for the tropics.  He is an outsider until his non-conformity end up saving the day.  There are a whole series of Tacky books now, and kids love them!

Moving to a new building, and then having my blog on blogspot partially blocked, I am running way behind on the book recommendations this year. But here’s my first post at my new location…

Book fair is first on my mind right now, so I think I will talk about a few books that should be showing up there.

Peak

by Roland Smith

Grades 5-12

Roland Smith, a very entertaining author who visited some of the schools in our district last year, has a couple new books out right now. Peak is the story of a 15 year-old boy who gets in some trouble and has to go live with his father. Unfortunately, his father is a mountain guide who leads expeditions on Mt. Everest. The plan is to have Peak be the youngest person to ever summit Everest, but that sounds easier than it is. Great adventure, wonderful first-person narrative, and some neat lessons about friendship and integrity.

 

Becoming Naomi Leon                                                                                                                                    

by Pam Munoz Ryan 

Grades 5-8

This is a powerful story about family and place.  Naomi and her brother have been raised by their grandmother because their mother took off and their father is somewhere in Mexico.  When the mom comes back to claim Naomi but not her brother, the two travel to Mexico to find their father, hoping he will claim them and keep them together.  This story has good suspense, rich characters, and some great lessons about strength and loyalty.  Munoz Ryan has a new book out, too. Paint the Wind will also be in the bookfair.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane     

by Kate diCamillo 

Grades 3-6

Those of you who have read diCamillo (Because of Winn Dixie, Tale of Despereaux) know she is a great storyteller.  This book is a sort of reverse Veleveteen Rabbit.  Edward is a well-loved toy who believes the love he has is well-deserved.  However, when he gets lost and has to find his way back to his owner, he realizes the value of being loved, and of loving others in return.  A beautiful read-aloud.

Clementine   

by Sara Pennypacker

Grades 1-4

This is one of the best young heroines to come out since Ramona Quimby.  Clementine is funny, and honest, and imperfect in the most charming way.  Pennypacker has filled her story with humor and grace and a character kids will love.  Wonderful read-aloud!  There’s a sequel, too, The Talented Clementine.

Diary of a Fly

by Doreen Cronin

Grades K-4

I would love to have this author’s prolific imagination. This is the third in her diaries, and this one has the fly as would-be superhero.  Funny, a great model for writing, and just a great book to share.

Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?

by Bill Martin Jr.

Grades K-2

These pattern books with the wonderful Eric Carle illustrations have not varied much, but this one stands out for me because of the wonderful active verbs he chose for the various animals: “strutting”, “gliding”, “slipping”, and “sliding”.  A fun read-aloud or a great pattern book for early readers.

 Enjoy!