Last Stop on Market Street

Last Stop on Market Street

Author/Illustrator: Matt De La Pena/Christian Robinson
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Awards: Newbery Award (2016), Caldecott Honor Award (2016)
Age Level: 5-8 years old

Summary: CJ is a young boy who leaves church with his nana and they take a ride across town. As they walk to the bus stop, CJ sees people passing by in their own car and wonders why they don't have a car of their own. He also tells his nana that he wishes he was like the older boys with iPods listening to music. As CJ is asking his nana these questions, she is responding gently by encouraging him to  see and hear the beauty of the real world without using the  luxuries that others have. CJ comes face to face with being accepting and happy with what he has and not longing for the "wants" in life. Through simple yet vibrant illustrations, the author is able to portray the real atmosphere of the train across town. Some characters are even illustrated with tattoos and others represent styles with acoustic guitars cowboy hats.

I would love to use this book in my class before we began a technology unit. I think this would be a great way for students to appreciate and value the iPads/any other technology that they are being given in the classroom.

Families Are Different

Families Are Different

Author/Illustrator: Nina Pellegrini
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Awards: NA
Age Level: 5-7 years old

Summary: Nico is a young girl with a sister named Angel who narrates the story. The two sisters are adopted from Korea and share the same heritage. For a while, it would bother Nico that her she didn't look like her parents. Nico even feels angry and sad because she was different. After Nico attended her class, she realized that all of her classmates are different. One family has a single mom, some families are large, some are medium-sized, and some parents are divorced. Not all family situations are listed, but the author gives many examples. Throughout Families Are Different, Nico realizes that it's okay to be different and that her family loves her no matter what. Illustrations throughout the book are full of highlight and contrast. The colors are shaded in as if there is a sun shining above the characters all the time. The diverse perspectives leaves the reader with a warm and humble heart.

I would love to use this in my classroom to support diversity amongst the students. Families Are Different would be a great read-aloud to us in the beginning of the year.

Ellington Was Not a Street

Ellington Was Not a Street

Author/Illustrator: Ntozake Shange/Kadir Nelson
Genre: Poetry- Historical Fiction
Awards: Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrators
Age Level: 5-9 years old

Summary: Memories from the child in an African-American community are presented as she recalls the close knit group of men who "changed the world." The reader expresses the importance of African culture with poetic forms of culture that impacts the world today. The young girl feels safe, reassured and proud of her father. Ellington Was Not a Street includes information on men such as Paul Robenson, William Edward Burghhart, Ray Barretto,  Earlington Carl, John Birks, Dr. Kwame Nkumah, Edward Kennedy Ellington, Virgil Akins, and the Clovers  who lived their lives to inspire. This reflective work is written consistently without punctuation of capitalization of any words. Illustrations fill the pages with dark tones and pops of yellow. The beginning illustrations only include a couple people at a time, but by the end of the story we see the pages packed with people carrying smiling faces.


I can use this poetry book as an introduction into the students social studies lesson on African American history. This wonderfully worded poem would spike an interest in all the students.

From the Belly Button of the Moon

From the Belly Button of the Moon


Author/Illustrator: Francisco X. Alarcon/Maya Christina Gonzalez
Genre: Poetry
Awards: Pura Belpre Award
Age Level: 6-11 years old

Summary: Throughout From the Belly Button of the Moon, Alarcon takes the reader on a trip back to his childhood where he experienced green grass and mountain mist. The family in the story are on a car trip and the first place to stop and explore is his mothers hometown, Atoyac. The familiar smells from his grandma's gardenia's and pleasant greetings fill the air as grandma shares stories of her past. Stories of their ancestors are told and pleasant memories of the summer daily showers, rainbows, and dreams of the past. Illustrations are bight and light-hearted. Each page is filled with inviting summer colors and shining faces from the humans to animals. This book of poetry is delightful and allows the reader to connect with the author through the rhythmic texts and animated characters.

Circle Unbroken

Circle Unbroken

Author/Illustrator: Margot Theis Raven/E. B. Lewis
Genre: Historical Fiction
Awards: Children's Africana Book Awards (2005)
Age Level: 4-8 years old

Summary: For this family, the tradition of sweetgrass basket weaving is an art that has been passed down through the generations. The young girl is listening to her grandmother tell the story of her grandfather while sitting on her lap. Her grandfather was taught how to weave the baskets as a young boy so taut that it could hold the rainfall. After being captured in the slave trade, he stills holds his memory of weaving baskets and is able to teach others the tradition from his African culture. History is told in Circle Unbroken and meaningful texts are shared about the ship bound slaves and how they worked to preserve their family craft. At then end of the story, the granddaughter ends up in a picture back on her grandmothers' lap. Illustrations in this powerful book are painted as the texts are spiraled through time.The characters faces are detailed with emotion and the colors are painted with soft warm strokes. Circle Unbroken traces the emotional connections of the Africans held captive of the past, back to craftsmen in America today.

Laughing Tomatoes

Laughing Tomatoes

Author/Illustrator: Francisco X. Alarcon/Maya Christina Gonzalez
Genre: Poetry
Awards: Pura Belpre Awards (1996-2916), Americas Award (1993-2016)
Age Level: 8-12 years old

Summary: Laughing Tomatoes is filled with refreshing children's poetry visually and orally . Nature is being honored throughout the spring poems experiencing joy and laughter. Vocabulary is unique and descriptive by using words such as "tender ears" of corn and "exotic" birds. The author wrote the poem in a dual-language format including English on one side and a Spanish version on the other. Illustrations are very colorful and bright using people and animals as characters. The shining sun, the smiling cat, and all the rest of the illustrations seem to be created by using water colors.

The Dragons are Singing Tonight

The Dragons are Singing Tonight

Author/Illustrator: Jack Prelutsky/Peter Sis
Genre: Poetry
Awards: ALA Booklist Editors' Choice, Horn Book Fanfare
Age Level: 7-9 years old

Summary: The Dragons are Singing Tonight is a collection of children's poems about the different sorts of dragons. In the collection of poems, the reader sees singing dragons, sleepy dragons, thunder dragons,dragons in the computer, secret dragons, and sick dragons. Prelutsky crafts his poetry with imagination, creativity, and humor. Illustrations are spellbinding and extraordinary. The pages are full of color with a border on the edge representing a wooden frame. Inside the wooden frame, is a detailed picture of the dragon being described. Each dragon is brought to life with descriptive words and the reader can't help but feel empathetic to the dragons wishing people still believed in them. The author and illustrator work hard to captivated the reader and enchant them into a new world with their poems.

Yoko

Yoko

Author/Illustrator: Rosemary Wells
Genre: Modern Fantasy- Multicultural
Awards: NA
Age Level: 3-7 year sold

Summary: The multicultural story Yoko, is a unique children's story that depicts what it feels like to be the child that is different, disapproved of and to doesn't 'fit in." Yoko is a sweet little cherry blossom that brings her favorite sushi to school in the willow-covered cooler that her mom prepares. The other students laugh and make fun of her meal while they eat meatball grinders and franks and beans. Mrs. Jenkins, the teacher, sees how unfair Yoko is being treated and devises a plan. She sends home a letter to all parents representing "Internation Food Day at Hilltop School" in hopes that everyone will try bits of everything brought. Tulip brings in potato knishes, Fritz brought spaghetti, and Valeria brought homemade enchiladas. The students in the classroom couldn't wait to try all the new foods, well except for Yoko's sushi. Yoko felt sad and unappreciated while she sat under the learning tree alone. Soon, one of her hungry classmates named Timothy made his way over to Yoko to try her sushi. Timothy couldn't get enough of her tasty treats and asked if her mom could bring more! Delighted, Yoko became friends with Timothy eating dragon rolls and tomato sandwiches. This multicultural story displays how everyone comes from different backgrounds and that we should be open to trying new things even if they seem weird at first. Illustrations in Yoko  were colorful and I loved the different attributes each animal possessed. Characters were delightful and the colors were inviting to the reader.

I am Lucille Ball

I am Lucille Ball

Author/Illustrator: Brad Meltzer/Christopher Elipoulos
Genre: Biography
Awards: NA
Age Level: 5-8 years old

Summary: I am Lucille Ball is a biography of the life of Lucille Ball. Lucille knew she was a performer from the very first time she stepped on a stage. She used her humor to solve problems and never gave up on her dreams. Lucille was born in Jamestown, New York in 1911. After going to school for dramatic arts, she married Desi Arraz. The TV network began to produce a hit TV show, I Love Lucy, in 1951. Her comedy was real, effortless, everything but "proper." By 1952 Lucille won the first Emmy for Best Comedienne. She believed that humor can take on anything and that people need to believe in themselves. I loved the cartoon illustrations with unique expressions. The pages were full of color and captivating illustrations with bubble texts for subset information. A quote from the one and only:  "Love yourself first and everything falls into line." -Lucille Ball

Frida Kahlo: Little People, Big Dreams

Frida Kahlo: Little People, Big Dreams

Author/Illustrator: Isabel Sanchez Vegara/Gee Fan Eng
Genre: Biography
Awards: NA
Age Level: 5-8 years old

Summary: Frida Kahlo was a special girl born in Mexico. When she was very young, she was sick. This sickness caused her legs to be extremely thin and look different than everyone around her. One day, Frida was in a terrible accident that caused her to lay restless in her bed drawing pictures of her feet. Frida would even draw herself self-portraits using a mirror. Her artwork got better with every stroke. She went to visit a famous artist, Diego Rivera. He was very pleased with not only her pictures but her as well. Diego and Frida fell in love and began their lives together. No matter what happened, Diego still encouraged her and her paintings. Frida began showing her work in New York and Mexico. "Viva la vida..." or "live life" says Frida Kahlo. Illustrations were colorful and cartoon-like. This is an inspiring biography that teaches the reader how precious life is and how one accident can change a persons' life forever.

Flutter and Hum: Animal Poems

Flutter and Hum: Animal Poems

Author/Illustrator: Aleteo and Zumbido/Julie Paschkis
Genre: Poetry
Awards: Cybils Awards Winner (2015)
Age Level: 6-9 years old

Summary:  Flutter and Hum is a whimsical book full of animal poetry and playfulness. The book displays the poem in English and Spanish, side by side. Bringing out the beauty of nature, the reader learns poems of slithering snakes, crows, cats, parrots, fish and much more. I loved the colorful and bright illustrations. One of my personal favorites is the dog poem and illustrations. There is a perfect depiction of a happy dog wiggling, squirming, and wagging his tail full of happiness into the world. Flutter and Hum displayed thoughtful poems that give life to the animals and memorable illustrations for the reader.

Three Little Kittens

Three Little Kittens

Author/Illustrator: Paul Galdone
Genre: Traditional Literature
Awards: NA
Age Level: 3-7 years old

Summary: Three Little Kittens is a folktale about kittens in search of their missing mittens. The kittens are taught accountability and discipline when they first lose their mittens and mom says they can not have pie. The kittens quickly go hunt for the lost mittens so they can have pie. Once they get their pie, they eat it up so fast that they ruin their mittens. Mother was not happy to see they soiled their mittens. So the kittens go soak and clean their mitten in hopes to please their mother. She was so surprised and impressed with her little kittens. Illustrations in this story seem to be drawn by pencil and completed by coloring the pictures in. The bright colors of the kittens' eyes and fur really bring the pages to life!

The Color Monster: A Pop-Up Book of Feelings

The Color Monster: A Pop-Up Book of Feelings

Author/Illustrator: Anna Llenas
Genre: Modern Fantasy (Pop-Up Book)
Awards: NA
Age Level: 4-7 years old

Summary: In the story The Color Monster, there is a young girl who is faced with real life emotions. She has a friend called, the color monster, to show how she is feeling. Turning the page fresh and unique. The bright colors make this a very inviting and pleasant read. The reader learns that sometimes you might feel like the color yellow, full of laughter and happiness. Sometimes you might even feel like the color blue, or sadness. This book is great for sorting out feelings and emotions even when it gets hard to tell the difference. After all of the beautiful pop-ups, there are little monster illustrations with jars of their feelings. The book ends with one feeling left and no specific answer to what emotion the monster is feeling. This is a perfect time for students to experience prediction. My best guess would be love.

I am Jane Goodall

I am Jane Goodall 

Author/Illustrator; Brad Meltzer/Christopher Elipoulos
Genre: Biography
Awards: NA
Age Level: 5-8 years old

Summary: The story of Jane Goodall begins by her father buying her a cuddly toy chimpanzee named Jubilee. She would carry her toy chimpanzee everywhere, Jane even played pretend school and had her animals listen to her. The reader learns that Jane is a curious little girl that loved nature and animals. Her favorite story as a child was Dr. Doolittle. This is when she vowed to go and visit all the animals in Africa. It was typical for a young girl to become a teacher or nurse. For Jane, she dreamed of studying animals in Africa. Once she got on a trip to Africa, she met an anthropologist and was hired as his secretary. He informed her of the new job studying chimpanzees.  Jane had to accept and spent the next year of her life learning about the animal. At first, she had difficulty in finding them. It didn't take long for the chimpanzee's to get comfy with Jane and they became her best friends. Jan Goodall teaches us to listen to the feelings in our hearts and to take responsibility for the animals around us. I loved the illustrations in the book being so vibrant and colorful. Each of the animals were delicately colored in. The reader also see captions from the characters on a few pages to add extra information and add personality to them.

"You cannot get through a single day without having having an impact on the world around you."
 -Jane Goodall

Maya Angelou: Little People, Big Dreams

Maya Angelou: Little People, Big Dreams

Author/Illustrator: Lisbeth Kaiser/Leire Salaberria
Genre: Biography
Awards: NA
Age Level: 6-8 years old

Summary: Marguerite (Maya) was born in St. Louis in 1927. When she turned four, she and her brother left to stay at their grandparents in Stamps, Arkansas. Things were not easy for them and they were treated unfairly because of the color of their skin. Maya learned at a young age that the world we live in is cruel. She did not forget that home was hard too. Maya seemed to have lost her voice for a while when her mother's boyfriend was attacked back home. She finally found her voice again when she learned how to write and read. Maya then began her attitude that she can be anything she wants to be. She started writing about her testimony and how she didn't give up even when times got hard for her. Maya is now a famous writer, teacher, and speaker on strength and endurance. She died in 1990, and will always be remembered for the poem she read at the White House and United Nations. Maya Angelou has a powerful message for all ages to hear. Illustrations were simple and cartoon like. The characters faces were in detail showing facial hair and wrinkles. The soothing colors used in the book were a definite compliment.

Coco Chanel: Little People, Big Dreams

Coco Chanel: Little People, Big Dreams

Author/Illustrator: Isabel Sanchez Vegara/ A4na Alberto
Genre: Biography
Awards: NA
Age Level: 4-8 years old

Summary: Coco Chanel is a life story of a french girl named Gabrielle. She was an orphan who was never like the other kids. Gabrielle preferred to sew in her play time instead of playing hopscotch. This made her very different from the rest. When she grew up, she began singing and getting her nickname of, Coco. Shapes and patterns were always being contemplated in her mind. Coco made a hat for her friend, and soon started her unique line of hats in her own hat shop in Paris. She was inspired to start her own clothing line for women to wear that were comfortable. This was very unlike the corsets and sequins the women had been used too. Coco Chanel was born in 1883 and passed in 1971. She lived a life pursuing her dreams and using her "differences" to be successful. Illustrations in the book were  simple and cartoon-like. The colors were faded, but the reader never sees young Coco with a frown on her face. She is always smiling brightly with intent and hope in her eyes.

Creepy Carrots!

Creepy Carrots!

Author/Illustrator: Aaron Reynolds/Peter Brown
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Awards: Caldecott Honor
Age Level: 5-8 years old

Summary: The story of the Creepy Carrots is about a young bunny named Jasper rabbit who has a passion for carrots. Not just any kind of carrots, When Jasper felt the carrots following him around, he was in utter terror. Jasper thought, maybe it's his imagination... until they wound up on his bathroom floor. He told his mom that creepy carrots were stalking him but she thought he was just being fearful and silly. Later, he finds more creepy carrots in his bed breathing heavily. Jesper yells for his dad for help but just like his mom, he doesn't believe him. Jesper didn't feel safe anywhere because he felt the creepy carrots creeping everywhere he went. He decided to build a large wall with a mote to keep him safe from the creepy carrots. This turns out to be exactly what the creepy carrots wanted- safety from being eaten! Jasper would never eat from their patch again. Illustrations in this picture book were shades of black and white with some orange peeking through. The adorable bunny had a multiplicity of emotions; being overjoyed, nervous, and content. Carrots evoked emotions of revenge and anger, this was very clear (ha).

Old Mother Hubbard: And Her Wonderful Dog

Old Mother Hubbard: And Her Wonderful Dog

Author/Illustrator: James Marshall
Genre: Poetry
Awards: ALA Notable Children's Books (1992), New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books: (1991)
Age Level: 3-6 years old

Summary: In the poem, Old Mother Hubbard, we see that the Old Mother Hubbard is doing all she can to help her poor dog. She goes to the cupboard, the baker, the undertaker, the fishmonger, the tavern, the fruit stand, the tailor, the hatter, the barber, the cobbler, the seamstress, and the hosier all so she can please her wonderful dog. Each time she leaves, Old Mother Hubbard returns to see that her dog is already doing something else. The story ends with the dog having all the power over Old Miss Hubbard and the three little mice. The illustrations are bright and cartoon-like. There are details in the background that allow for extra reading such as "Dear Mother H, I simply cannot live without me bones. Love, your Dog." These make the read interesting and funny!

Chato and the Party Animals

Chato and the Party Animals

Author/Illustrator: Gary Soto/Susan Guevara
Genre: Multicurltural (modern fantasy)
Awards: Belpre Illustrator Award
Age Level: 5-8 years old

Summary: The story, Chato and the Party Animals, is a unique integration of Spanish and English combined. There is a glossary at the very beginning of the book that translates words such as "carnal" meaning brother, and "pachanga" meaning festive party. Chato is a kitten that has been know as "catnip-crazy" since his friends first birthday party.  He makes the most out of what he has by making a "piñata out of newspaper and empty cat food box" (Soto 4). Soon after his bother is kidnapped, all the party animals are weeping and think he is gone forever. They then realize that he was not missing and he had just bee dumpster hopping all along. The party animals jump for joy and surprise his brother, Novio boy, with a party full of water balloons and piñata's.  The two brothers sang songs and ate catfish until the sun went down and realize that having a brother was the best present of all.  The illustrations in the story were colorful and texturized. Each one of the different cats had different colors and mustaches. I loved that Chato and the Party Animals used Spanish and English in the text to represent the different cultures.

To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel

To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel

Author/Illustrator: Siena Cherson Siegel/Mark Siegel
Genre: Graphic Novel
Awards: Silent Book Honor (2007)
Age Level: 8-12

Summary: To Dance is an elegant and graceful read about a young girl following her dreams to become a dancer. The story progresses while Siena grows and develops into a beautiful and classy ballerina. The graphic novel presents one of her ballerina role model, Maya Plisetskaya and her ideal  ballet academy, Kirov in Lennigrad, Russia. Being a ballet dancer myself, I loved the illustrations of the pointe shoes and her little bandaged toes. This hit close to home for me! The book represents the young ballerina's timeline and profound love for ballet. Every one of the illustrations are unique and elegant depicting her young life's journey as a ballerina. The use of colors is pleasing to the eye shows the mobility and fluidity of the dancers.  The character's facial expression are dramatic and truly portrays their feelings.

Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom

Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom

Author/Illustrator: Shane W. Evans
Genre: Historical Fiction
Awards: Coretta Scott King Award 2012
Age Level: 6-8 years old

Summary: In the story, Underground, the author puts simplistic text to such a hard and devastating time in salves lives. This powerful children's story depicts the fear in their lives as they quietly hid from their "owners" while trying to escape "underground," or out of sight. The readers sees nuclear families holding tight together as well as others all joining in to help each other break to sunlight and to freedom. Underground gives the honest truth of slaves being captured and how tired they are of running and hiding. Illustrations were dark and covered the entire page with only a shadow of light shining until the end where they find freedom. I thought the final page was beautiful showing the family standing together as one, facing the light blue and yellow sunlight, as free as can be.

Oil Spill!

Oil Spill!

Author/Illustrator: Melvin Berger/Paul Mirocha
Genre: Nonfiction
Awards: Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children, American Bookseller Pick of the Lists
Age Level: 5-9 years old

Summary: Oil Spill begins by telling the reader the setting and time period of the Exxon Waldez. The setting being in Valdez, Alaska on March 24, 1989. Oil Spill is a nonfiction children's book that covers the topic of Exxon Valdez which was an event that spilled 11 million gallons of oil in Alaska. The reader learns about the animals and vegetation effected by the oil spill including ducks, geese, seabirds, fish, and crabs. Larger animals such as sea otters, sea lions, and killer whales were also affected by the amounts of oil they swallowed causing thousands of marine mammals to be killed. Oil Spill shares facts about the oil/water exchange and the funnel movement it takes. Readers also learn about the clean up crews and people that it takes to take all the poison out of the water. Scientists work hard to preserve the animals and are constantly learning how to prevent and clean them up better. This book had great visuals and information about oil spills and how children today can be apart of preventing the oil spills. The illustration's are bold painted images and also include maps to help the reader visualize the impacted areas.

Olivia Helps With Christmas

Olivia Helps With Christmas

Author/Illustrator: Ian Falconer
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Awards: NA
Age Level: 3-8

Summary: Being the busy little pig that Olivia is, she is hurrying to get ready for Santa to come on Christmas Eve. Olivia helps her mom hang the stockings and make the cookies for Santa to eat when he arrives. She eagerly waits and wants to wait downstairs to see Santa. Once she finally listens to her mom and goes up to bed (which seems like forever to fall asleep), she wakes up to see Santa has eaten the cookies and left presents. There is an illustration with a cute puppy going "burp" leads the reader to believe that the puppy might have had something to do with the missing cookies... Olivia uses the top of the tree to place her bright and shiny star upon. Olivia Helps With Christmas is a delightful read with simple yet delicate black and white illustrations with sudden pops of Christmas color.

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

Author/Illustrator: Mo Willems
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Awards: Caldecott Award
Age Level: 3-6

Summary: In the story, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, the pigeon sees that the bus driver goes on break. The pigeon has one goal in mind and he can't stop thinking about how he wants to drive the bus even though he was told "no." He is very pushy and persuasive and gives many reasons why he should be allowed to drive the bus before he throws a tantrum. All along, the reader is placed to make the decision between right and wrong. I loved the adorable pale and simple illustrations. Each page of the book had large fonts and minimal words for easy reading. This book is a great example for the reader to reflect on how to make good decisions and not melt down if things don't go their way.

When Sophie Gets Angry--Really, Really Angry...

When Sophie Gets Angry--Really, Really Angry...

Author/Illustrator: Molly Bang
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Awards: Caldecott Medal
Age Level: 5-10

Summary: In the story, When Sophie Gets Angry--Really, Really Angry... the reader sees how upset the main character, Sophie, gets when she is angry. We learn that everyone gets angry sometimes and that its okay to be angry if you handle yourself correctly. Sophie decides that she is going to run away from her family in attempt to cope with her anger. She finds herself stuck in a tree and in need of her families help. Once she realizes that her family will be there for her no matter what, she is reassured that it is ok to get upset she just needs to communicate with her loved ones. Illustrations in this story seem to be painted by brush with bold colors. Colors such as red and orange are used throughout for the reader to read and feel the frustration in text and images of little Sophie.

Amazing Dolphins!

Amazing Dolphins!

Author/Illustrator: Sarah L. Thomson/Wildlife Conservation Society
Genre: Nonfiction
Awards: NA
Age Level: 7-10

Summary: This book informs the reader about dolphins and their way of life. Similar to humans, we learn that dolphins communicate through vibrations, sounds, and echoes. Dolphins also enjoy touching each other with their fins just like humans hold hands. If a dolphin needs protection, they lean on their "family" or group of dolphins to help for assistance. Also brought to attention by the author, is how humans can help keep dolphins safe and protected. Amazing Dolphins is a great read for students ages 7-10 years old who are becoming more engaged in their reading as well as advancing in sentence/language structure.
Images fill up the whole page with bright and vibrant pictures. The dolphin and its surroundings are depicted in fine detail.

Earnest and Celestine's Picnic

Earnest and Celestine's Picnic

Author/Illustrator: Gabrielle Vincent
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Awards: NA
Age Level: 6-9 years old

Summary: The story begins with Celeste getting ready to go on a picnic with hear father, Earnest. The reader can conclude from the images on the first two pages that Celeste is happy and joyous about joining her father on this picnic. When she gets downstairs and ready to leave, she finds out that it's starting to rain. The two mice use umbrellas and rain coats to stay out of the rain and set up a picnic under a tent they build together. Everything is going great until they discover they are on private property and they owner wanted them to leave. Earnest kindly invited him into their tent for tea and the property owner decided to take him up on the offer. The three mice get along so well that Celeste and Earnest are invited to the property owner's house for tea next week. Celeste can hardly wait for that day to come.
Illustrations and colors were kept simple. Although, facial expression for the mice were very easily observed and detailed throughout the story.

Piggies

Piggies

Author/Illustrator: Audrey Wood/ Don Wood
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Awards: ALA Notable Children's Book Award, Golden Kite Award, and Caldecott Honor Book
Age Level: 3+ years old

Summary: The story Piggies is a children's fantasy where tiny pigs come to life on the child's hands. Each plump little piggy is unique and has different outfits such as a book scholar, ballerina, magician and basketball star. This fun read incorporates fully colored pages and vibrantly color piggies. The illustrator depicts the little piggies as having personalities, wit, and costumes similar to a human being.  By the end of the book, the silly little piggies have jumped around and down to their toes. Finally, the little piggies are tired and the child is ready for bedtime.

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Author/Illustrator: Eileen Christelow
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Awards: Gold Best Book Award
Age Level: 3+ years old

Summary: Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed takes place at night time when their mama tells them to brush their teeth and go to bed. When mama closes the door, they all begin to jump on the bed. Before long, one little monkey fell off and bumped his head. mama called the doctor to tell him what happened and the doctor said that he's fine just no more jumping on the bed. This seems to be a simple command for these little monkeys, so mama reminds them to not jump on the bed and go to sleep. One by one the little monkeys fall off their bed and bump their heads. Mama called the doctor for the final monkey and the doctor said, "NO MORE MONKEYS JUMPING ON THE BED!" Now, all five monkeys have bandages and ice packs wrapped around their head. Mama puts them to sleep at last, closes her door, and starts jumping on her own bed. This story taught the little monkeys a lesson to listen and respect authority or they will get hurt.
Illustrations were sketched with colored pencils or crayon shading in the pictures. Each monkey was unique and fun to observe.

The Reason for a Flower: World of Nature

The Reason for a Flower: World of Nature

Author/Illustrator: Ruth Heller

Genre: Nonfiction

Awards: NA

Age Level: 6-11

Summary: This nonfiction children's book is a rhythmical way for students to learn about plants, plant parts, and animals. Each one of the pages were vibrant and colorful. Readers were introduced to many types of new flowers with  beautiful matching illustrations. Some pages encompassed the flowers community; such as including lily pads and frogs. This enchanting story also illustrated animals and vocabulary words such as "HER-BIV-O-ROUS"  and "CAR-NIV-O-ROUS." The Reason for a Flower leaves the reader well informed, entertained, and eager to learn more.

Rocks and Minerals

Rocks and Minerals

Author/Illustrator: Edward R. Ricciuti
Genre: Nonfiction
Awards: NA
Age level: 7-8 years old

Summary: Rocks and Minerals is a nonfiction book that is full of interesting facts information. The reader will learn about real-life minerals such as crystal and gold that can be worked into different shapes for necklaces, rings and other jewelry. The pictures in the book are real photographs taken from unique rock formations such as Utah's Grand Staircase, and learn the effects of wind and water on the rock. Throughout the book there are bolded words for vocabulary/glossary purposes and facts from about 150 million years ago. I also liked that the b ook sounded out words for the younger readers such as, organisms (or-guh-niz-uhms). This made Rocks and Minerals very age appropriate and engaging .

Angie in the Closet

Angie in the Closet

Author/Illustrator: Richard Hefter
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Awards: NA
Age Level: 5-8 years old

Summary: Christopher was a young boy who heard noises from his closet door every time his parents left the room. One time, he decided to be brave and look inside. When he opened the door, Christopher see a very large talking walrus calling himself the "Ringmaster of the Famous Traveling Closet Circus." He told Christopher that they only perform in children's closets.  The ringmaster sits the boy down and begins to show him the parade of tricks they have at the Closet Circus. Christopher saw high wire kangaroos, juggling alligators, and  acrobat elephants. Christopher was amazed and amused! He had never seen a hippopotamus clown or trapeze turtle before. Then the walrus started to cry. He told Christopher that no one can see the lion because he's sick. Christopher decides that he is strong enough to be the lion tamer and see whats wrong with their friend the lion. The Closet Ciscurs gives Christopher a medal for the "Bravest Lion Tamer in the Closet." Soon after Christopher has to leave the closet and return to his bed before morning and never saw the Famous Traveling Closet Circus again.
I loved the colorful illustrations int this children's book. Each page was vibrant and appealing to the eye with bright cartoon animals.

Owen

Owen

Author/Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Genres: Modern Fantasy
Awards: Caldecott Honor Book
Age Level: 5-8 years old

Summary: This story of a talking mouse named Owen begins with an introduction to his fuzzy yellow blanket he kept with him since he was a baby. Own brings Fuzzy, his yellow blanket, everywhere that he goes and even likes everything that he likes. Mrs. Tweezers even suggests to Owen that he might be getting to old to carry Fuzzy around but he refused to listen. That night, his parents tell him that the Blanket Fairy will come for Fuzzy and leave him with an even better gift. Owen does not like that idea so he tries to hide Fuzzy (in his pants) so that the Blanket Fairy wont take it away. The next morning were not very happy to see Fuzzy. So Owen continued on his way to eat with Fuzzy,  carry fuzzy, wore Fuzzy, and play with Fuzzy.  Owen's parents try to take Fuzzy away again and he begins to cry. His mother takes it away and says she has a perfect idea. Owen's mom sews his yellow blanket into little handkerchiefs that he can carry with him. Now Mrs. Tweezers is pleased and Owen learned to compromise.
Illustrations in this story were bright and colorful. Each page was a brand new image and setting that kept the reader excited to turn the page.

Rosa

Rosa

Author/Illustrator: Nikki Giovanni/Bryan Collier
Genre: Historial Fiction
Awards: Caldecott Honor Award (2006), NAACP Image Award (2000), Congressional Gold Medal (1999), Presidential Medal of Freedom (1996)
Age Level: 9-12

Summary: This powerful book, Rosa, is a powerful tribute to the strong and courageous Rosa Parks. After 50 years, the story is still being retold about a coloured women that refused to be sent to the back of the bus. Rosa was a woman tired of coloured drinking fountains, balconies, and entrances. She decided to be the one who stood up for her human rights. "The Integrity, the dignity, the quiet strength of Rosa Parks turned her no into a YES for change" (Giovanni 10).
The illustrations in this look like cut-outs pasted on top of each other. Some of the unique pictures are modified to open at the center of the page to have a fuller layout. This intensifies the illustrations and creates larger concrete images.