Session 13: Literature for a Diverse Society

Grade level this book was selected for: Kindergarten

APA Citation: Torrey, R. (2015). Ally-saurus & the first day of school. New York, NY: Sterling Children's Books.

Description: "You can call her Ally-SAURUS! When Ally roars off to her first day at school, she hopes she'll meet lots of other dinosaur-mad kids in class. Instead, she's the only one chomping her food with fierce dino teeth and drawing dinosaurs on her nameplate. Even worse, a group of would-be "princesses" snubs her! Will Ally ever make new friends? With its humorous art, appealing heroine, and surprise ending, this fun picture book celebrates children's boundless imagination." Retrieved from Amazon.com on December 6, 2017: https://www.amazon.com/Ally-saurus-First-School-Richard-Torrey/dp/1454911794/

This book is appropriate for: Ages 0-8; Pre-Kindergarten-Second grade

Justification: I would read this book as part of a story time presentation and then have kiddos name the author/illustrator and define the role of each in telling the story that demonstrates CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.6 With prompting and support, name the author and illustrator of a story and define the role of each in telling the story. (English Language Arts Standards >> Reading: Literature, Retrieved from Common Core State Standard Initiatives on December 6, 2017: http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RL/K/6/ (links to an external site.) Links to an external site.

Keywords: School🏫Friends👫Individuality🌈Imagination

Scholarly Review: "It's the first day of school, and Ally—or Ally-saurus as she likes to be called—wonders if there will be "other dinosaurs" in her grade? She is one of many spirited children in her class, and while Ally is obsessed with dinosaurs, each child has his or her own passion. During recess, Ally is faced with dragons, pirates, astronauts, lions, and, of course, know-it-all princesses. In the end, the school librarian is credited with expanding Ally's imagination. Torrey has captured the concerns that come with the first day of school. Beautiful black-and-white drawings highlight each child's imagination with color. Imparting the lesson that everyone has their own personality and can still be themselves and make friends, this story is worth the read. However, it may be a little long for the intended audience. VERDICT This book can easily be used in classrooms in September to relieve the anxiety that children might feel at the beginning of the school year." —Betsy Davison

Citation: Davison, B. (2015, August). Torrey, Richard. Ally-saurus & the first day of school. School Library Journal, 61(8), 61. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/2015/08/collection-development/its-back-to-school-stories-to-share/.

Session 12: Informational Books

Grade level this book was selected for: Kindergarten

APA Citation: Sayre, A.P. (2015). Raindrops Roll. New York, NY: Beach Lane Books.

Description: "Discover the wonder of water in this refreshingly fun and fascinating exploration of rain, raindrops, and the water cycle from the creator of Rah, Rah, Radishes! and Go, Go Grapes!


Raindrops drop. They plop. They patter. They spatter. And in the process, they make the whole world feel fresh and new and clean.

In this gorgeously photo-illustrated nonfiction picture book, celebrated author April Pulley Sayre sheds new light on the wonders of rain, from the beauty of a raindrop balanced on a leaf to the amazing, never-ending water cycle that keeps our planet in perfect ecological balance." Retrieved from Amazon.com on December 6, 2017: https://www.amazon.com/Raindrops-Roll-April-Pulley-Sayre/dp/148142064X (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.



This book is appropriate for: Ages 0-8: Kindergarten-Second grade



Justification: I would read this book as part of a story time presentation and then have students engage in a question and answer activity about water and specifically rain that demonstrates CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.1 With promting and support, asl and answer questions about key details in a text. (English Language Arts Standards >> Reading: Literature, Retrieved from Common Core Stadard Initiatives on December 6, 2017: http:// www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RL/K/1/ (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.



Keywords: Hydrologic cycle🌧Nonfiction🌧Water🌧Photographic



Scholarly Review: This first-rate book highlights the beauty and wonder of rain—a seemingly commonplace occurrence—and shows its effects upon the rest of the natural world. In general but lyrical terms, the work explains what raindrops do ("Raindrops settle. They slip. They dot."). The text is accompanied by scenes from a forest rainforest (drops clinging to flowers or spider webs, insects and birds dealing with the downpour). Sayre has created a poetic atmosphere, using rhyming words ("Raindrop spangles/mark angles."), and her vibrant, close-up photographs, which effectively complement the narrative and will engage children and adults alike. The last two spread, titled "A Splash of Science," offer information on the three forms of water (ice, liquid water, and water vapor) and their characteristics. This attractive work is also ideal for read-alouds and an easy entry for students delving into nonfiction reading, especially in poetry or science units. This excellent title will transform how readers think about rain.—Tracey Wong, P.S. 54/Fordham Bedford Academy, Bronx, NY --Tracey Wong (Reviewed November 1, 2014) (School Library Journal, vol 60, issue 11, p131)
Citation: Wong, T. (2014, November). Sayre, April Pulley. Raindrops Roll. School Library Journal, 60(11), 131. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/2014/11/reviews/multimedia/november-starred-reviews/#_

Session 11: Historical Fiction & Biographical Fiction

Grade level this book was selected for: Kindergarten

APA Citation: Cullen, L. (2015.) Dear Mr. Washington. New York, NY: Dial Books.

Description: In April 1796, young Charlotte Stuart writes a series of letters to George Washington, whose portrait is being painted by her father, reporting on her efforts and those of her brothers to follow the rules of good behavior in the book Mr. Washington gave them. Includes historical notes. (From the books title page.)




This book is appropriate for: Ages 0-8; Kindergarten-Fourth grade




Justification: I would read this book as part of a story time presentation. I would have listeners identify characters, settings, and major events in the story demonstrating CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.3 With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story. (English Language Arts Standards >> Reading: Literature, Retrieved from Common Core State Standard Initiatives on November 3, 2017: http://www.commoncorestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RL/K/3/ (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.



Keywords: Letters📜History📜Siblings📜Etiquette



Scholarly Review: Gilbert Stuart, George Washington's portraitist, had 12 children and fretted about his famous subject's unsmiling mien. These details inspire Cullen's story of three rambunctious siblings: Charlotte, James and Baby John Stuart.Charlotte, a budding artist herself, writes three letters to "Mr . Washington " in April 1796. Her polite, guileless accounts belie the household mayhem that Carpenter's lively ink-and-wash illustrations depict. Charlotte's first missive thanks Washington for sending an etiquette book; she pledges to copy it out, just as Washington had done as a boy. Indeed, Cullen adapts the historical book Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation for the 10 proscriptions that Charlotte lists out. Covering both the usual (eating) and the quaint (the polite way to dispatch fleas, lice and ticks on oneself and others), the rules are comically illustrated as paintings on canvas, presumably done by Charlotte herself. She confides, "In no time I am sure James and I will have learned all these Rules. I hope so, for Mother says until then we get no Pudding after dinner." Subsequent letters recount both good behavior (which induces sleep in both the children and Washington , scuttling one sitting) and chaos, with an overturned punch bowl engendering a cascade of events culminating in a smile from George and the completion of Stuart's portrait. This collaboration's clever epistolary narrative and playful pictures present a fresh, remarkably humanizing view of our first president. 

Citation: Kirkus Reviews. (2014). [Review of Dear Mr. Washington by L.Cullen]. Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/lynn-cullen/dear-mr-washington/ (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.

Session 10: Realistic Fiction

Grade Level this book was selected for: Kindergarten

APA Citation: Reynolds, P. (2004). Ish. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Description: Ramon loses confidence in his ability to draw, but his sister gives him a new perspective on things. (From the title page of the book.)



This book is appropriate for: Ages 0-8; Kindergarten-Third grade

Justification: I would read this book as part of a story time presentation and have students ask and answer questions about unknown words in the text demonstrating CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.4 Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text. (english Language Arts Standards >> Reading: Literature, Retrieved from Common Core State Standard Initiatives on November 3, 2017: http://www.commoncorestandards.org/ELA-Literacy.RL.K.4/ (Links to an external site.) Links to an eternal site.



Keywords: Artist🖌Acceptance🖌Tolerance🖌Identity

Scholarly Review: Reynolds follows The Dot (Candlewick, 2003) with this companion story about creativity and the artistic process. Ramon loves to draw: "Anytime. Anything. Anywhere." When his older brother laughs at one of his pictures and points out that it does not look like a real vase of flowers, a dejected Ramon crumples up all of his efforts. However, he soon learns that his younger sister has hung the discarded papers on her bedroom walls. When he declares that the picture of the vase doesn't look like the real thing, she says that it looks "vase-ISH ." The child then begins to produce paintings that look "tree-ish ," "afternoon-ish ," and "silly-ish ." His "ish art" inspires him to look at all creative endeavors differently. The watercolor, ink, and tea illustrations have a childlike charm. Set against white backgrounds, the quirky line drawings and restrained use of color combine to create an attractive, unique picture book. The small size lends itself to one-on-one sharing and thoughtful examination. Ish , like Leo Lionni's Frederick (Knopf, 1967), encourages readers to see the world anew.–Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI --Shawn Brommer
Citation: Brommer, S. (2005, January). Reynolds, Jason. ish. School Library Journal, 51(1), 97. Retrieved from: http://web.a.ebscohost.com/novp/detail?vid=14&sid=41817584-37ef-43c9-b7bd-4171b13dc85b%40sessionmgr4006&bdata=JnNpdGU9bm92cC1saXZl#UI=130375&db=neh(Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.

Session 9: Fantasy & Mystery

Grade level this book was selected for: Kindergarten

APA Citation: Dudley, R. (2013). Hank finds an egg. White Plains, NY: Peter Pauper Press.

Description: While walking through the forest, Hank finds an egg—all alone—on the forest ground. After spotting its home high up in a tree, he diligently tries to find a way to return it to its nest. First, he finds a tree stump—but it's too short. Next, he builds a ladder, but it's not tall enough. Dusk begins to fall, and he takes the egg home for safekeeping overnight. The next day—determined not to give up—Hank uses his ingenuity to come up with the perfect solution to see the egg safely reach home, and is joyfully rewarded with newfound forest friends! Hank's endearing and genuine kindness will inspire readers—young and old alike—to believe in themselves and in the goodness of others. (From the publisher.)

This book is appropriate for: Ages 0-8; Kindergarten-Second grade

Justification: Demonstrating CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.7 With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear will be an excellent exercise with the photographed, hand-created scenes in this book. This wordless book would be great used to teach kiddos how to write dialogue or how to understand how stories are written by adding text to the pictures. Can also be used as a lesson in illustrations, the different ways in which artists tell stories. (English Language Arts Standards >> Reading: Literature, Retrieved from Common Core State Standard Initiatives on November 3, 2017: http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RL/K/7/ (links to an external site.) Links to an external site.

Keywords: Egg 🥚Kindness 😊Bear 🐻Wordless

Scholarly Review: This original picture book features a fresh look, an endearing main character, and a wordless story that speaks clearly to young children. Hank , a little animal, finds an egg on the forest floor and tries to return it to the nest overhead. He rolls a log to the tree and steps onto it, but he can’t reach the nest. He makes a ladder and climbs up, but the nest is still too high. After sleeping with the egg that night, Hank returns to the tree and sees a hummingbird. Carefully wrapping the egg in moss tied with ribbon, he offers it to the bird, who carries it to her nest. Hank keeps watch nearby until three little hummingbirds hatch and fly to him. Dudley creates and photographs wonderfully detailed, meticulously crafted dioramas. Changing character poses, settings, camera angles, focal points, and lighting contribute to the illustrations’ unusually strong sense of reality. This unassuming story holds great appeal for young children, who frequently find themselves too small to accomplish what they set out to do. Hank prevails through his creativity, his persistence, and his ability to work with another to solve a problem. A quietly magical little book to share, one on one, with a small child. -- Phelan, Carolyn 

Citation: Phelan, C. (2013, May). Dudley, Rebecca. Hank Finds an Egg. School Library Journal, 109(17), 78. Retrieved from: https://www.booklistonline.com/Hank-Finds-an-Egg-Rebecca-Dudley/pid=6034538

Session 8: Traditional Literature

Grade level this book was selected for: Kindergarten.

APA Citation: Palatini, M. (2009). Lousy rotten stinkin' grapes. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.

Description: Retells the fable of a frustrated fox that, after many tries to reach a high bunch of grapes, decides they must be sour anyway. (From the book's title page.)

This book is appropriate for: Ages 0-8; Pre-Kindergarten-Third grade

Justification:Since this book is a laugh inducing retelling of a well known fable, and I would use it during story time to compare to the original tale that demonstrates CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.2 With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details.  The illustrations are beautiful and attention grabbing. The humor will keep kiddos entertained. Works as an excellent conversation starter about cooperation and problem solving. (English Language Arts Standards >> Reading: Literature, Retrieved from Common Core State Standard Initiatives on November 3, 2017: http: //www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RL/K/2/

Keywords: Cooperation🍇Problem solving🍇Arrogance🍇Animals

Scholarly Review: Palatini and Moser have taken a spare Aesop fable and expanded it into a riotous treat for eyes and ears while still keeping the essence of the original. Fox eyes the grapes hanging from a vine high in a tree and thinks that he can get them easily: “I am sly. Clever. Smart. After all, I am a fox.” So, armed with paper and pencil, he draws his Plan Alpha and tries it out–no grapes . He asks Bear to help him out with Plan Bravo and Bear starts to say something, but Fox interrupts: “Bear, Bear, Bear. …Your job is brawn. Not brain. You leave the thinking to me.” “If you say so,” says Bear. After the third, fourth, and fifth plans fail, involving Beaver, Porcupine, and Possum, Fox gives up and departs in disgust with the usual rationale: “lousy , rotten , stinkin ’ grapes .” “If you say so,” say the other animals as they feast on the fruit thrown down to them by Possum. Moser’s wonderful watercolor illustrations of the doubting animals executing Fox’s convoluted plans are rich in humor. They are silhouetted against plenty of white space, with the grapevines and tree dominating each large spread. Matched by a text that rolls off the tongue and is full of action and repetitive phrases, the book is a delight.–Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA --Judith Constantinides.

Citation: Constantinides, J. (2009, July). Palatini, Margie. Lousy Rotten Stinkin' Grapes. School Library Journal, 55(7), 73. Retrieved from: 

http://web.b.ebscohost.com/novp/detail?vid=3&sid=4477d4ab-3032-4f2e-8c3f-1330b2968b1c%40sessionmgr104&bdata=JnNpdGU9bm92cC1saXZl#UI=327013&db=neh

(Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.

Session 7: Poetry: Beyond the Ordinary

Grade level this book was selected for: Kindergarten

APA Citation: Hillenbrand, W. (2011). Mother Goose Picture Puzzles. Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish

Description: It's fun to see a picture and figure out the word it stands for. Some people call this kind of picture puzzle a rebus. Children will have fun guessing some of the words in twenty Mother Goose rhymes. It's not hard! There are clues on every page in Will Hillenbrand's sparkling, imaginative art. (From the book cover.)

This book is appropriate for: Ages 0-8; Pre-Kindergarten-First grade

Justification: As part of a story time this book would be a great example to use when discussing different types of texts that demonstrates CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.5 Recognize common types of texts (e.g., storybooks, poems). (English Language Arts Standards >> Reading: Literature, Retrieved from Common Core State Standard Initiatives on October 21, 2017: http://www.corestandards.org/ela-literacy/rl/k/5/ (links to an external site.) Links to an external site.

Keywords: Rhyme🥚Rebus🥚Classics🥚Clues

Scholarly Review: Perfect for sharing in storytimes or classrooms, this oversize picture book presents 20 rhymes in a rebus format. Each one is accompanied by a mixed-media illustration that contains larger, labeled versions of the characters or objects that appear in the rebus pictures. Some of the lesser-known objects have a brief explanation; for example, "crown" is defined as "another word for top of head." Most of the rhymes are well known, though a few may be new to children ("The Black Hen," "The Little Bird"). Hillenbrand's colorful artwork is bold and inviting, and his characters, engaging and expressive. The pictures lead the way through the book , giving readers a clue about what's to come. On the opening spread, the cat and the fiddle tag along as Mother Goose rides her gander, then the cat takes center stage in "Hey, Diddle, Diddle" on the next page, while Jack and Jill run to a well in the background. The clues continue throughout, supporting beginning readers and adding yet another guessing-game element to participative reading.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD --Kathleen Kelly MacMillan

Citation: MacMillan, K. (2011, April). Hillenbrand, Will. Mother Goose Picture Puzzles. School Library Journal, 57(4), 161. Retrieved from: http://www.slj.com/search-results/?q=Mother%20Goose%20Picture%20Puzzles&postTypes=post%2Cpage

(Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.

Session 6: Tell Me a (Picture) Story

Grade level this book has been selected for: Kindergarten

APA Citation: Sarcone-Roach, J. (2015). The Bear Ate Your Sandwich. New York, NY: Random House

Book Description: When a sandwich goes missing, it seems a bear is the likely culprit.

 (From the books title page.)

Book is appropriate for: Ages 0-8; Pre-Kindergarten-Second grade

Justification: The Bear Ate Your Sandwich a great introduction to unreliable narrators and story telling in general. I would use this book in a story time that revolved around these topics that demonstrates CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.10 Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding. (English Language Arts Standards >> Reading: Literature, Retrieved from Common Core State Standard Initiatives on October 11, 2017: http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RL/K/10/ (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. 

Keywords: Funny🐻Adventure🐻Colorful Illustrations🐻Unreliable Narrator

Scholarly Review: "It all started with the bear ," begins this story of what happened to a sandwich . Bear wakes up to the delectable aroma of freshly picked berries. He sniffs out a red truck, the back of which is filled with boxes of perfectly harvested berries. After having a berry party, Bear falls asleep. The truck drives him to a new forest—the city. When Bear begins to explore, he sees things in the city framed by his own experiences: a telephone pole becomes a tree, and bricks on the side of a building make great bark for scratching. In a park, he finds a lunchbox with a delicious sandwich , which he eats ravenously. When he climbs a tree, he can see his forest home in the distance and desperately wants to return. Somehow, he finds a boat, which carries him to the familiar sights and sounds of home. "So that's what happened to [the ] sandwich ." This is a fun story that children will enjoy, though they'll need to suspend logic a bit. The illustrations in this book are terrific: color-drenched and bold slashes that cover the pages. The funny Bear is sympathetic and is only doing what bears do—eating and sleeping. And making us laugh. This book is a fine addition to any collection.—Mary Hazelton, formerly at Warren & Waldoboro Elementary Schools, ME --Mary Hazelton

Citation: Hazelton, M. (2014, December). Sarcone-Roach, Julia. The Bear Ate Your Sandwhich. School Library Journal, 60(12), 111. 

Session 5: The History of Children's Literature

Grade Level this book has been selected for: Kindergarten

APA Citation: Cannon, J. (1993). Stellaluna. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Books

Description: Separated from her mother before she is old enough to fly, Stellaluna finds out that not all winged creatures eat fruit. But swallowing food that crawls is just one of the many amazing things this little fruit bat must learn to do. Not all are lessons in survival, however. For as Stellaluna adapts to the habits of her new family, she learns the essence of friendship in humorous and touching ways. 

(From the book cover.)

This book is appropriate for: Ages 0-8; Kindergarten-Third grade

Justification: Because Stellaluna is an award winning picture book that makes an excellent introduction to bats, I would read this book as part of a story time presentation. I would then have students ask and answer questions about bats, their diets, their habitats, and habits that demonstrates CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.1 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text. (English Language Arts Standards >> Reading Literature, Retrieved from Common Core State Standard Initiatives on October 5, 2017: http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RL/K/1/ (links to an external site.) Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)

Keywords: Bats 🦇Friendship 🦇Adversity🦇Family

Review:Attacked by an owl, Stellaluna (a fruit bat) is separated from her mother and taken in by a bird and her nestlings. Dutifully, she tries to accommodate--she eats insects, hangs head up, and sleeps at night, as Mama Bird says she must--but once Stellaluna learns to fly, it's a huge relief when her own mother finds her and explains that the behavior that comes naturally is appropriate to her species. With a warm, nicely honed narration, Cannon strikes just the right balance between accurate portrayal of the bats and the fantasy that dramatizes their characteristics. Her illustrations, in luminous acrylics and color pencils, are exquisite. The appealingly furry, wide-eyed, fawn-colored bats have both scientific precision and real character; they're displayed against intense skies or the soft browns and greens of the woodland in spare, beautifully constructed (occasionally even humorous) compositions. Delightful and informative but never didactic: a splendid debut. 

Citation: Kirkus Reviews. (1993). [Review of the book Stellaluna, by J.Cannon]. Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved October 5, 2017, from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/janell-cannon/stellaluna/ (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.

Awards: 

Buckaroo Book Award (Wyoming)

E.B. White Read-Aloud Awards: Middle Reader

Keystone to Reading Book Award (Pennsylvania): Intermediate category

South Carolina Book Awards: Children's Books 
Retrieved from Novelist Plus on October 5, 2017: http://web.b.ebscohost.com/novp/detail?vid=2&sid=cfea35d6-e96c-4ac8-b4b1-29b9333c394f%40pdc-v-sessmgr01&bdata=JnNpdGU9bm92cC1saXZl#db=neh&UI=108086 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Great Read-aloud Picture Book for Kindergarten

Shannon, David. (1998). A bad case of stripes. New York: Blue Sky Press.

Camilla Cream loves lima beans, but she never eats them. Why? Because the other kids in her school don't like them. And Camilla Cream is very, very worried about what other people think of her. In fact, she's so worried that she's about to break out in...a bad case of stripes! (From the back cover of the book.)

Ages 0-8; Kindergarten-Second grade

A Bad Case of Stripes is a great read aloud for story time. This books bright and exciting illustrations are sure to keep the kiddos attention and the text will fuel great discussion. This story is about being true to yourself, about what makes us all unique and about feelings. A bad case of stripes could also be used to discuss illness, eating well, etc. In older groups things like character traits, sequencing, and cause and effect would make good topics.

FEELINGS🌈BEING YOURSELF🌈FRIENDS🌈UNIQUE

KIRKUS REVIEW

Camilla Cream wants to fit in, so she conforms, denying herself the things she craves--lima beans, for example--if the other kids frown upon them. She wakes up one morning covered head to toe with party-colored stripes--not the state of affairs aspired to by a conventionalist, but it's only the beginning of her troubles. Her schoolmates call out designs and Camilla's skin reacts: polka dots, the American flag--``poor Camilla was changing faster than you could change channels on a T.V.'' Specialists are called in, as are experts, healers, herbalists, and gurus. An environmental therapist suggests she ``breathe deeply, and become one with your room.'' Camilla melts into the wall. It takes a little old lady with a handful of lima beans to set Camilla to rights. Shannon's story is a good poke in the eye of conformity--imaginative, vibrant, and at times good and spooky--and his emphatic, vivid artwork keeps perfect pace with the tale.

A Bad Case of Stripes [review of the book A Bad Case of Stripes]. (1997, December 15th). Kirkus review. Retrieved from: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/david-shannon/a-bad-case-of-stripes/ (Links to an external site.)

Award Winner: 

Beehive Awards (Utah): Children's Picture Books 

Black-Eyed Susan Book Awards (Maryland): Picture Book 

Blue Hen Book Award (Delaware): Younger Readers 

Golden Archer Awards (Wisconsin): Primary 

North Carolina Children's Book Award: Picture Books 

Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Awards: Grades K-3 

Treasure State Award (Montana) 

Sources:

Novelist Plus: Retrieved on September 28th, 2017:

http://web.b.ebscohost.com/novp/detail?vid=2&sid=2ce6e351-741b-4980-b001-b2c87c3cbc3a%40sessionmgr103&bdata=JnNpdGU9bm92cC1saXZl#UI=105184&db=neh (Links to an external site.)

Image retrieved from Goodreads on September 28th, 2017:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1137392.A_Bad_Case_Of_Stripes

(Links to an external site.)

Inspiring a love for books:Kindergarten edition

Dyckman, Ame. (2015). Wolfie the bunny. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

When her parents find a baby wolf on their doorstep and decide to raise him as their own, Dot is certain he will eat them all up until a surprising encounter with a bear brings them closer together. (From the title page of the book.)

Ages 0-8; Pre-Kindergarten - First grade

There are so many great ideas to ponder in Wolfie the bunny. As a read aloud for toddler story time, it makes a great starting point for discussion regarding taking care of family, sibling rivalry/jealousy, and (my favorite) respecting people as individuals and negating stereotypes. Although this concept may be too mature or involved for Kindergartners. There is also a loose connection to the fable The Three Little Pigs.

FAMILIES🐺COURAGE🐺SIBLINGS🐺ADOPTION

Booklist Review:

Preschool-Kindergarten When the Bunny family find an adorable baby wolf on their doorstep, Mama and Papa are thrilled. Voice-of-reason Dot says, “He’s going to eat us all up!” And she keeps saying it as Wolfie gets bigger. And bigger! When he eats all the carrots, his parents send him (dressed in a large pink bunny suit) and Dot down to the store, and for a moment, it looks as if her prediction is about to come true—at least where she is concerned. But it’s not Dot Wolfie is staring at. It’s Bear, who, as it turns out, is very hungry and ready to eat Wolfie , pink suit and all. Dot to the rescue! She gets the drop on Bear, who hightails it out of there. Then—oh my goodness!—Wolfie pounces on Dot. Was she right after all? Nope, it’s only to give her a hug. This gets all the elements of the successful picture book just right: a familiar scenario (sibling rivalry), a scary adversary, a display of courage, and a happy ending. And then there’s the art! OHora’s unique acrylic illustrations have the look and feel of woodcuts. Big and bold, with strong yet simple shapes, the pictures are also intimate enough to capture Wolfie ’s goofy smile when he gets his pink bunny outfit, and the frightened but fierce expression on Dot’s face. A crowd-pleaser for crowds big and small.

Cooper, Ilene (02-01-2015). Booklist, vol 111, number 11, p57

Sources:

Novelist Plus: Retrieved on September 22nd, 2017: http://web.b.ebscohost.com/novp/detail?vid=2&sid=22166629-d61b-465b-9c32-97d94bb3f12a%40sessionmgr103&bdata=JnNpdGU9bm92cC1saXZl#UI=10396533&db=neh

(Links to an external site.)

Award-winning picture book for Kindergarten

Higgins, Ryan T. (2015). Mother Bruce. New York: Disney - Hyperion.

Bruce is a grumpy bear who likes no one and nothing but cooked eggs, but when some eggs he was planning to boil hatch and the goslings believe he is their mother, he must try to make the best of the situation. (from the title page of the book.)

Ages 0-8; Pre-Kindergarten – Kindergarten

Being an award winner for read-aloud picture books, makes Mother Bruce an excellent pick for toddler story time. Mother Bruce has the potential to fuel so many themed topics and projects. For example, the book makes an excellent jumping off point for research and discussion into hibernation, migration, and how to fly. The book also does a great job of comparing likes and dislikes. In addition, Mother Bruce makes a great example of atypical families.

FUNNY🐻FAMILY🥚GRUMPY🐻ANIMALS

KIRKUS REVIEW:

A crotchety bear unwillingly raises four goslings.

Bruce is a stocky, black-and–dark-indigo bear with a scowling unibrow. He dislikes sunny days, rainy days, and cute little animals. He likes one thing: eggs, cooked into gourmet recipes that he finds on the Internet. He “collects” eggs from Mrs. Sparrow or Mrs. Goose—asking, hilariously, whether they’re “free-range organic”—but the pictures reveal the truth: he’s clearly stealing them. As Bruce brings home some goose eggs that unexpectedly hatch and imprint on him—“Bruce became the victim of mistaken identity”—wry text and marvelously detailed pictures juxtapose uproariously. Setting out to “get the ingredients” means wheeling a shopping cart into a river; “for some reason” he loses his appetite placing a pat of butter atop a live gosling’s head on his plate. Grumblingly, Bruce rears them from “annoying baby geese” through “stubborn teenage geese” (wearing headphones, naturally) into “boring adult geese.” Still they won’t leave him. Rather than migrating (by wing or by the giant slingshot Bruce builds for the purpose), they don winter hats and coats. Befitting Bruce’s personality, there’s no sappy change of heart, but this family is forever. Higgins’ softly fascinating textures, deft lines, savvy use of scale, and luminous landscapes (which evoke traditional romantic landscape painting, atmospheric in air and light) make for gorgeous art.

Visually beautiful, clever, edgy, and very funny.

Mother Bruce [Review of the book Mother Bruce]. (2015, September 15). Kirkus Review. Retrieved from: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ryan-t-higgins/mother-bruce/ (Links to an external site.)

Award Winner: E.B. White Read-Aloud Awards: Picture Book

Sources:

Novelist Plus: Retrieved on September 16^th,2017: http://web.b.ebscohost.com/novp/detail?vid=2&sid=de540ae4-2f60-4fdb-adba-9f617aec8a37%40sessionmgr104&bdata=JnNpdGU9bm92cC1saXZl#db=neh&UI=10455908 (Links to an external site.)

Goodreads: Retrieved on September 16^th, 2017: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25745002-mother-bruce?ac=1&from_search=true (Links to an external site.)