Fantasy

Make Way For Ducklings

By: Robert McCloskey

Fantasy

Illustrated by: Non-Applicable

This is a very magical story about two ducks that are searching for the perfect home. They take a quick pit stop and decide to rest in the Public Garden. Here they realize there is a lot of people who will feed them when they swim near the boats on the water. They leave this area for a safer place to raise hatchlings and choose a small island in Charles River. The babies are born here and the father leaves to go to the Public Garden and wait for the hatchlings to come. Once they are big enough, they begin their journey through the town. The police officer in the park notices that they are trying to cross the road and stops the traffic. Another squadron of four police officers stop the traffic at Beacon Street. They allowed the Ducklings to cross into the Public Garden, where they live and follow the boats around for food. Overall, this is a very nice spring story about ducklings and a good book to use in the appropriate classroom. The illustrations are a bit dated though.

Queen of The Falls

By: Chris Van Allsburg

Fantasy

Illustrated by: Chris Van Allsburg

            The Queen of the falls is a story about an older woman (sixty-two) named Annie Edison Taylor, whom after having etiquette class that lost customers decided to do something outrageous.  She went to a barrel company and had them make her a barrel that was a little over four feet tall and just wide enough for her to fit in. Mrs. Taylor decided she would use her barrel and be the first woman to go over Niagara Falls. She hired a manager named Mr. Frank Russell who got publicity interested in the story. May were surprised that a woman of such age would go over the falls, but to everyone’s disbelief she went over the falls and survived. She had it in her mind that she would be rich and famous from her adventurous excursion in 1901. Unfortunately, her stardom was short lived because ten years later she was sitting with her barrel in Niagara Park selling postcards with her picture just trying to get by. The story ends with Mrs. Taylor talking to a news reporter about her excursion and how she the only one who was brave enough to face her fears and go over the falls.

            Overall, the falls are a place that I hold dear to my heart. My fathers’ side of the family, all live in Niagara Falls and Grand Island, New York. As I was reading this, I could picture the numerous times I would go to the falls and be amazed by the beauty and strength of them. It is something that is sheer excitement and fear when you experience it at the same time. As a little girl, I would see how far I could look over the edge until I got too scared and would step away. I truly enjoyed this book, as the Author stated at the end; it really is a secret story.

The Magic Hat

By: Mem Fox

Fantasy

Illustrated by: Tricia Tusa

           

            This is a cute story about a magic hat that flows throughout the park one windy fall day. The illustrations are bright and imaginative. The story is all in rhyming words that encourage the children to guess what the next animal the hat will fall on could be. For example one of the pages states, “Oh, the magic, the magic hat! It moved like this, it moved like that! From way over there and sat on the head of a sleepy old…(turn page) BEAR!” Suddenly, towards the end of the story a giant wizard appears and stopped the magic hat, he then waved his wand and all of the animals turned back into people. Overall, this is a very adorable book that would be great in a younger classroom where children are learning rhyming words.

Owen

By: Kevin Henkes

Fantasy

Illustrated by: Kevin Henkes

            This is a magical story about a mouse named Owen who had a fuzzy yellow blanket that he adored. The blanket went with him everywhere, inside, and outside, upstairs down or even downstairs. His parents were talking with their neighbor Mrs. Tweezers who suggested that they try to take the blanket away from him. She suggested a number of things, such as “The Blanket Fairy, The Vinegar Trick and saying No!” After all of these things failing to work Owens mother comes up with a clever idea for him to take his blanket to school and for Mrs. Tweezer to stop nagging his parents. His mother cut Fuzzy into many pieces and sewed them into small napkins. Now, Owen takes a little bit of Fuzzy with him wherever they go.  Overall, this is a very charming and clever story that has a positive spin on growing up.

 

*Fish Is Fish

By: Leo Lionni

Fantasy

Illustrated by: Leo Lionni

         Fish is fish; by Lio Lionne is a story about a fish and tadpole who start off living in a pond together. As time goes on the tadpole moves outside of the pond and leaves the fish at the pond. The frog comes back to the pond to visit fish and tells him about all of the stories and life outside of the pond. Fish gets frustrated that he is stuck inside the pond and jumps out of the water and onto shore. Frog quickly pushed fish back into the pond to save his live. After this experience fish decides that the pond has a multitude of life inside it and is grateful for life he has.

*Pecos Bill

By: Patsy Jensen

Fantasy

Illustrated by: Ben Mahan

         This is the story about a family who traveled to the west and on the road baby Pecos was bumped off of his families wagon. He ended up befriending a chayote and was raised by a pack of them. He was viewed as a renegade and roamed the west on his horse. One of his brothers bumped into him and tried to civilize him with new clothes and a wife. The story ends with no one knowing where Pecos went but everyone expects he is somewhere in the west. This story is very silly and intriguing, I would not put this book in my classroom but I could see myself recommending it to a specific child.

*A Busy Year

By: Leo Lionni

Fiction

Illustrated by: Leo Lionni

         This story is about two mice that start in January and become friends with a tree named Woody. The two small mice are twins and call themselves Winnie and Willie. They become good friends with the tree and take good care of it throughout every month of the year. This is a great story that shows the change of seasons and the growth of a tree throughout the year. A great book for a kindergarten classroom.

*It's Mine!

By: Leo Lionni

Fantasy: Fable

 Illustrated by: Leo Lionni

         This story is about three frogs who live on an island at Rainbow pond. They continually bicker selfishly saying the phrase; “It’s Mine! It’s Mine! It’s Mine!” One day a bad storm hits their island and a large toad help them realize that sharing is much more fun than being selfish. I enjoyed reading this story and seeing the different illustrations. Overall a great book to remind student about sharing!

*Who Wants an Old Teddy Bear?

By: Ginnie Hofmann

Fantasy

Illustrated by: Unknown

         This book is about a young boy who gets a stuffed teddy bear from his Grandma on his birthday instead of a train set. He kicks the bear aside and goes to bed. While asleep he has a dream that he is in a world of teddy bears and is being given as a gift to one. In this world he is kick aside by the bear because he wanted a rocket ship instead. When he wakes up he immediately wants his teddy bear back and loves it because of what he went through in the bear world. This is a great book that shows children different perspectives and points of view. I would use this as an opening into a discussion about valuing every gift you receive.

*Apples! Apples! Apples!

By: Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

Fantasy

Illustrated by: Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

     I found this book to be cute and interesting, the book was about a family of rabbits, Minna, Pip, Mom and Dad. They went to an apple orchard where they learned about different types of fruit. Their father makes apple pie with his apples, the mother makes crafts, the brother picks apples for his snack and the girl makes super secret applesauce with her apples. I enjoyed how this book had creative recipes that the children could use with the assistance of their parents or an adult. Overall, great fun fall book!

 

*Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

By: William Steig

Fantasy

Illustrated by: Not Listed

         This story was a bout a donkey named Sylvester who had a lovely rock collection. One day he found a red magic rock that would grant any of his demands. Sylvester was walking home when he realized a lion spotted him. In reaction he wished himself to become a rock in order to stay alive. This spontaneous idea made him stuck as a rock for three entire seasons, fall, winter and the spring. In the spring his very sad parents has a picnic on his rock body. They picked up the small red stone, and wished that Sylvester was there with them. The magic rock granted their wish and Sylvester was back with his family. Overall, I personally think this is a great book for children to be thankful with what they have and not to become greedy. I would place this book on a classroom library shelf.

Alphabet Books and Poetry

The Z Was Zapped

By: Chris Van Allsburg

Alphabet Books and Poetry

Illustrated By: Chris Van Allsburg

            The Z was Zapped is a very cute alphabet book about all of the twenty-six letters represented by acts. Each letter has a phrase that rhymes with the following letter. I read this book to a little boy I babysit. He loved having the opportunity to guess the next letter by using the rhyming words. I personally enjoyed this book, it is definitely an age specific book but pictures are very sophisticated in black and white. I would suggest this book to a preschool classroom. 

 Take Me Out Of The Bath Tub  

By: Alan Katz

Alphabet Books and Poetry

Illustrated by: David Catrow

         Take me out of the bathtub is a very clever interactive book. It consists of a number of different songs that have the same rhythm as classics but with different lyrics. For example, Take Me Out Of The Bath Tub is to the song, Take Me Out To The Ball game. My favorite song was Cranky Poodle, to the sound of Yankee Doodle. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this songbook. My only complaint is that I am not very musically inclined and as I sang with the different lyrics I lost my rhythm. I would love to use this book in the classroom environment but I would add a cd with the music to keep myself on beat. Additionally, it could be interesting to give all of the children the lyrics to sing along too. Overall, this was a very clever book. 

On Market Street

By: Arnold Lobel

Alphabet Books and Poetry

Illustrated by: Anita Lobel

           On market street is an interesting take on the alphabet, this book is more about the illustration than the words. The book is introduced by a young boy going to the market early in the morning, buying gifts with is gold coins. The items he purchases all start with a letter of the alphabet. For example, he purchases noodles and the letter was an N. Each item is represented by a picture of the boy dressed as it. Whether it was an Umbrella, Jewels, Ice Cream or Playing Cards, the same boy wore and entire outfit made up of it. Overall, I really enjoyed this book; it is more about the images than the words so it requires a very young reader to find interest in the story.

 Alphabet City

By: Stephen T. Johnson

Alphabet Books and Poetry

Illustrated by: Stephen T. Johnson

           Alphabet City is a very abstract and beautiful way to depict the alphabet within our industrial society. The images are raw, real and naturalistic in our society. I read this story to a young boy I baby sit who is just starting to learn his letters. He found this book to be interesting and he was interacting with the story. He would trace over the images in the shapes of each letter, I turned it into a game with him where he would see how quickly he could find each one. Overall, the photographs are beautiful and simplistic. This book truly shows how literature is everywhere. 

To Market, To Market

By: Anne Miranda

Alphabet Books and Poetry

Illustrated by: Janet Stevens

           To Market, To Market by Anne Miranda was one of my favorite books as a child and I was thrilled when I saw it on the reading list. It is the classic nursery rhyme but with the twist of this poor lady misplacing all of her still living grocery items. From purchasing a pig, hen, goose, trout, lamb, cow, duck and goat they all destroy her home. She goes back to the market one last time and in a way to restore the chaos she makes soup for all the hungry animals. This book is poetic in the sense that the animal rhymes with the mischief they get into. For example, “To market, To market to buy a live TROUT…Uh-oh, the goose was let out.” Overall, I really liked this book and I plan on using this comical book in my classroom some day.

Key Is for Keystone: A Pennsylvania Alphabet

By: Kristin Kane

Alphabet Books and Poetry

Illustrated by: Laura Knorr

                 This book is hands down one of my favorite books from the reading list. It synapses the unique features of Pennsylvania in twenty-six short pages. Each letter represents a different part of the state, for example A represents, Amish Country. The book states it as “A is for Amish, Plain People avoiding strife, artisans, quilters, family folk, living a simple way of life.” This is an easy and quick way to read the book to a young child because the stanzas rhyme. Yet, as an adult or more mature reader you can read the captions at the side that give a detailed description of the topic. For example a synapsis of the Amish and how they are located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, along with a description of the Amish lifestyle as a religious choice. This book continues to tell a story of Pennsylvania from historic colonization to the Hershey chocolate factory. As I previously stated, this book is one of my favorites, it is ideal for any reader. I personally learned things about Pennsylvania that I never knew before. I plan on purchasing this book for my collection and using it as a coffee table book for guests to read when they enter my home. I also enjoyed the easy quiz at the end that gave another engaging aspect to the book.

 

*Many Nations: An Alphabet of Native America

By: Joseph Bruchae

Alphabet Books and Poetry

Illustrated By: Unknown

     This is a Lower level book that consists of the alphabet. It encompasses a different aspect on each page. From clothing to food many traditions are shown in this book.

*G Is for Goat

By: Patricia Polacco

Alphabet Books and Poetry

Illustrated by: Patricia Polacco

            This story is about goats however it also is an alphabet book and the story unravels through all twenty-six letters. The rhythm and rhyme is soothing and at a quick pace. I would suggest this book for a children’s classroom. This book is defining letters that appeal to a very young reader but the sentence structure is at a level for a much older reader. This book would fit nicely on a second or third grade classroom library shelf.

*Pete the Cat: I Love White Shoes

By: Eric Litwin

Alphabet Books and Poetry

Illustrated by: James Dean

         This energetic story is about a cat that has white shoes on and as the school day continues his shoes change colors from red to brown and even blue. The rhythm and ‘jazz’ vibe that comes from this story is displayed in both the sentence structure and the sing-along-song that comes with the book. I think this book would be a good way to end a school day on a positive and playful note. Eric Litwin is a fun and energetic writer; I plan on using this book in my future classroom.

*The Wind Blew

By: Pat Hutchins

Alphabet Books and Poetry

Illustrated By: Unknown

         This is a small book about a number of community members who lose their belongings to the wind. The wind snatches up, an umbrella, balloon, kite, top hat, shirt, handkerchief, wig, letters, flag, scarves and even a newspaper until finally when it lets everyone's things fall down to the ground and uses its gusty force for to blow away a sail boat. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and how the plot cumulates until the end where it is resolved. The fun plot and detailed pictures are ideal for a young reader. I would suggest using this in a classroom.

*A Cache of Jewels: And other collective nouns

By: Ruth Heller

Alphabet Books and Poetry

Illustrated By: Ruth Heller

         This book is a fun way for children to understand what a collective nouns are. This book also uses rhyming words to help the story flow. For example, “A batch of bread all warm and brown, is always called a collective noun.” By using a story with illustrations it can help children put the collective nouns into perspective. I plan on using this book inside of my classroom. 

*Parts

By: Tedd Arnold

Alphabet Books and Poetry

Illustrated by: Unknown

       This book was very cute; it talked about a boy who was starting to loose all of his body parts. He first lost some pieces of his hair in a comb, then he found lint in his belly button, his foot was peeling, boogers, loose teeth, and finally his parents told him it was part of growing up. This is a great book for kids to understand that all of these things are a part of life and growing up. I plan on reading this fun book in my future classroom.

 

*Llama Llama Red Pajama

By: Anna Dewdney

Alphabet Books and Poetry

Illustrated By: Unknown

         This story is about a young Baby llama who is put to bed by his Mama llama. The rhythm of this story flows throughout every page. As Baby Llama gets more and more frustrated at his Mama llama the expressions and illustrations get more vivid. Finally Mama Llama comes and soothes Baby Llama and he falls asleep. This book is ideal for a very young child if read to and can be read by a beginning reader. I liked this book so much I bought a personal copy.

 

HIstorical Fiction

Watch The Stars Come Out

By: Riki Levinson

Historical Fiction

Illustrated by: Dianne Goode

            This is the story of a little red haired girl who spends special times with

her Grandmother in the evenings. Grandma would tell her stories at bedtime about the family’s immigration many years earlier in the 1800’s. Her great grandmother had red hair just like her. She traveled for twenty-three days by sea on a big boat that included her, her brother and an old lady who died during the passage to America. The only food they had was a barrel of dried fruit. The two children approached Ellis Island with hopes that they would soon be reunited with their parents and sister. After a medical inspection they were released to their family and soon saw their new home located on the upper floor of a large building. After a warm bath, cookies and tea she welcomed the soft bed and counted the stars before she fell asleep. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story; it is also a great way to express how immigration occurred (including hard ships) in the classroom.

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree

By: Gloria Houston

Historical Fiction

Illustrated by Barbara Cooney

            This is a great story about family, tradition and community. The book clearly depicts life in the Appalachian Mountains as simple. One can hear the dialect of the people through some of the phrases the author uses, for example, “Come on my pretty young’un.” “Tweetsie” was the old train that ran through town and their horse was named “Piedy”. There was a church tradition in the town that every year a family would provide the tree for Christmas. Ruthie and her father had already chose that tree in the early spring and marked it with a ribbon. Ruthie had a great relationship with her Papa and missed him terribly while he was away at war. The child and her mother made due as best they could in his absence but money was low. Mama quietly sewed into the night to make an angel costume for Ruthie and a matching doll she would receive on Christmas Day. Even though Papa had still not returned by Christmas Eve, Ruthie and her mama went out into the night to get the tree for the church. On Christmas Day, they both received the greatest gift Papa returned to them. Overall, this story is deep and heartfelt a great read for a respectful audience.

Millie and the Macy’s Parade

By: Shanna Corey

Historical Fiction

Illustrated by: Brett Helquist

            This story truly depicted the era of immigration. The illustrations were bright and vivid, they really made the reader feel as if they were part of the century.

Milly, a young polish girl lived with her parents in New York. She spent many hours in the Macy’s store because her father worked there. He, along with with many other immigrants were stationed in the delivery dock area on the lower level. As the holidays approached many of the workers were homesick for the old country.  Milly visited Mr. Macy in his office and inspired him to have a huge parade. This was the beginning of the famous Macy’s Parade. Overall it was a simple story and historically appropriate I enjoyed it.

My Freedom Trip

By:Frances Park and Ginger Park

Historical Fiction

Illustrated by: Debra Reid Jenkins

             This story has a fearful element as it describes a young girls flight from a communist Korea. Soo was just a child when she was forced to flee to South Korea in order to keep her freedom. Each family member had to leave the north, one at a time. Soo’s father left first, then she had to leave without her mother and was escorted by a guide named Mr. Han. The escape at night was filled with fear as the soldiers were patrolling in the woods looking for any one trying to escape.  She was so scared but, kept thinking of the last words to her mother told her, “be brave, Soo!”  The young lady did find freedom and her father, but she was never reunited with her mother.  The illustrations were very professional but too dark for me. I would not read this book to a child.

A New Coat for Anna

By Harriet Ziefert

Historical Fiction

Illustrated by: Anita Lobel

            This is a wonderful story of a young girl and her mother who make the best of poverty.  The illustrations show you a war torn city from time past. It’s a about a young girl Anna who needed a new coat. It took a year of planning and bartering to get the wool from the sheep, to the spinning, the red coloring and finally the tailor who made the coat. It was a journey of determination that ended with a group of people becoming friends.  The illustrations were delightful. I would read this to any child.

The Memory Coat

By: Elvira Woodruff

Historical Fiction

Illustrated by: Michael Dooling

            This book is showing you the power of a Jewish family struggling to survive while living in Russia. The Cossacks were killing any Jews they could find in their small town of Shtetl. The family was large and had enough love for everyone including Grisha, Rachel’s cousin who had lost his parents to illness. Rachel loved Grisha and often comforted him when he was sad. They had a special bond that kept them busy for hours. She would dream up wonderful stories and Grisha would draw them. The family knew they had to flee to America but feared they would be separated at Ellis Island due to the strict entry policies. A small tattered coat might hinder Grisha’s entry to a free America but his coat was the last memory he had of his dear mother. Fortunately, a quick thinking Rachel came to the rescue and Grisha was granted entrance. The illustrations were very interesting, there was a myriad of coloring that really helped you get a sense of the emotions. The dark charcoal drawings showed the dread and the sepia imagery on another page really lit the faces up on the family as they sat over a kitchen table making their plans of escape from the dreaded country. Overall a very moving book appropriate for older elementary students.

The Butterfly

By: Patricia Polacco

Historical Fiction

Illustrated by: Patricia Polcacco

            This beautifully depicted story has a rebirth ending from a deathly time of the Nazi regime. This is a story about a girl named Monique who was living with her mother Marcel Solliliage. One night, Monique saw a “ghostly girl” sitting at the edge of her bed. Later on she found out that the ghost was a girl named Sevrine whom was hiding in her basement from the Nazi’s. The girls played in her room late at night until Monique and Sevrine released a butterfly from the window and a neighbor noticed. That night Sevrine and her family left Marcel Sollilage’s house in hope for safety. Her parents dressed as a priest and nun, this was the last time Sevrine ever saw her parents. Sevrine escaped to freedom, but never reconnected with her mother of father. To this day, Monique and Sevrine are still friends and have an undying bond from the war in France. Overall, this book shows the reality of the war in a delicate way for children to understand, however I would be selective to whom I would read this story to.

When Jessie Came Across The Sea

By: Amy Hest

Historical Fiction

Illustrated by: P.J. Lynch

            A poignant warm story of a young womans courage and strength as she travels to a strange new world called America.  Jessie’s grandmother taught her the gift of making lace that came to serve her well in America. She ends up marrying a boy named Lou that she met on the immigration boat. The illustrations capture the heartbeat of the story and fill the viewer with images of what this life must have been like.  It’s a story of faith, family and love for all ages a book that I would highly recommend.

*Just In Time, Abraham Lincoln

By: Patricia Polacco

 Historical Fiction

Illustrated by: Patricia Polacco

         This story is about two boys who are traveling with their grandma. Grandma is disappointed with how technologically absorbed the boys are so she takes them to Gettysburg, here the boys visit an old uniform shop and mysteriously get taken back to the civil war. They meet Abraham Lincoln; get a snap shot with him and race back to the store before the time runs out. Luckily the boys travel back into present time and are able to retell the story to their grandma. She does not believe them at first but when they boys look at the picture with Abraham Lincoln they see themselves in the background. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story; it is a great way to get children to envision themselves in the lifestyle of the civil war. I highly recommend this to a classroom.

*Chicken Sunday

By: Patricia Polacco

 Historical Fiction

Illustrated by: Patricia Polacco

   Chicken Sunday is about three kids who want to buy a beautiful hat for their ‘Granny” by Easter Sunday. The kids decide to visit Mr. Kodinski’s hat shop and ask him if they had any jobs they could do in order to buy the hat from him. Unfortunately for them he was able to maintain his shop on his own and did not need the children’s help; however, Patricia’s mother encouraged them to create "Pysanky" eggs. The eggs were such a hit in the community that they ended up selling enough eggs to buy Grannie the hat she wanted for so long. I really liked how this story was written; the children were not given a hand out and worked hard for the money they used to buy Grannie her hat. I would put this book on my classroom library shelves.

*The Keeping Quilt

By: Patricia Polacco

Historical Fiction

Illustrated by: Patricia Polacco

         Written about Polocco’s own personal Russian Jewish heritage. The quilt was made from many different things, baby blankets, wedding ceremonies and Jewish religious traditions. Her family used the quilt as a way to remember and cherish their own culture and heritage traditions.

*Amelia’s Fantastic Flight

By: Rose Bursik

Historical Fiction

Illustrated by: Rose Bursik

         This story is about a young and imaginative girl names Amelia, who designs a one-seated red plane (that is modeled after toy plane) to travel around the world in. Here he visits places like Kenya and Brazil all in one day and makes it back in time for dinner. Overall, this book is very mesmerizing with each page having a map highlighting her journey. I would place this book on my classroom library-reading shelf.

*The Scrambled States Of America

By: Laurie Keller

Historical Fiction

Illustrated by: Laurie Keller

         This story is about Kansas getting bored with his location in the mid-west. He decides to throw a party where all of the states can come and meet each other. The party is a success and the states decide that they would like to try out other states locations. The United States ends up getting very jumbled and unorganized. All of the states miss their old locations and move back to where they originally belonged and are now satisfied with their original locations. I really enjoyed reading this story and I can see how this book can help students understand the different names and shapes of the states.

Multicultural

The Matzah That Papa Brought Home

By: Fran Manushkin

Multicultural

Illustrated by: Ned Bittinger

            This story encompasses the entire seven days of the Passover. As the story continues the previous events accumulate on the page. This story has rhythm and repetition within the stanzas. It was very interesting to hear about the matzah, feast, Passover Seder, the Four Questions, ten plagues, the Dayenu. tasting the bitter herbs, matzah ball soup, Afikoman, inviting Elijah inside, and finally celebrating the “Next year in Jerusalem. Overall, this is a very interesting book that depicts the Passover that is coveted in the Jewish religion. I personally gained a lot of information from this story and I feel as if students in the classroom would too. This is a beautifully created and illustrated story that many individuals’ young or old can learn from. 

The First Strawberries

By: Joseph Bruchac

Multicultural

Illustrated by: Anna Vojtech

This Cherokee Indian story emulates the love two people have for each other. The story is about a man and a woman who get into an argument one evening when the man comes home and sees his wife picking flowers and not cooking. He yells at her and she decides to leave him. The man feeling guilty tries to catch his wife but she is too swift and he cannot reach her. The sun god sees his trouble and agrees to help him slow her down. First, the sun beams down red raspberries but the wife does not notice them. Then, the sun beams down blueberries and blackberries but the woman keeps walking. Finally, the sun god tries his hardest and beams down beautiful strawberries right in front of the woman’s feet. She knelt down and tried one, it was so sweet tasting that it reminded her of her husbands kindness. She was still picking them when her husband caught up and apologized to her. To this day, this story and fresh strawberries are used by the Cherokee people to remind them of the importance of kindness and respect for each other. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I am glad I was given the opportunity to read it.  

The Name Jar

By: Yangsook Choi

Multicultural

Illustrator Not Listed

  

This is a story about a girl named Unhei who has just migrated from Korea to America with her younger brother, mother and father. Unhei misses her grandmother that she left in Korea very much. The day she was leaving her grandmother gave her a wooden stamp of her name and an inkpad so she could sign things quickly. The first day that Unhei is riding the bus the children ask her what her name is and from the trouble they had pronouncing it she decides to tell her new class that she does not have a name. Mr. Cocotos class decided to make a name jar for Unhei with many American names she could choose from. One day, a boy named Joey stayed after class because it was raining. Here Unhei shows him her name stamp and he tells her it is beautiful. A few days’ later Unhei spots Joey at the Korean grocery store and the owner Mr. Kim greets Unhei by her first name. Joey was surprised that she had a real name; he was even happier when she told him it meant Grace. The next day, Unhei went back to class to look through the names one last time but the Jar was nowhere to be found. Unhei decided to go with her birth name and explained it to the entire class. Everyone loved her name and Joey showed Unhei the stamp he got made (at the Korean store) that reads friend. I really enjoyed this book, it was a creative way to show children that different names are not wrong and often have meaning behind them if you take the time to find out. This is a great book to read to the classroom.

            I Hate English!

By: Ellen Levine

Multicultural

Illustrated by: Steve Bjorkman

This book is story about a girl named Mei Mei, who has recently moved from China to New York City. In Hong Kong, Mei Mei was smart and well liked in school but in the American school she felt alone and out casted. For a majority of the book Mei Mei does not talk because she does not like English. Everything is different from the symbols to pronunciation of the two languages. Mei Mei dreams of being in China and to be speaking Chinese with her family and friends. One day, at the learning center a woman named Nancy came in to help Mei Mei with her English, feeling overwhelmed Mei Mei begins to cry and they take a break. The next time, Nancy takes Mei Mei into the city and speaks as much as she can in English. Eventually Mei Mei breaks down and begins to tell personal stories in English. From that day on Mei Mei and Nancy tell each other stories in English. I personally thought this book was written very well. With the end of every paragraph having the word “English of Chinese” indicated, it made the story flow very understandably. I would suggest this book to be used in the classroom because it will give children a better understanding of different cultures and fears in a new environment.

Lon Po Po

By: Ed Young

Multicultural

Illustrated by: Ed Young

               This Red Riding Hood story from China has a different spin to the American version. The story is about a mother who leaves her three children Shang, Tao and Paotze at home over night because she is visiting their grandmother Po Po. That night a wolf came to their front door pretending to be their grandmother Po Po. The children let the wolf inside and he quickly blows out the candlelight. The children go to bed with the wolf and soon notice that it is a wolf. Shang being the oldest tricks the wolf into believing that Gingko nuts can be found by a tree outside. They taste like the skin of a baby and allow you to live forever. The wolf believes her and has the three children go outside to the top of the branches to pick the nuts for him. Slowly they drop the wolf out of the basket three times, each from a higher point until the wolf finally dies. The story ends with the children’s mother coming home and an explanation of what happened. Overall, I really enjoyed this story; it was a refreshing take to a classic that kept my attention the entire time. I would recommend this to a classroom to show children the different versions of classic stories from different countries.

Mr. Lincoln’s Way

By: Patricia Polacco

Multicultural

Illustrated By: Patricia Polacco

            Mr. Lincoln’s Way is a great novel to help children better understand others ignorance when it come to racism. This story is about the principal Mr. Lincoln that everyone loves except for one bully named Gene. Gene one day got caught using the “N” word and the principal knew he was in for some hard work. He asked for Gene to help bring different species of birds into new atrium. Gene adored birds and enjoyed working with Mr. Lincoln on such a special project. He told Mr. Lincoln that his grandfather loved birds and taught him much of what he knew. Gene also promised to no longer pick on other children in the school regardless of their race. One day, two ducks flew into the atrium and created a nest with eggs inside. Everyone in the school was interested in the ducks. When the hatchlings were finally ready, Gene lead them out of the school and to a near by pond. To his surprise his grandfather was waiting there with open arms. This story is a great way to express diversity and coming together through animals. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and would consider using it in the classroom.

*Justin and The Best Biscuits In The World

By: Mildrid Pitts

Multicultural

Illustrated by: Mildrid Pitts

         Tells the story of a young boy who feels that his female siblings are constantly pushing him around. He is very excited when he goes to his grandfather’s ranch and learns how to make the best biscuits in the world. Good book to recommend for an older reader.

*The White Nights of Ramadan

By: Maha Addasi

Multicultural/ Arab American

Illustrated by: Maha Addasi

         This story is about a young child who is getting excited for Ramadan the holy month. I can see this book working very well in a classroom around the holiday season. It will help children understand different religious celebrations.

*No English!

By: Jacqueline Jules

Multicultural/ Latina/o American

Illustrated by: Unknown

It is a bout a girl from Argentina who does not understand English. She gets forced to take an English spelling test and a girl notices that she is drawing pictures. The girls end up becoming best friends and both learn the others native tongue.

*Pancakes With Chocolate Syrup
By: Rebekah Barlow Rounce

Multicultural

Illustrated by: Rebekah Barlow Rounce

    This story is about two young girls who are best friends and sisters. The one sister is adopted from Ethiopia and the book shows the differences between them but exemplifies the love and compassion they have for each other. A good book that discusses race and adoptive families.

*All Kinds of People
 By: Emma Damon

Multicultural

Illustrated by: Emma Damon

            This story is about all different types of children; from their hair to eyes and even the color of their skin. This story displays racial diversity in a very positive way; with pop out pictures and interactive book mechanisms. A good book for very young children.

*Black, White, Just Right!
By: Marguerite W. Davol

Multicultural

Illustrated by: Unknown

            This book is about a young girl who looks at the differences between her bi-racial parents. She looks at the differences and similarities between her mother and father in a very positive way. Great book for children who are bi-racial as well as classrooms with bi-racial students. 

*Habibi

By:  Naomi Nye

Multicultural

Illustrated by: Unknown

         This story is about a Palestinian who moves back to Palestine with his new American family. He even has a daughter who is fourteen-named Leanna. Her father always taught her to not be prejudice to others but now she has friends who are Jewish in Palestine. This can help in a classroom of students who may have cultural differences or even a new foreign student.

*To Walk the Sky Path

By: Phyllis Renolds Naylor

Multicultural

Illustrated by: Unknown

         This story is about a boy named Billy Tommy who is a Seminole Indian. He is the first one in his family to go to a public school. This title represents his fine line between his society in school and the cultural differences at home on the reservation. A good book to help breech the gap many children have between their home and school life.

*Foolish Rabbits Big Mistake

By: Rafe Martin

MultiCultural

Illustrated by: Ed Young

         This Jataka tale is about a young rabbit that hears a loud crash in the forest. Here the story gets misinterpreted through many animals and turns the forest into complete chaos. The story ends with a brave and wise lion who sets the story straight and returns the forest back to its normal routine. This story is a good way to emphasize how quickly rumors can evolve into something very damaging. This would be a good book to read that could lead into a classroom discussion about rumors and stories changing from the truth.