Picture Book #6

Llama Llama mad at mama
by Anna Dewdney

Illustrator: Anna Dewdney

Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Picture Book 
Subgenre: Humor 

Themes: llamas, animals, mother and child, shopping, emotions, teamwork

Characters: Llama Llama, Mama

Date Published: 2007 

Publishing Company: Viking 

Summary: Llama Llama does not want to go the Shop-O-Rama with his mama. He would rather stay home and play, but goes to get a treat. At the Shop-O-Rama Llama Llama becomes mad at mama. 

Llama Llama mad at mama could be used to get student to understand the importance of  good behavior and teamwork. This book could also be used to illustrate rhyme.

Picture Book #5

Little Elephant's Trunk

by Hazel Lincoln

Illustrator: Hazel Lincoln
Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Picture Book 
Subgenre: Animals

Themes: springtime, baby and mother animals, elephants

Characters: Little Elephant 

Date Published: 2006

Publishing Company: Albert Whitman

Summary: Little Elephant, a new baby elephant, falls and stumbles over his trunk. He observes the other animals around him and discovers the many uses for his trunk.

Little Elephant's Trunk may be used to introduce students to African animals or what elephants do. This book could also be used to get student to think how one might learn by observing.

Picture Book #4

Little Red Cap

by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

Translated by Anthea Bell

Illustrator: Monika Laimgruber
Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Picture Book 
Subgenre: German Folktale

Themes: mother and daughter, illness, grandmother, animals

Characters: Little Red Cap, Grandmother, Mother, wolf, huntsman
Date Published:1993
Publishing Company:North-South Books

Summary: While on her way to Grandmother's house, Little Red Cap gets sidetrack by a clever wolf.

This book maybe be used to introduce students to traditional literature and folktales.

Picture Book #3

 I Ain't Gonna Paint No More!

 by Karen Beaumont

Illustrator: David Catrow
Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Picture Book 
Subgenre: Art

Themes: mother and son, painting, artist, animals

Characters: Mama, boy, and dog
Award(s): American Library Association Notable Books for Children (2006)
Date Published: 2005
Publishing Company: Harcourt

Summary: I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! is about a boy whom just can't seem to stop painting. He paints on the ceiling, the walls, the curtains, the door, and a whole lot more.

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! could be used to illustrate a story in rhyme and the rhythm.

Picture Book #2 (Poetry)

A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children

by Caroline Kennedy

Illustrator: Jon J. Muth

Genre: Poetry  
Subgenre: Picture Book

Themes: people, animals, seasons, adventures, seashores, humor and bedtime

Characters: A variety of characters
Award(s): 2006 American Library Association Notable Books for Children
Date Published: 2005
Publishing Company: Hyperion Books for Children

Summary: A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children is anthology of poems by well know authors: Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, T. S. Eliot, William Shakespeare, and J. R. R. Tolkin, to name a few.  

How this book could be used to teach students: A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children could be used to show student the types, forms, and elements of poetry: narrative, sense imagery, free verse, onomatopoeia, personification, rhythm, and rhyme. 

Chapter Book #1

26 Fairmount Avenue

by Tomie dePaola

Illustrator: Tomie DePaola

Genre: Juvenile Non-Fiction, Chapter Book 
Subgenre: Childhood Memories

Themes: family, family generations, neighbors, building a home, teamwork, community development, moving

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary - Tomie, Buddy-Joe Jr., Mom, Dad;  Secondary - Nana, Tom, Aunt Nell, Nana Fall-River, Uncle Charles and Viva, Morins Family, Mr. and Mrs. Crane, Carlo Crane

Award(s): 2000 Newbery Honor Book
 2000 American Library Association Notable Books for Children

Date Published: 1999

Publishing Company: G. P. Putnam’s Sons

Summary: In 1938, five year old, Tomie's parents decided to have a new house built, 26 Fairmount Avenue in Meriden, Connecticut. During the home's construction the family faced many obstacles and challenges. Tomie tells about the day to day life of his family and events that occurred during the house building process: a hurricane, a flood, a fire, visiting family, the holidays, the premiere of Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and starting kindergarten.

How this book could be used to teach students: 26 Fairmount Avenue could be used to teach students about autobiography.  The book could also be used to compare and contrast the differences between current times and the late 1930's.  

Picture Book #1

Terrific 

by Jon Agee

Illustrator: Jon Agee
Genre: Fiction, Picture Book
Subgenre: Adventure
Themes: Friends, Human-animal relationships, teamwork, overcoming adversity
Characters: Eugene and Lenny
Awards: 2006 American Library Association Notable Books for Children 
Date Published: 2005
Publishing Company: Michael Di Capua Books/Hyperion

Summary: Eugene wins an all expenses-paid cruise to Bermuda. "Terrific. I'll probably get a really bad sunburn," Eugene says. His luck really changes when the ship he is riding sinks and he is stranded on an island. The only other life on the island is a parrot, named Lenny. Lenny helps Eugene find something to eat and drink. Lenny and Eugene work together to build a sailboat and get off the island.

How this book could be used to teach students: I would use Terrific to show students how animals can help humans. I would tell students about service animals. I could ask the students about their experiences with animal.         

A little extra: (auto/song recording of the book)  http://www.jonagee.com/html/p_books.php