Carle, Eric (Illustrator); Martin, Bill, Jr. Brown
Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Henry Holt &
Company, 1996. $6.95 (Boardbook) ISBN: 0805047905
This boardbook edition brings to the youngest
child the striking illustrations of Eric Carle. Colorful
animals fairly leap off the page at every turn. A wonderful
read-a-loud book.
Apple, Margot (Illustrator); Shaw, Nancy E. Sheep
in a Jeep. Houghton Mifflin Co., 1988. $4.95 (Paperback)
ISBN: 0395470307
These sheep obviously need help and lots
of it. Jump aboard for their madcap ride and enjoy this
read-a-loud rhyme.
Westcott, Nadine Bernard. The
Lady With the Alligator Purse. Little Brown &
Co , reprint 1988. $4.95 (Paperback) ISBN: 0316931365
This book is best enjoyed if read aloud.
The zany antics in this story will delight any child,
especially remembering a time when they were sick.
Banks, Kate. And
If the Moon Could Talk. Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben.
Farrar Straus & Giroux, 1998 $15.00. (Hardcover) ISBN:
0374302995
A wonderful story for any child drifting
off to sleep. And If The Moon Could Talk transports one
into the dreamy world of evening activities all over the
world. The softly colored illustrations make this a great
bedtime book.
Mosel, Arlene. Tikki
Tikki Tembo. Illustrated by Blair Lent. Henry Holt,
reissue 1989. $5.99 (Paperback) ISBN: 0805011668
An old Chinese tale is retold with a simplicity
that makes for a wonderful read-a-loud story. The second
son attempts a rescue while still adhering to a tradition
of respect for his elder brother.
Early Elementary
DeFelice, Cynthia. The
Dancing Skeleton. Illustrated by Robert Andrew
Parker. Aladdin Pub. Co., 1996. $5.99 (Paperback) ISBN:
0689804539
The rhyme and the rhythm of the language
in this book make it a wonderful read-a-loud folktale.
This is a storyteller's book told in language that will
bring any listener right into the dilemma of what to do
with a dancing skeleton.
Pinkwater, Daniel Manus. The
Big Orange Splot. Scholastic, 1977. $4.99 (Paperback)
ISBN: 0590445103
What would your dreamhouse look like? Mr.
Plumbean painted his house and fixed his yard to look
like a lush jungle retreat. The neighbors don't quite
know what to do until they spend some time under the palm
trees sipping lemonade. Guess what the neighborhood looks
like now?
Diakite, Baba Wague. The
Hatseller and the Monkeys. Scholastic, 1999. $15.95
(Hardcover) ISBN: 0590960695
How does a man outsmart a tree full of monkeys
who have just stolen all his hats? This beautifully illustrated
West African folktale shows how the hatseller cleverly
recovers all his hats just in time for market.
Dorros, Arthur. Abuela.
Illustrated by Elisa Kleven. Puffin, 1991. $4.99 (Paperback)
ISBN: 0140562257
New York has never been so colorful. Rosalba
dreams of flying and magically she and her aunt (who loves
adventures) find themselves flying high above New York
City. Visiting this family member and that, they hugely
enjoy every moment. Spanish phrases give this book added
spice.
Hoban, Russell. Bread
and Jam for Frances. Illustrated by Lillian Hoban.
HarperTrophy, reprint 1964. $5.95. (Paperback) ISBN: 0064430960
Frances has a favorite food. Bread and jam
for breakfast, bread and jam at night. Bread and jam for
every meal, makes everything just right. Frances, in this
gentle story, at least thinks so until maybe things don't
feel quite so right.
Middle Grades
Lewis, C. S. The
Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, (Chronicles of Narnia).
Illustrated by Pauline Baynes. Harpercollins, 1950. $4.95
(Paperback) ISBN: 0064471047
Narnia - a land of magic and mystery. Follow
the adventures of Peter, Lucy, Susan, and Edmund, meet
Aslan and immerse yourself into C. S. Lewis's most famous
book from the Chronicles of Narnia.
Aiken, Joan. Wolves
of Willoughby Chase. Yearling Books, 1962. $4.99
(Paperback) ISBN: 0440496039
Wolves, an evil governess and headmistress,
hair raising chases and escapes, this book is packed with
adventure for Bonnie and her cousin. When Bonnie's parents
unwittingly leave her in the care of an unscrupulous governess,
her life changes and not for the better. What can two
girls do against such odds? Plenty. And you'll turn every
page to find out the ending.
George, Jean Craighead. The
Talking Earth. HarperTrophy, 1983. $4.95 (Paperback)
ISBN: 0064402126
Billie Wind is a Seminole Indian girl
who dreams more about space travel to other planets than
the mysteries her own land offers her. Sent into the Everglades
to learn more about her people's traditions, Billie finds
that there is more to learn and care about on this earth
than she ever dreamed.
4. Dahl, Roald. The
BFG. Illustrated by Quentin Blake. Puffin, 1982.
$4.99 (Paperback) ISBN: 0141301058
Sophie is kidnapped by the one friendly giant
who finds eating people disgusting. Horrified to find
the other giants are bone crunchers who find eating children
most delectible, Sophie has a plan and its the BFG who
helps her.
High School
Nye, Naomi Shihab (editor). This
Same Sky : A Collection of Poems from Around the World.
Aladdin Paperbacks, 1992. $8.99 (Paperback) ISBN: 0689806302
Writers from around the world share their
dreams, their lives, their losses and their loves. This
beautiful collection of poetry links us all in our common
humanity and shows that we do indeed look up at the same
sky.
Hamilton, Virginia. Arilla
Sun Down. Scholastic, 1976. $4.99 (Paperback) ISBN:
0590222236
Arilla has a lot of growing up to do
to discover just who she is in this mix of a family she
was born into. Her brother seems to have staked out his
identity, but where does that leave her? With her mix
of African American and Native American heritage, how
Arilla recognizes her parents' love is a journey of memory
and reality.
Smith, Betty. A Tree
Grows in Brooklyn. Harperperennial, 1943. $10.00
(Paperback) ISBN: 006092988X
Nobody gave Francie a chance of living. Especially,
as she was born into one of the poorest neighborhoods
of New York city. But just as the tree outside her apartment
struggled and lived, so did Francie and her growing up
story is a lesson in love and courage.
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