MrsK Books: Picture books worth sharing in your classroom

Monday, August 24, 2015

Picture books worth sharing in your classroom

What's new to our shelves this year?

Every Librarian is gearing up for the beginning of the "best school year ever." We spend our summer searching for the best new titles. We check the bounty of resources for those "jewels;" the titles... those favored and trusted authors... reviews upon reviews... book store adventures... and of course curriculum connections across the content areas.

How can you plug into the "bounty" for your classroom. Just ask us... What can we do together to ignite the thrill of discovery into our student's hands? There are so many wonder-filled connections. Here are a few to begin with:

Play on your school's library site: it has been carefully crafted for everyone's "user-friendly" exploration 24-7. Technology is a opened universe of places to explore, investigate, and discover new insights.
Locate a great "tool-belt" for "go-to" resources and begin book marking the ones that you can use: your librarian's blog; a book twitter for your phone; additions to your Pintrest; save favorite book trailer sites or book trailer blogs; and don't forget to add in a few "themed" sites (What Guys are Reading, Reading & Writing the 6-Traits, Global insights, Author's Showcase, or International Travels with a Book).
Discover which authors would bring "engaging" reading choices into your classroom (check the age appropriate author links on the right side bar... they are my "go-to" choices).
Pick a few book review resources, get comfortable with them... then share them with your students. If we want life-long readers, we must help them learn how readers choose their next reads (A Book A Day, Mr. Schu Reads, The Book Whisperer is Reading, Teaching with Books, Book Browse). Check out some of the book catalogs or publisher's watch links located on the right side bar.

And then of course there is the delightful "old school" option... browsing the shelves (libraries, stores, garage sales, friends, or book clubs). I have posted a few of my favorite "summer" discoveries (The Looney Experiment, Wonder, Rain Reign (listed on the What's New review link), A Snicker of Magic (listed on the What's New review link), What's New in Children's Books , Thankful, Aoleon, Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy, and Pipsie the Nature Detective,).

Just a few more:

Louise Loves Art

I adore this book. Not only is Louise creative, committed, and adorably obsessed with her very own Art gallery. Her little brother is inspired by her artistic ability, as is her cat. There are so many options for this book. It is definitely a read aloud; a re-read; a 6-Trait model for organization and voice; and a great "Leader in Me" choice. (K-8+)

The one thing that Little Elliot loves is cupcakes. The one struggle Little Elliot has is that he is never tall enough to pay for the cupcake because no one notices him, "sometimes it was hard being so small in such a huge place." Then one day Little Elliot discovers "someone even littler than himself." Together they can discover so many new experiences. Little Elliot's story is filled to overflowing with great discussion connections. The illustrations are so perfectly matched with Little Elliot's size and struggles. It is a delightful read aloud! Librarian's this is a must for your beginning of the year storytime. (Pre-2)

Quest is a journey beyond words. When two friends in the park are handed a map and some objects everything around you can change. And, if everything can change... then courage, determination, observations, quick-thinking, and imagination will be necessary. Of course, there is the pressure of a little challenge... a quest... to save the King and his people from darkness. So whimsically organized. Outstanding connection to every 6-Trait including Presentation. (Pre-8+)

Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos

Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos

Getting lost in the wonderment of the mysteries of the cosmos... does anything really compare to star gazing for engaging your inquiry?

"Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were,

but without it we go nowhere."

Carl Sagan

Who was Carl Sagan? How did his imagination and wonderment lead him into the discoveries of the cosmos? Whether you are familiar with his discoveries or not... you know that deep delight of discovery every time you look to the Heavens. Those what-ifs about traveling to the stars. If you have seen or read anything connected to Science Fiction, or ever been to a planetarium... you know the intrigue to what it would be like to explore another planet... or if there is life anywhere out there. This biography about a little boy named Carl is organized through the perspective of a child's wonderment as it leads into inquiry and a life's quest beyond what was known. (2-8+)

"We are a way for the Cosmos to know itself."
Carl Sagan

Princess Magnolia might enjoy hot chocolate and scones, yet she has a secret. A secret so important that even a visiting nosy duchess can not discover. With the ring of her ring, the princess must excuse herself from the duchess and "run" into action. Princess Magnolia lives near the entrance to Monster Land and stopping monsters is a high priority for a princess with a secret. With the help of her unicorn, Frimplepants, she will charge through the forest to rescue the goats from the monster attack. Duff the goat boy is unprepared for the monstrous attack... and yet, he discovers there's a new way to make monsters retreat...

"Horswaggle Hop!

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Smash!"

Continue this series to see if Princess Black's secret is still a secret. Will the Goat Avenger get a call on his goat bells the next time the monsters come calling?

As always, it is my hope that a flame of interest will lead you to discoveries beyond what is already on your shelf...
Then share... share... and re-share with each and every reader that crosses the threshold of your classroom...
MrsK

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MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)