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Aardema, Verna. Koi and the Kola Nuts. Illus. by Joe Cepeda. 1999. 32p. Atheneum. Pre K-5. Verna Aardema has been providing us with African folktales for over thirty years. This one is a great tale about a chief's youngest son Koi who learns that practicing good deeds "will come back to you in full measure and overflowing".
Ada, Alma Flor. Friend Frog. Illus. by Lori Lohstoeter. 2000. 32p. Harcourt. Pre K-2. This is charming story about friendship across physical differences. Field mouse knows the secrets of the meadow and frog has a beautiful voice in addition to swimming abilities. Field mouse saves frog's life and the friendship becomes even stronger.
Ada, Alma Flor. The Three Golden Oranges. Illus. by Reg Cartwright. 1999. 32p. Atheneum. Gr. K-3. This old folktale about Blancaflor the youngest of three daughters is a charming version Alma Flor Ada heard from her grandmother. In this story, three brothers set out to seek a wife at their mother's request. The problem is there are no single women around for miles. The three brothers consult the old woman who lives on the cliff by the sea. Her instructions for making their wishes come true are explicit and not to be altered in any way. As you might expect from a folktale each brother does something different, but it is the youngest who tries to stay true to the old lady's instructions. For this he is rewarded with marrying Blancaflor. And the older brothers...no one really knows what happened to them but if you find out be sure to tell.
Adoff, Arnold. The Return of Rex and Ethel. Illus. by Catherine Deeter. 2000. 40p. Harcourt Brace. Gr. K-5. This is a delightful story about two best friends and their two pet dogs who are also best friends. Most everything Pepper and Belle do involves Rex and Ethel. They dress the dogs up, take them on rides, read to them, invite them to their tea parties, feed them at the same time and more. When the girls aren't around Rex and Ethel spend time together resting in the shade. Rex and Ethel grow old together in dog years and they die together. The girls grieve together and the memories live on.
Ajmera, Maya & Michael J. Regan. Let the Games Begin. 2000. 32p. Charlesbridge. All ages. Play is a universal pastime. Children engage in the thrill and excitement of sports all over the world for similar reasons. They like the friendships a sport has to offer, the challenge of learning something new, and the fun involved with participating.
Ammon, Richard. An Amish Year. Illus. by Pamela Patrick. 2000. 32p. Atheneum. Gr. 2-6. This is the third collaboration on the Amish community that Ammon and Patrick have done. Like the others the illustrations capture the simple but content lifestyles found in the Lancaster Valley of Pennsylvania. This one reads like a biography from the perspective of a young girl named Lizzie. She takes the reader through an entire year of events and happenings in her community.
Anderson, Lena. Tea for Ten. 2000. 24p. R & S Books. Pre K-1. Tea parties are special times for little folks. This delightful tea party is a counting book and friendship theme all wrapped in one.
Anholt, Catherine & Laurence. Harry's Home. 1999. 32p. Farrar Straus & Giroux. Pre K-2. This very unique story follows a young boy's first solo visit to grandfather's farm. This may not seem so unusual, but in this case it involves some distance and using several means of transportation. Harry goes from city life to farm life and the changes are handled quite well. Another unique characteristic of this story is Anholts' handling of a single parent and single grandparent who love Harry very much.
Barron, T. A. Where is Grandpa? Illus. by Chris K. Soentpiet. 2000. 32p. Philomel. All ages. This book pulls at the heart strings in a realistic manner. Barron wrote this book from his own experience losing a loved one and trying to explain that to the youngest child. Each of the family members share special memories and moments they had with grandpa as part of the mourning process.
Bender, Robert. Lima Beans Would Be Illegal: Children's Ideas of a Perfect World. 2000. 40p. Dial. All ages. When teachers see this book they are going to think I can do this in my classroom. Bender gathered a bunch of quotes by children who reflected on their idea of the perfect world and illustrated them. As you might expect the range goes from humor to thought provoking.
Berkeley, Laura. The Keeper of Wisdom. Illus. by Alison Dexter. 2000. 32p. Barefoot Books. Pre K-7. An old women tries to sell her books of wisdom in a prosperous city. But with each attempt she is turned away by the mayor, because as he puts it, "they have everything" they could possibly need. One winter when times are rough the major of the city has second thoughts about the books, but is it too late? A marvelous story about the importance of preserving the wisdom associated with books and story.
Bloom, Becky. Wolf! Illus. by Pascal Biet. 1999. 28p. Orchard. Pre K-3. This is a delightful and charming work of fantasy. A distraught wolf wanders into a town one day. He is after something to eat when he remembers a farm nearby. Upon his arrival he finds several animals engaged in an odd activity. Reading! The animals are so mesmerized with the books, unafraid of wolf, so he decides to learn to read. After several attempts he becomes quite a storyteller.
Bodeen, Stephanie Stuve. Mama Elizabeti. Illus. by Christy Hale. 2000. 28p. Lee & Low. Pre K-3. If you remember Elizabeti's Doll, the earlier collaboration between Bodeen and Hale you will surely love this Elizabeti adventure. Elizabeti has a new baby sister Flora so she is given the task of looking after her toddler brother Obedi. She also continues to take care of her rock doll Eva, from the first book. Obedi is a handful and makes Elizabeti's chores more difficult especially since she has to carry him everywhere because he has not learned to walk. One day when Elizabeti stops to fill a water jug at the well and places Obedi in the shade on the kanga (multipurpose cloth for carrying infants or spreading on the ground for sitting) Obedi is missing when she returns. Obedi's sudden abiltiy to walk offers some lessons on parenting and sibling love.
Bogacki, Tomek. My First Garden. 2000. 32p. Farrar Straus & Giroux. Gr. K-3. This marvelous book includes two simultaneous stories within one. One story is about a boy who tells us about his daily routine from going to school to spending time with his grandfather. His grandfather encourages the boy to make a garden. The parallel story is the boy's father reminiscing about his first garden.
Bruchac, Joseph. Pushing Up the Sky: Seven Native American Plays for Children. Illus. by Teresa Flavin. 2000. 94p. Dial. Gr. 2-6. Truly a one of kind book! Bruchac's continued efforts to keep Native American culture alive can be found as evidence in this book. Through this book Bruchac has blessed classrooms across the land with an opportunity to dramatize these plays. A prop list and stage directions are included. The plays are short and each one has many character parts along with production needs to involve an entire classroom.
Buchholtz, Quint. The Collector of Moments. 1999. 48p. Farrar Straus & Giroux. Gr. 1 & up. This intriguing book was first published in Germany in 1997. As you read the story you are immediately caught up in the mystique of Max, an artist. His mysterious character unfolds as the "Professor," Max's name for the boy who visits him everyday, tells the story. Max's surrealistic paintings add to the wonder.
Bunting, Eve. I Like the Way You Are. Illus. by John O'Brien. 2000. 40p. Clarion. Gr. 1-3. Two turtles have different abilities, tastes, and sometimes different interests. Sometimes their candidness with one another is hurtful. Regardless of their differences a lesson about true friendship may also mean personal sacrifice comes through in this beginning chapter book.
Bunting, Eve. Can You Do This, Old Badger? Illus. by LeUyen Pham. 1999. 32p. Harcourt Brace. All ages. The energy of the young and the wisdom of the aged comes together in this charming story about Old Badger and Little Badger. Each has something to offer the other and the relationship becomes complete.
Carlson, Nancy. Hooray for Grandparents' Day! 2000. 32p. Viking. Gr. K-2. Nancy Carlson continues to provide a well done child's perspective on school issues that many children can relate to. In this book, Arnie's school is getting ready for grandparents day, but he does not have any. When he lets the adults around him share his thoughts they show up in force to be Arnie's surrogate grandparents for the day.
Catalanotto, Peter. Dad & Me. 1999. 32p. Dorling Kindersley. A touching story set in 1969 during the first man on the moon mission. A father and son want to share the moment, but dad must go to work and upon his return the two struggle reconnecting.
Cole, Brock. Buttons. 2000. 32p. Farrar Straus & Giroux. Gr. K & up. This book has folktale charm. Three beautiful daughters set out to find buttons, of all things, for their father. You see their father had lost his due to overeating and unfortunate circumstances. Their travels and determined spirit lead to a celebratory surprise ending.
Collier, Bryan. Uptown. 2000. 32p. Henry Holt. Gr.K-5. This is one cool tour through Harlem. Collier combined watercolors and collage through a child's perspective as he takes readers on a walking tour of Harlem. The combination of text and art help you feel and experience the people, food, music, architecture and vibes of uptown Harlem.
Cosby, Bill. The Day I Saw My Father Cry. Illus. by Varnette P. Honeywood. 2000. 32p. Scholastic. Gr. 1-4. This book is one of the Little Bill Books for Beginning Readers series. In this touching story Little Bill learns about anger and grief. He fights with his brother over too much noise and neighbor kids during a game of basketball. He also learns something about making people happy from their neighbor Alan Mills who always says "Merry Christmas" regardless of what time of year when he sees people unhappy or arguing. When Mr. Mills dies he witnesses his father crying and a lesson in life is learned.
Crisp, Marty. Black and White. Illus. by Sherry Neidigh. 2000. 24p. Rising Moon. Pre K-2. There will be know confusion about black and white after reading this charming story. Bud has a black and white dog that seems to be lost. As Bud searches the barnyard visiting the different animals we see each animal boasting various patterns of black and white coloring. Neidigh's surprising Bev Doolittle like illustrations provide a reason why Bud's dog blends in so well with the other animals.
Crunk, Tony. Big Mama. Illus. by Margot Apple. 2000. 32p. Farrar Straus & Giroux. Pre K-2. At Big Mama's house they get to have fun, Big Mama included! Everybody agrees that Billy Boyd's house is the best place to go. He lives with his grandparent's, Big Mama and Papa, because he doesn't have anybody else. An upbeat story with some subtle messages for all.
Cutler, Jane. The Cello of Mr. O. Illus. by Greg Couch. 1999. 32p. Dutton. Gr. 1 & up. At one time Marya, a child neighbor thought Mr. O was odd, but came to understand that he provides the only beauty left in their war torn city. Mr. O has a passion for playing music. Even when the bombs drop all around him and his cello is ruined he continues to play music.
Cuyler, Margery. 100th Day Worries. Illus. by Arthur Howard. 2000. 32p. Simon & Schuster. Gr. K-2. Looking for a way to celebrate the 100th day? This little surprise holds some possibilities. Jessica is a worrier. She worries about everything. When her teacher Mr. Martin, gives them an assignment to bring a collection of something totaling 100, the pressure is on for Jessica. Readers will get math, sorting, sharing, creativity and a reason not to worry all in one book.
Daly, Jude. Fair, Brown & Trembling: An Irish Cinderella Story. 2000. 324p. Farrar, Straus & Giroux. Pre K- 3. Another wonderful version to the multitudes of Cinderella stories found throughout the world. In this handsomely illustrated version depicting a Middle-aged setting the youngest daughter Trembling, is the scapegoat for her older sisters, Fair and Brown. In the end Trembling is married to the Prince of Emania and have 14 children who live happily ever after. As for Fair and Brown, they are set out to sea with 7 years provisions never to be seen again.
Demas, Corinne. The Disappearing Island. Illus. by Ted Lewin. 2000. 32p. Simon & Schuster. Gr. K-3. The illustrations by Caldecott winner Ted Lewin are the first thing that draws you into the book. His ability to capture water sparkling in the sun is magical. Demas' story of a disappearing island is indeed about Billingsgate Island off the coast of Cape Cod. A grandmother and granddaughter explore the deserted island and relive some of the history of the island in their dreams. Lewin used his wife and granddaughter as models for some of the paintings found in this book.
Demas, Corinne. Hurricane! Illus. by Lenice U. Strohmeier. 2000. 32p. Cavendish. Gr. K-3. Hurricanes, one of natures most incredible forces is a constant threat for people living on ocean islands and in coastal towns. This is a realistic and very well done portrayal of one family's preparation and living through a storm. The soft colored illustrations reflect the mood of the people throughout the storm.
Duncan, Lois. I Walk at Night. Illus. by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher. 2000. 32p. Viking. Pre K-1. A gentle book about the marvels of a cat and how she spends her days and nights. Johnson and Fancher's illustrations also portray the predictability and mystery of a cat's night life.
Ehlert, Lois. Market Day. 2000. 32p. Harcourt Brace. Gr. K-2. What a great idea! Ehlert takes readers on a journey to the market through photos of handmade caricatures and artifacts she has collected. This book has a definite folk art quality full of bright colored figures and shapes. At the end of the book she provides the origins of the artifacts and what they are made of.
Elya, Susan Middleton. Say Hola to Spanish at the Circus. Illus. by Loretta Lopez. 2000. 32p. Lee & Low. All ages. This is a great bilingual picture book for learning contextualized Spanish vocabulary. Through a natural conversation style, using Spanish embedded in the English text, Elya takes readers to the circus and cleverly explains the events. You won't need any Spanish to begin with, but rest assured you will have mastered some Spanish vocabulary by the time you finish reading the book.
Ernst, Lisa Campbell. Goldilocks Returns. 2000. 32p. Simon & Schuster. Gr. K-3. Have you ever consider Goldilocks growing up and then revisiting the three bears as an accomplished handy woman? In this twist of an old folktale, Goldilocks has her mind set on "fixing things" right, at least from her perspective. You'll be chuckling your way through this recreation and extension of an old favorite.
Fazzi, Maura. The Circus of Mystery. Illus. by Peter Kühner. 1999. 30p. North-South Books. Gr. K & up. Kühner's highly detailed and peculiar illustrations make this mystery unfold before your eyes. His penchant for details will capture your attention for some time. The whole world around Augustus was grey until he "found something bright and shiny" that changed everything. As long as he was wearing this bright and shiny object color and magic appeared, and laughter and new friends. He learned his friends all had something to offer. Something that turned into a "spectacular show" but all was dependent on maintaining their dreams.
Fleischman, Paul. Weslandia. Illus. by Kevin Hawkes. 1999. 32p. Candlewick Press. All ages. This book is an amazing display of determination, imagination, and wit. Wesley was not your normal child. He was a reader and had a natural curiosity about the world. Not even his parents thought he fit in with other children and his peers were definitely anti Wesley. The children in the neighborhood chased him and taunted him at every opportunity until they discovered that Wesley had something they lacked. Once kids discovered Wesley's imaginative world and wit he had no shortage of friends.
Garza, Carmen Lomas. Magic Windows/Ventanas Mágicas. 1999. 32p. Children's Book Press. Gr. 2 & up. This bilingual book is more than a picture book. It has much to say about Carmen's life and the social customs of many Mexican Americans. Garza's paper cutouts are impeccable. Each work of art parallels a descriptive narrative that combines Garza's personal history and Mexican heritage.
Geeslin, Campbell. How Nanita Learned to Make Flan. Illus. by Petra Mathers. 1999. 24p. Atheneum. Pre K-3. This is a delightful story about love and understanding. Nanita's cobbler father was so busy that he did not have time to make shoes for her. She decided to make her own. In the middle of the night Nanita's magical shoes take her away from home. She becomes lost. A man and his wife take her in, but Nanita is forced to do all the work, including cooking the flan. Finally she runs away and finds her way back home. Her father is so happy to have her home he throws a fiesta. For this occasion, Nanita makes a special flan that is so good that it becomes the official flan of the village. Recipe included.
Gelman, Rita Golden. Rice is Life. Illus. by Yangsook Choi. 2000. 24p. Henry Holt. Gr. K-3. This is a beautiful story showing the social and cultural attachments rice has for the people of Bali, Indonesia. Rice is served at every meal like many other countries from the Asian region of the world. The author spent nine years living among the Balinese. Her fascination and deep respect for Bali and its beautiful people comes through in this book.
Gill, Shelley & Deborah Tobola. The Big Buck Adventure. Illus. by Grace Lin. 2000. 32p. Talewinds. Gr. 1-3. How would you spend a dollar in a candy store? What suggestions might you get from the clerks? What's the best buy for your money? These are the questions that have a little girl wondering how to spend her weekly allowance. The bargain she gets in the end is a lesson for all children and adults.
Godard, Alex. Mama, Across the Sea. Adapted from the French by George Wen. 1998/2000. 40p. Henry Holt. Gr. K-3. Cecile's mother works across the sea. Her father drowned while fishing and Cecile lives with her grandparents on Port Royal in the Caribbean. Because she knows how to read and write Cecile is able to read the mail. Cecile's literacy skills also come in handy when her grandmother wants to become literate after she had to pay someone to help cash her social security check.
Gorbachev, Valeri. Peter's Picture. 2000. 32p. North South. Pre K-3. What a great story to read to all the budding artists in your life. Little Peter paints his best picture of a flower. The teacher praises him, his classmates compliment him, the grownups on his route home have something to say about the flower. The grownups all want to do something other than what the painting is intended for and Peter must continually rescue his picture. When Peter gets home he apprehensively shares it with his parents requesting they don't try to smell it, let the bees light on it, stick it in a vase, or try to water it. Nope, his dad knows just what to do with it and puts it in a frame.
Hanel, Wolfram. Little Elephant's Song. Illus. by Cristina Kadmon. 2000. 24p. North South. Pre K-3. Little elephant is playful and often mischievous. His mother, however is always pleased at how much he learns and overlooks his tricks. When his father wishes Little Elephant to trumpet, but he cannot, Little Elephant's pride is hurt. He wanders away from the herd momentarily and when they find him Little Elephant has a surprise for them.
Harrison, Troon. The Dream Collector. Illus. by Alan and Lea Daniel. 1999. 32p. Kids Can Press. Gr. K-3. A fanciful story full of surprises involving a boy who wakes up knowing that this was going to be a great day. And a great day it is when Zachary meets an old man outside his front door who claims to be the dream collector. While working on his broken down truck the dream collector provides Zachary with some amazing adventures.
Henny-Penny. Retold and Illus. by Jane Wattenberg. 2000. 32p. Scholastic. Gr. K-3. A whimsical retelling of an old favorite. Wattenberg combined her photos with Adobe Photoshop to create some hilarious scenes. The text font is varied for inflection effect. This version is sure to rekindle your memory of the silly personalities of Henny-Penny and her barnyard friends.
Hesse, Karen. Come On, Rain! Illus. by Jon J. Muth. 1999. 32p. Scholastic. Pre K-3. This award winning book is great! Hesse's words capture the hot days of summer. That yearning for some rain, any rain, to reprieve us from the heat. When the rain comes so does the celebration of neighborhood mothers and daughters all dancing in the street.
Hubbard, Woodleigh Marx. All That You Are. 2000. 24p. Putnam. All ages. The combination of expressive illustrations and carefully chosen text carry a strong message to all. This book celebrates living your life to the fullest. Hubbard conveys an affirming message of following your dreams and living your life in a socially conscious manner.
Jay, Betsy. Jane vs. the Tooth Fairy. Illus. by Lori Osiecki. 2000. 32p. Rising Moon. Pre K-1. A clever and funny spin on a tooth phenomenon that we have or will be going through. In this story there is no way Jane is going to let any old tooth fairy take her teeth. She was keeping them no matter what. When grandmother came to stay for a week she starts seeing things a little differently. Grandma has false teeth, the tooth fairy could take her teeth. As the week goes on Jane learns that there may be money to be made from a lost tooth like hers. Perhaps enough money to buy that paint and drawing set she saw at the store. But she heard old teeth usually only bring a dollar per tooth and she needed $3.75 more to buy the art set. Grandmother helps Jane decorate her lost tooth and write a letter to the tooth fairy so she might get more money for her one special lost tooth.
Johansen, K. V. Pippin and the Bone. Illus. by Bernice Lum. 2000. 32p. Kids Can Press. Pre K-2. Pippin loves bones more than anything else, but there is one small problem. He digs holes to bury the bones in all the wrong places until one day he discovers a bone already in one of the holes. Mabel, his owner, notices that Pippin's latest hole is enormous and when she goes to check it out there is a dinosaur skeleton.
Johnson, Angela. Down the Winding Road. Illus. by Shane W. Evans. 2000. 32p. Dorling Kindersley. Gr. K- 4. This is a heartwarming story about a young girl visiting relatives where daddy was raised as a child. Each one of her great uncles and aunts helped raise her daddy and their love and happiness are still plentiful during their visit from the city.
Johnson, Dinah. Quinnie Blue. Illus. by James Ransome. 2000. 32p. Henry Holt. Gr. K-3. This is a beautiful story about families, especially grandmothers. Quinnie Blue is the matriarch of the family and the children loved to spend time with her, especially little Hattie Lottie Annie Quinnie Blue, who was named after her. She tells them stories of things she did when she was young.
Jonell, Lynne. Let's Play Rough! Illus. by Ted Rand. 2000. 24p. Putnam. A rollicking action filled relationship with Dad and son.
Kajikawa, Kimiko. Yoshi's Feast. Illus. by Yumi Heo. 2000. 32p. Dorling Kindersley. Gr. 1-5. Yoshi is a fan maker and loves boiled eels. His neighbor, Sabu makes some of the finest eels, but has few customers partly due to location. When Yoshi compliments Sabu on the smell of his broiling eels, but refuses to buy any an argument between the men occurs. They argue over who owes whom money for the smell of the eels or the sound of Yoshi's money. Then Yoshi has a plan so that Sabu and he might reconcile their differences. In the end they both prosper. The storyline is marvelous and the sound "chin chin jara jara" will resound in the children's ears long after they have heard this story. Heo's exquisite artwork reflects traditional Japanese costume.
Keller, Laurie. Open Wide Tooth School Inside. 2000. 32p. Henry Holt. Gr. K & up. The humor in this book is powerful enough to get you laughing over a tooth ache. Even though losing teeth is more of a phenomenon associated with the young set this whimsical side splitter will entertain older audiences too. Her cartoonish character drawings and inserted side comments throughout are a hoot. An for those who teach dental hygiene and have an accountability issue she even added a true or false and multiple choice test.
Krudop, Walter Lyon. The Man Who Caught Fish. 2000. 32p. Farrar, Straus & Giroux. All Ages. A very subtle and worthy message resounds in this book. It is better to give than receive. When a fisherman shows up in a village and begins giving away all the fish he catches, but never more than one per person, his unusual generosity attracts the attention of the king. The king's greed and arrogance afflicted the fisherman in many ways, but still he only gave out one fish per person. When the king seemingly tricks the fisherman into giving him the pole the spell cast on the fisherman from the fishing pole is broken. You see the fisherman was once a king too, but when his arrogance and greed got in the way a fisherman had given him the fishing pole as a burden to carry until he could pass it on to the next greedy soul to learn a lesson.
Kurtz, Jane. Faraway Home. Illus. by E. B. Lewis. 2000. 32p. Harcourt. Pre K-3. This is a wonderful story about a young girl who learns through story about two very different cultures found within her family. Her grandmother from Ethiopia, whom she has never met, is sick. Desta's father, feels he needs to make the journey from their home in Portland, Oregon to Ethiopia to see his ailing mother. Her father's stories about his childhood help Desta understand the contrast in their present life and his childhood.