If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

If you give a mouse a cookie

By: Laura Joffe Numeroff

Illustrated By: Felicia Bond

Genre: Fantasy

      The mouse in this story is so silly and this book is the perfect introduction to the 'If You Give' series. Filled with silly requests, the reader is taken on a journey of what happens if you give a mouse a cookie. Sharing this with children will be a great start to get them thinking about other made-up stories they could create.

The Goat in the Rug

The Goat in the Rug

By: Geraldine

Illustrated By: Nancy Winslow Parker

Genre: Fantasy

      This story would be great for children because it tells a realistic event through the perspective of a goat. I like this story because it is about a Navajo woman and I think my students would enjoy having this book around to read. I want to put this in my library because the book has very sweet pictures of the woman and the goat that I would love to share with students.

The Pigeon wants a Puppy!

The pigeon wants a puppy

By: Mo Willems

Genre: Fantasy

  

    This is an adorable story that I think every child would love. I want to be able to share this with my students because it is easy to love. This also gives the opportunity to show kids that something they want may not be what they think it is and it is important to do research before committing to something new. This will also help children develop their logic and reasoning about decisions.

Library Mouse

Library Mouse

By: Daniel kirk

Genre: Fantasy

This is such a sweet book that I would love to have in my classroom library because it is a book about a mouse that loves to read. Kids will mimic the things they like and I hope that they would love this book enough to get inspired to read a variety of different books and possibly write their own. The illustrations are captivating enough to grab the attention of any reader that picks it up.

L is for Lone Star

L is for Lone Star

By: Carol Crane

Illustrated By: Alan Stacy

Genre: Nonfiction

      I love having this book because it goes through all sorts of elements that you can find in Texas and uses it to explain different things such as historical figures or places. This is great to keep on the shelf for kids to read anytime they want so that throughout the year, they can learn more and more about the different things in Texas and some of the history behind it.

Do Pirates Take Baths?

Do pirates take baths?

By: Kathy Tucker

Illustrated By: Nadine BernardoWescott
Genre: Fantasy

        This is a silly story that explores all the questions about pirate life that a child may have. Page after page of silly pictures gives an insight into what happens behind the scenes of a pirate's time on the ship. Having this for students to read would help to get ideas rolling for a creative writing piece or poetry.

Stripes of All Types

Stripes of all types

By: Susan Stockdale

Genre: Nonfiction

     

     This is a great informational text that illustrates where in nature we can find creatures that have stripes. This book provides opportunities t learn new information and interact with a matching game in the back of the book. Having this book in the library would be a great idea due to the information the author received from the National Museum of Natural History.

Leonardo the Terrible Monster

Leonardo the Terrible Monster

By: Mo Williams

Genre: Fantasy

     I think this would be a great addition to my library because it is such a sweet story. This is a great way to show students that it is okay to be different and you do not have to be mean to people. Sometimes being a good friend is better and that is what can turn someones day around.

Jack and the Giant

Jack and the Giant: A story full of beans

By: Jim Harris

Genre; Fantasy

This book is a hilarious adaptation of the original Jack and the Beanstalk tale. I want to share this with my students because it puts a southern twist on a great story. This story teaches great life lessons such as listening to your mother (or teacher) the first time in order to stay safe. I want to have this in my library because it is a twist on a classic story and these can be the most fun to read sometimes because you are searching for similarities and differences.

Three Little Cajun Pigs

Three Little Cajun Pigs

By: Mike Artell

Illustrated By: Jim Harris

Genre: Fantasy

     I fell in love with this story the second I opened it to the first page. If I have this book in my future library, I guarantee that will be one of the books meant for the kids that I will also read-aloud. The language in the story is hilarious and brings back a sense of familiarity because my mother and grandmother are from Louisiana and I have fallen in love with the lifestyle and language of the cajun community in Louisiana.

Teddie

Teddie: The story of young Teddie Roosevelt

By: Don Brown

Genre: Biography

     This is a wonderful picture book to have in my classroom because it tells the story of a great president before he was an adult in office. This shows Theodore Roosevelt as a child that experienced many of the same feelings that my students will; nervousness, shyness and being an introvert. Theodore Roosevelt also experienced bullying and struggled with asthma, which are things that children struggle with still to this day and it is important to know that they can still become something great despite the things they struggle with.

Courage

Courage

By: Bernard Waber

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

This is a fantastic children's book that shows kids just how many shapes and sizes courage comes in. This book is perfect for helping kids to understand that they can be brave when they feel scared and know that they are showing their courage. I would love to use this as a book during times on new and scary things, such as the end of the year or if I had to leave during the year and the kids were worried.

The Grudge Keeper

The Grudge Keeper

By: Mara Rockliff

Illustrated By: Eliza Wheeler
Genre: Historical Fiction

      This book would be a wonderful addition to the classroom because it gives students a lesson on how to handle their feelings when conflicts arise. The story is about people that write down all of their grievances and give it to one man, but a storm hits and blows their papers all around. When they read what they had written, it sounds silly and they apologize. This book can help start the conversation that it does not do any good to hold on to grudges.

Leave Me Alone!

Leave Me Alone

By: Vera Brosgol

Genre: Fantasy

     This fantastic story is about a grandmother who just wants a bit of peace and quiet. It takes a while but eventually she finds the break she needs. This book is a fun and silly way to talk to your students about needing space to gain control. This is a good story for the students to read to understand that it is okay to be overwhelmed and that taking a break to calm down is okay.

The Watermelon Seed

The Watermelon Seed

By: Greg Pizzoli

Genre: Fantasy

      I want this on my shelves because I absolutely adore the content of this story. The adorable alligator loves watermelon more than anything and I can relate to this character. The alligator experiences some trouble in the story which makes for a fun adventure of worries. Every kid has probably had these feelings at least once when they went through the same misfortune, so I think students will like it.

Hey Mr. Choo-Choo, Where Are You Going?

Hey Mr. Choo-Choo, where are you going?

By: Susan Wickberg

Illustrated By: Yumi Heo

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

I like this book because it shows what happens with a train and its conductor as they take a trip and fill their cars with passengers. Every child will want to read this book over and over again, because of the song-like sounds that come from the story when you are reading it to yourself. This is great for younger levels, especially if they love stories that rhyme or contail trains.

Steel Town

Steel Town

By: Jonah Winter

Illustrated By: Terry Widener

Genre: Historical Fiction

      This story is very well written, with illustrations that fill the entirety of the pages. The book truly takes you into the story and the reader feels as if they are in Steel Town. This story illustrates the gloominess of working in the mills during this time and is a wonderful addition to any library shelf.

Isaac and his Amazing Asperger Superpowers!

Isaac and his Amazing Asperger Superpowers!

By: Melanie Walsh

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

      This book is a fantastic addition to add to a selection of diversity and inclusion books. Having a book about Asperger's is another way for children to understand this form of Autism. It is important to provide supplemental material for inclusion topics and this story does a wonderful job of allowing children to see from the perspective of another child, what it is like living with Aspergers.

The Story of Ruby Bridges

The story of Ruby Bridges

By: Robert Coles

Illustrated By: George Ford 

Genre: Nonfiction

       I fell in love with this story from page one, when the reader opens the book immediately to a note for the reader from Ruby's mother. This story tells the experiences and hardships of one of the first African American girls to be given legal permission to be integrated into white schools. It includes input from her teacher as part of the storyline. This story is told wonderfully and it would be a treasure to any classroom bookshelf.

The Twelve Dancing Princesses

The Twelve Dancing Princesses

Retold & Illustrated By: Rachel Isadora

Genre: Traditional Literature

         I want to share this story with my students because it is a retelling of a Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale set in Africa. I love the creativity in the collage-style illustrations, especially the way that it is used to display a diverse range of African skin tones. This story has been reimagined in many forms, but this has to be one of my favorite styles because of how beautifully it is pieced together.

I'm Allergic to School

I'm Allergic to School

By: Robert Pottle

Illustrated By: Mike & Carl Gordon

Genre: Poetry

      I want to share this with my students because of the way it "rewrites" classic children's tunes to become about school. It gives kids a way to laugh at the crazy things that can happen at school sometimes. Each time you turn the page there is a new poem or song that tells a new story and a fun illustration that covers two pages.

Feelings

Feelings

By: Aliki

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

     I like this book because it lets children explore the emotions they feel through examples rather than just an explanation. This allows children to be able to relate the experiences in the story to what they feel in their own lives. I want to be able to provide this story for all my students so that they can learn to navigate and understand their emotions.

Cookies

Cookies

By: Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

      This book is a wonderful introduction to the world of manners with lessons like what it means to be fair or unfair. I like this story because it is a great story that is perfect for the prekindergarten/kindergarten age when social skills and behavior are important lessons to be learned. This is paired with fantastic illustrations that bounce right off the page at every turn that children are sure to love.

How to Write a Letter

How to Write a Letter

By: Cecilia & Kate Roth

Genre: Nonfiction

This book is a fantastic addition to any ELAR classroom, especially when introducing the format for writing letters. I think children will enjoy the easy-to-read text and be able to pull this off the shelf on their own when they need to reference information. This is also great for displaying examples on how to properly format letters.

Firefighters: A to Z

Firefighters: A to Z

By: Chris L Demarest

Genre: Nonfiction

      I love this book because it gives the reader valuable information on a critical member of the community and what they do to help us. This would be wonderful to have out for the children when it is time to talk about community helpers. I would use this book to create activities and other interactive tasks for the students to be able to use this book to its greatest ability. 

The Family Book

The Family Book

By: Todd Parr

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

    I would like to have this on my shelf because it shows students the variety of forms that families come in. It is important that we include these books in the classroom as part of the effects we have on students is showing them acceptance. This allows for there to be discussions in the classroom 

about our differences and provides the opportunity to be proud of these differences.

A Fine, Fine School

A Fine, Fine School

By: Sharon Creech

Illustrated By: Harry Bliss

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

     This is a great story about how easily some things can get out of hand. It is easy to be so proud of something that you are not able to stop trying to show it off and make it better. This is also a lesson to listen to those around you before it is too late. Learn when people need a break and do not be afraid yo voice your feelings when you feel like too much is being asked of you.

Diary of a Worm

Diary of a Worm

By: Doreen Cronin

Illustrated By: Harry Bliss

Genre: Fantasy

   The diary of a worm is a funny story of what life is like as a worm. It gives the reader silly things to think about and allows for comparisons between creatures to be able to recognize differences. The story is also great for a comparison of things inside the book and outside of the book in real life, which makes it great for Bloom's activities and questions.

The Polar Bear

The Polar Bear

By: Jenni Desmond

Genre: Nonfiction

     I absolutely adore this story because polar bears are my favorite animals. I even learned some new things about the bear that I did not know before and that was amazing. I love that the story is told through the way a girl is reading it in her mind. This story is an awesome starter to a lesson about habitats as well.

Sailor Moo, Cow at Sea

Sailor Moo, Cow at Sea

By: Lisa Wheeler

Illustrated By: Ponder Goembel

     This is a great adventure story that follows a young cow seeking independence. It is a great tale for children and allows them to explore the adventures of a cow at sea through the fantastic illustrations included in the story. Cows are also one of my favorite animals so I really think some of my students will enjoy it as much as I do.

100th Day Worries

100th Day Worries

By: Margret Cuyler

Illustrated By: Arthur Howard

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

     I love this story because I remember my 100th day of school so well. I loved getting to read a story about it again that I did not even know existed. This is a great story for kids to read leading up to the 100th day of school to show them that there is nothing to worry about. I am excited to hopefully have this book one day to read to my students before our 100th day of school as well.

How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?

How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?

By: Jane Yolen

Illustrated By: Mark Tegue

Genre: Fantasy

      This book is the perfect story for any student that loves dinosaurs. This is wonderful as well for reading to students when introducing nap time in the schedule in prekindergarten. The different dinosaurs in this story are adorable and relay the content of the story perfectly. This story also lists the dinosaur names hidden in the illustrations throughout the story, which is the best supplemental material if a student is interested in learning more about dinosaurs but they have not been introduced to informational texts yet.

Do Not Open This Book

Do Not Open This Book

By: Michaela Munten

Illustrated By: Pascal Lemaitre

Genre: Fantasy

      I will absolutely have this book on my shelf for years to come because it is a hilarious addition to any library collection. This silly pig makes the reader truly feel like they are in the book and he is talking to them. Of course, because the book is silly, you cannot follow the instructions to "not open the book" and the progression of the story is absolutely gut-busting. I giggled at every page and I guarantee you will too.

28 Days: Movements in Black History that Changed the World

28 Days: Movements in Black History that Changed the World

By: Charles R. Smith Jr.

Illustrated By: Shane Evans

Genre: Nonfiction

       This book is a wonderful book to keep on the shelf as it has 28 days (or pages) about different people in black history that became monumental faces for change in the world. This book will stay on my shelf year round and will be discussed throughout the topics we introduce in social studies as black history is more than just one month. This is also a great conversation starter among students and allows them to see more information on a larger amount of people that had an impact on the world around them.

Giraffe's can't Dance

Giraffes can't Dance

By: Giles Andreae & Guy Parker-Rees

Genre: Fantasy

        Follow the wonderful story of a young giraffe that does not think he has the ability to dance very well based on the way the fellow animals danced. This is an important lesson that you do not have to do the same thing as everyone else to have fun. It is important to know that children are allowed to be themselves and dance to whatever makes their hearts happy. It is also important that children evaluate the feelings of the giraffe in this story so that they understand what it feels like when people say mean things. Paired with these lessons are incredibly made illustrations that match the story-line wonderfully.

My Grandma Likes to Say

My Grandma Likes to Say

By: Denise Brennan-Nelson

Illustrated By: Jane Monroe-Donovan

        I love this book because it gives the reader the perspective of a child when they hear idioms for the first time. It contains explanations for a variety of idioms and it pairs the text with silly illustrations that match the literal interpretation of an idiom. The last page of the book has a list of idioms and its matching definition. This is wonderful to pair with an introduction to an ELA lesson in the classroom as a read-aloud as well.

Rolling Thunder

Rolling Thunder

By: Kate Messner

Illustrated By: Greg Ruth

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

      This story shares the experience of a Memorial Day Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom through the perspective of a young boy. The illustrator does a fantastic job of expressing emotion and tone through his drawings and choice of colors on the page. This book would have a place on my shelf regardless of the age group because there may be students who have a family member that has served in the past, is currently serving, or did not come home from their time in the military.

Ballyhoo Bay

Ballyhoo Bay

 By: Judy Sierra

Illustrated By: Derek Anderson

Genre: Fantasy

       This book is perfect for anyone that likes arts and crafts. Page after page of silly circumstances will keep the reader laughing as the story progresses. The main character, Mira Bella, is a teacher that loves to share her passion for art with every creature and uses it for a cause that benefits the town. This is a wonderful example of how members of the community can use their talents for acts of good.

Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions

Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson's Super Soaking Stream of Inventions

By: Chris Barton

Illustrated By: Don Tate

Genre: Biography

      

        This book is fantastic for young minds that are always searching for something to create. This is a wonderful tale of a young boy that had a vision for his creations and never gave up on making his dreams a reality, no matter what life threw at him. Lonnie Johnson is a revolutionary inventor that every young child should read about and get inspired.

My Best Friend Will

My Best Friend Will

By: Jamie Lowell and Tara Tuchel

 Genre: Nonfiction

         This book is about a young girl named Jamie and her best friend Will, who has Autism. I think everyone should read this true story because it gives Jamie's perspective on what it means to have friends that have different abilities. This book helps to develop an understanding of what some children with Autism may experience and includes "Tips for Teachers" in the back, as well as answers to questions that students or peers may have. It also includes a list of other books, websites, sources, and activities.