DON'T MISS!
Madame Esmé's Recommendations for
New and Exciting Children's Literature!
Click on images or links in red for further reviews and information.
Picture Books
Weslandia by Paul Fleischman,
illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
This tale of how sticking to your individuality can ultimately make you the leader of your team. Young renegade Wesley plans his own civilization using the mysterious crop that he has cultivated in his backyard. In the process, Wesley changes his community's perspective of the world...and of himself. This book lends itself to classroom extensions at many grade levels, whether real research projects on the impact of natural resources to countries or the more creative assignment that Wesley gave himself...starting a society of one's own, complete with languages and sports! Kevin Hawkes' bold and imaginative artwork, with colors as lush as any farmer's market, are the perfect compliment to this inspired...and inspiring...story of how one boy spent his summer vacation.
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Hooway for Wodney Wat
by Helen Lester,
Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
Poor Rodney Rat can't pronounce his R's, which is a problem if you're a wodent...I mean rodent. But when big bully Camilla Capybera comes to class, it's wonderful Wodney's wit that puts her in her place. What a great wead aloud! |
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While on the subject of illustrator Lynn Munsinger, check out Wanted: Best Friend by A.M. Monson, in which Cat advertises for a new amigo, and learns the hard way that new friends may be silver, but old friends are gold! Children will love creating their own advertisements, and writing about what qualities they look for in a friend, and what qualities make them a friend in return. As usual, Lynn Munsinger's animal illustrations are at once hilarious and sensitive, putting her in the ranks of Caldecott winner Kevin Henkes.
Martha Walks the Dog by Susan Meddaugh
Martha the talking dog once again teaches readers about the tremendous power of words...especially kind ones! The villain of the story, a vicious neighbor dog, gets a mental makeover when his master puts a muzzle on the meanness and decides to give compliments instead. Teachers, if you want to stop put-downs in your class, give this book a spin. Also, present this book to the critic in your life, maybe s/he'll get the hint!
Tasty Baby Belly Buttons by Judy Sierra, illustrated by Meilo So
Moms and Dads all know how delicious baby belly buttons are. Unfortunately, the terrible Onis have also discovered this scrumptious delicacy, and steal all the babies away! Uriko-hime, or "melon princess," is born inside a watermelon (notice her pink and black kimono!) and grows up to rescue the toddlers in trouble. Featuring a strong female lead, this Japanese folktale-adventure is paced just right for a lively storytime with lots of good chanting (like the Onis' "Belly buttons/Belly buttons/Tasty Baby Belly Buttons!"). Serve butterscotch candies or some other small round treat at the end and call them belly buttons! Or, crack open a watermelon and see what's inside (probably seeds, but you never know)!
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Little Oh by Laura Krauss Melmed, illustrated by Jim LaMarche
One of the most popular books in the school library was The Rainbabies by this dynamic team, so I was very excited that they joined forces again to create this magical original folktale. A daughter, Little Oh, is constructed out of origami by a lonely woman. Through a series of adventures, Little Oh is separated by her beloved creator, only to be reunited in a surprise ending. I also like this book because it portrays step-parents in a tender light.
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If you like Little Oh, you will also enjoy The Paper Princess by Elisa Kleven. In this story, a little girl draws her own princess out of paper, only to have it carried away by the wind. The Paper Princess is returned home after a blow through town. The collage illustrations are like watching a fireworks show, or looking over a crazy quilt; you see something new every time. This book is a real celebration of creativity.
Things That Are Most in the World by Judi Barrett, illustrated by John Nickle
What is the silliest thing in the world? The quietest? The smelliest? What is the funniest book in the world? It may very well be this one! Things That Are Most in the World deserves superlative reviews, and lends itself beautifully to creative writing and language arts lessons. Make your own book of "mosts!"
What Do You Do With a Shoe? by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers, illustrated by Maurice Sendak
What do you do with a book like this? Read it twice, like my primary classes insist! A colorful reissue of a 1955 book, we follow two exuberant children through their ridiculous explorations of shoes, hats, cups, chairs and brooms. The dedication page of this book says it all: "for fun."
Yoko by Rosemary Wells
When Yoko brings sushi for lunch at school, the teasing ensues. Good-intentioned Mrs. Jenkins tries to alleviate the situation with an International Food Day, but it is not until an epicurian classmate steps up that Yoko feels truly accepted. The story does a masterful job of resolving the conflict in a realistic way, and the cunning animal illustrations are both funny and emotionally insightful. I never thought Rosemary Wells would be able to surpass her masterpiece Max's Dragon Shirt, but she has proven me wrong.
Other Fine New and Recent Picture Books:
Mole Music by David McPhail
Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco (great picture book to read aloud to older children, a true story of the author's struggle with a learning disability. Patricia Polacco is a master of picture books to read aloud to older children...for example, the Civil War story Pink and Say is a must-read!)
A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon (note: I found it hard to read aloud, but the illustrations are outstanding!)
Marianthe's Story: Painted Words/Spoken Memories by Aliki (good story about a little girl who does not speak English)
Pete's a Pizza by William Steig
Mirror by Alexandra Day and Christina Darling
King Midas and the Golden Touch by Charlotte and K.Y. Craft
Fiction
Clockwork by Philip Pullman
Prepare to be spooked while reading this book...which makes it an outstanding read-aloud for 6-8th grade! A storyteller is gifted at telling spine-tingling tales, but in the midst of telling one at a local tavern, the evil main character walks through the door to present the local clockmaker with a dreadful gift. Spellbinding stories within stories abound in Clockwork, and they all wind down to a satifying conclusion.
Surely, you know about the latest in Beverly Cleary's Ramona series, Ramona's World? Long awaited, it is just as consistently wonderful as the other Ramona books, with Cleary's same flair for giving gravity and value the daily experiences of children. Check out the Unofficial Beverly Cleary home page or Jim Trelease's author profile if you're a fan...or would like to become one!
Other Fine Fiction Books
A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck
Holes by Louis Sachar
Love from Your Friend, Hannah by Mindy Warshaw Skolsky
The Ghost of Fossil Glen by Cynthia DeFelice (a page-turning murder mystery for upper intermediate/mature readers)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by P.K. Rowling (an international bestseller; if you haven't read it yet, stop depriving yourself from the best reading adventure you've had since you were a kid!)
Some of my favorite fiction may be found under Girl Power or Reading Resuscitation.
Non-Fiction
Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, illustrated by Mary Azarian (Note: 1999 Caldecott winner)
I read this out loud to first through eighth grade with tremendous success...and why not? Following one's dream is a universal theme fit for any age. Snowflake Bentley chronicles the real life of William Bentley, whose great passion is snow. Though his neighbors scoff at his fascination with such an ordinary phenomenon, his parents, hard-working Vermont farmers, spend all their savings on a camera so that Bentley may photograph snowflakes and eventually publish a book of these images, his "gift to the world." Patience, perserverance and appreciation for the wonder all around us are just a few of the virtues toted in this outstanding volume. A definite "don't miss!"
Fandex Family Field Guides published by Workman
What an exciting series of reference guides, with a diversity of topics unrivaled since the Eyewitness series. A series of long cards attached together "fan out" to reveal attractive photographs and a wealth of information. So far I have collected Leaves, Mythology, Presidents, Civil War, Dogs, Cats and Birds. They are perfect for reluctant readers, and their "flash card" style lend these books towards self-testing and expertise. I think every classroom should have a set, they are great tie-ins for learning centers, too! Try 'em, you'll like 'em!
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Throw Your Tooth On the Roof: Tooth Traditions from Around the World by Selby B. Beeler, illustrated by G. Brian Karas |
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This book is a perfect alternative/addition to putting money under a child's pillow when a tooth is lost. Also perfect for primary teachers, who contantly are fetching Ziploc baggies for all the teeth children lose in class! It is really fascinating to read all the things people do with lost teeth, and how all cultures of the world value rites of passage, big and small. To turn into a storytime that will have everybody smiling, combine with Rotten Teeth by Laura Simms, illustrated by David Catrow, in which the daughter of a dentist brings a disgusting trat to school for show-and-tell (based on a true story!) and Grandpa's Teeth by Rod Clement, a story of false accusations...and false chompers!
Oh, Grow Up! Poems to Help You Survive Parents, Chores, School and Other Afflictionsby Florence Parry Heide and Roxanne Heide Pierce, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott
A generously illustrated poetry collection celebrates family life. When I read favorites from this book out loud to the fourth grade, the laughter was contagious and the discussion was outrageous. Prepare copies of the poems in advance; your students will be asking!
Look Alikes by Joan Steiner
Librarians, I have two words for you: multiple copies! If you have a reluctant pre-teen boy reader on your hands, move over Guinness Book of World Records and Marvel Comics! This book is as sure to be as big a hit as Eye Spy and Where's Waldo, but for my money, has them both beat. Using everyday materials, Steiner creates out-of-this-world wonderlands that need to be seen to be believed. You will never look at the cap to your toothpaste tube the same way again.
Other Fine New Non-Fiction Books:
To Every Thing There is a Season by Leo and Diane Dillon
First in the Field: Baseball Hero Jackie Robinson by Derek T. Dingle
Fire!> by Joy Masoff, photos by Jack Reznicki and Barry D. Smith
Leon's Story by Leon Walter Tillage
>Featured Artist: Jane Ray
From Grimm's Hansel and Gretel to Wilde's The Happy Prince , nobody does a fairy tale like Jane Ray. Her gold-illuminated illustrations makes opening one of her books like peeking inside a gilded box. I especially like the princesses with eye glasses in her rendition of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, and her dramatic drawings move mountains in Earth, Air, Fire, Water . Everything she illustrates lends itself very well to read-aloud, and her pictures are perfect for sharing either one-on-one or with a large group. Her artwork conveys classic literature reverently, but at the same time is informed with a contemporary perspective. Check her out!
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