The 20th Century Children's Poetry Treasury

Author: - Selections chosen by Jack Prelutsky

Title: - The 20^th Century Children’s Poetry Treasury
Illustrator: - Meilo So
Publisher: - Alfred A. Knopf
Year: - 1999

Format: - Hardcover
Genre: - Poetry
Reading Level: - Assisted, Independent
Interest Level: - Elementary

Topics: - Poetry, 20^th Century poets

Summary: - This collection of poems contains works from 137 poets from the 20^th century by Jack Prelutsky to represent some of the best themes and ideas that emerged and blossomed in children’s poetry during the century. These poems range in subject from dinosaurs to magic to mud to colors and so on. Each page is filled with vivid and engaging illustrations that relate to the poetry.

Extension Activity: - Students will choose one poet represented in this collection that they wish to study. Students will read other works by this poet, learn about his or her life, and finally write a poem about what they learn and like best or worst about the poet.

Maisy Goes to Preschool

Author- Lucy Cousins

Title- Maisy Goes to Preschool

Illustrator- Lucy Cousins

Year-2009

Genre- Picture Storybook

Format- Hardcover

Publisher- Candlewick Press

Reading Level- Primary

Interest Level- Preschool

Topics- First day of school

Summary- This book is a cute little story about Maisy and her first day at preschool. Without using many words the pictures tell the story of what Maisy encounters on her first day. Between what her classroom looks like to the activities she does the pictures tell it all. A fun and enjoyable book for children at a young age.

Extension Activity- Share this book to kids on their first day of preschool and ask them for similarities between them and Maisy.

The Lion and the Mouse

Author- Jerry Pinkney

Title- When I grow up I want to be Me

Illustrator- Jerry Pinkney

Year-2009

Genre- Caldecott

Format- Hardcover

Publisher- Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Reading Level- Preschool-Early Elementary-assisted

Interest Level- Preschool Elementary

Topics- Animals, Tigers, Caldecott

Summary- This is a great book about friendship. A fero freeing cious lion spares a cowering mouse that he'd planned to eat, the mouse later comes to his rescue, him from a trap. The pictures are beautiful in this book and it really is a story kids like.

Extension Activity- Have the students make lion masks. They can use white paper plates as the face and can cut our holes for the eyes. They can draw/color the face however they would like. Yarn will be used for the hair and a popsicle stick will glued on the bottom to hold it.

My Very First Mother Goose

Author: - Iona Opie

Title: - My Very First Mother Goose

Illustrator: - Rosemary Wells

Publisher: - Candlewick Press

Year: - 1996

Format: - Hard Cover

Genre: - Mother Goose

Reading Level: - Preschool or Earlier

Interest Level: - Assisted Reader

Topics: - Rhymes, Mother Goose

Summary: - This book is a twist off of the classic Mother Goose stories. The author mixes the American versions with the British versions.

Extension Activities: - For this book, you could have the kids make their own Mother Goose out of construction paper and glue. They could either choose to make Mother Goose as a goose, or have them make her in a human form riding a goose.

Grandfather Counts

Author- Andrea Cheng

Title- Grandfather Counts

Illustrator- Ange Zhang

Year-2000

Genre- Multicultural books

Format- paperback

Publisher- Lee & Low Books INC.

Reading Level- Intermediate

Interest Level- elementary

Topics- Chinese, Language, Teaching

Summary- This story is about a little girl and her grandfather. Helen's grandfather comes over from China to live with her family. The grandfather is very surprised that his grandchildren do not speak any chinese and notices a language barrier. One day grandfather joins Helen while she watches the train. During this time he teaches her how to count the train cars in chinese, Helen then teaches grandfather how to count them in english. They go back and forth teaching each other things and get over their language barrier. A very cute and touching story.

Extension Activity- Teach the kids how to count in different languages such as spanish, german, or chinese. Just even up to 10 well show the kids culture.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham- 1963

Author- Christopher Paul Curtis

Title- The Watsons Go to Birmingham- 1963

Year-1995

Genre- Newbery

Format- Paperback

Publisher- Scholastic Inc.

Reading Level- Intermediate Reading

Interest Level- Upper Elementary

Topics- Family, Misbehavior, Accidents, Depression

Summary- This story is about an African American family in the 1960's. The characters are the Watson family, Momma, Dad, Joetta, Byron and Kenny. Byron is the oldest sibling and gets himself into a log of trouble. With no other options the parents ship him off to Alabama to live with his Grandma. When the family gets to Alabama Byron surprisingly cleans up his act where Kenny does not. Kenny went swimming in a specific area he was told not to go, he almost drowned but was saved by Byron. This incident really shook him up and later lead to major personality changes. Another scare occurred when the local church that Joetta went to was bombed. Kenny thought his sister was in the building till he found her safely at home. With the events that occurred in the summer Kenny went into a depression and went through a time of struggle. This book is very funny and serious at the same time. A great read for any fourth of fifth grade kid.

Extension Activity- Have an educational lesson on the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing in Birmingham.

Five Little Ducks

Author- Jose Raffe

Title- 5 Little Ducks

Illustrator- Pamela Paparone

Year-1999

Genre- Counting

Format- Hardcover

Publisher- Crown Books

Reading Level-Preschool

Interest Level-Preschool

Topics- Counting, Ducks

Summary- This book is a good book for young children to learn to count. Each page has a number and the number matches the number of ducks on the page. As you turn the page the numbers get higher. It is a fun way to interact animals and counting. It is a short and easy book that the child can eventually read by them self.

Extension Activity-Make a memory game for the students to play. Have numbers (3-3pigs) so they can make a connection. Put them in groups to play.

Number Rhymes

Author- Opal Dunn

Title- Number Rhymes

Illustrator- Hannah Shaw

Year-2009

Genre- Poetry

Format- Softcover

Publisher- Frances Lincoln Children's Books

Reading Level- Early Elementary-assisted

Interest Level- Elementary

Topics- Poetry, Rhyme

Summary- This book is a really fun book for kids. It is full of rhymes and counting backwards, counting in twos, and counting numbers beyond 10. It is a great way to get children started with math. Some rhymes you might recognize are 5 Little monkeys and 10 in a bed. It's a awesome book to interact math and poetry.

Extension Activity- Have the students make up their own rhyme. You could group the students and then give them each a rhyme that they need to somehow act out.

Misty of Chincoteague

Author- Marguerite Henry

Title- Misty of Chincoteague

Illustrator- Wesley Denis

Year-1947

Genre- Newbery

Format- paperback

Publisher- Aladdin Paperbacks

Reading Level- Intermediate/Transitional

Interest Level- Upper elementary and up

Topics- Horses

Summary- This book is about Paul and Maureen Beebe. They are brother and sister and live on Assateague Island. In the story their is a wild horse named Phantom that Paul really wants. Paul saves up all his money and Maureen and him wait to buy her on Pony Penning Day. Once that day came Paul and Maureen were extremely devastated that Phantom was sold to someone else. It later turns out the boy does not want Phantom and Paul and Maureen get her along with her colt, Misty. They try to tame Phantom but eventually set her free into the wild where she belongs. Paul and Maureen keep Misty for their own. This book is a very thrilling story for anyone who loves horses.

Extension Activity- Get a class pet and take care of it together. Show the hard work and time that goes into caring for an animal.

Animal 1 2 3

Author- Kate Sheppard

Title- Animal 1 2 3

Illustrator- Kate Sheppard

Year-2010

Genre- Counting

Format- Softcover

Publisher- Kingfisher

Reading Level- Preschool/Early Elementary-assisted

Interest Level- Elementary

Topics- Counting, Animals

Summary- This book is a great and fun way for young children to learn to count up to 10 and back down to 1. They will also see a lot of their favorite animals while reading this book. You can follow the rabbit as he hops along to deliver a birthday card to his nieces and nephews. Along the way he meets all the animals from 1-10, and then comes across even more animals as he bounces back down to 1.

Extension Activity- You could make number flash cards and have the number on one side and then a picture on the other. For example if the number was 4 on the backside of the card you could have 4 rabbits that way you are interacting numbers and animals.

Mother Goose: The Children's Classic Edition

Author: - none

Title: - Mother Goose: The Children's Classic Edition

Illustrator: - none

Publisher: - Running Press

Year: - 1997

Format: - eBook

Genre: - eBook, Mother Goose

Reading Level: - Any age

Interest Level: - Assisted Reader, Individual

Topics: - Rhyme, Mother Goose

Summary: - This is a collection of many Mother Goose rhymes under one cover. Some of the stories include: Humpty Dumpty, Jack and Jill, Hickory Dickory Dock, and many more.

Extension Activities: - For this book you could have each student choose one story and create the setting in a shoe box. They would do this by cutting the top off of the shoe box, tilting it on its side, and designing everything inside the box. Another activity you could have them do with the rhyme they chose is to draw a picture storyline of what goes on in the story, in a timeline form.

Mother Goose: The Children's Classic dition

Author: -

Title: -

Illustrator: -

Publisher: -

Year: -

Format: - Hard Cover, eBook, Cloth Book, etc.-what its made of

Genre: - Caldecott, Newbery, Picture Book, etc.

Reading Level: - (grade)

Interest Level: - Assisted Reader, Emergent, Individual

Topics: -

Summary: -

Extension Activities: -

Out of the Dust

Author- Karen Hesse

Title- Out of the Dust

Year-1999

Genre- Newbery

Format- Paperback

Publisher- Scholastic Signature

Reading Level- Intermediate

Interest Level- Upper Elementary

Topics- Family, Tragedy, Dust bowl, Great Depression

Summary- This book took place in the 1930's during the Great Depression. It is a story about a little girl named Billie Jo. She has a very sad story about her and her family. In the story Billie Jo and her parents are struggling through extremely difficult economic times. They lived on a farm and it was getting destroyed by the Dust bowl. If times weren't hard enough a tragic accident happens that severely injures Billie Jo's mother and baby. Also scarring Billie Jo and taking away her ability to play piano. The story is a quick read but is very deep. Taking up serious topics that children are most likely learning about for the first time.

Extension Activity- Have an education lesson on the Dust bowl and the great depression. Discuss the crisis along with the lifestyle of the 1930's.

- Discuss their clothing, music, food and other things that built our culture in this time.

My Very First Mother Goose

Author- Iona Opie

Title- When I grow up I want to be Me

Illustrator- Rosemary Wells

Year-1996

Genre- Mother Goose

Format- Hardcover

Publisher- Candlewick

Reading Level- Preschool-assisted

Interest Level- Preschool/ Early Elementary

Topics- Rhyme, Mother goose

Summary- This book is a really fun book for kids. Young children love rhymes that are catchy and easy for them to memorize. The illustrations in this book capture the children's eyes. It is great because the rhymes are short and good for young children and their short attention span.

Extension Activity- You could have them make up their own rhyme or share their favorite rhyme with the class and tell why. You could also make puppets to go along with a lot of the rhymes.

Dear Mr.Henshaw

Author- Beverly Cleary

Title- Dear Mr. Henshaw

Illustrator- Paul O. Zelinsky

Year-1983

Genre- Newbery

Format- Paperback

Publisher- Scholastic Inc,

Reading Level- Intermediate Reading

Interest Level- Elementary

Topics- Writing, English, Letters, Family,Losing a loved one

Summary- This book is about a boy named Leigh Botts. It starts in the second grade when Leigh writes a letter to Mr.Henshaw about his book "Ways to amuse a dog". Leigh continues to write to Mr. Henshaw through all of elementary school talking about his books and how much he likes them. Mr. Henshaw suggests to Leigh to start a journal. The books format goes back and forth between Leigh's letters to Mr.Henshaw and his journal entries. Mr.Henshaw suggests that Leigh enters a writing contest which leads Leigh to meeting a real life author. Through out the story you learn about very personal aspects of Leigh's life like his love/hate relationship with his father who lives far away or dealing with his dog being lost. This book has a very fun format for children to read and is a quick easy read for the beginning reader.

Extension Activity- Have the kids write a letter to their favorite author. See how many people get responses and share them with the class.

(I already did this entry but I couldn't find it when I went back to look at it so if you already have this sorry)

Truck

Author- Donald Crews

Title- Trucks

Illustrator- Donald Crews

Year-1997

Genre- No words

Format- Hardcover

Publisher- HarperCollins Publishers

Reading Level- Preschool-assisted (if you actually want to make up a story)

Interest Level- Preschool

Topics- Trucks

Summary- This is a fun book because you can make up your own story. The big red truck goes on cross-country journey. You get to see all the things he sees on his trip. It is a very free book because there are no words.

Extension Activity- You could have the kids make up their own story to go along with the book. Also, you could have them color different pictures of trucks.

Mandela

Author: -Floyd Cooper

Title: -Mandela
Illustrator: -Floyd Cooper
Publisher: -Philomel Books
Year: -1996


Format: -Hardcover
Genre: -Multi Cultural
Reading Level: - Independent Reader
Interest Level: -Early Elementary/ Middle


Topics: - Multi Culture, biographies, equality


Summary: - This book is a biography about Nelson Mandela. He was born June 18, 1918 at Mvezo. His father became very ill. He had to leave his family for a new school. He was sent to the best African School by his new family. He didn't like the unfairness and inequality that he found in his new town. He became a strong leader of the African National Congress. He fought for their right. He was sent to jail many times.

Extension Activities: -

Have the children if old enough to write a biography about someone that they like that is famous. Write a half of page or page about them

My Friend Rabbit

Author: -Eric Rohmann

Title: -My Friend Rabbit
Illustrator: -Eric Rohmann
Publisher: - Roaring Book Press
Year: -2002


Format: -Hardcover
Genre: -Caldecott
Reading Level: - Emergent Reader
Interest Level: -Preschool


Topics: - loosing something and not getting it back right away, be careful with your belongings.


Summary: - The rabbit throws the mouses plane up into the tree. The rabbit says he has an idea and goes and gets every animal he can find. He piles them all up on top of each other. The mouse tries to reach but can't and the pile comes down. The animals were not happy. Rabbits gets it and starts it. Mouse and rabbit ride it to get away from everyone and end up getting stuck in the tree again.

Extension Activities: -

Have a coloring picture of a plane and have the kids color it the color they like.

Teach about sharing and have them play together and tell them they have to share with the other kids with a toy they brought from home.