Picture book 15

Title: Behold the Trees
Illustrator: Leonid Gore
Genre: Picture book
Sub Genre: Non Fiction
Theme: Life and nature are beautiful. Trees give and support life.
Primary and Secondary Characters: None
Award(s) date of publication: 2000
Publishing Company: Scholastic Press
Brief Summary: This is all about trees. The book mentions a variety of trees and emphasizes the fact that trees support life. In the book, it says that trees give life. It is more informative than anything else.
Used in the Classroom: I think that this would really appeal to the students with naturalistic learners. I think that it would be good to include this book in the classroom. I like how the book expresses appreciation for nature. I think that this will be great in the classroom. I chose this book because of where I am wanting to teach. I think that if a teacher wants to instill or inspire students to have an appreciation for life and nature, they will be more likely to look at it in a new and respectful way. The illustrations of the book were a little dull for my taste. I am sure that this would appeal to some students, maybe. In addition, when addressing a certain subject like a particle topic in science, this might be a good introductory book.

Picture book 14

Title: David Goes to School
Illustrator:David Shannon
Genre: Picture book
Sub Genre:Realistic Fiction
Theme: Some students get in trouble more often than others. Every student is capable or doing good and deserving of praise.
Primary and Secondary Characters:David and the teacher might be considered a secondary character; however, the teacher does not have a name.
Award(s) date of publication:1999
Publishing Company: Blue Sky/Scholastic
Brief Summary:David is always getting in trouble. The teacher has to constantly remind him that his actions are less than acceptable. One day, David crosses the line and is asked to stay after school to clean the desks as his punishment. David works really hard to clean all of the desks and is then given a star for his accomplishment. As David leaves to go home, he has a huge smile on his face.
Used in the Classroom:I think most students are good at heart, they just need guidance. In David's case, he needs to put all of his energy to good use. I think any weakness can be made into a strength with enough effort and patience. I think that this would be a good book for students to read. If they get in trouble a lot, they will be able to relate to David and not feel as bad, possibly. In addition, I think that teachers should read this book as a reminder that students' behaviors need redirecting. All students are capable of doing extremely well, but it's important to know how to help them acquire those skills. For example, if a student is really talkative, instead of repeating no, no, no, it might be more helpful for the student to make him or her the news reporter. In addition, I think it would just be a fun book to read to the class. I love the illustrations too.

Picture Book 13

Title: Where on Earth Is My Bagel?
Illustrator: Grace Lin
Genre:Picture Book
Sub Genre:Realistic Fiction
Theme:If you want something, most of the time, it can be achieved, you just have to try. Persistence is important if you want something. When people come together, anything is possible, mostly.
Primary and Secondary Characters:Yum Yung
Award(s) date of publication: 2001
Publishing Company:Lee and Low Books
Brief Summary: Yum Yung, one day while sitting by a tree, thinks of a bagel he had in New York. He can't seem to get the idea out of his head. He decides to look all over the land for his bagel. He asks a farmer, a baker, and a beehive worker. They all are not sure what a bagel is, but they ask if what they have is a bagel. Yum Yung continuously replies, "no." One day, out of desperation, Yum Yung ties a letter to the foot of a bird asking a baker in New York if he knows where his bagel is. When Yum Yung least expects it, a miracle happens.
Used in the classroom: This is a fun book that will captivate students. I think they will all relate to wanting something and doing everything they could to make sure it happened. If not, it's just a cute, fun book to read. I love the ending, so I didn't want to give it away. It's so sweet. The illustrations are really great too. I think this book will really get students thinking as they ask themselves, "Where on earth is Yum Yung's Bagel?

Picture book 12

Title:Love to Mama
Illustrator:Paula S. Barragan M.
Genre:Picture
Sub Genre:Realistic Fiction
Theme:Moms and Grandmothers are admirable and important figures in a girl's life.
Primary and Secondary Characters: None
Award(s) date of publication: 2001
Publishing Company:Lee and Low Books
Brief Summary:There are a variety of poems included in this book. They are all stories about mothers and grandmothers. It focuses on all of the positive and heroic-like qualities that these role models possess. I think it is a sweet book. My favorite poem is titled "Race." It is a young girl describing the strength and courage of her mother who rode horses back when women didn't have many rights. Another sweet poem I enjoyed was one titled "Palomita." This is a young girl describing her mother. She describes her sky blue skirt with birds, flowers, clouds, rain, and an image of the sun all beautifully embroidered on it. Her mother calls her daughter, Palomita, which means her little dove. These stories are kind of culture specific and some have Spanish included in them. This is such a great book and the stories are so sweet!
Used in the classroom: This would be a great book to show the students on Mother's Day specifically. I think it will show the students how words can be used to express appreciation, admiration, and other thoughts/feelings as well. I think students will be able to relate to this if they have a mother-figure in their life. I think this type of book would really be great for 5th grade students. I think they would enjoy reading it as much as I did.

Picture Book 11

Title: April Bubbles Chocolate
Illustrator:Barry Root
Genre:Picture Book
Sub Genre: Poetry
Theme: Poetry doesn't always have to rhyme. Sometimes it can just be for fun.
Primary and Secondary Characters: None
Award(s) date of publication:1994
Publishing Company:Simon and Schuster
Brief Summary:This book is a compilation of poems written by students and some anonymous authors. It follows the alphabet. So for each letter of the alphabet, there is a poem. For example, the first poem is titled "April." The student that wrote about this describes what it is is like. She describes green grass and the fact that her rain boots will be needed do to the rain. It's a really cute book. Every poem is different. "Bubbles" is another cute poem. In this, the student describes the life of a bubble. He says, the bubble was lucky to have held a rainbow in it for 30 seconds. All of the poems are so cute and well-written. I really enjoyed reading this.
Used in the Classroom: I could see this book being very useful in upper level classes. I think 5th graders would really enjoy this book. There are a variety of poems in the book. I think every student will find one that he or she really enjoys. I think it's a great example of poetry and would greatly help students understand what poetry is and in what ways they can use it. Some of the poems are serious and some are funny or goofy. I think that students will find a freedom in writing after being inspired by this book. Writing poetry is about expression, and this book does a great job of expressing and displaying that. In addition, it would be a great book for teachers to read. They can get ideas of ways to incorporate the use of poetry not just for writing subjects but for other topic areas as well.

Picture book 10

Title:My Mom Travels A Lot
Illustrator:Nancy Winslow Parker
Genre: Picture Book
Sub Genre:Realistic Fiction
Theme: There are good times and bad times. To every negative, there is always a positive.
Primary and Secondary Characters:Susie
Award(s) date of publication:1981
Publishing Company: Puffin Books
Brief Summary:Susie's Mom is always traveling. Although Susie really misses her Mom, she finds the good things in the situation, but her favorite part of her Mom traveling is when she comes home, which she always does.
Used in the classroom: I think that this would be a great addition to any classroom library. I think that students could really relate to this. If there are some students whose Mom is in the army and deployed, this would be a great book for them possibly. I think the book is warm and students will find it both comforting and entertaining at the same time. I really enjoyed this book, but I have to say...it was a little sad, so I think if a student were to read this, it would be better when his/her mom is at home and not away on a trip.

Picture Book 9

Title: Little Rabbit's Loose Tooth
Illustrator: Diane De Groat
Genre:Picture Book
Sub genre: Animal Fantasy
Theme: Good things come in time.
Primary and Secondary Characters:Little Rabbit, Mother Rabbit, and Father Rabbit
Award(s) date of publication:1975
Publication Company:Random House Company
Brief Summary:Little Rabbit has a loose tooth. She tries to convince her mom that all she can eat are soft foods like ice cream. Her mother tells her that she can eat hard stuff on the left side and soft stuff on the right side. One day when she is eating chocolate ice cream, her tooth falls out. She tries to think of ways to hold on to her tooth. She is told about the tooth fairy, but she isn't convinced that the tooth fairy will come to get her tooth.
Used in the classroom: This is a warm story and very fun to read. I think that students will enjoy reading this book. Depending on what age group it is presented to, students will be able to relate to Little Rabbit. I really enjoyed the illustrations and the moral of the story. I think this would be great to have in the classroom as an option for students.