For the Youngest Readers (Toddlers to Kindergarten)

OUR GRANDPARENTS: A GLOBAL ALBUM
Written by Maya Ajmera, Sheila Kinkade & Cynthia Pon (Charlesbridge)
No matter how you say “grandma” and “grandpa” in your native language, they all have something in common and that is you. They love to be with you, take you places, explore, learn, and laugh with you. This book also suggests five wonderful things to do with your grandparents.

LET’S SAVE THE ANIMALS: A FLIP THE FLAP BOOK
Written and illustrated by Frances Barry (Candlewick Press)
This enjoyable interactive book gets young minds thinking about some wondrous animals in this world. Sidebar notes provide some facts for the adults to contemplate while reading the text.

TEDDY BEAR COUNTING
Written by Barbara Barbieri McGrath, illustrated by Tim Nihoff (Charlesbridge)
Learning to count is always fun when you have objects to manipulate in the process. This book offers the pictures to work from and you can supply the bears or other objects to count.

For Readers (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade) 

THE WONDER BOOK
Written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Paul Schmid (Harper)
Fun poetry and word play in this book will get your laughter and imagination going. It might even inspire a playful word or two of your own.

DON’T SPILL THE BEANS!
Written and illustrated by Ian Schoenherr (Greenwillow)
Keeping secrets is hard for Little Bear. The truth is, keeping secrets can be hard for anybody. In this case Little Bear’s mistake turns into a great surprise.

THE CAN MAN
Written by Laura E. Williams, illustrated by Craig Orback (Lee & Low Books)
Everyone in the neighborhood calls him The Can Man, but Tim’s family knows him as Mr. Peters. He used to be their neighbor until difficult times forced Mr. Peters into homelessness. In this story, Tim learns a powerful lesson about wants and needs that has a timeless message for all.

For Readers (3rd to 6th Grade)

THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE
Written by Jacqueline Kelly (Henry Holt)
A young lady’s destiny, according to early 1900s’ society, is far from becoming the scientist Calpurnia Tate wants to be. Grandfather Tate is her salvation, spending time with her exploring nature and in the lab. A great story that encourages women in science.

WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON
Written and illustrated by Grace Lin (Little Brown)
A magical tale blending Chinese folklore and a young girl’s desire to bring happiness to her parents. Minli’s family are poor rice farmers that work long hours just to put food on the table. Each night it is her father’s stories that help Minli imagine possibilities that become lessons for life.

31 WAYS TO CHANGE THE WORLD
Written by 4,386 children, We Are What We Do (Candlewick Press)
From cover to cover, 4,386 children stuffed this book with practical ideas to make this world a better place. Zany illustrations, imaginative pictures, and cool photos will help readers discover some simple life changes that can be put into place immediately.

Book reviews provided by BSU professor Stan Steiner, the Bookman.  For more book suggestions and reviews, visit his web page at http://education.boisestate.edu/stansteiner.