For the Youngest Readers (Toddlers to Kindergarten)

ARE YOU AWAKE?
Written and illustrated by Sophie Blackall (Henry Holt)
Parents will read this book and smile as they remember their own children keeping them from sleeping in with their endless questions about the many wonders they see in the world.

EDDIE GETS READY FOR SCHOOL
Written and illustrated by David Milgrim (Scholastic)
The ability to get ready for school by oneself is something every parent/care provider wants to see in their child. This hilarious story, with checklist included, may spur some action.

SHOULD I SHARE MY ICE CREAM? (AN ELEPHANT & PIGGIE BOOK)
Written and illustrated Mo Willems (Hyperion)
To share or not to share is a question everyone is faced with from the time they are toddlers well into adulthood. Mo Willems provides the perfect situation for preschool-aged children to think about one of life’s great ilemmas. 

For Readers (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade)

LITTLE CROC’S PURSE
Written and illustrated by Lizzie Finlay (Eerdmans)
The moral message in this book is a good one to discuss in any primary school classroom. What should you do when you find something of value? Little Croc learns a powerful lesson about doing what is right.

LOUISE THE BIG CHEESE AND THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL SMARTY-PANTS
Written by Elise Primavera, illustrated by Diane Goode (Simon & Schuster)
Louise has a goal for this school year. She is going to get all As on her report card. She learns As should not come easily, you have to work for them. The author has included a quiz for readers to take that will give them some ideas to think about as this school year starts.

SHEILA SAYS WE’RE WEIRD
Written by Ruth Ann Smalley, illustrated by Jennifer Emery (Tilbury House)
Sheila’s neighbors grow their food, compost, buy locally, use a rotary mower, and bicycle everywhere. Sheila thinks they’re weird, but she also likes spending time playing with them and eating their food. A good read for discussing an environmentally conscious lifestyle.

For Readers (3rd to 6th Grade)
 
THE CHESHIRE CHEESE CAT: A DICKENS OF A TALE
Written by Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright, illustrated by Barry Moser (Peachtree)
It may not seem likely that a cat and mouse would have a relationship, but when you throw in Charles Dickens and Queen Victoria—with a dash of fiction and humor—anything is possible.

SUBSTITUTE CREACHER
Written and illustrated by Chris Gall (Little Brown)
May I suggest this book to every substitute teacher? Itwould make a good read-aloud to get things off to a humorous start. Or, teachers who know a substitute will be in the following day might end the day with this.

TEN RULES YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST NOT BREAK IF YOU WANT TO SURVIVE THE SCHOOL BUS
Written by John Grandits, illustrated by Michael Allen Austin (Clarion Books)
The title alone is likely to capture student interest. The humorous rules will have kids laughing and connecting to similar experiences they have experienced on the bus.
 

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. Book Nook is archived at www.treasurevalleyfamily.com.