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For the Youngest Readers (Toddlers to Kindergarten)
RED SLED
Written and illustrated by Lita Judge (Atheneum)
Scrunch, scrinch, scrunch. The adventures of one red sled are told through delightful pencil and watercolor illustrations and only sound words.
MAKING A FRIEND
Written by Allison McGhee, illustrated by Marc Rosenthal (Antheneum)
A young boy making a friend is also a story about the life cycle of a snowman. One beautiful message comes with this story: “Something you love will always be with you.” A hilarious companion book with some useful tips on making friends is You Will Be My Friend! by Peter Brown.
POINT TO HAPPY
Written by Miriam Smith & Afton Fraser, photos by Margo Smithwick (Workman Publishing)
This is a great book for introducing meaningful vocabulary and concepts to children. This interactive book was created for kids on the autism spectrum, but has applications for all young children.
For Readers (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade)
THE RUNAWAY WOK: A CHINESE NEW YEAR TALE
Written by Ying Chang Compestine, illustrated by Sebastià Serra (Dutton)
The wok was invented in China during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 220) and is still the main cooking pot used throughout China. In this story, the wok is magic and takes from a greedy family and distributes their wealth among the poor, tying in with the Chinese New Year Celebration.
A NEW YEAR’S REUNION
Written by Yu Li Qiong, illustrated by Zhu Cheng Liang (Candlewick Press)
Imagine only seeing your father once a year. Each New Year, he comes home for a few days from his job building tall buildings far away. This heartwarming story is dedicated to the million-plus migrant workers in China.
HOW TO GET A JOB…BY ME, THE BOSS
Written by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Sue Heap (Schwartz & Wade Books)
I highly recommend this book for every classroom that teaches kids about occupations. Using wit and humor, Lloyd-Jones and Heap introduce key vocabulary in context and offer insight into different jobs. Another humorous companion book is Looking for the Easy Life by Walter Dean Myers.
For Readers (3rd to 6th Grade)
THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO SURVIVE-O-PEDIA: JUNIOR EDITION
Written by David Borgenicht & Molly Smith, illustrated by Chuck Gonzales (Chronicle Books)
This book is guaranteed to capture even the slightly curious individual. I hope anyone who reads it never has to experience any of these life-threatening situations, but just in case, you might want to check it out! Looking for another book to catch someone’s attention? Check out National Geographic Kids Ultimate Weird but True: 1,000 Wild & Wacky Facts & Photos.
WILDWOOD (Book One)
Written by Colin Meloy, illustrated by Carson Ellis (Balzer & Bray)
This debut fantasy novel is filled with rich language and imagery that sweep readers off their feet into the “impassable wilderness” of Wildwood Forest. Crows carrying off Prue’s baby brother, whimsical coyote infantry, a talking owl, an outcast woman looking for revenge… Will the two accidental schoolmates, Prue and Curtis, find a way to save baby Mac and restore some peace in the forest? Meloy is also known for his writing and singing for the band The Decemberists.
THE CHRONICLES OF HARRIS BURDICK: FOURTEEN AMAZING AUTHORS TELL THE TALES
Written by Chris Van Allsburg & 14 other authors, illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg (Houghton Mifflin)
Many readers will recognize these illustrations from their first appearance in 1984’s The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, by Chris Van Allsburg. They have been used to prompt oral and written stories for over 25 years. Fourteen well-known authors wrote this collection of amazing stories inspired by the illustrations.
Book reviews provided by BSU professor Stan Steiner, the Bookman. For more book suggestions and reviews visit his web page at http://edweb.boisestate.edu/stansteiner/
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