Showing posts with label Animal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Animal. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

The Tale of Desperaux

by Kate DiCamillo



Desperaux is a very small mouse with very large ears.  He lives in the castle and is a complete failure at being a mouse.  He doesn't like hunting or eating books-he likes reading books.  His favorites are about the knights that save the princess.  Shortly thereafter he falls in love with Princess Pea and learns the truth of how powerful love really is.  Along the way he learns love for many others, including a serving girl, a prison guard, a rat, a brokenhearted king, and his own family.

Audience: 2nd Grade, Vocabulary 4th Grade

What I Love:
This story is about real love.  The characters are flawed and sometimes absurd.  They hurt each other and make mistakes, but they forgive and move forward.  I found countless priceless lines throughout the story.  The theme has to do with Light v. Dark and how we choose which one we will keep.  I feel every child and most adults need to read this book.

Caution:
Every single character comes from a broken family.

Monday, December 31, 2012

Christmas Trolls

by Jan Brett


 Trolls, in an attempt to have the Christmas they see at Treva's house, start stealing Christmas decorations.  It doesn't bring them happiness because the trolls are quarelsome and have no idea what the holidays are about.  When Treva finds them, she sets them straight and together everyone enjoys a happy Christmas

Audience:
I'd go 1st grade on up with this one

What I Love:
The illustrations are breathtaking and the story is heartwarming.  Jan Brett's famous borders are great in this, so pay attention to them.

Cautions:
This is slower than you'd expect from a children's book

Town Mouse Country Mouse

by Jan Brett

Town Mouse and Country Mouse are best friends who visit each other.  It's exciting to be in a new place, but both decide they's rather live in their own home.

Audience:
I'd go 1st grade on up with this one

What I Love:
The illustrations are breathtaking and the story is heartwarming.  Jan Brett's famous borders are great in this, so pay attention to them.

Cautions:
This is slower than you'd expect from a children's book

Annie and the Wild Animals

by Jan Brett

When Annie's cat disappears, she sets out food to get her back.  She is surprised when the local wildlife responds instead, but starts welcoming anything that sets foot in the yard.  I think it's set in Alaska.

Audience:
Kindergartners love it, so did my 4th graders

What I Love:
Jan Brett's books always have intricate borders and wonderful illustrations

Cautions:
This isn't Christmas, but it's definitely winter

The Boggart

by Susan Cooper

This is a very cute children's book.  I expected it to be more adult considering that this is the author of The Dark is Rising but what I got was a charming children's story about a young girl and her adventures with a boggart.  His victim, Emily, turns out to be unscarable, but together they come up with a lot of fun ideas to scare the living daylights out of the community

Audience:
3rd-5th grade

What I Love:
The whole story is just charming.  I think it's the only children's story I've ever read (except Anne) that takes place in Canada.

Cautions:
This is one of the stories where the kids get away with murder.  There are some consequences, but overall their mischief is celebrated.  Also, there are some pretty dumb grown-ups

A House for Hermit Crab

by Eric Carle

A hermit crab has outgrown his home and needs a new one.  He tries to go bigger and better, but eventually finds the just right home.

Audience:
Children who are too young to read themselves-this is the perfect bedtime story

What I Love:
This story is so sweet and so pretty.

Cautions:
This is a young children's book

The Mixed-Up Chameleon

by Eric Carle


A chameleon can be anything it wants to be, and this little chameleon tries to be many different things before finding the best choice: Herself

Audience:
Little children through about second grade.  Once they are old enough to read chapter books they won't want this

What I Love:
The illustrations are so simple yet so fascinating

Cautions:
This is for young kids

The Grouchy Ladybug

by Eric Carle

There's always a bigger bully out there.  The grouchy ladybug tries to be the biggest, meanest thing in the neighborhood.  Unfortunately she's a bit small.  You need to be a friend to have a friend, and she learns that by the end

Audience:
Toddlers through 2nd grade

What I Love:
It's Eric Carle.  It looks great and the story is sweet.

Cautions:
This is a little kids book

The Very Quiet Cricket.

by Eric Carle

Just because you don't sound like everyone else, you shouldn't hold back what you have.  The Quiet Cricket learns to embrace his individuality

Audience:
Toddlers through second graders will enjoy this.  Older grades will feel like they are being talked down to.

What I Love:
The illustrations are beautiful (it's Eric Carle) and the message is very timely

Cautions:
This is a little kids book

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

by Eric Carle

This is one of the first books I ever read, and I still love it now.  It's about a caterpillar that eats and eats and eats until the day it makes itself a Christlike and becomes a butterfly

Audience
I've seen this one in a board book for toddlers, and I think anyone through second grade would love it.

What I Love:
The pictures are all gorgeous, and I love the hidden lesson about nutrition.  When the caterpilar eats healthy, he feels good.  When he eats junk, he feels miserable.

Cautions:
It's written for young children.  This one doesn't have the All Ages tag

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

James lived a happy life until he was about 5.  Then his parents were killed by a stampeding rhinoceros and he had to live with his Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker, who hate him.  They lived together for another 5 years until James was given something to make his "dreams come true."  Not understanding how to use it, he accidentally spends the magic wish making a Giant Peach on the Aunt's tree.  It doesn't take him long to recognize the peach as an escape, or to recognize that he isn't alone in the peach-the bugs are bigger too, just like the peach.  For the first time in his life, James has friends.  Together they cross the ocean, conquer all manner of challenges, and form life-long friendships.

Audience
I read it in 4th grade and that was a bit young.  I'd give it to 5th up to middle school.  I read it with some of my students and I love it even more as an adult

What I Love
It's funny and insightful.  The characters are easily lovable and all the problems are pretty funny.

Cautions
The grown-ups are the bad guys, as with everything Roald Dahl writes.  The problems are very fantasy oriented and suspension of disbelief will be hard if you're not prepared to swallow everything.

Bearenstien Bears

by Stan and Jan Bearenstien

These stories are about Mama and Papa Bear, their two cubs, Brother and Sister Bear, and their little community.  These are geared around life lessons and the ups and downs of growing up.  Personally, if the Bearenstien Bears have a book on it, I wouldn't mind using it to teach.  Several of the books are from a Christian perspective, but if it doesn't mention religion in the title, it's usually safe to use in schools


Audience
2nd-5th grade.  They are written for 3rd graders to read independently  and the lessons (such as nightmares) stay pertinent through life.

Why I Love It:
It can be hard to tackle life lessons like stranger dangers and bullying with children, and these books are amazing.  They do the perfect job of being serious without being scary.  They're a loving family that fight and make up all the time.

Cautions
Some of the books are religious

Series
The Berenstain Bears’ Counting Book
Papa’s Pizza: A Berenstain Bear Sniffy Book*
The Berenstain Bears and the Missing Dinosaur Bone*
The Berenstain Bears and the Mysterious Numbers
The Berenstain Bears’ Christmas Tree
The Berenstain Bears and the Sitter
The Berenstain Bears Go to the Doctor
The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day
The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist
The Berenstain Bears Go to Camp
The Berenstain Bears’ Storybook Treehouse
The Berenstain Bears and the Wild, Wild Honey
The Berenstain Bears’ Soccer Star*
The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble with Money
The Berenstain Bears' Olympics
The Berenstain Bears On the Job
Baby Bear's Toys 'n Noises
The Berenstain Bears and Mama’s New Job
The Berenstain Bears and the Big Election
The Berenstain Bears and the Dinosaurs
The Berenstain Bears and the Neighborly Skunk
The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV
The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear
The Berenstain Bears Shoot the Rapids
The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food
The Berenstain Bears’ Toy Time
The Berenstain Bears’ Bath Book
The Berenstain Bears' Knight to Remember
The Berenstain Bears and the Week at Grandma’s
The Berenstain Bears Meet Questron: Left, Right, Stop Go
The Berenstain Bears Meet Questron: One, Two, Three - How Many...
The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Habit
The Berenstain Bears and the Big Road Race
The Berenstain Bears and the Missing Honey
The Berenstain Bears Blaze a Trail
The Berenstain Bears Go to School
The Berenstain Bears and the Not-So-Buried Treasure
The Berenstain Bears and the Mansion Mystery
The Berenstain Bears Go Out for The Team
The Berenstain Bears On the Job
The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble at School
The Berenstain Kids: I Love Colors
The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Dream
The Berenstain Bears and the Double Dare
The Berenstain Bears and the Ghost of the Forest
The Berenstain Bears Ready, Get Set, Go!
The Berenstain Bears and the In-Crowd
The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Vacation
The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat
The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin
The Berenstain Bears and the Slumber Party
The Berenstain Bears Trouble with Pets
The Berenstain Bears and the Attic Treasure
The Berenstain Bears and the Eager Beavers
The Berenstain Bears and Life With Papa
The Berenstain Bears and the Substitute Teacher
The Berenstain Bears Are a Family
The Berenstain Bears at the Super-Duper Market
The Berenstain Bears Don’t Pollute (Anymore)
The Berenstain Bears’ Four Seasons
The Berenstain Bears Say Goodnight
The Berenstain Bears Science and Nature Super Treasury
The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Grownups*
The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Pressure*
The Berenstain Bears and the Big Red Kite
The Berenstain Bears and the Broken Piggy Bank
The Berenstain Bears Get Jealous
The Berenstain Bears: Home Sweet Tree
The Berenstain Bears Hug and Make Up
The Berenstain Bears Learn to Share
The Berenstain Bears On Time
The Berenstain Bears' Perfect Fishing Spot
The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Shadows
The Berenstain Bears On the Road
The Berenstain Bears Visit Fun Park
The Berenstain Bears Big Rummage Sale
The Berenstain Bears Home Sweet Tree
The Berenstain Bears and the Drug Free Zone
The Berenstain Bears and the New Girl in Town
The Berenstain Bears Gotta Dance!
The Berenstain Bears and the Nerdy Nephew
The Berenstain Bears and the Red-Handed Thief
The Berenstain Bears Accept No Substitutes
The Berenstain Bears and the Female Fullback
The Berenstain Bears and the Wheelchair Commando
The Berenstain Bears All Year 'Round
The Berenstain Bears and the Baby Chipmunk
The Berenstain Bears Bedtime Battle
The Berenstain Bears and the Excuse Note
The Berenstain Bears Family Get Together
The Berenstain Bears Get a Checkup
The Berenstain Bears at the Giant Mall
The Berenstain Bears and the Good Deed
The Berenstain Bears and the Hiccup Cure
The Berenstain Bears and the Jump Rope Contest
The Berenstain Bears Learn About Colors
The Berenstain Bears' Pet Show
The Berenstain Bears Spooky Old House
The Berenstain Bears Visit Farmer Ben
The Berenstain Bears and the Wishing Star
The Berenstain Bears With Nothing to Do
The Berenstain Bears and the Messy, Messy Room
The Berenstain Bears and the Secret Clubhouse
The Berenstain Bears and their Forest Friends
The Berenstain Bears and the Bully
The Berenstain Bears' New Neighbors*
The Berenstain Bears and the Galloping Ghost
The Berenstain Bears and the Giddy Grandma*
The Berenstain Bears and the Dress Code
The Berenstain Bears and the School Scandal Sheet
The Berenstain Bears at Camp Crush
The Berenstain Bears at Big Bear Fair
The Berenstain Bears and the Big Picture
The Berenstain Bears' Birthday Boy
The Berenstain Bears Lost in a Cave
The Berenstain Bears and the Soccer Tryouts
The Berenstain Bears and the Summer Job
The Berenstain Bears and the Talent Show
The Berenstain Bears Visit Uncle Tex
The Berenstain Bears In the Movies
The Berenstain Bears and the Green-Eyed Monster
The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Teasing
The Berenstain Bears Count Their Blessings*
The Berenstain Bears Media Madness
The Berenstain Bears in the Freaky Funhouse
The Berenstain Bears and the Showdown at Chainsaw Gap
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Humongous Pumpkin
The Berenstain Bear Scouts in Giant Bat Cave
The Berenstain Bear Scouts Meet Bigpaw
The Berenstain Bears Family Tree House
The Berenstain Bears: Bear Scout Treasury
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Coughing Catfish
The Berenstain Bears Cook It!
The Berenstain Bears Draw It!
The Berenstain Bears Fly It!
The Berenstain Bears Grow It!
The Berenstain Bears at the Teen Rock Café
The Berenstain Bears in Maniac Mansion
The Berenstain Bears in Big Bear City
The Berenstain Bears Visit the Big City
The Berenstain Bears: When We Grow Up
The Berenstain Bears: A Visit to the Big Museum
The Berenstain Bears, Yike! Yike! Where’s My Trike?
The Berenstain Bear Scouts Save That Backscratcher
The Berenstain Bears' Big Book of Beginner Books
The Berenstain Bears: Scrub a Dub Dub
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Terrible Talking Termites
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Sci-Fi Pizza
The Berenstain Bear Scouts Ghost Versus Ghost
The Berenstain Bears: Welcome to Bear Country
The Berenstain Bears' Sampler: The Best of Bear Country
The Berenstain Bears All-Time Favorite Nursery Songs
The Berenstain Bears at Big Fun Park
The Berenstain Bears' Easter Magic
The Berenstain Bears Go Out to Eat
The Berenstain Bears Go to the Movies
The Berenstain Bears Pick Up and Put Away
The Berenstain Bears and the Homework Hassle*
The Berenstain Bears and the Blame Game
The Berenstain Bears and the Bermuda Triangle
The Berenstain Bears and the Ghost Of The Auto Graveyard
The Berenstain Bears and the Haunted Hayride
The Berenstain Bears and Queenie’s Crazy Crush
The Berenstain Bears’ Home Sweet Tree
The A Book
The Berenstain Bears’ New Clothes
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Sinister Smoke Ring
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Magic Crystal Caper
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Run-Amuck Robot
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Ice Monster
The Berenstain Bears’ Thanksgiving
The Berenstain Bears’ Great Scuba Dive
The Berenstain Bears: Back to School
The Berenstain Bears Bedtime Stories
The Berenstain Bears Get the Grouchies
The Berenstain Bears Help Around the House
The Berenstain Bears Hold Hands at the Big Mall
The Berenstain Bears On the Road
The Berenstain Bears Say Please and Thank You
The Berenstain Bears in the Spooky Fun House
The Berenstain Bears' Big Book of Science and Nature
The Berenstain Bears Get Their Kicks
The Berenstain Bears Lend a Helping Hand
The Berenstain Bears Go Platinum
The Berenstain Bears and the Big Date
The Berenstain Bears and the Love Match
The Berenstain Bears and the Perfect Crime (almost)
The Berenstain Bears Get the Don’t Haftas
The Berenstain Bears Get the Screamies
The Berenstain Bears by the Sea*
The Berenstain Bears Ride the Thunderbolt* (as Visit Fun Park)
The Berenstain Bears' Big Bear, Small Bear*
The Berenstain Bears in the Dark
The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies
The Berenstain Bears Messy Room
The Berenstain Bears' Trouble with Money
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Missing Merit Badges
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Search For Naughty Ned
The Berenstain Bears Play Ball!
The Berenstain Bears’ Comic Valentine
The Berenstain Bears’ Easter Surprise
The Berenstain Bear Scouts Scream Their Heads Off
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Really Big Disaster
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Evil Eye
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Ripoff Queen
The Berenstain Bears' Mad, Mad, Mad Toy Craze
The Berenstain Bears Think of Those in Need
The Berenstain Bears and the Big Question
The Berenstain Bears and the G-Rex Bones
The Berenstain Bears Lost in Cyberspace
The Berenstain Bears Wax Museum
The Berenstain Bears Go Hollywood
The Berenstain Bears Get the Noisies
The Berenstain Bears Get the Scaredies
The Berenstain Bears Go Up and Down
The Berenstain Bears House of Mirrors
The Berenstain Bears Catch the Bus
Berenstain Baby Bears: My New Bed
Berenstain Baby Bears: My Trusty Car Seat
Berenstain Baby Bears: My Potty and I
Berenstain Baby Bears: Pacifier Days
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the White Water Mystery
The Berestain Bear Scouts and the Stinky Milk Mystery
The Berestain Bears' Book of Values
The Berenstain Bears' Red Roaster
The Berenstain Bears: The Whole Year Through
The Berenstain Bears: That Stump Must Go
The Birds, the Bees, and the Berenstain Bears
The Berenstain Bears and Baby Makes Five
The Berenstain Bears and the Big Blooper*
The Berenstain Bears No Guns Allowed
The Berenstain Bears Great Ant Attack
The Berenstain Bears Phenom in the Family
The Berenstain Bears Get the Twitchies
The Berenstain Bears Go In and Out
Berenstain Baby Bears Me First! Me First!
Berenstain Baby Bears My Everyday Book
The Berenstain Bears' Dollars and Sense
The Berenstain Bears and the Tic-Tac-Toe Mystery
The Berenstain Bears Escape of the Bogg Brothers
The Berenstain Bears and the Missing Watermelon Money
The Berenstain Bears and the Excuse Note*
The Berenstain Bears, the Runamuck Dog Show
The Berenstain Bears, the Wrong Crowd
The Berenstain Bears, the Goofy Goony Guy
The Berenstain Bears, the Haunted Lighthouse
The Berenstain Bears and the Real Easter Egg
The Berenstain Bears’ Funny Valentine
The Berenstain Bears, Ride Like the Wind
The Berenstain Bears' Report Card Trouble
The Berenstain Bears' Big Book of Stories
The Berenstain Bears' Bigger Book of Stories
The Berenstain Bears and the Papa’s Day Surprise
The Berenstain Bears, Too Small for the Team*
The Berenstain Bears Save Christmas
The Berenstain Bears Go to Grizzlyland
The Berenstain Bears and the Mama’s Day Surprise
The Berenstain Bears We Like Kites
Brother Bear Loves Dinosaurs
Sister Bear Learns to Share
The Berenstain Bears and the Baby Chipmunk
The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Chores
The Berenstain Bears and the Wishing Star
The Berenstain Bears: Bedtime Battle
The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Car Trip
The Berenstain Bears: Clean House
The Berenstain Bears Go Back to School
The Berenstain Bears Go On a Ghost Walk
The Berenstain Bears New Pup
The Berenstain Bears Play T-Ball
The Berenstain Bears’ Seashore Treasure
The Berenstain Bears’ Dinosaur Adventure
The Berenstain Bears Down on the Farm
The Berenstain Bears Out West
The Berenstain Bears Hug and Make Up
The Berenstain Bears Trouble with Commercials
The Berenstain Bears' New Kitten
The Berenstain Bears and the Big Spelling Bee
Big Book of The Berenstain Bears
The Berenstain Bears Trim the Tree
The Berenstain Bears Lose a Friend
The Berenstain Bears' Baby Easter Bunny
The Berenstain Bears' Big Bedtime Book
The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Influence
The Berenstain Bears' Really Big Pet Show
The Berenstain Bears: God Loves You
The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule
The Berenstain Bears Go To Sunday School
The Berenstain Bears Say Their Prayers
The Berenstain Bears' Valentine Party
The Berenstain Bears' Sleepover
The Berenstain Bears Family Reunion
The Berenstain Bears: Reading is Fun 3-Pack
The Berenstain Bears Love Their Neighbors
The Berenstain Bears Play a Good Game
The Berenstain Bears Safe and Sound!
The Berenstain Bears' Class Trip
The Berenstain Bears Faithful Friends
The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks
The Berenstain Bears Sick Days
The Berenstain Bears' Christmas Tree
Reading is Fun with The Berenstain Bears
The Berenstain Bears Go Out to Eat
The Berenstain Bears Discover God's Creation
The Berenstain Bears and a Job Well Done
The Berenstain Bears Go on Vacation
The Berenstain Bears All Aboard!
The Berenstain Bears and the Haunted House
The Berenstain Bears Show God's Love
The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving
The Berenstain Bears' Computer Trouble
The Berenstain Bears Jobs Around Town
The Berenstain Bears Neighbor in Need
The Berenstain Bears Kitten Rescue
The Berenstain Bears and the Forgiving Tree
The Berenstain Bears Holy Bible (NiRV)
The Big Book of Berenstain Bears Beginner Books
The Berenstain Bears Big Storybook Collection
The Berenstain Bears Follow God's Word
The Berenstain Bears Get Ready for Christmas
The Berenstain Bears' Gossip Gang
The Berenstain Bears Here's the Church Here's the Steeple
The Berenstain Bears Let the Bible Be Your Guide
The Berenstain Bears and the Little Lost Cub
The Berenstain Bears and Mama's Helpers
The Berenstain Bears and the Nutcracker
The Berenstain Bears and the Perfect Fishing Spot
The Berenstain Bears Reap the Harvest
The Berenstain Bears Say Please and Thank You
The Berenstain Bears Shaggy Little Pony
The Berenstain Bears Show Some Respect
The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Secrets
The Berenstain Bears' Winter Wonderland
The Berenstain Bears' Stories to Share
The Berenstain Bears: Tales from Bear Country
The Berenstain Bears Storybook Treasury
The Berenstain Bears' Old-Fashioned Christmas
The Berenstain Bears Dinosaur Dig
The Berenstain Bears and the Tooth Fairy
The Berenstain Bears at the Aquarium
The Berenstain Bears: Mama For Mayor
The Berenstain Bears: We Love Our Mom!
The Berenstain Bears: Faith Gets Us Through
The Berenstain Bears: God Made the Seasons
The Berenstain Bears: Good Deed Scouts to the Rescue
The Berenstain Bears Help the Homeless
The Berenstain Bears Honey Hunt Helpers
The Berenstain Bears: Bear Country Blessings
The Berenstain Bears: God Bless the Animals
The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story
The Berenstain Bears Get Involved
The Berenstain Bears: God Bless Our Home
The Berenstain Bears Treat Others Kindly
The Berenstain Bears Treasury
The Berenstain Bears All in the Family