Children

Jasper Rabbit absolutely loves carrots until his paranoia catches the better of him and he feels surrounded by the suspicious vegetables all the time. This one makes for a very entertaining read aloud.

How could you pass up a book with a title like that? This book makes for great storytime fun!

The first in a series of stories chronicling the Orphan Train Movement at the start of the 20^th century, Wanderville is sure to commence interesting conversations among your upper elementary students. Important for students to understand and appreciate all of their modern-day conveniences.

I love Eve Bunting. Her books are a treasure. She has written a number of great Halloween books for kids (including In the Haunted House and Scary, Scary Halloween) and a couple of my favorite children’s books, Fly Away Home, which deals with homelessness, and A Day’s Work, which deals with a grandfather day laborer’s struggles with English. Most of Bunting’s books are touching and represent the diversity of students that are in our schools. This is just a good, old-fashioned rhyme that makes for a perfect read aloud with young children.

A very funny Turkish folktale with marvelous illustrations by Andre Letria.

Hilarious account of a man stalked by a skunk. With great illustrations by the always reliable Patrick McDonnell, Barnett’s book is a perfect read aloud, as it will delight adult readers as well as little listeners with its dry wit.

I adore familiar tales told from different points of view. Everyone knows the tale of Cinderella, but this version puts a macabre spin on it. Again, this makes for a great read aloud, but you need to practice it before you read it, as the rhyming scheme was quite complicated for a white guy like me.

A lot of adults – particularly those quick to divorce their spouse – should take a look at this endearing story about a little boy who tries to trade his goldfish in for a better pet – only to discover that maybe his original pet was better than he thought.

Perfect for frantic parents (e.g. my wife and me) who worry about the pace of their child’s development. Like my teaching mentor used to say, “Each and every one of us is gifted; it just takes some of us a little longer to unwrap the presents.”

All you really need to know about this book is that a family of pigs hunts around every nook and cranny in their house to find spare change to pay for their evening meal at the Enchanted Enchilada. I tell you – children’s authors have delightful imaginations.

How I just recently came across this book is beyond me. Once again, the French win the award for “twisted tale for children.” I loved this tale of strange vampires sucking the black blood out of the books. Extremely creative and a story readers of all ages will appreciate.

I love getting my mathematicians excited about reading with great math literature, and Lorren Leedy is one of my favorite “math” authors. In this fun poem, Leedy introduces readers to what the world would be like without numbers.

Michael Jordan was once a kid who faced the same challenges that many kids face. I love this book because it shows children that with commitment and perseverance, anyone can accomplish anything.

This is what I call a “golden book,” because it is written in two languages, Spanish and English. Spanish speakers around the world are familiar with this popular song of celebration, and the lyrics are translated into English for English speakers. Caldecott winner Diaz provides beautiful illustrations in his typical bright, alluring colors.

A must read for all ages this November, as this lovely book chronicles the decades-long letter-writing campaign of Sarah Josepha Hale to Congress to create a national Thanksgiving holiday. Illustrator Matt Faulkner creates the funniest and best illustration of Congress that I have ever seen, and the story is a lesson in persistence and passion for us all. By the way, when she wasn’t writing letters to officials, Sarah occupied herself by creating nursery rhymes like Mary Had a Little Lamb.