Nonfiction

A Seed is Sleepy

Author: Dianna Hutts Aston

Illustrator: Sylvia Long

Copyright: Chronicle Books (2014)

Genre: Nonfiction, Nature

Appropriate for Ages: Kindergarten- 5th Grade

Theme: The growth of seeds and plants

Summary

This book serves as an introduction into the science behind the life of seeds and plants in the natural world. This book is full of interesting science facts in simple terms that children can connect with. Children are introduced to several types of seeds and their life cycles. All that a seed can do and grow into is explained in a new and exciting way!

” A seed is sleepy, but only until it has found a place in the sun and it has had its breakfast and a drink of water. Then, a seed is awake!”

Illustrations

The illustrations in this book are incredible! Sylvia Long is a highly talented artist, and this book is filled with her beautiful creations. The images are colorful and detailed, without being overwhelming. Certain words in the book are drawn in calligraphy, which adds a sweet tone to the book!

What do I think?

I think this book is a great, beginners guide to a basic science concept! I believe that children would be interested in this book and enjoy it. The author puts information into comprehendible terms for children to easily grasp. The images are bright and welcoming. Overall, I believe this book is great for a child’s nonfiction section of their library!

Activities

https://www.chroniclebooks.com/landing-pages/pdfs/EggSeedTeachersGuide.pdf

https://ideastations.org/science-matters/green-kids/green-kids-diy-garden-glove

Author’s Website

diannahaston.com

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Each Kindness

Author: Jacqueline Woodson

Illustrator: E.B. Lewis

Copyright: Nancy Paulsen Books (2012)

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Appropriate for Ages: Kindergarten- 3rd Grade

Theme: Treating others with kindness

Summary

Maya is the new girl at school. Chloe and her other classmates judge Maya the moment she steps into the classroom. Maya does not have the nicest clothes and coolest toys, and her classmates judge her for it. Every student shuns Maya and constantly rejects her. Maya has such a hard time being accepted that she eventually does not come back to school. After this, Chloe’s teacher teaches a lesson on kindness. The teacher explains that every action we have causes a ripple affect and that kindness goes a long way. This makes Chloe come to the realization of how unkind she had been and just how important kindness is.

“This is what kindness does, Ms. Albert said. Each little thing we do goes out, like a ripple, into the world.”

Illustrations

The illustrations in this book appear to be created using watercolors. The images are greatly detailed and realistic.

My Thoughts on Each Kindness

I think that Each Kindness is a MUST for every child’s library. The world can be very cruel, and as children grow older, they will face many bullies. A child may even find themselves playing the role of a bully at some point in their lives. This book serves as a reminder to all children to treat everyone with kindness, and that your actions always have consequences. Bullying is never the right thing to do.

Awards:

Coretta Scott King Honor Award

Jane Addams Peace Award

Activities

http://www.thenedshow.com/assets/keep-kindness-going-primary-lesson-plan-each-kindness.pdf

https://www.rif.org/literacy-central/book/each-kindness

Author’s Website

www.jacquelinewoodson.com

Science Fiction

Doug Unplugged

Author and Illustrator: Dan Yaccarino

Copyright: Knopf Books for Young Readers (2013)

Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy

Appropriate for ages: Kindergarten- 4th Grade

Theme: Exploring the world around you

Summary

Doug is a robot. His parents are also robots. Each day, Doug is plugged into a machine that floods him with facts about the world around him. Doug does not see the world, he only learns the facts about it from the machine. One day, Doug decides to see the world. Doug unplugs! His exploration of the world around him begins, and soon Doug sees that discovering the world for himself is much greater than staying plugged in.

“The best thing he learned was that if you want to show your parents you love them, you should give them a great big hug.”

Illustrations

The illustrations in this book are shaded in the same group of colors throughout the book. This does not make the images boring, however. Most of the pages include multiple drawings of actions that Doug does in the city. The images convey to the reader just how many great things there are to do in a big city.

My Thoughts on Doug Unplugged

I think this a great picture book to begin your child’s journey into the science fiction literary world! The story teaches a valuable lesson and encourages little readers to discover the great, big world around them!

Activities

Robots!

Author’s Website

http://yaccarinostudio.com

Modern Fantasy

Punk Farm

Author and Illustrator: Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Copyright: Dragonfly Books (2005)

Genre: Modern Fantasy, Personified Animals

Appropriate for ages: Preschool- 2nd Grade

Theme: Humorous, low fantasy animal adventure

Summary

It is the end of a long day on Farmer Joe’s farm. Farmer Joe is ready to call it a day, and so are the farm animals. Or are they? Meanwhile, Cow, Pig, Goat, Chicken, and Sheep are up to something in the barn. It looks like they are setting up music equipment! It is showtime, and the farm animals are ready to rock! Get ready to hear the best rendition of Old Macdonald that you have ever heard by the Punk Farm band.

“Old Macdonald had a farm!”

Illustrations

The illustrations in this picture book are full of excitement and energy. The farm animals look rockin’ in their punk rock outfits. The illustrations of the rock concert make the reader feel like they are front row at the best rock concert in town.

My Opinion of Punk Farm

This book is great! The story is exciting and interesting to children. Imagine farm animals who are punk rockers, pretty cool right? I think children will love the idea of punk rock farm animals and will become huge fans of Punk Farm.

Activities

http://readingtokids.org/Books/BookView.php?bookID=00000685

Author’s Website

http://www.studiojjk.com/

Traditional Literature

The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School

Author: Laura Murray

Illustrator: Mike Lowery

Copyright: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers (2011)

Genre: Traditional Literature, Cumulative Tale

Ages: Kindergarten- 3rd Grade

Theme: Finding your way back to your friends

Summary

This book is a modern retelling of the classic tale, The Gingerbread Man. In this book, the gingerbread man is made in a classroom. After the gingerbread man is baked, he finds himself alone! The students have left the classroom! Where are the students that created him? The gingerbread man journeys through the school to find his makers. Along the way, he is helped by friendly faces. Will he find the class that created him, or will he be lost in the big school forever?

“I’m the gingerbread man, and I’m trying to find the children who made me, but left me behind.”

Illustrations

This book is drawn in graphic novel style. This book could be considered an early reader graphic novel. The dialogue is inside of speech bubbles in varying styles and colors to emphasize emotion.

So, is it any good?

Yes! I think this book is a great, modern retelling of a traditional tale. This story takes place in a setting familiar to children, the classroom! The story includes characters that readers see in their own school. Children may already be familiar with this traditional tale, but I think they will love this retelling!