If You Decide to Go to The Moon

AUTHOR: Faith McNulty

ILLUSTRATOR: Steven Kellogg

PUBLISHER: Scholastic Press

PUBLICATION DATE: 2005

AWARDS: Parents' Choice Award Fall 2005

GENRE: Speculative Fiction

READING LEVEL: Grade 3

BRIEF OVERVIEW: This book gives children an imaginary image of what it is like to travel to the moon. The book gives real facts like where the first explorers landed, The book also gives fictitious instructions and tips for someone who would to make that trip.  

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Each student will create their own playlist of songs to listen when the travel to the moon. 

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Shaneiga Prise, Valdosta State University ECSE

LABELS: Space, award-winning, moons, GR K-3, fun

Boxes for Katje

AUTHOR: Candace Fleming ILLUSTRATOR: Stacey Dresses-McQueen

PUBLISHER: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux     PUBLICATION DATE:  9/12/2003

AWARDS:  Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2003, Washington D.C. Capitol Choice Book Award Nominee

GENRE: Historical Fiction        READING LEVEL:  7 to 8 years old

BRIEF OVERVIEW: A young girl living in Holland receives packages from a girl living in the USA. They become pen pals and the entire town is affected. The book looks at the war from a different perspective than why and who is involved. Students can see themes such as suspense, different cultures, and giving to others.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: FINE ARTS: Have students begin collecting items to send to another country for Christmas; candy, small toys, tooth brushes, and tooth paste. Use some sort of organization such as Operation Christmas Child to send the items to other boys and girls. 

ENGLISH: Write a letter to Katje and her community telling them items you would send. Have the students tell her a little bit about themselves and their families. 

SOCIAL STUDIES/GEOGRAPHY: Discuss where Holland is on the map. Look at climate, surrounding countries, and customs. Discover how far away Holland is from the classroom using Google Maps.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Heather Ganas, Valdosta State University ECSE

Song and Dance Man

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Karen Ackerman/Stephen Gammell

PUBLISHER: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.                  PUBLICATION DATE:  1988

AWARDS: Caldecott 1989
GENRE: Realistic Fiction/Picture Book
 READING LEVEL: Ages 6-8

BRIEF OVERVIEW: Three Grandchildren visit their grandfather and he pulls out all of his old dancing shoes and hats and puts on a show.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Have your own tap dancing show by tapping a coin to the bottom of the students’ shoes and having them come up to the “stage” to perform their dance just like Grandpa in the story.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Katie Holliday, Valdosta State University, ECSE

LABELS: Dancing, Award-winning, History

Guess How Much I Love You

TITLE:  Guess How Much I Love You

AUTHOR: Sam McBratney

ILLUSTRATOR: Anita Jeram

PUBLISHER: Walker Books                      PUBLICATION DATE:  1994

AWARDS:  ALA Notable Children’s Books (1996)

GENRE: Fiction/Picture Book            READING LEVEL:  Grade 3

BRIEF OVERVIEW: Right before bed time, Little Nutbrown Hare wanted to be sure Big Nutbrown Hare knew just how much he loved him by comparing it to how high he can hop and how wide he can reach. However, Big Nutbrown Hare can hop even higher and reach wider that Little Nutbrown Hare to show his love. 

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Have the children write a show narrative about how much they love someone, whether it be a mother, father, brother, or friend. Then have them draw a picture to match their narrative.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Hillary Crosby, Valdosta State University ECSE

LABELS: bedtime, Animals, award-winning, children's book

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

TITLE:  Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Judith Viorst/Ray Cruz

PUBLISHER: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Reprint Edition)             

PUBLICATION DATE: July 15, 1987

AWARDS:  George G. Stone Center Recognition of Merit, Georgia Children's Book Award

GENRE: Fiction           

READING LEVEL: 4^th grade

BRIEF OVERVIEW: Alexander has a series of bad things that happen to him in one day. His mom reassures him that everyone has bad days.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Students will create a story that describes their own very bad day.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: (Hannah Haynes, Valdosta State University ECSE)

LABELS: classic fiction, bad day, award-winning

Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Verna Aardema/Leo and Diane Dillon

PUBLISHER: Puffin/Dial         

PUBLICATION DATE:  1975

AWARDS: Caldecott Medal

GENRE: Folk Tale          

READING LEVEL: 3^rd Grade

BRIEF OVERVIEW: The mosquito caused a domino effect of events occurring all because of the lie she told. Her lie resulted in misinterpretations, a killing of an owlet and Mother Owl not hooting to bring back daylight.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Have students become the characters in the story and reenact the book. At the end of the reenactment have a discussion about the book.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: (Andrea Joyner, Valdosta State University ECSE)

LABELS: African, award-winning, folktales

I Need My Monster

 

TITLE: I Need My Monster

AUTHOR: Amanda Noll ILLUSTRATOR: Howard McWilliam

PUBLISHER: Flashlight Press    PUBLICATION DATE:  2009              GENRE: Fiction Picture Book  READING LEVEL: Ages 5-8

BRIEF OVERVIEW: This story is about a little boy who unlike most children is not really afraid of the monster under his bed, but he needs his monster to sleep.  Unfortunately his monster has gone fishing.  Several new monsters show up but none are good enough for the little boy.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: After the read aloud students will draw their favorite monster.

Awards:  Golden Sower Primary 2011-2012

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Curtis Watson, Valdosta State University ECSE

LABELS: Award-winning, Fiction, Monsters.

Extraordinary Jane by Hannah E. Harrison

author and illustrated by Hannah E. Harrison
Copyright: 2014 Reading Level: PreK-1st grade
Book Description: A beautifully illustrated book about a little dog named Jane. Jane is an ordinary dog in an extraordinary circus. She isn't strong, graceful, or brave like her family. When she tries to be those things, Jane just doesn't feel like herself, but she also doesn't feel special. Her Ringmaster helps her to see that she is actually very special, but not for reasons that she would believe. 
Integrated Idea: In a world where we constantly praise children for being best, fastest, smartest and prettiest - it's high time we remind our children that you're unique and extraordinary just being themselves. The students will determine their most favorite aspect about themselves and present it to their classmates. Whether it be drawing, jumping, singing, dancing, etc. Whatever "it" is that makes them feel special, is exactly what makes them so special. 
Reviewer's name and affiliation: Bethany A. Loggins, Valdosta State University