What's New in Picture Books
Feb. 17, 2015
Presented by Ashley Lambacher
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
Fiction -- Winner of the Caldecott Award 2015 -- All ages This magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match and-at long last-is given his special name: Beekle. Connections: This is great to use with creative writing, as students can write (and draw) their own imaginary friends. |
The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art by Barb Rosenstock
Nonfiction/Biography -- Caldecott Honor 2015 -- Age 7 and up A biography of abstract artist Vasilya Kandinsky. When young Vasya is sent to art classes, they expected him to paint pretty houses and flowers—like a proper artist. But as Vasya opened his paint box and began mixing the reds, the yellows, the blues, he heard a strange sound—the swirling colors trilled like an orchestra tuning up for a symphony! And as he grew older, he continued to hear brilliant colors singing and see vibrant sounds dancing. But was Vasya brave enough to put aside his proper still lifes and portraits and paint . . . music? Connections: This is an interesting look into synesthesia (being able to hear color and see music as color) and a good way to begin a conversation about how people see the world differently. For older students, some connecting books about synesthesia are A Mango-Shaped Space and The Name of This Book is Secret. |
The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant
Nonfiction/Biography -- Caldecott Honor 2015 -- Age 7 and up For shy young Peter Mark Roget, books were the best companions -- and it wasn’t long before Peter began writing his own book. But he didn’t write stories; he wrote lists. Peter took his love for words and turned it to organizing ideas and finding exactly the right word to express just what he thought. His lists grew and grew, eventually turning into one of the most important reference books of all time. Connections: What I like about this book is it emphasizes the power of words. It's always helpful for kids to know about what a thesaurus is, and this gives the added bonus of how it was created in the first place. This book can be read aloud, but there are so many details in the pictures that I feel it is best read individually. It also includes a timeline (with other inventions by Roget), further information about the man, and quotes by Roget. |
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett
Fiction -- Caldecott Honor 2015 -- All ages Sam and Dave are on a mission. A mission to find something spectacular. So they dig a hole. And they keep digging. And they find . . . nothing. Yet the day turns out to be pretty spectacular after all. Connections: This book shows how important pictures can be. It would be great to drive home the point that when reading any book, it is important to look at everything on the page (pictures, captions, titles, etc), as just reading the words in this book does not give you the whole picture. |
Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio
Fiction -- All ages This is the story of four puppies: Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, Ooh-La-La, and Gaston. Gaston works the hardest at his lessons on how to be a proper poodle, but never quite seems to fit in. But a chance encounter with a bulldog family in the park—Rocky, Ricky, Bruno, and Antoinette-- reveals there’s been a mix-up, and so Gaston and Antoinette switch places. The new families look right…but they don’t feel right. Can these puppies follow their noses—and their hearts—to find where they belong? Connections: This is a great book that deals with feeling and looking different, and trying to fit in. It can also be a connection for students with families who don't fit "the norm." It's a good book for theme and problem/solution. |
Battle Bunny by Jon Scieszka and Mac Barnett
Fiction -- Ages 7 and up When Alex gets a silly, sappy picture book called Birthday Bunny, he picks up a pencil and turns it into something he'd like to read: Battle Bunny. An adorable rabbit's journey through the forest becomes a secret mission to unleash an evil plan--a plan that only Alex can stop Connections: This humorous book would be great to use as a starting point for students to "rewrite" their own stories. Finding old books at garage sales would allow for students to rewrite them like Alex does (right on the book), or you could always have students look at a book and rewrite the story on regular paper. Just make sure you emphasize that writing in library books is bad! |
As an Oak Tree Grows by G. Brian Karas
Fiction -- All ages This inventive picture book relays the events of two hundred years from the unique perspective of a magnificent oak tree, showing how much the world can transform from a single vantage point. From 1775 to the present day, this fascinating framing device lets readers watch as human and animal populations shift and the landscape transitions from country to city. Methods of transportation, communication and energy use progress rapidly while other things hardly seem to change at all. Connections: A good example of past, present, and future and how inventions have impacted our lives (and the Earth) over the years. This would be good to pair with a look at Google Earth, which can show how the terrain has changed over the years since satellites. |
Winter Bees and Other Poems of the Cold by Joyce Sidman
Poetry -- All ages Poems about how animals stay alive in the wintertime and learn about their secret lives happening under the snow. Connections: Great to connect with learning about winter and hibernation. Also shows the relationships between plants and animals, and the importance of seasons changing. There are also short explanations about the facts in each poem. |
Hank Has a Dream by Rebecca Dudley
Fiction -- All ages In this poetic tale, Hank dreams that he can fly. Come along for the ride as he recreates the dream for his little friend. How far will Hank fly? What will he see? How high will he go? Connections: A companion book to Hank Finds an Egg, this story has minimal text and beautiful pictures. It's a good book to simply engage the imagination. |
What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada
Fiction -- All ages This is the story of one brilliant idea and the child who helps to bring it into the world. As the child's confidence grows, so does the idea itself. And then, one day, something amazing happens. This is a story for anyone, at any age, who s ever had an idea that seemed a little too big, too odd, too difficult. It s a story to inspire you to welcome that idea, to give it some space to grow, and to see what happens next. Because your idea isn t going anywhere. In fact, it's just getting started. Connections: We used this book to kick of 5th grade capstone projects, and could be used for any project in order to generate ideas. Great for inspiration and how ideas grow. |
My Teacher is a Monster! (No, I am Not) by Peter Brown
Fiction -- All ages A young boy named Bobby has the worst teacher. She's loud, she yells, and if you throw paper airplanes, she won't allow you to enjoy recess. She is a monster! Luckily, Bobby can go to his favorite spot in the park on weekends to play. Until one day... he finds his teacher there! Over the course of one day, Bobby learns that monsters are not always what they seem. Connections: A good story showing things aren't always what they seem. Also good for showing that there is more to people than what we see. This could be fun for students to re-enact in a reader's theater type way. |
The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade by Justin Roberts
Fiction -- All ages Hardly anyone noticed young Sally McCabe. She was the smallest girl in the smallest grade. But Sally notices everything—from the twenty-seven keys on the janitor’s ring to the bullying happening on the playground. One day, Sally has had enough and decides to make herself heard. And when she takes a chance and stands up to the bullies, she finds that one small girl can make a big difference. Connections: Shows the power of observation and how everyone, no matter how small, can make a difference. Good to use to kick-off a lesson in making a difference in the school/community. |
Quest by Aaron Becker
Fiction -- All ages A king emerges from a hidden door in a city park, startling two children sheltering from the rain. No sooner does he push a map and some strange objects into their hands than he is captured by hostile forces that whisk him back through the enchanted door. Just like that, the children are caught up in a quest to rescue the king and his kingdom from darkness, while illuminating the farthest reaches of their imagination. Colored markers in hand, they make their own way through the portal, under the sea, through a tropical paradise, over a perilous bridge, and high in the air with the help of a winged friend. Connections: Sequel to the book Journey, this wordless book takes readers on a magical quest and shows the power of imagination. |
Gravity by Jason Chin
Nonfiction -- All ages A book on gravity falls onto a beach where a boy is playing with his toy astronaut and spaceship. Suddenly without gravity, everything starts rising into the air and floating off into space. In the end, because “everything has gravity,” the objects fall back to earth. Connections: Shows how gravity works in very simple words and beautiful illustrations. |
Flashlight by Lizi Boyd
Fiction -- All ages Inside a tent it's cozy. But what is going on outside? Is it dark? Is it scary? Not if you have your trusty flashlight! A wordless book that uses light and dark, color and black, to tell a story of the night. Connections: This book is good for focusing on details, and showing how artists will use different ways to bring your attention to something. |
President Taft is Stuck in the Bath by Mac Barnett
Fiction -- All ages George Washington crossed the Delaware in the dead of night. Abraham Lincoln saved the Union. And President William Howard Taft, a man of great stature — well, he got stuck in a bathtub. Now how did he get unstuck? Connections: Loosely based on a rumor that President Taft got stuck in the White House bathtub (research has been unable to prove if that really happened), this book is just a fun read for laughs. There is a good message about teamwork in the end. |
Plants Feed Me by Lizzy Rockwell
Nonfiction -- All ages Detailed illustrations help teach new readers about the edible parts of different plants, including leaves, flowers, stems, roots, and seeds. Connections: Perfect for studying plants and how plants go from the farms/gardens of the world to grocery stores, and finally, to our homes. It also shows students the parts of plants that we eat. |
Ordinary People Change the World series by Brad Meltzer
Nonfiction/Biography -- All ages I am Rosa Parks, I am Abraham Lincoln, I am Albert Einstein, I am Amelia Earhart, and I am Jackie Robinson kick off a new biography series. Each book tells the story of one of America’s icons in a vivacious, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers, those who aren’t quite ready for the Who Was biography series. Each book focuses on a particular character trait that made that role model heroic. For example, Rosa Parks dared to stand up for herself and other African Americans by staying seated, and as a result she helped end public bus segregation and launch the country’s Civil Rights Movement. Connections: Wonderful for 2nd grade biography studies, and also works well for studying character traits. |
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
Fiction -- All ages A girl decides to make something magnificent with the help of her assistant—her dog, but they "are shocked to discover that the thing isn't magnificent. Or good. It isn't even kind-of-sort-of okay. It is all wrong. The girl tosses it aside and gives it another go." But it still doesn't work, and the girl gets MAD. Will she ever be able to make something magnificent? Connections: This is great for talking about feelings, perseverance, and how it's okay to make mistakes. |
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
Fiction -- All ages Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Beige Crayon is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown Crayon. Black wants to be used for more than just outlining. Blue needs a break from coloring all those bodies of water. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking—each believes he is the true color of the sun. What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best? Connections: This book is great for connections to writing letters and persuasive writing. It's also a great book for discussion with the idea of thinking outside of the box and being creative. This would also be a good exercise in creative writing -- what would a conversation with a different inanimate object (or objects) be like? |
The Scraps Book: Notes From a Colorful Life by Lois Ehlert
Nonfiction/Biography -- All ages Lois Ehlert always knew she was an artist. Her parents encouraged her from a young age by teaching her how to sew and saw wood and pound nails, and by giving her colorful art supplies. They even gave her a special spot to work that was all her own. Today, many years and many books later, Lois takes readers and aspiring artists on a delightful behind-the-scenes tour of her books and her book-making process. Connections: Wonderful to use when talking about how books are made. It also has a message of following your dreams. |
Baby Bear by Kadir Nelson
Fiction -- All ages The tale of a bear who finds his way home with the help of his animal friends, teaching readers that by listening to your heart and trusting yourself, you will always find a true home within yourself—and that even when it feels like you are alone, you never really are. Connections: Gorgeous pictures. Can be used with theme and problem/solution, as well as a starting point to talk about self-esteem and comforting yourself. |
A Dance Like Starlight: One Ballerina’s Dream by Kristy Dempsey
Fiction -- All ages Little ballerinas have big dreams. Dreams of pirouettes and grande jetes, dreams of attending the best ballet schools and of dancing starring roles on stage. But in Harlem in the 1950s, dreams don’t always come true—they take a lot of work and a lot of hope. And sometimes hope is hard to come by. But the first African-American prima ballerina, Janet Collins, did make her dreams come true. And those dreams inspired ballerinas everywhere, showing them that the color of their skin couldn’t stop them from becoming a star. Connections: This shows the power of hard work and following your dreams. This is also good to tie into Black History Month or talking about Civil Rights. |
E-I-E-I-O: How Old MacDonald Got His Farm (With a Little Help from a Hen) by Judy Sierra
Fiction -- All ages Once upon a time, Old MacDonald didn’t have a farm. He just had a yard — a yard he didn’t want to mow. But under the direction of the wise (and ecologically sensitive) Little Red Hen, Mac learns to look at the environment in a very different way, and whole new worlds start to bloom with the help of some mud, garbage, horse poop, and worms! Connections: This is a great look at ecosystems and how helpful locally grown food is. It shows how farms are started, and while it may seem dirty and smelly at first, it all grows into something beautiful. There's cute, humorous moments throughout as well, and gives a positive message about supporting local farms. |
Once Upon an Alphabet: Short Stories for All the Letters by Oliver Jeffers
Fiction -- All ages but readability/comprehension is for grade 2+ If words make up the stories and letters make up the words, then stories are made up of letters. In this menagerie we have stories made of words, made FOR all the letters. From an Astronaut who's afraid of heights, to a Bridge that ends up burned between friends, to a Cup stuck in a cupboard and longing for freedom, Once Upon an Alphabet is a creative tour de force from A through Z. Connections: This book is full of humor and makes story connections throughout the letters. This would be a good writing exercise in your class -- come up with a story for a letter (or two) in the alphabet, or even work with another student who has another letter to find ways to tie your story together. It would be really neat to do this with another class in another building/school/state even. |
Blizzard by John Rocco
Fiction -- All ages Blizzard is based on John Rocco's childhood experience during the now infamous Blizzard of 1978, which brought fifty-three inches of snow to his town in Rhode Island. Told with a brief text and dynamic illustrations, the book opens with a boy's excitement upon seeing the first snowflake fall outside his classroom window. It ends with the neighborhood's immense relief upon seeing the first snowplow break through on their street. In between the boy watches his familiar landscape transform into something alien, and readers watch him transform into a hero who puts the needs of others first. Connections: Good to use as an example of using what you know to create a story. |
Hug Machine by Scott Campbell
Fiction -- All ages Watch out world, here he comes! The Hug Machine! Whether you are big, or small, or square, or long, or spikey, or soft, no one can resist his unbelievable hugs! HUG ACCOMPLISHED! Connections: This is just a really cute story about being kind and how our actions can have a big impact on others. |
Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman
Fiction -- All ages Three bear siblings break their mother’s favorite blue seashell, and rather than tell her, they decide to set out in their sailboat to find her a new one. On their quest they encounter salty sailors, strange new islands, huge whales, and vast seas but no blue seashells. When a treacherous storm suddenly blows in, the three bears find themselves tossed about in their little boat, far from Mama. What will become of their search, and what will it take to bring them safely home? Connections: Good for problem/solution as well as discussing resolving conflict. |
Any Questions? by Marie-Louise Gay
Fiction -- All ages Many children want to know where stories come from and how a book is made. Marie-Louise Gay’s new picture book provides them with some delightfully inspiring answers though a fictional encounter between an author and some very curious children — together they collaborate on writing and illustrating a story. Marie-Louise Gay has scribbled, sketched, scrawled, doodled, penciled, collaged, and painted the words and pictures of a story-within-a-story that show how brilliant ideas creep up on you when you least expect it and how words sometimes float out of nowhere, asking to be written. Connections: This can be used to get creative juices flowing in writing a story, as well as to explore how stories are thought up and then made. |
Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate
Nonfiction -- All ages Captured as a baby, Ivan was brought to a Tacoma, Washington, mall to attract shoppers. Gradually, public pressure built until a better way of life for Ivan was found at Zoo Atlanta. From the Congo to America, and from a local business attraction to a national symbol of animal welfare, Ivan the Shopping Mall Gorilla traveled an astonishing distance in miles and in impact. Connections: A complimentary read to Applegate's The One and Only Ivan, Newbery Medal winner of 2014. Real pictures of Ivan are included in the back. This book can be used to discuss treatment of wild animals and the power of public pressure to make changes in the world. Students could find a cause they wish to support and write letters asking for change. Students could also learn more about the story of Colo, the Columbus Zoo's (and the world's) oldest captive gorilla. |
Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh by Sally M. Walker
Nonfiction -- All ages When Harry Colebourn saw a baby bear for sale at the train station, he knew he could care for it. Harry was a veterinarian. But he was also a soldier in training for World War I. Harry named the bear Winnie, short for Winnipeg, his company’s home town, and he brought her along to the training camp in England. Winnie followed Harry everywhere and slept under his cot every night. Before long, she became the regiment’s much-loved mascot. But who could care for the bear when Harry had to go to the battleground in France? Harry found just the right place for Winnie while he was away—the London Zoo. There a little boy named Christopher Robin came along and played with Winnie—he could care for this bear too! Connections: A great way for students to learn more about the creation of the Winnie-the-Pooh stories in an easy picture book format. It also includes pictures and text about Harry Colebourn and A.A. Milne. High interest nonfiction with a good look at how author's get their ideas. |
In New York by Marc Brown
Fiction -- All ages Marc Brown now calls New York City home, and with In New York, he shares his love for all that the city has to offer and all that it stands for, including the way it's always changing and evolving. From its earliest days as New Amsterdam to the contemporary wonders of Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building, to the kid-appealing subway, High Line, and so much more, Brown shows all the great things about New York. Connections: This would work wonderfully with 3rd grade social studies and exploring Hilliard. Students could create their own e-book(s) about Hilliard using a similar format to In New York, including what to do, maps, and special highlights of their hometown. |
Little Elliot, Big City by Mike Curato
Fiction -- All ages Amid the hustle and bustle of the big city, the big crowds and bigger buildings, Little Elliot leads a quiet life. In spite of the challenges he faces, Elliot finds many wonderful things to enjoy—like cupcakes! And when his problems seem insurmountable, Elliot discovers something even sweeter—a friend. Connection: Good for talking about kindness, helping others, and how helping others can help you. Also a good book for those who feel invisible, and how others have problems, too. |
Winter is Coming by Tony Johnston
Fiction -- All ages Day after day, a girl goes to her favorite place in the woods and quietly watches from her tree house as the chipmunks, the doe, the rabbits prepare for the winter. As the temperature drops, sunset comes earlier and a new season begins. Silently she observes the world around her as it reveals its secrets. It takes time and patience to see the changes as, slowly but surely, winter comes. Connections: This book ties in well with seasons of fall and winter, and does a nice job showing how the earth changes (like leaves turning and falling) and how animals adapt (like getting food and hibernating). It also shows the importance of observation in science. |
Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads by Bob Shea
Fiction -- All ages Drywater Gulch has a toad problem. Not the hop-down-your-britches, croaking-all-night toad kind of problem. The thievin', hootin' and hollerin', steal-your-gold never-say-thank-you outlaw toad kind of problem. Then hope rides into town. Sheriff Ryan might only be seven years old, and he might not know much about shooting and roping. But he knows a lot about dinosaurs. Yes, dinosaurs. And it turns out that knowing a thing or two about paleontology can come in handy when it comes to hoodwinking and rounding up a few no-good bandits. Connections: Just a funny, laugh-out-loud book. |
The Secrets of the Seasons: Orbiting the Sun in Our Backyard by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld
Nonfiction -- Ages 8 and up Alice and her friend Zack explore the reasons for the seasons. Alice's narrative is all about noticing the changes as fall turns into winter, spring, and then summer. She explains how the earth's yearlong journey around the sun, combined with the tilt in the earth's axis, makes the seasons happen. Two very helpful—and very funny—chickens give more science details and further explanation through charts, diagrams, and sidebars. Connections: This book is a bit text heavy for younger readers, but I think it would be ideal for 4th graders and older when learning about the Earth and seasons. |
Grandfather Gandhi by Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus
Nonfiction/Biography -- Ages 9 and up Young Arun is pushed by another boy on the soccer field, and anger fills him completely. His grandfather, Gandhi, has taught him the way of peace, but it feels out of reach for Arun. Will he ever be able to be like his grandfather and get rid of his anger? Connections: The author is the real Arun, Gandhi's actual grandson, and the teachings of turning your inner darkness into light is something all children struggle with. The text makes it more suitable to 3rd grade and up. It focuses on Gandhi's teachings of peace and not the historical time period of Gandhi's revolution. This is a good book for talking about anger and bullying, as well as how peace and kindness can only be achieved with more peace and kindness. |
Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall
Fiction -- All ages Red has a bright red label, but he is, in fact, blue. His teacher tries to help him be red (let's draw strawberries!), his mother tries to help him be red by sending him out on a playdate with a yellow classmate (go draw a nice orange!), and the scissors try to help him be red by snipping his label so that he has room to breathe. But Red is miserable. He just can't be red, no matter how hard he tries! Finally, a brand-new friend offers a brand-new perspective, and Red discovers what readers have known all along. He's blue! Connections: A wonderful way to describe how to be true to yourself, even if that means not "fitting in." This is also a good metaphor for showing how even if you change the outside of something, it's still the same on the inside. Good to pair with The Day the Crayon's Quit. |
I Don't Want to Be a Frog by Dev Petty
Fiction -- All ages Frog wants to be anything but a slimy, wet frog. A cat, perhaps. Or a rabbit. An owl? But when a hungry wolf arrives—a wolf who HATES eating frogs—our hero decides that maybe being himself isn’t so bad after all. Connections: A good book about appreciating yourself and what you have, and how the "grass isn't always greener." |
100 Things That Make Me Happy by Amy Schwartz
Fiction -- All ages A list in rhyming couplets, this book is a tribute to 100 everyday things worth celebrating. Connections: Great to use for the 100th day of school as well as looking at the little things that make life good. Also good for rhyming words. Can be used to help students think of the good things in their own lives. |
Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh
Nonfiction -- Ages 9 and up Almost 10 years before Brown vs. Board of Education, Sylvia Mendez and her parents helped end school segregation in California. An American citizen of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage who spoke and wrote perfect English, Mendez was denied enrollment to a “Whites only” school. Her parents took action by organizing the Hispanic community and filing a lawsuit in federal district court. Their success eventually brought an end to the era of segregated education in California. Connections: This book is a great way to talk about civil rights and how many minority groups in America were treated unfairly. A great companion to any book or discussion surrounding the Civil Rights movement and segregation. It would be great to be paired with Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan, or Sit-In by Andrea Davis Pinkney. |
Some Bugs by Angela DiTerlizzi
Nonfiction -- All ages Featuring insects including butterflies and moths, crickets and cicadas, bumblebees and beetles, this zippy rhyming exploration of backyard-bug behavior is sure to have insect enthusiasts of all ages bugging out with excitement! Connections: A cute look at what's in our backyards. Great for K-1 to learn about bugs and some of the things they do. |