Pura Belpre Awards

Krull, K., & Morales, Y. (2003). Harvesting hope, the story of cesar chavez. Harcourt Children's Books.

Genre: Non-fiction - Biography

The biography of Cesar Chavez is presented from childhood to the success of the grape strike in California. The author’s note gives more information about Chavez.

Children will be drawn to the bold illustrations and also, the multicultural details that relate to Hispanic students’ lives.

This book is best used with upper elementary, possibly during a Social Studies unit or lesson about biographies. There is a lot of body language to discuss in the illustrations, as well. 

Morales, Y. (2003). Just a minute, a trickster tale and counting book. Chronicle Books Llc.

Genre: Fiction - Folk Tale
When Senor Calavera visits Grandma Beetle to take her to the after-life, she has ten different excuses to avoid going. As she counts her jobs in English and Spanish, she is actually preparing for her birthday party. Senor Calavera decides to let her enjoy another birthday with her family.

Children love a birthday party but they sometimes forget the preparation that goes into the party. This book is a fun reminder. It also incorporates vocabulary, food, and experiences that are familiar to Hispanic children.  

I would use this book as a read-aloud first and then, use it in a small group to further explore the details of the illustrations. You could also create a bilingual numeral/set book or pocket chart. 

Andrews-Goebel, N. (2002). The pot that juan built. New York, NY: Lee & Low Books, INC.

Genre: Non-fiction - Biography

This cumulative poem gives the history of Juan Quezada, a Mexican potter, and his art based on the Casas Grandes people’s pottery. It also has an afterword explaining the process, in detail.

The poetry, with cumulative and rhyming lines, gives a history lesson in an engaging manner. It makes history seem more fun and vibrant than most other books. The illustrations are vibrant and eye-catching, too.

Because the book has poetry and prose, I would introduce the book’s poetry during a group lesson but use the biographical information in a small group. Using this book with other cumulative poems would be a fun way to present children’s biographies for Open House.

Gonzalez, M. (2007). My colors, my world: Mis colores, mi mundo. San Francisco, CA: Children's Book Press.

Genre: Fiction - Realistic Fiction

Gonzalez’s character is based on herself, as a young child, growing up in the Mojave desert in California. The young girl in this book sees only one color – sand. But her feathered friend helps her see that the desert has many colors. The colors are presented in English and Spanish.

Most children think of the desert as a brown or beige place, the desert in this book is multi-colored. The new perspective is interesting and captures children’s curiosity.

This would be a nice way to introduce colors at the beginning of the year, especially with a bilingual or ELL group. I would have student make a flap-book with items of respective colors on each page. 

Pura Belpre Award

Orbis Pictus Award

Freedman, Russell. Children of the great depression. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2007. Print.

Genre: Non-fiction - Narrative Non-Fiction

Because the Great Depression seems far removed from today’s children, it is easier to teach them from a youngster’s view. What did children of the 1930’s experience? What were their thoughts?

This book is best used for upper elementary – first in large group and then, smaller groups to absorb the details.

Text-to-self connections make history lessons more relevant. After reading this book, I would ask students to begin journaling their stories for their own grandchildren of the future.

Brimner, L. D. Birmingham sunday. Honesdale, PA: Calkins Creek Books, 2010. Print.

Genre: Non-fiction - Narrative Non-Fiction

In 1963, racial bombings in Birmingham were frequent but rarely deadly until Sunday, September 15. Four children, all girls, were killed in this bombing. The public was so outraged that it helped propel the adoption of the Civil Rights Act. The book uses historical documents in a scrapbook format to tell the story.

Children often find history books to be dry but this book uses text, photographs, song lyrics, and more to make the lesson meaningful and interesting.

This book is best used for upper elementary – first in large group and then, smaller groups to absorb the details.

Using the children’s biographies gives the history lesson more impact and I would expect my students to create an “All About Me” foldable, giving facts about the bombing victims.

Balloons over Broadway

Genre: Non-Fiction - Biography

Tony Sarg develops his love of marionettes into puppets for Macy’s department store window. The window displays are so successful that Macy’s asks Sarg to produce more.  He then invents a new type of marionette, on a grand scale,  for the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Children are drawn to the bright colors, large letters, and subject matter of parades and puppetry. The mixed media adds interest to the illustrations. The illustrations include sketches, collages, diagrams, maps, horizontal and vertical pages, newspaper clippings, and photographs to tell the story of Tony Sarg.

This book could be used in a social studies or art lesson but the illustrations are best absorbed in small groups.

I would have students create a self-portrait parade balloon. What do you want others to see when they look at you? What are your best features?

Orbis Pictus Award

Schneider Family Book Award

Lyon, G. E., and L. Avril. The pirate of kindergarten. New York: Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books, 2011. Print.

Genre - Fiction  - Realistic Fiction

Ginny sees everything in double-vision and thinks that is normal until her vision screening. Her doctor prescribes glasses, exercises, and a patch! Ginny becomes the Kindergarten Pirate who can see things correctly!

This book should be shared, in whole group, at the beginning of school to discuss acceptance of people’s differences and compassion for others.

Immediately, I thought my class would enjoy this book because pirates are so popular right now. Once I read the book, I thought my students would still enjoy the book because the illustrations are colorful and Ginny is a typical student who is easy to relate to.

After reading this with my class, I would try to supply pirate patches for my class. How does the patch affect your sight? How would you function if your vision was obscured? We would continue the lesson with a discussion about disabilities.

Seeger, P., & Jacobs, P. (2006). The deaf musicians. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.

Genre - Fiction  - Realistic Fiction

Lee plays with a jazz band every night until he loses his hearing. After he learns sign language, he gradually creates a new kind of band, made entirely of deaf musicians.

The musical and rhythmic language in this book is engaging and interesting.

Keeping the lyrical language in mind, I would be sure to use this during story time. 

Because this book uses so much onomatopoeia, I would reinforce this by having students brainstorm other onomatopoeia phrases for inanimate objects.

Parker, R. (2008). Piano starts here: the young art tatum. Random House, Inc.

Genre - Non-Fiction - Biography

Art Tatum, who was born with limited vision that continued to worsen, became a famous piano player despite his vision difficulties.

Parker uses vivid language to describe Tatum’s environment. His descriptive language adds to the visualization of Tatum’s world and experiences.

I would use this book with older students during a large group lesson about visualization. I would first read several pages to my students who cannot see the illustrations. Then, I would ask them to sketch out the scene/experience described in the book. When completed, we would compare the students’ sketchbooks to the actual book illustrations.

Schneider Family Book Award

Robert H. Sibert Award

Kerley, B. (2008). What to do about alice?, how alice roosevelt broke the rules, charmed the world, and drove her father teddy crazy!. Scholastic.

Genre - Non-fiction - Biography

A fun biography of Alice Roosevelt, daughter of Theodore Roosevelt, who broke social conventions set for women of the early 20^th century.

Alice Roosevelt was a true comedienne and one of the first celebrities before “paparazzi”. Her stories are outlandish and fun. Children will see her as a fun person rather than an old-fashioned history lesson.

This book is a fun history lesson for upper elementary students because it has a different perspective about a historical figure. I would share before studying women of history.

After introducing additional female historical figures, I would use a Venn diagram to compare/contrast women and men in history. What is the same? What is different? Have the roles changed in the last century? Why?

Floca, B. (2009). Moonshot. Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books.

Genre - Non-fiction - Narrative Non-fiction

Richly informative text and superbly accurate illustrations tell the story of Apollo Flight 11.

There is a plethora of information related to Apollo Flight 11 and the national space program. It is presented in child-friendly language and interesting illustrations (almost a comic book style).

I would use this in upper elementary children’s social studies lesson – first as whole group for informative text and then, in classroom library for information gleaned from illustrations.

Encourage small groups to research a historical topic and use a comic strip format to retell the important details. 

Robert H. Sibert Award

Bank Street College Best Books for Children List

Brun-Cosme, N., Tallec, O., & Bedrick, C. (2011). Big wolf & little wolf. Brooklyn, NY: Enchanted Lion Books.

Genre: Fiction - Realistic Fiction

Big Wolf has always lived alone and thought he liked it. Then, Little Wolf arrived and worked his way into Big Wolf’s heart. When Little Wolf disappears, Big Wolf began to realize how much he needed Little Wolf. They both decided to end the loneliness and stay together from then on.

This story will resonate with children who have new siblings and are not used to sharing a home, bed, or room with that younger child. It can be a challenge to share but before long, it is hard to imagine what life was like before the new person came.

I would share this one-on-one with a loved one or a child who is expecting a younger sibling. This would be a gentle introduction to a discussion about sibling rivalry, too.

After reading this book, you could write a letter or make a card to welcome the new sibling.

McDonald, M. (2009). It's picture day today!. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.

Genre – Fiction – Fantasy

It is picture day but this class picture has a different kind of student: art supplies! Various art supplies (buttons, feathers, strings, rings, yarn and more) gather together to make artsy characters for the photograph. One item got “stuck in traffic.”

The illustrations look festive, the text is rhythmical, and the concept is fun. The art supply characters have humorous personalities, too. Children want to join this art party.

The rhyming words and large illustrations are useful for story time for early childhood students.

Before starting a craft activity with found items, I would use this book for inspiration. What could you make with these supplies? Could you make an animal? A person? What else?

Mora, Pat, and Rafael López. Book Fiesta!: Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day, Celebremos El dia de los ninos/El Dia de lose libros. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2009. Print.

Genre: Fiction - Poetry

Mora celebrates The Day of the Child with a “book party” in this bilingual book. Mora also provides, in the back of the book, suggestions for celebrating Book Day.

Colorful illustrations, vibrant verses, and just another reason for a party should interest young children in this book!

This book is best shared with a group – modeling voice inflection and rhythm.

The Day of the Child is a small celebration. I would ask students to think about what books should have a party. Create a party, complete with invitations, which will motivate classmates to read new books.

Parenteau, S. (2009). Bears on chairs. Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.

Genre: Fiction - Realistic Fiction

Four bears and one BIG bear try to share four chairs. What is the solution?

The bears in this book are so cute and look cuddly. Young children will want to know what happens to them. The rhyming text is soothing as well.

I would share this during bedtime or during toddler story time.

Retelling and acting out this short book would be so fun. I would make little headbands for the children and have them share chairs. We could also play Musical Chairs as an extension activity.

Emberley, R., & Emberley, E. (2009). Chicken little. New York: Roaring Brook.

Genre: Fiction - Fairy Tale

Chicken Little and his friends run to find shelter when they fear the sky is falling. Foxy Loxy offers his mouth as a shelter but their feathers make his sneeze – throwing the group back out to escape HIM!

The rhyming names, bright illustrations, and repetitive text make this book an enjoyable story for young children.

Because this book is short and has repetitive text and funny names, I would share this during story time for young children. I would ask the children to participate in the reading.

After reading this book, I would ask children to make new character names and create a new ending for a spin on this story.

Bank Street College Best Books for Children List

Charlotte Zolotow Award

Henkes, K. (2004). Kitten's first full moon. New York: Greenwillow Books.

Genre: Fiction - Realistic Fiction

When Kitten sees a full moon for the first time, she tries to follow it and lick it. She experiences failure but when she returns home, a full bowl of milk is waiting for her.

Children like stories about animals and they can especially relate to Kitten’s feelings in the book.

I would use this book as a bedtime story or during story time for young children.

This book has several opportunities for text-to-self connections in a discussion about feelings. When do you feel sad? Tired? Scared? Etc.

Graham, B. (2008). How to heal a broken wing. Candlewick.

Genre: Fiction - Realistic Fiction

In a large metropolitan city, Will is the only person who notices an injured bird lying on the pavement. With the help of his parents, Will learns how to let time AND hope heal a broken wing. This book contains more body language than text and the message is still very clear to children.

This book could be shared in a small group but the illustrations are better understood after much exploration. The illustrations contain several details, soft coloring (with spotlighted characters), and even symmetry in architecture and various objects. Reading facial cues and body language are important life lessons and this book would be a good introduction.

Willems, M. (2004). Knuffle bunny, a cautionary tale. New York, NY: Hyperion.

Genre: Fiction - Humor

Trixie, Daddy, and Knuffle Bunny go to the Landromat but only Trixie and Daddy return. Daddy cannot understand Trixie’s pleas for help until Mom intervenes. When Trixie sees Knuffle Bunny, she speaks for the first time.

Young children relate to losing a “lovey” and non-readers can understand the story without reading the words. The illustrations are very interesting, too.

Due to the subject matter, I would use this book for story time with young children.

This book is a nice introduction to a lesson about feelings. How do you feel when things get lost? What do you do? Scream? Whine? Ask for help? Role play different scenarios and brainstorm positive solutions. 

Charlotte Zolotow Award

Texas 2x2 Reading List

Becker, B. (2009). A visitor for bear. Candlewick Press.

Genre: Fiction - Realistic Fiction

All Bear wants is to be left in peace. He has a sign – “No Visitors,” but Mouse just ignores it. Bear repeatedly throws Mouse out of the house but each time, Mouse appears in another unexpected place. Finally, Bear and Mouse sit down for tea and begin a friendship.

Children can relate to wanting to strike up friendships with new people. They, like Mouse, are not always sure how to do that, though.

This book is to be read aloud to a small group of younger children. It is a conversation starter about beginning friendships and also, manners when visiting friends’ homes. 

Urbanovic, J. (2008). Duck soup. HarperCollins Publishers.

Genre: Fiction - Realistic Fiction

Max wants to make his own masterpiece soup but he goes out to the garden to get the “missing” ingredient. As he is busy, his friends walk in and, not seeing Max, decide that Max must have fallen into the pot of soup. They mistakenly pour out the soup, looking for Max. In the end, Max and his friends eat pizza instead of soup.

Bold graphics and multicultural references make this book fun to read in small groups. I would type out various sentences without punctuation marks to sort into statements, questions, and exclamations. You could also introduce a lesson about sequential order of cooking before writing/drawing a “how-to.”

Rocco, J. (2011). Blackout. (1 ed., Vol. 1). New York: Disney Hyperion Books.
Genre: Fiction - Realistic Fiction

On a busy summer night, a neighborhood experiences a blackout. One family plays inside until it gets too hot and then, discover it is more fun outside. Suddenly, no one is too busy to visit! When the lights come back on, the children decide to try “blackout” nights for family fun.

This story is told from the child’s perspective. The story is depicted as a graphic novel with speech bubbles and very little text. The colors are bright and the family is young and “hip.”

This would be fun to use during story time, with the lights off (of course!).

Using this during summer story time would be ideal. I would introduce board games after this book since many children do not know how to play basic board games. 

McDonnell, P. Me... jane. New York: Little Brown & Co, 2011. Print.
Genre: Non-fiction - Biography

This is a light-hearted look at Dr. Jane Goodall’s childhood dream to live in Africa where she would live with and study animals. Original sketches drawn by young Jane are included in the illustrations.

This book could be shared with a whole group, in a small group, or at bedtime, depending on what you want to emphasize.

The illustrations are done in a comical style, almost like a cartoon, that makes the history lesson seem less daunting and more fun. Children will find the young and curious Jane to be a “regular” little girl.

After reading this book to an elementary group, I would ask students to think of their biggest dream and sketch it out, just like Jane did. “Now, what will you need to do to make that dream happen?”

Alter, A. (2010). Disappearing desmond. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.

Genre: Fiction - Realistic Fiction

Desmond is very shy and does not like to be noticed. But when Gloria shows up, she notices him and helps him come out of his shell. He becomes so confident that he begins to notice other shy children, too.

Several children experience anxiety and shyness in new situations. They can relate to Desmond’s wish to disappear.

Due to the apparent age of Desmond, I would likely use this during story time for young children at the beginning of the school year. 

This book, along with ice breaker games, would help youngsters feel more comfortable during story time and set the tone for a new school year. 

Texas 2x2 Reading List