Monday, April 29, 2013

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.

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