Informational Text

Just Ducks!

As a child growing up, I was very interested in ducks and how they were very unique to the rest of the world. There are many units or themes that teachers do on Ducks and learning all about them if there are students in their class that love them. There are also just children out there that might have a interest in ducks or want to learn more about them even if they do not. This book is a very child friendly story about a young girl that shares her observations about the mallard ducks near her house. She talks about them as if she is very engaging in what their characteristics are. She goes into detail about the ducks and what they are doing as well. The girls goes into talking about the sounds they make and the way that the ducks move. She also starts to explain how the ducks are getting food and moving all around the water and outside the water. She describes how the feathers are in such great detail and the illustrations reflect what she is saying. Lastly, she goes into where they nest and where they sleep to explain fully about their lifestyle. I specifically like this book because it is told from the viewpoint of a child and she is explaining what the mallard ducks are. I would rate the book with an overall 5 out of 5 rating because of how the text is appropriate for children using child friendly definitions, how the story is told from the perspective of the child, and how the watercolor illustrations stand out. I would definitely recommend it for reading!

Title: Just Ducks!

Author: Nicola Davies 

Illustrator: Salvatore Rubbino

Publisher: Candlewick

Publishing Date: March 27th 2012

ISBN: 0763659363

Informational Text

Seeds

This children's informational book is all about seeds and how they change and are used within the environment. In the summer and spring, there are many trees and plants that are coming into full bloom and flowers that are appearing as well. There are many fruit trees and other fruits that are coming into season for people to buy or have their own garden. As the book begins, it talks about the the start of all this blooming is the tiny little seed. The little seed is what makes all of the blooming happen because how people can plant them. The young readers of this book will learn how to plant and grow the seeds. The book draws out and compares how the seeds are different for each plant or fruit. It also draws out how they are different in shape, size, and patterns that are associated with them. It also talks about cherry pits to exploding pods, to sticktight seeds. It goes through how nature and seeds work within the environment. I would rate this book with an overall 5 out of 5 stars because of the use of vocab and the illustrations that are in there are very child friendly and great to use in an elementary setting. The teacher can incorporate this in the classroom library and within ecology lessons. Lastly,  it can also be incorporated with a unit for plants or seeds. 

Title: Seeds
Author: Ken Robbins
Publisher: Atheneum Books For Young Readers
Publishing Date: January 1st 2005
ISBN: 0689850417

Informational Text

Owls

Throughout this book there is much information about owls and their own characteristics. The author seems to know how to explore the wonderful world and workings of owls in her latest nonfiction picture book. She touches on numerous species of owls and discusses their biological similarities as well as their differences. The book goes on to explain their ideal habitats, life styles, birth and development and environmental hazards that are threatening certain species. Throughout the book there are many illustrations, pictures, and diagrams that grabs the readers attention and engages them to look at other places of the book. The use of text in the book is also very child friendly and appropriate for the picture book. It also poses definitions of the words that are used within the book and there are also ones that are included for additional extensions and further thinking. I would rate this book with an overall 4 out of 5 because the some of the definitions in the book might be a little hard for the children to comprehend but everything else was appropriate. 

Title: Owls
Author: Gail Gibbons
Publisher: Holiday House
Publishing Date: March 15th 2006
ISBN: 0823420140

Fantasy Book

The Polar Express

As you were younger, many know this story being popular around Christmas time but, today most children read it year round. The story is about a little boy who wants to listen hard for Santa's sleigh bells. A friend told him that many people do not believe in Santa and that he is not real so he wanted to find out for sure. He stayed up and finally heard a sound coming from his window of a train and was shocked to see that it was not Santa. The conductor invited him on the train with the other children to go to the North Pole to meet Santa and his Elves. He got one special gift from Santa and that was the silver bell but ended up loosing it. After reading through the book, the children are able to see how the little boy is able to get a special gift that Christmas morning.

The book has great illustrations and words that are appealing and friendly for the children. I remember reading this book when I was little and seeing how it impacted my life by using many connections. The children can make connections to the story and know what the boy was feeling through this fantasy. I would give the book with an overall rating with 5 out of 5 stars because of it being a high quality children's book and relevant to the lives of children who celebrate Christmas.

Title: The Polar Express
Author: Chris Van Allsburg
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Publishing Date: October 28th 1985
ISBN:0395389496

Fantasy Book

The Cat in the Hat

Dr. Seuss presented his books in a way that just screams fantasy! Many people enjoy his books and still read them today. The Cat in the Hat is a book about a cat that wars a hat and makes learning that is very enjoyable. In the book, it is a rainy day and Dick and Sally (two of the characters) can’t find anything to do. Well, it started to change when the Cat in the Hat unexpectedly appears. The Cat in the Hat turns their cloudy afternoon into a fun-filled day. The book also features many other characters who are in other Dr. Seuss books like, Fish and Thing 1 and Thing 2. Throughout the story, the characters pop in and out and make it lively for the reader to keep wanting to read.

The book is a great way for the students to have during a read alone and on their own. It also is very popular at home and in the classroom or at libraries as well. It has great illustrations throughout the book and there are many words that most younger children can read or easy to sound out for them. They can break down the words and even if they can't, the book can be read aloud to them as well. I would over all give the book a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. I would give the book this rating because even though it is very child friendly and appropriate, I am not sure if a child would get very overwhelmed at the sight of all of the rhyming words or words in general.

Title: The Cat in the Hat
Author: Dr. Seuss
Publisher: Random House Readers for Young Children
Publishing Date: March 12th 1957
ISBN: 039480001X

Fantasy Book

Charlotte's Web

Charlotte's Web is a book is a classic of children's literature that is perfect for a chapter book of children who are just started to get higher levels with their readings. The use of words show how the animals in the book express a story about their lives on a farm. Charlotte's spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply just wants a friend. The book also tells a story of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur's life when he was born the runt of his litter. It goes on to tell the story of how they became friends and went on to have many discoveries together. The novel expresses a lot of friendship, love, life, and death that many children can make connections too and learn to love overall. The edition contains some color illustrations to also have another side to the reading and engage the reader. After looking up the book online, it says that it does support the Common Core State Standards, which many teachers would be happy about!

I could remember reading this book when I was younger and having many images in my mind that I can still see today. The use of language in the book helps the reader to visually see what the scenes look like and how they can picture it in their own minds. It tells a great fantasy story of the animals and guide the children in how they can think about all of the imagery that is in the book. I would overall give the book a 5 out of 5 because of the use of language, the realistic, and also the fantasy element that makes the books appealing.

Title: Charlotte's Web
Author: E.B. White
Illustrator: Garth Williams
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Publishing Date: October 1st 2001
ISBN:0064410935

Realistic Fiction

The Wednesday Surprise

Eve Bunting does many books that are realistic fiction and done very well. The one book that I read from here is The Wednesday Surprise and it is a good story about a Grandma and Granddaughter. Anna (the granddaughter) and Grandma are planning a surprise for her Dad's birthday but, Dad thinks he has received all his presents. Grandma wants to give him the best of all by reading the stories that Anna has taught her within her life. Anna and her grandmother spend Wednesday evening while her father is away for work reading stories together. The plan that they had to surprise her father on her birthday went over very well because Anna taught her grandmother how to read and enjoys everything about it now. It is shocking to see a story like this but it shows a great plot twist and a sweet message for children that they can make an impact on anyone. It is a good story that touches on family, love, and aspects of literacy. I would give the book with an overall 5 out of 5 stars because of the realistic factor and how Eve bunting was able to catch the readers attention with the story. It is definitely worth sharing with all children and make many inferences and connections. 

Title: The Wednesday Surprise
Author: Eve Bunting
Illustrator: Donald Carrick
Publisher:Clarion Books
Publishing Date:March 20th 1998
ISBN:0899197213

Realistic Fiction

Be Good Eddie Lee

While looking for books in realistic fiction. This picture book stood out to me greatly because there are students that are different in their own unique way. This book expresses differences that children might see in others and putting the understanding in a book form is a great way for the children to see it. It tells the story of a little boy named Eddie Lee who is "different". He has down syndrome and looks different then everyone else but some people are not nice. The story goes on and tells the story of children who have an unconditional friendship between one another. A mother always tells Christy to be good to Eddie Lee who is her neighborhood friend. Even though Christy does not want to tag along with him, he does take her on an adventure and teaches her many beautiful things  can you can find in unexpected places within the woods. It is just a beautiful story that children can relate to friends and classmates having disabilities and knowing that everyone is different in their own way. I would give the book a rating of 5 out of 5 stars because the story is so connectable to children's lives and how they can learn about a new story or know that everyone is different. The illustrations in the book are also very detailed and eye appealing to the reader. 

Title: Be Good Eddie Lee
Author: Virginia Fleming 
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Publisher: Philomel Books
Publishing Date: October 27th 1993
ISBN: 0399219935

Realistic Fiction

Thunder Cake

The first realistic fiction book that I chose is Thunder Cake because it seemed very eye appealing to me on what it would be about. The book tells that cute story of a thunderstorm that rattles the windows of Grandma's old farmhouse.  The Grandma says that it is thunder cake baking weather and calls her granddaughter to get together to gather ingredients to start making thunder cake. The goal of the Thunder Cake must reach the oven before the storm arrives. The  list of ingredients are long and not easy to find and the storm is coming closer and closer. The story is very cute telling how both the grandmother and granddaughter have fun together to make thunder cake and overcome the fear of thunderstorms. The book has a great story line and shows a true real life experience of what other children might experience. The chose of words are appropriate for children as well. The pictures were also very eye appealing and detailed greatly. I would give the book an overall 5 out of 5 stars because of how realistic it can be for children and the overall quality of the book. 

Title: Thunder Cake
Author: Patricia Polacco
Publisher: Puffin Books
Publishing Date: August 25th 1997 
ISBN: 0698115813  

Traditional Literature

The 3 Little Pigs

Another great classic children's book is The 3 Little Pigs. Although there are many versions of the story, this one by Jon Scieszka it also very appealing to children. The story takes the original story of the 3 little pigs and twist the point of view and perspective. The author does this to have the young readers finally hear the other side of the story of “The Three Little Pigs.” Even though is it not the exact original book, it still is very traditional and a classic to children's literature. The book has a great humorous side to it that will make all readers laugh. I would give this book an overall 5 out of 5 because of how it takes the original story and put it together with the other side of the story as well. The text and the illustrations are also very child friendly.

Title: The 3 Little Pigs
Author: Jon Scieszka
Publisher: Puffin Books
Publishing Date: March 1st 1996
ISBN:0140544518

Traditional Literature

The Little Red Riding Hood

When looking for this book, I decided to chose the classic version because it is a true expression of the story. It shows how the story is represented to be an authentic experiences as the reader is engaged. It tells the original story of the little red riding hood and how she goes through the woods with a suspenseful plot. She realizes that her grandma is not the person that she though she would be. Throughout the whole book, there are great illustrations and text gradient that is appropriate for children. The book is also a great way to incorporate dialogic reading to engage the students more. There are also great classroom activities that go with the book. Overall, I would rate this book with a 5 out of 5 stars because the book very child friendly, engaging, and sparks the interests of the reader. It's a classic that I love and brings back many childhood memories!

Title: The Little Red Riding Hood
Author and Illustrator: Tryna Schart Hyman
Publisher: Holiday House
Publishing Date: April 1st 1986
ISBN:0823404706

Traditional Literature

The Ugly Duckling

For a long time, The Ugly Duckling has been a childhood favorite. I know when I was little it was one of my favorite to read. Jerry Pinkney's is the illustrator and puts new images to a new generations of readers. The artist captures a lot about the tale of the duckling and what it goes through. The story is about an awkward duck that goes through hecklers, hunters, and rough seasons. The story talks about how the duckling survived by transforming into a beautiful swan. When the duckling turns into the swan, it portrays a moral about how you can have true happiness. Whenever I think of the story, I see how there was one duck that stood out from others and was different and how it's normal to be different. The artist has a lot of great  watercolors to go along with the story. I would rating this book with an overall 5 out of 5. There are great illustrations and it gives an authentic experience, which is why it deserved the Caldecott Award. Even though there are many editions to the story, I feel that this one is the best!

Title: The Ugly Duckling
Author: Hans Christian Anderson
Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney's
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publishing Date: March 24th 1999
ISBN: 068815932X