Graphic Novel- Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets

Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets

David Pilkey 

Schoolastic: 2000

ISBN: 978-04399995443

I decided to read another classic example of a graphic novel this week. When I went to our local library at DeSales, they were not available! I had to borrow a copy from a friend of mine who read them a long time ago and I can definitely see why they are on the banned book list! This is a story that felt more aimed at pleasing young male readers, which is neither a good or bad thing. In this story, Harold and George are getting ready for the Annual Invention Convention. This is their second convention at the Jerome Herowitz School and last year was not a success. The two trouble makers Harold and George used their invention to keep people in their seats so the Invention Convention was not a success.Everyone was watching these two to make sure they did not pull a stunt like last year. Unfortunately, they got caught and caused themselves to get arrested! Can they get out of this mess? Find out by reading this thrilling book!

I would give this book a seven out of ten, It was not my favorite read and I felt the jokes were crude for young children. I feel in some senses it causes kids to want to act out in school, which was shown by this story. I do however feel that this series is good for young boys who do not feel that reading is interesting. Please pick up this book at a local library near you!

Graphic Novel- Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Jeff Kinney

Amulet Books: 2009

ISBN: 978-0-8109-8391-5

I had to pick a book from the Diary of a Wimpy kid series because it is the most iconic graphic novel that young adults read today. I never read these stories growing up, but I have heard so many wonderful things about the series that I had to try reading one. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days is a story about Greg and Rowley who decide to raise money by having their own lawn mowing business. The problem is: they do not know how to use a lawn mower! The story is the encounters that Greg has over his summer. Will they be filled with fun times, or full of tramatic moments? Find out by reading this story in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. 

I would rate this book a ten out of ten. If you are to read a graphic novel, you should start with this series. The way that the pages are laid out makes for really funny moments for the reader. I personally like how the book is broken up with text and pictures. It is not difficult to follow with the mix of pictures and words. I also like how the pictures look drawn. It creates and authentic element and it really makes you feel like you are not reading a book. This is a great book to introduce to children who do not like to read. If this is the case, pick up these books for your child at your local library! 

Graphic Novel- The Adventures of Polo

The Adventures of Polo

Regis Faller

Roaring Brook Press: 2002

ISBN: 1-59643-160-1

One would look at this book and think it is a wordless picture book at a glance, but it is actually a graphic novel for young children. I found it very difficult to find a graphic novel for the kindergarten age group, but this book fits the bill! This puppy you see, Polo, is on a mission. Through the help of different animals, he is able to travel from the highest clouds to the deep sea. How do all of these animals help him travel along on his journey? Find out by reading this enchanting graphic novel!

This graphic novel is given a DanielleMustRead rating of an eight out of ten because of its creative plot. This little puppy Polo is able to go from the bottom of the ocean to an igloo in the arctic, all of the way to the forest where he swings in the trees with the monkeys! The story is easy for the children to follow and the pictures are simple enough to read due to its comic book reading style. The author also does a good job in showing all of the emotions from the characters. The pictures are bold and filled with color, which helps the children stay focused. The story also sparks a child's imagination. Somehow, Polo comes out of a mushroom from the ground and then enters a new one that turns into a rocket ship! My one concern is that the actual plot makes no sense. However, if you look at this story purely for its spectacle, then it would be a good read for children. Find this story at a local library near you! 

Poetry- Look! A Book!

Look! A Book! 

Bob Staake

Hatchet Book Group Inc.: 2011

ISBN: 978-0-31611862-0

This book just popped off the page. I was looking for one last book on poetry and I found this little gem. Not only does the whole book rhyme with some great poems for kids to read, but the cover rhymes too! It was a book that I had to blog about this week. As the reader turns the page, there are things to find in all of the pictures. See the picture above? All of the pictures are just as detailed. In this book, you need to find all of the objects. Can you find them all? Read this book to find out!

I would give this story an eight out of ten. While the concept of the book is really interesting, there is so much going on in each picture. That is the whole fun of the book though! All of the pages have items that you need to find in the book. Why do I say it is a book with poetry in it? Because on each page, there are rhymes about all of the objects you see. Each page has a clever poem that introduces the next page, It is interactive as well. All of the pages have holes in them so the reader can see what is on the next page. While I liked the book, I just found the pictures to be too distracting. This is a great book for a child to read on their own and discover their true love for reading! 

Poetry- The Runaway Dinner

The Runaway Dinner

Allan Ahlberg and Bruce Ingman 

Candlewick Press-2006

ISBN: 076363142-6

I decided for my next story I wanted to pick one that was contemporary for a children filled with poetry. This story, by Allan Ahlberg and Bruce Ingman, is a witty story about how dinner leaves the plate! Banjo Cannon, a hungry boy ready for dinner, is about to eat his plate of dinner when it runs away! He tries to catch it, but all of his food is running too fast! Will he ever catch it? Find out by reading The Runaway Dinner! 

I would give this book a 10 out of 10! It was such a cute read and a funny story for children to be hooked on to. The book is very wide, which allows the running of vegetables to look really realistic. The colors in this book are vibrant and really draw attention to the children reading the story. There are so many jokes in the story even I was laughing. This is a Danielle MUST read and you should definitely buy this book at a library near you! 

Poetry- A Giraffe and A Half

Giraffe and a Half

Shel Silverstein 

Evil Eye Music: 1964

ISBN: 0-06-025655-9

When I was picking poetry-children's books, I felt that it was imperative to pick an author that specializes in this genre. Shel Silverstein was an author that I remember learning about as a little girl. It brought back memories when I was reading this story! In this story, a giraffe and a little boy discover what happens to a giraffe when little things get in the way. How will the giraffe combat all of these different obstacles? Read this cute book of poems!

My overall rating on this book was a 7 out of ten. I think that even though the poems made no sense, it is a poem that would make children laugh. The way it was written reminded me of Doctor Suess books because of its rhythm. The pictures are just in black and white, but this is the author's style. The drawings have a lot of character, but I do wish that there was more color on each page to make the giraffe pop. I would suggest having the whole story in black and white and then the giraffe in color. It would make the story more interesting. I still feel that this story is a classic and is a must read for children! 

Historical Fiction- Little Women

Little Women 

Louisa May Alcott 

Hesperus Press: (Reprint 2014)

ISBN:1843915103

Little Women is such a classic that so many people read during the Holidays. Last year, DeSales University's Act 1 productions did the musical and it inspired me to read this book for the blogs this week. In Little Women, the four women grow up in a time of war, where there father is not home and their mother, Marmee, takes care of the children. The book starts with their Christmas without father. Jo loved to write operas and short stories and all of the girls loved to perform in these stories. Amy, Beth, Jo, and Meg all grew up with different obstacles and many obstacles that all girls face. Meg met the love of her life at a ball and Jo was always contemplating how to get her books published. Will she ever get a good story published in New York City? Find out and read Little Women in the upcoming holidays.

I would give this book a nine out of ten because it is a unique book to read about living in New England during the outbreak of the Civil War. These girls did not have much, but an important thing they learned is the love they have for each other. One of my favorite moments in the book is learning about when Beth is gravely sick with scarlet fever. You could tell from the story how it affected all of the sisters, especially Jo. Jo is such an inspiring character and to me, is a symbol of women's rights and ambition. Please read Little Women if you need a book to warm your heart and to teach you a little about life during this troubling time in New England. 

Historical Fiction- Ties That Bind, Ties That Break

Ties That Bind, Ties That Break 

Lensey Namioka 

I wanted to do different Historical Fiction books this week and this book stood out on the shelf. Not only was the title captivating enough, the story itself opened my eyes to the cultural differences in China and in America. In Ties that Bind, Ties That Break by Lensey Namioka, Tao Ailin is born in a time that China is in a terrible bind. She was arranged to marry a boy named Hanwei at a young age, but when she is about to get married, she is instructed to get her feet bound before marriage. In time of western revolution, she decides to not get her feet bound. With this, their marriage is broken off and she is taking the risk of not getting married. Will she ever get married with not getting her feet bound? Find out by reading Ties that Bind, Ties that Break!

I would give this book an eight out of ten. This book is a quick read, but has a long start. It has to explain a lot about Chinese culture and for someone that did not grow up with that, I had a little trouble. I will say that subtly it talks about women's rights and rights for independence. In the end, she walks the streets of San Francisco and she talks about how she feels accepted in the Western Society. When reading this, this moment left a last impression on me. For Historical Fiction, this book was very suspenseful. All of the traumatic events that happened to Ailin left me on the edge of my seat. I was shocked when the marriage was broken up. Please read this book to really understand China in 1911 and what she went through to get to America. 

Historical Fiction: To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird

By: Harper Lee 

Grand Central Publishing: 1988

ISBN: 0446310786

It is really funny to think that my great aunt played Ms. Dubose in the famous movie that came out in 1962 with Gregory Peck! I read To Kill a Mockingbird in eighth grade and then I recently read this book again and it was interesting to see what I have picked up the second time I read it. In a very general sense, this book is about Atticus Finch's two little children, Scout and Jean. who become friends with Dill. The children decide to fantasize about Boo Radley and they wonder what he really looks like. Most importantly, Atticus Finch is a lawyer who has agreed to help Tom Robinson, an African American, in his trial. Will the town ever have respect for Atticus again? Will Tom Robinson win his case? And will the children ever see Boo Radley? Find out by reading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee! 

I would rate this book a ten out of ten because it makes such an impact on young readers and adults. This book in my eyes is such a classic and has such an amazing message. When I read this book, I really feel like I am living in this fictional town of Marycomb County, Alabama. I believe Historical fiction is supposed to show readers what it is like to live in that time and send a message on how to live life. I feel after reading this book again, we can see how we have come so far towards equality and how far we have come to support lawyers. Lawyers should be entitled to help any client because under the law, anyone is innocent until proven guilty. A great book for eighth graders and a memorable book to read again. Please find this book at your local library! 

Informational Text- How Animals Behave

How Animals Behave 

National Geographic 

National Geographic Society: 1984

This Informational Text was different from all other Informational Texts that I have read this week. It was more about sharing the information rather than being creative about teaching young children about animals. In this book from National Geographic, children learn about a bunch of different animals from all around the world and talked about how they eat, protect themselves, and take care of their young. A child who is interested in animals should definitely read this book. 

This book I would give a seven out of ten because it has the beautiful pictures taken by National Geographic while also being informational through the text. This read is definitely not for a young audiences like the other choices. This book would be a better read for fourth or fifth graders because half the page is text and the other half is pictures. This book is also one hundred pages long. That means any young child would loose the attention span and would not be able to get through the text. The book also uses high frequency words and uses words that are specific to certain animals. The child has to have good comprehension skills to read this book on their own. While there are many interesting stories such as stories about Jane Goodall's journey in the wild, this informational text is all over the map with information. This book is really using basic concepts about animals that are interesting for young children to read about. My suggestion for any teacher would be to pick out different animals that have interesting stories, scan them, and give a packet to each child. This will allow you to evaluate the students and see if it is too much for a young child to handle. I would suggest having this book in your library for the beautiful National Geographic Pictures! Find this book in the DeSales Library! 

Informational Text- Ape

Ape 

By: Martin Jenkins 

Illustrated By: Vicky White 

Candlewick Press: 2007

ISBN: 978-0-7636-3471-1

This book is a good choice to borrow at the library because this book is 20 dollars on Amazon! This would be a book that I feel is a good choice to read to little kids because it would be considered authentic literature. This book, Ape, is a story about the different apes that are rare in the wild. There are many pictures in this book, but the last Ape has no picture. Who could it be? Please read this book to your child to find out more details!

I would rate this book a six out of ten. Luckily, if you are reading this post as a young teacher, you are in the clear. I would suggest not showing this book to young children at school. Why? Because the book has subtle hints towards pro-evolution. While some schools might allow this material in the classroom, many schools condemn the use of material suggesting pro-evolution concepts. This book talks about how we came from apes at a young age. This book is for really young readers and concepts like this are hard to just put in a children's book. What  I will say is that the book has beautiful pictures and gives interesting facts about the different apes. If reading this book in your classroom is a problem, I would suggest leaving out the last two pages. They are not needed in order for the story to make sense. It is definitely a different-styled informational text for young readers and it is up to you if you feel it is appropriate in your library. Pick this book up at the DeSales Library! 

Informational Text- Leopard Frogs

Leopard Frogs 

Doug Wechsler 

PowerKids Press: 2002

ISBN: 0-8239-5856-6

My goal for this week is to evaluate Informational Texts from the DeSales University Library so that way any aspiring teachers in the area can use these books for their classrooms. As I was gazing through the curriculum section in the library, I noticed this book for young easy readers. In this book, the young reader will learn more about leopard frogs, their habitat, their tactics in the wild, their mating habits, and much more. I am no expert on depicting age ranges for these books, but I would say this is a fantastic book for third graders. I would suggest this book to any young child who is interested in wildlife. 

This book I would say is good for young easy readers because the words are not of high frequency and the book is built into chapter format. This book has a new concept on each page about leopard frogs and supplies a bunch of pictures for a young readers to enjoy. It is not too much information for a young child, but leaves them hanging wanting to know more. On the last page, it gives websites for children to look at for more information. I would say that this book is a great tool for kids to get engaged to learn more. With all of this in mind, I would give this book a nine out of ten for informational text and would suggest this book to any aspiring third grade teachers. Find this book in the DeSales Library! 

Fantasy- Where the Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are 

Maurice Sendak 

Haper Collins Publishers: 1964

ISBN: 0-06-025492-0

I remember reading this book growing up. I felt it was perfect story to write about this week because it is a perfect example of fantasy fiction and a great story to show to children. In Where the Wild Things Are,  Max was sent to his room for causing mischief in the house. Somehow, his room grew into a forest where he ran into these Wild Creatures! What happens on his adventure? Does he ever find his was home? Find out and read this classic fantasy tale!

I would rate this book an eight out of ten because the author's attention to detail. His use of space is genius. Once Max is sent to his room, the pictures get bigger and bigger till his imagination is at its fullest. Once he returns home, the pictures get smaller and smaller till he is back in his bedroom. The tale also peaks any child's imagination, whether they are a girl or a boy. Please go to your local library and read this classic tale! It is definitely a Danielle Must Read and needs to be in a teacher's library for young children. 

Fantasy-- Emperor's New Clothes

The Emperor's New Clothes 

Hans Christian Anderson 

Illustrator: Virginia Lee Burton 

Houghton Mifflin Company 1977
ISBN: 0-395-28594-1

The Emperor's New Clothes is a story that is retold and passed down by generations. This version in particular was written by Han Christian Anderson, a famous children's book author. This version was written in 1977 and has much attention to detail. In this version, the Emperor loves his clothes. Instead of talking to any citizens from the town, he prefers to say he is changing into new clothes. One day, he asked two people to make him new clothes. The men who were pretending to weave never made any clothes at all. The Emperor and the Minstrel got tricked into thinking they could not see the clothes! Will the Emperor ever get new clothes? What will happen when he finds out he will not get a new outfit? Find out and read this version of The Emperor's New Clothes!

I would give this version a 5 out of 10. The story, retold by Hans Christian Anderson, was very captivating to read. I would say this book is a great piece of authentic literature to read to the class because it was a story that could challenge young readers. The reason why I gave it a 5 is because the pictures are not very colorful. There is a lot of white space, which does not feel like a good choice to me. Because the pictures are very small, it is not a good book to show children because they might loose their attention span. While the colors are very attractive to young readers, the fuzziness of the pictures makes them very hard to look at. If you were to get this book, buy the book for the story retold by Anderson. 

Fantasy- Rosie's Magic Horse

Rosie's Magic Horse 

Russell Hoban and Queatin Blake 

Candlewick Press: 2012 

This is a magical story that will excite children.  Rosie's Magic Horse is a story about a girl named Rosie who finds an ice-pop on the ground. She decides to put this leftover ice-pop in her cigar box full of other ice-pop sticks. One day, they talk about banning together to become a horse in the middle of the night. One day, Rosie heard her parents saying during dinner that they needed money to pay the bills. After dinner, Rosie fell asleep when she was taken on a magical journey by a horse! What will happen? Will the horse help her find her dreams? Find out by reading this wonderful fantasy!

I would give this story a seven out of ten. While this story used beautiful colors and pretty pictures for the child to like, the story was short and disjointed. Somehow, she can get money for her parents just by riding a magical horse in her sleep! Even though the pictures are drawn with such character and the story is humorous, the story makes no sense. I would say this is not the best fantasy story to read to your child. While I am not a fan of the story itself, the pictures are very captivating to a child and that is why I gave this book such a high score. Look for this book at a local library near you! 

Realistic Fiction- Aunt Flossie's Hats

Aunt Flossie's Hats 

Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard 

Paintings By: James Ransome 

Clarion Books: 1991

I decided to stick with African American Literature this week and this one was particularly interesting. It was about two children who go to grandma's house and eat cookies, eat crab cakes, and try on grandmother's old hats! These hats contain memories. What memory hides behind each hat? Find out and read Aunt Flossie's Hats! 

I would give this story a four out of ten. While the hats have memories, the stories are not as entertaining for young children. The colors in the story are not very vibrant and it the story feels long. I would say that Goin' Someplace Special was the best realistic fiction I read this week. Please look for this book at a local library near you! 

Realistic Fiction- Goin' Someplace Special

Goin' Someplace Special 

Patricia C. Mckissack and Jerry Pinkney

Simon and Schuster: 2001

ISBN: 0-689-81885-8

Goin' Someplace Special is a story that intrigued me when it was sitting on the library shelf. As you can see from the picture above, she is happy and ready to go somewhere. In this story, 'Tricia Ann asked her mom if she can go to her special place all by herself. Her grandmother says she is old enough to go by herself. As she is travelling to her special place, different laws get in the way. Will she ever get to her special place? Find out by reading Goin' Someplace Special. 

I would give this book a 10 out of 10. This is a Danielle's MUST read!The book honestly caught me off guard because it deals with Jim Crow laws and African American history. I thought this book was written in the 1960's, but it was written in 2001. I believe the book was written to explain this issue to young children in the best way possible. The story was easy to follow and the main character "Tricia Ann is very charismatic. This is a must read for young children and should be in a teacher's library!

Realistic Fiction: At the Crossroads

At the Crossroads

Rachel Isadora

Mulberry Books: 1994

ISBN: 0-606-06192-4

At the Crossroads, by Rachel Isadora, is a book about children who wait for their father to come home from the mines. It is realistic fiction because it depicts children who live in the coal mining district. In this book, the children get ready for the day, they go to school, and come home singing , "Our fathers are coming home today". All of the children wait at the crossroads for their fathers to come off the bus home, but they wait all night! Will their father's ever come home? Find out by reading At the Crossroads by Rachel Isadora. 

I would give this book a 5 out of 10. I would say it is a good read for any parent who wants to read a book to their child about a life of a coal mining family. Any child that lives in a coal mining family and experiences their dad leaving from time to time should definitely read this book. I would say coming from a person who grew up with parents who work in businesses, my view on this book was different. I felt bad for the kids and I wished that they did not have to wait for their fathers all night long. It is appealing to children who have difficulties dealing with this issue. The pictures are very graphic for children and are bright in color. The story just made me feel sad and empty, but any child who is going through this might feel a sign of hope. If this book fits your needs, find it at your local library near you! 

Traditional Literature- The Ugly Duckling

The Ugly Duckling 

Jerry Pinkney 

Morrow Junior Books: 1999

ISBN: 0-68-815932-X

The Ugly Duckling is a story that has such a beautiful message. Like all of the other pieces of traditional literature that I have blogged about this week, this is the best Danielle must read! In this story, Mama duckling has laid six eggs. Five of the eggs hatched in one day, but the sixth egg took a day more. When the sixth duckling hatched, he looked different than the rest. He was ugly to the rest of the ducks. As he grew older, the other ducks would constantly bully him. What would happened to the Ugly Duckling? Would the other ducks ever respect him? Please read the Ugly Duckling to find out more!

I would give this version a nine out of ten. As you can see by the cover of the story, it has vibrant colors and is beautifully drawn. While the other stories were not written very well, this story uses descriptive language and beautiful imagery. It is an appealing story for children with a beautiful message. It also won the Caldecott which makes perfect sense. The way Pinkney drew the birds has much appeal to children. My only criticism is that sometimes it is hard to see where the ugly duckling is on the page because of the complexity of the pictures. I believe he used paint to draw his illustrations which gives the pictures texture. It is definitely a good book to read to your children and will definitely keep them interested to want to read more books. 

Traditional Literature- Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Goldilocks and the Three Bears 

Retold by: Jim Aylesworth 

Illustrated by: Barbara McClintock 

Scholastic Press: 2003

I decided to do another common children's story this week and this one turned out to be a great Danielle must read! In this tale, Goldilocks asked her mom if she could pick flowers.  Her mom let her go, but said do not go into the forest where the bears are. As Goldilocks walked to pick the flowers, she ran into a beautiful butterfly. She then followed the beautiful butterfly into the woods! She then found a beautiful house in the woods and went inside. What was inside the house? Did the bears ever arrive to disturb her visit? Please read this version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears! 

I would give this story an 8 out of 10. This version is close to the original story and the pictures are very appealing. The story is predictable and has a great lesson to teach. The Illustrations by Barbara McClintock have a Cartoon look to them, which adds some humor to the story. While the story is very long, it is a tale that can make a child laugh. Please find this version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears near you! 

Traditional Literature- Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood 

Trina Schart Hyman
Holiday: 1983
ISBN: 0-8234-0653-9

We all remember the story of Little Red Riding Hood. There are so many versions to this story, but some versions are better than others. This version, retold and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman, is a caldecott winner and written in 1983. In this story, Little Red Riding Hood is asked by her mother to deliver gifts to her grandmother who is feeling ill. She tells her to please remember to walk to her grandmothers house as quickly as she can and do not stray from the path. While Red Riding Hood walks to her grandmother's house, she is stopped by a wolf. She tells him where her grandmothers house is and he beats her there. What will happen to her grandmother? Will Red Riding Hood ever make it to grandmother's house? Please read this version of the story to find out! 

I would give this version of the story a 6 out of 10. Even though it won a Caldecott, the story is not written with the best quality. It is definitely considered authentic literature because there is a lot of text on a page and it would be hard for a beginning reader to understand. While the pictures are very detailed and are colorful, the story told is almost too graphic. In this version, it talks about the grandmother and Red Riding Hood being gulped up by the wolf. The worst part of the story is the end when the hunter cuts open the wolf and takes his remains home. I feel as though there must be a better version to this story and I would not suggest reading this to your child. My suggestion is to show your child the pictures because they are very intriguing and you can tell your own version to this story. 

Picture Book: Love Waves

Love Waves 

Rosemary Wells 

Candlewick Press: 2011 

ISBN: 978-0-7636-4989-0

I have decided to do another book by Rosemary Wells because I feel she is a good author for young children. Her pictures are always graphic and her stories warm the hearts of a mother/father and child. In the picture book Love Waves, Mother is running off to work. What does she think about during the day? Then, father has to go to work the next day. What do they do about Max? How will the separation from each other unfold? Read Love Waves for an awe-inspiring story 

I would give this book a 9 out of ten. All of my stories I read this week are on the Danielle must read list! Just like my story Good Night Max by Rosemary Wells, this is another story to read to a child before bedtime. Even the pictures and colors are appealing to a child. Do you see the blue wave in the picture above? In the book, it is a metallic blue wave on almost every page in the story. The story rhymes and has a beautiful message for the child. I would consider Love Waves a predictable book because it repeats the story from mother's view and then the father's view. Since the book rhymes as well, it is easy for a child to memorize the story. It is a story about love that can be heart warming for the parent and relaxing to a child. Please find more books Rosemary Wells and add this book to your library! 

Picture Books: Owl Moon

Owl Moon

By: Jane Yolen

Illistrauted by: John Schoenherr 

Philomel Books: 1987

ISBN: 0-399-21457-7

I decided to do two Caldecott winning picture books this week to see what qualities these two books share that make a picture book really unique. This picture book, Owl Moon, was a beautiful story about a little girl going out "owling"with her father. The little girl and her father go out in the middle of the night to find an owl. They need to walk quietly to avoid scaring the owl. Will they find one? Find out by reading this breath taking story of Owl Moon. 

I would give this book an 8 out of 10. It is a beautiful story that could really attract a kid's attention, but the content  and imagery seems to be potentially difficult for a child to understand.For example, the little girl says, " The moon made his face into a silver mask". A statement like this challenges a child's comprehension. The pictures are beautiful and all of them have highlights of deep blue. The picture of the owl is very appealing and I could see this book having a nostalgic feel for parents. You could make this book interactive by taking your child out "owling". You never know what you might find on a beautiful snowy night. There are a lot of words on a page and the story has a melodic feel to it when you read the story out loud. It is written as if you are reading a poem. This book is a classic and is a good read for your child. Find Owl Moon near you! 

Picture Books: No, David!

No, David! 

David Shannon 

The Blue Sky Press: 1998

ISBN: 0-590-93002-8

There is no question as to why No, David! won the Caldecott Honor in 1998. This was a book that I remember reading as a kid and it is a book that I would like to read to my child someday. Even the student at the library who checked in my books remembered it! It is a must read for Danielle.In No, Daivd!, David is running around the house having a good day! He is doing anything he wants to, but what does his Mommy think of this? Please read No, David! to find out what happens! 

I would personally give this book a 10 out of 10. It teaches a valuable lesson to children and the pictures are funny on every page. I was sitting there even laughing at all of the silly things that David does. The words are big on every page and the pictures are very graphic. As you can see from the picture above, Shannon uses a lot of bright oranges and blues in his illustrations to grab a child's attention. The book is very appealing to children because David is doing silly things that all kids have done at some point in their young lives.The picture book is also short enough to keep the attention of young ones, while sending a message to children that they can remember. This book also has a melodic nature when you read it. It has dialogue from the mother that mothers can act out for their children. 

David is a Must read for Danielle and you can find it at your local library near you! Find more books by Shannon on his website:

David Shannon Website

Decodable Text: Can you See?

Can you See? 

Bill Dinardo 

Illustrations: Maria Voris 

This was my favorite DeCodeable book that I found this week. It is a challenging book, but it helps children read about different animals from the sea. It has the same format as the other Decodable book in my blog Here and Three in that the picture is on top of the associated word. It uses repetition in which it says "Can you see..." before every animal name. Repetition is one of the best tools in helping children to learn how to read. I will give this book a 7 out of 10 this week because the concept of the book is appealing to children and the colors are vibrant enough to keep a child interested. 

Another good quality that www.readingsa.z.com provides is that it tells you exactly what the child should learn when reading the book. Here is what readingsa.z.com says should be the child's learning outcomes for this specific book: 

High-Frequency Words

you, all, of

Review Words

can, see, the

Story Words

whales, dolphins, turtles, sea horses, stingrays, sharks, lobsters, crabs

Find this Decodable Book here! 

Can you See?

Decodable book Here are Three

Here are Three 

By: Bill Denardo

Illustrations: Signe Nordin 

www.readinga.z.com 

This Decodable Book is a book that focuses on high frequency words such as "here" and "by". It has cute pictures of cats such as the ones above. It is only two pages; It has another page of a group of dogs at the dinner table. I would give this book a 6 out of ten. What I like about the book is that is it small so you can constantly read this book to your child without them loosing attention so fast. Repetition is key for a child when it comes to reading Decodable books. The interesting aspect of this Decodable Book is that it shows a picture of the item on top of the word. For example, it would have a picture of a door on top of the word "door". This would allow an easy read for the child because the book makes it clear what word goes with what picture. 

I would suggest reading this to your child and finding the book here: 

Here and There

Decodable Book Must Reads for Children: Show Some Love

Show Some Love 

Bev Osborn 

reading a-z.com

If you have never heard of a Decodable Text before, do not be afraid! They are a good way for children to learn how to read books by themselves. I chose this book, Show Some Love, because it helps children read books by association. This book does not have a story line, but it does help children associate pictures with words. This book shows a child how to say words like "hug" or "smile". It is a great book to use during Valentine's Day.  The pictures are nice in the book. They are all photographs of children and parents,  but they are not very colorful. I would give this book a four  out of ten because there is not much appeal for a child. The colors do not pop off the page like some that are my reading list. Some of the words are hard for a child to say at their age so it might be a book you would have to be used later. This book is a really great way to use the PEER method to help your child understand more about reading. 

On a positive note, my choices this week are are online! Go to this website for more details on Show Some Love:

Show Some Love

Wordless Picture Book: Sea of Dreams Dennis Nolan

Sea of Dreams 

By: Dennis Nolan 

Roaring Brook Press: 2011 

ISBN:978-7-59643-470-7

If you are to get anything out of this blog post, it is that Sea of Dreams by Dennis Nolan is a ten out of ten Wordless Picture book and it is a beautiful story for children to read. Discover how a sand castle transforms in the middle of the night at the beach. What rocky adventures are to occur at the shoreline? Check out this Danielle must read and see what happens to sand castles from dusk to dawn. 

The colors in this picture book range from beautiful autumn oranges to baby blues. As you can see by the picture above, the colors are vibrant and are whimsical to a child. The story line is easy for a child to understand and can excite a child's imagination. The concept is appealing to a child and the illustrations pop off the page.Take your child on a journey by reading them Sea of Dreams! Find this story at a local library near you!

Free Fall David Wiesner

Free Fall 

David Wiesner

 Harper Collins Publishers: 1998

ISBN Number: 0-668-10990-X

This is a Danielle MUST read for children this week. Free Fall, by David Wiesner, is a Wordless Picture book that is all about peaking a child's interest through abstract art.  Join the little boy as he flies through his dreams. Watch him as he rides story pages into lands of fantasy. Can he make it out of his dream alive? Find out by reading Free Fall for a suspenseful bedtime story. 

I would give this book an eight out of ten this week because it is appealing to children. The pictures are complicated, but a child could stare at them in awe and find a new clue each time they read the story. The content is appropriate for a child and is a story that will want them to get right to bed. I would say this is a good book for children who have trouble sleeping at night. I was even excited to read this story. It is not only exciting for the child, but for the parent as well! The colors on each page are vibrant and keep the child interested. While the book is not as sturdy as a typical board book, the pictures are very big so the child has no trouble seeing the pictures. 

David Wiesner has written other picture books such as Mr. Wuffles! and Flotsam. If your child is interested in Wordless Picture books, I would suggest getting other books by this author. You can get more details about Wiesner at his webiste:

David Wiesner's Website

Time Flies Eric Rohmann

Time Flies 

Eric Rohmann 

Crown Publisher Inc.:1994

ISBN: 0-606-12827-1

This week, I will be discussing Wordless Picture books. While there are no words in these books, they are a great book for children because they can look at these pictures to entice their imagination. 

Wonder what happens when you are in a museum at night? Read this wordless picture book with your child as they are flying on a magical journey with a bird in the land of the dinosaurs. Curious if this bird makes it out alive? Read Time Flies by Eric Rohmann to be taken on a trip with the dinosaurs.

This was not my favorite Wordless Picture Book of the week. I would rate this book as a four out of ten. To some people, this book might be considered a classic. For me, this book did not have vibrant colors which would excite a kid to read. Since the book is mostly in deep reds and grey, the pictures are hard to see. The beginning of the book was scary for me. I could see a little child getting nightmares from the skeleton dinosaurs. Time Flies starts with deep red colors, but then the colors get brighter as the book continues.  I would say the illustrations are beautifully drawn and the book is durable, but the pictures are hard for a child to see. 

Find this book at a local library near you!

When I'm Big 

By:Sam McBratney

Illustrated By:Anita Jeram 

Candlewick Press, 2007

When I'm Big, written by Sam McBratney, is a story about Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown hair who discover different animals in nature! They search around the forest and find different animals and question why are they are little and big animals. Find out what Little Nutbrown Hare will turn into by reading When I'm Big!

I would give this book a rating of 4 out of 10. I would not consider this to be the best Danielle's must reads. What I did like about the book is that it was very similar to the illustrations of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. It was a beautiful picture book and the colors were pleasing to the eye. The relationship between Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare is very similar to the relationship of a mother and their child. This story could be very appealing to families and can be very nostalgic for parents.  The problem in the book was the way it was written. The language seemed to be too dense for the board book age group. I feel that the board book does do a good job talking about the growth of a child;however, I do feel it might be confusing concept for children that age. If you are interested in When I'm Big, please look for the board book in your local library near you! 

Board Books- Good Night Max

Good Night Max 

Rosemary Wells 

Viking Publishing, 2000

ISBN: 0-670-88707-2

Looking for a good bed-time story that is not scary for infants, but relaxing enough for them to be able to fall asleep afterwards? My Danielle Must Read for bed-time is Good Night Max.  I remember as a little girl my mother reading these books to me. There were also TV shows based on Max that your children can watch as well.  This silly board book tries to get Max to bed. But so many things happen! Why can't he fall asleep? Read Good Night Max to find out if he can get through the night!

I give this book a solid 9 out of 10. I am 21 years old and I was even laughing at all of Max's terrible events that happened to him before bed-time. What is even better about this book? IT IS INTERACTIVE! Each page has a different fabric for something to touch. On some pages there are shiny pictures, which is so exciting for little infants. They will be in awe as you read them this silly tale of Max. The book is small enough for a child to hold if they please and the book is easy to follow for them. The book also accentuates words that when you are reading it, you can accentuate as you are reading. This is a book that you could read to them every night and they will still have a fun time reading it. Please get  Good Night Max  at a local library near you! 

Here is a link if you want to learn more about the Max series: 

Online Section to show your kids!

Board Book Options- Cassie's Colorful Day

Cassie's Colorful Day 
Faith Ringgold 

Publisher: Crown Publisher, Inc., 1999
ISBN: 0-517-80021-7


A must read for Danielle this week is Cassie's Colorful Day by Faith Ringgold. Wondering why it is Cassie's colorful day? Find out what Cassie's magical night is all about! Join Cassie's adventure as she finds out what her surprise is from her father. Play dress up with your daughter through Cassie's elegant adventure by reading Cassie'e Colorful Day. 

I would give this book a 6 out of 10. This board book is a must read for a mother and daughter to enjoy. Cassie has a magical night by picking out  colorful outfits and the book shows a beautiful way to teach children about different colors. This book entices an infant's imagination. This African American inspired board book makes sure all of the words (such as Red, Yellow, and Green) are all color coded for the child to understand.  If you are inspired to make an interactive experience with your child, you can take your daughter on the magical adventure that Cassie takes in the board book! I did not give it a perfect score because I would not suggest this book for young boys because the book really focuses on father and daughter relationships. 

Most importantly, the book teaches an infant about colors through beautiful illustrations by Faith Ringgold. Faith Ringgold is an African American artist who has some work showcased in The National Museum of Modern Art and the Boston Museum of fine art just to name a few. Her artwork in this book is also just as beautiful as her artwork in the museums. In Cassie's Colorful Day, Cassie is warm and inviting and is always smiling in this book. Her outfits and bright colored clothes will excite infants. There are pictures on every page and the colors are vibrant. The book is big so an infant can see it as well as the person reading the book to them. The book highlights all of the important words so when you are reading it to your child, you can accentuate those words to make the message of the book more clear. 

My next must read will be a book that boys can enjoy as well. Please pick up Cassie's Colorful Day online or at a local library near you!

If you are interested in Faith Ringgold's children's books, please use this link below!

Faith Ringgold's Website