Picture Book 15: Lilly's Big Day



Lilly's Big Day
Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes

Genre: Picture Book
Subgenre: Picture Storybook

Themes: Hopefulness, frustration, jealousy, relationships, confidence

Primary characters: Lilly, her teacher Mr. Slinger, her parents
Secondary characters: Ms. Shotwell (the school nurse), Ginger (Mr. Slinger's neice), a saleswoman, Lilly's Granny

Published on March 28, 2006 by Greenwillow Books
Awards:

School Library Journal Best Book Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor Book

ALA Notable Children’s Book ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice

This book tells the story of Lilly being positive she will be included in her teacher's wedding-as a flower girl-and being disappointed in the actual outcome of the wedding plans! =( I would use this book in a classroom of younger elementary-grade students, to convey the point that as much as we might hope for something, that's not a guarantee that it will work out that way. Although we wish them the best, children have to learn to cope with disappointment at some point or another. I think the story of Lilly's expectations of being a flower girl not being realized would be a good, "soft" way to begin introducing such a concept to young children. Also, it conveys a valuable lesson in being happy for others and not only thinking of ourselves (sometimes a difficult concept for "little guys"!). The story's lighthearted and humorous nature makes for an adorable read!



Picture Book 14: See the Ocean



See the Ocean
written by Estelle Condra, illustrated by Linda Crockett-Blassingame

Genre: Picture Book
Subgenre: Picture Storybook

Themes: Diversity, challenges, appreciating nature

Primary Character: Nellie
Secondary Characters: Nellie's brothers, her parents

Published Nov. 1, 2002 by Eager Minds Press
Awards: Winner of the American Bookseller Pick of the Lists in 1994

This book tells the story of a little girl named Nellie who goes to the beach with her family. Nellie is blind, and her brothers make the remark that they don't know how she is going to enjoy going to beach, as she "can't even see". Nellie points out to them that although she doesn't have the sense of sight, her other senses allow her to "see" the world in a different way than most ordinary people. See the Ocean is moving and heart-warming; I got it for my mother for Christmas a few years ago, and we both love it. =) I would use this book in any early-elementary grade classroom (particularly an inclusion envioronment) as part of a lesson on diversity and acceptance.

Picture Book 13: Dolley Madison: First Lady (Spirit of America: Our People)

Dolley Madison: First Lady (Spirit of America: Our People)
by Cynthia Fitterer Klingel, Robert B. Noyed
Genre: Historical Literature
Subgenre: Biography
Themes: The life and times of Dolley Madison, wife of the fourth president of the United States of America

Primary character: Dolley Madison
Secondary characters: Dolley's first husband, her two children, James Madison, George & Martha Washington, British soldiers, the house servants

Published August 2002 by Child's World
Awards: According to my research, this book has not received any awards.

I enjoyed reading this simple, easy-to-understand account of Dolley Madison's life and accomplishments. Particularly emphasized is her reputation as a gracious hostess, and her heroic efforts in saving many artifacts from the presedential palace when British soldiers attempted to destroy the home. I would use this book in a class of middle-elementary grade students; it would be ideal for young readers to use in writing a report on a historical figure or as a supplementary part of a unit of study on past U.S. presidents!

Picture Book 12: Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?



Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?
by Jean Fritz
Illustrated by Margot Tomes

Genre: Picture Book
Subgenre: Historical Fiction, Biography
Themes: Destiny, monarchy, government, family, leadership, history, humor

Primary Character: King George III
Secondary Characters: King George's wife (Charlotte), his many children, his advisors and staff (particularly Lord Talbot), the American colonists

Published on Sept. 9, 1996 by Puffin 
Awards: School Library Journal Best Book of the Year award, IRA/CBC Children's Choice Book award

This humorous and witty account of the life and times of King George III was a highly enjoyable read! I would most likely use it with upper elementary-grade students because of its length (mainly) and slight complexity of subject matter. The book depicts King George as an awkward young boy who assumes the throne in his twenties after his father and grandfather die. His focus is on being a good king; he tries to be mannerly and run the castle efficiently. His main goal is to tame the rambunctious colonists across the ocean. I have read articles on this book that point out that Jean Fritz inserts a good amount of realism by making the Revolution out to be less than prominent in the minds of King George and his subjects; this was apparently true of the time, due to the Revolution taking place approximately 3000 miles from England. George and Charlotte's wedding and coronation was my favorite part of the book, because of all the hilarious mishaps by Lord Talbot! This would be a good book to read with older elementary students to give them a brief lesson in well-known history, but from a lighthearted, unbiased perspective that doesn't make George out to be some kind of tyrant. An excellent book! I loved it!

Picture Book 11: Officer Buckle and Gloria



Officer Buckle and Gloria
Written and Illustrated by Peggy Rathmann
Genre: Picture Book
Sub-genre: Picture Storybook
Themes: Teamwork, jobs, embarrassment, encouragement, humor!!

Primary Characters: Officer Buckle, his police dog Gloria
Secondary Characters: School children (particularly a little girl named Claire), the school principle, other police officers

Published on September 28, 1995 by Putnam Juvenile
Awards: Caldecott Medal, 1996

This book is simply ADORABLE!! When we read it in class, and later as I read it aloud with the little girl I babysit, I couldn't help but laugh out loud! Officer Buckle's trying times at work teach us that we all go through a rough patch from time to time, but the important thing is to believe in yourself and keep trying your best. Gloria's presence in the story makes for a light-hearted and terribly funny addition to the story of Officer Buckle's career in law enforcement. I would use this book in a class of early to middle elementary school grades, perhaps even just for a bit of "comic relief" after a long day. =)



Picture Book 10: The Good Little Bad Little Pig



The Good Little Bad Little Pig
by Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

Genre: Picture Book
Subgenre: Picture Storybook
Themes: Pets, family, responsibility, learning, behavior

Primary Characters: Peter, his pet Pig
Secondary Characters: Peter's mother and father, a police officer, a motorist

Published on Sept. 2, 2002 by Hyperion  (originally published in 1939 as part of a collection)
Awards: Through my research I could not find any awards for this book, although both its author and illustrator have won multiple awards for other works of theirs.

This book tells the sweet story of a little boy named Peter who decides he wants a pet pig. His parents are hesitant to let him get one, especially since he insists it must be a "good little bad little pig"! Peter's point turns out to be that no one is completely good or completely bad; his pig tries her best to behave, but sometimes gets into mischief. This would be a fun, lighthearted book to read with younger children because it reminds us that everyone is human, no one is perfect, and trying your best is all anyone can really ask of you. The last page of the story reiterates that though she was no "angel", Peter's pig brought him much joy and was the best pet he ever had.

Picture Book 9: Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal



Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Retelling of Cinderella
Author: Paul Fleischman
Illustrator: Julie Paschkis
Genre: Picture Book; Traditional Literature; Variant
Sub-Genre: Folk Tale, Fairy Tale, Magic
Themes: Family, tragedy, royalty, subservience, happy ending

Primary Characters: Cinderella; her "helpers" (Cinderella's Fairy Godmother and various other takes on this character who appears during her hour of need)
Secondary Characters: Stepmother and stepsisters who are cruel to Cinderella

Published Sept. 4, 2007 by Henry Holt & Co.
Awards: This book is a Junior Library Guild Selection, and won the 2008 Bank Street "Best Children's Book of the Year".

This book is DELIGHTFUL! The illustrations are amazing, all extremely detailed and displaying a unique style that brings to life the different cultures contained within the pages. It ties together several different versions of the classic Cinderella story, telling the tale as it would be told in foreign countries such as Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Mexico (to name just a few of the many). I would use this book as part of a unit on classic traditional literature, or one on diversity. Its depictions of all the different cultures from around the world would be invaluable for children to see, as this will foster an appreciation for diversity and a basic familiarity with cultures in countries foreign to our own. Also, if there is a child in my class who happens to be from one of the countries shown in the book, this would be a great springboard for him or her to share some aspects of their native culture with our class!