Piven, Hanoch 4–8 years
MY BEST FRIEND IS AS SHARP AS A PENCIL: AND OTHER FUNNY CLASSROOM PORTRAITS
Illustrated by Hanoch Piven
New York: Schwartz & Wade/Random House, 2010 | 978-0-375-85338-8
The endpapers give a first clue that the illustrations in this book may be different: a jumble of colorful magnetic letters, pencils, blocks, and much more scatter over the spread. The story consists of a young girl describing her teachers and friends at school with similes; then the turn of the page features that person’s illustration created with some of the objects that are in the endpaper photographs. The result is colorful and creative (who would have thought of a microscope for a nose?). Gouache is also used in the illustrations. A fun inspiration for a lesson in portraits in art class, this book could also be used in language arts and writing.
Prelutsky, Jack, compiler 5–10 years
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE SCHOOL
Illustrated by Jane Manning
New York: Greenwillow/HarperCollins, 2010 | 978-0-06-082338-2
A collection of eighteen poems, this book covers everything: taking off for school in the morning, riding the bus, recess, lunch, hallway antics, and even homework. Many of the poems are humorous, even the ones that involve some mildly alarming topics, such as not being ready for a test or not knowing the answer when called upon. Poet Prelutsky gathers an entertaining selection here, with two by himself and verses by twelve other poets. The watercolor illustrations feature children and teachers in a comical bent, to match the text. Poem titles stand out in brightly colored letters, matching the color palette of the illustrations. Perfect for poetry lovers, for use in language arts classes, and for teachers who want to experience the sheer joy of presenting poetry as it should be—read aloud.
Primavera, Elise 4–8 years
LOUISE THE BIG CHEESE
Illustrated by Diane Goode
New York: Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster, 2009 | 978-1-4169-7180-1
Louise yearns to be a diva with every fiber of her being, but she remains a likable character despite her run-ins with her parents, sister, and best friend. The possibility of playing Cinderella in the school play brings out her extra-wattage star ambitions. The text, supplemented by balloon dialogue, expresses her wishes and her actions. Watercolor illustrations match the text and add attitude in delightful cartoon-style art, heavy on the pink. Notice the contrast between Louise’s rather plain parents and the look-alike houses on her block compared to Louise’s room and her dreams of Broadway stardom. The book concludes with a quiz to test the reader’s potential for becoming a star. Endpapers present “Big Cheeses throughout History” and “Little Cheeses throughout History,” another humorous contrast piece. Louise carries on her diva ways in Louise the Big Cheese and the La-Di-Da Shoes (Simon & Schuster, 2010).
Recorvits, Helen 4–8 years
YOON AND THE JADE BRACELET
Illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska
New York: Frances Foster/Farrar Straus Giroux, 2008 | 978-0-374-38689-4
The author captures perfectly the feelings of childhood, especially the longing for friendship, the shame of doing something wrong, and the joy of overcoming obstacles. An older girl at school tricks Yoon, a recent immigrant from Korea, into giving up her family heirloom bracelet. Impressionistic illustrations capture the various moods: wanting to be invited to play jump rope, gratitude at receiving the bracelet, frustration in attempting to get it back, and relief at being aided by a kind teacher. Backgrounds, richly textured, sometimes contain wallpaper-like designs that mirror the colors and designs of the dresses. A fine tale of the immigrant experience in America for young children, this story is told in first person, which lends an intimate feel. Meet Yoon in My Name is Yoon (Farrar Straus Giroux, 2003) and Yoon and the Christmas Mitten (Farrar Straus Giroux, 2006).
Rodman, Mary Ann 4–7 years
FIRST GRADE STINKS!
Illustrated by Beth Spiegel
Atlanta: Peachtree, 2006 | 978-1-56145-377-1
Haley begins the new school year in first grade but finds out quickly and to her disappointment that everything about it is different from kindergarten. The teacher is more subdued, the classroom is not decorated, there is only one recess, and on and on. Even with the help of her friend Ryan, Haley has difficulty accepting this and finally has a meltdown. When she finds that her teacher understands her, she begins to appreciate all the things about first grade that are better than kindergarten. The text expertly captures a first grader’s mind-set, while watercolor-and-ink illustrations show kindergartners and first graders in all their silliness, joyousness, frustration, and happiness. The small size of Haley as she enters her new classroom reveals how overwhelmed she feels in this new environment. The picture of her outburst, when she yells out the title of the book, shows her as very big indeed. First graders will delight in this story whether they recognize themselves or not, and younger ones will see what is coming.
Rubel, Nicole 3–7 years
HAM AND PICKLES: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Illustrated by Nicole Rubel
Orlando: Harcourt, 2006 | 978-0-15-205039-9
Children who experience jitters on the first day of school may be comforted by this humorous look at the problem. Little Pickles has a thousand and one worries about school, manifested in continuous questions aimed at her older brother, Ham. From getting up on time to wearing the right clothes to finding her classroom, Pickles frets about everything, and Ham tries to allay her fears. Several of his suggestions inspire humorously illustrated scenes, although his words are matter-of-fact; in other cases, both are funny. The illustrations, rendered in ink, markers, colored pencils, crayons, and collage items, pack each page with details. Listeners may want to search for items and identify photographed pieces. Readers familiar with Rubel’s illustrations for the Rotten Ralph series will recognize the similar goofy humor.
Rumford, James 4–8 years
RAIN SCHOOL
Illustrated by James Rumford
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010 | 978-0-547-24307-8
The first day of school in a village in the country of Chad brings a lesson for Thomas, who is attending for the first time. The children must build the school, and so they do, learning to make bricks, walls, and desks from the mud, and a roof from grass and sticks. School finally starts, and they learn to read and write. As the school year ends, rains come and the cycle of the year begins again. Vivid and textured illustrations show the joy of learning, always with a background in shades of brown and tan that portray the earth from which the school is literally made. A look at school life in another country for young listeners first encountering cultural and geographic differences, Rumford’s story is based on his experiences in Chad as a Peace Corps volunteer.
Russo, Marisabina 4–8 years
A VERY BIG BUNNY
Illustrated by Marisabina Russo
New York: Schwartz & Wade/Random House, 2010 | 978-0-375-84463-8
For those who feel they don’t fit in, this book presents an encouraging story of acceptance. Amelia, the big bunny of the title, towers over most of her classmates, who will not play with her. She spends much of her time entertaining herself, until Susannah, the new bunny in class and the smallest, befriends her. At first resistant, Amelia is won over by Susannah’s persistence and creativity. Colorful gouache art shows bunnies of all sizes and colors in the classroom and on the playground. A gentle story about being different, this book portrays meanness and kindness realistically.
Watt, Mélanie 4–7 years
AUGUSTINE
Illustrated by Mélanie Watt
Toronto: Kids Can, 2006 | 978-1-55337-885-3
Although the main character is a penguin, this story readily transfers to all human children who have ever had to move or to start a new school in the middle of the year. As Augustine and his parents relocate from the South Pole to the North Pole, he goes through all the steps of packing, saying good-bye, and moving into
a new home. At his new school, Augustine endures some awkward times but then becomes friends with classmates through his art. The book pays tribute to famous painters, some of whose masterpieces inspire Watt’s illustrations. Each two-page spread features one page divided into nine squares, each containing one of these paintings and then other objects that add detail to the text on the facing page. The text includes some clever wordplay and in-jokes that probably only the adults will catch. In any case, all will be enchanted by the appealing characters, the crisp colors rendered in acrylic and pencil crayon, and the universal experience of trying to fit in.
Williams, Karen Lynn, and Khadra Mohammed 5–10 years
MY NAME IS SANGOEL
Illustrated by Catherine Stock
Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2009 | 978-0-8028-5307-3
A look at the immigrant experience, this story follows a young boy from a refugee camp in Africa to a new home in America. Besides adjustments to the weather and a new school, he finds that no one in this new country can pronounce his name. Finally he comes up with an idea inspired by his soccer team shirt. The expressive art illustrates the crowded confusion of an airport, the family’s apartment so different from their old home, and the colorful classroom filled with new faces. A young boy’s problem and his solution will inspire students.
Winters, Kay 4–8 years
THIS SCHOOL YEAR WILL BE THE BEST!
Illustrated by Renée Andriani
New York: Dutton/Penguin, 2010 | 978-0-525-42275-4
With the enthusiasm of the title, the children of this story express their hopes for the coming school year. They share both practical and fanciful wishes that most children could relate to. The illustrations feature a diverse group, in both gender and ethnicity, inhabiting the classroom, playing field, and their own homes as they imagine soccer goals, out-of-this-world field trips, and snow days. The cartoon-style artwork bursts with fun and activity and ends with the whole group holding up drawings of their hopes. This is an ideal book for the first day or week of school.
4
Out in the World
The picture books in this section move the story outside the circle of family, friends, and school into the wider world. Readers will encounter new cultural experiences, recognizing that everyone is a global citizen. They will also develop an awareness of history and a sense of continuity by learning that others came before.
Alalou, Elizabeth, and Ali Alalou 4–8 years
THE BUTTER MAN
Illustrated by Julie Klear Essakalli
Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge, 2008 | 978-1-58089-127-1
The authors evoke the keenness of hunger and the satisfaction of satiety, which become the underlying conflict in this story. A young girl’s baba—her father—tells about his childhood while he prepares an evening meal of couscous. Travel to Morocco in this story within a story, where his mother finds a way to take her young son’s mind off their lack of food by telling him to wait for the butter man. Full-page gouache illustrations face each page of text, the colors reflecting the landscape of a drought-stricken country. (See figure 4.1.) The font size of the first line of text in the book is larger, as it is in the first line of the story that Baba tells and in the return to the present day, signaling these changes in time and perspective. An author’s note and glossary assist with understanding the geography and culture of the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco.
Figure 4.1. The Butter Man
Alexander, Cecil 3–7 years
ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL
Illustrated by Ashley Bryan
New York: Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, 2010 | 978-1-4169-8939-4
The century-old hymn of the title provides the majestic words illustrated by stunning collage art. Bryan used his mother’s sewing and embroidery scissors to cut the brightly colored papers that take the shape of people, animals, and objects in this book. Layering the pieces creates the depth; delicate cuts give texture to the compositions. Each page provides an abundance to look at, either by one reader or in a group. Art teachers may want to use this as a preliminary read before embarking on older students’ construction paper collages; inventive ideas for portraying water, wind, people, and vegetation abound in this beautiful book.
Applegate, Katherine 4–8 years
THE BUFFALO STORM
Illustrated by Jan Ormerod
New York: Clarion, 2007 | 978-0-618-53597-2| library binding
The storm of the title refers to both thunderstorms, which scare young Hallie, and the storm of buffalo hooves as they thunder across the prairie. She deals with each as she travels west with her parents to Oregon in a covered wagon. The text, in first person, stays true to a young girl’s feelings as she leaves her beloved grandmother and faces the challenges of a long journey. Watercolor-and-pastel illustrations also capture the emotions of the characters and offer some exciting scenes, especially when Hallie falls out of the covered wagon and when she rescues a buffalo calf. The double-page spread of the running of the buffalo herd pulses with power and strength; the dust that surely obscured them in real life shadows over the great brown shapes. A strong female character who overcomes fears and worries shines through in this pioneer story. Partner this with Jean van Leeuwen’s Papa and the Pioneer Quilt (Dial, 2007).
Arnosky, Jim 4–8 years
GRANDFATHER BUFFALO
Illustrated by Jim Arnosky
New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2006 | 978-0-399-24169-7
Follow along on the migration of a buffalo herd as it traverses the prairie, and see the role the old buffalo takes on as protector of a newborn calf. Combining fiction and nonfiction allows the story to present facts about this magnificent animal and the cycle of life while concentrating on the engaging story of one character. Large watercolor illustrations capture the colors of the landscape and the times of day as well as the great brown animals. Especially dramatic is the transition from a long view on one page to a close-up of the buffalo’s face that completely fills the next page. Listeners should look carefully on each page for other, smaller animals that appear. Ideal for group read-alouds, this book would be a perfect supplement to science or social studies curricula. The text, forthright yet moving, combines with realistic illustrations to provide a wonderful introduction to a piece of the American past.
Avi 5–10 years
SILENT MOVIE
Illustrated by C. B. Mordan
New York: Anne Schwartz/Atheneum, 2003 | 978-0-689-84145-3
Reflecting an important part of its plot, this book is structured as a silent movie: in black and white, with frames of action and with limited phrases to give needed information. Incredibly detailed ink on clayboard illustrations play up the melodramatic mood of the story, which concerns an immigrant family from Sweden and their trials and triumphs in New York City. Partner this with some Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, or Harold Lloyd movies, especially with older children. The author’s and illustrator’s notes present a personal look at the creative process behind this unique book.
Barasch, Lynne 4–9 years
FIRST COME THE ZEBRA
Illustrated by Lynne Barasch
New York: Lee & Low, 2009 | 978-1-60060-365-5
Parallel stories take place in this book about cooperation and friendship. One story involves the zebra, wildebeest, and gazelle that share the grazing lands in Kenya. The first few pages illustrate how each animal eats only the top, middle, or lowest sections of the grass. The other, more personal story features two boys. Abaani, of the nomadic Maasai people, cares for his family’s cattle, while Haki, a Kikuyu boy, helps his family sell the vegetables grown on their farm. At first the boys yell hateful phrases at each other, words they have heard from others in their tribes. But one day, they come together to rescue a baby from angry warthogs and so begin a tentative walk toward friendship. By the end of the book, they talk, play games, and trade vegetables for milk. Recalling the beginning, the ending compares the boys’ sharing to the animals’ sharing of the grass; thus th
ere is hope for the future. The ink-and-watercolor illustrations depict the grasslands, cattle pens, and roads of the Kenyan countryside, as well as the people and animals. An author’s note concludes the book with more information about the Maasai, the Kikuyu, their rivalry, and the game of mancala that the boys play. A glossary with pronunciations is included for unfamiliar words and phrases.
Bauer, Marion Dane 4–8 years
THE LONGEST NIGHT
Illustrated by Ted Lewin
New York: Holiday House, 2009 | 978-0-8234-2054-4
With a quiet sense of anticipation, this book portrays the cold darkness deep in the forest, where the animals await the coming of morning. Watercolor illustrations, which reveal the largeness and wildness of the animals, consist of dark blue, green-blue, and brown until the last five pages. As the sun comes up, pale pink and yellow filter through the branches as the transition to daylight becomes complete. The text presents as a prose poem, with the crow, moose, and fox offering to find the hiding sun and wake it up. But finally it is the tiny chickadee that brings the sun back. Young readers and listeners will love the large, up-close illustrations of the forest animals.
Bildner, Phil 4–8 years
THE HALLELUJAH FLIGHT
Illustrated by John Holyfield
New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons/Penguin, 2010 | 978-0-399-24789-7
Picture Books for Children Page 10
