Haili Cupp-McBride
Listen to the MUSTN'Ts, child, listen to the
DON'Ts,
Listen to the HAVEN'Ts, the SHOULDN'Ts
and the WON'Ts,
Listen to the NEVER HAVEs, then listen close
to me.
Anything can happen, child, anything can be.
- Shel Silverstein.
1
• Nonfiction Books…………………………………….3-12
• Award Winning Books…………………………...13-22
• Multicultural Books……………………………….23-27
• Free Choice/Other Books……………………...28-32
2
Title: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Author: William Kamkwamba
Illustrator: Bryan Mealer, Elizabeth Zunon
Award:
ISBN: 9780803735118
Genre: Non-fiction
Summary: This book is about a young boy names William.
His town experience a drought and no one had money and the
crops just weren’t growing. William wasn’t attending school
at the time because of the drought so William thought of an
idea! William went to the junkyard and got scraps of junk and
soon made a windmill, this windmill fixed the problem and
William became the Hero of his town.
Book Hook: The teacher could give everyone a windmill cookie. He/she could
also have the students make a windmill using scrap pieces of paper.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Hard work, Hero, Persevering against the odds
Reading: Vocabulary, Perspective, Writing Style
Writing: “Do you know of any places that experience droughts?”
“What would you do if you were William?”
3
Title: One Well: The Story of Water on Earth
Author: Rochelle Strauss
Illustrator: Rosemary Woods
Award:
ISBN: 9781553379546
Genre: Non-Fiction
Summary: This book is about the earth and the 70% of water
on the earths surface. It talks about how powerful water is and
how everyone can take a part in conserving it. How everyone
can be better global citizens, because without water our earth
and everything around it will die.
Book Hook: You could show the students this youtube video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDU3OOAt6dg that is a song about saving
water before introducing the book.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Conservation, Science, Nature
Reading: Vocabulary, Perspective
Writing: “What can we do to conserve water?”
“What will happen if we don’t conserve our water?”
4
Title: REDWOODS
Author: Jason Chin
Illustrator: Jason Chin
Award:
ISBN: 9781596434301
Genre: Non-Fiction
Summary: This story is about a young boy that “travels” from
The city to California where he climbs into the redwood canopy.
He learns new and exciting things about redwoods, all of the
Information about these redwoods and the forest is very
Informational for the kids, but with a fun twist.
Book Hook: The teacher could show pictures or a video of the redwood forest.
Possibly even talk about the difference between the city and this forest.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Courage, Travel, Science
Reading: Vocabulary, Writing Style, Perspective
Writing: “What are some interesting facts you learned about the forest?”
“If you could visit the forest what is the first thing you would do?”
5
Title: My Five Senses
Author: Aliki
Illustrator: Aliki
Award:
ISBN: 978064450836
Genre: Non-Fiction
Summary: This book is all about the five senses. It talks about
how and what you see, what you hear, and so much more. This is a great book
for teaching children their five senses or simply just reminding them where to
look and what to touch etc.
Book Hook: A fun book hook would be to have different things students could
touch without looking, things they could look at, things they could smell, maybe
a couple things they could taste, and things they could listen for.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Senses, Manners,
Reading: Vocabulary
Writing: “What are something's that you like to touch, taste etc.?”
“If you could only have ONE sense what would it be?”
6
Title: Bedtime Math
Author: Laura Overdeck
Illustrator: Jim Paillot
Award:
ISBN: 978250035851
Genre: Non-Fiction
Summary: This book brings a new meaning to math, it is a fun
way to incorporate math before bed or anytime of the day. It has
funny riddles and different stories, children wont even realize
they are doing math. This book also has math riddles and stories for each level
on each page. There are three different levels for small children, middle age
children, and big kids.
Book Hook: You could simply just take one of these riddles or stories from the
book and solve it as a class on the board before reading the book. The
riddle/math problems are so fun they will want to listen and do more.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Math, Food, Transportation, animals, etc.
Reading: Vocabulary, Writing Style
Writing: “What was your favorite riddle or “math problem?”
“What did you like most about this book?”
7
Title: Lift and Explore: Oceans
Author: Deborah Murrell
Illustrator: Peter Bull
Award:
ISBN: 9780753470817
Genre: Non-Fiction
Summary: This book is a fun way for children to learn about
the ocean and all of the animals/fish and plants inside. It is a book
that has flaps so the children will be very interested in learning
and living up flaps to see what is next.
Book Hook: You could have the children draw what animal, plant, or shell is their
favorite that lives inside of the ocean.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Animals/fish, Plants, Water
Reading: Vocabulary
Writing: “After reading the book do you have a new favorite animal/fish?”
“What is an interesting fact you learned about the Ocean?”
8
Title: Something to Prove: Rookie Joe Dimaggio vs. the Great Satchel Paige
Author: Robert Skead
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Award:
ISBN: 9780761366195
Genre: Non-Fiction
Summary: This is a great children's picture book about a young
African American man who lived on the road because at the time
African Americans were not allowed in baseball. He was the
fastest and best player but he had to go up against another player
who was just as good.
Book Hook: You could have all of the students cut out and color a baseball before
reading the story.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Sports, Chance, Racism, Performance, Independence
Reading: Vocabulary, Perspective, Writing Style
Writing: “Who do you think was best at playing baseball?”
“What would you do if someone told you, you couldn’t do something?”
9
Title: Of Thee I sing
Author: Barack Obama
Illustrator: Loren Long
Award:
ISBN: 978037583527
Genre: Non-Fiction
Summary: This book was written by President Obama, it is in
Two different parts talking about what he thinks of his daughters
And the next page is someone that is the same, someone that
Shaped our nation.
Book Hook: As a class we could talk about great people that have shaped our
nation. Some of the people we mention may be in the book.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Love, Hero's, Courage, Art, Ideas etc
Reading: Poetry, Vocabulary, Writing Style, Perspective
Writing: “Who is your favorite hero in this book?”
“Who is your hero and why are they your hero?”
10
Title: Henry’s Freedom Box
Author: Ellen Levine and Nadiar Nelson
Illustrator:
Award: Caldecott Honor
ISBN: 9780438777339
Genre: Non-Fiction
Summary: This book is about Henry a little boy who was a
slave. He dreams of being free and wishes he knew his Birthday.
as the story progresses Henry gets married but again his family
is taken from him. He decides that he will mail himself to the North where he will be free.
on the day that he arrives in the North he is finally free and that is his Birthday.
Book Hook: You could talk about how children were once slaves even as young as the
students in the room. Really talk about what slavery was, which I think will get them
interested in hearing a true story about a boy their age.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Slavery, Freedom, Family, Courage, Sorrow
Reading: Vocabulary, Writing Style, Perspective
Writing: “Why do you think Henry had so much courage?”
“Would you have mailed yourself in a crate just to be free?”
11
Title: Earth
Author: Elain Landau
Illustrator:
Award:
ISBN: 9780531147887
Genre: Non-Fiction
Summary: This book is a book about the Earth. It is very easy
to follow and would be great for young children to learn about
the earth. It has hundreds of facts, pictures, and information a
child needs to understand our earth and what makes up our earth.
Book Hook: The teacher could bring in a globe and have the students watch it spin, talk
about the earth, places they have visited or want to visit.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Earth, Science, Nature
Reading: Vocabulary
Writing: “What are a couple new things you learned about the earth?”
“If you could travel anywhere and do anything what would it be?”
12
Title: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers
Author: Mordicai Gerstein
Illustrator: Mordicai Gerstein
Award: Caldecott Medal Winner
ISBN: 9780312368784
Genre: Award Winning
Summary: This book is about a man names Philippe Petit who
placed a tight rope between the Twin Towers for over and hour.
He did tricks, he danced, and he walked.
Book Hook: You could talk about the Twin Towers and show
pictures of the way it was before 9/11.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Courage, Bravery, History
Reading: Poetry, Lyrical, Writing Style Vocabulary
Writing: “Would you walk on a tight rope across buildings?”
“Do you think this is a true story, yes or no and why?”
13
Title: Inch by Inch
Author: Leo Lionni
Illustrator: Leo Lionni
Award: Caldecott Honor
ISBN: 9780688132835
Genre: Award Winning
Summary: This story is about an inch worm that is trying very
to not get eaten. In order to not get eaten he has to measure many
different things to avoid it. Something that the inch worm
measures are a flamingos neck and a robins tail.
Book Hook: You could have the students make inch worms. You
could also make dirt pudding and put little gummy worms inside.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Children, Animals, Math
Reading: Rhythm, Vocabulary, Writing Style
Writing: “What were some of the things the inch worm measured?”
“Why did the inch worm measure things in order to not get eaten?”
14
Title: TUESDAY
Author: David Wiesner
Illustrator: David Wiesner
Award: Caldecott Medal
ISBN: 9780395870822
Genre: Award Winning
Summary: This book is basically wordless, but a great way to get children's
imaginations working. It starts out with a frog who awakes and himself as well as his
lily bad are floating in the sky. He flys over houses and experiences the town while
everyone is asleep.
Book Hook: Have students make up a story about what type of animal they would be
and where they would go if they could fly.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Animals, Time, Days, Imagination
Reading: Imagination
Writing: “What do you think is happening in this story?”
“Write your own short story based on this book.”
15
Title: The Rainbow Fish
Author: Marcus Pfister
Illustrator:
Award: Christopher Award
ISBN: 9781558580091
Genre: Award Winning
Summary: This story is about a fish with beautiful scales. This
Rainbow fish has a problem sharing, the fish is very lonely
because its not very nice to the other fish. When rainbow fish
starts to give away it’s scales it soon has friends and is happy
regardless of its scales.
Book Hook: You could have the students make a rainbow fish using a CD and some
jewels. They can decide weather to keep all the scales, share with a friend, or have no
scales at all.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Animals, Friendship, Sharing, Happiness, loneness
Reading: Poetry, Writing Style, Perspective, Vocabulary
Writing: “Do you think the fish was happier with or without it’s scales?”
“What do you think this story is trying to teach us?”
16
Title: Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons
Author: Eric Litwin
Illustrator: James Dean
Award: A 2013 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book
ISBN: 9781933718002
Genre: Award Winning
Summary: This book is about Pete the Cat and the buttons on
sis favorite shirt. One button falls off, but Pete does not get upset or cry he just keeps singing his song. This book is a counting
book as Pete’s groovy buttons falls off.
Book Hook: There is a CD that comes along with the book, you
turn it on as the kids are coming into the class to get them
excited for the book.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Animals, Staying Positive, Math/Counting
Reading: Vocabulary, Poetry, Rhythm, Syle
Writing: “Why do you think Pete didn’t get upset when his buttons feel off?”
17
“What is a time when you could be just like Pete?”
Title: The Kissing Hand
Author: Audrey Penn
Illustrator: Ruth E. Harper & Nancy M. Leak
Award: ED Press Winnder
ISBN: 9781933718002
Genre: Award Winning
Summary: This is a book about Chester the Raccoon and his
first day of kindergarten. He is scared and nervous, but his
mother shows him that no matter where he is she will always be
with him.
Book Hook: You could have the students make masks that make them look like raccoons
so that could be like Chester.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Love, Family, Animals, First day of school
Reading: Vocabulary, Writing Style, Perspectives
Writing: “How did you feel on your first day of kindergarten or school?”
18
“What are some reason you think Chester was nervous for school?”
Title: Don’t let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
Author: Mo Willems
Illustrator: Mo Willems
Award: Caldecott Honor
ISBN: 9780786819881
Genre: Award Winning
Summary: This book is about a pigeon who decided to drive
the bus after the bus driver falls asleep. He wants more time
driving the bus so he tries and tries to persuade the readers for more time to drive around
the bus.
Book Hook: You could have the students make the pigeon that drives the bus before you
read the book.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Animals, Humor
Reading: Vocabulary, Poetry, Writing Style, Perspective
Writing: “What were some of the things the Pigeon said to get his way?”
“What do you think the Pigeon will do next time?”
19
Title: Creepy Carrots
Author: Aaron Reynolds
Illustrator: Peter Brown
Award: Caldecott Honor
ISBN:9781442402973
Genre: Award Winning
Summary: This book is about Jasper the rabbit. He loves
carrots he eats them ALL the time, no matter where he goes.
he soon gets scared because he thinks the carrots are following
him. This is a cute book to get students to eat their vegetables
(carrots).
Book Hook: Bring in carrots for the students to eat before
or while the book is being read.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Food, Greed
Reading: Vocabulary, Writing Style, Perspective
Writing: “Do you think Jasper was being to greedy?”
“What is another vegetable that you love to eat and why?”
20
Title: We are in a Book!
Author: Mo Williems
Illustrator: Mo Williems
Award: Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book
ISBN: 9781423133087
Genre: Award Winning
Summary: This book is about a elephant and pig. These two
animals are best friends, but they are very different. In this
book both characters act like they know when someone is
reading about them. It is a cute book to have children interact
with and has great vocabulary for beginning readers.
Book Hook: Students could be asked to write about their best friend and what they do for
fun, or what they would do if they were in a book.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Friendship, Animals, Interaction, Differences
Reading: Vocabulary, Writing Style, Perspectives
Writing: “Who is your favorite character and why?”
21
“Although these two friends are opposite why do you think they are best friends?”
Title: A Sick Day for Amos McGee
Author: Philip C. Stead
Illustrator: Erin E. Stead
Award: 2011 Best Children's Book of the Year &
Caldecott Winner
ISBN:
Genre: Award Winning
Summary: This book is about an Elephant names Amos McGee. Amos has lots of
friends, small friends, short friends, and human friends. Amos always visits his friends
and likes to help them out in anyway possible. Sometimes Amos reads, sometimes he
even plays. But, one day Amos gets sick and its up to all of his friends to come visit
him and return the favor because that what friends do.
Book Hook: You could have the students make a list of things they do for friends or
family. Or possibly take a field trip to the zoo.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Animals, Friendship, loyalty
Reading: Vocabulary, Writing Style, Rhythm,
Writing: “What do you think makes a good friend?”
“What animals would you play with at the zoo?”
22
Title: Who was Rosa Parks?
Author: Yona Zeldis McDonough
Illustrator: Nancy Harrison
Award:
ISBN: 9781101445938
Genre: Multicultural
Summary: This book is about a courageous women named
Rosa Park. She did so many courageous things but one that
will always be remember was when she sat in the front of the
bus. At that time African Americans were only to sit at the back
of the bus. Rosa Parks did not agree with this so she decided to
stand up for herself and for others and do what she wanted to do. This books
describes what Rosa went through during this time.
Book Hook: You could show a video of Rosa Parks or simply just talk about
how brave she was.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Racisms, Courage, History
Reading: Vocabulary, Writing Style, Perspective
Writing: “What Rosa Parks smart to sit in the front of the bus?”
“Would you consider Rosa Parks a Hero?”
23
Title: Whoever You Are
Author: Mem Fox
Illustrator: Leslie Staub
Award:
ISBN: 9780152060305
Genre: Multicultural
Summary: This is a great Multicultural book for children. It
talks about different cultures how they are alike or different. It
shows different art, folktales, photographs diversity and so much more. Students can learn
so much about the different cultures and who is living in the world and what makes them
unique, different, and the same as them.
Book Hook: You could put a piece of art or a song in front of the children to show
different cultures.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Friends, Familys, Art, Song, Cultures, Pain, Joy, Love
Reading: Poetry, Vocabulary, Perspecitive,
Writing: “What is one cultural that interests you?”
24
“What is something new and exciting that you learned from this book?”
Title: Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African
Americans
Author: Kadir Nelson
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Award: 2012 Coretta Scott King Author Award
ISBN: 9780061730795
Genre: Multicultural
Summary: This story is about slaves that picked cotton every day in the hot
heat and sun. It was not just men, but women and children as well. This book
talks about broken promises as well as the hardships these people had to go
through. It also talks about the freedom and courage of many African American
slaves during this time period.
Book Hook: You could show the children a short clip about the way that cotton
is picked and how hard of work it would have been for these people.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Freedom, courage, inspiration, slavery, family, love
Reading: Vocabulary, Writing Style, Perspective
Writing: “What does it mean to be courageous?”
“Who was courageous in this story and why?”
25
Title: What Color Is My World?: The Lost History of
African-American Inventors
Author: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Raymond Obstfeld,
Illustrator:Ben Boos, A.G. Ford
Award:
ISBN: 9780763645649
Genre: Multicultural
Summary: This is a great book about African American inventors. It has many different
inventors such as, Fred Jones and James West along with many others. They invented things
like the ice cream scoop, microphone in your cell phone and much more. This stories is a
cute and fun way to teach children about African American inventors they may not have
known about.
Book Hook: Give students a piece of paper that has a picture of the things invented in the
book. Explain to them that someone came up with this invention. Do you know who
invented this?
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Inventions
Reading: Vocabulary, Perspective, Writing Style
Writing: “What are some things that were invented and mentioned in this book?”
26
“What are some facts you remember?”
Title: Moses : When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom
Author: Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Kadiar Nelson
Award: 2007 Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration
ISBN: 0786851759
Genre: Multicultural
Summary: This story is about how Harriet Tubman gained her
freedom. Not only how she gained her freedom, but about how
she wanted others and helped others to gain theirs as well. The whole story is
poetic and goes through her whole process of being a slave and becoming free.
She talks with god throughout the whole book so I’m not sure whether or not
that would be allowed in a classroom. Regardless it’s a great book!
Book Hook: Simply bringing up Harriet Tubman and what she accomplished
would be a great book hook before reading this book.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Slavery, Faith, Freedom, Hero
Reading: Poetry, Song, Writing Style, Perspective
Writing: “Why was Harriet a Hero?”
“Why do you think some of the words are in bold letters?”
27
Title: I Need My Monster
Author: Amanda Noll
Illustrator: Howard McWilliam
Award:
ISBN: 9780979974625
Genre: Free Choice
Summary: This book is about a little boy names Ethan. Ethan
has a pet monster living underneath his bed, Ethan loves his monster Gabe. He
isn’t scare of Gabe one bit. One day Ethan find a note under his bed which
explains Gabe (his monster) has left for the week to go fishing. In the meantime
Ethan cannot take not having Gabe so he interviews many different monster but
none compare to Gabe. When Gabe returns they both realize that they cannot
replace each other.
Book Hook: You could have the students talk about whether or not they would
like to have a monster under their bed an then ask again once the book is over.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Friendship, bedtime, overcoming fears, humor
Reading: Vocabulary, Writing Style, Perspective
Writing: “What would your monster look like if you had one?”
“Why do you think Ethan isn’t scared?”
28
Title: The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School
Author: Laura Murray
Illustrator: Mike Lowery
Award:
ISBN: 9780399250521
Genre: Free Choice
Summary: This book is about a classroom that bakes
gingerbread man cookies. Once the kids leave for recess one
gingerbread man gets up and explores the school. This
gingerbread man gets into all sorts of trouble traveling from the
gym, the principals office, to music and more. He finally finds his way back to
his class and the students promise they wont leave him again.
Book Hook: You could bake gingerbread cookies and give
them to the class. You could also have them take some to the
gym teacher, principal, etc.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Movement, friendship, mischief , humor
Reading: Vocabulary, Writing Style, Perspective, poetry
Writing: “What were some places the gingerbread man travel too?”
“Where would you go if you were the gingerbread man?”
29
Title: Giraffes Can’t Dance
Author: Giles Andreae
Illustrator: Guy Parker Rees
Award:
ISBN: 0439287197
Genre: Free Choice
Summary: This story is about a Giraffe names Gerald, all Gerald
wants to do is to be able to dance. None of his friends thinks he
can dance because he’s too talk and his legs are too skinny. When
one of his friends believes he can do Gerald tries his hardest and begins to dance.
This is a great book to show children they can do whatever they put their mind
to.
Book Hook: You could turn on some music and have the children get up and
dance however they’d like.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Friendship, Courage, Bravery, Animals
Reading: Vocabulary, Poetry, Rhythm, Writing Style, Perspective
Writing: “What do you think this story is trying to teach us?”
“What do you think we should do if people say we cant?”
30
Title: Dragons Love Tacos
Author: Adam Rubin
Illustrator: Daniel Salmieri
Award: The New York Times Best Seller
ISBN: 9780803736801
Genre: Free Choice
Summary: This book is about Dinosaurs who love tacos. These
Dragons do not care what kind of tacos they eat, any tacos are fine just as long as there is no
spicy sauce. The Dragons do not like things that are spicy, but they love tacos. This book is a
fun book about Dragons that will get children laughing. At the end the Dragons eat
something spicy and they breath fire all over.
Book Hook: You could bring in all different types of tacos or you could have the students
design their own Dinosaur.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Animals, Food, Fun
Reading: Vocabulary, Rhythm, Writing Style, Perspective
Writing: “Why do you think Dragons don’t like spicy sauce?”
“What’s your favorite type of taco & what toppings do you like on it?”
31
Title: Secret Pizza Party
Author: Adam Rubin
Illustrator:Daniel Salmieri
Award:
ISBN: 9780803739475
Genre: Free Choice
Summary: This is a fun book about a Raccoon who only wants
one thing, and that’s PIZZA! Raccoon never gets pizza because he's always getting chased
away. Raccoon decides that he is going to have a secret pizza party… SHHHHhhhhh! He
thinks of many different ways to get his pizza to his SECRET pizza party. He gets past
humans and even pizza robots! He finally has a pizza party, but is it his?
Book Hook: You could bring in pizza for the students to eat. You could also have the
students design their own pizza with scrap pieces of paper they could add whatever
toppings they like. You could even somehow incorporate math.
Classroom usage:
Thematic: Animals, Food, Fun, Manners, Listening
Reading: Vocabulary, Rhythm, Writing Style, Perspective
Writing: “Why do you think everyone shooed away the Raccoon?”
“Would you throw a secret pizza party for the Raccoon?”
32