1.
Oh the Places You’ll Go By Dr. Seuss
Year: 1990
Genre: Children’s Book
Grade Level: 2nd to 6th
Topic/ Theme: Life journey, and accomplishments one might face
Classroom use and Ideas: This is a great book for those that are moving on to a new grade, new area in life that may need some inspiration. I would definitely
use this for a 6th grade class toward the end of the year. This book is a big inspiration to young children and adults alike.
2.
Corduroy by Don Freeman
Year: 1968
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Grade Level: Kinder- 4th
Classroom use and Idea: Great book about imagination. You can use this book for social emotional development, or just a fun read for sequencing.
3.
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
Year: 1983
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Grade Level: PK- 4th
Classroom Use and Ideas: For the younger grades it is a great way to teach the children the color purple! For those that know the color it is a great introduction
to fiction vs. non-fiction with the imagination that is entail in this piece of litature.
4.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Year: 1963
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Grade Level: 2nd- 6th
Classroom Use: Anger management for the older children and using this piece for place/ theme/ plot etc.
5.
The Story of Fendinand by Munro Leaf
Year: 1936
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Grade Level: 2nd- 6th
Classroom Use: This is a great story about unconditional love and devotion, and great for the beginning of the year to build self confidence and sense of family.
6.
The Lorax by Dr. Suess
Year: 1971
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Grade Level: Kinder- 6th
Classroom Use: I don’t know
7.
Year:
On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Fillman
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Grade Level: Kinder- 3rd
Classroom Use: This is more for a “ at home” use, parents love this book to show the love for their child(ren).
8.
Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes
Year:
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Grade Level: PK- 3rd
Classroom Use:
9.
Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed. Berley
Year:
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Grade Level: Preschool – 2nd
Classroom Use: This is a great book to teach children about feelings and how it feels to be scared and sad. This is great for the younger children, they can relate
to the “ monster” and the facial expressions that come with the book.
10. Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney
Year:
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Grade Level: Preschool- 2nd
Classroom Use: Book for the younger children that may need help with transition or recognizing feelings ( missing mother, transitions, new at school etc.)
11. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Year:
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Grade Level: Preschool- 3rd
Classroom Use: Great for transition ( ex: new school), this is more for parents then for a classroom use.
12. Were Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
Genre: Children’s Picture Book.
Grade Level: Preschool- 2nd grade
Classroom Use: Use to teach sequencing and plot/ place etc. This can turn into many fun and educational themes with all the action that takes place in the book.
The children love to read this book through auto while reading along. Were Going on a Bear Hunt is a great book to teach the children the love of books and
how fun they can be.
13. The Giving Tree by Shel Silversten
14: A Gift of Gracias by Julia Alvarez
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Grade Level: 1st to 3rd
Year:2005
Classroom Use: A great book to teach about multicultural in the classroom, esp. the Hispanic culture. The book also teaches about the farm and the markets.
15: The Moon Over Star by Dianna Hutts Aston
Genre: fictional historical book
Grade Level: 1st through 5th
Year: 2008
Classroom Use: To study about the landing of the moon ( lance Armstrong), multi cultural in the classroom. Great read for the older children.
16: The Cloud Spinner by Michael Catchpool
Genre: Fictional Children’s Book
Grade Level: K- 4th
Year: 2012
Classroom Use: This book has a fairy tale edge. The little boy uses clouds to make clothes, the king demands his clothes and all the clouds disperse. It would
be a great book to use with a study about the weather to add a fun twist.
17: Freight Train by Donald Crews ( A Caldecott Honor Book)
Genre: Children’s Book
Grade Level: Preschool- K
Year: 1978
Classroom Use: Simple, cute and fun book to learn about colors and transportation
18: Only You by Robin Cruise
Genre: Children’s Book
Grade Level: Preschool- 1st
Year: 2007
Classroom Use: This book is more for home use, so parents can read to their children before bedtime. Still a great book! This book can be used during nap
time for preschool and pre- k.
19: Mwakwa ( Talks to the Loon) by Dale Auger (A cree story for children)
Genre: Historical fictional folk tale
Grade Level: preschool thru 3rd
Year: 2006
Classroom Use: A great book about the native culture
20: The Big Wish by Carolyn Canhan
Genre: Children book- fiction
Grade Level: K- 3rd
Year: 2011
Classroom Use: A great story about a little girl making a wish with a dandelion. The children would love to use this story with a study about spring/ summer
and the outdoors.
21: The Butter Man by Elizabeth Alalou
Genre: Historical fiction ( Morocco)
Grade Level: 2nd thru 4th
Year: 2008
Classroom Use: Folk story about a child and a story of hard times in Morocco. Great Multi- cultural book
22: I’m the Best by Lucy Cousins
Genre: Fictional
Grade Level: Preschool- 1st
Year: 2010
Classroom Use: Great book to teach children about empathy and how others feel.
23: My Best, Best Friend by Carol Noble
Genre: fiction book
Grade Level: Pre-k -3rd
Year: 2011
Classroom: Talks about two little girls being best friends ( multi-cultural friendship), great read to teach social emotional skills. Also great for teaching about
different colors of skin ( cultural differences), how we are all the same, etc.
24: The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Grade Level: Preschool- 1st
Year: 1984
Classroom: Great for a study about animals (farm animals from book) and insects. The book shows the process of the a spider spinning the web. The book
has a great little story so the children can learn about the farm and the animals.
25: The Secret Birthday Message by Eric Carle
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Grade Level: Preschool -2nd
Year: 1971
Classroom: GREAT BOOK FOR SHAPES. It is also a great book to show shapes in common things like a house. After reading the book the children can go on a
shape hunt to find shapes in their neighborhood or classroom.
26: Head to Toe by Eric Carle
Genre: children’s fiction
Grade Level: Preschool- 2nd
Year: 1997
Classroom: Great for early years about body parts and animals. It would be a great movement book.
http://www.eric-carle.com/bb-H2T.html ( great lesson plans on this link)
27: Does A Kangaroo Have A Mother, Too? By Eric Carle
Genre: Children’s fiction
Grade Level: Preschool-2nd
Year: 2000
Classroom Use: A great book to show children about different animals and their babies. You can discuss how the babies sometimes don’t look identical to the
parents, colors and changes of the babies, and also ways the animas take care of their young.
28: Forever Young by Bob Dylan
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Grade Level: Kinder- 4th
Year: 2008
Classroom Use: The book is from a famous song: Forever Young by Dylan, the song is illustrated into a children’s book. VERY MOTIVA TING!!!!
29: You Can Do It by Tony Dungy
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Grade Level: 2nd- 5th
Year: 2008
Classroom use: Great book for culture awareness in the classroom. About an African-American family ( esp. a young boy at school having a bad day). The
book is a story about an everyday event in a young boy’s life.
30: Say What? By Angela DiTerlizzi
Genre: Children’s fiction
Grade Level: Preschool- 2nd
Year: 2011
Classroom Use: A book with cute rhythms about animals and what they say in their own language: “ When a lion says ROAR, Does he really mean MORE?”… I
think the children would love this book about the animals and would be great to discuss afterwards.
31: Llama, Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Grade Level: Preschool- 3rd
Year: 2005
Classroom Use: Book that talks about a child and its ( llama) mother. Great read for early children classrooms before nap time. Talking to children about the
aspects of a family ( mom, dad, siblings, etc.). The children can discuss what they do before bed, great book for discussion.
32: Alphabet Mystery by Audrey Wood
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Grade Level: Preschool= 2nd
Year: 2003
Classroom Use and Ideas: This book can be used for MANY THINGS!!! You can do a whole study about the alphabet and this book. Have the children draw
pictures in regards to the story. Make games and lessons about the mystery and the alphabet, having the children guess the letter. Great book for the
classroom, especially kindergarten and preschool.
33: Shine Moon Shine by David Conway
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Grade Level: Kinder- 2nd
Year: 2008
Classroom Use and Idea: The book talks about Owen ( the boy) and the Moon being friends. A book to read and discuss about friendship, and the moon and
stars.
34: Song and Dance Man by Karen Ackerman ( Caldecott Medal)
Genre: Children’s Fiction/ folk tale
Grade Level: Prek- 2nd
Year: 1988
Classroom Use and Idea: Great for children and how they can run with their imagination. Grandpa plays with his grandchildren dressing up and dancing.
Book that should be incorporated in the, play/ house area with early childhood classrooms.
35: What Will You Be, Sara Mee? By Kate Avraham
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Grade Level: 2nd- 4th
Year: 2010
Classroom Use and Ideas: A book about cultural diversity ( an Asian family and young children). Great book to show different cultures.
36: Anne Hutchinson’s Way by Jeannine Atkins
Genre: Historical Fiction based on true events
Grade Level: 2nd- 5th
Year: 2007
Classroom Use and Ideas: the book shows the life on the ships during the mayflower and time of discover. About the Hutchinson family and what happens
when they land on the US soil. Great book to show history after study about the past and the beginning of America.
37: Time To Pray by Aha Addasi ( translated from Arabic)
Genre: Fictional Children’s
Grade Level: 3rd- 6th
Year: 2010
Classroom Use and Idea: You cannot really use this book in any lesson plans besides using it as a tool to teach the children about different cultures ( or
celebrating a student’s culture) and about different stories in other countries.
38: Down by the Cool of the Pool by Tony Mitton
Genre: Children’s fiction
Grade Level: Preschool- 3rd
Year: 2001
Classroom Use and Ideas: The book is about a frog and a pound with animals. Great book to teach about: beginning/middle and end of a book. It has a style
that is repeat like Grandma Who Swallowed a Fly.
39: Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman
Genre: Poetry Book
Grade Level: K-5th
Year: 2011
Classroom Use: A poetry book about animals in the night ( nocturnal).
40: Love to Mamá: A Tribute to Mothers by various authors
Genre: Poetry Book
Grade Level: k-4th
Year: 2000
Classroom Use: Poetry with various Latin authors
41: If You Give A Cat A Cupcake by Laura Numeroff
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Grade Level: Preschool- 4th
Year: 2008
(Newberry Honor Book)
Classroom Use or Idea: A great read for the little ones, they will love this book and the humor. It talks about a cat, so you can use it with a study
of domestic animals. For the older students I would have them make up their own version of the book….. ex: If you give a Cow a Cap…. If you
give a Dog a doughnut…. If you give a Sheep a Sunday, etc.
42: Knuffle Bunny Too by Mo Willems ( Also Knuffle Bunny)
Genre: Preschool- 2nd
Grade Level: Preschool- 4th
Year: 2007
Classroom Use and Idea: The book is a great tale of mistaken identity. Great books to have the children predict the ending, or teach them the
concept: beginning, middle and end of the book. You can also talk about feelings and how she may feel about what’s going on throughout the
book.
43: Bear Stays Up by Karma Wilson
Genre: Children’s fiction
Grade level: k-3rd
Year: 2004
Classroom use and Idea: You have to be careful, even though this is a great book, it talks about Christmas. If your school or classroom talks
about the holidays it is a great holiday book and you can even plan activities surrounding the characters in the cave.
http://first-school.ws/activities/crafts/animals/wild/bearxmas1.htm ( some great lesson plans on this site)
44: The Cat in The Hat by Dr. Suess ( MY FAVORITE)
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Grade Level: Preschool- 5th
Year: 1957
Classroom Use: There is so much you can do with this beloved book.
http://pbskids.org/catinthehat/ ( great for games)
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/dr-seuss-birthday/printables/cat-in-the-hat.html ( lesson plans/ worksheets_
www.makinglearningfun.com/themepages/CatintheHatPrintables.htm ( more activities)
45: The Glorious Flight by Alice and Martin Provensen ( Caldecott medal)
Genre: Historical Fiction based on true events
Grade Level: 1st-4th
Year: 1988
Classroom Use: Great for a history lesson
46: How Do Dinosaurs say Good Night? By Jane Tolen and Mark Teague
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Grade Level: k-2nd
Year: 2000
Classroom Use or Ideas: For home, a great transition for bed time. School: study about dinsosaurs!
47: The Foot Book by Dr. Suess
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Grade Level: preschool- 1st
Year: 1968
Classroom Use and Ideas: A lot on the internet of activities for this classic
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/dr-seuss-birthday/printables/the-foot-book.html ( activities and lesson plans)
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/seuss.php ( some examples of what is found on the web)
48: Just Like Mom by Isobel Munoz and Gustavo Mazali
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Grade Level: k-3rd
Year: 2005
Classroom Use and Ideas: A book about a Hispanic family ( siblings that include a brother and sister). A book to show diversity.
49: The Sheep Fairy by Ruth Lousie Symes
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Grade Level: Preschool- 3rd
Year: 2003
Classroom Use and Ideas: I love the illustrations!!! For the younger children they can have fun re-creating the sheep and the wolf. This would be
a great book to make a play!!
50: Naught Little Monkeys by Jim Aylesworth
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Grade Level: Preschool- 1st
Year: 2003
Classroom Use and Ideas: This book is a fun alphabet book that uses the monkeys and their naughty ways. I would use this book in a
kindergarten classroom or pre- k as a fun way to learn the sight alphabet. You can make monkeys with letter to tie into the book.
51:
Pirate Pete by Kim Kennedy
Genre: Children’s fiction
Grade Level: 1st-4th
Year: 2002
Classroom Use and Ideas: An adventure book for the children looking for treasure. This is a great book to do a scavenger hunt with, or hide “gold”
so the children can find ( you can incorporate math: numbers, addition etc.).
52: There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves by Lucille Colandro ( Author has numerous titles)
Genre: Children’s Fiction/ Folk
Grade Level: preschool- 3rd
Year: 2010
Classroom use and Ideas: Great for teaching about sequencing, order of a book. Also times of the seasons: fall, winter, spring, summer.
53: Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling
Genre: Young Adult- Fiction
Year: 1998 ( first book in series)
Grade Level: 4th- 8th
Classroom Use and Ideas: This book is more for personal reading. Some schools and districts have banned the book
With the older children A teacher can use as a unit of study of how some books can turn into a movie.., Great Field trip opportunity!
54: Bad Kitty Series ( Bad Kitty vs. Uncle Murry ) By Nick Bruel
Genre: Youth- fiction
Grade Level: 2nd-4th
Year: 2010
Classroom Use and Ideas: In regards to classroom use it would be a good chapter book for reading groups.
54: The Adventures of Ook and Gluk by George Beard and Harold Hutchins
Genre: Youth Fiction
Grade Level: 2nd 6th
Year: 2011
Classroom: For book reports and reading groups.
55: Children Make Terrible Pets by Peter Brown ( ONE OF MY FAVORITES)
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Grade Level: K- 2nd
Classroom Use and Ideas: This is such a cute story, having things turned around in regards
to the child and pet. Great for lessons on empathy and caring for pets in the classroom
I would recommend this book for a book report or summary (simple read)
56: A Frog Inside My Hat by various poets
Genre: Poetry
Grade Level: Preschool- 6th
Year: Various years
Classroom Uses and Ideas: Early children- just reading poetry and discussing what a poem is. The older children : Giving examples so the children
can write their own poetry.
57: Bedtime Stories by International Ltd.
Genre: Collection of folk tales
Grade Level: Preschool- 6th
Year: 2001
Classroom Uses and Ideas: Great for early childhood and young children exposing themselves to folk tale. Older children: a book report or study
of folk tales in general.
58: A Father’s Song by Janet Lawler
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Grade Level: Preschool – 3rd
Year:
2006
Classroom Use and Ideas: I choose this book because not many books are written about the father’s vs. mothers. It teaches the children that
father’s are just as important in their lives. Could be a great example to write a book report/ report of who inspires them.
59: Giggle Giggle Quake by Doreen Cronin
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Grade Level: Preschool- 3rd
Year: 2010
Classroom Use and Ideas: Great read for children that is studying farm animals.
http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/3446.html ( activities / math)
http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/westonwoods/study_guides/giggle_giggle_quack.pdf ( An example of a lesson plan for the book).
60. Papa, Please get the Moon For Me by Eric Carle.
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Grade Level: Preschool- 3rd
Year: 1986
Classroom use and Ideas: This book is great to teach the children the different phases of the moon.
http://www.brighthubeducation.com/teaching-elementary-school/66985-papa-please-get-the-moon-for-me-lesson-discussion-and-activities/