2014 - 2015 Babson Capital/Springfield School Volunteers Read Aloud Titles & Tips
Pre K-K
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate - Miss Bindergarten is getting her classroom ready
for the new students. Meanwhile, Adam Krupp wakes up, Brenda Heath brushes her teeth, and Christopher Beaker
finds his sneaker. This brightly-illustrated, rhyming book is a great way to practice the alphabet and have a discussion
with students about what they did to get ready for kindergarten/pre-kindergarten.
An Extraordinary Egg by Leo Lionni - One day Jessica frog discovers a beautiful white egg that she thinks is a stone.
None of the frogs have ever seen a chicken egg, but the other frogs are sure that's what it is. When the egg hatches
and a long, green, scaly creature crawls out, they call it… a chicken! Ask the students if they would have believed
whatever their friends told them. Let them guess what’s in the egg. See how many are surprised.
Howard B. Wigglebottom Listens to His Heart by Howard Binkow - A young bunny stops doing what he loves the
most because his friends make fun of him. He wants to fit in so desperately that he tries, unsuccessfully, all kinds of
other activities. One day, with help from his grandfather, Howard decides to be true to himself. Potential discussion
topics: what it means to listen to your heart (doing what you like/what makes you feel good); the importance of being
yourself (you’ll be happier and make friends who like you for who you are); why it’s good to try new things (you can
learn something about yourself); confiding in an older person (ask ‘Who can you talk to about your feelings?’).
I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! by Karen Beaumont - One creative kid floods his world with color, painting the walls,
the ceiling, and then HIMSELF! At the end of each page with an ellipsis (…) let the students guess what body part
he’ll paint next. Ask them what they thought about him going to get the paint after his mom said no more painting.
Buzz Bumble to the Rescue by Lynne Hazen - Many students will relate to this story of sibling jealousy. Buzz is used
to being the center of attention; but when a new bee arrives, he feels invisible. When his sister finds herself in danger,
Buzz puts his jealousy aside and rescues her from the Venus Fly Trap! He doesn’t feel invisible anymore. Ask if
anyone can relate to Buzz's feelings. Have students suggest ways to not feel invisible (helping others).
Grade 1
A Grand Old Tree by Mary Newell DePalma - The life cycle of a tree is introduced in this emotional tale of life and
renewal. Ask students what trees do for us, what they do for animals, and how they change in different seasons. Ask
how the grand old tree was still important even after it died (was still home to animals, then became part of the earth.)
Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie by Herman Parish - Process is the point of this story. When Amelia helps grandma
make her apple pie, students will hear all that goes into making it. Ask the children if they’ve ever helped a parent or
another relative cook something. Ask where they would put a hot apple pie to cool.
Book! Book! Book! by Deborah Bruss - The farm animals decide to go to the library. The librarian can’t understand
any of them except the hen. Finally they get books and go back to the farm. Ask why the people leaving the library
are described as happy; ask students if they have ever experienced not being understood and if so, what that felt like.
When Sophie Gets Angry-Really, Really Angry... by Molly Bang - When Sophie gets angry at her sister she acts out
and wants to "smash the world to smithereens." She eventually finds positive ways to calm herself. This story teaches
that anger is a normal feeling that can be good or bad depending on how it is handled. Ask students what kinds of
things they do to help them control and manage angry feelings.
Dog Breath: The Horrible Trouble With Hally Tosis by Dav Pilkey - Wordplay is at the heart of this hilarious book.
Hally, the pet dog of the Tosis family, was a very good dog, but she had a big problem – dog breath! After countless
failed efforts to help Hally with her problem, her family finally found a way to use her problem to protect the family.
This story presents an opportunity for students to learn a new word (halitosis) and to recognize other word play names
like Isabel Ringing, Doris Closed, Shanda Lear, Hallie Loulah, and Ineeda Clue. See how many they can find.
Grade 2
A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams - A young girl, her mother and grandmother save coins in a big jar in
hopes that they can someday buy a big, comfortable chair for their apartment. Her mother works on her feet all day
and there hasn't been a comfortable place to sit since the fire burned everything. Friends brought furniture to their
new apartment, but nothing big or soft or comfortable. When the jar is full, they find the perfect chair! This story
offers an opportunity to discuss saving and the value of working together toward a common goal.
When I Am Old With You by Angela Johnson - In this story about the bond between grandparent and grandchild a
small child imagines a future when he will be old with his grandfather. The reality that he will never be old with his
grandfather is softened by the fact that they do not have to be the same age in order to share happy times. Kids may
like to share about relationships with their own "aging" family members.
2014-2015 Babson Capital/SSV Read Aloud Titles and Tips – p. 2 of 4
Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival by Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery This is a true story of friendship and survival. Abandoned during the Katrina evacuations, a dog and cat wander the
streets seeking food and water. It is believed that only by staying together did they survive. The pair was eventually
taken to a shelter, where workers discover that Bob Cat is blind and Bobbi seems to serve as his seeing-eye dog. After
appearing on national news they were adopted together. The story/illustrations provide vivid descriptions and many
possible topics for discussion: how did the two Bobbies help one another (protection and friendship), what do we
learn about friendship from them (friends can be as different as a dog and cat, friends help each other/stick together).
The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz - Written in rhyme, this funny twist on a classic fairytale will surely
entertain. This version takes us to Japan and has the three pigs each studying a different martial art to learn to face the
wolf. Two brothers quickly lose interest, but their sister studies well and practices until she masters karate. When the
wolf comes, it’s no surprise the brothers’ skills are not equal to the task, but the third pig sends him running. Unlike
the original tale, the pigs are given a chance for improvement. Learning a lesson from their sister, the brothers return
to their classes with more determination. The text and glossary include martial arts terms. Discuss the clear message
that success requires perseverance; ask about the differences and similarities between this and the original version.
The Lion's Share by Matthew McElligott - Ant receives an invitation to dine with Lion. She brings a cake, but during
dessert the other guests each take half of the remaining cake as it is passed around. By the time it reaches Ant, hardly
any is left for her to share with Lion! Ant promises to bake him another cake. Not to be outdone, all the other animals
offer to make twice as many cakes as the next. You might use an 8 ½ x 11 sheet of paper to discuss the math concepts
of halving and doubling. Ask what went wrong (each animal started with a different "whole" so the pieces got smaller
and smaller) and how everyone could have received the same size piece (cut the cake into 10 equal pieces.)
Grade 3
The Best Class Picture Ever by Denis Roche - Class 202 is in an uproar! They have no permanent teacher and their
pet hamster Elvis is missing. Olivia is so upset that she can't smile. Mr. Click, the photographer, teaches a language
lesson as he has students make a list of funny words to coax a grin out of Olivia and sneaks in a math lesson as they
measure which word makes her smile the widest. Ask students what phrases photographers have used to make them
smile or to come up with their own funny words. They will enjoy trying to find Elvis hidden on many of the pages.
Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move by Judith Viorst - His dad has a new job and
the family has to move 1,000 miles away. Alexander doesn't want to leave his favorite people or places and fantasizes
about living with various neighbors or hiding out and living alone. After some reassuring promises from his parents
Alexander finally says his goodbyes. Ask: have you ever had to move, what did you love or hate about it?
The Irish Cinderlad by Shirley Climo - Since he was a baby, Becan's only worry was his big feet - until his widowed
father remarries. With the help of a magical bull, he defeats a giant, slays a dragon, and rescues a princess. Before she
can thank him, Becan disappears, leaving behind him his large boot. Ask how does this story compare to Cinderella's
story? (Unlike Cinderella, Becan has large feet and a bull for a fairy godmother; as in all Cinderella stories, true love
prevails.) This book shows that we should celebrate our differences and the things that make us unique! Becan’s feet
were very big; in the end however, Becan’s unique foot size is what led the princess to him. What makes you unique?
When I Grow Up by Al Yankovic - Eight-year-old Billy has an active imagination. At show-and-tell, he can barely
contain himself as he describes what he'd like to be when he grows up. His career choices include chef, snail trainer,
gorilla masseuse, pickle inspector and on and on. Billy is still pondering vocational choices at lunchtime when he
comes up with one more possibility—a great teacher like Mrs. Krupp! Ask the students what their dream job is?
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst – Originally published in 1972, this
book is still a favorite among adults and children alike. Alexander knew it was going to be a terrible day when he
woke up with gum in this hair. The rest of the day just got worse. Like Alexander, students will realize that we all
have bad days and we have to learn to deal with them. Ask students if they have ever wanted to move away because
they were having a bad day, who/what has helped make a bad day better for them?
Grade 4
Mailing May by Michael O. Tunnell - In 1914 when five year old Charlotte May wanted to visit her grandmother, the
railroad was the only way to make a trip across the rugged mountain terrain. A train ticket would have cost her
parents a full day's pay so they mailed her! Though the details are fictionalized, Mailing May is based on true events.
Ask if students have ever traveled alone, how things have changed and how people travel today. The author’s note
shares that May died in 1987; see if the children can figure out how old she was when she died (78).
2014-2015 Babson Capital/SSV Read Aloud Titles and Tips – p. 3 of 4
Juan Verdades: The Man Who Couldn’t Tell a Lie by Joe Hayes – Don Ignacio is so confident in the honesty of his
foreman Juan Valdez (known as Verdades, meaning truths) that he accepts a bet from don Arturo, who claims he can
get Juan to tell a lie. The men’s ranches are on the line. Don Arturo’s daughter Araceli schemes to help her father win
the bet, but she and Juan fall in love, so she comes up with another plot that will result in a good outcome for all. Ask
students why Juan made up the last riddle (he couldn’t come right out and say what he did but didn’t want to lie); and
how being truthful benefitted everyone (don Ignacio didn’t lose his ranch, Juan and Araceli are married, don Arturo’s
ranch stays in the family.) You may also ask them to share their thoughts about honesty and integrity.
The Boston Tea Party by Russell Freedman - Here's a chance for students to hear about the Boston Tea Party as an
exciting story. Ask students what ‘no taxation without representation’ meant in 1773 and if it still has meaning today;
ask if you were a young person in Boston in 1773, would you have participated in the tea party, why or why not?
A New Coat for Anna by Harriet Ziefert - Anna's mother doesn’t have money to buy Anna a new coat, and even if
she did, the shops did not have anything to sell due to post World War II shortages. Based on a true story, this is the
moving tale of a mother who trades in the few valuables she has left for wool, and the services of a spinner, a weaver,
and a tailor. Ask students how we can get things we want without money (trading/bartering); if they have ever traded
anything; and what we can do when we can't get what we want as soon as we want it.
Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride by Pam Muñoz Ryan - While still dressed in evening gowns, Amelia Earhart and
Eleanor Roosevelt go on a night flight above Washington, D.C. in April 1933. Extensively researched, Ryan’s story
contains actual dialogue and facts of the true account. Amelia and Eleanor were good friends. Ask students why they
think that was (they were a lot alike - outspoken, opinionated, and did what they believed in, no matter what people
said.) Ask where they would go if they could take a ride in Amelia Earhart’s plane and why.
Grade 5
Rosa by Nikki Giovanni - Affirming the effect one person's quiet act of courage can have on the world, Rosa meshes
Ms. Parks' individual experience with historic events that followed. It calls for discussion about courage and standing
up for what you believe in. Ask students what they think is meant by, ‘She had not sought this moment but she was
ready for it.’ (She didn’t plan to stage a protest), and how the phrase ‘all the strength of all the people through all
those many years joined in her,’ may explain how she became ready for that moment. (She drew strength from them.)
A Weed is a Flower: The Life of George Washington Carver by Aliki - Brief text and pictures present the life of a
man, born a slave, who became a scientist and devoted his entire life to helping improve agriculture in the South. The
last page of the book speaks volumes. Discuss how Carver went from a ‘baby born with no hope for the future’ to
‘one of the great scientists of his country.’ (He asked questions and learned all he could from a young age, helped
others, worked hard to save money for college, wasn’t afraid to experiment with new things/think outside the box.)
Ask why we are all better off because of his inventions and what great things they would like to do in their lives?
Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again by Juliana, Isabella and Craig Hatkoff - This is the
true story of Winter, a bottlenose dolphin that was rescued from a crab trap. She survived, but her tail was seriously
damaged and eventually fell off. The staff at the aquarium noticed that swimming without her tail was beginning to
damage Winter’s backbone. A prosthesis manufacturer stepped in to design the world's only artificial dolphin tail.
Winter has become an inspiration to adults and children alike, especially to children who are amputees themselves.
Her resilience and the dedication and ingenuity of those helping her inspired two major motion pictures (Dolphin
Tale and Dolphin Tale 2). Ask students what they think of the people who helped Winter to swim again?
A. Lincoln and Me by Louise Borden - With the help of his teacher, the young narrator learns that he shares much
more than a birthday with Abraham Lincoln and realizes that like Lincoln he can achieve great things by modeling a
great man. Engage students in a discussion about modeling, perhaps asking who they would like to share a birthday
with and why? You can also discuss how recognizing similarities between himself and Lincoln helped the boy.
Abe's Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln by Doreen Rappaport - From the time he was young, Abraham
Lincoln knew in his heart that slavery was wrong. A voracious reader, he spent every spare moment filling his mind
with knowledge, from history to literature to mathematics, preparing himself to one day lead the country toward
greater equality and prosperity. Asks students: why they think the author makes a point to tell us in the first sentence
that Lincoln was born in a slave state (makes the fact that he fought against slavery more impressive; shows that we
don’t have to become what our background dictates), why the author included quotes from Lincoln’s speeches and
writings (allows Lincoln’s character to shine through his own words), what kind of president they would be.
2014-2015 Babson Capital/SSV Read Aloud Titles and Tips – p. 4 of 4
Read Aloud Book List 2014
Grade
PreK/K
Month
October
November
December
January
February
Grade 1 October
November
December
January
February
Title
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten
An Extraordinary Egg
Howard B. Wigglebottom Listens to His Heart
I Ain't Gonna Paint No More!
Buzz Bumble to the Rescue
Author
Joseph Slate
Leo Lionni
Howard Binkow
Karen Beaumont
Lynn E. Hazen
A Grand Old Tree
Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie
Book! Book! Book!
When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry…
Dog Breath: The Horrible Trouble With Hally Tosis
Mary Newell DePalma
Herman Parish
Deborah Bruss
Molly Bang
Dav Pilkey
Grade 2 October
A Chair for My Mother
November When I Am Old With You
Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship,
December and Survival
January
The Three Ninja Pigs
February
The Lion's Share
Vera B. Williams
Angela Johnson
Kirby Larson and Mary
Nethery
Corey Rosen Schwartz
Matthew McElligott
Grade 3 October
Denis Roche
The Best Class Picture Ever!
Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going
November to Move
December The Irish Cinderlad
January
When I Grow Up
February
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Grade 4 October
November
December
January
February
Mailing May
Juan Verdades: The Man Who Couldn’t Tell A Lie
The Boston Tea Party
A New Coat for Anna
Amelia and Eleanor Go For A Ride
Grade 5 October
Rosa
November A Weed is a Flower: The Life of George Washington Carver
December
January
February
Judith Viorst
Shirley Climo
Al Yankovic
Judith Viorst
Michael O. Tunnell
Joe Hayes
Russell Freedman
Harriet Ziefert
Pam Muñoz Ryan
Nikki Giovanni
Aliki
Juliana Hatkoff, Isabella
Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff
A. Lincoln and Me
Louise W. Borden
Abe's Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln
Doreen Rappaport