The Talking Eggs: A Folktale from the American South

by Robert D. San Soucci
Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Dial Books for Young Reader's (1989)

Interest Level: grades k-6

Awards:
Colorado Children's Book Award, 1991
Georgia Child Picture Book award, 1993
Golden Sower Award Winner, 1992 grades k-3
Irma S and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, 1989 U.S.
Randolph Caldecott Medal Honor Book, 1990
Bluebonnet winner, 1992


Category: Multicultural
Type: Folktale Picture Book


Summary: This a folktale from the South about two girls who live with their cruel mom. Blanche is sweet and kind but Rose like her mother is ill-tempered, mean and lazy. Therefore, Blanche is left doing most of the chores and one day when they perceive her to bee to slow they hit her. Blanche runs into the forrest crying and meets a kind old lady who changes her life forever. Through her kindness and obedience Blanche is richly rewarded. How will this change her life? What will happen when her cruel sister and mother try to get the riches for themselves? Jerry pinkney does a wonderful job portraying the characters and helping them to come alive as you read the text.

Online Connections:

1. This author home page is full of resources: author, books, collaboration with others, recommended links and activities: http://www.rsansouci.com/
2. Author www.authorfest.org/authors/souci/index.html.

Book connections:

1. The Brave Little Tailor by Robert San Souci
2. Cinderalla Skeleton by Robert San Souci

Keywords: folktales, obedience, eggs, greed.

Wait Til Helen comes: A Ghost Story

by Mary Downing Hahn

Avon Books (1986)
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

Awards:
Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award, 1988.
Texas Bluebonnet Award, 1989.
Utah Children's Book Award, 1988.Pacific Northwest Children's
Indianna Young Hoosier's Award, 1989.
Choice Award, Best of Eighties Booklist, 1990

Category: fantasy Fiction
Type: Novel





Summary: Molly and Michael are trying to get use to the changes in their life. It is so hard and if putting up with Heather, their bratty stepsister wasn't enough now they have to make new frinds as their mom has decided to move they new family out in the country to an old church. Once they get to their new home making new friends will not be Molly's biggest challenge. Heather as become obssessed with a grave in the grave yard next to their house. It has her initials H.E. H. Ever since she started visiting the grave and wearing that necklace she has become even scarier talking about her friend, Helen and threatening them,"Wait til Helen comes". Read this book and find out how the character's work through adversity to find themselves.

Online Coinnections:

1. Author website: http://www.childrensbookguild.org/hahn.htm
2. http://fantasticfiction.co.uk/h/mary-downing-hahn/
3. Enjoy author interviews, book lists, activities, and lesson plans: www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/s00001502.shtml

Book Connections:

1. Deep, Dark and dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn
2. Time for Andrew: A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn
3. The Doll in the Garden by Mary Downing Hahn
   

Keywords: ghosts, grieving, mystery

It's Halloween

By Jack Prelutsky

Pictures By Marylin Hafner

Greenwillow Books (1977)

Interest Level: k-2

Genre: Nonfiction

Type: poetry compilation

Summary: This is a compilation of 13 halloween poems by Jack Prelutsky. Enjoy the light poetry as it presents different aspects of Halloween from Trick-or-treating and bobbing -for-apples to poems about skeletons, gobblings, cats and ghosts. The poems are light, funny and its rhythm and rhyme will delight kids as they read them . The pictures will appeal to young readers with their combination of drawings and pencil sketches. This is a book sure to delight all young kids during halloween.

Online Connections:

1. Author website: http://www.jackprelutsky.com/

2. Teacher resourse guide: falcon.jmu.edu-ramseil/prelutsky.htm

3. Activities: www.kidsreads.com/author/au-prelutsky-jack.asp

Book Connections:

1. Boo! Halloween Poems and Limericks by Patrice Hubbell

2. Rainy Rainy Saturday by Jack Prelutsky

Keywords: Halloween, kids, Holidays, apples, cats, ghosts, gobblins, pumpkins.

It's Halloween

Love That Dog

By Sharon Creech

HarperCollins (2001)

Interest Level: grades 4- 6

Awards:

Texas Blue Bonnet award Nominee, 2003; Texas

ABC Children's Booksellers Choice Award Winner

2003 ,Middle Grade Readers United States

American Booksellers Book sense Book Of the Year(ABBY) Award

Carnegie Medal Commended 2001 United Kingdom

Christopher Awards Winner 2003 Ages 8-10 United States

Claudia Lewis Winner 2001 Poetry united States

Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Winner 2003 Vermont

Great Stone Face Award Winner 2003 New Hampshire

Maine Student Book A ward Winner 2003 Grdes 4-8 Maine
Mitten Award Winner 2001 Unite d States

Volunteer State Book Award Winner 2004 Grades 4-6 Tennesse

Category: Fiction

Type: Verse novel

Summary: This is a story about Jack a boy who doesn't want to write poetry. He thinks poetry writing is for girls and doesn't think that he can. Read this book and listen in to Jacks conversation back and forth with his teacher, Ms. Strechberry. Despite himself, Jack is mesmerized by the poetry his teacher reads. Read and share as Jack experiences an appreciation for other poets and finally finds his own voice as a poet as he writes about his dog. Sharon Screech does a wonderful job engaging the reader as she presents Jack's feelings of inadequacy, insecurity and raw honesty. I loved this book and quickly identified with the main character , feeling his fears, joys and marvel at finding his poetry voice.

Online Connections:

1. Meet the author interview: http://www.bookwire.com/meettheauthor/inteview-sharon-

2. Author website: www.sharoncreech.com/novels/01.asp

Book Connections:

1. Good Dog By Maya Gottfried

2. Dog Tales By Jennifer Rae and Illustrated by Rose Cowley

3. Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech

Keywords: Poetry, dogs

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

By Mordicai Gerstein

Roaring Book press(2003)

Interest Level: k-3

Awards:

2003 Caldecott Medal winner

Boston-Globe-Horn Book Award For excelence in

Children's Literature Winner 2004 Picture Book

Category: Nonfiction

Type: Picture Book

Summary: This is a story about Philippe Petit's 1974 tightrope walk between the two World

Trade Towers before they were completed. Read about how Philippe and his friends

manage to pull off this magnificent feat. Enjoy the pen and paint illustrations which accurately

depict this thrilling story and help to set the mood of the setting and characters.

How will Philipe pull off this daring feat? The setting and the image of his walk accross the buildings leaves a memory hard to forget.

Online Connections:

1. Author website: http://www.mordicaigerstein.com/

2. Author biography: www.bookbrowse.com/biographies/index.cfm?

3. Conversation with Mordicai Gerstein:

www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/entertainment/jan.june04/towers-02-16,html-

Book Connection:

1. Mirette and BelliniCross Niagara Falls by Emily Arnold McCully

2. Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully

Keywords: Tightrope walking, world trade Center, Philippe Petit, Determination.

My Colors, My World/ Mis Colores, Mi Mundo

By Maya Christina Gonzalez
Children's Book Press (2007)

Interest level: ages 4-6

Awards:
2008 Texas 2x2 list, Pura Belre illustrator
Honor award, Criticas Magazine 's Best Children
and YA Books of 2007

Category: Fiction
Type: Picture, concept, multicultural book

Summary: This book is about Maya (the author and illustrator or the book)
a little girl who looks closely to her surroundings in the Mojave Desert
to find the vibrant colors in her world. The large and bright illustrations
manage to create a colorful and bright mood which engages the reader
from the start. This bilingual book is by the talented hispanic illustrator
Maya Christina Gonzalez and her first attempt at writing is delightful. So come
and enjoy the colors from the green catus to the hot pink desert sunset.

Online Connections:

1. Author website: www.mayagonzalez.com/
2. About book: http://www.childrensbookpress.org/ob/new.html

Book Connections:
1. From the Bellybottom of the Moon/Del Ombligo de la Luna:
And Other summerPoems/Y otros poemas de verano by Francisco Alarcon
and Illustrated by Maya Christina gonzalez
2. A sembrar sopa de verduras by Alma Flor Ada, Lois F. Ehler& Isabel Campoy.

Keywords: Deserts, colors, hispanic americans.

Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy

By Jayne O'Connor

Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser

Harper Collins (2007)

Lists:

Best Books of 2007-Editors' picks.

Interest level: ages 4-8

Category: fiction
Type: Pisture Book

Summary: This is a story about Fancy Nancy, a girl who considers herself to be very fancy. Read to see what happens when the family looks for a dog but Fancy Nancy thinks she wants a fancy Papillon dog. The illustrations in this books are fun, daring and just as Fancy as Nancy. The illustrator and author do a wonderful job of portraying Fancy Nancy and her exuberance for life. What will Nancy learn about dogs?

Online Connections:

1. Meet Fancy Nancy and her creators and enjoy the activities and

games. http://www.fancynancybooks,com/
2. author website: Read about the author and her past books.

http://www.answers.com/topic/jane-o-connor

3. Illustrator interview: http://media.barnesandnoble.com/:fr-story=

Book Connections:

1. Fancy Nancy by Jane o'Connor

2. Pinkalicious by Victoria Kahn

3. purplicious by Victoria kahn and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser

Keywords: girls, dress-up, dogs,

The Tale of Despereaux

being the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup

and a spool of thread.
By Kate Dicamillo

Candlewick Press ( 2003)

Interest Level: grades 3-6

Awards: 2004 Newbery Medal

Category: Fiction /Fairy tale

Type: Novel

Summary:

This is a charming fantasy tale about an inordinarily small mouse who loves music,

books and a princess named Pea. It is also about Roscuro ,an evil rat who is obsessed with light and a poor farm girl named Miggery Sow, who dreams of being a princess. Read this fantastic tale of love, misery and hope in order to see how the lives of these characters intertwine in a complex plot where they all find out that their actions have consequences and affect others lives. See how this pitiful mouse who faints whenever he's scared finds the courage to fight for what he loves. But will there be a happily ever after? Enjoy the wonderful and well depicted illustrations and as the author says "Reader, it is your destiny to find out."

Online Connections:

1. Author website: Meet the author and see her books:

https//www.katedicamillo.com

2. Author interview about her books and what motivated her writing:

http://www.kidsreads.com/authors/au-dicamillo-kate.asp

Book Connections:

1. Because of Winn Dixie by Kate Dicamillo

2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

3. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulaneby Kate Dicamillo

Keywords:mice, princess, love, fairy tales , hope, good vs evil .

Deep in the swamp

Deep in the Swamp

by Donna M. Bateman

Charlesbridge Publishing(2007)

Interest Level: grades k-3

Category: Informational

Type: Picture Book

Summary:

This is a delightful picture book which introduces its readers to the relationship between baby and mother mammals, birds, reptiles and insects that inhabit the Okefenokee Swamp. The authors does a wonderful job of introducing the readers to all the animal and plant life as it counts along the animals. The illustartions are rich and very vivid. At the end read further information on the Okefenokee Swamp and all its life.

ONLINE CONNECTIONS:

1. Read about this new author at http://www.charlesbridge.com/contributorinfo.cfm

2. Illustrator interview: Read about the illustrator and his visit to the swamps to the

swamps. http://www.Charlesbridge.blogspot.com/2008/03/

BOOK CONNECTIONS:

1. The Icky Bug Counting Book by Jerry Pallota

2. Bats at the Beach by Brian Lies

KEYWORDS: Swamp, baby animals, counting book