The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

2004 Newbery Medal
1. Bibliography
DiCamillo, Kate. 2005. THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX. Read by Graeme Malcolm. Compact Disc. Unabridged. Listening Library, Inc. ISBN 1400099137.

2. Summary
From birth, Despereaux Tilling is unlike the other mice. He is born with his eyes open. He is terribly small. He does not enjoy the mouse pursuits of nibbling paper and scurrying. Instead of eating the pages of a book, he reads them. He just doesn't fit in. His life is inexorably changed when he meets the Princess Pea, the human with whom he falls in love. Exiled to the dungeon by his mouse community for speaking to humans, he is at the mercy of the rats who rule the dark domain. Or so the other mice think. Meanwhile, the rat Chiaroscuro becomes enchanted by a rare glimpse of light and sets out on his own fateful path. THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX is the story of an extraordinarily small mouse; Pea, the princess he loves; a devious rat who longs for the light beyond his dark dungeon; and Miggery Sow, a poor servant girl who wants nothing more than to be special. From different backgrounds, fate brings them together, and as their worlds collide in the King's castle, Despereaux must rise above his stature to save the Princess Pea.

3. Critical Analysis
In the language of fairy tales from long ago, Kate DiCamillo writes the story of a small hero in a modern fairy tale/animal fantasy. In a clear, consistent voice, the omniscient narrator tells a tale of heroic proportions. The characters are fleshed out through a balance between the narrator's direct comments and each character's own signature characteristics: Despereaux's reason, courage, and chivalric love for the princess; Chirascuro's devious determination; and Miggery Sow's vacuous, pathetic wonder at the world around her. "Gaw'," she intones every step of the way. Even the narrator, although he is not a part of the story he tells, is a well-drawn character who pauses his narration periodically to address the reader (listener in the audiobook) directly, sharing his thoughts and asking questions, much as a parent or teacher might when reading aloud to children. While the fascinating story echoes the feel of traditional fairy tales, DiCamillo presents an original, fresh plot and interesting characters that will engage readers of all ages. Children will identify with characters who each want something they're told they can't have and are willing to risk it all to achieve it.

Graeme Malcolm's audiobook reading of THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX is a masterpiece. DiCamillo's book alone is a great read, but Malcolm enriches it with the talent of a master storyteller. Not only does his English accent automatically add to the fairy tale feel, he adjusts his volume to create the right mood and employs believable accents for different characters(Despereaux's mother is French; the Threadkeeper is Scottish). For characters with no distinguishable accent, he changes his intonation, so that if there were no dialogue signal words, listeners could still follow which characters are speaking simply by the way Malcolm manipulates the sound of his voice. I was mesmerized by his storytelling. I felt like a child again, transported magically to another place.

The narrator's asides work well in audio format, as they become a think-aloud by which all listeners, but especially struggling listeners and readers, are given process time, a thinking model, and a helping hand with vocabulary and hard-to-grasp abstract ideas.

4. Review Excerpts
For the print format:
School Library Journal--"This expanded fairy tale is entertaining, heartening, and, above all, great fun."
The New York Times--"… a terrific, bravura performance."
Publisher's Weekly--"The omniscient narrator recalls Henry Fielding's Tom Jones, assuming a similarly irreverent yet compassionate tone and also addressing readers directly."
Children's Literature--"This is a tale made for reading aloud and family enjoyment."

5. Connections
This book is wonderful for illustrating an omniscient narrator and showing the think-aloud through asides to the reader/listener. Excerpts may be pulled out, critiqued, and mimicked by students.

*Other books by Kate DiCamillo
BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE. 2000. Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763607762.
THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE. 2006. Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763625892.
TIGER RISING. 2001. Ill. by Chris Sheban. Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763609110.

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

2005 Michael L. Printz YA Award
1. Bibliography
Rosoff, Meg. 2006. HOW I LIVE NOW. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN 0553376055.

2. Summary
Escaping her widowed father and his new bride, fifteen year-old Daisy goes to England to stay with her aunt and cousins, whom she has never met. She falls in love with their farm outside London and with her cousins, too--especially Edmond, with whom she develops a special bond. Not long after she arrives, though, terrorists bomb London. Unfortunately, Aunt Penn is away on business at the time and can't get back to the children, leaving them alone on the farm to fend for themselves. At first, the children are far removed from the war, enjoying their adult-free time with little difficulty. But soon, the war finds them as soldiers arrive at the farm and split the cousins up, sending the girls to a holding camp and the boys somewhere else. Daisy vows to find Edmond. She and her cousin Piper manage to break away and set off on a perilous cross-country trek to search for him. In the end, they are reunited, but the reunion is shockingly bittersweet.

3. Critical Analysis
Told in first person, conversational narration, HOW I LIVE NOW gives us an intensely personal look at events through Daisy's candid eyes. Contrary to realistic children's and young adult literature published prior to the 1960s, which usually does not portray negative aspects of society, more recent publications have addressed issues such as divorce, sexuality, homelessness, mental and physical illness, and violence. Rosoff adheres to the trend and addresses the less-than-perfect aspects of Daisy's life. Like so many of today's teenagers, Daisy is confronted with tough issues: her mother's death, her father's remarrying, a "wicked" stepmother--one who is pregnant, no less--and anorexia. She's vulnerable to romance, and like a typical teenager, is drawn to the forbidden; in this case, a questionable relationship with her cousin Edmond, which she calls "the world's most inappropriate case of sexual obsession."

Rosoff reveals Daisy's character through a strong, consistent voice, and while some readers may find the long sentences and unorthodox punctuation frustrating, they reflect Daisy's personality and state-of-mind. Over the course of the novel, Daisy transforms from a selfish adolescent into a young woman who faces conflict rather than running from it. She learns compassion, responsibility (to herself and others), and perseverance in the face of fear and adversity. The lessons she learns are embedded neatly in the story for readers to discover rather than overtly thrown in their faces.

HOW I LIVE NOW addresses the young adult theme of time suspended before entering the adult world. The period when the children are left alone on the farm unsupervised is their last hurrah of childhood before being thrust harshly into adulthood by the cruel hand of war.

4. Review Excerpts
Publisher's Weekly (starred)--"This riveting first novel paints a frighteningly realistic picture of a world war breaking out in the 21st century . . . Readers will emerge from the rubble much shaken, a little wiser, and with perhaps a greater sense of humanity."

The Horn Book (starred)--“A winning combination of acerbic commentary, innocence, and sober vision. . . . Hilarious, lyrical, and compassionate."

5. Connections

Older students (high school and up) might want to use this book as a stepping stone to discussing terrorism in today's world.

Younger students may focus on conflict and difficult decisions. They might make text-to-self connections about times they've felt isolated from their parents or were in a position when they had to be in charge during a difficult time.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

1994 Newbery Medal
1. Bibliography
Lowry, Lois. 1993. THE GIVER. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0395645662.

2. Summary
Jonas accepts the seemingly perfect society in which he lives. There is no pain, no war, no envy, no hatred, no inequality. At the Ceremony where all twelve-year olds are given their life assignments, Jonas is singled out to be the new Receiver of Memory, a mysterious and rare assignment. He begins studying with the previous Receiver, who is now the Giver, and learns from him that the Receiver holds the community's memories--memories of war and pain and pleasure, allowing everyone to escape into ignorant contentment. As the Giver transfers more memories to Jonas, Jonas comes to realize that his community is not what it seems to be, and in the end, he must decide how to deal with his disturbing, newfound knowledge.

3. Critical Analysis
This haunting fantasy/science fiction novel paints the picture of a diseased society ignorant of its own cancer. Once Jonas becomes the Receiver and experiences pleasure, color, and even intense pain, the utopia is revealed as a lie. Jonas "wakes up" to what the people have given up to have their perfect society: emotions, individuality, and choice. Reminiscent of Ayn Rand's ANTHEM, George Orwell's 1984, and Ray Bradbury's FARENHEIT 451, THE GIVER makes the archetypal dystopia and its themes accessible to younger readers through an adolescent protagonist with whom they can identify. The questioning of authority that is inherent in any dystopic novel will appeal to young adults who themselves are at a stage in life when rebellion against the establishment is common as they struggle to assert their independence.

Lowry skillfully manipulates language to reflect the numb sterility of the community. Homes are "dwellings," families are "units," and even Jonas's seven year-old sister refers to boys as "males." The stuffed elephant that she cradles as she sleeps is her "comfort object" and was ritualistically bestowed upon her. The rituals, and there are many, are given capitalized, formal names (the Naming, where the number assigned to each newchild is replaced by a name; the Ceremony of Twelves; Release).

With a well-constructed, easy-to-follow plot, Lowry builds up a so-called perfect society, then tears it down with Jonas's horrified shock upon witnessing a Release. She gives him a believable way out of the community he can no longer endure and offers a hopeful ending. THE GIVER explores some of the deepest needs (love, memory, free will) and fears (disillusionment, mind control, isolation) of humanity, especially young adults, and challenges them to examine important political and social issues.

4. Review Excerpts
Publisher's Weekly--"Lowry is once again in top form... unwinding a tale fit for the most adventurous readers."

Children's Literature--"This is a stunning, provocative science fiction story that will inspire discussion."

ALAN Review--"Just as Lowry's Number the Stars (which received the 1990 Newbery Medal) portrays the Danish people's triumph over Nazi persecution, The Giver engages the reader in an equally inspiring victory over totalitarian inhumanity."

School Library Journal--"This tightly plotted story and its believable characters will stay with readers for a long time."

Kirkus Reviews--"Wrought with admirable skill--the emptiness and menace underlying this Utopia emerge step by inexorable step: a richly provocative novel."

5. Connections
*Other books that illustrate the utopian/dystopian archetype

Bradbury, Ray. 1953. FARENHEIT 451. Del Rey. ISBN 0345342968.
Huxley, Aldous. 1932. BRAVE NEW WORLD. Harper Collins. ISBN 0060929871.
Orwell, George. 1949. 1984. Harcourt Brace. ISBN 0452262933.
Rand, Ayn. 1937 (England) 1949 (U.S.). ANTHEM. ISBN 0451191137.

Along with THE GIVER, these titles can be used in a multi-title book unit about utopias/dystopias. Students can find similarities and motifs across the titles to discover the archtypal elements. Preview the novels for content, however. I have used ANTHEM and ANIMAL FARM with 8th grade gifted and talented students. Just keep in mind that all these novels are adult fiction.

Students may also make connections to current events. These novels should spark discussion.

*Companion Books to THE GIVER (all by Lois Lowry)

GATHERING BLUE. 2000. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618055819.
MESSENGER. 2004. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618404414.

*Other books by Lois Lowry:
GOSSAMER. 2006. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618685502.
NUMBER THE STARS. 1989. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0395510600. Newbery Medal Winner.
THE SILENT BOY. 2003. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0440419808.

*For younger readers
The ANASTASIA KRUPNIK series. Yearling.

Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman

Newbery Honor Book
1. Bibliography
Cushman, Karen. 1995. CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY. New York: Harper Collins Children's Books. ISBN 0064405842.

2. Summary
Thirteen year-old Catherine's father wants to marry her off to the highest bidder, but this medieval English teenager will have none of it. High-spirited and independent, Catherine rebels against the submissive, domestic role she is expected to take as a gentlewoman.

3. Critical Analysis
Catherine complains in her first diary entry, “I am commanded to write an account of my days: I am bit by fleas and plagued by family. That is all there is to say.” Karen Cushman provides a brilliant introduction to Catherine, whose older brother, she reveals in a subsequent entry, commands her to keep a journal in the hopes it will cause her to be “less childish and more learned.” Although she resents the assignment, she sticks with it, if for no other reason than it keeps her from the “foolish boredom of spinning.”

As she chronicles her daily routines, worries, disappointments, and pleasures, Catherine develops from a sullen, rebellious teenager into a young lady with new insights, while at the same time giving an inadvertent, closest-thing-to-time-travel experience to modern readers. Cushman seamlessly blends authentic details about the food, hygiene, medical practices, daily circumstances, customs, and beliefs of the times into the story. She follows her narrative with historical notes about medieval England and a list of recommended books for young readers who want to know more about the period.

4. Review Excerpts
School Library Journal--"Superb historical fiction."
Kirkus Reviews-- "The period has rarely been presented for young people with such authenticity; the exotic details will intrigue readers while they relate more closely to Birdy's yen for independence and her sensibilities toward the downtrodden."

5. Connections

*Nonfiction books about medieval England/Europe:

By Joseph and Frances Gies:
DAILY LIFE IN MEDIEVAL TIMES. ISBN 0760759138.
LIFE IN A MEDIEVAL CITY. ISBN 0060908807.
LIFE IN A MEDIEVAL VILLAGE. ISBN 0060920467.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY IN THE MIDDLE AGES. ISBN 0060914688.
WOMEN IN THE MIDDLE AGES. ISBN 0060923040.

Cosman, Madeleine Pelner. FABULOUS FEASTS: MEDIEVAL COOKERY AND CEREMONY. ISBN 080760898X.
Newman, Paul B. DAILY LIFE IN THE MIDDLE AGES. ISBN 0786408979.

*Historical fiction set in medieval England/Europe:
de Angeli, Marguerite. THE DOOR IN THE WALL. ISBN 0440402832. (Newbery Award)
Cushman, Karen. THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE. ISBN 006440630X. (Newbery Award)
Konigsberg, E. L. A PROUD TASTE FOR SCARLET AND MINIVER. ISBN 068984624X .

*Other books by Karen Cushman:
THE BALLAD OF LUCY WHIPPLE. ISBN 0064406849. (American Gold Rush)
THE LOUD SILENCE OF FRANCINE GREEN. ISBN 0618504559. (1949 Los Angeles)
MATILDA BONE. ISBN 0440418224. (Medieval England)
THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE. ISBN 006440630X. (Newbery Award)

A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck

2001 Newbery Medal
1. Bibliography
Peck, Richard. 2000. A YEAR DOWN YONDER. New York: Dial. ISBN 0803725183.

2. Summary
Amid the backdrop of the Great Depression, fifteen year-old Mary Alice must leave her home in Chicago to spend a year with her grandmother in a small, rural Illinois town while her parents get back on their feet. The prospect of living with Grandma Dowdel is less than exciting for Mary Alice, who remembers her grandmother from summer visits as a hard-knuckled, rifle-toting, no-nonsense kind of woman. To make matters even worse, her new schoolmates see her as the “rich girl from Chicago” and are reluctant to accept her, even though her clothes are just as few and just as worn as theirs. Over the course of the year, and through a series of community events, such as the local turkey shoot and the annual school Christmas pageant, Mary Alice begins to see a different side, often humorous, of Grandma Dowdel and the town.

3. Critical Analysis

Richard Peck has a talent for characterization. Through Grandma Dowdel's short-on-words-but-long-on-wisdom dialogue and her hilarious antics, he paints a picture of an outwardly gruff but inwardly benevolent old woman with a sense of humor, a sense of justice, and the spunk to carry it out. From her proactive plan to foil the Halloween pranks of the local boys (booby-trapping her privy to keep them from upturning it) to putting the snooty DAR ladies in their places, Grandma Dowdel comes to life under Peck's pen to earn her way into Mary Alice's, and the reader's, heart.

Peck captures the spirit of the time and the spirit of the people who lived it without overwhelming the reader with a history lesson. Just the right amount of historical detail puts this story in context.

4. Review Excerpts
Publisher's Weekly--"...hilarious and poignant..."

School Library Journal--"Peck has created a delightful, insightful tale that resounds with a storyteller's wit, humor, and vivid description. Mary Alice's memories capture the atmosphere, attitudes, and lifestyle of the times while shedding light on human strengths and weaknesses."

VOYA-- "...never loses its charming sense of humor even though the vignettes ultimately deal with important issues such as class, gossip, and friendship."

5. Connections

*History teachers can use this book or parts of it as an introduction/comapanion to studies of the Great Depression.

*Other books by Richard Peck:
DON'T LOOK AND IT WON'T HURT. 1999. Henry Holt. ISBN 0805063161.
FATHER FIGURE. 1996. Puffin. ISBN 014037969X.
A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO. 1999. Penguin Putnam. ISBN 0141303522.
REMEMBERING THE GOOD TIMES. 1986. Laurel Leaf. ISBN 0440973392.
THOSE SUMMER GIRLS I NEVER MET. 1989. Dell. ISBN 0440204577.

Related books:
Horvath, Polly. 2001. EVERYTHING ON A WAFFLE. A folksy tale about small town life as seen through the eyes of eleven-year-old Primrose Squarp.

Brown, Elizabeth Ferguson. 2000. A COAL COUNTRY CHRISTMAS. A girl describes the warm memories and hard way of life that she recalls when she and her mother go to spend Christmas at her grandmother's house in Pennsylvania's coal country.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor

1977 Newbery Award

1. Bibliography
Taylor, Mildred. 1991. ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY. New York: Penguin Young Readers Group. ISBN 014034893X.

2. Summary
Nine year-old Mississippi resident Cassie Logan discovers that life is not what she thought it was. Protected by her family, she is unaware that racial issues even exist until her consciousness is raised when she starts school in the fall of 1933 only to discover that the "new" schoolbooks she and her classmates have received are the worn, used books of white school children of years past.

This shock is followed by a series of disturbing events, including the appearance of mysterious night riders who haunt Cassie's neighbors (and her, she fears), the burning of a black man in the community, and the personal taunts of Lillian Jean Simms, a white girl near Cassie's age. With the support of her close, loving family, including her grandmother, Big Ma, and her Uncle Hammer, Cassie survives the year and learns some valuable lessons about hatred, love, dignity, family, and the importance of her family's land.

3. Critical Analysis
Mildred Taylor expertly draws her characters, from the solid, comfortable Big Ma to the utterly detestable Wallaces. The reader experiences the violence and injustice of racial prejudice through Cassie's eyes and feels the frustration of it with her. The power of this novel lies with its authentic view of black culture as portrayed through an insider's perspective.

Taylor juxtaposes the brutality of racism with the dignity and aplomb of Cassie's family, ultimately addressing a difficult issue with amazing sensitivity. ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY is a must-read for ages 12-112.

4. Review Excerpts
Booklist (starred review)--"Entirely through its own internal development, the novel shows the rich inner rewards of black pride, love, and independence."

5. Connections

*ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY is one of several books by Mildred Taylor that revolve around the Logan family.

LET THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN. 1981. Dial. ISBN 0803747489. In this sequel to ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY, the four Logan children growing up in rural Mississippi during the Depression experience racial antagonisms and hard times, but learn from their parents the pride and self-respect they need to survive.

THE FRIENDSHIP. 1987. Dial. ISBN: 0803704178. The Logan children witness a confrontation between an elderly black man and a white storekeeper in rural Mississippi in the 1930s.

MISSISSIPPI BRIDGE. 1990. Dial. ISBN 0553159925. During a heavy rainstorm in 1930s rural Mississippi, a ten-year-old white boy sees a bus driver order all the black passengers off a crowded bus to make room for late-arriving white passengers and then set off across the raging Rosa Lee River.

THE ROAD TO MEMPHIS. 1990. Dial. ISBN 0140360778. In 1941 a black youth, sadistically teased by two white boys in rural Mississippi, severely injures one of them with a tire iron and enlists Cassie's help in trying to flee the state.

THE WELL: DAVID'S STORY. 1995. Dial. ISBN 0803718020. Prequel to ROLL OF THUNDER, the story of Cassie's father, David. In Mississippi in the early 1900s ten-year-old David Logan's family generously shares their well water with both white and black neighbors in an atmosphere of potential racial violence.

THE LAND. 2001. Penguin Putnam. ISBN 0803719507. Prequel to ROLL OF THUNDER, the story of Cassie Logan's grandfather. After the Civil War Paul, the son of a white father and a black mother, finds himself caught between the two worlds of colored folks and white folks as he pursues his dream of owning land of his own.

*Other books about racial prejudice:
Blume, Judy. 1975. IGGIE'S HOUSE. Bantam Doubleday Dell. ISBN 0440440629.
When an African American family with three children moves into the white neighborhood, eleven-year-old Winnie learns the difference between being a good neighbor and being a good friend.

Clements, Andrew and McDavid Henderson. 2002. JACKET. Simon and Schuster Children's. ISBN 0689825951.
An incident at school forces sixth grader Phil Morelli, a white boy, to become aware of racial discrimination and segregation, and to seriously consider if he himself is prejudiced.

Curtis, Christopher Paul. 1995. THE WATSON'S GO TO BIRMINGHAM. Random House Children's Books. ISBN 0385321759.
The ordinary interactions and everyday routines of the Watsons, an African American family living in Flint, Michigan, are drastically changed after they go to visit Grandma in Alabama in the summer of 1963.

*Any/All of these books can be used to begin a discussion of prejudice.

An American Plague by Jim Murphy

NCTE Orbis Pictus Award
2004 Robert J. Sibert Informational Book Award
2004 Newbery Honor Book Award

1. Bibliography
Murphy, Jim. 2003. AN AMERICAN PLAGUE: THE TRUE AND TERRIFYING STORY OF THE YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC OF 1793. New York: Clarion Books.

2. Summary
In 1793, a killer holds Philadelphia hostage. It is yellow fever. In the heat and the humidity of late summer, the fever flourishes, but no one knows what is causing it or how to stop it. While half the residents flee and those who stay die by the dozens daily, the city flounders.

3. Critical Analysis
Based on numerous primary sources, Murphy's account is well-researched and well-written. Without sacrificing accuracy, he recreates the horror of 1793 Philadelphia through narrative rich with imagery that transports readers back in time: "Dead fish and gooey vegetable matter were exposed and rotted, while swarms of insects droned in the heavy, humid air." First-hand accounts blend perfectly with Murphy's text to emphasize the humanity of the victims and make them real for readers, rather than just a list of names.

In addition to the compelling text, AN AMERICAN PLAGUE is full of pictures that help readers imagine what the city was like back then, including contemporary portraits of key people, facsimiles of newspaper articles of the time, engravings of Philadelphia prior to the fever, and a map of 1793 Philadelphia. Murphy provides an extensive bibliography in the back, arranged by subject, to facilitate readers' researching further the aspects they want to know more about, and an index for finding information quickly.

4. Review Excerpts

The Washington Post--"Nobody does juvenile nonfiction better than Murphy."

Kirkus Reviews -- "A mesmerizing, macabre account that will make readers happy they live in the 21st century. Powerful, evocative prose carries the compelling subject matter. Stellar."

School Library Journal -- "Murphy chronicles this frightening time with solid research and a flair for weaving facts into fascinating stories."

5. Connections
*Fiction
Anderson, Laurie Halse. 2002. FEVER, 1793. ISBN 0689848919. Historical novel based on the actual yellow fever epidemic of 1793.

*Other historical nonfiction by Jim Murphy:
Murphy, Jim. 2000. BLIZZARD: THE STORM THAT CHANGED AMERICA. ISBN 0590673092. The blizzard that hit the northeast in 1888.
_____. 1995. THE GREAT FIRE. ISBN 0590472674. The fire that almost destroyed Chicago in 1871.

Leonardo da Vinci by Diane Stanley

1. Bibliography
Stanley, Diane. 1996. LEONARDO DA VINCI. New York: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN 0688104371.

2. Summary
Born the illegitimate son of a leading citizen of Vinci and a peasant girl in 1452, Leonardo da Vinci grows up under the tutelage of his Uncle Francesco, who encourages his fascination with nature. Deprived of a formal education because of his illegitimate status, Leonardo becomes the apprentice of a noted Florentine artist and is eventually accepted into the painters' guild. From there, he serves under the patronage of several influential leaders of the time as his artwork gains acclaim. But painting is not his only talent. Over his lifetime, he delves into sculpture, mechanical innovations, and anatomy research (through dissection of human corpses). He is THE Renaissance man.

3. Critical analysis
Beautifully illustrated and well-written, Diane Stanley's LEONARDO DA VINCI paints the Renaissance artist, engineer, and scientist as a brilliant yet fallible human. Her conversational tone and informative, narrative style are sure to keep children's interest. Drawing on various sources (noted in the bibliography), including Leonardo's own writings, she clearly distinguishes between fact and fiction, certainty and surmise: "There is a story that...," "It is said that...," "In fact...." A pronunciation guide in the front of the books helps young readers with the Italian words and names.

Stanley's full-page illustrations complement Leonardo's story. Prepared using watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil, they portray Leonardo in his various endeavors through the very tones prevalent in Leonardo's artwork. She seamlessly blends minatures of Leonardo's most famous pieces using photo collage, allowing readers to see Leonardo creating his masterpieces. At the top of each text page is a different image from Leonardo's notebook. The gold knotted border, adapted from a design by Leonardo, captures the mood of the era.

Stanley has produced an intelligent, captivating account of Leonardo da Vinci's life.

4. Review Excerpts
Publishers Weekly--"A virtuosic work."
School Library Journal--"...gives readers a fascinating portrait of the Italian genius. "
New York Times Book Review--"... is a first class production in every way."
ALA Booklist--"This is the best of the many children's books on Leonardo."

5. Connections

Marshall, Norman V. 1981. LEONARDO DA VINCI. Ill. by Aldo Pipamonti. ISBN 0382240073.
McLanathan, Richard. 1990. LEONARDO DA VINCI. ISBN 0810912562.
Muhlberger, Richard. 1994. WHAT MAKES A LEONARDO A LEONARDO? ISBN 0670857440.

Other biographies by Diane Stanley:

BARD OF AVON: THE STORY OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. 1998. ISBN 0688162940.
CLEOPATRA. 1997. ISBN 0688154808.
CHARLES DICKENS: THE MAN WHO HAD GREAT EXPECTATIONS. 1993. ISBN
0688091105.

GOOD QUEEN BESS: THE STORY OF ELIZABETH I OF ENGLAND. 2001. ISBN 0688179614.
JOAN OF ARC. 2002. ISBN 0064437485.
MICHAELANGELO. 2003. ISBN 0060521139.
PETER THE GREAT. 1999. ISBN 0060521139.

Cats by Seymour Simon

1. Bibliography
Simon, Seymour. 2004. CATS. New York: Harper Childrens. ISBN 0060289406.

2. Summary
CATS provides basic information about cats including history, physiology, kittenhood, types of cats, and pet care.

3. Critical Analysis
Detailed photographs, many of them close-up and full page, show cats in a variety of colors and fur lengths, and in a variety of situations: acrobatic play, nursing kittens, and sleeping, for instance. The extraordinary clarity of the photographs makes the pictured cats practically jump off the page. Even individual fur hairs stand out, inviting the reader to touch their fuzziness.

Simon's writing is engaging. He gives just the right amount of detail about cats to be informative and appropriate to the target audience. Varied sentence structures and length keep the large-font, double-spaced text flowing, and with three or four short paragraphs to a page, there is plenty of white space to keep the text visually friendly.

4. Review Excerpts
School Library Journal--"Readers will thoroughly enjoy every word and every photograph..."

5. Connections

Simon, Seymour. 1994. BIG CATS. ISBN 006446119X. Discusses the big cats--lions, tigers, leopards, etc. Students can compare and contrast the big cats with domestic house cats.

Simon, Seymour. 2004. DOGS. ISBN 0060289422. DOGS is the companion book to CATS. Together, they make a great set about the world's most common house pets.

My Man Blue by Nikki Grimes

1. Bibliography
Grimes, Nikki. 1999. MY MAN BLUE. Ill. by Jerome Lagarrigue. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.

2. Summary
Young Damon makes a new friend, Blue, when he and his single mom move into Harlem. An old friend of Damon's mother, Blue spends lots of time with Damon, shooting hoops, sparring, sharing hot dogs, and more. Blue teaches Damon valuable lessons about staying off the streets.

3. Critical Analysis
Through poetry, Nikki Grimes tells

The Dragons Are Singing Tonight by Jack Prelutsky

1. Bibliograhpy
Prelutsky, Jack. 1993. THE DRAGONS ARE SINGING TONIGHT. Ill. by Peter Sis. New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 068809645X.

2. Summary
This is a collection of poems about dragons, including small ones, secret ones, amiable ones, and even mechanical ones.

3. Critical Analysis
Prelutsky gives readers a collection of superbly fun poems rull of rhythm, rhyme, and word play. Lots of alliteration and onomatopoeia make these poems a blast for children and adults to read aloud. The humor is appropriately subtle for the topic yet engaging enough to hook young readers: "Once upon a happenstance/ I met a knight in armor./ I fixed my flame upon his lance--/ It was a four-alarmer!"


Peter Sis's illustrations complement the dragon poetry. Rich colors--deep golds, reds, greens, and blues-- set the mood, yet the portrayal of the dragons is playful. Viewers will love finding the household items that make-up the mechanical dragon and giggle at the tanker trunks full of "turpentine/ And phosphorus and gasoline--"prescribed for the sick dragon in "My Dragon Wasn't Feeling Good."

4. Review Excerpts
School Library Journal--"the richness of [Prelutsky's] language and the playfulness of the imagination are abundant; and Sis's illustrations are charmingly unique, sometimes deceptively simple, and certainly filled with the kind of playful wizardry that invites viewers to return again and again to these pages."

5. Connections

*Other poetry books by Jack Prelutsky

AWFUL OGRE'S AWFUL DAY. Ill. by Paul O. Zelinsky. ISBN 0688077781.
THE BABY UGGS ARE HATCHING. Ill. James Stevenson. ISBN 0688009220.
BENEATH A BLUE UMBRELLA. Ill. by Garth Williams. ISBN 0688064299.
THE FROGS WORE RED SUSPENDERS. Ill. by Petra Mathers. ISBN 0688167195.
THE GARGOYLE ON THE ROOF. Ill. by Peter Sis. ISBN 0688096433.
THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN RIDES TONIGHT: MORE POEMS TO TROUBLE YOUR
SLEEP. Ill. by Arnold Lobel. ISBN 0688802737.
IF NOT FOR THE CAT: HAIKU. Ill. by Ted Rand. ISBN 0060596775.
THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK. Ill. by James Stevenson. ISBN 0688022715.
NIGHTMARES: POEMS TO TROUBLE YOUR SLEEP. Ill. by Arnold Lobel. ISBN 0688840531.
A PIZZA THE SIZE OF THE SUN. Ill. by James Stevenson. ISBN 0688132359.

*More Dragon Poetry

Nash, Ogden. THE TALE OF CUSTARD THE DRAGON. Ill. by Lynn Munsinger. ISBN
0316598801.
Nash, Ogden. CUSTARD THE DRAGON AND THE WICKED KNIGHT. Ill. by Lynn Munsinger.
ISBN 0316598828.

*Other poets children enjoy
Douglas Florian
X.J. Kenndy
Shel Silverstein

Stop Pretending: What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy

1. Bibliography
Sones, Sonya. 1999. STOP PRETENDING: WHAT HAPPENED WHEN MY BIG SISTER WHEN CRAZY. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 0060283874.

2. Summary
Thirteen year-old Cookie's older sister has a mental breakdown, throwing her life into a tailspin as she must deal with life without her friend and confidante. In the end, she and her family find the middle ground where they can accept her sister's illness, move beyond it, and even find recovery.

3. Critical Analysis
Told in a series of brief free-verse poems, STOP PRETENDING: WHAT HAPPENED WHEN MY BIG SISTER WENT CRAZY packs a powerful punch of huge emotion. Each poem is another kick in the gut.

Adolescents will identify with the doubts and fears the protagonist faces. She misses her sister as she used to be. She's afraid of her friends' reactions if they find out about her sister. She fears that since her sister went from normal to crazy so unexpectedly, it could happen to her, too.

Through straightforward yet vivid language, Sones gets to the core of human experience, those moments so universal, we all have them, yet so private, we feel we are the only ones to experience it: "there's/ this golden moment/ when the sun/ licks through the gauze/ fluttering at my window/ warming my eyelids to opening/ this golden moment/ when I'm not yet awake enough/ to remember/ that there are things/ I would rather/ forget." Readers will say to themselves, "Yes! I know exactly what she means!"

The poetry itself is unintimidating and serves the story well. Sones effectively conveys abstract emotions through concrete imagery and easily understood figurative language ("I blink/ and there you suddenly are/ inhabiting your eyes again/ and I'm feeling all lit up/ like a jar filled/ with a thousand fireflies"), allowing insight into a very difficult topic without the deeply couched meaning that often keeps young readers away from poetry.

4. Review Excerpts
School Library Journal--"An unpretentious, accessible book that could provide entry points for a discussion about mental illness - its stigma, its realities, and its effect on family members."

Kirkus--"Individually, the poems appear simple and unremarkable, snapshot portraits of two sisters, a family, unfaithful friends, and a sweet first love. Collected they take on life and movement, the individual frames of a movie that in the unspooling become animated..."

Booklist (starred review)-- "The poems - some as short as five lines, none longer than three pages - have a cumulative emotional power that creeps up on the reader..."

5. Connections

*This book is sure to open up discussion about various topics: mental illness, being shunned by friends, what it's like when parents fight, and sibling relationships, to name a few.

*Other verse novels by Sonya Sones:

WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN'T KNOW. ISBN 0689855532. Adolescent Sophie is not boy crazy, just confused, and trying to figure out the difference between love and lust.

ONE OF THOSE HIDEOUS BOOKS WHERE THE MOTHER DIES. ISBN 1416907882. Ruby's mother dies and she must move 3000 miles away from her friends and boyfriend to Los Angeles to live with her father, who divorced her mother before she was even born and whom she despises.

*Verse novels by other authors:
Carvell, Marlene. WHO WILL TELL MY BROTHER? ISBN 0786816570.
Creech, Sharon. LOVE THAT DOG. ISBN 0064409597.
Hesse, Karen. OUT OF THE DUST. ISBN 0590371258.
Johnson, Lindsay Lee. SOUL MOON SOUP. ISBN 1886910871.

More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz

1. Bibliography
Schwartz, Alvin. 1984. MORE SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK. Ill. by Stephen Gammell. New York: Harper & Row. ISBN: 0064401774.

2. Plot Summary
MORE SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK is a collection of spooky American folktales that includes stories of ghosts, witches, vampires, bogeymen, and other undead things.

3. Critical Analysis
Stephen Gammell's chilling black and white illustrations alone send a shiver down the spine. They are a perfect complement to Alvin Schwarz's retelling of dark and creepy folk stories. Schwartz builds upon the normalcy of events, keeping readers/listeners holding their breath waiting for the eerie twist they know will come.

4. Review Excerpts
School Library Journal--"Guaranteed to make your teeth chatter and your spinetingle."

5. Connections

*Other books by Alvin Schwartz:
SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK. Harper Trophy. ISBN 0064401707.
SCARY STORIES 3: MORE TALES TO CHILL YOUR BONES. Harper Trophy. ISBN 0064404188.
IN A DARK DARK ROOM AND OTHER SCARY STORIES. Harper Trophy. ISBN 0064440907.

*Other folklore collections:
Yolen, Jane. FAVORITE FOLKTALES FROM AROUND THE WORLD. Pantheon. ISBN 0394751884.

Young, Richard. SCARY STORY READER. August House. ISBN 0874833825.

Lon Po Po by Ed Young

1990 Caldecott Award

1. Bibliography
Young, Ed. 1989. LON PO PO. New York: Philomel Books. ISBN 0399216197.

2. Plot Summary
In this Red-Riding Hood story from China, three sisters left home alone outsmart the hungry wolf pretending to be their grandmother and save themselves from being his next meal.

3. Critical Analysis
The magic of this book is its illustrations. In watercolor and pastels, Ed Young captures the deepest, innermost, elemental fear of humankind represented by the wolf. Much of the artwork is paneled in the fashion of ancient Chinese art. The panels create tension by juxtaposing wide angles with closeups. Side by side panels depict first the children, whose faces glow in the black shadows, and then a close-up shot of the wolf, whose glowing eye and teeth fill the entire frame. The play of light and shadow links the wolf's menacing eye to the bright faces of the children. Through the use of panels, Young is also able to increase detail and stretch out the action, delaying the climax and keeping us stomach-clenched and on edge.

4. Review Excerpts
School Library Journal--"...this is an outstanding achievement that will be pored over again and again."
Publisher's Weekly--"An extraordinary and powerful book. "

5. Connections

*Other books written and/or illustrated by Ed Young (also Chinese folklore):

Louie, Ai Ling. YEH SHEN: A CINDERELLA STORY FROM CHINA. Ill. by Ed Young. Putnam Juvenile. ISBN 0698113888.

BEYOND THE GREAT MOUNTAINS. Chronicle Books. ISBN 0811843432.
RED THREAD. Philomel Books. ISBN 0399219692.
THE LOST HORSE: A CHINESE FOLKTALE. Voyager Books. ISBN 015205023X.
THE SONS OF THE DRAGON KING: A CHINESE LEGEND. Athenaeum. ISBN 0689851847.

*Red-Riding Hood tales from other cultures:
Artell, Mike and Jim Harris. PETITE ROUGE: A CAJUN RED-RIDING HOOD. Dial. ISBN 0803725140.

Daly, Niki. PRETTY SALMA: A LITTLE RED-RIDING HOOD STORY FROM AFRICA. Clarion Books. ISBN 0618723455.

Bubba the Cowboy Prince by Helen Ketteman

1. Bibliography
Ketteman, Helen. 1997. BUBBA THE COWBOY PRINCE: A FRACTURED TEXAS TALE. Ill. by James Warhola. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0590255061.

2. Plot Summary
Set in Texas, BUBBA THE COWBOY PRINCE is a Western version of the Cinderella story, in which Bubba works tirelessly on the family ranch while his lazy stepbrothers taunt him and boss him around. When the wealthiest ranch owner around, Miz Lurleen, throws a ball to find herself a “feller,” Bubba finds himself left out until his fairy godcow comes to his rescue. In the end, the boot fits and Bubba and Miz Lurleen ride off into the sunset.

3. Critical Analysis
Ketteman’s use of the Western motif makes this book a fun read. From setting details (“…watch out fer them cowpatties…”) to the characters’ attire (“bolo ties” and “boots”) to the dialect (“I aim to find myself a feller…”), Ketteman weaves a tale worthy of a big Texas “Yeehaw!”

James Warhola’s illustrations, done in oil on canvas, enhance the fun. The caricature-ish features of Bubba’s stepdaddy and stepbrothers, the human-like expressions of the cows and other animals, and the depth of color create a rich visual experience. To top it all off, Warhola turns the illustrations into a hidden picture game. Readers will delight in trying to find the fairy godcow in the background of almost every picture.

4. Review Excerpts
School Library Journal— “This is a fun-filled story with more hyperbole than a Christmas turkey has stuffing.”
Publisher’s Weekly—"Just the ticket for buckaroos lookin' fer a good read."

5. Connections
*Other Cinderella variants (these are just a few of dozens):

Belpre, Pura. THE RAINBOW-COLORED HORSE. Viking Press. ISBN 0723261512.

Cole, Babette. PRINCE CINDERS. Putnam Juvenile. ISBN 0698115546.

Hooks, William. MOSS GOWN. Ill. by Donald Carrick. Clarion Books. ISBN 0395547938.

Huck, Charlotte. PRINCESS FURBALL. Harper Trophy. ISBN 0688131077.

Jaffe, Nina. THE WAY MEAT LOVES SALT: A CINDERELLA STORY FROM THE JEWISH TRADITION. Ill. by Louise August. Henry Holt & Company. ISBN 0805043845.

Karlin, Barbara. CINDERELLA. Ill. by James Marshall. Trumpet Club. ISBN 0440847052.

Louie, Ai Ling. YEH SHEN: A CINDERELLA STORY FROM CHINA. Ill. by Ed Young. Putnam Juvenile. ISBN 0698113888.

Martin, Rafe. THE ROUGH FACE GIRL. Putnam Juvenile. ISBN: 0698116267.

Minard, Rosemary. “Cap o’ Rushes. ” WOMENFOLK AND FAIRY TALES. Houghton Mifflin.
ISBN 0395202760.

Phumla. NOMI AND THE MAGIC FISH: A STORY FROM AFRICA. Doubleday. ASIN
B0006CCC58.

de Regniers, Beatrice. LITTLE SISTER AND THE MONTH BROTHERS. Ill. by Margot Tomes.
Mulberry Books. ISBN 0688136338.

Steel, Flora Annie. TATTERCOATS: AN OLD ENGLISH TALE. Bradbury Press. ISBN
0878881093.

Wilson, Barbara. WISHBONES: A FOLKTALE FROM CHINA. Frances Lincoln. ISBN
1845072545.

*Students can compare and contrast the various Cinderella stories to gain an awareness of the universality of humankind while at the same learning to accept cultures different from their own.

Picture This: How Pictures Work by Molly Bang

1. Bibliography
Bang, Molly. 1991. PICTURE THIS: HOW PICTURES WORK. New York: SeaStar Books. ISBN 1587170299.

2. Plot Summary
Illustrator Molly Bang examines how the structure of images affects viewers’ emotional responses.

3. Critical Analysis
Molly Bang takes the reader on a metacognitive journey through art and basic composition principles that influence the emotional reactions of viewers by “thinking aloud” her process in creating an illustration for the story of Little Red Riding Hood.

Using only basic geometric shapes and four basic colors, she builds the illustration for the reader, pausing at each step to explain why she chose particular shapes, colors, and positions for objects in the illustration. She shows alternate versions of the same image to effectively demonstrate how the viewer’s reaction, and therefore the meaning of the image, changes according to various composition differences. For example, diagonal lines are dynamic, implying action or motion; horizontal shapes make us feel stable and secure; and pointed shapes elicit more fear, while rounded shapes create a sense of comfort.

Between her articulate text and simple geometric illustrations, she makes the principles easy to understand, unlocking the code inherent in the art. The target audience of older children and adults is bound to be fascinated by how pictures work.

4. Review Excerpts
Horn Book— “Picture This extends the imagination, encourages creativity, and helps readers reexamine their world and themselves from different perspectives. One senses that it has the power to change anyone wiling to admit its magic.”

5. Connections
*Other books about picture book illustration and picture book illustrators:

For Children
Cummings, Pat. TALKING WITH ARTISTS VOLUME 1. ISBN 0027242455.
Marcus, Leonard. A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SIX ARTISTS SHARE THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL. ISBN 0802786561.
Marcus, Leonard. SIDE BY SIDE: FIVE FAVORITE PICTURE BOOK TEAMS GO TO WORK. ISBN 0802787789.
Marcus, Leonard. WAYS OF TELLING: CONVERSATIONS ON THE ART OF THE PICTURE BOOK. ISBN 0525464905. (Young Adult)

For Adults
Nodelman, Perry. WORDS ABOUT PICTURES: THE NARRATIVE ART OF CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOKS. ISBN 0820312711.
Styles, Morag. CHILDREN READING PICTURES: INTERPRETING VISUAL TEXTS. ISBN 0415275776.

*Other books written and illustrated by Molly Bang:

GOOSE. ISBN 0590890050.
TEN, NINE, EIGHT. ISBN 0688149014. (Caldecott Honor book)
WHEN SOPHIE GETS ANGRY—REALLY, REALLY ANGRY. ISBN 0590189794. (Caldecott Honor book)

The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster

2006 Caldecott Award
1. Bibliography
Juster, Norton. 2005. THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW. Ill. by Chris Raschka. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786809140.

2. Plot Summary
A little girl goes to visit her grandparents, whose kitchen window symbolizes the fun to be had there. All the memorable events that take place at Nanna and Poppy’s house—the excitement of first arriving there to stargazing with Nanna to pretend-play with Poppy--are anchored, in her mind, to the window.

3. Critical Analysis
Norton Juster explores the bond between grandchild and grandparents. Nanna and Poppy are portrayed with warmth and comfortable charm as they spend time with the girl. They pretend-play and stargaze and sing and work in the garden together, all with smiles on their faces, creating an unwavering sense of security. On a deeper level, this book is about the duality of experience, the two sides of a coin. As the girl says near the end when her parents pick her up, “I’m glad because we’re going home, but it makes me sad too because I have to leave Nanna and Poppy. You can be happy and sad at the same time, you know. It just happens that way sometimes.”

Chris Raschka’s illustrations underscore the warmth with bright swaths of color. Oranges, reds, and browns that feel like a hug contrast with vivid shades of blue, yellow, and verdant green that smell like sunshine and freshly cut grass. That contrast provides yet another paradox: we are held close, yet feel free. Even the blurred boundaries and smudged look of the expressionist drawings reflect the dream-like “warm fuzzy” that is time spent with grandparents.

4. Review Excerpts
School Library Journal—“Perfect for lap-sharing, this book will find favor with children and adults alike.”
Horn Book— "A varied layout, balancing exterior and interior landscapes with smaller character vignettes, helps sustain the book's energy. Say hello to Raschka at the top of his form."

5. Connections
*Other books about family:
Ryan, Pam Munoz. BECOMING NAOMI LEON. ISBN 0439269970. A girl goes looking for her father and finds her self along the way.

Creech, Sharon. GRANNY TORRELLI MAKES SOUP. ISBN 0064409600. When Rosie and her best-friend-from-forever, Bailey, begin arguing, Granny Torrelli wisely suggests cooking lessons. Before long the threesome are immersed in cavatelli pasta, meatballs, and long-ago stories.

*Also illustrated by Chris Raschka:
Hooks, Bell. BE BOY BUZZ. ISBN 0786816430.

*Writing Connection:
THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW makes a great book for reading/writing connection because it triggers text-to-self connections in children. My students have made connections to their own grandparents, childhood games, and special places. One student was even reminded of how she thought her dad was such a big, tall man when she was very young (just as the "tiger" looms large for the little girl in this book), only to grow up and discover that in actuality, he is not. Her child's perspective had skewed her image of him. Another topic ripe for exploration is the idea of being happy and sad at the same time. Students may remember a time when they experienced conflicting emotions.

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback

1. Bibliography
Taback, Simms. 1999. JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT. Ill. by Simms Taback. New York: Viking Juvenile. ISBN 0670878553.

2. Plot Summary
In this adaptation of a Yiddish folk song, Joseph has a little overcoat, but when it becomes worn, he turns it into a vest. When the vest becomes worn, he turns it into a scarf. And so on, until there is nothing left. Or is there? In the end, the story comes full circle with Joseph making a book about his overcoat.

3. Critical Analysis
While Taback's Caldecott-Award-winning book may be a "predictable book" with with a repeating language pattern, readers will delight in discovering how Joseph will recycle his overcoat fragment next as it grows smaller and smaller. There is nothing predictable about his ingenuity. Taback skillfully manages the peek-through holes in the pages for even more fun, creating anticipation and prediction opportunities for young readers.

The illustrations are richly textured through Taback's use of mixed media: watercolor, gouache, pencil, ink, and collage. The ethnic clothing in the book reflects the theme of recycling and making something of nothing. Taback comments at www.cbcbooks.com, "I illustrated the ethnic clothing by using collage fragments from various catalogs. So even as I created the artwork for Joseph, I was making something new from something discarded." The floor rugs are collages, as well. Rich, bright colors and an abundance of different patterns are a smorgasbord for the eyes. Plaids, stripes, prints, and paisleys abound. Close examination of the illustrations reveals a whole other level of fun: newspaper clippings with headlines such as "Fiddler on Roof Falls off Roof," real photographic portraits in illustrated frames and peeking from windows, and bits of Yiddish wisdom on samplers on the walls. In another fun twist, Joseph is depicted writing and illustrating the very book he is in!

4. Review Excerpts
Horn Book--"...the art sings with color and movement and humor and personality..."
Publishers Weekly--"...unravels as swiftly as the threads of Joseph's well-loved, patch-covered plaid coat."
School Library Journal--"...bursting at the seams with ingenuity and creative spirit..."

5. Connections
*See also Taback's book THE OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY (ISBN 0670869392), highly praised for both language and illustrations. (Caldecott Honor book)
*Other Caldecott Award books:
Henkes, Kevin. KITTENS FIRST FULL MOON. 0060588284
Rohmann, Eric. MY FRIEND RABBIT. ISBN 0761315357
Wiesner, David. THREE LITTLE PIGS. ISBN 0618007016

*Writing Connection- students can mimic the repeating language pattern (and cause and effect pattern) in their own writing.