Billy Twitters and his Blue Whale Problem

Reader’s Annotation: Great for future marine biologist or young ones generally interested in biology. Billy Twitters' mother has had enough of his messy room! To teach her son a lesson in responsibility, she orders him a blue whale. Popular kids do not have blue whales for pets!

Author: Mac Barnett 

Illustrator: Adam Rex 

Age: 3 - 7 years

genre/subject: Children's picture book; children's humor

Plot Summary: Billy Twitters' mother is so annoyed with him, she decides to teach him a lesson. So, she naturally buys him a blue whale, the largest creature on the planet. This will teach him some responsibility, she thinks. Indeed, it puts a major damper on his social life. Most of all, he is educated on the needs of such a massive mammal. In the end, Billy Twitters makes peace with his new pet, setting up his room inside the whale, where his mother con't bother him.

Evaluation: This book has great scientific value. There are great, big words that adults usually don't introduce to kids as young as 3 years old. However, the illustrations are so grand and engaging, 3-year-olds may be perfectly absorbed in the story. The story may elevate the content norm for this age group.

Significance & Bibliographic Usefulness: Illustrations are commendable, content focuses on an attractive topic that children hardly ever see in every day life.

Readalikes:

Awards/Lists: none

Useful Links: 
Amazon
BookVerdict

Hook: This book is a laugh for everyone involved, children, parents, and teachers, which will make everyone remember words like krill and megaladon.

Ideas, Uses: This would be great coupled with zoo phonics. I can see preschool teachers reading this story to the class during "W" week, which they learn about whales.

ISBN:978-0786849581

Page Count: 48

Format: hardcover

Publisher:Disney-Hyperion
Publication date: June 23, 2009

Math Curse

Reader’s Annotation: Math is everywhere! Everyone has been told this, but how can it be seen? Scieszka helps students see the endless possibilities of math and helps provide practical applications for the hours they must endure working with figures. In the end, it becomes a game!

Author: Jon Scieszka

Illustrator: Lane Smith
Age: 3-7 years
Genre/subject: children's fiction
Plot Summary: A grade school student learns in a math class that "everything in life can be a math problem" and embarks on several days of a math curse where everything is broken down into math principles. The student cannot escape the "math curse" until the very end, only to stumble into science class where "everything in life can be an experiment."
Evaluation: Demonstrates the application of theory, on a grammar-school level. Appeals to boys and girls, as the main character is androgynous.
Significance & Bibliographic Usefulness: This is a book that can build upon a child's literacy as well as arithmetic skills. It contains clever wordplay and induces giggles on the normally dry topic of math.
Readalikes: The Science Curse
Awards/Lists: ABBY honor Book, ALA Notable Book
Links to reviews in professional review sources
Hook: Everything in life can be a math problem!
Ideas, Uses: Great way to introduce elementary student into math, can reduce math anxiety.
ISBN: 0670861944
Page Count: 32
Format: paperback
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers

Bartholomew and the Oobleck

Reader’s Annotation: Bartholomew Cubbins steps in when a greedy king demands something new from nature. Cubbins knows that it is a mistake to tamper with something so perfect and the king soon realizes just how wrong he was.

Author: Dr. Seuss
Illustrator: Dr. Seuss
Age: 5 - 9 years
genre/subject: Children's picture book; children's fiction
Plot Summary: A king, who always gets his way, demands that his royal magicians create something other than one of the four seasons! The magicians create Oobleck, which turns out to be a gooey, green mess. The whole kingdome is in disarray once Oobleck falls from the sky and sticks to everything. It will not go away until the King himself, apologizes. And he does.
Evaluation: Firstly, this book is a great way to introduce youngsters to the four seasons and to think about what function each season has. It raises great questions about nature. It also has a little lesson in saying sorry.
Significance & Bibliographic Usefulness:
Readalikes: Any other Dr. Seuss
Awards/Lists: Caldecott Honor (1950)
Links to reviews in professional review sources:
Hook: Four things come down from the sky
Ideas, Uses: Teach children about the seasons, as well as the "why" to nature.
ISBN: 978-0394800752
Page Count: 56 
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication date: October 12, 1949

Good Dog, Carl

Reader’s Annotation: After reading this book, children will love on their own dogs or ask for a gentle giant like Carl. Alexandra Day does an amazing job capturing the true mannerisms and temperament of Rottweilers, in a series that depicts the family dog as the stand-in nanny. Carl is responsible as he is adorable, and the children are always cared for when mom and dad are away.

Author: Alexandra Day
Illustrator:
Age: 1 - 4 years
genre/subject: Children's picture book
Plot Summary: Mom leaves for an errand and she puts Carl in charge. Together the child and Carl dance to music, make an afternoon snack, play outside, bathe and take a nap.
Evaluation: Great for children with pets, or to de-myth the vicious reputation of this breed of dog.
Significance & Bibliographic Usefulness: Strong picture book. There are no more that two sentences in this whole book. The plot unfolds through pictures.
Readalikes: Any other "Carl" book: 'Carls Afternoon in the Park," "Carl Goes Shopping."
Awards/Lists: None
Links:
Buffalo Library Review
Hook: Kids are safe under Carl's watch
Ideas, Uses:
ISBN: 978-0689807480
Page Count: 40
Format: board book, paperback
Publisher: Little Simon
Publication Date: February 1, 1996

Make Way for Ducklings

Reader’s Annotation: Perfect for young readers who are at the age of recognizing family structure in nature: mommy ducks, baby ducks...The personal feel to the illustrations and the Boston landmarks are sure to make this book special to many Americans.

Author: Robert McCloskey
Illustrator: Robert McCloskey
Age: 3 - 7 years
genre/subject: Children's picture book
Plot Summary: Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are a pair of ducks looking for a good place to raise a family. The city of Boston is busy, but they still find a place to lay and hatch eggs, as well as raise their chicks.
Evaluation: Illustrations are timeless. McCloskey won the Caldecott Medal for his illustrations, which are colorless and sketch-like. They are simple, yet lifelike and beautifully capture nature meets city.
Significance & Bibliographic Usefulness:
It was published in 1941, but still appeals to this generation of 3-7 year olds. Illustrations have a personal feel, as do the references to Boston landmarks.
Readalikes: Any other in the Viking Kestrel picture books
Awards/Lists: 

• Caldecott Medal (1942)

• Indies Choice Book Award for Picture Book Hall of Fame (2009)

Links:
Kirkus
Hook: Mom and ducklings take on the big city!
Ideas, Uses:
ISBN: 978-0670451494
Page Count: 68
Format: hardback
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Pub Date: January 1, 1941

Fortunately

Reader’s Annotation: Fortunately is a big word, one that children can add to their vocabulary after Ned experiences a roller-coaster day of fortunate and unfortunate events.

Author: Remy Charlip 
Illustrator: Remy Charlip 
Age: 4 - 8 years
genre/subject: Children's Picture book
Plot Summary: Ned receives an invitation to a birthday party. He takes great measures to travel to this party, which puts himself in many sticky situations. Fortunately, luck is on his side, and he arrives at the party, only to learn that he is the guest of honor!
Evaluation: This is a very clever read. The way Charlip works a twist into the ending provides a level of sophistication for early readers. The artwork is vibrant, and somewhat rudimentary, which may be appealing to children readers.
Hook: This book was given to my daughter a couple weeks ago by an nanny she used to have. The Nanny wrote a beautiful inscription in the book, encouraging my daughter to pursue life no matter what the obstacles may be. I chose to include this in my database, because I think it is one of the finer children's books.
Significance & Bibliographic Usefulness: Vocabulary uses for children 4-8 years old. Also portrays the value in staying positive and anticipating a good turn in luck.
Read a-likes:
Awards/Lists:
Links to reviews in professional review sourcesHook:
Ideas, Uses:ISBN: 978-0689716607Page Count: 48 pagesFormat: PaperbackPublisher: Aladdin; Reprint edition (March 31, 1993)