Alligators All Around

Reader’s Annotations: Who wouldn't love this Sendak classic? Alligators are the star of this book which feature the alligator family doing such silly things, alphabetically, of course!

Author: Maurice Sendak
Illustrator: Maurice Sendak
Age: 4 - 8 years
genre/subject: Children's picture book
Plot Summary: There is no plot. It is an alphabet, picture book. Sendak brilliantly illustrates one alligator doing a whole bunch of silly stuff, in alphabetic order.
Evaluation: Sendak is a prolific author and illustrator and has been on the children's literature scene for such a long time. I saw this book and had to check it out of the library. It is so simple, yet the wording along with pictures are hilarious. The "N" page features alligators "Never Napping" and the "S" page features "Shockingly Spoiled." Sendak is able to capture the dynamic of family life through sketches of alligators. It is just adorable.
Significance & Bibliographic Usefulness: Nice, small size: 5X7 inches. It is also perfect for early readers as they learn the alphabet.
Readalikes: ABC, by Dr. Seuss
Awards/Lists: none
Links to reviews in professional review sources
Hook: Alligators are the star in Sendak's alphabet book!

Ideas, Uses: Teaching letters to young readers, I think the age-level should include 3-year-olds.
ISBN: 978-0064432542
Page Count: 32
Format: hardcover
Publisher: HarperCollins

Pub Date: March 15, 1991

Knuffle Bunny

Reader’s Annotations: Each of us has, or has had, a Knuffle Bunny in our life. For those of us who cannot express how important such a Knuffle Bunny is, body language becomes a necessity. What Mo Willems does so well is capture the body language of a toddle. Parents and children will love to read this book!

Author: Mo Willems

Illustrator: Mo Willems

Age: 3 - 6 yearsgenre/subject: Children's picture bookPlot Summary: Trixie goes to the laundry mat with her father, and her beloved "Knuffle Bunny." The only problem is, she leaves Knuffle Bunny there. And she cannot talk! She tries to communicate the emergency to her father, in every humanly possible way that a toddler who cannot speak can communicate.Evaluation: The illustrations are a mix between black and white photographs and Willems signature cartoons. Children will love observing Willem's depiction of Trixie attempting to communicate to her father. My favorite pages are when Trixie goes "boneless" and the look on her face when her mother promptly asks where Knuffle Bunny is once they get home. Priceless.Significance & Bibliographic Usefulness: Caldecotte Honor BookReadalikes: Any other Mo Willems bookAwards/Lists: 

• Caldecott Honor (2005)

• Borders Original Voices Award for Picture Books (2004)

• Kentucky Bluegrass Award for K-2 (2006)

• Charlotte Zolotow Award Nominee for Honor Book (2005)

• Vermont's Picture Book Awards: Red Clover (2006)

Hook: Everyone has, or has had, a Knuffle Bunny in their life! Kids can all relate to this cautionary tale.
Ideas, Uses: Use this book to prompt children to talk about this things in their life that they love to hold on to: blankets, stuffed animals...
ISBN:978-0786818709
Page Count: 40
Format: hardcover
Publisher: Hyperion

Links to reviews in professional review sources

School Library Journal

Pub Date: July 12, 2004

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

Reader’s Annotations: This book is beautifully illustrated and also the story of friendship between man and creatures is equally beautiful. It is a great opportunity to encourage children to care for each other, and also every creature on the earth.

Author: Philip C. Stead

Illustrator: Erin E. SteadAge: 2 - 6 yearsgenre/subject: ChildPlot Summary: Amos McGee works at the City Zoo. His work includes playing chess with the Elephant, racing the tortoise, reading to the owl and so on. The animals look forward to Amos' daily visits. So much so, the animals decide to visit Amos when he wakes up too sick to get up and go to the Zoo.Evaluation: Great story time book. Illustrations are done with woodblock printing and pencil, and are superb. The face of Amos as well as each animal looks weathered but gentle. Conversation starter on how to care for others, or what it feels like to be sick. It is also a wonderful zoo book! Significance & Bibliographic Usefulness: Illustrations! Erin E. Stead won the Caldecotte for this book.Readalikes: If I Ran the Zoo, by Dr. SeussAwards/Lists: 

• Caldecott Medal (2011)

• Goodreads Choice Nominee for Picture Book (2010)

Hook: A Sick Day for Amos McGee 
Ideas, Uses: I imagine this book being used either by teachers or by parents preparing to take their child to the zoo for the first time. It is a sweet depiction of nature.
ISBN: 978-1596434028
Page Count: 32
Format: hardback
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Links:
McMillian
School Library Journal

Pub Date: May 25, 2010

The Very Inappropriate Word

Reader’s Annotations: A great book that will effectively convey the weight of words to young readers. Perhaps the greatest gift of this book is in expressing that words are just words, they may offend, but ultimately they are harmless. It is what people do with words that matters. A fantastic lesson to impart on young word-learners.

Author: Jim Tobin

Illustrator: Dave CoverlyAge: 5 - 8 yearsgenre/subject: Children's picture book, children's humorPlot Summary: Michael is a collector of words. All kinds. When he collects one word, after hearing it on the bus, his sister informs him that it is an "inappropriate" word. Still, Michael tries it out at school with some friends. He also shares with his friends that it is a bad word. This is intriging to everyone, including Michael. Once the teacher hears who is responsible for teaching everyone the new, inappropriate word, she asks Michael to help her in the library. She asks him to collect some new words for her. He collects so many (over two hours worth) and as a result, forgets the inappropriate one.  Evaluation: This is such a fantastic book, with major educational value. My daughter is at the age where she classify words as good and bad, nice or mean. These are things that language learners sort out. What I love is the author choses to not focus on how bad the word is, but instead overwhealmes the main character with good words! ALSO, the illustrator is so clever in carrying out the story through his illustrations. Each word Michael collects is an object of sorts. The inappropriate word is nasty looking, and jagged with symbols in place of letters. It looks like a stinky piece of trash. The image is just perfect for such a filthy word!!Significance & Bibliographic Usefulness: Words are portrayed as objects, high early literacy value.Readalikes:
Awards/Lists: noneLinks:
Hook: Michael collects words. Not all of them are appropriate!
Ideas, Uses: Perfect for kindergarden teachers who may want to set boundaries on what words are appropriate and inappropriate for the classroom, or to use with friends. It is such a relevant topic for 5-8 year olds! At the very least, young readers learn what the word inappropriate means.
ISBN: 978-0805094749
Page Count: 36 
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

PublishersWeekly

Pub Date: August 20, 2013

Precious Little

Reader’s Annotations: Gaye Chapman's artwork is unquestionably precious in this picture book, but the story is lacking and may leave young readers unsatisfied. The artistic quality of both plot and visual aids is a better fit for older age groups who are able to get something out of an unresolved storyline involving a whimsical dreamer with somewhat creepy carnival friends.

Author: Julie Hunt and Sue Moss

Illustrator: Gaye Chapman
Age: 3 - 5 years
genre/subject: Children's picture book
Plot Summary: Precious Little is a circus-hand who dreams of being a trapeze artist. While practicing, her two friends who operate the "Lucky Dip" let her take a try on the tight rope above the dip. Precious Little falls from the rope and instead of falling to the bottom, somehow flies up to the sky. She returns after the winter buries the circus, yet her friends are still waiting for her. 
Evaluation: This book is visually stunning, but that is all. There is no real redemptive qualities, from a storytelling standpoint. For instance, there is no explanation as to how Precious Little does not fall to her death. There is also no explanation as to how she returns. There is no closure to the story. Does she become a trapeze artist with her newfound skill of flying? Does she become some amazing new stunk on the Lucky Dip? It is all just confusing, and to add insult to injury, the text changes orientation on the page. It is not a great book for a group story time, due to upside-down and sideways text.
Significance & Bibliographic Usefulness: Multi-medium artiwork. Visually pleasant.
Readalikes:
Awards/Lists: none
Links: none
Hook: Precious Little wanted to fly. It seems she did, but we'll never really know!
Ideas, Uses: I am not a fan of this book, so I wouldn't really advise to use it for a storybook time. I can see some young readers, on the older side of the age spectrum, appreciating the story coupled with the artwork. Those who appreciate carnival-themes may enjoy reading it. For younger audiences, I just really feel that it lacks value.
ISBN: 978-1741751475
Page Count: 32
Format: hardcover
Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Pub Date:September 1, 2011