A timeless classic with beautiful woodcut illustrations by Christopher Manson. Perfect for a Thanksgiving holiday read for younger students. My students love to sing it with me (even if they don’t know all the words). 😉
The Garden of Abdul Gasazi, by Chris Van Allsburg
Published November 28, 2012 by DagmarThis book combines wonderful black and white drawings with an element of magic that really works for older students, because there is just enough mystery to leave listeners wondering what really happened. I love to read it to third graders.
Synopsis: Miss Hester owns a naughty dog named Fritz. Alan is watching Fritz while Miss Hester is gone. When Alan takes Fritz for a walk, Fritz tugs the leash and runs away – straight into the garden of Abdul Gasazi, a retired magician. Unfortunately, Mr. Gasazi’s garden is clearly marked with a sign that says ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY NO DOGS ALLOWED. When Alan meets Mr. Gasazi, he politely asks for Fritz back but is dismayed to learn that Abdul Gasazi turns naughty, straying dogs into ducks. Convinced that Fritz is now a duck, Alan returns to Miss Hester’s house, only to find Fritz safely at home.
A Bad Case of Stripes, by David Shannon
Published November 28, 2012 by Dagmar
My third graders were so happy when I read this funny book today. It delivers a great message about staying true to yourself. Written by a student favorite author, David Shannon, this book is full of great, full colorful illustrations that really capture my listeners’ attention.
Synopsis: Camilla loves lima beans. But, admitting that she likes lima beans will make her unpopular at school. So, Camilla doesn’t eat lima beans. Unfortunately, one day, Camilla wakes up with her body covered with stripes. Her doctor declares her fine to go to school; but, when she goes to school, Camilla’s classmates quickly realize that they can change her colors by talking about different things. Her parents call in specialists and then experts. All their prescriptions end in disaster until an old lady comes to the door with…you guessed it…lima beans. Camilla decides that being unpopular because she likes lima beans is much better than the alternative.
A Sick Day for Amos McGee, by Philip C. Stead
Published November 17, 2012 by Dagmar
A sweet story about friendship. Great for pre-school and kindergarten read alouds.
Synopsis: Amos McGee is a zookeeper who takes the bus each day to go to the zoo. Although he has lots of work to do, he always finds time for his friends. The elephant loves chess, the tortoise loves to race, the penguin loves to sit quietly, the rhinoceros always needs a handkerchief for his runny nose, and the owl likes to have stories read to him, because he is afraid of the dark. When Amos is sick and can’t come to work, the animals get on the bus and go to see him. One by one, they take care of Amos, just as he always takes care of them.
Lucy Dove, by Janice Del Negro
Published November 17, 2012 by Dagmar
Lucy Dove is terrific read aloud for 3rd-5th graders that will keep even those who think they’re too old for read aloud hanging on your every word. I love the illustrations, especially when I turn the page and students see the picture of the bogle.
Synopsis: A superstitious laird hears that he’ll find good luck if someone can sew a pair of trousers in the moonlight in the graveyard at St. Andrew’s church. Many men have gone to the graveyard at night and have disappeared. Lucy Dove is an old seamstress who was fired from the laird household, because she stitches too slowly. She wants to win that bag of gold, so that she can buy herself a house by the sea for her retirement. She bastes together cloth into a pair of trousers and goes to the churchyard at midnight to sew the pieces together. The monster (bogle) that appears in the moonlight is, indeed, scary and threatening. But Lucy, in her very cool manner, lets him know that he’s no big deal. The story ends in an exciting chase scene.
The Perfect Present, by Fiona Robertson
Published November 16, 2012 by Dagmar
With messages about friendship and just the right amount of suspense this wonderful book really captured the attention of my 2nd graders. The book is broken up into small chapters, which I think add to the suspense. I enjoyed the simple illustrations.
Synopsis: It’s Henry’s birthday. He is just about to open a special birthday present from his pet duck, Spot, when his grandparents arrive with a pet puppy. Henry forgets all about Spot’s present and rushes off to play with his new puppy. Spot is disappointed and thinks that Henry no longer needs him, now that he has a new puppy as a pet. Spot runs away. While trying to cross a river in a storm, Spot gets stuck in a tree. Luckily, Henry’s new dog tracks Spot to the river. Using the fishing rod Spot bought for him, Henry is able to save both his puppy and Spot. Henry and Spot agree that the puppy can be their perfect pet.
The Widow’s Broom, by Chris Van Allsburg
Published November 15, 2012 by Dagmar
My favorite Halloween book for older listeners comes from one of my favorite children’s authors, Chris Van Allsburg. Like all of his books, The Widow’s Broom has wonderfully detailed sepia illustrations. There are magical elements and sufficient “scariness” for 3rd and 4th graders to really enjoy the book.
Synopsis: A witch falls out of the sky when her broom wears out. She leaves with another witch but leaves her old broom behind. The Widow Shaw inherits the broom and finds it to be very useful. Not only does it sweep (it’s favorite activity), but it also chops wood, fetches water and plays piano. Neighborhood children tease it as it’s sweeping. The broom makes short work of their dog (flinging it into a tree) and scares the children. When the neighbors hear about the broom, they tell Minna Shaw that it is evil. She and the broom hatch a scheme that sends the neighbors away and leaves them in peace.
Ghosts in the House! by Kazuno Kohara
Published November 15, 2012 by Dagmar
Another Halloween favorite for very young listeners. Ghosts in the House is sweet and funny with simple illustrations.
Synopsis: A girl moves into a house that’s haunted. That’s no problem, because she is a witch and likes ghosts. In fact, she finds them very useful. After throwing them into the washing machine and hanging them out to dry, her ghosts become curtains, a tablecloth and finally blankets for she and her cat.
Room on the Broom, by Julia Donaldson
Published November 15, 2012 by Dagmar
While I’m still remembering my Halloween read alouds, I want to mention one of my favorites. Room on the Broom combines great rhyming with enough repetition to keep even the youngest listener engaged. The illustrations, by Alex Scheffler, are great and the story funny and sweet. I read this to my pre-k and K classes.
Synopsis: A witch is flying on her broomstick with her cat and drops her hat. A dog finds it but asks, “Is there room on the broom for me?”. As the story progresses, the witch drops a stunning number of things and gives a ride to many different creatures. When the witch’s broom snaps in half, all her passengers fall into a bog. She flies into a cloud, only to meet a fierce dragon who wants to eat her. All of her animal friends gather themselves together. Covered with bog slime and stacked one on top of the other, they look so fearsome, they scare the dragon away. Left without a broom, the witch and her friends make a brew and create a spectacular new broomstick with room for everyone.
Cirque du Freak, book 1, A Living Nightmare, by Darren Shan
Published November 14, 2012 by Dagmar
Ah. Finally a great horror book for tweens and middle school. Darren Shan has written a book that will please your readers seeking “creepy” books. My son read the 12 books in the series in a matter of a month – six books in one week. It’s that compelling. I thought the writing was really good. I couldn’t wait to read what was going to happen next.
Synopsis: Darren Shan and his friends see a flyer advertising the Cirque du Freak. They pool their money and buy two tickets. Darren and his friend Steve win a game and get to use the tickets. They sneak out at night to an abandoned theater and are amazed at the “freaks” in the show. When Steve gets bitten by Madame Octa, a spider Darren stole from Mr. Crepsley, a member of the Cirque du Freak, the boys begin a page-turning journey into the world of vampires.
Kids' Lit Corner 