Books We Love
LANA - BLUE ROOM
The Umbrella
(Brett, Jan. The Umbrella. New York, NY: Penguin Group, 2004.)
Synopsis: The story focuses on Carlos who walks into the cloud forest with his green umbrella, where the only sound is the steady, drip, drip, drip of drops falling from the trees. Carlos is sure that he will see lots of animals so he leaves his umbrella at the foot of a giant fig tree and climbs up for a better look. Carlos encounters many animals, each one larger than the last!
DEBBIE - RED ROOM
Grow Flower, Grow!
(Bruce, Linda. Grow Flower, Grow!. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc., 1999.)
Synopsis: How do you make a flower grow? Spaghetti, pizza, and ice cream don't seem to work. When Fran gives up and tosses the flower pot outside, it gets rain, wind, and sunshine... and Fran gets a big, beautiful flower!
ANNELIESE - PURPLE ROOM
Julius, The Baby of the World
(Henkes, Kevin. Julius, The Baby of the World. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 1995.)
Synopsis: Lilly is convinced that the arrival of her new baby brother is the worst thing that has happened in their house, until Cousin Garland comes to visit.
KATI - YELLOW ROOM
Dr. Seuss's ABC
(Seuss, Dr. Dr. Seuss's ABC. New York, NY: Random House Childrens Books, 2001.)
Synopsis: "An alphabet book with zany drawings and nonsensical verse provides an entertaining way for small children to learn the letters and their sounds." - Booklist
KATHY - GREEN ROOM
Swim! Swim!
(Lerch. Swim! Swim!. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc., 2010.)
Synopsis: Lerch is one sassy, snazzy fish who seems to have it all: good looks, charm, a great sense of humor, and a perfect smile. But he's lonely (the bubbles and the pebbles ain't talkin'!) and wants to find a friend. But where? Then, with the help of an unexpected "admirer," Lerch meets Dinah, and it's true love from first glance.
CAROL - GREEN ROOM
Jump!
(Fischer, Scott. Jump!. Riverside, NJ: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, 2010.)
Synopsis: When a bug sleeping on a jug is chased by a frog, he has to jump to get away. But then that frog (who’s sleeping on a log) is in for a similar surprise! He’s attacked by a cat…who needs to jump away from a dog…and on it goes, until not even a shark is free from getting a little fright!
PAM - YELLOW ROOM
What Pet to Get?
(Dodd, Emma. What Pet to Get?. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc., 2008.)
Synopsis: Jack's mother says he can choose a pet . . . but what pet to get? An elephant? (So difficult to take on vacation.) A polar bear? (It wouldn’t like the central heating.) What about a Tyrannosaurus Rex? (Unfortunately, it’s been extinct for 65 million years.) The gate fold on the last page reveals Jack’s final choice, and a big surprise -- literally!
SYLVIA - RESOURCE TEACHER
Ponyella
(Numeroff, Laura & Evans, Nate. Ponyella. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children, 2011.)
Synopsis: In this clever retelling of a classic fairy tale, Ponyella longs to show Princess Penelope her fabulous leaps and jumps at the Tippington 25th Annual Grand Royal Pony Championship. But Plumpkin and Bun Bun, the mean ponies she shares a farm with, say that Ponyella's farm chores make her too dirty to be a champion.
But with a little help from Ponyella's fairy godmare, her coat becomes marshmallow white once again, and her mane silky and beautiful. It's love at first sight for Princess Penelope and Ponyella--but what will happen when the magic runs out at noon?
CASIE - RED ROOM
Owen
(Henkes, Kevin. Owen. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 1993.)
Synopsis: Owen had a fuzzy yellow blanket. "Fuzzy goes where I go," said Owen. But Mrs. Tweezers disagreed. She thought Owen was too old for a blanket. Owen disagreed. No matter what Mrs. Tweezers came up with, Blanket Fairies or vinegar, Owen had the answer. But when school started, Owen's mother knew just what to do, and everyone — Owen, Fuzzy, and even Mrs. Tweezers — was happy.
NANCY - PURPLE ROOM
Rhyming Dust Bunnies
(Thomas, Jan. Rhyming Dust bunnies. New York, NY: Beach Lane Books, 2009.)
Synopsis: Bug! Rug! Mug! Hug! These dust bunnies love to rhyme. Well, except for Bob Much to the other bunnies' frustration, Bob can never get the rhythm right. Then he saves everyone from a big, scary monster wielding—gasp!—a broom, and they all breath a sigh of relief. But can Bob save them from the big, scary monster's next attack? Vrrrrrroooommm...
DENISE - ORANGE ROOM
How Full is Your Bucket?
(Manning, Mauie J. and Rath, Tom. How Full is Your Bucket for Kids. New York, NY. Gallup Press, 2009.)
Synopsis: Through the story of a little boy named Felix, this charming book explains to children how being kind not only helps others, it helps them too. As he goes about his day, Felix interacts with different people — his dister Anna, his grandfather, other family and friends. Some peopl are happy, but others are grumpy or sad. Using the metaphor of a bucket and dipper, Felix' grandfather explains why the happy people make Felix feel good, while the others leave him feeling bad — and how Felix himself is affecting others, whether he means to or not.
TRACY - RESOURCE TEACHER
Library Mouse
(Kirk, Daniel. Library Mouse. Abrams, Harry N., Inc. New York, NY. 2007.)
Synopsis: Sam's home was in a little hole in the wall in the children's reference books section, and he thought that life was very good indeed. Sam read so much that finally one day he decided to write books himself! Sam shared his books with other library visitors by placing them on a bookshelf at night. Until there came the time that people wanted to meet this talented author. Whatever was Sam to do?
