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Fiction K-3 (Picture Books) |
| Non-fiction Grades 4-6 plus |
Fiction K-3 (Chapter Books) |
| Youth Non Fiction Grades 7 and up |
Fiction Grades 4-6 |
| Poetry/Novels in Poetry |
Youth Fiction Grades 7 and up |
| Suitable for All Grades |
Young Adult Grades 10 - 12 |
| Books suitable for French Immersion Students |
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Please note that although these are picture books, many of them have been used very successfully with children in Division Two as well. Many picture books are designed to be read to young children, rather than read by them, so for early readers look at the K-3 chapter book list.
See also the non-fiction K-3 list, since the distinction between fiction and non-fiction is blurred in the case of picture books.
All the Places to Love by Patricia MacLachlan (not in the Doucette)
- Read to grade 3. A little boy and the people identify all their favorite places on the farm. Very real, but with soft, lovely language. One boy said ‘he liked the rhyme’ meaning that he liked the imagery, similes. (01/07)
All the Pretty Little Horses by Linda Saport (not in the Doucette)
- Lovely pictures in rich colours illustrate this well-known lullaby. The book begins with a discussion of the song's unknown origins (and speculates that it began in slavery) and ends with a printed piano score. Great for music teachers.
Amazon Boy by Ted Lewin
- Typical of Ted Lewin's abiltiy to portray life in other cultures in words and beautiful watercolor paintings. A boy from the Amazon rainforest is excited when he's taken to town by his father, and sees the people and the markets that rely on the riches of the waters and trees of the forest. His father shares with the boy his concern for what is happening to this environment upon which they, too, depend. (02/07)
And Tango makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
- Based on a true story about two male penguins in New York City’s Central Park zoo, who hatched an egg and raised a young penguin together. A story about family. This book has been challenged by anti-gay activists. (10/06)
Aunt Isabel tells a Good One by Kate Duke (not in Doucette)
- With guidance from her niece, Aunt Isabel makes up a made-to-order story. Great for teaching about the elements of a story. (10/06)
Baby Brains by Simon James
- Whimsical text and art, and a sly send-up of parents who hype their children’s cleverness. A couple whose last name is ‘Brains’ have their first child – next morning he’s reading the morning paper, by the next day going to school, and next he’s helping the space mission. But up in space all he wants is his mommy!(11/06)
Bad Day at Riverbend by Chris van Allsburg
- An inventive spoof on a western, that will keep readers guessing about the problem that comes to Sheriff Hardy's town when the stage and horses arrive covered with a mysterious substance. Children and adults alike will chuckle when they realize that the mysterious substance is a child's crayon scribbling. (02/08)
The Birdman by Veronika Martenova Charles
- A deeply affecting story of an Indian tailor in Calcutta who finds a release for his grief about the loss of his family in buying wild birds at the local markets and freeing them. Based on a true story and with possible connections to the grade three Social Studies curriculum. (02/07)
The Birdwatchers by Simon James
- A little girl goes birdwatching with her grandfather, enjoying his teasing ‘tall tales’, and discovering the joys of nature – and ‘getting her own back’ by telling him that the thing she enjoyed most was the dancing penguins sharing her lunch. (03/06)
Blizzard's Robe by Robert Sabuda
- Beautiful illustrations capture life among the natives of the north, who face the wrath of blizzards with only fires inside their tents to protect them. When a spark from a young girl's fire destroys blizzard's robe, she sews him a new one and in return her people are given the gift of the northern lights. (12/06)
Blue Aliens: An Adventure in Color by Tony Porto and 3CD (not in Doucette)
- After watching a scary TV movie, the narrator begins to believe that aliens are eating everything blue on earth. Used with grade one students in unit on colour. (10/06)
Brave Irene by William Steig
- When her dressmaker mother is too ill to deliver it herself, Irene proves her bravery and her perseverance by trekking across the mountain in a blizzard, battling both the elements and her own fear, to deliver an evening dress to the Duchess. (02/07)
Call me Marianne by Jennifer Bryant
- A young boy's fictional encounter with an older woman at the Brooklyn zoo, Amercian poet Marianne Moore, teaches him something about the careful observation that is at the heart of poetry.(01/08)
Charlotte R by Elaine Bailey
- Self-published by a local Calgary woman, an appealing story of a toy rabbit who's left unpurchased on the toy store shelf, until finally a lady buys her. Themes about friendship, acceptance of people who are different and also about change. Participant's son loved it and recommended it. (01/07)
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
- Chrysanthemum loves her name, until she starts going to school and the other children make fun of it. In the hands of Kevin Henkes this is a charming story about a little mouse whose teacher's unusual name helps reconcile her to her own. Could be useful in exploring the connection between names and identity in social studies, along with books like 'Name Jar'.(10/07)
Circle Unbroken: The Story of a Basket and its People by Amy Raven
- An Afro-American grandmother tells her granddaughter the story of her ancestors and of the grass woven baskets they have always made. Wonderful 'storytelling' language. Could also be used with older students. (10/06)
Clara and Asha by Eric Rohmann
- A girl and her imaginary friend (a giant fish) doing things together – a story about a child’s imagination where the pictures tell a large part of the story. (11/06)
Clever Ali by Nancy Farmer
- A wonderful 'read-aloud' picture book with resemblances to the Tales of the Arabian Nights. In 12th century Cairo, Clever young Ali outsmarts the evil Sultan (with aid from an unexpected quarter). A gripping and enjoyable story, with rich language and a sense of time and place that make for all sorts of possible curriculum connections in languge arts and social studies, at many grade levels.
Click, Calck, Moo by Doreen Cronin
- Who knew that cows could type? And when they did, that they would be demanding heating blankets because the barn is cold? ....And then the hens join in!! Threats and ultimatums lead to a negotiation of sorts - with a surprise ending. Suitable for K - Grade 3. (02/08)
Curious George by H.A. Rey
- Classics that everyone remembers because all children are like this little monkey whose curiosity is always getting him in trouble.
The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish by Neil Gaiman
- Good read aloud story - kids seem to like the idea of trading dad in (and getting him back again!!). Neil Gaiman also writes a summary (in the back) of why and how he wrote the story. Helps to reinforce that story ideas can come from anywhere. Also mentioned Wolves in the Wall by the same author - a little darker so perhaps not suitable for younger grades.(02/08)
Do Princesses Really Kiss Frogs? By Carmela LaVigna Coyle and Mike Gordon (not in Doucette)
- A little girl asks a whole series of questions about princesses. Recommended as a good book for young girls; also by the same authors: Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots? (10/06)
Don’t Laugh at Me by Steve Seskin & Allen Shamblin (not in Doucette)
- A picture book adaptation of a song that encourages kindness and tolerance. (10/06)
"Don't Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus!" by Mo Willems
The Dot by Peter Reynolds
- "Just make a mark and see where it takes you." A young child who believes she can’t draw is encouraged by her teacher to just make a dot on the paper. Themes of honoring effort and overcoming convention. (10/06)
Emily's Art by Peter Catalanotto
- Emily enters her painting of a dog in the first-grade art contest, but when the judge doesn't award her the prize simply because she dislikes canines, Emily decides not to paint again - until a friend asks for her help with an art project. Could provide the basis for a discussion about being true to one's talents in the face of criticism, or about the criteria on which we 'judge' or assess the work of children. (02/08)
Encounter by Jane Yolen
- The original inhabitants of San Salvadore experience the arrival of Christopher Columbus, told through the eyes of a young native boy. (12/05)
Fantastic Mr. Fox
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantastic_Mr_Fox
- My grade 1-2s really loved it.
Fenwick's Suit by David Small
- Mild-mannered Fenwick decides that buying a new suit will help him make new friends only to have the yellow plaid suit take on a life of its own. Very humorous and full of puns. (01/07)
A fine, fine school by Sharon Creech
- Mr. Keene is a school principal who loves his school...and he thinks the school is a "fine, fine, school" - so fine , in fact that he wants to have school on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, as well as Monday to Friday. But by going to school all week and weekend (and on holidays), other parts of life are being missed out on, like skipping, climbing trees and swinging. A good read and wonderful illustrations - be sure to read the locker and backpack notes for a chuckle! (04/04/2008)
Fish is Fish by Leo Lionni
- When a tadpole comes back from exploring the world and tells his fish friend about what he has seen, the fish imagines cows and people with fins and scales. Mentioned in a Galileo workshop as demonstrating how each of us puts things in the perspective of our own experience. (03/06)
Flight of the Dodo by Peter Brown
- Frustrated because the 'flappers' seem to feel superior to the 'waddlers', Penguin and his other flightless bird friends invent a flying machine, and discover the joys of 'target pooping' - a skill that comes in handy when they get caught in a thunderstorm and need help. Children will enjoy the numerous visual jokes (as well as the scatological references!). (03/07)
Fox's Kettle by Laura Langston
- In old Japan, the daughter of a village innkeeper extends hospitality to a fox disguised as a samaurai. Pleased by Akoya's courtesy he rewards her with a magical black kettle that brings prosperity to the village's fields. Langston uses the standard folktale format skillfully to offer insight into the necessary connection between the human and natural worlds. (10/07)
The Gardener by Sarah Stewart
- In a series of letters home, depression era Lydia Grace reveals what happen when as she goes to the city to live with her Uncle Jim. She brings with her a love of gardening that finally brings a smile to her uncle's face and brightens the lives of others in the neighbourhood. Obvious connections to environmental topics and schoolyard naturalization, as well as to lessons about letter-writing, but primarily just a lovely gentle story. (10/07)
Giant Steps by Elizabeth Loredo
- Enjoy the rollicking language as five giants engage in a game of hide-and-seek. As the one who’s ‘it’ counts, the others take off in the four directions, to east, west, south, and north over snow-white slopes and bobbing icebergs and seals slippin’ and swimmin’ among the slow frozen fish.(11/06)
Good Boy, Fergus by David Shannon
- Shannon writes humorous and appealing stories, in this case about a naughty but lovable dog, and his books are great for emergent readers because the vocabulary is limited, the illustrations are vivid, and the big print makes it great for a read-aloud.(12/06)
The Girl Who Spun Gold by Virginia Hamilton
- Based on a West Indian tale called Little Man, which is like Rumpelstiltskin. In the language of the story you can hear the Caribbean lilt and it's beautifully illustrated by the outstanding team of Leo & Diane Dillon. Good for a fairytale unit, comparing versions of fairytales from different countries. (01/07)
Gossie by Olivier Dunrea
- Gossie is a gosling who likes to wear bright red boots every day - then one day she can’t find them. A sharing story. This is one of a series of small, charming books by Dunrea, each with different characters like Ollie, and Peedie, and BooBoo.(11/06)
How to Share a Grape by Trisket and Bisket.
- Sharing is never easy, especially when you're five. But it seems like twin sisters Trisket and Biskt end up having to share practically everything: even a birthday! In this fantastic book on DVD, the challenge of sharing is explored in a funny heartwarming way that is relatable to young children. Includes a mini-movie, 55 page picture book on screen, and a game. Good interactive expierience for classes K-1.
Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns to Listen by Howard Binkow (not in Doucette)
- A little rabbit discovers the consequences of not listening. Told in a humourous way and has cute illustrations, so the kids in a grade one class seemed to enjoy it.(10/07)
I Call My Hand Gentle by Amanda Haan (not in Doucette)
- Simple and illustrated with expressionist style drawings this book helps children understand the choices they make in whether they use their hands for helping or hurting. Used with grade one class. An interesting accompaniment to it might be the beautifully photographed 'coffee table' style book
Hands
I'll Make you Small by Tim Wynne-Jones
- The reclusive next-door neighbour is about to make good on his threat to make a boy small, when the realization that the boy has brought a gift with him, makes him change his mind - and we find out a little bit about the childhood that shaped him. This book could be enjoyed as just a good suspense/horror story, but there's a lot beneath the surface. (10/07)
Into the Forest by Anthony Browne
- After a boy's dad disappears, Mom sends him with a basket to visit his Grandma. He takes a shortcut through the woods and has all sorts of adventures. Reminiscent of Little Red Riding Hood - and a happy ending as well. (02/09)
Ish by Peter Reynolds
- When he discovers that his sister has put his crumpled artwork on her wall, a frustrated young artist realizes that he has managed to capture the ‘ishness’ of what he draws (i.e. the ‘vasishness’ of a vase). Used successfully with grade four class, talking about inspiration and seeing things through one’s own eyes. (10/06)
Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
- A man made of leaves blows away, traveling wherever the wind may take him. Used to discuss seasonal changes, in a dialogic approach where the children help tell the story.(10/07)
Long Night Moon by Cynthia Rylant
- A lyrical tribute to the Native American tradition of naming each month’s full moon in terms that evoke the mood of the season. Charcoal illustrations capture the magic of moonlit nights throughout the year.(11/06)
James the Dancing Dog by Linda Maybarduk
- Loosely based on a true story about a beagle who was with the National Ballet of Canada for several years and, in this story, who longs to dance on stage. (10/06)
Korean Cinderella by Shirley Climo
- A retelling of Cinderella with a Korean theme. Wonderful art throughout, as well as the incorporation of some Korean words. The tasks assigned to Pear Blossom by her step-mother have a Korean flavour, but parallel the storyline that Canadian children are more familiar with. (02/08)
The Magic Gourd by Baba Wague Diakite
- The power of well-told folktales is illustrated by this trickster story from Mali, in which Rabbit, trying to survive through a drought, does a favour for Chameleon and is rewarded with a magic gourd that fills to the brim with whatever is named. When the king takes the gourd for himself, Chameleon's produces a second gift that teaches the king a lesson in generosity and friendship. Beautifully illustrated with vividly painted ceramic art, and with helpful afternotes about Malian culture and similar folktales from other cultures. (03/07)
Museum Trip by Barbara Lehman
- The wordless story of a class field trip to a museum during which one child lags behind and ends up on an unusual 'behind-the-scenes' exploration in which he's drawn inside the drawing of a labyrinth. In the end he's reunited with his class, but we've had fun exploring the fine line between real and imagined. (10/07)
Mystery Bottle by Kristen Balouch
- When a boy uncorks a mystery bottle which has arrived in the mail, it blows him all the way to meet his grandfather in Iran. Wonderful cut-paper illustrations convey a sense of geographic movement. It can be taken at face value as a story of family love, or at the deeper level of exploring what happens to families when politics intervene as they did when the author's father-in-law sent his son out of Iran just before the revolution. (03/07)
My Chair by Betsy James
- A wonderful example of what on creativity assessments is called fluency: the ability to come up with multiple uses for something. Here it’s all the possible variations on what can be a chair and what a chair can be used for. The “picture in the imagination” on each page, helps us understand the “picture in reality’ that’s also there. (02/07)
My Many Colored Days by Dr Seuss
- Read to a 7-year-old who thought it was awesome. Uses a spectrum of colors to give perspective to feelings and moods.(11/06)
My Wishes for You by Adele Geras (not in the Doucette)
- Suggested as a good book to give to adults who are parents, or teachers. It's a love poem to a young child: "I wish you-/Light from behind the/hill spilling into the sky./Kisses to wake you,/warm sun on your face." (01/07)
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
- Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious that American kids will like her. So instead of introducing herself on the first day of school, she tells the class that she will choose a name by the following week. Although her new classmates are fascinated and decide to help out by filling a glass jar with names for her to pick from, she finally chooses her real name. (02/07)
The Nativity by Julie Vivas
- The traditional nativity story, told through excerpts from the King James Version of the Bible, but with very unusual illustrations that add an element of whimsy and warmth.(12/06)
Nonsense by Sally Phillips
- By introducing her theme with rhymes and collages about animals engaging in ludicrous activities (each of which is nonsense), Phillips successfully delivers the non-preachy message that kids can also say Nonsense when people say negative things about them. (03/06)
One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor Pinczes
- Used in a grade one/two math class following a brainstorming sessions about all the ways to make 100. The kids loved that 'the author thought of the same things we did". Another person used it successully, in a different way, in a grade four class.(03/07)
Pancakes for Supper by Anne Isaacs. (02/07)
The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown
- By looking at what’s important about a variety of everyday objects, children learn to look at what the essence of something is. (10/06)
Pedro and the Monkey by Robert San Souci
- A sly monkey secures the fortune of his young owner in this Filipino version of the traditional European Puss in Boots. A good story for a unit about cross-cultural connections.(02/07)
Perfect Man by Troy Wilson
- This is a great childrens book about a child whose role model may, or may not, be his homeroom teacher.
Piggie Pie by Margie Palatini
- Gritch the witch flies to Old MacDonald's farm for some pigs to make a piggie pie, but when she arrives she can't find a single one. Somewhat of a trickster tale, with great robust illustrations. (10/07)
Picturescape by Elisa Gutierrez
- This is a "book without words". Intended for PreK to Grade 2, it was used successfully with Grade 6 ESL students to prepare them for PATs. This is a wonderful visual picture of Canada through some of our great artists. The story is about a boy who visits an art gallery and is swept inside the pictures - incredible graphics!! (02/08)
Piggybook by Anthony Browne
- A feminist tale. When Mrs. Piggott unexpectedly disappears one day, leaving behind a note saying "you are pigs' for her demanding husband and sons, they begin to realize just how much she did for them. Browne's trademark clever illustrations reveal pigs everywhere. Would tie in very well to a unit about family in Social Studies (or family responsibilities in Health). (03/07)
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
- Recommended for social studies connections about social responsibility and citizenship. Miss Rumphius is old now, but she’s fulfilled her childhood vows to go to faraway places, live by the sea, and do something to make the world more beautiful- In her case, planting lupines everywhere she went.(02/06)
Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister (not in Doucette)
- The most beautiful fish in the entire ocean discovers the real value of personal beauty and friendship. (10/06)
Rainbow Goblins - not in Doucette; link is to MacKimmie Library copy
- Seven evil goblins drain the color out of rainbows, bringing sadness, and then hide in a cave in the valley where rainbows are created. Reviewers all praise the beautiful artwork and it was used in various elementary grades to inquiry into Plato's allegory of the cave. (02/08)
Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton
- What do you do if you’re a sheep and can’t go to sleep? Pure fun. (10/06)
Sam and the Tigers: A New Telling of Little Black Sambo by Julius Lester
- One of the most popular children's books of the first half of the twentieth century was the amusing, trickster tale Little Black Sambo but it was subsequently attacked for racism primarily due to the stereotypical drawings of black characters (which were also totally inappropriate for a tale that was originally set in India). Lester's version is told in a narrative in which one hears the rhythmic language of the American South, in a land named SamSamSamara where everyone is named Sam and the animals and people live together. Sam too gets dressed up, fools the tigers, they spin themselves into butter. Lester talks about the history of this book and why he wanted to reclaim it as his own. A version that is faithful to the original by Helen Bannerman, but clearly set in India, is The Story of Little Babaji. A new, and much less successful, retelling can be found in Pancakes for Supper by Anne Isaacs. (02/07)
Sector 7 by David Wiesner
- As with all David Wiesner’s wordless picture books, the more you look the more there is to see and the more story possibilities exist. Used with students from K to 4, telling the story differently every time and could be used to have students write their own story of what is going on in the pictures. (02/06)
Shoo Fly by Iza Trapani (not in the Doucette)
- Another successful book by an author who has adapted many popular songs into children's picture books. Children will enjoy the cute pictures and story of the mouse being bothered by a fly, all set into a rhyme that works with the familiar song.
Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner
- Great read-aloud (with a Spanish accent) for almost any grade. Very funny.
- Also Skippyjon Jones in the Doghouse. (12/05)
Solomon's Tree by Andea Spalding
- A boy's grief for a fallen maple tree is lessened when his uncle, a carver in the native Pacific Northwest tradition, creates a mask from its wood. Simply told but because it's conceptually advanced worked well with a grade 6 class as a tie-in for the trees and forests unit. (09/07)
Somebody Loves You, Mr Hatch by Eileen Spinelli (not in the Doucette)
- Receiving an anonymous valentine note and candy transforms timid Mr Hatch's lacklustre life. Because he feels loved he starts being generous to everyone around him, and this generosity is repaid by the neighbours and co-workers who support him when it turns out the gift was not really meant for him. The story is well-complemented by illustrations that change from sombre to bright as Mr Hatch's life changes. (03/07)
Squids will be Squids by Jon Scieszka
- Contemporary fables with a large element of silliness. Introduction includes hints from this popular author about turning everyday life into stories but using animal characters. (02/06)
The Story of the Little Mole Who Knew It Was None of His Business by Werner Kolzwarth
- A mole wakes up with giant ‘poop’ on his head that he knows isn’t his. Read to grade 7 class who loved the ‘toilet humor’ and who then put together a murder mystery. (12/05)
The storytellers by Ted Lewin
- The magic of storytelling comes alive in this book about Abdul and his grandfather, as they wind their ways through the streets of Fez. Simply told, with some Arabic terms used throughout and wonderful illustrations. 02/08
The Subway Mouse by Barbara Reid
- Reid uses plasticine and artifacts to create her picture – great example for art projects. [There are two books in the non-fiction collection in which Reid shows how she does her style of art: Playing with Plasticine and Fun with Modeling Clay (12/05)
Theodoric’s Rainbow by Stephen Kramer
- Theodoric of Freiberg, a Dominican friar of the early fourteenth century, discovers how sunlight and drops of water make rainbows. Used for introducing colours and the rainbow to primary children. Good for looking at scientific inquiry, curiosity and for cross-curricular integration. (12/05)
There Have Always Been Foxes by Maxine Trottier; illus. by Regolo Ricci
- Beautiful soft oil-paint illustrations make this a good lead-in for nature study, though the intent of the book is to tell the history of Fortress Louisbourg, in Cape Breton, from the perspective of the foxes who have always lived in their area. (03/06)
Three Silly Billies by Margie Palatini
- In this amusing variation on The Three Billy Goats Gruff, the three silly billies find they don't have enough money to cross the 'troll bridge', until they combine their coins with Little Red Riding Hood, the Three Bears and a skateboarding Jack (of beanstalk fame) to add up to 100. Possibilites for math class and language arts, with its great use of puns and fairytales, but mostly just a lot of fun.(03/07)
Toot and Puddle by Holly Hobbie
- About two pig friends, one is a homebody and the other likes to travel. Kids can learn about the nature of friendship because although they are quite different they are close friends. The postcard correspondence in the story could make a language arts curriculum connection. (12/06)
Tracks in the Snow by Wong Herbert Lee
- A little girl in a bright red coat has great fun rambling over the winter wonderland around her home, as she tries to solve the mystery of some tracks in the snow. Can your students predict whose tracks they are? Written in rhyme.(11/06)
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka, illus by Lane Smith.
Wednesday Surprise by Eve Bunting
- Every Wednesday Grandma and Anna work toward preparing a surprise for Anna's father, which appears to be that Grandma is teaching Anna to read. The surprise is that it's the reverse - a heart-warming story of the connections formed through literature and love. (02/07)
While Mama had a Quick Little Chat by Amy Reichert
- While Rose's mother has a "quick chat" on the telephone, Rose is supposed to get ready for bed but finds she is hosting a party instead. (10/06)
Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar? by Christine Schneider (not in Doucette)
- Young children and music teachers for preschoolers will enjoy this book in which textured cookies disappear as you turn each page and sing the familiar song. Also useful in teaching counting.
Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Book? by Lauren Child
- A little boy falls asleep on his book and falls into the story, only to discover all the problems he’s caused by defacing books: Prince Charming is missing, the ugly sisters are upside down, the queen has no throne. The telephones in all the pictures allow various characters to phone one another and make trouble for him. A hilarious read, used very successfully with a grade six class studying fairytales. (03/06)and (02/08)
Wombat Stew by Marcia Vaughan & Pamela Lofts (not in Doucette)
Zoom by Istvan Banyai
- A wordless picture book presents a series of scenes, each one from a more distant perspective, showing for example a girl playing with toys which is actually a picture on a magazine cover, which is part of a sign on a bus, and so on. Readers will be intrigued to ask 'What am I really seeing here?' (10/07)
