Children's Books for Parents and Teachers » Best of Lists

A Wrinkle in Time

admin — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:20:06 +0000

Meg Murry and her friends become involved with unearthly strangers and a search for Meg’s father, who disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

admin — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 03:03:46 +0000

He could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. He went to sleep with gum in his mouth and woke up with gum in his hair. When he got out of bed, he tripped over his skateboard and by mistake dropped his sweater in the sink while the water was running. He could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Nothing at all was right. Everything went wrong, right down to lima beans for supper and kissing on TV. What do you do on a day like that? Well, you may think about going to Australia. You may also be glad to find that some days are like that for other people too.

Are You My Mother?

admin — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 03:05:09 +0000

It is the story about a mother bird who knows her egg will be in her nest where she left it, so she leaves him alone to go and get something for him to eat. The baby bird hatches. He doesn’t understand where his mother is so he goes to look for her. In his search, he asks a kitten, a hen, a dog, and a cow if they are his mother. They each say, “No.”

Then he sees an old car, which can’t be his mother for sure. In desperation, the hatchling calls out to a boat and a plane, and at last, convinced he has found his mother, he climbs onto the teeth of an enormous power shovel. But he is betrayed by the behemoth, as it shudders and grinds into motion. He can’t escape. “I want my mother!” he shouts.

But at this climactic moment, his fate is suddenly reversed. The shovel drops him back in his nest, just as his mother is returning home, and the two are reunited, much to their delight. He then tells her about the adventure he had looking for her.

Bad Case of Stripes

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 01:38:02 +0000

Camilla Cream loves lima beans, but she never eats them. Why? Because the other kids in her school don’t like them. And Camilla Cream is very, very worried about what other people think of her. In fact, she’s so worried that she’s about to break out in…a bad case of stripes!

Bark, George

admin — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 18:20:29 +0000

“Bark,” instructs George’s mother, but he responds, “Meow!” The problem is, George is a dog. So his mother repeats, “Bark.” But George responds, “Quack-quack.” Finally, George has to go to the vet, where he learns to bark. (But there’s still a surprise ending.)

Because of Winn-Dixie

admin — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 18:51:29 +0000

Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni has no idea what’s in store for her when she moves to a new town — least of all that she’ll adopt a big, ugly dog and name him after a supermarket. This young-adult novel brings a community’s integrity and diversity to life.

Bunnicula

admin — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 03:06:54 +0000

This book is written by Harold. His fulltime occupation is dog. He lives with Mr. and Mrs. Monroe and their sons Toby and Pete. Also sharing the home are a cat named Chester and a rabbit named Bunnicula. It is because of Bunnicula that Harold turned to writing. Someone had to tell the full story of what happened in the Monroe household after the rabbit arrived. Was Bunnicula really a vampire? Only Bunnicula knows for sure. But the story of Chester’s suspicions and their consequences makes uproarious reading. Since its first appearance in 1979, Bunnicula has been a hit with kids and their parents everywhere, selling over 8 million copies and winning numerous awards.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 01:56:31 +0000

When Charlie Bucket finds himself the proud winner of a Golden Ticket in a chocolate bar, he knows he has the greatest treat in the world in store for him. Join Charlie on his fantastic world-famous adventures in Willy Wonka’s miraculous chocolate factory, where he sees strawberry-juice water pistols, luminous lollipops, a chocolate river, and … Continue reading →

Charlotte’s Web

admin — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 22:29:42 +0000

Wilbur the pig, is desolate when he discovers that he is destined to be the farmer’s Christmas dinner, Then his spider friend, Charlotte, decides to help him. It is a wonderful story filled with humor and examples of what it really means to be a friend. The book will not dissapoint, even if kids have … Continue reading →

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

admin — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 19:50:34 +0000

“A told B, / and B told C, / I’ll beat you to the top of the coconut tree.” Rascally A entices the whole alphabet up the tree, but the tree cannot handle the weight. All the lowercase letters come crashing to the ground, “Chicka chicka… BOOM! BOOM!” Uppercase letters rush in to comfort the little ones, and all is well-for a while-in this irresistible alphabet book. Ehlert’s bright, graphic illustrations join the jazzy foot-tapping rhyme. Watch out for that imp, A!

Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type

admin — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 19:44:22 +0000

What happens when a bunch of cows get hold of a typewriter? They start making demands. “Click, clack, moo. Clickety, clack, moo.” Translation? “The barn is very cold at night. We’d like some electric blankets.” When Farmer Brown refuses to give them what they want, they go on strike and bring the hens and ducks along with them. A wonderful read-aloud with warm, watercolor illustrations, this early lesson in political organizing will have teachers and students howling — and mooing and quacking.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

admin — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 04:07:06 +0000

The tiny town of Chewandswallow was very much like any other tiny town except for its weather which came three times a day, at breakfast, lunch and dinner. But it never rained rain and it never snowed snow and it never blew just wind. It rained things like soup and juice. It snowed things like mashed potatoes. And sometimes the wind blew in storms of hamburgers. Life for the townspeople was delicious until the weather took a turn for the worse. The food got larger and larger and so did the portions. Chewandswallow was plagued by damaging floods and storms of huge food. The town was a mess and the pople feared for their lives.
Something had to be done, and in a hurry.

Corduroy

admin — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 19:22:40 +0000

Curduroy has become one of the best-loved bears in children’s literature. His stories have become irresistible childhood classics, as basic and appealing as a small bear’s desire for a home and a friend. This beautiful, lap-sized board book is perfect for sharing with little ones.

Crunching carrots, not candy: a fun nutritional picture book for kids

admin — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 01:34:33 +0000

Author/Illustrator Judy Slack does an excellent job of drawing children and adults into the world of nutrition with her colored pencil illustrations. She uses color to help kids remember to eat a balanced diet. Exercise ideas are included as well. The book contains both English and Spanish.

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

admin — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 03:02:08 +0000

When a bus driver takes a break from his route, a very unlikely volunteer springs up to take his place — a pigeon! But you’ve never met one like this before. As he pleads, wheedles, and begs his way through the book, children will love being able to answer back and decide his fate. In … Continue reading →

From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 01:44:21 +0000

Claudia knew that she could never pull off the old-fashioned kind of running away…so she decided not to run FROM somewhere, but TO somewhere. And so, after some careful planning, she and her younger brother, Jamie, escaped — right into a mystery that made headlines!

Goodnight Moon

admin — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:36:29 +0000

After fifty years, this story is still going strong and it’s now available in a board book edition. It is a soothing bedtime story that parents can now read to their very young ones. All of the elements are there, alternating black and white and full color spreads and the little mouse who appears in … Continue reading →

Green Eggs and Ham

admin — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 19:33:03 +0000

Dr. Seuss turns 50 simple words into magic in this time-honored classic. Sam-I-am won’t give up! He keeps trying to get the grumpy grown-up in the story to taste green eggs and ham. No matter how Sam-I-am presents the green eggs and ham (in a box, with a fox, in the rain, on a train), the curmudgeon refuses to try them. Finally, Sam-I-am’s pesky persistence pays off. A crowd of open-mouthed onlookers watch in suspense as the old grouch takes a bite. And?…SAY! The old sourpuss’s face is wreathed in smiles as he gratefully acknowledges, “I do so like green eggs and ham. Thank you, thank you, Sam-I-am!”

Guess How Much I Love You

admin — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:43:19 +0000

Listen to a dramatic reading of this beloved tale accompanied by music and sound effects, and get ready for a whole story experience! Acclaimed actor Adrian Dunbar presents nearly a full hour of interactive fun, including story-inspired games, activities, songs, and suggestions for simple crafts. Perfect for both individuals and groups–at home, in the car, … Continue reading →

Harold and the Purple Crayon

admin — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:47:35 +0000

Harold’s wonderful purple crayon makes everthing he draws become real. One evening, Harold draws a path and a moon and goes for a walk-and the moon comes too. After many adventures, Harold gets tired and can’t find his bedroom. Finally, he remembers that the moon always shines through his bedroom window. He draws himself a bed, and “the purple crayon dropped on the floor, and Harold dropped off to sleep.” This little gem is filled with visual and written puns.

Hop on Pop

admin — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 19:51:25 +0000

Back in 1957, Theodor Geisel responded to an article in Life magazine that lamented the use of boring reading primers in schools. Using the pseudonym of “Dr. Seuss” (Seuss was Geisel’s middle name) and only two hundred twenty-three words, Geisel created a replacement for those dull primers: “The Cat in the Hat.” The instant success of the book prompted Geisel and his wife to found Beginner Books, and Geisel wrote many popular books in this series, including “Hop on Pop,” “Fox in Socks,” and “Green Eggs and Ham.” Other favorite titles in this series are “Go, Dog, Go!” and “Are You My Mother?” by P. D. Eastman, “A Fly Went By,” by Mike McClintock, and “Put Me in the Zoo,” by Robert Lopshire. These affordable hardcover books combine large print, easy vocabulary, and large, bright illustrations in stories kids will want to read again and again.

Horton Hatches the Egg

admin — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 19:53:55 +0000

Poor Horton. Dr. Seuss’s kindly elephant is persuaded to sit on an egg while its mother, the good-for-nothing bird lazy Maysie, takes a break. Little does Horton know that Maysie is setting off for a permanent vacation in Palm Springs. He waits, and waits, never leaving his precarious branch, even through a freezing winter and a spring that’s punctuated by the insults of his friends. (“They taunted. They teased him. They yelled ‘How Absurd! Old Horton the Elephant thinks he’s a bird!’”) Further indignities await, but Horton has the patience of Job–from whose story this one clearly derives–and he is rewarded in the end by the surprise birth of… an elephant-bird. Horton Hatches the Egg contains some of Theodor Geisel’s most inspired verse and some of his best-ever illustrations, the dated style of which only accentuates their power and charm. A book no childhood should be without. — Richard Farr

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

admin — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 20:11:32 +0000

The Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small, hates Who-ville’s holiday celebrations, and plans to steal all the presents to prevent Christmas from coming. To his amazement, Christmas comes anyway, and the Grinch discovers the true meaning of the holiday.

I Love You, Stinky Face

admin — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:24:09 +0000

“But Mama, but Mama, what if I were a super smelly skunk, and I smelled so bad that my name was Stinky Face?”Mothers love their children and this unconditional love is truly tested in I LOVE YOU, STINKY FACE. Lisa McCourt and Cyd Moore beautifully weave a reassuring tale of the love and affection of a parent. The imaginative son turns himself into a meat-eating dinosaur, a swamp creature and much, much more before being satisfied with the fact that no matter how stinky he is or how slimy of a creature he could possibly be, he is loved and nothing will change that.

Inkheart

admin — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 01:46:23 +0000

From the author of the sensational New York Times bestseller The Thief Lord comes a thrilling new adventure about magic and self-discovery. Meggie lives a quiet life alone with her father, a bookbinder. But her father has a deep secret–he possesses an extraordinary magical power. One day a mysterious stranger arrives who seems linked to her father’s past. Who is this sinister character and what does he want? Suddenly Meggie is involved in a breathless game of escape and intrigue as her father’s life is put in danger. Will she be able to save him in time?

Junie B. Jones’s First Boxed Set Ever!

admin — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:27:57 +0000

Soak up some sassy and fresh stories in this fabulous box set from everybody’s favorite kindergartner, Junie B. Jones. This four-book collection chronicles the first four adventures in the highly popular series from award-winning writer Barbara Park. Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus, Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business, Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth, and Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying are featured in all their hilarious glory.

Junie B. is a feisty firecracker with her own sense of style, strong opinions, and a serious loathing for the stinky yellow school bus. Junie B. exhibits the many traits of a headstrong youngster, from her persistence to her amusing defiance. And just try and keep up with her raidly developing philosophy. Volumes can be written about this girlie’s worldview, from cribs (“A crib is a bed with bars on the side of it. It’s kind of like a cage at the zoo. Except with a crib, you can put your hand through the bars. And the baby won’t pull you in and kill you”) to water fountains (“No putting your mouth on the water spout. Or else germs will get inside you. And you will die”). Full of surprises and endowed with an extra-large sense of humor, Junie B. Jones is decidedly the funniest kindergartner in the world.

Knots on a Counting Rope

admin — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:26:58 +0000

In this poignant story, the counting rope is a metaphor for the passage of time and for a boy’s emerging confidence in facing his blindness.

Last Holiday Concert

admin — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 21:45:46 +0000

Winterhope. It didn’t sound like much, but it was a big idea. A very big idea.

It all started when Hart Evans zinged a rubber band that hit Mr. Meinert, the chorus director. Actually, it started before that, when Mr. Meinert learned he was out of a job because the town budget couldn’t afford music and art teachers. Mr. Meinert got so mad at Hart that he told the sixth graders he’d had it — they could produce the big holiday concert on their own. Or not. It was all up to them.

What happens when a teacher steps aside and lets the kids run the show? Not what Mr. Meinert would have predicted. And not what Hart Evans would have guessed, not at all.

Out of chaos, infighting, compromise, idealism, and finally, a fragile peace, the sixth grade choral concert was born. And they called it Winterhope.

But would it be the last holiday concert of them all?

Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse

admin — Sat, 05 May 2007 15:38:15 +0000

Lilly loves everything about school, especially her cool teacher, Mr. Slinger. But when Lilly brings her purple plastic purse and its treasures to school and can’t wait until sharing time, Mr. Slinger confiscates her prized possessions. Lilly’s fury leads to revenge and then to remorse and she sets out to make amends.

Little House in the Big Woods

admin — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:30:15 +0000

Laura Ingalls’s story begins in 1871 in a little log cabin on the edge of the Big Woods of Wisconsin. Four-year-old Laura lives in the little house with her Pa, her Ma, her sisters Mary and Carrie, and their trusty dog, Jack.

Pioneer life is sometimes hard, since the family must grow or catch all their own food as they get ready for the cold winter. But it is also exciting as Laura and her folks celebrate Christmas with homemade toys and treats, do the spring planting, bring in the harvest, and make their first trip into town. And every night they are safe and warm in their little house, with the happy sound of Pa’s fiddle sending Laura and her sisters off to sleep.

And so begins Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved story of a pioneer girl and her family. The nine Little House books have been cherished by generations of readers as both a unique glimpse into America’s frontier past and a heartwarming, unforgettable story.