This is Just to Say
I have read the book that parodies Wiliam Carlos Williams
and that should probably be returned to the library
Forgive me It is so hilarious and it is staying on my bookshelf.
Tag Archives: picture books
A Couple of Caldecotts
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
Ages 3 through adult
This book is simple, and hilarious! Willems did an excellent job with the consistent drawings, limited colors, and easy to read text. In spite of its simplicity, the book expresses a range of emotions through tiny color changes, and expressions from the pigeon, as he builds himself up to a tantrum. Enjoy the book, and enjoy the pigeon’s humorous attempts to convince you to fold, but whatever you do… “Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus!”
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Tops & Bottoms by Janet Stevens
Ages 5 to 10
This book is engineered in a unique way! To go along with the theme of tops and bottoms, Stevens crafted the book so that it has to be rotated to read it. In other words, the left and right pages, are really the top and bottom, respectively. The story is about a lazy bear, and a hardworking, sly rabbit who keeping making deals regarding harvest time.
My Rating: 4 Stars
The Ugly Duckling by Jerry Pinkney
Ages 4 to adult
The story is adapted from Hans Christian Anderson tale, and the beautiful watercolor is all Pinkney’s. Come for the award-winning artwork, and stay for the classic tale.
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
For the Love of Picture Books
When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really, Angry by Molly Bang
Ages 3 to 8
Sophie gets angry when her sister snatches her toys. At first, she starts to explode, but then she runs and runs and finds something beautiful to help her calm down.
My Rating: 3 Stars
Vera Rides a Bike by Vera Rosenberry
Ages 3 to 7
When Vera’s bright red tricycle disappears, she get Elaine’s hand-me-down bike. The riding it part isn;t that difficult, but stopping causes some problems for Vera.
My Rating: 2 Stars
George Shrinks by William Joyce
Ages 3 to 7
While his parents are away, George experiences the day as a teeny-tiny boy. He accomplishes everything that his parents asked him to do, just from a different perspective. The fun illustrations add so much to this story.
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
Ages 4 to 10
Sylvester, who has collection of pebbles, comes across a very special pebble. It has the power to makes Sylvester’s wishes come true. Unfortunately, Sylvester makes a wish that seems like the right thing for the moment, but its effects are long-lasting.
My Rating: 5 Stars
Picture Books about Night
At Night by Jonathon Bean
Ages 4 to 7
When a little girl can’t get to sleep, she finds a place that works better than er own bed. (Follow the black cat through the pages of the story too!)
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Smoky Night by Eve Bunting
Ages 8 to 18
On a night full of rioting and fire, in a city with racism, Daniel learns an important lesson from his cat Jasmine.
My Rating: 4 Stars
Bedtime for Frances By Russell Hoban
Ages 3 to 103
Frances does NOT want to go to bed. After requesting milk and more goodnight kisses, Frances has to face the things in the dark. She even made up a song to try to fall asleep, but it only got her thinking about tigers. . . Father has some good ideas about how to help Frances finally get to sleep.
My Rating: 5 Stars
Picture (Books) Worth a Thousand Words
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
Ages 5 through 105
Grace is an amazing girl, who can do all kinds of things. She decides that she want s to be Peter Pan in the school play. Someone tells her that she can’t because Peter is a boy. Someone else tells her that Peter is not black. Fortunately, Grace has an amazing Nana who knows just what to do!
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.
Ages 2 to 6
Repetitive patterns and familiar animals make this book a fun way to read, learn about colors, and play with words.
My Rating: 3 Stars
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Ages 2 through 8
This artistically crafted book tells the tale of a hungry caterpillar who eats his way through many things. Children have fun counting, and finding out what happens after he ate enough to cause a stomachache.
My Rating: 4 Stars
Ages 2 through 6
Funny pictures fill the pages as David gets in trouble and is told “No.” This book was based on a book that the author wrote when he was young, but he has added a nice ending.
My Rating: 3 Stars
Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback
Ages 4 through 8
Based on an old Yiddish folk song, this book tells the tale of Joseph’s overcoat, and what Joseph does when it wears out.
My Rating: 3 Stars
Ages 5 to 105
Beautiful illustrations tell the beautiful tale of a boys love for America (California in particular) and Japan. The love for both countries was inspired by his grandfather’s travels.
My Rating: 4 Stars
Picture Books
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
Grades pre-K through 3 (and beyond)
Chrysanthemum is anxious to go to school for the first time ever. When she gets there, all of the girls make fun of her name. Chrysanthemum’s parents support her, but make her keep going to school, where she learns about much more than just reading and writing.
My Rating: 5 stars
Round Trip by Ann Jonas
Any age/grade
This book is as much artwork as it is a story. In the story, the reader passes through the country, and into the city, visiting many places. When the book is flipped, the reader takes the trip back, viewing the pictures from a different, yet brilliant point of view.
My rating: 4 stars
The Pirate of Kindergarten by George Ella Lyon
Grades Pre-k through 2
Ginny loved school and books, but was sometimes clumsy and saw things in twos. When she was tested by an eye-doctor, he discovers that Ginny has double vision. She handles the treatment well, and becomes the pirate of kindergarten.
My Rating: 3 stars
Click, Clack, MOO: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
Grades Pre-K through 5
Farmer Brown has all kinds of trouble when his cows get hold of a typewriter. They started typing out demands and going on strike. Farmer Brown might be able to outsmart them, but will his troubles really be over?
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Hello world!
This blog will cover books that I have completed reading, and my rating of such. My intention is to enable students to find books they may enjoy. My other purpose is to remember some details about the books after I have read them, given that I am reading so many, so rapidly. When I list ages or grade ranges for the books, these are not reading levels. Reading levels do not account for interests and appropriateness for a given reader. For example, a ten-year-old who can read at a 12th grade reading level, should not be reading about affairs and politics just because he/she can. Likewise, and adult with a lower reading level is probably not interested in reading about a child’s kindergarten class.
The Read-e-ologist 
