Book Critiques

1.Title:Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet | ISBN: 0802795633

Author: David McLimans | Illustrartor: David McLimans
Genre: informational, nonfiction, animal science | Awards:caldecot
Reading Level: 3rd
Publisher: Walker and company | Copyright: 2006
Summary and Critique: This book would have an interest level of about 3rd-5th grade. The
book uses beautiful imagery to give information about an endangered animal for each letter of
the alphabet.
Personal Reflection: The pictures turn a subject which could be dry into a very eye-catching,
and intriguing topic. This book is a great option for teaching both male and female students.
Although this book is probably more appropriate for students in 3-5 grade, the book could easily
be used in younger grades as a simple review of the alphabet.
Pedagogical Use:
science: have students play this online game which gives information about endangered
species
athttp://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/endangered_animals/endanger
ed_game.htm
Geography: Have students connect where each endangered animal's habitat is located by
using this interactive map to label each country with the animal that lives
there.http://mapmaker.education.nationalgeographic.com/?ar_a=1&b=1&ls=000000000000

2.Title:Cinderella | ISBN: 9780689814747

Author: Marcia Brown | Illustrartor: Marcia Brown
Genre: Traditional Fantasy | Awards:caldecott
Reading Level: 2nd
Publisher: Troll Associates | Copyright: 1954
Summary and Critique: A mistreated daughter named Cinderella is forced to do many house
hold chores. Cinderella is a good girl who never questions the authority of her Step Mother or
Step Sisters. Cinderella doesn't believe she will be able to attend the Prince's town ball until she
gets a visit from her fairy god mother. Cinderella and the Prince fall in love despite the obstacles
of her oppressive family.
Personal Reflection: This is a classic tale of Cinderella. I don't really actually like this version of
it. I think this particular book is a little outdated. I think there are other versions of the novel that
would better catch a young student's eye.
Pedagogical Use:
Language Arts: Ask students to create their own fairy tale on this online fairytale
generator.http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/make-your-own/story-maker
Math: Use Cinderella to get students excited to play an online math game. Use this Castle
themed multiplication game as a way to help kids practice multiplication tables.
http://www.multiplication.com/games/play/castle-quests

3.Title:The Giver | ISBN: 0440237688

Author: Lois Lowry | Illustrartor:
Genre: utopian Science Fiction | Awards:newbery
Reading Level: 5th
Publisher: Laurel Leaf Books | Copyright: 1993
Summary and Critique: An 11 year old boy named Jonas is about to turn 12. In his utopian 12
is the age where children are placed into training for the job they will hold for the rest of their life.
Jonas is set apart is trained by The Giver who will turn his perfect world upside down and help
him discover feelings he didn't know existed.
Personal Reflection: This book honestly one of the best books I've ever read. I was extremely
drawn in by the description of this perfect world. The vast difference between the description of
the utopia before and after Jonas meets The Giver kept me on the edge of my seat the entire
time. The intriguing but serious content of the book make in a perfect class read.
Pedagogical Use:
History: use some of the events that Jonas acquired in his memory and create a timeline of
events using an online timeline generator.
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/timeline_2/
Language Arts: ask students to create a 90 second trailer for The Giver using an ipad camera.
Ask students to create a script for their trailer.
4.Title:Grandfather's Journey | ISBN: 9781606861936
Author: Allen Say | Illustrartor: Allen Say
Genre: historic fiction picture book | Awards:caldecott
Reading Level: 2nd
Publisher: houghton mifflin company | Copyright: 1993
Summary and Critique: A grandfather describes his journey from Japan to North America. The
grandfather discusses his love for both Japan and North America. The Grandfather tells a story
of how he made both places home.
Personal Reflection: This book had beautiful illustrations. The book touches on a sensitive
subjects such as moving, creating a new home, and missing home. The book goes through
three generation of people.
Pedagogical Use:
Language Arts- Ask students to take pictures or draw pictures of their homes. Have students
create an online journal discussing their home and their feelings about their home.
http://penzu.com is an online journal cite.
Social Studies- Have students take this online virtual tour of a Japanese house in order to
learn about Japanese Culture. Discuss with students the difference between a home in America
and a home in Japan. http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/virtual/house/house04.html
5.Title:Moses | ISBN: 9780786851751
Author: carole boston weatherford | Illustrartor: Kadir Nelson
Genre: historic nonfiction picture book | Awards:caldecott
Reading Level: 2nd

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion | Copyright: 2006

Summary and Critique: Describes both the spiritual and literal journey of Harriet Tubman on
her escape to freedom. Touches on historic topics of slavery and the division of northern and
southern states.
Personal Reflection: This book would be a great supplement to a lesson on slavery. You would
have to be careful using this book in a public school setting because there are a lot of religious
references.
Pedagogical Use:
History: Have students use this online scavenger hunt to learn more about the life of Harriet
Tubman. Students could be allowed to work in teams in order to enhance collaboration.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/underground_railroad/harriet_tubman.htm
Geography- Ask students to use this interactive map to learn more about the differences
between the North and South during the time of slavery.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/underground_railroad/map.htm
6.Title:Joseph Had a Little Overcoat | ISBN: 9780439216975
Author: Simms Taback | Illustrartor: Simms Taback
Genre: Fiction Picture Book | Awards:Caldecott Medal,
Reading Level: 1st
Publisher: The Penguin Group | Copyright: 1999
Summary and Critique: The book describes a man who starts out with a long overcoat. The
material that makes up the overcoat keeps getting worn out at certain areas so Joseph keeps
turning his overcoat into a different piece of clothing. The moral of the story is you can always
make something out of nothing.
Personal Reflection: I thought this book taught a beautiful lesson with beautiful imagery. The
book would be appealing to both boys and girls.
Pedagogical Use:
Music: Students will see the book come to life through the song at the back of the book by
watching this youtube video link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ37_s7X3jA. Students will
then use Microsoft word to type out their favorite verse of the song and decorate their page.
Pages will be printed and shared with class.
Science:Students will watch this video on recycling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=SKvGgb3YcDQ. Students will create a prezzie on how can use one object in a variety of ways
7.Title:Kitten's First Full Moon | ISBN: 9781416911081
Author: kevin henkes | Illustrartor: Kevin Henkes
Genre: fictional picutre book | Awards:caldacott
Reading Level: 1st
Publisher: Harper Collins | Copyright: 2004
Summary and Critique: A kitten believes that the full moon is a bowl of milk. Kitten spends the
night trying to reach his bowl of milk with no success.
Personal Reflection: I thought this was a cute story that could be used in young grades to
introduce the fact that there are different phases of the moon. The pictures are very important in
this book.

Pedagogical Use:
astronomy: Teach students vocabulary for phases of the moon. Have students view this online
diagram of the phases of the moon. http://www.wonderville.ca/asset/phases-of-the-moon . Have
students discover what phase the moon is on tonight using this online tracker.
http://stardate.org/nightsky/moon
Vocabulary- Have students use http://www.synonym.com/synonyms/ to find synonyms for
vocab words. Have students create sticky notes of their new words using
http://www.synonym.com/synonyms/
8.Title:A Visit to William Blake's Inn | ISBN: 0-15-293823-0
Author: Nancy Willard | Illustrartor: Alice and Martin Provensen
Genre: children's picture poetry book | Awards:caldecott, john newbery medal
Reading Level: 4th
Publisher: Harcourt Brace & Company | Copyright: 1981
Summary and Critique: A Visit to William Blake's Inn is made up of several poems which
describe a day in William Blake's Inn. The author describes how she escapes from a sickness
she once had through poetry, and this is the book she created.
Personal Reflection: This book would be an excellent beginner's guide into poetry. The
pictures that go with the poems would help the students visualize what is going on in the poems.
Pedagogical Use:
language arts- Have students use this online poem generator to help them get excited about
poetry. http://www.aipoem.com/easypoem/ 9 (it is pretty funny). Then have students create their
own poem. Here is an online rhyme dictionary. http://www.aipoem.com/easypoem/
social studies- Have students research a famous poet. Ask them to create a twitter account for
their poet. Have students "tweet" at each other so they can learn about each others poets.
9.Title:Shadow | ISBN: 9780689718755
Author: Marcia Brown | Illustrartor: marica brown
Genre: multicultural picture book | Awards:calldecot
Reading Level: 3rd
Publisher: Aladdin | Copyright: 1995
Summary and Critique: The book represents an African American folk tale about a shadow.
The book is written in prose like form.
Personal Reflection: The book has beautiful pictures that make the words of the folk tale
easier to understand. The book is a great introduction to the concept of shadows.
Pedagogical Use:
science- Use the book to introduce the idea of shadows. Have students use this game to
further exhibit their understanding of shadows. http://pbskids.org/sid/shadowshow.html .
History- use the idea of shadows to explain the history of telling time. This video gives a great
overview of the history of telling time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74I0M0RKNIE . After
the video have students research a different type of telling time. Ask students to create a voki
about their subject to share.
10.Title:Tibet Through the Red Box | ISBN: 9781865081571

Author: Peter Sis | Illustrartor: peter sis

Genre: historic fiction picture book | Awards:caldecott
Reading Level: 5th
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux | Copyright: 1998
Summary and Critique: A child finds his father's journal which describes a journey taken before
world war II. The father is a journalist assigned to travel to China from his home in
Czechoslovakia.
Personal Reflection: Other the book is a picture book, there is a lot of text. This book would
have to be read over a few days.
Pedagogical Use:
Geography - use google maps to track the father's journey from his home, to all the places he
journeyed. have students do research on each place he visited.
Language Arts- Have students create their own online journal of a trip they took with their
family. Have students describe the place they went like in the book. http://penzu.com/ . Have
students print their journal entry to share with the class.
11.Title:Ashanti to Zulu | ISBN:
0-8037-0357-0
Author: Margaret Musgrove | Illustrartor: Leo and Diane Dillon
Genre: cultural ABC picture book | Awards:caldeott
Reading Level: 3rd
Publisher: dial books | Copyright: 1976
Summary and Critique: The book has beautiful imagery of the African culture. The book goes
through the alphabet and for each letter describes a different tradition of the African culture.
Personal Reflection: The book is a great way to bring diversity to a classroom curriculum. The
pictures do a great job of describing the words on each page.
Pedagogical Use:
Social Studies- Students will go on this site and learn about a country in Africa. http://www.ourafrica.org/ . Students will be able to watch videos and learn in a very interactive way. Students
will each pick the best video they watched from the site from the country they learn about to
share with the class.
History- Students will work in partners to create their own time line of African History. Students
will create their timeline using this site
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/timeline_2/. Students will find
information using this interactive timeline http://www.mnh.si.edu/africanvoices/ .
12.Title:Henry's Freedom Box | ISBN: 9780439777339
Author: Ellen Levine | Illustrartor: Kadir Nelson
Genre: Historic realistic fiction picture book | Awards:caldecot
Reading Level: 2nd
Publisher: Scholastic | Copyright: 2007
Summary and Critique: The book describes the tough life of a slave and his escape to
freedom. Henry mails himself in a box to the freedom land.

Personal Reflection: This is a very interesting story. This is a great supplement to a lesson on
the underground railroad. The book also provides a good opportunity to gentle describe the
sensitive topic of slavery.
Pedagogical Use:
history- students can use this site to satisfy their curiosity about slavery.
http://www.ducksters.com/history/civil_rights/history_of_slavery_in_the_united_states.php . As a
project, you could ask students to pick an event listed at the bottom of the page and make a
power point slide about it. When everyone is done their slide I would put it together in a
presentation and ask each student to explain their slide.
Language Arts- create a google document for the class. Ask each student to log onto the
google document. Pose a writing prompt such as "imagine how Henry felt when he was in the
box, write some adjectives and emotion words to describe how you think he would feel." As
student think of words the whole class will see each others ideas. A wordle could then be made
of the adjectives to present the words in a new way. http://www.wordle.net/create
13.Title:The Hello, Goodbye Window | ISBN: 9780786809141
Author: Norton Juster | Illustrartor: Chirs Raschka
Genre: realistic fiction picture book | Awards:caldeott
Reading Level: PK/K
Publisher: Hyperion | Copyright: 2005
Summary and Critique: The book describes a child's typical day at a grandparent's house.
Personal Reflection: The book goes into vivid detail which children could definitely relate to.
The pictures and topic of the book would definitely hold children's interest.
Pedagogical Use:
Science- Ask students what kind of information they can gather from looking out a window.
Show students this video about different kinds of weather. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eVHQMopio . Ask students to go around in a circle and tell the class what their favorite weather
is.
Art- Ask parents to email teacher a picture of what their child sees out the window of their
home. Ask students to draw the scene of what they see out the window using this website
http://artpad.art.com/artpad/painter/painter.swf . Print and share pictures with class.
14.Title:Wheel on the Chimney | ISBN: 0397302886
Author: Margaret Wise Brown | Illustrartor: Tibor Gergely
Genre: realistic fiction picture book | Awards:caldecott
Reading Level: 1st
Publisher: J.B. Lippincott Company | Copyright: 1954
Summary and Critique: Describes two storks that raise their children in a nest on a rooftop.
Eventually the family has to migrate south for the winter.
Personal Reflection: Beautiful pictures that will definitely catch student's eye. Great book to
introduce the idea of migration.
Pedagogical Use:

Science- Ask students to go on this site and gather information about the migration of birds.
http://idahoptv.org/dialogue4kids/season11/bird_migration/facts.cfm . Ask students if they can
think of any other animals that might migrate for winter.
Language Arts- Ask students to imagine that they are a bird. Have students come up with
reasons they would need to migrate. Have students write their response using Microsoft word.
Ask students to find a picture online to illustrate their writing.
15.Title:The Thanksgiving Story | ISBN: 9780689710537
Author: Alice Dalgliesh | Illustrartor: Helen Sewell
Genre: Historic fiction picture book | Awards:calldecot
Reading Level: 3rd
Publisher: Charles Scribner's Sons | Copyright: 1954
Summary and Critique: This book creates a realistic picture of how the first thanksgiving
began from the point of view of a family.
Personal Reflection: The book gives a broad idea of what the first Thanksgiving was all about.
A great read for around Thanksgiving.
Pedagogical Use:
Language Arts- Have students "Take a Journey on the Mayflower" on this interactive site.
http://www.plimoth.org/media/mayflower-2/index.html . Have students use the information they
gain from the site to write a story from the perspective of someone on the Mayflower.
History- Have students discover what really happened at the first thanksgiving using this
investigative site. http://www.plimoth.org/media/olc/intro.html . Have students talk amongst
themselves and share answers when they are done.
16.Title:In the Forest | ISBN: 978-0140501803
Author: Marie Hall ETS | Illustrartor: Marie Hall ETS
Genre: Easy-To-Read Picture Book | Awards:Caldecott
Reading Level: 2nd
Publisher: Puffin | Copyright: 1976
Summary and Critique: A child goes for a walk in the forest. Different animals Keep deciding to
join the child for a walk.
Personal Reflection: This is any easy read fr students. Both boys and girls will be interested in
each new animal friend that is met. Pictures are in black and white and must be seen up close.
Pedagogical Use:
Math- Ask students to create a tally chart of animals we meet in the book using this website.
http://www.softschools.com/math/data_analysis/tally_chart/tally_chart_maker/ . Have students
print their charts to compare them to their classmates.
Language Arts: Ask students to pick an animal and use this online animal encyclopedia to
create a word document of 6 adjectives about their animal. http://a-z-animals.com/ . After, have
the class upload their word documents in a class "live binder". ( livebinder.com) . Ask student to
go on the live binder and find two more adjectives for three of their classmate's animals.
17.Title:Abraham Lincoln | ISBN: 9780440406907
Author: Ingri and Edgar Parin D'aulaire | Illustrartor: Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire

Genre: Historical Fiction Picture Book | Awards:Caldecot

Reading Level: 4th
Publisher: Random House | Copyright: 1939
Summary and Critique: Describes the life of Abraham Lincoln from childhood to his
presidency.
Personal Reflection: The book is very long and it would be beneficial to break the text up into
more then one day.
Pedagogical Use:
Social Studies: Split the class into three groups. Create a class google document of a chart
divided into three sections (Early life, middle life, and later life). Have each group fill out a
section about Abraham Lincoln's life. Print the chart out for everyone to have.
Language Arts- Use this website to have your students interact with other students across the
world. http://www.interpals.net/ . Have your students describe a historic leader of America and
have them ask their pen pal to describe a historic leader of their own country.
18.Title:Ox-Cart Man | ISBN: 9780140504415
Author: Donald Hall | Illustrartor: Barbara Cooney
Genre: Historic fiction picture book | Awards:caldcott
Reading Level: 3rd
Publisher: Penguin Group | Copyright: 1983
Summary and Critique: Ox-Cart Man describes a New England family in the olden day's trip to
the Portsmouth Market. The book list many items that the family bought and sold at the market.
Personal Reflection: The book is a quick read with a lot of information. The book could easily
be tied to early American history.
Pedagogical Use:
Social Studies: Have students Explore this interactive website to learn more about New
England. http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/usa_game/new_england.htm . Ask students to write
down three facts they learned to share with their classmates.
Science- Have students look up the weather in different parts of the country using this website.
http://www.weather.com/ . Have students get with a partner and compare their findings.
19.Title:Trucks | ISBN: 9780688155971
Author: Donal CrewsHarperCollins Publishers | Illustrartor: Donald Crews
Genre: Picture Storybook | Awards:caldcott
Reading Level: PK/K
Publisher: | Copyright: 1997
Summary and Critique: This is a wordless book about the journey of a truck from the loading
dock to it's final destination.
Personal Reflection: The book is a good way to introduce different modes of transportation.
Pedagogical Use:
Social studies- Ask students to research a different mode of transportation using this online
kids encyclopedia. http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/tr/Transport#Modes_of_transport . Next
ask students to search for a picture of their mode of transportation to place on a glogster we
would create as a class.

Vocabulary- Review transportation vocabulary words with this youtube video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Dcy_0zmWTY . Have students use the paint app on an
Ipad to write down the vocab word as the picture pops up.
20.Title:The wild Birthday cake | ISBN: 9780385076616
Author: Lavinia R Davis | Illustrartor: Hildegard woodward
Genre: Picture story book | Awards:caldcott
Reading Level: 3rd
Publisher: doubleday and company | Copyright: 1949
Summary and Critique: While worrying about what to take to an elderly friend's birthday party,
Johnny discovers a beautiful, injured, wild duck.
Personal Reflection: The book is quite wordy. There are some nice water color pictures that
would capture student's attention.
Pedagogical Use:
Social Studies- Have students research birthday traditions for different countries from this list.
http://www.kidsparties.com/TraditionsInDifferentCountries.htm . Have students chat with a
person from the country they picked to ask them what they do for their birthday.
http://www.penpalworld.com/
Language Arts- Ask students to write an essay comparing the research they did on a county's
birthday traditions with what they're international pen pal student says they do to celebrate their
birthday. Ask students to upload their essays into a google document without their name on it.
Have every students give anonymous feed back to three of their peer's essays by commenting
on their google document.
21. Title:Madeline's Rescue | ISBN: 9780670447169
Author: Ludwig Bemelmans | Illustrartor: Ludwig Bemelmans
Genre: Realistic fiction picture book | Awards:caldecott
Reading Level: 2nd
Publisher: Puffin Books | Copyright: 1953
Summary and Critique: A girl named Madeline who lives in an orphanage in France with 12
other girls looses the family dog. The girls search France for their dog.
Personal Reflection: This would be a great introduction to the city of France. You could even
use the book to introduce the French Language.
Pedagogical Use:
French - Ask students to pick a subject and complete one set of lesson, game, and test.
http://www.french-games.net/ Ask every student to write down one French word they learned
and create a word wall of French Words in your classroom.
Geography- Have students look at this list of things to do in Paris and ask them to create an
itinerary for a trip to Paris. http://mylittlenomads.com/paris-for-kids . Ask students to use an
online itinerary generator to create their plan. Print itinerary out and share with classmates.
22.Title:The Lion and the Mouse | ISBN: 978-0316013567
Author: Jerry Pinkney | Illustrartor: Jerry Pinkney
Genre: Fiction picture book | Awards:caldecott

Reading Level: 3rd

Publisher: Little Brown and Company | Copyright: 2009
Summary and Critique: This is a picture book with beautiful imagery about a mouse saving a
lion from a trap.The lesson at the end shows that even the smallest creatures can save the day.
Personal Reflection: The only words in the book are onomatopoeia. The book would also be
excellent for comparing and contrasting.
Pedagogical Use:
Language Arts- I will create a class google document and ask every student to write in the
document an onomatopoeia. We will create a class wordle of different onomatopoeia to display
in the classroom. http://www.wordle.net/
Science- Ask students to research mice and lions.http://a-z-animals.com/ . Students can also
use images from the book to help them. Ask students to create a chart on microsoft word
comparing and contrasting characteristics of lions and mice.
23.Title:Drummer Hoff | ISBN: 9780671662493
Author: Barbara Emberly | Illustrartor: Ed Emberly
Genre: fictional picture book | Awards:caldecott
Reading Level: 1st
Publisher: Prentice-Hall inc | Copyright: 1967
Summary and Critique: seven soldiers build a cannon and fire it off.
Personal Reflection: The book is a simple read with simple vocabulary. The book has a
rythmic patter and rhymes which makes it a great option for struggling readers.
Pedagogical Use:
History- Ask students to watch one of these videos on colonial America.
http://www.havefunwithhistory.com/HistorySubjects/colonialAmerica.html . Ask students to write
three things they learned from their video to share with the class.
Language Arts- Ask students to create a short rhyming story just like Drummer Hoff. Students
can use this website that helps them find rhyming words as a resource when writing their
stories. http://www.rhymezone.com/ . Students will peer edit their papers.
24.Title:The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins | ISBN: 978-0439114943
Author: Barbara Kerley | Illustrartor: Brian Selznick
Genre: Historic Picture Book | Awards:cladecott
Reading Level: 2nd
Publisher: scholastic press | Copyright: 2001
Summary and Critique: The book shows the steps Hawkins took to creating the first life size
models of dinosaurs.
Personal Reflection: The book would definitely strike the interest of both boys and girls.
Vocabulary is a little more difficult. Would be great for a read aloud.
Pedagogical Use:
Science- Ask students to pick a dinosaur from this site.
http://kidsdigdinos.com/dinosaurfacts.htm . Ask student to gather information about their
dinosaur and create a Prezi bubble for their dinosaur. I will put all the students Prezi slides
together and have each student present their slide to the class.

Language Arts- use a survey to get anonymous answers to a few questions about the book. An
example question would be "What would life be like if dinosaurs still walked the earth?".
https://www.surveymonkey.com/ . This way, everyone's answer will pop up for everyone to read.
25.Title:Locomotive | ISBN: 978-1416994152
Author: Brian Floca | Illustrartor: Brian FlocaAtheneum
Genre: Historic Fiction Picture book | Awards:Caldecott
Reading Level: 4th
Publisher: Simon and Schester | Copyright: 2013
Summary and Critique: The book is a very informational introduction about the
Transcontinental railroad.
Personal Reflection: Beautiful pictures will hold students attention while giving a lot of
information.
Pedagogical Use:
Language Arts- This is a longer book so use this video read aloud to hold students attention
during the lesson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=190R7akn8JY&spfreload=10 . Provide
students with a list of train vocabulary words to listen for while they are watching the read aloud.
History- Have students gather information on important inventions and how they affected daily
life. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors/ . Ask students to create a page on
livebinder.com about their inventor. The class will have a class live binder of inventors by the
end of the project.
26.Title:Hot Air | ISBN: 9780689826429
Author: Marjorie Priceman | Illustrartor: Marjorie Priceman
Genre: Historic Fiction Picture Book | Awards:Caldecott
Reading Level: 2nd
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young | Copyright: 2005
Summary and Critique: The book goes over the broad details of the first balloon ride every
taken.
Personal Reflection: The book has some pages with writing on it but for the most part the book
has only pictures. The book is great for encouraging imagination.
Pedagogical Use:
Language Arts-Have students play this game to help them learn about the 5 senses.
http://pbskids.org/sid/isense.html . Have students imagine that they are on a hot air balloon. Ask
students to think about their five senses and ask them to describe about being on a hot air
balloon would feel like.
Science- Ask students to complete 3 of these experiments to learn about their five senses.
http://pbskids.org/sid/isense.html . Ask student to write down their findings and share them with
a partner.
27.Title:Snowflake Bently | ISBN: 978-0547248295
Author: Jacqueline Briggs Martin | Illustrartor: Mary Azarian
Genre: Historic nonfiction Picture book | Awards:caldecott
Reading Level: 3rd

Publisher: houghton mifflin harcourt | Copyright: 1998

Summary and Critique: Snowflake Bently is a biography of the life of a man named Wilson
Bently. Bently grew up in Vermont and was very interested in nature and photographing
snowflakes.
Personal Reflection: This book is great for teaching kids to follow their interests. Also a great
read for introducing the concept of precipitation or changes in season.
Pedagogical Use:
Language Arts- Ask students to write a letter to a student who has never seen snow before.
Ask students to describe a snow storm and the uses of snow. Students will use excellent
descriptive words. http://www.penpalworld.com/ Students will use this site to send their letters.
Science- Ask students to watch this video and explore activities about snow on this website.
http://www.brainpop.com/science/weather/snowflakes/ . Students will have a worksheet with a
scavenger hunt on it and work with partners to complete it.
28.Title:Mei Li | ISBN: 978-0385074018
Author: Thomas Handforth | Illustrartor: thomas handforth
Genre: cultural fiction picture book | Awards:caldecott
Reading Level: 4th
Publisher: doubleday books | Copyright: 1935
Summary and Critique: The book tells the story of a girl who escapes her rural life in China for
a day and escapes to the Chinese New Years Fair for the day.
Personal Reflection: The story gives background to an important part of the Chinese culture.
Pedagogical Use:
Language Arts- Ask students to read this supplement on different new years eve traditions.
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/new-year-celebrations-around-world . Ask students to
write a paragraph on a specific country's traditions to put into an interactive map (on the lesson
below)
Social Studies- Ask students to research different New Years Eve traditions around the World.
Ask students to create a class interactive map. Information will pop up when you click on a
certain country. https://www.zeemaps.com/
29.Title:The Glorious Flight | ISBN: 9780140507294
Author: Alice and Martin Provensen | Illustrartor: alice and martin provensen
Genre: historic picture book | Awards:caldecott
Reading Level: 3rd
Publisher: viking press | Copyright: 1987
Summary and Critique: The book describes Mr. Louis Bleriot's mission to fly a plane across
the English Channel.
Personal Reflection: This book would be a great introduction into some of the history of
aviation. Book is fairly short and would hold the attention of both boys and girls.
Pedagogical Use:
History- Ask students to use this interactive time line to learn about the history of aviation.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/flight/timeline.htm . Students will be asked to draw a
picture of their favorite event they come across in the time line to share with the class.

Language Arts- Students will pick an event in aviation history from this time line and create a
news report about it. http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/flight/timeline.htm Students will pair
their news report with the picture they drew in their history lesson. Pictures and reports will be
displayed in the classroom.
30.Title:Blueberries for Sal | ISBN: 978-0140501698
Author: Robert McCloskey | Illustrartor: Robert McCloskey
Genre: realistic fiction picture book | Awards:caldecott
Reading Level: 2nd
Publisher: pearson early learning | Copyright: 1976
Summary and Critique: Sal and her mother wonder around in a field picking blueberries to
store for the winter. Sal and her mother have a run in with a mother bear in her cub.
Personal Reflection: The book uses fairly simple vocabulary and repetition. The book would be
great for struggling readers to try on their own. The book is also short enough to hold attention
for a read aloud.
Pedagogical Use:
Language Arts- Ask students how they would feel if they turned around expecting to see their
mother but saw a bear instead. Have students come up with a list of 5 adjectives for how they
would feel. Students can use this site as a resource to find new words.
http://www.thesaurus.com/
Science/social studies - Have students look at this site which describes where and how
blueberries grow. Give students a scavenger hunt worksheet of information to find. Have
students work in partners. http://www.blueberrycouncil.org/growing-blueberries/whereblueberries-grow/