Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Bank Street College Best Books For Children



Awarded by:  Children's Book Committee that develops a comprehensive, annotated book list to recommend books for parents, teachers and librarians.


McPhail, David. (2011).  Pig Pig Returns.  Watertown, MA:Charlesbridge Publishing Inc.
Genre:  Picture Book Fiction
Pig Pig is back in his 6th adventure!  Pig Pig is a worrier and is concerned when Aunt Wilma and Uncle Fred want to take him on a cross- country trip.  Will he have fun?  Will he get homesick?  Who will do his chores and feed his cat?  Pig Pig embarks on his trip and ultimately has a wonderful time making memories.  As the trip ends, Pig Pig worries that his mother has forgotten him.  When he sees her, all his fears leave.  As fun as the trip was, it was even better to be welcomed home. 
This book would be a great choice for discussing change versus routine.  Young children need routine and structure in their lives to feel secure.  However, changes are a learning tool also.  Pig Pig shows that things are never as worrisome as they first appear.  The full page watercolor illustrations created by the author, invite the reader into Pig Pig’s world.  Readers can join Pig Pig as they create a sequencial map of his trip.





Schmid, Paul. (2011).  A Pet for Petunia.  New York, New York: HarperCollins Children’s
            Books. 
Genre: Picture book fiction
Petunia wants a pet skunk more than anything.  She tries to make the case for her parents by promising to take care of its every need.  Her parents refuse.  Why?  They stink!  Petunia is incensed and decides to run away to the woods.  She meets a skunk and is sprayed.  Does this deter her?  No she still thinks they are wonderful but she will stick with her stuffed skunk.   Hmmm… porcupines are awesome….  Paul Schmid’s purple and white illustrations are simply done but convey Petunia’s feelings perfectly.  Children will respond to Petunia’s efforts to convince her parents to give in.  This book would be perfect as a springboard to persuasive writing.  Young children can readily take part in the creation of a persuasive class book.  Ages 5 and up can write their own books explaining why they should have their way in a given situation. 







Martin, Jr., Bill; Sampson, Michael. (2011) Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Are You Going to Sleep? New York, New York: Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books. 
Genre:  Picture book fiction
A sweet rhyming story of a kitten who is not yet ready to go to bed.  The funny ways in which he stalls bedtime will amuse little readers.  The full page illustrations by Laura Bryant vibrantly convey a little kitten’s cozy world with his mother.  This book is an excellent introduction to rhyming words.  Children will feel instantly successful as they repeat the rhyming pairs they heard.   It is a wonderful book to share one on one or with the whole class. 






Maass, Robert. (2011). A is for Autumn. New York, New York:  Henry Holt and Company, LLC.
Genre:  Picture Book Nonfiction
This beautifully photographed book alphabetically lists things you would see  or experience in the Autumn.  Each page's details  invite discussion and is a wonderful introduction to the season of Fall.  This could be the start of creating class alphabet books as the year progresses.  





Fleming, Denise. (2011). Shout! Shout it Out!  New York, New York: Henry Holt and
            Company.
Genre: Picture book fiction
This dynamic book will absolutely invite readers to Shout!  The unique full page illustrations are created by pulp painting.  Each page engages readers as they join in shouting what they know such as letters, numbers, colors, and simple labels for things.  This is a great book to use as a celebratory event.  Take the kids outside and let them really shout!  Sometimes you just need to let it all out.
Other awards:
Oppenheimer Toy Portfolio Best Book Award 2011

Chicago Public Library’s 2012 Best of the Best List





No comments:

Post a Comment