Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Texas 2x2 Reading List


Awarded by:  The Children's Round Table (comprised of Texas School Librarians)  a unit of TLA.  The committee chooses a list of books for children age 2- second grade and must have been published within the past 3 years.  


Alter, Anna (2010).  Disappearing Desmond.  New York, New York:  Alfred A. Knopf.
Genre:  Fiction picture book
Desmond spends his time hiding and blending in at school.  He is so good at it that sometimes his teacher cannot even find him.  One day, an outgoing student named Gloria arrives and makes it a point to seek out Desmond and be his friend.  His life will never be the same!  This engaging book will delight young readers as they look to find Desmond on each page.  The book may promote a discussion on being shy and not joining in.  Children can compare how Desmond’s day was before Gloria arrived and what it was like after.  At the end, there are other students hiding in the picture.  This is a good opportunity to make predictions.  What should the three friends do next?
Other Awards:
Winner: Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices






Barton, Chris (2010).  Shark vs. Train.  New York, New York:  Little, Brown and Company.
Genre:  Fiction picture book
Young readers will enjoy this fun book as two boys imagine that their toy shark and toy train compete in 23 various contests including basketball, a seesaw, pie eating and a tightrope.  Who will win?  As the book says, “it all depends….” The full page, cartoon like illustrations by Tom Lichtenheld are hilarious and will keep readers engaged and wanting more.  This may inspire young writers to “write” their own books based on this pattern. 

Other Awards:
    #1 on Publishers Weekly Best
Children's Books 2010
    Kirkus Reviews Best Children's
Books 2010
    School Library Journal: Best Picture
Books of 2010
    Washington Post: Best of 2010 Books for Young Readers
    A Junior Library Guild Selection
    Parents' Choice Awards: Picture Books 2010 Silver Award
    2011 Kiddo Award Editorial Pick
    Children's Book Council: Finalist, 2011 Children's Choice Book Awards
    Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2011
    Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Awards Master List 2011/12
    2012-13 Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee
    2011 Buckeye Children's Book Award Winner K-2
    Colorado Children's Book Award Nominee 2011
    Beehive Book Awards/Utah Children's Literature Association 2012 Nominee
    Indie Booksellers Kids' Next List 2010
    2012 ISLMA Monarch Award Winner
2012 Colorado Children's Book Award winner




Ward, Jennifer (2009).  The Busy Tree.  Tarrytown, New York:  Marshall Cavendish Corporation.
Genre:  Fiction Picture Book
A tree’s voice is heard in this rhyming couplet book and invites a child to look closer at all that is happening in and around an old oak tree from the roots to the top of the branches.  The beautiful, double page, oil painting illustrations by Lisa Falkenstern are so detailed and interesting, that children will want to study each page.  This book will surely invoke a desire for a nature walk and promote discussion on the importance of trees.




Becker, Bonny (2008).  A Visitor For Bear.  Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.
Genre:  Fiction Picture Book
Solitary Bear enjoys his life and definitely does not like visitors.  A large sign outside his door is quite clear on this point.  However, one day as he is making his breakfast, a mouse appears and wishes to come inside.  Bear is adamant that he not stay.  The mouse keeps appearing inside his house making the Bear quite angry.  Finally, the Bear reaches his breaking point and tells the mouse he can stay for a bit of tea.  To his surprise, he enjoys it and doesn’t want the mouse to leave.  This lovely story of persistence and friendship will delight young readers as they chime in with the repetitive parts and predict where the mouse will appear.  The watercolor illustrations by Kady MacDonald Denton are charming and invite you into Bear’s home through the homey details. This book will be requested again and again.
Other Awards:
2009 Notables Book of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC).




Fox, Mem (2008).  Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes.  New York, New York:  Harcourt
 Books.
Genre:  Fiction Picture Book
This engaging book, beautifully illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, will captivate little ones as they engage with Mem Fox’s rhythmic text.  Each page depicts different babies from around the world all displaying their commonality; their10 fingers and toes.    While they may be born in different places, it is their similarities that bond them together.  What a great message for everyone!  This book would be a wonderful addition to any family’s collection of stories to be read and cherished together.


Other Awards:
·      New York Times bestseller lists for 18 weeks in 2008/2009
·      September 2009 it was on the top of Oprah’s list of best books for children aged 0-2.

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