It is spring at last. Pig celebrates with a picnic at the pond. There she meets Goose and so begins a sweet friendship. Eternally positive Pig is impressed with Goose’s ability to fly and swim, though she can’t do either.  Goose is later impressed with Pig’s hostess skills, dancing, and storytelling. Appreciation for each other’s differences leads to a friendship that is sure to last.

Short simple sentences and repetitive structure make this a good choice for transitional readers.  The story is broken into 3 chapters so young readers gain a sense of accomplishment.  Lovely watercolor illustrations support the text.

The Music of Life details the creation of the first piano. Bartolomeo Cristofori was an instrument maker in Italy who worked on both clavichords which only played piano (softly) and the harpsichord which only played forte (loudly).  While working in Florence for Prince Ferdinand de Medici, Cristofori ponders the problem of creating an instrument that can play both piano and forte. Cristofori’s perseverance to pay off as he experiments with different materials and different constructions to create his new keyboard.  Cristofori’s masterpiece is named the pianoforte since it plays both loudly and softly.  During his life, the piano was not widely used.  It was only 20 years after his death as Joseph Haydn then later Johann Christian Bach and Wolfgang Mozart compose for and play on the piano that it emerges as an instrument that captures the music of life.

Large ornately formed Latin musical terms (with English translations) decorate the top of each page, acting as an accompaniment to the story.  The timeline of the story is punctuated by quotes from historical record of the time.

Endpapers include a timeline of the life of Cristofori and the piano, a comparison to Cristofori’s pianoforte and the modern piano, a list of famous piano composers, a description of how the author researched Cristofori, Bibliography, and Grazie.

A young boy feels his drawings of puppies look like mush and his cars look like lumps or boxes.  Since he doesn’t believe he can draw, he colors instead.  Unlike coloring in a coloring book, he just uses different hues and lines to express feelings.  Until the last page the boy is a grayscale pencil sketch. With the self-portrait on the last page, the boy appears in color showing the uniqueness and depth of his feelings.

A wonderful resource for art teachers, young artists, or to teach self-acceptance.

The curtain opens on the Great Aziz and his beautiful assistant, Zaza and with a flick of a wand he turns a dish into a fish – a wiggling, slippery fish his assistant has to catch.  And so the show progresses with the Great Aziz creating havoc with his magic and Zaza cleaning up the mess.  Finally when Zaza’s wig is turned into a pig, she loses her patience and snatches Aziz’s wand and turns his hat into a bat. Back and forth the wand is snatched until the beans are turned into bears and Aziz and Zaza realize they need to work together.  Aziz pulls out a card and turns it into a cord that they use to tie up the bears.  From then on Zaza and Aziz share the light each night.

The fun play of words throughout make this book an engaging read aloud.  Use it to start a lesson on word ladders or to reinforce word families.

An energetic and colorful take on a counting book.  With rhyming text and fun word choice, one dino after another joins the dance floor.  “They hear a swish/What’s this?/One more?/One more dino on the floor,” prefaces the addition of each new dino until there are 9.  The last dino, a T. rex,  arrives with a stomp and a roar, making all the dinos, “quake and shake with fear.”  Not to worry, “the T. rex spins, stands on his toes.  He moonwalks, strikes a funky pose.”  Soon all 10 dinos are dancing together.

The repetitive text makes this a good read aloud, though the dance specific vocabulary makes it difficult for young readers to comprehend independently.

In Spring for Sophie, a young girl explores the transition from winter to spring using all her senses.”When will I know when spring is coming?” asks Sophie.  Her mom tells her to listen for the birds to start to sing.  At first Sophie hears nothing, but slowly the first chirps are followed by more birds announcing that spring is coming.  Sophie then wonders, “How will I know when spring is getting even closer?”  Her dad tells her to use her feet; when the ground gets softer then spring is closer.  Again, Sophie has to wait until finally the ground feels softer.  “How will I know when spring is really here?” she finally asks.  Her mom answers that her eyes and nose will tell when spring is here.  Then one day after the snow had melted, Sophie tastes the arrival of spring as she catches the rain on her tough.

A good choice for investigating the seasons as well as using all five senses to observe the natural world.

Dump Truck Duck is a rollicking rhyme filled telling of a duck’s day as a dump truck driver.  It starts with a “rumble rumble” and adds some alliteration (gravel, grass, and gritty glop; with brambly brush and slimy stuff) to the rhyming rhythm.  Dozer Duck and Digger Duck join Dump Truck Duck at the construction site.  The story wraps up with Dump Truck Duck heading home for the night to dream of the next big construction project.

Colorful illustrations paired with the fun language makes this a great read aloud.

Watersong is a melody made of onomatopoeia.  The words themselves tell no story, but are an accompaniment to the story told through pictures.  A fox strolls through a light rain.  As the rain intensifies, the fox finds shelter.  With a sigh, the storm passes the fox emerges to find a friend to celebrate the, “sparkle glitter glow,” of a day surrounded by the beauty of nature.

A lovely and relaxing read.

Starting rather abruptly with Ruth Law’s decision to set a long distance record by flying from Chicago to New York City, this is a wonderful narrative biography of an amazing woman.  The narrative is punctuated by quotes from Ruth Law that help bring her character alive.  Her bravery extended beyond just the physical feats to bravery to live her life as she wanted and pursue her dreams regardless of others opinions.  While risky, her feats of daring were supported by her complete understanding of her biplane.  Her ingenuity developed solutions where nothing existed before; from the extra gas tanks, to the metal guard to protect her feet and legs and a roller map box attached to her leg for navigation. At a time when the role of women was restricted by society, Ruth Law broke the mold and was recognized for her outstanding achievements in aviation.

More About Ruth Law section at the end of the story includes photographs as well as further biographical information.  Contains a solid biography and source notes.

Sophie Mouse is excited about her friends coming over for a dinner party.  All is going well until dessert when Sophie drops the beautiful trifle she had made all by herself.  The next day as her family goes off for their day’s activities, Sophie remains home planning her next trifle and daydreaming about flying in the blue sky.  She’s startled out of her daydream by a unfamiliar chirp.  She follows the sound until she finds an unfamiliar bird sitting on the roof outside her bedroom window.  Finch got lost while playing a game of hide-and-seek and hurt his wing before he found his way home.  Sophie helps him down and invites him inside.  Sophie realizes that having a surprise visitor is a perfect reason another trifle.  Just as Sophie and Finch are finishing up, 3 of finch’s friends come looking for him, turning the afternoon into a party.  When it is time to go home, Finch and his friends realize that he has no way to make it home with a sore wing.  Sophie shows them how to use a blanket to carry Finch between them.  Finch’s friends make Sophie’s daydream of flying a reality when Finch is reluctant to ride in the blanket, Sophie volunteers to take the first ride to show it is safe.  After Finch and his friends leave, Sophie hears her mom and brother returning and tells them of her stay at home adventure.

Black and white illustrations.  A Surprise Visitor is the eighth book in the Sophie Mouse series.

The book begins by explaining that the many different ways animals move are made possibly by their different shape, size and in some cases unique legs, fins, wings, or tentacles.  The remainder of the books covers walking, leaping, swimming, climbing, flying, rolling, and jetting.  Each mode of movement begins with a 2 page spread illustrated by 1 animal and how it moves.  The following 2 pages show 5 to 6 examples of how other animals accomplish the same movement.  Each animal is accompanied by an explanation using a unique synonym for the described movement.  For example, walking is described with marching, strolling, tiptoeing, and waddling.  Rolling is described as whirling, tumbling, somersaulting, wheeling.  A basic description of each featured animal and its habitat is included at the end of the book.

Flying Frogs and Walking Fish is another winner for Jenkins.  A definite choice to support the NGSS.

A young boy enjoys dressing up as animals, and his friend Camille loves math so much some days she talks only in numbers.  Finding the right animal is tough for the young boy.  With the help of his friend Camille, he settles on dressing as a frog.  Thrilled with his costume he decides Camille should also dress as a frog.  While Camille agrees to help make a costume, she soon loses interest in the long process and reverts to her love of math.  Frustrated, the young boy yells at Camille to stop wiggling.  Her feelings hurt, Camille picks up her things and goes home.  Now all alone and feeling lonely, the young boy makes a list of the Pros and Cons of Being a Frog and decides to find Camille and apologize.  No matter where he looks he cannot find Camille, only numbers.  Just as he’s about to give up, he hears the sound of Camille’s frog feet approaching.  The books ends with an apology and a hug.

A sweet story celebrating how friends can be unique and very different from each other and still be friends.

In this introduction to computer programing, Data Duck leads the exploration through how computers work.  The second half of the book explains how computers do a range of tasks from searching and sorting to pictures and sound.  The text and animated illustrations  work well together to convey each topic.  The explanations throughout the book use analogies kids can understand.  For example, organizing files is compared to cleaning your room and files are compared to books in a library.  As new concepts are introduced, Data Duck provides clarifying details or reminders of previously covered topics.  Questions and activities are on odd numbered pages with answers in the endpapers.  While there is no actual instruction on how to program, this is a solid choice for intermediate age students; providing an age appropriate and informative introduction to the inner workings of computers.

Includes Table of Contents, Extension Activities, Words to Remember (glossary), Activity Answers, and Index.

An easy to read introduction to Halloween and how it is celebrated in the United States.  A single mention of the holiday’s origin provides the only information not common knowledge among most school age kids making this a title better used for fluency than information.

Each page contains a large color photo that reinforces the text.  Interspersed through the book are occasional circles with thought provoking questions that will lead to discussion.

Contains an table of contents.  Back matter includes pictures of Pumpkin Carving, Picture Glossary of Halloween-specific terms, Index and Read More sections.

The series is also available as interactive e-books

A little boy believes dinosaurs still exist and provides evidence to support his argument.  “Dinosaurs ruled the earth for millions and millions of year… they could survive one fiery blast.”  The boy claims that dinosaurs have been hiding among us for years.  Thinking of all the things they’re missing out on, he invites them to show themselves, assuring them that they would be safe.  Then again, he thinks maybe dinosaurs would “feel uncomfortable with the way things are right now.”  Images show excessive technology, traffic, junk food and pollution.  The boy decides maybe we need to do some work before the dinosaurs will comfortable reveling themselves.  He assures them that their secret will remain safe with him.

A fun read aloud for dinosaur lovers.  The pictures of dinosaurs in disguise are sure to get a laugh.

A big rig is a big truck.  It carries good across the country.  With large font and short simplistic sentences, Big Rigs on the Go describes the parts of a big rig, what big rigs are used for, and driver information.  Each pair of pages has a full color photograph that supports the text.  A sure hit for early readers.

Contains Table of Contents.  Back papers include a diagram of Parts of a Big Rig, Picture Glossary, Index, and Read More section.

Machines That Go series is also available as Interactive e-books.

Construction workers have many different jobs.  They work together to build things.  Using large easy to read font and simple sentences, this title explains the different jobs in construction.  Each page contains a large color photo that reinforces the text.  Interspersed through the book are occasional circles with thought provoking questions that will lead to discussion.

Contains an index.  Back matter includes pictures of Construction Worker Tools, Picture Glossary of construction terms, Index and Read More sections.

The series is also available as interactive e-books.

You can pick it/You can kick it/You can throw away the core/You can toss it/You can sauce it/You can roll it on the floor. A fun, rhyming text describing the many things you can do with an apple.  The pictures with simple cartoonish characters demonstrate the essence of the text.  Repetitive sentence structure and rhythm with clear illustrations make this a good title for emerging readers.

Also available in the is series, What’s a Banana?

Yellow isn’t just a color, it is a time of year.  Never mentioning to a specific season, this is a lovely celebration of autumn.  All the senses are called into play with the crows announcing its coming, the scent of air, “like mud and dry grass with a sprinkle of sugar,” and the wind that blows the yellow sideways. The charming illustrations reinforce the joy and motion of the season and paired with rich descriptive language makes this a great read aloud.

I Dissent is a stellar biography of a highly accomplished woman as well as a concise introductory explanation of the role of the supreme court.

Ruth Bader was born in an era when a woman’s role revolved around the home and women were discouraged from pursuing careers. Through her actions she showed her disagreement and dissent to the limitation put on people because of their gender, religion, or race.  Yet even when she strongly disagreed with others, for example fellow Supreme Court Judge Antonin Scalia, she showed that it need not stand in the way of friendship and respect.

The theme of dissent is a constant thread in the book.  Throughout the book, complicated concepts are explained in clear but simplistic text bringing the intricacies of our complex judicial system to level for early elementary students. Illustrations are lively and colorful and Ruth’s expressions reinforce her opinions and strength of her character.

Back matter includes photographs, a more thorough biography, notes on court cases referenced in the book, extensive bibliography and quotation sources.

Glow has page after page of stunning photographs of bioluminescence.  On a black backdrop, the large white text starts by introducing and defining the concept of bioluminescence.  While found on land and in the air, more than anywhere else, bioluminescence is found in the water.  The book continues with a simple explanation of the chemicals animals produce that creates the glow of bioluminescence.  Animals glow to hunt, to hide, to call for help, and lose an enemy, and so on.  The simple text is supplemented on each page with a more indepth scientific explanation of the animal pictured and the concept being highlighted.

End papers include an explanation of how the photographs were taken as well as a diagram of each creature featured in the book, highlighting where on the creature the bioluminescence occurs.  Scientific name, size, and location included.  Also contains a bibliography.

The combination of the large text with simple concepts and vocabulary and the small text with the indepth scientific explanations make this a wonderful choice for a mixed-age partner read.

Written in the form of undated journal entries, Max Crumbly is sure to be a hit with fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries.

After being home-schooled by his grandmother since kindergarten, Max starts his first public school experience as an eighth graders at South Ridge Middle School.  Finding a niche and fitting in was particularly difficult because Doug “Thug” Thurston goes out his way to make Max’s life miserable after Max threw up on his shoe in gym class.  Only the second week and Max has been stuffed in his locker for the second time.  Max then journals in the cramped locker until his crush hears him and unlocks the door.

After school with a three day weekend approaching Max is crammed in the locker once again with no one is likely to notice him missing until the next week.  Max finally busts out the back of his locker into a dank unused boiler room.  Thinking to escape through the ventilation system he overhears 3 burglars planning to empty the new computer lab.

Max’s misadventures are not resolved in this first book.  Maybe he’ll escape the school and outsmart burglars in book 2

Ashley Bryan uses a primary source document as the foundation of his moving picture book about the lives and dreams of slaves.  The document, the Appraisement of the Estate that occurred after the death of Cado Fairchilds.  Written in first person free verse, the book starts with Mary Fairchilds describing the estate and her plans to sell it after the death of her husband.  Her poem is followed by Bryan’s portrait of the 11 estate slaves superimposed on an image of the original appraisal document.  Each slave’s story includes a portrait, a poem about his or her life as a slave, and a poem and illustration of his or her dreams.  Bryan’s poetry highlights the cultural roots and humanity of the individuals listed in the otherwise unemotional primary source document.  The book ends with a transcription of the appraisal document leaving the reader with the powerful knowledge that the slaves would be sold, but not knowing what was to happen to them.

Anchored by a primary source document, this is a powerful book humanizing the slave experience.

Learning to share is one of the essential social skills young children need to master.  Just like with Bear and Hare, some kids find the concept easier than others.  Simple repetitive text and expressive illustrations make Bear and Hare Share! a good starting point for discussion around sharing.

Bear and Hare take a walk and see some neat stuff that they both want.  When Bear asks to share, Hare responds with a vigorous “Mine!” Bear doesn’t care and still shows his affection for Hare.  After their tug a war over a balloon pops the balloon, bear wanders out of the story.  Now Hare doesn’t care and heads off to a bee hive enjoy honey on his own.  When the bees chase him away, Bear is there to comfort him.  Reluctantly Hare offers to share his jar of honey.  The reader isn’t sure if Hare has really learned to share since the last page shows Hare holding the jar away from Bear rather than sharing.

Thick pages make the book easy for young readers.

The mysterious Theodore lives in a dark, quiet cave and all that can be seen of him is his eyes.  One after another, a bird, a wolf, and a tiger all disturb Theodore. He is not really hungry, however, so he tells each of them, “I will not eat you.”  Theodore is finally becoming hungry when, with a, “raaaar,”a boy gallops up to the cave on a stick horse . Theodore bellows, “Don’t bother me, pesky boy, or I will eat you.” When the boy does not go away, the snout of Theodore the dragon finally emerges from the cave.  A run through the woods leads to a fall and laughter.  It’s hard to eat someone when you’re laughing.  Now Theodore’s cave is still quiet, but Theodore is no longer hiding in the dark – he’s outside playing.

A fun story celebrating imaginative play.