Patricia

Patricia's Book Selections Picture Books:

1. Mrs. Katz and Tush By: Patricia Polacco

What a story! “Mrs. Katz and Tush,” by Patricia Polacco. This story fits in the multicultural books section. The story is about Mrs. Katz whose husband has passed away. She doesn’t have any family, yet her neighbors came to visit her. Her neighbors’ son’s named Larnel. Larnel wanted to help Mrs. Kantz, so he gave her a kitten. She told Larnel that she would keep the cat if he would come over and help her take care of the kitten. Larnel came over everyday to help. He got to know all about Mrs. Katz and eat kugel. Larnel learned that Mrs. Katz was born in Poland, when she came to America she didn’t know any English. She married a man she loved so much named Myron. Mrs. Katz taught Larnel about some Jewish customs, and the more time they spend together their friendship grows. There is adventure, love, culture, and humor all wrapped in this story.

2. Babushka’s Doll By: Patricia Polacco

What do you think Babushka means? Well, it a Russian word, meaning “Grandmother.” In the story “Babushka’s Doll,” Patricia Polacco has written this story in a way that is fun, yet this story teaches a story. Babushka’s granddaughter Natasha wants to do everything right now, this minute. She wants to be pushed on the swing, she wants to go on a goat cart ride, and she wants to eat right this minute. All through the story Babushka is washing laundry (by hand), hanging the laundry out to dry, and feeding her goats. She asked Natasha to help her, yet the child didn’t. While they were eating lunch Natasha saw a doll and asked Babushka about it. Babushka said that she only played with this doll once, and that she could play with the doll while she went grocery shopping. The adventure begins for Natasha; the doll comes alive and shows Natasha how she was treating her Babushka. Babushka knew what was going on the whole time, and Natasha grew up to be a lovely girl!

3. Hungry Monster: An Alphabet Book By: Susan Heyboer O’Keefe Illustrated by: Lynn Munsinger

The “Hungry Monster,” by Susan Heyboer O’Keefe fits in the category of fantasy. This story is written with humor, fun, and has a useful purpose. The purpose is to teach children their ABC’s in a fun way. A teacher could even be singing this book by the end. The author wrote in away that will make your students rhyme and learn some words that start with the different letters. The book is about 10 “crazy” monsters that listen to a little boy and learn their alphabet. The teacher wanted to get rid of the monsters, so she said, “Homework, grades, and test!” All the monsters jump out the window. The little boy didn’t quite escape. Let’s just say he is with the teacher.

4. Inch by Inch

By: Leo Linni

This story made me giggle. The story is called “Inch by Inch,” by Leo Lionni. This author describes this little inchworm being intelligent, crafty, and cunning. I guess for an inchworm to survive in the wild life, the worm needs to be all these things. This story starts off with a hungry robin, which wants to eat the yummy inchworm. The inchworm talks to the robin. Before, the worm is gobbled up, the inchworm says, “Don’t eat me. I am an inchworm. I am useful. I measure things.” Needless to say, the inchworm started measuring different body parts of different types of birds. At the very end of the story the reader will find out how to measure a nightingale’s song.

5. On Noah’s Ark By: Jan Brett

This would be a wonderful book for science class. This story is called “On Noah’s Ark,” by Jan Brett. This story is a take-off of the Bible story’s Noah. It’s well written; I would read this book to my preschoolers. The story is simple, and Noah’s grandson is hanging out with all the animals in the ark. The animals come two by two to enter the ark, because it’s going to rain and flood the whole earth. The animals were big, medium, and small. The animals and the humans are squished in a tiny boat for forty days.

6. Best Friends By: Steven Kellogg

Steven Kellogg calls the story “Best Friends.” Steven Kellogg wrote and illustrated this book. This story is about two girls that are best friends in the whole wide world. Their names are Louise and Kathy. They did everything together. They pretended to live in another land and have imaginary horse named Golden Silverwind. In the summer Louise went to visit her Aunt Pat and Uncle Bart in Pine Cone Peak. While Louise is gone having the time of her life, Kathy is home with no friends her age to play with. A new neighbor comes along and has a dog that is going to have puppies. There is more that happens; yet I’m not going to tell you. The ending is Kathy and Louise being best friends. This story would be good to express feelings about how friends feel when there best friend leaves for the summer.

7. The Caterpillar and the Polliwog By Jack Kent

“The Caterpillar and the Polliwog,” by Jack Kent was neat. This book starts off with saying, “Caterpillars aren’t like other folks. As ducks and hippopotamuses and you and I get older, we get bigger, Especially hippopotamuses.” Caterpillars will turn into something else. They will become beautiful butterflies. A particular caterpillar went around the pond telling all the animals that would listen to her that she was going to change into something else. She was going to become another animal. A polliwog wanted to change into another animal too. A fish told him he will change into another animal. Fishes are smart animals. The polliwog thought he was going to change into a butterfly also. He watched and waited to change like the caterpillar, and he never changed in to a butterfly. The polliwog changed into something else.

8. Amazing Grace By: Mary Hoffman and Pictures by: Caroline Binch

This story was about a little girl named Grace. She loved to read all sorts of books, and listen to all stories from her grandma, and even make up her own stories. When the story was done she loved to act out all the stories, and of course she was the hero. Grace was in all the action. She played by herself, with her cat, and whenever her family could act out stories. With her family, she was the doctor and her family was the patients. At school they were getting ready to have a school play. Grace wanted to be Peter Pan. A lot of students wanted to be Peter Pan, so the teacher had auditions. Grace was upset that her friends told her she couldn’t be Peter Pan, and she told her family. Her family made sure Grace knew that she could be anything she wanted to be. With hard work Grace could be anything that she wanted to be!

9. It’s Hard to be Five: Learning How to Work My Control Panel By: Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell

This is a perfect story to read in the first week of kindergarten. The story is called, “It’s Hard to Be Five: Learning How to Work My Control Panel,” by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell. This story is from the perspective of the child. Where the child is learning to do the right thing; also, where the child knows not to hit, yet hits anyway. This story is perfect for little students. The authors understand the kids' wants, needs, and how they will grow. The story expresses that this boy doesn’t like changes, yet later in the book he loves growing up!

10. Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon By: Patty Lovell Illustrated By: David Catrow

Awe is all I have to say about this book. This story is called, “Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon,” by Patty Lovell and Illustrated by David Catrow. The author and illustrator did a wonderful job. The story is all about Molly Lou Melon and how she listened to her grandmother’s advice about being who she is. Molly is in first grade and one of the shortest in class. In the story she has to move away, make new friends, and go to a different school. This bully named Ronald Durkin picked on her, and she was herself. At the very end of the book Ronald even gives Molly a gift!

11. Click, Clack, Moo, Cows That Type By: Doreen Cronin Illustrated By: Betsy Lewin

Have you ever heard of a cow typing on an old typewriter? Well, this is exactly what happen in, “Click, Clack, Moo, Cows That Type,” by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Betsy Lewin. The author has a creative story to tell. The cows found Farmer Brown’s old type writer. All the farmer hears is, “Click, clack, moo. Click, clack, moo. Clickety, clack, moo.” The cows asked for electric blankets, because it’s cold outside. Read further and find out what happens.

I’ve seen this book used in a kindergarten class. After the story was read they wrote letters to the school. The teacher could come up with some fun lesson plans using this book!

12. Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born By: Jamie Lee Curtis Illustrated by Laura Cornell

What a cute story about adoption! “Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born,” is by Jamie Lee Curtis and illustrated by Laura Cornell. The little girl practically tells the whole story about how she came to her mommy and daddy. The first time she was held by her parents, the first time she ate out of a bottle, the first time she was changed, the first time daddy taught me about baseball, and the first time mommy sang to me. Mommy and daddy taught me how to be part of a family!

13. Miss Spider’s Wedding By: David Kirk

This story is everything the title implies. “Miss Spider’s Wedding,” by David Kirk. I think one of Miss Spider’s friends was worried that she would marry the wrong guy. This story is fun and tells all about true love from a spider’s perspective. Miss Spider ends up falling in love with her perfect match. Somebody that cared for her and not for what she owned. Any girl wants to marry her prince charming and live happily ever after! This is in the grooms words, “The fairest creature in the world is walking down the aisle. To be my own beloved bride, my joy and comfort, hope and pride! I feel my life has just begun! Now she and I will be as one.” What amazing words to hear from her future husband!

14. Gladys Aylward: Daring to Trust By: Renee Taft Meloche and Illustrated by: Bryan Pollard

This book is based on a missionary to China. The book is called, “Gladys Aylward: Daring to Trust,” by Renee Taft Meloche and illustrated by Bryan Pollard. This book is written in verse. It’s a wonderful, true story. Aylward failed out of Bible College. Gladys Aylward wasn’t any humans idea for a missionary, yet was chosen by God to fulfill His purpose. This book talks about two main things Gladys Aylward did while in China. She worked for the government and went from town to town to take off girls’ bindings on their feet. Gladys Aylard also saved 92 orphans from the Japanese soldiers. God used her to travel through hard terrain to save all the children, and no one was left behind!

15. Eight Silly Monkeys Illustrated by: Steve Haskamp

This book is an old, fun song that I sing with my preschoolers. Steve Haskamp calls the story Eight Silly Monkeys. This particular version is different in a few ways. There are only eight monkeys. The monkeys did not only jump, they jumped, skipped, tumbled, danced, ate, swung, and slided off the bed. Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said, “No more monkeys jumping on the bed.” After the silly monkeys jumped on the bed, they started jumping on the couch. I think all students will love this story!

16. The Upside-Down, Inside-Out, Backwards, Oopsy-Daisy Book By: Mary Hollingsworth Illustrated by: Daniel J. Hochstatter and Dennis Edwards

The story is called, “The Upside-Down, Inside-Out, Backwards, Oopsy-Daisy Book,” by Mary Hollingsworth and illustrated byDaniel J. Hochstatter and Dennis Edwards. This story begins, “God made everything just right, like nighttime dark and daytime light. But what if everything turned ‘round, and right-side-up was upside-down?” The author then dreams about a different kind of world. For example: The sky is yellow, the sun is square and blue, roses stink, and skunks smell good, grass is orange, bears fly in the sky, and mice roars (like a lion). The end of the story end like this, “It seems to me that we can be quite content with what we see- where skies are blue, and grass is green and raindrops wash the world so clean. God knows everything-He does! He knows just what to do for us, like sending Jesus, His own Son, to share His love with everyone.”

17. Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend By: Julie Stiegemeyer and Illustrated by Chris Ellison

Who has never heard of Santa Claus? This book is called, “Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend,” by Julie Stiegemeyer and illustrated by Chris Ellison. This story begins in a far off country. Myra a city in Lycia, Asia Minor is where Bishop Nicholas lived. He cared for all people, as Christ cared about Nicholas. Nicholas saw a boy crying and went to see if he can help. He helped a family! He gave money so the daughters in the family would have a dowry, so the girls can get married. Nicholas gave gifts and this is what started the tradition of Santa Claus!

18.The Princess and the Kiss: The Three Gifts of Christmas By: Jennie Bishop and Illustrated by Preston McDaniels

This is a fairy tale that has a good message and a Christmas theme. The good message is “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) This story is called, “The Princess and the Kiss: The Three Gifts of Christmas,” by Jennie Bishop and illustrated by Preston McDaniels. The story is about a princess that the parents were worried that she was too spoiled. So on Christmas the parents told their daughter that they were only giving her three Christmas presents. During Christmas she found people that could use her gifts more than her. She was happy to give them and help the people. Her parents saw her grow up and were very proud of her.

19.The King’s Christmas List By: Eldon Johnson and Illustrated by Bonnie Leick

What do you give a King? In the story, “The King’s Christmas List,” by Eldon Johnson and illustrated by Bonnie Leick this question will be answered. The story is about a girl named Emma and a dog named Shu-Shu. They received an invitation from the King to come to His birthday. Emma was trying to find the perfect gift. She decided to give the King a cake that Emma and Shu-Shu made. A beautiful horse drawn carriage came to pick up Emma and Shu-Shu. Well, on the way to the castle Emma encountered some people and she helped them out where she could. Emma saw the King’s List which states, “Anyone who desires to give me a gift, behold! Give food to the hungry and clothes to the cold, Give care to the poor, both young and old, whatever gift you’ve given to a person in need, is indeed a gift you have given to me.”

20. Coming Home By: Max Lucado and Illustrated by Justin Gerard

This story is an allegory to the Second Coming of Christ. This story is, “Coming Home,” by Max Lucado and illustrated by Justin Gerard. This story is about a Captain and two twin boys named Arion and Argo. The Captain left the boys on the island Terrene to go and prepare them a place at Bluestone. The boys were told to remember that the Captain is coming back, and to remember everything that they were taught. The boys had a choice to make: Do they listen to the Captain or go their own way?

21. The Velveteen Rabbit By: Margery Williams and Illustrated by Robyn Officer

What happens to children’s favorite toys when the children grow up? This story, “The Velveteen Rabbit,” by Margery Williams and illustrated by Robyn Officer. This story is a classic that was written in 1922. The story is about a velveteen rabbit that was given to a boy for Christmas. The rabbit wasn’t one of the favorite toys, yet later the boy would sleep with the rabbit every night and play with it during the day in the garden. The rabbit became real to the boy, yet was still a toy. As the story progresses I fill badly for the rabbit. The rabbit at the end of the story turns into a real rabbit with hind legs, and watches over the boy!

Beginning Books

1. Amelia Bedelia and the Surprise Shower By Peggy Parish and Illustrated by Barbara Siebel Thomas

I loved reading these books when I was growing up. This story is called, “Amelia Bedelia and the Surprise Shower,” by Peggy Parish and illustrated by Barbara Siebel Thomas. This story is a play on words. What crazy thing will Amelia Bedelia do next? Here are a few examples: shower being a party, iced the cupcakes and ice the fish, and prune the bushes with prunes. The surprise shower turned into a water party. Amelia and her cousin Alcolu were wearing bathing suits and they had a hose to splash the special guest. The story ends with everybody laughing!

2. The Magic Nutcracker By Margaret Hillert and Illustrated by Portia Iversen

This is a version of the Nutcracker, this story called, “The Magic Nutcracker,” by Margaret Hillert and illustrated by Portia Iversen. Through the pictures I gather that the grandfather gave his granddaughter a nutcracker and she called it, “Little man.” She goes of to a magical place with her “little man” who became full grown and when she returns home went back to being a little man. The girl had a wonderful time, yet is glad that everything will be back to normal!

3. Happy Birthday, Dear Dragon By Margaret Hillert and Illustrated by Carl Kock

Who likes having a birthday? In “Happy Birthday, Dear Dragon,” by Margaret Hillert and illustrated by Carl Kock. This story is about a little boy who looks all through the shops. The boy’s thoughts, “I don’t want that, too small, and that’s to big.” He also thought why would he want to look at a fish tank. When he saw the dragon, he knew that’s what he wanted. The dragon was his pet. They did everything together.

4. Days With Frog and Toad By: Arnold Lobel

Who likes adventure? In this story called, “Days With Frog and Toad,” by Arnold Lobel. There are five little stories with the main characters by a frog and a toad. The chapters are called, “Tomorrow, The Kite, Shivers, The Hat, and Alone.” The toad is the lazy one and the frog is the wise one. Both these characters teach us through the story.

5. Let’s Go, Dear Dragon By: Margaret Hillert and Illustrated by Carl Kock

What does a happy day look like? In “Let’s Go, Dear Dragon,” by Margaret Hillert and Illustrated by Carl Kock. The boy and his dragon go, go, and go. They go to the beach and the dragon hides in the sand. The boy and the dragon swam in the water. They are showing how to be friends and they’re enjoying doing stuff together. The parents even help them do some fun activities.

6. Run to the Rainbow By Margaret Hillert and Illustrated by Barbara Corey Have you ever wanted to chase a rainbow? Do you think you could catch a rainbow? In this story, “Run to the Rainbow,” by Margaret Hillert and illustrated by Barbara Corey. These three kids, two boys and one girl see a beautiful rainbow. They want to go find the rainbow. They even found a man-made rainbow, and yet the search was on to find a real rainbow. These three children had a fun filled day of adventure!

Intermediate Books

1. Dear America: A Journey to the New World: The Diary of Remember Patience Whipple: Mayflower, 1620 By: Kathryn Lasky

Remember the Puritans coming to America on the Mayflower in 1620. This book is called: “The Diary of Remember Patience Whipple,” by Kathryn Lasky. Remember was one of the children on the Mayflower. Her family was originally from Holland. Their denomination in church, they were called the Separatists. Her mom gave her a diary to write in, she told her to write what’s going on so you can pass this on to your future generations. To Remember’s children, to her grandchildren, and to her great grandchildren. She named her diary Imp, because she wasn’t patient. Remember wrote about the rough ride on the Mayflower to America. How they ate, slept, and played on a small ship. She wrote about all the people that were on the ship signing a compact about how to survive in America, they built a settlement in Plymouth. Remember wrote about her mother teaching her all she needs to know to keep house, and how she missed her mother when she died. She wrote about her best friend moving away, getting to know the feathered people, and surviving having a stepmother. Remember wrote about getting married and moving to Boston. In the epilogue it says, “Remember Patience Whipple lived a very long life. So long that the best dream of all was fulfilled. She lived to see her children’s children’s children. And in fact it was a great-great-great-granddaughter, a Miss Humility Albright, who discovered the diary of Remember Patience Whipple Endicott in a trunk blackened with age in the attic of her parent’s house on Beacon Hill in Boston in the year 1850.

2. The Classroom at the End of the Hall By: Douglas Evans and Illustrated by Larry Di Fiori

This story is so creative with the exaggerations of the class at the end of the hall. This story is called, “The Classroom at the End of the Hall,” by Douglas Evans and illustrated by Larry Di Fiori. This book has nine stories about a third grade class at the end of the hall. It talks about a challenging kid who had a taste of his own medicine, a girl’s messy desk, a new art teacher, another witch, the purple reader, Mary’s little lamb, and something above the classroom. These stories are so funny, teach a lesson, and would be great for a teacher read!

3. Magic Tree House #16: Hour of the Olympics By: Mary Pope Osborne and Illustrated by Sal Murdocca This is the first time I read a Magic Tree House. The story is called, “Hour of the Olympics,” by Mary Pope Osborne and illustrated by Sal Murdocca. This story is all about the Olympics in Ancient Greece. The brother and sister, Jack and Annie met Plato. They learned about the theater and how the actors were all played by boys. How Annie couldn’t go to the Olympics because she was a girl. This book had some true fact about ancient Greece and fantasy. The fantasy part is when Pegasus (a horse with wings), flew Jack and Annie back home.

4. A Herculeah Jones Mystery: Dead Letter By: Betsy Byars

Who doesn’t love a mystery? Well, in the “Dead Letter,” written by Betsy Byars Herculeah faces terrifying challenges to find out the truth about a woman who died “mysteriously.” The story is about a girl named Herculeah, her best friend Meat, and her divorced parents. Her mom is a private investigator and her dad is a police officer. The dad helps his daughter whenever he can. Herculeah is minding her own business while buying a used coat at a thrift store. She finds a note, in the lining of the coat. Later she finds a key. Herculeah has her dad help her, a man who can read the note and see if it’s authentic, Meat saves her life. This is a good story!

5. Chip Hilton Sports Series: Backcourt Ace By: Coach Clair Bee

I found this series in junior high, and had a chance to read it again. This story, “Backcourt Ace.” This is a book that shows that hard work pays off. The main character is Chip Hilton who is a senior at University. He is the team captain. In the story Chip can play all the main sports, has a part-time job, and a full load of college classes. Chip is a sports hero. He just got done playing football, and had two weeks to rest before basketball. State basketball team needs someone tall enough to go up against their opponent’s giant pivot men. Chip found Phillips who is a tall college student. Phillips wants to play basketball, yet lacked confidence. Chip worked with him, and Phillips got to play basketball. Phillips supports his mother and two sister on a farm. The family has a Christmas tree farm. Chip and his friends help Phillips to work on the farm, so Phillips can play basketball. This book shows teamwork on and off the court.

6. Baby By: Patricia MacKachlan

This book was well written and made me cry. Patricia MacKachlan wrote, “Baby.” Here is a quote from the start of the book, “I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground. So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been, time out of mind: Into the darkness they go, the wise and the lovely. Crowned with lilies and with laurel they go; but I am not resigned.” From “Dirge Without Music” Edna St. Vincent Millay.

This story is about a family: mom, dad, grandma Byrd, a ten-year-old girl named Larkin, and her best friend Lalo. They live on an island and enjoy when the summer tourists leave. The family was out walking, saw the ferry leave; walking home they saw a basket lying on the ground with a baby in it. The note said that the baby is Sophie, and she will be no problem; yet please take care of her for a while. I will send money when I can. The mother told the family that they would take care of her. The whole island looked out for Sophie. Sophie made the family come alive. In the spring the Sophie’s mother came back. After Sophie left, the grandmother told the whole family that they needed to talk about the baby with no name. Before Sophie came to them, the family had a miscarriage and they never named their boy. Larkin wanted to know about her brother and why they didn’t name him. The family grew closer together in that moment!

Youth Books

1. Love Inspired Historical: Unlawfully Wedded Bride By: Noelle Marchand

What happens when you become married without knowing about it? The author was intrigued by this idea and wrote, “Unlawfully Wedded Bride.” Kate O’Brien was a young women taking care of her brother, sister, and the family farm. Her siblings wanted her to have a helper, so they sent out for a mail order husband. The siblings told her about it and she tried to stop this idea. Her brother and sister had to have a signature for the marriage license; she signed it in a moment of weakness. If she was married, she could receive a loan from the bank so they wouldn’t lose the family farm. “Nathan Rutledge arrives on Kate’s doorstep, seeking a fresh start-with a family that needs his help more than Kate will admit. The shadows in both their pasts will be no match for a bright new beginning. But first, he has to convince a woman frightened of love o throw caution to the Texas wind…”

2. The Anti-Prom By: Abby McDonald

Who didn’t like prom? The title of this book was interesting called, “The Anti-Prom,” by Abby McDonald. It’s about three girls who are not friends and they’re not in the same social groups in class. There’s a perky cheerleader, the most popular girl in class, a girl that is the rebel without a cause, and the shy and quiet type. All these girls have a deeper story of why they are the way they are. These girls got together all because Bliss Merino wanted revenge on her soon to be ex-boyfriend and her best friend. Bliss caught them together locking lips. So Bliss asks Jolene Nelson to help with the ultimate revenge, and Meg was the one that drove them around. Through this adventure they find out that Jolene has a jerk of a dad, and Meg’s mother past away when she was younger, and Bliss had more heart than people give her credit for. They all will be friends forever.

3. Front and Center By: Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Catherine Gibert Murdock wrote this series. She wrote. “Dairy Queen, The Off Season, and Front and Center.” I will be telling you about “Front and Center.” This story is the last book in the series. In the second book, D.J’s boyfriend Brian Nelson treated her like trash, and had some growing up to do. Also, her brother Win had a major injury and he’s in a wheel chair. In the second book, D.J. takes off school to go help take care of him. She played football and now is the beginning basketball. Colleges and universities are scouting D.J. The only way D.J. can attend college is if she gets a scholarship. D.J. has a new “boyfriend” in her life, Brian Nelson is trying to be a friend, Win is focused on helping D.J. to find the best college for her, and her coach wants her to be more of a leader on the basketball team. She doesn’t want to let down anyone in her life. D.J. is a girl I would want for a friend, she loves and takes care of her family no matter what. Her family looks out for each other!