Jack and the Giant: A Story Full of Beans (Traditional or Folk Literature)

Jack and the Giant: A Story Full of Beans, written and illustrated by Jim Harris is a southwest version the traditional Jack and the Beanstalk. Jack lives with his mother, Annie Okey-Dokey. They are very poor because a giant has stolen all of their cattle. Jack tries to sell their only milk cow, but he trades it for magic beans. These beans grow into a giant beanstalk which leads to the giant, Wild Bill Hiccup. Jack ensues on an adventure to capture the ugle giant. He has to out-whit the giant and his bad breath to capture treasures to rebuild his ranch. I would use this book during a folklore unit to show different versions of the same story. Folklore is shaped by the surrounding culture. I would also discuss hyperboles with this book because there is a lot of exaggeration.

The Wright Brothers (Nonfiction Biography)

The Wright Brothers, written by Pamela Duncan Edwards and illustrated by Henry Cole is a picture book about the lives of Orville and Wilbur Wright. The events of their childhood that sparked their interest in flight are discussed. The brothers were inspired by birds and a toy given to them by their father. The book highlights all of their accomplishments including a printing press designed by the brothers. Their trials and errors in designing the first airplane are described. The story is very entertaining because there are little mice on each page making comments. Some of them are factual while others are silly and humorous. I would use this book when studying nonfiction biographies, and also when integrating reading and social studies. North Carolina history encompasses the story of the Wright brothers because their first flight took place at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Looking at Liberty (Real or Historical Fiction)

Looking at Liberty, written and illustrated by Harvest Stevenson, is a great piece of historical fiction. The illustrations in this book are very nice and they coincide with the text. The book tells the story of the Statue of Liberty. The story reveals the ideas and beliefs that were the inspiration for constructing the Statue of Liberty. The story describes life at that time, and there are factual inserts on some pages with details about the design and construction of the monument. I would use this book to supplement social studies lessons about United States history. This book can also be used to study symbolism since the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of hope.

The Story of Jackie Robinson: Bravest Man in Baseball (Nonfiction Biography Chapter Book)

Jackie Robinson: Bravest Man in Baseball by Margaret Davidson is a captivating biography of Jackie Robinson. The book tells of the heroic struggles that Robinson faced throughout his life. The book describes Jackie's life from the time he was a small boy to his death. The struggles and discrimination that Robinson faced are highlighted in the book. Robinson was a determined pioneer not only in the sport of baseball, but also in the movement toward equal rights. I would definitely use this book in my classroom. It would be a great book to use during Black History Month. I feel it is important to show heroic figures of various races. This also shows that professional athletes can and should be respectable role models for their strong character.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff (Traditional or Folk Literature)

The Three Billy Goats Gruff is a familiar piece of traditional or folk literature. Written and illustrated by Paul Galdone, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, is about three billy goats who have to cross a bridge guarded by a mean troll to get to the meadow to graze. The first two goats outsmart the troll, and the third billy goat pushes the troll off of the bridge. The billy goats are able to graze happily until they are really full. I would use this story with low-level readers because it is most likely familiar to them. Familiar stories are easier for beginning readers to read. I have seen a Reader's Theatre program for this book, and the students really seemed to enjoy it. This book also provides a great oppotunity to study onomatopoeia. I have also found that students really like to say this word.

The Other Side (Realistic or Historical Fiction)

The Other Side, written by Jacqueline Woods and illustrated by E.B. Lewis, is a heart-warming story about a little white girl, Annie, and a little black girl, Clover, who become friends. Throughout most of the book, they just look at each other from across the fence separating the white part of town from the black part of town. Annie sits on the fence watching Clover and her other African-American friends play. Both girls have been told not to cross the fence, but the girls decide that they can be friends and sit on the fence together. Annie eventually has the courage to cross the fence and play with Clover and her friends. I would definitely use this book in my classroom because it is very appropriate for black history month. The theme of courage is very prevalent throughout this book. I feel that the symbolism of the fence is amazing. To me, the fence symbolizes segregation, and the girls think that it will be torn down someday. I would have my students explore its symbolism. I'm sure that I would be surprised with their ideas.

Captain Raptor and the Space Pirates (Fantasy and Science Fiction Graphic Novel)

Captain Raptor and the Space Pirates is a science fiction graphic novel written by Patrick O'Brien and Kevin O'Malley and illustrated by Patrick O'Brien. Captain Raptor is called to save the day after pirates raid and rob Planet Jurassica. He and his crew aboard the Megatooth run into several obstacles during their pursuit of the pirates, yet Captain Raptor has a solution for each problem they encounter. Through his cunning plans, he is able to disable the pirates and their ship. The inhabitants of Planet Jurassica are forever grateful to have their jewels returned. I would use this book in my classroom to introduce different styles of writing. Not only is this book science fiction, it is also a graphic novel. I would have students write their own comics after reading this book. I also feel that this book is great because it is part of a series. If students enjoy this book, they can access other similar books at the library.

Mission Ziffoid (Modern Fantasy and Science Fiction)

Mission Ziffoid, written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Arthur Robbins, is a great science fiction picture book. A boy tells his friend the story of his brother crash landing on Planet Ziffoid. The aliens think that his brother has come to play soccer, but they use him as a ball. They let the boy return home in their spaceship, but the only problem is that they come with him. I think that all students would enjoy this book, but I feel that male students would be really entrigued. I feel that literature geared toward boys' interest is often overlooked. All of the text in this book is dialogue. This is a unique approach, and I feel that, by reading this book, students can begin to learn how to write descriptive dialogue

Moog-Moog Space Barber (Modern Fantasy and Science Fiction)

Moog-Moog Space Barber is an excellent science fiction picture book written and illustrated by Mark Teague. Elmo Freeman gets a terrible haircut on the last day of summer and dreads the first day of school. Elmo tries staying up all night in an effort to put off the first day of school. He discovers aliens in his kitchen who take him to Planet Moogie to get a haircut by their most famous barber, Moog-Moog. Moog-Moog is unable to fix Elmo's hair, but Elmo discovers the next morning that his friend got a bad haircut by the same barber. I would read this book to my students on the first day of school. The first day of school can be stressful for students, and this book helps students to feel at ease about the first day. It shows that many of their friends are nervous about the first day also. I think that reading a silly book such as this could help to create a fun atmosphere in the classroom for the rest of the year.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble , written and illustrated by William Steig, is the winner of the 1970 Caldecott Medal. Sylvester is a donkey and he finds a magic red pebble that grants his wishes. The only trick is that he must be touching it. To protect himself from a lion, Sylvester wishes that he were a rock. He is unable to turn back into himself because he is not touching the rock. For months and months he remains a rock, but he is eventually reunitied with his family. I would use this book in my classroom to talk about wishes. This book relates to the old saying "be careful what you wish for." Today's society wants for so many things, but Sylvester realizes in this book that what he really wants most is what he already has.

My Friend Rabbit

My Friend Rabbit, written and illustrated by Eric Rohmann, is an excellent picture book. Mouse lets his best friend Rabbit play with his new toy airplane. Trouble soon follows when Rabbit gets the plane stuck in a tree. Rabbit tries to get the help of all the other animals, but they are soon frustrated with him. The plane is finally knocked loose of the tree only for Rabbit to fly it into the tree again. The story ends with Rabbit claiming he has another idea. I would use this book as a read aloud to the class when talking about friendships. In friendships, people often mean well, but there will always be accidents. As Mouse does in the story, students must learn not to get angry with their friends over accidents. I would also give this as independent reading for low-level readers because the text is fairly simple and the vivid illustrations correspond to the text. There are also several pages without any words at all. I think that pages like this are a great opportunity to practice predicting events in a story, and they allow children to feel like they have some control over what is happening in the book.

Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China (Internatioinal Literature)

Yeh-Shen, retold by Ai-Ling Louie and illustrated by Ed Young, is a Chinese Cinderella story. After the death of both parents, Yeh-Shin is left in the care of her step-mother. Yeh-Shen is much prettier than her step-sister, so she is made to do all of the chores. Her only friend is a fish which her step-mother kills. Yeh-Shen is able to use the fish bones to transform her rags into beutiful clothes. She goes to the festival where she loses her shoe as her clothes transform back into rags. The king goes in pursuit of the owner of the shoe, and Yeh-Shin and the king get married. I feel that this is an excellent book to use in a classroom. I would use this book when discussing cultures in social studies. I would especially use this book if I had any Chinese students in my classroom. I feel it is important to make students feel welcomed, and Chinese students would most likely be familiar with the story. It is also important to point out that this story is much older than any Western version of Cinderella.

The Egyptian Cinderella (International Literature)

The Egyptian Cinderella, written by Shirley Climo and illustrated by Ruth Heller is a great piece of international literature. The story is about a Greek girl named Rhodopis who is stolen by pirates and sold into slavery in Egypt. Rhodopis does not fit in with the other servant girls because she has fair skin and blonde hair while they have olive skin and dark hair. Since the other girls tease her, Rhodopis takes refuge with the animals. She is caught dancing with them, and her master is so impressed that he gives her a pair of shoes. One of her shoes is stolen by a falcon, a symbol of the God Horus, and dropped in the lap of the Pharoah. He takes this as a sign and is determined to find its owner. Like most other Cinderella stories, there is a pursuit for the owner and Rhodopis finally steps forward and becomes his wife. I would use this book in the classroom as an example of international literature, and I would use it to talk about several themes. I would use it to discuss that physical differences are unimportant. The story has elements of fact and fable, so I would also discuss these aspects.

Sootface (International Literature)

Sootface, retold by Robert San Souci and illustrated by Daniel San Souci, is an Ojibwa Cinderella story. The family is composed of three sisters and their father. The two oldest sisters make their youngest sister do all of the cooking and cleaning while their father is hunting. They tease her and call her Sootface. A warrior who has the power to make himself invisible lives with his sister across the lake. As a way to find a wife, the warrior sends his sister to the village to tell the women that the one who can see her brother will marry him. The warrior knows that whoever can see him is a kind and honest person. Many women from the village, including Sootface's sisters, visit with the warrior's sister, but they are unable to tell what his bow is made from. Sootface pays a visit to the warrior's sister who makes her hair beutiful and gives her new clothes. Sootface is able to see that the bow is made from a rainbow, and she becomes the warrior's wife. This is a great book for studying international literature and other cultures. There are also important themes throughout the book that can be studied. The value of determination and a kind heart is portrayed throughout the story.

Cendrillon (Traditional or Folk Literature)

Cendrillon, written by Robert San Souci and illustrated by Brian Pinkney, is a great example of international fiction literature. It is a Caribbean version of the popular fairy tale Cinderella. The story is told from the perspective of Cendrillon's godmother who works as a washerwoman. Cendrillon's mother dies when Cendrillon is very young, and her father remarries. Her step-mother and half-sisters are very cruel to her, and treat her as a servant. As a result, Cendrillon and her godmother spend lots of time working side by side. There is a ball one evening that Cendrillon is not invited to attend. After she helps her sisters and step-mother get ready, Godmother pulls out a magic wand given to her by her own mother many years ago. This wand has the ability to change things into something else for a short amount of time. She uses this wand to dress Cendrillon in a beutiful dress and create a horse-drawn carriage. At the dance, Cendrillon dances with Paul, a prominent young man. As the power from the wand wears off, Cendrillon must rush out of the mansion leaving behind a shoe. Paul uses this shoe to attempt to find the girl he danced with. Each of the sisters tries on the shoe, but it fits only Cendrillon. They fall in love and wed with a typical "happily ever after." This story would be great for the classroom. Not only is it an example of international literature, it is also a great tool for studying other cultures. Teachers and students can use this story to discuss similarities and differences in cultures by comparing and contrasting this version of Cinderella to the American version.