Klassen, J. (2012). This Is Not My Hat. Candlewick.
This humorous picture book is about a small fish who thinks he has gotten away with taking another fish's hat. This story follows the small fish on his getaway journey and the large fish on the hunt for his hat. This book tells its tale through the two page spread artwork which makes it easy for all to enjoy. The ending is inferred through the pictures and the facial expressions of the big fish. This book would be a great tool for teaching inferring. The short simple sentences allow the reader to infer what is happening in the story. A great read for any age.
2013 Caldecott Medal Winner
Other books by Jon Klassen include: I Want My Hat Back and We Found a Hat.
In this wordless picture book a boy goes to the beach to collect things that have been washed ashore. There he discovers an old barnacle covered camera. He decides to have the film developed and discovers a whole new world in the pictures. Then he sees a picture of a child holding a picture of another child, and another, and another and so on. He finally gets a microscope and discovers the children go far back into time to the turn of the century. The boy then takes his own picture with the picture of the other children and returns the camera to the sea. This incredible picture book has intriguing pictures that can be studied for clues to tell the story and let your imagination take over. This book is wonderful for teaching inferring and allows children to explore the pictures and interpret the story on their own. This story should not be missed and is perfect for children and adults alike.
2007 Caldecott Medal Winner
Other books by David Wiesner include: Tuesday, The Three Pigs, and Hurricane.
Briggs Martin, J. (1998). Snowflake Bentley. Houghton Mifflin.
This story is about a Vermont farmer's son who is curious about snow and snowflakes. This story follows Wilson Bentley on his quest to take a picture of a snowflake before it melts. He begs his parents for a special camera with a microscope that can catch the image of a snowflake before it melts. He spends much of his time out in the snow taking pictures despite the amused stares from his neighbors. He ultimately discovers that no two snowflakes are alike and his images are put into a book that is still used today. This beautifully illustrated picture book also includes sidebars with additional facts about Bentley’s life. The lyrical text is a wonderful tribute to the Vermont farmer who taught us so much about snow. This biography is perfect for teaching that persistence pays off and to do what you love.
1999 Caldecott Medal Winner
Other books by Jacqueline Briggs Martin include: Begin with a Bee, Bim, Bam, Bop, and Creekfinding: A True Story.
Bunting, E. (1994). Smoky Night. Harcourt.
This story is set during the riots in Los Angeles, and follows a young boy and his mother through their journey that night. Daniel and his mother have to leave his apartment where it is not safe because of a fire and go to a shelter in the middle of the night amidst the chaos around him. Daniel witnesses stealing and burning of the neighborhood he lives in. Along on the journey with Daniel and his mother is Daniel’s cat. Mrs. Kim, their neighbor, who Daniel says is mean also has brought her own cat to the shelter. At first the cats do not get along but then they are friendly. This shows Daniel how he too can be friendly with others even amid the anger and violence around him. The artwork in this book consists of collages made out of items that you may find in the street in the aftermath of the riot. This adds interest to the darkly outlined pictures throughout the book. This book is a great segway into important discussions with our children about the L.A. riots. This book can also be used to teach kindness and empathy for others.
1995 Caldecott Medal Winner
Other books by Eve Bunting include: One Green Apple, Gleam and Glow, and A Day’s Work.
In this story you will follow a father and his little girl through the late night woods to go owling. The little girl talks about how to call the owls and hopes for a reply or even a sighting. As they are looking for an owl she describes the beautifully cold landscape around her. The illustrator uses a cool watercolor palette of blues and browns to give the reader a feeling of a cold winter night in a rural community. This story is perfect for teaching about family relationships and exploring the world around you. This poetic story is delightful for readers of all ages and not to be missed.
1988 Caldecott Medal Winner
Other books by Jane Yolen include: Crow Not Crow and the How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight series.
This story starts in a faraway magical place where imaginary friends are born. We see an imaginary friend who is patiently waiting for his kid. Over and over he gets passed up and decides to take matters into his own hands. He sets off for the city in hopes of finding a friend. Surrounded by the drab city background he comes across a brightly colored place filled with children, a playground. There he meets his new friend and gets his very own name. This story includes brightly colored mixed media illustrations to delight your imagination. This book could be used to teach children about friendship and how to reach out to make new friends. A perfect addition to any library.
2015 Caldecott Medal Winner
Other books by Dan Santat include: After the Fall, Are We There Yet?, and Drawn Together.
This beautifully written story from the indigenous tribes tells of protecting the earth’s water. In this picture book the author explains how we must protect the water from the “black snake” that threatens to destroy it. The black snake is inferred as the pipelines that threaten native lands in the United States. This lyrical story is a cry for help in the fight to protect the earth who cannot protect itself. The author includes people from all walks of life and concludes that we are all protectors of the water. The illustrator uses watercolor pictures to depict the flow of the water throughout the story. This story could be used to teach about conservation as well as learning about indigenous people. This book is a must read for all who care for our earth.
2021 Caldecott Medal Winner
Other books by Carole Lindstrom include: Girls Dance, Boys Fiddle and Cuthbert Grant.
Scholastic Press.
This incredible story is about a man named Henry “Box” Brown who mailed himself to the north to escape slavery. This story starts with Henry as a boy whose owner dies and instead of granting his freedom leaves him to his son. Henry then grows into a man who watches his wife and children sold out from under him. He then makes the courageous decision to escape the south and slavery. Henry, with the help of his friends, loads himself into a large crate and embarks on a 27 hour journey on a train and a steamboat to reach Philadelphia and freedom. The illustrator uses crosshatched pencil lines layered with watercolor and oil paints to convey a look of old age. These powerful images give you a peek into the life and journey of Henry Brown. At the end of the story is a brief note from the author confirming facts about the story. Also it gives the reader more answers to questions they might have after reading this story. This book could be used to teach about the underground railroad and the many lives effected by slavery.
2008 Caldecott Medal Winner
Other books by Ellen Levine include: In Trouble and If You Lived with the Iroquois.
This story is about a boy and his dog waking early in the morning for his paper route. The boy goes through his morning routine of dressing, preparing the papers, and loading his bag. He then takes off on his route with his dog at his side to deliver the papers in the cool morning air. Along his route that he knows by heart he thinks of big and little things. When he is finished with his deliveries he returns home to his still warm bed and goes back to sleep. This story has short simple sentences and lovely illustrations. The illustrator portrays the darkness of night in the dark colors of his pictures which slowly brighten as the paperboy's morning goes on which gives the illusion of the sun rising. This beautifully written story can be used to teach about community, the importance of work, and responsibility.
1997 Caldecott Medal Winner
Other books by Dav Pilkey include: Dogzilla, Kat Kong, and the Dog Man series
This heartwarming story tells of the summer when the relatives came to visit. It starts with the long journey from Virginia when the relatives grapes were just starting to ripen. The relatives stay all summer eating all the melons and helping tend the garden. The author talks of people crammed into the house and loving the time that they spend together playing games and musical instruments. The story ends with the relatives packing up their car and heading back home. The illustrations are simple, classic pencil drawings that depict happy times with the relatives. This book could be used to teach connections students may have to families, love, and visits with extended family.
1986 Caldecott Medal Winner
Other books by Cynthia Rylant include: Dog Heaven, When I was Young in the Mountains, and the Mr. Putter and Tabby series.
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