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The Tree House, by Marije and Ronald Tolman, isbn# 978-1-59078-806-6
Pure picture-book magic.
A polar bear rides a whale to a tree rising out of the water. At the top of the tree is a tree house. He’s joined by a brown bear in a boat. The bears find that the tree house is the perfect place to read. When the water recedes, they are joined by flamingos, panda bears, and other animals that come by land and air. The tree house is a place of wonder, where a brown bear catches snowflakes in a butterfly net.
Artists Marije Tolman and her father, Ronald Tolman, bring their unique vision to this astonishing wordless picture book, in which each spread is a work of art.
Awards
2010 Winner of the Bologna Ragazzi Award
What are YOU so grumpy about? Written and Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld, Little, Brown, 2003.
ISBN-978-0316592369
THANKS TO VRI folk, Mary Beth and Kathleen, for sharing this hilarious read- aloud with the Shoreham Faculty!
(Ideal for Grade 1-4) From the endpapers touting the “Sure Cures for Grumpiness” to the zany situations pictured throughout the text, Lichtenheld’s full-color spreads show the many possible causes of grumpiness in a child’s world. The range is wide, from stubbing a toe or having to eat “grown-up” cereal to having to cope with gravy that touched the peas on the dinner plate. Humor is everywhere, and the author clearly knows the types of traumas that can turn a child’s mood sour. Of course, the tale has a happy ending-someone making the sourpuss laugh and thereby forgetting the reason for the grumpiness entirely. Side comments add to the fun (“Oh Poop,” says one child when he gets underwear in a birthday package). Another page talks about the “dangers” of a big hug from Grandma and shows a newspaper story with a big-bosomed blonde granny and an arrow pointing to her rather-endowed chest, claiming that her grandson was “last seen here.” Kids are sure to snicker with glee, feeling that they are getting away with seeing/hearing something a bit risqu‚. Lichtenheld is right on the mark, and his tale is sure to provoke smiles of recognition and delighted laughter from any youngster who has suffered from the “childhood grumpies.”-Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI
click on lion to visit illustrator site
Jerry Pinkney’s The Lion and The Mouse, 2010 Caldecott Medal Winner! Don’t Miss this amazing retelling of an
Aesop classic!
Before I forget, you must slip off the book jacket of this book. Underneath are two images worthy of instruction: (1) The actual book’s cover aptly suggests the title of the story through two side-by-side illustrations of the lion and the mouse, with an ampersand sitting in between. A quick discussion of how to “read” the title of the book provides students with a great clue of how this picture book successfully tells the tale w/o words. Also, (2) The back of the book is beautifully illustrated with an image reminiscent of Edward Hicks’ painting, The Peaceable Kingdom. A discussion of this image (ideally with a print of the Hicks’ work nearby) allows the teacher to touch on the theme of imagined peace between those with differences. The Aesop tale then becomes one with a broader message. The fact the book jacket covers up these two images is the only criticism I have of this beautiful retelling.
Pinkney’s version is respectful of the ancient tale, while also providing us with original elements of his own. Animal sounds make the story come even more to life, with “grrrs” and “squeaks” deftly added to his illustrations. Also, in addition to illustrations suggesting dialogue between the lion and mouse, they seem that much more human when depicted as caregivers within their animal families. The final illustration shows just how peaceful their relationship becomes as a result of their caring interactions.
In a highly awaited new novel, Kate DiCamillo conjures a haunting fable about trusting the unexpected — and making the extraordinary come true.
What if? Why not? Could it be?
When a fortuneteller’s tent appears in the market square of the city of Baltese, orphan Peter Augustus Duchene knows the questions that he needs to ask: Does his sister still live? And if so, how can he find her? The fortuneteller’s mysterious answer (an elephant! An elephant will lead him there!) sets off a chain of events so remarkable, so impossible, that you will hardly dare to believe it’s true. With atmospheric illustrations by fine artist Yoko Tanaka, here is a dreamlike and captivating tale that could only be narrated by Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo. In this timeless fable, she evokes the largest of themes — hope and belonging, desire and compassion — with the lightness of a magician’s touch
The Cats at Roxville Station by Jean Craighead George
Rachet was thrown into a river to drown. But she claws up the riverbank and finds a home with the feral cats living by the Roxville train station. Amid foxes, raccoons, owls, and hostile humans, the cats fight for territory, hunt, and are hunted. Mike, a foster child, lives near the station. He spots Rachet and sets his heart on befriending her. But Mike must learn to “speak” the language of cats to gain wily Rachet’s trust. This gorgeous novel from two-time Newbery medalist Jean Craighead George offers insight into feline behavior as it explores the wonder of friendship and the natural world hiding among us.
ACSU Literacy Place 