A Very Big Bunny

A Very Big Bunny
Written by: Marisabina Russo 


This book is recommended for students in Kindergarten or 1st grade.  The plot of the story is simple but powerful.  There is a very big bunny (hence the title) in an elementary classroom.  She constantly feels left out and because of this she often stands by herself next to the playground fence during recess.  A new student, a very small bunny, joins the class midway through the school year.  This very small bunny takes a liking toward the big bunny.  The big bunny is reluctant at first to hang out with the small bunny but as time continued they become the best-est of friends.  In fact, they even decide to dress up the same for school pictures... they were the center of attention!  This simple story line is great for the younger students.  This book would be important to read during the first few weeks of class.  It would allow children to realize that their classmates are all different and different doesn't necessarily mean 'bad'.  


The illustrations within the book are cartoon like and often fill the page; the colors are very bright and quite detailed.  In addition, the illustrations do a very nice job aiding the words of the story.  A child who didn't know how to read, or couldn't read all the words in the book, would be able to have an understanding of the story-line by looking at the pictures.

The Jungle Baseball Game

The Jungle Baseball Game

Written by: Tom Paxton

Illustrated by: Karen Lee Schmidt

I chose this book to begin with for my second grade Block A buddy. She adores animals and I thought this book would suit her interests well. Unfortunately I didn't fall in love with the story. Because of this I decided not to share this particular book with my buddy. The words have a rhyming scheme to them, and in my opinion that often makes it hard to read for understanding. While reading I found myself simply keeping a rhythm using the words instead of comprehending what the plot of the story was.

Additionally, sheet music is available on the front and back inside covers of the book with the words of the story as the lyrics. The lesson present within the story is an important one: don't give up. The illustrations are nicely done. Each page appears to be in a picture frame/boarder. Dancing, baseball monkeys surround the outside of the picture frame.

The book is recommended for children 3+. Both the male and female gender are represented through the baseball teams players. This will allow both genders to relate with the story. I hesitate saying that, because a girl or boy may relate with a character of their opposite gender, however, more often than not children tend to drift themselves toward books more stereotypically geared toward their sex. I would recommend this book to my students as an individual read.

Lost in the Woods

Lost in the Woods

Written by: Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick

I'm struggling as to which genre I would place this book into. The illustrations with the book are actual photographed images of animals in nature, however, the animals within the story talk to one another. Perhaps realistic fiction? Who knows! I'll probably figure it out right after I post this ;). I am a huge nature buff so I naturally loved this book. The fawn, shown on the cover, fell asleep in the beginning of the story and upon waking up he is in search for his mother. Animals friends, such as an owl, chipmunk, and bird, help the fawn and talk him through the process of finding his mother. The book is recommend for students between the ages of 5 and 10, and I feel that both boys and girls may find this book interesting. This story would be wonderful for a classroom read-aloud or an individual read. The photographs are vivid and colorful and due to this a student who couldn't read may find this book enjoyable by simply viewing the images. Additionally, a game is found on the last page... the author asks the reader to turn back through the pages and find certain animals. This book could be used nicely as a way to open a unit on nature or animals.

The Secret Plan

The Secret Plan

Written by: Julia Sarcome-Roach

Brief Summary: No one seems to enjoy being told when they should go to bed, and this includes Milo, Henry, Harriet, and Hildy. These four friends decided that they have been pushed around long enough! After attempting many unsuccessful methods to avoid bedtime, these four friends decided to come up with a fail-proof, super-secret plan on how they can get together and hang out instead of going to bed.

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I feel that all students can relate to the idea of disliking being told when bedtime was. The book is recommended to students in Kindergarten, 1st, or 2nd grade, and I think this age range is appropriate. The language and plot in the story are simple. The illustrations are cartoonish and bright. On several pages the words and illustrations are played off one another (similarly to a graphic novel). This makes the story even more attractive and draws the reader's attention. The book isn't gender-biased and because of this both boys and girls may find this book attractive. A student who is interested in animals may also find this book enjoyable.

In conclusion, I thought this book was charming and unique. The animals within the story form a unique friendship over 'sneaking around'. I would be up for the idea of reading this book as a read a-loud and also recommend it to students as an individual read.

Cork & Fuzz

Cork & Fuzz

Written by: Dori Chaconas

Illustrated by: Lisa McCue

Brief Summary: Cork and Fuzz.. a muskrat and a possum.. a vegetarian and a carnivore... how much different can you get! Will Cork and Fuzz be able to hang out together or are they just too different?

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Cork and Fuzz are quite the unique animals; their personalities definitely capture your attention. Creatively done by the author, neither character is given a specified gender. I think this is wonderful because both girls and boys will be able to relate to these two animals. Cork and Fuzz are about as opposite as opposite can get; however, they seem to make their friendship work. This lesson is a powerful message to spread to students. Every student within the classroom is unique, and just because the person across the table from you isn't the same gender, race, or age than you doesn't mean that you can't be friends.

The illustrations within the book are detailed and cartoon-ish. The age level recommended for this book is 6-9 (1st through 3rd grade). I think this book would make for a good individual read due to the fact that this book is a part of a series. This would allow for the students to continue reading about Cork and Fuzz on their own throughout the semester.

Turtle Dreams

Turtle Dreams

Written by: Marion Dane Bauer

Illustrated by: Diane Dawson Hearn

Brief Summary: It's Turtle's first winter! Her grandmother has told her that she needs to start gathering some dreams. "But what are dreams?" Turtle wonders. Turtle goes out and searches for some dreams that she could carry back on her shell. Throughout all her searching and question asking, Turtle discovers that the best dreams of all occur while she is tucked in her shell deep in the mud.

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I LOVED this book! I actually went to amazon.com and bought this book online as soon as I finished the story. I have two pet turtles of my own and this book truly 'hit home'. The content is both educational and entertaining. This book would be a great choice to read during a science lesson/unit on hibernation. Throughout the story three other animals are mentioned (an otter, a squirrel, and a bird). The author wittily speaks through these animals and gives their point of view on the winter months. Due to this, this book would be a great example to read and use when introducing the idea of writing in different P.O.V.'s in English class. The illustrations within the book are detailed, colorful, and page filling. There is quite a bit of dialogue which would allow for an entertaining read a-loud in class; I would also recommend this book during a small-group/individual read.

Pancakes for Supper

Pancakes for Supper

Written by: Anne Isaacs

Illustrated by: Mark Teague

Brief Summary: A young girl named Toby serves as the main character within the book Pancakes for Supper. Toby is traveling through the woods in a wagon with her mother and father when suddenly the wagon hits a bump in the road that causes her to go flying! Toby soars through the sky and gently lands back on the ground, on top of a pile of snow, in the middle of the woods. Throughout her pursuit in finding her way back to her mother and father, Toby unexpectedly find herself face-to-face with some unfriendly animals. Through a unique and surprising ending, these unfriendly creatures aid Toby in discovering some hot maple syrup to use on some homemade pancakes.

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I randomly chose this book from the Curriculum Lab's shelf and I am glad that I did! The illustrations within the book help aid the plot of the story as well as provide colorful, page filling, images. Pancakes for Supper is recommended for children between the ages of 4 and 8. I agree with this age range due to the simple plot line, word usage, and illustrations present throughout the pages of the book. However I would argue that students up to 3rd grade (10/11 years old) may find this book appealing. A main theme that is consistently present within this book is to be generous and eventually, in return, good/pleasant things will happen to you. I believe that students of both gender would find this book enjoyable. The main character, Toby, is female; however, a strong feminine, "girly", vibe isn't present. Toby could just as easily be portrayed as a boy within this book without changing the language of the story. As many other children's book, Pancakes for Supper, is fiction. This particular story allows for the audience to read/hear about a situation that is far-fetched and unrealistic, and I think that is just great! I had no idea how the book was going to end, and after reading the conclusion I had to pause and think for a second how that came to be. The ending was unexpected and rather humorous. Overall I would recommend this book to my students and an individual read or perhaps it could be read aloud for the entire class to hear.