From Egg to Robin by Jan Kottke

This is a cute book with good pictures that is suitable for classrooms or for library checkout. There are 7 sections and 24 pages:

1. Robin Eggs in a Nest
2. Taking Care of the Young
3. All Grown-Up
4. New Words
5. To Find Out More
6. Index
7. About the author

The layout is simple large text on one page with a full page photo on the facing page.

The pictures begin with three very blue eggs in a nest, followed by a mother sitting on them, and then three very hungry babies squawking for food. We get a great picture of mom with a bug and then shots of the babies as they get older and fledge... and finally have babies of their own.

THE SKINNY:::
I like this little book. At the AR 1.3 level, it makes for a good, informative practice reader for children. Not only are the pictures engaging, but the book clearly shows children how the babies develop -- growing feathers and fledging -- as well as how babies become adults, who in turn have their own babies.

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs


From Egg to Robin
by Jan Kottke

• Paperback: 24 pages
• Publisher: Children's Press
• ISBN-10: 0516235087
• Look inside available
  --amazon

Reading Information:
Word Count: 127
Interest Level: preschool through early elementary
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 1.3 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 46352

by Pam T

The History and Activities of Ancient Greece by Greg Owens

This book is a little different from the others we've read so far. It's divided into two parts, the first part features the usual discussion of the origins of Democracy and 'life in Ancient Greece', and the second section contains some art and cooking projects that children can do with adult assistance.

Here are the Contents:

The World's First Democracy
Life in Ancient Greece
Arts and Sports
Hands-On Ancient History
-- Sesame Cakes
-- Makes a Peplos
-- Paint a Greek Vase
-- Make a Fresco Painting

Glossary
More Books to Read
A Note to Teachers
Index

The book does a very good job, in my opinion, of describing the origins and practice of Democracy in very few words (two pages). It's coverage of Greek lifestyle is more-or-less the standard fair covering as much material as the other books we've used, in about as much detail.

So far, this has been the only book that has presented us with a timeline. It's very contracted (only 1/2 page and 7 events) but if you have kids that like such things it will give them some idea of the mega-events that fell between 2800 BC (Minoans on Crete) and 146 BC (Rome becomes the dominant player).


We're going to make the sesame cakes and I'll update this review with the results to let you know whether it's worth the time and effort. As for the other projects, although my daughter is constantly pestering me to make a peplos, I see little chance of that happening. The same with the paper mache vase project, and the fresco project that requires us to make a plaster casting.

THE SKINNY:::
I liked this book principally for how Greg Owens handles the sections on Democracy and the Peloponnesian war.

The artwork and photo selections are good.

I like the project selections, although they aren't something I think most teachers would want to tackle. Better for homeschoolers perhaps.

All in all, unless you are going to use the projects to flesh out your studies, I don't think this book rates a place on the home shelves.

Well written.


Hands-On Ancient History:
The History and Activities of Ancient Greece
by Greg Owens

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann-Raintree (2007)
• ISBN-10: 1403479208 and 1403479283
• amazon
  

Technical Stuff
No Reading information available.
Perhaps 3rd or 4th grade (?)

" The Ancient Greeks" (History Starts Here) by John Malam-- History Books for Kids

This is another general book on the Ancient Greeks, and though it had features of interest, it wasn't my favorite. Generally I would say that it was serviceable for the classroom, particularly for younger elementary students that read above grade level -- but it's not a good choice for the home shelves.

Here are the chapter headings:

Who Were the Greeks?
The Beginning of Greece
Athens -- City of Marble
How a City Was Run
Life in Ancient Greece
Children and School
Greek Clothes
Food and Drink
Gods and Goddesses
Festivals and Games
Stories and Theater
The Greeks at War
The End of the Greeks

Important Dates
Glossary
Further Information
Index

The Skinny:::
I thought the material was too simple for the reading level. For example, while the author spoke of Athens, there was no mention of Sparta and it's culture, nor of the warfare that took place between the city-states. Similarly, there were few details giving about the dining accommodations, and no mention of the term Andron, which we've run across in every other 'general' level book we've read.

What I did like were the two pages which were spent on the Minoans and Mycencaeans. Oddly enough, this is the only book, thus far, that has specifically mentioned that the Minoans did not speak Greek. I also liked the additional information that was offered on clothing and dyes. Other books mentioned spinning wool, and wool for clothing, but this book added that the Greeks also used linen to dress themselves.

The picture selection was very, very good. There was a great picture of a stone doll, for example, that had legs that pivoted.

Note: I think you'll find this book difficult to track down. There are different ISBNs and publishers given and tracking down the reading information was a messy business.

The Ancient Greeks (History Starts Here)
by John Malam, Michael & Kasia Posen (Illus.)

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Hodder Wayland
• ISBN-10: 0750244518, also 1433940914
• amazon
  

Technical Stuff
Word Count: 1,976
Reading Level: 4.4
Interest Level: Elementary
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 4.4 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 140267

Another site gives the reading level as 4.5, and the Quiz as 48876.

For other Good Books on Ancient Greece, see our directory

Michael Townsend's Amazing Greek Myths of Wonder and Blunders -- Good History Books for Kids

My children ADORE this book! It has the zany humor my "Captain Underpants Lovin'" 8 year-old son craves, and it had a level of humor a bit more sophisticated than that, that both my 10 year-old daughter and I enjoyed.

The stories covered:

The Foolish King Midas and the Golden Touch
Pandora and the Box of Mystery
Pygmalion and His Rocky Relationship!!!
The Abduction of Persephone
Arachne Gets a Big Head!!!
Perseus vs. Two Nasty Kings and a Really Ugly Monster
Pyramus and Thisbe- An Icky Love Story
The Short Flight of Icarus
Hercules and the Ten Labors (Give or Take a Few)
The Drawn-Out Finale...

What permanently endeared this book to me was that my kids totally got the messages that myths were meant to tell. Far from obscuring the themes, the humor and Townsend's shorthand version, seemed to clarify them and cement them in my children's heads.

A perfect example of this occurred the other night when we were all watching some junky-show on TV. It was a show with a version of the Romeo and Juliette story, and Laura piped up and said, 'Dad, that's just like the story of Thisbe and Pyramus'. To which Dave added, 'but without the crack in the wall."

The Skinny:::

Michael Townsend's book was a real hit in our household. My children (boy and girl; 8 and 10) loved it.

The versions of these ancient myths in this book are approximations of the original stories. They are riddled with humor and summaries of some of the 'bigger' themes. At first I wondered if the kids would get anything useful out of the book, but they entirely grasped the greater themes. And honestly, doesn't humor sometimes make memorizing easier.

Violence: nothing graphic, but hey, these are Greek myths. Cyclops do get their eyes poked out.

Language: use of the word stupid.

Adult situations: Well, again, it's Greek myths we're talking about here. And Perseus' mom did have help from Zeus to conceive. But not to worry, it's handled quite well (at least my two didn't blink twice). Zeus arrives and goes "Poof!" and the next thing the princess says is, "Wow, I'm pregnant!" To which Zeus replies that now she'll never have to be lonely again. (All difficult material is handled in the same way.)

Highly recommend.

Pam~
Somewhere in the X-burbs


Michael Townsend's Amazing Greek Myths of Wonder and Blunders
by Michael Townsend

Reading Information:
Word Count: 10,068
Page Count: 160
Accelerated Readier: 2.8 / points: .05
AR quiz: 138501

For other Good Books on Ancient Greece, see our directory

"Greek Hero" by Manning & Granstrom -- Good History Books for Kids

"Greek Hero" is another book that we're using to flesh out our studies of Ancient Greece. (The first was Susan Reynold's The First Marathon: The Legend of Pheidippides.)

It's a book that presents it's information via a story, but unlike the Reynold's book, this story is of modern origins.

To get children started, the authors begin with a map of the 4th Century BC Greek empire. By this time it's an image the children and I are familiar with. They then introduce the cast of characters that children will find in the story. This is pretty much required as there's little time, in so brief a book, to go into in-depth character studies.

The premise is that a young soldier named Agathon was at the battle of Plataea (479 BC) and that after that decisive victory against the Persians that he is free to pursue more peaceful activities. This premise serves to acquaint children with the Persian/Greek wars and also allows the authors to whisk us from one Greek location to another as Agathon gets on with his life.

Chapter Headings
Who were the Greeks?
Meet the Greeks
Victory
Homeward Bound
Campfire Stories
Deliveries
Home Life
Theater
Temple of the Gods
School Days
Wedding Day
Greek Women
Market Place
Sparta
Olympia
The Games
End of the Greeks
What the Greeks Left Behind
Glossary & Index

As you can perhaps see, the nature of these chapters is to teach about everyday Greek life: trade and commerce, family and marriage, food and household affairs, and religion at that time

Now, as a story the book didn't work all that well for us. There just wasn't time in so few pages to provide continuity between activities. However, I still think it was a worthy attempt and a laudable approach as it made what could have been dry material on the everyday life, kid-friendly.

Some of the material we had covered before, but some was new to us. For example the authors explained more about how men and women dined, how women were treated, and how marriages were arranged. They even quoted a snippet of a poem from Sappho, the famous Greek poetess. In addition, they gave brief summaries of a couple of the Greek myths, so if your child isn't familiar with them, this might spark their interest.

The Skinny:::
A useful and informative book. The story didn't work for us, but it served well to make the children more interested in the everyday life of ancient Greeks.

Great artwork. If you look at Amazon's Look Inside pages, you'll see that the facts and story are presented in a lively manner.

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs


Greek Hero (Fly on the Wall)
by Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
  
• ISBN-10: 1845076834
• Look Inside
  
• amazon

Technical Stuff

Word Count: 2,704

Reading Level: 5.1

Interest Level: elementary

Accelerated Reader: reading level: 5.1 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 125757

For other Good Books on Ancient Greece, see our directory

The First Marathon: The Legend of Pheidippides

The Backstory: Twenty-five Hundred years ago the Persians became angry with the Greeks and decided to declare war on them. As the Athenian and Persian armies faced off on the plain of Marathon, it became clear to the Greeks that they were greatly outnumbered and that reinforcements were needed.

They decided to ask Sparta for help. The only problem was that the city-state of Sparta was 140 rock strewn miles away and that consequently the use of horses was out of the question. They turned therefore to their runners and decided that Pheidippides was the man for the job. It took him 36 hours of nonstop running but he made it. Amazingly, he gave his message and then turned and ran back to the battle field.

The Spartans never turned up in time, but the Greeks miraculously won anyway. THEN, in what can only be called a major management snafu, Pheidippides was asked to run to Athens to tell everyone at home that their army was victorious. Needless to say, his electrolytes must have been seriously out of whack by then; after delivering his message, Pheidippides clutched his chest and died.

When we study an area like ancient Greek history, I always try to keep things lively by throwing in some great picture books with fabulous stories. The First Marathon: The Legend of Pheidippides is one such book. Marvelous story and Susan Reynolds tells it so well that all of us were immediately drawn in.

THE SKINNY:::

Great story, well told. Information such as Greece's geology and Persia's motivation in the conflict is painlessly integrated into the story so that kids learn without even knowing it.

Rather than glorifying war, the author puts the emphasis on honor, steadfastness and physical fitness.

Bright and dramatic artwork by Daniel Minter is kid-friendly, and the costuming and settings are historically accurate (although abstract).

Finally, I love how Ms. Reynolds takes the sad ending -- Pheidippides sort of overdoes the running -- and turns it into a positive by showing that the man is still honored today, thousands of years later, whenever a Marathon is run.

The First Marathon: The Legend of Pheidippides
by Susan Reynolds, Daniel Minter (Illus.)

Reading Information
Word Count: 2,404
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 5.5/ points: 0.5
AR quiz: 106017

• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
  
• ISBN-10: 0807508675

For other Good Books on Ancient Greece, see our directory

Let's See Ancient Greece --Good History Books for Kids

The kids and I have embarked on a study of Ancient Greece and this is the first book I'm reviewing.

Pam

This little book provides a brief introduction to the Ancient Greeks. It begins with a map showing children where ancient Greece and it's colonies were situated, and then every-so-briefly touches upon diverse and unrelated topics like cities, religion, the Olympics, and play.

Despite the fact that some would find this scatter-blast approach insufficient, I liked the book, and thought that it provided a good jumping off point for our studies of the ancient world, being both appropriate for younger and older children.

Here are the Chapter Headings:

What Was Ancient Greece?
Who Were the Ancient Greeks?
What Was Important to the Ancient Greeks?
What Was the Major cities in Ancient Greece?
What Was Life Like for the Children?
What Was the Religion of Ancient Greece?
What Kind of Work Did They Do?
What Are the Olympics
How Do We Remember Ancient Greece?

Glossary
Did You Know?
Want to Know More?
Index

Features of Interest

I particularly like that Ms. Klingel took the time to say that children in ancient Greece played blindman's bluff, tag and ball games. I think this perfectly illustrates -- in a manner even the youngest children can understand -- that ancient peoples are not that different from us; and that our own habits and preferences can have origins that are very old indeed (i.e. that there is a historical heritage that links us to the ancients).

I also liked the section on 'what was important' to the Greeks and why. Ms. Klingel explained, for example, that sports were important not only because everyone likes to win, but because those same skills were needed for war.

Finally, my personal favorites were the drawings which I thought demonstrated the wondrous scale in which the Greeks built. Though constructed thousands of years ago, there was nothing 'primitive' about them, and I used this art to emphasize the fact that ancient people were just as clever as people today, and that their literature and philosophies and artwork are worth studying and understanding.




THE SKINNY:::
A nice broad introduction, there is no attempt in this book to provide a time line. Instead the book spends two pages on general information -- location and the Greek's antecedents (Minoans and Mycenaeans) -- before branching off into diverse topics.

The text is large. Drawings or pictures are on the left-hand page, with a paragraph or two on the facing page. Each chapter is only a page long so that it makes for a nice practice reader for those at the AR 3.9 level.

There is much to learn from the drawings if you study them. Be sure to point out the large scale in which the Greeks built.

Okay Read-Aloud.

Let's See Ancient Greece
by Cynthia Klingel and Robert B. Noyed

Reading Information:
Word Count: 878
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 3.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 62127

• Publisher: Compass Point Books (2002)
• ISBN-10: 0756502934
• amazon

For other Good Books on Ancient Greece, see our directory

Ancient Greece - Good History Books for Kids, a directory

The kids and I have embarked on a study of Ancient Greece and these are the books we've used. If any of them seem interesting to you, click on the picture and you can see what we thought of them.

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs
































For printables and activities, see Activity Village - Ancient Greece for Kids

Great Men & Women - Clara Barton Easy Readers & Chapter Books

Clara Barton

Clara Barton is best known for being the founder of the American Red Cross and the National First Aid Society.  We have moved this list of books to the sister site, GOOD BOOKS FOR KIDS LISTS!
 

Coretta Scott King Book Awards - Good Books for Kids

The American Library Association says of the Coretta Scott King book awards:

Designed to commemorate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to honor Mrs. Coretta Scott King for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace, the Coretta Scott King Book Awards annually recognize outstanding books for young adults and children by African American authors and illustrators that reflect the African American experience. Further, the Award encourages the artistic expression of the black experience via literature and the graphic arts in biographical, social, and historical treatments by African American authors and illustrators.

And here are the Winners...

2011 Winning Author


One Crazy Summer
by Rita Williams-Garcia

Other Awards and Mentions:
**starred review** Horn Book
**starred review** Booklist
**starred review** School Library Journal
**National Book Ward Finalist**

Description: Eleven-year-old Delphine has it together. Even though her mother, Cecile, abandoned her and her younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern, seven years ago. Even though her father and Big Ma will send them from Brooklyn to Oakland, California, to stay with Cecile for the summer. And even though Delphine will have to take care of her sisters, as usual, and learn the truth about the missing pieces of the past.

When the girls arrive in Oakland in the summer of 1968, Cecile wants nothing to do with them. She makes them eat Chinese takeout dinners, forbids them to enter her kitchen, and never explains the strange visitors with Afros and black berets who knock on her door. Rather than spend time with them, Cecile sends Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern to a summer camp sponsored by a revolutionary group, the Black Panthers, where the girls get a radical new education.

Set during one of the most tumultuous years in recent American history, one crazy summer is the heartbreaking, funny tale of three girls in search of the mother who abandoned them—an unforgettable story told by a distinguished author of books for children and teens, Rita Williams-Garcia.

• Reading level: Elementary/Middle-Grade
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Amistad (January 26, 2010)
• ISBN-10: 0060760885
• Look Inside
• amazon
  

2011 Author Honors


Lockdown
by Walter Dean Myers

Other Awards and Mentions:
**starred review** Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Description: When I first got to Progress, it freaked me out to be locked in a room and unable to get out. But after a while, when you got to thinking about it, you knew nobody could get in, either.

It seems as if the only progress that's going on at Progress juvenile facility is moving from juvy jail to real jail. Reese wants out early, but is he supposed to just sit back and let his friend Toon get jumped? Then Reese gets a second chance when he's picked for the work program at a senior citizens' home. He doesn't mean to keep messing up, but it's not so easy, at Progress or in life. One of the residents, Mr. Hooft, gives him a particularly hard time. If he can convince Mr. Hooft that he's a decent person, not a criminal, maybe he'll be able to convince himself.

Acclaimed author Walter Dean Myers offers an honest story about finding a way to make it without getting lost in the shuffle.

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Amistad
• ISBN-10: 0061214825
• Look Inside
• amazon

Technical Stuff
Word Count: 45,613
Reading Level: 4.7
Interest Level: Young Adult/some Middle-Graders
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 4.7 / points: 7.0 / quiz: 135792




Ninth Ward
by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Description: In New Orleans' Ninth Ward, twelve-year-old Lanesha, who can see spirits, and her adopted grandmother have no choice but to stay and weather the storm as Hurricane Katrina bears down upon them.

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• ISBN-10: 0316043079
• amazon
  

Technical Stuff
Word Count: 32,545
Reading Level: 3.3
Reading level: Tweens/Middle-Grade
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 3.3 / points: 4.0 / quiz: 139032





Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty
Written by G. Neri
Illustrated by Randy DuBurke

Other Awards and Mentions:
**starred review** Kirkus
**starred review** Booklist
**starred review** Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Description: A graphic novel based on the true story of Robert "Yummy" Sandifer, an eleven-year old African American gang member from Chicago who shot a young girl and was then shot by his own gang members.

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Lee & Low Books (July 30, 2010)
• ISBN-10: 1584302674
• Look Inside
• amazon
  

2011 Illustrator Winner


Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave
Illustrated by Bryan Collier,
Written by Laban Carrick Hill

Description: Dave was an extraordinary artist, poet, and potter living in South Carolina in the 1800s. He combined his superb artistry with deeply observant poetry, carved onto his pots, transcending the limitations he faced as a slave. In this inspiring and lyrical portrayal, National Book Award nominee Laban Carrick Hill's elegantly simple text and award-winning artist Bryan Collier's resplendent, earth-toned illustrations tell Dave's story, a story rich in history, hope, and long-lasting beauty.

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (September 7, 2010)
• ISBN-10: 031610731X
• amazon
  

Technical Stuff
Word Count: 1,736
Reading Level: 6.0
Reading level: Elementary
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 6.0 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 139661 /



2011 Illustrator Honoree


Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix
Illustrated by Javaka Steptoe
Written by Gary Golio

Other Awards and Mentions:
**starred review** Kirkus
**starred review** School Library Journal

Description: Jimi Hendrix was many things: a superstar, a rebel, a hero, an innovator. But first, he was a boy named Jimmy who loved to draw and paint and listen to records. A boy who played air guitar with a broomstick and longed for a real guitar of his own. A boy who asked himself a question: Could someone paint pictures with sound?

This a story of a talented child who learns to see, hear, and interpret the world around him in his own unique way. It is also a story of a determined kid with a vision, who worked hard to become a devoted and masterful artist. Jimi Hendrix--a groundbreaking performer whose music shook the very foundations of rock 'n' roll.

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (October 4, 2010)
• ISBN-10: 0618852794
• Look Inside
• amazon

Technical Stuff
Word Count: 1,740
Reading Level: 5.6
Reading level: Elementary/Middle-Grade
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 5.6 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 140255 /

Best 2010 Books for Kids - BookList Picks!

The editors at the American Library Association's Booklist publication have come out with their picks of Top Books for Young Readers for 2010. We have rearranged them according to reading level for those who would like to use these as practice readers. (They can be read aloud too!)

======= Level 1's =======

Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same!
By Grace Lin

**Starred Review** School Library Journal

Plot Description: Ling and Ting are twins. They like to stick together. They get haircuts and they make dumplings. They do magic tricks and they read books. They stick together and look alike. But they are not exactly the same.

• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  
• ISBN-10: 031602452X
  amazon

Technical Stuff
Word Count: 887
Reading Level: 1.8
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 1.8 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 137469





Nini Lost and Found
By Anita Lobel

Plot Description: One beautiful autumn day, Nini, a little tabby cat, sees that the door is open. The garden and nearby woods seem to beckon her to explore. Nini thinks the great outdoors is really, really, really nice . . . until night falls and strange animals begin sniffing and hooting and lurking about. Suddenly there is no place like home.

This warm and reassuring picture book speaks to children whose curiosity has tempted them to “run away” from home. Caldecott Honor Book artist Anita Lobel’s illustrations have never been more beautiful. Endearing portraits of her own beloved Nini cat in a lush autumnal setting will gladden the hearts of cat lovers of all ages.

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
  
• ISBN-10: 0375858806
• Look Inside
  
• amazon
  

Technical Stuff
Word Count: 414
Reading Level: 1.8
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 1.8 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 139423

======= Level 2's =======

Big Red Lollipop
By Rukhsana Khan
Illus. by Sophie Blackall

**A New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book for 2010**

Plot Description: Rubina has been invited to her first birthday party, and her mother, Ami, insists that she bring her little sister along. Rubina is mortified, but she can't convince Ami that you just don't bring your younger sister to your friend's party. So both girls go, and not only does Sana demand to win every game, but after the party she steals Rubina's prized party favor, a red lollipop. What's a fed-up big sister to do?

Rukhsana Khan's clever story and Sophie Blackall's irresistible illustrations make for a powerful combination in this fresh and surprising picture book.

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile
  
• ISBN-10: 0670062871
  amazon

Technical Stuff
Word Count: 821
Reading Level: 2.2
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 2.2 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 134832
Lexile: AD410L




City Dog, Country Frog
By Mo Willems
Illus. by Jon J Muth

**Starred Review** School Library Journal

Plot Description: In spring, when City Dog runs free in the country for the first time, he spots Country Frog sitting on a rock, waiting for a friend. "You'll do," Frog says, and together they play Country Frog games. In summer, they meet again and play City Dog games. Through the seasons, whenever City Dog visits the country he runs straight for Country Frog's rock. In winter, things change for City Dog and Country Frog. Come spring, friendship blooms again, a little different this time.

Mo Willems' spare, poignant text and Jon J. Muth's expressive watercolors team up to present a reflection on the natural course of friendship--and life--that will resonate with readers of all ages.

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion
• ISBN-10: 1423103009
  amazon

Technical Stuff
Word Count: 333
Reading Level: 2.3
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 2.3 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 137464





Rain School
By James Rumford

Plot Description: But when he and the other children arrive at the schoolyard, they find no classroom, no desks. Just a teacher. "We will build our school," she says. "This is our first lesson."

James Rumford, who lived in Chad as a Peace Corps volunteer, fills these pages with the vibrant colors of Africa and the spare words of a poet to show how important learning is in a country where only a few children are able to go to school

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
• ISBN-10: 0547243073
• Look Inside
  
• amazon

Technical Stuff
Word Count: 451
Reading Level: 2.5
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 2.5 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 140157




Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion
By Mo Willems

Plot Description: Trixie and her family are off on a fantastic trip to visit her grandparents—all the way in Holland! But does Knuffle Bunny have different travel plans?

An emotional tour de force, Knuffle Bunny Free concludes one of the most beloved picture-book series in recent memory, with pitchperfect text and art, photos from around the world, and a stunning foldout spread, culminating in a hilarious and moving surprise that no child or parent will be able to resist.

Bestselling, award-winning author Mo Willems has created an epic love story as only he can, filled with the joys and sadness of growing up —and the unconditional love that binds a father, mother, daughter, and a stuffed bunny.

• Hardcover: 52 pages
• Publisher: Balzer + Bray
  
• ISBN-10: 0061929573
• Look Inside
• amazon
  

Technical Stuff
Word Count: 628
Reading Level: 2.7
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 2.7 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 139483





Miss Lina’s Ballerinas
By Grace Maccarone
Illus. by Christine

Plot Description: In four rows of two, Miss Lina’s eight ballerinas—Christina, Edwina, Sabrina, Justina, Katrina, Bettina, Marina, and Nina—dance to the park, at the zoo, and even while doing their schoolwork. They are one perfect act, but when Miss Lina introduces Regina, a new girl, the group of nine’s steps become a mess.

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
  
• ISBN-10: 031238243X
• Look Inside
• amazon
  

Technical Stuff
Word Count: 341
Reading Level: 2.9
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 2.9 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 140502




======= Generic 2's =======



Sleepover at Gramma’s House
By Barbara Joosse
Illus. by Jan Jutte

Plot Description: Going to Gramma’s takes plenty of preparation. Granddaughter packs her overnighty trunk and says goodbye to Mom, Dad, little fish and baby in the bed. She can’t wait to see her silly millie gramma! Together at last, the two spend a day full of dancing, painting each other and partying with a razzle and a dazzle before, finally, resting together in a ricky rocky swing. What a day!

Barbara Joosse’s spirited text combined with Jan Jutte’s lively illustrations create this delightful story. Full of engaging, bouncy language that zips right along, this is an original picture book that captures the loving relationship between a young-hearted gramma and her enthusiastic granddaughter.

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Philomel
• ISBN-10: 0399252614
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Technical Stuff
Reading Level: generic 2

======= Level 3's =======

Clever Jack Takes the Cake
By Candace Fleming0
Illus. by G. Brian Karas

**Starred Review** School Library Journal

Plot Description: Take a bite out of this deliciously funny original fairy tale by a bestselling picture-book duo!

What would you do if you were invited to the princess’s tenth birthday party but didn’t have money for a gift? Well, clever Jack decides to bake the princess a cake.

Now he just has to get it to the castle in one piece. What could possibly go wrong?

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
• ISBN-10: 0375849793
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Technical Stuff
Word Count: 1,384
Reading Level: 3.8
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 3.8 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 138712



======= Generic 3's =======



Snook Alone
By Marilyn Nelson
Illus. by Timothy Basil Ering

Plot Description: Abba Jacob is a monk who lives on a far, far away island with his loyal rat terrier, Snook. Every day, from the wee hours of dawn till the sun sets over the sea, Snook keeps Abba Jacob company as he prays or works, tending the gardens or fixing the plumbing of the little hermitage he calls home. But when the two are separated by a ferocious storm, Snook must learn to fend for himself in the wild, all alone in a world of fierceness and wonder. Will he ever again hear the loving voice that he waits for? Simply and lyrically told by award-winning poet Marilyn Nelson and beautifully illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering with wit, warmth, and affection for the natural world, this captivating tale of friendship lost and found conveys the power of faith against all odds.

• Publisher: Walker & Company
  
• ISBN-10: 1844282791
• Look Inside
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Technical Stuff
Reading Level: generic 3




There’s Going to Be a Baby
By John Burningham
Illus. by Helen Oxenbury

Plot Description: From two of the world's best-loved picture-book creators, an absolute gem for new-siblings-to-be. When is the baby coming? What will we call it? What will the baby do? We don't really need the baby, do we? As the arrival of a new sibling draws nearer, the questions that stream through a young child's mind are followed with sensitivity and humour in this enchanting book. Exquisitely illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, these pages brim with love, excitement and reassurance as the child in the story imagines all kinds of colourful futures for the brother or sister he is waiting to meet. Full of warmth and promise, this is an instant and timeless classic. It is the first book-publishing collaboration of this award-winning husband-and-wife team. Oozing with loving interaction between parent and child, and with unspoken - yet palpable - reassurance.

• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick
• ISBN-10: 0763649074
• Look Inside
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Technical Stuff
Reading Level: generic 3

======= Level 4's =======

A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea
By Michael Ian Black. Illus. by Kevin Hawkes

Explains precisely why, although it may sound like a good idea, gathering hundreds of pigs to march in a parade through one's hometown is inadvisable.

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's
• ISBN-10: 1416979220
• Look Inside
  
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Technical Stuff
Word Count: 600
Reading Level: 4.4
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 4.4 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 139676



For other Lists of Great 2010 Books see:

Got Holiday Money? Six Great New Books to Buy in Early 2011

Best Books for Kids - Pam's Picks for 2010

Best Middle-School books of 2010 - Shan's Picks

Best Picture Books of 2010 - Shan's Picks

Award Winning Books for Kids - The Newbery Winners!

Top 100 Children’s Books - Teachers and Parents Pick

Children Pick: Top 100 Books for Kids