The Saggy Baggy Elephant, Written by: Kathryn Jackson & Byron Jackson, Illustrated by: Gustav Tenggren

The Saggy Baggy Elephant

Written by:Written by: Kathryn Jackson & Byron Jackson

Illustrated by: Gustav Tenggren

Grades: PreK-2

After a parrot makes fun of Sooki's big ears, long nose, and wrinkled skin, the saggy baggy elephant is not too sure of himself. Sooki tries to fit in but, just can't because he is not like the others. He feels sad and self-conscious, so the little elephant decides to hide in a cave where no one can see how ugly he is. Then he finds something just like him, other elephants. Sooki sees he just needed to be himself to be loved. 

This is a great book for kids trying to fit in or feeling self-conscious. It will make them see that they only need to be themselves to be happy. 

The Little Engine That Could, Written by: Watty Piper Illustrated by: George Hauman & Doris Hauman

The Little Engine That Could

Written by: Watty Piper

Illustrated by: George Hauman & Doris Hauman

Grades:PreK-2

Awards: Lewis Carrol Shelf Award (1958)

The little engine that could is about an engine that came along and helped a broken down train after other trains refused. The train is only a moving train that had never been over the mountain but, when it thought of all the girls and boys who wouldn’t get their toys and food. The little train had never done anything like this before. She chants "I think I can, I think I can," and after a lot of hard work it does make it. It is a story about perseverance and reaching your goal. 

In the classroom this book encourages students to not give up. That if they keep trying they to can reach the goals that are set for them. 

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe ( The Chronicles of Narnia) Written by: C.S. Lewis Illustrated by: Pauline Baynes

The Lion, The  Witch, and The Wardrobe ( The Chronicles of Narnia)

Written by: C. S. Lewis

Illustrated by: Pauline Blayne 

Grade: 3-8

Awards:
Hugo Award Nominee for Best Novel (1954)
Lewis Carroll Shelf Award (1962)




During WWII in London families are sending their children to the country and away from the dangerous air raids of the city. Four of these children are Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. They are sent to the country estate of a Professor. During a game of hide and seek Lucy steps into the wardrobe and finds a new world called Narnia. Lucy gets her siblings to follow her into Narnia. It is a world that will change them forever. Edmund betrays them by helping the White Witch. Aslan the lion gives his life for Edmund's. Eventually all four assist the lion Aslan to defeat the White Witch who has cursed Narnia with eternal winter. The four of them will have to face their own fears and find strength they did not know they had. This is the first book of seven in the series. 

These are wonderful classic books to have in the classroom. They teach kids about adventure and overcoming obstacles. They are one of the best fantasy series I have read. 

The Name Jar Written and Illustrated by: Yangsook Choi

The Name Jar

Written and Illustrated by: Yangsook Choi

Grade: K-5


Unhei has just come with her family from Korea and is starting school. Her name is pronounced Yoon-hye. She does not want to be teased about her name. Instead she tells her class she will tell them her name at the end of the week. Her classmates oblige her by filling a glass jar with their suggestions. While Unhei practices being a Suzy, Laura, or Amanda, one of her classmates comes to her neighborhood and discovers her real name and its meaning, grace. On the day of her name choosing, the name jar has mysteriously disappeared. Encouraged by her new friends, Unhei chooses her own Korean name and helps everyone pronounce it. 

This is a great book to use in the classroom for accepting people from other places who may have differences. There are even activities on resource sites for teachers. I really liked this book. 

One Love Written by Cedella Marley and Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

One Love

Written by Cedella Marley

Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Grades: PreK- 1st

Cedella Marley, Bob Marley's oldest child, brings her father's well-liked song, One Love, to life. In this book, a determined little girl shows her family, friends, and neighbors how love and teamwork make a community a better place. They create a park from what was once a garbage-strewn lot. 

Great to use in the classroom with the song from Bob Marley. It is also on YouTube! 

The Wide-Mouthed Frog (A Pop-Up Book) Written by Kieth Faulkner Illustrated by Jonathan Lambert

The Wide-Mouthed Frog

           (A Pop-Up Book)

Written by: Kieth Faulkner

Illustrated by: Jonathan Lambert

Age: 2-5 yrs

A curious frog goes a bit too far when asking his neighbors about their eating habits in this pop-up book. Each page features a different animal describing its meal of choice, including a blue-feathered bird (worms and slugs), a furry brown mouse (seeds and berries) and, finally, ominously, a big, green alligator. The creatures are colorful and and show off large, well-constructed pop-up beaks, whiskers and snouts. When the alligator answers that he eats ""delicious wide-mouthed frogs,"" Frog's comical response, resulting in a climactic fold-out ""Splash!"".  My kids love this book. It is very well loved at my house.

The Polar Express Written and Illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg

 The Polar Express

Written and Illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg

Grades: K-2nd

Awards: 

• Caldecott Medal (1986)

• Kentucky Bluegrass Award (1987)

• Buckeye Children's Book Award for K-2 (1991)

• Nevada Young Readers' Award for Primary Category/Picture Book Category (1988)

• Little Archer Award (1986)

• Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Nominee for Picture Book - Honor Book (1986)

Late one Christmas Eve, a boy boards a mysterious train that appears out of nowhere in the middle of the night. The train is The Polar Express and is bound for the North Pole. Ignoring the demands of stranger-danger, the boy climbs aboard, finding the car filled with other youngsters. They are treated to goodies while en route to the north pole.  At the North Pole they are to witness the ritual of Santa giving the first gift of Christmas. Santa offers the boy any gift he desires. The boy asks for one bell from the harness of a reindeer. The bell is lost on the train ride home. On Christmas morning, the boy finds the bell under the tree. The boy's mother admires the bell, but laments that it is broken. The boy can hear the bell, for you see, only believers can hear the sound of Santa's bell.