If You Give A Mouse A Cookie

A classic, cute book all about the adventures a mouse will have when you give him a cookie. In a roundabout way, it teaches children about cause and effect without even knowing it. Readers will love the mouse from the time he gets the cookie, to trimming his hair, to drawing his family, to asking for a glass of milk, and to once again asking for another cookie! This is a family favorite and must be read over and over!

The Snowy Day Caldecott Medal

A great simple book about a boy and his adventures in the snow. Great illustrations, and wonderful snow! The text is easy to follow and at the end you want to continue on the adventure with him and his friend in the snow.

Frog Went A-Courtin' Caldecott Medal

I grew up hearing the song “Frog went a courtin’ he did ride h’m”. So I really enjoy this book. All about a frog going to mistress mouse to ask him to marry her, and then the wedding party and all the animals that come to it, and how it ends. A lovely book with great illustrations.

Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss

A list couldn’t be complete without a Dr. Seuss book, and how appropriate for this time of year as well! This book is one of my favorites of his. It is all about what type of journey you will have in life, including hang ups and bang ups, the waiting place, and how of course you’ll succeed (98 & ¾% guaranteed!!). The illustrations are whimsical and true to form of a Dr. Seuss book. Children and adults will love it!

Olivia Caledecott Honor

A cute, simple book about a young pig named Olivia, and her adventures throughout the day. She tries on all sorts of clothes, is firm with her brother, goes to the beach with her mother, and even wears herself out. Children will have an easy time relating to this book. The illustrations go along with the text wonderfully!

Make Way For Ducklings Caldecott Medal

A wonderful picture book about a mallard family who tries to find a new home in the city, and the adventures they have with their new family. The illustrations are wonderfully done and really add to the text. A truly enjoyable book.

On a side note...I went to a PD about Google Lit Trips and this was one of the books they used. What a great way to not only get children excited about reading, but seamlessly use technology in your lessons!

#4 Caldecott Book

So You Want to Be President by Judith St. George

This book is absolutely fantastic!!! It’s fantastic because it is so chocked full of facts about our presidents…some meaningful and important, some just fun to know! The illustrations really add to the text and are so enjoyable on their own.

We are planning a big trip this summer and one of our destinations includes Washington, D.C. This book is especially helpful, because I want my children to know some facts about our former presidents and the white house. We have this book in our collection at home, and I have always enjoyed it and enjoyed reading it to my children, but I think that due to our pending trip this book has taken on new significance to me. I also thing that it is pertinent that our students learn some history, and what better way to learn it than to make it fun and entertaining!

I can compare this book to, So You Want to be an Inventor. The style the author presents information is similar to So You Want to Be President, with a lighthearted, whimsical presentation of facts of famous inventors. Again, the illustrations only add to the book!

I don’t think I learned anything new, this book just reinforced previous knowledge: that concepts need to be presented in a fun way for our students to really benefit from them! We enjoy when Professional Development opportunities are fun and engaging, well so do students! When a lesson or concept is presented in a fun way that engages them, what better way to catch their attention and get some learning in too…which Judith St. George does a wonderful job doing!