The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
by Kate DiCamillo
A Boston Globe Horn Book Award for Fiction
Candlewick Press (2006)
Interest Level: grades 3-6

Category: Modern Fantasy
Type: Novel
Summary:
Edward Tulane, a china rabbit, was a gift to 10 year old Abilene Tulane from her grandmother. Abilene truly loves Edward but he is too vain and cold-hearted to return her love. The grandmother tells Edward she is very disappointed in him. A short time later, the family goes on an ocean journey and Edward falls overboard. This beging his journey of learning new emotions through the situations he is put in. First, he is caught in a fisherman's net and taken home. He later ends up in the dump and is rescued by a hobo and his dog. Next, he is a gift to a four year old girl. Miraculously, Edward learns to love. One of his last destinations is in a toy shop where he is restored. What happens next to Edward Tulane? After years of sitting on the shelf in the doll shop, somehting wonderful happens. Read this book and find out!

Online Connections:
1. Website about the character, Edward Tulane: http://www.edwardtulane.com/
2. Author's website: http://www.katedicamillo.com/

Book Connections:
1. The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo
2. The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs by Betty G. Birney

Keywords: rabbits, love, listening, adventures

Henny Penny

Henny Penny
by Paul Galdone
Clarion Books ((1968)
Interest Level: ages 4-8
Category: Traditional Fantasy
Type: Picture Storybook
Summary:
An acorn falls on Henny Penny's head and she believes it is a piece of the sky. She runs off to tell the King and others join her along the way. What fate lies ahead for Henny Penny? Read all about it in this book.
Online connections:
1. Website about the author: http://www.librarything.xom/author/galdonepaul
2. Website that provides information about the author's collection: http://www.lib.uconn.edu/DoddCenter/ASC/findaids/Galdone/MSS1990041.html

Book Connections:
1. The Three Little Kittens by Paul Galdone
2. The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone

Key Words: hen, sky, fowl, wolf, tale

What A Day It Was At School

What A Day It Was At School

by Jack Prelutsky, pictures by Doug Cushman

Greenwillow Books (2006)

Interest Level: ages 4-8

Category: Contemporary Fiction

Type: Poetry

Summary:

Jack Prelutsky creates funny, silly, and extraordinary poems out of the many situations children face in a school day. Some topics included are about heavy backpacks, homework, field trips, the library, the cafeteria, the infirmary, and the teacher's pet.

Online Connections:

1. Author's website: http://www.jackprelutsky.com

2. Illustrator's website: http://www.doug-cushman.com

Book Connections:

1. Behold the Bold Unbrellaphant: And Other Poems by Jack Prelutsky

2. It's Raining Pigs & Noodles by Jack Prelutsky

Keywords: humor, juvenile poetry, children's poetry

Love That Dog

Love That Dog
by Sharon Creech
Joanna Cotler Books (2001)
Interest Level: ages 8-12

Category: Contemporary Fiction
Type: Verse Novel

Summary:
Jack, a student in Miss Stretchberry's class, develops his understanding and ability to write and appreciate poetry. Through poetry readings by his teacher, practice writing, and exposure to well-known poets and their poems, Jack finds his voice. One of the highlights is when he writes a letter to one of his favorite poets, inviting him to come to his school. Jack is thrilled when Mr. Walter Dean Myers accepts!

Online Connections:
1. Author's website: http://sharoncreech.com
2. Poetry connection/lesson website: http://www.bgcs.k12.oh.us/kramp/poetry.htm

Book Connections:
1. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
2. Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Keywords: animals, dogs, poems, students

Brendan and Belinda and the Slam Dunk

Brendan and Belinda and the Slam Dunk!
written by Anne Rockwell and illustrated by Paul Meisel
Harper Collins Publishers (2007)
Interest Level: ages 4 - 8

Category: Contemporary Fiction
Type: Picture Storybook

Summary:
Brother and sister, Brendan and Belinda, are very talented basketball players. When their father realizes their potential he signs them up for Jump Shot Juniors, the best team in town. They are OK with the extra activities at first, but when they realize that they do not have time to play in the snow with their friends, they breakdown. Read this story to see how Brendan and Belinda's father responds to their request to play in the snow instead of going to basketball practice.

Online Connections:
1. Children's author/illustrator information site http://www.answers.com/topic/anne-f-oote-rockwell
2. Children's author/illustrator website
http://paulmeisel.com

Book Connections:
1. Gus and Grandpa at Basketball written by Claudia Mills and illustrated by Catherine Stock
2. Mighty Jackie: The Strike-Out Queen by Marissa Moss

Keywords: basketball, brothers and sisters, sportsmanship

Kittens First Full Moon

Kittens First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes
Greenwillow Books (2004)
Interest Level: ages 3 - 6

Category: Picture Storybook
Type: Fiction

Summary:
The first time Kitten sees the full moon she thinks it is a bowl of milk and she wants it. She tries everything she can think of to reach the bowl of milk to no avail. Tired, sad, wet, and hungry, Kitten goes back home and what do you think she finds waiting for her? Read Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes to find out.
Online Connections:
1. Author's website: http://kevinhenkes.com
2. Website depicting Kevin Henkes awards and distinctions: http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/authors/henkes/awards.htm

Keywords: cats, kittens, animals in infancy, moon

Flora's Blanket

Flora's Blanket
by Debi Gliori
Orchard Books (2001)
Interest Level: ages 3 - 6

Category: Fiction
Type: Picture Storybook
Summary: Little bunny Flora has lost her blanket and cannot go to sleep. Her family works together to help her find it.

Online Connections:
1. Fascinating video interview of author, Debi Gliori: http://www.walkerbooks.co.uk/Debi-Gliori
2. Bibliography of Debi Gliori's books: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/g/debi-gliori

Book Connections:
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
If You Give A Mouse A Cookie by Larua Joffe Numeroff

Keywords: blankets, bedtime, rabbits, lost and found posessions, family

How to Steal a Dog

How to Steal a Dog

by Barbara O'Connor

Frances Foster Books (2007)

Interest Level: ages 9 and up

Category: Fiction

Type: Novel

Summary:

Georgina Hayes desperatly wants to live in a regular house just like she and her brother and mother did before her father walked out on them. After she sees a flyer for a $500.oo reward for a lost dog, Georgina comes up with a plan. She is going to steal a dog. What happens next? You'll have to read this book to see if everything works out as she plans.

Online Connections:

1. Author website: http://www.barboconnor.com/

2. Author Barbara O'Connor discusses this book: www.childrensliteraturenetwork.org/aifolder/aipages/ai_o/oconnor.html

Book Connection:

1. Taking Care of Moses by Barbara O'Connor

2. Moonpie and Ivy by Barbara O'Connor

Keywords: dogs, family problems, homeless persons, brothers and sisters, North Carolina

The Higher Power of Lucky
The 2007 Newbery Medal winner
by Susan Patron
illustrated by Matt Phelan
Simon & Schuster/Richard Jackson (2006)

Category: Fiction
Type: Novel

Summary:
Lucky is a 10 year old girl who fears she will be abandoned. Since her mother died, Brigitte has been her guardian. But now, Lucky fears that Brigitte wants to return to France and leave her in an orphanage where she will not be able to keep her dog, HMS Beagle. What can she do but run away. Read this book to find out if running away was the answer to Lucky's problems.

Online Connections:

1. Author Susan Patron discusses this book in a videoed interview
http://alfocus.ala.org/videos/susan-patron-interview
2. Author website:
http://www.enotes.com/higher-power-lucky/about-author


Book Connections:

1. Mama's Window by Lynn Rubright

2. Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys fo sundan (Coretta Scott King illustrator Honor Books) by Mary Williams with R Gregory Christie illustrator

Keywords: abandoned children, interpersonal relations, runnaways