Keats, E. (1962). The snowy day. New York: Viking.
Peter wakes and it is a snowy day. He bundles up and heads out for a day of trekking, snow angels, and snowball fights. He decides to take a snowball home, bud sadly finds that his snowball has melted in the snow. He is disappointed when the snow outside begins to melt, but is delighted when he awakes the next morning to another snowy day.
The illustrations are done with bold colors, simple shapes and varied textures. The book is a hallmark because it is one of the first picture books in America to feature an African American hero.
Genre: fiction picture book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3
Awards: Caldecott Medal
Simont, M. (2001) The stray dog. New York: HarperCollins
A family is setting out to go out of the city for a picinic. During their picnic a friendly, frisky dog joins them.. The boy and girl play with the dog all day and even name him Willy. They want to take Willy home, but the mom reasons that he must have an owner. Throughout the week the whole family thinks of the playful dog. On Saturday the family goes back to the park, and are watchful of the dog. When they finally see Willy, he is being chased by the dogcatcher. The boy and girl ingeniously convince the dogcatcher that Willy belongs to them, and they take him home. The illustrations wistfully capture the emotions and longing the family has for the dog.
Genre: fiction picture book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3
Awards: Caldecott Honor, ALA Notable
Swanson, S. (2008). The house in the night. (B. Krommes Illus.) New York: Houghton
Mifflin Company.
This cumulative poem, put into picture book format, is a modern day classic that has the rhythm of a lullaby. The poem tells the story of a loving home preparing for bedtime. The black and gold illustrations done in scratchboard and watercolor reflect the simplistic calmness of the poem.
Genre: fiction picture book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3
Awards: Caldecott Medal, ALA Notable
It is 1935 and Moose Flanagan has to move to the island of Alcatraz, which houses the infamous criminal Al Capone, because his father has gotten a job there. The reason why Moose’s family has moved is so that Moose’s sister can go to a school for children with special needs. She has a condition that is now known as Autism. While living on Alcatraz Moose makes friends and meets Piper, the sassy daughter of the warden. Piper is full of schemes, and somehow Moose finds himself in the middle of those schemes. The move is hard on Moose, but he discovers the meaning of sacrificing for the ones he loves.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Suggested Age of Grade Level: 5-8
Awards: Newbery Honor, ALA Notable
Di Camillo. K. (2000), Because of winn-dixie. New York: Scholastic.
India Opal Buloni and her preacher father have just moved to a new town. While at the grocery store, Opal befriends a dog that had been running ramped in the store. She names the dog Winn Dixie, and so begins the adventures, love and friendship the two share. Winn Dixie is the catapult for bringing Opal to meet new people. Everyone she meets has had their share of sorrow, and relieve Opal’s lonliness. Opal is also dealing with the hurt of being abandoned by her mother, and having a father that is out of touch with her. One night, when Winn Dixie is lost, and Opal is in danger of losing him, Opal and her father come to terms with their mutual grief and abandonment.
Genre: realistic fiction
Suggested Grade Level(s): 3-6
Awards: Newbery Honor, ALA Notable
Lowry, L. (1989) Number the stars. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
It is 1943 in Copenhagen, Denmark during the Nazi occupation. The Nazis are beginning to “relocate” all the Jews in Denmark. Annamarie fears for her best friend Ellen Rosen and her family, who are Jews. Annamarie’s family helps smuggle the Rosen’s out of the country and into Sweden, and are nearly caught. When a disasterous turn takes place, it is up to Annamarie to carry out the planned escape. Annamarie finds out what courage truly means, and how herself and the people around her the epitome of bravery.
Genre: Historical fiction
Suggested Grade Level(s): 5-8
Awards: Newbery Award, ALA Notable
Giovanni, N. (2005). Rosa. (B. Collier Illus.) New York: Henry Holt and Company.
This is a biographical picture book that gives the reader insight into the historical event of Rosa Park’s refusal to give up her seat on the bus in 1955. The story depicts Parks as a peaceful, dignified woman who helped change the face of American history. The book also follows the civil right marches and the ultimate ruling of desegregation. The paintings in the book illustrate the darkness of the times, and shows Parks as an illuminating figure.
Genre: biography picture book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 3-6
Awards: Coretta Scott King Award
Nelson, K. (2008). We are the ship: the story of negro baseball. New York: Hyperion
Told in narration, this book chronicles the history of the Negro Baseball Leagues from the 1920’s to 1940’s. The book tells in heart wrenching detail the discrimination, unfairness, and poor conditions the players endured for the love of the game. The book is accompanied with brilliant, true to life oil paintings by the author.
Genre: information
Suggested Grade Level(s): 3-6
Awards: Coretta Scott King Medal Award, ALA Notable, Sibert Medal Award
Brown, M. (2004). My name is Celia: the life of celia cruz. (R. Lopez Illus.) Flagstaff:
Luna Rising.
This biographical bilingual picture book chronicles the life of Salsa singer Celia Cruz. The book begins with Cruz’s childhood in Havana, Cuba, follows her as she flees Cuba and enters the US, and describes how her love of music and Cuba made her an international Salsa superstar. The vibrant pictures bring the colorful and passionate Celia Cruz to life.
Genre: biography picture book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3
Awards: Pura Belpre Honor
Gonzalez, L. (2008) The storyteller’s candle. (L. Delacre Illus.) San Francisco:
Children’s Book Press
Set in the era of the Great Depression, Hildamar and her family are missing their warm homeland Puerto Rico, during the Christmas season. One day Hildamar wonders what is inside the tall building with the big windows. Her aunt is quick to tell her that it is the library and that she is not welcomed there. Soon, Hildamar meets Pura Belpre, a Puerto Rican librarian. Belpre welcomes all the children to the library, and the people of the barrio help make a festive holiday celebration. This story is based on the real life Pura Belpre, an esteemed librarian, storyteller, and author.
Genre: fiction picture book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3
Awards: Pura Belpre Honor
Morales, Y. (2003). Just a minute: a trickster tale and counting book. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.
In this Mexican influenced tale, Grandma Beetle wakes one morning to finds Senor Calavera, death personified, knocking on her door. Before Grandma Beetle can go with Senor Calavera, she has preparations for a birthday party to make. As Grandma Beetle makes her preparations, the story counts in both Spanish and English the number of items that Grandma Beetle must prepare. A fun read aloud, children will enjoy reading how the trickster ends up being tricked. The pictures are vibrant and true to the colors of Mexican living.
Genre: fiction picture book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3
Awards: Pura Belpre Award, ALA Notable
Munoz Ryan, P. (2000) Esperanza rising. New York: Scholastic.
On the eve of her thirteenth birthday Esperanza’s father, a wealthy landowner in Mexico, is killed by bandits. Esperanza and her mother, having lost everything, have to flee to America. They move to California and live in a camp for farm workers. Set in 1924, the story tells the struggle of the early farm workers in California and how Esperanza’s life is forever changed, as she learns the true meaning of hard work, family, and friends.
Genre: historical fiction
Suggested Grade Level(s): 5-8
Awards: Pura Belpre Award, ALA Notable
Bartoletti, S. (2005). Hitler youth: growing up in hitler’s shadow. New York: Scholastic.
This information book recounts the horror and atrocities of World War II through the eyes of the youth that experienced it. The book follows the war through the experiences of members of the Hitler Youth, those that resisted the Nazis and those that were targeted by the Nazis. The book has authentic photos and includes author’s note, timeline, and an epilogue of those that were featured in the book.
Genre: information
Suggested Grade Level(s): 5-8
Awards: Newbery Honor, Sibert Honor
Kerley, B. ( 2004). Walt whitman: words for America. (B. Selznick Illus.) New York:
Scholastic.
This biographical picture book tells the story of American poet Walt Whitman. The story begins with twelve-year-old Whitman being a printer’s apprentice and having a love for words. The story gives insight into Whitman’s love for America and the beginning of his career as a poet. The reader experiences the Civil War in Whitman’s eyes and is witness to the contributions Whitman made for his country during the Civil War. The beautiful paintings add to the beauty of Whitman’s story and poems. Included is a detailed author’s note and poems.
Genre: information
Suggested Grade Level(s): 3-6
Awards: ALA Notable
Murphy, J. (2003). An American plague: the true and terrifying story of the yellow fever
epidemic of 1793. New York: Clarion.
This book chronicles the outbreak of the Yellow Fever Epidemic in Philadelphia in 1793. Told in descriptive narrative, the author takes the reader through the panic the people faced, the conditions of the city, the attempt the government made to control the epidemic, beliefs and practices the doctors used to treat the disease, and the heroes that helped the city recover from the plague.
Genre: Information
Suggested Grade Level(s): 5-8
Awards: Newbery Honor
Sis, Peter, (2007). The wall: growing up behind the iron curtain. New York: Farrar,
Straus and Girooux.
This book gives the history of the Communist Party’s control over Czechoslovakia and the impact it had on its people. As the author describes the history, he also shares his own experiences, dreams, and fears growing up at this time in Czechoslovakia. The author also includes entries from his childhood journal. Through intricate drawings and tidbits of information, the reader can easily understand the significance of the Iron
Curtain in world history.
Genre: autobiography picture book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 3-6
Awards: Sibert medal, Caldecott Honor, ALA Notable
Becker, B. (2008) A visitor for bear. Cambridge: Candlewick Press.
Bear is very content with living a solitary life and is not keen on having visitors. One day a Mouse is insistent on visiting with the Bear, and bothers Bear until he reluctantly allows Mouse to stay for a visit. Bear discovers the delight of having company, and is sadden when Mouse is ready to go. Bear discovers that having a visitor is pleasant, and now considers Mouse a friend. The pastel water color illustrations are light and winsome.
Genre: fiction picture book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3
Awards: ALA Notable
Dorros,A. (2008) Papá and me. (R. Gutierrez, Illus.). New York: Harper Collins.
This story follows a young boy and his father as they spend the day together in the city from morning to dusk. As the boy tells about his day with his father, he shares pieces of conversations that the two have, which is in Spanish. Easily understandable by non- Spanish speakers, the book shares the special bond of father and son. The illustrations are vivid, bright, and illustrate the joy and love the father and son share.
Genre: fiction picture book
Suggested Age of Grade Level: K-3
Awards: Pura Belpre Honor, ALA Notable
Henkes, K. (2008). Old bear. New York: Greenwillow Books.
As Old Bear snoozes during his winter hibernation, he dreams of being a young cub, exploring the forest through the four seasons. When Old Bear wakes up, he is delighted to find that spring has arrived. The gorgeous watercolor paintings of this simplistic story beautifully reflect the colors of each season.
Genre: fiction picture book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3
Awards: ALA Notable
Williamson, M. Are you ready to play outside? New York: Hyperion Books for Children.
This book is a part of the Elephant and Piggie Book series. Elephant and Piggie are best friends, and are looking forward to playing outside, until it begins to rain, and Piggie is devastated. Piggy discovers he loves the rain, and is equally upset when it stops raining…until Elephant saves the day. This simple story illustrates the true meaning of friendship for emergent readers. The illustrations are playful, witty, and funny.
Genre: fiction picture book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3
Awards: ALA Notable, Geisel Award
