A Monster Calls: Inspired by an idea from Siobhan Dowd                                                                     by Patrick Ness and illustrated by Jim Kay  Published by Candlewick: Massachusetts, 2012        

Connor is a thirteen year old boy who is terrorized by a monster in his yard that comes to him at 12:07 am. It continuously demands the truth from Connor. During the day, Connor must deal with his mother having cancer and undergoing treatments.  

• Appropriate target audience: Children ages 9 and up

• Strengths: The illustrations enhance the frightening and emotional story that is told in the words on the page.  This book is emotionally charged in a very masculine way and will appeal  to reluctant readers.

• Weaknesses:  The monster concept may frighten younger readers.

• Meaningful/Creative Uses: 1. Connor’s monster looks  like a tree in his backyard.  Take children on a nature walk with a sketch pad and have them find something in nature that they could turn into a monster.  Create a display of the children’s monsters.                              2. Taking the monster display further, have children record one frightening truth.  Have a QR code by the monster and the scary truth sentence will play when the QR code is scanned.

• Awards: Carnegie Medal and Katie Greenway Award winner, 2012   (first book to win both prizes simultaneously)

• Other: The book was started by Siobhan Dowd who began the story when she was facing terminal cancer.  She died while the book was still unwritten.

• Read-a-likes: More than This by Patrick Ness and Published by Candlewick: Mass, 2013           Seth drowns.  However, he wakes up and isn’t where he is.  Did he really die?

The Rest of Us Just Live by Patrick Ness                                                    Published by Harper Teen: New York, 2016                                                     Mikey isn’t extraordinary.  There are no zombies in his life or anything apocalyptic.  He is searching for the extraordinary from his ordinary life.

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume                                                                                 Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition: New York, 2014

Little Robot by Ben Hatke   Published by First Second: New York, 2015

A lonely little girl finds a robot that has been bumped off a truck.  She inadvertently wakes it up and they become immediate friends.  They go on a journey through the junk yard exploring together.  Then the big mean robots want the little girl’s friend back, it is up to her to save her little robot.

• Appropriate target audience: Children ages 4-7 

• Strengths: Ben Hatke has created a charming main character in the little girl.  The illustrations are vibrant and tell a complete story with very limited dialogue.  Without words the  imagination of the reader brings life to the story and makes it accessible to many different ages and levels of readers.  Most children will understand the little girl’s loneliness, friendship, and bravery.

• Weaknesses: As listed above as a strength, the lack of words will not advance a child’s understanding of word sounds.  At this age, some teachers and parents may want books that help children to sound out words. Frankly, the imaginative storytelling factor far outweighs the need for words.

• Meaningful/creative uses: 1. Using items from a recycling bin, create your own robot out of parts.  The robots may then “play” together and discover new treasures outside.

2. Use Google’s Toontastic app and create a cartoon story with robots.  Make a display                    of the robots the children created from recycled goods with the cartoon story playing on              Apple TV above the display.

• Awards: Eisner Award Winner, 2016                                                                                            Illinois Gryphon Award, 2016                                                                                                                 Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year, 2016

http://www.literaryhoots.com/

• Emily is the author of the blog that is powered through Blogspot.   She was a children’s librarian and began the blog while completing her Masters in Library Science.  Recently, she has chosen to be a stay-at-home mom.  She continues to review books and will take suggestions for books to review from her blog readers.  Her blog also contains storytime ideas, book dsiplays, crafts/activities, LOTS of booklists, and even author interviews.             Menu options:
• Storytime Ideas: These are sorted by age and include books and activities
• School-Age Programs: STEM, book clubs, and arts/crafts
• Book Reviews: these are organized by genre and format as well as a star-ranking system
• Other Resources: library displays, printable posters for librarians, and product reviews
• Fun Stuffs: Author interviews, book giveaways, and miscellaneous funny posts

• Appropriate target audience: The blog’s target audience is school librarians.  However, literacy teachers and parents may also find her lists and ideas useful.

• Strengths:  The book reviews are the most useful section of Emily’s blog. It is tremendously helpful  that she has the reviews categorized by age and genre. She has also created several eye-pleasing and easy to use infographics for various book lists.  The library signage and storytime aids she has graphically designed are also a strength.  Her informal writing and musings make her blog easy and enjoyable to read. 

• Weaknesses:  Emily’s blog has several underused and rarely updated sections.  Her “School-Age Programs” category has a STEM, Book club, and Arts/Crafts as subcategories.  Most of these have not been updated and the Book Club subcategory only has one entry.  Also, combining the Activites with the Art/Crafts would alleviate confusion as to how those are categorized.

• Meaningful/creative uses: 1. Use Emily’s blog to show students how I use other people’s blogs to read and learn.  Students could begin their own blogs.

• Read- a-likes:                                                                                                                                            Provo City’s library blog for children: http://www.provolibrary.com/kids-corner-home    Thisblog contains story times, fun kids’ activities, book reviews, and much more!
  
• Shannon McClintock Miller is  a teacher librarian.  Her blog  combines   library ideas and signage along with technology in the library. http://vanmeterlibraryvoice.blogspot.com/       

• Mr. Schu Reads is a blog dedicated to exploring children’s literature through e-trailers

http://mrschureads.blogspot.com/

Short film based on the book by Mo Willems
 Director/animator – Pete List
Produced by Paul R. Gagne and Mo Willems                                     Weston Woods Studios, 2015

Pete List animates and directs this Mo Willems story.  The fox invites the seemingly naive goose for a stroll.  The music and frames are reminiscent of the silent film era with the damsel in distress as the goose and the fox as the villain.  The goslings appear and warn the reader that the actions of the goose and the fox are “NOT a good idea!” Cher Willems is the voice of the goose and Mo Willems the voice of the fox.

• Appropriate target audience: Children ages 4-8

• Strengths: Because the book is laid out as a silent film, it seems a natural and necessary next step to create a short film.  The music matches the silent film era and enhances the book. The goslings popping up and talking is also an added bonus.

• Weaknesses: It is written in a silent film style and by adding voices it detracts from that concept.

• Meaningful/creative uses: Have a film festival for several Carnegie Award winners.  Then have the kids make their own short films and watch those.  There could be popcorn and a red carpet.  Take pictures celebrity style in front of a backdrop with the library’s name on it.

• Awards: The Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children’s Video, 2016

National Geographic Kids                                                                                                                Published by National Geographic Partners, LLC                                                                           March 2017

National Geographic kids magazine has scientific articles with a pop culture spin that will resonate with a young audience.  The magazine has the ever popular “weird but true” facts, games, puzzles, and in depth articles written in a child friendly manner.  There is even a fill in the blank funny grammar section in Mad-Libs style. A little bit of something for everyone.

• Appropriate target audience: Children ages 6-10

• Strengths: The magazine has many attention grabbing fonts, photos, and illustrations.  It is similar to “reading” a website.  Children who are not fluent readers will still appreciate National Geographic’s amazing photography and easy-to-read captions.  Older more experienced readers will enjoy the photos as well as the informative articles.  

• Weaknesses: As noted earlier, it resembles a website.  This can also be a weakness as readers may feel overstimulated.  The magazine, according to its website, names the target audience as a range up to 14 years old.  With the juvenile fonts and games, it seems unlikely that a middle school age child would want to read this magazine regularly.

• Meaningful/creative uses:  1. To pair with a regular feature, “Mission Animal Rescue” – arrange for a veterinarian who specializes in wildlife rescues to come and talk to the children.  In Chattanooga, this is a resource that is available through the Chattanooga Nature Center.  They may even bring a rescued animal!                                                                   2.  On the cover of the March 2017 edition, there is a feature article about sloths.  Arrange a visit to the zoo to visit the sloth as well as other animals in the rain forest habitat.  Meet a zoologist who can give us more information about the sloth and its neighbors. Create a display of the rain forest and feature rain forest animals made from recycling.

• Awards: 4 time winner of the Parents’ Choice Gold Award

• Read- a-likes:   Ranger Rick  is published by the National Wildlife Federation                                    It is a nature magazine that has been in publication since 1967. The magazine has science articles about nature, puzzles, activities, and games.  This is appropriate for kids ages 7-12.

Ranger Rick, Jr is similar to its older version but the target audience is for children ages 4-7 years old.

Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo, Alison McGhee and illustrated by Tony Fucile               Published by Candlewick Press: Massachusetts, 2010

Bink and Gollie are unlikely best friends.  Bink is a short, messy, unsophisticated girl who loves bright socks and her fish, Fred.  Gollie is tall, chic, loves pancakes and imaginary adventures.  This is an easy to read brilliantly illustrated story of the exploits of these friends.

• Appropriate target audience: Children ages 6-8

• Strengths: This book is easy to read because the dialogue of Bink and Gollie is paired with Tony Fucile’s supporting illustrations. There are few words on a page. Even reluctant readers would be drawn into the best friend’s witty banter and fun adventures.  

• Weaknesses: As this book serves as an early reader, it lacks a basic story line.  The dialogue propels the story and there are running themes but not a cohesive beginning, middle, and end of the story.

• Meaningful/creative uses:  1. To celebrate Bink’s obsession with bright socks, have a large pile of socks to decorate and then (of course) wear to have a Sock Bonanza!  Have sequins, glitter, markers, pom balls- easy sew needles and thread as well as glue.  Take a picture of kids in their socks and post them in a display around the book.

2. Have a pancake cooking class to honor Gollie’s love of pancakes.  Children could use different cookbooks to create their own recipes – sprinkles, chocolate chips, blueberries, etc.

• Awards: Theodor Geisel Award 2011

• Read-a-likes:  Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride  by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Chris VanDusen              Published by Candlewick Press: Massachusetts, 2009

Mercy Watson is an animated, fun, trouble-loving pig in this easy reader by Kate DiCamillo.  Mercy loves to ride in Mr. Watson’s pink Cadillac.  One day, she actually tries to drive it by jumping in Mr. Watson’s lap.  This fun and silly adventure will delight young readers.

The Princess in Black by Shannon and Dean Hale and illustrated by LeUyen Pham            Published by Candlewick Press: Massachusetts, 2015.

Princess Magnolia transforms into the Princess in Black when the monster alarm sounds.  This unusual princess wears a black cape and mask to fight the monsters.  Even though readers are privy to her secret identity, it is truly a secret in this fun series for young readers.

Something Beautiful by Sharon Dennis Wyeth and                               Illustrated by Chris K. Seontpiet   Published by Bantam Doubleday: New York, 1998

The main character in this strikingly illustrated picture book is a little girl who lives in an urban neighborhood. After her teacher introduces her to the word “beautiful, she begins a journey to find something beautiful in her world.

• Appropriate target audience: Children ages 5-7

• Strengths: The illustrations are rich and detailed.  The message of the book is hopeful as the little girl tries to find her “something beautiful”.  She feels powerful for helping her neighbors and neighborhood.  The love of the mother is also a touching element.

• Weaknesses: Where most of the ugliness in her neighborhood is presented in a child appropriate way, using the word DIE as the graffiti is perhaps too strong.  There is a powerful negative connotation to that word written in a seemingly aggressive way in all  red capital letters.

• Meaningful/creative uses:  1. Have a group of students clean up the community and document the process with photos and video clips of how the students feel about making their community beautiful.  Create a display of the book and photos of the children with a QR code for each child’s video of their experience.                                                                            2. Like Sybil, Rebecca, and Jamal in the book – ask each child, “What is your something beautiful?” Record their answers with a video using the green screen and whatever they have that’s beautiful float the image behind them using TouchCast.  Have a QR code to link the child’s picture with their video.

• Awards:    A Parents Magazine Best Children’s Book of the Year, 1998                                                                           A National Parenting Publication Award Honor Book, Selectors’ Choice
                      Parents Magazine Best Children’s Book of the Year, 1998
                      NCSS-CBC Notable Trade Book in Field of Social Studies, 1998
                      IRA Notable Book for a Global Society, 1998
• Read-a-Likes:   Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman and illustrated by Caroline Binch                                               Published by Dial Books: New York, 1991                     Grace loves to imagine herself as different characters from books. When her school announces the play she wants to be Peter Pan.  The other kids in her class decide that she cannot be Peter Pan because she is a girl and she is black.

The Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena and illustrated                                                         by Christian Robinson  Published by GP Putnams: New York, 2015 CJ and his grandma ride the bus together.  They are in an urban area and CJ wants to know why they do not have things other people do.  He also wants to know why their street is so dirty.  The grandma answers each question in an optimistic way to help CJ see the beauty in his world.