Tag Archives: picture books

I used this 2016 Sakura Medal Contender as a read aloud for my kindergarten classes. Louie sets out to tell a story, but gets interrupted by a plop of jelly landing onto the page. Louie’s story continues to be interrupted by other messes and although the original story is never finished, Louie is satisfied in the end with his “messed” up story.

This book provoked laughter and a lot of discussion about book care and solutions for keeping books safe and dry. Although, not my favorite 2016 Sakura Medal Contender, this book would make an excellent read aloud for librarians, classroom teachers and parents.

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First Graders Will Decide!

Gallery November 6, 2014 tpretz Leave a comment

Using their knowledge of what makes a picture book a great book, students in grade one will vote for the best picture book of 2014 in December. Everyone has a favorite so far, but we have four more books to go. Which book will win the Mustang Award for Best Picture Book of the Year?

A story about a girl who longs for a pet. The girl in the story meets all of her mom’s criteria for a perfect pet when she decides on a sloth…they don’t need baths, they don’t eat a lot of food and they don’t need to be walked.

A story about what it means to be a good friend. Hand runs away when Henry becomes too bossy.

Beekle acts courageously and leaves the land of imagination in search of a friend.

Nobody likes to be bullied. Little chick is taunted and teased, until one day he proves that he is mighty and brave.

Read Alouds

Irresistible Read Alouds

February 11, 2014 tpretz Leave a comment

Read Aloud Tips for Parents

Share your enjoyment of books with your child.
Talk over your reading.
Continue to read aloud to your child even after he or she reads independently.
Encourage your child to choose a book to read aloud to someone else.
Broaden your child’s horizons by helping to select from a wide range of subjects.
Encourage your child to read whatever he or she enjoys even if it appears to you to be too easy or too hard.
Let your child see your enjoyment of your own reading.

123 versus ABC
written and illustrated by Mike Boldt
(Harper)

Are the Dinosaurs Dead, Dad?
written by Julie Middleton
illustrated by Russell Ayto
(Peachtree)

The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot!
written and illustrated by Scott Magoon
(Simon & Schuster)

Bugs in My Hair!
written and illustrated by David Shannon
(Blue Sky Press)

Can’t Scare Me!
written and illustrated by Ashley Bryan
(Atheneum Books for Young Readers)

Chick-O-Saurus Rex
written by Lenore Jennewin
illustrated by Daniel Jennewin
(Simon & Schuster)

King for a Day
written by Rukhsana Khan
illustrated by Christiane Kromer
(Lee & Low Books)

The King of Little Things
written by Bil Lepp
illustrated by David T. Wenzel
(Peachtree)

Lucky Ducklings
written by Eva Moore
illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
(Orchard Books)

Nurse Clementine
written and illustrated by Simon James
(Candlewick)

The Silver Button
written and illustrated by Bob Graham
(Candlewick)

That Is Not a Good Idea!
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
(Balzer + Bray)

Tiger in My Soup
written by Kashmira Sheth
illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler
(Peachtree)

The Tree Lady
written by H. Joseph Hopkins
illustrated by Jill McElmurry
(Beach Lane Books)

Warning: Do Not Open This Book!
written by Adam Lehrhaupt
illustrated by Matthew Forsythe
(Simon & Schuster)

Whale Shines
written and illustrated by Fiona Robinson
(Abrams)