Everybody Needs A Rock (1985) Written by Byrd Taylor and illustrated by Peter Parnall.
I was first introduced to this book during a 401/402 workshop regarding integrating Aboriginal Education into our classrooms. Even though this book was published in 1985 and its target audience are children aged 4-8, there is something about this book that seems to make sense to me and my other teacher colleagues. In our field trips to Britannia Mine Museum and Lynn Canyon, a few of us ended up choosing our personal rock. As for me, I am a bit of a rock hound, so by the end of the two days, my pants pockets were stuffed with rocks of different shapes and sizes. The one thing I took away from this book was what the presenter told our class:
"People of all ages seem to have a common respect for something that is much older and that came from the earth."
I don't know if this is true for everybody, but this is definitely true for me. There is something about having a rock that catches your eye, and something you can just slip into your pocket. Regardless of my opinion on this book, I recommend this book and I wonder if you will end up picking up a rock the next time you are on a hike.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar By Eric Carle.
Out of Eric Carle's books, this one still remains a favorite of mine. I still remember my older sister reading this book to me and I remember sticking my fingers in the tiny holes, looking for the caterpillar who was rude enough to chew holes into my book.
To the Top! Climbing the World's Highest Mountain (1993) By Sydelle Kramer Random House Books
This was the first chapter book I ever read and I am proud to say, I still have a copy of this book. As a kid I found the topic very interesting and the fact that the book was blue probably played into it as well (yes, I judged a book by its cover, but I was a kid); but the book was readable and was "just right" for readers. If I had a few more copies of this book, I would definitely use this as a guided reading book.
The Bad-Tempered Ladybug By Eric Carle
I was a very cranky child growing up and I remember my mom reading this book to me as a bedtime story. At the end of the story, she told me that I was the bad-tempered ladybug and I had to change my attitude or else I would be like the ladybug, flying around with no one willing to share with me (hopefully people shared other things besides aphids). I learned my lesson, eventually, and still think the book teaches a valuable lesson.
The Other Way To Listen (1997) Written by Byrd Baylor and illustrated by Peter Parnall.
I stumbled onto this book at my local bookstore while I was looking for Everybody Needs A Rock. Even though the book was published 17 years ago, it still serves to remind us to take a moment and slow down to just listen to our surroundings and learn from it. When I read this book, I remembered Dean Cunningham, one of our guest speakers regarding Aboriginal Education who told us that we are living in a society that is always in a hurry. With all our constant movement, we tend to live in a bubble that focuses on us and we end up missing the important things in life. When we slow down and take a step back, only then we can truly appreciate what the world has to teach us. I recommend this book for reading and in the classroom.
The old man said, "Most people never hear those things at all." I said, "I wonder why." He said, "They just don't take time you need for something that important." - pgs. 13-14
The Harry Potter Series By J.K. Rowling London: Bloomsbury Publishing
Book One: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1998) Book Two: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1999) Book Three: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999) Book Four: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000) Book Five: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003) Book Six: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005) Book Seven: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007)
This sounds cliche and overdone, but no childhood is complete without reading this series. I am proud to say that I am a 'Potterhead' (the term for Harry Potter fans) and I was a part of the Harry Potter generation. I thought it was so cool that Harry Potter was a couple of years older than me and the possibility of wizards and witches could exist in our world was mind-blowing. Like many 11-year olds, I waited for an owl to come with my acceptance letter to Hogwarts; and when no letter arrived, I concluded (with a very heavy heart) that I was a Muggle.
Although the books started out very innocent and gradually became darker and more mature, I grew up with Harry, Hermione, and Ron. As I progressed through the series, I experienced the same things Harry, Ron, and Hermione did (without the Dark Wizards and Witches, dragons, and magic of course; after all, I am a Muggle): the emotional roller-coaster of teenage angst and school crushes, school rivalries, and trying to do well throughout the school year by staying out of trouble. There is something magical about Rowling's writing that captured and stirred the imagination of this reluctant reader. But most importantly, it encouraged (and still continues to encourage) many other reluctant readers to discover and pursue the joy of reading.
The Girl in Red (2012) Written by Aaron Frisch, Illustrated by Roberto Innocenti Creative Editions
I must offer a warning regarding this book. This book is well-illustrated regarding the pop culture stereotypes that we are exposed to on a daily basis. I suggest you thoroughly read the book first before sharing it with your students.
Me... Jane (2011) By Patrick McDonnell Little, Brown Books
One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference (2008) Written by Katie Smith Milway, Illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes
Waiting Is Not Easy! (2014) By Mo Willems Disney-Hyperion
Zero (2010) Written and Illustrated by Kathryn Otoshi KO Kids Books
Hannah's Collections (2004) By Marthe Jocelyn Tundra
Each Kindness (2012) Written by Jacqueline Woodson, Illustrated by E.B. Lewis Nancy Paulsen Books
Hooray for Amanda & Her Alligator (2011) Written and Illustrated by Mo Willems Balzer + Bray
The Big Fib (2014) By Tim Hamilton Holiday House
The Sky of Afghanistan (2012) Written by Ana A. de Eulate, Illustrated by Sonja Wimmer Shanghai Chenxi Printing Co., Ltd.
The Road to Afghanistan (2013) Written by Linda Granfield, Illustrated by Brian Deines North Winds Press
Piano Starts Here: The Young Art Tatum (2008) By Robert Andrew Parker Schwartz & Wade
Mom, It's My First Day of Kindergarten (2012) By Hyewon Yum Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
*A recommended book to read on the first day of Kindergarten.
Because You Are My Teacher (2012) Written by Sherry North, Illustrated by Marcellus Hall Abrams Books for Young Readers
On A Bean of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein (2013) Written by Jennifer Berne, Illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky Chronicle Books
El Deafo (2014) By Cece Bell Amulet Books
First Day Jitters (2000) Written by Julie Danneburg, Illustrated by Judy Love Charlesbridge Publishing
Me and You (2009) By Genevieve Cote Kids Can Press Ltd.