Reading Log

Aliza Robinson
Summer 2018
CIL 680
 Caldecott Winners
A Sick Day for Amos McGee Summary: This picture books follows a day in the life of Amos Connection: This is a great picture book to introduce stories
Author/Illustrator: Philip C. Stead/ Erin E. Stead McGee as he goes to the Zoo to spend the day with his animal through illustrations with students; students can practice telling
Copyright Date: 2010 friends. One day Amos wakes up sick and cannot visit his the story on the pages with no words. Make sure to discuss
Publisher:Roaring Brook Press friends. The illustrations follow to show that his friends decide the connections between illustrations and words when
to come to him and make him feel better. “reading” a story.

Interrupting Chicken Summary: Interrupting Chicken tells a humorous bedtime Connection: This picture book leaves a lot of the details to
Author/Illustrator: David Ezra Stein story of Little Chicken who constantly interrupts the ending of the illustrations; this is a great way to discuss details in
Copyright Date: 2010 her bedtime books with the ending. Finally, Papa gives up and illustrations to better understand a story. Allow students to
Publisher: Candlewick Press lets Little Chicken tell her own bedtime story. make connections with the illustrations and expand upon the
text orally.

Wolf in the Snow Summary: This nearly wordless picture book “tells” the story
Author/Illustrator: Matthew Cordell of an individual (genderless) and a wolf pup and their journey
Copyright Date: 2017 to find their families. The individual carries to pup to it’s family
Publisher: Macmillan- Feiwel and Friends Book and in return the wolf pack helps the individual’s family find
her.
Connection: The illustrations do a wonderful job of
expressing emotions elicited by the characters in this story.
Two ideas: 1) Have students discuss the various emotions and
feelings throughout this book with picture based evidence or 2)
Have students create their own text for this book.

Radiant Child:The Story of Young Artist Jean Michel-Basquia
Author/Illustrator: Javaka Steptoe
Copyright Date: 2016
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Summary: This picture book follows the childhood and
adolescence of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. It illustrates the
love of unconventional art and his mother all while using
illustrations much like his own.
Connection: This picture book utilizes mixed methods to
create the scenes and illustrations to match the text; Is there a
connection between the illustrations in this picture book and
those of Jean-Michel? This is a great starting point for
discussion in the classroom.

Finding Winnie Summary: This picture book features a story inside of a story; Connection: The illustrations in this book feature two distinct
Author/Illustrator: Lindsay Mattick/ Sophie Blackall a mother tells her young Cole the story of his great types of pictures; ones make with ink only and the other made
Copyright Date: 2015 Grandfather’s bear, Winnie. with soft lines and color. Students can discuss the reasons
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company behind having the two different types of illustrations in one
book.
Historical Fiction
Words Set Me Free:The Story of Young Frederick Douglass
Author/Illustrator: Lesa Cline Ransome/ James Ransome
Copyright Date: 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Summary: This book explores the experiences and
epiphanies of Frederick Douglass as a young boy and
adolescent. Frederick Douglass was a slave who exploited
opportunities to learn to read and write which lead to hope.
This hope eventually lead to his freedom.
Connection: This text is very powerful if students are able to
put themselves in Frederick Douglass’ shoes. This book
presents many opportunities to focus discussions on American
history, empathy, teamwork, perseverance, and text-self
connections.

The Moon Over Star Summary: The Moon Over Star is about the moon landing in
Author/Illustrator: Dianna Hutts Aston/ Jerry Pinkney 1969 from the perspective of a young girl. Readers experience
Copyright Date: 2008 the excitement of her and her family, except her grandfather.
Publisher: Dial Books We find out later that he once was amazed by the flying of
airplanes when he was her age.
Connection: This book presents the opportunity to discuss
two very different points of view of the young girl and her
grandfather. Why were all of the people so excited for the
spaceship launch? Why wasn’t grandfather? What does he
mean when he says there’s so many folks in need right here
on Earth?

That Book Woman
Author/Illustrator: Heather Henson/ David Small
Copyright Date: 2008
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Summary: This book tells the story of a small family from the
1930s living in a secluded area in the mountains. The brother
complains that his sister spends all her time reading, but he is
not a reader. Then, a woman begins to stop by to exchange
books every few weeks (librarian?). Slowly, the brother
becomes a reader after all.
Connection: This book is written in first person from the
brother’s point of view, because of this, it uses his very unique
verbiage and grammar. Students could study the various
words in this book and translate it to the everyday language
we use today.

Ron’s Big Mission
Author/Illustrator: Rose Blue/ Don Tate
Copyright Date: 2009
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Summary: Ron’s Big Mission is the story of a young African
American boy, Ron McNair, fighting for the right to check out a
book at the library. Then, only white people were aloud to
check out books. In the end, Ron wins and is able to take
home his books.
Connection: This text is a great for having critical discussions
in comparing society from the 50’s to now; what do we see as
normal compared to the 50’s? Have students read the
autobiography about Ron’s successes as he becomes an
adult, how did that day change his future?

Unspoken Summary: Unspoken is a wordless book about the
Author/Illustrator: Henry Cole underground railroad. A girl finds and hides a person in her
Copyright Date: 2012 shed; this girl brings food every night. When two men come
Publisher: Scholastic Press looking for this missing person, the girl does not give them up.
At the end, a gift is waiting for the girl.
Connection: Since this book does not have words, it is a
great opportunity for students to tell the story in their own
words. I would allow students to tell this story in their own
words before learning about slavery and then allow students to
go back a retell the story afterwards.
Informational/Nonfiction/Expository
Looking Closely Across the Desert
Author/Illustrator: Frank Serafini
Copyright Date: 2008
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Actual Size
Author/Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Copyright Date: 2004
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Life-Size Zoo
Author/Illustrator: Kristin Earhart
Copyright Date: 2009
Publisher: Seven Footer Press
Grand Canyon
Author/Illustrator: Jason Chin
Copyright Date: 2017
Publisher: Roaring Book Press
Giant Squid
Author/Illustrator: Candace Fleming/ Eric Rohmann
Copyright Date: 2016
Publisher: Roaring Book Press
Summary: This book features photos taken by the author,
Serafini, with a focus on deserts. The format starts with a
close-up picture of an item from the desert and asks the
reader what it could be. The next page shows the full
photograph with a short description of the item.
Summary: Actual Size explores animals and provides readers
with information about these animals. The interesting feature
within this book is it provides illustrations in the actual size that
one would find those animals in the wild.
Summary: This book looks at many animals one could find at
a zoo and presents them with real photographs and provides
information through many avenues of text features.
Summary: Grand Canyon gives information about the Grand
Canyon in a narrative format with text features found in
nonfiction texts. Not only does it give interesting facts with
corresponding diagrams, but it follows the camping trip of a
young girl and her father.
Summary: Giant Squid utilizes beautiful oil paintings to
explore the interesting details of the giant squid. The
illustrations are accompanied by text that seems to be poetry
given its flow.
Connection: Students could use the “Noticings,
Interpretations, and Wonderings” graphic organizer provided
by Serafini when reading this book for the first time. I would
allow my students time to fill out the organizer independently
and share their findings with their peers later on.
Connection: Students could utilize the information provided
and actually measure the illustrations in the text. If an animal
is larger than the page itself, students can map out the actual
size of the animal within the classroom… or create a poster
that represents the animal and share.
Connection: This text is rich in text features, after studying
text features students could focus on one feature throughout
the book and become an “expert” on it in order to create an All
About “Text Feature” sheet to share with the class. It would be
great to compare the text features from this book with others.
Connection: Students could use this format to write their own
informational text about a biome or habitat that they choose to
research about. More specifically students could use the
narrative format with linking illustrations, but also provide small
diagrams of captioned animals found in that habitat.
Connection: Given the unique formatting of this text I would
like to discuss nonfiction formatting with my students, more
specifically I want them to compare this text with other
expository books we have in the classroom. How are these
texts similar/different? (Venn Diagram)
Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon Summary: This text follows a first grade girl who does not
Author/Illustrator: Patty Lovell/ David Catrow possess characteristics traditionally viewed as favorable. Her
Copyright Date: 2001 grandmother has given her a few rules to go about life in a
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons confident manner. Molly Lou Melon goes about life confidently
and makes new friends at a new school in the process.
Garvey’s Choice Summary: Garvey’s Choice is about a boy who is nothing like
Author/Illustrator: Nikki Grimes his father’s expectations. His father wants him to play sport,
Copyright Date: 2016 but Garvey loves reading. This book is about choosing your
Publisher: Wordsong own happiness over pleasing others’ expectations.
Thunder Boy Jr. Summary: Thunder Boy Jr. is about a young boy who is
Author/Illustrator: Sherman Alexie/ Yuyi Morales named after his father, but he does not like it. He wants a
Copyright Date: 2016 name all for himself, one that describes him well. Thunder Boy
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Jr. goes through his past experiences and tries to come up
with a name for himself. His father comes up with Lightning,
he loves it.
Millie Fierce Summary: Millie is tired of being ignored and overlooked, so
Author/Illustrator: Jane Manning she decides to become Millie Fierce. Millie Fierce makes sure
Copyright Date: 2012 everyone notices her, but not in a good way. One day she
Publisher: Philomel Books feels bad for the way she is behaving so she decides to turn it
all around. Now she is fierce only sometimes.
Noni is Nervous Summary: Noni is nervous about a lot of things, but she is
Author/Illustrator: Heather Hartt-Sussman/ Genevieve especially nervous about the first day of school. She bites her
Cotman nails, twirls her hair, and talks when she isn’t supposed to.
Copyright Date: 2013 When Noni meets a new friend she is no longer nervous and
Publisher: Tundra Books is able to enjoy school.
Connection: In elementary school children are often scared to
make decisions and represent themselves in a unique way;
children will often follow what their friends do in order to be
“likeable.” This text is a great gateway to introduce
self-confidence, acceptance, and risk taking.
Connection: Students can connect to this story through their
own struggles of growing up; what expectations do your
parents, teachers, or friends have that you don’t feel happy
following? How can we respect the one’s we love while also
finding our own happiness?
Connection: Students can explore their own qualities,
experiences, and preferences just as Thunder Boy jr. did in
this story. Students can pick a quality that they like about
themselves or that describes them well, come up with a
matching name, and present it using the same formatting as
the book (one sentence, one name in caption bubble, and
illustration to match).
Connection: I want students to discuss why Millie felt the
need to be fierce, what things were happening that she was
unhappy about? I then want students to compare and contrast
the reactions Millie received when she was fierce compared to
thoughtful.
Connection: I want students to discuss and share things that
make them nervous, like Noni. I then want teams to work
together to create strategies to cope with nervousness and
present them to the rest of the class in any format they see fit.
Multicultural Literature
At the Same Moment Around the World Summary: At the Same Moment Around the World explores Connection: This text would be an excellent book to bring in
Author/Illustrator: Clotilde Perrine cultures and ethnicities from all around the world. It explores social studies standards; in second grade students are asked
Copyright Date: 2014 the simple pleasures and doings from country to country and to compare various holidays from around the world. This book
Publisher: Chronicle Books continent to continent. This book takes children on an could be used to spark discussions about what various
adventure that gives them a “taste” of various cultures. cultures deem important.

My Heart Fills with Happiness
Author/Illustrator: Monique Gray Smith/ Julie Flett
Copyright Date: 2016
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Summary: This book is not a story, a young girl lists the
different things in life that make her happy. Some of these
things are unique to her culture, others are not. The book ends
with asking the reader what fills their heart with happiness.
Connection: It would be beneficial to have a discussion about
the things listed in this book that are specific to her culture and
the things that are not. Students can make connections by
finding things that are not culture specific that make them
happy, and things from their culture that do as well.

One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree
Author/Illustrator: Daniel Bernstrom/ Brendan Wenzel
Copyright Date: 2016
Publisher: HarperCollins
Summary: In the heart of the jungle, a boy is eaten by a
snake. He encourages the snake to continue eating until the
snake’s belly is completely full. As the boy wanted, the snake
has a tummy ache and burps up all of the animals/food he ate,
including the boy.
Connection: From a critical standpoint, a discussion can
either focus on the greediness of the snake or the greediness
of the boy. Was the snake greediness what caused his
stomach ache? Was it selfish of the boy to encourage the
snake to eat all of those other animals?

Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match
Author/Illustrator: Monica Brown/ Sara Polacios
Copyright Date: 2011
Publisher: Children’s Book Press
Summary: This story tells about a young girl who does not
match, people’s opinions of her influence her decision to
change. She figures out she is not happy about this change
and accepts herself for the way she is: Mismatched. By the
end of the story, she finds a puppy that is just like her.
Connection: I would focus on respect for others, students can
identify moments in this story when people displayed respect
and disrespect for Marisol. Students will create
respect/how-to/reasons why posters to place around the
school.

Beautiful Summary: This book features girls of various ethnicities and
Author/Illustrator: Stacy McAnulty/ Joanne Lew-Vriethoff explains in all the ways girls are beautiful. The wording of the
Copyright Date: 2016 book describes traditional features of women, but the
Publisher: Running Press Kids illustrations show non-traditional girls playing sports, getting
dirty, and exploring.
Connection: This is a wonderful book to introduce critical
literacy, students are very aware of the gener biases in our
views of colors, sports, and interests. I could have my students
discuss how this book is different than what they have seen
and then create a boys’ version.
Lit. Study & Young Adult Novels
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas Summary: This story follows a young boy, Bruno, and his family during
Author/Illustrator: John Boyne the Holocaust. Bruno’s understanding of what is happening is very
naive. Bruno becomes friends with another boy who is imprisoned, but
Copyright Date: 2006
Bruno does not understand. By the end of the story, Bruno’s
Publisher: Ember misunderstanding leads to his death by gas chamber.
The Impossible Knife of Memory Summary: This story follows a young adolescent, Hayley, and her
Author/Illustrator: Laurie Halse Anderson struggle to cope with her father’s PTSD. Hayley meets Finn who helps
her overcome certain challenges she faces with her father. By the end,
Copyright Date: 2014
they survive the attempted suicide of her father and things begin to look
Publisher: Penguin Group “up.”
The Wild Robot Summary: The Wild Robot is about a robot crashing ashore after
Author/Illustrator: Peter Brown falling off of a ship in a storm. The robot does not know its purpose and
goes through various adventures and making friends such as insects.
Copyright Date: 2016
The robot has a well educated mind, but is still quite naive. Early
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers chapter book
The One and Only Ivan Summary: Ivan is a captured Gorilla who lives as an attraction for a
Author/Illustrator: Katherine Applegate/ Patricia Castelao failing mall. He has befriended a tired elephant, stray dog, and a
custodian’s daughter. Ruby is a new, young elephant that joins them
Copyright Date: 2012
and eventually inspires Ivan to get them out of there.
Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
The Maze Runner Summary: The Maze Runner follows an adolescent’s journey to
Author/Illustrator: James Dashner escape what appears to be an enclosure of sorts. A group of
adolescents are trying to survive in this enclosure when different
Copyright Date: 2009
threats start coming their way. They soon realize they must beat many
Publisher: Dell Publishing deadly obstacles in order to get out.
Connection: This is an excellent opportunity for students to study
different characters and their points of view when it comes to the
holocaust. Students could study a certain character, or like-group, and
compare them with other students’ character studies.
Connection: Since many of the characters are navigating their own
struggles, students can pick a character to connect with (whether it be
because of character traits, struggles, or something else) and explore
the similarities and differences. In doing this, students should pick up
on small details and actions throughout the story.
Connection: Because this book is geared towards readers that are just
starting to read chapter books, I would want my students to focus on
one chapter at a time. It is important for readers to stay engaged while
reading, so I want my students to focus on making text to self
connections to the characters and events.
Connection: This book is an excellent example of critical literacy; this
book brings up many moral/social issues that can be discussed in
depth with many points of view. I like the idea of utilizing the
connections graphic organizer (simplified for 2nd grade) and allowing
students to utilize artwork (following art theme from story) to express
their comprehension of character emotions.
Connection: I want students to focus on literature discussions and
individual opinions through Chat Stations. Through Chat Stations
students can have guided (posed questions) discussions revolving
around the various chapters read, after they go through all stations,
record their important ideas, students share their groups’ thoughts
whole group.
Curricular Unit
The Invisible Boy
Author/Illustrator: Trudy Ludwig/ Patrice Barton
Copyright Date: 2013
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Each Kindness
Author/Illustrator: Jacqueline Woodson/ E.B. Lewis
Copyright Date: 2012
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Do Nice Be Kind Spread Happy
Author/Illustrator: Bernadette Russell
Copyright Date: 2014
Publisher: The Ivy Press
What Does it Mean to Be Kind?
Author/Illustrator: Rana DiOrio
Copyright Date: 2015
Publisher: Little Pickle Press
The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade
Author/Illustrator: Justin Roberts/ Christian Robinson
Copyright Date: 2014
Publisher: GP Putnam’s Sons for Young Readers
Summary: The Invisible Boy tells the story of a young boy,
Brian, who is ignored at school by his teacher and classmates.
When a new boy comes to the class Brian is quick to make
sure he feels welcome. Shortly after, the new boy returns the
favor.
Summary: Maya is the new girl at school and she is different
than the other students; she doesn’t wear new clothes, have
new toys, or have any friends. Chloe, a student in the class
dismisses Maya as a potential friend and misses the
opportunity to fix things when Maya moves.
Summary: Do Nice Be Kind Spread Happy is a book full of
ideas on how to spread kindness and happiness. The book is
full of bright and quirky illustrations that include a spot to
record if/when you have completed each idea.
Summary: What Does it Mean to Be Kind is a book that
expresses many of the ways a person can show kindness to
others. It explains that if everyone were to put forth effort to be
kind it would create a harmonious world.
Summary: This books follows the smallest girl in the
classroom who is often overlooked. This girl, however, notices
lots of things including how everyone else is being treated.
She confronts the school and challenges them to be kind.
Connection: I think it is important to focus on cause and
effect in this story; what causes Brian to feel invisible? What
caused Brian to feel not so invisible near the end of the story?
Student can discuss their own connections to the characters
and the story.
Connection: This text allows for critical discussions based on
contemporary issues such as socioeconomic status and
multicultural biases that people may have. A discussion about
kindness and acceptance is also appropriate to introduce
those mindsets within the classroom.
Connection: This book is a great way to introduce ways to
spread kindness and make those ideas concrete. This book is
also a great way to incorporate an interactive bulletin board,
when a student completes one of the acts of kindness they
can post that page to the bulletin board.
Connection: This book is great for sparking discussions about
ways students have showed kindness to others. What were
the effects? How did you feel afterwards? What would happen
if everyone in our school was kind? Community?
Connection: This book is great when talking about noticing
the small things about others. Have students record small
things they notice, positive or negative, and share with others
the next day.
 Miscellaneous Genres
Wolf Summary: A wolf is hungry and looks to intimidate animals on Connection: This text is great for critical discussions about
Author/Illustrator: Becky Bloom/ Pascal Biet a farm. When the animals are uninterested because the wolf is education and biases. Students can also form text-self
Copyright Date: 1998 uneducated he sets out to learn to read. By the conclusion of connections with the animals on the farm and the wolf to add
Publisher: Siphano Picture Books this story, all of the animals become friends that read stories to a transactional approach to discussion.
together.

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
Author/Illustrator: Jon Scieszka/ Lane Smith
Copyright Date: 1989
Publisher: Harper & Row
Summary: This story is the retelling of The Three Little Pigs
from the Wolf’s perspective. In his story, he was only going to
the pigs to ask for sugar when a sneeze is what caused their
homes to blow down. According to Wolf, the media twisted the
story to make it interesting.
Connection: This text could be used to study multi-view
literature; students could spend time comparing the views of
the traditional story and the views of the wolf. It could be
beneficial for students to discuss critical questions connecting
this story to real life trials.

Cindy Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella
Author/Illustrator: Susan Lowell/
Copyright Date: 2000
Publisher: Harper Collins
Summary: Cindy Ellen tells the story of Cinderella based in
the west. This story incorporates features native to the west
such a horses, cowboy boots and spurs, and rodeos.
Connection: This story could very well be used as a comparative lit.
study in which students compare the similarities and differences
between this text and the original story. This could also be used as a
critical literature piece in which students analyze the fact that beauty
equals goodness in this story and compare it to real life.

My Teacher is a Monster
Author/Illustrator: Peter Brown
Copyright Date: 2014
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Summary: My Teacher is a Monster tells the story of a young
boy who views his teacher as a growling, loud, scary monster.
He runs into this teacher at the park and he begins to view her
in a different light. By the end of the story, the boy’s view of
her has completely shifted.
Connection: Because this book encompasses the qualities of a
fantasy, it would be beneficial to focus on making inferences among
peers in a group discussion; How did his teacher change throughout
the story? Why do you think her character changes so drastically?
Students should focus on constructing meaning with their peers.

Wild Summary: Wild is about a young girl who is raised by animals Connection: This book includes intense illustrations that would make
Author/Illustrator: Emily Hughes in the wild. When humans take her to civilization, she is for a great picture walk, students can spend time making inferences
about each illustration before actually reading the story. I want students
Copyright Date: 2013 confused and unhappy. In the end she returns to the wild
to look at the details hidden on each page and make pre-reading
Publisher: Flying Eye Books where she is comfortable. inferences/connections.
Miscellaneous Genres
Words with Wings Summary: Words with Wings utilizes poetry to tell the story of
Author/Illustrator: Nikki Grimes a young girl who loves to daydream. Gaby uses daydreaming
Copyright Date: 2013 to tune out her parents’ arguing. She explores her love for
Publisher: WordSong words and writing. This book focuses on relatable
contemporary issues that children may experience.
Scranimals Summary: Scranimals is a collection of unique poems that
Author/Illustrator: Jack Prelutsky/ Peter Sis focus on the creation of fictional animals. The author combines
Copyright Date: 2002 two animals or an animal and a vegetable/fruit to create a new
Publisher: GreenWillow Books creature. Each poem describes the creature and its attributes.
The Day the Crayons Quit Summary: The Day the Crayons Quit presents the trials and
Author/Illustrator: Drew Daywalt/ Oliver Jeffers tribulations of a box of crayons in the format of various letters.
Copyright Date: 2013 The crayons each write a letter explaining their problems with
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group how they are being used, or lack thereof, to their owner. This
book is unique because a young boy illustrated the pictures.
Scaredy Squirrel Summary: Scaredy Squirrel is a story about a squirrel who
Author/Illustrator: Melanie Watt stays in his tree day in and day out because he fears the
Copyright Date: 2006 unknown that lays beyond. One day he accidentally falls out of
Publisher: Kids Can Press his tree and realizes he is a flying squirrel, he soon forgets
about his fears.
Dear Teacher Summary: A boy creatively writes letters to his teacher
Author/Illustrator: Amy Husband explaining why he won’t be at school. He comes up with
Copyright Date: 2010 outlandish ideas and excuses including pirates and secret
Publisher: SourceBooks Jabberwocky service men.
Connection: Since this book utilizes poetry as a means of
communicating this story, I want my students to study the
perspective of Gaby while focusing on the language/words
utilized in the poetry. Students can pick out words that
stand-out to them and represent them from Gaby’s point of
view.
Connection: This book is a great introduction into creative
poetry, it would be a great way to introduce students to writing
their own poetry. Students could pick two animals to create
their new creature. Students would find attributes from these
animals to use in their new poetry.
Connection: I want my students to listen to the various
complaints from the crayons and problem solve their issues.
Without showing my students the end result, I want them to
create an illustration that takes into account each crayon’s
problem.
Connection: I want my students to connect with this squirrel
and his experience with fear. Students can use this book to
launch their own exploration of a personal fear; students can
choose one of their fears, experiment with it (safely), and
share their experience through their own creation of a book.
Connection: I want students to explore the text features that
make this book engaging and talk about books that they have
found to be less engaging (text-text connections). Students
can utilize these ideas in their own writing or creative
stories/letters to the teacher.
Miscellaneous Genres
After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty got Back Up Again Summary: Humpty Dumpty fell off the wall, but now he is
Author/Illustrator: Dan Santat afraid of heights. He loved being on the tall wall, but his fear
Copyright Date: 2017 keeps him from climbing. One day his paper airplane flew over
Publisher: Roaring Book Press the wall so he climbed to go get it.
The Bad Seed Summary: The Bad Seed tells the story of a seed who was
Author/Illustrator: Jory John/ Pete Oswald almost eaten by a “giant.” After that experience, he turned
Copyright Date: 2017 bad; he was always late and didn’t pick up after himself. He no
Publisher: HarperCollins longer wants to be bad now, he isn’t perfect, but he is trying.
Nerdy Birdy Summary: Nerdy Birdy is about a bird who tries to fit in with
Author/Illustrator: Aaron Reynolds/ Matt Davies the “cool birds.” The Nerdy Birdies tell the bird that he can
Copyright Date: 2015 hang with them. When these Nerdy Birdies won’t hang out
Publisher: MacMillan Publishers with a new Vulture Nerdy Birdy feels bad and becomes the
vultures friend. He states, we always have room for another
birdy.
Firenze’s Light Summary: Firenze is a lightening bug who is ashamed of her
Author/Illustrator: Jessica Callaco/ Angela Li own light. She tries to cover it up, but it does not make her
Copyright Date: 2014 happy. She meets another unique bug who tells her that his
Publisher: Shine Your Light Books pincers make him brilliant, wonderful, and unique. She grows
to appreciate her light one night when she shows off her light.
Stuck Summary: Stuck is the story about a boy whose kite gets
Author/Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers stuck in a tree. The boy tries everything (ridculous things) to
Copyright Date: 2011 get his kite out. Instead of using these items, such as a ladder,
Publisher: Scholastic he throws them into the tree. Finally his kite falls out and he
leaves everything else in the tree.
Connection: Since this story has such powerful illustrations,
and message, I want students to take time to observe the
illustrations and “read” the story through the pictures. After a
picture walk, students can write an emotion on a sticky note
for each illustration that they feel best matches Humpty.
Connection: The Bad Seed undergoes a drastic change, he
now wants to be good; students can identify the qualities that
make him a good seed and what qualities made him a bad
seed. I would end the discussion by proposing a question, If
he isn’t perfect, what makes him a good seed now?
Connection: I want my students to have a discussion about
acceptance (theme) and ways we can show acceptance.
Discussion starter: How were the Cool Birds and Nerdy Birdies
similar? What are some ways we can help promote
acceptance at our school?
Connection: Students can make connections to this story by
finding their own quality that makes them brilliant, wonderful,
and/or unique. Students will identify their quality, illustrate it,
and explain why it makes them brilliant wonderful, and/or
unique and share it with the class.
Connection: Oliver Jeffers writes this book in a silly way,
everything the boy uses, he throws into the tree to get stuck, I
could have students use prediction throughout this story.
Eventually students will come to realize the recurring theme; it
would be interesting to have students rewrite the story with
their own ideas (maybe practical or silly).