Books 4 Learning
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I have been a teacher (from preschool age to college level) in some capacity for over 20 years. I am currently a college English instructor. I teach (or have taught) college composition, world literature, children's literature, and creative writing.
Books 4 Learning
4y ago
Title: Carl and the Meaning of Life
Author: Deborah Freedman
Illustrator: Deborah Freedman
Target Ages: 5 and up
Genre: Picture Book
Publisher Summary:
This is Carl.
Carl is an earthworm.
He spends his days happily digging, tunneling, turning dirt into soil, until one day, when a field mouse asks him…Why?
Carl does not know why he does what he does, but now he needs to find out!
First Lines:
Carl was not a bird.
Carl was not a bear, or a beaver.
Carl was…an earthworm.
Memorable Moment:
All of them (the animals) are able to ..read more
Books 4 Learning
4y ago
Title: The Blacker the Berry
Author: Joyce Carol Thomas
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Target Ages: 3 and up
Awards: Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrators, Coretta Scott King Award for Authors (nominated), ALA Notable Children’s Book
Genre: Poetry Picture Book
Publisher Summary:
Black is dazzling and distinctive, like toasted wheat berry bread; snowberries in the fall; rich, red cranberries; and the bronzed last leaves of summer. In this lyrical and luminous collection, Coretta Scott King honorees Joyce Carol Thomas and Floyd Cooper celebrate these many shades ..read more
Books 4 Learning
4y ago
Today, I am highlighting two amazing picture books by author-illustrator Cori Doerrfeld. The first title, The Rabbit Listened, has been on my to-review list for a while. When I discovered Goodbye, Friend! Hello, Friend! I decided to discuss these books together. While they are diverse in their subject matter, they have some noteworthy commonalities.
The Rabbit Listened
Publisher Summary
When something sad happens to Taylor, all the animals think they know how to help. One by one they come, but nothing they say makes Taylor feel better. Until the rabbit arrives…and the rabbit k ..read more
Books 4 Learning
4y ago
Title: The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle: The Cool Science Behind Frank Epperson’s Famous Frozen Treat
Author: Anne Renaud
Illustrator: Milan Pavlovic
Target Ages: 5 and up
Genre: Picture Book Biography
Publisher Summary:
Young Frank William Epperson always knew he wanted to be an inventor. He loved to experiment—especially with flavored soda water.
Frank was determined to create the yummiest, most thirst-quenching soda drink ever. Not all of his attempts were successful…you could even say some were disastrous. But Frank never stopped trying, even as ..read more
Books 4 Learning
4y ago
Title: One Shoe, Two Shoes
Author: Caryl Hart
Illustrator: Edward Underwood
Target Ages: 1-7
Genre: Concept, Early Reader
Publisher Summary: Shoes, shoes, and more shoes…This book is bursting with shoes of all different colors, sizes, and shapes. There’s a pair here to suit everyone—even a family of mice.
First Lines: One shoe
Two shoes
Red shoes
Blue shoes
Old shoes
New shoes
Evaluation:
Author Caryl Hart has written a fresh, new text in the vein of the Dr. Seuss classic One Fish, Two Fish..
Edward Underwood’s vibrant illustrations add another ..read more
Books 4 Learning
4y ago
Title: Across the Bay
Author: Carlos Aponte
Target Ages: 4-10
Genre: Realistic Fiction Picture Book
Award: Pura Belpre’ Illustrator Honor
Publisher Summary: Carlitos lives in a happy home with his mother, his abuela, and Coco the cat. Life in his hometown is cozy as can be, but the call of the capital city pulls Carlitos across the bay in search of his father.
Memorable Moment: When Carlitos loses his only picture of his father, a park ranger helps him cope with his loss.
Evaluation: Carlitos has a loving home with his mother, abuela, and cat. Nevertheless, he ..read more
Books 4 Learning
5y ago
Title: The Panda Problem Author: Deborah Underwood Illustrator: Hannah Marks Target Ages: 5 and up Genre: Post Modern Picture Book (Metafiction) Publisher Summary: Every story needs a problem. But Panda doesn’t have a problem. Unless Panda IS the problem. First Lines: Once upon a time, there was a panda who lived in a beautiful bamboo grove.But the panda had a BIG problem.Nope.Excuse me? Memorable Moment: BECAUSE THINGS CAN’T GET ANY WORSE!Oh, can’t they?What if suddenly there were… Evaluation:Author Deborah Underwood knows how to create a witty picture book. I became a fan after read ..read more
Books 4 Learning
5y ago
CreationCynthia RylantPulling verses from the first two chapters of Genesis, Rylant illustrates the days of creation. The information has been condensed down, but it sticks close to the biblical text. The CreationJames Weldon Johnson, authorJames E. Ransome, illustratorWritten as a poetic sermon, the influence of folk sayings and antebellum south imagery is present in the text. Pictures of the creation are interspersed with children sitting around listening as a storyteller recites this poem. The text takes a few liberties, but embodies the essence and meaning or the biblical story. Th ..read more
Books 4 Learning
5y ago
Title: Finding Langston, A Novel Author: Lesa Cline-Ransome Target Ages: 9-13 Genre: Historical Fiction Awards: Coretta Scott King Honor Book, 2019 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, Junior Library Guild selection Publisher Summary: When eleven-year-old Langston’s mother died in 1946, he and his father move from Alabama to Chicago’s Bronzeville. Langston must leave behind everything he cherishes: family, friends, Grandma’s Sunday suppers, even the magnolia trees Mama loved so much. The northern city is noisy and hectic, and their kitchenette apartment is just a lonely room wi ..read more
Books 4 Learning
5y ago
Title: First Star: A Bear and Mole Story Author: Will Hillenbrand Illustrator: Will Hillenbrand Target Ages: 3-8 Genre: Picture Book Fiction Publisher Summary: Up, up, up climb Mole and Bear. They are on the way to Camp Tiptop to see the stars. But as the sun sets, Mole is scared. What if they get lost in the dark? Luckily, Bear has the perfect story to calm Mole’s fears. Later, the sky has its own surprise in store for the two campers. First Lines: Mole gazed up. “May we sleep under the sky tonight?” asked Mole. “I want to see the stars turn on.” Memorable Moment: Bear comfort ..read more