75. The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

Bibliographic Citation:
Diesen, Deborah. The Pout-Pout Fish. Illustrated by Dan Hanna. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2008. ISBN 978-0374360962. 

Awards/Selection Lists:
Time Magazine's Top 10 Childrens’ Books of 2008

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
The Pout-Pout Fish moves around the ocean with a pout on his face, and thinks it's his job to be dreary, until he learns a new lesson about the pout on his face.

Personal Reaction:
This book reveals that sometimes the things that might not seem so great about ourselves can turn out to give a lot of joy to others. The fish in this story was born with a pout, and so he thinks that it is his job to "spread the dreary wearies" all around the ocean. He meets other animals in the ocean as he swims along and they each try to cheer him up. It's not until he meets a fish who kisses him at the end of the book that he realizes that his pout can actually spread love and joy if he uses it for sharing love. 

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 4-7 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Grumpiness, self-acceptance, change of attitude, ocean life, love

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.


Narrative Skills: 
Children are invited to participate in the telling of the story through the rhyming text and the repeated refrain, "blub, blub, blub".


Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is addressed through rhyming, rhythmic text and alliteration.


Print Awareness:
The text of the story is printed in a small, simple font in the empty space in the illustrations.



Print Motivation: 
This is a fun story that children will enjoy hearing and participating in through the rhymes and sound effects that are a part of the text. The illustrations are cartoon-like, and invite children to enjoy the pictures as the story is read, or enjoy them on their own.


Vocabulary:
The vocabulary in this book is centered around different types of creations found in the ocean, as well as the moods of the Pout-Pout Fish.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
Author website: http://deborahdiesen.com/
Illustrator website: http://www.bluebellylizard.com/index.html

66. The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood

Bibliographic Citation:
Underwood, Deborah. The Quiet Book. Illustrated by Renata Liwska. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2010. 32 p. ISBN 978-0547215679.

Awards/Selection Lists:
ALA Children's Notable Book, 2011
School Library Journal Starred Review
Publisher's Weekly Best Books, 2010

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
Different types of "quiet" are portrayed through soft illustrations and gentle text.

Personal Reaction:
The beautiful, matte illustrations combine with simple text that expresses emotions behind different situations that animal friends experience quiet. From secrets, to hide-and-seek, to storytime, and bedtime, all different types of quiet situations are explored. The illustrations show the emotions and facial expressions of the animals during each experience. 

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 3-5 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Quiet, emotions, animals, friendship, self-control

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.


Narrative Skills: 
Narrative skills are encouraged through simple text and illustrations that incite participation.


Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.


Print Awareness:
The text of this book is simple and placed at the bottom of the pages. The font is small and simple, and the color of the text changes from brown to white as needed against the softly shaded illustrations.


Print Motivation: 
This book, with its soft-hued illustrations and story that young children can identify with, makes a good story for children and parents to share before bedtime, or other quiet moments. Children will also enjoy exploring this book on their own.


Vocabulary:
The vocabulary used in this book centers around experiences which require quiet behavior. This book provides a stepping off point for parents to have conversations about the importance of quiet when it is called for in certain situations.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
Author website: http://www.deborahunderwoodbooks.com
Illustrator website: http://www.renataliwska.com/

63. Squish Rabbit by Katherine Battersby

Bibliographic Citation:
Battersby, Katherine. Squish Rabbit. New York, NY: Viking, 2011. 40 p. ISBN 978-0670012671.

Awards/Selection Lists:
None

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
Squish is a little rabbit who goes through life unnoticed and lonely, until he makes friends with a squirrel.

 

Personal Reaction:
Squish the Rabbit got his name from being small and not easily seen. This creates problems with making friends, as Squish is also quiet as well. When he begins to play by himself, a squirrel comes along and Squish decides it's time to speak up. The two become friends and Squish doesn't feel so small or lonely anymore.

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 3-5 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Shyness, loneliness, self-image, speaking up, friendship

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.


Narrative Skills: 
Narrative skills can be modeled through reading aloud with the child, and through conversation through dialogic reading.


Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.


Print Awareness:
The text of the story appears in areas that are free from illustrations, drawing the eye to the printed words on the page. The word "STOP" appears in large, red letters, and is often a recognizable printed word from a child's environment.


Print Motivation: 
The illustrations in this book are inviting to young children, and the characters are likable. Young children will enjoy following Squish the Rabbit as he seeks for a friend.


Vocabulary:
The vocabulary in this book deals with feelings of loneliness and friendship, modeling words dealing with these emotions for young children.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
http://katherinebattersby.com/

60. I Am Small by Emma Dodd

Bibliographic Citation:
Dodd, Emma. I Am Small. New York, NY: Cartwheel Books, 2011. 24 p. ISBN 978-0545353700.

Awards/Selection Lists:
None

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
A baby penguin feels small among the great, big world around him. His size doesn't matter anymore after he is snuggled up with his mom.

Personal Reaction:
This sweet, rhyming story is told from the perspective of a baby penguin who realizes what a small part of the world he is. The baby penguin tries to keep up with other bigger penguins who are sliding and swimming, and then he notices how vast the sky is, and how truly little he is. The baby penguin finds his mother at last, and is okay being small in comparison to the world, as long as he knows that he is the biggest thing to his mother.

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 18 months-3 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Self-image, size, the world around us, love, feeling important, positional words

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.


Narrative Skills: 
Children are encourage to participate in the narration of this story through the repetition of the title phrase, "I am small". The illustrations also provide the opportunity for dialogic reading discussion between the reader and children listeners of the story.

Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.


Print Awareness:
Print awareness is fostered through descriptive words that are printed in large text on each page. 


Print Motivation: 
Young children will identify with the baby penguin in the story. The use of a cute penguin and silver, metallic accents draw the attention of young children, who will enjoy reading this book with an adult, or looking at the pictures by themselves. 

Vocabulary:
The vocabulary in this book represent descriptive words which portray the concepts of size, position, and emotions.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
http://emmadoddbooks.blogspot.com/

53. Leonardo, the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems

Bibliographic Citation:
Willems, Mo. Leonardo, the Terrible Monster. New York, NY: Hyperion Books, 2005. 48 p. ISBN 978-0786852949.

Awards/Selection Lists:
School Library Journal Starred Review
Time Magazine's 10 Best Children's Books, 2005
Book Sense Book of the Year Honor Book, 2006

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
Leonardo is a monster who cannot scare anyone, so he seeks out Sam, a boy who he thinks he can scare.

Personal Reaction:
This story introduces Leonardo, a monster who is not able to scare anyone, so he seeks out a kid that he can scare, and finds Sam. When he scares Sam, the boy bursts into tears, but not because he scared him, but for a variety of "wrongs" that Sam has suffered that day. Leonardo decides to change from a scary monster to a good friend to help Sam.

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to children 3-7 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Self-esteem, frustration, change in perspective, friendship

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.


Narrative Skills: 
Narrative skills can be modeled through the reading of this book through dialogic reading. The large text also invites children to become familiar with the text of this book, and encourages involvement in the telling of the story.   

Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.

Print Awareness:
Changing, colorful, and lively fonts bring the text of the story into the story in a way that the words almost become characters of the story themselves.

Print Motivation: 
This is a fun story that children will love revisiting and becoming a part of the telling of the story. The surprising turn of events in the story make this a book that children will enjoy.

Vocabulary:
The vocabulary in this book deals with self-esteem, feelings of frustration, changing emotions, and friendship.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
http://www.mowillems.com/

48. Owl Babies by Martin Waddell

Bibliographic Citation:

Waddell, Martin. Owl Babies. Illustrated by Patrick Benson. Candlewick Press, 1996. 22 p. ISBN 978-1564029652. 

Awards/Selection Lists:

Format Examined:
Board book

Annotation:
Three little owls are left on their own while their mother goes in search of food.

Personal Reaction:
This book works through many emotions through a format that children can understand. When Owl Mother leaves the nest to search for food for her owl babies, the baby owls awaken to find that she is gone. The three owls work together to try to figure out where their other has gone, while also encouraging each other not to worry or be afraid. When all three begin to worry, they close their eyes, and wish Mother Owl would come home, and she does, which delivers a strong message to young children who worry about separation from their parents.

Age Recommendation:

I would recommend this book for children 18 months-3 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Separation anxiety, trust, parent/child relationship, siblings 

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.

Narrative Skills: 
The opportunity for children to participate in the narration of this book is provided through modeling, as well as through familiarity of the repeated line, "I want my mommy!", which children may recite as it is recited repeatedly.

Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.

Print Awareness:
The text of this book is printed in varying pastel shades on the dark background of each page, calling attention to the text.

Print Motivation: 
This book makes a good choice for bedtime reading together, and also provides a positive lesson for children who may feel anxiety about separating from their parents. Children may choose this book for a parent to read again due to its positive message and cute owl illustrations.

Vocabulary:
The vocabulary in this book deals with the types of food that owls might eat, as well as descriptions of the owls' habitat in a tree in the forest.

Author/ Illustrator Website:
No official website

46. About a Bear by Holly Surplice

Bibliographic Citation:
Surplice, Holly. About a Bear. Wilton, CT: Tiger Tales, 2012. 32 p. ISBN 978-1-58925-112-0.

Awards/Selection Lists:
None

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:

Bears can be a lot of things, from happy to sad, and from hungry to sleepy, and many things in between.

Personal Reaction:

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 3-5 years of age.

Themes/Issues:

Emotions, characteristics, friendship

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.

Narrative Skills: 
Rhyming, simple lines of text match the colorful illustrations of the story in a way that encourages children to become involved in the narration as they become familiar with the text.

Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is addressed through the rhythmic, rhyming text of the book.

Print Awareness:
The written text is matched up within the illustrations on each page, drawing attention to the fact that the words on the page match what is happening in the story as the words are read aloud.


Print Motivation: 
The bright, vivid colors that are used in the illustrations of a cute bear and his friends match the simple, rhyming words well. This book is fun and quick to read, and portrays a happy ending among animal friends of the forest.  

Vocabulary:
The vocabulary used in this book is used to tell about the qualities of all the things a bear might be.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
http://hollysurplice.blogspot.com/

44. My Heart is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall

Bibliographic Citation:
Hall, Michael. My Heart is Like a Zoo. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books, 2009. 32 p. ISBN 978-0061915109.

Awards/Selection Lists:

None

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
Twenty paper animals made from colorful heart shapes are included in this book about emotions.

Personal Reaction:
Animals are created from collages of brightly colored hearts, and are accompanied by simple text describing emotions that match the animal on the page. Alliteration is sprinkled throughout the book, which promotes phonological awareness. The text of the book is printed in a simple to read, white font, which is easily noticed among the bright colors on the page.

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 3-5 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Love, heart shapes, emotions, bright colors, animals

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.


Narrative Skills: 
Simple text that matches the artwork on each page encourages participation from children in the telling of the story, and in making guesses as to the type of animal on each page. 

Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is addressed through periodic alliteration throughout the book.

Print Awareness:
Text is presented in a simple white font against the colorful background of the page and colorful hearts that make up each animal.

Print Motivation: 
The simple text and colorful heart-made animals make this an inviting book for preschool-aged children to revisit on their own or with an adult reader.

Vocabulary:
Vocabulary pertains to each animal name, as well as the descriptions associated with each animal.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
http://myheartislikeazoo.com/

38. The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood

Bibliographic Citation:

Underwood, Deborah. The Quiet Book. Illustrated by Renata Liwska. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2010. 32 p. ISBN 978-0547215679.

Awards/Selection Lists:

School Library Journal Starred Review, 2010
ALA Notable Children's Book, 2011
E.B. White Read Aloud Honor, Association of Booksellers for Children, 2011
New York Times Bestseller

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:

Different types of quiet are demonstrated by different animals through gentle text and soft illustrations.

Personal Reaction:

Different emotions are paired with types of quiet which are personified through adorable animals in the illustrations of this book. The text tells children that there are different types of quiet, including being "the last one picked up from school quiet", "swimming underwater quiet", and "sleeping sister" quiet". There are happy quiets, sad quiets, scared quiets, and fun quiets. The emotions and lessons from this book are quietly meaningful.

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 2-5 years of age.

Themes/Issues:

Being quiet, emotions

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.

Narrative Skills: 
The illustrations lend themselves to helping children predict what type of quiet is happening in the picture. 

Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.

Print Awareness:
Each line of this book is simple and appears near the bottom of most of the pages, calling attention to the connection of the printed words and the illustrations.

Print Motivation: 
The simple text and illustrations enable children to retell this story on their own. The soft, appealing illustrations are inviting for children, as well.

Vocabulary:
Words pertaining to emotions and different types of quiet provide vocabulary throughout the book.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
http://www.deborahunderwoodbooks.com/index.html

33. Peter's Chair by Ezra Jack Keats

Bibliographic Citation:
Keats, Ezra Jack. Peter's Chair. New York, NY: Puffin Books, 1998. 40 p. ISBN 978-0140564419. 

Awards/Selection Lists:

None

Format Examined:
Paperback

Annotation:
The main character, Peter has to learn how to come to terms with the fact that he has a new baby sister, and his parents are painting his old baby furniture pink for his sister to use.

Personal Reaction:

This classic book tells the story of Peter, a boy who has a new baby sister. He has to learn to be quiet while she sleeps, and notices that his parents are passing all of his old baby furniture to his baby sister-- and painting it all pink. Peter sees his favorite small chair, and grabs it before it can be painted pink, too. He decides to run away (just outside the house), with his baby chair and his dog, until he realizes that he has gotten too big to fit in the chair. In the end, he decides that the chair should be painted pink for his sister. This story provides a powerful message for children who have new siblings.

Age Recommendation:

I would recommend this book for children 4-7 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
New baby, sharing, growing up, siblings, family

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.

Narrative Skills: 
This book provides an opportunity for dialogic reading and modeling of narrative skills through the reading of the text aloud.

Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.

Print Awareness:
This book incorporates environmental print, such as the print of a newspaper on the floor as Peter's father paints.

Print Motivation: 
Children who have new siblings will identify with this story, and want to revisit this book.

Vocabulary:
Natural language is used throughout the text to describe how Peter feels and how his feelings change.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/

25. My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss

Bibliographic Citation: 
Seuss. My Many Colored Days. Illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. New York, NY: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 1996. 40 p. ISBN 978-0679875970. 

Awards/Selection Lists:
None

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
Different colors are used to describe different emotions that are felt by the narrator of this non-traditional Seuss book.

Personal Reaction:
The text of this Dr. Seuss book lay in wait for a color artist to illustrate it for more than 20 years. While the text of the book rhymes, as do most of Dr. Seuss' books, the subject matter has more of a serious tone, and the rhythm does not follow Seuss' typical style. The soft, chalk-like illustrations each work well to portray the emotions that are personified by each of ten different colors.  

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 3-5 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Colors, emotions, rhyming text

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.

Narrative Skills: 
Narrative skills are encouraged through rhyming text and familiar objects that are included in the illustrations to reinforce color identification. 

Phonological Awareness: 
Letter sounds are highlighted through rhyming words and words that are written to symbolize sounds, such as "Wheeeeeeeeeee" and "WHAM!".

Print Awareness:
Words are written in different font types, sizes, and changing boldness to show how the text should be read to match the different colors and the corresponding emotions.

Print Motivation: 
Attention is drawn to text that changes with each page of colorful illustrations through different fonts and sizes of text. This print method encourages a child's interest in print. 

Vocabulary:
Words portraying different emotions and colors are introduced through rhyming text.

Author/ Illustrator Website:
Author website: http://www.seussville.com/
Illustrators' website: http://www.johnsonandfancher.com/