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/

65. My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann

Bibliographic Citation:
Rohmann, Eric. My Friend Rabbit. Brookfield, Connecticut: Roaring Brook Press, 2002. 32 p. ISBN 978-0761315353.

Awards/Selection Lists:
Caldecott Medal, 2003
ALA Notable Children's Book, 2003
Parents’ Choice Recommended
National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Gold Award

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
Rabbit is a good friend, but he always finds a way to get into trouble, even when he is trying to help rescue his friend, Mouse.

Personal Reaction:
Bold illustrations help tell the story of Rabbit, who accidentally throws his friend, Mouse, and his airplane, up into a tree. In order to help rescue his friend, Rabbit gathers up their friends and stacks them up, one on top of the other, in order to reach Mouse. The stack of animals fall into a heap, but somehow, the airplane and Mouse are freed.  

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

Themes/Issues:
Friendship, mistakes, safety, rescue

Early Literacy Skill Value:

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


Narrative Skills: 
The details included in the illustrations of this book invite children to participate in the narration of this book.


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


Print Awareness:
Text is printed in simple, black font positioned to support the illustrations. Smaller text is included to enhance the story line by representing the words of Mouse as he is stuck in the airplane in the tree.

Print Motivation: 
This book is a humorous story of friendship that children will enjoy hearing and revisiting. The vivid illustrations will encourage young children to look at the book on their own, as well. 

Vocabulary:
The vocabulary in this story deals with conversation related to efforts to rescue Mouse, as well as the difficulties that Rabbit experiences.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
http://www.ericrohmann.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/

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/