70. The Biggest Kiss by Joanna Walsh

Bibliographic Citation:

Walsh, Joanna. The Biggest Kiss. Illustrated by Judi Abbot. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, 2011. 32p. ISBN 978-1-4424-27693

Awards/Selection Lists:
None

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
Different kisses for different animals are represented through rhyming text and colorful illustrations.

Personal Reaction:
The smallest ant and the biggest elephant all receive kisses. The rhyming text of this story about different types of kisses for different animals is combined with lively illustrations, which young children will enjoy. The rhyming format changes throughout the book, which makes the text read like a song at times.

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

Themes/Issues:
Parents, children, love, animals, rhyming, alliteration 

Early Literacy Skill Value:

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

Narrative Skills:
The rhyming text invites children to help recite the story along with the reader as they become familiar with the words.

Phonological Awareness:
Phonological awareness is fostered through rhyming text, alliteration, and phrases, which are sometimes represented within the inside of the sentence's structure, while other times it is presented as end rhyme.

Print Awareness:
The text of the story appears in various font sizes, with the word "kiss" appearing in bold print.

Print Motivation:
The whimsy of the illustrations and the fun of the rhyming text make this a book that children will enjoy reading together with an adult.

Vocabulary:
The vocabulary of this book deals with different animals, sizes, and uses some nonsense words within the rhymes and alliteration that is presented.

Author/ Illustrator Website:

Illustrator website: http://www.giudiimages.it/

64. Go, Go, Grapes: A Fruit Chant by April Pulley Sayre

Bibliographic Citation:
Sayre, April Pulley. Go, Go, Grapes!: A Fruit Chant. New York, NY: Beach Lane Books, 2012. 32 p. ISBN 978-1442433908.

Awards/Selection Lists:
None

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
This book showcases different types of fruits through photographs taken at farmer's markets, small grocery stores, and fruit stands. 

Personal Reaction:
Rhyming text is presented alongside photographs to identify different types of fruit. The rhythmic text describes the attributes of the various fruits in the pictures, including color, taste, and texture.

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

Themes/Issues:
Fruits, colors, textures, taste, nonfiction

Early Literacy Skill Value:

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


Narrative Skills: 
The narrative, rhythmic text invites children to participate in reading the story. Dialogic reading would also offer children the opportunity to identify fruit in the accompanying photographs.

Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is presented through rhyming text and alliteration.

Print Awareness:
Text appears in white font against colorful backgrounds, which draws attention to the printed words of the book.


Print Motivation: 
Children will enjoy the colorful pages and photographs included in this book. The rhyming text is presented in fun, rhythmic way that will have children jumping in as the story is read.


Vocabulary:
Vocabulary presented in this book is focused around different types of fruit and the way they look, feel, and taste. Children will be presented with the identification of new types of fruit.



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

58. Hide and Snake by Keith Baker

Bibliographic Citation:
Baker, Keith. Hide and Snake. New York, NY: Harcourt, Inc., 1991. 40 p. ISBN 978-0152339869.

Awards/Selection Lists:
None

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
A colorful snake hides among many different brightly colored objects, inviting the reader to find him. 

Personal Reaction:
Keith Baker's vivid illustrations are paired with simple text to encourage children to seek out the snake on each page. Children become part of the story through hunting for the snake, and are encouraged to help narrate the story through its simple plot.

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

Themes/Issues:
Hiding, camouflage, snakes, garden

Early Literacy Skill Value:

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


Narrative Skills: 
Children are encouraged to help narrate the story through finding the snake and guessing where he might be next.


Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is highlighted through the rhyming text of the story.


Print Awareness:
The text of the story is printed in a large, simple font, dancing along the edge of the illustrations of each page. This fun way of incorporating the text draws attention to the words as they correspond with the pictures.

Print Motivation: 
This simple story, with bright illustrations, and rhyming text is fun to read and to listen to. It also provides a game of hide and seek that will engage children.


Vocabulary:
The vocabulary is centered around the things that snake hides among, and includes familiar words for young children. 



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

54. White is for Blueberry by George Shannon

Bibliographic Citation:
Shannon, George. White is for Blueberry. Illustrated by Laura Dronzek. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books, 2005. 40p. 978-0060292751.

Awards/Selection Lists:
ALA Notable Children's Book, 2006

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
This book is about looking at things from a different perspective to see that additional colors can be associated with the objects.

Personal Reaction:
This concept book introduces color awareness in a way that suggests looking at things from a different perspective. Colors are associated with illustrations on a page, and the words do not match the pictures, until the reader turns the page to reveal how the color of the object changes  from a changed perspective. An illustration of a black crow begins the book associated with the word "Pink", which is revealed on the next page of pink babies hatched from eggs. 

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children ages 4-6 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Colors, looking from a different perspective, discovery

Early Literacy Skill Value:

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

Narrative Skills: 
Children are invited into the narration of the story through color and object identification.

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

Print Awareness:
The text is part of the story as the words change colors to match the illustrations.

Print Motivation: 
The vivid colors of the book, paired with the discovery of the objects make this a book that children will want to revisit, even on their own.

Vocabulary:
The vocabulary in this book relates to colors and changing perspectives to see inside the objects on the page.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
http://www.georgewbshannon.comcastbiz.net/

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/

36. David Gets in Trouble by David Shannon

Bibliographic Citation:

Shannon, David. David Gets in Trouble. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc., 2002. 32 p. ISBN 978-0439050227.

Awards/Selection Lists:

None

Format Examined:
Paperback

Annotation:

David gets into trouble over and over, but always has an excuse, until he goes to bed, and realizes that he should apologize for the things he has done.

Personal Reaction:

This book provides a good lesson for young children about taking responsibility for their mistakes. David repeatedly denies any wrong doing as he gets into trouble over and over throughout the day. He makes the realization at the end that he should apologize, and is able to go to sleep at the end with a clear conscious.  

Age Recommendation:

I would recommend this book for children 3-7 years of age.

Themes/Issues:

Personal responsibility, apologizing, telling the trouble

Early Literacy Skill Value:

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

Narrative Skills: 
Narrative skills are modeled through the reading of the simple text on the page. As children become more familiar with the book, they may be able to become involved in the telling of the story.


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

Print Awareness:
The text of the story is in font that is hand-drawn and large, which calls attention to the print on each page.

Print Motivation: 
This book is fun to read, as some of the things that David does are funny. David is a likable character, and teaches a lesson at the end. The artwork and hand-drawn words make this an enjoyable book for preschoolers.

Vocabulary:
Vocabulary can be supported through the dialogic reading of this book. Words concerning personal responsibility can be highlighted.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
No official author website

35. Edward Lear's A Was Once an Apple Pie, Adapted by Suse MacDonald

Bibliographic Citation:

Lear, Edward and Suse MacDonald. A Was Once an Apple Pie. New York, NY: Orchard Books, 2005. 32 p. ISBN 978-0-545-00547-0.

Awards/Selection Lists:
None

Format Examined:
Paperback

Annotation:

The alphabet is presented from A-Z through rhyme, alliteration, and colorful illustrations.

Personal Reaction:

This concept book focuses on letter knowledge through silly, rhyming text and uses alliteration to promote phonological awareness,

Age Recommendation:

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

Themes/Issues:
Alphabet order, rhyme, alliteration

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Large, colorful letters are presented in alphabetical order and are accompanied by illustrations that represent each letter.

Narrative Skills: 
Silly, rhyming text that includes alliteration makes this a fun book for children to help narrate as they become familiar with the book.

Phonological Awareness: 
Alliteration and rhyming support the sounds of each of the letters of the alphabet.

Print Awareness:
Each of the letters of the alphabet are printed in large, colorful print, and accompanied by text that is in simple, black font on each page. This book is very print driven, and supported well by the illustrations.

Print Motivation: 
This book, with its silly text encourages children to become involved, and as they learn the letters of the alphabet, this book is one they will enjoy revisiting.

Vocabulary:
Words that support each of the letters are part of the text on each page, and offer children the opportunity to learn new words.

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

32. Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs by Byron Barton

Bibliographic Citation:

Barton, Byron. Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs. New York, NY: HarperTrophy, 1989. 40 p. ISBN 978-0064432986.

Awards/Selection Lists:

None

Format Examined:
Paperback

Annotation:
Colorful illustrations accompany a story that helps the reader and listener imagine what dinosaurs looked like, and how they might have lived long ago. 

Personal Reaction:

This book's color and subject matter make it a book that dinosaur-loving children choose again and again. Children are invited to imagine what dinosaurs were like. Dinosaur types are represented through the illustrations, inviting children to identify them each by name.

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

Themes/Issues:

Dinosaur identification and history

Early Literacy Skill Value:

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

Narrative Skills: 
Colorful illustrations encourage children to take part in naming the dinosaurs on the page as the story is read.

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

Print Awareness:
The text of the story is in a large, simple font that describes the illustrations on the page. The color of the font is changed on darker pages where the print may be difficult to see otherwise.

Print Motivation: 
Dinosaurs and their descriptions make this a fun book for children who love dinosaurs.

Vocabulary:
Words that describe what dinosaurs might have looked like, and how they lived, are used throughout this book.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
No official author website

30. Sail Away by Donald Crews

Bibliographic Citation:

Crews, Donald. Sail Away. New York, NY: HarperTrophy, 1995. 40 p. ISBN 978-0688175177.

Awards/Selection Lists:

Booklist Editors' Choice

Format Examined:
Paperback

Annotation:

A family rows out to their sailboat, and goes sailing all day, through sun, wind, and a storm.

Personal Reaction:
Donald Crews uses illustrations and typeface together to form the story of this book about a family who sails the day away. The colors are bold and the use of large letters draws a child's eyes to the words as an important part of the story. The tone of the reader's voice is encouraged to change through the growing size of the font. Crews also uses words to symbolize the sound of the boat and the wind. 

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

Themes/Issues:
Sailing, family, storms

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
While letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book, letters can be identified through the large text that is printed on several pages to symbolize the wind and sailing through a storm.

Narrative Skills: 
Narrative skills are modeled through the reading of this story, and children may be encouraged to help tell the story since the text is short and simple. Children may also be encouraged to participate in the sound effects of that are a part of the story.

Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is a part of this book through the use of words to represent the sound of a small boat engine ("putt... putt... putt...") and the sound of the wind picking up the sail ("WHOOSH!).

Print Awareness:
This book provides a rich print awareness experience through the use of text that is a direct part of the story through changes in size, color, and position in relation to the illustrations. 

Print Motivation: 
This book provides an active experience for children through the use of sounds and a growing intensity throughout the book. Children will find the illustrations interesting to look at as well, since there are many details to explore on each page.

Vocabulary:
New words pertaining to sailing are presented, as well as words that symbolize sounds. 



Author/ Illustrator Website:

No official author website