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