Whitney Pluger

Childrens Literature
Classroom Library
November 3, 2014
Title: The Snowy Day
Author: Ezra Jack Keats
Publication Date: 1962
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Awards: Caldecott Medal
Grade Level: 4K-1st
ISBN: 0-670-86733-0
The book The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats is a simply written but fantastic piece
of literature. The illustrations accurately depict the story line throughout the book.
They complement the setting, plot, and mood of the story in a very simple way, and
thats what makes it so unique. The main character in the story is of African
American decent, which was nearly unheard of at the time the story was written.
The book clearly avoids stereotypes and it appeals to people of many different
cultures.

Title: The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses

Author: Paul Goble
Publication Date: 1987
Genre: Fiction
Awards: Caldecott Medal
Grade Level: 1st-4th
ISBN: 0-689-71696-6
The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses written by Paul Goble is a beautiful piece of
literature. Paul Goble portrays incredible style and language to maintain childrens
interest in the story. Because Paul Goble spent his time growing up with the tribe in
which this story is based on, he avoids cultural stereotypes. Some may argue that
his illustrations are inaccurate in places where the teepees have polka dots on the
them because real teepees do not have polka dots, however because this is a fiction
story, the polka dots represent that teepees may be filled with beautiful designs.

Title: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Author: Judith Viorst
Publication Date: 1972
Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: K-3rd
ISBN: 0-689-7113-5
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is an excellent piece
of literature to read to students. The illustrations greatly complement the setting,
plot, and mood of the story. When reading the words and viewing the illustrations, it
is easy to understand the emotions of the story, emotions that we can all relate to.
The plot of the story greatly appeals to children because they can easily relate.

Whitney Pluger
Childrens Literature
Classroom Library
November 3, 2014
Title: The Rough-Face Girl
Author/Illustrator: Rafe Martin, David Shannon
Publication Date: 1992
Genre: Fantasy
Grade Level: 1st-3rd
ISBN: 978-0-698-11626-9
The Rough-Face Girl distinguishes beautiful illustrations that accurately portray
the story. The theme is absolutely worthwhile because it teaches children a great
lesson about judging others. The text and illustrations and format and typography
are in harmony with one another and portray a smooth flow throughout the story.

Title: Where the Wild Things Are

Author: Maurice Sendak
Publication Date: 1963
Awards: Caldecott Medal
Genre: Fantasy
Grade Level: K-2
ISBN: 0-06-025492-0
In the book Where the Wild Things Are the illustrations greatly enhance the
characterization of what is happening throughout the story. The pictures gradually
get larger throughout the story as the imagination builds and builds, until the page
is completely covered in illustration. The pictures capture the minds of children and
are very appealing to the audience.

Title: Tuesday
Author: David Wiesner
Publication Date: 1991
Genre:
Grade Level:4K-1
Award: Caldecott
ISBN: 0-395-55113-7
The book Tuesday is what I would consider, interesting. It had beautiful
illustrations that did not stereotype. I would necessarily say that this book would
appeal to children and I did not think the theme was worthwhile. If the reader of the
story depicts a great story telling feature then the story may be great. However, I
found it slightly confusing and not very interesting.

Whitney Pluger
Childrens Literature
Classroom Library
November 3, 2014
Title: Lullaby Moon
Author: Rosie Reeve
Publication Date: 2008
Grade Level: 4K
Genre: Poetry
ISBN: 1-84506-946-3
The book Lullaby Moon is a beautifully written poetry book. The authors style and
language are appropriate for children, specifically young children that are learning
the use of language. The illustrations are soft and complement the setting while
avoiding stereotypes. This book would appeal to children because of the gentle
illustrations and flowing language.

Title: Peek-a-boo Penguins

Author: Matt Buckingham
Publication Date: 2007
Grade Level: 4K
Genre: Poetry
ISBN: 1-84506-599-9
Peek-a-boo Penguins is a poetry book that would greatly appeal to a young
audience. The illustrations enhance characterization in the story and will keep
children interested. The flowing words help children hear the beauty in language.
Stereotypes are avoided while the theme and plot appeal to children, especially in
the winter months.

Title: Pete the Cat, Rocking in my School Shoes

Author: Eric Litwin
Publication Date: 2011
Grade Level: 4K-1
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 978-0-545-50199-6
Rocking in my School Shoes is a book that keeps the young readers attention. The
groove throughout the story is appealing to children, as well as the illustrations. The
illustrations fit the plot of the story, a great plot that teaches kids the lesson about
having less worries. The illustrations definitely enhance characterization and avoid
stereotypes.

Whitney Pluger
Childrens Literature
Classroom Library
November 3, 2014
Title: Pete the Cat, and His Four Groovy Buttons
Author: Eric Litwin
Publication Date: 2012
Grade Level: 4K-1
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 978-0-545-64951-3
Four Groovy Buttons is another story from my favorite line of books. The Pete the
Cat books do a great job of keeping young readers interested while teaching them
helpful important lessons. Like Rocking in my School Shoes, Four Groovy
Buttons reminds the audience about the simple things in life and that everything
will be alright. The illustrations keep the readers interested along with an appealing
plot.

Title: When I Grow Up

Author: Al Yankovic
Publication Date: 2011
Grade Level: K-2
Genre: Poetry
ISBN: 978-0-545-4984-8
When I Grow Up is a fantastically written story that teaches children a great
lesson while easily keeping their attention. The vibrant illustrations keep the reader
interested. The story teaches the lesson to children that it is okay to be unsure
about the future, for your plans may change. The authors style and language do an
excellent job and keeping the reader interested while relaying this important life
lesson.

Title: Dog in Charge

Author: K.L. Going
Publication Date: 2012
Grade Level: 4K-1
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0-545-50201-6
Dog in Charge is a hilariously cute story that relies on stereotypes to make the
story appealing. The illustrations accurately correspond with the content of the
story and their vibrant colors and comedy will keep the readers interested. The
illustrations magnificently enhance characterization, and characterization is a key
element to this story, as it is about the difference in dog and cat behavior. The plot
will definitely appeal to children.

Whitney Pluger
Childrens Literature
Classroom Library
November 3, 2014
Title: Substitute Creacher
Author: Chris Gall
Publication Date: 2011
Grade Level: 1-3
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0-545-49304-8
Substitute Creacher is one of my favorite stories to read to students. The reader is
allowed to demonstrate eccentric enthusiasm throughout the story. The illustrations
complement the setting, plot, and mood of the story while keeping the readers very
interested. The plot of the story teaches students about treating others nicely while
keeping them in suspense.

Title: Randy Rileys Really Big Hit

Author: Chris Van Dusen
Publication Date: 2012
Grade Level: K-2
Genre: Poetry
ISBN: 978-0-545-55260-8
The illustrations in Randy Rileys Really Big Hit are interesting to children and will
keep them engaged in the story, along with the theme and the plot. The story is
about a boy who is expected to be great at baseball but is really more interested in
building things instead. He ends up building a great robot to help his team win the
game. This plot is important to share with students because it reminds them that
they can advance in anything they are truly passionate about.

Title: The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark

Author: Deborah Diesen
Publication Date: 2010
Grade Level: 4K-1
Genre: Poetry
ISBN: 978-0-545-39521-2
The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark is a great story to read to children. The
illustrations depict emotion that is portrayed in the plot and that the young readers
can relate to. The book gives two great life lessons about not giving up and about
being there for others. The theme of the book along with the vibrant illustrations,
keep the readers interested.

Whitney Pluger
Childrens Literature
Classroom Library
November 3, 2014
Title: Yes Day!
Author: Amy Krouse Rosenthal/Tom Lichtenheld
Publication Date: 2009
Grade Level: 4K-1
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0-545-33080-0
Yes Day! is a short story that appeals to children. The plot keeps the children
interested because the main character gets to continue to do everything he wants
to throughout the story. The illustrations avoid stereotypes and flow well with the
plot, keeping the reader interested. In the end of the story the main characters
asks, does this day have to end and his father replies yes.

Title: Count the Monkeys

Author: Mac Barnett/ Kevin Cornell
Publication Date: 2013
Grade Level: 4K-K
Genre: Educational
ISBN: 978-0-545-64148-7
The book Count the Monkeys is a great counting book that will keep young
readers interested. The illustrations are vibrant and exaggerate the story. They do
not avoid stereotypes in the case of the lumberjacks but the stereotype is not used
in a derogatory manner. The theme of the story is not very worthwhile but it will
keep the readers interested and help with counting.

Title: What Lurks in the Swamp?

Author: Scholastic
Publication Date: 2012
Grade Level: K-3
Genre: Non-fiction Informational
ISBN: 978-0-545-54184-8
The book What Lurks in the Swamp? is an informational book about animals that
can be found in the Southern United States. Although this is just a short
informational text, I found it to be interesting and believe it would hold a young
readers attention. The illustrations in the book are not real pictures even though the
text provides accurate information. The illustrations are interesting and enhance
characterization.

Whitney Pluger
Childrens Literature
Classroom Library
November 3, 2014
Title: Gilbert Goldfish Wants a Pet
Author: Kelly DiPucchio
Publication Date: 2011
Grade Level: 4K-1
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0-545-56035-1
Gilbert Goldfish Wants a Pet is a very cute fantasy written story. The plot of the
story is suspenseful because it is difficult to predict what is going to happen next
and how the story is going to end. The illustrations in the story are colorful and
vibrant and keep the readers attention. Even though the theme is not very detailed,
it is worthwhile to a young reader.

Title: Llama Llama Home with Mama

Author: Anna Dewdney
Publication Date: 2009
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Grade level: 4K-K
ISBN: 978-0-545-62706-1
Llama Llama Home with Mama is a fictional book that relates to real life
situations. The plot is interesting to young readers because it something that they
may experience in real life. Even though the main characters in the story are
llamas, the theme of the story is about something that would happen to real life
people. The idea that the author uses llamas instead of humans, adds to the
cuteness of the story. The plot and theme are interesting to the reader and the
illustrations keep the readers attention.

Title: Encounter
Author: Jane Yolen
Publication Date: 1992
Grade level: 2nd-4th
Genre: Historical Fiction
ISBN: 978-0-15-201389-9
The book Encounter tells a very heart wrenching story. The theme of the book is
based on historical facts and is very worthwhile. The plot of the story is sure to keep
attention of the reader and the illustrations are dynamic and beautiful. The
illustrations definitely enhance characterization through emotion that matches the
words. The purpose of sharing this story with children is to give them an
understanding of what Native American people went through. The author creates an
emotional story that keeps the readers attention.

Whitney Pluger
Childrens Literature
Classroom Library
November 3, 2014