Kaitlyn Smith

ENGL 414A
Childrens Literature
Annotated Bibliography
4/17/14


Picture Books

Picture books for children come in many forms. However, although there are
many different types of picture books, there are some criteria that all must contain.
For example, pictures must be included. Not only must they be included, but also
must be essential to the story. That is, if the pictures were removed, the story
wouldnt be as wonderful or could possibly not make sense. The pictures should
show action and be connected to the text.

Poetry

Childrens poetry is much like adult poetry. It has many forms and features.
Childrens poetry books should contain poems with varying forms and topics. Some
poems should rhyme, and some should not. Varying forms and features of poems
should show children the variance between poems and their many shapes and
forms.


Non-fiction

Many children enjoy non-fiction books. Students often find a subject they
particularly enjoy and want to read multiple books about that subject. Non-fiction
for children should be informative and interesting. Many non-fiction books for
children provide pictures, which engage the reader even more.


Novels

Childrens novels come in many forms as well. There are many different
kinds of novels for children. These different forms of fiction include historical
fiction, realistic fiction, modern fantasy, and fairytales among many others.
Childrens novels should engage readers and keep attention throughout. Children
often enjoy novels that they can relate to, in one way or another.







Picture Books

1.
Author: Maurice Sendak
Title: Where the Wild Things Are
Publisher and Year: HarperCollins, 1963
Type of Book: Picture Book
Reading Level: 2
nd
-3
rd
grade
Summary: Max, the main character of this book, is sent to bed without his dinner.
He imagines a place of the Wild Things, a place where there are creative beasts and
monsters. Max wakes up to find the land of the Wild Things gone, and his dinner
waiting for him in his room.
Noteworthy Traits: The illustrations in this book are unbeatable. The creativity of
the author and illustrator cannot be matched.

2.
Author: Marcus Pfister
Title: The Rainbow Fish
Publisher and Year: North-South Books Inc., 1996
Type of Book: Picture Book
Reading Level: 2
nd
-3
rd
grade
Summary: The rainbow fish is a story about a fish with beautiful scales. He loves his
scales and is admired by all the other fish for his beauty. One day, a small blue fish
asks Rainbow Fish for one of his scales, and is sadly turned down. Rainbow fish then
becomes lonely and realizes he would rather have friends than all the beautiful
scales. He shares his beauty with many of the fish and makes many new friends.
Noteworthy Traits: The watercolor and foiling of this book create illustrations that
cannot be matched. The wonderful colors and foil add exciting, beautiful images to
each page.

3.
Author: Eric Carle
Title: The Very Hungry Catterpillar
Publisher and Year: Eric Carle, 1969
Type of Book: Picture Book
Reading Level: 1
st
-2
nd
grade
Summary: The Very Hungry Caterpillar is on a mission to eat everything in sight. He
is making his transformation from caterpillar to butterfly, and eats through a variety
of foods to fatten up. As he eats through the food, a hole is added to the page to show
he has eaten through it.
Noteworthy Traits: The illustrations and holes in the pages add to this story. Not
only does is this book entertaining, it is also teaches students about the life cycle of
caterpillars and butterflies.



4.
Author: Dr. Seuss
Title: The Lorax
Publisher and Year: Random House, 1971
Type of Book: Picture Book
Reading Level: 3
rd
grade and up
Summary: The Lorax tells the tale of economic destruction and harm to the
environment. A young boy visits town and notices there are no trees. He then travels
to the house of the Once-ler, and asks him to share the tale of the Once-ler who
destroyed all the trees. The Lorax is the protector and voice of the trees, who have
no voices themselves. He leaves behind a stone inscribed with Unless, meaning
that unless someone cares, nothing will happen to take care of and replace the
Truffula trees.
Noteworthy Traits: The wonderful illustrations and message behind this picture
book make it like no other.


5.
Author: Harry G. Allard Jr.
Title: Miss Nelson is Missing!
Publisher and Year: Harry Allard, 1977
Type of Book: Picture Book
Reading Level: 2
nd
-3
rd
grade
Summary: Miss Nelson, the regular teacher of room 207, has put up with the
behavior of her class for too long! The students in 207 have been misbehaving-
blowing spitballs, throwing paper planes, and disrespecting their teacher. Miss
Nelson doesnt usually do much, but when the substitute arrives, the students start
to realize how badly they had acted for Miss Nelson.
Noteworthy Traits: This picture book not only makes for a good story, but also
teaches a lesson. This book is a reminder of showing appreciation to our teachers
and people that are important to us.


Poetry

1.
Author: Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters
Title: Heres a Little Poem
Publisher and Year: Candlewick Press, 2007
Type of Book: Poetry
Reading Level: 2
nd
-3
rd
grade
Summary: This poetry book is broken into various sections according to the topic
or subject of the poem. There are many different topics including Me, Myself, & I
as well as Time for Bed and I Go Outside. This poetry book includes silly and
serious poems that all children will surely enjoy.
Noteworthy Traits: The division of poem subject is wonderful. The poems all
match their subject title and the illustrations relating to each poem are colorful and
unique.

2.
Author: Jack Prelutsky
Title: The Random House Book of Poetry
Publisher and Year: Random House, Inc. 1983
Type of Book: Poetry
Reading Level: 2
nd
grade and up
Summary: The Random House Book of Poetry is a wonderful selection of poems that
includes poems of almost every subject. The selection of poems is arranged by topic
or subject, seeming to create small books of poetry within the larger one.
Noteworthy Traits: The division of poems by topic creates a wonderful flow of
poems. There are colorful illustrations for many of the poems, creating color on each
and every page.

3.
Author: Shell Silversteen
Title: Everything On It
Publisher and Year: Evil Eye, LLC. 2011
Type of Book: Poetry
Reading Level: 3
rd
grade and up
Summary: Shell Silversteens collection of poems in this book corresponds
wonderfully with the title: Everything On It. This book includes silly, fun poems
about anything and everything. The book begins with the poem matching the title of
the book, and sets the silly mood for the rest of the book.
Noteworthy Traits: The illustrations in this poetry book on every page add to the
fun poems. Shell Silversteen is the author and illustrator. This makes the
illustrations more unique and correspond to the poems very well.

4.
Author: Beatrice Schenk de Regniers, Eva Moore, Mary Michaels White
Title: Sing a Song of Popcorn
Publisher and Year: Scholastic, Inc. 1988
Type of Book: Poetry
Reading Level: 3
rd
grade and up
Summary: This book of poetry is categorized by subject of the various poems. The
topics provide a variety of poems that all children will enjoy. Some poems are short,
and some are long, adding to the wonderful variety of poems in this book. The
authors and illustrators worked together well to create pictures and illustrations
that correspond will the poems well.
Noteworthy Traits: The water color images in this poetry collection are one of a
kind.


5.
Author: Paul B. Janeczko
Title: A Kick in the Head
Publisher and Year: Candlewick Press, 2005
Type of Book: Poetry
Reading Level: 3
rd
grade and up
Summary: A Kick in the Head provides a guide to poetic forms while also providing
a wonderful selection of poems. The book provides examples of many forms of
poetry and also offers an explanation or description for each. Many of the poems are
very fun and silly.
Noteworthy Traits: The description of each poetic form adds a great deal to this
collection of poems. The illustrations and pictures in the book add an element of
color and creativity that many other poetry books cannot match.



NonFiction

1.
Author: Nancy I. Sanders
Title: D is for Drinking Gourd
Publisher and Year: Sleeping Bear Press, 2007
Type of Book: Non-fiction, picture book
Reading Level: 4
th
-5
th
and up
Summary: This book is an alphabet book that explains the history of African-
Americans in the United States and their struggle for freedom. Each letter of the
alphabet has a short phrase that corresponds with hit, and also a detailed
description of the event or person it represents.
Noteworthy Traits: The historical accuracy and educational value that this book
provides is unbeatable. The illustrations also add a great deal to this book.



2.
Author: The Virginia State Department of Education, Daniel B. Fleming, Paul C.
Slayton, Jr., Edgar A. Toppin
Title: Virginia History and Government
Publisher and Year: Silver Burdett Company, 1986
Type of Book: Non-Fiction
Reading Level: 4
th
-5
th
Grade
Summary: This book provides a detailed overview of the history and government of
Virginia beginning in 1850 and continuing to the present. The book provides
pictures, diagrams, and maps that add to the text. This book would be very useful for
teaching any type of history in the state of Virginia to students of any age.
Noteworthy Traits: The maps, diagrams, illustrations, and pictures correspond
wonderfully and add to the text.
3.
Author: Melissa Sweet
Title: Balloons Over Broadway
Publisher and Year: HMH Books for Young Readers, 2011
Type of Book: Non-Fiction, Picture Book
Reading Level: 3
rd
-4
th
grade and up
Summary: This book provides the story of the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Tony Sarg, the puppeteer extraordinaire was the inventor of the high flying balloons
in the parade every year in New York City. The story of the Thanksgiving Day Parade
is interesting and engaging to any student familiar with the annual parade.
Noteworthy Traits: The illustrations create a light, colorful mood to this non-fiction
picture book. Students are sure to enjoy learning about how the popular parade
began.

4.
Author: Lauren Tarshis
Title: I Survived #6: The Attacks of September 11, 2001
Publisher and Year: Scholastic Inc., 2012
Type of Book: Non-Fiction, Picture book
Reading Level: 4
th
grade and up
Summary: This book tells the story of Lucas and his experience with the terrorist
attacks of 9/11. This book provides the historical, factual details of the events while
adding a personal view from young Lucas point of view. The day of September 11,
2001 begins as Lucas takes the train to the city rather than getting on the bus to go
to school. On this beautiful day in New York City, Lucas doesnt realize how much is
going to change.
Noteworthy Traits: Adding a personal touch to an actual historical event helps
children understand and relate to the tragedy of the situation.

5.
Author: David McCullough
Title: 1776
Publisher and Year: Simon and Schuster, 2005
Type of Book: Non-Fiction
Reading Level: 4
th
-5
th
grade and up
Summary: This book provides a view of our nations birth in 1776. This is a human
story about the people who marched with George Washington during the time of
Independence in America. This book provides views of the time from almost any
perspective and shows how life would have been during the time while still
providing accurate historical details.
Noteworthy Traits: This book is historically accurate and engaging for students of
any age, whether the read it on their own or have it read to them.




Novels

1.
Author: E. B. White
Title: Charlottes Web
Publisher and Year: Harper & Brothers, 1952
Type of Book: Childrens Novel
Reading Level: 4
th
-5
th
grade and up
Summary: This novel tells the story of a friendship between a pig and a spider.
Wilbur the pig and Charlotte develop a strong friendship throughout their lives.
Wilbur, adopted by a young girl named Fern, is in danger of being slaughtered by the
farmer, and Charlotte begins to write messages in her web, such as SOME PIG, in
order to convince the farmer not to kill Wilbur.
Noteworthy Traits: This book is enjoyable for children and adults alike. Wilburs
story captures the reader and creates a love for the characters in the story.


2.
Author: C.S. Lewis
Title: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Publisher and Year: Geoffrey Bles, 1950
Type of Book: Childrens novel
Reading Level: 4
th
-5
th
grade and up
Summary: This book tells the story of four siblings, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy,
who explore the new house they are sent to live in and discover a magical land
called Narnia. The adventures of Narnia lead to a series of books about this magical
land. When the children enter the world of Narnia, they can stay and play for hours
while time in the real world passes slowly. The animals of Narnia talk to the children
and lead them on magical adventures.
Noteworthy Traits: This book provides an opportunity for children to let their
imaginations soar unlike any other childrens novel.



3.
Author: Louis Sachar
Title: Holes
Publisher and Year: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1998
Type of Book: Childrens Novel
Reading Level: 3
rd
-4
th
grade and up
Summary: Holes tells the story of Stanley Yelnats the 4
th
. Stanley is accused of
stealing a pair of shoes and is sentenced to go to Camp Green Lake. During the
1800s Camp Green Lake contained a lake that his dried up. The boys of the camp
are then forced to dig holes and are told by the warden they are forced to do this to
build their character and break their bad, criminal habits. Stanley soon figures out
the warden is searching for a treasure.
Noteworthy Traits: This book is engaging and interesting to many children. The
sense of adventure and braveness of the character help students become and
remain engaged.


4.
Author: Lois Lowry
Title: The Giver
Publisher and Year: Houghton Mifflin, 1993
Type of Book: Childrens Novel
Reading Level: 5
th
-6
th
grade and up
Summary: Jonas, an 11 year old boy, is living in a society stripped of pain, fear,
hatred, and war. The society has no choice in jobs, spouses, children, or anything
else. Everything about Jonas life is planned or chose by someone else. Jonas receives
the assignment of Receiver of Memory at his Ceremony of Twelve, and receives all
the memories from the Giver. Jonas gives memories to the child his family is helping
raise, Gabriel. Jonas and Gabriel eventually enter the land outside of their society
and witness the real world.
Noteworthy Traits: This novel provides a look at the way society could be in the
future for young readers.

5.
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Title: Because of Winn-Dixie
Publisher and Year: Candlewick Press, 2000
Type of Book: Childrens Novel
Reading Level: 4
th
-5
th
grade and up
Summary: Opal, who had just moved to Florida with her father, finds a dog
wreaking havoc in the local Winn-Dixie. Opal claims the dog as hers and saves the
dog from being sent to the pound. Opal creates a strong bond with Winn-Dixie and is
devastated when the dog goes missing, only to be elated when the dog returns.
Noteworthy Traits: This book is great for young children, especially animal lovers.

6.
Author: Natalie Babbitt
Title: Tuck Everlasting
Publisher and Year: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1975
Type of Book: Childrens Novel
Reading Level: 4
th
-5
th
grade and up
Summary: Winnie Foster is tired of her family and wants to run away. She meets a
boy in the woods drinking from a spring. The boy, Jesse, will not allow Winnie to
drink from the water. She is kidnapped by his family and realizes she has drank
from a spring that gives her eternal life. Winnie becomes the hero of the story when
she gives up eternal life to save Jesses sister, Mae.
Noteworthy Traits: This story is creative and captivating for young and old readers
alike.

7.
Author: Andrew Clements
Title: Frindle
Publisher and Year: Aladdin Paperbacks, 1996
Type of Book: Childrens Novel
Reading Level: 3
rd
-4
th
grade
Summary: Nick Allen decides one day to stall time for class and asks his teacher
where word come from. He then has to write an essay about it, and renames a pen
frindle. His classmates enjoy this idea and everyone begins to use it. The use of the
word grows and his teacher becomes unhappy. The word then becomes a part of the
English language.
Noteworthy Traits: This book gives students a fun story while also providing a
sense of independence and standing for what they belive.

8.
Author: Roald, Dahl
Title: The BFG
Publisher and Year: Jonathan Cape, 1892
Type of Book: Childrens Novel
Reading Level: 3
rd
-4
th
grade
Summary: Sophie is lying in bed in an orphanage one night and sees a giant walking
down the street. She tries to hide, but its too late! The giant takes her back to his
cave and learns that he creates dreams for children around the world. Sophie and
the BFG (big friendly giant) become best friends and travel the world to help
capture the bad giants.
Noteworthy Traits: This book is fun and easy to read and grabs the attention of the
reader and keeps it throughout the entire novel.

9.
Author: Lemony Snicket
Title: The Bad Beginning
Publisher and Year: Scholastic, Inc., 1999
Type of Book: Childrens Novel
Reading Level: 5
th
grade and up
Summary: This book is the beginning to the Series of Unfortunate Events series. The
three Baudelair children, Violet, Klaus and Sunny have been left to spend a day at
Briny beach. They then find out that their parents have been killed in a fire which
destroyed their home and all their belongings. The children go through a series of
foster homes, ending at Olafs house. The children are then involved in a series of
unfortunate events with Olaf, leaving them in the care of Mr. Poe.
Noteworthy Traits: Children will be immediately captured by the story of the
Baudelair children and will love this unfortunate story.



10.
Author: Sharon Creech
Title: Love That Dog
Publisher and Year: HarperCollins, 2001
Type of Book: Childrens Novel
Reading Level: 3
rd
grade and up
Summary: This story is written in the poetic form of free verse. The young boy does
not want to write a poetry assignment for school. Each chapter in the book is a diary
entry. Jack begins to excel at poetry and his confidence grows. The book moves from
short, simple poems to longer more elegant work.
Noteworthy Traits: Students will surely enjoy the poetic story of Jack and his lack
of confidence and desire to write poetry.