South Orange-Maplewood School District
Summer Reading
2011-2012
Primary Grades: K – 2
ALPHABET BOOKS
BAKER, KEITH. LMNO Peas
Having trouble knowing what you want to be when you grow up? Well, not these peas! Learn the alphabet with these humble green vegetables as they journey through different professions and doing different jobs.
LICHTENHELD, TOM. E-mergency
The letter “e” injured in a fall, can only recover if everyone will stop using her, but things are just not the same when “o” offers to fill in.
also: Cloudettte
McGUIRK, LESLIE. If Rocks Could Sing
Photographs of rocks that resemble letters of the alphabet and objects represented by each letter are displayed.
BIOGRAPHY
COOK, MICHELLE. Our Children Can Soar
Famous illustrators celebrate the accomplishments of Rosa, Barack, and the pioneers of change.
A biography of the first black woman to win an Olympic gold medal; from her childhood in segregated Georgia in the 1930’s, through her recognition at the 1996 Olympics as one of the hundred best athletes in Olympic history.
MCDONNELL, PATRICK. Me . . . Jane
Holding her stuffed chimpanzee, young Jane Goodall observes nature, reads Tarzan books and dreams of living in Africa and helping animals.
VAN ALLSBURG, CHRIS. Queen of the Falls
Award winning author and illustrator, Chris Van Allsburg, has written yet another book sure to captivate readers of all ages. This true story of a retired teacher who goes over Niagara Falls at the turn of the nineteenth century in a barrel will intrigue both parents and children.
EARLY READER
LONG, ETHAN. Up, Tall, and High
This fun and whimsical book explores a series of very short chapters that demonstrate the concepts of tall, high and up. The fun illustrations of brightly colored and googly-eyed birds and flip up pages will engage parents and children.
FABLES
CODELL, ESME. Fairly Fairy Tales
A book that incorporates twists on traditional fairy tales with parent-child interplay creates a great combination of bedtime read-aloud and fairytales that will interest both parents and children.
HOBERMAN, MARY ANN. You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You: Very Short Fables
A great series for reading aloud, containing text presented in two voices for children and adults to read together.
also: Very Short Stories; Fairy Stories; Mother Goose; Very Scary Stories
PINKNEY, JERRY. The Lion and the Mouse
This 2010 Caldecott award-winning book is a wordless retelling of an Aesop fable, an adventuresome mouse proves that even small creatures are capable of great deeds when he rescues the King of the Jungle
HISTORICAL FICTION
BLUE, ROSE. Ron’s Big Mission
Nine-year-old Ron, a frequent visitor to the Lake City Public Library in South Carolina in the 1950’s where he pores over books on airplanes and flight, makes his own quiet stand against segregation when he decides to apply for his own library card. Story based on the life of astronaut Ron McNair.
HUMOR
AGEE, JON. My Rhinoceros
A young boy is disappointed that his pet rhinoceros can only do two things, pop balloons and poke holes in kites, until an unexpected event leads to a big surprise.
HAUGHTON, CHRIS. Oh No, George!
George is a well-behaved dog who is left alone for the day. He tries to be good and doesn’t chase the cat, or dig up flowers. Can he resist the cake?
LITWIN, ERIC. Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons
Pete the cat loves the buttons on his shirt so much that he makes up a song about them, and even as the buttons pop off, one-by-one, he still finds a reason to sing.
also: Pete, the Cat; Rocking in My White Shoes; I Love My School Shoes
SHEA, BOB. Dinosaur vs. Bedtime
No wonder the small but feisty red dinosaur depicted here faces his biggest challenge at bedtime. It’s the toddler against the dinosaur, as the youngster takes on everyday things in his world and wins, time and time again.
STEIN, DAVID EZRA. Interrupting Chicken
This hilarious story makes a great read-a-loud. Children will be in stitches as they anticipate Little Chicken’s “interruptions” as Papa tries to read traditional fairy tales in an attempt to get the not so sleepy chicken to bed.
WILLEMS, MO. The Duckling Gets a Cookie
Pigeon is very angry when the duckling gets a cookie just by asking politely.
also: read the other Pigeon…books
NONFICTION
ASTON, DIANNA HUTTS. A Butterfly is Patient
The creators of the award-winning An Egg is Quiet and A Seed is Sleepy have teamed up again to create this informative introduction to the world of butterflies. From iridescent blue swallows and brilliant orange monarchs to the worlds tiniest butterfly (Western Pygmy Blue) and the largest (Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing), an incredible variety of butterflies are celebrated here in all of their beauty and wonder.
BISHOP, NIC. Lizards
Enter the world where geckos wriggle out of their skin and flying dragons glide from tree to tree! Enjoy these captivating photos in vibrant color with captions of information that will keep you reading for more!
CHIN, JASON. Coral Reefs
During an ordinary visit to the library, a girl pulls a not-so-ordinary book from the shelves. As she turns the pages in this book about coral reefs, the city around her slips away and she finds herself surrounded by the coral cities of the sea and the mysterious plants and animals that live, hunt, and hide there.
also: Redwoods
JENKINS, STEVE. Just a Second
“Jenkins renders this package both eye-catching and mind boggling. Teachers will find good jumping-off points here for math, science, and history discussions.” –School Library Journal, starred review
KELLY, IRENE. Even an Octopus Needs a Home
A mother polar bear and her cubs snuggle up inside a snowdrift…twenty million bats hang out together in a single cave…a clever spider finds shelter in an underwater bubble. No matter where they live, animals find a way to make homes that are just right for them and their families. Dive into this book and discover how all kinds of different animals stay safe and snug.
McCARTHY, MEGHAN. Pop! The Invention of Bubble Gum
A collection of amusing historical facts on the invention of bubblegum and includes a biographical references.
RUBBINO, SALVATORE. A Walk in New York
A young boy and his father go on a tour of Manhattan, and they visit Grand Central Station, the Empire State Building, Union Square Park, and other places.
THOMPSON, LAUREN. Ballerina Dreams
This is a true story of five little girls with physical disabilities who are determined to become ballerinas.
PICTURE BOOKS
CARLE, ERIC. The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse
The artist in this book paints the world as he sees it, just like a child. There’s a red crocodile, an orange elephant, a purple fox and a polka-dotted donkey. More than anything, there’s imagination. Filled with some of the most magnificently colorful animals of Eric Carle’s career, this tribute to the creative life celebrates the power of art.
FEIFFER, KATE. My Side of the Car
Sadie has wanted to go to the zoo forever, but something always gets in the way. Not today! Today they are finally on their way, and nothing can stop them – not a broken arm or a lost dog or a surprise visit. This warmhearted tale of a child’s optimism and a father’s loving patience is guaranteed to tickle the funny bone, no matter the weather.
also: No Go Sleep!!
HALL, MICHAEL.Perfect Square
This simple, yet beautiful book offers readers a glimpse at art and inspiration. It requires creativity with just a few simple changes. Hall’s brief text allows the illustrations to tell most of the story. The square reinvents itself rather than being transformed by a person or some other outside force.
HENKES, KEVIN. Little White Rabbit
One bright spring day a little white rabbit sets out from home on an adventure. What does he find? Look! Everything is new. Anything is possible… A quiet gem of a picture book about a small bunny with a big imagination!
also: Penny and Her Song
HILLS,TAD. How Rocket Learned to Read
An endearing white dog with black spots loves chasing leaves and chewing sticks. He also loves napping under his favorite tree. Then his sleep is interrupted one spring day by a tiny yellow bird that designates him her first student.
INTRIAGO, PATRICIA. Dot
Dots here, dots there, you can see dots everywhere! Some are loud, and some are quiet. Some are happy, and some are sad. Some dots even taste yummy, while others taste bad. Graphic designer Patricia Intriago sets bold, circular shapes against a stark white background to emphasize opposite dot relationships.
JOHNSON, D. B. Magritte’s Marvelous Hat D.B. Johnson writes and illustrates the surreal story of famous surrealist painter Rene Magritte and his very mysterious (and mischievous!) hat. While the art reflects some of Magritte’s own work, the text sets readers on a fun and accessible path to learning about the simpler concepts behind Mr. Magritte’s work. This delightful picture book captures the playfulness and the wonderment of surrealist art. Four transparent pages add yet another level of surrealism to the illustrations as pictures can be altered with the turn of a page.
KLASSEN, JON. I Want My Hat Back
When Bear loses his hat, he patiently asks the animals he comes across if they have seen it, and just as he is about to give up his search, a deer helps him remember exactly where he left his beloved hat.
LAMB, ALBERT. Tell Me the Day Backwards
Timmy tries to remember everything that happened to him that day in reverse, from watching the sunset on the hill to the picnic supper before that, from being chased by bees to finding honey in an old tree stump, all the way back to waking up that morning from his winter-long hibernation.
LaROCHELLE, DAVID. 1+1=5
After sharing the numerous examples provided, children can be asked to stretch their imaginations and come up with their own quirky equations. A great way to encourage outside-the-box thinking!
SMITH, LANE. Grandpa Green
A child explores the ordinary life of his extraordinary great-grandfather, as expressed in his topiary garden.
LEE, SUZY. Shadow
A little girl uses her imagination and a light bulb to go on an adventure in a dark attic.
also: Wave
JUSTER,NORTON. Neville
A little boy, bereft over moving, makes strides toward feeling at home in his new neighborhood. His mother suggests, “Maybe you’d like to take a little walk down the block. You might even meet someone.” Readers can hope that when the neighborhood children discover that the boy himself is Neville; they will embrace him as surely as they did his search.
POLACCO, PATRICIA. The Art of Miss Chew
Describes how a teacher named Miss Chew encouraged individuality, accepted learning differences, and helped a young student with academic difficulties get extra time to take tests and permission to be in advanced art classes.
RANSOME, JAMES E. New Red Bike
Up and down, around and around, Tom is having a blast zooming all over the neighborhood on his new red bike. This book offers a clever take on the concept of sharing.
RASCHKA, CHRISTOPHER. A Ball for Daisy
A wordless picture book showing the fun a dog has with her ball and what happens when it is lost.
ROCCO, JOHN. Blackout
When a busy family’s activities come to a halt because of a blackout, they find they enjoy spending time together and not being too busy for once.
ROSENTHAL, AMY. Chop Sticks
When a pair of chopsticks get separated, after some traumatic moments the two friends eventually learn to stand on their own.
also: It's not Fair! Duck! Rabbit! Yes Day! Little Hoot
SAVAGE, STEPHEN. Where’s Walrus?
In this wordless picture book, follow Walrus on a happy-go-lucky spree through the big city, as he tries on different hats to disguise himself from the chasing zookeeper.
SEEGER, LAURA VACCARO. Green
Illustrations and simple, rhyming text explore the many shades of the color green.
SEUSS, Dr. The Bipolo Seed
Calling all Dr. Seuss fans…This is the book for you! The Bipolo Seed is a collection of seven little known stories by the master-storyteller himself.
SHEA, SUSAN A. Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow?
This lift the flap book will engage young readers with its bold illustrations, rhyming text, and question and answer format.
THOMSON, BILL. Chalk
This wordless picture book tells the story of three children who find a bag of chalk at the playground on a rainy day. They begin to draw with the chalk and the magic begins….
TULLET, HERVÉ. Press Here
This interactive book sparks the imagination and will be read and reread by students of all ages. Readers will embark upon a journey that begins with pressing the yellow dot.
UNDERWOOD, DEBORAH. The Loud Book!
Unlike its companion, The Quiet Book, this one is filled with “lots of louds.” Conditions and situations result in loud noises, each portrayed by the cast of stuffed-animal characters.
also: The Quiet Book
VICENTE, ALIDIS. The Coqui and the Iguana
Set in a bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico, local author, Alidis Vicente, teaches readers a valuable lesson about overcoming fears and facing new experiences.
YOLEN, JANE. Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters
Creep, gurgle, crawl, tumble! Meet two young monsters who are far from scary – they’re too busy having fun! They go to school, play outside with their friends and eat after-school snacks. But like human children they also have a bedtime, whether they’re ready or not.
POETRY
GERSTEIN, MORDICAI. Dear Hot Dog
Whether it’s slurping up spaghetti or catching some sun at the beach, the everyday wonders celebrated in this collection of poems will appeal to young readers. Gerstein’s vibrant illustrations and lighthearted verse make Dear Hot Dog a great introduction to poetry for young readers.
HUGHES, LANGSTON. My People
A collection of poems by one of the most famous African American poets. Langston Hughes was only 17 years old when he wrote his poem about rivers. The radiant illustrations are by E.B. Lewis.
also: The Negro Speaks of Rivers
RACZKA, BOB. Guyku
Haiku seems like a terrific way to introduce boys to poetry; it's deceptive in its simplicity and accessible to almost any reader. The poems in this picture-book collection capture natural moments that boys, and many girls, have while playing outdoors.
also: Dogku
WARDLAW, LEE. Won Ton
A cat arrives at a shelter, arranges to go home with a good family, and settles in with them, all the while letting them know who is boss, and, finally, sharing his real name.
BOOKS IN A SERIES:
Here are some suggestions for series books for young readers:
A is for Africa and other books about life in an African village by Ifeoma Onyefulu
American Museum of Natural History Easy Readers(titles include: Wolf Pup; The World of Sharks)
A-Z Mysteriesby Ron Roy
Amelia Bedeliaseries by Peggy Parish
Bad Kitty series by Nick Bruel
Biscuitseriesby Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Black Lagoon Adventuresseries by Mike Thaler
Capital Mysteriesseriesby Ron Roy
Cat the Catseriesby Mo Willems
Cool Sports Facts
Dolphinsand other nonfiction books by Seymour Simon
Elephant and Piggieseries by Mo Willems
Flat Stanley’s Worldwide Adventuresseriesby Jeff Brown
Flip-A-Wordseries by Harriet Ziefert
Fluffyseries by Kate McMullan
Fly Guyseries by Ted Arnold
Is Everyone Ready For Fun?series by Jan Thomas
Ivy and Beanseries by Annie Barrows
Just for You! Easy reader series (titles include: Shop Talk; Three’s a Crowd; Lights Out)
Korgiseries by Christian Slade
Life Sizeseries (titles include: Life Size Reptiles; Life Size Killer Creatures; Life Size Dragons)
Mercy Watsonseries by Kate DiCamillo
Miamiseries by P. & F. McKissack
My First Graphic Novelseries
National Geographic Readersseries (titles include: Volcanoes!; Dolphins; Bats; Snakes)
Nibbles, Bites, and Chompsseries (Running Press Book Publishers)
Princess Poseyseries by Stephanie Greene
Riddle Books by Katy Hall
Skippyjon Jonesseries by Judy Schachner
Sticky Burrgraphic novel series by John Lechner
Toon Bookseries
Willimena Rulesseries by Valerie Wilson Wesley