# data[].attributes.body
Author- Caralyn Buehner
Publication Date- 2004
Grade Level- K-2
Genre- Fiction
Summary- A story about a tiny dog with BIG dreams. Dex is always bullied about how little he is, but that doesn't stop him from wanting to become a superhero. He studies hard, works out constantly, and gets himself a superhero suit. Once he starts helping others in the city, he becomes known as Super Dog! One day, the cat who always bullies him, is in danger. Dex is the only one who can save him.
Great for the classroom- With a great lesson about overcoming bullies and working towards your goals, this story will make students laugh and engage them with the big bold pictures and animal characters. It also teaches students about stamina which can be connected to young students learning to read. At first Dex is weak when he starts to workout, but the more he does it the stronger he gets. Just like when learning to read.
Strategy Work- This book gives students the chance to make predictions and make inferences about how Dex is feeling and how he reaches his goal of becoming a superhero.

# data[].attributes.body
Author- Deborah Diesen
Publication Date- 2014
Grade Level- K-1
Genre- Fiction
Summary- An adorable story about Mr. Fish and his first day of school. Mr. Fish finds himself in a classroom where he can't write his name, he doesn't know his shapes, and can't do long division like the rest of the class. He doesn't think he is smart or ready for school, until...his teacher, Miss. Hewitt, finds him and shows him where his classroom is! Once he realizes he was just in the wrong classroom, he realizes that he is ready and smart enough for school!
Great for the classroom- The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School is a great story to ready to kindergarten and first graders who are just beginning school. Mr. Fish is a character that they can relate to, especially for students who may be nervous to start school, or nervous that they would end up in the wrong classroom.
Strategy Work- Early elementary students can better understand this story by making text-to self connections about the feelings you have on the first day of school. This would also be a fun book to teach fact and opinion with. Mr. Fish says things like "I'm not smart enough" and "I don't belong", these would be considered opinions. Students can find facts in the story too (he's a fish, he hasn't learned to write his name yet, Miss. Hewitt is his teacher).

# data[].attributes.headline
"Hippo's Can't Swim: and other fun facts"

# data[].attributes.subject
"Hippo's Can't Swim: and other fun facts"

# data[].attributes.body
Author- Laura Lyn DiSiena and Hannah Eliot
Publication Date- 2014
Grade Level- K-1
Genre- Non-fiction
Summary- The illustrations in this book are funny, bright, and illustrated, making this non-fiction book intriguing for young readers. The book is full of interesting facts about many different animals.
Great for the classroom- Children love to learn and read about animals, making this non-fiction book exciting and engaging for kindergartners and first graders. It also has great vocabulary words for students to learn and make meaning of.
Strategy Work- This book would be great for students to make meaning of unknown words by inferring. Most students know various things about animals already, so they can use their schema to build upon things they already know about animals.

# data[].attributes.body
Author- Denise Brennan-Nelson and Rosemarie Brennan
Publication Date- 2008
Grade Level- K-3
Genre- Fiction
Summary- A colorful story about a bright and fun-loving little girl named Willow. Her unique, messy, and positive personality does not sit well with her art teacher, Miss. Hawthorne. Miss. Hawthorne likes everything to be perfect, clean, and tidy in her art room. She does not encourage creativity in her student's art. But that doesn't stop Willow from coloring her trees pink and apples blue. Although Willow tests her art teacher's limits, in the end, she inspires Miss. Hawthorne to explore her own creativity and imagination.
Great for the classroom- Students will be instantly engaged by the bright colors in the illustrations. It is also interesting for students to hear about a mean teacher like Miss. Hawthorne because of the differences they see in her compared to their art teacher (I hope!). This story also teaches the virtue of compassion.
Strategy work- Students can compare and contrast Miss. Hawthorne to their own art teacher. This would require students to understand and recall characteristics of main characters and also to make connections.

# data[].attributes.body
Author- Shane DeRolf
Publication Date- 1997
Grade Level- K-2
Genre- Fiction
Summary- While visiting a toy store, a little girl overheard a crayon box who was not getting along. They did not like each other because of their colors. The little girl buys the crayon box and shows them that all of their beautiful colors are needed to create a fully detailed picture. Originally written as a poem, this story has rhymes that will engage students and allow them to read along with you.
Great for the classroom- A great story to teach children about teamwork. That working together and embracing each individual's differences creates a better and brighter environment. Also, in thinking about MLK day in January, this story is a great way to explain what MLK meant by "...that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character".
Strategy Work- This book has a great lesson. Students will have to use their schema about why people don't get along and the teacher can guide them to make connections about what they have learned about MLK and his dream to change how others treated each other. This would also be a great book for students to practice summarizing because of the short story and rhymes to help students remember the sequence.

# data[].attributes.body
Author- Matt de la Peña
Publication Date- 2015
Grade Level- K-2
Genre- Fiction
Summary- CJ and his grandma live in the city and use public transportation to get around. One day, CJ starts to question why they don't have a car like his friends, why he doesn't have electronics like other kids, why his city is so dirty, and why they have to volunteer everyday after church. Nana opens his eyes to all of the beauty around them in their neighborhood, even if it doesn't seem "perfect".
Great for the classroom- The illustrations in this book are bright and colorful to catch the attention of small children. The pictures are big and fill up the page, allowing students to see every detail. This story sends a message about seeing the beauty in all things, and not comparing what you have to what others have.
Strategy Work- Throughout the story, you don't know where CJ and his Nana are going. This story requires students to make predictions about the plot. Also, students who do not live in a city will have to question things like public transportation and graffiti on buildings that they will see in the illustrations. For students who live in the city, they will be able to make connections and use prior knowledge to make meaning from the text.