Children's Literature Database by Brittany Fredrickson

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-18 19:40:16 UTC

Last Stop on Market Street was a thoughtful read about a boy named CJ and his grandmother riding the bus across town. On the ride, CJ looks to see the beauty in everyday things and appreciate what he has. I think the book would fit well in a social studies lesson about community, kindness, or seeing the world through different perspectives.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-18 19:48:59 UTC

Alma and How She Got Her Name was a heartwarming read about a little girl named Alma who learns the special stories behind each part of her super long name. Through these stories, she finds out her family's history and what makes her unique. I think the book would fit well in a social studies lesson about family heritage, identity, or celebrating what makes each person special.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-18 19:54:30 UTC

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story was a warm and meaningful read about how fry bread connects family, culture, and history. It shows how something as simple as food can tell a bigger story about where you come from. I think this book would fit really well in a social studies lesson about traditions, family, or Native American culture.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-18 20:04:02 UTC

I read The Watcher with a small group of first graders and wasn’t sure they’d sit through it because it’s slower than most books we read. But one of the kids stopped me and said “wait, she just watches?” and we ended up talking for a bit about how people learn just by watching. It kind of caught me off guard with how into it they were. We were all just sitting on the carpet during a quiet part of the day. It’s a calm book but a good one for early elementary, especially if you're talking about science or being patient.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-18 20:49:32 UTC

Berry Song was such a wonderful story about a girl and her grandmother picking berries and feeling connected with the land around them. I loved how it showed the importance of respecting nature and passing down traditions through family. The types of illustrations in the book are particularly my favorite. I think this book would be great for a lesson about nature, gratitude, or learning from elders.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-18 20:56:15 UTC

The Salmon Princess is an Alaskan version of the story of Cinderella. Instead of ballgowns and glass slippers, it’s all about fishing, the ocean, and living close to the land. The pictures are super bright and colorful too. It’s not exactly the same story, but you can see close ties to Cinderella. I think it would be a great book for talking about Alaskan culture, or how old stories can be told in new ways. It also can be classified as a fairytale.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-18 21:00:52 UTC

Under Alaska’s Midnight Sun makes me think about how fun it is when the sun stays out all night in the summer. I think it would be a great book to help kids in the lower 48 or even kids who just moved to Alaska understand what it’s like up here. The story shows a little girl getting to stay up and play because it never gets dark. I read this book to my kids because every Spring when I try to tell them it's bedtime they like to argue saying, "but the sun is still out!". I think this book would be great for a lesson on seasons or learning about life in Alaska.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-18 22:23:51 UTC

Alaska’s Three Bears is an Alaskan version of Goldilocks that shows real bears you’d actually find in Alaska. It talks about black bears, brown bears, and polar bears. I thought that was pretty cool because it mixes a story everyone already knows with real facts about animals up here. This would be a good book for a lesson on Alaska, animal habitats, or showing how nonfiction and fiction can work together. It can also be categorized as a fairytale.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-18 22:31:09 UTC

Where the Sidewalk Ends was always one of my favorite books growing up. I remember sitting in my mom’s closet as a kid reading this. Some of the poems were super funny, and others just made you stop and think for a minute. I think this book would fit great in a lesson about poetry. It's just a fun and easy read for kids.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-18 22:40:01 UTC

The Three Billy Goats Gruff was one of those classic stories I remember hearing a lot when I was little. I always liked how the goats had to outsmart the grumpy troll to get across the bridge. It's a good folktale and I think this book would fit great in a lesson about problem-solving, storytelling, or showing kids how characters can be brave even when something seems scary.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-23 23:23:52 UTC

The Shortest Day is a book about the winter solstice and why the days are so short. I like it because it shows something we get every winter in Alaska—those super short days when it feels like the sun is barely up. The pictures perfectly highilght the story. This could be a good book for talking about seasons or how different places celebrate the shortest day of the year.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-23 23:26:10 UTC

Hey, Bear! Ho, Bear! is a fun book written by a Kodiak author all about bears. The rhythm and call-and-response style really keep kids hooked and make it easy for them to join in. It’s also great for teaching bear awareness in a way that’s playful but still informative. I think this book would be perfect for a lesson on Alaskan wildlife and bear safety.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-23 23:28:24 UTC

Octopus in the Outhouse is a fun and quirky book that’ll definitely make kids giggle written by a Kodiak author. It’s about an octopus who ends up in an outhouse, and the whole story gets more ridiculous as it goes. The illustrations add to the humor of it too. I think this book is just a fun read aloud about Alaskan animals.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-23 23:31:14 UTC

I picked up Glaciers Are Alive at our local bookstore. The book shows how glaciers aren’t just giant blocks of ice — they actually move and change things around them. It talks about how they shape the land and how plants and animals live around them. It’s a great read for lessons on nature or just learning about how glaciers work and change the environment.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-23 23:33:47 UTC

Fishing with Grandma is a really sweet story about a child and their grandma fishing together. It made me think of fishing trips I’ve had in Alaska, where you just sit back and enjoy the quiet. It has alot of elements in the story that many kids who grew up in Alaska can relate to. It’s a perfect book for talking about family time, patience, and enjoying the outdoors.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-23 23:35:51 UTC

The Little Red Hen was another one of those stories I heard a lot growing up, and it always made me think about helping others. I liked how it shows that if you want to enjoy the reward, you have to put in the work too. I think this book would fit great in a lesson about responsibility, teamwork, or why it’s important to do your part.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-23 23:37:38 UTC

Rapunzel was a story I grew up hearing in a bunch of different ways, but this version sticks closer to the old Grimm Brothers’ telling. The text is a lot longer which might make it a little tougher to hold some kids' attention, especially since a lot of them are used to the faster-paced Disney version. I think this book would work well for a lesson on classic fairy tales or looking at how the same story can change depending on who’s telling it.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-23 23:47:33 UTC

The Princess and the Pea is a version of the story I hadn’t seen before. It’s set in Africa, and the characters wear really colorful traditional clothes that make the whole story pop. It still has the same idea with the princess feeling the pea under all the mattresses, but the setting and pictures make it way more fun and different. I think this would be a good book to use when talking about how the same story can look totally different depending on who's telling it.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-23 23:51:59 UTC

Kids love this version Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs. It’s basically the Goldilocks story but way sillier — the dinosaurs are clearly setting a trap for her. The jokes are obvious in a good way, and the pictures make it even funnier. I think it would be perfect for a lesson on silly versions of fairy tales or just a fun storytime book when you want kids to laugh.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-23 23:54:26 UTC

Tikki Tikki Tembo was one of those stories I remember hearing when I was little. It’s about a boy with a super long name that causes all kinds of trouble when he falls into a well. The rhythm and repeating parts make it really fun to read out loud. I think this book would be great for a lesson on folktales or just for having fun with storytelling and patterns.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-23 23:57:16 UTC

Hip Hop Speaks to Children was such a fun book to look through. I found it in my host teacher’s classroom and thought it was a really cool mix of poems and songs. I haven’t listened to it yet, but it comes with a CD, which is a great way to make it more accessible for kids who are still getting the hang of reading. I think this book would fit great in a lesson about poetry, rhythm, or showing kids that reading and music go together.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-23 23:59:37 UTC

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners was a sweet read about a young girl who realizes how special and powerful her eyes are. It shows how her features connect her to her family, culture, and heritage. I think this book would fit really well in a lesson about identity, self-love, or celebrating different cultures.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-24 00:02:44 UTC

I read Shark Lady during a science lesson on ocean animals. The story itself is inspiring, and the students liked learning about Eugenie Clark and how she followed her passion even when people didn’t believe in her. But some of the wording felt a little above the heads of my early elementary group — I had to pause a few times to explain parts. It’s still a great book to show kids what women in science can do, but I’d probably read it with older first graders or second grade and up.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-24 00:04:43 UTC

Room on the Broom is one I’ve read a lot with younger kids, and it always gets them excited. They really get into yelling out the animal sounds or repeating the lines with me. It’s just fun and silly but also has a nice message about being kind and including others. I’ve read it at home with my kids, usually curled up on the couch. Works great for kids in preschool or lower elementary. They stay engaged the whole time.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-24 00:07:18 UTC

The Bad Seed is a favorite at our house. My kids are always quiet when I read it because they’re really into the story — it’s funny but also kind of sweet. The seed starts off acting bad but you find out why, and it shows that people (or seeds) can change. I’ve also read it at school to students many times and used it for SEL lessons. It’s great for preschool through early elementary. Good message without being too serious.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-24 00:11:41 UTC

The Lamp, the Ice, and the Boat Called Fish is a quiet, simple story about a family living out in the Alaskan wilderness. It reminded me of the quiet beauty of life up here, where alot of the things you do depends on the weather. The story captures that feeling of peace, how everything is connected to the land and the seasons. This book would be great for showing kids what life in Alaska is like, and how families live with the land.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-24 19:02:17 UTC

I read Vegetables in Underwear with my kids and they could not stop laughing. It’s super goofy and quick to read, but they stay totally engaged in the whole time. They always start pointing at the veggies and cracking up over the underwear part. Cause what kid doesn't enjoy a book about panties? We usually read it at home, sometimes on the couch or while getting ready for bed. It’s a good one for little kids who just like something silly and fun.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-24 19:14:11 UTC

Coyote: A Trickster Tale was a fun story about Coyote trying to be something he’s not and getting himself into trouble. I remember reading different trickster tales by my 1st grade teacher growing up, and this one had bright, bold pictures that made it stand out. I think this book would fit great in a lesson about folktales, character traits, or stories where actions have consequences.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-24 19:35:37 UTC

Julian Is a Mermaid was a sweet read about a boy who dreams of becoming a mermaid and expresses himself by having confidence and creativity. It shows how important it is to feel supported and free to be yourself. I think this book would fit really well in a lesson about self-expression, acceptance, or celebrating individuality.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-26 19:56:14 UTC

I remember doing an author study on Jan Brett in 3rd grade, and The Mitten was one of the books we read. It’s about a boy who loses his mitten in the snow, and all these animals crawl inside to stay warm. I always thought it was fun how the pictures give little hints about what’s coming next. I think this book would be great for a lesson about sequencing, winter stories, or making predictions while you read.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-26 19:59:52 UTC

How the Stars Fell into the Sky is a really beautiful story that explains how the stars came to be, based on a Navajo legend. I remember feeling like it was more serious compared to a lot of other folktales I’ve read. The pictures were really calm and matched the tone of the story. I think this book would be great for a lesson about myths, legends, native culture, or stories that explain parts of nature.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-29 01:41:22 UTC

The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School was a really fun and silly twist on the classic Gingerbread Man story. Instead of running away from people, this gingerbread man is running around the school trying to find his class. I liked how the story rhymes and moves fast — it would definitely keep kids laughing and guessing what happens next. I think this book would be great for a read aloud for kids when doing a unit on fairytales.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-29 01:44:52 UTC

I’ve read Peanut Butter and Brains a bunch of times, mostly with younger kids. It’s always a hit. They crack up that the zombie wants peanut butter, not actual brains. It’s kinda weird but in a fun way. I’ve read it at school and at home. It’s not long, keeps their attention, and I’ve even had kids ask to read it again right after. Just a good silly read that also has a nice message at the end.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-29 01:52:39 UTC

The Book with No Pictures is always a favorite when I read it with kids. Even though there’s no pictures, they think it’s hilarious because it makes the grown-up say all these silly things. I’ve read it at home with my kids and also a few times at school during story time. It’s great for preschool and early elementary kids because it gets them laughing and paying attention the whole way through. It's not my favorite as an adult to say all the weird lines of the book but they always want me to read it again right after.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-29 23:46:21 UTC

Firefly July was a really calm book filled with short poems about the different seasons. I found it while looking through some classroom books and thought the short poems made it easy for kids to enjoy without feeling overwhelmed. I think this book would fit great in a lesson about poetry, seasons, or just helping kids notice the small details in nature.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-29 23:49:04 UTC

I had a student who was particularly interested in dinosaurs, so we read Dinosaur Lady together. He was very engaged with the text and frequently interrupted me to ask questions and share his own insights, which meant we had to read it over multiple days because we kept running out of time. He thought Mary Anning was truly awesome. There are A LOT of words in this story, so I had to skip over some lines and paraphrase some of the sections. It's a great book about women in science and paleontology, but I'd read it to older kids because younger readers might need a little support with the vocab.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-29 23:50:59 UTC

My Two Moms and Me was a simple read about a child’s daily adventures with their two moms. It shows that families can look different but are all built on love and care. I think this book would fit really well in a lesson about family diversity, love, and acceptance.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-29 23:57:36 UTC

We Are Water Protectors was a powerful and beautifully written read about standing up for the Earth and protecting water. It has the message that water is sacred and that we all have a role in taking care of the planet. I got this book in a Literati subscription box for my kids and I especially love the illustration style of the book. I think this book would fit really well in a lesson about environmental stewardship, activism, or Indigenous culture.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-30 00:00:32 UTC

I Am Enough was a positive read about loving yourself and treating others with kindness. It reminds people that everyone is enough just as they are, and that we all have something special to offer. I bought this book for my niece who's dad is from the Virgin Islands, and was struggling with why she was different from all of us. I think this book would fit really well in a lesson about self-esteem, kindness, or celebrating differences.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-30 00:01:46 UTC

The Light in the Attic was such a fun book full of silly and creative poems that I enjoyed. My mom bought it for me after she saw how much I loved Where the Sidewalk Ends. I liked how the poems were short but still packed with so much imagination. I think this book would fit great in a lesson about poetry.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-30 00:03:35 UTC

I read May Among the Stars to my class during carpet time while we were learning about astronauts. The kids were really excited about the idea of someone becoming an astronaut, even when others told her she couldn’t. We had to stop a few times to talk about why people might tell someone they aren’t good enough, which led to a good class conversation. It’s a great book for early elementary, especially if you’re talking about dreams, perseverance, or space.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-30 00:05:13 UTC

Dreamers was a really touching story about what it’s like to move somewhere completely new. It tells the story of a mother and her child as they figure out how books and imagination can help them feel more at home. I think this book would fit really well in a lesson about courage, the power of reading, or welcoming others.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-30 00:45:24 UTC

The Proudest Blue is about a girl’s first day wearing her hijab to school, and how proud her little sister feels watching her. Some kids aren’t very nice to her, but she stays strong and holds her head high. I liked how the book shows that being proud of who you are matters way more than what other people think. I think this book would fit great in a lesson about confidence, respect, or celebrating different cultures.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-30 00:48:09 UTC

I remember buying You Wouldn’t Want to Be an Egyptian Mummy! from the book fair when I was a kid and loving it. I found it again while digging through my host teacher’s classroom library and suggested reading it with a student. We ended up laughing and saying “ewww” through most of it, which made it even more fun. The book has a lot of gross details, but that’s what kept the student really engaged. It’s a great nonfiction pick for early elementary kids who like learning weird and funny facts about history.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-30 00:49:56 UTC

The Llama Who Had No Pajama was a lighthearted book filled with short, silly poems for kids. I found it while looking through some classroom books and thought it was an easy one for younger readers to enjoy. I think this book would fit great in a lesson about poetry, rhyming, or just giving kids a fun way to play with language.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-30 00:53:08 UTC

I’ve read Snappsy the Alligator one-on-one with a student before and it was a lot of fun. Snappsy getting mad at the narrator made the student laugh, and it kept them really engaged the whole time. It’s different because the story talks right to the reader and feels kind of silly. It would make a good read for the classroom or at home. It’s a good book for younger kids, like preschool and early elementary, especially ones who like funny stories.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-30 00:57:52 UTC

Be Glad Your Nose Is on Your Face was a funny and playful collection of poems that would definitely make kids laugh. I found it while looking through some poetry books and liked how the silly ideas made poetry feel less serious and more fun. I think this book would fit great in a lesson about poetry, humor, or just helping kids enjoy being creative with words.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-30 01:32:17 UTC

I read There's No Place Like Space! with my class during a space unit. The kids loved the rhyming and the Dr. Seuss-style rhythm — it made it really easy to keep them engaged. A few of them were already shouting out planet names before I even got to them in the book. It’s a fun and simple way to introduce the planets, but I did have to explain a couple of things since some of the facts are a little outdated now. It’s still a great book for early elementary students to get excited about space.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-30 01:37:00 UTC

I read Seeds Move! with my class during a science lesson about plants. It’s a simple book, but the kids were really interested in all the different ways seeds can travel. We talked a little while reading about which seed movements they thought were the coolest. It’s a good pick for early elementary when you want to introduce how plants grow and move around in nature.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-30 01:41:43 UTC

I read The Oldest Student with my class. The kids couldn’t believe that Mary Walker learned to read when she was over 100 years old. We ended up talking for a while after about how learning doesn’t stop when you’re grown up. Some parts of the book were a little long, and I could tell a few students were getting a little wiggly, but they stayed with it because the story itself was so powerful. It’s a great book for early elementary if you want to talk about perseverance and setting goals.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-30 01:44:11 UTC

The Tree Lady was a feel good read about a woman named Kate Sessions, who loved plants and ended up buying seeds from around the world that would thrive in the dry climate of San Francisco. Thanks to her, places like Balboa Park went from being dry and empty to full of trees and flowers. I think the book would fit well in a science lesson about plants or for an Earth Day activity.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-30 01:45:27 UTC

Do Not Lick This Book was a funny and interesting read about tiny microbes that live all around us. It follows a character named Min, who shows what germs look like up close and how easily they can move from place to place. I think the book would fit well in a science lesson about germs, hygiene, or even just an introduction to microbiology for kids.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-30 22:12:15 UTC

The New Kid on the Block was a fun collection of poems full of weird characters and funny situations. I found it while looking through some poetry books and liked how each poem had something weird or unexpected that kept you guessing. I think this book would fit great in a lesson about poetry, humor, or just encouraging kids to be playful with their writing.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-30 22:14:00 UTC

You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You was a really sweet and fun book made for two people to read together. I found it while looking through some classroom books and thought the short, rhyming stories made it easy and fun for kids to take turns reading. I think this book would fit great in a lesson about fluency, partner reading, or just helping kids build confidence with reading out loud.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-30 22:32:00 UTC

Once I Laughed My Socks Off was a silly collection of poems that would definitely make kids laugh. I found it while looking through some poetry books and liked how the poems were short, funny, and easy for younger readers to enjoy. I think this book would fit great in a lesson about poetry, humor, or just showing kids that poems don’t always have to be serious.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-03-30 22:34:39 UTC

If I Ran the School was a fun and imaginative book all about what kids would do if they were in charge. I found it while looking through some classroom books and thought it was a great way to get kids thinking creatively and dreaming big. I think this book would fit great in a lesson about imagination, writing prompts, or just encouraging kids to share their own ideas.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-04-08 19:26:47 UTC

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is a book I remember from when I was in kindergarten, so it’s been really fun getting to read it with my own students. I’ve read it to a whole class before and used it for an art lesson where we made a big palm tree and the kids matched uppercase and lowercase letters as coconuts around it. The silly rhythm keeps kids interested, and they get excited watching all the letters climb up the tree. It’s a great book for preschool and kindergarten because it’s fun, easy to follow, and helps with letter recognition.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-04-08 19:30:19 UTC

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes is one I first heard as a song during music class with the kids, and it got completely stuck in my head. Even just reading the title makes the song start playing in my head again. I’ve read the book with younger kids too, and they always love singing along and guessing what’s going to happen to Pete’s shoes. I’ve read it at school during story time and it’s great for preschool and early elementary because it’s fun, easy to join in, and teaches kids to go with the flow when things don’t go their way.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-04-08 19:45:33 UTC

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! is such a fun one to read with younger kids. Mo Willems books are a favorite with our Kinders. They love yelling “NO!” every time the pigeon begs for a chance to drive. It turns into a super interactive read without even trying. I’ve read it during story time in class. It’s great for preschool and early elementary — gets them laughing, listening, and talking the whole way through.

bnfredrickson1 — 2025-04-08 19:51:19 UTC

My Mouth Is a Volcano! is one I’ve read one-on-one with a student who struggled with blurting. It was a great way to talk about interrupting in a way that didn’t feel like a lecture. The student related to the main character and we had a good conversation after reading. We just sat together at a desk and read it during some quiet time. It’s a good fit for early elementary kids who need help learning how to wait their turn to speak.