^{Author: James Marshall}

^{Illustrator: James Marshall}

^{Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap}

^{Date: January 1989}

^{# of pages: 32}

^{Age level: 2-6 years old}

^{Genre: Fiction}

^{Theme: taking your time pays off, cannot trust everyone}

^{Topic: hard work pays off}

^{Artistic Media: drawing}

^{Summary: Three little pigs leave their home to seek fortune. Two pigs build their home using flimsy materials and the wolf blows down their homes. The third pig uses a stronger material that the wolf can't blow down, making him the smartest.}

^{Personal Response: This is a book of my childhood and feel like everyone has either heard or actually read this story. It is an universal theme that can relate to every persons life. Such a great story for young kids to read.}

^{Curricular Connections: Science and the use of strong materials.}

^{Author: Rick Riordan} 

^{Illustrator: John Rocco} 

^{Publisher: Miramax Books Puffin Books} 

^{Date: June 28, 2005} 

^{# of pages:377}

^{Grade Level: Third to eighth} 

^{Genre: Fantasy} 

^{Artistic media: Drawings} 

^{Theme: Discovering yourself and others}

^{Topic: Identity} 

^{Summary: The Lightning Thief is a light-hearted fantasy about a modern 12-year-old boy who learns that his true father is Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. Percy sets out to become a hero by undertaking a quest across the United States to find the entrance to the Underworld and stop a war between the gods.}

^{Personal Response: My brother introduced me to this book and the movie. It was one of the best books I read in middle school. I love fantasy stories because it acts as an adventure and escape. Plus, the movie was fantastic.} 

^{Curricular Connection: History, discussion of Greek God}

^{Author: Watty Piper}

^{Illustrator: Louis Lenski} 

^{Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap} 

^{Date: 1930}

^{# of pages: 48} 

^{Grade Level: Preschool to kindergarten}

^{Genre: Fiction} 

^{Artistic Media: Drawings and pictures} 

^{Theme: You can do anything} 

^{Topic: Dreams} 

^{Summary: The underlying theme is the same—a stranded train is unable to find an engine willing to take it over difficult terrain to its destination. Only the little engine is willing to try and, while repeating the mantra "I think I can, I think I can", overcomes a seemingly impossible task.}

^{Personal Response: There was a kid in my first grade class who had a disability and this was his all time favorite story. The best memory I have of this book is when he wanted to do a book report and share in the entire class. He and I were really good friends and it made me enjoy this book more knowing it was his favorite.} 

^{Curricular Connection:Engineering} 

^{Author/Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds} 

^{Publisher: Candlewick} 

^{Date: September 15, 2003}

^{# of pages: 32}

^{Grade Level: Kindergarten to fourth} 

^{Genre: Fiction} 

^{Artistic Media: Drawings} 

^{Theme: Working through a tough spot} 

^{Topic: Diversity} 

^{Summary: The child in this story dislikes art class because she is convinced, she can't draw. Her teacher gently encourages her to begin with a single dot and her creativity takes off. The story celebrates the creative spirit in everyone.}

^{Personal Response: I struggle with art because I also thought I was bad at it. That was until I found a certain type of art I enjoyed. This is a story of never quitting and the continuum of trying. Great message.} 

^{Curricular Connection: Art}

^{Author/Illustrator: Stef Wade
Publisher: Capstone Editions} 

^{Date: July 31, 2020}

^{# of pages: 56}

^{Grade Level: First to second} 

^{Genre: Fiction} 

^{Artistic Media: Drawings}

^{Theme: Hope}

^{Topic: Fall} 

^{Summary: tells the tale of Lance Cottonwood, a leaf who is the best and brightest student in his class, but he's afraid of his final exam…falling. Lance struggles with anxiety, embarrassed and unsure of himself, until he works through his fears with his teacher, Mrs. Timber}

^{Personal Response: Any story that touches on anxiety at a young age, I find a great one. The feelings that the Leaf, Lance, has are all normal and occur to several people. It also talks about how a positive influence a teacher can have on a student which is a goal of mine.} 

^{Curricular Connection:Mental health}

^{Author/Illustrator: Eric Carle}

^{Publisher: Penguin Books}

^{Date: September 26, 1996}

^{# of pages: 32}

^{Grade level: Preschool to first} 

^{Genre: Fiction}

^{Artistic Media: Drawings and sketches}

^{Theme: Perseverance of tasks}

^{Topic: Strength} 

^{Summary:"The Very Busy Spider" is about a spider that spends all day spinning her web. A variety of different farm animals approach her and ask if she wants to go do something with them that they enjoy doing. Each time, the spider didn't answer because she was busy spinning her web.}

^{Personal Response: A memorable story from when I was younger. It touches on the idea of persevering, continuing tasks and not giving up. Great message.} 

^{Curricular Connection: Any subject, don’t give up on a task} 

^{Author/Illustrator: David Shannon}

^{Publisher: The Blue Sky Press} 

^{Date: 1998}

^{# of pages: 32}

^{Grade Level: Kindergarten to third} 

^{Genre: Fiction}

^{Artistic Media: Drawings}

^{Theme: Being true to yourself} 

^{Topic: Values} 

^{Summary:Camilla Cream is very worried about what other people think about her, but at the very moment she most wants to fit in, she becomes completely covered in colorful stripes! Worse yet, she seems to change colors to match whatever is happening around her.}

^{Personal Response: At some point in your life, you have cared what people think about you. This story does a wonderful job of how you should only care about yourself and what you think. Everyone is too wrapped up in their own lives to worry about yours. Cute story, easy read, and great message.} 

^{Curricular Connection: Health, mental health discussion}

^{Author/Illustrator: Ezra Jack Keats}

^{Publisher: Viking Press}

^{Date: 1962}

^{# of pages: 40}

^{Grade Level: Kindergarten to first} 

^{Genre: Fiction}

^{Artistic Media; Drawings} 

^{Theme: Exploration}

^{Topic: Snow and youth} 

^{Summary: The adventures of Peter, a little boy in the city on a very snowy day. Peter wakes up one day and finds the whole city covered in snow. He happily goes out to play in the snow and have fun. He first thought of going to the older kids to play with the snowball.}

^{Personal Response: Many people don’t get to experience snow, or they experience it at an older age. This book describes one experiencing their first snowfall in such a majestic way.} 

^{Curricular Connection: Science, how snow occurs} 

^{Author/Illustrator: Don Freemen} 

^{Publisher: Viking Press}

^{Date: 1968}

^{# of pages: 32} 

^{Grade Level: Kindergarten to first} 

^{Genre: Fiction}

^{Artistic Media: Drawing} 

^{Theme: Love can go way beyond} 

^{Topic: Comfort in everything} 

^{Summary: Corduroy is a small stuffed bear who lives in a department store and waits to be taken home by somebody special. One day a little girl named Lisa wants to buy him, but her mother says no because he is missing a button on his corduroy overalls. That night Corduroy goes in search of his missing button}

^{Personal Response: Yet another classic children's literature. I find comfort in objects such as a blanket or even a teddy bear, and did at a young age. Some children need to find comfort in more than a person and this book does that.} 

^{Curricular Connection: Physical education, scavenger hunt for stuffed animals}

^{Author/Illustrator: Shel Silverstein} 

^{Publisher: Harper & Row} 

^{Date: 1981}

^{# of pages: 181} 

^{Grade Level: First to third} 

^{Genre: Poems} 

^{Artistic Media: Sketches} 

^{Theme: Varies} 

^{Topic: Varies} 

^{Summary: This book is full of poems about clowns, pirates, monsters and all manner of strange people and animals doing crazy things. Will easily delight themselves with the silly shenanigans of the characters.}

^{Personal Response: I know Shel Silverstein books are a little controversial, but I think they are good and different books for older students who may struggle with loving reading.} 

^{Curricular Connection:Poetry, create their own} 

^{Author/Illustrator: David Shannon} 

^{Publisher: Scholastic} 

^{Date: September 1, 1998}

^{# of pages: 32}

^{Grade Level: Preschool to third} 

^{Genre: Fiction}

^{Artistic media: Drawings}

^{Theme: Mistakes occur}  

^{Topic: Discipline} 

^{Summary:It tells the story of a young boy named David who finds it hard to make good choices. The words that constantly are told to him are … yes, you guessed it … “No David!”. However, in the end David is told that he is loved regardless of however many mistakes he makes.}

^{Personal Response:I remember reading this as a kid, it was a fun story. I was reading it when I was working on what an exclamation mark was and a question mark and how we need to change our tone. It was a great source for that.} 

^{Curricular Connection:Thumbprint pledge , creating rules for the class to follow} 

^{Author: Robert Munsch}

^{Illustrator: Shelia McGraw}

^{Publisher: Firefly Books}

^{Date: October 1, 1986}

^{# of pages: 32}

^{Grade Level: Kindergarten to first} 

^{Genre: Fiction}

^{Artistic Media: Drawings and pictures} 

^{Theme: Importance of love} 

^{Topic: Family}

^{Summary: The story centers on a mother who sings a lullaby to her son at each stage of his life. During his childhood, she becomes frustrated with his rebellious nature, yet always sings to him after he falls asleep}

^{Personal Response: This is another book that holds a high value in my family. My parents read it when they were younger and it was one of the first books given to me. Absolutely love it.} 

^{Curricular Connection: Mother’s day activity} 

^{Author/Illustrator: Dr. Suess}

^{Publisher: Random House}

^{Date: 1965}

^{# of pages: 72}

^{Grade Level: Preschool to second} 

^{Genre: Fiction} 

^{Artistic Media: Drawings}

^{Theme: Transformation}

^{Topic: Fitting in}

^{Summary: It features two main characters, Fox (an anthropomorphic fox) who speaks almost entirely in densely rhyming tongue-twisters and Knox (a yellow anthropomorphic dog) who has a hard time following up Fox's tongue-twisters until the end.}

^{Personal Response: I adore any books from Dr. Suess, I think they always have such a great message. I also think they are a great source for mentor texts when discussing rhyming. Plus the drawings are incredibly good.} 

^{Curricular Connection: Find rhyming words} 

^{Author: A. A. Milne} 

^{Illustrator: E. H. Shepard} 

^{Publisher: Dutton} 

^{Date: October 14, 1926} 

^{# of pages: 176} 

^{Grade Level: Second to seventh} 

^{Genre: Fiction} 

^{Artistic Media: Fiction} 

^{Theme: Strength in friendship}

^{Topic: Family} 

^Summary:

^{Winnie-the-Pooh contains 10 short stories about Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood as they follow their imaginations to find adventure, using simple ideas and friendship to overcome any obstacles they face.}

^{Personal Response: Iconic and timeless stories. Winnie-the-Pooh provides so many great messages and ones that children can understand. I also love that these stories became movies, encouraging students to read the book first.}

^{Curricular Connection: Writing about a friend that encourages them} 

^{Author/Illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg}

^{Publisher: Houghton Mifflin}

^{Date: November 12, 1985} 

^{# of pages: 32}

^{Grade Level: Second to third} 

^{Genre: Fantasy} 

^{Artistic Media: Drawings} 

^{Theme: Believing the magic of Christmas}

^{Topic: Christmas} 

^{Summary: It is a story of a young boy who is in bed wishing to hear Santa's sleigh bells, when all the sudden he hears a train pull up to his window. He gets up, climbs out his window and onto this magical train that takes him to the North Pole where he gets to pick out the first gift and so asks for a sleigh bell.}

^{Personal Response: One of the best books that got turned into a movie. Such a fun holiday book and movie. I have read this book many times and seen the movie just as many times.} 

^{Curricular Connection: History, story of the holiday} 

^{Author/Illustrator: Bernard Waber} 

^{Publisher: Clarion Books} 

^{Date: 1965}

^{# of pages: 48} 

^{Grade Level: Preschool to third} 

^{Genre: Fiction} 

^{Artistic Media: Drawings} 

^{Theme: Caring for others} 

^{Topic: Selflessness} 

^{Summary:Lyle the crocodile is perfectly happy living with the Primms on East 88th Street until irritable Mr. Grumps next door changes all that by putting Lyle in the zoo. But Mr. Grumps experiences a change of heart when his crocodile neighbor saves him from a fire.}

^{Personal Response: I love when books personify animals, it causes children to be more interested in the book. This is a good book that does that to a crocodile and gives it a name, home, and human feelings and actions.} 

^{Curricular Connection:Art, create an animal into a human}

^{Author/Illustrator: Eric Carle}

^{Publisher: World Publishing Company}

^{Date: June 3, 1969}

^{# of pages: 32}

^{Grade Level: Kindergarten to third} 

^{Genre: Fiction}

^{Artistic Media: Drawing, picture book} 

^{Theme: Growth} 

^{Topic: Caterpillar} 

^{Summary: This is the story of a caterpillar who hatches out of an egg. He is very hungry as soon as he is born, so he starts eating through various foods every day of the week. In the pursuit to satiate his appetite, he makes some unfortunate choices of junk food and overeating, which causes him to feel over-inflated}

^{Personal Response: I feel like this is a staple for smaller kids because it doesn’t contain heavy content or a lot of words. Not my favorite book but it’s definitely a childhood memory.}

^{Curricular Connection: Health, discussion of healthy food choices}

^{Author/Illustrator: Shel Silverstein} 

^{Publisher: HarperCollins}

^{Date: October 7, 1964}

^{# of pages: 64} 

^{Grade Level: Second grade and up} 

^{Genre: Fiction} 

^{Artistic Media: Drawing}

^{Theme: Love, friendship}

^{Topic: Giving and receiving}

^{Summary: Traces the life of a boy from a toddler to an old man and his relationship with the tree. The tree gives the boy everything she has. The boy takes and takes and never says thank you.}

^{Personal Response: This is a timeless book and story. I love all the books by Shel Silverstein and the way he writes and illustrates. The story shows how much the words “thank you” can mean.} 

^{Curricular Connection: Science, life of a tree.} 

^{Author: Jacqueline Woods}

^{Illustrator: Rafael Lopez}

^{Publisher: Nancy Paulsen}

^{Date: August 28, 2018} 

^{# of pages: 32}

^{Grade Level: Kindergarten to second} 

^{Genre: Fiction}

^{Artistic Media: Drawings} 

^{Theme: All feel like outsiders} 

^{Topic: Diversity} 

^{Summary: A fun story that packs a powerful message. Woodson explains that the day you truly begin to live is the day that you realize that even though you may be different, once you find courage to share your story, the world will create the space that you deserve.} 

^{Personal Response: Such a strong message and an important one that should be learned at an early age. This story was incredibly sweet and heartfelt.}

^{Curricular Connection:Art, create the perfect world} 

^{Author/Illustrator: Patricia Polacco}

^{Publisher: Philomel Books}

^{Date: May 4, 1998}

^{# of pages: 40}

^{Grade Level: Kindergarten to third}

^{Genre: Nonfiction}

^{Artistic Media: Drawing}

^{Theme: Persevering and jumping over obstacles}

^{Topic: Learning Disabilities} 

^{Summary: Trisha endures the cruel taunts of classmates who call her “dumb” and falls behind in her studies. Finally, encouragement and efforts of a new fifth grade teacher, Mr. Falker, triggers a turning point in Trisha’s life. She begins to blossom and develop all of her talents, including reading.} 

^{Personal Response: I first heard this book last year in a course here at Boise. It is such a great story on how a teacher can have a major positive impact on students. I personally went into teaching to make an impact on a student so this story was heartwarming for me.} 

^{Curricular Connection:All subjects, learning disabilities affect every learning experience}

^{Author: Judith Viorst} 

^{Illustrator: Ray Cruz} 

^{Publisher: Simon & Schuster}

^{Date: June 16, 1972}

^{# of pages: 32}

^{Grade Level: second to third}

^{Genre:Fiction} 

^{Artistic media: drawing}

^{Theme: Everyone has not so good days} 

^{Topic: Humane}

^{Summary: Alexander deals with a number of different emotions during his day, he handles some of them on the inside and some very outwardly. He goes through a range of emotions from being in a bad mood, to jealousy, frustration, anger, and rage. He is forced to manage each of these emotions.} 

^{Personal Response: This book has a sentimental value for me and my family. It was one of the very first books my dad read as a kid and we still have that copy he owned, 50 years later. Such a good story for talking about types of emotions.} 

^{Curricular Connection: Health, dealing with emotions} 

^{Author: Douglas Wood} 

^{Illustrator: Doug Cushman} 

^{Publisher: Simon & Schuster} 

^{Date: June 1, 2002} 

^{# of pages: 32}

^{Grade Level: Preschool to third} 

^{Genre: Fiction}

^{Artistic Media: Drawing} 

^{Theme: Teacher love teaching} 

^{Topic: Teachers} 

^{Summary: This book describes things the teacher can’t do and occasionally why they cant do that or things they can do.} 

^{Personal Response: I actually laughed a few times because of certain things the teachers “can’t do”. It has some funny ironic stories throughout.} 

^{Curricular Connection: Any subject, touches on all .} 

^{Author:Rachel Bright} 

^{Illustrator: Chris Chatterton}

^{Publisher: Orchard Books}

^{Date: October 6, 2020}

^{# of pages: 32}

^{Grade Level: Preschool to first} 

^{Genre: Fiction} 

^{Artistic Media; Sketch and photoshop}

^{Theme: Worrying}

^{Topic: Anxiety} 

^{Summary: Through the dinosaur character, this story explored how children’s anxiety and worries have the ability to spiral. Coping mechanisms and mindfulness strategies they can use to deal with their worry are shown throughout the book.} 

^{Personal Response: Many young children don’t understand anxiety or why they worry. This is a good way to introduce the idea and not overwhelm them with a ton of information. It also provides a great resource for how to cope when they are showing signs of being anxious.} 

^{Curricular Connection: Health, talk about mental health}

^{Author/Illustrator: Anna Dewdney} 

^{Publisher: Viking} 

^{Date: 2005}

^{# of pages: 34}

^{Grade Level: Kindergarten to second} 

^{Genre: Fiction}

^{Artistic Media: drawings}

^{Theme: Independence grows} 

^{Topic: Growing up} 

^{Summary: Baby Llama turns bedtime into llama drama. Baby Llama immediately starts worrying when his mom goes downstairs, his soft whimpers turn into hollers when she doesn’t come back.} 

^{Personal Response: Such a fun story since it is animated. Not my favorite children's literature book of all time but it has a good sense of how independence grows as people get older.} 

^{Curricular Connection: Music since his whimpers and hollers change pitch} 

^{Author: Julia Donaldson}

^{Illustrator: Axel Scheffler} 

^{Publisher: Macmillan} 

^{Date: 2001}

^{# of pages: 32}

^{Grade Level: Preschool to second} 

^{Genre: Fiction} 

^{Artistic Media: Drawings in audio book}

^{Theme:Helping others}

^{Topic: Teamwork}

^{Summary: The witch and her cat are flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows the witch’s hat away, then her bow, and then her wand. Lucky for her, three helpful animals find all the missing items and they want in return to ride on the room, but is there enough room?} 

^{Personal Response: I have a brief memory of reading this as a kid. Great short story on how teamwork is a great way to help others in a fun way.} 

^{Curricular Connection: Math, how many animals can fit on a certain length on a broomstick} 

^{Author: Audrey Wood} 

^{Illustrator: Bruce Wood} 

^{Publisher: The Blue Sky Press}

^{Date: September 1, 2003}

^{# of pages: 40} 

^{Grade Level: Preschool to third}

^{Genre: Fiction}

^{Artistic Media: Drawing} 

^{Theme: Memorizing alphabet} 

^{Topic: Alphabet} 

^{Summary: When Little x disappears from Charley’s alphabet, the rest of the letters begin to search for him and find him in the castle of Master M. Surprisingly, Little x does not want to be rescued because he is more useful in the castle than at home where he is rarely used.} 

^{Personal Response: I loved this book as a kid. When I found it in the library, I felt like a kid again with how giddy I got. I immediately read it again and again. It is a great source for knowing the alphabet while adding a fun twist.} 

^{Curricular Connection: Music, learn the alphabet song.} 

^{Author: Donna W. Earnhardt}

^{Illustrator: Andrea Castellani}

^{Publisher:Flashlight Press}

^{Date: September 26, 2012}

^{# of pages: 32} 

^{Age Level: 5 -7 years old}

^{Genre: Fiction}

^{Artistic Media: Drawings} 

^{Theme: Honesty is the best policy} 

^{Topic: Kindness}

^{Summary: An overly honest Frank notices that his truthfulness gets him in more trouble than it does making him friends. With guidance of his grandfather, he learns how to better serve truth in life.} 

^{Personal Response: Cute story that builds on the idea of looking up to your elders when needed help. Also how the truth is always good but it's the way you deliver the truth that can be bad.} 

^{Curricular Connection: Writing about the affects of being honest} 

^{Author: Jory John}

^{Illustrator: Pete Oswald} 

^{Publisher: HarperCollins}

^{Date: August 29, 2017}

^{# of pages: 40}

^{Age Level: 5-7}

^{Genre: Fiction}

^{Artistic Media: Drawing}

^{Theme: We have the ability to change for the better}

^{Topic: Right and wrong}

^{Summary: A little sunflower seed has a bad attitude, he never puts things back, always late and cuts in line. This behavior started after he was taken from his sunflower, put into a bag, and almost eaten by humans. He now wants to change and be a good seed.} 

^{Personal Response: This book has wonderful drawings accompanied by the text. It provides a good example of bad behaviors. Especially at a young age, and how you have the opportunity to change your behavior.} 

^{Curricular Connection: Writing; discuss a time when you did something that was considered a bad behavior and how you changed}

^{Author: Laura Numeroff}

^{Illustrator: Felicia Bond} 

^{Publisher: HarperCollins}

^{Date: 1985}

^{# of pages: 32}

^{Age Level: 1-5 years old}

^{Genre: Fiction}

^{Theme: Cause and Effect}

^{Artistic Media: Drawings} 

^{Topic: Sharing} 

^{Summary: A kid gives a mouse a cookie. Then the mouse asks for milk and begins requesting a series of materials and the kids grant them all. At the end, the kid and mouse share a cookie after a long day.} 

^{Personal Response: There are so many versions of this story and I love that you can read it in different capacities.} 

^{Curricular Connection: Art, drawing an animal they would want to be friends with} 

^{Author: Marcus Pfister} 

^{Illustrator: Marcus Pfister}

^{Publisher: Simon & Schuster} 

^{Date: 1992}

^{# of pages: 32}

^{Grade level: K-2}

^{Genre: Fiction}

^{Theme: Sharing is important}

^{Topic: Kindness}

^{Artistic Media: Holographic foils & paintings} 

^{Summary: The rainbow fish is the most beautiful fish in the entire ocean, but he is vain and proud. This causes him to be more lonely over time. Soon he finds out that you cannot make friends through beauty. Eventually he overcomes his pride and shares his scales with his friends.}  

^{Personal Response: Such a fun and colorful book for students. This is definitely a childhood book that I know many people have read. It carries a great message for anyone.} 

^{Curricular Connections: Art, create their own fish with holographic materials.}