Garden of Literature by Jillian McNabb

Purpose Statement

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-09-23 21:11:25 UTC

This Mentor text library will help me introduce young readers to new genres/forms of literature

The Giving Tree

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-09-23 21:18:37 UTC

I can use this in my instruction by applying it to real world scenarios and having the students create their own giving tree separating their wants from their needs and sharing with the class

The Lion and the Mouse

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-09-23 21:23:09 UTC

This book works to teach children lessons of kindness and compassion for all life no matter how big or small! Since there are no words, students could practice by writing their own text to go along with the illustrations

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-09-23 22:04:33 UTC

The overall message is to be grateful for what you have. A writing practice could be a student writing a letter as Sylvester the Donkey to the magic pebble or vice versa to practice their letter writing skills

Junie B Jones Series

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-09-23 22:11:35 UTC

Junie B Jones is a humorous childrens classic. Since this book talks about sleepovers, students could practice their writing by making a left of things to pack for a sleepover

The ABC's of Women's History

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-09-23 22:17:54 UTC

"celebrates women, their history, and their future by centering the diversity of the disruptors who blazed a path forward for everyone" This could be read during Women's history month and children could be tasked to do outside research on one of the women discussed in the book and write a biography on them

If You Give a Moose a Muffin

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-09-23 22:22:15 UTC

This book discusses cause and effect. The students could use this text to practice their writing by practicing reading and writing a muffin recipe

What a Waste

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-09-23 22:27:06 UTC

This book discusses all things waste and waste management in regards to protecting our planet. This could be used for a science lesson or on Earth Day and allow for the students to write a plan of action for how they are going to help the planet and reduce waste

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-09-23 22:30:57 UTC

This book sparks conversation on friendship and inclusivity. Students can use this story for a writing activity by retelling the sequence of events in their own words. They could also use what they learn in Stellaluna and compare and contrast it to research they find on a real fruit bat

I Want My Hat Back

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-09-23 22:34:53 UTC

Little visuals and simple words for students to easily follow along with. Children could use this story in a lesson about rhyming by taking note of repeated words in the book and write words that rhyme with them

Because of Winn-Dixie

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-09-23 22:39:10 UTC

Because of Winn-Dixie addresses topics like friendship and loneliness. Students could conduct a character analysis on several character within the book and identify their motives and qualities

The Cool Bean

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-09-23 22:44:31 UTC

A book talking about growing apart from the "cool" beans. This book could allow the class to have a free write about a time someone did something that was kind of them. Students could also write a paragraph about the theme of the book and what it is meant to convey

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-09-23 22:54:25 UTC

The Magic School Bus is a great way to incorporate lessons into reading. Students could build on the text by doing a what I know chart vs what I want to know chart and then write things they had learned after reading the book

Magic Tree House Series

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-09-23 22:57:52 UTC

The Magic tree house is a great way for teachers to incorporate science and history into the lesson. For this specific book, students could write what they learn about the culture throughout the book. Each book has a very specific theme that can translate easily into a classroom setting

The Day the Crayons Quit

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-09-23 23:02:47 UTC

Since the book writes from different perspectives, this book could help with a lesson on writing in perspectives. This could be by having students write a letter to someone about their feelings

To Market, To Market

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-09-23 23:10:59 UTC

A Poetry book based on the popular nursery rhyme. This could be incorporated on a writing lesson on where to place commas vs periods, or students could practice writing their own market grocery list and sorting the categories on the list

Judy Moody Series

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-09-23 23:13:48 UTC

A book about excitement and curiosity of the young mind! An activity that promotes writing in the classroom would be for the students to write their own bucket list like Judy has for her summer plans

Bluey Camping

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-10-06 22:17:59 UTC

This national bestseller is based off of an episode of the Australian kids show Bluey. The story follows Bluey who meets a friend Jean Luc, but finds that not all good moments last forever.

Since Jean Luc comes from France (we can assume), this could be a great time to implement a pen pal writing activity while practicing international greetings

Wolves in the Walls

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-12-11 20:44:35 UTC

VR, Fables Studio, Oculus (2018)

Winner of a Peabody Award and Emmy Award Virtual reality experience based on the book by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean

Third Rail Projects worked with Fable Studios on story development, experience design, and choreographing this experience which asks, What would it be like to interact, have a relationship, and go on a quest with a character inside a virtual reality movie?

The Line

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-12-11 20:48:40 UTC

A 15-20 minute interactive story about love and fear of change, following the love story of two miniature dolls, Pedro and Rosa.

WINNER - 2020 Primetime Emmy® Award for Outstanding Innovation in Interactive Media.
WINNER - Best VR Experience at 76th Venice International Film Festival.

Developed by ARVORE

What Remains of Edith Finch

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-12-11 20:52:40 UTC

a first-person exploration video game developed by Giant Sparrow and published by Annapurna Interactive. Follow the writing to unlock the backstory of the Finch family and their unfortunate fate.

Won the British Academy Games Award for Best Game 2017 and the Best Narrative category at both The Game Awards 2017 and the 2018 Game Developers Choice Awards.

The Best Word Book Ever

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-12-11 20:58:37 UTC

This was the book that I credit my early knowledge and range of vocabulary to.

The original edition contains over 1,400 labelled pictures and the book sold over seven million copies in 12 years.

The book has been translated into a number of other languages, including a bilingual edition in English and Spanish and one in Ukrainian.

Can I Play To?

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-12-11 21:50:34 UTC

Mo Willems, award-winning, New York Times best-selling creator 1/25 of Elephant and Piggie Series

In Can I Play Too? Gerald and Piggie meet a new snake friend who wants to join in a game of catch. But how can a snake play catch?

Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-12-11 21:54:52 UTC

A New York Times bestseller that tells the story of a brave little doe who meets Santa and changes Christmas forever.

This book could be incorporated into a holiday themed lesson or during the week leading up to the holidays. An example of a lesson could be constructing a letter for Dasher to take to the North Pole

Amelia Bedelia Series

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-12-11 22:08:35 UTC

The stories follow Amelia Bedelia, a maid who repeatedly misunderstands various commands of her employer by taking figures of speech and various terminology literally, causing her to perform incorrect actions with a comical effect. They have been illustrated by Wallace Tripp, Fritz Siebel, Lynn Sweat, Lynne Avril, and Barbara Siebel Thomas.

I could effectively use this book in the classroom when exploring metaphors and relating it to how Amelia takes everything very literal

I Survived: THE SINKING OF THE TITANIC, 1912

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-12-11 22:12:41 UTC

The most terrifying events in history are brought vividly to life in this New York Times-bestselling series

Based on the real sinking of the Titanic in 1912

I could incorporate this book into a lesson about the Titanic, a science lesson about ice and how it melts, or how things float and sink

Where the Sidewalk Ends

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-12-11 22:16:10 UTC

This book is a 1974 children's poetry collection written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein and was published by Harper and Row Publishers. It is a children's favorite with simple, catchy rhymes and complex themes.

This is a great book to introduce when discussing poetry and when asking students to write their own creative poem

Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-12-11 22:20:35 UTC

A picture book collection of stories by Dr Seuss. Although it contains three short stories, it is mostly known for its first story, "Yertle the Turtle".

This story could be used when talking about power and control in a social studies class, as Yertle was essentially "overthrown" by the ones he had oppressed.

Sideways Stories from Wayside School

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-12-11 22:24:49 UTC

A comedic children's novel that focuses on a bizarre 30 story school built sideways and its wacky students and staff.

The novel was later adapted into a Teletoon animated series, Wayside.

This book could be used to spark imagination for students to create their own "sideways story" during a creative writing workshop and turn their craziest school experience into a portion of the story.

The Polar Express

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-12-11 22:28:20 UTC

a 1985 fantasy children's picture book written and illustrated by American author Chris Van Allsburg.

Van Allsburg won the annual Caldecott Medal for illustration of an American children's picture book in 1986, his second after Jumanji.

This could be used during the holiday season for a Christmas themed lesson or a lesson on trains and the way that they operate. Students could even make a railroad map of their town to add to the polar express's train stops.

Franklin in the Dark

jillianmcnabb2 — 2025-12-11 22:34:14 UTC

In the Franklin Classic Storybook that started it all, poor little Franklin has one of the most common childhood afflictions --- he is afraid of the dark. This is particularly distressing for Franklin as he happens to be a turtle, and the darkness he fears is, of course, inside his own shell.

This could be used in a lesson talking about fears and how we can overcome them