10. Kajikawa, Kimiko. (2008). Close to You: How Animals Bond. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company, LLC
Kimiko Kajikawa has created an amazing informational book teaching us the multiple ways that animals show love to their young. The photographs are real, the text is written in a rhyming poem, and any loved child will certainly be able to relate to this non-fiction book!
9. Pearson, Emily. (2002). Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed. Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith.
Emily Pearson's picture book has the power to touch both adults and children as it shows that no matter how small a generous gesture may be, giving and helping another human being in whatever way you can goes a long way. This book is "extraordinary" because it proves that any "ordinary" person can make the world a brighter and better place to live.
8. Adler, David A., and Ritz, Karen. (1993). A Picture Book of Anne Frank. USA: Holiday House.
This biography picture book tells of Anne Frank's experience of being a young Jewish girl hiding in an Amsterdam attic during WWII. This serious issue is written/illustrated in an appropriate way so that children too can learn about a part of humankind's devastating history which was the Holocaust.
This biography picture book tells of Anne Frank's experience of being a young Jewish girl hiding in an Amsterdam attic during WWII. This serious issue is written/illustrated in an appropriate way so that children too can learn about a part of humankind's devastating history which was the Holocaust.
7. Silverstein, Shel. (1996). Falling Up: Poems and Drawings by Shel Silverstein. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.
Shel Silverstein's poetry is full of fun, nonsense, imaginative creatures, and creative illustrations while the majority are told from a child's perspective. But you needn't worry - there are some serious and meaningful poems included too! These poems and their accompanying illustrations are a must have for any children's library!
Shel Silverstein's poetry is full of fun, nonsense, imaginative creatures, and creative illustrations while the majority are told from a child's perspective. But you needn't worry - there are some serious and meaningful poems included too! These poems and their accompanying illustrations are a must have for any children's library!
6. Williams, Margery and Spirin, Gennady. (2011). The Velveteen Rabbit or How Toys Become Real. NY: Marshall Cavendish Children.
The Velveteen Rabbit is a classic and emotional tale of fantasy about how toys become real. Children will relate to the story because at some point we all treat and think of our toys as "real" and believe without a doubt that they can hear, love and protect us.
5. MacLachlan, Patricia. (1985). Sarah, Plain and Tall. New York, NY: Harper Trophy.
MacLachlan's classic historical fiction novel is a great choice to include in the classroom. It offers children a glance at an unfamiliar period in history and helps show that all people share commonalities and need to depend on each other no matter what era we come from.
4. Wiesner, David. (2006). Floatsam. New York, NY: Clarion Books.
Floatsam, a wordless picture book, is a great "read" whose stunning illustrations make us use our imaginations to envision an underwater world where anything is possible. When a young boy finds an old camera washed up on the beach we are thrown into an underwater world where we are responsible for providing the text ourselves.
3. Watt, Mélanie. (2001). Leon the Chameleon. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press.
Watt's Leon the Chameleon is the perfect picture book to use when teaching children that it is good to be different! This inspirational story of a young chameleon who cannot blend in with his surroundings testifies that we should learn to love and celebrate the traits that make us unique!
2. Ellis, Deborah. (2001). The Breadwinner. Toronto, ON: Groundwood Books.
I strongly believe that every elementary teacher should have Deborah Ellis' novel The Breadwinner as part of their library collection. This contemporary modern fiction story about life in Afghanistan under Taliban rule will make any western society child appreciate what they have.
1. Bouchard, Hervé and Nadeau, Janice. (2009). Harvey: How I Became Invisible. Toronto, ON: Groundwood Books.
This heartbreaking graphic novel about a young boy who loses his dad and begins to feel invisible quickly became the most powerful children's book I have read thus far. A touching tale about how to deal with the feelings of grief after losing someone we love.
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