Book #65 AND the last day of summer break (for teachers)

"Go away!  I'm grumpy!"  As in the book, my reaction to summer ending isn't always a good one.  However, like the book, it only takes one surprise (usually seeing a student's smiling face on that first day) to change it.  To that, I say, "HOORAY FOR SCHOOL!"

Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won.

Book #64

It's OK to make a mistake.  You can always adjust and make it something new.  What a positive message for all of us!

Check out the accompanying website, complete with video and read along:  beautifuloops.com.

Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg.

Book #63

A perfect book for students to show true comprehension.  How did he catch that star?

How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers.

Book #62

Retelling is a standard students develop and eventually master.  Using wordless picture books is one way for students to retell a story.  Books like this one have so much detail in the illustrations, there is much to retell.

Mr. Wuffles! by David Wiesner.

Book #61

Another good book example of not judging someone (or some unicorn) until you know him.

Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great by Bob Shea.

Book #60

How small the world is truly amazes me!  Almost every day I make connections with people I have never met.  I love finding something in common with them.  This book is about the small world and  those things in common...

Herman and Rosie by Gus Gordon.

Book #59

Pssst! by Adam Rex.

Book #58

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown.

Book #57

I've been watching a new show called Tiny House Nation.  I am fascinated by the use of the small space, but livable areas.  With building homes on my mind, I read...

Building Our House by Jonathan Bean.

Book #56

There is a long told myth that swallowing a watermelon seed will start a melon growing in your stomach.  This book is about a crocodile who knows the myth AND swallows a seed.

Happy last days of summer.  Enjoy some watermelon, just skip the seeds.

The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli.

Book #55

Don't give up, even if you first do not succeed or others laugh at you.  Keep on trying!

Rosie Revere Engineer by Andrea Beaty.

Book #54

Stars by Mary Lyn Ray (illustrated by Marla Frazee).

Book #53

Stuck by Oliver Jeffers.

Book #52

Storytelling at its best...

Journey by Aaron Becker.

Book #51

Children Make Terrible Pets by Peter Brown.

Book #50!

I just watched a special about the 1990s.  I was reminded of the horror of the LA riots.  Very scary times, but this book puts it all into perspective.

Smoky Night by Eve Bunting.

Book #49

So, yesterday was not a good day.  The technology went berserk and I'm still having trouble.  When days aren't so bright, I always think of this book...

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst.

Book #48

Are you afraid of the dark?  This book will show you a side of the dark you have not seen before.  You may find the dark a little less frightening.

The Dark by Lemony Snicket (illustrated by Jon Klassen).

Book #47

I recently went through family photos with my nieces.  It was fun to tell them stories about the family (and their father) they had never heard.  Most of all, I enjoyed spending time with them.

I Love Saturdays y Domingos by Alma Flor Ada.

Book #46

I love those special traditions you look forward to each week, especially breakfast at a restaurant...

Every Friday by Dan Yaccarino.    

Book #45

The Whale Who Ate Everything by Dan Devoe.

Book #44

Making supper, cutting potatoes, and thought of this book...

The Enormous Potato retold by Audrey Davis.

Book #43

Up, Up, Down by Robert Munsch.

Book #42

Rocket Writes a Story by Tad Hills.

Book #41

How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills.

Book #40

This is such a powerful book.  It would challenge students having difficulties being kind to everyone.

Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson.

Book #39

Happy 4th of July!  In honor of Independence Day, here's a patriotic school book...

My Teacher for President by Kay Winters.

Book #38

Clever Jake Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming.

Book #37

This would be a great mentor text when having students write opposite stories.  Instead of Chicken Little...

Chicken Big by Keith Graves.

Book #36

It was a frog-riding-on-a-flying-lily-pad kind of day!

Check out this book and leave it up to your imagination to tell the story!

Tuesday by David Wiesner.