The Giving Tree

Author and Illustrator: Shel Silverstein
Genre: Fantasy
Awards: Kid's Choice Award for Favorite Book
Grade Level: Kinder - 3rd grade

The Tree loved the little boy, but as the little boy grew up things started to change. The love of the Tree and little boy weakened due to the ungrateful boy always expecting something in return. The Tree gives away her apples, her branches, and her trunk just to make the boy happy. The tree has nothing but love to give her once little boy. The little boy grew up, and visited the Tree when she had nothing. The Tree and the old man accompanied each other, and were very happy.

This book would be a perfect read aloud to many young grades, Kindergarten through 3rd grade. This book would be well in an independent reading center. The readability is fairly easy to use. The Giving Tree also portrays a message about being greedy or taking advantage of someone. I perfer books that have a theme or message to convey about real life. The Giving Tree is an easy read that teachers a lesson.

The Ugly Duckling

Author and Illustrator: Adapted by Jerry Pinkney
Genre: Fantasy
Awards: Caldecott Honor
Grade Level: Kinder- 2nd grade

This version  is written by Hans Christian Anderson, but is adapted by Pinkney. The ugly duckling, born different from his brothers and sisters, was wondering and found a cottage after an encounter with mean birds and a dog. After three weeks, the ugly duckling went onto swim. Autumn came, and the ugly duckling was all alone. To keep from freezing in the snow, he swam, but one night he became stuck. Luckily a man rescued the ugly duckling, however, he was too scared so he flew away. The ugly duckling soon finds swans, and decides to follow them. The ugly duckling's realization was that he was a beautiful swan. 

I would read aloud this book in my classroom. Young students would enjoy the read aloud, however, language arts and science can be applied. A lesson plan in regards to content can be science; the students will refer back to the types of animals used in this book. A language arts activity can be over the elements of a plot, or the beginning, middle, or end mapping. The students can present their review.

How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Frineds?

Author and Illustrator: Jane Yolen, Mark Teague

Genre: Fantasy
Awards:
Grade Level: Pre-K - 1st


When dinosaurs have a play date, dinosaurs share and use their manners. This is a board book that shows examples of how a dinosaurs should behave when playing with their friends. 


I would use this book in my classroom. It relates to some struggles young students may have such as sharing, and allowing the guest to choose first out of politeness. The theme of the book is to treat friends kindly when playing with one another. This book would be beneficial in reviewing expectations of younger students when they play with one another. A teacher-guided discussion about  what is happening in the book would be beneficiary. 

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

Author and Illustrator: Retold by Catherine Lukes and Pamela Pia, Maggie Swanson
Genre: Fantasy
Awards:
Grade Level: Pre-K - 2nd grade

The original tale is by Beatrix Potter. A rabbit name Peter decides to sneak into Mr. McGregor's garden. Peter ate a bunch of vegetables and fruits, and in the midst was almost caught by Mr. McGregor. Peter is scared now and tries to find his way back home. While trying to run from Mr. McGregor, Peter loses his jacket and shoes. The book ends with Peter being safe and sound at home. 

I would use this book in my classroom as a read aloud story. This book also provides an underlying implication of following the rules set by the teacher, and the consequences if the rules are not followed. This book could be used for students' independent reading as well as small group reading. There are many ways to integrate this book; students can discuss elements of the book. 

Creepy Carrots

Author and Illustrator: Aaron Reynolds, Peter Brown
Genre: Fantasy
Awards: Notable Children's Books, Caldecott Honor, NAPPA Gold Award Winner
Grade Level: Pre-K - 1st grade


Jasper Rabbit loved crunching on carrots that grew from the Crackenhopper Field. Jasper would eat the carrots any chance he would get. However, the carrots did not enjoy being a crunchy snack for Jasper. The carrots planned a creepy carrot agenda to scare Jasper into not eating the carrots anymore. The creepy carrots' plan worked. Jasper built a huge fence to stay far away from the creepy carrots.


As an educator, this book is really cute and relevant to young readers. Children can be scared and create these make-shift realities. This book can also be used to help overcome fears that children create.I would use this book during a Halloween or Fall lesson plan. After read-aloud, students can have the option to read the book independently.