Answered Questions
Our Favorite Books for
MAY
- Read-aloud Chapter Book for Your Family
- Terrific May-themed Books
- Delightful Picture Books for Young and Old
- Sure-to-please Books for Kindergarten-6th Grade
Read-aloud Chapter Book For
Your Family
THE BOXCAR CHILDREN by Gertrude Warner is a classic that still captures the heart and imagination of young and old alike. I read it every year to children, and I enjoy it as much as first-time listeners do! It's a story about four orphan children who are on their own, who care for each other, learn responsibility, are loving, creative, and who take a lowly boxcar and turn it into a wonderful world. They even build their own swimming pool in the beautiful creek. The story is quick moving, inspiring, and heart-warming in the love these very creative children have for one another, as well as the values of hardwork and being satisfied, even delighted, with the simple things of life. As such, it's a subtle and powerful way to model for your own children some important values that I've seen translate into the classroom, and maybe you'll see transfer into your home as well! Delightful Picture Books for Young
and Old
BIG BAD WOLF Clair Masurel Melissa Iwai
The wolf is always blamed when scary things happen to people. He doesn't frighten his own cubs--- they know him as a good father. This peephole book teaches us not to be frightened by what we don't know.
DON'T EAT THE TEACHER Nick Ward
Sammy, a shark is about to experience his first day at school. He gets to excited and eats the books, the paintings, the classroom and the teacher. Children join in the refrain "Crunch" and identify with Sammy's attempts to be good.
FROGGY PLAYS IN THE BAND Jonathan London Frank Remkiewicz
Froggy and his friends form a marching band and practice, practice, practice playing and marching in hopes of winning a prize. A disastrous performance earns Froggy and unexpected surprise. Instrument "noise" words delight the reader.
LITTLE BROWN BEAR WON'T TAKE A NAP! Jane Dyer
Little Bear decides to follow the geese south for the winter, rather than hibernating. Is he ever suprised to discover that they travel by train instead flying. By the time Little Bear makes it home, winter is almost over.
Sure-to-please books for
1st-2nd grade
For very beginning readers:
Three to Get Ready Betty Boegehold
Mother Cat rescues and comforts her children as they explore the wold at night outside their yard.
Piggle Crosby Bonsall
Bear teaches Homer how to play "Piggle" when he feeling sad. Charming, witty nonsense with lovely illustrations.
The Case of the Scaredy Cats Crosby Bonsall
Little scaredy-cat Annie is lost the boys and girls stop their clubhouse feud to find her. Warm, beautiful ink drawings
For beginning readers:
SUPER FLY GUY Ted Arnold
From the glitzy cover to the endearingly exaggerated chatacters, Fly Guy is a hit with young readers!
LITTLE RUNNER OF THE LONGHOUSE Betty Baker
Little Runner tires to trade his baby brother for some adventure in imitation of his elders!
ONE SATURDAY AFTERNOON Barbara Baker
On a Saturday afternoon, mama and Papa Bear and their four cubs bake bread, play together, and have some humourous family squabbles.
For more advanced readers:
Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing the Birds
Jim Arnosky
Bearded Crinkleroot introduces the basics of bird-watching, bird songs, coloring, and habitat, as well as ways to attract and feed familiar species in your own backyard.
Tuntuni the Tailor Bird Betsy Bang
Little mosquitoe heros humorously set off a chain of events to get the barber to remove a thorn from their, Tuntuni's, friend's foot.
Worthington Botts and the Steam Machine
Betty Baker
Worthington Botts reads all the time, until he build a labor-saving robot. His continuing temptations to read are especially delightful.
The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby Dave Pilkey
The author of Captain Underpants brings intermediate readers lots of laughs in this comic book style adventure as a new hero is created.
The Hamster of the Baskervilles: A Chet Geeko Mystery Bruce Hale
Fourth grader Chet Geco and his partner Natalie Attired are back again. This time they are working for Mr Ratnose and are on the trail of a "werehamster." This dective story just drips with puns, sarcasm, and red herrings.
Ice Cream Jules Older
An explanation of howice cream was first made around the world, compared with how it is made today. Alot of fun!
Plantzilla Jerdine Nolen
Told in a series of letters by Mortimer. Mortimer's mom, and Mr Lester thescience teacher, we learn about Plantzilla. Plantzilla comes to vist Mortimer for the summer and with love and care from the family starts to take on human qualities.
Sure-to-please books for
3rd - 4th grade
Dog Diaries: Secret Writings of the WOOF Society Betsy Byars
These short stories show life through a dog's eyes. Some have historical settings like ancient Egypt, and some explain quirky dog behavior. All are told simply and humorously, as a dog might, so they are easily understood by younger readers.
Lawn Boy Gary Paulsen
The first-person account of a 12-year-old who used his grandfather's riding lawn mower to make money is also a story of investment, undocumented workers, boxing, and a protection racket. Students love the action and humor as well as the big summer money!
Fossil Fish Found Alive: Discovering the Coelacanth
Sally M. Walker
In 1938 a fish once thought to be extinct was caught off the coast of South Africa. Students interested in prehistoric creatures will want to read about the discovery and research into this fascinating creature.
Among the Betrayed Margaret Peterson Haddix
Nina, a forbidden third child, is captured by the population police. She is told to expose who has kept her and others hidden but refuses and escapes. This third book in this futuristicd series stands well on its own merits.
Sure-to-please Books for
5th-6th Grade
Special Books for the Month of
MAY
Question and Answer Library
