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BOOKS FOR 2009
The 2009 Gift of Literacy book collection has been selected! This year, students will have a diverse collection of ten books to read and enjoy. Students will have the opportunity to get to know Knut, a polar bear from Germany; rhyme with The Pout-Pout Fish; learn about safety from Officer Buckle and Gloria; and experience other cultures with The Magic Fan and Este Monstruo Me Suena/ This Monster Rings a Bell. Woolbur, The Great Fuzz Frenzy, Toy Boat, Fancy Nancy, and Charlie Cook’s Favorite Book are also colorful and dynamic stories students are bound to enjoy.
The Magic Fan
Yoshi, an imaginative young Japanese carpenter, builds and builds--everything he can think of, everything the townspeople need--until one day he runs out of ideas. The boy finds a magic fan floating in the sea that guides his creative impulses; it inspires him to build first a boat, then a giant kite and, finally, a bridge from one side of the village to the other. Everyone scoffs at Yoshi and his crazy ideas, until a tidal wave forces them onto the boy's bridge and they are saved from destruction. As the fan disappears in the storm Yoshi thinks he is lost, until he realizes the fan merely enabled him to have confidence in the talents he already possessed.
Charlie Cook's Favourite Book
Charlie curls up in a cozy chair to enjoy his favorite book about a pirate ship, and the pirate chief finds a treasure chest with a book about Goldilocks. After eating the bears’ porridge, Goldilocks curls up in Baby Bear’s bed with his favorite book about a knight. This hilarious pattern continues, and you are whisked away on a trip through literature, right to the surprising ending.
Mighty Jackie: The Strike-Out Queen
Officer Buckle knows more about safety than anyone in the town of Napville. But whenever he tries to share his safety tips, nobody listens. Until, that is, the Napville Police Department buys a police dog named Gloria.
Unbeknownst to Office Buckle, Gloria has her own way of demonstrating safety tips—one that makes Napville sit up and take notice! Suddenly, everybody wants to hear Officer Buckle’s safety speech. “And please.” People say, “bring along that police dog.”
When Officer Buckle discovers he’s been upstaged, he vows to give up safety tips once and for all. Can Gloria convince her friend to return to the job he loves, or is Napville about the have its worst accident ever?
Este MONSTRUO me suena...
Eugene is playing, and out of nowhere a monster appears! It seems as though this monster wants to have him for a snack, but Eugene is not scared one bit. There is something about this monster that rings a bell, but what can it be?
The Great Fuzz Frenzy
It’s big. It’s round. It’s really fuzzy. But…what is it? Whatever it is, there’s no end of trouble when this big, round, really fuzzy thing tumbles into the prairie-dog town. Who would have guessed that its arrival would cause a great fuzz frenzy? And what will happen when all the fuzz is gone?
Toy Boat
A little boy has a toy boat. He made it out of a can, a cork, a yellow pencil, and some white cloth. The boy and his boat are inseparable, until one day when the wind pushes the toy boat out into the wide lake. Alone now, the little boat must face fierce waves, a grumpy ferry, a sassy schooner, and a growling speed boat. How the little boat misses the boy! But if he is going to survive, he must figure a way to do it on his own.
Knut: How One Little Old Bear Captivated The World
On December 5, 2006, in a quiet corner of Zoo Berlin in Germany, a little polar bear cub was born. His name was Knut, and he was no bigger than a snowball. Knut’s mother was unable to care for him, so a bear keeper at the zoo, Thomas Dorflein, became Knut’s foster father—sleeping next to the little cub each night, feeding him from bottles, and helping him learn how to play and swim.
This is the true story of a bear cub who needed a family, and the extraordinary outpouring of love he received from Thomas, from the zoo, and finally from people around the world.
Woolbur
Woolbur is not like other sheep. He hangs out with wild dogs, cards his own wool to avoid the shearing barn, and even dyes his wool blue. "Don't worry!" says Grandpaa when Maa and Paa fret that Woolbur is different. But when they tell their son to follow the flock, the opposite happens—the flock follows him! Soon everyone is copying his wild hairstyles and taking turns on the spinning wheel. Leave it to Woolbur to find a new way to step ahead of the herd.
Fancy Nancy
Meet Nancy, who believes that more is ALWAYS better when it comes to being fancy. From the top of her tiara down to her sparkly studded shoes, Nancy is determined to teach her family a thing or two about being fancy.
How Nancy transforms her parents and little sister for one enchanted evening makes for a story that is funny and warm—with or without the frills.
The Pout-Pout Fish
Deep in the water,
Mr. Fish swims about
With his fish face stuck
In a permanent pout.
Can his pals cheer him up?
Will his pout ever end?
Is there something he can learn
From an unexpected friend?
Swim along with the pout-pout fish as he discovers that being glum and spreading “dreary wearies” isn’t really his destiny. Bright ocean colors and playful rhyme come together in this fun fish story that’s sure to turn even the poutiest of frowns upside down.
BOOKS FOR 2008
The Gift of Literacy strives to put books in the hands of children, in classrooms and in the community. Our mission is to foster a love for reading and encourage literacy among young students; therefore, ten diverse books were selected for the third annual Gift of Literacy. The 2008 book collection contained a bilingual Spanish/English language book, fiction and nonfiction titles, an assortment of reading levels, a Caldecott Medal winner, and a variety of artistic styles and illustrations.
Get Busy Beaver
Thelonious isn't like the other beavers. He's a little different. While Ma, Pa, and Babs Beaver hurry, hurry, hurry to make their dam bigger, bigger, bigger, Thelonious is busy with a project of his own -- a creation so beautiful that it changes everything. And soon all the beavers in Thelonious's pond join him, as they take a moment to stop and smell the flowers.
That Rabbit Belongs To Emily Brown
Emily Brown's rabbit, Stanley, is not for sale! Not even to her Most Royal Highness Queen Gloriana the Third. Not even for all the toys Emily Brown could ever desire. When Emily still refuses to give up her precious Stanley, the Queen's Special Commandos take drastic action. Undaunted, Emily marches to the palace to rescue Stanley and teach the Queen how to create a "real toy" of her very own.
Mighty Jackie: The Strike-Out Queen
For as long as she could remember, Jackie Mitchell's father had told Jackie she could be good at whatever she wanted, as long as she worked at it. Jackie worked at baseball. She worked hard. And before long Jackie could outplay anyone in her neighborhood -- even the boys.
She had one pitch -- a wicked, dropping curve ball. But no seventeen-year-old girl could pitch against Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. It was unthinkable. Then on April 2, 1931, the New York Yankees stopped in Tennessee for an exhibition game against the Chattanooga Lookouts. And on that day Jackie Mitchell made baseball history. Marissa Moss tells a true story of determination and heroism, a gem of baseball history sure to inspire ballplayers of all ages.
Where The Wild Things Are
Max is being so terrible that his mother sends him to his room without supper. But Max doesn't care -- he sails off to the land of the Wild Things, and they make him his king. There, Max can be as terrible as he pleases, and the Wild Things join in the rumpus. Finally, Max is tired of being wild, and yearns to go home. Marvelous pictures and the superb story combine to make this a quintessential picture book.
Miss Smith Reads Again
Zack can’t wait for school with Miss Smith—her incredible storybook promises a new expedition each time she reads. This time the class is off on a fantastic journey to a Lost World. Zack and his friends are having a wonderful time—until a Tyrannosaurus appears out of the jungle! The kids all flee to safety. But where is their beloved teacher? And where is the magic book that can take them home? Young readers will be thrilled to join Miss Smith’s escapade among the dinosaurs, brought to vivid life in Michael Garland’s trademark eye-popping, look-again art. This spellbinding tale is bursting with action, adventure, and the joyful magic of reading.
Whales Passing
A young boy stands on the beach with his father. As they watch the surf, a pod of Orca whales swim by. After wondering aloud whether the whales can talk like he does, the boy then imagines the whales' conversations, and whether they are talking about him under the bubbling waves, just as he talks about them on the land. "I bet those whales have signposts down below. An ocean mountain or a sunken ship. Maybe another whale that tells them, 'Follow me! We'll make a right at this white rock.' That is, if whales can talk." Backmatter provides facts about these magnificent animals.
Owen & Mzee
In this exciting follow-up to Owen & Mzee, the New York Times bestselling story about an orphaned baby hippo named Owen and the 130-year-old giant turtle, Mzee, Craig Hatkoff explores the language of love, friendship, and nurturance that these two incredible creatures share with one another. This book traces their first year together, including their adorable playful ways and the unique “language” that they have developed.
Move Over, Rover!
It’s pouring outside. But inside his doghouse, Rover is warm and dry. Squirrel and Raccoon want to be warm and dry, too. So do Blue Jay and Snake. And Cat and Mouse. Move over, Rover!
A rainy read-aloud romp! Building on a simple phrase, "Move over, Rover," this repeating story offers a twist by piling various backyard animals into Rover's doghouse during a rainstorm. The storm ends, Rover gets a chance to play, and then he retreats to his quiet doghouse, which is now empty.
Clancy the Courageous Cow
Clancy is a Belted Galloway born beltless. Teased by the others, he tries various methods of blending in, but all fail. The Belted Galloway community itself is the victim of a harsh fate; each year they miss out on the grazing rights to the rich grass because they cannot defeat the Herefords in the annual cow-wrestling competition. When Clancy realizes that, under the protection of his all-black hide, he can sneak into the Herefords' field at night, he grazes and becomes stronger. More importantly, he befriends Helga, an all-brown Hereford. She, too, has known the sting of rejection. When Clancy finally defeats a Hereford, and the Belted Galloways prepare to take over the rich grazing field, Clancy and Helga call for an end to the discrimination. "I say we pull down the fence and be cows together." And they all lived happily ever after.
Abuelita Llena de Vida
Abuelita Llena de Vida es un libro de ilustraciones bilingüe en inglés y español que se trata de José, un niño que tiene que adaptarse a la llegada de su abuela de México. José tiene que cambiar su manera de vivir, haciendo un espacio para ella, hablándole en español y a veces escuchando a su música. Pero hace el descubrimiento que no le molesta los cambios porque su abuelita asombrosamente está llena de vida.
Abuelita Full of Life is a bilingual English/Spanish picture book about Jose, a young boy who must adjust to the arrival of his grandmother from Mexico. Jose has to change his ways, by making more space for her, speaking Spanish to her, and listening to her music at times. But he discovers that he doesn't mind the changes at all, for his Abuelita is astoundingly full of life.
BOOKS FOR 2007
In 2007, the Gift of Literacy recognized the need to accommodate the growing number of Spanish-speaking students in our district. Originally, eight books were selected as part of the collection; however, at the start of the program, the committee introduced Alicia El Hada, the Spanish version of Alice the Fairy. For the second-annual Gift of Literacy, a total of nine books were offered to our first-grade students – eight English titles and one Spanish title.
Catalina
Magdalena Hoopensteiner Wallendiner
Hogan Logan Bogan Was Her Name
Meet Catalina Magdalena Hoopensteiner Wallendiner Hogan
Logan Bogan... She has two holes on the bottom of her nose-- One for her
fingers,
and one for
her toes! Though she has two arms that drag along the ground, two feet
bigger than a bathroom mat, and just two teeth in her mouth, life for Catalina
is full and fun! Best-selling author and illustrator Tedd Arnold has transformed a popular
camp song into a wild, wacky, happy book--with a wonderful message of making
the most of life and finding joy where one can! The book cover also has
googly eyes that really move!
Miss
Smith’s
Incredible Storybook
Zack's exciting new teacher has a magic storybook. When
she opens it up and reads aloud, the characters pop out and bring the tales
to life right
before the students' eyes. But Miss Smith's book isn't for everybody, and
when stuffy Principal Rittenrotten has to fill in for her one morning,
the dragon, princess, and knight that materialize from the pages send him
from
the room in a panic. The only way to make them disappear is to finish their
respective stories, but Zack's classmates keep beginning new ones instead,
until the school is overrun with Goldilocks, the Mad Hatter, and other
such characters, seen vividly cavorting across the full-page spreads. Fortunately,
Miss Smith shows up just in time and returns them to the safety of the
book's
pages, leaving the principal confused and her students forever in her debt.
Henry and the Buccaneer
Bunnies
Henry is not a typical buccaneer bunny. Instead of performing
his proper pirating duties, he would rather read the books that he took
from other
ships. His father, the captain, is not proud of his son and the rest of
the crew makes fun of him; however, when they are shipwrecked on a deserted
island Henry and his book smarts that save the day. Quickly, the other
buccaneer bunnies develop the same interest in reading!
Mammoths on the Move
Join a pack of woolly mammoths as they trek south for the
winter, braving fierce storms, deadly predators, and raging rivers while
making their slow
journey across the gorgeous unspoiled lands of this continent until finally
they reach their goal. With the same jouncy and joyous rhythms of her youngest
picture book texts, Lisa Wheeler introduces readers to one of the most
awesome beasts to ever
walk the
earth: the massive, hairy--legendary--wonderful woolly mammoth!
A House is a House
for Me
A hill is a house for an ant, an ant. A hive is a house for a bee. A hole is a house for a mole or a mouse. And a house is house for me! So begins this delightfully witty book describing
all kinds of houses, from anthills to igloos to pea pods. Rollicking,
rhyming text and colorful
illustrations
sprinkled with clever surprises (look closely!) come together in a fun-filled
game of imagination children will want to return to time and again.
Alice the Fairy
Alice has a nose for trouble, but luckily she's a fairy—a
Temporary Fairy. She has a magic wand, fairy wings, and a blanket, all of
which she
uses to disappear, to fly, to transform her dad into a horse, and to turn
his cookies into her own! There are still a few things Alice needs to learn
to become a Permanent Fairy, like how to float her dog on the ceiling and
make her clothes put themselves away, but she's working on it--sort of.
Here's an endearing, funny story about a girl and her magical imagination,
sure to delight every fairy in training!
Alicia,
El Hada
Alicia el hada usa su varita mágica para convertir
las ranas en príncipes y cosas como esas. También puede hacer
que las hojas caigan de los árboles y convertir su cereal en pastel. ¡A
veces hasta puede desaparecer! Ser hada es muy práctico, aunque
no siempre salgan los trucos de magia. ¡Lo mejor es usar la imaginación! ¿Hay
algo mejor que eso?
If Not for the Cat
Seventeen haiku composed by master poet Jack Prelutsky
and illustrated by renowned artist Ted Rand ask you to think about seventeen
favorite
residents of the animal
kingdom in a new way. On these glorious and colorful pages you will meet
a mouse, a skunk, a beaver, a hummingbird, ants, bald eagles, jellyfish,
and many others.
Who is who? The answer is right in front of you. But how can you tell? Think
and wonder and look and puzzle it out!
Owen and Mzee
The inspiring true story of two great friends, a baby hippo named Owen and a 130-yr-old giant tortoise named Mzee (Mm-ZAY). When Owen was stranded after the December 2004 tsunami, villagers in Kenya worked tirelessly to rescue him. Then, to everyone's amazement, the orphan hippo and the elderly tortoise adopted each other. Now they are inseparable, swimming, eating, and playing together. Adorable photos e-mailed from friend to friend quickly made them worldwide celebrities. Here is a joyous reminder that in times of trouble, friendship is stronger than the differences that too often pull us apart.
BOOKS FOR 2006
The inaugural Gift of Literacy collected six,
richly-illustrated stories with subjects ranging from humorous adventures
to traditional folklore
to present
to first graders. The selections reflect varied reading levels that allow students
to read independently or have the book as a family read-aloud. Children were
encouraged to choose a book after after their teacher read and discussed each
story in class.
Wild About Books
It started the summer of 2002, when the Springfield librarian, Molly McGrew,
by mistake drove her bookmobile into the zoo.
In this rollicking rhymed story, Molly introduces birds
and beasts to this new something called reading. She finds the perfect
book for every animal—tall books for giraffes, tiny ones for crickets. “She
even found waterproof books for the otter, who never went swimming without
Harry Potter.” In no time at all, Molly has them “forsaking
their niches, their nests, and their nooks,” going “wild, simply
wild, about wonderful books.” Judy Sierra’s funny animal tale
coupled with Marc Brown’s lush, fanciful paintings will have the
same effect on young Homo sapiens. Altogether, it’s more fun than
a barrel of monkeys!
WINNER 2005 - Mom's Choice Platinum Award (for Ages 7 UP)
WINNER 2005 - ALA Notable Book for Children
FINALIST 2006 - Kentucky Bluegrass Award
One-Dog Canoe
Sometimes -- the more the merrier. I set off one morning in my little red canoe.
My dog wagged his tail.
"Can I come, too?"
"You bet," I said.
"A trip for two -- just me and you."
But when "with a slap and a swim" Beaver scrambles
in, and then "with a 'woo-hooo!' - flap!" Loon lands in the young
canoeist's lap, it's clear that this will be no ordinary canoe trip. A
bouncy rhyming text and exuberant pictures full of funny, escalating antics
will have young readers laughing out loud - for just when it seems the
canoe can't hold anyone else, frog jumps in!
Minnesota Book Award Finalist (2004)
Monarch Award: Illinois' K-3 Children's Choice Award (masterlist)
Maine Chickadee Book Award Master List, 2004-2005
Pinduli
After sleeping through the hot East African afternoon, it is time for Mama
Hyena and her child to go hunting. Pinduli promises to stay close by,
but then trots
off. She comes across a pack of wild dogs, a lion, and a zebra, and all tease
her about her looks. She rolls in the dirt until her striped coat is a pallid
gray and her ears are pinned back. The animals think that she is a "ghost" that
has come for them. All of the creatures then confess that they teased the young
hyena because another animal had made fun of them. The "ghost" understands
and advises them to "find your tormentors and make peace…. And always
leave a bit of every meal as an offering." By story's end, the animals
have reconciled, and with all the food offerings left, Pinduli and her mother
never have to scrounge around looking for meals. The animals' expressions and
antics are hilarious and endearing; Cannon has pulled off quite a feat in creating
a cuddly hyena protagonist. This touching book about personal growth and self-acceptance
gently demonstrates how the actions of one can have far-reaching effects on
many others.
Three Pebbles and a Song
Snow is coming! Mama tells Moses to gather supplies--quick, quick, quick!
But as Moses makes his way through the forest, he hears a whistle-y song,
and an
inspiration to play and dance. Will he be able to share these not-so-practical
delights with his practical-minded family? With classic charm and grace, Eileen
Spinelli and artist S. D. Schindler offer a warmhearted portrayal of how children
contribute to their family's happiness, in their own special ways.
Kitten's First Full Moon
What a night! The moon is full and Kitten is hungry and inquisitive and
brave and fast and persistent and unlucky... Then lucky! What a night!
Winner of the 2005 Caldecott Medal
Can You See What I See?
Picture Puzzles
to Search and Solve
Bestselling photographer Walter Wick takes photographic puzzles to a
new level with 12 search-and-find puzzles, as well as a brain-teasing
challenge, mazes,
matching games, mirror tricks, and more.
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