The Treasury of Read-Alouds

PICTURE BOOKS page 2 of 3

These books represent a brief portion of the hundreds
cited in the print edition of The-Read-Aloud Handbook.

Goin’ Someplace Special

by Patricia McKissack      Gr. 2-5      34 pages      Atheneum, 2001

In the segregated 1950s, a young African-American girl takes her first bus trip into downtown Nashville, to go to her “special place.” Enroute with her new sense of maturity (traveling alone for the first time) she must endure a series of racial indignities that nearly wear her down. Her spirit is resurrected, however, by the etched lettering above the door of that special place—“Public Library: All Are Welcome.” Jerry Pinkney’s authentic watercolor illustrations create the perfect tapestry for this story of human struggle. The author continues this tale in a series of short novels set in 1960 when a 10-year-old witnesses the Nashville lunch counter sit-ins, five years before the Civil Rights Act was passed, starting with Abby Takes a Stand : Scraps of Time. Related books: Leon’s Story by Leon Walter Tillage ; More Than Anything Else by Marie Bradby; Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-ins by Carole Boston Weatherford; and The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles. For older readers, see Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.

Goodnight Moon

by Margaret Wise Brown; Clement Hurd, illus.      Inf–Tod.      30 pages      Harper, 1947

This classic is based on a bedtime ritual, sure to be copied by every child who hears it. Also by the author: The Important Book; The Runaway Bunny; and Sailor Dog. Related bedtime books for infants and toddlers: Can’t You Sleep, Little Bear? by Martin Waddell; Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathman; How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? by Jane Yolen; Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest; Max’s Bedtime by Rosemary Wells; The Napping House by Audrey Wood; Shhhhh! Everybody's Sleeping by Julie Markes; and Sleep Tight, Little Bear by Martin Waddell.

Grandma's Bears

by Gina Wilson; Paul Howard, Illus.      PreS-1      34 pages      Candlewick, 2004

Imagine a sleep-over at Grandma's in which she has five bears living with her, bears that are warm and cuddly, bears that play hop-scotch on the kitchen floor, eat too many donuts, get soap in their eyes, and hug you like a warm towel when you get out of the tub. And they're real! This is one great "grandmother-bedtime book" with the marks of a classic. Related books: Are You Going To Be Good? by Cari Best; Grandma Summer by Harley Jessup; Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber; and Sleep Tight, Little Bear by Martin Waddell.

The Great Fuzz Frenzy

by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel      PreS.-1      56 pages      Harcourt, 2005

This whimsical tale was born the day the authors’ watched a tennis ball roll into prairie-dog town. What would the dogs think it was? So they put themselves into the mind of those underground dogs confronted by a round lump of fuzz and just imagined. The result is a delightful romp that has many applications to human behavior—copycatting, greed, even early-warning signals. The large fold-out pages (which are not text-heavy) and brightly colored illustrations will make this a read-aloud standard for years. Try top have a tennis ball nearby when reading this book.

Henry and the Kite Dragon

by Bruce Edward Hall; William Low, Illus.      K-2      36 pages      Philomel, 2004

Set in new York’s Chinatown in the 1920s, an elderly Chinese grandfather’s hobby, kite-making, puts him at the center of two warring groups of neighborhood boys—one Italian and one Chinese. The Italians’ hobby was homing pigeons, which were endangered by the large Chinese kites. Because neither side talked to the other, their conflict would grow into a stone-throwing confrontation until a giant dragon kite forces them to resolve the dispute.

Here Come the Aliens!

by Colin McNaughton      PreS.–2      26 pages      Candlewick, 1995

A spaceload of horrific-looking aliens is en route to earth, and they’re loaded down with McNaughton’s usual helping of “gross” appetites, noises, and faces. Earthlings are forewarned to beware. And then the hideous creatures catch a glimpse of what awaits them on earth and they retreat into space. What frightened them? The class picture from a preschool group of four-year-olds!

Humphrey, Albert, and the Flying Machine

by Kathryn Lasky; John Manders, Illus.      K-3      32 pages      Harcourt, 2004

In one of the very best parodies of the traditional fairy tale, Lasky gives us an irrepressible pair of brothers who accidentally are caught in the curse of the “100-year sleep” cast upon the princess and her castle. They’re the first to awaken (and they do their hilarious best to awaken everyone else—no luck!), and then recall the part in the story about a “handsome prince” waking the sleeping princess with a kiss. They want no part of that but slash their way through the vines and into town to set up a casting call in which the winner is a world-class, real-life inventor. For a list of fairy tale parodies, see Fairy Tales.

Ira Sleeps Over

by Bernard Waber      K–6      48 pages       Houghton, 1972

This is a warm, sensitive, and humorous look at a boy’s overnight visit to his best friend’s house, centering on the child’s quandary whether or not to bring his teddy bear. It makes for lively discussion about individual sleeping habits, peer pressure, and the things we all hold on to—even as grown-ups. In the sequel, Ira Says Goodbye, the two best friends experience a childhood pain when Reggie moves away. Waber is also the author of the popular Lyle the Crocodile series that begins with The House on East 88th Street and Evie & Margie, about two female best friends. Related books: Corduroy by Don Freeman; I Lost My Bear by Jules Feiffer; Mirabelle by Astrid Lindgren; and Where’s My Teddy? by by Jez Alborough.

Johnny on the Spot

by Edward Sorel      Gr. 1 and up      28 pages      Simon & Schuster, 1998

Young Johnny and his adult neighbor accidentally invent a radio that broadcasts events one day in advance. The conflict arises when Johnny is sworn to secrecy and forbidden to interfere with the future—even if he knows a calamity is about to occur. Created by one of America’s premiere political artists, the tale is both adventure and morality tale. Related titles: A Day’s Work by Eve Bunting; and The Real Thief by William Steig.

Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse

by Kevin Henkes      PreS.–1      30 pages      Greenwillow, 1996

Few writers for children have as firm a grip on the pulse of childhood as does Kevin Henkes. His mice-children experience all the joys and insecurities of being a kid, but he manages to maintain a light touch throughout his stories. In this case, Lilly loves school and her teacher—until the day her antics distract the class and the teacher must temporarily confiscate her precious new plastic purse. Shattered, she’s uncertain how to handle this small rebuke and seeks ways to show her hurt. With the help of her family, Lilly overcomes her embarrassment and hasty behavior, writes an apology, and soars on the good feelings that come from doing the right thing. Lilly also stars in: Lilly’s Big Day; Chester’s Way; and Julius, the Baby of the World. Related book: Rotten Teeth by Laura Simms.

Max

by Bob Graham      PreS.–K      26 pages      Candlewick, 2000

Little Max is the son of two superheroes, Captain Lightning and Madam Thunderbolt, but he’s a late bloomer at flying, not quite ready for prime-time heroics, can’t even hover. As an ordinary kid in superhero clothes, he worries his folks and amuses his classmates. Finally, when the occasion warrants—a baby bird falling from its nest—Max flies. Here is a heroic triumph for young listeners. Related book: Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus.

Mighty Jackie (nonfiction)

by Marissa Moss; C. F. Payne, Illus.      Gr. 1-4      36 pages      Simon & Schuster, 2004

In March, 1931, Jackie Mitchell's dream was finally going to come true: Jackie would get a chance to show the world's greatest hitters that a 17-year-old could throw a mighty mean curveball. All those barnyard practice throws would finally come to something and not just against any team — against the mighty New York Yankees, led by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, coming through Tennessee on a spring barnstorming tour. So when Jackie Mitchell struck out Babe and Lou in succession while pitching for the Chattanooga Lookouts, there was considerable excitement— and not just because Jackie was 17 years old. The bigger story was that Jackie Mitchell was a girl! In this wonderful retelling, Moss and C. F. Payne bring to life a little-known but true story in American sport. How it remained buried all these years is a wonder. Related books: Girl Wonder by Deborah Hopkinson; Mama Played Baseball by David A. Adler and Players in Pigtails by Shana Coreyon. For a list of outstanding sports picture books, see sports.

Mirette on the High Wire

by Emily Arnold McCully      K–2      30 pages      Putnam, 1992

One hundred years ago in a small boarding house in Paris, there appeared a stranger seeking solitude. He is the Great Bellini, the daredevil tightrope walker who has lost his confidence. In the weeks that follow, the innkeeper’s daughter becomes enchanted with rope walking and is able to restore the man’s lost confidence while becoming a star herself. Winner of the Caldecott Medal, the book is followed by Starring Mirette and Bellini and Mirette & Bellini Cross Niagara Falls. Also by the author: The Bobbin Girl. Related book: Brave Irene by William Steig; and The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gertein.

My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers (nonfiction)

by Christine King Farris; Chris Soenpiet , illus.      Gr. 1 - 5      30 pgs      Simon & Schuster, 2003

One unfortunate aspect of heroes and icons is that we put them on such high pedestals, they’re out of children’s reach and thus children will find little of themselves in our heroes. Not a good thing. So along comes Christine King Farris, older sister of Martin Luther King. Jr., who regrets the loss of both her brother and those things that made him human. Thankfully, she has put her memories down in this fine little narrative, the events of one family's childhood years that molded, inspired, entertained, and sometimes frightened its three children—the human things we seldom find in the history books but that make heroes real to children. For more books about the Civil Rights movement, see Goin' Someplace Special.

Other recommended biographies: The Boy Who Drew Birds: The Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies; Eleanor (Eleanor Roosevelt) by Barbara Cooney; Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull; Joe Louis: America’s Fighter by David A. Adler; Major Taylor: Champion Cyclist by Lesa Cline-Ransome; Roberto Clemente by Jonah Winter; and You’re on Your Way, Teddy Roosevelt by Judith St. George.

Related audio for older readers: One of the little-known tales relating to the Civil Right movement is the tale of a 24-year-od Presbyterian seminary student (Gurdon Brewster) who apprenticed during the summer of 1961 at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta and lived with "Daddy" King, Martin's father. The young man became an integral part of the King family that summer and in sharing his tale with Dick Gordon on American Public Radio's "The Story," he paints a vivid portrait of both the King family, the role of religion in the movement, and the dangerous times they lived in; (Jan. 21, 2008, 52 mins.) at
       http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_432_Summer_With_The_King_Family.mp3/view

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