Just Right Reading for Beginners – Penny and Her Marble

Grabbing the attention of new readers is a difficult task. Using just a few simple words and illustrations to create a quality storyline is an enormous challenge.  To powerfully engage the grown-up who is listening to the story is even more difficult, but this is exactly what Keven Henkes accomplishes  in Penny and Her Marble.

As a fan of Kevin Henkes books, I was expecting  another delightful tale.  I was not expecting Penny’s soul searching, thought provoking honesty.  Does the marble really belong to Penny and if not, what should she do with it?

With a particularly engaging storyline, this a great read-aloud –  something not often true with beginning readers. Henkes imaginative descriptive writing is highlighted by his soft water color and ink illustrations that lead the reader forward toward a satisfying conclusion.  You will want to leave plenty of time for discussion.  Perhaps you can even come up with some alternative endings to the story.  So snuggle down with your little ones or early readers and enjoy!

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And The Winner Is…

Today the American Library Association announced the winners for a variety of book awards.  We’ve devoted a good deal of this blog in the past year to talking about new books and which ones we think will win awards.  Without further ado here is the list of winning books and honor books:

Randolph Caldecott Medal Winner – This is Not My Hat written and illustrated by Jon Klassen
space Honor Books: Extra Yarn written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen, Green written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger, Creepy Carrots written by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Peter Brown, and One Cool Friend written by Toni Buzzeo and illustrated by David Small

John Newbery Medal Winner -  The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
space Honor Books: Splendors and Glooms written by Laura Amy Schlitz, Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin, Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage 

Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner – Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America written by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Brian Pinkney
space Honor Books: Each Kindness written by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by E. B. Lewis, No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller written by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Winner -  I, Too, Am America written by Langston Hughes and illustrated by Bryan Collier
blank Honor Books: H. O. R. S. E. illustrated and written by Christopher Myers, Ellen’s Broom written by Kelly Starling Lyons and illustrated by Daniel Minter, and I Have a Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr. written by Martin Luther King, Jr. and illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winner – Up, Tall and High written and illustrated by Ethan Long
space Honor Books: Let’s Go for a Drive! written and illustrated by Mo Willems, Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons written by Eric Litwin and illustrated by James Dean, and Rabbit & Robot: The Sleepover written and illustrated by Cece Bell

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award – Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon written by Steve Sheinkin
space Honor Books: Electric Ben: The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin written and illustrated by Robert Byrd, Moonbird: A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor B95 written by Phillip M. Hoose, and Titanic: Voices from the Disaster written by Deborah Hopkinson

You can find more book award winners if you click here.

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Just Right Reading for Beginners – Post 10

This December, our Mock Geisel Election for Families was held here at the ACPL Main Library.  There were clear winners that tied for first place.  It may come as no surprise that families who already love Mo Willems books selected Listen to My Trumpet and The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? as their favorite books for early readers.

We are now eagerly awaiting January when the American Library Association presents the (Theodor Seuss) Geisel Award  to “the most distinguished American book for beginning readers.”  In the mean time, be sure to enjoy one of the past winners  that will delight beginning readers.

Please add your own comments below. If you have a book that you would like us to consider, please email us.

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Just Right Reading for Beginners – Post 9

Grabbing the attention of new readers is a difficult task. Using just a few simple words and illustrations to create a quality storyline is an enormous challenge. Each January, the American Library Association presents the (Theodor Seuss) Geisel Award  to “the most distinguished American book for beginning readers.”

Past winners  make a great starting place for enjoyable books that delight beginning readers.  In anticipation of next year’s Geisel winners, we are always on the look-out for new books that meet the official criteria. On Mondays, you will find these books posted here.

	The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? Mo Willems, author and illustrator Summary: Pigeon is very angry when the duckling gets a cookie just by asking politely.
	Penny and Her Doll Kevin Henkes, author and illustrator Summary: Penny instantly loves the doll her grandmother sends her, but finding the perfect name for her is a challenge.

Please add your own comments below. If you have a book that you would like us to consider, please email us.

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Just Right Reading for Beginners – Post 8

Grabbing the attention of new readers is a difficult task. Using just a few simple words and illustrations to create a quality storyline is an enormous challenge. Each January, the American Library Association presents the (Theodor Seuss) Geisel Award  to “the most distinguished American book for beginning readers.”

Past winners  make a great starting place for enjoyable books that delight beginning readers.  In anticipation of next year’s Geisel winners, we are always on the look-out for new books that meet the official criteria. On Mondays, you will find these books posted here.

	Clara and Clem Take a Ride Ethan Long, author and illustrator Summary: “When Clara and Clem build a car out of blocks, they have no idea where it will take them. But with a little imagination, the two take the trip of a lifetime down winding roads, up tall mountains, and across the sky”– Publisher.

Please add your own comments below. If you have a book that you would like us to consider, please email us.

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Just Right Reading for Beginners – Post 7

Grabbing the attention of new readers is a difficult task. Using just a few simple words and illustrations to create a quality storyline is an enormous challenge. Each January, the American Library Association presents the (Theodor Seuss) Geisel Award  to “the most distinguished American book for beginning readers.”

Past winners  make a great starting place for enjoyable books that delight beginning readers.  In anticipation of next year’s Geisel winners, we are always on the look-out for new books that meet the official criteria. On Mondays, you will find these books posted here.

	No Fooling Dori Chaconas, author; Lisa McCue, illustrator Summary: As best friends Cork, a muskrat, and Fuzz, a possum, follow animal tracks through the snowy woods, Fuzz keeps fooling and playing tricks on Cork.
	Katy Duck Meets the Babysitter Alyssa Satin Capucilli, author; Henry Cole, illustrator Summary: Katy Duck is unhappy about staying home when her parents go to a party, but her babysitter’s bag full of scarves provides a lot of fun.

Please add your own comments below. If you have a book that you would like us to consider, please email us.

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Just Right Reading for Beginners – Post 7

Grabbing the attention of new readers is a difficult task. Using just a few simple words and illustrations to create a quality storyline is an enormous challenge. Each January, the American Library Association presents the (Theodor Seuss) Geisel Award  to “the most distinguished American book for beginning readers.”

	Let’s Go for a Drive! Mo Willems, author and illustrator. Summary: Elephant Gerald and Piggie want to go for a drive, but as Gerald thinks of one thing after another that they will have to take along, they come to realize that they lack the most important thing of all.

Past winners  make a great starting place for enjoyable books that delight beginning readers.  In anticipation of next year’s Geisel winners, we are always on the look-out for new books that meet the official criteria. On Mondays, you will find these books posted here.

Please add your own comments below. If you have a book that you would like us to consider, please email us.

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Just Right Reading for Beginners – Post 6

Grabbing the attention of new readers is a difficult task. Using just a few simple words and illustrations to create a quality storyline is an enormous challenge. Each January, the American Library Association presents the (Theodor Seuss) Geisel Award  to “the most distinguished American book for beginning readers.”

	Sick Day David McPhail, author and illustrator Summary: Loving friendships and caring for loved ones are the subjects of this easy-to-read picture book. When Boy gets sick, family and friends try to help him get well. Boy gets well. But now his friends are sick and now Boy has a chance to help his friends recover.
	Amelia Bedelia, Cub Reporter Herman Parish, author; Lynn Sweat, illustrator Summary: “After an incident involving a windowpane, a paper boy, and a duck, Amelia Bedelia finds herself reporting for the local school newspaper.  No story is too small for Amelia Bedelia, and she reminds everyone exactly why she’s so sensational!” – front flap

Please add your own comments below. If you have a book that you would like us to consider, please email us.

Past winners  make a great starting place for enjoyable books that delight beginning readers.  In anticipation of next year’s Geisel winners, we are always on the look-out for new books that meet the official criteria. On Mondays, you will find these books posted here.

Read Full Post »

Just Right Reading for Beginners – Post 5

Grabbing the attention of new readers is a difficult task. Using just a few simple words and illustrations to create a quality storyline is an enormous challenge. Each January, the American Library Association presents the (Theodor Seuss) Geisel Award  to “the most distinguished American book for beginning readers.”

Past winners  make a great starting place for enjoyable books that delight beginning readers.  In anticipation of next year’s Geisel winners, we are always on the look-out for new books that meet the official criteria. On Mondays, you will find these books posted here.

Two for One Kate DiCamillo and Allison McGhee, authors; Tony Fucile, illustrator. Summary: “The state fair is in town, and now Bink and Gollie-utter opposites and best friends extraordinaire must use teamwork and their gray matter while navigating its many wonders. Will the energetic Bink win the world’s largest donut in the Whack-a-Duck game? Will the artistic Gollie wow the crowd in the talent show? As the undaunted duo steps into the mysterious tent of fortune-teller Madame Prunely, one prediction is crystal clear: this unlikely pair will always be the closest of pals”– publisher.

Pearl and Wagner: Five Days Till Summer Kate McMullan, author; Robert W. Alley, illustrator. Summary: “Pearl and Wagner are sad to leave their favorite teacher Ms. Star.  Pearl thinks next year’s teacher Ms. Bean looks mean! But is Ms. Bean as bad as she seems?” — book jacket.

Please add your own comments below. If you have a book that you would like us to consider, please email us.

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Just Right Reading for Beginners – Post 4

Grabbing the attention of new readers is a difficult task. Using just a few simple words and illustrations to create a quality storyline is an enormous challenge. Each January, the American Library Association presents the (Theodor Seuss) Geisel Award  to “the most distinguished American book for beginning readers.”

Past winners  make a great starting place for enjoyable books that delight beginning readers.  In anticipation of next year’s Geisel winners, we are always on the look-out for new books that meet the official criteria. On Mondays, you will find these books posted here.

Step Gently Out Helen Frost, author; Rick Lieder, photographer Summary: “Step gently out, be still and look closely at the world just outside your door-you are sure to be amazed by the tiny creatures you can find. You might see a cricket leap and land, a moth open her wings, a spider walking across the air, or maybe even a praying mantis looking back at you!”–Dust jacket.

Good News Bad News Jeff Mack, author and illustrator Summary: “Good news, Rabbit and Mouse are going on a picnic. Bad news, it is starting to rain. Good news, Rabbit has an umbrella. Bad news, the stormy winds blow the umbrella (and Mouse!) into a tree. So begins this clever story about two friends with very different dispositions. Using just four words, Jeff Mack has created a text with remarkable flair that is both funny and touching, and pairs perfectly with his energetic, and hilarious, illustrations…” – front flap

Please add your own comments below. If you have a book that you would like us to consider, please email us.

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