"Corduroy" is a sweet, enjoyable, toy-comes-alive picture book written and illustrated by Don Freeman. It is a fictional (F) story that could be read aloud (RA) to younger students in a classroom environment. "Corduroy" is a story about a teddy bear in a department store that is almost adopted by a young girl named Lisa; however, Lisa's mom refuses to pay for the teddy bear because he is missing a button on his clothing. Determined to find the

"Sideways Stories from Wayside School" is a fun, fictional (F) novel written by Louis Sachar and illustrated by Adam McCauley. This story could be read aloud (RA) to the class by the teacher. Sachar's book is exciting and different! When I was in the second grade, my teacher introduced the class to this book; she read a few chapters aloud to the class every day. "Sideways Stories from Wayside School" left an impact on me because it was the first

Eric Carle's "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" is a popular and classic traditional literature (TL) picture book that captivates its readers. Teachers could read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" during a storytelling session in their classroom. Carle's famous picture book is sold every 30 seconds and is on the New York Times Bestsellers list. For those who may not know or do not remember, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" is about a cute caterpillar with an

"Goodnight Moon", written by Margaret Wise Brown/illustrated by Clement Hurd, is a classic traditional literature (TL) picture book that has touched the hearts of many children! It could be used in a variety of ways in a classroom setting, including a storytelling (S) session. My mother used to read this story to my sister and I when we were younger, so "Goodnight Moon" holds a special place in my heart! "Goodnight Moon" is about a bunny who is

R. J. Palacio's "Wonder" is an inspirational, realistic fiction (RF) story that can be used as an option for literature circles (LC) in the classroom! "Wonder" is a New York Times Best Sellers book. If you are a reader who is looking for a feel-good story with occasional tear-shedding moments, then this book is for you! "Wonder" is another novel that was eventually turned into a major motion picture. "Wonder" is about a 10-year-old boy named

"Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?", written by Bill Martin Jr./illustrated by Eric Carle, is a well-loved fictional (F) children's book with illustrations guaranteed to captivate any child. "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" is a wonderful option for choral reading (CR) in an elementary classroom! "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" features a brown bear, a red bird, a yellow duck, a blue horse, a green frog, a purple cat,

"Goldilocks and the Three Bears", written and illustrated by Jan Brett, is a classic traditional literature (TL) tale that will never go out of style. This story could be used in a multitude of ways in a classroom environment, including a dramatic reenactment (DR). This stunningly illustrated book shares the story of a young girl named Goldilocks who stumbles into a home belonging to three bears. Of course, there have been hundreds of retellings

"Ninja Red Riding Hood," written by Corey Rosen Schwartz/illustrated by Dan Santat, is a variant of the traditional children's literature (TL) story "Little Red Riding Hood," but with an exciting twist - ninjas! Schwartz's book could be executed in the classroom during readers theater (RT), as students participate with acting out different parts of the story. Everyone has heard in the story "Little Red Riding Hood", but what about "Ninja Red

"Who Was Dr. Seuss?" written by Janet B. Pascal/illustrated by Nancy Harrison is a cute, easy, readable biography (B) about Dr. Seuss, AKA Theodor Seuss Geisel! Generally, Pascal's books could be used during independent reading (IR). "Who Was Dr. Seuss?" is a wonderful way to inform students about who he was as a person and what inspired him to become an author. "Who Was Dr. Seuss?" is a chapter book for young students full of illustrations

Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are" is one of the most popular fantasy (F) children's books that has won the Caldecott Award for being a wonderfully captivating picture book. "Where the Wild Things Are" can be used in the classroom during paired reading (PR) activities! When I was in elementary school, my peers and I used to read "Where the Wild Things Are" to each other because we all adored this story and could not keep our hands off of

"Hidden Figures", written by Margot Lee Shetterly/illustrated by Laura Freeman is an inspiring nonfiction (NF) story that could be incorporated into a read aloud (RA) activity in the classroom! This picture book is vibrant with its illustrations, which will guarantee each student's undivided attention. The story "Hidden Figures", which has been turned into a major motion picture, is a true story about four black women who assisted NASA with

Lois Lowry's "Number the Stars" is a historical fiction (HF) novel suitable for readers that may be teenagers or young adults, due to its mature content about the Holocaust. "Number the Stars" could be used for a literature circle (LC), or during independent reading (IR) sessions. "Number the Stars" takes place during WWII as the Holocaust began occurring. As German troops begin to relocate all of the Jewish citizens of Denmark, a young girl

Lois Lowry's "The Giver" is a science fiction (SF) novel suitable for readers that may be teenagers or young adults. This story could be read in a literature circle (LC), or independently (IR). "The Giver" is about a young boy named Jonas, who describes his world as "perfect"; however, once Jonas turns 12, he receives special training from The Giver. The Giver holds memories of the pain and pleasure life has to offer. The Giver is brutally honest

Kate DiCamillo's realistic fiction (RF) novel "Because of Winn-Dixie" is a relatable story that has the ability to tug at everyone's heartstrings! I have used this story while completing an author's study (AS), which I will link below.
"Because of Winn-Dixie" is a story about a young girl named Opal who moves to Florida with her father, the preacher. Opal eventually attaches herself to a dog she found at a Winn-Dixie grocery store, ultimately

"This Is Not My Hat" by Jon Klassen is a wonderful, fictional (F) story that won the Caldecott Award and is powerfully adored by many! Also, teachers can use "This Is Not My Hat" as a storytelling (S) option in their classroom for younger students.
In "This Is Not My Hat," a little fish steals a big fish's hat while the big fish is asleep. The little fish thinks that he will get away with it but the big fish wakes up and starts following him.

"The Rabbit Listened" by Cori Doerfeld is a sweet, simple, fictional (F) story that has won the Charlotte Huck Award. "The Rabbit Listened" is a great applicant for shared reading (SR) because of its intriguing plot that keeps readers interested.
When something bad happens to Taylor, he is unsure of what he should do! Suddenly, all of the animals begin to pry into Taylor's business, but he does not want to open up and share his feelings.

"Hildilid's Night" (by Cheli Duran Ryan and illustrated by Arnold Lobel) has won the Caldecott Award for being a light-hearted MF folktale for students to read independently (IR).
In this black and white picture book, readers learn that Hildilid hates the nighttime more than anything in the world; she goes to extreme lengths to get rid of the night. No matter how many attempts Hildilid makes to banish the nighttime, the nighttime continues to

"Nana in the City" by Lauren Castillo is a magical RA picture book as it incorporates multiple factors of RF in its text. "Nana in the City" has collected the Caldecott Award, along with the Huffington Post's "Best Picture Book about Family".
"Nana in the City" is about a young boy who enjoys visiting his Nana, but dislikes the city because it is filled with chaos and mayhem. Nana gives the young boy a red cape, which motivates the young boy to be

"Last Stop on Market Street" (by Matt de la Pena and illustrated by Christian Robinson) is a wonderful RF children's picture book and an inspirational, motivational RA. Not only has this story won the Newbery Award, but it has also been awarded the Caldecott Award!
"Last Stop on Market Street" is about a young boy named CJ who rides the bus around town with his grandma every Sunday after church.

"La Princesa and the Pea" (written by Susan Middleton Elya and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal) is a unique spin-off of "The Princess and the Pea" with its own South American twist! This engaging RA and P/MF picture book has won over the hearts of many readers, and has even acquired the Pura Belpre Award!
This sweet, humorous, rhyming tale shares the story of a cheery girl crossing paths with an eager prince and his overprotective mother.