“The food kept coming, and it kept getting bigger and bigger. Soon there were pancakes the size of cars and spaghetti as long as the street.”

I could use this book in my classroom and do a lesson on creative writing and imagination. This is because the book inspires creativeness with the weather and food. I could do an activity where students write and illustrate their own “weather“ stories and describe what kinds of objects or food they want to fall from the sky in their own invented world.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, is a children‘s picture book published in 1978. Set in the fictional town of Chewandswallow, the story imagines a world where food falls from the sky-like weather, leading to hilarious and chaotic situations.

“The son grew old and grew old and grew old. And one day he called up his mother and said. 'Mom, you're getting older.“

This book can help me teach a lesson on life cycles and growth because the book portrays different stages of life, from childhood to old age. I could even do an activity with my students by having them create their own timeline and illustrate the different stages of their life.

This book was published in 1986 and is a heartwarming children‘s book that falls within the genre of picture books and family life stories. The story follows the evolving relationship between a mother and her son, with the mother repeatedly expressing her unconditional love as she cares for him through all stages of life.

“Big Anthony, you have to be very careful with my magic pot. It's very powerful and can make a lot of pasta. Remember, always follow the instructions exactly.“

This book could be linked to my teaching by introducing students to folktales and the elements that make them unique, such as magical elements, moral lessons, and traditional characters.

Strega Nona was published in 1975 and is a classic in the genre of folktales. This book also won the Caldecott Honor in 1976. The story follows Strega Nona, an elderly witch who uses her magical pasta pot to feed her village. When her bumbling assistant, Big Anthony, tries to use the pot without permission, he ends up causing a pasta disaster.

“Everybody knows the story of The Three Little Pigs. Or, at least, they think they do. The real story is about the three little pigs and the big, bad wolf.“

I could use this book to teach about point of view and perspective. I also could use this book to teach critical thinking and cross-curricular connections by comparing and contrasting the original story to this one.

This book was published in 1989 and it is a humorous and inventive twist on the classic fairy tale. This story is told from the perspective of the Big Bad Wolf and the book presents his version of the story, claiming he was framed for the misfortunes of the three little pigs. This book has very creative story telling and encourages critical thinking about storytelling and bias.

“Mama Llama's back again.“

I could use this book in my classroom to talk about social-emotional learning and use this book to start discussions about feelings and emotional regulation. I could also link it to my classroom routines, such as how to handle separation anxiety during new situations or transitions. I could also create a feelings chart.

This book is a picture book that was published in 2005 and it is a part of children's literature. This story follows Llama Llama as he experiences separation anxiety when his mama leaves the room at bedtime. This text is very rhythmic and it captures the emotions of a child's fear and longing with warmth and humor.

“Mr.Peabody knew that he would need to teach his students a lesson about words.“

This book can teach character education and I could use the stories to discuss the impact of gossip, rumors, and the importance of integrity. After reading this book, I could also lead a discussion and talk about the scenarios where students practice honesty and and respect.

This book is a picture book and was published in 2003. It tells the story of a beloved teacher and a baseball coach, Mr.Peabody, who becomes the subject of a harmful rumor in his small town. Throughout the book the children learn about the consequences of gossip and the importance of honesty and integrity.

“Goodnight stars, goodnight air, goodnight noises everywhere.“

This book could be used for good teaching for language development because of the repetitive phrases and vocabulary used in the book. I could also use creative writing by encouraging students to write their own “goodnight“ story.

This book was published in 1947 and it's a classic in the genre of children's literature. It also won the Caldecott Honor. The story follows a little bunny saying goodnight to various objects in his room before drifting off to sleep. This is a perfect bedtime story for young children!

“Out jumped a little red chicken, and she said, 'DON'T GO IN! SHE'S A WITCH!' SO Hansel and Gretel didn't. THE END!“

I could use this book in my classroom to demonstrate the importance of listening and patience, which can spark discussions about classroom behavior and self-regulation. It also makes an enjoyable read because of the humor and visual appeal of the illustrations.

This book is a picture book that was published in 2010 and it belongs in the humorous fiction genre. It was also a Caldecott Honor book. This story follows a little red chicken who constantly interrupts her Papa's bedtime stories, eager to save the characters from danger before the story ends.

“Every Sunday, Niña would visit her abuela, and they would share sweet churros and stories of the past.“

This book could be used in my classroom for teaching themes of family, love, and resilience. It also provides a sense of cultural awareness and it offers an opportunity to explore traditions, family dynamics, and the importance of intergenerational relationships.

This book is a picture book in the genre of historical fiction for children. It was published in 2018. This book shares a touching story set in Mexico and explores the bond between a young girl and her grandmother as they share life's simple joys, only to be impacted by the challenges of time and loss.

“Though Amos felt tired, he managed a smile.“ and “Hooray! My good friends are here!“

A way I could link this book to my teaching in the classroom is discussing themes like kindness, friendship, and taking care of others which are important values in building a supportive classroom environment.

This book is a picture book that was published in 2010 and won the Caldecott Award. This book tells the story of a kind zookeeper named Amos who always takes care of his animal friends. And one day, when Amos gets sick, the animals return the favor by visiting him and helping him feel better. This genre of book is also known as children's fiction.

“The children and the dog were very happy together.“

This book could allow for discussions in the classroom about empathy and compassion. This is because the story highlights the importance of understanding and caring for others, both humans and animals. This could a good opportunity to discuss about the stray dogs point of view and the emotions he might be feeling as well as the kindness of the family who adopts him.

This book is a picture book that was published in 1958 and it won the Caldecott medal as well. This story is about a stray dog who finds a new home with a loving family. The book captures themes of friendship and belonging. This book also falls under the genre of classic children's literature.

“The barn held a hundred years of stories, all woven into it's walls and beams.“

This book could be used in the classroom to discuss the concepts of historical changes over time. Going off of that, I could even do a research project with students about what historical events have shaped their own families or communities.

This book is a picture book that was published in 2022 and it earned the Caldecott Medal. It tells the story of a family barn that holds a century of memories and it reflects on the changes in both the barn and the lives of the people connected to it. This book centers on the theme of heritage and family bonds.

“Yes, David, I love you.“ I love this quote because it's a reminder of unconditional love and acceptance even when rules are broken.

This book could be used to teach a lesson about boundaries, consequences, and unconditional love. Along with this book, could be discussions about examples of good choices and learning from mistakes.

This book is a children's picture book that was published in 1998. In the story, David constantly gets into trouble and his mother repeatedly tells him “No“ in different situations. The book won a Caldecott award for its expressive illustrations and for telling the story about a relatable childhood.

“When you go owling you don't need words or warm or anything but hope.“

I could use this book in my classroom to discuss patience and observation. I could teach about being present in the moment, which can lead to discussions on mindfulness and the importance of quiet observation. It could also be used for a figurative language lesson since the book uses a lot of descriptive imagery and language.

This book is a children's picture book that was published in 1987 and earned the Caldecott medal. It is about a young girl and her father and they embark on a quiet nighttime adventure in search of owls under the moon. In the book, it emphasizes on patience, wonder, and the beauty of shared experiences in the natural world.

“Sometimes we all have to do things we don't want to do... even if they seem strange and scary at first.“

This book provides a comforting way to discuss feelings of anxiety, fear, or separation. This could help students share and express their emotions about school or being away from home, teaching them to cope in healthy ways. It also could be used as a tool to build empathy and connection among students.

This book is a heartwarming children's picture book that was published in 1993 and earned the Caldecott Medal. This story talks about a young raccoon, Chester, who is nervous about starting school. His mother's special way of reassuring him is by giving him a kiss in the palm of his hand. This book is celebrated for its message about separation and love.

“Jean-Michel's art comes from his heart, from his mother, who taught him that art is not only in museums but everywhere.“

This is a great book to introduce discussions about artists from diverse backgrounds and help students appreciate cultural representation in the arts. Since it is a biography, it could also be used to help teach students about non-fiction storytelling and real-life figures.

This book was published in 2016 and it is a picture book biography. It has also won the Caldecott medal. This book captures the journey of Basquiat, an artist who is known for his raw and expressive art. In this book, the author talks about Basquiat's early life and talks about his determination to turn his creative dreams into reality despite what life throws at him.

“The carrots were everywhere. They were in the dark, in the light, in the shadows, and in the moonlight.“ This highlights the suspenseful tone of the book!

I could use this in my classroom to teach narrative structure and character development while discussing how the story builds tension. It's also a good book to use to explore themes such as fear and imagination.