If You Take A Mouse To The Movies

Author/Illustrator: Laura Numeroff/Felicia Bond

Genre: Fantasy

Awards: None

Grade Level: Pk-1st

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you took a mouse to the movies? In this book when a young boy takes his mouse he quickly found out his day was filled with more than just a movie. It all started with asking for popcorn.

This is a good book for early elementary students Pk-1st grade. I would use this book in my classroom to have students practice sequencing the events that took place in the story. I would give them sequencing cards and have them put them in the correct order.

Leo: A Ghost Story

Author/Illustrator: Mac Barnett/Christian Robinson

Genre: Fantasy

Awards: None

Grade Level: K-2nd

This book is about a ghost that unfortunately was disliked by the new family that moved into his house. They hired many different people to rid him of his home. Leo set out to find a new home. He tried asking for directions, but no one could see him until he stumbled upon a young girl. This girl invited him to play with her and her friends. Leo couldn't see her friend and soon realized they were imaginary just like she thought he was. Could Leo tell the girl that he was a ghost and keep the friendship? One night a robber tried to break in and Leo came to the rescue. At this point, he had to say the obvious. A friendship was formed between a young girl and a ghost.

This book is a great read for young elementary students in K-2nd. This book can be stretched a bit to teach students a lesson on differences. I would use this book to teach students that we all are different whether we are 6ft tall, have brown hair, or even are a ghost; we all are the same.

How to Defeat Dragons

Author/Illustrator: Catherine Leblanc/Roland Garrigue
Genre: Fantasy
Awards: None
Grade Level: 1st-4th

If you have ever wondered what to do when you come across a dragon, this is a great book. This book takes you through different scenarios you might encounter and what techniques you should use to defeat the dragons. If you are lucky you might even be able to train one and use it as a bodyguard. This book will explain the ins and outs of defeating dragons.

This book is great for students in 1st grade through 4th. I would not use this book for instructional purposes, but it is great for spare time and independent reading.

The Ugly Duckling

Author/Illustrator: Hans Christian Andersen/Jerry Pinkney

Genre: Fantasy and Sci-Fi

Awards: 2000 Caldecott Medal

Grade Level: PK-2

A mother duck had just had 5 eggs hatch and was waiting patiently for the last oddly shaped egg to hatch. When it finally did, she noticed he looked different from the rest. Because of his appearance, he was made fun of by his siblings and by the families that would pass by. He traveled in great depression thinking he was an ugly duck. One day, he decided to swim with a beautiful flock of swans out in the water. When he bowed his head down, he noticed in his reflection that he was a beautiful swan just like the rest of them and finally felt at peace with himself.

I would use this book in my classroom to teach my students to never give up on their hopes and dreams. I would probably use this for either first or second grade since they starting to understand other peoples' feelings and will be able to feel empathy towards the ugly duckling. This book would be great to use to teach students the importance of individuality as well as teaching them to find their place in society.

You Are (Not) Small

Author/Illustrator: Anna Kang/Christopher Weyant
Genre: Fantasy and Sci-Fi
Awards: None
Grade: Pre-K- 2nd

This book is about two bears arguing over who is big and who is small. They take turns going back and forth until a huge "Boom!" happens. A big pair of legs were dividing them, and tiny bears with parachutes fell from the sky. The bears realized that there were bigger bears and smaller bears. The quickly agreed that they were not classified as big or small and decided to go get some lunch.

I would use this book in my classroom to show my students that everyone is different. This book would be best for Pre-k-1st grade. You could even stretch it out to second grade. I would teach my students that though we have differences such as height, hair color, skin color, and eye color we are all human. At the end of the day, we are all the same and should be friends.