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Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym
Class Invented Basketball by John Coy
Summary: Tells the story of why and how James Naismith invented the game of basketball in 1891.
My Thoughts: I had heard a little of the story of how basketball was invented but this fun picture book really explained it well! The pictures are neatly styled to show the boys of the time some even with moustaches! Boys and girls can both appreciate the subject of inventing a game. It may even spur some to give it a try themselves!
*Summary taken from CIP data.
Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Summary: An exclamation mark, who does not look like the periods around him, learns to embrace what makes him stand out.
My Thoughts: A fun look at the world from the point of view of the exclamation mark! This would be a great introduction to this punctuation mark for younger students or a funny review for older students. It makes you wonder how the exclamation mark really feels about things! Funny!
*Summary taken from CIP data.
Boot & Shoe by Marla Frazee
Summary: Boot and Shoe are dogs who live in the same house, eat from the same bowl, and sleep in the same bed, but happily spend their days on separate porches, until a squirrel causes some serious confusion.
My Thougts: This is a wonderful dog story! I think boys will love it because these two dogs are litter mates who do almost everything together, even pee on the same tree! That pesky squirrel sure does make a mess of things for Boot and Shoe one rainy day. Any child who has spent lots of time with dogs will understand and relate to this story very well, but that isn't a requirement to enjoy the story!
*Summary taken from CIP data.
Naughty Toes by Ann Bonwill
Summary: Chloe and Belinda are sisters, but they couldn't be more different! Belinda is a born dancer and the star of Madame Mina's dance classs. As far as Madame Mina is concerned, Chloe just has "naughty toes." Only Mr. Tiemp, the class pianist, has spotted Chole's talents. With his help, Chloe finds a way to reach her dreams.
My Thoughts: This story is for any little girl who loves to dance! The reader learns that everyone's talents don't have to be the same. People can be unique and that is just fine. Read the story and see how Chloe fairs with her naughty toes!
*Summary taken from the dust jacket.
This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
Summary: A fish has stolen a hat. And he'll probably get away with it.
My Thoughts: This is a similar story to I Want My Hat Back also by Jon Klassen. The fish admits to stealing a hat, but is sure that he will get away with it. Read the story to see if he does! Clever, funny and blunt! Winner of the Caldecott Award.
*Summary taken from the inside flap of the dust jacket.
I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen
Summary: A bear almost gives up his search for his missing hat until he remembers something important.
My Thoughts: This is an award winner with style and a twist. Some might object that the story is violent, although any violence in the story is not in the illustrations. Others may counter that the story is true to life. An award winner for early readers.
*Summary taken from CIP data.
Penny and Her Marble by Kevin Henkes
Summary: Penny feels guilty after taking a beautiful blue marble that she sees in Mrs. Goodwin's grass, but gets a pleasant surprise when she goes to return it the net day.
My Thoughts: This is the second in a new series of beginning, easy readers by Kevin Henkes starring Penny. I liked this story with the challenge that Penny faces. She has to decide what to do with the shiny blue marble. Her decision bothers her for the rest of the day and overnight, but the reader will be pleased with the conclusion. This can just be a fun story for practicing reading or a spring board to a discussion about honesty and character.
*Summary taken from CIP data.
