Caldecott 2018 Winners {picture books, nonfiction, book list}

The Caldecott is a prestigious award named after Randolph Caldecott.  The award is given to the artist/illustrator of the best American published books.  

When I was the librarian in Denver, I had a 2nd grader that was fascinated with my "Caldecott Medal Winners" poster and checked out every single winner.  I feel a bit like that little boy b/c every year I check out the Caldecott Medal and Honor (runner-ups) books.  

This year, the 2018 Caldecott  Medal Winner is: 

Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell

The 2018 Caldecott Honor books are: 

Big Cat, Little Cat by Elisha Cooper

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes

A Different Pond by Bao Phi

Grand Canyon by Jason Chin

Some Caldecott years I completely adore all of the books for their story and illustrations, and some years I think the pictures are cool but the stories are lacking.  This year, I'm probably somewhere in between.  I thought some books were amazing, and I loved the diversity in the books.  

Check out the links above for my reviews on each of the Caldecott books this year.  

Which Caldecott book this year is your favorite? I'd probably vote for Grand Canyon, but maybe that is my Arizona connection.   Though, I really loved A Different Pond as well. 

Happy Caldecott reading! 

Big Cat, Little Cat gets 4 Stars {picture book, caldecott}

Big Cat, Little Cat by Elisha Cooper is a Caldecott Honor book, aka it's one of the runner up books.  It is one of the very best illustrated books published in America in 2017.

Big Cat, Little Cat is a simple story about two pet cats.  One "big cat" aka older cat introduces and teaches the new "little cat" aka the kitten about life.

This picture book has a sweet simple story that even toddlers can understand and enjoy, but it has a more complex message that'll pull at the heart strings of older readers.  As an adult, I thought the message was sweet and touching.  If you have a special place in your heart for cats, you most definitely should give this book a check out, if not a purchase.  To be honest, if you have a cat this would make a great gift for your child. 

Have you read Big Cat, Little Cat, yet?  What do you think, worthy gift purchase?     

Happy cat loving picture book reading!

Big Cat, Little Cat by Elisha Cooper
Rating: 4/5 stars
Best For: 2-7 years old, Toddlers to 2nd grade. 
Worth a Check Out: Yes
Buy It or Not: If you love cats and have had cats as a pet.
Read Aloud: Yes. 
Lesson Ideas: Pets, cats, size, opposites, teaching younger, raising a pet, getting a pet, friendship, Caldecott. 

Spanish and English Words gets 3.5 Stars {concept, picture}

I always wanted my children to be bilingual.  I was extremely interested in them attending a dual language classroom; but it didn't work out.  However, I do love having this book in our personal collection.  My Big Barefoot Book of Spanish and English Words by Sophie Fatus is a fun language concept book.  

In this Spanish and English Words book, I think the illustrations are cute, but not necessarily amazing.  I love the various settings on each page b/c it allows the reader to get a wide variety of Spanish vocabulary words.  I feel the story that is trying to be told is okay.  At times the story is a little confusing.  This is a good book, and that's why it earned 3.5 out of 5 stars in my book review. 

I had to of course include the library page :) and the animals are fun too.  

If you are looking for a Spanish/English dual language book to learn vocabulary words then definitely check this one out.  
  

Happy Spanish/English Words Book Reading!

My Big Barefoot Book of Spanish and English Words by Sophie Fatus
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Best For: 6 years old and up, 1st grade and up. 
Clean Read: Yes
Worth a Check Out: Yes.
Buy It or Not: No.
Read Aloud: No.
Lesson Ideas: Spanish/English Dual Language classroom.

I received this book from Myrick Marketing in exchange for my review and honest opinion.  All of my thoughts, opinions, and words are my own.

My 25 Favorite Christmas Books for 2017 {picture book, book list}

I love Christmas!  I love picture books!  I love reading them by myself as well as with my kids.  Reading Christmas picture books is the best!  

May My Favorite 25 Christmas Books this year bring you some happiness as you read and enjoy them, but if you are a natural overachiever you can check my previous Christmas Favorites.  Links are found at the bottom of this post. Enjoy! 

My 25 Favorite Christmas Books of 2017

1.

Little Santa by Yoko Maruyama

A sweet story about gifts, a father, and a son.

Best for 1st through 4th Grade. 

2.

Boris the Christmas Tarantula by Joel Jeske

Spiders and Christmas don't usually go together, but that's what makes this story so fun and unique.  Boris may be the only spider I could get along with.

Best for Kindergarten through 3rd Grade. 

3.

Bear's Merry Book of Hidden Things by Gergely Dudas

If you combine a simple Christmas story with a seek and find interactive book, then you will get this fun read you can enjoy over and over again.

Best for Toddler through 2nd Grade.  

4.

Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares

This is one of my favorites this year.  Red and Lulu are cardinals that nest in the same large evergreen tree.  Though, one year their tree is moved for something bigger and better, and Red and Lulu begin a new adventure.

Best for Kindergarten through 4th Grade. 

5.

Pig the Elf by Aaron Blabey

This Pig the Pug Christmas book is fun.  The story has great rhythm, miracles occur, and being greedy is never encouraged.

Best for Toddler through 2nd Grade. 

6.

The 12 Days of Christmas by Greg Pizzoli

The traditional song written in a fun and updated way.  The illustrations and the details found throughout the story make it that much more fun.

Best for All Ages. 

7.

Jingle Bells by Susan Jeffers

Jingle Bells the song is written out with such gorgeous illustrations.  This book alone made me miss snow, and recall the white Christmas's I've seen in my past.

Best for All Ages. 

8.

'Twas the Evening of Christmas by Glenys Nellist

This is the story of the nativity told in a 'Twas the Night Before Christmas format.  I adore this book, the illustrations, and the concept of the true meaning of Christmas told in this recognizable Christmas format and rhythm.   

Best for All Ages. 

9.

Waltz of the Snowflakes by Elly Mackay

I love Wordless books b/c pictures tell the story and any age can "read" these books.  This wordless book is beautiful for telling the story of a girl and boy's first time enjoying The Nutcracker.

Best for All Ages. 

10.

The 12 Sleighs of Christmas by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Rinker wrote one of my son's favorite books, Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site, and this book is one of his favorite Christmas books b/c it combines Santa, Elves, and building cool things.  The book is a little long (so the young and kids with short attention spans may struggle with this book), but the story is so fun.  Boys and kids who love to build will love this book.

Best for Kindergarten through 3rd Grade. 

11.

The Great Spruce by John Duvall

Another story about a large tree heading to the big city for Christmas.  However, this story has a beautiful take on the importance of taking care of our earth.

Best for Kindergarten through 4th Grade. 

12.

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore and Illustrated by Antonio Javier Caparo

This classic story hasn't been changed, but the illustrations are updated and absolutely gorgeous.

Best for All Ages. 

13.

Santa Rex by Molly Idle

Idle, author and illustrator of Tea Rex and Flora and the Flamingo, writes and illustrates another fabulous book.  The illustrations are gorgeous and simple in this holiday Rex book, yet the story has depth and teaches a good message.  However, only the mature and older audience will truly "get it."

Best for Kindergarten through 5th Grade. 

14.

Ninja Claus! by Arree Chung

Santa is an awesome Ninja, and this story is simple enough for toddlers, yet fun for kindergartners.  Ninja fans will love this book and be anxious for their own pair of "Ninja Slippers."

Best for Preschool through 3rd Grade. 

15.

Weird but True Christmas: 300 Festive Facts to Light Up the Holidays

This book is for the reluctant reader in your life, or the child that loves to learn the most random facts.  These Weird but True books are so fun, and the facts in this Christmas version is pretty great.  A fun read for adults too!

Best for 2nd Grade through 5th Grade. 

16.

Cooking With the Grinch by Tish Rabe

An early reader/beginning chapter book about the Grinch and he's baking with friends.  It's definitely a fun read if you have an beginning reader in your home. 

Best for Kindergarten through 2nd Grade. 

17.

Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Eric Litwin

A fun Pete the Cat story with good rhythm and a repetitious phrase about doing your best. 

Best for Toddlers through 2nd Grade. 

18.

Fly Guy's Ninja Christmas by Tedd Arnold

Another fun ninja Christmas book, but this one is an early reader/beginning chapter book, Fly Guy. Definitely a fun read, especially for those beginning readers.

Best for Kindergarten through 2nd Grade. 

19.

The Last Christmas Tree by Stephen Krensky

Beautiful story that will tug at your heart strings and make you smile.

Best for Kindergarten through 4^th grade.

20. 

A Bad Kitty Christmas by Nick Bruel

This book made my previous Christmas book list, but it is such a great book and we're all about the Christmas books with characters we love from previous books. This book is fun for kids and adults alike; though, it's a little long.

Best for 1^st through 3^rd grade.

21. 

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

I love this classic Christmas story, and my kids do as well.  Since, I took my kids on the Polar Express here in Arizona, I figured it was only fitting this classic makes my Best of Christmas list again. This story is touching, and the movie is fun as well. 

Best for Toddlers through 3^rd grade.

22. 

Turkey Claus by Wendi Silvano

I love Turkey Trouble, and this fun Christmas version is just as fun.  This book is great for reading aloud and lessons using recalling sequence of events.

Best for Toddlers through 2^nd grade.

23. 

The Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas by Laura Murray

The Gingerbread Man books by Murray are fun, interactive, have great rhythm, and all around great reads.  This Christmas one has a great message as well.

Best for Preschoolers through 4^th grade.

24. 

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss

What's Christmas without this classic? It's a bit long, but it's a fun and watching the movie or cartoon after is fun.

Best for 3rd Grade and Up. 

25. 

Santa! by Rufus Butler Seder

These scanimation books are so cool, and this Christmas version is as fun as the others.

Best for Toddlers and Up. 

I love Christmas books, and if these 25 books, many new to this year, are not enough for you check out my 2015 and 2016 lists. There will be a few repeats, but the repeats are my must reads to be enjoyed this Holiday season.

What are your Christmas must reads?!

Happy Christmas Reading! 

From Dark to Light gets 2 Stars {picture book, student author}

In 5th grade I was wearing hot pink shorts, with pockets b/c why not, for my elementary school basketball team.  I loved those shorts my mom made!  I remember free-throws were not a strength of mine, okay they still aren't, but in 5th grade my glasses broke.  I had to play my basketball game with very blurry vision.  I was not looking forward to my very blurry basketball game. 

Yet, during that vision impaired game I scored the most points I ever scored in a game in elementary school.  I scored a whopping 15 points.  It was a big game.  I'm not sure why my lack of vision increased my score 10 times from normal, but it probably means I'm not a great basketball player.

I tell you that above story b/c what I was doing in 5th grade, and what a lot of people are doing at 10-11 years old is not what Isabella Murphy was doing.  Isabella Murphy wrote and published a book.  #wow

Isabella Murphy is a 5th grade student author who wrote From Dark to Light.  This book, with personification aka an inanimate object gave human like qualities, is about a pumpkin who wants to feel loved.  This pumpkin gets planted, grows, and becomes picked by a family.  It's a cute story, but definitely text heavy.  

From Dark to Light gets 2 out of 5 stars.  The illustrations are cute, the story given from the perspective of a seed is fun, and the fact that a 5th grader wrote it is cool.  I also love that a story from the perspective of a pumpkin includes the carving of the pumpkins; I personally thought carving would be scary for the pumpkins, but for these pumpkins it is just fun.  There are some great parts to the story.  

Though, I try to be honest, fair, consistent, and critical in my reviews.  This story is obviously an indie book.  The story doesn't quite flow smoothly, and the text could've definitely been condensed. There are many parts of the story that don't add anything to the overall story line and should've been taken out.  I realize this book is written by a child, but I still hope a published book would have better character development.  The character development was too quick; one minute Pumpker is being laughed at and treated cruelly by his sisters and then the next moment they are giggling with him. 

Overall, the story is good, but it isn't great.  I'd purchase this book if I was a 4th, 5th, or 6th grade teacher to show my students they can be an author.  However, the text heaviness and the unrefined writing make this book I wouldn't read aloud in the library. 

    
What were you doing in 5th grade? 

Happy Pumpkin Personification Picture Book Reading!


From Dark to Light by Isabella Murphy
Rating: 2/5 stars
Best For: 6 years old and up, 1st to 3rd grade. 
Clean Read: Yes
Worth a Check Out: Yes.
Buy It or Not: No.
Read Aloud: No.
Lesson Ideas: Personification. Pumpkins. Seed to plant. Family. Student Authors.

I received this book from Pink Umbrella Books in exchange for my review and honest opinion.  All of my thoughts, opinions, and words are my own.