Snowmen at Night

Snowmen at Night was written by Caralyn Buehner and illustrated by Mark Buehner. The genre of the book is fictional picture book. The theme of the book is friendship. The primary characters are the snowmen. The book has not received any awards. It was published by Phyllis Fogelman Books in 2002.

This book is about what a boy who finds his snowman the next morning looking a little droopy. The boy tells of what he imagines the snowmen doing at night, such as sliding, drinking ice cold coco, and having a snowball fight.
I would use this as story time with early elementary students. Young students would have fun thinking of what their snowmen might do at night when everyone else is asleep. These students could create a short story or draw pictures of what they imagine snowmen do at night.

The Greatest Snowman in the World

The Greatest Snowman in the World was written and illustrated by Peter Hannan. The genre of the book is fictional picture book. The theme of the book is creativity and friendship. The primary character is Charles and the secondary characters are his friend. The book has not received any awards. It was published by HarperCollins in 2010.

The book is about a young boy who wakes up to find snow outside. He plans, with his friends, to get very creative and make the world's greatest snowman. His friends come across many problems along the way, but they always find a way to solve them. At the end of the book the end up with ice cream.
I would use this book as story time before winter break. Younger elementary students would really enjoy this book. It would just be a fun story share.

Sarah Plain and Tall

Sarah Plain and Tall was written by Patricia Maclachlan. The book is a fictional chapter book. The primary and secondary characters are Sarah, Jacob, Caleb, and Anna. The theme of the book is love. The book was published in 2004 by Harper Collins. The book is a Newberry Award Winner.

Sarah Plain and Tall is about two young children, Caleb and Anna, whose mother dies during childbirth. Their father discovers Sarah through an add in the paper. Caleb and Anna eventually love Sarah. However, Sarah is homesick for Maine. When she goes on a trip to town, the two children are worried that Sarah will not return. Sarah does come back and tells the children that she loves them much more than her other home.
I would use this book as part of an upper elementary classroom library. This is good literature for students to read and I think they would enjoy the book. The characters are close to the same age, so although the book was set in a different time period, students can still relate.

Heaven

Heaven was written by Angela Johnson. It is a realistic fiction chapter book. The theme of the book is that things are not always what they seem. The primary and secondary characters are Marley, Uncle Jack, Momma, Pops, and Shoogy. The book was published in 1998 by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers. It is a Coretta Scott King Award winner.

 This book is about a 14 year old girl, Marley, who lives in Heaven, Ohio. Marley has lived in this town since she was 2. Her Uncle Jack sends her mail regularly. Although she has not seen him since she was a baby, she tries to create an image of him in her head. Marley discovers that her parents have adopted her, and she feels that she can no longer trust them. Marley soon discovers that her real father is Uncle Jack. Through her discovery, Marley finds her new self.
I would use this book as part of an upper elementary classroom. This book could also be used as a classroom wide read. Students could write a short essay after reading the book about what discoveries they have made in their own lives that lead them to look at things differently.

Self Defender

Self Defender was written by Jane West and illustrated by Lee Wildish. The genre of the book is realistic fiction. The primary and secondary characters of the book are Tess, Mandy, Val, and Ellie. The theme of the book is treat others the way you want to be treated. Self defender was published in 2006 by Stone Arch. The book has not received any awards.

Self Defender is about a new girl in school, Tess. Mandy and Val offer to show Tess around her new school and they quickly become friends. Ellie, the school bully, decides she does not like Tess. Tess begins taking a self defense class and becomes very good! Ellie doesn't stop bullying Tess, but Tess is not afraid of her anyway. When Ellie tries to hurt Tess, Tess is able to get away and embarrasses Ellie which teaches her a lesson.
I would use this book as part of my classroom library. Middle elementary students would be able to easily read this book and relate to the characters.  The book would also help students be aware that bullying is not a good thing to do.

Country Road ABC: An Illustarted Journey through America's Farmland

Country Road ABC was written and illustrated by Arthur Geisert. The genre of the book is childrens picture book. The theme of the book is enjoying everyday life. There are no primary and secondary characters. The book has not received any awards. It was published in 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.

This book takes children through farm life in America by the ABC's. The book offers children full page illustrations and gives a short description of the object that corresponds to the letter.
I would have this as part of my early elementary classroom. Young children would really enjoy learning their ABC's through these pictures of country life.

Do Buses Eat Kids: Poems About School

Do Buses Eat Kids is written by Laura Purdie Salas. The genre of the book is poetry. The theme of the book is children and school. The book has no primary or secondary chacaters; it is a collection of poems. It was published in 2008 by Capstone Press.

This book is a collection several poems about school. The poems would be appropriate for all elementary school children. The topics of the poem vary over several things school age children see, touch, think, or use.
I would use this as part of a poetry lesson. Children would really enjoy this book because it is funny and something they are a part of daily. Children would have fun reading poems that are funny and relevant to them.