The Easter Bunny That Overslept

Friedich, P. and Friedrich, O. (2002). The Easter Bunny That Oversletpt. Harper Children: New York, New York. Easter has approached and due to the raining season, Easter Bunny has overslept. He makes attempts to give away the decorate eggs and everyone declines them, since it's not Easter. On a storm evening, Easter Bunny gets swept away and arrives to Santa's house. He helps the elves create toys, since this is the only way to help kids. As he helps Santa on Christmas Eve, delivering gifts, he receives a gift that will help him be on time.

Easter

  Haugen, B. (2004). Easter. Picture Window Books. Minneapolis, MN. Haugen does a great job at describing the origin traditions and customs of the Easter holiday and how they were started in the United States and Canada. Students can compare how they celebrate Easter with those in the book.

Ghost

Telgemeier, R. (2016). Ghosts New York, New York: Scholastic, Graphix.
  Cat and her family moved to the coast of Northern California because her sister Maya was sick. Maya was born with cystic fibrosis and the cool air can benefit her health. Carlos, Maya and Cat's new neighbor, introduces them to Mexican ghosts that were found in the mission. Maya get's an attack from all the fun she was having with the ghosts. Cat ponders on the issue on what could have happened to her. The family moved to Bahia de la Luna at a time that many families celebrate the life of their loved ones that have passed, el Dia de los Muertos. Maya and Cat were invited to a party at the mission with the ghosts but Cat didn't want to attend to protect Maya from the spirits. Maya persuades her to attend, but not for her but for herself. Cat learns that even though the loved one has passed, it's the love of the alive that keep their spirit alive. She also learns not to fear of what is to come.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXQ8NAMoU5Q

Mother Bruce

Higgins, R. (2015). Mother Bruce. New York, New York: Hyperion Books for Children. Bruce was a grumpy bear, who loved eggs. He loved them so much that he would look for new recipes online. One day as he was preparing a delicious recipe that required goose eggs, he ended up with a surprise besides the outcome of his recipe. His eggs had hatched and the goslings thought Bruce was their mother. He tried to return them, but Mother Goose had migrated south. He tried to dump them back at the nest and they just followed him home. Bruce raised the goslings in hopes that they would migrate someday and all the attempts he made were unsuccessful. So, now Bruce and his goslings travel south and lay around the beach during the winter months.

http://www.scholastic.com/bookfairs/books/book-trailers/mother-bruce

Surf's Up

Alexander, K. (2016). Surf's Up. New York, New York: Scholastic. 

Bro and Dude are best friends. Bro is ready to go surfing, but Dude is too engrossed in his book. Dude is sharing a few snips of the book, when they take a tumble because Bro finally realizes that reading is fun and opens up your imagination. Dude gets ready for surfing and guess who's not ready but ready to read!! Kwame Alexander introduces two great characters that show children how fun reading can be. Bro's excitement at the end will sure intrigue students to get another good book.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2s_7ieHwjA

DC Comics Secret Hero Society Fort Solitude

Fridolfs, D. (2017). DC Comics Secret Hero Society Fort Solitude.New York, New York: Scholastic.

Our Super Heroes are invited to a spring break academic retreat where they will be having friendly competitions and activities. Even though Clark enjoyed spending time at the farm, things got a bit boring, so he couldn't wait to see his friends Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince. It didn't take Bruce too long to realize that something was wrong. It takes Clark a little bit longer to realize that kids have gone missing and they need to step into action. The gang springs into action investigating, where they meet new super heroes.  Don't take my word for it, but this action packed graphic novel will have you on the edge of your seat! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZNSl9WhE_g

Rapunzel's Revenge

Hale, S. (2008). Rapunzel’s revenge. NY: Bloomsbury. This isn’t your ordinary fairy tale of Rapunzel. This humorous western tale becomes the new playground for Rapunzel. Rapunzel has been confined inside the garden walls all her life. One day, she crosses over to see what is beyond those walls. She meets her real mother, but caught by Mother Gothel and entrapped in a tree for five years. During those five years, Rapunzel’s hair grows to extra ordinary length, and used to escape. Along the way, she meets a new friend, Jack, and the both set off to rescue her mother and encounter many adventures where she uses her hair as a secret weapon when in a predicament. Rapunzel realizes that her mother is not the only rescue mission, but an entire country. This graphic novel has a funny dialogue and predictable plot that will keep young readers reading.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4_Slu5J67M

Pig the Pug

Blabey, A. (2017). Pig the Pug.New York: Scholastic.

Pig is a selfish pug that refuses to share his toys with his dogmate Trevor. Trevor emphasizes how much more fun those toys would be if they played together. On that note, Pig gathers all his toys into a big pile where nobody else has access to them. As he is cheering for his accomplishment, he falls over and has an accident. This book a great book to teach sharing. The classes can compile a list of examples of what sharing should look like at school.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVOZXaTgBic&list=PLx0aXplH90MbA8cxIIw5xjAqkVuEamSd5

Goldie Sock and the Three Liberarians

Hopkins, J. (2007) Goldie Sock and the Three Liberarians. Madison, WI: Upstart Books.

Goldie decides to take a short cut through the woods and what does she find. A house made out of books. Goldie loves reading and is curious about this home. She calls out and nobody is home. She enters a home full of books and begins the search for the "Right Book." As she peruses the shelves, she leaves books on the wrong shelves, floors, places them upside down, and etc. The three Liberarians arrive home to a disarrayed home. They find Goldie reading in the most comfortable place for her and join her. This book is a good introductory to "Using the Five Finger Rule." Goldie demonstrates searching for the right book by using the "Five Finger Rule." Students can share with a partner demonstrating locating the "Right Book" from the piles on the table.  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Free-Sample-From-Goldie-Socks-And-The-Three-Libearians-306967

The Plagiarism Pirates

Downy, L. and Fox, K. (2010). The Plagiarism Pirates. Madison, WI: Upstart Books.Captain Bumbo and his crew take over the library in search for the key to the treasure chest. Captain Bumbo and his crew lead the students to wrong information on plagiarism. This book is very useful for introductory to plagiarism. Students can relate how plagiarism is stealing others work. This can also lead to creating a bibliography for books used in research.
http://www.thepiratesofplagiarism.com/lesson-plans.html

Camp Babymouse

Holm, J. (2007). Camp Babymouse. New York:  Random House Books for Young Readers. Babymouse is off to camp for the next two weeks. Despite being excited of all the new adventures, her daydreaming results in losing demerits for her team, the Buttercups. She longs to be the superhero, but with all the mistakes she makes, the chances for her team to come in first are dwindling. She decides that camp isn’t for her, so Babymouse and another camper become lost on their way back from phoning her parents. To Babymouse’s disbelief, she returns back to the cabin safely using all the survival skills learned in camp. Once again, saving the day! Babymouse’s character is so enjoyable. Her daydreaming will draw young readers into her daydream adventures. The illustrations capture her vivid daydreams. Her positive outlook at the end that she was learning sends a message to the readers to never give up and use what you have learned. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZHpB_Rec2A

Skulduggery Pleasant

Landry, D. (2007). Skulduggery Pleasant. New York: HarperCollins. Stephanie has just inherited her mystery author uncle fortune and estate. With the help of Skulduggery Pleasant, a skeleton detective, they team up to investigate her uncle’s death. Skulduggery Pleasant introduces Stephanie to the magical and supernatural world to find answers and save the world from a horrible end. This action packed story full of villains will keep readers flipping through the pages to solve the mystery and find the Scepter of the Ancients. The dry humor of Skulduggery and wittiness of Stephanie will keep readers laughing and wanting more from this extraordinary team. The setting in Ireland gives it that old, creepy atmosphere for the fast paced and thrilling unfolding plot.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=girNpdCQFv8

Lunch Lady and the Schoolwide Scuffle

Krocoszka,J.(2013) Lunch Lady and the Schoolwide Scuffle. New York: Knopft Books for Young Readers. Something is definitely wrong at Thompson Brook School. The new superintendent has made many budget cuts and programs such as the lunch program has been replaced by vending machines and the gym with treadmills. With the help from the custodians, the Breakfast Bunch find Betty that whips into action by rounding up the Lunch lady to find a way to expose the evil plot of the superintendent and his new teachers. All the super villains from past stories are now in charge and it’s up to the Lunch lady, Betty, and the whole school to overcome the superintendent’s evil scheme. With wonderful use of onomatopoeia, young readers will surely feel like they are part of the action packed story. The action packed setting will make readers wonder if these types of issues occur on their campus will their Lunch lady pop out and save them using her utensils. The theme of team work came across the whole story to help save their school.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NDV3lKIMUo

A Big Guy Took My Ball!

Willems, M. (2013). A big guy took my ball! New York: Hyperion. Piggie was super excited to play with the ball he found until a bully took it away. He tells Gerald his awfully sad story and what is a big friend to do, but to go get it back. As Gerald approaches the big guy, he realizes that the other guy is bigger than him, but misunderstood. The whale was happy to get his ball back, but had no one to play with because of they are afraid of his size. These two best of friends make a new friend and play ball with him. The themes of friendship and acceptance are seen through the story. The strong friendship of Piggie and Gerald and accepting others for their differences will help children learn to cope with their own misunderstandings. The dialogue style is fun with two voices and opportunity for expression. This is a great opportunity to introduce young readers into speaking bubbles. Students can list and illustrate the examples of the themes in the story.

Hippopposites

Coat, Janik.  (2012)  Hippopposites.  New York: Appleseed Books.  ISBN:  9781419701511

Hippopposites is a story board book that introduces opposites to children with paired hippos illustrations and one word to depict concept.

Hippopposites is a 2013 USBBY Outstanding International Book.It has appealing illustrations with the red hippo demonstrating opposites. The illustrations of the hippo showing opposites allows young children to reflect and explain the antonyms.

Janik Coat did an outstanding job using the red hippo that calls young children's attention to the lesson being taught. 

This book allows children to make connections with opposites with the hippo illustrations. The texture used to distinguish some opposites is appealing to children. My three year old daughter could not get enough of the hippo demonstrations and we kept going back to sections that appealed to her the most. I believe this book would be perfect for ESL students of any age to distinguish the difference in opposites using illustrations and one word vocabulary. 

Publishers Weekly:  "French illustrator Coat blends a quirky sensibility with a slick visual aesthetic in a fairly comprehensive book about opposites starring a red hippopotamus that has been pared down to a bell-shaped head, a blokish behind, and two dots for eyes.  The qualities and color of the hippo change to demonstrate antonyms like light and dark (the hippo is shown in pale yellow and black), thick and thin (its outline thickens), opaque and transparent, soft and rough (thanks to inset fur and burlap texture), and many more.  The stocky, blocky hippo is more of a template than a character, but it's an excellent (and fun) vehicle through which to demonstrate the concept.  Ages 1-4"

KIRKUS REVIEW: "A distinctive offering stands out in the crowded field of concept contenders. Opposite pairs (one to each spread) play themselves out against a hippo's silhouette,  The graphically simple animal, with two small dots for eyes and square-ish backside, demonstrate various ideas through perspective, color, texture and cut-outs, among others.  Small/large positions the hippo next to a skyscraper and a mite; soft/rough finds the animal's outline filled with fuzzy fabric and burlap.  Sophisticated use of positive and negative space creates some dazzling patterns that anticipate optical-illusion puzzles.  The term "dotted" places formidable red polka-dots all over the hippo, providing the only spatial definition against the white background, with "striped" doing the same on the next page.  Some abstract choices may not be clear enough for the young audience traditionally served by this format, though the large trim size and sturdy pages support repeat readings.  A few of the obscure choices  (opaque/transparent, positive/negative) will need both more context and time for a full understanding, making this book that will grow with its audience.  The hippo is the only lumbering element in this visually striking exploration."  (Board book.  2-5)

Parents may look for the following books for young children with texture and great illustrations to introduce concepts:

Carle, Eric.  MY FIRST BUSY BOOK.  ISBN:  9781481457910

Jackson, Richard.  HAVE A LOOK, SAYS BOOK.  ISBN:  9781481420158

Ward, Sarah.  OPPOSITES.  ISBN:  9780545797894