Chick 'n' Pug

Chick 'n' Pug by Jennifer Sattler, Bloomsbury Books, 2010, ISBN 978-1-59990-534-1
PS: Chick leaves the boring coop in order to find his hero, Wonder Pug, and a little bit of excitement.
This book, with its simple but expressive illustrations and minimal text, reminds me of Mo Willems Elephant and Pig books.
Going to try this one with the kindergartners.

The Rain Train

The Rain Train by Elena de Roo, illustrated by Brian Lovelock, Candlewick Press, 2010, ISBN 978-0-7636-5313-2
Jacket cover: Come along and take a ride on The Rain Train. Board at your platform, hand over your ticket, and then sit back and listen to all the noises as you wind you way through the dark night and straight on to morning.
Art Deco-type illustrations and great use of onomatopoeia-type-words help tell this simple story of a train ride, begun at night and continuing on into the morning.

Rubia and the Three Osos

Rubia and the Three Osos by Susan Middleton Elya, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, Disney Hyperion Books, 2010, ISBN 978-1-4231-1252-5
This is simply the retelling (mostly) of The Three Little Bears, with a few Spanish words thrown in, but it is one of my new favorite books! I read this with first graders and they had the best time figuring out what the Spanish words meant (they could figure out that osos meant bears because they were familiar with the classic fairy tale). What a clever idea, and it made the students feel smart too!
I read this along with Mice and Beans in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. It was a lot of fun and I look forward to reading both of these books to students again!
Visit the author's website here.

Press Here by Herve Tullet

Press Here by Herve Tullet, Chronicle Books, 2011 (originally published in France in 2010 by Bayard Editions under the title "Un Livre"), translated by Christopher Franceschelli, ISBN 978-0-8118-7954-5
"Ready?"
"Press here and turn the page."
"Great! Now press the yellow dot again."
And so goes a wonderfully imaginative book that should delight young children. Each page offers new instructions, and the following page shows the result. Sounds simple, but the author throws a few clever surprises in to keep the book interesting. Delightful in its simplicity.

All the Way to America by Dan Yaccarino

All the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel by Dan Yaccarino, Alfred A. Knopf, 2011, ISBN 978-0-375-96642-2
Great story of an Italian immigrant named Michele Iaccarino, who "journeyed from his home in Italy all the way to America, searching for a better life. He brought big dreams, a small shovel, and his parents' good advice: Work hard, but remember to enjoy life, and never forget your family." (from the book jacket).
This is a simple story of immigration, told by the great-grandson of the original immigrant. It would be great to use with second graders in immigration stories. The thing I like best about this book is its endearing message: Work hard, enjoy life, remember your family. Doesn't get any better than that.

Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming

Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming, illus. by G. Brian Karas, Schwartz and Wade Books, 2010, ISBN 978-0-375-84979-4
PS: A poor boy named Jack struggles to deliver a birthday present worthy of a princess.
The rest of the story: He bakes a cake and decorates it, but on the way to deliver the cake, it is taken apart piece-by-piece. He is left with nothing...but a story! And this is the best gift of all (of course).
This is a GREAT book for making the point about making the best of a situation, and if nothing else, you are left with a story!
Love this book.