Panda Kindergarten by Joanne Ryder

Panda Kindergarten by Joanne Ryder, photos by Dr, Katherine Feng, Harper Collins, 2009, ISBN 978-0-06-057850-3
The title really doesn't do justice to this wonderful account of the Giant Panda. Imaginative photographs take us from the birth of the pandas through their daily routine at the "kindergarten", where all 16 of the Giant Panda cubs is loved and cared for. The author ends the book with "Fast Facts about Giant Pandas" (did you know that a newborn giant panda is the size of a stick of butter and weighs about 4 ounces?). This book would work well as as introduction to gathering information about pandas, and could be followed by using a website to gather information. Here's World Wildlife Fund's page about pandas. Here's some information from the National Zoo. And finally some sites from Awesome Library.org.
Might use this at Chinese New Year.

Lousy Rotten Stinkin Grapes by Marge Palatini

Lousy Rotten Stinkin Grapes by Marge Palatini, illustrated by Barry Moser, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2009, ISBN 978-0-689-80246-1.
Summary: Retells the fable of a frustrated fox that, after many tries to reach a high bunch of grapes, decides they must be sour anyway. (from the publisher). Unlike Aesop's tale though, someone does get these grapes in the end. At the foxes direction (because, after all, he is the clever one), all the forest animals work together to try to get the grapes. Funny generalizations characterize the animals: bear ("your job is brawn. Not brain") and beaver ("my dentally challenged chum."), who actually have better ideas than the fox.
This book is mentioned on the great website Read Kiddo Read along with some other great books in the "Storybooks" section.

Finn Throws a Fit! by David Elliott

Finn Throws a Fit! by David Elliott, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering, Candlewick Press, 2008, ISBN 978-0-7636-2356-2.
Just what it says: a book about a toddler throwing a fit. While I certainly wouldn't want to encourage fit-throwing, it might be good for children to see that other children do get angry. And there are ways to handle that anger. The book is full of hyperbole examples: "He kicks. An earthquake shakes the world." Illustrations are great: really convey the force of this fit! Use with "When Sophie Gets Angry" by Molly Bang.

Applesauce Season by Eden Ross Lipson

Applesauce Season by Eden Ross Lipson, illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein, Roaring Brook Press, 2009, ISBN 978-1-59643-216-1
Story relaying a family's annual tradition of making applesause. Grandmother officially declares that it's applesause season "just about the time school opens, when it is still hot and summery but vacation is over." The book goes on to follow the family through the preparations involved, and how each batch is different because of the different kinds of apples involved. The young boy, also the narrator, has a special part to play in the making of the applesauce. It's a comforting, happy story of a family and its traditions. Would be good for sequencing and discussing different kinds of apples. Good for food production (from apple tree to applesauce). Use with grades 2 or 3. This book is included in a great list of picture books for ages 5-8 found on Bookworm for Kids.

The Story of Snow by Mark Cassino

The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder by Mark Cassino with Jon Nelson, PhD, illustrations by Nora Aoyagi, Chronicle Books, 2009, ISBN 978-0-8118-6866-2
"A snow crystal is a letter from the sky"--Ukichiro Nakaya, Japanese scientist (1900-1962). Casssino ends this book with that quote about snow crystals (many of which together make a snowflake). He spends the entire book telling the reader how a snowflake is made, technically and scientifically. Extraordinary photographs capture these unique gems, and his explanation is simple yet complete. He even tells you how to catch your own snow crystals.
Here's an article in the Kalamazoo News about the author and his book.

What Really Happened to Humpty? by Joe Dumpty

What Really Happened to Humpty? by Joe Dumpty as told to Jeanie Franz Ransom, illustrated by Stephen Axelsen, Charlesbridge, 2009, ISBN 978-1-58089-109-7
Summary: Detective Joe Dumpty rushes to investigate the mysterious circumstances under which his older brother, Humpty, fell from a wall on his first day as captain of the New Neighborhood Watch program.
Cute story. Kids will hear all kids of references to various nursery rhymes. Lots of puns too (who ever did this is going to "fry"; I'm "shell-shocked" says Humpty).

Two Bobbies by Kirby Larson

Two Bobbies: a True Story of HUrricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival, by Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery, illustrated by Jean Cassels, Walker and Co., 2008, ISBN 0-8027-9754-7
For anyone who likes pet stories, this is a double whammy! There's a dog and a cat. And they take care of each other. Through a hurricane! And that's not all...but I won't spoil it. The book is dedicated to "All the pet rescue volunteers from across the United States who lovingly gave of their time and resources after Hurricane Katrina, and especially the good folks at Best Friends Animal Society." So, unlike most dog stories, this one ends on a happy note, but will still make you cry!
My tags: pets, hurricanes, friendship
Look for this book on the Learning to Give website. Lesson plans and other ideas for teaching children about kindness and giving. Here's the link on that site for Two Bobbies.