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The heroic symphony

Harwell-Celenza, Anna

Ludwig Van Beethoven learns he is going deaf. He is an accomplished and promising young pianist and this devastates him. Beethoven realizes his condition is actually leading to his destiny not his downfall. In creating his symphony no. 3 he searches for a hero on which to base his musical inspiration. He eventually realizes it is about him!

A new improved Santa

Wolff, Patricia

Santa is determined to become a new and improved Santa. He changes his hair, loses weight, and changes his clothing style. The children are not happy with his changes; they want the old Santa back.

A slimy story

Knudsen, Michelle

Dan runs into a problem when he has no money and no time to buy his mom a birthday present. He canﾒt think of anything and feels hopeless. One day, a bully puts a slimy, gross worm in Danﾒs pocket on the walk to school. His teacher, Mrs. Stewart, places the worm in a jar, and all the children become interested. Dan even starts to like the worm and decides to give it to his mom to help her garden. She thinks the worm is a great gift.

Tags

birthday, books, bully, celebration, challenges, conflict resolution, confusion, critical thinking, excitement, family, feelings, friendship, insects, library, parents, presents, resolution, school, science, siblings, teaching, worm, worry

The two Tyrones

Hudson, Wade

Tyrone Rashon Williams goes to school on the first day, excited about his new sneakers that he bought himself. He is disappointed when he gets there and finds that everyone has the same ones, and there is a new student, Tyrone Rashon Williams. Tyrone must deal with both of his problems, and get things back to normal.

Sumi's first day of school ever

Pak, Soyung

On Sumiﾒs first day of school, she experiences loneliness because she doesnﾒt know anyone and doesnﾒt understand the language of the other children. She also thinks school is a scary and mean place because the other children are loud and one boy even sticks his tongue out at her! Eventually, Sumiﾒs nice teacher makes her feel comfortable in her new environment. After meeting a new friend at recess, Sumi recognizes that school is not as lonely, scary, or mean as she originally thought.

Food for thought: The complete book of concepts for growing minds

Freymann, Saxton

Fruits and vegetables are strategically carved to emulate people and animals in order to teach shapes, colors, numbers, letters, and opposites. Readers can learn these skills while being entertained by the creative use of healthy foods.

Tags

airplane, alphabet, animals, ant, birds, cat, colors, concepts, counting, dog, duck, elephant, feelings, fish, flowers, food, frog, fruit, giraffe, guinea pig, happiness, insects, kangaroo, letters, numbers, opposites, penguin, sadness, shapes, sheep, sizes, snake, turtle, umbrella, vegetables

Death in a nut

Maddern, Eric

Jackﾒs mother tells him she is dying. He stops the grim reaper from taking her by fighting him. He realizes death has to occur to survive, because he needs to eat. Grim reaper allows Jackﾒs mother to live longer.

Tags

beach, bodies of water, conflict resolution, critical thinking, death, decision making, exercise, family, farm, food, illness, ocean, parents, sewing, survival, verbal communication, walking

Apples to oregon

Hopkinson, Deborah

Loosely based on a true pioneer story, this tale describes the trip of apples across the country. When Papa decides to travel the Oregon Trail, he refuses to leave his beloved fruits, especially the apples. Building a wagon to carry his trees, the family forges rivers, endures hailstorms and droughts, and deals with nasty Jack Frost. Papa has the help of his children (and their clothing) to save his trees.

Tags

animals, bodies of water, critical thinking, decision making, desert, exercise, family, feelings, food, frost, fruit, gold rush, happiness, history, instruments, maps, ox, parents, pioneers, plants, relief, river, sadness, siblings, stress management, swimming, transportation, travel, wagon, weather, wind

Zathura: A space adventure

VanAllsburg, Chris

Danny and Walter Budwing have a typical brotherly relationship. It isnﾒt until Danny finds an old game that takes the boys away to another galaxy that the brothers finally reach a new appreciation for one another.

Tags

accidents, adventures, alien, anger, apology, challenges, change, chaos, conflict, decision making, destruction, earth, family, fear, feelings, fight, robot, sounds, stars, verbal communication

Sometimes my mommy gets angry

Campbell, Bebe Moore

When Annie wakes up in the morning, she is relieved to find her euphoric mother in the kitchen. They share a healthy breakfast, then her mother helps her get ready for school. After a fun day at school, Annie comes home to an angry and yelling mother. Annie copes by calling her grandmother to talk about her feelings. She takes care of herself and maintains a positive attitude with happy thoughts. She uses effective strategies to accept her motherﾒs bipolar disorder.

Duck for president

Cronin, Doreen

Duck gets tired of doing chores on the farm, so he holds an election to change the way things are run. Duck wins the election, but gets bored and runs for Governor. He wins again and does not like the stress, so he runs for President and wins. Being President is even harder work than being on the farm so he returns to the farm to write his autobiography.

Wish come true cat

Scamell, Ragnhild

The unlikely answer to a wish is a scruffy old cat that has to win the heart of a little girl. It takes a cold snowy day to make his wish come true.

A sweet smell of roses

Johnson, Angela

One morning, after a night of rain, Minnie and her sister sneak out of the house to join many men and women to march for freedom and equality. When they arrive at the beginning of the march, the girls walk with many others keeping their eyes straight ahead and their feet steady. Despite the criticism and yells from people standing by, the girls continue to march. As the day passes, more people join the march to where Dr. Martin Luther King gives his famous speech about peace, love, and equality for all.

Jazzy Miz Mozetta

Roberts, Brenda C.

One night Miz Mozetta decided that she felt like dancing. Her friends outside made excuses not to dance and the children across the street would not let her. Miz Mozetta sulks to her room, but soon enough her friends and the children show up in her memories ready to dance the jitterbug all night long.

Subway

Suen, Anastasia

The subway is underground uptown. People walk to it, hop on it, and ride it. Some play music, others watch out the windows. When it comes to stops, some get off, others continue to ride the subway until they reach their destination.

Tags

direction, exercise, hopping, moving, music, night, nonverbal communication, rhyme, subway, symbols, transportation, travel, walking, weather, wind

Monster and the toy sale

Blance, Ellen // Cook, Ann

Monster and the little boy see an ad in the newspaper that reads ﾓTOY SALE TODAY!ﾔ Together, they bicycle to the store. On their journey, they are very helpful to others. Monster and the little boy serve as policemen to direct traffic, and as mangers at the toy store. They are so busy that they run out of time to shop for their own toys. Everyone is grateful for their unselfish behavior.

The incredible water show

Frasier, debra

A science fair project turns into a play for Mrs. Pages 5th grade students at Webster School. You will learn about atoms found in water and all the places where water is found. Discover why these students thing water is the most amazing substance on Earth.

Tags

awareness, bodies of water, clouds, cycle, discovery, earth, entertainment, environment, investigation, performance, rainbow, school, science, sea, teamwork, theatre, water

The bully blockers club

Bateman, Teresa

Lotty is very excited to begin a new school year. When she arrives at school, Grant Grizzly changes her attitude. He picks on her everyday, causing her to feel ill. Lotty tries to get Grant to stop by ignoring him, being his friend, and telling the teacher. It seems as if nothing can stop the bully, until Lotty and her friends create the Bully Blockers Club.

How to make an apple pie and see the world

Priceman, Marjorie

A girl decides to make an apple pie. She goes to the store and finds it closed. Now she must travel across the world to gather ingredients for her pie. She goes to Italy, France, Sri Lanka, England, Jamaica, and Vermont. Once her ingredients are gathered, she takes them home and bakes an apple pie.

Tags

adventures, five senses, food, french, friendship, italian, jamaican, multicultural, nutrition, preparation, travel, united states

If I had my way

Klein, Norma

Ellie wishes that - for just one day - she could have her way. She is tired of being told what to do! Why canﾒt she have a say? In her dreams, the tables turn and Ellie finds herself in charge. Giving her parents orders and trading in her baby brothers are Ellieﾒs first orders of business. Her old life doesnﾒt seem quite so bad.

Tags

assertiveness, baby, change, conflict resolution, discovery, dreams, fantasy, feelings, frustration, growing up, learning, love, parents, self esteem

Once upon an ordinary school day

McNaughton, Colin

An ordinary boy has no idea what is in store for him one fateful, ordinary day. Everything appears to be normal until his new school teacher; Mr. Gee walks through the door. The once ordinary day turns into a whirlwind of adventures

Tags

adventures, animals, bedtime, change, dreams, fantasy, imagination, magic, music, preparation, pretend, routine, self esteem, surprises, teaching, writing

John Philip Duck

Polacco, Patricia

Edward and his father work at a hotel and return home on the weekends. One weekend, Edward finds a motherless duckling near the pond. Edward is permitted by his father to take the duck to work, only if he keeps it out of the hotel managerﾒs sight. When the manager discovers the duck, Edward saves the day by showing the manager how he has trained the duck to march to music by John Philip Sousa. Edward trains many more ducks to live in the hotel fountain.

Desser the best ever cat

Smith, Margaret

A little girl learns all about the hardships of losing a pet. However, her love for Desser is not lost in his death. Instead, she chooses to keep her memories of Desser alive. Even after Ginger, the new kitten, joins the family the little girl still chooses to remember Desser as the best ever cat

Tags

aging, animals, cat, companion, death, decision making, family, feelings, growing up, happiness, loss, memories, parents, pets, sadness, siblings, stress management

Monster goes to the beach

Blance, Ellen // Cook, Ann

On a nice sunny day, Monster and the little boy and little girl go to the beach. While relaxing near the water, all the children came over to ask Monster to play hide and seek. Monster hides, but the children always find him. They tell Monster to hide where he cannot be found, so he covers himself with sand. When the children canﾒt find him, they play on a sand hill. Soon, a boy begins to dig in the sand and found Monster.

Tags

beach, bodies of water, bus, conflict resolution, critical thinking, feelings, food, glasses, happiness, monsters, newspaper, peace, reading, relaxation, sun, umbrella, verbal communication

Monster meets lady monster

Blance, Ellen // Cook, Ann

Monster and the little boy are cleaning the house when the little boy sees a lady monster outside. Monster is happy and freshens up before asking the lady monster if he can play with her. The two monsters play together and fall in love.

Tags

beauty, cleanliness, companion, excitement, feelings, goal setting, happiness, love, monsters, nonverbal communication, playing, relationship, sadness, success, verbal communication

Elephant prince: The story of Ganesh

Novesky, Amy

In this mythical story, that takes place in India, a girl grows up listening to her motherﾒs and grandmotherﾒs stories. As a princess, she meets her love and is married. He promises her a baby and has one within a year. When gods gather around the babyﾒs head vanishes. Another god helps save the baby with the help of an elephant offering his life. The little boy was saved and became the elephant prince, listening to his motherﾒs stories everyday.

Tags

animals, assertiveness, baby, bodies of water, elephant, family, feelings, god, goddess, happiness, india, loneliness, love, marriage, multicultural, mythical, parents, presents, river, sadness, storytelling, stress management, verbal communication, wish

Not norman: A goldfish story

Bennett, Kelly

When a boy gets Norman, a goldfish, for his birthday he is disappointed. He wants an energetic pet with which to run and play. He makes a plan to take Norman back to the pet store and get another pet. After show and tell at school, he decides to keep him. Norman likes his music and makes him laugh; besides any other pet just wouldnﾒt be the same, they would not be Norman.

Two friends: A story from Zambia

Mashiri, Pascal

Two friends need sleep. Unfortunately, snoring becomes a problem for one of them. The friend that solves the problem doesnﾒt get the sleep.

Baby danced the polka

Beaumont, Karen

While mom and dad are trying to do the chores, baby is supposed to be sleeping. However, baby canﾒt sleep and is dancing with the farm animals.

Tags

animals, assertiveness, chores, conflict resolution, cow, dancing, exercise, family, farm, goat, parents, pig, play, responsibilities, sheep, verbal communication

Silly chicken

Khan, Rukhsana

Rani is jealous of Amiﾒs affection for Bibi, a chicken. Rani finally learns how to lay an egg - much to the motherﾒs delight. However, when left alone one day, the chicken dies and Ami is sad. An egg from Bibi is found, which hatches a new baby chick.

Tags

affection, animals, assertiveness, birth, chicken, death, decision making, dog, family, feelings, jealousy, loss, multicultural, pakistani, parents, sadness, self esteem, verbal communication

The night eater

Juan, Ana

A night eater eats up the darkness in the sky, then continues to eat stars and clouds until they are gone. This makes it possible for the sun to be seen. The moon offends the night eater, which causes him to stop eating the night. It continues to stay dark until the children cry for him. The night eater eats up the dark sky to make way for the daylight again.

Tags

clouds, colors, conflict resolution, day, decision making, fantasy, friendship, hard work, moon, mountains, mythical, night, nonverbal communication, peer resistance, running, sea, seasons, self esteem, sky, stars, summer, sun, weather

Cluck's clock

Gray, Kes

Day begins on the farm at 4 o'clock in the morning. The chickens stretch and begin breakfast followed by laying their eggs from 6 to 8 oﾒclock. At 2 o'clock, they play a game of hide-and-seek, and then visit the horses before dinner. As the sun sets, the chickens return to the coop and await the fox. When the fox arrives, a chicken lures him to a hole in the door then dirt is thrown on him to scare him away. At midnight, the chickens say good night.

Tags

animals, birds, chicken, day, dog, duck, exercise, farm, fear, feelings, fox, happiness, horse, morning, night, nonverbal communication, numbers, sequence, time, tractor, transportation, walking

This is the matzah

Levine, Abby

A Jewish family shops, cooks, and prepares for Passover. The traditions and the meanings behind them are explained in a rhyme.

Tags

alcohol, beverage, celebration, ceremony, cooking, drugs, family, food, grandparents, hebrew, Jewish, multicultural, nonverbal communication, nutrition, parents, party, religion, responsibilities, reunion, shopping, siblings, verbal communication

Our nest

Lindbergh, Reeve

When you get into your bed at night, there are many other creatures also getting into their beds called nests. Enjoy learning about the world we all share.

Tags

animals, bedtime, birds, bodies of water, community, comparisons, critical thinking, deer, environment, exploration, fish, geography, moon, mouse, nature, nonverbal communication, planet, river, science, shelter, sleep, space, stars, sun, wildlife

The magic rocks

Herbert, Barbara N.

An African woman struggles to find firewood so that she can cook for her family. While cooking porridge, an old weak man came along asking for food. Because she felt sorry for him, she gave him the porridge. In return, he gave her some magic rocks that would turn to gold. However, the woman couldnﾒt get them to change. When her family came home to realize they had nothing to eat, her husband was angry and threw the rocks in the fading fire. The family fell asleep hungry and cold. In the morning, they woke to a burning fire and porridge cooking. The family found more rocks and called them coal.

Tags

africa, anger, cold, cooking, decision making, emotions, family, fire, food, fuel, future, giving, hunger, kindness, light, magic, night, nutrition, pollution, verbal communication

My sister's wedding

Mkatshaw, Dumazile

Nhlanhla is getting married and her cousin, Priscilla, is going to sing at the ceremony. The day before the ceremony Priscilla loses her voice. Priscilla's family comes up with many different remedies, including eating raw eggs and drinking hot garlic. Upset, Priscilla cries over her lost voice and sits down on a box of pins! With a hearty scream, her voice returns and she can sing for the wedding.

Tags

animals, celebration, critical thinking, family, feelings, five senses, flood, happiness, love, nonverbal communication, porcupine, pride, problem solving, sewing, sounds, taste, touch

I saw your face

Dawes, Kwame

A poem and child portraits illustrate the shared beauty and heritage of African people living throughout the world.

Tags

africa, african, animals, birds, body parts, games, geography, ghana, history, identity, maps, market, multicultural, park, play, travel, tree

Memorial day surprise

Golding, Theresa Martin

Marco and his mother are off to see the Memorial Day parade! Today, mother is in a hurry because she has a special surprise for Marco. She is in such a hurry that they don't have time to see Marco's grandfather. Once they reach the parade, Marco sees his two best friends which he believes is the surprise. Yet, they are not the surprise his mother has in store for him. Neither is the marching band, fire engine, Statue of Liberty, or candy. Marco could never imagine the surprise in store for him at the end of the parade!

Tags

accomplishment, america, careers, celebration, disability, family, flag, food, freedom, grandparents, heroism, history, memorial day, memory, monuments, noise, parade, parents, pride, recognition, sounds

Clink Clank Clunk

Aroner, Miriam

Rabbit is taking a trip into town and is kind enough to pick up nine friends along the way. Much to his dismay, Rabbit's car begins to fall apart more and more with each friend that gets in! With a little teamwork and persistence though, the ten make it safely to town where Rabbit buys a new car.

Tags

animals, beaver, birds, car, cow, crow, five senses, fox, friendship, mole, numbers, persistence, porcupine, rabbit, skunk, sounds, squirrel, teamwork, transportation, travel

The lighthouse cat

Stainton, Sue

In an old lighthouse, the keeper strives to keep the twenty-four candles burning, by tending to them every half hour. He was lonely until the day he was nose to nose with a cat. They both tended to the lighthouse together. On a dark and stormy night, the rapid wind blew the candles out. The cat called for other cats to help light the lighthouse with their yellow bright eyes.

Tags

animals, birds, boat, bodies of water, careers, cat, change, critical thinking, direction, feelings, food, happiness, lighthouse, nonverbal communication, rain, sea, seagull, storm, teamwork, transportation, weather

Louanne pig in the talent show

Carlson, Nancy

Louanne's school is putting on a talent show. There's only one problem though: Louanne doesn't have a talent. When an unexpected turn of events causes Louanne to step up to the plate, she discovers her hidden talent: saving the day!

Tags

acrobat, acting, animals, bear, books, dancing, feelings, happiness, helping, instruments, performance, pig, practice, rabbit, reading, sadness, success, telephone

Olivia saves the circus

Falconer, Ian

After making breakfast for her two younger brothers, Olivia dresses herself and heads to school. Today is Olivia's turn to tell the class about her vacation. She tells of a time when all the circus people are sick and she has to run the entire show. She uses her imagination to tell about her experiences as a lion tamer, juggler, and more. Olivia then heads for home, talks with her mother, and goes to bed.

Tags

acrobat, animals, bedtime, circus, dog, elephant, history, imagination, lion, photograph, pig, presentation, school, storytelling, vacation, verbal communication

A country far away

Gray, Nigel

This is a story comparing two young boys who live in Africa and the United States. Their lives are identical even though they live in different countries.

Tags

african, america, bicycle, birth, celebration, comparisons, critical thinking, differences, friendship, geography, goal setting, growing up, maps, multicultural, school, soccer, sports, swimming, village

Monster at school

Blance, Ellen // Cook, Ann

Monster goes to school with a little boy one day. Once he arrives, he is a great help and loves to play with all of the children. One child, however, feels sad because Monster is not playing with him. What will Monster do to cheer up his sad friend?

Tags

allergies, boredom, feelings, fun, happiness, health, helping, monsters, nonverbal communication, playing, reading, sadness, school, self esteem, verbal communication, walking

Carnival of the animals

Lithgow, John

A young boy sneaks off from a school field trip. He is left in the history museum overnight where he discovers his classmates, family, and acquaintances take on new forms.

Tags

animals, baboon, badger, birds, cattle, chicken, cuckoo, dinosaur, dreams, elephant, family, feelings, ferret, fish, fox, happiness, hyena, kangaroo, lion, mischief, museum, nonverbal communication, sadness, swan, turtle, weasel

The useful moose: A truthful, moose-full tale

Robinson, Fiona

Molly loves moose so much that her family vacationed in Alaska, so that she could see them up close; except when they got there the moose had left for a vacation in the city. Once in the city, she saw moose everywhere and befriended three young moose who were tired and needed rest. She invited the moose to stay with them when they cooked, cleaned, and became part of the family. The moose became homesick for their own family, so they went back to Alaska. Molly was sad when she invited the moose to her birthday party and they didnﾒt respond, but they surprised her by jumping out of an airplane at her party and promised to come back often.

What Eddie can do

Gebhard, Wilfried

Eddie goes on many adventures but ignores his momﾒs advice on shoe tying lessons. After discovering his friend Clara, who needs to be rescued by a double tailed monster, Eddie takes time out and learns to tie knots, and succeeds in saving his friend.

The village in the valley of darkness

Mashiri, Pascal

I want to see my people in the village. It is no fun to search alone. At last, I can see the light.ﾔ During my travel, a dog at my side with brother and I. People in the village are thankful and at peace!

Dancing in the wings

Allen, Debbie

Sassy uses her unique characteristics and height to become a great ballet dancer. Sassy does not allow bullying from the other students to prevent her from trying out for a summer dance festival. Sassy learns the benefits of perseverence and self-esteem.

Tags

challenges, competition, dancing, depression, determination, dreams, embarrassment, family, feelings, glasses, humor, imagination, individuality, instruments, jealousy, multicultural, performance, persistence, playing, self esteem, stars, theatre, travel

Baxter Barret Brown's bass fiddle

McKenzie, Tim A

Baxter Barret Brown loves to play his bass fiddle. He decides to take it with him wherever he goes and turn it into whatever he needs. However, he soon learns that when he changes the fiddle he can't play the music he loves and must change it back if he wants what really makes him happy.

Tags

airplane, alliteration, bicycle, boat, critical thinking, feelings, happiness, imagination, instruments, music, nonverbal communication, sadness, shelter, sounds, tools, transportation

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