The Green Book by Jill Patton Walsh

The Green Book is about the journey of a group of Earthlings who must escape their dying planet.  They leave Earth on an outdated spaceship in search of a new planet where they may be able to settle and start a new life.  Some of my fourth grade students felt that the book was too simple, short, and lacked development.  They wished the book had described what happened to the inhabitants of the new planet in more detail.  Although some of my students felt unsatisfied by the time they finished the book, reading it provided us with a variety of learning opportunities.  We were able to discuss space travel, causes of a dying Earth, the making of a perfect planet, and so much more!  It is a thought-provoking book highly pertinent to discussions of environmental responsibility on Earth and beyond.  I highly recommend this book for classroom use where great discussions may take place!

Brian Wildsmith's Bilingual Board Books

When I first started reading to my daughter Sophia, I purchased a series of board books by Brian Wildsmith that are written in both Portuguese and English.  The books offer simple, colorful illustrations accompanied by verbal descriptions in both languages.  I found these simple books excellent in helping my children develop vocabulary for colors, different types of animals, opposites, shapes and sizes.  The books are offered in a variety of languages including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Vietnamese, and Chinese.  I read these books to both my children quite a bit until they were about twenty months. They also read them by themselves and enjoyed them quite a bit.  If you are considering exposing your child to more than one language, these are great little books to help you get started.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

Edward Tulane is a porcelain rabbit doll that embarks in a series of unexpected and unwanted adventures through which he learns important lessons in life.  Edward's most important discovery is understanding the meaning of love and friendship.  This book is a sweet addition to any library: Kate DiCamillo offers readers a beautiful gift in her storytelling.  It is a lovely book to be read with children, at home or in the classroom.  I found this book so touching that I am planning to include it in my curriculum.