Lilly's Big Day by Kevin Henkes
The artwork is impressive in this book, as they are in every Lilly book. The pages are full of color and the lines are neat and easy to see. Lilly is always the star of the show.
Exposition: Mr. Slinger is getting married to Ms. Shotwell. The story takes place in Lilly's classroom and at her home in present day.
Conflict: Lilly wants to be the flower girl.
Rising Action:Mr. Slinger tells Lilly to help Ginger be a flower girl. Lilly's Grammy takes her shopping.
Climax: GInger freezes during the wedding.
Falling Action: Lilly helps Ginger as a flower girl. All the guest dance.
Resolution: Lilly asks Ginger to be her flower girl when she gets married.
Henkes, K. (2008). Lilly\'s big day. New York: Harpercollins Juvenile.
*ALA Notable Books for Children
Exposition: Mr. Slinger is getting married to Ms. Shotwell. The story takes place in Lilly's classroom and at her home in present day.
Conflict: Lilly wants to be the flower girl.
Rising Action:Mr. Slinger tells Lilly to help Ginger be a flower girl. Lilly's Grammy takes her shopping.
Climax: GInger freezes during the wedding.
Falling Action: Lilly helps Ginger as a flower girl. All the guest dance.
Resolution: Lilly asks Ginger to be her flower girl when she gets married.
Henkes, K. (2008). Lilly\'s big day. New York: Harpercollins Juvenile.
*ALA Notable Books for Children
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
The illustrations in the story are great for kids. They are small, yet descriptiive. Readers can easily understand the characters in this story. I use this book in my classroom to discuss generating ideas and voice in writing.
Exposition: Lilly loves her new teacher Mr. Slinger and wants to be just like him.
Conflict: Lilly and Mr. Slinger have conflicting views about classroom behavior.
Rising Action: Lilly can't resist the urge to show off everything she got at the mall.
Climax: Mr. Slinger takes Lilly's things for the day. Lilly draws a mean picture of Mr. Slinger and puts it in his bag.
Falling Action: Lilly apologizes for her behavior.
Resolution: Mr. Slinger and Lilly have a great day.
Henkes, K. (1996). Lilly's purple plactic purse. New York, NY: Greenwillow.
*ALA Notable Books for Children
Exposition: Lilly loves her new teacher Mr. Slinger and wants to be just like him.
Conflict: Lilly and Mr. Slinger have conflicting views about classroom behavior.
Rising Action: Lilly can't resist the urge to show off everything she got at the mall.
Climax: Mr. Slinger takes Lilly's things for the day. Lilly draws a mean picture of Mr. Slinger and puts it in his bag.
Falling Action: Lilly apologizes for her behavior.
Resolution: Mr. Slinger and Lilly have a great day.
Henkes, K. (1996). Lilly's purple plactic purse. New York, NY: Greenwillow.
*ALA Notable Books for Children
Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street by Roni Schotter
The illustrations are very realistic in this story. The artist uses half the page to illustrate the book. The colors were very bland inside the book. The artist does give depth with the detail that is drawn into each image.
Exposition: Eva lives on 90th street and nothing ever happens there.
Conflict: Eva cannot think of anything to write about. The people on 90th street are unsuccessful and need some help.
Rising Action: Olivier gives Eva advice on writing. Mr. Morley gives Eva advice on poetry. Alexis gives Eva advice on stretching. Sondra, the actress, returns to 90th street.
Climax: A cat is struck in a tree and everyone raced into the street to try to help.
Falling Action: People were speaking to one another.
Resolution: The people living on 90th Street decide to join together to open a cafe
Schotter , R. (1997). Nothing ever happens on 90th street. New York: Orchard Books.
*ALA Notable Book
Exposition: Eva lives on 90th street and nothing ever happens there.
Conflict: Eva cannot think of anything to write about. The people on 90th street are unsuccessful and need some help.
Rising Action: Olivier gives Eva advice on writing. Mr. Morley gives Eva advice on poetry. Alexis gives Eva advice on stretching. Sondra, the actress, returns to 90th street.
Climax: A cat is struck in a tree and everyone raced into the street to try to help.
Falling Action: People were speaking to one another.
Resolution: The people living on 90th Street decide to join together to open a cafe
Schotter , R. (1997). Nothing ever happens on 90th street. New York: Orchard Books.
*ALA Notable Book
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
The story is well illustrated. The artwork looks like paintbrush strokes. Also, the artist uses the majority of the space for art.
Exposition: In the moonlight, a egg is resting on a leaf. A caterpillar was inside.
Conflict: The caterpillar was hungry.
Rising Action: The caterpillar ate through apples, pears, plums, strawberries, and oranges. He continued to eat many things.
Climax: The caterpillar was fat and no longer hungry and so he built a cocoon.
Falling Action: He popped out of the cocoon.
Resolution: He was a beautiful butterfly.
Carle, E. (1969). The very hungry caterpillar. Orlando: Harcourt Children's Books.
*New York Bestseller List
Exposition: In the moonlight, a egg is resting on a leaf. A caterpillar was inside.
Conflict: The caterpillar was hungry.
Rising Action: The caterpillar ate through apples, pears, plums, strawberries, and oranges. He continued to eat many things.
Climax: The caterpillar was fat and no longer hungry and so he built a cocoon.
Falling Action: He popped out of the cocoon.
Resolution: He was a beautiful butterfly.
Carle, E. (1969). The very hungry caterpillar. Orlando: Harcourt Children's Books.
*New York Bestseller List
Alphabet City by Stephen T. Johnson
I love this art. It is very realistic. The pictures appear to be mixture of photographs and paintings. The artist creates a sense of texture with all the images selected.
This picture book does not follow a plot diagram. It contains many images of letters found in natural settings. The author created this book because he found himself looking for letters in things that he was surrounded by.
My son loves this book because then we turn it into a game of finding letters of the alphabet in our surroundings.
Johnson, S. (2001). Alphabet city. Puffin.
*Caldecott Honor Book
This picture book does not follow a plot diagram. It contains many images of letters found in natural settings. The author created this book because he found himself looking for letters in things that he was surrounded by.
My son loves this book because then we turn it into a game of finding letters of the alphabet in our surroundings.
Johnson, S. (2001). Alphabet city. Puffin.
*Caldecott Honor Book
Walter the Farting Dog by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray
This book is very special to me. I came across this book while dealing with a group of 7th grade boys. I used it in class to demonstrate 6-traits writing and my students were engaged the whole class. The artwork, according to my students, is very creepy. The characters look unrealistic. The story is very funny, but the artwork distracts the reader.
The artwork is a bit scary. It appears the artist joined photography and painting together. It looks a bit like a strange cartoon.
Exposition: Walter, the farting dog, gets adopted by a family.
Conflict: Walter keeps farting and the family can't keep him.
Rising Action: Walter's family takes him to the vet to try to fix his problem. They try different foods. Walter is going to have to go back to the pound. Burglars break into the family home.
Climax: Walter is home and lets a fart escape.
Falling Action: The buglars are scared away and caught.
Resolution: Walter gets to stay with the family since he protected their home.
Kotzwinkle, W., Murray, G., & Colman, A. (2001). Walter, the farting dog. Frog Children's Books.
*New York Bestseller List
The artwork is a bit scary. It appears the artist joined photography and painting together. It looks a bit like a strange cartoon.
Exposition: Walter, the farting dog, gets adopted by a family.
Conflict: Walter keeps farting and the family can't keep him.
Rising Action: Walter's family takes him to the vet to try to fix his problem. They try different foods. Walter is going to have to go back to the pound. Burglars break into the family home.
Climax: Walter is home and lets a fart escape.
Falling Action: The buglars are scared away and caught.
Resolution: Walter gets to stay with the family since he protected their home.
Kotzwinkle, W., Murray, G., & Colman, A. (2001). Walter, the farting dog. Frog Children's Books.
*New York Bestseller List
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
The artist uses vibrant colors and appropriate images for a childrens book. Lilly's expressions are perfect in this book. The reader can easily follow along with the pictures and story. The artist really defines the characters and helps develop the plot through his artwork.
Exposition: A little girl was born and her parents named her Chrysanthemum.
Conflict: Chrysanthemum goes to school and no one likes her because her name is too long.
Rising Action: She was being made fun of by her classmates.
Climax: Ms. Twinkle stands up for her.
Falling Action: Everyone changes their name to a flower.
Resolution: No one picks on Chrysanthemum anymore.
Henkes, K. (1997). Chrysanthemum. Greenwillow Books.
*ALA Notable Books for Children
Exposition: A little girl was born and her parents named her Chrysanthemum.
Conflict: Chrysanthemum goes to school and no one likes her because her name is too long.
Rising Action: She was being made fun of by her classmates.
Climax: Ms. Twinkle stands up for her.
Falling Action: Everyone changes their name to a flower.
Resolution: No one picks on Chrysanthemum anymore.
Henkes, K. (1997). Chrysanthemum. Greenwillow Books.
*ALA Notable Books for Children
The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant
My favorite thing about this book was Stephen Gammell's attention to detail in his illustrations. The characters seem realistic, and the artist really focuses on developing the characters. The artist really brings the characters to life through the images and their creative paths.
Exposition:The relatives from Virginia came to visit one summer.
Conflict: When the relatives came, there was a lot of changes in the house.
Rising Action: They had big dinners. They played music. There was a lot of hugging and cramped sleeping arrangements.
Climax: The relatives pack up and leave.
Falling Action: Everything returns back to normal as the relatives drive home.
Resolution: When the relatives returned to Virginia, they climbed into bed and dreamed about next summer.
Ryalnt, C. (1985). The relatives came. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster's Children's Publishing Division.
*Caldecott Honor Book
Exposition:The relatives from Virginia came to visit one summer.
Conflict: When the relatives came, there was a lot of changes in the house.
Rising Action: They had big dinners. They played music. There was a lot of hugging and cramped sleeping arrangements.
Climax: The relatives pack up and leave.
Falling Action: Everything returns back to normal as the relatives drive home.
Resolution: When the relatives returned to Virginia, they climbed into bed and dreamed about next summer.
Ryalnt, C. (1985). The relatives came. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster's Children's Publishing Division.
*Caldecott Honor Book
Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens
This book opens from the bottom, and children seem to like that it is different from a typical book. The artwork is excellent and leaves no white space at all. Images cover the page from top to bottom.
Exposition: A lazy bear named Bear got land from his father next to the Hare family.
Conflict: The Hare family and Bear do not have the same work ethic.
Rising Action: Bear agrees to have the Hares plant crops for him. The Hare tricks the Bear and gets the good crops.
Climax: Bear gets mad at the Hare family and decides to plant his own crops.
Falling Action: Bear planted the crops and the Hare family started a vegetable stand.
Resolution: The Hare family and Bear were happy as neighbors, but not as business partners.
Stevens, J. (1995). Tops and bottoms. Harcourt Children's Books.
*Caldecott Honor Book
Exposition: A lazy bear named Bear got land from his father next to the Hare family.
Conflict: The Hare family and Bear do not have the same work ethic.
Rising Action: Bear agrees to have the Hares plant crops for him. The Hare tricks the Bear and gets the good crops.
Climax: Bear gets mad at the Hare family and decides to plant his own crops.
Falling Action: Bear planted the crops and the Hare family started a vegetable stand.
Resolution: The Hare family and Bear were happy as neighbors, but not as business partners.
Stevens, J. (1995). Tops and bottoms. Harcourt Children's Books.
*Caldecott Honor Book
Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
I enjoyed the images in the story because they were very creative, and they allow you to use your imagination. The scenes are very typical of a barnyard with the exception of cows that can type. This artist helps create the setting for the story.
Exposition: Farmer Brown hears his cows typing in the barn.
Conflict: The animals on the farm are unhappy with Farmer Brown.
Rising Action: The cows want blankets from the farmer. The animals stop producing milk and eggs until their demands are met.
Climax: The animals make a deal with Farmer Brown.
Falling Action: Farmer Brown trades the blankets for the typewriter.
Resolution: The ducks start typing a letter to Farmer Brown.
Cronin, D. (2000). Click, clack, moo cows that type. Scholastic Inc.: New York, NY
*Caldecott Honor Book
Exposition: Farmer Brown hears his cows typing in the barn.
Conflict: The animals on the farm are unhappy with Farmer Brown.
Rising Action: The cows want blankets from the farmer. The animals stop producing milk and eggs until their demands are met.
Climax: The animals make a deal with Farmer Brown.
Falling Action: Farmer Brown trades the blankets for the typewriter.
Resolution: The ducks start typing a letter to Farmer Brown.
Cronin, D. (2000). Click, clack, moo cows that type. Scholastic Inc.: New York, NY
*Caldecott Honor Book
A Pocket Full of Kisses by Audrey Penn
I think Audrey Penn's book are beautifully illustrated and appropriate for the audience. The characters are relatable and easy to love. The use of the dark colors really helps intensify the mood of the story.
Exposition: Chester, the raccoon, wants to get rid of his little brother, Ronny.
Conflict: Chester doesn't like his little brother.
Rising Action: Ronny does everything Chester does. Mrs. Raccoon gives Chester a kissing hand.
Climax:Mrs. Raccoon gives Ronny a kissing hand and Chester starts to cry.
Falling Action: Mrs. Raccoon tells a story about the stars. Just like stars, kissing hands last forever.
Resolution: Chester realizes that he is happy that he has a little brother.
Penn, A. (2004). A pocket full of kisses. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
*New York Bestseller List
Exposition: Chester, the raccoon, wants to get rid of his little brother, Ronny.
Conflict: Chester doesn't like his little brother.
Rising Action: Ronny does everything Chester does. Mrs. Raccoon gives Chester a kissing hand.
Climax:Mrs. Raccoon gives Ronny a kissing hand and Chester starts to cry.
Falling Action: Mrs. Raccoon tells a story about the stars. Just like stars, kissing hands last forever.
Resolution: Chester realizes that he is happy that he has a little brother.
Penn, A. (2004). A pocket full of kisses. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
*New York Bestseller List
Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold
The artwork in this book appears to be drawn from a child. It has rough lines and simple sketches. I like the artwork since the story is told from a child's point of view. This artist creates depth with the details in each image.
This story is told as an extended metaphor. Cassie is struggling with her race and being told she can't do what she wants to do.
Exposition: Cassie dreams of owning a building in New York from her Harlem apartment.
Conflict: Cassie's father can't join the Union and she wants it for him.
Rising Action: Cassie flys over the bridge. Cassie flys over the buildings and the ice cream factory, claiming them as her own.
Climax: The family goes to Tar Beach.
Falling Action: Cassie will fly to the union building.
Resolution: Cassie continues to fly among the stars.
Ringgold, F. (1991). Tar beach. (1st ed.). Crown Books for Young Readers.
* Caldecott Honor Book
This story is told as an extended metaphor. Cassie is struggling with her race and being told she can't do what she wants to do.
Exposition: Cassie dreams of owning a building in New York from her Harlem apartment.
Conflict: Cassie's father can't join the Union and she wants it for him.
Rising Action: Cassie flys over the bridge. Cassie flys over the buildings and the ice cream factory, claiming them as her own.
Climax: The family goes to Tar Beach.
Falling Action: Cassie will fly to the union building.
Resolution: Cassie continues to fly among the stars.
Ringgold, F. (1991). Tar beach. (1st ed.). Crown Books for Young Readers.
* Caldecott Honor Book
Julius The Baby of the World by Kevin Henkes
The illustrations in Kevin Henkes books never disappoint. They are always designed appropriately for children. Lilly's use of expression is appropriate for student comprehension. The artist really defines the characters and helps develop the plot through his artwork.
Exposition: In the beginning, Lilly's mom is pregnant and Lilly loves the baby.
Conflict: Lilly does not like the baby once it is born. Lilly also doesn't like her cousin being mean to her little brother.
Rising Action: Lilly is really mean to her brother and tries to get him to leave. Cousin Garland starts being mean to her brother as well.
Climax: Cousin Garland gets chewed out by Lilly for picking on her brother.
Falling Action: Lilly teaches Garland how to be nice to her brother.
Resolution: Lilly loves her little brother Julius, "the baby of the world".
Henkes, K. (1990). Julius baby of the world. New York: Greenwillow Books.
*ALA Notable Books for Children
Exposition: In the beginning, Lilly's mom is pregnant and Lilly loves the baby.
Conflict: Lilly does not like the baby once it is born. Lilly also doesn't like her cousin being mean to her little brother.
Rising Action: Lilly is really mean to her brother and tries to get him to leave. Cousin Garland starts being mean to her brother as well.
Climax: Cousin Garland gets chewed out by Lilly for picking on her brother.
Falling Action: Lilly teaches Garland how to be nice to her brother.
Resolution: Lilly loves her little brother Julius, "the baby of the world".
Henkes, K. (1990). Julius baby of the world. New York: Greenwillow Books.
*ALA Notable Books for Children
Help Me, Mr. Mutt by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel
The illustrations did not draw my attention to this book. The cover is creative, but I was not overly impressed by this book. It seems a bit difficult for children to comprehend. The images do not relate well to the story.
Exposition: Dogs with cat and people problems write to Mr. Mutt for help.
Conflict: The dog wants to be treated like the cat.
Rising Action: The dog complains to Mr. Mutt. The queen, cat, sends another letter.
Climax: Mr. Mutt and the Queen get into a fight.
Falling Action: The Queen and Mr. Mutt go their separate ways.
Resolution: They both have their own business.
Stevens, J., & Crummel, S. S. (2010). Help me, mr. mutt!, expert answers for dogs with people problems. Harcourt Children's Books.
*Bluebonnet Nominee
Exposition: Dogs with cat and people problems write to Mr. Mutt for help.
Conflict: The dog wants to be treated like the cat.
Rising Action: The dog complains to Mr. Mutt. The queen, cat, sends another letter.
Climax: Mr. Mutt and the Queen get into a fight.
Falling Action: The Queen and Mr. Mutt go their separate ways.
Resolution: They both have their own business.
Stevens, J., & Crummel, S. S. (2010). Help me, mr. mutt!, expert answers for dogs with people problems. Harcourt Children's Books.
*Bluebonnet Nominee
Where Fireflies Dance by Cuento de Lucha Corpi
Lots of bright colors! I loved flipping through this book. Each new page brought on new vibrant colors. The artist helps the reader understand the setting of a foreign place.
Exposition: In a small Mexican village, a brother and sister tell a ghost story about a revolutionary.
Conflict: The children want to know more about who they are and their own destiny.
Rising Action: The children go to a haunted house. They sit outside a bar and listen to music. They get in trouble for listening to the jukebox.
Climax: The children went to their grandmother's so they would stay out of trouble.
Falling Action: The grandmother tells the story of Juan Sebastian and their destiny.
Resolution: The narrator remembers the stories and music and reflects back on her heritage.
Corpi, L. (1997). Where fireflies dance. San Francisco: Children's Book Press.
*Bluebonnet Nominee
Exposition: In a small Mexican village, a brother and sister tell a ghost story about a revolutionary.
Conflict: The children want to know more about who they are and their own destiny.
Rising Action: The children go to a haunted house. They sit outside a bar and listen to music. They get in trouble for listening to the jukebox.
Climax: The children went to their grandmother's so they would stay out of trouble.
Falling Action: The grandmother tells the story of Juan Sebastian and their destiny.
Resolution: The narrator remembers the stories and music and reflects back on her heritage.
Corpi, L. (1997). Where fireflies dance. San Francisco: Children's Book Press.
*Bluebonnet Nominee