The Year of The Panda by Miriam Schlein

The Year of The Panda was written by Miriam Schlein and illustrated by Kam Mak.
Genre: Juvenile
Sub-genre: Fiction
Theme: Conservation
Primary and Secondary Characters: Lu Yi is the primary character. Dr. Di, Hu Shang, and Lu Yi's father are secondary characters.
Awards: None
Publisher and Date of Publication: Harper Collins Publishing; 1990
Summary and Uses: Lu Yi lives on a farm that his family has owned for generations. Strange things happen such as men from the government come to the farm and ask Lu Yi's father to sell the farm and a giant panda appears in a neighbor's field. Lu Yi feels that the two mysteries are connect and soon finds himself caught up trying to nurse the animal back to health which has an impact his future. This book shows how animals can become extinct not from malice but through lack of understanding. This book facilitates that learning and will have a huge impact on students. A connection to science and social studies could be made using this book in a lesson.

Too Small by Ann Blades

Too Small was written  and illustrated by Ann Blades
Genre: Picture book
Sub-genre: Fiction
Theme: Trust
Primary and Secondary Characters: Angus and Jack are the main characters. The mom and the old woman are secondary characters.
Awards:None
Publisher and Date of Publication: Groundwood Books;2000
Summary and Uses: Jack and Angus move with their mother from a large house to a smaller one. The boys constantly complain that their new house has no room to play and wrestle. The mother follows an old woman's advice. In the end, the boys discover that their new house isn't so small after all. This book would be great if new students have moved into the classroom because it deals with moving. This would be a great way to connect to all the students.

Just One More? by Nancy Alberts

Just One More? was written by Nancy Markham Alberts and illustrated by John Butler.
Genre:Picture Book
Sub-genre:Fiction
Theme: Patience
Primary and Secondary Characters: Mama Bear and Baby Cub are the primary and only characters in the book.
Awards:None
Publisher and Date of Publication: Handprint Books; 2007
Summary and Uses: This book is about a cub who does not want to go to sleep. Mama bear is patient with her cub and allows him to stay up longer and longer without getting angry. This book would be best served in a designated reading time in the classroom. This book best fits as a bedtime story though.

Amelia Earhart: The Ledend of the Lost Aviator by Shelley Tanaka

Amelia Earhart: The Ledend of the Lost Aviator was written by Shelley Tanaka and illustrated by David Craig.
Genre: Biography
Sub-genre: Non-Fiction
Theme: Have a can-do attitude
Primary and Secondary Characters: Amelia Earhart, George Putnam, and Fred Noonan were primary characters.
Awards: Orbis Pictus Award
Publisher and Date of Publication: Abrams Books for Young Readers; 2008
Summary and Uses: This informative book starts out by describing Amelia's childhood and goes into her being a wartime nurse. It tells of her first flight and of her many feats. This book is a celebration of her life ending with her long puzzling disappearance during her last flight. This book is very inspiring especially for young girls. Reading this book in small groups would  be a great use. This would allow students ample time for discussion and close examination of the photographs.

My Friend The Monster by Eleanor Taylor

My Friend the Monster was written and illustrated by Eleanor Taylor
Genre:Fiction
Sub-genre: Picture Book
Theme: Friendship
Primary and Secondary Characters: Louis and the Monster are primary characters. Lola and Louis' parents are secondary characters.
Awards:None
Publisher and Date of Publication: Bloomsbury Publishing; 2008
Summary and Uses: After his family moves into their new house, Louis discovers a monster living under his bed. The monster is friendlier than ever and wants to make friends. They go to the park  and they meet Lola, the duck who become a great friend. This book could be used to show that outward appearances should have nothing to do with becoming friends. If the students in a classroom are having trouble getting along, this book would be great to read aloud with a good take away message.

Santa Cow Island by Cooper Edens

Santa Cow Island was written by Cooper Edens and illustrated by Daniel Lane.
Genre:Fiction
Sub-genre:Picture Book
Theme: Vacationing
Primary and Secondary Characters: The Schwartzes are the primary characters and their cows are the secondary characters. (Although the cows make the book great!)
Awards:None
Publisher and Date of Publication: Simon and Schuster Books; 1994
Summary and Uses: The cows persuade the Schwartz family to go on a vacation to Santa Cow Island. On the way, they pass many American landmarks. When they arrive at Santa Cow Island, there are many activities that the family, along with their cows, engage in such as diving, swimming with the dolphins, and going to a New Year's Eve party. This book has great illustrations and young children will love to hear this story especially close to the holiday season.