Shelby Dunn's Bookshelf

Books that I hope that my future students will enjoy.
I'm from Outer Space!: Meet an Alien - Lisa Bullard, Mike Moran

This book is all about Aliens!! What they are, what they do, where to find them. Despite the subject matter, it is not a scary book, though it is perfect for Halloween. Not to worry, Zeeton the alien is friendly and he delivers information about aliens in a light and whimsical way. He explains how aliens are portrayed in different cultures and what to do if you were to make contact with one. My favorite part of this book is the writing activity that is suggested at the end. It also has websites that teachers can visit in order to enhance learning if this book were incorporated in their lesson. The Monster Buddies series really keeps teachers in mind.

 

Reading Level: 2nd grade

Lexile: 530

I'm Undead and Hungry!: Meet a Zombie - Shannon Knudsen, Chiara Buccheri

This book is all about Zombies!! What they are, what they do, where to find them. Despite the subject matter, it is not a scary book, though it is perfect for Halloween. Not to worry, Roscoe the Zombie is friendly and he delivers information about zombies in a light and whimsical way. He explains how zombies are portrayed in different cultures and how to avoid getting eaten by one. My favorite part of this book is the writing activity that is suggested at the end. It also has websites that teachers can visit in order to enhance learning if this book were incorporated in their lesson. The Monster Buddies series really keeps teachers in mind.

 

Reading Level: 2nd grade

Lexile: 530

I'm Fearsome and Furry!: Meet a Werewolf (Monster Buddies) - Mike Moran, Lisa Bullard

This book is all about Werewolves!! What they are, what they do, where to find them. Despite the subject matter, it is not a scary book, though it is perfect for Halloween. Not to worry, Conner the werewolf is friendly and he delivers information about werewolves in a light and whimsical way. He explains how werewolves are portrayed in different cultures and what to do if you were to encounter a not so friendly one. My favorite part of this book is the writing activity that is suggested at the end. It also has websites that teachers can visit in order to enhance learning if this book were incorporated in their lesson. The Monster Buddies series really keeps teachers in mind.

 

Reading Level: 2nd grade

Lexile: 530

I'll Haunt You!: Meet a Ghost - Shannon Knudsen, Chiara Buccheri

This book is all about ghosts!! What they are, what they do, where to find them. Despite the subject matter, it is not a scary book, though it is perfect for Halloween. Pablo the ghost is friendly and he delivers information about ghosts in a light and whimsical way. He explains how ghosts are portrayed in different cultures and what to do if you were to have a ghost problem. My favorite part of this book is the writing activity that is suggested at the end. It also has websites that teachers can visit in order to enhance learning if this book were incorporated in their lesson. 

 

Reading Level: 2nd grade

Lexile: 530

Clifford, The Big Red Dog (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) - Norman Bridwell, Norman Bridwell

One of those beloved children's classics that never seem to get old or tired. A story about a little girl that loves her giant dog. This book can be used in a lesson about description or adjectives. Or just a fun story that most kids can relate to (who doesn't like dogs?).

 

Lexile: 360

 

Reading Level: k-2nd grade

Princess Truly in I Am Truly (Princess Truly) - Kelly Greenawalt, Amariah Rauscher

A fabulous story about a little princess with a head full of curls and a ton of confidence. This book would be so empowering for little girls who are not used to seeing princesses that look like them. I love how this book is filled with positive affirmation statements, "I can do this, I am this...ect." I love this story because it teaches kids that they can be anything that they want to be, as long as they believe in themselves.

 

Lexile: 520

 

Reading Level: Pre k- 3rd grade

SPOILER ALERT!
Gregory The Terrible Eater - Mitchell Sharmat, José Aruego, Ariane Dewey

This is a cute little story about a goat that likes human food. His parents ease him into eating goat food (trash) by disguising it as human food. It is a silly story that I am sure will delight children and teachers alike.

 

Lexile: 490

 

Reading Level: Pre k- 3rd grade

The Cat in the Hat - Dr. Seuss

There is nothing like a Dr. Seuss classic!! Espicaillyone that can be incorporated into so many different lessons in a classroom. It's perfect for first-time readers and Dr. Seuss fanatics alike. These books are timeless and will always be a staple in my childhood and I hope to share them with my future students. 

 

Lexile: 260

 

Reading Level: Pre K- 3rd grade

Green Eggs and Ham - Dr. Seuss

There is nothing like a Dr. Seuss classic! A fun story that would be excellent in a literary lesson. It could teach rhyme scheme, character development, and sight words.  It also teaches children that they should try something before deciding if they do not like it.

 

Lexile: 210

 

Reading Level: Pre K- 3rd

SPOILER ALERT!
Just a Mess (Little Critter) - Mercer Mayer

One of my favorite children series that I hope to introduce to my future students. I loved the detailed illustrations and lessons that Little Critter learns. This one is about how Little Critter can find something because of how messy his room is. Only after cleaning it does he finally find it.

 

Lexile: AD480

 

Reading Level: Pre K- 3rd

Charlotte's Web - E.B. White, Garth Williams, Rosemary Wells

A literary classic that would be perfect for the whole class to read. It's about friendship, growing up, and the power of words. There are so many things that children can take away from this story and a lot of English lessons can come out if it for teachers.

 

Lexile: 680

 

Reading Level: 3rd- 7th grade

Where The Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak

A fun picture book that was introduced to me in a Children's Literature class. It's a good book about a little boy's imagination and where it takes him. I liked how the pictures took over the space of the pages the further the little boy traveled. I definitely prefer this book over the movie adaptation. 

 

Lexile:AD740

 

Reading Level: Pre K- 3rd

Stellaluna - Janell Cannon

I remember reading this back when I was in elementary school. This book is a charming story about a bat that was raised by a family of birds. I like how easily the Mama Bird took in Stellaluna and raised her as her own. This book would be great for a lesson about bats. 

 

Lexile: AD550

 

Reading Level: Pre K- 3rd grade

And Tango Makes Three - Justin Richardson, Henry Cole, Peter Parnell

This is a wonderful picture book about the true story of Silo and Roy, two male penguins that raised a chick together. The chick, named Tango, is raised just like any other penguin chick and is very happy with her two dads. This would be a wonderful story for children with two parents or to illustrate how families can be different from others. 

 

Lexile: AD720

 

Reading Level: Pre K- 3rd

George - Alex Gino

One of my favorite children's books about LGBT+ that may help a future student. It is about a little girl that was born a boy and she wants people to see her for the person she is. This book easily explains what trans means and how it feels to be transgender. I like how honest this book is and how it illustrates how others may react to someone that is trans. The important lesson that Melissa learns is that she should be true to herself and that her friends will always support her. 

 

Lexile: 790

 

Reading level: 3-7 grade

The Way I Feel - Janan Cain

A cute picture book about emotions and how they can affect people. This could be helpful for children that may need help on emotions and what they are feeling. I wish that this book would include what to do with your emotions, especially the negative ones, but it can be good for identifying emtions that children may not understand. 

 

Lexile: NP

 

Reading Level: Pre K- 2nd