Picture Books

Bats at the Beach by Brian Lies (2006)

AR 3.4, LG, .5 points, quiz #105809EN

On a night when the moon can grow no fatter, bats pack their moon-tan lotion and baskets of treats and fly off for some fun on the beach.

Internet Resources from Suzy Red

Teacher's Guide from Author

Connections from Maine Chickadee Award (pdf file) see page 19

Activity from Cynthia J. O'Hora (pdf file)

But Excuse Me That is My Book by Lauren Child (2006)

AR 2.6, LG .5 points, quiz # 100574EN

When Lola's favorite book is not on the library's shelf, her older brother, Charlie, tries to find another book she will enjoy.

Lauren Child's official web site

Chicks and Salsa by Aaron Reynolds (2005)

AR 4.5, LG, .5 points, quiz # 102936EN

Soon after the chickens tire of their feed and decide to make tortilla chips and salsa, all the other animals on Nuthatcher Farm start to crave southwestern cuisine.

North Carolina Book Award Program (pdf file) see page 22

Duck at the Door by Jackie Urbanovic (2007)

AR 2, LG, .5 points, quiz # 114955EN

When Max the duck decides to stay behind when his flock flies south, Irene invites him to stay with her for the winter.

Coloring page

Author's web site

Max's Words by Kate Banks (2006)

AR 2.6, LG, .5 points, quiz # 109414EN

When Max cuts out words from magazines and newspapers, collecting them the way his brothers collect stamps and coins, they all learn about words, sentences, and storytelling.

Activities from North Carolina Children's Book Award (pdf file) see page 20

Lesson Plan from Author (pdf file)

Max's Word List to go with lesson plan(pdf file)

The Perfect Nest by Catherine Friend (2007)

AR 2.5, LG, .5 points, quiz # 114239EN

With hopes of making a delicious omelet, Jack the cat builds a nest to catch a chicken, but ends up attracting more than the bird.

Activities from the Mockingbird Award

Activities from Suzy Red

Texas State Library Association Recomendations

• Draw three eggs: small, middle-sized, and large. Tell which belongs to the chicken, the duck and the goose.
• What do you have in your room that you could use to build a perfect nest?
• Pretend to make an omelet using a whisk and a spatula: break the eggs, whip them, pour them in a skillet, slide the omelet on a plate.
• Author information: http://www.catherinefriend.com/HTMLBookPages/perfectnest.htm
  Illustrator Web Site: http://www.johnmanders.com/
  

Phoebe and Chub by Matthew Henry Hall (2006)

AR 2.5, LG, .5 points, quiz #86931EN

A tree frog that lives in a creek at the bottom of a canyon and a fish that lives in a river at the end of the creek become friends and play together every day.

Tools for Teachers by Matthew Henry Hall

The Secret Science Project T hat Almost Ate the School by Judy Sierra (2006)

AR 3.4, LG, .5 points, Quiz # 109634EN

A girl sends off for "Professor Swami's Super Slime" to use as her science fair project and then has to cope with the funny disaster that follows.

Activities from the Monarch Award

Some Dog! by Mary Casanova (2007)

AR 2.8, LG, .5 points, #115633EN

A stray dog moves into George's formerly peaceful home, dazzling the man and woman of the house with lively tricks and antics that just leave George exhausted.

Author's Web site

There Was a Coyote Who Swallowed a Flea by Jennifer Ward (2007)

AR 3.1, LG, .5 points, quiz #144543EN

Set in the desert southwest, this variation on the traditional, cumulative rhyme looks at the consequences of a coyote's strange diet.

Jennifer Ward's web site with link to teacher guide