Chickens to the Rescue by John Himmelman

Which came first, this egg-cellently silly story or its hilarious chicken illustrations? As calamity after calamity besets Farmer Greenstalk and his family, the chickens flock together to provide sidesplitting solutions. After a week of non-stop feather-ruffling activity, the hens settle in their coop for a well-earned day off; luckily for the hapless Greenstalks, they are not the only helpful critters on the farm. The simple story line, organized by the days of the week, and the refrain, "Chickens to the rescue!" make this a great read-aloud read-along for pre-K through first grade.

Welcome to the Bed and Biscuit

Grandpa Bender is a veterinarian who runs the Bed and Biscuit, a boardinghouse for various types of animals. Helping him run the business are former borders, rescued animals that Grandpa adopted as part of his family: Gabby, a Vietnamese mynah bird who has been with Grandpa for 10 years and sometimes answers the phone when Grandpa is busy; Ernest the pig, who has his own shower and a wonderful brain that can help him find things when no one else can; and Milly, a cuddly, red-gold cat that Grandpa wears like a scarf. In this often humorous tale they coexist happily until Grandpa brings home a mysterious guest, with whom he starts to spend all of his time. Who is this guest that fits in a breadbox? Will life with Grandpa ever be the same again? Recommended for grades 2-3.

Exploratopia

This is an excellent science resource for teachers and students. The book is divided into 3 main sections: Exploring Yourself (senses) Exploring Interesting Places (including kitchen, bathroom, beach, amusement park!) and Exploring Interesting Stuff (a whole host of things right out of the science curriculum).

Really neat ways to explain lots of great information in a kid friendly format--for example the scientific reason for disliking broccoli! The optical illusion section has some cool newer ways to look at optical illusions rather than the same old tired images. Lots of experiments--more than 400--many of which are easy to do and require common items to carry them out. Others have a plan ahead section where a few items will need to be gathered from other local sources such as Radio Shack.
The book contains lots of great pictures, diagrams and illustrations, a hints tips, and answers section and an index.
Packed full of lots of good and easy ideas to spice up science lessons in the classroom or allow students to extend some of the learning in class. Good ideas for science fairs too! I see this more as a book used with students rather than by them as the size of the book and depth of information is overwhelming for all but the most scientific-mindedchildren. I can see lots of the ideas from the book used to explore and explain scientific concepts K-8. Great ideas for centers can be developed from these ideas.

Put together by the folks at the Exploratorium

Balls!

What book provides information on bingo balls, pangolins, ball pythons, soccer balls, footballs and tennis balls just to name a few? Balls!
It is a compendium of all things to do with balls! What a great find for a PE teacher!
This is a wonderful collection of facts and asides all about balls. There are photos, historical and modern, fun facts, cartoons, famous faces, records and much more. The book is divided into 11 sections including 8 sports and ball basics and more odd balls and finally a for further reading section. The information is presented in a quirky fun kid-friendly way so that it is not a dry collection of facts.

The reader can learn the history of each ball and how it is constructed and why it is made the way it is--for example a basketball has 31, 029 pebbles on its surface! there is something in here for everyone. It can be read from cover to cover or a reader can select their favorite sport.
Bowling, baseball, and billiard balls are conspicuously absent. his is explained briefly on p.69 where Rosen assures us that another volume is coming soon!

Grades 4-7
PE Teachers K-8

Gossamer by Lois Lowry

Littlest One is in training as a dream-giver, a delicate creature whose job it is to turn memories into dreams that give comfort and hope to humans. Thin Eldest is her teacher, doing his best to guide Littlest as she learns to use her considerable gift for bestowing dreams on the inhabitants of their assigned house--an abused 8 year old boy and his elderly foster mother. Comforting the angry boy is a task made urgent when a Sinisteeds begins to inflict nightmares on him. When the Sinisteeds gather to attack the child's sleep in a horde, Littlest must use her ingenuity to save him. Lowry skillfully weaves together all the strands of the story--the sweet, caring work of the dream-givers, the violent thoughts and words of the boy, the determination of his mother to make a home for him, the calm patience of the foster mother--into an allegorical story that can be enjoyed on more than one level.

Building with Dad, by Carol Nevius

Illus. by Bill Thomson.

A young boy joins his dad at a construction site. The book opens from top to bottom providing interesting use of perspective and a sense of being dwarfed by the large equipment. The construction site is for a new school and will offer extra interest at newly opened schools.

Grades K-2

Drita, My Homegirl, by Jenny Lombard

Drita, a refugee from Kosovo and Maxie, an African American girl in her New York City classroom are an unlikely pair. Drita barely speaks English and struggles to make friends at her new school while outgoing Maxie is in frequent trouble for clowning around in class. Their stories are told in alternating chapters as the two girls get to know each other and their families. This is an outstanding story about friendship and overcoming differences.

Below by Nina Crews

Jack drops his favorite toy, Guy, through a hole in the staircase and worries about the dangers Guy might be facing down "below". Busy parents are unable to help immediatly so Jack must use his own ingenuity to retreive Guy all by himself. By using his toy crane, he joyfully recovers Guy and lots of other lost toys.
Crews' uses a variety of illustration techniques, dreamy double exposure images and hand drawings, to creatively show Jack's vivid imagination.

Lucy Rose: Busy Like You Can't Believe, by Katy Kelly

Illus. by Adam Rex.

Entering fourth grade, an irrepressible Lucy Rose chronicles her experiences eavesdropping, trying out for Annie in the school play, relationships with friends, the not so friendly Ashley, grandparents, and divorced parents. The telling is practically breathless, funny, and true. Her collection of new words and palindromes gives readers access to a sophisticated vocabulary within the comfort of a series character and style.

Grades 3-5

Tools, by Tara Miura

Learn the correct names for a variety of tools grouped by their associated job: carpenter, tailor, mechanic, doctor, electrician, gardener, chef, watchmaker, barber, and painter. The labeled tools are presented before the job allowing listeners to guess before turning the page. Graphic illustrations created on computer are pleasing for their simplicity and focus on the topic.

Grades K-2