Tunjur! Tunjur! Tunjur!: A Palestinian Folktale by Margaret Read MacDonald

A lively folktale from the middle east introduces us to a woman who longs for a child and prays to Allah "even if it's just a cooking pot" which is what she gets. The mischiveous little pot runs ("Tun-jur! Tun-jur!" is the roll-y noise she makes) off with things that do not belong to her. She learns her lesson when someone fills her up with goat muck- instead of the reward she was expecting.

A lesson of learning right from wrong is shared with strong arabic- styled illustrations.

Author's notes are included.

Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows

Here is a great new book for fans of Junie B., Amber Brown and Judy Moody. Large font and lots of humorous black and white illustrations will appeal to students wanting to move from easy readers to chapter books. Ivy and Bean are seven year old neighbors who dislike each other even though they have never spoken. When they finally do meet, they team up to cast a "witches spell" which sends Bean's bossy older sister into a wormy mud hole and makes them friends forever. This is a fun book to read which also reinforces the lesson that you shouldn't prejudge others.

Use with grades 1-3.