To continue our monthly series of book lists for youth, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library would like to recommend the following titles:
March, 2007 -- Springtime Books
The Flower Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta. Each letter in the alphabet is illustrated by a flower that beings with that letter. Artists notes in standard print give additional information about each flower. Grades P-2. Large print book 3/16 inch font LP 09271.
On The Same Day In March: A Tour Of The World's Weather by Marilyn Singer. This book takes the reader on an around the world tour of 17 locations to discover the very different weather and activities taking place on the same day in March. An author's note describes the connection between the earth's rotation and the seasons. Grades P-2. Print/braille book 3/16 bold double-spaced text BR 15007.
Paddington Bear in The Garden by Michael Bond. Paddington has been given a backyard plot of his very own. As is typical for him, things proceed in a rather haphazard fashion, but in the end he wins an award for his unique design. Grades P-2. Large print book 3/16 inch double-spaced text LP 18686.
Arthur's April Fool by Marc Brown. It's April first, and what Arthur wants most is a trick that will make a bully disappear. Grades K-3. Cassette book RC 59205.
The Egg Tree by Katherine Milhous. Katy, on an Easter egg hunt with her cousins, finds some holiday treasures in her Grandmother's attic. Intrigued, the children ask to learn the traditional Pennsylvania Dutch craft. Old-fashioned limited color illustrations won the Caldecott Medal. Grades K-3. Print/braille 3/16 inch bold text BR 6109. Cassette book RC 60891.
Kites: Magic Wishes That Fly Up To the Sky by Demi. Expains the use of painted symbols on kites in China, and kite flying as a festival activity and as a sport. Includes directions for making a simple kite at home. Grades K-3. Print/braille book 1/8 inch font BR 15010.
Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems by Francisco X. Alarcon. Bilingual collection of humorous and serious poems celebrating spring. In English and Spanish. Grades K-3. Cassette book RC 55040.
Naomi Knows It's Springtime by Virginia L. Kroll. Naomi, who is blind, can tell Spring has come by using her other senses. For example, the air stops nipping her nose and the lilacs begin to perfume the yard. Grades K-3. Cassette book RC 41146.
Baby Animals On The Farm Hans-Heinrich Isenbart. Describes baby animals usually found on farms around the world. The text introduces the terms “precocial” and "altricial", which refer to the level of care needed at birth varies by animal. Grades 2-4. Print/braille book standard size font BR 07938.
First Look at Growing Food by Claire Llewellyn. Photographs and simple text introduce the topic of agricultural and how things grow. WTBBL has ten other books in the series -- four pertinent to spring cover mountains, rivers, nature, and the seasons. Grades 2-4. Large print book ¼ inch bold font LP 8771.
Seeds and Weeds by Rena K. Kirkpatrick. Describes different kinds of common seeds and weeds, including their various parts, how they "travel", and the cycle from seed to plant. Careful illustrations accompany text, and book includes activity suggestions, summary, and comprehension quiz. Other books in the series by this author cover trees, flowers, and other natural science topics. Grade 2 and up. Large print 3/16 inch bold text LP 09266.
Squish! A Wetland Walk by Nancy Luenn. Short Descriptions of wetlands, and of the plants and animals that live there. Includes the topic of wetland preservation. Winner of the Governor's Writer Award. Grade 2 and up. Cassette book CBA 6333.
The Life Cycle of the Dandelion by Paula Z. Hogan. Simple text and large colorful illustrations explain the life cycle of the weed whose bright color and windblown seeds fascinate children. Thirteen other books in this series cover the life cycles of oak trees, butterflies, and other animals from all classifications. Grade 2 and up. Large print book 3/16 inch font LP 8572.
Exploring Woodlands: Eco-Journey series by Barbara J. Behm and Veronica Bonar. Looks at some of the animals and a few plants that one would find in a woodland environment. WTBBL has six books in this series covering various ecosystems. Grade 3 and up. Much of the text is 5/16 bold font. Large print book LP 11421.
Festivals by Ruth Manning-Sanders. A month-by-month potpourri of special days from the four corners of the world. Includes information about festivals and their origins, as well as selected songs, poems, and stories. Grade 3 and up. Cassette book RC 12169.
Ride The Wind: Airborne Journeys Of Animals And Plants by Seymour Simon. Discusses the migrations of various birds, butterflies, locusts, spiders, and bats. Includes brief mention of seeds that are also air travelers. Grade 3 and up. Cassette book RC 47565.
The World of Butterflies by David Saintsing. Colored photographs taken with a zoom lens, and detailed text describe the life of a butterfly, including habitat, shape, daily life, courtship, mutation, migration, enemies, camouflage, and more. WTBBL has ten other series titles covering other members of the animal kingdom. Where Animals Live series. Grade 3 and up. Large print 3/16 inch bold text LP 7728.
Sugaring Season: Making Maple Syrup by Diane L. Burns. In an industry unique to the United States and Canada, as winter turns to spring, sugar maples are tapped and their sap is transformed into maple syrup. The author describes the process. Grade 3 and up. Cassette book RC 34394.
Double Dutch: A Celebration of Jump Rope, Rhyme, and Sisterhood by Veronica Chambers. History of the two-rope game played by friends on sidewalks and by athletes in competitions. Author explains her personal involvement in the sport and includes some Double Dutch chants. Grade 4 and up. Cassette book RC 56537.
Bees: Busy Honeymakers by Eulalia Garcia. Text, drawings, and close-up photographs reveal the fascinating life of bees. Includes a glossary, suggests activities, and lists additional books and videos to consult for further information. WTBBL has ten other books in the series. Secrets of the Animal World series. Grades 4-7. Large print book, most of text is 3/16 inch bold font, LP 14754.
Encyclopedia Brown's Book of Wacky Sports by Donald J. Sobol. A collection of humorous and bizarre happening in football, baseball, basketball, boxing, and other sports. Grades 4-7. Braille book BR 6279. Cassette book RC 22837.
Honus And Me by Dan Gutman. Shortly after Joe Stoshack discovers a valuable 1909 Honus Wagner baseball card, the player mysteriously appears in his bedroom. Holding the card, Joe is able to time travel to 1909. #1 in the Baseball Card Adventure series. Grades 4-8. Cassette book RC 49915 or CBA 6818.
Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorenson. Marley's family moves to the country after her father has trouble readjusting to civilian life after being a P.O.W. The magic of the changing seasons enchants Marley and starts her father on the path to healing. Newbery Award winner. Grade 4 and up. Braille book BR 10930. Cassette book RC 23479.
True Stories of Baseball's Hall of Famers by David Kellogg. Sixty brief accounts of baseball's most productive players from the early 1900s to 1980, Includes well-known players such as Cy Young, Connie Mack, Ty Cobb, Jackie Robinson, Yogi Berra, Hank Aaron, and Sandy Koufax. Grade 6 and up. Cassette book RC 51860.
Ultimate Sports: Short Stories By Outstanding Writers For Young Adults edited by Donald R. Gallo. Collection of stories about teenagers of both sexes involved in a variety of sport. For example, Jim Naughton's “Joyriding” describes a mutually advantageous interaction between a cross-country athlete and a pudgy piano player. Grade 6-9. Cassette book RC 42366.
To order these books and others like these, use the link to the "On-line Catalog (OPAC)" at www.wtbbl.org. Order these books or use keyword search or subject search to find more like these. You can limit your search by reading level and/or material format.
Link to previous Recommended Reads.