Book vs. Movie: Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

I absolutely love this book! Charlotte's Web is a timeless classic and a favorite of many because it includes wonderful characters, humor, and an interesting storyline. My favorite thing about this book is all of the different personalitites shown by the animals. The author did a great job of portraying the animals as if they had human qualities. Each animal acts and talks just like I would imaging them doing so. Charlotte's Web has been released several times as cartoons and movies. However, the most recent release was in 2006 was a real life movie. The movie closely follows the book and does captures all the joy that the book has. The actors in the film do an excellent job of portraying the characters and animal voices. I love Julia Roberts voice for Charlotte. I think that anyone who has read and loved the book Charlotte's Web will love the movie as well. The book and movie have several lessons embedded in them about the importance and meaning of friendship. This book is truly a classic!

Other books by E.B.White include:
Stuart Little
Trumpet of the Swan
Some Pig!

White, E.B. (1952). Charlotte's web. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

Corretta Scott King Award: Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Bud, Not Buddy is an uplifting story of a young orphan boy trying to make his own way during the Great Depression. In this story, Bud is looking for the man whom he thinks is his father. Along his journey he meets many interesting characters and experiences many new things. Through it all Bud manages to take charge of his destiny while also holding on to his past. Bud makes reference of serveral comical rules as he meets new people and makes choices along the way. Bud, Not Buddy is full of laugh out loud humor and wonderful characters.

Other books by Christopher Paul Curtis include:
Mr. Chicksee's Messy Mission
Mr. Chicksee's Funny Money
The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963

Curtis, C.P. (1999). Bud, not buddy. New YorkL Scholastic Inc.

Caldecott Medal: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig

Imagine all the happiness you would have if you found a magic pebble that granted your every wish! Sylvester Duncan, a donkey who collects pebbles "of unusual shape and color," experiences just such a lucky find. But before he can make all his wishes come true, the young donkey unexpectedly encounters a mean-looking lion. Startled, Sylvester wishes he were a rock, and drops the pebble because he can no longer hold it and thus cannot wish himself back to a donkey. His parents become very depressed and think that they will never see thier son again. However, in the happy ending Sylvester's parents pick up the pebble and wish for thier son back. The rock that they were sitting on magically turns into Sylvester and they reunite happily.

This is another heart-warming story of true love and family. This story has simple illustrations of animals taking on human characteristics wearing clothes and talking. The illustrations of the animals emotions are very detailed as well. Children will love this truly magical story.

Steig, W. (1969) Sylvester and the magic pebble. New York: Scholastic Inc.

Caldecott Honor Book: Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine

This is truly a heartwarming story about a boy or man who overcame slavery. Henry's Freedom Box is about a boy named Henry who was born a slave. When his master grows ill, Henry hopes that he will be freed but his hopes did not come true. Instead, he was given to his masters son and his life became much worse. Henry got married and had children but then his entire family was sold. Henry had nothing left so he asked a white abolitionist to pack him in a crate so he can be "mailed to freedom". His journey is long and dangerous but he does arrive in Philadelphia free!

This is a wonderful story to use to teach students about slavery and the underground railroad. Many students do not understand or realize that freedom was not always for everyone. When teaching elementary students its important to incorporate children't literature with the concept you are wanting to teach in order to get them to understand it better.

Other books by Ellen Levine include:

If Your Name Was Changed at Ellis Island

If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon

If You Lived with the Iroquois

If You Traveled on the Underground Railroad

Levine, E. (2007). Henry's Freedom Box. New York: Scholastic Inc.

Caldecott Honor: No David! by David Shannon

Have you ever felt like all you hear yourself saying is "No?" Think about it from a child's perspective. This book is an easy quick read for young children. The story is quite simple with a happy ending! The plot is about a boy who is constantly getting in to trouble and always hears "No, David!" from his parents. However, in the end, he finally hears "Yes, David!" and "I Love You!"

This book is very easy to read. Kindergarten students can pick up this book and feel successful reading it because of the few words in it. The illustrations are brightly colored and vivid making this book even more enjoyable. I have a four year old cousin who can read the words in this story. He finds this book very funny and laughs constantly when it is read to him. Many young children can relate to David and therefor enjoy reading about his adventures.

Other books by David Shannon include:

A Bad Case of Stripes

Oops!

How I Became a Pirate

Too Many Toys

Pirates Don't Change Diapers

Shannon, D. (1998) No David! New York: Scholastic Inc.