Llama Llama Misses Mama (Primary Series)

Dewdney, A. (2009). Llama llama misses mama. New York, NY: Penguin Young Readers Group.

Summary: In this book Llama Llama goes to his first day of school. As the book goes through Llama’s morning routine, the story features a catchy rhyme that youngsters will certainly enjoy. Once Llama arrives at school and realizes that Mama Llama will not be staying with him, he begins to withdraw from all activities, feeling very, very alone. In time he begins to realize how much fun school can be, and, of course, that Mama Llama will come to pick him up at the end of the day. This book would be perfect for those students who have the beginning-of-the-year jitters.

Read-Alike: If you enjoyed this book, check out other books in the series, including Llama Llama Red Pajama and Llama Llama Mad at Mama.

Discussion Questions:
1. Explain something you were worried about as you got ready for school today.
2. What was the best part of your day?

For more information about the author, check out www.annadewdney.com.

Coretta Scott (Non-fiction Primary)

Shange, N. (2009). Coretta Scott. New York, NY: Katherine Tegen Books.

Summary: Through the moving poetry of Ntozake Shange and the colorful illustrations of Kadir Nelson, the story of Coretta Scott’s life unfolds. Readers will see Coretta’s long walk to school in the early morning hours contrasted by the bus full of white children that leave Coretta and her friends literally in the dust. They will witness the tireless efforts of Coretta and her husband Martin Luther King, Jr. in cities such as Montgomery, Alabama and Washington, D.C. In addition to moving illustrations, the book features a one-page biography on Coretta Scott that fills in any factual gaps that might exist in the book.

Read Alike: Check out My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Christine King Farris.

For more information about the author, log on to http://www.harpercollins.com/authors/32318/Ntozake_Shange/index.aspx

Discussion Questions:
1. When Coretta Scott was a young girl African American students and white students went to different schools. Even though you are unable to see the white children on their way to school, explain the differences between the experiences of the African American students and the white students.
2. Select a page from the book and look at the faces of the people on the page. What stories do their faces tell?

Little Mouse Gets Ready

Smith, J. (2008). Little mouse gets ready. New York, NY: Toon Books.

Summary: This 2009 Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor book illustrates the many steps it takes for the little mouse to get ready to go to the barn. From slipping on his socks to buttoning his britches, the struggles the little mouse encounters will speak to the pre-K set. The book, touted as a mini-graphic novel, features illustrations and speech bubble monologue. The monologue continues until the very end until little mouse’s mama makes a proclamation. Parents will appreciate the illustrations on the last two pages.

Read-Alike: If you liked Little Mouse Gets Ready, try Benny and Penny in the Big No-No!

Discussion Questions:
1. In what ways are you and the little mouse alike?
2. Share a time when you have figured something out all by yourself. Explain the steps you had to go through to do this.

If Smith’s name sounds familiar, it should. He is the creator of the comic book Bone. For more information about Smith, log on to http://www.toon-books.com/book_littlemouse.author.php