Macaulay, David. Black and White. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1990. 32 pages. Caldecott Medal Book. ISBN 0-395-52151-3.
This story is really four stories that at first passing seem to have nothing to do with each other. Upon closer inspection, the reader realizes each story is a different perspective of one theme - a late train. The layout of the book is ingenious; each story is in the same position on each page. It doesnıt matter which one is read first - the Holstein cows, the weird parents, the little boyıs first solo train ride, or the stress-releasing workers letting loose at the station. It fosters critical thinking; the reader has to really pay attention to see the stories are indeed related to each other and the cause and effect between them. This book is very original!
MacDonald, Alan. Beware of the Bears!
MacDonald, Betty. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's Won't-Pick-Up-Toys Cure
MacKinnon, Christy. Silent Observer.
MacLachlan, Patricia. Sarah, Plain and Tall.
Marshall, James. The Three Little Pigs. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 1989. 29 pages. ISBN 0-8037-0591-3.
This well-known folk tale is made new through the current-day attitudes of the pigs and the wolf. The story unfolds in the same way, with the wolf huffing and puffing and blowing down the houses of the first two pigs, and having two nice snacks. But when the wolf encounters the third pig, he is in for a real challenge; this is one smart pig. No wonder he made his house of bricks! The wolf canıt blow the house over, so he spends several days trying to trick the little pig into leaving his house and meeting the wolf so he can eat him. But the pig is onto the wolf's plans, and always arrives an hour early; that way he still gets to enjoy the activity (apple picking, the carnival) but he doesnıt get eaten by the wolf. The little pig even manages to scare the wolf when he rolls down a hill in a butter churn trying to escape the wolf. Finally the wolf has had enough and jumps down the chimney of the little pig's house - right into a waiting pot of boiling water, where he quickly becomes the pig's dinner.
The author uses big words in a slang manner, but it seems natural. This introduces children to new words in a non-threatening way and shows them it can even be ³cool.² The illustrations are bright and colorful. They are well-drawn and support the text.
Martin, C. L. G. Illustrated by Peter Elwell. Three Brave Women. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1991. 29 pages. ISBN 0-02-762445-5.
Caitlin McKay is afraid of spiders. Which is okay, except that mean Billy Huxley caught her freaking out when one climbed up her leg. And even that would be okay, except without thinking she tore off her pants and he saw her ducky underpants and now he's going to tell everyone! Her Grammy and Mama comfort her, telling Caitlin she comes from a long line of insect scaredy-cats. Grammy's brothers used to put worms in her shoes and spiders in her hair, and Mama almost didn't get to marry Daddy because she tipped the fishing boat when she saw a spider (not to mention the bait!), making Daddy break his brand new fishing rod.
So Caitlin decides she needs to prove she's not afraid, enlisting her Grammy and Mama to help her catch a spider. That will show Billy Huxley! With much trepidation, Caitlin leads the way and they all work together to catch a spider under the front porch. The three brave women are very proud of themselves. Caitlin takes her catch, along with Grammy's little dog Muffie, to show Billy. Only Billy runs inside when he sees her coming - he's afraid of dogs! Caitlin can't believe it. At first she considers using Muffie to guarantee Billy's silence about her ducky underpants, but then decides to help Billy not be afraid. She doesn't want his grandchildren to be afraid of dogs. And if she can make sure of that, then she can make sure her grandkids won't be afraid of anything.
Any kid afraid of bugs will love this story! It shows kids that itıs okay to be afraid and how to overcome those fears. It is wonderful how the three generations interact in a warm, supportive manner.
McCully, Emily Arnold. Mirette on the High Wire. New York: G. P. Putnamıs Sons, 1992. 32 pages. Caldecott Medal Book. ISBN 0-399-22130-1.
A little girl helps a great wirewalker overcome his fear. Set in Paris in the late 1800s, this is the heartwarming story of Mirette and her life at her motherıs boardinghouse which is world famous amongst traveling artisans. One day the Great Bellini shows up at their door, though no one knows who he is. Mirette catches him walking on the clothesline like a tightrope, so of course she tries it later and falls right off! But in her impudent style she gets right back up and tries again. Slowly but surely she teaches herself to walk the rope. Bellini is impressed; he teaches her many tricks. When she finds out who Bellini is, she begs him to take her to all the exotic places heıs been. Bellini doesnıt want to disappoint Mirette, but he is afraid and tells her so. Mirette tries to hide her tears, but Bellini knows he has let her down. This gives Bellini the courage to try one more time to walk the wire in front of a crowd. Together Mirette and Bellini walk a tightrope for the Parisian crowd; it was just as Mirette expected and just as Bellini remembered. The action in this story is effectively conveyed through the colorful drawings. This story is filled with hope, an essential element in any childrenıs book. Mirette is able to ³save² Bellini because she believes in him when he has lost his faith. This would be an excellent book to read aloud.
McGovern, Ann. If You Grew Up with Abraham Lincoln.
McGraw, Eloise. The Moorchild.
Metzger, Steve. I'm Having Bad Day.
Milne, A. A. The House at Pooh Corner.
Milne, A. A. Winnie-the-Pooh.
Mitchell, Margaree King. Illustrated by James Ransome. Uncle Jed's Barbershop. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1993. 28 pages. ISBN 0-671-76969-3.
Sarah Jean is a little girl who lives in the South (United States) in the early 1900's, during segregation. Her Uncle Jedediah travels around the county every day cutting people's hair. His dream is to open a barbershop one day, with shiny sinks and sparkling floors and four big barber chairs. And, of course, a red-and-white striped barber's pole.
But many things happen to keep Uncle Jed from realizing his dream. First, Sarah Jean gets sick and needs an operation. Uncle Jed is the only one with any money, so he pays the $300 to save his Sarah Jean. He just works more and starts saving again. Then Uncle Jed loses all of his money - $3,000 - when the bank fails during the Great Depression. He doesn't give up or even get mad; Uncle Jed just keeps cutting hair and planning for his barber shop. Everyone says he is a fool, except for Sarah Jean.
Finally, on his 79th birthday, Uncle Jed opens his barber shop. It looks exactly like he always said it would. Even though he doesn't live very much longer, he dies a happy man. Uncle Jed personifies the American work ethic - "work hard and you will be rewarded." He never let his dream die, even when everything was going against him. This story shows what perseverance can achieve.
Monson, A. M. Wanted: Best Friend.
Munsch, Robert N. Illustrated by Michael Martchenko. The Paper Bag Princess. Toronto, Canada: Annick Press, Ltd., 1980. 24 pages. ISBN 0-920236-82-0.
Elizabeth is a princess happily engaged to Prince Ronald. That is until the day a dragon burns down her castle and all her possessions - and then kidnaps the Prince! Elizabeth grabs the only things she can find, a paper bag, makes it into a dress, and heads off to rescue her Prince. She finds Ronald and must trick the dragon into overexerting himself, making him fall into a deep sleep. Elizabeth sets Ronald free, only to have him chastise her for wearing a paper bag. He says it is totally improper for a Princess. Elizabeth realizes her Prince is really a bum; she lives happily ever after - without him.
This book celebrates female independence, an important message to girls everywhere, especially in todayıs world. Here is a beautiful princess who uses her brains - not her looks - to solve a problem. The story is clever and is well supported by the lively illustrations.
Munsch, Robert. Illustrated by Michael Martchenko. Stephanie's Ponytail. Toronto: Annick Press, Ltd., 1996. 24 Pages. ISBN 1-55037-484-2.
Stephanie is a creative little girl. She also likes to be different. Every day she comes to school wearing a ponytail; each day it is in a different place on her head. All the other kids make fun of her original hairstyle, but the next day they always have a ponytail in the exact same spot. It doesn't take long for Stephanie to get tired of being made fun of one day and copied the next. So she announces to the class that she is thinking of shaving her head so they can't copy her ponytails anymore. It's only a bluff, but when school opens the next day, Stephanie walks into her classroom sporting a ponytail - much to the surprise of her bald-headed classmates!