Book picks similar to
How to Report on Books, Grades 1-2 by Jill Norris


homeschool
2nd-grade
curriculum-literature
1st-grade

Dear Deer: A Book of Homophones


Gene Barretta - 2007
    Speaking in homophones, she describes the quirky animal behavior she sees. There's the MOOSE who loved MOUSSE and ATE EIGHT bowls, and the WHALE who was ALLOWED to WAIL ALOUD--and that's just for starters.This playful picture book introduces children to the richness of language through the concept of homophones. A romp through the zoo has never been so eye-opening.A Children's Book-of-the-Month Club Selection

The Honest-to-Goodness Truth


Patricia C. McKissack - 2000
    McKissack comes a humorous and poignant picture book about the right time to tell the truth.“Tell the truth and shame the devil,” Libby’s mama has told her. So whatever is Libby doing wrong? Ever since she started telling only the truth, the whole world seems to be mad at her. First, it’s her best friend, Ruthie Mae, who gets upset when Libby tells all their friends that Ruthie Mae has a hole in her sock. Then Willie gives her an ugly look when she tells the teacher he hasn’t done his homework. It seems that telling the truth isn’t always so simple. Can Libby figure out what it really means to be truthful and make amends?

Hope for the Heart of the Homeschool Mom: Encouragement for the Days When Sanity is Limited


Jamerrill Stewart - 2015
    Encouragement. Sanity. On any number of homeschooling days, I've needed all three. It's not that homeschooling is an unwanted chore. Homeschooling my children is one of my greatest joys. It's a privilege. I'm so incredibly blessed by this undertaking. And I'm challenged. I'm pulled. I'm stretched. I'm growing. I'm finding my reheated coffee in the microwave at 2 p.m. wondering where the morning went. Trying hard to soak up the sweet and sacred moments with these souls and miss stepping on the Lego pile in the process. Friend, I'm sure you've felt the same. The pages of Hope for the Heart of the Homeschool Mom is a collection of encouragement to prayerfully strengthen your soul for this God-given journey. A journey that's beyond stretching and beyond worth it.

The Giant Hug


Sandra Horning - 2005
    Valeri Gorbachev’s adorable artwork pairs beautifully with Sandra Horning’s charming text, and makes for a fun, funny, and educational read-aloud. An unexpected twist at the end will delight readers and have kids asking for this book again and again.

Alice in Wonderland (A Stepping Stone Book)


Mallory Loehr
    She chases after him, down a rabbit hole to a strange land full of exotic creatures, like the Mad Hatter and March Hare, a smiling Cheshire cat, a philosophical caterpillar, and a tempermental croquet-playing queen. Alice can hardly keep track of all the curious characters, let alone herself!Lewis Carroll's classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland has been adapted to an easier reading level for Stepping Stones, while keeping all the fun, nonsense, and fantastic twists of the original book.From the Trade Paperback edition.

Just Plain Fancy


Patricia Polacco - 1990
    The Amish first came to Pennsylvania in the early 1700s, and to this day preserve a religious and "plain" life-style. As part of her household chores, Naomi looks after the chickens with her little sister, Ruth.One day Naomi and Ruth find an abandoned egg near the road. This is no ordinary chicken egg, though. In fact, surrounded by the simplicity and austerity of their Amish ways, this egg is almost "fancy." Naomi decides this special egg must be hatched. And when it is, it's plain to see that this is no ordinary chick!The girls manage to keep the chick, dubbed Fancy, a secret... until the day of the Vleckes' frolic, or community working bee. On this day, Naomi is to receive a white organdy cap, a family tradition, as a reward for her hard work and responsibility. But on this day, too, Fancy decides to introduce himself to the community.The results are a sheer delight, pure and simple. Patricia Polacco's passion has taken her into the heart of Amish country in search of a story. In this unabridged reading of her award-winning book, her lively voice, accompanied by her beautiful artwork carry this story of discovery and growing up into the hearts of all who listen and turn its pages.

A New Coat for Anna


Harriet Ziefert - 1986
    in full color. "A fresh and moving story of a mother's dedication to acquire a coat for her daughter in post-World War II hard times. Anna's mother decides to trade the few valuables she has left for wool and for the services of a spinner, a weaver, and a tailor. Lobel's pictures do a tremendous job of evoking the period. Insightful and informative, this may make children consider how precious the ordinary can become in times of turmoil."--(starred) "Booklist"

Powwow Day


Traci Sorell - 2022
    Will she ever dance again?River wants so badly to dance at powwow day as she does every year. In this uplifting and contemporary picture book perfect for beginning readers, follow River's journey from feeling isolated after an illness to learning the healing power of community.Additional information explains the history and functions of powwows, which are commonplace across the United States and Canada and are open to both Native Americans and non-Native visitors. Author Traci Sorell is a member of the Cherokee Nation, and illustrator Madelyn Goodnight is a member of the Chickasaw Nation.

Punctuation Celebration


Elsa Knight Bruno - 2009
    Periods stop sentences in a baker’s shop, commas help a train slow down, quotation marks tell people what to do, and colons stubbornly introduce lists. This appealing primer is a surefire way to make punctuation both accessible and fun for kids.

One Hundred Hungry Ants


Elinor J. Pinczes - 1993
    . . until they take so long that the picnic is gone!

At the Same Moment, Around the World


Clotilde Perrin - 2011
    Strong back matter empowers readers to learn about the history of timekeeping and time zones, and to explore where each of the characters lives on the world map. A distinctive educational tool, this picture book's warm, unique illustrations also make it a joy to read aloud and admire.

Ocean Sunlight: How Tiny Plants Feed the Seas


Molly Bang - 2012
    From tiny aquatic plants to the biggest whale or fish, Bang presents a moving, living picture of the miraculous balance sustaining each life cycle and food chain deep within our wondrous oceans.On land or in the deep blue sea, we are all connected--and we are all a part of a grand living landscape. Co-authored by award-winning M.I.T. professor Penny Chisholm, a leading expert on ocean science, OCEAN SUNLIGHT is packed with clear, simple science. This informative, joyous book will help children understand and celebrate the astonishing role our oceans play in human life.

The Salamander Room


Anne Mazer - 1991
    Together, Anne Mazer and Steve Johnson have created a woodland paradise that any salamander would love to share with a child.

Roller Coaster


Marla Frazee - 2003
    . . with at least one person who has never done this before. Zooming, swerving, dipping, and diving, this delightful story featuring a breathtaking ride and a hilarious range of reactions, will help readers lose their roller coaster anxiety. Marla Frazee’s witty narrative and slyly building of tension delivers an experience unlike any other and will have readers begging to take another ride.

How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?


Margaret McNamara - 2007
    "How many seeds are in a pumpkin?" Mr. Tiffin asks his class as they gather around the big, medium, and small pumpkins on his desk. Robert, the biggest kid, guesses that the largest one has a million seeds; Elinor, sounding like she knows what she's talking about, guesses the medium one has 500 seeds; and Anna, who likes even numbers better than odd ones, guesses that the little one has 22. Charlie, the smallest boy in the class, doesn't have a guess. Counting pumpkin seeds is messy business, but once the slimy job is done... well, you'll have to read and find out!