Frog and Toad Are Friends

Lobel, A. (1970). Frog and Toad Are Friends. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.

"Once upon a time there were two good friends". That is how each of these short stories in this book could start. Each story shows the reader how these two character are there for each other from helping the one who is not a morning person, to looking for a lost button, and helping one get over their embarrassment. Just the typical stuff that good friends do for each other. 

I have a personal connection to this book. It was one of the first books I remember reading on my own.  I read it over and over again. The vocabulary and content is good for emerging readers. Parents would enjoy reading it to or with their child.

Sam, Bangs, & Moonshine

Ness, E. (1966). Sam, Bangs, & Moonshine. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.

This is a story about a girl with a problem with lying. Samantha (Sam for short) lives in a fishing town with her father  a fisherman and her cat Bangs. She has told stories or fibs to all the people in the town. However there is  young boy who believes her stories and one day goes out on a quest based on one of her lies. It ends up putting him and Sam's cat in grave danger. 

This would be a good story for parents to share with young children about possible repercussions that could result from lying.  Even though I felt Sam wasn't lying so much as she just was a child with a vivid imagination, the story does teach a good lesson for children that there comes a time when they must start telling the truth.

The word choice would make this a great mentor text to teach students how to use vivid words to describe a scene. Phrases like " menacing rumble of thunder" and "grey ribbed curtain of rain" paint the picture of a terrible storm taking place. 

The art work is unique being that only three colors are used; gold, black, and gray. They are complimentary and don't take away from the story that is taking place.