Chee-Lin: A Giraffe's Journey

Chee-Lin: A Giraffe's Journey

Written and Illustrated by: James Rumford

Elementary Grades

"Linking the Chinese mythological creature, the Chee-Lin, to a 1414 Chinese portrait of a giraffe, Rumford imagines how a giraffe may have journeyed to China. From his birth and capture in East Africa to a short stay in Bengal and a stay in Nanjing and finally landing in Peking, lonely Tweega (Swahili for giraffe) survives frightening voyages, cruel and tender caretakers, and cramped quarters, ending up in the emperor’s spacious grounds. Tweega inspires awe everywhere and stirs optimism among the Chinese, who believe the Chee-Lin to be an omen of good fortune."

Booklist Review

Go, Go America

Go, Go America

Written and Illustrated by: Dan Yaccarino

"What state’s official cookie is the chocolate chip cookie? What state hosts the International Rotten Sneaker Contest? Which state is it illegal to enter with a chicken on your head? To find the answers to these questions and hundreds more, just hitch a ride with the fabulous Farley family--Mom, Dad, Freddie, Fran, and Fido--as they travel state to state and discover far-out festivals, kooky contests, ludicrous laws, peculiar people, and oodles of oddities across America. So fasten your seat belt and get ready to go, go through fifty states of fun!"

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.yaccarinostudio.com/ys/books/go_go_america.html

The Scrambled States of America Talent Show

The Scrambled States of America Talent Show

"Those wacky scrambled states are back. This time they’ve come together for a spectacular show featuring their many goofball talents. But just when Indiana (the director) is about to call SHOWTIME!, Georgia gets a bad case of stage fright and can’t perform in her juggling act. Will the show go on, or will it be curtains?

In this winning companion to The Scrambled States of America, young readers will revel in the madcap adventure and silly antics all while learning interesting facts about states and geography."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.lauriekeller.com/schoolstuff_talent.html

The Scrambled States of America

The Scrambled States of America

Written and Illustrated by: Laurie Keller

"At the first annual "states party," Virginia and Idaho hatch a plan to swap spots so each can see another part of the country. Before the party is over, all the states decide to switch places.

In the beginning, every state is happy in its new location. But soon things start to go wrong. Florida, who switches spots with Minnesota, is freezing in the frosty northern climate, and Minnesota hasn't brought sunscreen and is getting an awful sunburn. Will the states ever unscramble themselves and return to their proper places?

Packed with madcap humor and whimsical illustrations, this quirky story—starring all fifty states—is chock-full of introductory facts and silly antics that will make learning geography as much fun as taking a vacation."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.lauriekeller.com/schoolstuff_scrambled.html
http://www.eduref.org/Virtual/Lessons/Interdisciplinary/INT0127.html

Geography from A-Z: A Picture Glossary

Geography from A-Z: A Picture Glossary

Written by: Jack Knowlton
Illustrated by: Harriet Barton

"The sixty-three entries from A to Z describe the earth's features -- its physical geography -- from the highest mountain peak to the deepest ocean trench, in clear, concise terms. Each entry is beautifully illustrated in full color.

This is a perfect introduction to the dramatic and fascinating face of the vast world around us. The author and artist of the best-selling MAPS & GLOBES team up again, this time to prove that geography can indeed be an adventure."

Product Description

Online Resources:
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/archives/geography_az.shtml

Which Way to the Revolution? A Book About Maps

Which Way to the Revolution? A Book About Maps

Written and Illustrated by: Bob Barner

"Students will be able to follow along on the map as Paul Revere warns the colonists of the impending battle with the Redcoats. Of course, this time, Paul is aided by some clever mice who help him with his mission."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.theteacherscorner.net/thematicunits/american.htm

Three Days on a River in a Red Canoe

Three Days on a River in a Red Canoe

Written and Illustrated by: Vera Williams

"Mother, Aunt Rosie, and two children make a three-day camping trip by canoe. The story offers a step-by-step narrative of what a canoe trip requires. The book includes maps, diagrams for pitching a tent, and a list of supplies."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.kidsreads.com/authors/au-williams-vera.asp

The Little House

The Little House

Written and Illustrated by: Virginia Lee Burton

"This classic in children’s literature focuses on change brought about by urban expansion. It shows what happens when the little house is surrounded by the approaching city. In a happy ending, the now dilapidated house is moved back to the country."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/19582.aspx
http://alex.state.al.us/lesson_view.php?id=13027

You are Here

You are Here

Written and Illustrated by: Nina Crews

"Stuck inside due to inclement weather, Mariah and Joy embark on an imaginative journey. First destination on the map (which they've constructed on top of a checkerboard, with coins, buttons, seashells and checkers) is an imaginary tiny island. Without fanfare, the girls shrink to a size that allows them to fit right into their surroundings. A decorative mask in the room becomes a "giant," a houseplant is a jungle to be explored and the chubby gray cat is now a fierce monster guarding "treasures" (cat toys). A look through a kaleidoscope turns everything on end, and soon the girls are back to reality. The smoothly pitched text builds in excitement as the images and action begin to fully take shape in readers' minds."

Publishers Weekly Review

Mapping Penny's World

Mapping Penny's World

Written and Illustrated by: Loreen Leedy

"Lisa and her dog from Measuring Penny (Holt, 1998) are back. Since the girl's class is learning about maps, she decides to draw one of her bedroom and then makes a few for her Boston terrier. These maps show where the pet has hidden her toys and treats, the best route for a neighboring animal to take to their house, biking and hiking trails (Penny rides in the bike basket), and a 3-D map of places where the pup likes to play. Lisa explains terms such as "key," "scale," and "symbol," and introduces tools such as pedometers and odometers. This book is as a complement to other books that introduce spatial concepts such as Gail Hartman's As the Crow Flies (Aladdin, 1993) and Joan Sweeney's Me on the Map (Crown, 1996)."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/SSLAMappingPennysWorldK2.htm#

My Map Book

My Map Book

Written and Illustrated by: Sara Fanelli

"In non-narrative form, Fanelli (Button) challenges the concept of "map" as she earnestly demonstrates that places aren't the only things that can be charted. Exploring everyday aspects of a child's world, the author mixes the expected, such as "Map of My Neighborhood," with more conceptual subjects: "Map of My Family," "Map of My Day," "Map of My Heart" and even "Map of My Dog." In some ways, the volume resembles a kit: the dust jacket unfolds, revealing a poster of the contents, and empty areas on most spreads encourage readers to personalize the book (on "Map of My Tummy," space is reserved under the heading "my favorite foods"). Fanelli's abstract, mixed-media art includes heavy, blended oil pastels, waxy crayon lettering and snippings from printed matter. Fields of rich color and easygoing disregard of perspective make the work seem approachable and sophisticated at the same time."

Publishers Weekly Review

Online Resources:
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/13140817/Geography-Lesson-Plan

Mouse Views: What the Class Pet Saw

Mouse Views: What the Class Pet Saw

Written and Illustrated by: Bruce McMillian

"Photographic puzzles follow an escaped pet mouse through a school while depicting such common school items as scissors, paper, books, and chalk. Readers are challenged to identify the objects as seen from the mouse's point of view."

Product Description

Me on the Map

Me on the Map

Written by: Joan Sweeney
Illustrated by: Annette Cable

"In this playful introduction to maps and geography, step by simple step, a young girl shows readers herself on a map of her room, her room on the map of her house, her house on the map of her street--all the way to her country on a map of the world. Once the reader is familiar with the maps, she demonstrates how readers can find their own country, state, and town--all the way back to their room--on each colorful map. Easy-to-read text, bright artwork, and charming details give children a lot to search for and will have them eager to help navigate on the next family vacation."

Product Description

As the Crow Flies: A First Book of Maps

As the Crow Flies: A First Book of Maps

Written by: Gail Hartman
Illustrated by: Harvey Stevenson

"Maps -- they help you get where you want to go. People use road maps to find their way. These maps show miles of highways that point out the right direction. But what about the crow? What kind of map does he use? Or the eagle, the rabbit, the horse, and the sea gull? What's on their maps?"

Publishers Description