Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor

Today’s children storybook summary is

Fancy Nancy

By Jane O’Connor

Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser

Fancy-Nancy-by-Jane-O'Connor
Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor

 

Plot: Nancy has always been fancy, but now she tries to teach her parents and siblings the art.

(This is the first in a series of 80 titles featuring Fancy Nancy.)

Storyline

We don’t know how old Nancy is(maybe 5 or 6?), but she is very fancy for her age. How do we know? Let’s take a look in her room. The room décor is astonishing: paintings and posters on the walls, flowers, garlands, mirrors, feathers, and artwork everywhere. Hats and purses hang on hooks, and laced shoes are peaking from under the bed. Continue reading Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor

Patrick Gets Hearing Aids by Maureen Cassidy Riski and Nicolas Klakow

Patrick Gets Hearing Aids by Maureen Cassidy Riski and Nicolas Klakow

today’s children storybook summary is

Patrick Gets Hearing Aids

By Maureen Cassidy Riski and Nikolas Klakow

Illustrations by Kim Klakow

Theme: Helping children understand hearing loss.

Plot: A school age rabbit does not hear well, causing him a lot of problems. He must get checked.

Talking points: Often time children with hearing loss are isolated by their peers. This book is not only for the kids with hearing impairment, but for their classmates as well. Some questions to ask are: What happens when you cannot hear? What can we do about it? How do you get your ears checked? How can we help our friends with hearing loss? Continue reading Patrick Gets Hearing Aids by Maureen Cassidy Riski and Nicolas Klakow

Something Smells by Blake Liliane Hellman

Somthing Smells by Blake Liliane Hellman
Somthing Smells by Blake Liliane Hellman

today’s children storybook summary is

Something Smells

By Blake Liliane Hellman

Illustrated by Steven Henry

The takeaway: When something doesn’t feel right we are always quick to blame others. Instead, we should take a hard look at ourselves because often time we are the ones causing the problem. And, sometimes, just by changing a little detail we make it right again. Continue reading Something Smells by Blake Liliane Hellman

Migrant by Maxine Trottier

Migrant by Maxine Trottier
Migrant by Maxine Trottier

today’s children storybook summary is

Migrant

By Maxine Trottier

Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault

The takeaway : This is a very  sweet story about a migrant family of Mennonites from Mexico and their live on the road, told through the eyes of a young girl. Continue reading Migrant by Maxine Trottier

Dear Substitute by Liz Garton Scalon and Audrey Vernick

Dear Substitute by Liz Garton Scalon and Aydrey vernick
Dear Substitute by Liz Garton Scalon and Aydrey vernick

today’s children storybook summary is

Dear Substitute

By Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick

Illustrated by Chris Raschka

The takeaway: When teachers must miss a day at school, a substitute takes over. But the sub cannot replace the beloved teacher and the class grows anxious. This book shows exactly what children feel when their teacher is gone for the day and helps them get through the day and even enjoy it. Continue reading Dear Substitute by Liz Garton Scalon and Audrey Vernick

Samurai Scarecrow, A Very Ninja Halloween by Rubin Pingk

Samurai Scarecrow, A very Ninja Halloween by Rubin Pingk
Samurai Scarecrow, A very Ninja Halloween by Rubin Pingk

today’s children storybook summary is

Samurai Scarecrow, A Very Ninja Halloween

By Rubin Pingk

The takeaway: If you don’t treat someone with kindness, you may get “tricked” by them (or don’t be mean to your baby sister!) – A perfect example of the Halloween trick or treat, applied to human behavior – Continue reading Samurai Scarecrow, A Very Ninja Halloween by Rubin Pingk

The Funeral by Matt James

The Funeral by Matt James
The Funeral by Matt James

today’s children storybook summary is

The Funeral

By Matt James

The takeaway: Through the eyes of a child, a funeral is not an ordinary day. There are many unfamiliar places, people behavior is sober, and the whole day has an unexplained solemnity to it. But the best part of the day is when you get together with your family, thus make it comfortable and welcoming. Continue reading The Funeral by Matt James

Elmore by Holly Hobbie

Elmore by Holly Hobbie
Elmore by Holly Hobbie

today’s children storybook summary is

Elmore

By Holly Hobbie

The takeaway: Make yourself known before asking for understanding and friendship from others. Show them that the rough side of you is nothing else then a shield for your protection. And they have nothing to fear. Continue reading Elmore by Holly Hobbie

Albert's Tree by Jenni Desmond

Albert’s Tree by Jenni Desmond

Albert's Tree by Jenni Desmond
Albert’s Tree by Jenni Desmond

today’s children storybook summary is

Albert’s Tree

By Jenni Desmond

The takeaway: There are no big hairy monsters under the bed, or in the closet, or up high and down below…just creatures you haven’t meet yet, and things you are still to find out about. That’s all there is! And once you realize what made you afraid, you’ll see you had the wrong idea altogether. This is a book about being scared of (nonexistent) monsters. Continue reading Albert’s Tree by Jenni Desmond

The Thumbtack Dancer by Leslie Tryon

The Thumbtack dancer by Leslie Tryon
The Thumbtack dancer by Leslie Tryon

today’s children storybook summary is

The Thumbtack Dancer

By Leslie Tryon

Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist

The takeaway: When you have a talent to share with the rest of the world, but you don’t have money to buy a pair of shoes…don’t give up. Show up every morning and knock on faith’s door and one day it will open for you.   Continue reading The Thumbtack Dancer by Leslie Tryon

Whiffy Wilson the wolf who wouldn't go to bed by Caryl Hart

Whiffy Wilson, the wolf who wouldn’t go to bed by Caryl Hart

Whiffy Wilson the wolf who wouldn't go to bed by Caryl Hart
Whiffy Wilson the wolf who wouldn’t go to bed by Caryl Hart

today’s children storybook summary is

Whiffy Wilson, the wolf who wouldn’t go to bed

By Caryl Hart

Illustration by Leonie Lord

The takeaway:  Here is how to make bedtime more attractive for children that don’t want to go to sleep. This book is as much for grown ups as it is for kids. Continue reading Whiffy Wilson, the wolf who wouldn’t go to bed by Caryl Hart

Little Penguin's Tale by Audrey Wood

Little Penguin’s Tale by Audrey Wood

Little Penguin's Tale by Audrey Wood
Little Penguin’s Tale by Audrey Wood

today’s children storybook summary is

Little Penguin’s Tale

By Audrey Wood

The takeaway

This storybook, about a runaway penguin, encourages children to stay together as a group, showing what could happen if one decides to take off on their own. Continue reading Little Penguin’s Tale by Audrey Wood

How To Get Your Teacher Ready by Jean Reagan

How To Get Your Teacher Ready by Jean Reagan
How To Get Your Teacher Ready by Jean Reagan

today’s children storybook summary is

How to Get Your Teacher Ready

By Jean Regan

Illustrated by Lee Wildish

The takeaway

Read this book to kindergarten kids or first and second grader to get them motivated to work with other towards a common goal, to teach them good behavior, and give them inspiration to be helpful in the classroom and listen to the teacher. Continue reading How To Get Your Teacher Ready by Jean Reagan

These Hands by Margaret H. Mason

These Hands by Margaret H. Mason
These Hands by Margaret H. Mason

today’s children storybook summary is

These Hands

By Margaret H. Mason

Illustrated by Floyd Cooper

The takeaway

About sixty years ago, the African American workers at the Wonder Bread, Awrey, and Tastee bakery factories were not allowed to work as bread mixers or bread handlers. As a matter of fact, there were a lot of jobs that were given to “whites only”. The Civil Rights act, passed in 1964, made it against the law to employ people based on their skin color. This book is based on a true story and is intended as a life and history lesson. Continue reading These Hands by Margaret H. Mason

Umbrella by Taro Yashima

Umbrella by Taro Yashima
Umbrella by Taro Yashima

today’s children storybook summary is

Umbrella

By Taro Yashima

The Takeaway

Patience is the key word for this book. Children learn to hold on their impulses. They are taught that there is a right time for everything. Continue reading Umbrella by Taro Yashima

Here I Am by Patti Kim

Here I Am by Kim and Sanchez
Here I Am by Kim and Sanchez

today’s children storybook summary is

Here I am

By Patty Kim

Illustration by Sonia Sanchez

Storyline: Looking down from the airplane window, the boy sees the city below. But he is not smiling, he is not excited, he is sad. Coming out of the plane, with his parents and a younger sibling, he keeps looking back. Continue reading Here I Am by Patti Kim

Flood by Alvaro F. Villa

Flood by Alvaro F. Villa
Flood by Alvaro F. Villa

today’s children storybook summary is

Flood

By Alvaro F. Villa

Storyline: It is a bright day. The sun is shining over the grassland and a bird is flying over the river. Two children are playing with their dog under an old but proud tree, not far from their white and blue house, with red and pink flower beds and a short white fence around. Continue reading Flood by Alvaro F. Villa

My Chincoteague Pony by Susan Jeffers

My Chincoteague Pony by Susan Jeffers
My Chincoteague Pony by Susan Jeffers

today’s children storybook summary is

My Chincoteague Pony

By Susan Jeffers

Storyline: Based on several true accounts, this book tells the story of a little girl determined to pass on the gift she had received from strangers, that made her dream come true. This book is not to be confused with “Misty of Continue reading My Chincoteague Pony by Susan Jeffers

Wolf by Sara Fanelli

Wolf by Sara Fanelli
Wolf by Sara Fanelli

today’s children storybook summary is

Wolf

By Sara Fanelli

Storyline: Wolf is a story about dealing with prejudice and exclusion, and learning from it. About trying to fit in and, ultimately, despite rejection, remaining positive.

Wolf is, as you may correctly think, a wolf. He has black fur, red eyes, gray teeth(?) and colored boots, one red, one yellow. He wants to make new friends Continue reading Wolf by Sara Fanelli

The Birthday Party by Ronald and Juanita Destra

The Birthday Party by Ronald and Juanita Destra
The Birthday Party by Ronald and Juanita Destra

today’s children storybook summary is

The Birthday Party

By Ronald & Juanita Destra

Storyline: Children love birthday parties. There’s balloons, presents, cake, and all their friends together. And they are promised few hours, the least, of full of fun. All day long they are waiting for the party, building up excitement and anticipation.   Continue reading The Birthday Party by Ronald and Juanita Destra

Journey by Aaron Becker

Journey by Aaron Becker
Journey by Aaron Becker

today’s children storybook summary is

Journey

By Aaron Becker

Storyline: The heroin of this book, a girl about seven years old, lives in a big city. There, people are very busy and everything is monochromatic, shades of brown perhaps (or rather gray which, as right now, I find it highly inappropriate to speak of, thanks to that writer, you know who). The only bright spots are her toys, a scooter, a kite, a pencil, all red. Continue reading Journey by Aaron Becker

What to Do When You Are Sent to Your Room by Ann Stott

what to do when you are sent to your room by ann stott
what to do when you are sent to your room by ann stott

today’s children storybook summary is

What to Do When You Are Sent to Your Room

By Ann Stott

Illustration by Stephen Gilpin

Storyline: Ben has enough experience to write a self-help book about what to do when you are sent to your room. He has it mastered, a sign that he has done it a lot. He says that he gets sent to his room for feeding the dog his dinner but, from what we read, we pick at other reasons as well. Continue reading What to Do When You Are Sent to Your Room by Ann Stott

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, Not Good, Very Bad Day By Judith Viorst
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, Not Good, Very Bad Day
By Judith Viorst

today’s children storybook summary is

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, Not Good, Very Bad Day

By Judith Viorst

Illustration by Ray Cruz

Storyline: Alexander is having a very bad day. In fact, it is a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, as he says. It starts early in the morning when he noticed gum in his hair because he had gone to sleep with gum in his mouse (a very bad idea, I should say). Continue reading Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

Turtle’s Penguin Day by Valeri Gorbachev

Turtle’s Penguin Day by Valery Gorbachev

today’s children storybook summary is

Turtle’s Penguin Day

By Valery Gorbachev

Storyline:  One night, after learning interesting facts about penguins when his father read to him at bed time, Little Turtle dream that he was a penguin. He dreamed that he was swimming on the ocean and played on the ice. Continue reading Turtle’s Penguin Day by Valeri Gorbachev

Hogwash! by Karma Wilson

Hogwash! by Karma Wilson
Hogwash! by Karma Wilson

today’s children storybook summary is

Hogwash!

By Karma Wilson

Illustration by Jim McMullan

Storyline:  It’s spring cleaning at the farm. After scrubbing clean his horses, ducks, cows, dogs, goats and other animals and birds on Farmer’s yard, all was left, were the hogs. So Farmer took his pail and soap and headed to the pigs’ pen. Continue reading Hogwash! by Karma Wilson