The Lion and the Mouse

Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Awards: 2010 Caldecott Award

Summary:

This book takes a wordless spin on Aesop's classic fable. The watercolor illustrations transport readers into the African landscape. Though there are no words, the story comes across very clearly. A mouse has been trapped by a lion, whom she pleads with for her release. She promises that if she was let go that she would be there for the lion if he ever needed her. Sometime later, the lion gets caught in a hunter's net and no one can help him escape. When the mouse learns of this situation, she doesn't hesitate to help him even though he doubts her abilities. In the end, the mouse frees the lion and the two develop a lasting friendship.

Grade Level and Unit:

Jerry Pinkney's version of The Lion and the Mouse would be best in kindergarten and first-grade classrooms. Since students are still learning how to read, this book could be an introduction to a unit on the parts of a story. This could also be used to teach kindness and friendship since it is a major theme in the book. An activity for older students could be to create an alternate story based only on the illustrations given. 

Neem the Half-Boy

Written by Idries Shah

Illustrated by Midori Mori & Robert Revels

Summary:

This clever tale hails from Afghanistan, Central Asia, and the Middle East. We meet the Queen of Hich-Hich, who is very desperate to have a son; she sought guidance on how she may do so. Arif the Wise Man tells the Queen to eat an apple to have a son; she was distracted and left the apple half-eaten. Soon her son was born, but he was only half a boy: he had one eye, one arm, hopped on one leg, and was named Neem, which meant "half" in their language. Neem grew tired of being a half-boy and sought Arif the Wise Man to find how he could become whole. Arif told him to banish the dragon Taneen and use a potion hidden in his cave. Neem offered to bring Taneen a stove in exchange for the cure and peace in the village. 

Grade Level and Unit:

Neem the Half-Boy would be a good fit for third to fifth-grade classrooms. This book is a fairy-tale, but it does deal with more serious topics. A lesson on integrity and character traits would be a great opportunity to use this book. I also think a teacher could use this story as a segue into a narrative writing prompt.

The Magic Pillow

Written and Illustrated by Demi

Awards: Storytelling World Award, "Stories for Adult Listeners"

Summary:

The Magic Pillow is based on a Chinese short story; a young boy named Ping comes from a poor but very happy family. He gets stuck in a snowstorm and finds an inn to stay at until it passes. There, he meets a magician who performs amazing tricks. After seeing the diamond tree the magician created, Ping becomes sad about his family's poverty. The magician gives Ping a pillow that will make his wishes a reality. In his dream, Ping finally has all the money and fame he ever desired. All is well until others become envious and he is thrown in prison. Eventually, he is released and restored to his glory. This cycle goes on for years until Ping is 108-years-old. Ping has realized that he wasted his life chasing status; then he wakes up. Ping's dream experience helped him realize that status would not be worth it and he is happy with his life. 

Grade Level and Unit:

I would suggest this book for kindergarten through fifth-grade classrooms. This would be great to catch students' attention and get them thinking about different cultures. This could also be used for teaching about folk stories and types of literature in fourth or fifth grade. I also think this book could be beneficial to a lesson on author's purpose; I would suggest using it as an introductory text before getting into the main part of the lesson.

The Land of the Dragon King and other Korean stories

Written and Illustrated by Gillian McClure 

Summary:

The Land of the Dragon King focuses on Shim Chong and her blind father as they struggle through daily life. Shim Chong's father spends much of his life as a beggar until Shim Chong is old enough to begin work as a maid. Her father is allowed to have his vision restored: it would cost him three hundred sacks of rice. Shim Chong decides to sacrifice herself to the Dragon King in exchange for the rice. Unfortunately, her father does not gain his sight and she still has to join the Dragon King's kingdom. Shim Chong's sadness overwhelms her and the Dragon King kindly releases her back to the surface land. On the surface, Shim Chong meets a king, falls in love, and is set to be married. She asks that all blind people in the land be invited to the marriage feast so that she may be reunited with her father. In the end, father and daughter are rejoined when the father gains his sight.

Grade Level and Unit:

The Land of the Dragon King would be best in kindergarten or first-grade classrooms. I believe that this story is perfect for teaching devotion and respect to younger students. This would be a great anchor for teaching character traits and life lessons. I think this text could also be used in middle school classrooms as an introduction to a unit on literary themes. This book does have several other stories, which makes it a unique and reusable resource. 

The Gigantic Sweet Potato

Written by Dianne de la Casas

Illustrated by Marita Gentry

Summary:

I LOVED this story! It follows Ma Farmer as she works to grow a sweet potato in her garden. She is sure to give her newest veggie a little extra care, which really pays off in the end. Ma Farmer's sweet potato grows so well that she can't it out of the ground. She calls on Pa Farmer, Bessie Cow, Ralphie Dog, and Kitty Cat to help her harvest her plant. They are still unable to get the sweet potato when Lily Mouse comes offers her assistance. Though they doubted she would make much of a difference, Lily Mouse is the key to getting that sweet potato above ground. The group finally sees why they had such a struggle: this sweet potato is HUGE! In the end, Ma Farmer bakes a sweet potato pie to celebrate with all her friends. 

Grade Level and Unit:

This book would be great for kindergarten, first, or second-grade classrooms. I think it will be a fun anchor text for getting students to think about group work and accomplishing shared goals. 

I don't think I would use this book in my classroom. For secondary students, this book may be a bit uninteresting.