The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

The Polar Express

Author/illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Awards: Caldecott Medal
Grade Level: K-3

When a young boy who has been having doubts about whether Santa Clause is real or not goes to bed on Christmas Eve, he is awoken by the sound of a train. He boards the train and sets off to the North Pole where he sees all kinds of new things, such as elves, reindeer, and even Santa! The boy gets chosen to open the first gift of Christmas- a bell from Santa himself. He returns home only to find that the bell had fallen out of his pocket. The next morning, he finds a present under his Christmas tree with his bell inside of it. He rings it, but discovers that his parents can not hear the ringing, suggesting that only those who believe in Santa Clause can hear the bell ring.

The illustrations in this story are well deserving of the Caldecott Medal. Allsburg clearly put immense detail into the setting, characters, and interesting landscapes.

This is a great story for students to read around the holidays. It encourages a sense of faith that all children, despite their beliefs, can learn from.

Nora's Castle by Satomi Ichikawa

Nora's castle

Author/Illustrator: Satomi Ichikawa
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Awards: N/A
Grade Level: 1-3

Nora is a young girl who explores a castle with her dog and talking stuffed animals. She decides to throw a party in the tower of the castle and she dines and dances all night long. The illustrations in this books are detailed and resemble Japanese style artwork. They create a visual experience for the reader and transport them to an adventuresome castle. Students could use this story as inspiration for their own writing. Students can think of somewhere they would want to go and write about their travel there and what they would do when they got there.

A Chocolate Moose for Dinner by Fred Gwynne

A Chocolate Moose for Dinner

Author/Illustrator: Fred Gwynne
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Awards: N/A
Grade Level: 1-4

Through the use of word play, a little girl imagines what her parents are talking about when they are actually meaning something different. Some of the words she misunderstands include "carpool" and "undertow."

The illustrations are classic drawings and can help the reader understand what the parents are actually talking about.

This book has some great examples for homonyms and homophones. Students can use this book to compare words that may seem like they have a different meaning. For example, the girl hears her parents talking about guerrilla war and assumes it is a war with gorillas in it.

Mrs. McNosh and the Great Big Squash by Sarah Weeks

Mrs. McNosh and the Great Big Squash

Author: Sarah Weeks
Illustrator: Nadine Bernard Westcott
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Awards: N/A
Grade Level: PK-1

Mrs. McNosh plants a squash garden. Her squash continued to grow until it was huge! She had to find somewhere to put it. Her solution is to make the squash her home and sleep in it.

The illustrations are colorful and funny. The illustrator creates images of the problems one might have when a squash grows comically large.

This book would compliment a rhyming lesson. Students can also discuss different way to solve problems.

Duck for President by Doreen Cronin

Duck for President

Author: Doreen Cronin

Illustrator: Betsy Lewin

Genre: Modern Fantasy

Awards: N/A

Grade Level: K-3 grade

When Duck has had enough of Farmer Brown, he is determined to prove that he can do a better job running the farm. The other animals elect Duck as the new leader for the farm. Eventually Duck becomes bored of the farm and moves on to better things. He runs for mayor! He continues climbing the political ladder all the way to the top. Duck is elected president! He becomes stressed by all of the presidential duties and decides that he has had enough. He returns home to be a regular duck on the farm.

The illustrations are simple, but animated. They feature funny depictions of the farm animals and the political figures. The illustrator uses simple lines and uses a sketch-like style.

This story will be effective in introducing classroom or local elections to students. Classes can have a mock election where they vote for Farmer Brown or Duck to learn about the election system.

Silly Tilly by David Slonim

Silly Tilly

Author: Eileen Spinelli

Illustrator: David Slonim
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Awards: N/A
Grade level: PK-2nd grade

Silly Tilly is very silly. The other barn animals think she is crazy and have had enough.. When Tilly controls her silliness, the barn animals get bored and decide that they miss the old Silly Tilly. They apologize to her and she goes back to her silly self.

Children will find the illustration in this story inviting and hilarious. The illustrator uses the main characters offbeat personality to display all the silly shenanigans she causes on the farm. The pictures are colorful and will keep readers laughing.

Despite this story's fictional premise, there are still educational attributes to be used in a classroom. The author uses rhyme that would provide a great introduction to the concept to young learners. Students can also relate to the judgement that the animals expressed for Tilly, and learn to value each person as an individual.

Goodnight Little Monster by Helen Ketteman

Goodnight Little Monster

Author: Helen Ketteman
Illustrator: Bonnie Leick
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Awards: N/A
Grade level: PreK-1

This story takes readers through a little monster's bedtime routine, however bedtime for a monster is a little different than bedtime for a human child. This monster has to wash his tail, drink some cold worm juice, and even floss the bugs out of his teeth! When its time for bed, his mother comforts him because he is afraid of children under his bed. His mom turns on his night light and tucks him in so he can fall asleep.

The illustrations are consistent with the text and include gross, monster-themed items around the house. The bread is full of worms and little monster's nightstand is infested with worms.

This story provides young readers with an excellent example of rhythm and rhyme. Classes can also compare and contrast their night time routine with the monster's nighttime routine.

Never ask a Dinosaur to Dinner by Gareth Edwards

Never ask a Dinosaur to Dinner by Gareth Edwards

Author: Gareth Edwards
Illustrator: Guy Parker-Rees
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Awards:N/A
Grade level: 1-4

Summary: This rhythmic, comical story is about a a young boy's bed time routine. It includes a funny mishap due to an inappropriate animal being included in each step. For example, the dinosaur ruins dinner by eating the kitchen table, and tiger gets angry when he is used as a bath towel. The author ends by telling readers that all of these animals do not make good bedtime companions; A teddy bear is all you need!

The illustrations will make students laugh as they all feature comical scenarios of animals included in bedtime routines! I also noticed that the small teddy bear is hiding on almost every page. This would be fun for students to find.

Evaluation: This book is an excellent example of rhyme and rhythm because each page continues the same tempo. I think it can also be helpful and fun to point out that the illustrator subtly includes the teddy bear on every page. This book is a good choice to keep in the classroom library because students will find the story and the illustrations funny and will keep them interested in reading.

Swim Safe Little Seals by Jill MacGregor

Swim Safe Little Seal: A child's introduction to 
water safety

Author: Jill MacGregor
Illustrator: Bob DonovanGenre: Modern FantasyAwards:N/AGrade level: pk-1

Summary:
Swim Safe Little Seals uses a quirky seal from the seal swim school to explain the importance of water safety. They discuss things like when to wear a life jacket, what to do if you need help in the water, and entering the water safely. 

The pictures help emphasize the importance of water safety by including pool report cards throughout the book. This helps students see the safety rules in a list form as well as showing that all the seals are following the rules.

Evaluation: Students could discuss why it is important to be safe near the water and also how to be safe near the water. This book would be especially useful before a field trip somewhere where there would be water. Learners could look at the pictures and point out examples of the seals making unsafe decisions and also safe decisions.

Ricky, Rocky, and Ringo Go To The Moon by Mauri Kunnas

Ricky, Rocky, and Ringo go to the Moon

Author: Maruri Kunnas
Genre: Modern fantasy
Awards: N/A
Grade leve: pk-3

Summary: Ricky, Rocky, and Ringo are 3 astronauts who are sent on a mission to the moon. They are instructed to help an old robot scientist (Zack) because he has stopped working! Second before the rocket takes off, Ricky's mother runs onto the launch pad to give the astronauts their scarves they had forgotten. During their trip to the moon, the scarves caused a few problems by getting in the way. Upon arriving on the moon, they evaluate Zack to see what the problem is. Zack was not broken, he is just sad! The astronauts use the pretty scarves they have to make him feel better and return home to Ricky's mother assuring them that she knew the scarves would be useful.

The illustrator uses funny and engaging drawings that will keep students laughing. They matched the story and will help students follow along

Evaluation: Students could discuss why Zack feels sad and the importance of other people's emotions and how to respond to them. You can also point out how the characters turned something that seemed negative (the scarf) into something positive (comforting Zack).