Children's Books discussion

Hi All,

I'm looking for recommendations for some books particularly well suited to reading aloud in a group setting. I'm open to any suggestions, but I'm specifically thinking about works with a narrative voice "speaking" to an audience of children, or folk tales from an oral tradition, or that sort of thing. And if that's still too broad, then perhaps we could focus on stories featuring anthropomorphic animals.

Thanks,
Richard

One of the books that has been a huge success for me is Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley. It appeals to younger children, because it is an animal they don't know very well, but it resembles animals they do know (pig, bear, koala). But it has humor that appeals to older children as well. I am a substitute teacher and I carry it in my bag for those times when the lessons aren't quite long enough.

If you are looking for a fun picture book read-aloud, definitely with anthropomorphized characters, you could try Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems. It's a hilarious read-aloud. Many if his similar books are.

Judy Sierra is a storyteller. She has several books about books, etc., that should give you information & leads. Twice Upon a Time: Stories to Tell, Retell, Act Out, and Write about is particularly wonderful, I think it's exactly what you're looking for, actually.

LauraW and Aimee,
Thanks for your suggestions. They look like a lot of fun, and I'll definitely be checking them out.

Cheryl,
Twice Upon a Time sounds like a perfect fit. I've ordered a copy. I really appreciate your help.

For a read-aloud of Irish folklore, I think that Mrs. McCool and the Giant Cuhullin: An Irish Tale would work well.

With a rollicking narrative, Mrs. McCool and the Giant Cuhullin: An Irish Tale would be perfect as a read-aloud (I could imagine this being an entertaining and popular story-time selection at a library). It is a fun tale, quite theatrical, and Oona's cleverness is both enchanting and empowering. For me, the text also demonstrates author/illustrator Jessica Souhami's background as a member of a traveling puppet show; it almost seems as though an oral storyteller is right there on the page. As for the illustrations, although the collages are bright and colourful, they are not all that much to my taste. While I think that the illustrations are expressive and generally work well with the narrative, I find some of them a bit too in-your-face, and most of the depictions of Cuhullin are really rather creepy, especially his overly large teeth.

The informative author's note is excellent, although the academic in me would have preferred to also have had a separate bibliography, with the actual titles of especially William Carleton's and Joespeh Jacobs' versions/books presented. Short, but to the point, the author's note seems to cover all or at least most bases of needed background information (that the traditional Irish heroes Cuhullin and Finn McCool could, in fact, never have met, that this tale is a parody, and likely originally from the 16th century, and that Mrs. McCool and the Giant Cuhullin: An Irish Tale is a loose adaptation of William Carleton's and Jospeh Jacobs' versions of the same).

"The Days of Childhood" many stories about children and fighting stories.But the last story Mastana : The wild cat . Is about a relationship of a tiger cub and a child.That is well suited.

Aimee wrote: "If you are looking for a fun picture book read-aloud, definitely with anthropomorphized characters, you could try Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems. It's a hilarious read-aloud. Many..."

I LOVE Mo Willems! My class got a real kick out of Gerald & Piggy.

My own children LOVED The Book with No Pictures and insisted that I take it to school to read to my class (which will happen tomorrow.) It is MEANT to be read aloud by a grown up to a child/children and is quite humorous, especially for the child.

One of the staff members at our friendly neighborhood bookstore read The Book with No Pictures one afternoon at the store, and it couldn't have been more delightful! I think it's helpful for the adult reader to pre-read it, because there are places where you need to be prepared to do silly voices, or sing the words, or whatnot. But it's just a funny, funny book. Loads of fun!

I agree Charlotte.