Miss Nelson is Missing

Miss Nelson is Missing
by Harry Allard, illustrated by James Marshall

Miss Nelson is the sweet and nice teacher in the school. She never yells and she gives the easiest assignments. Even though she is so nice, the children in Room 207 does not listen to her.

One day, when she doesn't turn up in class. Instead, the children meets Miss. Viola Swamp, an ugly and mean teacher dressed in black and white makeup. She puts them to work, yells at them, and makes them do tons and TONS of homework. They starts to miss Miss Nelson. After a while Miss Nelson is back and the class really appreciates her and is obedient and nice to her.

Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day

Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day

by Judith Viorst, Illustrated by Ray Cruz

This is a story about a boy who had a really bad day. Nothing at all was right. Everything went wrong. At the end of the day, his mommy consoles him by saying that some days are like that for other people too!

Swimmy

Swimmy
by Leo Leonni
Caldecott Honor (1964)

Swimming is a black little fish in a school of red fish. He devises a plan to camouflage himself and his new friends.

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ear

by Verna Aardema

Illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon


This is an african folktake about a mosquito who boasts to an Iguana about digging yams that were almost as big as he was. The irrirated Iguana snapped grumpily and stuck two sticks in into his ears. This sets off a chain of events that leads to the death of a little owlet. A jungle conference was held to find out who was the culprit, and finally they found out that it was the mosquito. Meanwhile the mosquito listened to it all from a nearby bush and is guilt-striken. To this day she goes about whining in people's ears: "Zeee! Is everyone still angry at me?" When she does that, she gets an honest answer.... KPAO! :)

Strega Nona

Strega Nona
by Tomie de Paola
Caldecott Honor (1976)

Strega Nona lives in a small cottage in Calabria, Italy. She is a good witch that cures the townspeople of their ailments, warts, and headaches. Anthony is hired by Strega Nona to help out. She gives him very strict instructions on what he is required to do, and what he is forbidden to do... "The one thing you must never do is touch the pasta pot". Anthony sees the witch conjur delicious cooked pasta fully formed from the pot and tries to do the same. But he didn't quite catch the way to make the pasta. He could make the pot make pasta, but couldn't make it stop! The pasta flowed all over town. Strega Nona arrives in time to put a stop to the mess. The witch punishes Anthony by asking him to eat up all the pasta!

Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs

Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs
by Tomie de Paola

Tommy had two Nanas. Nana upstairs is the great grandma who is 94 years old; Nana downstairs is grandma. He loves to bewith his two nanas. One day, nana upstairs dies and Tommy was sad but learns to cope with it. A long time later, grandma dies too. Tommy thought to himself : "Now, you are both upstairs."

George and Martha

George and Martha

by James Marshall

Simple friendship story about two funny hippos. Martha makes split pea soup again and again for George, thinking that he likes it. In fact, George hates it and is thinking of how to tell Martha without hurting her feelings!

Leo the Late Bloomer

Leo the Late Bloomer

by Robert Kraus

Leo is not doing what the rest of the children are doing... he isn’t reading, or writing, or drawing, or even speaking. His father is worried but Leo’s mum knows her son will do all those things, and more, when he’s ready.