A LESSON LEARNED

Chuck befriends Scooter the squirrel who is a great artist and baker who now outshines him as the best in the forest. Chuck is not so happy with his new friend or himself once he realizes how badly he's behaved.  With the help of his many forest friends, Chuck gets a reality check and they help him to see his talent and joy in making art.

A well written story for those almost ready to start reading a chapter book solo or a great family read aloud. What's Up, Chuck? by Leo Landry is a sweet tale of morality. 

For 1st through 3rd graders.

NEW PICTURE BOOKS WITH A MORAL

Louis I:  King of the Sheep  by Olivier Tallec

An accidental crown rolls onto Louis the Sheep's head and he becomes KING! This leads to all types of kingly things, like having a scepter, making speeches to his flock and hunting lions, until one day the wind blows off his crown and there ends his reign as King of the Sheeps. An unusual morality tale translated from the French original about how easy things come and go.  

Steve, Raised by Wolves:  The story of a wild boy and his first day of school by Jared Chapman

A boy raised by a wolf mom has a hard time adjusting to school, but his mom keeps encouraging him to be himself and all will be fine.  Howling while on top of the desk , pouncing on other students and drinking from the toilet bowl is just not good behavior when you're in school. But when the class pet hamster goes missing, his wolf skills lead the class on a search to find the missing rodent and he finally finds his stride with his classmates.   Simple clear illustrations make this a fun story.  

A Beginner's Guide to Bear Spotting by Michelle Robinson illustrated by David Roberts 

Brown bear and black bear are two different types of bears you see in the woods and depending on which you encounter will determine your behavior.  Playing dead or running can have lethal consequences if you do the wrong thing with the wrong bear.  But what is a boy to do when he encounters BOTH,  a black bear AND a brown bear!  A treacherous yet hilarious walk for one little boy. What's the moral of this story i ask?!

These stories are great for readers from 3 and up. 

ALL KINDS OF PETS

In If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, DON'T! by Elise Parsley, Magnolia, wants to bring her alligator to school for share day, but learns the hard way that it can cause all kinds of chaos at school and the teacher might not be so impressed with your share and might send you to the principal's office after all. Note that Mr. Alligator has taped a construction paper halo above his head (wink).  

Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev illustrated by Taeeun Yoo is visually appealing with muted colors and retroish style illustrations about a little boy who is turned away from a pet club because his pet is too unusual - it's a tiny elephant.  This sweet pet story with a moral would be a great read aloud or as a one on one to allow for a discussion belonging and friendship.

For ages 3 & up

SPUD VERSUS SPIFF

Prince Puggly of the Kingdom of Spud is unfashionable to say the least.  Nothing he wears matches, and cleanliness is certainly not a priority for him.  When he's invited to a lavish, fashionable party in the Kingdom of Spiff, he's surprised and elated and excited to be included - that is until he gets there and is laughed out of the party for his clothes.  Prince Puggly is feeling pretty bummed until he meets Francesca, the bookish Princess of Spiff, who only wears pajamas and reads books.  Between the two of them, they devise a plan to get back at the other kingdoms for focusing only on fashion and not on the more important things in life.

Prince Puggly of Spud and the Kingdom of Spiff by Robert Paul Weston is a novel told in rhyme with fun surprises galore in font, graphics, and format.  This is a fun and light book with a moral for kids in grades 4 and up.

CAN YOU HANDLE THE SPELL?

Heidi's new classmate Melanie really doesn't like her and is now going to take her role as the lead in the play.  What to do?  Since she is learning how to casts spells from her aunt, Heidi decides to collect what she needs to cast a spell to forget so Melanie would forget her lines for the play.  That role of Dorothy should have been Heidi's instead of being a tree.

Heidi Heckelbeck Casts a Spell by Wanda Coven is the start of a new chapter book series, with large print and illustrations sprinkled trhough out.  It's very much like Katie Kazoo series, a story with a moral.  

For readers in 2nd to 4th. 

NOT JUST A SPELLING BEE

It's a tale told in from the points of view of kids who enter the annual school spelling bee. It's about parents and adults who have ulterior motives. It's about desire, corruption and competition.

Jennifer: Could care less about the bee, but her parents won't allow her to lose.

Mutual: Only going to regular school because his parents want him to win the bee.

Chrissie: Determined to get to the truth no matter how much it hurts.

Harlan: Class clown who wants to be a legend. All he needs is one perfect prank.

Jake: He wants the prize. The money will go to a good cause... his future.

I Put a Spell on You: From the Files of Chrissie Woodward, Spelling Bee Detective by Adam Selzer is a book of stories within a story of kids who are determined to do what is right rather than what is expected. For 6th -8th grade readers.