Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback

Category: Picture Book
Title: Joseph Had a Little Overcoat
Author: Retold by Simms Taback
Illustrator: Simms Taback
Publisher: Viking : New York
Publication Date: 1999
Grade Level: preK-2
Genre: Traditional Literature
Theme: You can always make something out of nothing.
Number of Pages: 32 pages

Summary: Joseph finds a way to recycle his overcoat many times over in this Caldecott Medal winner.

Evaluation: This is a clever tale that brings readers along for the ride as Joseph smartly cuts his worn overcoat down multiple times to create other items. The plot is unique and fun for young children to follow. The illustrations are engaging, with bright colors that are done in a collage style that is folksy and offers a look of texture. The artwork would be appropriate for reading aloud, and it also would be welcome when reading to an individual child because of the many details in each spread that could be examined.

Compared to the multimedia version of the story (Scholastic : 2001), the picture book would be better for reading one-on-one, while the video would be good for a group of young children who would find the story and the accompanying musical score fun.

Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel

Category: Transitional
Title: Frog and Toad Are Friends
Author: Arnold Lobel
Illustrator: Arnold Lobel
Publisher: Harper Collins : New York
Publication Date: 1970
Grade Level: 1-3
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Theme: Friendship is something to be treasured.
Number of Pages: 64 pages

Summary: This Caldecott Honor Book features the friendship of Frog and Toad, who have fun together and take care of each other through many adventures.

Evaluation: This is an engaging story for transitional readers featuring the sweet friendship of Frog and Toad, who have an obvious unconditional love for each other. The language is simple for early readers, with large type that makes the book manageable for them and many illustrations that make it interesting. The beginning reader also is attracted to the very basic episodic plot, with the five chapters each consisting of their own adventure, which is appropriate for the reading level. The illustrations are done in soft, inviting watercolor, with cool greens and brown pictures nicely accenting the text throughout the book. The cover art, with Frog and Toad sitting together in the outdoors, shows their closeness and their friendship and would entice readers to read the book.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling

Category: Upper Elementary Chapter
Title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Author: J.K. Rowling
Illustrator: Mary GrandPré
Publisher: Scholastic Press : New York
Publication Date: 2000
Grade Level: 4-8 (although this series is loved by young adults and adults, as well)
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Theme: Believe in yourself and you can do anything.
Number of Pages: 734 pages

Summary: As he continues to try to fit in at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry Potter finds himself chosen for a dangerous competition that will test his ability as a wizard. Additionally, his recurring battles with the evil Voldemort will once again test his meddle. His constant companions, Hermione and Ron, and his faculty support at Hogwarts stick by him. In the end, he is a better person for his struggles.

Evaluation: This modern fantasy is a quest story – a story about searching for something – that is popular with readers because of their desire to want the popular protagonist to find a solution, to find what he is looking for, and they are along for the ride. It is considered a high fantasy, an engaging, serious tale that centers around the conflict between good and evil. The main characters are well rounded and, as a result, are well liked by readers. The evolution of many of the characters, particularly Harry Potter, is obvious and a fulfilling aspect to the story; readers enjoy seeing a change in characters as a result of conflict. The magic featured in this story is written in a genuine style that allows readers to easily and gladly suspend disbelief. The cover illustration wraps around the binding and continues on the back, which is a nice layout style that visually gives the sense of a complete package. The images are done in an expressionistic style created with mostly dark pastels and soft lines that frankly would not attract readers on its own merits – Harry Potter’s facial expression is goofy and too young-looking – yet the story is so popular that the illustrations are not a deterrent. The small stars that appear in the outside corners of all the pages and next to the page numbers at the bottom of each page are a nice touch that serve as a constant reminder that the book is about magic.