A BALL FOR DAISY, by Chris Raschka

A recent Caldecott winner - A Ball for Daisy is a story of loss — a little dog loses her favorite red ball to a much larger dog — but now it's also a story about winning:  Chris Raschka's book won the American Library Association's Randolph Caldecott Medal for best illustrated story.  Here is the NPR interview - http://www.npr.org/2012/01/23/145656652/caldecott-winner-chris-raschka-discusses-his-book

The author's biography - http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/chris-raschka

Other books by this author - http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Chris-Raschka/1786251/books

The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear by Audrey Woods

Strawberries are my all time favorite fruit.  I put them in everything when they are in season.  I have this book as a big book and kids love it!

Who likes strawberries? The mouse does. The bear does. But the reader plays a vital role in this story. This is a tale of how a little mouse is tricked into sharing his strawberry before the big hungry bear can find it!

Here is the You Tube read aloud.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apvgbUckC-k, along with some fun activities - http://www.makinglearningfun.com/themepages/LittleMouseRedRipeStrawberryandtheBigHungryBearPrintables.html

http://www.ideastream.org/common/worksheets/The_Little_Mouse_The_Red_Ripe_Strawberry.pdf

Mahalia Mouse Goes to College by John Lithgow

Mahalia Mouse and her family live underneath Dunster House, an old Harvard dormitory. Foraging for food for her younger brothers and sisters, Mahalia gets trapped in a backpack and then finds herself inside a classroom far from home. Mahalia, intrigued by the lecture, starts attending classes and soon becomes a full-time student -- all the while wondering about the fate of her family. But when graduation day finally arrives, Mahalia has a wonderful surprise waiting for her.
Written as part of his keynote address at Harvard's commencement, this latest book from John Lithgow (class of '67) incorporates his trademark witty rhymes and includes a CD of him reading the text at the commencement. Mahalia's story has an inspiring message for graduates or anyone whose success is worthy of celebration.  Here is a link to a video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jYoHcG-jHI

The author discussing his book - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uwm9AUKmSu8

Here are some activities as well - http://www.teachermadecreations.com/MahliaMouseCollege.html