When families are engaged with young children by reading, playing, singing, counting
and interacting with them, they do better in school, and in life!
Learn More... Ideas & Links for
► Family Engagement
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► 2007 Bookmarks
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The three titles for the preschooler project are wonderful but may not be enough! Joyce Steiner, Youth Librarian at Lawrence Public Library,
created the following bibliography to supplement your programming ideas!
PICTURE BOOKS ► Non-Fiction Books
► Media:
It’s Time To Call 911
The Bravest of Us All -- Arnold, Marsha Diane -- (Illus. by Brad Sneed) - 2000
Ruby Jane thinks that her sister Velma Jean is the bravest person in her family, but when a tornado comes, she discovers her sister’s secret fear;
she’s afraid to be shut up underground in the dark storm shelter. Ruby Jane must help her older sister through her fear and coax her to take shelter. Sneed's watercolors are filled with light and motion. (ages 6-8)
The Bully Blockers Club -- Bateman, Teresa -
2004
When Lottie Raccoon is bothered by a bully at school named Grant Grizzly, she helps start a club called the Bully Blockers Club. Thus they attract
the attention of adults and other students to his behavior. After a class discussion on bullying, the teacher and students come up with rules that will help everyone feel safe and welcome. The last page contains a discussion on bullying for adults.
(ages 5-8)
Bootsie Barker Bites
-- Bottner, Barbara - 1992
Underneath Bootsie's bouncy blond hair lies the heart of a tyrant. The moment adults clear the room, the sweet smile turns into a sneer and a real
bully emerges. She becomes a vicious dinosaur intent on devouring her playmate. The young narrator's mother gives neither comfort nor protection, so the little girl decides to beat the bully at her own game--with humorous, successful results. While
the mother’s lack of understanding may be troubling, this story will be appreciated by children forced to deal with bullies. Hopefully it will lead into discussions about how to properly deal with bullies. (ages 4-7)
D.W. Rides Again!
-- Brown, Marc Tolon - 1993
D.W. graduates from a tricycle to her first two-wheeler and under Arthur's careful guidance learns the basics of bicycle safety. After learning how
to ride in traffic, use hand signals and avoid unfriendly dogs, the overconfident D.W. insists that her training wheels be removed. Dad complies with her wishes but quickly recants, and D.W. gets the auxiliary wheels back until she further hones her
riding skills. Alas, it's Dad who has the final biking mishap, and D.W. generously offers him the use of her training wheels. (ages 4-7)
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed --
Christelow, Eileen - 1989
It's bedtime at the monkey house, so the five little monkeys ready themselves for bed, and say goodnight to their mother. Then, really getting down
to business, they launch into some serious bed-jumping until, one by one, each falls off and is given the advice by the doctor, ``No more monkeys jumping on the bed!'' Young children familiar with this popular finger play will enjoy joining in on the
rhyme. And at the end, when Mother finally goes to bed, she jumps on her own bed, proving that children often learn by example. A humorous negative example of safety. (ages 2-5)
Please Play Safe! Penguin’s Guide to Playground Safety
-- Cuyler, Margery - 2006
While spending a rollicking day together at the local playground, Penguin, Lion, Hippo, and Rhino realize the importance of playing safely after a
number of accidental bumps, bangs, and bops! The story is set up as a series of don'ts and dos. Each vignette shows the repercussions of doing something thoughtlessly, such as jumping off a seesaw too quickly, climbing up a slide, or kicking sand.
Children can participate in the story by replying to the question asked at the end of each example, “Is that right?” with the refrain, “No, that's wrong,” before Penguin explains the safe way to play. (ages 3-6)
Stop Drop and Roll
-- Cuyler, Margery - 2001
Mr. Martin's class is celebrating Fire Prevention Week, giving Jessica plenty to fret about. Mostly, she worries about demonstrating "stop, drop,
and roll" at the school assembly. In the end, she conquers her fears and performs just fine, at the same time humorously driving home basic fire-safety tips for children to follow. Sparky’s Top 10 Fire Safety Tips for Kids are listed on the back of
the book jacket. (ages 4-7)
Trouble in the Barker’s Class -- DePaola, Tomie -
2006
Carole Ann, a new girl in Barker’s class, acts like a bully. The students try talking to her, then ignoring her, until Morgie finally discovers
what is wrong and finds a way to fix it. This book helps teach conflict resolution, dealing with bullies, and making friends. (ages 4-6)
Firefighters to the Rescue -- Hamilton, K. R. - 2005
The firefighters are working hard at the station. But when the alarm sounds they rush to dress and board the engine with a resounding, "Firefighters to the Rescue!" The men race through the
streets of a small town toward the billowing smoke. When they reach the burning home, the firefighters are able to rescue a puppy from the fire. (ages 2-5)
The Recess Queen -- O’Neill, Alexis -
2002
Mean Jean is the biggest bully on the school playground until a new girl, Katie Sue, arrives and challenges Jean's status as the Recess Queen. She
asks the bully to jump rope and be her friend, and everything changes. Kids will realize that schoolyard power games aren't that easily solved, but they'll enjoy seeing the bully as needy, and they will recognize how everything can suddenly shift.
(ages 4-8)
No Dragons for Tea: Fire Safety for Kids (and Dragons)
-- Pendziwol, Jean - 1999
While out for a walk with her mom, a little girl meets a teddy bear-toting, fire-breathing dragon whom she invites home for tea. When he sneezes at
the table, he accidentally sets the house on fire. The dragon panics and tries to hide, but she keeps her cool and helps to get him and her family out of the house safely. Tips are appended for parents to use in helping children learn what to do in
case of a fire in their homes. In addition, "The Dragon's Fire-Safety Rhyme" helps reinforce the primary rules. (ages 4-7)
Not Afraid of Dogs -- Pitzer, Susanna - 2006
"I'm not afraid of dogs!" says Daniel. "I just don't like them." When his mother decides to watch Aunt Rose’s puppy while she is on vacation,
Daniel's dislike for canines is evident, but when a thunderstorm starts, Daniel finds himself comforting the puppy and soon warms up to their furry visitor, faces his fears, and learns first-hand that these four-legged creatures aren't so bad after
all. (ages 3-6)
Mr. Lincoln’s Way --
Polacco, Patricia - 2001
Mr. Lincoln, the “coolest principal in the whole world,” discovers that Eugene, the school bully, knows a lot about birds. He enlists Eugene’s help
in creating a bird sanctuary for the school. The principal also learns the source of Gene's racial intolerance and makes some important strides toward reversing the boy's prejudices. (ages 6-9)
Willie Takes a Hike -- Rand, Gloria - 1996
After moving to a new home at the junk yard, Willie the mouse disobeys his parents, goes hiking by himself, and gets lost in the unfamiliar
surroundings. He encounters all sorts of dangers: a snake, a large raccoon, and a huge cat. When he realizes he is lost, he starts to cry but then he remembers his survival skills and pulls himself together. He stays put and blows his whistle loudly
so he can be located. Using the extra equipment in his backpack, he is able to stay warm and dry until he is found. (ages 5-8)
Officer Buckle and Gloria -- Rathmann, Peggy - 1995
Officer Buckle puts everyone to sleep with his painfully dull if informative lectures on safety, until he takes on a new partner, Gloria,
Napville's new police dog, who knows just how to liven up Officer Buckle's safety speeches. Her act is a complete flop without him, however, and Napville School has its biggest accident ever after her solo performance. In the end, Buckle realizes that
they're only successful as a team. (ages 4-8)
Come Along, Daisy! -- Simmons, Jane -
1997
Daisy the duckling has a hard time keeping close to Mama Duck because she'd rather explore the wondrous creatures around her, but things are not so
wonderful when suddenly Mama Duck is not in sight. Suddenly afraid of a big fish below her and a hawk above her, Daisy hides in the reeds until her mother finds her. Relieved, she stays close to her mother. (ages 2-5)
Things Little Kids Need to Know --
Uhlig, Susan - 1999
While waiting for his mother to bring home his adopted little sister, a boy imagines sharing with her his knowledge about such things as how to
behave with parents and where milk comes from. (ages 5-8)
Firefighter Frank --
Wellington, Monica - 2002
Firefight Frank finds many things to do around the firehouse, cleaning equipment and giving tours and lessons on fire safety to visiting school children. But he must drop everything when the bell
begins to signal that his help is needed. The beeping alarm spurs them into their equipment and into the waiting trucks. Once at the scene of the fire, the firefighters must use their knowledge and training to put it out and ensure that everyone
reaches safety. Fire-prevention and safety tips round out the informative package. Dedicated to the firefighters of New York City. (ages 3-6)
NON-FICTION
Fire! Fire! -- Gibbons, Gail -1984
Using simple text and brightly colored drawings, Gail Gibbons explores fire fighters fighting fires in the city, in the country, in the forest, and
on the waterfront. It includes different firefighting techniques and examines the ways in which fires start, how they are extinguished, and how they can be prevented List of ways to prevent a fire and what to do if there is a fire are at the back of
the book. (ages 4-7)
Watch Out! (series), Individual Titles: Watch Out! Around Town; Watch Out! At Home; Watch Out! On the Road; Watch Out!
Near Water -- Llewellyn Claire - 2006.
Each book begins on a positive note, such as how much fun water can be, and then points out safety issues that children are likely to face in the
various environments. Town discusses getting lost, dogs, building sites, etc. Home focuses on stairs, scissors and knives, flames, and so on. Water talks about swimming in pools, the ocean, and rivers; boating safety; and more. Road cautions about
staying on the sidewalk, using crosswalks, car safety, etc. Children will profit most from these titles when shared with an adult or in a group so that they can think about the issues. (ages 3-6)
Staying Safe in the Car -- Mattern,
Joanne - 2007
Explains car passenger safety rules, including using seatbelts, not distracting the driver, and exiting safely. Available in hardcopy, paper, and
Spanish. (ages 5-7)
The Abduction Prevention Library Series, Individual Titles: Listen
to your Instincts; Staying Safe at Home and On-Line; Staying Safe by Saying No; Stranger Danger; Ten Steps to Staying Safe; What To Do If You Get Lost. -- MacGregor, Cynthia
- 1999
Books in the Abduction Prevention Library series are designed to teach children in early elementary grades how to protect themselves from a variety of situations they may encounter. Although each volume seems to be covering something different, the
books overlap. Ten Steps focuses mostly on stranger danger, though it's never called that. The tips are sensible, and the tone is not overly scary. If You Get Lost, which lets readers know the subject right up front, explains how easily children can
become separated from familiar places and people and suggests what to do in case that happens. The books can serve to open parent-child dialogue.
(ages 6-8)
Be Safe! Series, Individual titles: Fire Safety; Home Safety; Playground Safety; Stranger Danger; Street Smarts; Your Own Safety
-- Pamela, Peggy - 2005
These friendly and uncomplicated texts offer information and instruction on various safety topics. Some advice seems too obvious for all but the youngest readers--e.g., use a ladder to climb up a playground slide. But most tips are is practical for
multiple ages. Colorful photos and bulleted summaries support
the text. (ages 5-7)
Staying Safe -- Silverstein, Dr. Alvin, Silverstein, Virginia and Nunn, Laura
Silverstein - 2000
Each chapter focuses on the potential dangers at home, at play, on streets and roads, at school, and when interacting with other people, including bullies, and explains what to do in an emergency. Informational boxes supplement the text with fun facts
and helpful information. The photographs are of older children and information is detailed enough to be useful to older children. (ages 7-10)
I Can Be Safe: A First Look at Safety -- Thomas, Pat - 2003
Educates readers about safety, including the value of fear as a warning of danger, the need to beware of people whose behavior creates discomfort,
and the importance of learning how to stay safe. (ages 5-7)
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