Books That We Love
One of my favorite books to share with my music students is actor John Lithgow’s The Remarkable Farkle McBride. It’s a really fun way of reintroducing the students to the instrument families of the orchestra through the tempers and tantrums of the musical prodigy Farkle McBride, who is simply never satisfied! This is a story that gets better and better with each telling and has an accompanying CD with exciting music that just brings the story to life! Add to that the hilarious illustrations of C.F. Payne and you’ve got a perfect package- whether you are a musician or not! Check out a copy the next time you’re in the children’s section of a bookstore or library and truly enjoy yourself!
James H. Barrett, Music K-5
A book that I love is Everyone Counts,A Citizen’s Number Book written by Elissa Grodin and illustrated by Victor Juhasz. I love this book because it combines reading, social studies, math and being a good citizen. You will learn so much while having fun reading. The illustrations are filled with color and action. I definitely recommend reading this on your own or with an adult. It is also a good book to just look through if you are just learning to read. The pictures tell a lot about the story. Have Fun and Keep Reading!
Johnson J, Head Teacher/Math CET
In The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, unconditional love shines bright. A loving and selfless tree helps a young boy throughout his life any way she can. I can remember my grandmother reading this book to me hundreds of times; I just love sharing this "quick-read" with my students.
Evan Chelman, Grade 2 Teacher
A book that I love is The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. It is the exciting story of four children who find themselves transported to a magical land where they encounter talking animals, strange half-human creatures, an evil queen, and a magnificent lion. This adventure is great to read on your own or with someone else.
Sarah Klim, Reading Specialist
One of my favorite books is The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. I can still picture myself sitting on the rug in my 4 th grade classroom as my teacher read it aloud to us back in 1978. A young boy named Milo is transported into a strange world where he must save two princesses. Along the way he meets a variety of bizarre characters. Because the story is filled with allegory, characters and events have both a literal and symbolic meaning. This is a great book for parents to read aloud to young children.
Mark J.Goguen, Grade 4 Teacher
One of my favorite stories to share with students is the My Father's Dragon series by Ruth Stiles Gannett, an irresistible tale about the rescue of a yellow and blue striped dragon with gold-colored wings. For those who can't get enough, there are two sequels. Although written in 1948, it endures. Another favorite of mine is Letting Swift River Go, a story about the making of the Quabbin Reservoir here in Massachusetts. The best news is that children today have so many amazing books available to them.
Nancy Rae, Grade Two Teacher
