Sixteen Runaway Pumpkins is a must read for K-1 in the month of October!  This entertaining and action packed book integrates math and literacy as Sam, the raccoon, counts each pumpkin as he fills up his wagon.  However, Sam experiences some trouble on the way home and winds up with a mess. Instead of getting upset, Gramps takes Sam's mess and turns it into something delicious!  This simple story has a great message while reinforcing counting.  I would do a pumpkin seed counting activity after reading this story with my students.  I would also have students build sentences on how to make a pumpkin pie in my word work literacy stations.

Moving can be scary and confusing.  Boomer in Boomer's Big Day experiences many of these emotions as his predictable schedule gets turned upside down.  While his family and strange people hustle and bustle around his house loading up big boxes, nobody is paying any attention to Boomer. He doesn't understand what is happening and he feels lonely and sad.  But once Boomer discovers he is moving to a new home, he perks back up and adapts very quickly to his new environment.  Students can relate to this book as they experience a move of their own, anxiety to change, and worries of the unknown.  All of these emotions are normal and what better way to convey this message to your students.  I would analyze with my students Boomer's character traits at the beginning, middle, and end of the story and discuss how he changed during the story.  This story would also lead into a great discussion about a time when they might have felt like Boomer.  I would have my students write a journal entry following this discussion.

A classic folktale takes on a modern new twist when the Little Red Hen decides to make a pizza in The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza.  This tale is about a hen who is in desperate need of help running errands and gathering supplies while making her pizza. But to her dismay, her friends were too busy playing to help her until it was time to eat the pizza.  The friends learn a valuable lesson and experience a change in heart after their selfless friend shares despite their selfish ways.  I would use this book with my students to teach compare and contrast using the characters of the story.  I would also integrate this book study in with my literacy and math centers using the pizza theme and finish off with having my students make their own pizzas. 

Duck at the Door is a comical story about a duck named Max, who decides to stay behind and enjoy the winter season by himself.  However, it doesn't take long for Max to find out he made a bad choice.  Luckily, Max finds an endearing family with lots of pet friends to spend the winter months with until his flock returns home.  The illustrations are very colorful and captivating!  This is a perfect selection to read to Kindergarten and First graders during the winter months to discuss seasons and months of the year, as well as character traits and making predictions.

Another fabulous book written by Kevin Henkes about friendship and acceptance.  This is a humorous and heartwarming tale of two inseparable mice learning to make room for one more friend.  At first, Chester and Wilson were unsure of the "new mouse" in town. However, after Lilly scares away some mean bullies, the mice quickly changed their opinion of her and discover they have many similarities with their new friend.  This book can be used in a variety of ways in the lower elementary grades.  I would have my students do a character trait study and compare and contrast how the characters change from the beginning of the story and the end of the story.