3. Freight Train, written and illustrated by Donald Crews. This 1979 Caldecott Honor winner invites movement and excitement. It seems simple and yet it's a beautifully conceived masterpiece (dig how the colors blur as the train zooms) that serves as a cool introduction to colors. There is no real story per se, just the thrill of seeing the many multicolored cars (blue gondola car, purple box car, and others) in motion...going by cities and crossing trestles. As Crews reveals each car, I have the children repeat the colors back to me or I say "this is a gondola car? what color is it?" When the train starts moving, I have them say chugga chugga choo choo, bounce as they cross trestles, and whisper when they are moving in darkness. One fun thing I improvised once was after the train disappears after the "going...going...gone" moment, I have the kids yell "come back freight train!!!" and I flip the book and show the cover, which has the Freight Train grooving in full glory, to the audience and have them chant "chugga chugga choo choo" one more time!
4. Kitten's First Full Moon, written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes. In this 2005 Caldecott Medal winner, a little kitten has one forgettable nocturnal journey as she tries to catch the full moon, which she believes is a little bowl of milk in the sky, just waiting for her. Henkes' gorgeous illustrations, in grays and whites, immediately win young listeners/readers over as they grow to care for this poor unlucky kitten who can never seem to get closer to the moon. Kids love emulating the feline's movements--jumping off the porch, banging her ear, bumping her tale, running past the field, climbing a tree, leaping into a pond (where she thinks she sees another bowl of milk!!!). In my storytimes, this book never fails to entertain and entrance the audience. It all comes together in a warm, cuddly ending that also makes it one effective bedtime book. Lucky Kitten!!!
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