Dr. Seuss. The name brings smiles to adults who remember learning to read Green Eggs and Ham or The Cat in the Hat. Books written by Dr. Seuss (Theodore Geisel) had a unique way of using words, both real and made-up, to tell a story that children could easily read. With their rhyme and cadence, his books have entertained children for generations while enabling them to become better readers. According to the ALA website, the Theodore Seuss Geisel Award "is given annually ... to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished contribution to the body of American children's literature known as beginning reader books..."
The 2010 winner of the Theodore Seuss Geisel Award is Benny and Penny in the Big No-No by Geoffrey Hayes. Benny and Penny are mouse siblings who have a new neighbor. They are convinced this neighbor has taken Benny's new pail. They climb the fence to look for the pail, even though they know it's a no-no! Through the use of repetition and basic vocabulary, they learn important lessons about following rules and apologizing.
The 2010 Honor books for this award are I Spy Fly Guy!, Little Mouse Gets Ready, Mouse and Mole: Fine Feathered Friends, and Pearl and Wagner: One Funny Day.
I Spy Fly Guy! by Tedd Arnold is the story of two friends playing hide-and-seek. Fly Guy loves to hide in garbage cans, but then the trash collector shows up and he's off to the dump with his friend, Buzz following close behind.
Little Mouse Gets Ready by Jeff Smith is the story of the steps Little Mouse must go through before he can visit the barn. Getting dressed is a lot of work!
Mouse and Mole: Fine Feathered Friends by Wong Herbert Yee is an adventure story. Mouse and Mole decide to go bird watching and gather paper and crayons to record their observations, but the wind doesn't help and birds are easily frightened. Mouse and Mole decide feathers and glue will help them to be better bird watchers.
Pearl and Wagner: One Funny Day by Kate McMullan and illustrated by R.W. Alley is about April Fools' Day. This day can be fun if you are the one playing the jokes. It's not so fun if you are the one everyone is trying to fool.
These 2010 Theodore Seuss Geisel Award books, and books by Dr. Seuss, can be purchased online at powells.com and barnesandnoble.com. They can also be purchased at independent booksellers like these in northern California.
Cheshire Books
345 North Franklin Street
Fort Bragg, California 95437
(707) 964-5918
Copperfield's Books
140 Kentucky Street
Petaluma, California 94952-2304
(707) 762-0563
Stinson Beach Books
3455 Shoreline Highway
Stinson Beach, California 94970
(415) 868-0700
Bibliohead Bookstore
334 Gough Street
San Francisco, California 94102
(415) 621-6772
Flying Oliver Books
215 Caledonia Street
Sausalito, California 94965
(415) 373-8506
Comments
Dr. Seuss was such a interesting writer - love to read his book to the kids. Tha last one I read was "The Sleep Book" . Great for right before bed! ;o)
Cool article, thanks!
Dr. Seuss' books are still great today and i think every kids should get a chance to read a book by him.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!