Diary of a Spider, by Doreen Cronin, Illustrated by Harry Bliss
Publisher: Harper Collins Publisher, 2005
 Summary:
The story follows a young spiders journal entries for about half a year. The book opens with Spider's Grampa coming to Grandparents day at school and educating the students on the differences between spiders and insects. Spider's diary entries include tales of learning to fly with a web to hanging out with friends to trying to play at the park with his sister.
Recommendation for Parents:
An entertaining bedtime story that has very colorful illustrations. You will enjoy reading the story as much as your children enjoy hearing it. The book is educational while at the same time humorous.
Recommendation for Other Teachers:
The pen ink and watercolor illustrations are fun to look at and help tell the story that you are reading. This is great book to pen the discussion of spiders. It has some scientific basics about spiders weaved throughout the humorous text. You can also use this book to discuss fears that your students might have and how to overcome them.
Personal Note:
If you enjoy reading this book you will also enjoy Diary of a Worm and Cronin's Click Clack Moo Series which have a similar humor. Great for ages 4-8.
Grandfather's Journey, by Allen Say
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1993
 Summary:
Say's story tracks his grandfather's journey to America and back to his homeland, Japan. Say speaks of his grandfather's yearning for Japan while living in California and vice versa when living in Japan. Grandfather plans a trip back to California but World War II hits and he never makes it back to California. Say comes to America when his is a young man and understands his grandfather yearn for both countries at the same time. Winner of the Caldecott Medal.
Recommendation for Parents:
Great story about family and grandparents. Can help a child understand their feelings about wanting to be at camp but when at camp wanting to be home (or any similar situation). Beautiful watercolor illustrations by Say.
Recommendation for Other Teachers:
Grandfather's Journey can be used to discuss immigration. This book can assist in helping children see another perspective on Would War II minimally and the impacts it had on another country.
Personal Note:
The illustrations are amazing and soothing. His descriptions are short and to the point but can be read into very easily. If you enjoy this book you will also enjoy Kamishibai Man, Music for Alice, and Trees of Cranes. Great for kids aged 4-8
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