By Bill Martin Jr with updated illustrations by Vladimir Radunsky
What treasures I find at my local library! When I saw Bill Martin Jr.'s name on this book, I knew I had to read it and I was not disappointed. I tested the story on my niece (age 5), who asked me to read it twice and the next day, she was proud to read it all on her own. She was able to use her memory of the story, context clues, and her knowledge of letter sounds, rhymes, and sight words to read this one all on her own.
"Fire! Fire!" said Mrs. McGuire.
"Where? Where?" said Mrs. Bear.
"Downtown!" said Mrs. Brown.
The story features a group of female mice who are very concerned about a "fire" but there's a bit of a surprise at the end. This is a short and simple story but a very humorous way to introduce or reinforce rhyming words.
by Tonya Lewis Lee: Anyone who has had the 
by Debbie Allen: It's not always easy for ethnic girls to see themselves depicted as ballerinas, so I enjoy this story and the beautiful illustrations. (Also check out 
by Janet and Allan Ahlberg: I loved this book almost as much as my kindergarten students. It's the kind of book that you will want to read in small groups since the book is so interactive. The children get to pull out letters and postcards (and even a birthday party invitation) to and from popular fairy tale characters. 
by Shel Silverstein: I'm a Shel Silverstein fan and this one is a particular favorite. "If you had a giraffe and he stretched another half …you would have a giraffe and a half." The tale goes on, and as you can imagine, the illustrations (classic Sliverstein line drawings) are hilarious. Take lots of pauses while you are reading...you will need time for giggles!
by Philemon Sturges: If you like 
Who doesn't like a hen who makes 
by Robert Munsch: Robert Munsch was a popular author in my classroom (for me, it all started with 
This princess by no means needs to be rescued by her prince. When the dragon burns her clothes and steals her prince, she slaps on a paper bag and well... the rest is, as they say, hysterical! Girl Power!
by Audrey Wood: I'd read almost anything by Audrey Wood just because of the illustrations! They tell a story all on their own. This book has a wonderfully rhythmic text that boasts the message, "just be yourself." That's a lesson we all need every now and then.
by Lois Ehlert: I have a special and personal love of butterflies, so I'm drawn to books about them. This one has classic Ehlert collage-style illustrations and catchy text. The book also has a great deal of information about various kinds of butterflies. If you want to plant a butterfly garden, this book also tells you the name of several butterfly-attracting flowers!
Children, teachers, parents, and families across the world can pledge to read this classic story. And if you don't have a copy of your own you can read it online from 
), books that have rhyming text (like 
), books that have predictable text (like 
) and books that are related to songs (like 
.
