Summer Reading 2010:  “Make a Splash” Theme

 

Water-Related Books by

Michigan Authors and Illustrators

 

Part of a Presentation by Debbie Diesen for the MLA Summer Reading Program Workshop, Dec. 4, 2009

 

A quick clarification on this:

 

The nice article that ran about me in the Spring 2010 Ventures newsletter mentioned this bibliography and the national “Make A Splash” reading program.  While I do hope this bibliography proves useful for libraries and bookstores that would like to incorporate water-related books by Michigan authors and illustrators into their summer reading programs, I did want to clarify that I made this bibliography on my own – that is, I’m not in any way formally connected to the great folks who put on the summer reading program nationally.  Now, back to the bibliography!

 

There are many benefits to using books by past and present Michigan residents for a summer story time.  For younger children, concepts of print are reinforced by the connection of the author or illustrator to the state they live in.  For older children, it encourages interest in authorship and illustration.  There are also opportunities for theme-setting around a particular author (other books, and/or biographical information), and opportunities for exploration of themes around Michigan geography and wildlife.  Use of books with a Michigan connection also encourages state pride and identity.

 

Notes and Caveats

·        I haven’t provided full bibliographic info, simply the title and the Michigan author or illustrator.

·        Most of the authors and illustrators listed are living, but some are not.

·        I have seen many of these books, but not all.  Before deciding to use one or more for a story time, be sure to preview the book to determine if it’s suitable for your story time group.

·        The books listed are primarily picture story books, but also included are nonfiction books, and a few books for older readers that could be displayed or briefly book-talked at a story time session.

·        This is an incomplete list.  I welcome your additions!  I also welcome any corrections, annotations, etc.  Contact me at deborah[at]deborahdiesen[dot]com

 

 

 

Fish and Water Creatures

 

·        Ask Me If I’m a Frog illustrated by Jill Ellen Chambers

·        Do You Know About Fish and Do You Know About Amphibians, nonfiction by Buffy Silverman

·        L is for Lobster by Cynthia Furlong Reynolds

·        The Little Fish That Got Away by Bernadine Cook.

·        Memoirs of a Goldfish, forthcoming from Devin Scillian

·        Mommy, May I Hug the Fish by Crystal Bowman

·        My Little Book of Frogs and Toads and My Little Book of Fish by Patricia Relf

·        Sea Dogs: An Epic Ocean Operetta and Sailor Moo: Cow at Sea by Lisa Wheeler

·        Wide-Mouthed Frog illustrated by Rex Schneider

 

 

Beaches, Bodies of Water, and Ships

 

·        Barefoot: Poems for Naked Feet illustrated by Lori S. McElreth-Eslick

·        Great Lakes Rhythm & Rhyme by Denise Rogers

·        The Legend of the Petoskey Stone and The Edmund Fitzgerald and others by Kathy-jo Wargin and illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen

·        Nugget on the Flight Deck illustrated by Aaron Zenz

·        Sand Castle by Brenda Shannon Yee

·        Seabird and Paddle to the Sea by Holling C. Holling

·        Sheep On A Ship by Nancy Shaw (Nancy’s sheep also encounter a swamp in Sheep Take A Hike; and her raccoons encounter a stream in Raccoon Tune)

·        Shell Crazy by Tracy Gallup

·        Spike & Cubby's Ice Cream Island Adventure by Heather Laurie Sellers and illustrated by Amy Young

·        Water Words by Carolyn Stitch

 

 

Rain and Storms

 

·        Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain: A Nandi Tale by Verna Aardema

·        Drip Drop by Donald Carrick

·        A Drop of Rain by Wong Herbert Yee

·        Thunder-Boomer by Shutta Crum

·        Thundercake by Patricia Polacco

 

 

Bathtime

 

·        Good Knight by Lynda Rymill

·        Goodnight Princess Pruney Toes, illustrated by Cyd Moore

·        Rub-A-Dub-Dub: What’s In The Tub? by Mary Blocksma

 

 

 

 

Other Books with Water Connections – For Older Readers

 

·        Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen, Will Travel by Ruth McNally Barshaw has Ellie at Higgins Lake, and has scenes at the beach and at the frog pond

 

·        Across the Reach by Cynthia Furlong Reynolds

·        Blame It on the Rain by Laura L. Lee

·        Home to Mackinac by Kim Delmar Cory

·        Mick Morris Myth Solver #3:  Champ…  A Wave of Terror! By Karen and Darrin Bell-Brege

·        Mystery of the Copper Turtle and Mystery of the Voyageur’s Rendezvous by Doris Holik Kelly

·        Saving Water: Do It Yourself by Buffy Silverman

·        S'gana, the Black Whale by Sue Stauffacher

·        The Traveler’s Trunk:  Pirate’s Treasure by Amanda Litz

 

 

 

Finding Michigan Author and Illustrator Information

 

·        The Michigan chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators has a list of Michigan authors and illustrators at:

http://www.kidsbooklink.org/auill.html

 

·        Michigan Authors and Illustrators database (a collaboration of MAME, the Library of Michigan, and the Michigan Center for the Book)

http://www.hal.state.mi.us/authors/

Under “Advanced Search,” choose “Genre Type” of “Children.”  Click on an author name and then “View Selected” to see author info and bibliography.