This months theme for the Poppins Book Nook is Caldecott Medal Books. If you had asked me twenty years ago what a Caldecott book was I would not have had any idea. Thanks to homeschooling I was introduced to the concept of twaddle free literature and the importance of beautiful pictures in the lives of my children. Before I began home educating I had no idea of the importance or impact of any of these things and thanks to Sonlight I now have a good insight into both. Our first three years of homeschooling were with Sonlight and a good many of the books I received in those cores contained Caldecott Medal books which served as good training to spot a beautifully illustrated book at the library and for that I'm really grateful to the people at Sonlight who choose the books for the cores. Without further ado these are a few of our favourite things ... Our 10 Favourite Caldecott Medal Books A Tree Is Nice By (author) Janice May Udry Illustrated by Marc Simont Format: Paperback | 32 pages Dimensions: 158mm x 272mm x 2mm | 82g Publication date: 22 June 2010 Publication City/Country: New York, NY ISBN 10: 0064431479 ISBN 13: 9780064431477 This book is for younger students and helps them appreciate all the beautiful trees out and about. It is also used in Learning Language Arts Through Literature blue book. Bill Peet: An Autobiography By (author) Bill Peet Format: Paperback | 192 pages Dimensions: 203mm x 254mm x 14mm | Publication date: 19 May 1994 Publication City/Country: Boston ISBN 10: 0395689821 ISBN 13: 9780395689820 Bill Peet is an amazing author and illustrator. The first book we read of his was Capyboppy and from there I was on a mission to find every book he had written and illustrated. Chester, the Worldly Pig is my all time favourite so far and we have also enjoyed Buford, the Little Bighorn. Frog and Toad are Friends By (author) Arnold Lobel Format: Paperback | 64 pages Dimensions: 216mm x 274mm x 8mm | 281g Publication date: 26 April 2012 Publication City/Country: London ISBN 10: 000746438X ISBN 13: 9780007464388 Frog and Toad books are beautiful books illustrating the gift of friendship to generations of children world wide. Grandfather's Journey By (author) Allen Say Illustrated by Allen Say Format: Paperback | 32 pages Dimensions: 236mm x 287mm x 10mm | 136g Publication date: 27 October 2008 Publication City/Country: Boston, MA ISBN 10: 0547076800 ISBN 13: 9780547076805 This book impacted me very deeply. Its a story about a man who immigrates. Little Bear's Visit By (author) Else Holmelund Minarik Illustrated by Maurice Sendak Format: Paperback | 64 pages Dimensions: 140mm x 216mm x 8mm | 45g Publication date: 31 December 1979 Publication City/Country: New York ISBN 10: 0064440230 ISBN 13: 9780064440233 We adore the Little Bear books, they are wonderful little books for beginner readers. Little House By (author) Virginia Lee Burton Format: Paperback | 40 pages Dimensions: 224mm x 240mm x 6mm | 181g Publication date: 11 January 2002 Publication City/Country: Boston ISBN 10: 039525938X ISBN 13: 9780395259382 We were introduced to Virginia Lee Burton via Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and have thoroughly enjoyed The Story of Ferdinand and Katy and the Big Snow many times over in the compilation book: Mike Mulligan and More: A Virginia Lee Burton Treasury Madeline By (author) Ludwig Bemelmans Format: Paperback | 56 pages Dimensions: 211mm x 300mm x 5mm | 227g Publication date: 7 August 2001 Publication City/Country: New York, NY ISBN 10: 014056439X ISBN 13: 9780140564396 Ah Madeline you have warmed the heart of little boys and girls in our home for years and years. We have explored the world through your eyes in books like Madeline's Christmas and Madeline's Rescue Make Way for Ducklings By (author) Robert McClosky Format: Paperback | 76 pages Dimensions: 233mm x 306mm x 8mm | 295g Publication date: 17 September 2007 Publication City/Country: New York, NY ISBN 10: 0140564349 ISBN 13: 9780140564341 This book stretched my read aloud capability! So many made up names which had my children in fits of giggles for hours on end while we explored the famous Mallard ducks of Boston. This book ignited my desire to see Boston for myself! Mirette on the High Wire By (author) Emily Arnold McCully Format: Paperback | 32 pages Dimensions: 198mm x 252mm x 5mm | 113g Publication date: 5 April 2011 Publication City/Country: New York, NY ISBN 10: 0698114434 ISBN 13: 9780698114432 A beautiful book about french culture and the encouraging heart of a child as she helps Bellini overcome his fear and live life again. My Father's Dragon By (author) Ruth Stiles Gannett Illustrated by Ruth Chrisman Gannett Format: Paperback | 74 pages Dimensions: 117mm x 191mm x 10mm | 91g Publication date: 27 December 2005 Publication City/Country: New York ISBN 10: 0440421217 ISBN 13: 9780440421214 Don't let this title fool you. The adventures to be had in this book had me back at the library to find the sequels: My Father's Dragon: Three Tales: 50th Anniversary Ed What is the Caldecott Medal? In short it is an annual award, awarded by the American Library Association to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. You can read more about the award here: Welcome to the Caldecott Medal Home Page! A full list of all the Caldecott Medal & Honor Books, 1938-Present 10 Things To Know About The Caldecott Medal The Three Books a Night website is beautiful. If you are wanting to find beautiful children's books be sure to book mark this one. The history of the The Randolph Caldecott Medal FREE for you Jill from over at Enchanted Homeschooling Mom has made this FREE Poppins Book Nook pack for you. An official interactive Poppins Book Nook bookmark for this month’s theme This month’s Passport pages to add to your lap book Several lap book elements centered around The Laboratory. Reading response writing prompt Next month we will be visiting the woods with the Poppins Book Nook so be sure to visit us on the last Monday of June for your monthly spoonful of reading fun. Blessings Chareen Your Poppins Book Nook Co-hosts for 2015 are Enchanted Homeschooling Mom - 3 Dinosaurs - ABC Creative Learning - As We Walk Along the Road - Brain Power Boy - Chestnut Grove Academy - Embracing Destiny - Every Bed of Roses - Farm Fresh Adventures - Growing in God's Grace - Kathys Cluttered Mind - My Bright Firefly - Peakle Pie - Preschool Powol Packets - Pray Species - SAHM I am - Stir The Wonder - Sunny Day Family - Sweet Silly Sara - Teach Beside Me - To the Moon and Back - Tots and Me - Tree Valley Academy - Witty Hoots - Poppins Book Nook Clip Art by Melon Headz Melonheadzdoodles & CollectiveCreation & LittleRedsClipArt #PoppinsBookNook #storybookactivitiesforkids #bookfunforkids #booksforkids Connect with the Poppins Book Nook at Enchanted Homeschooling Facebook Pinterest Connect with me An InLinkz Link-up