Picture Books

Grades 2-4: 20 Whiteboard-Ready Writing Samples and Mini-Lessons That Show You How to Teach the Elements of Strong Writing

Step-by-step lessons introduce the essentials of strong writing and include 20 downloadable models to engage students in interactive, on-screen learning.

40 Quick Mini-Lessons to Model the Craft of Writing, Teach Early Skills, and Help Young Learners Become Confident, Capable Writers
Simple, powerful mini-lessons that introduce the writing process and craft to children in grades K & 1. Fundamental strategies are provided for interactive and journal writing, as well as word choice, focus and thorough development of details.

Publisher: Chronicle Books
Written by Lola M. Schaefer
Illustrated by Geoff Waring
Awards NSTA/CBC Award

To read about Lola’s research process for her narrative nonfiction books, click on this link: Lola's Information Source!

This fabulous, life-sized introduction to what animals eat, how they eat it, and how much they eat in a single bite is full of compelling facts and images. From the tiny sand-grain-sized bite of earth that the earthworm takes to the double-gatefold spread of a sperm whale sucking a whole giant squid down in just one bite, this book and the eleven animals in it are EXACTLY as large as life!

Written by Lola M. Schaefer
Illustrated by Kevan Atteberry

Frankie Stein looks nothing like his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stein, or the spooky-looking kids at Miss Wart’s Academy for Ghouls & Goblins. His clean-cut looks make it hard for him to make friends. But Frankie knows a thing or two about being scary and he wins over the other kids, showing that popularity depends on more than how you look. Once again, Frankie Stein proves that he’s happiest when he’s true to himself.

Available in paperback August, 2010!
Written by Lola M. Schaefer
Illustrated by Susan Hartung

Nick is getting ready for Halloween, and Mittens wants to help. But the only thing he seems to be good at is making a mess—until Mittens finds his own way to contribute to the special night’s spooky good fun. The youngest of readers will delight in the appealing kitten’s easy-to-read celebration of a favorite holiday!

In this adorable board book, kids can read the riddles and unfold the pages for a giant 14 x 14 inch surprise! The clues on each page hint to which furry, feathered and flippered friend wants to be their valentine.

This book contains the lessons and models you can use on any interactive whiteboard to help students identify and use the elements of good writing. You’ll find teaching tips, discussion questions, and classroom-tested writing samples on focus, vocabulary, voice, show, don’t tell, organization, development of ideas, fluency and leads.

I ride my broom through the October sky,
and cackle at the moon that's hanging high.
Boo! Who am I?

Come along with funny farm animals as they learn table manners. As the flaps open up, the animals find out that learning about manners is a whole lot of fun! At the end of the book, kids can use the pull-out chart and stickers to keep track of their own table manners!

Share these magically changing pictures and sparkling Easter goodies with your special Easter bunny!

In this charming Easter story, each alternating spread of this unique interactive format features a window that magically changes images with the pull of a tab. From pastel plastic eggs, out spill your favorite toys! An empty easter basket fills up with bright, colorful jellybeans and holiday chocolates! But the best Easter suprise of all is saved for the last page...having fun with your family and friends!