| Arnie
and the Stolen Markers, written and illustrated by
Nancy Carlson (New York: Viking, 1987). After spending all his money
on candy, Arnie slips a set of markers under his shirt as he leaves
the neighborhood store. When his mother finds out, he must deal
with the consequences of breaking the law.
Arthur Meets the President, written and
illustrated by March Brown (Boston: Little, Brown, 1991). Arthur
wins a trip to Washington, DC, where he and his classmates learn
about the government.
Better Not Get Wet, Jesse Bear, by Nancy
White Carlstrom, illustrated by Bruce Degen (New York: Macmillan,
1988). This story deals with the idea that rules that apply in some
contexts do not apply in others.
Bully Blockers Club, by Teresa Bateman
, illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic (Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman,
2004). Grant is a bully, but he only breaks the rules when adults
aren’t looking. Lotty doesn’t want to tattle, but eventually
learns that talking to adults about serious problems isn’t
tattling. The students in her class also learn to work together
to solve their problem.
I Pledge Allegiance, by Bill Martin Jr.
and Michael Sampson, illustrated by Chris Raschka (Cambridge, MA:
Candlewick Press, 2002). An explanation, in words and pictures,
of the meaning of the Pledge, along with information on its history.
Library Lion, by Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by
Kevin Hawkes (Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 2006). When a lion
comes to the library, the staff discovers there is no rule against
lions in the library. Since there is a rule against roaring, however,
the lion must be silent—until a special situation calls for
that rule to be broken.
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, by Kevin Henkes
(New York: Greenwillow Books, 1996). This book introduces the idea
of consequences: Lilly is so enamored of her purse that she cannot
stop playing with it, even when her teacher reminds her she is breaking
a rule.
Little Red Riding Hood: A Newfangled Prairie Tale,
by Lisa Campbell Ernst (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1995). Grandma
has moved out of the forest and taken up farming in this "fractured"
version of the classic fairy tale. While the wolf's designs are
still criminal in this version, they are not violent (he wants to
steal Grandma's muffin recipe), so the consequences when Red breaks
her mother's rules are less serious but still obvious.
Miss Nelson Is Missing, by Harry Allard and James
Marshall (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1977). A misbehaving class is
subjected to the most feared substitute teacher in the school; she
is so strict students are ready to behave when the sweet Miss Nelson
returns.
My Grandma’s the Mayor, by Marjorie
White Pelligrino, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes (Cambridge, MA: Candlewick
Press, 2002). Young Annie learns about commitment to community by
watching her grandmother in action.
Never Spit on Your Shoes, by Denys Cazet (New York:
Orchard Books, 1993; out of print). A first-grader reports to his
mother on the first day of school.
No Dessert Forever, by George Ella Lyon, illustrated
by Peter Catalanatto (New York: Atheneum, 2006). When she is punished
for something her brother did, the heroine of this book fantasizes
about the rules she will make and the consequences she’ll
establish when she is big and her parents are little. A fun way
for students to practice evaluating rules and consequences.
Once Upon a Banana, by Jennifer Armstrong, illustrated
by David Small (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2006). This book has
no text, but each page features a rule, beginning with “Please
Put Litter in Its Place.” When this rule is broken, it sets
off a chain of consequences that result in other rules being broken
as well. A good stimulus for discussion of consequences.
Our Government (Minneapolis, MN: Capstone Press, various
dates). This series for primary-grade students includes 12 titles
that look at the president, the Senate, the U.S. House, the Supreme
Court, voting, serving on a jury, state government, and local government.
Pete for President, by Daisy Alberto (New York: Kane
Press, 2004). This book introduces the concept of elections through
a focus on two third-graders running for class president.
Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink, written and
illustrated by Diane de Groat (New York: Morrow Junior Books, 1996).
This amusing story deals with a special rule for Valentine’s
Day and what happens when one student breaks the rule.
So You Want to Be President?, by Judith St. George,
illustrated by David Small (New York: Philomel, 2000). This Caldecott-winning
book presents information about the presidency in a breezy but informative
manner.
Tara Pays Up, by Kristen Larsen, illustrated by Paige
Billin-Frye (New York: Kane Press, 2006). The concept of governance
is taken into the community, as Tara learns about taxes and the
services they pay for.
Vampires Don’t Wear Polka Dots, by Debbie Dadey
and Marcia Thornton Jones, illustrated by John Steven Gurney (New
York: Scholastic, 1990). This book pays homage to Miss Nelson Is
Missing. The third-graders in the story have driven their teacher
from the classroom and are awaiting the new teacher, who they fear
may be Viola Swamp. Instead, she is a mysterious red-head with few
rules but her own ways of bringing order to the classroom.
What
If Everybody Did That?, by Ellen Javernick, illustrated
by Richard Hackney (Chicago: Childrens Press, 1990). This book illustrates
the chaos that would occur if everyone broke the rules.
We
the Kids, written and illustrated by David Catrow
(New York: Putnam Penguin, 2004). This unusual book provides a “kids’
language” translation of the Preamble along with a story designed
to illustrate the meaning of that famous passage. |
