Books of Common Thread Project
Graphic Organizer of Modes of Transportation

By Joy Botting





Common Thread II: Modes of Transportation

Category 1: Planes

Book Cover
Title
Author/
Illustrator
Age/
Grade
Copyright/
Publisher
        Abstract      
 Awards

  Planes
Byron Barton, author and illustrator
Grades PreK-1
(Ages 4-6)
HarperFestival, NY 1998
 Planes is a simple concept book for younger children. There aren't any main characters and the setting is in the airport. This book introduces the different types of planes to younger children.

The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel With Louis Bleriot, July 25, 1909
Alice Provensen, author
Martin Provensen, illustrator
Grades K-3
(Ages 6- 10)
Picture Puffins, NY 1987
 This book is a biography and its main character is Louis Bleriot. This book documents the adventures he experienced while developing his aircraft. The setting of this book is in France, in Bleriot's hometown. The theme of this book is that with determination anything can be attempted. Bleriot dreamed of building his aircraft and with perseverance he did. Caldecott   winner

Fantastic Flights: One Hundred Years of Flying on the Edge
Patrick O'Brien, author and illustrator
Grades 3-6 (Ages 8-12)
Walker and Company,NY 2003
 This characterless informational book surveys the history and future of aircrafts. The settings vary depending on the aircraft described.
nominated for South Carolina's Childrens Book Award for 2006.

First Flight
George Shea, author Don Bolognese, illustrator
Grades 2-4 (Ages 7-10)
Harper Trophy, NY 1997
 This children's chapter book's main character is Tom Tate, a young boy who assists the Wright brothers. The story of historical fiction takes place in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The theme of this book is about staying focused and never giving up pursuing  your goals.

The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane
Russell Freedman, author Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright, illustrators (photos)

 Can be read to Grades K-6 (Ages 5-12)
Young Adult book
Holiday House, NY 1994
 This partial biography is about the Wright Brothers attempts to invent an airplane. The setting is in North Carolina.  This book shows the importance of team work, hard work and determination.
 Newbery Honor

 

Category 2: Trains

Book Cover
Title
Author/
Illustrator
Age/
Grade
Copyright/
Publisher
        Abstract      
 Awards

Trains
Byron Barton, author and illustrator
Grades PreK-1
(Ages 4-6)
HarperFestival, NY 1998
 This book is a simple concept book about all different types of trains. The settings vary depending on the trains described. This book's purpose is to introduce younger children to different trains.


All Aboard Trains
Mary Harding, author
Richard Courtney, illustrator
Grades PreK-3(Ages 4-8)
Grosset & Dunlap, NY 1989
This book is all about different trains with no particular setting. It is an informational book  that appeals to many different aged children.
 Reading Rainbow honor book

Thomas The Tank Engine's Big Lift and Look Book
William Awdry, original author
Owain Bell, illustrator
Grades PreK -1 (Ages 3-6)
Random House, NY 1996
 This toy book is about Thomas the Tank Engine. The story takes place in the train yard of his imaginary homeland. This book has no particular story line, but teaches concepts such as colors, numbers and alphabets.

Hey! Get Off Our Train
John Burningham, author and illustrator
Grades 1-3 (Ages 6-10)
Dragonfly Books, NY 1994
 This book is fantasy fable with a message. The main character of this book is a little boy who is on a train trying to save endangered species. The setting is somewhere in his dream. The theme of this book is to raise a consciousness about endangered species.
An IRA Children's Choice award winner
A Parent's Choice Award winner (illustration)
A Children's Book Award winner (California)

The Story of Trains
Jane Bingham, author
Grades 4-6
(Ages 8-12)
Usborne Books, UK 2004
 This chapter book is a story about the first steam engine. The fictional story has no particular setting but takes place about 200 years ago. The book's purpose is a reminder of the importance of trains.

 

Category 3: Cars

Book Cover
Title
Author/
Illustrator
Age/
Grade
Copyright/
Publisher
        Abstract      
 Awards

Big Book of Cars
Trevor Lord, author and photographer
 Grades PreK-5 (Ages 4-11)
DK Publishing, NY 1999
 This informational book surveys the different types of cars from early models to futuristic types. This book is characterless and does not have a setting, instead it contains a wealth of information on highlights, photographs and details on each vehicle. 


My Car
Byron Barton, author and illustrator
Grades PreK-K (Ages 4-5)
Harper Festival, NY 2003
 My Car is a simple concept book about a car and basic facts surrounding it. The main character of the story is Sam who is discussing his car. The setting is around his imaginary town. The purpose of this book is to introduce cars and their facts to younger children.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Ian Fleming, author Brian Selznick, illustrator 
Grades PreK-6 (Ages 4-12)
Random House, NY 1996
 This book is a fantasy fiction about a car. The main characters of this story are the Potts family and their car, chitty chitty bang bang. This setting is around the town of the family and also set in their many adventures the car takes them on. The book is a story of adventure, hope and perseverance.
 Young Reader's Choice Award

In the Driver's Seat
Max Haynes, author and illustrator
Grades PreK-K (Ages 3-5)
DoubleDay Books, NY 1997
 The main character of In the Driver's Seat is the unknown driver behind the wheel and all the people they encounter while driving. The setting of this book is on country roads and in city streets. The story ends at the finishing line of a race. The book's purpose is to entertain younger readers with fun and the animal interactions.


Cars! Cars! Cars!
 Grace Maccarone, author David A. Carter, illustrator
Grades PreK-K (Ages 3-5)
Cartwheel Books, NY 1995
 This simple concept book was developed for the younger reader. The main characters of this book are the collection of animals in their different cars. The book is set in a racing environment. The theme of this book is to introduce simple car concepts to younger children.

 
 

Category 4: Boats

Book Cover
Title
Author/
Illustrator
Age/
Grade
Copyright/
Publisher
        Abstract      
 Awards

Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Annie Kubler, illustrator 
Grades PreK-K
(Ages 3-5)
Child's Play, NY 2003
 This simple concept book is based on the nursery rhyme, Row, Row, Row Your Boat. The main character of this book is a little baby playing along to the nursery rhyme. The setting is in and around the home. This book's purpose is to encourage young children to play along.

Inside the Titanic
Ken Marschall, author and illustrator
Grades K-5 (Ages 5-11)
 Little, Brown and Company, MA 1997

 This historical fiction can also be classified as a toy book. The book includes cut away illustrations to show the rooms of the ship. The main characters of this story are the children that sailed on the ship. The setting takes place on the Titanic. The book is more informative and has no definite theme.


Ships and Boats
 John Hudson Tiner, author
Grades PreK-8
(Ages 4-15)
 Mankato, MN 2004

This book is an informational book on various types of ships and boats. The book goes through many varieties. The book is characterless and is set in and around the water environment. The book describes many details of boats. This book can be used at all age levels.


Boats!
Shana Corey, author
Mike Reed, illustrator
Grades K-2 (Ages 5-7)
Random House, NY 2001
 This chapter book is all about boats. This book is designed for the younger reader. The book doesn't have any characters but surveys the different boats that are seen in one day on the dock. The setting takes place on a dock or water environment of some kind. The book intends to aid early readers as well as teach them simple concepts about boats.

How Science Works: Ships and Other Sea Crafts
Nigel Hawkes, author and illustrator
Grades 1-6 (Ages 6-12)
Franklin Watts, UK 2003
 This how to book not only teaches the science behind how boats are created but then gives you instruction on how to create your own. This informational book doesn't have any characters or a particular setting. The book's purpose is to inform and then inspire.

Category 5: Trucks

Book Cover
Title
Author/
Illustrator
Age/
Grade
Copyright/
Publisher
        Abstract      
 Awards

My Big Truck Book
Roger Priddy, author and illustrator
Grades PreK-1 (Ages 4-7)
Priddy Books, 2002
 This informational book surveys the different types of trucks and what they are used for. This book is characterless and does not have a setting, instead it contains a wealth of information on highlights, photographs and details on each truck.  

Big Book of Trucks
Caroline Bingham, author and photographer  
Grades PreK-5 (Ages 4-11)
DK Publishing, NY 1999
 This book is an informational book on various types of trucks. The book goes through many varieties. The books is characterless and is set in the different places these vehicles are used it. The book describes many details on trucks. This book can be used at all age levels.

I Love Trucks!
Philemon Sturges, author
Shari Halpern, illustrator
Grades PreK-1 (Ages 4-7)
Harpers Collins, NY 1999
 This book's main character is the narrator is telling the audience the different kind of trucks they see. The narrator goes on to tell them what they do. The setting is in and around the neighborhood of the main character. The book's theme is to introduce these concepts to younger readers.

Trucks
Byron Barton, author and illustrator
Grades PreK-1
(Ages 4-6)
HarperFestival, NY 1998
 Trucks is a simple concept book for younger children. There aren't any main characters and the setting around the truck environment. This book introduces the different types of trucks to younger children.

Arthur's Truck Adventure
Marc Brown, author and illustrator
Grades 1-4 (Ages 7-10)
Random House, NY 2000
 Arthur's Truck Adventure is a story  and toy book. It contains stickers and flaps that children can use as they go along with the story.This book's main character is a boy named Arthur who imagines what it is like to work with different kinds of trucks. The setting of the book is on the highway as he passes some of the vehicles he dreams about. The purpose of this book is to inform and entertain.


Graphics provided by alibris, amazon, cutecolors and Colosseum.



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