Teacher's Book Picks of the Week: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory / The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and THE BIG HUNGRY BEAR

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

by Roald Dahl

"Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory is opening at last! But only five lucky children will be allowed inside. And the winners are: Augustus Gloop, an enormously fat boy whose hobby is eating; Veruca Salt, a spoiled-rotten brat whose parents are wrapped around her little finger; Violet Beauregarde, a dim-witted gum-chewer with the fastest jaws around; Mike Teavee, a toy pistol-toting gangster-in-training who is obsessed with television; and Charlie Bucket, Our Hero, a boy who is honest and kind, brave and true, and good and ready for the wildest time of his life!" - Source

• Age Range: 8 - 12 years
• Grade Level: 3 - 7
  
  "Really quite a fantastic read, channeling the hopes and wonders of children all over through a bright and whimsical tale of the enigmatic Willy Wonka, his Chocolate Factory, the lovable Charlie and a famous golden ticket!" - GA Staff

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The Little Mouse,
The Red Ripe Strawberry, and
THE BIG HUNGRY BEAR

by Don and Audrey Wood, Illustrated by Don Wood

"First published in 1984, a picture book in which the Little Mouse will do all he can to save his strawberry from the Big, Hungry Bear, even if it means sharing it with the reader. The Little Mouse and the Big Hungry Bear are known and loved by millions of children around the world. Little Mouse loves strawberries, but so does the bear...How will Little Mouse stop the bear from eating his freshly picked, red, ripe strawberry." - Source

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  Age Range: 1 - 3 years
• Grade Level: Preschool and up
  
  "Join a cute little mouse in this story, unique in that the narrator speaks to the main character, while he thinks of silly and inventive ways to protect his special strawberry!" - GA Staff