Quaver Pre-K Curriculum is rich with opportunities for teachers to introduce children to literacy and big ideas through relevant and engaging books.
The Dual Language Classroom Book Collection contains 110 children’s literature and concept books selected to ensure high quality and developmentally-appropriate content.
In addition to the Book Collection, teachers are provided with 8 original storybooks to accompany each theme in the curriculum, provided in both English and Spanish and as digital storybooks accessible online.
Titles were selected from books that won national book awards or were included in children’s literature committees’ recommended reading lists. From there, each selection was made based on:
- Alignment with curriculum themes and sub-themes
- Emphasis on key literacy standards
- Inclusion of multiple cultures
Theme 1 Books
The first theme, or unit of study, is Welcome to Pre-K! The focus is on acclimating children to their new school, schedule, and routines, as well as providing a welcoming and nurturing environment for the children.
English Titles:
- Abuela by Arthur Dorros
- Federico and All His Families by Mili Hernández
- Chu’s First Day of School by Neil Gaiman
- Be a Friend by Salina Yoon
- The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
- How Do You Say?/¿Cómo se dice? by Angela Dominguez
- My Five Senses by Aliki
- Why Am I Me? by Paige Britt
Spanish Titles:
- Abuela by Arthur Dorros
- Federico Y Sus Familias (Nube de Cartón) by Mili Hernández
- El Primer Día de Escuela de Chu (Primeras Travesías) by Neil Gaiman
- Sed Amigos by Salina Yoon
- Un Beso En Mi Mano by Audrey Penn
- How Do You Say?/¿Cómo se dice? by Angela Dominguez
- Mís Cinco Sentidos by Aliki
- ¿por Qué Yo Soy Yo? by Paige Britt
Theme 2 Books
Theme 2, Communities, builds on learning from the first theme where the children acclimate to their new school, classroom, schedule, and routines.
English Titles:
- Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood by Isabel F. Campoy
- Yasmin the Teacher by Saadia Faruqi
- Agua, Agüita/Water, Little Water by Jorge Tetl Argueta
- Call Me Tree / Llámame Árbol by Maya Christina Gonzalez
- Mr. Postmouse’s Rounds by Marianne Dubuc
- Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina
- Jorge El Curioso Va a la Biblioteca / Curious George Visits the Library by H A Rey
- Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora
Spanish Titles:
- Quizás Algo Hermoso: Cómo el Arte Transformó un Barrio by Isabel F. Campoy
- Yasmin la Maestra by Saadia Faruqi
- Agua, Agüita/Water, Little Water by Jorge Tetl Argueta
- Call Me Tree / Llámame Árbol by Maya Christina Gonzalez
- La ruta del ratón cartero by Marianne Dubuc
- Mango, Abuela Y Yo by Meg Medina
- Jorge El Curioso Va a la Biblioteca / Curious George Visits the Library by H A Rey
- ¡gracias, Omu! by Oge Mora
Theme 3 Books
Theme 3, Amazing Nature, builds on learning from the first two themes to further expand children’s worldview.
English Titles:
- Radio Man/Don Radio by Arthur Dorros
- Up, Down, and Around by Katherine Ayres
- La abeja y la flor / The Bee and the Flower by Rebecca Bielawski
- The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
- The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
- Las Hojas En Otoño/Leaves in Fall by Martha E H Rustad
- I Have a Garden by Bob Barner
Spanish Titles:
- Radio Man/Don Radio by Arthur Dorros
- Arriba, Abajo Y Alrededor by Katherine Ayres
- La abeja y la flor / The Bee and the Flower by Rebecca Bielawski
- Un Dia de Nieve by Ezra Jack Keats
- La Semillita by Eric Carle
- La Oruga Muy Hambrienta by Eric Carle
- Las Hojas En Otoño/Leaves in Fall by Martha E H Rustad
- Tengo Un Jardín by Bob Barner
Theme 4 Books
Theme 4, Healthy Me, brings the children’s focus inward, building on what they learned about themselves in Theme 1, their communities in Theme 2, and the natural world in Theme 3.
English Titles:
- The Curious Garden by Peter Brown
- Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert
- I Can Be Safe: A First Look at Safety by Pat Thomas
- Fire! Fuego! Brave Bomberos by Susan Middleton Elya
- Vamos, Body!: Head to Toe in English Y Español by Madeleine Budnick
- The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
- The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
- The Tooth Book by Dr Seuss
Spanish Titles:
- El Jardin Curioso by Peter Brown
- A Sembrar Sopa de Verduras/Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert
- Se Cuidar de Mi?: Hablemos de la Seguridad by Pat Thomas
- Fire! Fuego! Brave Bomberos by Susan Middleton Elya
- Vamos, Body!: Head to Toe in English Y Español by Madeleine Budnick
- The Feelings Book / El Libro de Los Sentimientos by Todd Parr
- La Mariquita Malhumorada by Eric Carle
- ¡dientes Y Más Dientes! by Dr Seuss
Theme 5 Books
Theme 5, Living Creatures, moves the children’s worldview outward again by providing opportunities for children to explore the natural world, this time with reference to animals.
English Titles:
- Animal Talk: Mexican Folk Art Animal Sounds in English and Spanish by Cynthia Weill
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.
- Sharks and Dolphins by Kevin Kurtz
- Are You My Mother?/¿eres Tú Mi Mamá? by P D Eastman
- The Rainbow Fish / El Pez Arcoiris by Marcus Pfister
- Biscuit Finds a Friend by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
- What Pet Should I Get? by Dr. Seuss
- Finch by Javier Sobrino
Spanish Titles:
- Animal Talk: Mexican Folk Art Animal Sounds in English and Spanish by Cynthia Weill
- Oso Pardo, Oso Pardo, ¿qué Ves Ahí? by Bill Martin Jr.
- Tiburones y Delfines: Un Libro de Comparacion y Contraste by Kevin Kurtz
- Are You My Mother?/¿eres Tú Mi Mamá? by P D Eastman
- The Rainbow Fish / El Pez Arcoiris by Marcus Pfister
- Bizcocho Encuentra Un Amigo by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
- ¿cómo Podré Decidir Qué Mascota Elegir? by Dr. Seuss
- Pinzón by Javier Sobrino
Theme 6 Books
Theme 6, Transportation and Movement, combines children’s newly-acquired knowledge of living creatures with their natural proclivity to move to study the movements of people and things.
English Titles:
- The Greatest Adventure by Tony Piedra
- Bear Wants to Fly by Susanna Isern
- Toy Boat by Randall de Sève
- Roadwork by Sally Sutton
- Yoga Bunny by Brian Russo
- If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen
- Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
- The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet! / El gallo que no se callaba! by Carmen Agra Deedy
Spanish Titles:
- La Aventura Mas Grande by Tony Piedra
- Oso Quiere Volar by Susanna Isern
- Mi Barco by Randall de Sève
- Construir una Carretera by Sally Sutton
- Conejito y Sus Amigos by Brian Russo
- Si Yo Diseñara Un Auto by Chris Van Dusen
- ¡no Dejes Que La Paloma Conduzca El Autobus! by Mo Willems
- The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet! / El gallo que no se callaba! by Carmen Agra Deedy
Theme 7 Books
Theme 7, Construction, focuses on synthesizing the science and social studies knowledge children have acquired through the year to learn how and why communities are built.
English Titles:
- Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
- Windows by Julia Denos
- Building a House (Let’s Learn) by Terri Fields
- Little Blue Truck Leads the Way by Alice Schertle
- Playground Friends by Amelia Edwards
- The Little Red Fort by Brenda Maier
- The One Day House by Julia Durango
- Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty
Spanish Titles:
- Buenas Noches, Construcción. Buenas Noches, Diversión. by Sherri Duskey Rinker
- Ventanas by Julia Denos
- Construyendo Una Casa by Terri Fields and Santiago Ocoa
- El Camioncito Azul Abre El Camino by Alice Schertle
- Amigos del Parque Infantil by Amelia Edwards
- El Fuertecito Rojo by Brenda Maier
- La Casa de Algún Día by Julia Durango
- Pedro Perfecto, Arquitecto by Andrea Beaty
Theme 8 Books
Theme 8, A Celebration of Music, focuses on the acknowledgment and celebration of music as a universal language that unifies people and communities throughout the world.
English Titles:
- Listen to My Trumpet! by Mo Willems
- Esquivel! Space-Age Sound Artist by Susan Wood
- Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin
- Singing/Cantando de Colores: A Bilingual Book Of Harmony by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein
- Rafi and Rosi Music! by Lulu Delacre
- Olivia Forms a Band by Ian Falconer
- Love by Matt de la Peña
- Tito Puente, Mambo King/Tito Puente, Rey del Mambo by Monica Brown
Spanish Titles:
- ¡escucha Mi Trompeta! by Mo Willems
- ¡esquivel! Un Artista del Sonido de la Era Espacial by Susan Wood
- Oso Polar, Oso Polar, ¿qué Es Ese Ruido? by Bill Martin
- Singing/Cantando de Colores: A Bilingual Book Of Harmony by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein
- Rafi y Rosi ¡Música! by Lulu Delacre
- Olivia Forma una Banda by Ian Falconer
- Amor by Matt de la Peña
- Tito Puente, Mambo King/Tito Puente, Rey del Mambo by Monica Brown
Literature Options
We understand that choice is important in the selection of a Pre-K classroom library. To support teacher choice and differentiation, Quaver Pre-K also includes the following additional book lists, also selected using the above-mentioned criteria. These titles are not included in the Classroom Book Collection, but may already be in your classroom library:
Referenced Book List:
These 110 books are referenced in daily lesson guides as suggestions for Read Aloud activities.
Suggested Alternative Book List:
These 170+ books are referenced only on this list as a suggested alternative to a referenced book as they relate the sub-theme of the week.
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