Flat Stanley

Stanley was flattened by his bulletin board while he was sleeping. Because he is flat, Stanley can do all kinds of things. His brother flies him like a kite, he saves the museum, he goes to California in an envelope. The best part of Stanley's "flat" period is when he is able to catch some thieves in the local museum. People eventually begin to make fun of Stanley, and he tires of being flat. A solution is found by his brother. His brother uses a bicycle pump to make Stanley round again. This is a great way to intertwine reading and social studies. People all over the world send Stanley out to have pictures taken in special places or with classes. Your class can map where you get letters from.
Brown, J. (1964) Flat Stanley. HarperCollins: New York.

My Granny Went to the Market

The narrator's granny went to the market and bought a flying carpet in Istanbul (#1). Then, she went to Thailand to buy two temple cats. Each page shows the granny going to different places to buy interesting things like llamas and cowbells. After she buys the tenth set of things, she gives the carpet to her granddaughter who plans to go on the same trip. One nice feature of the book is the back cover shows the journey with a map. This book displays many cultures and offers us a chance to peak at some other places goods.
Blackstone, S. and Corr, C. (2002) My Granny Went to the Market. Barefoot Books: Cambridge

Harbor

This a book I am including in my ocean unit as a social studies connection. This book connects to the lives of students in NYC because they are in a harbor town. If they pass over one of the bridges they can see boats, ferries, and piers. This book has few words, but shows all of the water transportation in the harbor. It also gives an explanation for the use of a few of the boats pictured. For example, we find out that the front of a ferry becomes its back, so there is no need to turn around. After discussing this book, I will put it in the children's book baskets for independent reading.
Crews, D. (1982) Harbor. Mulberry Books: New York.