The three pigs

Wiesner, D. (2001). The three pigs. New York, NY: Clarion Books.
  Once again the Big Bad Wolf has come a-knocking on the door to the house of straw.  Rather than face the demise of his home and the certainty of being eaten, the first little pig steps out of the story.  After seeing the safety offered outside the story the pig convinces his two brothers to join him.  Now they are stepping in and out of different tales, meeting other characters such as the cat with a fiddle, a run away spoon, and even a friendly fire breathing dragon.  Despite their new friends and adventures the pigs know it is time to return to their own tale. Yet they won't return alone, after all, no wolf is so very big and bad next to their new friend the dragon!
       In a book that doesn't follow the well-known plot you can't expect it to follow one type of illustration.  Each time David Wiesner changes the tale he changes his artistic style as well.  This book contains everything from pencil drawn pictures to computer generated images.  This picture book has them all!

It's a book

Smith, L. (2011). It's a book. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press.
  Ape has a new book.  Jackass has no idea what that means.  In a world of computers, cell phones, and other technologies Jackass thinks that everything must function like a computer- passwords, a mouse, chargeable batteries.  Once Ape shows Jackass the beauty of books Jackass becomes enthralled with Ape's book. 
   The simple illustrations in this book are the perfect balance so as not to take away from the moral of the story.  They are comical enough so as to keep the attention of younger readers but not over dominating .  The genius of Lane's design lies in the different fonts used for each character.  When Jackass speaks it is in basic "computer" font.  The type of font that most people associate with technology.  In contrast Ape speaks in a more smooth and friendly font, one that seems more humane than that used for Jackass. 
   While younger readers will enjoy this as a mere picture book, It's a book  is a wonderful jumping off point to begin discussions on the value of technologies such as e-books versus a paper printed versions.  To begin the discussion It's a book could be read aloud and then in support of the technological side an enjoyable trailer of the film can be found at the following link.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4BK_2VULCU

This is not my hat

Klassen, J. (2012). This is not my hat. Boston, MA: Candlewick press.
 Little fish has a new hat.  But it is not his hat.  It is big fish's hat. If little fish can make it to the safety of the tall sea weed he may be able to keep the hat.  Will the crab he passed keep his secrret?  Not when faced with big fish! Tall sea weed or not big fish wants his hat back.  Little fish may be fast, but big fish eventually catches up. Soon big fish has his hat back, but what has happened to little fish?
 Klassen uses basic geometric shapes to create his under water world. Ovals dominate the leaves of the sea weed as well as forming the bodies of all the sea creatures.  He also uses a large amount of black to give the reader a sense of how large and vast the bottom of the ocean is- you may never see what is coming!  An exciting preview of the book can by found at : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MuDfdxESOQ

Martina the beautiful cockroach

Deedy, C.A. (2007) Martina the beautiful cockroach. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree Publishers.
 In this re-telling of a Cuban folklore, it is time for Martina to select a husband.  As she is the most beautiful cockroach there are many suitors to choose from. In traditional Cuban fashion, Martina is given gifts from her family to prepare her and her suitors present themselves to her one at a time in order of social importance. At first Martina does not know how she will ever select a husband. Then Martina gets the best gift of all from her abuela- advice on how to choose. Thanks to her abuela, Martina knows to spill coffee on the shoes of her suitors to discover who will be the most gentle and forgiving husband.
Illustrated by Michael Austin, Martina the beautiful cockroach has beautiful hand painted illustrations that use warm colors to capture the environment of Cuba.  These colors fade from reds to blues to oranges and finally to purples to demonstrate the changing sky as the day of Martina's selection carries on.  This book is a wonderful introduction to Cuban culture.  It shows the multi-generation family that is custom in Cuban culture, as well at the traditional gifts and customs taken when a daughter is ready to marry.   Any lesson introducing students to cultures other than their own could benefit from using this book.

Where the wild things are

Sendak, M. (1963). Where the wild things are. New York: NY. Harper Collins.  Max has been sent to his room- AGAIN! This time he uses his banishment to travel to the land of the wild things where he becomes king and may create havoc whenever and wherever he pleases.  But even the fun of the wild things can't contend with Max's empty stomach.  Max returns to his room to find dinner still hot and waiting.
Sendak's use of line and texture help to create the feel and look of the jungle as well as the fur and scales of the wild things that Max meets. As Max grows wilder so do the pictures, doubling in size until at his wildest the pictures cover an entire spread.
A film version of the book was released in 2009.  The combination of the book and the film would serve well when teaching students to compare and contrast things.  The film must of course add things to the plot as a picture book would never be long enough for a full length feature film.  However, the film does try to remain true to the characters and theme of the original book.  You can view a trailer of the film at the following link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386117/?ref_=nv_sr_1