I had to have this book as soon as I saw the cover. I am a big gardener and have always been fascinated by Japanese gardens, even though my gardening style is a bit different. But this book is about so much more than gardening – it is a book about saying good-bye, accepting the… Continue reading Ojiichan’s Gift by Chieri Uegaki and Genevieve Simms
Month: August 2019
Under My Hijab by Hena Khan
“It’s her, it’s her!” the twins exclaim upon seeing the cover of Under My Hijab by Hena Khan. The girls make an instant connection to our helping buddy who wears a hijab. A seemingly simple moment, a real-life connection; but in reality, it was so much more. Later, after the twins had the book read… Continue reading Under My Hijab by Hena Khan
Endling, The Last
As the summer winds down and a new year begins, I think back to how the summer of 2019 began with a virtual book club! After meeting author, Katherine Applegate,at An Unlikely Story bookstore and hearing her speak about all of her books, including her new fantasy series Endling, students were excited to get their… Continue reading Endling, The Last
The Sun Shines Everywhere by Mary Ann Hoberman
The Sun Shines Everywhere by Mary Ann Hoberman, author of the You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You series, engages audiences of all ages as Hoberman describes the power of sunshine. Her text describes how the sun unites and nourishes all of us --- animals, plants and humans – throughout the globe. Through her… Continue reading The Sun Shines Everywhere by Mary Ann Hoberman
A New Home by Tania de Regil
"How many of you know what it feels like to move to a new place?" I asked this group of 2nd graders as I visited their classroom. Most students raised their hands fast! "What words come to your mind when you think of moving to a new place?" Exciting. Scary. Nervous. Anxious. "Let keep those… Continue reading A New Home by Tania de Regil
A Piglet Named Mercy
Have your favorite readers ever wondered how Mercy came to live with the Watsons on Deckawoo Drive? They don’t need to wonder any more because Kate DiCamillo has shared her vision with us in the endearing picture book, A Piglet Named Mercy. In this prequel to the Mercy Watson series, the “porcine wonder” accidentally finds… Continue reading A Piglet Named Mercy
Jack (Not Jackie)
by Erica Silverman, illustrated by Holly Hatam "You've got to be you or you won't be happy!" bellowed a first grade student eager to share her thinking with the class. Her enthusiasm and conviction were as evident as the message of this fantastic children's book. Students from kindergarten through second grade easily understood this book's… Continue reading Jack (Not Jackie)
Harbor Me
Much like Brown Girl Dreaming, Jaqueline Woodson’s ability to weave together challenging, yet relevant story lines with subtle imagery and graceful, melodic language does not fall short in her 2018 novel, Harbor Me.This is an important story for adults (particularly teachers) and older students alike, as it reminds readers that each child has defining layers… Continue reading Harbor Me
In My Heart – A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek
One of my current interests is finding books that help us process and promote mental wellnesss. In My Heart - A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek lets readers explore a wide range of feelings; brave, happy, mad, broken, hopeful, afraid, and silly to name a few. The book begins by exploring a feeling per… Continue reading In My Heart – A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek
Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes
Teacher Thoughts:Author Jessica Kensky says, “Kids have been so fascinated by us. When they see three metal legs and a dog in a red cape in a grocery store they are just so overwhelmed with new sights. They literally have walked into walls.” Rescue and Jessica is the story of Jessica and her husband Patrick… Continue reading Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes
Malala: My Story of Standing Up for Girls’ Rights by Malala Yousafzai with Patricia McCormick
Malala: My Story of Standing Up for Girls’ Rights happens to share its book birthday with the anniversary of Malala’s life changing event-- October 9th. In fact, Malala immediately hooks her audience by flashing back to that particular day, which haunts her memory. “When I close my eyes, I can see my bedroom. The bed… Continue reading Malala: My Story of Standing Up for Girls’ Rights by Malala Yousafzai with Patricia McCormick
The Quiet Boat Ride, Sergio Ruzzier
When I read about this book in Horn Book, I immediately ordered it. First off, these stories are adorable. Sergio Ruzzier has taken such simple moments – a ride in a rowboat, sharing a cake, watching the sunrise and made them into stories about friendship. The stories are funny and endearing without smacking kids over… Continue reading The Quiet Boat Ride, Sergio Ruzzier
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems
The back to school aisle is stocked, August is here, and educators and children everywhere begin the countdown to the first day of school. Some of us are full of hope and others, nervous anticipation about the beginning of the school year. What will it be like? Will I fit in? Who will my teacher… Continue reading The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
Teacher Thoughts… This book is a must-have for every elementary classroom because it captures the excitement of the first day of school and the upcoming school year, it helps create an inclusive environment because every child can find someone who looks like themselves in the book and it can be used as a mentor text… Continue reading All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
The Very Impatient Caterpillar, Ross Burach
I chose to read The Very Impatient Caterpillar to third graders because it tied beautifully with their pollinator science unit and this book is “laugh out loud” funny – a perfect combination. I also loved the way Ross Burach wove information about butterflies into this narrative story in ways that kids could emulate in their… Continue reading The Very Impatient Caterpillar, Ross Burach
Mae’s First Day of School by Kate Berube
There’s a quiet to Kate Berube’s books that holds young listeners in a state of wonder. Mae is not going to school today, no matter what her mother, father, or other parents on the playground say to persuade her. But when she scurries into a tree to hide from the opening bell, she learns that… Continue reading Mae’s First Day of School by Kate Berube
I Will Be Fierce!
I Will Be Fierce! By Bea BirdsongIllustrated by Nidhi Chanani I Will Be Fierce! by Bea Birdsong captures one young girl's journey as she takes on the world around her in valiant ways. Our protagonist finds that she has all the tools she needs to take on the things that frighten her. Author Bea Birdsong… Continue reading I Will Be Fierce!
Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech
Teacher Thoughts… You will fall in love with Louie and his family and friends as they come together to save Winslow, a sick, newborn donkey. Winslow connects all of the characters and caring for him helps them to work through difficult situations in their own lives. Once again, Sharon Creech creates vivid characters. Her descriptions… Continue reading Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech
Allie All Along by Sarah Lynne Reul
When I start visiting classrooms to read books aloud this fall, Allie All Along by Sarah Lynne Reul will be one of my top choices. It fits right into our social-emotional learning curriculum. We teach our students that however they are feeling, it's ok to feel that way and they can use strategies to help… Continue reading Allie All Along by Sarah Lynne Reul
The King of Kindergarten
The King of Kindergarten “It’s time to start kindergarten, and you know what, kid? You got this! It’s your time to shine and be the King of Kindergarten!” The King of Kindergarten joyfully written by Derrick Barnes and artfully illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton should be every kindergarten teacher's read during the sparkling-with-opportunity first few minutes… Continue reading The King of Kindergarten
The Big Umbrella, Amy June Bates
The Big Umbrella is the perfect book to start conversations about inclusion in preschool and kindergarten. The main character is a big red ,friendly and helpful umbrella that welcomes everyone under its arms - no matter whether they are tall, round, hairy, or even four-legged. Teacher Thoughts: The illustrations are the key to the success… Continue reading The Big Umbrella, Amy June Bates
The Good Egg By: Jory John Teacher Thoughts: Time is an issue for all teachers, in all states, at all levels. My district is in its second year of implementing TCRWP’s Units of Study and we love it! However, like all educators today, the pressure of fitting all the curriculum in is a real concern. One… Continue reading
Short
by Holly Goldberg Sloan I teach in a town where community theater is part of its fabric, so reading Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan as a read aloud seemed like the natural thing to do. My fifth graders loved everything about Julia Marks! At the beginning of the book Julia is on summer vacation feeling… Continue reading Short
The Word Collector
Ask a baseball fan about his card collection, or a teacher about her library, and it will open up a world of conversation. Whether it be seashells or stamps, bugs or books, collections bring comfort to people of all ages. Jerome’s collection is one that he could add to throughout each and every day... because… Continue reading The Word Collector
Shouting At The Rain
by Lynda Mullaly HuntTeacher Thoughts... Dive into this story by the same author as Fish in a Tree, to teach your students about the importance of family and friendships. Readers quickly learn that friends and family come in all shapes and sizes, and that support can come from the most unlikely places. The main character,… Continue reading Shouting At The Rain
There Are No Bears in This Bakery by Julia Sarcone-Roach
Teacher Thoughts... Dip into this story to experience a powerful punch of rich, descriptive language. You’ll quickly tuck it into your “go-to” stack of mentor texts to love throughout the elementary grades. Kids who need models for how to weave description and figurative language into their writing will be inspired by phrases such as: “I slipped… Continue reading There Are No Bears in This Bakery by Julia Sarcone-Roach
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
Synopsis: Zuri is so excited about her “extra-special” day, but as the day dawns, Zuri realizes she has an extra poofy challenge. What will she do with her hair? No worries, Daddy is home! With a little technical assistance, Daddy’s bathroom salon does not disappoint. Zuri receives an extra- special hair-do for her extra-special day.… Continue reading Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
Not Quite Snow White by Ashley Franklin, illustrated by Ebony Glenn
Not Quite Snow White, written by Ashley Franklin and Illustrated by Ebony Glenn is a delightful picture book about Tameika, a confident and creative little girl destined for the stage. Unfortunately, her confidence falters when her classmates decide that based on her height, weight and skin color she isn’t quite right to play Snow White… Continue reading Not Quite Snow White by Ashley Franklin, illustrated by Ebony Glenn