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Nigel and the Moon, written by Antwan Eady and illustrated by Gracey Zhang

Not fitting in. Feeling out of place. Hiding within oneself. Relatable feelings, for sure! Debut author Antwan Eady and artist Gracey Zhang illustrate evolving confidence through the character of Nigel. The story follows Nigel’s thoughts and actions during Career Week at his school. Nigel is enthusiastic about his dreams of becoming an astronaut, a dancer,… Continue reading Nigel and the Moon, written by Antwan Eady and illustrated by Gracey Zhang

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What the Kite Saw, written by Anne Laurel Carter and illustrated by Akin Duzakin

No one is guaranteed peace. Yet, could it be that peaceful days become expected and routine for some of us? In What the Kite Saw, Anne Laurel Carter and Akin Duzakin transport us into the unfamiliar realities of daily life in a warzone. Told from the perspective of a young boy, readers of all ages… Continue reading What the Kite Saw, written by Anne Laurel Carter and illustrated by Akin Duzakin

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Built Together, written by Mina Starsiak and illustrated by Barbara Bongini

Known for the HGTV home renovation series, Good Bones, Built Together is Mina Starsiak’s first children’s book. It is a book about LOVE, as Starsiak explains: “This book comes from my heart – I wanted to show that families can come in all forms and look a little different – just like houses – and… Continue reading Built Together, written by Mina Starsiak and illustrated by Barbara Bongini

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Room for Everyone, written by Naaz Khan and illustrated by Mercè López

This newly released adventure story features Musa and his sister as they ride via daladala to the Tanzanian shore. The minibus quickly becomes excessively crowded as the bus driver welcomes more and more passengers onto the bus to escape the heat of the day. The book’s word choice itself is a fun-filled adventure for readers!… Continue reading Room for Everyone, written by Naaz Khan and illustrated by Mercè López

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The Little Blue Bridge, written by Brenda Maier and illustrated by Sonia Sánchez

Ranked as my new favorite read aloud, The Little Blue Bridge is a spin off of The Three Billy Goats Gruff.  This new title features Latinx characters, STEM connections, and a theme of feminism. Ruby, the female protagonist, suggests to her brothers, “Let’s go pick berries to bake in a pie”. Her brothers, taunting her… Continue reading The Little Blue Bridge, written by Brenda Maier and illustrated by Sonia Sánchez

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Saving American Beach: The Biography of African American Environmentalist MaVynee Betsch, written by Heidi Tyline King and illustrated by Ekua Holmes

I learned of this new release when I was visiting the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston this past August. At the very end of my afternoon tour, I rounded a corner and...it was "love at first sight". I was mesmerized and emotionally moved by this masterpiece: The young girl in the picture was highly… Continue reading Saving American Beach: The Biography of African American Environmentalist MaVynee Betsch, written by Heidi Tyline King and illustrated by Ekua Holmes

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Phoebe Dupree is Coming to Tea!

Written by Linda Ashman and illustrated by Alea Marley Abby is a relatable character who anxiously awaits her friend’s arrival to her house for tea time. She spends time meticulously preparing her table and refreshments, as this is how she regards Phoebe Dupree's standards. Abby describes Phoebe as “speedy...smart...brilliant...sings like a bird…”. Abby works diligently… Continue reading Phoebe Dupree is Coming to Tea!

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Lubaya’s Quiet Roar, written by Marilyn Nelson, paintings by Philemona Williamson

A quiet roar? Yes! This oxymoron captures the entire book! Lubaya hardly every raises her hand, even when she knows the right answer. She watches the hand-waving picked kids stand in the light of classroom admiration. We learn that introverted Lubaya is a day dreamer, an observer, an artist. She prefers solitude to joining in… Continue reading Lubaya’s Quiet Roar, written by Marilyn Nelson, paintings by Philemona Williamson

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The Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre, written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Floyd Cooper

This is a “must have”, five star book, newly released in February 2021. Carole Boston Weatherford presents the historic tragedy of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 in a picture book appropriate to young readers. The book details how Greenwood, Oklahoma, was a community where the train tracks divided the Black and white communities. The Black… Continue reading The Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre, written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Floyd Cooper

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An Evolving “Wall of Fame” – Our Very Own #OwnVoices

As a 4th grade classroom teacher this year, I learned very quickly that building our classroom culture and community was more critical than ever. Our class meets in person, five days a week, which is amazing. However, the reality is that students are often absent, and when they are, it is for stretches of time… Continue reading An Evolving “Wall of Fame” – Our Very Own #OwnVoices

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Desert Girl, Monsoon Boy, written by Tara Dairman and illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan

Inspired by the Rabari people of northwestern India, Dairman tells the survival tale of two characters who live in two different environments. Facing the challenges of sandstorms and monsoons, both the nomadic female character and village dwelling male character make decisions and take action to survive the harsh weather conditions. Their efforts include protecting their… Continue reading Desert Girl, Monsoon Boy, written by Tara Dairman and illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan

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Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall

Readers join Jabari as he challenges himself with another quest -- to make a flying machine that will fly across his yard! His independent ingenuity leads to failed attempt after failed attempt, despite marvelous creativity and concentration. Reflecting on the process followed by famous inventors like Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson and Roy Allela, Jabari leans… Continue reading Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall

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Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away, written by Meg Medina and illustrated by Sonia Sanchez

Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away invites readers to experience a range of relatable, bittersweet emotions. Evelyn’s best friend, Daniela, narrates the happenings on the day before her best friend moves away. Sweetness is illustrated as the girls play together one last time, doing all their favorite and familiar activities. Bitterness and grief is shown… Continue reading Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away, written by Meg Medina and illustrated by Sonia Sanchez

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You Are a Beautiful Beginning, written by Nina Laden and illustrated by Kelsey Garrity-Riley

A newly published literary treasure! Released just days ago, You Are a Beautiful Beginning is a charming book that shares the message of optimism, self-acceptance and hope. Laden’s predictable pattern of using sentence pairs is accompanied with Garrity-Riley’s highly engaging and busy illustrations. Together, the words and pictures tell the journey of a young child… Continue reading You Are a Beautiful Beginning, written by Nina Laden and illustrated by Kelsey Garrity-Riley

Blog Posts, Read Aloud

Rose’s Garden, written and illustrated by Peter Reynolds

This precious fable features Rose, a character who uses imagination, purpose and patience to build a community that is beautiful in every sense of the word. The plot involves Rose traveling in her teapot to a new land, a barren urban setting. She makes a plan to transform her new home. This eventually involves the… Continue reading Rose’s Garden, written and illustrated by Peter Reynolds

Blog Posts, Read Aloud

Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee, by Chris Van Dusen

Chris Van Dusen's beloved characters of Mr. Magee and his little dog Dee win the heart of every reader! In Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee, Van Dusen has this duo head off for a day's adventure of fun on the water. Their day of boating takes an unexpected turn when one playful whale… Continue reading Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee, by Chris Van Dusen

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What’s Cooking at 10 Garden Street? by Felicita Sala

Sala’s book dedication reads, “For my mother, whose door is always open, whose table is always full.” This serves as the prelude to a beautiful book about bringing people together to share a meal. Lead by the smells of cooking wafting from the windows, the text offers a peek inside each inhabitant's unit of a… Continue reading What’s Cooking at 10 Garden Street? by Felicita Sala

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Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border, written by Mitali Perkins and illustrated by Sara Palacios

Mitali Perkins’ words and Sara Palacios’ illustrations weave together seamlessly to tell the emotional story of a family’s trip to see Abuela during the holiday season. Maria, her little brother, Juan, and their mother travel by bus from San Diego to the U.S-Mexico border. Having not seen Abuela in five years, their experience is fueled… Continue reading Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border, written by Mitali Perkins and illustrated by Sara Palacios

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Saffron Ice Cream, written and illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh

As Rashin experiences her first beach day at her new home, she shares her memories of the Caspian Sea. She tells the mini-story of a chaotic beach day when the Islamic beach guards frantically repaired the curtain dividing the male visitors from the female visitors. That memoir morphs into her real-time experience of riding the… Continue reading Saffron Ice Cream, written and illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh

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Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment, by Parker Curry and Jessica Curry, illustrated by Brittany Jackson

How could someone look so real and so magical at the same time? Who is she? In that moment, Parker saw more than just a portrait -- she saw a road before her with endless possibilities. What begins as an ordinary day for young Parker Curry turns into an extraordinary moment as young Parker becomes… Continue reading Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment, by Parker Curry and Jessica Curry, illustrated by Brittany Jackson

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Leila in Saffron, written by Rukhsanna Guidroz and illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova

Tonight I am on the lookout for parts of me that I like... Leila’s weekly family dinner at her grandmother’s house leads to self-discovery and identity. Through gorgeous and vibrant illustrations and text, Leila in Saffron, written by Rukhsanna Guidroz and illustrated by Dinara Mirtralipova, invites readers to: Note and notice the use of senses… Continue reading Leila in Saffron, written by Rukhsanna Guidroz and illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova

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My Mommy is a Hero and My Daddy is a Hero, Written by Isabel Otter-Barry Ross and Illustrated by Hannah Tolson

Teacher Thoughts: Written in simple rhyme with many full spread illustrations, these are two beautiful books honor our brave and selfless service women and men. Each set of pages focuses on a different post or role in our armed services. The book lends itself to a variety of conversations such as: Who is the narrator?… Continue reading My Mommy is a Hero and My Daddy is a Hero, Written by Isabel Otter-Barry Ross and Illustrated by Hannah Tolson