Author: Stella Villalba

It's a quiet Friday morning and as I'm sipping my coffee with this book on my lap, I can't stop thinking how this one book: Standing on Her Shoulders: A Celebration of Women by Monica Clark-Robinson and Laura Freeman can be the curriculum for a whole year. The minute you hold the book, you know… Continue reading Standing on Her Shoulders: A Celebration of Women

There are so many things about this book that makes it essential in today's classroom. First of all, the story and legacy of Thurgood Marshall is a story every child should know. He is the first Black justice of the U.S Supreme Court. This fact in itself should hold space in a classroom for conversations,… Continue reading The Highest Tribute: Thurgood Marshall’s Life, Leadership and Legacy

We tell children and youth that their voice matters. We tell them that it's important for all of us to find causes we want to contribute, spend time or fight for. We look for real lives examples: big and smalls so we can show them that it CAN be done. Now to have a picture… Continue reading No Voice Too Small: Fourteen Young Americans Making History

Our Latinx children and youth need to see themselves in the pages of a book, read stories of other Latinos who have added and continue to add to the fabric of this country. That's what this book represents: a celebration of 30 Latinas/Latinos who have shaped the history of the USA. This beautiful compilation of… Continue reading Nuestra America: 30 Inspiring Latinas/Latinos Who Have Shaped the United States

All Because You Matter by Tami Charles is a dream come true. Literally and figuratively. In the video below you'll get to hear from the author Tami Charles how this book came to her in a dream and how she knew the only person that could capture her dreams and put it into visuals was… Continue reading All Because You Matter

This book!!!! Oh my heart! What an amazing story of resilience, commitment and perseverance. Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks by Suzanne Slade and illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera is an amazing biography picture book about the first Black person to win the Pulitzer Prize. Gwnedolyn's story is the perfect book to share… Continue reading Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks

During the summer and in the middle of the pandemic, I needed things to look forward to because there were so many uncertainty in our lives. The publication of children's books was one of those things I looked forward. I marked on my calendar the day the book You Matter by Christian Robinson was being… Continue reading You Matter by Christian Robinson

On April 7, only a couple of weeks since we all started emergency online learning, I wrote a post on my person blog entitled Humanity First: Teaching in Times of COVID-19. I've just finished giving a professional development session via Google Hangouts to a group of dedicated teachers that came to listen to what I… Continue reading Teaching In Times of Pandemic: Lessons From Covid-19

Kelly Yang, the author of Parachutes, answers a great series of questions on the craft of writing during this quarantine. A wonderful mentor video that can be used to spark conversations about how writing could be a tool to help us cope with this pandemic. Also a sincere message to support our Asian American community… Continue reading Q & A Session with Kelly Yang

When Grandma Gives you a Lemon Tree by Jamie L.B Deenihan is a beautiful story about when unexpected things show up in life. In this story, the birthday girl gets a gift from grandma that is not in her list of "birthday wishes" at all. Grandma surprised her with a lemon tree. A lemon tree?… Continue reading When Grandma Gives You A Lemon Tree by Jamie L. B Deenihan

A new book is born in a very crucial time of all of our lives. I'm very thankful to author Ilima Loomis to give light to this beautiful book as she walks us through a very beautiful and important tradition: a Hawaiian lü'au. Ilima Loomis was born and raised in Hawaii and she lives in… Continue reading Ohana Means Family

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story written by Kevin Noble Maillard and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal is a book to love and read over and over again. This is the story of American Indians embracing not only the making of fry bread but all that it symbolizes. The first time I read this book… Continue reading Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story

As I got ready to read this book to a group of 1st graders I was visiting, I knew they would enjoy the book. No doubt. But I must say, my favorite part is always hearing the children's words and reactions to a book. I often wonder, What would they say?, Would they love this… Continue reading A Boy Like You by Frank Murphy

This is a different kind of review than what I usually write where I share thoughts and reactions from children in my school district. Today, I wanted to share with you what I learned from Sonia Sotomayor while she was traveling around the country promoting her newest picture book: Just Ask! Be Different! Be Brave!… Continue reading Just Ask! Be Different! Be Brave! Be You! By Sonia Sotomayor

This is a story of a beautiful and strong relationship between a grandmother and her grandchild. The child in the story grew up very close to grandma, sharing many moments together, like dancing in the house and eating together. As the girl gets older, she spends less time with grandma. As the girl gets older,… Continue reading A Gift From Abuela by Cecilia Ruiz

"What are the different ways you read a book?" I asked this group of first grade as we gathered around the meeting area. "I read with my mom" "I like to read in that corner..." (as he points at one of the cozy spots in the classroom) "I like to read on that pillow" "I… Continue reading How to Read A Book

"What is home? When you hear the word "home" what comes to your mind?" That's how I opened this read aloud to this group of 2nd graders. Little by little, hands starting to go up and words started filling the classroom. "Home is my mom". "Home is eating pancakes on Saturdays" "Home is my Dog.… Continue reading Home is a Window by Stephanie Parsley

"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