Author: Soondarie Barker

Nine year old Chakra Sreekanth started working on this book in Kindergarten. With a little help from his parents, by the start of his second grade year, he was a published author. I’m always inspired by authors’ stories. Chakra’s and his parents’ work is awe inspiring. At this tender age, he recognizes the value of… Continue reading All Shapes Matter by Chakra Sreekanth

Olaf, from the movie Frozen, can’t imagine anything more wonderful than summer. Having never experienced the buzzing of bees, kids blowing dandelion fuzz, summer breezes, and his “skin” against the sand, Olaf’s imaginings and anticipation of the season runs wild. Like Olaf, I love summer! There’s nothing better, in my opinion, than toes on sun-soaked… Continue reading Happy Summer!

I looked out the window the other day and sighed heavily at the fact that my plans to take my son out to play were thwarted by a downpour. “Miserable rain!” I thought. Resigned to my fate, I decided to spend a few minutes gathering some materials to prepare a lesson for my Google Classroom… Continue reading Heatwave by Eileen Spinelli and Betsy Lewin

In this beautiful composition, Hische reminds us that all that matters at the end of the day are our simple acts of kindness. She invites readers, as they lay their heads down to sleep, to reflect on their actions, and contemplate how one’s regard for another has the power to transform self, thereby, affecting positive… Continue reading Tomorrow I’ll be Kind by Jessica Hische

Like the roots of most trees, our roots are often invisible to those around us. Yet, they are the very core of our being. Diaz and Espinosa’s work capture this truth. The main character of Islandborn is Lola, a child of Dominican origin, who seeks to find out just where her roots are buried. Too… Continue reading Islandborn by Junot Diaz and Leo Espinosa

By Sara O’Leary and Qin Leng ”The teacher asked us what we thought made our family special. I went last because I wasn’t sure what to say. My family is not like everybody else’s.” Throughout this story, O’Leary and Leng masterfully present a kaleidoscope of family dynamics. Gone are the days when the nuclear family… Continue reading A Family is a Family is a Family

The data says it all: 17 votes to 3. Wordy Birdy is a garrulous, gabby, gleeful bird. She attends to everything, and in so doing, neglects to give her undivided attention to anything. On a typical Wordy Birdy day, she’s out and about and distracted by the world. Her friends try everything they can to… Continue reading Wordy Birdy by Tammi Sauer & Dave Mottram

What if? When disaster strikes, people harness the power to rebuild self and society, to refine, as they recreate. As detailed in the author's note of this wonderful journey, Samantha Berger was forced to do just that; rethink, refine and recreate, when a flood took all that she had. Mike Curato uses a myriad of… Continue reading What If…

An alien invasion is afoot, and the redeemer of the misjudged, misunderstood; those poor souls unable to set the story straight by their own means, has gone rogue. As a Hulk-sized Mr. Wolf reeks havoc through the city, and the threat of aliens looms, the "BEST OF THE BEST" must put their heads together and… Continue reading The Bad Guys: The Big Bad Wolf by Aaron Blabey

Synopsis: Parents, teachers — a little introspection please — How effective is reverse psychology really? Christina Geist and Tim Bowers employ this strategy in their book, Sorry, Grown-ups, You Can’t Go To School! Lady’s and Buddy’s parents, grandparents and pet go to great lengths, with their fancy paraphernalia, to drive home the point that school… Continue reading Sorry, Grownups, You Can’t Go To School!

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