IT’S ME, HENRY(Orca Book Publishers, 2022) by Stéphanie Deslauriers with illustrations by Geneviève Després, gently and respectfully shines a light on the challenges presented at school for a child with autism. The story follows Henry through a day at school where we learn about his somewhat unexpected behaviors, such as calling plants by their Latin… Continue reading IT’S ME, HENRY
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Nina Soni, Master of the Garden
by Kashmira Sheth All it takes is that one special series to hook young readers and keep them reading! Own Voices author, Kashmira Sheth brings an engaging and relatable main character to young audiences through the Nina Soni series. Nina Soni is an American-Indian girl who is as genuine and lovable as she is completely… Continue reading Nina Soni, Master of the Garden
Where Three Oceans Meet by Rajani Larocca
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb2mYaGwbyY It's a rainy day in Massachusetts. It is the kind of day that makes me want to snuggle up with a good book so I invited our reading community to do so this afternoon. We cozied up on our green, orange, and blue polka-dotted rug and turned off the lights like a theater. Together,… Continue reading Where Three Oceans Meet by Rajani Larocca
Out of the Blue
One of the best parts of the end of the school year is witnessing and celebrating the culmination of a year's worth of teaching. Out of the Blue and it's fabulous author, Elizabeth Shreeve, afforded our classroom that opportunity. But before I get to the end, let me go back to the beginning. Last year… Continue reading Out of the Blue
Justice and Action
I am reading lots of books with my second graders to help them notice and name injustices, introduce them to people who took a stand (many who still are), and recognize the power they have to stand up for themselves and others. As we read books and watch videos, the children have hands-down conversations either… Continue reading Justice and Action
Read Aloud With Graphic Novels
In 2019, in a pre-pandemic world, I attended a TCRWP Saturday Reunion Session...in person. How I miss the anticipatory drive into the city, ready for a day of learning that always filled my professional bucket. It was during a session with the lovely and brilliant Shana Frazin that my literacy world kind of expanded. The… Continue reading Read Aloud With Graphic Novels
A Hundred Thousand Welcomes
by Mary Lee Donovan, illustrated by Lian Cho This is a beautiful picture book that shows how to welcome someone in many languages, including sign language. The beginning explains how to pronounce the word welcome in various languages and what it means to “welcome the stranger.” I love this statement, “In one place or another,… Continue reading A Hundred Thousand Welcomes
Fly by Brittany J. Thurman, Illustrated by Anna Cuhna
As we near the end of the school year and begin to both challenge our students to apply all that they have learned and also inspire them to do so with independence, we look to tasks and mentors to move this work forward. In a world of practice that has been characterized in recent times… Continue reading Fly by Brittany J. Thurman, Illustrated by Anna Cuhna
Every Little Kindness by Marta Bartolj
Oh, this book will have your heart. Every Little Kindness by Marta Bartolj is a strikingly beautiful book with a big message, all without a written word to be found on the page. This wordless picture book does not need text to take readers on a powerful journey of kindness. The beautiful images moving from… Continue reading Every Little Kindness by Marta Bartolj
Wishes by Muon Thi Van & Victo Ngai
It’s not often - wait, no - It’s not ever, that I get to share a story without a single interruption. There was utter silence as I projected the illustrations of this work from the SMART Board while I read the text. Indeed, Kindergartners sat transfixed by the message so craftily told and illustrated. Van… Continue reading Wishes by Muon Thi Van & Victo Ngai
Bravo Anjali by Sheetal Sheth and illustrated by Lucia Soto
Have you ever had trouble with a best friend? How did you solve it? These were the questions my students discussed before reading Bravo Anjali, the follow-up to Sheth’s Always Anjali. Anjali is learning to play tabla despite it being an instrument that is typically played by boys. Her friend, Deepek, takes lessons with her,… Continue reading Bravo Anjali by Sheetal Sheth and illustrated by Lucia Soto
Sparking Teacher Learning through Picture Books, Professional Journals, and Conversation
Cover of the January/February 2022 journal "Social Studies and the Young Learner" published by the NCSS. This week I had the gift of time with K-5 educators across my district participating in the final of four "curriculum council" meetings we've shared this year. Teachers were first provided time to prepare by first reading a January/February… Continue reading Sparking Teacher Learning through Picture Books, Professional Journals, and Conversation
“To write stories, he thinks, is the greatest of things”
With poetic rhyming and vivid illustrations, Andrea Beaty and David Roberts do it again with the latest addition to the Questioneers series. Miss Greer, the teacher we have come to love has a class full of characters, Ada the scientist, Rosie the engineer, Iggy the architect, Sofia the future president, and now Aaron the illustrator.… Continue reading “To write stories, he thinks, is the greatest of things”
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
Lunchtime with Samnang
Many of our students and their families recently celebrated Cambodian New Year. This year our second graders got to visit with Tracy Guan, author of Lunchtime with Samnang, during this special time of year. Tracy Guan was looking for diverse books for her young son when she realized there wasn't much available that represented him… Continue reading Lunchtime with Samnang
DINNER ON DOMINGOS
DINNER ON DOMINGOS by Alexandra Katona with illustrations by Claudia Navarro is a gorgeous story of family tradition that subtly explores the challenges faced by our narrator, Alejandra, as she hopes to connect with her beloved Abuelita. This story lovingly immerses the reader in Abuelita's casa for a weekly family meal. The energy of this… Continue reading DINNER ON DOMINGOS
New From Here
by Kelly Yang Love is the only vaccine for hate.” I’m an elementary school teacher. I have three elementary school-aged children of my own. Two years and an eternity into congruent pandemics - a war with a virus and another with racism - while much of life has resumed “business-as-usual,” my colleagues and I often… Continue reading New From Here
Readers’ Theater
Scholastic StoryworksCinderella: The True Story by Louise Rozett and Monique D. Hall How do you engage students the day before vacation? How do you engage students the day before vacation after two days of ELA state testing? On Friday, I decided that READERS' THEATER was the way to go. Readers’ theater is a great way for students to practice reading… Continue reading Readers’ Theater
How War Changed Rondo
One day during a class meeting a student told the class she was interested in social justice issues. Another student added she wanted to learn about Ukraine. The funny thing is I don't even remember what we were talking about, but I heard them. Later on, I was reading NCTE's CLA blog and read about… Continue reading How War Changed Rondo
Not Little By Maya Myers Pictures By Hyewon Yum
Not LittleBy: Maya MyersPictures By: Hyewon Yum Not Little, written by Maya Myers and illustrated by Hyewon Yum, is the story of Dot who is small, but mighty. When people around her underestimate her abilities, she likes to prove them wrong. Being small doesn't mean she can't do things like everyone else and she let's… Continue reading Not Little By Maya Myers Pictures By Hyewon Yum
I Am Golden
I Am Golden, by Eva Chen, illustrated by Sophie Diao, is a love letter from Mei’s parents to their daughter, explaining her name and how her differences can be powerful. They tell her she has a golden flame on the inside. She is made of “dragons, of phoenixes, of jade rabbits, and of monkey kings.” … Continue reading I Am Golden
Snowman-Cold=Puddle by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrations by Micha Archer
Snowman-Cold=Puddle by Laura Purdie Salas, Illustrated by Micha Archer April 10, 2022 We can't let April get by without digging into some poetry. One of my favorite poetry books that can act as a mentor for equation poems is Snowman-Cold = Puddle. Simple equations anchor this book while the author adds some explanatory details about… Continue reading Snowman-Cold=Puddle by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrations by Micha Archer
Shelby and Watts: Tide Pool Troubles by Ashlyn Anstee
I usually choose the next book I want to read and share with teachers and students, but this book chose me. I was leaving the Children’s Department of my local library where Shelby and Watts: Tide Pool Troubles was on display. The brightly colored cover and spirited animals on the front caught my eye and… Continue reading Shelby and Watts: Tide Pool Troubles by Ashlyn Anstee
Dragonboy, by Fabio Napoleoni
Dragonboy, by Fabio Napoleoni, opens with a little boy waking up in his bed “behind the farthest door down the hall”. In his room, we see a dragon costume as well as several stuffed animals of different varieties. The boy gets dressed in his dragon costume and greets his stuffed friends. As you turn to… Continue reading Dragonboy, by Fabio Napoleoni
Resource for Young Adult and Adult Readers
ratedreads.com Have you ever finally settled down with a book that you’ve been ever so patiently waiting to read, just to be completely disheartened by the language or the nature of the content? Or, have you perused your teen’s required reading or friend suggestions to your utter dismay! It seems to me that more frequently… Continue reading Resource for Young Adult and Adult Readers
Chester van Chime Who Forgot How to Rhyme by Avery Monsen and illustrated by Abby Hanlon
"There once was a youngster named Chester van Chime, who woke up one day and forgot how to...make words sound alike." April is National Poetry Month, and my students and I kicked it off with a hilarious new picture book by Avery Monsen. Chester van Chime loves to rhyme, but one day he wakes, and… Continue reading Chester van Chime Who Forgot How to Rhyme by Avery Monsen and illustrated by Abby Hanlon
“I know we can change the world!”
I'm always watching for mentor texts for our kindergarten persuasive writing unit and when I came across Rise Up and Write It by Nandini Ahuja and Anoosha Syed, I literally squealed. Not only does this book show how children can really impact change in the world, it is written by and about people of color.… Continue reading “I know we can change the world!”
Saving American Beach
March Madness is upon us in more ways than one! As a fan of Xavier Men’s Basketball not only am I watching the NCAA finals but I am also watching the NIT Tournament. Not where the Musketeers wanted to be, but they are still playing! In school, we have our annual March Madness book tournament… Continue reading Saving American Beach
A Little Bit of Zen for Our Little Ones
Need a little Zen for you and the little ones in your life? Look no further than this adorable, helpful book: Alphabreaths: The ABS of Mindful Breathing by Christopher Willard. Miss Erin (AKA Kindergarten teacher extraordinaire) does an amazing job of simultaneously fostering well being and academic learning. It's truly a joy to watch year… Continue reading A Little Bit of Zen for Our Little Ones
SOMETHING GOOD by Marcy Campbell and Corinna Luyken
The day the bad-something is discovered written on the bathroom wall, everything changes. Confusion, anger and worry spread through the class as rumors fly. It is not until some encouraging words from their principal and a creative assignment from their teacher, do the children rediscover their kindness and their power to create something good. SOMETHING… Continue reading SOMETHING GOOD by Marcy Campbell and Corinna Luyken
Above the Rim
How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball Written by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Frank Morrison Sometimes you have to sit down, to stand up." It’s that time of year again! While fans are glued to their screens, anticipating college basketball wins through their March Madness brackets, elementary schoolers far and wide are elbow deep in picture… Continue reading Above the Rim