Blog Posts

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

Blog Posts

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

Blog Posts

Affirming Transgender Students with Calvin

Calvin by JR and Vanessa Ford. Illustrated by Kayla Harren Children have a way of demonstrating the confidence and curiosity necessary to have courageous conversations better than most adults. Their words may not always be tactful, but a child’s sense of what’s fair and how to make space for others can strike at the heart… Continue reading Affirming Transgender Students with Calvin

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Sugar in Milk by Thrity Umrigar

Sugar in Milk by Thrity Umrigar shares a timeless message of perspective through it's retelling of a Parsi legend. I have recently found myself imagining a fourth grade social studies “regions” unit centered on immigration, so it was only natural that I picked up Thrity Umrigar’s Sugar in Milk while recently browsing the library shelves.… Continue reading Sugar in Milk by Thrity Umrigar

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Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem by Amanda Gorman

The world is changing, and people are growing by learning more and taking action."-- Fourth Grader Imagine my surprise on Inauguration Day when my partner texted me to share that he had gone ahead and preordered Amanda Gorman's children's book for my classroom! He just knew that my students and I needed it in our… Continue reading Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem by Amanda Gorman

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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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I’m Sorry by Michael Ian Black & Debbie Ridpath Ohi

by Michael Ian Black, illustrated by my writing friend Debbie Ridpath Ohi This year my school is emphasizing social emotional learning since our kiddos have lived through a pandemic which isn't over. I've been reading one picture book each week that emphasizes some characteristic that we can learn and discuss during our morning meetings. Some… Continue reading I’m Sorry by Michael Ian Black & Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Blog Posts

The Alphabet’s Alphabet

Have you ever thought of the alphabet as one big happy family of relatives?  That’s how they are presented in The Alphabet’s Alphabet, written by Chris Harris and illustrated by Dan Santat.  Harris begins by explaining that the alphabet is just like a family and that they are all alike in many ways.  He then… Continue reading The Alphabet’s Alphabet

Blog Posts

I Am A Kindness Hero by Jennifer Adams

I recently added this book to my personal library. As a school principal, I'm always looking for books on kindness, respect, and taking care of one another. This book's simple yet powerful text and beautiful illustrations by Carme Lemniscates are a perfect read aloud for when I visit classrooms. The main character demonstrates many different… Continue reading I Am A Kindness Hero by Jennifer Adams

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The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story by Aya Khalil and illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan

Teaching remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging and frustrating, but one thing has remained steadfast—my belief in the power of books to connect. This belief was reconfirmed when I read the picture book, The Arabic Quilt, to my third graders during our morning Classroom Book-a-day. Together, Aya Khalil and illustrator Anait Semirdzhyan tell… Continue reading The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story by Aya Khalil and illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan

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The Power of One: Every Act of Kindness Counts, written by Trudy Ludwig and illustrated by Mike Curato

Sometimes One can feel like a small and lonely number. One teacher sits alone in her home classroom. One third grader tries to find a quiet place in a bedroom, dining room, or kitchen. We are each one square in a checkerboard of faces on our screens. The oneness of teaching and learning from home… Continue reading The Power of One: Every Act of Kindness Counts, written by Trudy Ludwig and illustrated by Mike Curato

Blog Posts

Can I Give You A Squish?

It’s a tremendous honor to join the TBR blog this school year. I am beginning my twentieth year as an educator, and my sixth year working with third graders. I’m looking forward to sharing books, building my library, and creating a passionate reading community in my classroom. I recently found out that my school district… Continue reading Can I Give You A Squish?

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Noise and Summer Reading

A Teacher's Thoughts: I just finished the oddest school year in my 25 years of teaching and that’s saying a lot. My students and I made heart shapes with our fingers toward the camera and promised to say “See you soon” instead of goodbye. Then I pressed, “End meeting for all” and my school year… Continue reading Noise and Summer Reading

Blog Posts, Read Aloud

The Ladybug Race

Enjoy a read aloud of, The Ladybug Race, written and illustrated by Amy Nielander and published by Pomegrante Kids, a division of Pomegranate Communications, Inc.  This amazing wordless picture book tells the story of ladybugs racing to cross a finish line first, but wait, there is a bigger lesson here than who is the fastest...what… Continue reading The Ladybug Race

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Penguin Flies Home by Lita Judge

Even fifth graders can’t help but love a penguin story, especially when the penguin has “the soul of an eagle!”  This is Lita Judge’s sequel to Flight School, which is another one of my favorite picture books.  She creates amusing stories that teach wonderful life lessons.  The theme of this book is friendship. It could… Continue reading Penguin Flies Home by Lita Judge

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The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy is a must read for 2020.  It is a story of friendship, relationships and life lessons for people of all ages.  These unlikely characters discuss life, forgiveness, and the journey we all take on this earth.  The characters have hopes and dreams, fears… Continue reading The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

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Worry Moves On by Liz Haske

Worry Moves On is the second book in Liz Haske's "Worry Series" following When Worry Takes Hold. As pictured on the cover, Sophia is that kid who loves school and can't wait to do it all again the next day. Unfortunately when Worry arrives, the once-confident Sophia crumples and doesn't feel sure of what she… Continue reading Worry Moves On by Liz Haske

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A Map into the World by Kao Kalia Yang illustrated by Seo Kim

"I started my picture with a teardrop. And then I made it splatter like sunshine." At the beginning of October this caught my attention while Twitter browsing: Completely intrigued, I kept reading. And, in true If You Give a Mouse a Cookie form, was led to this: https://lernerbooks.blog/2019/10/a-map-into-the-world-the-story-behind-the-book.html Then this: https://lernerbooks.blog/2019/10/art-director-notes-a-map-into-the-world.html So, I requested A… Continue reading A Map into the World by Kao Kalia Yang illustrated by Seo Kim

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The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Rauf

"The entire world is full of hearts searching for a place to call home. But refugees are different, because they don't just look for a home.  They look for peace too. And because of that, they possess the most special hearts anyone could ever have."                     … Continue reading The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Rauf