When one is very young, being “big” is something to feel good about, then suddenly, it isn’t anymore. Vashti Harrison shares a story of a young girl wWhen one is very young, being “big” is something to feel good about, then suddenly, it isn’t anymore. Vashti Harrison shares a story of a young girl who suddenly hears hate-filled words about her! The way she slowly learns that those words belong to the sender, and gives them back, finding her own words of self-love. She is kind and gentle, smart and imaginative, and more! The illustrations show the transition with power and empathy, and there is an author’s note about her own journey combatting bias and hurtful expectations....more
Wouldn't it be fabulous if every classroom had this book in 2024? Award-winning Winsome Bingham and E.B. Lewis have written a story close to my memoriWouldn't it be fabulous if every classroom had this book in 2024? Award-winning Winsome Bingham and E.B. Lewis have written a story close to my memories, a story of a grandmother and her granddaughter going for "the walk", a mystery to the young one at first. They step outside and begin. The granddaughter remains curious as different people join them while they walk. And as those people join in, some historical references are included. The illustrations by E.B. Lewis show people who are wonderfully vibrant, happy, and smiling. They are going to the young girl's school, their polling place. They're "walking" to vote! It's a terrific "exclamation" of the importance of voting and voting rights....more
Thanks to Deborah Hopkinson, readers can learn about The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, drafted by Eleanor Roosevelt and signed on December 10Thanks to Deborah Hopkinson, readers can learn about The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, drafted by Eleanor Roosevelt and signed on December 10, 1948. It was the first time that countries agreed on a comprehensive statement of inalienable human rights. This book by Hopkinson is adapted for children illustrated by Kate Gardiner with people and children in scenes of family, community, really all the world highlighting various rights for everyone. And it all starts at home, with family and then the human family. Divided into the parts titled "Me", "My School and Community", "My Country and World", it will inspire lots of important conversations....more
All over the world, Kate Allen Fox tells us in beautifully lyrical language of children waiting, preparing, ready to be awe-struck for "A Few Beautif All over the world, Kate Allen Fox tells us in beautifully lyrical language of children waiting, preparing, ready to be awe-struck for "A Few Beautiful Minutes". Whoa Lee illustrates the excitement in her gorgeous full-page illustrations, including the animals' behavior as the sky darkens and stars twinkle. I've seen one. Birds really do fly in for 'night' as the sun disappears. The story shows the excitement and includes children using sun viewers, too. There is further explanation of a solar eclipse at the end plus how to make a sun viewer and a list of further resources. It's a lovely book about this phenomenon that doesn't happen very often. You can find more information at NASA. The next solar eclipse is April 8, 2024!
Thanks to Melissa Stewart for her moon book giveaway, of which this was a part! I was thrilled to win! ...more
Rhiannon says in her author's note that she grew up listening to the tales from "The People Could Fly", stories collected by Virginia Hamilton , espe Rhiannon says in her author's note that she grew up listening to the tales from "The People Could Fly", stories collected by Virginia Hamilton , especially loved the final "magical" one where 'People Could Fly'. When working with a producer to finish her album, "Freedom Highway", they thought they needed one more song. Rhiannon shared about that favorite story and a song was born! A mother's child tells her she feels a tingling in her arms and her mother says that her mother, Granny Liza, felt that, too, long years ago. "Perhaps it's time. . ." and this poetic story begins as shown with ethereal illustrations by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu. There is breathtaking beauty in this book, and you can find the song, with the book's words and illustrations, on YouTube. The words in the book differ only slightly. Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy!...more
It's a challenge to know how much to tell in this new awesome story by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass. Just know it's one that will please, a mystery w It's a challenge to know how much to tell in this new awesome story by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass. Just know it's one that will please, a mystery with ghosts, a poignant one about two boys growing up but also about some who died too soon. It has mice and cats and ghosts, library love, and surprises throughout. I enjoyed it very, very much. Be sure you get the pleasure of visiting the small town of Martinville with all the goodness it holds!...more
Two groups, gathering in the dark, one in the sky, witches? The other watching birds and flying kites in the sky? Hoefler tells the story with the tw Two groups, gathering in the dark, one in the sky, witches? The other watching birds and flying kites in the sky? Hoefler tells the story with the two voices while Luyken's illustrations bring the story from the darkness into a satisfying "light in the dark". It's lovely to "see" and celebrate the images, with lots of silhouettes, as they first appear mysterious with only a hint of truth. Then as the story unfolds, readers will begin to understand this message of belonging. I love that the book is published horizontally. This will make a terrific discussion after a read-aloud!...more
It feels like everyone will enjoy Polly Faber's book showing an extraordinary journey of a surprise ordered by Gran to her grandson Jay. In deliberat It feels like everyone will enjoy Polly Faber's book showing an extraordinary journey of a surprise ordered by Gran to her grandson Jay. In deliberate steps, Klas Fahlen's blocky and colorful illustrations show the trip of this surprise to the doorstop. It includes a dozen people (among thousands) from packing to train car, across the ocean in a container ship to delivery truck and on, this "book" arrived just in time for Jay's birthday. As the words state: "And he loves it!" At the back, Faber shows what she calls "Special Delivery Numbers", like "More than 5,000 container ships are at sea on any one day. Around 200 million containers are moved every year." It's a fascinating story "delivery", perhaps inspiring further research. ...more
From Goodreads: "Based on the viral poem by Coretta Scott King honoree Junauda Petrus, this picture book debut imagines a radically positive future w From Goodreads: "Based on the viral poem by Coretta Scott King honoree Junauda Petrus, this picture book debut imagines a radically positive future where police aren’t in charge of public safety and community well-being." With food and love, plus radical support from all kinds of grandmothers, Junauda's poem is rendered the very best way to run our lives in Kristen Uroda's debut illustrations, vibrant and inspiring. Wishing may not always make it so but we can take lessons from these grandmothers pictured and offer constant support for every child. Truth is found throughout in actions and all could do well to remember the final line: "The grandmothers have no fear."...more
I must write that this brought tears, a very special story of the "Famous Ducklings", where I still own my original Make Way for Ducklings and while I must write that this brought tears, a very special story of the "Famous Ducklings", where I still own my original Make Way for Ducklings and while I didn't know the story of those wonderful sculptures in the Boston Public Garden, by Nancy Schön, I have visited them several times. Angela Burke Kunkel tells the story of both people which almost feels like a fairy tale while Claire Keane's illustrations show the story in gorgeous sepia tones, a marvelous history told. ...more
How can this not be for every age, for the beginning of school, to read as a class, to imagine where in all the year, one can find that special place How can this not be for every age, for the beginning of school, to read as a class, to imagine where in all the year, one can find that special place for reading, dreaming, drawing, and simply being? For those older, perhaps a teen might find refuge in the library, school or community. My library fills up every day with adults (many seniors), parents with younger ones, kids after school, finding that place for reading, working on a computer, sitting in a comfortable chair with people around, apart yet together. Beth Kephart shows readers a way, just as she shows how Virginia Woolf wrote and dreamed herself. Julia Breckenreid puts some of those dream places in the illustrations, and perhaps you'll imagine your own? A friend shared this book and I got my own copy, to read with grandchildren, to read just for me! It's lovely!...more
It's a wonderful new book by Allen Say which he accompanies with luminous, sometimes faded, paintings. It tells of Andy visiting his grandmother whos It's a wonderful new book by Allen Say which he accompanies with luminous, sometimes faded, paintings. It tells of Andy visiting his grandmother whose memory travels back to being "Miss Irwin" (when she was a teacher) and a special memory of a boy in her class named Willie and a treasure he brought her, a hummingbird nest. That Willie loved birds and as his grandmother tells the story, "Andy" takes the time to "be" with her those years ago and listen to her story. What a heartfelt story of a family caring for a loved one with memory loss. ...more
This picture book is a connection with our lives, one that will make readers look at all of nature and ourselves in a new way! With gorgeous illustra This picture book is a connection with our lives, one that will make readers look at all of nature and ourselves in a new way! With gorgeous illustrations, even on the end covers, by Beth Krommes, poetry phrases tell the tale of all life turning into branches, including flora and fauna, weather-related like lightning, furrows made down hills from water running, human arms and legs, and the systems inside. We are all branches and Joyce explains the ways they work in varied parts of our lives. "Branches . . . Grow" (tree limbs, branches, roots)! Each part will inspire a conversation, and each illustrated example is labeled. There is further information at the back. It's brief and inspiring, and makes me wonder how much more there is to see! ...more
It's a great discovery of an older book about the moon, a fantastical journey that a boy takes with his friend, the moon. Be sure to bring your imaginIt's a great discovery of an older book about the moon, a fantastical journey that a boy takes with his friend, the moon. Be sure to bring your imagination when you read this poetic text with exquisite illustrations when you read this book. There is good information that's true added at the back!...more
My neighbor just got their first 'family' dog, what is called a "Bernie-doodle" which is thousands of years from the first ones, per a timeline and s My neighbor just got their first 'family' dog, what is called a "Bernie-doodle" which is thousands of years from the first ones, per a timeline and story of dogs from Lita Judge. It's a special history for those who love dogs and those who wonder how the wolf which still survives became an important part of our lives. Whether a beloved pet, that "best friend" from the title, a rescue dog, or an explosive-sniffing or disease-sniffing animal, Lita Judge takes us along on this amazing journey of a pet we just might take for granted, but should not. There's a dog at my airport that greets passengers, welcoming and often assuaging human nerves as they head out. One text keeps the story going while an added piece relates more facts. "Dogs have a sense of smell between 10,000 and 100,000 times greater than that of humans." Illustrations just make one smile at so, so many different dogs throughout their illustrious history. Lita adds an Author's Note that includes ways to help dogs, a double-page spread of a few varied dog breeds, another with short bios of famous dogs, a timeline, and sources. It is a terrific book!...more
Friends Laura Shovan and Michael Rothenberg, had a final special visit together in January 2020. Like all of us, they didn't know that the usual way Friends Laura Shovan and Michael Rothenberg, had a final special visit together in January 2020. Like all of us, they didn't know that the usual way of living would change like no other time in their lives very soon. Both were grieving losses and in need of support. You can read more about that in Laura's Author's note but it serves as their stepping stone into this special collaboration. Michael was starting some art therapy and sent Laura a funny picture of a monster; Laura responded with a poem. Life is marvelous when one is able to see children running, jumping, tumbling, and laughing with friends or even alone. Yet, as adults, we all must know there are monsters of emotions including laughter but also beyond the laughter, sometimes strange bursts of crying happen, and sometimes angry words. Laura's poems and Michael's drawings, whimsical though they seem, show a down-deep look and acceptance of what is. There's "Bubblegum Head" that seems very "out there", saying rude things, sometimes what all of us want to shout, like "Flooey! Bagookie!" and "Carrumple! Dipthingle!" (There's more!) And also found in the pages is a monster who yearns for the "Green Cave" where "Sometimes I get so mad, the feelings can't stay inside./Before I know what I'm doing, my feet run for the back door." (There's more!) Poems about crying and laughing, monsters who are houses, and go out walking and play hopscotch all make one smile and whisper to oneself, "That's right. I know about that." Sixteen poems fill up the world with Laura's and Michael's monsters. Having worked and written with middle-school students for years, I know that drawing monsters and writing personal poems about the drawings, perhaps trading the art, would be a terrific thing to do. ...more
Eric Carle has filled this book to the brim with marvelous animal collages accompanied by "poems to the brim" and quotations, too. Many poets and writEric Carle has filled this book to the brim with marvelous animal collages accompanied by "poems to the brim" and quotations, too. Many poets and writers are included like Emily Dickinson, Lewis Carroll, Jack Prelutsky, Ogden Nash, and Shakespeare. There are Japanese haiku, Native American poems and quotes. Benjamin Franklin contributes on the butterfly double spread: "What is a butterfly? At Best/He's but a caterpillar dressed." It ends with "Hurt No Living Thing", by Cristina Rossetti. Fabulous anthology!...more
Carole Boston Weatherford and E.B. Lewis let Mother Africa tell her tale of how she gave to humans of long, long ago to nourish and protect them as t Carole Boston Weatherford and E.B. Lewis let Mother Africa tell her tale of how she gave to humans of long, long ago to nourish and protect them as they gained strength during their times. The illustrations show the changes throughout Earth's evolution as Mother Africa speaks. It's a gorgeous way to tell "our" story and there are brief paragraphs in a timeline explaining a bit more at the back! ...more
Beautiful and loving words and illustrations that we are all alike, with beating hearts, shared across the world. Happy or sad, we "are". My favorite Beautiful and loving words and illustrations that we are all alike, with beating hearts, shared across the world. Happy or sad, we "are". My favorite words: "And then the sun shines us into a brand new day". Julie Fogliano and Catia Chen have created a message that feels like a hug against the darkness. It is wonderful!...more
For every April's beginning and all the other parts of the year, Kwame Alexander and Deanna Nikaido with Melissa Sweet create a fabulous book of "ins For every April's beginning and all the other parts of the year, Kwame Alexander and Deanna Nikaido with Melissa Sweet create a fabulous book of "instructions" for poem writing. If you want inspiration instead of didactic 'how-tos', reading this offers plenty of it. I read the words, looked long at the pages of Melissa's collages, then started it all over again. Like "How to Read A Book", they've given us the most wonderful "how-to's". Wishing I was still in the classroom but I'll be sure to share with others as much as I can! ...more
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