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Title: Field Trip Fiasco
Author and Illustrator: Kelli Hicks and Tatio Viana

Published: August 1, 2015

Publisher: Rourke Educational Media

Pages: 49

Genre: Fiction

Awards: N/A

Synopsis: Barrett's day is going to be fantastic. His best friend will be his field trip companion, and they will visit a farm. They think that today, nothing can go wrong. When Barrett exits the restroom, he discovers that everyone has vanished. Has Barrett been forgotten about? Barrett must enter the corn maze after thoroughly inspecting the entire farm. Can he locate his class there? Can Barrett overcome his fear and navigate the maze?

Curricular Connections: This book relates to social-emotional learning and the idea of friendship and how important it is.

Artistic Media: Drawing, watercolors, marker

Personal Response: I loved this book and the message behind it. I think it is so important for students to understand friendship and what it means to have a true friendship in your life. It is one of the most important things and this book does a great job at addressing it.

Teaching Resource: Epic Link

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Title: Punctuation Takes a Vacation
Author and Illustrator: Robin Pulver and Lynn Rowe Reed

Published: 2003

Publisher: Holiday House

Pages: 36

Genre: Fiction

Awards: N/A

Synopsis: The students' letters asking punctuation to return home are a tangle, and they can't read their book. Punctuation chooses to take a trip after a lesson goes wrong on the hottest, stickiest day of the year. The students might come to understand the hard work that commas, apostrophes, exclamation points, and question marks do if they have to go without punctuation for a while.

Curricular Connections: This book relates to ELA learning and helps students understand punctuation.

Artistic Media: Paint, marker, and watercolors

Personal Response: This creative and humorous story demonstrates the significance of punctuation in reading and writing as well as the various varieties and their functions.

Teaching Resource: Epic Link

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Title: The Sad, Sad Monster
Author and Illustrator: Dolores Costello

Published: March 13, 2017

Publisher:  Xist Publishing

Pages: 31

Genre: Children’s Literature

Awards: N/A

Synopsis: A sad monster attends school. He is depressed since he has no friends or anyone close to a friend. He wonders if anyone has the ability to bring him joy?

Curricular Connections: This book relates to social-emotional learning and emotions. The monster is always sad but finds things to bring him joy.

Artistic Media: Drawing, water colors, pen and ink

Personal Response: The Sad, Sad Monster is a charming tale for young readers and infants who enjoy monsters. I loved this book because it shows children that what they are feeling may be what others are feeling.

Teaching Resource: Epic Link

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Title: Goldie Duck and the Three Beavers
Author and Illustrator: Robin Koontz

Published: August 2011

Publisher: Little Birdie Readers

Pages: 22

Genre: Fairytale

Awards: 2012 Animal Behavior Society's Outstanding Children's Book Award

Synopsis: This story is a retelling of Goldie and the Three Hares.

Curricular Connections: This book relates to ELA and the telling of fairy tales. It is so important for students to hear fairy tales in the classroom.

Artistic Media: Paint, markers, pen, and ink

Personal Response: I loved this book because it was such a familiar story but told in a special way! I think it is so important to show the similarities and differences to students and allow them to find and interact with these stories.

Teaching Resource: Epic Link

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Title: A Case of the Can-Dos!
Author and Illustrator: Jill Keppeler and Rachel Dinunzio

Published: December 15, 2020

Publisher: Rosen Publishing Group

Pages: 34

Genre: Fiction and Children’s Literature

Awards: N/A

Synopsis: Sophia has spent most of her life in a wheelchair. As a result, many claim that she is incapable of performing specific activities like swimming, biking, or cartwheels. Then, one morning, Sophia awakens with a case of the can-dos! She has complete confidence in herself; all she needs to do is demonstrate it to others. She makes the decision to learn ballet, but she is informed that she cannot enroll in classes. Sophia decides to show that she can dance while using a wheelchair.

Curricular Connections: This book relates to social-emotional learning while also spreading awareness to people with disabilities. I love how it brings the idea of self-confidence and perseverance to life through such a heartwarming story.

Artistic Media: Drawing and painting

Personal Response: I loved this story and the strong message that it has. I think it is so important for us teachers to share stories like this to our classrooms to spread awareness and empower those around us!

Teaching Resource: Epic Link

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Title: Nouns and Verbs Have a Field Day
Author and Illustrator: Robin Pulver and Lynn Rowe Reed

Published: 2006

Publisher: Holiday House

Pages: 36

Genre: Fiction

Awards: N/A

Synopsis: The nouns and verbs make their own field day because Mr. Wright's class is having a field day outside and they don't want to lose out on the fun. The nouns and verbs split up into teams and quickly discover that they must cooperate in order to accomplish anything.

Curricular Connections: This book relates to English Language Arts and helps students understand the difference between nouns and verbs. It also brings them to life and lets students imaginations soar.

Artistic Media: Drawing, colored pencils, markers

Personal Response: I loved this book and the way that it brings nouns and verbs to life. It shows students that in order for nouns and verbs to be what they are, they need to work together.

Teaching Resource: Epic Link

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Title: The Day the Crayons Quit
Author: Drew Daywalt
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Publisher: Philomel Books
Date: June 27, 2013
Number of Pages: 40
Synopsis: Duncan was not treating his box of crayons properly, so they decided to go on strike.
Genre: fiction
Theme: treat things well
Plot: Duncan's crayons leave because of how they are treated.
Curricular Connection: Students will learn to value their materials
My Response: I like this book and hope that it will help my students learn to value their things.
Teaching Resource: Students will write letters to their crayons about how they will treat them.

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Title: Frindle
Author: Andrew Clements
Illustrator: Brian Selznick
Publisher: Harcourt School Publishers
Date: December 19, 1996
Number of Pages: 128
Synopsis: Nick does not like school very much, so he is always trying to come up with ways to waste class time. He decided to go back and forth with his teacher in a word battle and come up with his own new word.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Creativity
Plot: A student in class gets creative and comes up with his own vocabulary word.
Curricular Connection: This relates to definitions and creativity.
My Response: I think this is a fun read for students.
Teaching Resource: After reading, students can come up with their own new word and definition

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Title: Smile
Author: Raina Telgemeier
Publisher: Graphix
Date: February 2010
Number of Pages: 224
Synopsis: This true story about the author's life shows us her life when she got braces that made her feel like an outcast.
Genre: autobiographical graphic novel
Theme: self acceptance
Plot: A young girl is having a hard time with her new smile.
Curricular Connection: social emotional learning
My Response: I think this is a good book for students because many students may be able to relate to the story.
Teaching Resource: Students can write something nice to another student in the class, so everyone feels like they belong.

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Title: Ban This Book
Author: Alan Gratz
Publisher: Starscape
Date: August 29, 2017
Number of Pages: 256
Synopsis:  Alma does not agree with the things she is seeing at school, so she uses her voice and stands up for what is right.
Genre: fiction
Theme: advocating
Plot: Elementary schooler Alma stands up for what she believes in and makes her mark on the school.
Curricular Connection: This teaches students about advocating and speaking up.
My Response: This is a good book for teaching students to stand up for what they believe in.
Teaching Resource: Students will make a poster about something they want to speak up for.

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Title:  Why do we Cry?
Author and Illustrator: Fran Pintadera and Ana Sender

Published: September 2019

Publisher: Kids Can Press

Pages: 36

Genre: Fiction and Poetry

Awards: N/A

Synopsis: This picture book does a wonderful job of normalizing the causes of children's (and adults') crying. It doesn't judge and doesn't denigrate. Instead, a few of the many causes of tears—such as anger, grief, and happiness—are discussed. Crying is regarded as a typical human reaction.

Curricular Connections: This book relates heavily to social-emotional learning and brings awareness and normalcy to crying and how it makes us feel.

Artistic Media:

Personal Response: I absolutely loved this book and the message that is sent throughout the entire book. It reassures us that crying is okay and normal. It is good to let out our emotions and it is a normal part of life!

Teaching Resource: Epic Link

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Title: The Pipsqueak
Author and Illustrator: Ben Manley and Andrew Gardner

Published: February 3, 2022

Publisher: Andersen Press USA

Pages: 30

Genre: Children’s Literature

Awards: N/A

Synopsis: Everyone in Hero's gang possesses a unique talent. All of them, excluding Pip. Pip lacks physical strength, is unable to move quickly, and cannot make himself invisible. Pip may not have any extraordinary skills, but when bully Solo invades their territory, he proves to the gang that all it takes is bravery to be a hero.

Curricular Connections: This book relates to social-emotional learning and how important it is to be brave!

Artistic Media: Drawing, colored pencils, marker

Personal Response: I loved this book and the message that it portrays. I think it’s so important for little kids to understand that having the courage, persistence, and perseverance can change your perspective and outlook on life.

Teaching Resource: Epic Link

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Title: Scaredy Squirrel
Author and Illustrator: Mélanie Watt

Published: March 2006

Publisher: Kids Can Press

Pages: 41

Genre: Fiction

Awards: Notable Children's Book Award

Synopsis: Scaredy Squirrel, a squirrel who never leaves his nut tree because he's afraid of the unknown "out there." Scaredy Squirrel is afraid of a lot of things: bees, germs, martians, the unknown. He's so afraid that he has his daily routine down to an exact, repetitive science where he never leaves his tree so he never has to deal with anything amiss.

Curricular Connections: This book relates to social-emotional learning and is so relatable for many people. It brings awareness to the anxieties people feel.

Artistic Media: Drawing, watercolors, markers

Personal Response: I loved this book and the way the author portrays the anxieties and the feeling of being scared that people feel too often. The backup plan that Scaredy had is something that we all subconsciously have as well.

Teaching Resource: Epic Link

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Title: Ana & Andrew: A Snowy Day

Author: Christine Platt

Illustrator: Sharon Sordo

Publisher: Magic Wagon

Date: December 15, 2018

Number of Pages: 34

Synopsis: This story takes us through a day in the life of Ana and Andrew on a snow day with their family.

Genre: Fiction

Theme: seasons

Plot: Ana and Andrew observe the snow each day.

Curricular Connection: This story will be a good intro in class before we enter a lesson about seasons, especially Winter.

My Response: I think that this is a fun read for students that they can relate to, especially living in Idaho.

Teaching Resource: Epic Link

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Title: The Mission Of Addition

Author: Brian P. Cleary

Illustrator: Brian Gable

Publisher: Millbrook Press

Date: August 1, 2007

Number of Pages: 31

Synopsis: This book gives math definitions and shows readers how addition operations work.

Genre: Fiction

Theme: math

Plot: This book personifies addition and takes us through a story about addition.

Curricular Connection: This book will help in the classroom with math lessons.

My Response: This is a good way to introduce a math lesson in a fun, engaging way.

Teaching Resource: Epic Link

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Title: Choose to Reuse

Author: Lisa Bullard

Illustrator: Wes Thomas

Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group

Date: August 1, 2011

Number of Pages: 24

Synopsis: Tyler recognized how bad trash is for the environment, so he decided to do something about it and reuse his old things to help the Earth!

Genre: Fiction

Theme: reuse and recycle

Plot: We throw away all our old things, so instead he choose to reuse his old things.

Curricular Connection: This is a good lesson about our Earth, more specifically recycling and reusing.

My Response: This is a good age-appropriate book to teach an important lesson.

Teaching Resource: Epic Link

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Title: Memoirs of a Hamster

Author: Devin Scillian

Illustrator: Tim Bowers

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press

Date: May 1, 2013

Number of Pages: 32

Synopsis: The hamster sees the cat roaming free, and is tempted to do the same. The hamster escapes and quickly runs into danger.

Genre: Fiction

Theme: safety

Plot: The pet hamster is tempted by the cat to escape his cage.

Curricular Connection:This will be a good safety lesson for young kids.

My Response: This is great to teach kids that just because they see someone else doing something, doesn’t mean they should.

Teaching Resource: Epic Link

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Title: Scaredy Monster Loses a Tooth

Author: Meika Hashimoto

Illustrator: Steve Lambe

Publisher: Andrew McMeel Publishing

Number of Pages: 34

Synopsis: The monster is afraid to admit that he is scared to lose his tooth. In the end, he sees that there was nothing to be scared about.

Genre: Fiction

Theme: bravery

Plot: The scared monster was worried about losing a tooth.

Curricular Connection: This will teach students about not being afraid in real life scenarios.

My Response: I like that this book is for readers at the age where they can relate to losing teeth.

Teaching Resource: Epic Link

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Title: The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do

Author: Ashley Spires

Illustrator: Ashley Spires

Publisher: Kids Can Press

Date: May 2, 2017

Number of Pages: 33

Synopsis: Lou’s friends want to play a game in the tree, but Lou isn’t so sure that she can climb the tree.

Genre: Fiction

Theme: bravery

Plot: Lou can do many things, but she is scared to climb a tree.

Curricular Connection: This can connect to friendships and trying new things.

My Response: This is a good story to teach students about facing their fears.

Teaching Resource: Epic Link

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Title: Hey, Water!

Author: Antoinette Portis

Illustrator: Antoinette Portis

Publisher: Neal Porter Books

Date: December 28, 2021

Number of Pages: 42

Synopsis: The young girl sees water everywhere such as faucets and sprinklers.

Genre: Fiction

Theme: water vocabulary

Plot: This is the story of a girl discovering water in all parts of her life and the world.

Curricular Connection: This is a good story to teach kids vocabulary.

My Response: This is a good book for lower leveled readers to learn about water.

Teaching Resource: Epic Link

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Title: Alfie

Author: Thyra Heder

Illustrator: Thyra Heder

Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers

Date: October 3, 2017

Number of Pages: 43

Synopsis: The girl loved Alfie, but thought he wasn’t amused by her. Alfie loved the girl, but escaped to get her a present and the girl thought ALfie was missing.

Genre: Fiction

Theme: perspective

Plot: A little girl gets a six year old turtle on her sixth birthday and we see both perspectives of their life together.

Curricular Connection:This will teach students that a story may look different from different perspectives.

My Response: I really like that we see the story from both sides.

Teaching Resource: Epic Link

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Title: Lion Needs a Haircut

Author: Hyewon Yum

Illustrator: Hyewon Yum

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams

Date: May 5, 2020

Number of Pages: 36

Synopsis: The little lion does not want a haircut and his dad cannot figure out why. Eventually, he learns that it is because the little lion wants to look like his dad!

Genre: Fiction

Theme: reasonings below the surface

Plot: This is a story about a lion who needs to get a haircut but does not want to get one.

Curricular Connection: I think this book will be a good example of why communication is important.

My Response: I think that this is a heartfelt book that students may relate to.

Teaching Resource: Epic Link

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Title: Red Cat Blue Cat

Author: Jenni Desmond

Illustrator: Jenni Desmond

Publisher: Blue Apple Books

Date: September 11, 2012

Number of Pages: 32

Synopsis: Red cat and blue cat live in the same house and do not get along. They go to great lengths to be just like the other.

Genre: Fiction

Theme: Be Yourself

Plot: Red cat and blue cat want to be just like each other, until they realize they love who they already are.

Curricular Connection: This will help students with building friendships and being themselves.

My Response: I like that this author took a serious message and made it fun by making it about cats.

Teaching Resource: Epic Link

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Title: All the Way to the Top

Author: Annette Bay Pimentel

Genre: Biography
Publisher: Sourcebooks Explore
Date: March 10, 2020
Number of Pages: 32
Theme: determination

Grade Level: 2-4

Summary: This story is about a young girl with a disability who works hard to convince congress to pass ADA.

My Response: This is a great story for students to read that will encourage and inspire them.

Teaching Activity: We can go around the class saying what we would all do to persuade congress if we were in the story.

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Title: Again, Essie?

Author: Jenny Lacika

Genre: informational

Grade Level: Preschool-2nd grade
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Date: May 3, 2022
Number of Pages: 32

Synopsis: This story about math is about a boy and his sister. The boy wants to protect the toys from his sister, so he has to build a wall big enough and string enough to keep her away.
Theme: sharing

Curricular Connection: I like that this book can be used in either a literacy lesson or in connection to a math lesson, so it would be a good resource to have in class.

Teaching Activity: Students will think about what object they would try to keep from a sibling or a friend and then design their plan for how to keep the toys safe.

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Title: I Love My Colorful Nails
Author: Alicia Acosta and Luis Amavisca
Illustrator: Gusti Rosemffet
Publisher: NubeOcho Ediciones
Date: April 2, 2019
Number of Pages: 36
Genre: Fiction
Award: Publishers Weekly
Synopsis: Ben liken when his nails were painted but everyone gave him a hard time until his dad and his friend stood up for him.
Theme: self acceptance
Plot: The other kids at school thought nail polish was just for girls, but Ben liked painting his nails. The boys at school made fun of Ben for painting his nails. One day, Ben's friend and dad stood up for him. Eventually, he was proud of his painted nails!
Curricular Connection: This will help teach students about being who they are as well as different art concepts.
Teaching Resource: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2inGIwCJwIQ

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Title: Wayward Creatures
Author: Dayna Lorentz
Age Level: 8-12 years
Publisher: Clairon Books
Date: January 18, 2022
Number of Pages: 304
Genre: Fiction
Award: Charlotte Huck Award
Synopsis: The animals in the forest endure a forest fire that will forever change their lives. The animals build friendships with one another in a time of hardship.
Theme: Friendship
Plot: This story of friendship takes place between animals in the forest.
Curricular Connection: Students may be able to relate to this story about friendship.
Teaching Resource: available to check out at the library

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Title: The Day Punctuation Came to Town

Author: Kimberlee Gard

Illustrator: Sandie Sonke

Publisher: Familius

Date: August 1, 2019
Number of Pages: 32

Genre: fiction

Award: none

Synopsis: This book personifies punctuation and takes the reader through a day in their lives. The reader learns what the purpose of each form of punctuation is.
Theme: Everyone matters
Plot: The  punctuations all  have a  different job and personality  that we see throughout the  story.

Artistic Media: drawing

Curricular Connections: This is a great book for teaching students ELA, specifically punctuation.
Teaching Resource: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVjEPmmHPhE

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Title: Olu and Greta
Author: Diana Ejaita
Illustrator: Diana Ejaita
Grade: K
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Date: February 15, 2022
Number of Pages: 32
Synopsis: Olu and Greta are cousins who live in different countries. They have no way to get to each other, so they just dream of life where each other lives.
Genre: fiction
Theme: dreaming
Plot: This is a story about cousins who live far from  each other and have never met.
Curricular Connection: This showing a different family dynamic than what some students may be experiencing.
My Response: This is good to open students eyes to a different way of life.
Teaching Resource: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Nl_96i70q8

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Title: My Sister. Daisy
Author: Adria Karlsson
Illustrator: Linus Curci
Grade: K-2
Publisher: Capstone Editions
Date: September 1, 2021
Number of Pages: 32
Synopsis: A young child comes out to his family and tells them that he is actually a girl. Her whole family is supportive, but they do face some hardships in the journey.
Genre: realistic fiction
Theme: acceptance
Plot: The main character enjoys hanging out with her brother, who one day tells her that she is a girl, so now she has a sister!
Curricular Connection: This teaches students to be welcoming to people who are transgender.
My Response: This is a good story  that some students may be able to relate to.
Teaching Resource: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAPjxbd6Xy4

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Title: Hatched
Author: Bruce Coville
Illustrator: Paul Kidby
Grade: 3-6
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Date: October 18, 2016
Number of Pages: 272
Synopsis: Gerald Overflight, the main character, wants to travel to human world. He unites with a friend to save a nearby town.
Genre: Fantasy
Theme: believe  in yourself
Plot: This story is about a creature with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle.
Curricular Connection: This funny story will teach students about bravery and friendship.
My Response: This is an encouraging book that I hope my students will  read.
Teaching Resource: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/bruce-coville/hatched/

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Title: The Imagination Box
Author: Martyn Ford
Grade Level: 4-7
Illustrator: Matt Hunt
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Date: August 2, 2016
Number of Pages: 240
Synopsis: Tim, the main character, meets a scientist and suddenly can create the things he imagines. Some of the things he creates include miniature monkeys. He also learns a valuable lesson when the scientist leaves him alone.
Genre: Science Fiction
Theme: Imagination and creation
Plot: The little boy in the story meets a scientist and gains the ability to make the things he imagines real.
Curricular Connection: This can teach students about science and inventing.
My Response: This is a fun read for students.
Teaching Resource: I think it would be fun to have students think about all of the things that they could imagine, and create for their own "Imagination Box"

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Author: Adam Rex
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Publication Date: June 28, 2016

Themes: Empathy, embarrassment, pride, and new experiences.

Grade Level: Preschool-Third Grade

Summary: This story is about the anxieties and fears kids might face when they first start school, with a very clever twist: It's the school itself that's brand new and worried about the first day. This school has feelings kids will recognize and relate to, and the book provides realistic but reassuring information about what they might expect.

Curricular Connections: This book relates to the idea of social-emotional learning because it touches on and brings awareness to anxiety. It is noted throughout the story that these feelings are normal and something that everyone feels. I think this is a great story and one that will be a must share in my future classroom.

Teaching Resources: This would be a great book to read on the first day of school to students to let them know that any nerves or fears the kids may be feeling is more than normal and that the school and teachers are feeling the same way!

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Author: Kelly Dipucchio
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Publication Date: 2014

Themes: This book deeply explores the themes of family differences, love, and acceptance.

Grade Level: Preschool- Third Grade

Summary: A bulldog and a poodle learn that family is about love, not appearances. Gaston may not look like his sisters but in this heartwarming tale he’ll find that being family means loving people for who they truly are, no matter what!

Curricular Connections: This book relates strongly to social-emotional learning because it is all about love and acceptance. It bring awareness to the idea that our uniqueness is what makes us who we are and what brings us together. Family differences are the root of what makes each and every family unique in their own ways.

Teaching Resources: I think a fun activity for this book would be making a family tree and sharing it with the class. This way the students get to learn more about each other while also relating it to the story.

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Title: I Am Every Good Thing
Author: Derreck Barnes
Illustrator: Gordon C. James
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Date: September 1, 2020
Number of Pages: 32
Awards: Charlotte Huck Award
Synopsis: This poem-style where the main character faces challenges and triumphs.
Genre: fiction
Theme: embracing ourselves
Plot: This book takes readers through various self affirmations.
Artistic Media: painting
Curricular Connection: This is a good book for self acceptance.
My Response: This is a good book to teach students about loving who they are.
Teaching Resource: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn2YGzxzF-0

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Children's Book Read Aloud: I Am Every Good Thing

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Title: Room on Our Rock
Author: Kate and Jol Temple
Illustrator: Terri Rose Baynton
Publisher: Kane  Miller Books
Date: January 1, 2019
Number of Pages: 32
Awards: Charlotte Huck Award
Synopsis: In the beginning of the story, the animals claim that there is no room on the rock for other animals, but eventually, when the book is read from back to front, they share so that the other animals have a place to live.
Genre: fiction
Theme: two sides to every story
Plot: When the others do not  have a place  to live, they are welcomed onto the rock.
Artistic Media: drawing
Curricular Connection: This connects to treating people the right way.
My Response: This is a good book to teach students about sharing.
Teaching Resource: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4keF9gdVUA

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Title: Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears
Author: Verna Aardema
Illustrator: Leo and Diane Dillon
Publisher: Dial Press
Date: 1975
Awards: Caldecott Medal, Brooklyn Art Books for Children Award
Synopsis: In the story, the animal community faces the dilemma of an owlet dying. The death of the owlet keeps getting blamed on a different animal. As soon as one animal is blamed, they come up with an excuse and pass the blame off to the next animal, and this cycle keeps repeating. We see the structure of their animal community through the animals dealing with this dilemma.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: be honest
Plot: The animals pass blame from themselves to one another in efforts to solve a problem.
Artistic Media: drawing
Curricular Connection: This can help teach students about the importance of telling the truth.
My Response: I think that this is a very engaging book to read aloud in class.
Teaching Resource: Youtube Read Aloud

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Title: Inside out and Back Again
Author: Thanhha Lai
Illustrator: Zdenko Bašić, Mauel Šumberac, Ray Shappell
Publisher: Harper Collins
Date: September 22, 2011
Number of Pages: 260
Awards: Newberry Honor, National Book Award
Synopsis: Ha, her mom, and her brothers live in Vietnam during the war. She tells us about the importance  of everything in her life and we  see their bravery while they leave Vietnam.
Genre: verse novel
Theme: bravery
Plot: This story follows the life of a  family living in Vietnam during the war, and later moving away.
Artistic Media: silhouette painting
Curricular Connection: This can help teach students about history.
My Response:  I really enjoyed this book and do plan on including it in my classroom, depending on what grade I teach,  because of  the way it outlines history and shows bravery.
Teaching Resource: https://katherinewanner.wordpress.com/2016/04/10/inside-out-back-again-classroom-activities/

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Title: The One Thing You'd Save
Author: Linda Sue Park
Illustrator: Robert Sae-Heng
Publisher: Harper Collins
Date: March 16, 2021
Number of Pages: 72 pages
Awards: Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award
Synopsis: This book takes place in a classroom, where the teacher prompts the students with the question of what they would save if their house was involved in a fire. The students all have different answers and we can see what their different backgrounds are.
Genre: Sijo Poetry
Plot: This place takes place in a classroom, where different backgrounds and emotions are explored.
Theme: sentimental value
Artistic Media: drawing
Curricular Connection: This book will help with socio-emotional learning.
My Response: I think that this is a good book to teach students about the importance of their belongings.
Teaching Resource: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qYMafHzVyE

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Title: Marshmallow Clouds
Author: Ted Koosner and Connie Wanek
Illustrator: Richard Jones
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Date: March 15, 2022
Number of Pages: 72 pages
Awards: Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children
Synopsis: This books highlights the importance of being present and enjoying moments when you are young. The things that kids are doing are compared to water, fire, earth, and air.
Genre: free verse poem
Plot: Students will be able to connect their experiences to nature.
Theme: experiences and nature
Artistic Media: painting
Curricular Connection: This book will be helpful with science lessons and learning about the elements.
My Response: I think that this is a great book for students to gain a new  perspective on learning science.
Teaching Resource: Barnes and Noble

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Title: Hot Dog
Author: Doug Salati
Illustrator: Doug Salati
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Date: May 24, 2022
Number of Pages: 40
Awards: Caldecott Medal
Synopsis: This dog lives in the city with his owner, where he finds himself overwhelmed by the heat and the amount of people.  His owner takes him to the beach, where he has room to fun and fresh air to breathe.
Genre: fiction
Plot: We all become overwhelmed at times, and should take time to ourselves.
Theme: mental health matters
Artistic Media: drawing
Curricular Connection: This is a great book to teach about mental health.
My Response: I think that it is great to start raising awareness about mental health at a young age.
Teaching Resource:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZhNCsftZzY

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Title: Frizzy
Author: Clairbel A. Ortega
Illustrator: Rose Bousarma
Publisher: First Second
Date: October 18, 2022
Number of pages: 224
Awards: Pura Belpre Childrens Author Award
Synopsis: The young girl in the story does not like the hair that she was born with and is on a self-acceptance journey.
Genre: fiction
Theme: self-acceptance
Plot: Many people have things they do not like about themselves, but we need to love the way we are.
Artistic Media: Drawing
Curricular Connection: This will help teach students about self-acceptance and confidence.
My Response: I really like this story for young readers because I  think they may struggle with similar thoughts.
Teaching Resource: Youtube Review

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Title: We Believe in You
Author: Beth Ferry
Illustrator: Molly Idle
Publisher: Roaring Book Plus
Date: October 27, 2020
Number of Pages: 32
Awards: n/a
Synopsis: The author and illustrator take us through all different animals and what they believe in, and end with telling us they believe in us.
Genre: fiction
Theme: believe in yourself and others
Plot: Everyone believes in themselves and different things, but they all believe in you!
Artistic Media: drawings that are directly related to the words
Curricular Connection: Students will see the importance of believing in themselves and others.
Teaching Resource: Youtube Read Aloud

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Title: You Matter
Author: Christian Robinson
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Publisher:  Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Date: June 2, 2020
Number of Pages: 40
Awards: New York Times bestseller, Named best book of the year by Barnes and Noble, The New York Times/New York Public Library, Publishers Weekly, and School  Library Journal, among others.
Synopsis: The author shows the reader of many different types of things that may feel like they do not belong. In doing this, he is highlighting differences and showing children that everyone is unique and different.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Belonging
Plot: Everyone feels like they do not belong sometimes, but everyone belongs in this world.
Artistic Media: drawing, painting
Curricular Connection: This book can help students with self acceptance and social emotional learning.
My Response: The author wrote this book to make sure everyone knew they matter, because not everyone is told that they matter. As a teacher, I need to make sure all of my students know they matter.
Teaching Resources: Youtube read aloud

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Title: Ducks Overboard!
Author: Markus Motum
Illustrator: Markus Motum
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Date: September 28, 2021
Number of Pages: 32
Awards:  none
Synopsis: This is a true story regarding the  amount of plastic that fills our oceans.
Genre:  nonfiction
Plot: This story shows readers a shipping container full of ducks spilled into the ocean and takes us through where the ducks go.
Theme: protecting the environment
Artistic Media: mixed media
Curricular  Connection: This book will teach students about keeping the Earth clean.
My Response: I think this is a good book to read in class, because it teaches students an important, real life lesson about keeping plastic out of oceans.
Teaching Resource: Youtube Read Aloud

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Title: Burying the Moon
Author: Andree Poulin
Illustrator: Sonali Zohra
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Date: October 5, 2021
Number of Pages: 112
Awards: none
Synopsis: This book is eye opening towards the situations in other countries and many of the hardships that people face, specifically women in this case.
Genre:  Fiction
Theme: empowering women
Plot: Latika, the main character, is a girl who lives in India and the book takes us through her life and her realizations about the place that she lives.
Artistic Media: watercolor
Curricular  Connection: This book will open the eyes of students to what goes on in other countries.
My Response: I think that students would really enjoy this book and have a lot to learn from it that they may have never even heard about before.
Teaching Resource: Boise public library

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Title: The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs
Author: Jon Scieszka
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Date: March 1, 1996
Number of Pages: 32
Awards: ALA Notable Book
Synopsis: In this story, the wolf is going to the pig's houses looking for sugar, where he accidentally sneezes, blowing their houses down.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Multiple Perspectives
Plot: A spin on the original, now the wolf is the good guy.
Artistic Media: drawing
Curricular Connection: When read with the original, this twist makes students think about varying perspectives.
Teaching Resource: Youtube Read Aloud

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Title: The Three Little Pigs
Author: James Marshall
Illustrator: James Marshall
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Date: January 6, 1981
Number of Pages: 32
Awards: Caldecott Honor
Synopsis: The big bad wolf went to the three little pig's houses and tried to blow them all over, but he could not blow over the brick house.
Genre: fiction
Theme: hard work pays off (the brick house did not blow over)
Plot: The pigs are scared of the wolf who they believe is trying to get to them by blowing their houses down.
Artistic Media: watercolor
Curricular Connection: Read along with The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs, this could teach students that there are multiple sides to a story.
My Response: Students will be able to find humor and a life lesson in this story.
Teaching Resource: Youtube Read Aloud

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Title: Wonder
Author: R.J. Palacio
Illustrator: Tad Carpenter
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Date: February 14, 2012
Number of Pages: 310
Awards: Maine Student Book Award, Mark Twain Award, Junior Young Reader's Choice Award, etc.
Synopsis: The main character, Auggie, was born with a facial difference, that catches many of his classmates off guard. The book takes us through his experiences and hardships inside and outside of school.
Genre: fiction
Theme: self acceptance, bullying
Plot: We all have differences, and this book shows different emotional hardships that differences cause and highlights how important it is to treat people with kindness.
Artistic Media: n/a
Curricular Connection: This is a really good book to raise awareness about bullying, as well as differences among students.
My Response: This book is so well written, because it shows so many different perspectives within the same story.
Teaching Resource: showing the film in class would be helpful, but requires a purchase!

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Tittle: A Sky-Blue Bench
Author: Bahram Rahman
Illustrator: Peggy Collins
Publisher: Pajama Press
Date: November 30, 2021
Awards: 2022 ALA Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book Winner
2023 Indiana Young Hoosier Award Consideration List Selection
2022 Middle East Book Award Honor Book
2023 OLA Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award Nominee
2021 The New York Times “What to Read: Four Children’s Books” selection,
And more
Synopsis: The girl in the story has a "helper leg" that leaves her feeling like less than everyone else at school. Her leg also presents her with difficulties in tasks such as sitting down and standing up, but she eventually has a break through.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Resilience
Plot: Everyone has differences, but we need to be kind to everyone and these differences do not hold us back.
Artistic Media: drawing
Curricular Connection: This story can help students learn about inclusion.
My Response: Many times we let our differences weigh us down, but they actually make us better.
Teaching Resource: Youtube Read Aloud