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Title: My Very Own Space
Author: Pippa Goodhart
Illustrator: Rebecca Crane
Published: July 11, 2017
Pages: 32
Level: P-1
Genre: Children's fiction
Summary: Bunny wants to read his book. He wants his very own space, just for him. Bunny yells and screams for the other bunnies to leave him alone, he wants his own space! However, bunny sees the rest of the bunnies playing, dancing, singing, and hugging. He realizes that he wants his own space, but only sometimes.

This is a cute, simple story about having time to yourself. Kids can learn that it is okay to want your own space sometimes and it's also okay to want to be others. The illustrations in this book were colorful and cute. I would recommend this in a Preschool or Kindergarten class.

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Title: Mustafa
Author: Marie-Louise Gay
Published: Aug 7, 2018
Pages: 40
Level: P-4
Genre: Children's realistic fiction
Summary: Mustafa and his family moved to a new country to escape the fire, smoke, and loud noises from his home country. Mustafa enjoys exploring the park in his new country but when he finds a stick, he draws the airplane, fire, smoke, and disaster from his home country. At the park, Mustafa discovers a girl with a pet cat, a lady that can talk to birds, and kids in halloween costumes. He had never seen this in his home country! The girl with the cat shows Mustafa all the wonders of the park including the swings and feeding the birds in the fountain. Suddenly, Mastafa doesn't feel invisible anymore.

Mustafa is a look into how a child can feel in a new country. The book has unique illustrations that are intriguing and fun to look at. This would be a great book to have in the classroom to be culturally responsive and inclusive.

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Title: The Not So Brave Penguin
Author: Steve Smallman
Illustrator: Steve Smallman
Published: Nov 13, 2018
Genre: Children's fiction
Pages: 24
Level: P-2
Summary: Percy was a brave penguin, while Posy was not. Percy jumped straight into the water while Posy gently slid on her belly. One day a big iceberg floated close to their island and Percy went to play on it like a slide. After awhile, Percy hadn't come back so Posy took a leap of faith and swam over to the iceberg. Posy faced her fears, went into a dark cave, and found Percy!

This cute story would be great to read to younger children who are struggling with facing their fears and being brave. The illustrations are a great representation of the story and the book even includes a discussion guide and comprehension questions.

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Title: The Busy Life of Ernestine Buckmeister
Author: Linda Lodding
Illustrator: Suzanne Beaky
Published: Oct 1, 2011
Pages: 35
Grade level: P-1
Genre: Children's fiction
Summary: Ernestine's parents had her on a crazy schedule. From yoga to tuba practice to yodeling lessons, Ernestine was packed with something to do everyday Monday-Friday. Ernestine would walk by her friend Hugo everyday and be sad that he got to play outside while she had to go to her next lesson. Ernestine decides to skip knitting lessons to roll down hills, look at clouds, and make flower crowns with her nanny. Ernestine's parents went from lesson to lesson trying to find Ernestine and finally realized that she was too busy! They all decided to drop some of the lessons and just let Ernestine play like a kid.

This story is a great reminder about kids being kids and letting them free play. While Ernestine was grateful for all her extra activites, it wore her out and she never had time to just be a kid. The art in this book was loud, hiliarious, and colorful. I would read this book again and would like to have it in my classroom.

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Title: Up the Creek
Author: Nicholas Oldland
Published: Apr 4, 2017
Pages: 32
Grade level: P-2
Summary: There was a bear, moose, and a beaver who often disagreed but were still best friends. They all decided to go canoeing but they disagreed on who had to sit in the front so they all sat in the back and tipped over. They disagreed on where to paddle so they all paddled to the left and went in circles. They came upon a waterfall and got pushed and tossed around until they became stranded on a rock. They all aruged on the best way to get back to safety. They knew they had to work together and they made it to safety!

This book can teach young children about the importance of compromise and not always getting "your way". The illustrations in this book were funny and look like they were done digitially. This would be a fun book for a read aloud lesson or to have in the class library for younger students.

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Title: Dork Diaries
Author: Rachel Renee Russell
Published: May 20, 2009
Pages: 348
Grade level: 4-8
Genre: Children's Fiction
Summary: This is a hilarious graphic novel about Nikki Maxwell and her challenges in 8th grade at a new school. Nikki confesses everything in diary from getting an iphone to her crush on Brandon. Nikki has to deal with an enemy at school, Mackenzie Hollister who always picks on Nikki. Nikki and Mackenzie compete in an art competition. Nikki ends up winning due to her tattoo business she started with her best friends Zoey and Chloe.

I read these back in middle school and thought they would be funny to read again from an older perspective. This is a fun and relatable graphic novel to have in older student's classrooms. Many of the graphic novels get labeled as "boyish" such as Captian Underpants and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I think students should be able to read whatever they want to and this book helps contributes to the inclusivity of all books for everyone.

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Title: You and Me
Author: Susan Verde
Illustrator: Peter Reynolds
Published: Jan 6, 2015
Pages: 32
Grade level: K+
Genre: Children's fiction
Summary: I watched this as an animated picture book. This is a cute story with rhyming words. The illustrations look like they have been done with colored pencil and are cute and unique. This story talks about how two best friends came to be. What if he had missed his alarm? What if he hadn't gone back to fetch his hat? What if it had stormed? They would never have met and became best friends!

I thought this was an adorable story about the power of friendship. It could be cute for younger children to celebrate their friends and practice their rhyming words.

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Title: The Teacher From the Black Lagoon
Author: Mike Thaler
Narrated by: Jonathan Lipnicki
Published: Jan 7, 2014
Pages: 32
Genre: Children's fiction
Summary: I listened to this book in an audiobook format. It is the main character's first day of school and he has the "real monster" Mrs. Green as his teacher. He sits at his desk and dreads meeting his teacher. Suddenly a shadow covers the door and in slithers Mrs. Green. Mrs. Green is an actual monster with claws and a tail and breathes fire! She even eats the students! When the principal sticks his head in he goes "keep up the good work!". Suddenly, the boy wakes up and sees that he was dreaming the entire time.

I read these books as a kid and was excited to see it as an audiobook! The audiobook was very well done with background music, sound effects, and a funny kid narrator. This audiobook kept me interested and would be funny to play in the classroom! Although it doesn't provide a very beneficial message or theme, I think it would be a funny story to play.

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Title: Hannah and Sugar
Author: Kate Berube
Published: March 8, 2016
Pages: 32
Genre: Children's fiction
Summary: Everyday after school Sugar waits for Violet P to get off the schoolbus. And everyday, Mrs. P asks if Hannah wants to pet Sugar and everyday, Hannah says "no thank you". One day Sugar went missing and everyone was looking high and low for her. No one could find her until Hannah heard a whimpering outside her bedroom window. She looks out and finds Sugar! Hannah takes a deep breath and pets Sugar. Now everyday while Sugar is waiting for Violet P, she is waiting for Hannah too!

The illustrations in this book were simple but cute. This is a heartwarming story about fear and friendship. I think it can be used as a tool to help kids come over their fears of some certain things such as dogs. I can connect to this because when I was little I was afraid of cats but now I love them.

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Born Hungry: Julia Child Becomes the "French Chef" 

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Born Hungry: Julia Child Becomes the "French Chef" 

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Title: Born Hungry: Julia Child Becomes the "French Chef"
Author: Alex Prud'homme
Illustrator: Sarah Green
Published: Feb 8, 2022
Pages: 40
Grade level: K-4
Genre: Children's nonfiction
Summary: This book is a nonfiction picture book about famous chef, Julia Child. Julia McWilliams was an active, tall child which made her always crave food. Julia always dreamed of having adventures and becoming a famous writer. One day, a man named Paul Child moved in next door and they got married. Julia tried experimenting with new recipes but failed. She then became determined to be a great cook. At 37 years old, Julia signed up for a cooking class in France. Julia soon became one of the world's most famous chefs and taught people how to cook through her cooking shows.

The illustrations in this book were intriguing and looked just like Julia Child! The drawings enhance the book and make it a fun non fiction story to read. This could be a great book to have if students are researching famous people or places.

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Title: Tofu Takes Time
Author: Helen H Wu
Illustrator: Julie Jarema
Published: April 19, 2022
Pages: 40
Genre: Children's realistic fiction
Summary: Lin and her Grandma NaiNai are making tofu from scratch. As NaiNai goes through the steps of making the tofu, Lin becomes very inpatient. NaiNai explains to Lin that good things take time. Tofu takes sun, water, cloth from fibers and threads. It takes heat and metal and takes time for the ingredients to dance together. Tofu takes time.

This is a wonderful culturally responsive book that incorporates the idea of patience!

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Title: Im Right Here
Author: Constance Orbeck-Nilssen
Illustrator: Akin Duzakin
Published: Oct 1, 2015
Genre: Children's realistic fiction
Grade level: P-3
Summary: William asks his Grandma what she is afraid of when they go on a walk. Grandma says that she is afraid of not seeing the white flowers blossom every year or seeing the white birds float across the water. William is afraid of stinging wasps and big dogs. William still doesn't understand how Grandma isn't afraid of war and the dark. Grandma explains that she used to be afraid of that stuff but now she is old and is only afraid of losing everything she loves.

This is a sad but touching story about being grateful for all that is around us because one day it will be gone. This can be a story to subtly introduce the idea of death and losing loved ones in the classroom while focusing on the idea of not taking everything for granted.

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Title: Me and My Fear
Author: Francesca Sanna
Published: Sep 11, 2018
Pages: 32
Grade level: P-3
Summary: The illustrations in this book immediately stuck out to me. They look almost like watercolor paintings and make the book intriguing and inviting. Fear is personified in this book as the main character explains that her and fear have done everything together. However, since the main character moved to a new country, fear isn't so little anymore. Fear has grown huge and won't let her go anywhere. The main character grows lonely and more lonely. Fear tells her it's because no one likes her. The main character meets a new friend and discover that he also has a fear buddy! They hang out and she discovers that EVERYONE has a fear buddy and they can all hang out together!

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Title: How the Moon Regained Her Shape
Author: Janet Heller
Illustrator: Ben Hodson
Published: Jan 15, 2013
Pages: 32
Genre:  Children's folktales
Grade level: K-5
Summary: This is a story influenced by Native American folktales. Using personification of the sun and moon, this story teaches children about dealing with bullies. The Sun bullies and makes fun of the Moon so the Moon shrinks and leaves the sky. The Moon decides to lean on her friends, the rabbits and Native Americans. Her friends comfort her and bring her back her happiness and self-esteem and she returns to her orbit. This is a culturally responsive book that can teach children about the effects and harms of bullying and the importance of friendship.

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Title: What Happens Next
Author: Susan Hughes
Illustrator: Carey Sookocheff
Published: Oct 15, 2007
Grade level: 1-5
Genre: Children's realistic fiction
Summary: This is a realistic story told from an unknown main character. The main character does not want to go to school because of Bully B. This story has simple, limited color drawings which contribute to the overall sadness of the story and the main character. The main character gets bullied by Bully B and it makes her feel "bad. really bad". The main character loves her dog, her mom, reading about genomes and space. However, everything would be way better if Bully B was far far away. The main character tells her mom everything about her bully and her mom explains that her bully must feel afraid and hurts her to feel in charge of her. The main character decides to talk to her bully and tell her things she is interested in. The bully actually listened and although she didn't anything nice, she didn't say anything mean either.

This is a great and unique story about the impacts and harms of bullying. This story talks about why some people are mean and how it usually means they have something else personal going on. The illustrations and organization of this book kept me intrigued throughout the story. This would be a beneficial and helpful book to have inside my classroom!

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Title: The Book Boat's In
Author: Cynthia Cotten
Illustrator: Frane Lessac
Published: Jan 15, 2013
Genre: Children's nonfiction
Pages: 32
Grade level: 1-5
Summary: One day, Jesse King rode into town and saw that the R Edwards: Library and Bookstore boat was pulled into the harbor. Jesse really wanted a book but his Pa said it was too expensive and he would have to save up for the next time the book boat came. Jesse needed 7 more cents so he went around town asking for work to do. Jesse finally saved up enough and the next day went into town and bought his very own book.

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Title: Together Again: A Story About Joy
Author: Kochka, Sophie Bouxom
Published: March 23, 2021
Grade level: P-1
Pages: 32
Summary: Elliot was very excited because his stepsister was coming to stay at his house. Elliot was patiently waiting for Lucy to come over and woke up when everyone else was sleeping to get ready for her to come. Elliot made decorations and cleaned everything. Finally, Lucy was home!

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Title: Bear's Bicycle
Author: Laura Renauld
Illustrator: Jennie Poh
Published: April 20, 2021
Pages: 32
Grade: P-2
Summary: Summer bike riding was coming around the corner and Bear had to prepare. He fixed up his bike and read "Learn to Ride in 5 Easy Steps". Bear crashed and went to the library to find a new book to teach him how to ride a bike. Bear passes by 3 of his animal friends who all still need to practice too! Bear realizes that he doesn't need another book, he just needs to practice and practice again with friends!

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Title: Freedom We Sing
Author: Amyra Leon and Molly Mendoza
Published: July 7, 2020
Pages: 40
Grade level: P-2
Summary: This book is written like poetry with bright, colorful illustrations that would catch any readers eye. This book teaches readers about the importance of diversity and the idea of freedom. Can freedom be bought? Can it be contained? Can freedom be written? This book says that freedom is a universal sign of life and peace. This book is a lyrical picture book that tells about finding hope in times of trouble.

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Title: As Strong As the River
Author: Sarah Noble
Published: March 2, 2021
Genre: Children's fiction
Grade level: P-2
Pages: 32
Summary: This story follows a young bear is focused on growing up so he can be big and strong. His mom tells him that he shouldn't worry about growing up and that the river is the biggest and strongest thing. At the end the little bear realizes that his mom is the most beautiful, biggest, and strongest so that means he will be that too.

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Title: Whoever You Are
Author: Mem Fox
Published: Sep 1, 2006
Pages: 32
Grade level: P-3
Summary: This book is a celebration of diverse children. This book takes the reader through many various cultures, addressing the reader as "little one". The narrator explains how we have different languages, food, and clothes from people all over the world. However, we all have the same heart, our joy is the same, our smiles are the same, our pain is the same. This book celebrates different cultures and brings them together as one. This would be a great book to read in younger classrooms to teach the idea of diversity, acceptance, and inclusivity.

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Title: Girls Like Me
Author: Valerie Thompkins
Illustrator: Abria Das
Genre: Children's fiction/inspiration
Pages: 32
Grade: P-3rd
Summary: This is an inspirational and motivating children's book for young girls. This book takes readers on the journey of a little girl and a new role she explores on each page. The little girl grows confidence and shows how any girl can be anything she wants to be! Girls are able to have any career and will make history doing it. I absolutely loved this book and think it is important to read to young girls AND boys!

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Title: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Author: Laura Numeroff
Published: Oct 6, 2015
Genre: Children's fiction
Grade level: P-2nd
Pages: 40
Summary: A hungry little mouse might show up on your doorstep. He might want a cookie. But if you give him a cookie, he might want some milk to go with it. If you give him some milk he is going to want to look in the mirror to see if he has a milk mustache...this story is hiliarious and takes readers through the adventures of giving a mouse a cookie! Young children would love the twists and turns and funny surprises that this book has.

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Title: The City of Ember
Author: Jeanne DuPrau
Published: May 25, 2004
Pages: 270
Genre: Children's Fantasy/Dystopian
Grade: 3-7
Summary: The City of Ember was built to protect the last of the human race from extinction. Built underground, Ember is the only light in miles of darkness. Lina Mayfleet and her friend Doon Harrow discover clues that they believe could lead them to an outside world. Once the city of Ember's lamps begin to flicker and go dim, Lina and Harrow race against the darkness to follow the tunnels and find their way to the light.

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Title: The Lemonade War
Author: Jacqueline Davies
Published: May 4, 2009
Genre: Children's fiction
Grade level: 3-7
Pages: 192
Summary: This is a clever, funny story that follows Evan Treski, the Lemonade King and his math wizard sister, Jessie Treski. Evan and Jessie decide to have a lemonade war on the 5th to last day of Summer vacation. Each day, Evan and Jessie experiement with different ideas and products to sell the most lemonade. They decide that the winner of the competition will win the earnings of both of them. The book goes through the highs and lows of Evan and Jessies lemonade sales. The siblings break morals and sabotage each other until they come together and forgive each other. This Lemonade War ends with no winner but two siblings who now know the best business practices!

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Title: Matilda
Author: Roald Dahl
Published: Oct 1, 1988
Genre: Children's fiction
# of pages: 232
Grade level: 3-6
Summary: Matilda Wormwood is a wonderful, bright little girl who found herself surrounded by awful people. Matilda is a gifted child who has unpleasant, selfish parents. Matilda spends her days reading books and walking to the library while her parents are out. Once Matilda is old enough to go to school she meets Ms. Honey who is a kind, sweet teacher that is blown away by Matilda's academic talent! Matilda also discovers her mind has magical abilities that allows her to move things with her mind. This book takes the reader through all of Matilda's adventures as she hides from her parents, practices her mind powers, and connects with Miss. Honey. This book ends with Matilda's parents moving away to Spain and Miss. Honey adopting Matilda.

I love this book and the inspiration it can be for young girls. Matilda is a strong, powerful, intelligent little girl that can teach the reader amazing lessons and morals.

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Title: Everything Sad is Untrue
Author: Daniel Nayero
Published: Aug 25, 2020
Pages: 360
Grade level: 7-12
Genre: Nonfiction
Summary: Everything Sad is Untrue is a heartouching book about author Daniel Nayeri and his childhood experience as an Iranian refugee. Daniel and his family had to flee Iran because his mother got caught helping the underground church. They were able to move to Oklahoma due a family offering to sponsor them. In America, Daniel felt like an outcast as his classmates bullied and teased him. The only way Daniel could get through to them was by his writing. This book goes through the hardships and sucesses that Daniel had to go through as a child refugee in America.

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Title: Stars Beneath Your Bed

Author: April Sayre

Genre: Children's Science

Grade level: 1-5

Theme: Past, Science

Page #: 32

Published: March 29, 2005

Summary: This is a book all about dust and the many ways it is seen in our world. This book explains that bikes sputter dust, theres dust in the sunset, cotton rubs off from our jeans, theres dust under our bed, there's dust everywhere! This book takes the audience on an adventure to many places across the world and explains how dust exists in every place. Some of the dust can come from space or it existed during the time of the dinosaurs and connects the world together!

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Title: Girl Running

Author: Annette Bay Pimentel

Genre: Biography

Grade level: K-3

# of pages: 32

Published: Feb 6, 2018

Theme: Determination, Women's Equality

Summary: Bobbi Gibb feels as if she was meant to run. Although girls were not allowed to run or be on the track team, the day after the Boston Marathon, Bobbi began to train. Bobbi takes a trip across the country and even runs then. She applies to run in the Boston Marathon but is denied for being female. Bobbi decides to try and disguise herself and run the race anyways to prove everyone wrong. Bobbi finishes the race with tons of viewers cheering and hollering for her. Bobbi went on to inspire countless of women to run.

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Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade

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Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade

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Title: Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade
Author: Melissa Sweet
Published: Nov 1, 2011
Pages: 40
Grade level: P-3rd
Genre: Children's Nonfiction
Summary: From the age of 6, Tony Sarg loved to make things move. As a child, Sarg played with marionettes and even figured out how to feed his chickens from his bed! When he was older he decided to create his own puppets and he was invited to make his own puppet show at Macy's in New York City. Sarg created a front window display with all sorts of puppets that moved and was invited to create a city parade on Thanksgiving Day. For years after, Sarg went through some trial and error to find perfect, ginormous puppet to show New York City every Thanksgiving morning. He finally perfected his creation and created the most memorable parade ever.

This is a fun and engaging children's non-fiction book. I loved hearing the true story and had no idea it was how the Macy's Thanksgiving parade got started.

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Title: Llama Llama Red Pajama
Author: Anna Dewdney
Published: May 5, 2015
Pages: 34
Grade level: P-1st
Genre: Children's fiction
Summary: Llama Llama is waiting for his mama to tuck him into bed. Mama is taking a long time washing dishes and finishing up chores downstairs. Llama Llama is trying to wait patiently but mama is taking too long so he begins to shout and cry. Llama Llama is so scared to be in the dark without his mama. Thankfully mama comes and lets him know that mama will always love and be there for him.

This is a fun book that incorporates poetry and teaches a lesson about being alone. This can teach young children that even when they are physically alone they are still loved and cared for.

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Title: Green Eggs and Ham
Author: Dr. Suess
Published: Aug 12, 1960
Pages: 65
Grade level: K-2nd
Genre: Children's fiction/poetry
Summary: This is a classic Dr. Suess book with his classical rhymes and witty characters. This book takes children through the story of Sam I am and the narrator who does not like green eggs and ham. Sam and the narrator try to convince each other about their opinions on green eggs and ham. Sam takes the narrator to different locations and dining options to try and get him to try green eggs and ham. In the end the narrator gives in and ends up loving them.

This is an easy read to introduce children to the world of Dr. Suess. This book has a bunch of word play and rhymes that children can read to help develop their literacy skills. I think Dr. Suess in the classroom is a must!

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Title: The Rainbow Fish
Author: Marcus Pfister
Published: Jan 27, 1999
Pages: 32
Grade level: 4-8 years
Genre: Children's fiction
Summary: The Rainbow Fish is a beautiful fish who lives in the deep blue sea. He has the most gorgeous green and blue scales. One little fish asked the rainbow fish for one of his sparkly scales and the rainbow fish aggressively said no. Soon every fish knew about how the rainbow fish didn't want to share his scales and suddenly no one wanted to be around him. The rainbow fish traveled to a magic octopus to see if he could get the other fish to like him again. The magic octopus told rainbow fish that he needs to give out his sparkly scales to the other fish to get them to like him again. The rainbow fish did just as he was told and finally felt at home with the other fish.

This is a fun children's fiction book that can teach children about the importance of friendship. Children can learn that how we look is the least important thing about us, it's friendship that counts!

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Title: Lon Po Po
Published: April 16, 1996

Grade Level: P-3rd grade

Pages: 32

Summary: Lon Po Po is a Red Riding Hood story variation from China. The story begins with a mother leaving her three children Shang, Tao, Paotze at home alone. They are greeted by their Grandmother knocking at their door and invited her inside. Unfortunately, the grandmother was actually a wolf in disguise. The children begin to get suspicious about their grandmother's voice, tail, and fur. The eldest daughter Shang decides to try and trick the wolf by bringing up the wolf to the top of a gingko tree using a basket. The children were pulling the basket holding the wolf all the way to the top until the last second where they dropped the basket and the wolf's heart broke to pieces.

The tale is a great twist and different version about Red Riding Hood. The book contains great imagery and word choice as the children try to get rid of the wolf. This tale employs a rich literary style as it is intriguing and unique. I would love to implement this book into my future classroom and curriculum. It would be interesting to find different cultural verisons of Red Riding Hood or any other fairytale and compare and contrast them with my students. This would also be a great book to use for a Reader's Theater or storytelling unit.

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Title: The Sea In Winter
Author: Christine Day
Published: Jan 5, 2021
Pages: 272
Grade level: 3rd-7th
I read The Sea In Winter by Christine Day. This was a heartfelt touching story about a Native American girl, Maisie Cannon, who learns about her inner strength. Maisie suffered a rough ACL injury which causes her to have to take a step back from Ballet. This sends Maisie into a downward, sad spiral and it begins to impact her wellbeing, grades, and her friendships. She also experiences the tragic death of her father and having the gain a new stepfather who is from another tribe. Maisie's family decides to take a trip to the coast. During this trip Maisie connects with her family and Native American heritage. Maisie learns about her inner strength as she overcomes her hardships and mental health battle.

This is a great Native American story to incorporate into the classroom. This book touches on the importance of mental health among children and would be a beneficial resource in the classroom.

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Title: The One and Only Ivan
Author: Katherine Applegate
Published: Jan 6, 2015
Pages: 336
Grade level: 2nd-7th
Genre: Children's fantasy
I read The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. This book was extremely moving, sad, and touching. I absolutely love animals of all kind and it was heartbreaking to read about animals in captivity. I loved reading from animals' points of view as I try to grasp what perception of the world they could have. At the Big Top Mall that Ivan, Bob, and Stella have been trapped at for 9,855 days. Ivan watches tv, eats bananas, and creates artwork for his owner to sell. Stella dies from a previous injury just as a new baby gorilla Ruby was brought in by the owner. Stella makes Ivan promise to find a new, better home for Ruby and to raise her. Ivan suddenly sees his mall as a cage and paints a billboard mural of his and his fellow animal friend's captive state at the mall. This sparks outrage and people protest against the captivity of the animals. The book concludes when the animals are set free and the animals are sent to a safe, clean zoo.

This book would be beneficial to implement into the classroom. It gives students a chance to read a book not from a person's point of view, but an animals. It can teach the importance of empathy to other living things and the animals on our Earth. In addition, the book displays great imagery that is easily pictured in my mind.

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Title: Magic Tree House Dinosaurs Before Dark
Author: Mary Pope Osbourne
Published: 1992
Publisher: Random House
Pages: 80
Reading level: 5-8 years
Summary: This adventurous story follows explorers Annie and Jack as they go back in time. Annie and Jack find a magic tree house filled with books that take them back in time if they touch one. When Jack and Annie open their eyes they are taken back 65 million years ago. Jack and Annie explore the jungle full of scary (and cute) dinosaurs. They find a gold M medallion that they believe can save them and take them back to their time. After a journey of running from and fighting dinosaurs, Jack and Annie find their tree house and touch the book to take them back home.

This is a fun and exciting adventure book for children to read. It educates students about dinosaurs all while letting their imagination run wild. This book is full of exciting dialouge and imagery.

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Title: There's an Alien in Your Book
Author: Greg Abbott
Published: May 16, 2019
Pages: 32
Grade level: Preschool-1st
Summary: This is a fun science fiction interactive read aloud for younger kids. This story follows an alien that is hidden inside the book! Children must "blow away the smoke", "pat the aliens head", "yell at the alien to go away". The author implements a lot of fun adjectives and verbs to describe the alien and actions the child must do to the alien. The pictures are cute doodles that are colorful and show the alien. This book teaches children that even though we are all different (like the alien), we are all different and beautiful. We all have a place on Earth.

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Title: Between Us and Abuela
Author: Mitali Perkins
Published: Sep 10, 2019
Pages: 40
Grade level: P-1st
Genre: Children's historical fiction
Summary: Maria and her family are traveling to the border to meet their grandmother who they haven't seen in years for Christmas. They meet their abuela through the fence and touch their fingers together. Maria and her brother brought gifts to give but the security guards says that they arent allowed to pass anything through the fence. Maria and her brother decide to turn one of their gifts into a kite and fly it through the air and over the fence to their grandmother.

This is a great book to implement into the classroom. It is an award winning book that is culturally inclusive and responsive. This book can explain to children how some people are separated from their families at the border. It can explain the long journey and hardships that these families have to go through just to see each other.

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Title: The Hula-Hoopin Queen
Author: Thelma Lynne Godin
Published: June 3, 2014
Pages: 40
Grade level: 1st-3rd
Genre: Children's Fiction
Summary: Kameeka LOVES to hula hoop, today is the day to beat Jamara to become the hula hoopin queen. Unfortunately, Kameeka's mother reminds her it's Miz Adeline's birthday and Kameeka has to run to the store to grab ingredients to bake the cake. On the way back from the store, Kameeka sees Jamara practicing her hula hooping. Kameeka and Jamara decide to battle hoop to see who can last the longest. Kameeka forgot about Miz Adeline's birthday and races home. At Miz Adeline's birthday, Miz Adeline begins to start hula hoopin saying she was the hula hoopin queen back in her day! Suddenly, everyone at the party and on the block is hula hoopin and it turns into a hula hoopin birthday.

This is a great, fun story to read to children. It teaches about the importance of kindness and selflessness. Even though we might want to skip out on the birthday to hula hoop, it is important to be there and show our kindness for others. This would be great to read in a 1st-2nd grade class and then go outside and have the students practice their own hula hoopin!

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Title: Charlotte's Web
Author: E.B White
Illustrator: Garth Williams
Published: April 10, 2012
Pages: 192
Reading Level: 3rd-7th
Genre: Children's Fiction
Summary: Charlotte's Web is a familar book and movie to many children (I think at least people my age!). This book follows the friendship of a pig named Wilbur, a spider named Charlotte, and an 8 year old girl Fern. Fern is upset that her father wants to kill the runt of a pig litter so Fern declares she is going to take care of the pig herself. Wilbur becomes too big and is transported to Fern's uncles farm where Wilbur is going to be killed for dinner. Wilbur develops a friendship with a spider named Charlotte who spends time writing about her pig friend in her spider web. Charlotte saves Wilbur with her web before she dies after laying a hundred eggs.
This book is a great read for children in the classroom because it can teach them about the power of friendship and becoming friends with those different than us. Althought the book does contain some harsh material surrounding animal deaths, there is great imagery and lessons to be learned from this book.

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Title: Wonder
Author: RJ Palacio
Publication: Feb 14 2012
Pages: 320
Grade level: 3rd-7th grade
Genre: Children's fiction
Literary elements/summary: I remember first reading this book in 5th grade, seeing the movies in theaters, and being captivated by it ever since. This book follows Auggie Pullman who was born with a facial feature difference. Auggie goes to school for the first time in 5th grade and struggles with fitting in. This book follows Auggie's journey through school and how his classmates, parents, and friends learned about the power of empathy and acceptance. The book is extremely well written and not only talks about Auggie's struggles but his family and friends' struggles as well. This book is fit for many various grade levels and I believe anyone can benefit from the lesson this books teaches. This book teaches the lesson of acceptance, inclusivity, and gives a first hand perspective on someone with a disability. This should be read in all classrooms!

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Title: Scribble Stones
Author: Diane Albert
Published: March 12, 2019
Pages: 17
Grade level: 3-11 years
Genre: Children's fiction
Literary elements/summary:
This is a very cute children's fiction book about stones and becoming something greater than you could ever imagine. This book has cute cartoon images that are intriguing for the reader. This book follows a stone who thinks he will be something incredible but becomes a lousy paper weight. Suddenly a bunch of scribbles came running by and filling up the stone's paper he was sitting on top of. The scribbles ran out of paper to color on and decided to color on stone! Now stones were being painted and drawn on everywhere and traveling across the world.

This a cute short story to read to kids and pair an art project along with it. I would most likely read it to Preschool or Kindergarteners. This story can teach children how to use different resources such as rocks for art! It also teaches students that you can become something amazing that you had never thought about before! I think this would be a great story to read and then have students paint their own rocks.

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Title: Inside Out and Back Again
Author: Thannha Lai
Publication: Jan 2, 2013
Pages: 288
Age level: 8-12 years
Genre: Children's Poetry
I read Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai. Although I do not have any personal connections to the story, it was empowering and emotional to read about the main character Ha and his family fleeing from Vietnam communism. The book is divided into small poems that all connect together to reveal a larger story. I liked the organization of the book and it made it easy to follow. Thanhha Lai uses this book to show the various cultural differences and discrimination people can face when coming to America. The book was impactful as it followed Ha and his families lives and all they had to leave and change as they came to America. Ha faced a lot of discrimination and bullying at school in America. This poetry book can introduce poetry to student's while teaching lessons about bullying and people from different backgrounds. This book dives deep into the emotion surrounding immigration to the United States and acclimating to America and a different culture. This is a great book for culturally responsive and literature teaching.

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I chose to read Dear TreeFrog by Joyce Sidman which won an award for excellence in poetry for children.

Publication date: May 25, 2021

Genre: Children's poetry

Grade level: Preschool-3rd

Pages: 40

Theme: Seeing other perspectives

Summary: This children's poetry book is full of wonder and color. A shy girl moves to a new home and spots a treefrog sitting on a green leaf. The little girl is curious about the frog and the world it lives in. The little girl wonders about the frog's life cycle and how the frog views life and the world around it. This book is about being curious about other peoples/animals perspectives and how they view life differently. This is a great poetry book for children to become more familiar about poetry, the life cycle of a frog, and how it is important to put ourselves in others' shoes.

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Authors Names: Philip C Stead and Erin C Stead

Title: Amos McGee Misses the Bus

Publisher: Macmillian Young Listeners

Date: Nov 23, 2021

# of pages: 48

Grade level: 2-6 years

Genre: Children's fiction

Literary Elements/summary: Amos McGee was planning on having a great, fun day complete with chores, work, and an outing with his friends. Amos fell asleep at the kitchen table and was late for his job at the zoo. Amos went around to each animal explaining why he was late until Amos fell asleep again. The animals decided that Amos worked so hard for them so they tidied up the zoo and the tortose found him his favorite hat. Amos and the animals decided to catch the afternoon bus to the beach to relax!

The authors Philip and Erin Stead are married and live in Michigan with their puppy. They have written and illustrated multiple Amos McGee stories. The authors love to use a slow, messy process as they create their stories and pictures. They wanted Amos McGee to be a calming and peaceful character for kids and parents to read together. The idea for Amos McGee came from an image, not an idea. The idea came from the image of an elephant playing chess with an old man. These authors created their pictures before they came up with the storyline for the book. Children can feel a sense of calmness from this book as they look at the pictures of the animals and the slow but steadiness of Amos McGee.

The illustrators implement different techniques as they create their pictures. It is interesting that the idea from this book came from images as opposed to a certain character or storyline. This book has great illustrations of the animals with colored pencil. The authors sketch out the drawing in regualr pencil and then color it in. The images are simple but unique and intriguing to look at. The pictures attribute to the calmness and serenity of the story and reflect Amos McGee's character.

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All Because You Matter is written by Tami Charles and was published in October 2020. It is 40 pages long and intended for grade levels Preschool-3rd. This story has colorful pictures and is written like a letter.

This book seems to part poem part letter with its lyrical words and imagery. The books addresses the reader "Dear Child". The book talks about how the reader matters and is very important in this world. Everyone is important no matter the circumstance. Even when you get picked on in class, get a bad grade, or something bad happens in the world...you still matter. This book also encompasses and shows many different cultures. "You mattered, they mattered, we mattered...and always will".

This is a wonderful story to read to children and remind them of their value. Although it is not a plot heavy story, the poetry and imagery will keep children engaged. It is a great reminder to kids that even when bad things happen, it does not change their worth. In addition, this book has good representation of cultures and is inclusive.

This would be a great story to read in any Elementary classroom. It can teach children the importance of being kind to others, and being kind to themselves. It is also a culturally inclusive book and a good way to be culturally responsive in the classroom.

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Kindness is my Superpower by Alicia Ortega which was published in 2020. This book is 18 pages long and intended for children ages 3-7 years old. The pictures are colorful and look like they are drawn but were drawn on some sort of technology.

This book follows Lucas who was mean to his friend Lisa by teasing her about her glasses. Lucas made Lisa cry the rest of the school day. His mom had a talk with Lucas about kindness and why it is wrong to tease people. She explains that kindness is respecting and helping everyone around us. Lucas then decided to be super kind by saying hello to his friends, sharing his crayons and pens with his classmates, and even apologized to Lisa. Lucas learns that kindess makes everyone happy and is a great trait to practice.

I think this is a great, simple story to read to children to teach them how to be kind. This book teaches that kindness is not just being respectful to others but it is great to do random acts of kindess. This book shows that doing random acts of kindess such as helping someone clean up, sharing with your friends, giving someone a gift, etc. can be super rewarding.

This would be a great book to read to kids in Preschool-2nd grade who are having a hard time being kind. You could read it during any subject and have your students brainstorm their own random acts of kindness to practice.

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I decided to read “Big Cat, Little Cat” by Elisha Cooper, who was awarded the Randolph Caldecott medal in 2018. The cover of this book depicts a big white cat sitting next to a smaller black cat. It was published in 2017 by Roaring Brook Press and is a picture book for Preschool-2nd grade with 32 pages. This story follows a new black cat that moves in with an older white cat. The white cat shows the black kitty how to do everything such as eat, meow, play. Together the cats grew together and everyday would climb, explore, make plans, and play together. The cats got older and the older white one passed away and the black cat was sad until a new cat came. The cycle repeats itself and now the black cat is the older one showing the new cat everything they should do.

I thought this was a cute easy read that can demonstrate to children that although people (and animals) can come and go, there can always be a brighter side to it. While the book doesn’t directly address the white cat’s death, it is implied. The book takes the reader through a loving friendship between two cats and how they bonded until the white cat passes. I think this book was a way to show children how animals/people leave without having to directly mention death. The book has easy words and pictures that I think will be great for children to follow along with.

While searching for reviews, critics loved this book and it’s illustrations. Lolly Gepson, a writer for Booklist commented on this book that, “Cooper certainly loves and understands cat behavior, as exemplified in his various poses of cats at rest and in action”. The book received a plethora of raving reviews about the author’s ability to gently demonstrate the loving life cycle of pets.

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Pete the Cat Snow Daze by James Dean is a fiction picture book that was published October 4, 2016. There is 32 pages and the reading level/grade interest is Preschool-1st grade or reading level 1.

This adventurous story follows Pete the Cat and his fun snow days where he has no school. The reader is taken through a magical snow day where Pete throws snowballs with his brother, goes sledding with Callie, and drinks Hot chocolate. The next day, Pete is surprised to have another snow day! He plays in the snow again all day. Each morning for 4 mornings in a row, Pete has no school because of the snow. Pete comes to realize that although snow days are fun, he misses school and his teacher! To solve the problem, Pete decides to snow plow the roads with help from his friends. Now they can go to school!

I enjoy the illustrations in this book because they fit well with the storyline. The pictures are colorful yet simple and help children follow along with the plot. I think this is a great story to teach children not to take things for granted because once they are gone (in this case, school) we always want them back. I experienced the same thing with Covid in High School. I was so excited for 2 weeks off of school but once it became the entire year, I desperately wanted to go back. This is a great, easy read for children in any Preschool-1st grade classroom. I think it would fit best into reading or writing curriculum to learn about taking things for granted.