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Book: The Lorax

Author: Dr. Seuss

Illustrator: Dr. Seuss

Genre: Picturebook

Summary: In this book, a boy pays the Once-ler to hear the stories of the Lorax and of the Truffula trees that once densely populated the area. The Once-ler tells the boy of the lucrative business he made cutting down the trees, heavily polluting the area and driving the Lorax and animals away. In the last bit of the book, the Once-ler gives the boy the last Truffula seed to plant and regrow the forest that once was.

Why: I chose this book as it tackles many of the environmental problems that stem from consumerism. The book puts the environment at the forefront and breaks down the many impacts of climate change. I believe that as an educator it is imperative to discuss these ideas as well as highlight that one person can make a difference.

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Book/Series: Junie B. Jones
Author: Barbara Park
Illustrator: Denise Brunkus
Genre: Children's book series, Fiction

Summary: This series follows Junie from kindergarten to grade 1. It documents all the adventures she goes on and all the changes she goes through in her early life.

Why I chose it: When I think about this series, a lot of great early childhood memories come to mind. Throughout kindergarten, my mom would read these books to me every night before I went to sleep. These books were also some of the first books I read on my own as I was learning to read in early elementary school.

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Book: The Secret Knowledge Of Grown-ups!
Author: | David Wisniewski
Summary: Parents are always spouting these rules. Do they really care about nutrients and mattresses, or are they hiding something? Luckily, one fearless grown-up will risk his neck and his dignity to find out. Disguised as everything from a chocolate milk scuba diver to a giant nose, this counterspy uncovers the disturbing truth. And what he learns will shock you like nothing before. Startling suckface emergencies! Dangerous digit gangs! Powerful sumo cells! Those are just some of the secrets revealed in this book by Caldecott medalist David Wisniewski. But don′t let anyone catch you reading it-especially grown-ups. Who knows what could happen if they knew that you knew?

I choose this book after discussing with a grade 6 teacher what books interests students in the classroom.

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Book: The Proudest Blue
Written by: Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. Ali
Art by: Hatem Aly
Genre: Picture book
Summary: The story is about Faiza and her sister Asiya. Faiza is really excited about the first day of school and her sister's first day of wearing the hijab. In Faiza's eyes her sister looks beautiful in her blue hijab and it reminds her of the ocean and the sky. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful and she is trying to make sense of the confusing hurtful words that she hears.

I picked this book because it is a great way to start a conversation around hijab and Islamophobia. The author is an Olympic medalist who competed in a hijab. She is a great role model for other Muslim girls and children of colour to encourage them to break boundaries and pursue their desires. It's also a great book to show some representation of minorities.

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Book: Meeting Mozart from Oxford Reading Tree
Created by: Roderick Hunt and Alex Brychta
Summary:  This book is from a series of books called Oxford Reading Tree. They are pretty popular books for kids in England to learn reading. There are about 10 levels with different contents and difficulties, for the kids from kindergarten to grade 4. Each book contains a little story. High frequency words and phrases are repeated. Through reading Oxford Reading Tree, kids not only learn to reading, but history, science, important survival skills, and common sense.

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Book: Ira Crumb Feels The Feelings
Written by: Naseem Hrab
Art by: Josh Holinaty
Summary: This book is about two best friends who get into a small disagreement on the playground. This leaves Ira alone and feeling very sad. Although people were trying to cheer him up, he was inconsolable. After reconnecting with his friend and speaking about why he is sad, Ira is able to work through his emotions and overcome his sadness.
Why? This book really stood out to me because it encourages emotional intelligence, recognizing your emotions, and that it's okay to feel! It also touches on relationships with friends and that it's okay to like different things sometimes, and that doesn't make you less of a friend. Finally, it shows the importance of having someone to speak to when you are going through sadness.

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Title: Love You Forever
Author: Robert Munsch
Illustrator: Sheila McGraw
Genre: Children's literature, Picture book, Fiction

Summary: This book covers various serious topics such as love, gender roles, and the circle of life and death. The book divulges into a mother's love for her son and how it continues to grow and develop as he goes through different stages of his life. The mom also sings the same song to her son every night while rocking him.

Why I chose it: This book came to mind when the book talk was first mentioned, I also find it heartwarming and pleasing. I think it would be great to read to children so they can feel this warmth and love. It also holds some personal meaning to me as when I was young my mom read it to me every night while also making sure she sang the song every time it came up in the story.

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My Name: Chayse Hill
Book Title: Other Words for Home
Author: Jasmine Warga
Genre: Fiction, Coming of Age

This is a novel tells a story of a young girl and her mother from Syria who become refugees in America. It is from her point of view, describing her coming of age while dealing with the complications of missing her home in Syria, being immersed in a new language and culture, and  starting a new school.

I chose this book because I think it would help students understand points of view from those who come from different circumstances from their own.

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Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is a story about the alphabet letters climbing a coconut tree. The lower-case letters climb up the tree, but the tree bends and the letters fall out. Then capital letters (the older relatives) help the lower-case letters back up into the tree. Each of the lower-case letters gets hurt during the fall from the tree and the book describes each letter’s injury. Then, at night, letter “A” dares the other letters to catch him while he climbs the coconut tree.

I read this book to my daughter and just teach her about connections and helping others. We also talk about a time she got hurt and who helped her. This book is very interesting because I also did arts and craft with her. Went outside, got sticks and leaves and paste them together.

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Book: Watership Down
Author: Richard Adams
Genre: Fantasy? (Darker Fantasy)

I think this book is amazing. I read it in grade 5 or 6 and it was a great introduction into some darker or more human themes. The book is about a group of rabbits trying to survive after their warren is destroyed by humans. It's got a lot of great parallels to humanity but it also has darker tones that are very important to dissect and maybe talk about at that age.

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Book: What do you do with an idea?
Written by: Kobi Yamada
Illustrated by: Mae Besom
Summary: A child has an idea that they are unsure about in the beginning. Scared to share, and is judged when they share with others. Throughout the story the child start believing in their idea and it grows and grow. The child knows that because they believe in their idea it can become something that can change the world.

This book is one I came across when looking for a story for the book talk. I loved the simple illustration and the only colour being the golden egg representing the idea. This story shows a child believing in themselves and their idea. For students reading it they know that all of their ideas are valid and wanted in the classroom. This story could be told at any age because it encourages children to remember that no matter the idea it can become something that can change the world.

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Book: Pirate Lee
Author: Thomas McGee
Illustrator: Scholastic
Book type: Picture Book
Summary: A young boy found a message in a bottle which eventually brought him to finding a ship called the "Joly Rocher". After attempting to complete several tasks, and failing, the boy started signing and found his permanent role (he obtained his golden band) on the ship.
Why: I chose this book because in elementary school, teachers always read similar stories and this reminded me of my childhood. I also enjoyed the message the author is trying to convey of finding yourself.

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Book: Oh the Places You'll Go
Author and Illustrator: Dr.Seuss

The story involves a narrator talking about the main character leaving town and his adventures. Describing all the places he'll go to and the things he'll do and the experiences he will have.

The story is important as it talks about trying new things, keeping an open mind the importance of having adventures. As someone who grew up within a a slightly conservative family, this is a message I needed and so did other girls in my family. As the women in the previous generation never really had these solo adventures, my generation had to fight to get them.

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Book: I Am Not a Number
Written by: Jenny Kay Dupuis & Kathy Kacer
Art by: Gillian Newland
Summary: When eight-year-old Irene is removed from her First Nations family to live in a residential school she is confused, frightened, and terribly homesick. She tries to remember who she is and where she came from, despite the efforts of the nuns who are in charge at the school and who tell her that she is not to use her own name but instead use the number they have assigned to her. When she goes home for summer holidays, Irene's parents decide never to send her and her brothers away again. But where will they hide? And what will happen when her parents disobey the law? Based on the life of co-author Jenny Kay Dupuis’ grandmother, I Am Not a Number is an important book that brings a terrible part of Canada’s history to light in a way that children can learn from and relate to.
Why: Because I never learned about residential schools in school as a child, and everyone should learn about them. It is so important to acknowledge and learn from the worst of our history, so we can make sure it never happens again.

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My chosen book is - the secret life of Owen skye

Written by: Alan Cumyn

Genre: Fiction

Summary: Owen Skye is skinny and quiet and has big ears. He does everything (just about) his older brother, Andy, says, while trying to stay one step ahead of little brother Leonard, who has now started school and is becoming smart at an alarming pace. The Skye brothers live in a small rural village with their parents and weird Uncle Lorne, an eccentric and painfully shy bachelor who sleeps on a cot in the basement, takes out his teeth at night and embodies Owen''s worst fears about becoming a grownup.

On his way home from hockey practice one evening, Owen catches a glimpse of a girl named Sylvia at her piano lesson, and he falls hopelessly in love. Thank goodness for life at home, where there are brothers to talk to and plot adventures with. Yet the Skye boys somehow have a knack for turning every innocent plan into a full-scale ordeal.

This one really caught my eye because I love a childhood love story with a bit of comedy!

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by Oliver Jeffers (writer and illustrator)

Summary:
A father and daughter set about laying foundations for their life together. Using their own special tools, they get to work, building memories to cherish, a home to keep them safe and love to keep them warm.

I like the illustrations in this book and I chose it because as a child, I didn't see many father daughter books and I love the creativity used.

Bonus book: The Book With No Pictures by B.J Novak

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Book: A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning
Author: Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler)
Illustrations: Brett Helquist
Genre: Gothic Adventure??

Summary: Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are three intelligent children who are orphaned after a terrible fire destroys their home. They are sent to live with the horrible Count Olaf who plots to steal the fortune that the children's parents left for them.

Reason for Choosing this book: Violet is an inventor. I like that it encourages girls to consider STEM as an interest.

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Book: The Oldest Student: How Mary Learned
Author: Rita Loraine Hubbard
Summary: Martha was born as a slave but was then freed around age 20. She got married, had kids, and worked many jobs so she did not have time to learn. When Mary reached 116 years old, she started to learn.

Why I chose the book: I believe it's an excellent way to show students the importance of reading and learning no matter how old you are. It would also be a great opportunity for teachers to discuss how they are also still learning with their students. How they learn together. Also, it is an inspirational book where teachers encourage and inspire students to follow their dreams no matter how long it takes.

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Terri's Book - A Child's Garden of Verses 

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Terri's Book - A Child's Garden of Verses 

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Book: A Child's Garden of Verses
Written by: Robert Louis Stevenson
Genre: Poetry
I chose this book because my father always used to read it to me as a child. He always wanted me to be extremely proficient in English and, therefore, he would put a lot of effort into reading to me. A lot of poems from this book has stuck with me throughout my life and carried on into my adulthood. I will definitely be reading this book to my future children.

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I picked this book because I hoped you'd be drawn by the author just as I was when I first bought it almost 9 years ago. Yes, THAT Lemony Snicket of "A Series of Unfortunate Events" fame. The unique illustrations are by Jon Klassen and really keep readers engaged, even when being read to.

I think it's great for primary aged students, as it has an incredibly intense and captivating art style. It also features a few literary devices like similes and soliloquoys that may be new to students.
Students will also be able to relate to either the fear or the memories of a fear of the dark. All around incredible book, a 2013 Grade 12 creative writing class loved it!

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Book: The Roman Mysteries - The Pirates of Pompeii
Written By: Caroline Lawrence
Genre: Adventure
Summary: (This is book 3 in a series) Four friends, Flavia, Nubia, Lupus and Jonathan are living in a refugee camp after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. The story continues their adventures as 4 friends looking for adventure. They encounter pirates, slave traders and excitement everywhere they go.
Why: These 4 friends come from very different back grounds, socioeconomically, religiously and many other ways and I always loved how they all worked together to make it through each book and onto the next adventure.

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Book: Dinosaurs Before Dark (Magic Tree House series, Book #1)
Written by: Mary Pope Osborne
Art by: Sal Murdocca
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Historical
Summary: Jack and Annie are siblings who find themselves playing in a forest when they find a tree house. This tree house is magic and transports them in time. In this book, the find themselves with the dinosaurs and go through quite the adventure.
Why: I loved these books growing up as a kid. I was always into history and this series really makes history fun and adventurous!

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Book: Salt Fat Acid Heat
Author: Samin Nosrat
Illustrator: Wendy MacNaughton
Genre: Cooking
Summary: This cookbook offers so much more than just recipes, it offers conversations to the elements of cooking that anyone can find some interest in.  It examines specific aspects of cooking and relatable topics that bring people comfort in the kitchen.
I chose this title because it offers subjects related to language, arts, math and science for grades 4 and above. I think it would be a great discussion piece for a variety of topics that could be integrated into the classroom.

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Book: When We Were Alone
Written by: David A. Robertson
Art by: Julie Flett
Summary: A young girl is gardening with her grandmother and starts questioning why her hair is braided and long, why she wears bright clothing, why she speaks in cree. The grandmother shares her stories "when she was alone" in the residential schools and why she embraces her culture and traditions now.

Great story discussing our history and I felt it was fitting for what is currently being talked about.

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Book : Fly Away Home
Written by: Eve bunting
Illustration by: Ronald Himler
Summary: Fly Away Home is the story of a homeless boy and his father living in an airport. The story is a realistic telling of the life of a homeless family, through the lens of a optimistic yet realistic child.

I still remember reading this book as a child and the impact it had on me. It speaks with optimism as the boy watches a bird trapped in the airport eventually break free, but also the realities and sadness that comes from people not as lucky as us, and the realities of the world.

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Title: Where the Sidewalk Ends
Author: Shel Silverstein
Illustrations: Also Shel Silverstein
Genre: Poetry
Summary: Anthology of poems that are imaginative, funny, sometimes a little twisted, but always enjoyable.
Why: Shel's language and imagery are accessible to a young audience, but great for all ages. An added bonus: Shel also recorded himself reading all his poems, which are an excellent resource for demonstrating how to use your voice to be clear and engaging. Recordings are free on Spotify!

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Title: Let's Taco Bout It
Written By: Matthew Ryan
Genre: Comedy
Source: Apple Books
Summary: Mr Taco is feeling sad, it’s not easy being a little taco when everything around you is so BIG! Luckily, Patrick has a few ideas to help his friend...
Reasons for Choice:
-Inclusivity; When Mr. Taco feels included, he considers others who should also be included, like his friend the Mega Burrito.

-Teamwork; When all of the town friends came together to solve the problem, it makes problem-solving much easier!

-Love and acceptance; The answer was not for Mr. Taco to try to be something he wasn’t, but for him to accept and love himself as the small size that he was. To acknowledge his differences and work with them.

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This book talks about how you can do anything you want if the bravery is there, and not one person is braver than another because of the kind of animal they are. They are both brave enough to do the same thing.

I really liked this book because it allows students to build inner confidence with what they can do. Just because someone is bigger than them, or taller than them, doesn’t mean they accomplish more than them.  All you have to do is be brave to take that leap, the rest is all secondary.

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Author: T. Albert
Illustrator: maaillustrations.com
Genre: Educational
Summary: This story highlights Abe who is a service dog. He explains what services dogs can do, and different ways how they help the people they are assigned to!
I chose this book because it's something I think is super important for kids to learn.

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Graydon Campbell
Book: The Mysterious Benedict Society
Author: Trenton Lee Stewart
Genre: Novel, Mystery, Fiction,
Summary:ARE YOU A GIFTED CHILD Looking for special opportunities?
When this peculiar ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of mysterious, mind-bending tests. (And you, dear listener, can test your wits right alongside them.) But in the end just four very special children will succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful
children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules.
As our heroes face physical and mental trials beyond their wildest imaginations, they have no choice but to turn to each other for support. But with their newfound friendship at stake, will they be able to pass the most important test of all?
Welcome to the Mysterious Benedict Society

I chose this title because it's a fun and engaging book about kids solving problems. The great part about this book is that it is interactive, and the reader can solve the problems too. As well, it is a great book about team work and the different types of intelligence that all kids can exhibit.

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Book: I Talk Like A River
Author: Jordan Scott
Art: Sydney Smith
Genre: Youth/Feelgood
Summary/reason: true story about the author growing up with a stutter. He was really self-conscious about it and avoided talking whenever possible until his dad took him to the nearby river-rapids and said "you talk like a river" with your bubbling and crashing and whirling.

To me, this story is a good piece about how even in what you consider a fault in yourself, there is beauty and nothing to be ashamed of, which is a good message to send to children everywhere.

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Book: Other Words for Home
Author: Jasmine Warga

Other Words for Home is a book about a family of Syrian refugees. However, the whole book is written in free verse. We follow Jude as she faces the many challenges and emotions of being a new immigrant.

I read this book with my ESL students and it was really well received. They were able to relate to it as refugees themselves. However, I think it could also be a beneficial book for people of other cultures to read because the message is so powerful.

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Book: Phyllis’s Orange Shirt
Author:Phyllis Webstad
Summary:When Phyllis Webstad turned six, she went to the residential school for the first time. On her first day at school, she wore a shiny orange shirt that her Granny had bought for her, but when she got to the school, it was taken away from her and never returned. This is the true story of Phyllis and her orange shirt. It is also the story of Orange Shirt Day — an important day of remembrance for First Nations and non-First Nations Canadians.
Why: It addresses and provides an opportunity to understand contemporary issues. Provides opportunity for students to have discussion and stimulate questions in a safe learning environment. Story by First Nations author.

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Josh's Book - The Day My Butt Went Psycho 

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Josh's Book - The Day My Butt Went Psycho 

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Author - Andy Griffiths
Genre - Comedy

This is a story about a unique apocalypse scenario where everyone's butts turn sentient and attempt to take over the world.

I chose this book because it was the series that first got me to learn to read. I was effectively illiterate until my mother began reading these with me in grade 4.

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Title: L'oeuf du coq
Author: Bruno Heitz
Summary: Animals try to teach other animals to speak "pure French". At the beginning, dialects and words and phrases from other regions are not appreciated or allowed. At the end, they are!
Why: It's a beautiful message and very applicable to Core French/French Immersion classes!

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Book: Paper Bag Princess
Written by: Robert Munsch
Art by: Michael Martchenko.
Genre: Fantasy, comedy (parody?)
Summary: Princess Elizabeth is in love with Prince Ronald and plans to marry him. However, things change when a dragon destroys her castle, her clothing, and kidnaps the prince! With only a paper bag to wear, Princess Elizabeth sets out on a journey to rescue Prince Ronald and defeat the dragon. Or so we think.

Robert Munsch was always a favorite in my house growing up and this one used to be one of my favorites. I think the fantastical and comedic elements will really draw kids in, but it also has a very empowering message that girls can go on heroic adventures, but also you probably shouldn't judge someone by the way they look.