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My students will be studying space. This book could be added to introduce them to Mexican folklore, and how they explain the universe and the seasons.

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As a young person, Maya Christina Gonzalez grew up under the hot pink sunsets of the Mojave Desert. It was in the brilliant hot pinks of the sunset that she finally found her reflection in her environment. At a very young age Maya understood the importance of seeing one's self reflected in one's world. When working with children, she often recalls her favorite page of any book as a child: those empty pages at the back. It was there that she used to draw in her round, Chicana face!

She has now created art for upwards of 20 award-winning, multicultural children's books. The first book she ever wrote, My Colors, My World was given the Pura Belpre Illustrator Honor Award.

What reviews are saying:

Animals of the Iquazu by Francisco Alarcon and illustrated by Maya

"The simple words--often playfully integrated into the illustrations as shaped poems--stress the natural balance of the Iguazú... The multimedia illustrations feature lush, glowing paints that depict the animals (including humans) set against a backdrop of cut-paper strips that comprise the rainforest's verdant growth. Stunning." --Kirkus Starred Review

My Colors, My World by Maya

"The exaggerated facial features of both Maya and her feathered friend capture the contentment they find through enjoying the beauty of their world . . . Recommended for public libraries and bookstores." --Criticas Magazine

I Know the River Loves Me by Maya

"The author's love and respect for the natural beauty and rhythm of the river and how it sustains her through quiet and vibrant moods is vividly portrayed in both her words and paintings. . . Inspiring and peacefully thought-provoking." --Kirkus Reviews

Nana's Big Surprise by Amada Irma Perez and illustrated by Maya

"...fantastically engaging... a treasure hunt for found objects... a wonderful book about the love and support of a family. " --ForeWord

Maya currently plays and plays in San Francisco. She wants to share the important lessons she has learned from her only and deeply loved teacher Creativity. In this spirit she has created a small press to share her lessons to support educators, fellow artists and especially children.

She loves to share her 3 rules:

1. Everyone is an artist.

2. There is never a right or a wrong way to make art.

3. Art is always an act of courage.

To learn more about her curriculum, philosophies and much more...please feel free to visit her here: www.reflectionpress.com

To see prints from her children's books...please visit her here:

mayachristinaprints.etsy.com

And to see more about her fine art and her work in the Contemporary Chicano/a Art Movement...feel free to go here: www.mayagonzalez.com

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From the Bellybutton of the Moon: And Other Summer Poems / Del Ombligo de la Luna: Y Otros Poemas de Verano (The Magical Cycle of the Seasons Series)

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With a poet's magical vision, Francisco X. Alarcón takes young readers back to his childhood when he traveled with his family to Mexico to visit his grandmother and other relatives. Readers ride with him in the family station wagon across the misty mountain range to the little town of Atoyac, the...

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This is a culturally diverse book of poems about the solar system.

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Douglas Florian is the creator of many acclaimed picture books including Dinothesaurus, which received starred reviews in four major publications, Comet, Stars, The Moon and Mars, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year and Horn Book Fanfare List selection; Bow Wow Meow Meow, winner of the Gryphon Award and a Parents Magazine Best Book of the Year; and Lizards, Frogs and Polliwogs, a Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book. His most recent book How to Draw a Dragon was starred in a Booklist review and School Library Journal called it a "brilliantly simple picture book." He lives and works in New York and has read his poetry at Carnegie Hall, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Poets House, and The White House.

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Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings

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Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings [Florian, Douglas, Florian, Douglas] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings

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These are poems written by American Indians at the cloud Indian School. I could use this as another resource in my classroom as my students are thinking about the Earth and the Sky in our study on the solar system.

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This is an exceptional poetry collection written by Lakota students in the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades at Red Cloud Indian School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The historic school was founded in 1888 at the request of Chief Red Cloud of the Oglala Lakota. The poems enable readers to learn about the unique lives and heritage of students growing up in such distinctive circumstances and straddling cultures. The collection was compiled by a teacher at the school, working with school administrators, and contains never-before-published artworks by award-winning artist S. D. Nelson., starred review

Praise for Walking on Earth and Touching the Sky STARRED REVIEW
"This is an important collection that offers opportunities for insight into a culture that has too often been either ignored or misunderstood."
-- Booklist

"A moving, fascinating glimpse across cultures. Vivid, polychromatic illustrations by Nelson accompany the students' evocative works." -- Kirkus Reviews

"As a collection, the poems present an interesting, eye-opening look at the Lakota culture, which is one that is often overlooked. The paintings by S.D. Nelson are gorgeous and vibrant."
-- Library Media Connection Awards:
New York Public Library's Children's Books 2012: 100 Books for Reading and Sharing list
HONORABLE MENTION - 2012 Aesop Accolade, American Folklore Society
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2013National Council of Teachers of English Notable Children's Books 2013

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Walking on Earth and Touching the Sky: Poetry and Prose by Lakota Youth at Red Cloud Indian School

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Walking on Earth and Touching the Sky: Poetry and Prose by Lakota Youth at Red Cloud Indian School [McLaughlin, Timothy P., Nelson, S. D., Marshall III, Joseph] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers.

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During my integrated lesson on the Solar System, I'm sure there will be some students that want to be astronauts. This book can inspire girls to know that women can be astronauts too.

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When Ellen Ochoa was young, male American astronauts walked on the moon. But girls were not allowed to be astronauts. Girls didn't often study science either—but Ochoa didn't let that stop her. In high school, Ochoa loved math and science. In college, she studied physics and engineering, and later she became a scientist and inventor. Eventually NASA began accepting women into their astronaut training program. While there, Ochoa developed technology, became the first female Hispanic American astronaut, and logged 1,000 hours in outer space. Learn about Ochoa's hard work and perseverance on her journey toward becoming a scientist, inventor, and astronaut.

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Astronaut Ellen Ochoa (Stem Trailblazer Biographies)

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When Ellen Ochoa was young, male American astronauts walked on the moon. But girls were not allowed to be astronauts. Girls didn't often study science either-but Ochoa didn't let that stop her. In high school, Ochoa loved math and science. In college, she studied physics and engineering, and later she became a scientist and inventor.

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This culturally sensitive book can help students feel connected to a character that also loves the night sky and the solar system. It also gives them an idea about light pollution in a large city and how it may be hard to see the stars with all of the city lights.

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Phoebe loves everything about the stars. She draws the planets on the sidewalk outside of her dad's store after helping him set up the telescope. Saturn and Mars are going to be visible tonight up in the night sky. But Dad warns her that they might be hard to see, since the city lights "always turned the night sky gray and dull." An illustrated afterword includes information about the solar system, planetary conjunctions and rings, moons, telescopes and light pollution.

Publisher: Groundwood Books

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Phoebe loves everything about the stars. She draws the planets on the sidewalk outside of her dad's store after helping him set up the telescope. Saturn and Mars are going to be visible tonight up in the night sky.

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It is important for students to know that they are being represented. This book discusses the Native American beliefs about moon, stars and other planets.

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Coyote and the Sky: How the Sun, Moon, and Stars Began

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This is a culturally inclusive fiction story. This story allows students to see a window into a different culture and what they believe about the stars.

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"While exploring the land around their village, Sister Girl and Young Wolf stray too far. After narrowly escaping a roaring prairie fire, the siblings find themselves lost and frightened in the dark, open land until the Star People, 'the spirits of the Old Ones who once walked on the earth,' offer comfort and guidance home. In clear, captivating language, Nelson, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, tells a stirring, original story based on Lakota legend...The swirling images of the celestial dance beautifully reflect the story's celebration and awe of the natural world." - Booklist

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"While exploring the land around their village, Sister Girl and Young Wolf stray too far. After narrowly escaping a roaring prairie fire, the siblings find themselves lost and frightened in the dark, open land until the Star People, 'the spirits of the Old Ones who once walked on the earth,' offer comfort and guidance home.

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This book is similar to "I love my hair" because it teaches about embracing natural hair and how to style it. It also ties in stories about the solar system and the universe.

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It's the day of the Big Star Little Gala, and Stella's hair just isn't acting right! What's a girl to do? Simple! Just hop on her hoverboard, visit each of her fabulous aunties across the solar system, and find the perfect hairdo along the way. Stella's Stellar Hair celebrates the joy of self-empowerment, shows off our solar system, and beautifully illustrates a variety of hairstyles from the African diaspora. Backmatter provides more information about each style and each planet.

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Jump to navigation Jump to Content Home › Stella's Stellar Hair It's the day of the Big Star Little Gala, and Stella's hair just isn't acting right! What's a girl to do? Simple! Just hop on her hoverboard, visit each of her fabulous aunties across the solar system, and find the perfect hairdo along the way.

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This is another culturally sensitive book that discusses a woman astronomer. This could be inspiring for some of my students who are interested in becoming astronomers.

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Meet Henrietta Leavitt, a 19th-century scientific pioneer. From careful observations, Leavitt discovered that the brightness of a star determines its distance from Earth, helping us better understand the vastness of the universe. Warm colored pencil and watercolor illustrations by Colón create a contemplative mood. Back matter includes quotations, a glossary, information about other female astronomers, and more.

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Look Up! Henrietta Leavitt, Pioneering Woman Astronomer

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Meet Henrietta Leavitt, a 19th-century scientific pioneer. From careful observations, Leavitt discovered that the brightness of a star determines its distance from Earth, helping us better understand the vastness of the universe. Warm colored pencil and watercolor illustrations by Colón create a contemplative mood.

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I couldn't leave this one out! Another book that inspires children of both genders to reach for their dreams of becoming rocket scientists.

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Path to the Stars: My Journey from Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist