Author: Raúl the Third

Book: ¡Vamos! Let's Cross the Bridge

Publish Date: September 21, 2021

# of Pages: 48 pages 

Grade Level: Preschool to Second Grade 

Genre: fiction and children's literature 

Theme: Exploring culture

Summary: People are always crossing the bridge for work, to visit family and friends, or to play. Different directions for crossing the bridge. Different forms of transportation, bicycles, buses, cars, walking, etc. Little Lobo and his dog Bernabe have a new truck and use it to carry different party supplies over the bridge as their job. The traffic on the bridge is backed up and they go through the adventure of if they will pass in time. 

Personal Response: A great book for young children with engaging illustrations and text bubbles for the readers to understand.

Title: A Poem Grows Inside You

Award: Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award 2023

Publication Date: November 22, 2022

Poet: Katey Howes

Illustrator: Heather Brockman Lee

Published By: The Innovation Press

Genre: Fiction, Children's Literature

Grade Level: 1st to 2nd Grade

Type of Poetry: Children's Poetry Books 

Theme: A message that is communicated through poetry and illustrations. It encourages the usage of poetry. 

Summary: A story that shows there is a story inside all of us, we are waiting for the rhythm to awaken and for us to start growing. Using metaphors and pictures, they tell the story that there is beauty within us and we have all these powers. For instance, courage, and creativity. It shows that we are waiting for the right time in life when we will bloom into a flower and we won't need to hold onto seeds anymore. 

Personal Response: This book beautifully captured the idea of poem starters, making sure that the character was filled with hope, inspiration, wonder, and the realistic idea that your time will come. It really sparks the reader's creativity and introduces children to poetry writing.

Title: Chalk

Author: Bill Thomson

Publication Date: March 1, 2010

Publisher: Amazon Publishing

Grade Level: Pre K - 2 

Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy

Theme: Be careful what you wish for

# of Pages: 40 

Summary: A picture book with no words telling the story of three children in a park, a dinosaur, and a bag of chalk. The kids begin to draw with the chalk and it starts to come to life. A sun, a dinosaur, etc. They. then have to deal with the results of the drawings. 

Personal Response:  Since this book had no words you had to somewhat come up with your interpretations of each page in the book. I think this book suits well for young elementary students because they get to use their imagination and relate to the images of kids drawing with chalk and each of their pictures coming to life. I also thought the theme of this book is something that should be taught to young students in a way where they can understand bad things can happen so you need to be careful with what you wish for.

Title: The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge

Author: Joanna Cole

Illustrator: Bruce Degen

Date: March 1st, 2010

Publisher:‎ Scholastic Press; First Edition

Genre: Fiction

Themes: this book talks about climate change. It focuses on global warming so children can understand the crisis and how to go about solving it. 

Grade Level: 2-5

# of Pages: 48

Summary: The author explains throughout the story that the earth is getting warmer. Through the illustrations, they fill the pages with color which helps make the children find science easy and fun to learn. The book talks about finding solutions to global warming.

Personal Response: It teaches young children the importance of science and how to understand it in a fun and simple way through story-telling and illustrations. It creates a positive look towards science that makes children want to learn and read it.

Title: Broken Crayons Still Color

Author: Toni Collier, Whitney Bak

Illustrator: Natalie Vasilica

Publisher: Tommy Nelson

Publishing Date: August 22, 2023

# of pages: 40 pages

Grade Level: First to Second Grade

Genre: Children's Literature, Christian Fiction

Theme: Even when we are broken, we still should find the need to make a positive impact.

Summary: Avery has big emotions and anxiety while facing new changes in her life. When she uses her crayons too forcefully she discovers that they have personalities and feelings too. Through the usage of her crayons, they show her how to use her love of coloring to manage her emotions and overwhelming feelings. She becomes creative and uses positive thinking while discovering God and realizes there are beautiful things even with broken crayons.

Personal Response: It helps young children process big emotions and feelings, build a social-emotional tool kit, and find the positive things in life's challenges. A great story for children to connect that we will always face challenges and we may feel broken but there is always something to look at that is beautiful and positive even when life feels hard.

Title: The Giving Tree

Author: Shel Silverstein

Illustrator: Shel Silverstein

Publisher Date: October 7, 1964

Published By: Harper and Row

Genre: Picture Book, Children's Literature, Fiction

# of Pages: 57 pages

Grade Level: 2nd to 3rd

Summary: The story is about life and friendship between a little boy and an apple tree. The tree was always very "giving" and the boy was very "receiving." Throughout the book, he evolves from a little boy to a middle-aged, and then an old man.

Personal Response: This book has so many interpretations and messages but lets you explore what you're reading and the emotions you can feel. It does a good job without having the readers what to think and instead, you can conclude to your own conclusions. In society, we have everyone telling us how we should feel or what we need or can't do. This book allows children to explore their own emotions and I think that's very important.

Title: Memory Jars

Author: Vera Brosgol

Publishing Date: May 25, 2021

# of pages: 48 pages

Grade Level: Preschool and up

Genre: Fiction, Children's Literature

Theme: Nothing will ever stay the same, but our memories keep things for us.

Summary: Towards the beginning of the story, Freda is devastated when she isn't able to eat all of the blueberries she picked. She has to wait an entire year before they are back; the last thing she wants to do is lose them. Her friend Gran suggests putting her blueberries in jars and using them as jam, She realizes that some things are best saved as memories.

Personal Response: I feel like this book is a great read-aloud for the end of the school year for each of the students to reflect on all the memories they have created. The illustrations and words are engaging and powerful. This can inspire students to create a "memory jar" and start looking at things in a bigger picture.

Title: Wonder

Author: R. J. Palacio

Publish Date: February 14, 2012

Publisher: Random House UK

# of Pages: 315 pages 

Age Level: 9-11 years

Genre: Novel, Fiction, Children's Literature 

Theme: Kindness can make a huge difference

Summary: A story about a boy named August, who was home-schooled until he was in fourth grade he had a disability called craniofacial abnormalities which made him a target for bullies. With him starting school in the fifth grade he tries to navigate public school, bullies, and wanting nothing more than to be treated normally.

Personal Response: Reading this book has taught me many lessons but more importantly how to accept everyone for who they are instead of how they look. Which correlates with the saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover." It tells an amazing story that it is always important you are putting yourself in someone else's shoes or looking through things from their perspective.

Title: Sisters

Author and Illustrator: Raina Telegemeier

Publisher: Graphic; First Edition

Genre: Graphic Novel, Comics, Autobiography

Grade Level: Third to Seventh

# of Pages: 20

Theme: The connection sisters have and the things they go through; facing fears, connecting with each other, and the adventures of growing up.

Summary: The story is about a relationship between Raina and her younger sister Amara. They take a long summer road true from San Francisco to Colorado and they go through family conflict and not having to navigate through difficulties alone because they have each other.

Personal Response: I have a sister and growing up living in the same house we definitely went through the same emotions the sisters did in the novel. A great book for an upper elementary classroom. Students with sisters or just siblings can relate and connect to the story.

Title: Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus

Author: Barbara Park

Illustrator: Denise Brunkus

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Publishing Date: July 28, 1992

Grade Level: Kindergarten to Third Grade

# of Pages: 80 pages

Genre: Fiction, Humor

Theme: There are consequences when you hide from your problems. And the reality of navigating through new changes, challenges, and anxiety.

Summary: In this book, Junie B. Jones has mixed emotions about riding the bus to school for the first time. On her first day, she is able to ride the bus successfully, however she no longer wants to ride the bus because of a rumor spreading around.

Personal Response: This story is great for all ages, especially when young children are ready to read by themselves. A great story to keep children and students engaged with her fun vocabulary and witty stories.

Title: Rules

Author and Illustrator: Cynthia Lord

Publisher: navigating Paperbacks, Reprint edition

Genre: Novel, Children's Literature, Fiction

Grade Level: Fourth to Seventh

# of Pages: 224 pages

Theme: The novel shows the importance of empathy and acceptance. The discovery of finding yourself and growing up. It shows the complexity of human relationships and how empathy and acceptance are extremely important to growing up.

Summary: The story focuses on Catherine, a twelve-year-old girl who deals with the challenges of having a younger brother. She creates a list of rules for her brother, David, to navigate the world. Along with that she creates her own set of rules for becoming "normal." She will finally understand that rules don't create a true friendship and connection.

Personal Response: I remember reading this book in school and admiring the story line and how it touches on such important themes like family, friendship, and acceptance. And how these themes are essential to having an understanding about it when growing up and navigating who you are at such a young age.

Title: Ivy and Bean

Author: Annie Barrows

Illustrator: Sophie Blackall

Genre: Children's Literature, Fiction, Humor

Publisher: Chronicle Books, 1st Edition

Publishing Date: April 19, 2007

# of Pages: 120 pages

Grade Level: first - fifth grade

Theme: An adventurous story of two unlikely friends, Ivy and Bean, and how they navigate the ups and downs of what childhood has to offer.

Summary: The two girls become friends who have very different personalities and opposite tastes in life. They come together and show the joy of friendship and imagination. They both learn valuable lessons throughout the challenges they interfere with like annoying older siblings.

Personal Response: I think this book is a great book to have in the classroom, because they are easy and quick to read and there are many of them. They teach lessons that are important to know and do a well job of getting it across to the reader.

Title: Where the Wild Things Are

Author: Maurice Sendak

Genre: Children's Literature, Picture Book, Fantasy Fiction

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publishing Date: December 26, 2012

# of Pages: 48 pages

Reading Level: 1-5 years

Theme: How impactful and important children's imagination is.

Summary: Is a classic tale on the imaginative adventures that follows Max, a young boy, and how he goes about his journey through the land of the wild things.

Personal Response: The visual imagery is fun and colorful along with the words that have a rhythmic text towards it. It's such a fun story and a great one to have in the classroom because it's entertaining for the children to read.

Title: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Author: Eric Carle

Publisher: World of Eric Carle

Publishing Date: March 23, 1994

Genre: Picture Book, Children's Literature, Fiction

Reading Level: 1 - 3 years

# of Pages: 26 pages

Theme: Transformation and growth.

Summary: A story that takes its readers through the journey of a caterpillar as it eats its way through various foods before transforming into a beautiful butterfly.

Personal Response: Would be a great book for kindergartners. The book is very cute, colorful, and short for young children to read and enjoy.

Title: Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Author: Dr. Seuss

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Publishing Date: January 22, 1990

Genre: Children's Literature, Fiction

Grade Level: Preschool - Third grade

# of Pages: 56 pages

Theme: A poem of self-confidence and identity.

Summary: The story of wisdom and encouragement for all readers, takes you through a map of life experiences and where you can go in life. It shows the positives and negatives that all these different characters go through and the possibilities that await..

Personal Response: Defintely a book I loved growing up and will have in my future classroom. It signifies a roadmap to life and the most thrilling experiences you will face. The vibrant pages and unique characters creates a wonderful story.

Title: Gold Slipper Gold Sandal A Worldwide Cinderella 

Author: Paul Fleischman

Illustrator: Julie Paschkis

Genre: Children's Literature

Age Range: 6-10

Page Count: 32 pages 

Date: Spetember, 2007

Publisher: Henry Holt Company

Theme: True identity

Summary: This story is similar to the Cinderella story but from a different perspective. We see the story being told from different parts of the world which shows different cultural beliefs and ideas. We see different symbols than the original Cinderella story. 

Personal Response: The different cultures in different countries and how they can use the Cinderella story and show a different perspective. The tale employs colorful vocabulary and flourishes the story through picture telling and a spin on the Cinderella classic.

Title: Baseball Saved Us

Author:

Publisher: Lee & Low Books

Publisher Date: October 16, 2018

# of Pages: 32 pages

Grade Level: Kindergarten - Preschool

Genre: Fiction

Theme: The challenges that overcome racism at a young age and finding an outlet for what you face.

Summary: It tells us the story about a young Japanese-American boy who goes through the challenges of Internment camp in the United States while World War II is happening. He finds a love for baseball which he uses as an outlet to escape from the reality of camp and being a prisoner.

Personal response: I thought this book was very well-written. The universal themes did a great job connecting to the historical time periods. The characters represented strong and heartwarming characters. They believed in themselves and tried to find positives in an environment that was filled with many negatives.

Title: The One and Only Ivan

Author: Katherine Applegate

Genre: Animal fiction, Realistic Fiction

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publishing Date: January 6, 2015

# of Pages: 336 pages

Grade Level: 3-7 Grade

Theme: The desire for freedom and self-determination. Ivan becomes an activist for himself and his friends wanting a better life away from captivity in a mall and wanting to be in the "wild." The novel invites the readers to reflect on the importance of individual empathy and the pursuit of justice.

Summary: The story is inspired by real life and a gorilla living in captivity. In the story, the quest for freedom and self-discovery is great for children to read. It involves so many personal values that you can relate to and connect to.

Personal Response: A very heartfelt story that deals with difficult issues but with shows that hope and kindness preservers through.

Title: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Author: Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault

Publisher: Little Simon

Publishing Date: January 1, 2012

Genre: Children's Literature, Picture Book, Fiction

#of Pages: 36 pages

Grade Level: Preschool and up

Theme: The introduction of uppercase and lowercase letters.

Summary: A book that follows along with the alphabet and the journey of letters as they race to the top of a coconut tree.

Personal Response: It's a very vibrant and rhythmic book. It has very engaging and colorful illustrations and I believe to be a great read-aloud book for in the classroom. It's also very educational while it goes through the alphabet.

Title: Holes

Author: Louis Sachar

Publisher: Yearling

Publishing Date: May 9, 2000

Genre: Novel, Children's Literature, Mystery, Adventure Fiction

Grade Level: 5 - 6 grade

# of Pages: 233 pages

Theme: The importance of friendship and the true meaning of destiny.

Summary: Tells the story about a young boy who was accused of stealing and he is sentenced to go to this camp where they have to start digging holes as a punishment.

Personal Response: I remember reading this book and enjoying the story it had. It was an entertaining and well written novel that captivated the attention of the students in the classroom. It paired well with lessons and worksheets the teacher made.

Title: Thank You, Mr. Falker

Author: Patricia Polacco

Publisher: Philomel Books

Publishing Date: April 12, 2012

Genre: Picture Book, Fiction

# of Pages: 40 pages

Grade Level: Kindergarten - Third Grade

Theme: Believe in yourself and how people in our lives are important and should make you feel seen and heard.

Summary: The story about a dyslexic young girl and her teacher would never let her fail and would strive for her to succeed, even when she was struggling.

Personal Response: I think this book is well written and great to have in the classroom or to have students read because it shows that you can overcome challenges and also shows the impact and significance teachers are to students lives.

Title: Charlotte's Web

Author: E.B. White

Illustrator: Garth Williams

Publisher: HaperCollins

Publishing Date: April 10, 2012

Genre: Novel, Fiction, Children's Literature

# of Pages: 184 pages

Grade Level: Third to Seventh Grade

Theme: Courage, friendship, and self-sacrifice

Summary: A spider named Charlotte lives in this doorway of this old pigpen on this farm with many other animals. Including a pig, named Wilbur who finds out he is destined for a short life. Charlotte is determined to save him.

Personal Response: A great story that my fellow classmates, friends, and I read. I think it's a good chapter book to begin with, since it has a great story and is a story that is very well known.

Title: Judy Moody Was In a Mood (Book #1)

Author: Megan McDonald

Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds

Publisher: Candlewick

Publishing Date: January 26, 2010

Genre: Fiction

# of Pages: 176 pages

Grade Level: First - Fourth Grade

Theme: That there will be consequences when you disappear from your problems.

Summary: The main character starts off with Judy Moody a girl who is starting in the third grade and how everything that she wants in the classroom isn't there. It starts to show that things don't go your way and how she will deal with it. She meets friends along the way and has many ups and downs.

Personal Response: Very enjoyable! It addresses important issues and how to change your attitude when facing with adversity. It shows many great messages for young readers and is a great book to have on your bookshelf. There are many of them and all share different stories that are engaging and simple to read.

Title: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

Author: Laura Numeroff

Illustrator: Felicia Bond

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publishing Date: October 6, 2015

Genre: Children's Literature, Fiction

# of Pages: 40 pages

Grade Level: Preschool to Third Grade

Theme: Building relationships and if you create problems, there will be consequences.

Summary: A story about a little mouse wanting the person who owns the house to give him a cookie. And once he gets the cookie, he will ask for a glass of milk. Along with other things he will want and want to do.

Personal Response: I read this book to a couple of first graders and they loved it! It has a rhythmic text and is great for beginner readers and for a read aloud. The students loved it and were laughing along with the story.

Title: Biscuit and the Little Pup

Author: Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Illustrator: Pat Schories

Publisher: HaperCollins

Publishing Date: December 26, 2007

Genre: Children's Literature, Fiction

# of Pages: 32 pages

Grade Level: Preschool and up

Theme: Kindess

Summary: Biscuit, the main dog in the story finds a little pup in the park who he wants to play with. But the little pup doesn't want to play and wants to keep hiding.

Personal Response: Definitely a great book for beginning readers and has a simple story for young children follow along too and has a great message about friendship.

Title: The Name Jar

Author: Yangsook Choi

Publisher: Dragonfly Books

Publishing Date: October 14, 2003

Genre: Fiction

# of Pages: 40 pages

Grade Level: Preschool - Second Grade

Theme: Identify and cultural assimilation

Summary: Unhei, from Korea just moved and is starting her first day of school. Instead of going with her real name she chooses an American name from a glass jar but none of the names feel right. She meets one of her closest friends that teachers her that her real name is the only perfect fit.

Personal Response: A great story and reminds its readers how valuable your name is. And the backstory of our names and what they are attached too. I think this is a great book for mutlicultural and culturally responsive teaching practices.

Title: Who Do You Want to be When You Grow Up?

Author: Paula Faris

Illustrator: Bhagya Madansinghe

Publisher: WorthyKids

Publishing Date: September 12, 2023

Genre: Children's Literature

# of Pages: 32 pages

Grade Level: Preschool - Third Grade

Theme: Self-Discovery

Summary: Lina has no idea what she wants to be when she grows up and career fair is right around the corner. There are many options from her to pick from but soon she realizes that who she grows up to be will be more important than what she does when she is older.

Personal Response: This book is beautiful written and illustrated and has a really special message. The story goes into a deeper meaning of who you are as a person and not what makes you to be someone. It has many valuable teaching lessons throughout the book as well. It allows the children to focus on who they want to be rather than what they want to be.

Title: The Sandwich Swap

Author: Queen Rania of Jordan Al Abdullah and Kelly DiPucchio

Illustrator: Tricia Tusa

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young readers

Publishing Date: April 20, 2010

Genre: Realistic Fiction

# of Pages: 32 pages

Grade Level: Preschool to Second Grade

Theme: Friendship, acceptance, and celebrating each other differences with an open mind.

Summary: Salma and Lily, two best friends who do everything together. But one day at lunch they can't agree on their lunch choice. They go their separate ways but they learn that friendship matters more than their differences.

Personal Response: A beautifully written story that will help children learn about diversity, how to be inclusive, and to be nonjudgmental. I think this would be great in a classroom because of the message and the heartwarming ending.

Title: The Lemonade War

Author: Jacqueline Davies

Publisher: Clarion Books

Publishing Date: October 11, 2022

Genre: Fiction

# of Pages: 192 pages

Grade Level: Third Grade to Seventh Grade

Theme: How to create an effective business and entrepreneurship.

Summary: Two friends, Evan and Jessie challenge each other into seeing who can sell the most lemonade with only a few days of summer left. The challenge heats up and they aren't even seeing what is important.

Personal Response: This book is a series and although I've only read the first one it has such a positive to entrepreneurship. This book will pair well with lessons as it has a lot of analyzing to be done. A "read in between the lines" type of book.

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Title: The Colors of the Rain

Author: R.L. Toulon

Publisher: Yellow Jacket

Publishing Date: September 18, 2018

Genre: Fiction, Verse

# of Pages: 384 pages

Grade Level: Fourth and up

Theme: Hope

Summary: This story is told from th point of view of Paulie, a 10 year old boy who has many verses about race, trust, and loss. The story takes place in the 1970's desperation turmoil.

Personal Response: Definitely a challenging and long book to read but a beautiful written story of hope. It provides a lot of discussion and exploration while reading this book.

Title: The Breadwinner

Author: Deborah Ellis

Publish Date: May 1, 2015

Publisher: Groundwood Books, Fifteenth Anniversary edition

# of Pages: 160 pages 

Grade Level: Fifth - Ninth

Genre: Novel, Fiction, Children's Literature 

Theme: the power of friendship

Summary: A story about an 11 year old girl Parvana, who faces challenges while providing for her family and the strict restrictions after the Taliban takes control of Afghanistan.

Personal Response: This novel left a lasting impression on me, through the themes I have showed in my heart map shows the power of the human spirit. It sheds light on women's righthand how harsh realities civilians face in Afghanistan especially women and girls under Taliban rule. through Parvana's storytelling shows the resilience and oppression she faces and the justice she serves towards herself, family, and friends.

Title: Little Red Riding Hood

Author: Kidsbooks Publishing

Publisher: Kidsbooks Publishing

Publishing Date: July 12, 2022

# of pages: 20 pages

Reading Level: 3-5 years

Genre: Fairy tale, Children's Literature

Theme: morality and obeying your parents

Summary: A story about a young girl who comes across a wolf on the way to her grandmother's home.

Personal Response: I really enjoyed all the illustrations they made the story look realistic. As long with the original story. This story should be in every younger level classroom because it has such a good story for young readers to learn about.

Title: Our School is a Family

Author: Shannon Olsen

Illustrator: Sandie Sonke

Publisher: Shannon Olsen

Publishing Date: March 12, 2023

# of pages: 32 pages

Reading age: 4-10 years

Genre: Fiction

Theme: Kids learn that school is a place where they can feel welcomed, safe, and are able to create friends with their peers.

Summary: This book discusses the school as a community and all the roles it has. It discusses librarians, counselors, custodians, etc. This book talks about love and support in a learning environment.

Personal Response: I think this is such a cute book for your classroom. The meaning behind the story and the illustrations are beautiful and inclusive. It gives the readers a bigger perspective of the school and all the people involved in what schools and the roles they have. I think this book also allows a lot of creative activities for students to do.

Title: The Buddy Bench

Author: Patty Brozo

Illustrator: Mike Deas

Publisher: Tilbury house Publishers; Illustrated edition

Publishing Date: August 6, 2019

# of pages: 36 pages

Grade Level: Kindergarten - 5th

Theme: A movement in schools

Genre: Children's Literature, Fiction

Summary: Shows how children on the playground who are left out for different reasons, and how you can invite and start new conversations.

Personal Response: This is a great book that discusses community and how to invite friends so everyone feels comfortable and feels like they are allowed to express their feelings. It also carries great illustrations and rhymes which I think it's helpful to young readers.

Title: Clementine

Author: Sara Pennypacker

Illustrator: Marla Frazer

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publishing Date: February 15, 2008

# of pages: 160 pages

Grade Level: 2nd - 5th

Theme: perfection and normality

Genre: Fiction, Humor

Summary:

The book follows Clementine on her journey of finding herself and why she is different from others. She goes through the challenges to figure out what makes her good.

Personal Response:

Clementine is a very heartwarming tale, you can clearly see the personality throughout the protagonist perspective and creates challenges that you are able to connect to as a reader.

Title: The Calm Down Jar

Author: Jennifer Jones

Publisher: Random Source

Publishing Date: September 8, 2022

# of Pages: 35 pages

Reading Level: 4 - 10 years

Genre: Social Emotional, Rhyming, Children's Literature

Theme: Help calm anger and anxiety

Summary:

The story follows the main character, Lily, who learns how manage her emotions by having a jar filled with glitter and shaking it to see it calm down while taking deep breathes. It shows different techniques students can acquire for managing anger and anxiety.

Personal Response:

I really enjoyed this story about the importance of calming down and how it affects other people when you have a breakdown. There are great visuals and amazing lessons that are perfect to have in a classroom and you can incorporate a "calm down jar" even in your own classroom and use this book to introduce it.

Title: A Bad Case of Stripes

Author & Illustrator: David Shannon

Publisher: The Blue Sky Press; First Edition

Publishing Date: March 1, 1998

Grade Level: Preschool to Third

Genre: Children's Literature, Fiction, Humor

Theme: Self-perception, identity, and bullying

Summary:

The story discusses a child who learns she isn't happy with herself and how she overcomes that challenge and becomes more of herself and is comfortable and confident in their ownsleves.

Personal Response:

After reading this book I thought it was a very engaging story that would capture its readers and has a great theme of staying true to yourself and being confident in yourself. I think

Title: How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?

Author: Jane Yolen

Illustrator: Mark Teague

Publisher: Scholastic Audio Books

Publishing Date: May 1, 2010

Grade Level: Preschool - Third

# of pages: 32 pages

Genre: Fiction

Theme: How to behave in school

Summary:

A story about dinosaurs going to school. It begins with questions about what the dinosaur might do at school which helps the children think about what would happen if they did actually go to school.

Personal Response:

This is a great book for children who are interested in art. The picture book is filled with many colors and great detail. Would be such a great book to read at the end of school year or at the beginning. It has great lessons for young children about sitting in class, not interrupting, no pushing on the playground, etc.

Title: The Llama Who Had No Pajama

Author: Mary Hoberman

Illustrator: Betty Fraser

Publisher: Clarion Books; First Edition

Publishing Date: April 1, 2006

# of pages: 68 pages

Grade Level: First - Fourth

Theme: bedtime routines and comforting rituals

Genre: Poetry

Summary:

How a baby llama turns bedtime into something he is very worried when his mom goes downstairs and starts throwing a fit but stops once she comes back up.

Personal Response:

The book carries many funny, short poetry stories. I loved how the author teaches about animals in a fun and playful rhymes.

Title: Water Princess

Author: Susan Verde, Georgie Badiel

Illustrator: Reynolds

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Publishing Date: September 13, 2016

# of pages: 40 pages

Grade Level: Kindergarten - Third

Theme: Hope and perspective

Genre: Children's Literature, Fiction

Summary:

A narrative about a child's life and engagements with precious resource: water. She goes on multiple journeys to collect water and dreams about the days her village will be able to have clear, crystal water.

Personal Response:

The images, words, topography were outstanding. This book shows a lot about perspective and offers great messages. It shows not to take a simple resource like water granted for and that we all need to do our part to change however we can.

Title: The Worst Best Friend

Author: Alexis O'neill

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publishing Date: September 1, 2008

# of pages: 32 pages

Theme: Childhood friendship

Genre: Fiction, Children's Literature

Summary:

The story is about two best friends Mike and Conrad who do everything together. But when Victor arrives to town Conrad forgets all abut Mike and he turns into the worst best friend ever.

Personal Response:

I enjoyed reading this book, it would hold a lot of discussions like friendship, loyalty, and forgiveness. It has many ideas of competition and winning. I enjoyed how the issues throughout this story were presented and written.

Title: The Smart Cookie

Author: Jory John

Illustrator: Pete Oswald

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publishing Date: November 2, 2021

# of pages: 40 pages

Grade Level: Preschool to Third

Theme: Self-worth, confidence, and creativity

Genre: Fiction

Summary:

The cookie has never felt like a "smart cookie" but with creativity and confidence she soon starts showing good grades on test and having all the answers doesn't only come out because you are smart but because of other qualities.

Personal Response:

This book highlights that given a chance to think originally outside the box can often show our hidden talent. That there is something we are all good at we just have to be confident enough to find it and show it.

Title: The Good Egg

Author: Jory John

Illustrator: Pete Oswald

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publishing Date: February 12, 2019

# of pages: 40 pages

Grade Level: Preschool to Third

Theme: balance and self-care

Genre: Fiction

Summary:

A story about a very good egg who tries too hard especially when everyone else isn't. The good egg starts to "crack" from all the pressure of feeling like he has to be perfect.

Personal Response:

Definitely a fun read-aloud book and goes along with the previous book "A Smart Cookie." This book teaches lessons about behavior and has very witty language.

Title: The Bad Seed

Author: Jory John

Illustrator: Pete Oswald

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publishing Date: August 29, 2017

# of pages: 40 pages

Grade Level: Preschool to Third

Theme: You can change people's opinions by being nice to others.

Genre: Fiction

Summary:

The book describes a little seed that went through some bad things in its young life and it changed its view of itself. As the seed got older, it bang to project to others the bad image it had on itself, being not nice to others and inconsiderate. But then the seed started to change its attitude realizing it wasn't so bad after all. Showing that we can all be nice and that things can turn around.

Personal Response:

Another great story from this author. A very creative tale showing that there is no bad child, you just have to have a good seed in your mind.

Title: The Sour Grape

Author: Jory John

Illustrator: Pete Oswald

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publishing Date: November 1, 2022

# of pages: 40 pages

Grade Level: Preschool to Third

Theme: Holding a grudge, turning a negative into a positive.

Genre: Fiction

Summary:

The Sour Grape hold a grudge for no reason, but once a friend holds a grudge against the Sour grape without an explanation. The Sour Grape finally realizes how unfair grudges can be.

Personal Response:

An excellent story with relatable experiences and feelings, this book is the perfect way to help children work through their feelings in a healthy and positive way. The illustrations are also beautiful.

Title: The Couch Potato

Author: Jory John

Illustrator: Pete Oswald

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publishing Date: November 3, 2020

# of pages: 40 pages

Grade Level: Preschool to Third

Theme:

Genre: Fiction

Summary:

The Couch Potato spends its life on a couch with everything near him. But once the electricity goes out, the couch potato if forced to peel away from the living room and go outside.

Personal Response:

This book is a good reminder that you can slouch on the couch every once and awhile but it's also good to get some outside time and relax. A very funny and sweet story.

Title: Pencils on Strike

Author: Jennifer Jones

Publisher: Random Source

Publishing Date: September 28, 2021

# of pages: 34 pages

Reading age: 3-10 years

Theme: the importance of trying to take care of your school supplies

Genre: Children's Literature

Summary:

The story talks about taking care of your own supplies and the teachers supplies, making sure you are respectful.

Personal Response:

This book is funny and teaches kid's responsibility to take care of their things or teachers things at school. This would be a great book to have in a classroom.

Title: See You Later, Alligator

Author: Sally Hopgood

Illustrator: Emma Levy

Publisher: Sky Pony

Publishing Date: September 20, 2016

# of pages: 32 pages

Grade Level: Preschool to Kindergarten

Theme: Anxiety of separation

Genre: Children's Literature

Summary:

The story follows a turtle around the zoo, talking to other animals.

Personal Response:

The book has many rhymes and teaches its readers many ways to say goodbye. Thought it would be a fun book to have in a class and can help with a lesson.

Title: A Ticket Around the World

Author: Natalia Diaz, Melissa Owens

Illustrator: Kim Smith

Publisher: Owlkids

Publishing Date: March 1, 2021

# of pages: 40 pages

Grade Level: Second - Fifth

Theme: Adventure, try new things.

Genre: Information Picture

Summary:

A story about a boy who visits friends in 13 different countries. We are introduced to new environment and cultures and a map that goes over geography, landscapes, cities, and more. It allows the readers to be engaged and curious.

Personal Response:

This book is very informative and fun. You can definitely use this book to teach about different countries and cultures and use as an introduction to a project.

Title: The Library Fish

Author: Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Illustrator: Gladys Jose

Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

Publishing Date: March 22, 2022

# of pages: 32 pages

Grade Level: Preschool to Third

Theme: the importance of friendship, curiosity, and learning

Genre: Children's Literature, Fiction

Summary:

Mr. Hughes finds a fish all alone in the library and names it Library Fish. The fish makes friends in the library, checks in and out books, loves story time, reads and listens to many stories and poems.

Personal Response:

An amazing book that explores the wonderful possibilities of a library. It involves many kind messages, fun characters and the illustrations are very engaging.