Synopsis: No matter your gender, race, disability, or even species; you matter
Genre: Fiction
Theme: You matter all the time
Plot: Sometimes things seem too small to see, but even those things matter. The plot in this book was unlike most, yet showed that life is being lived everywhere - from ant hills to tree roots to dogs in an apartment. Everything is connected somehow, and therefore, it all matters.
Artistic Media: Markers and pastels in color.
Curricular Connections: This book showed a lot of visuals and pictures which can correspond to the subject of art. A picture of someone looking through a microscope was drawn and can correspond to the subject of science. The theme of the book, being that you matter, is a type of emotional learning that students may do in any subject. This book shows that emotional learning is cross-curricular and even extra-curricular.
Personal Response: I loved how this book incorporated equity in all different forms and showed the connections that are made even in big cities. It helped me recognize that everyone feels emotions and so we should make everyone feel heard, seen, and important.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Synopsis: This book centers on Aria, a young girl with a physical disability. She finds inequity within her classroom and sets out to fix it despite many hindrances. The audience is taught about the lives of young females living in Afghanistan as well as the daily struggles of those with physical disabilities.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Courage, peace, and wisdom
Plot: The story follows a little girl named Aria who lives in Afghanistan and attends school daily. Aria had an accident when she was younger that took one of her legs. She now uses a helper leg to get around more quickly. However, this leg does not allow her to sit crisscrossed on the floor comfortably like all of her classmates. All of the benches in homes and schools were burned to keep their buildings warm, leaving Aria with no restful or safe place to sit in class. On her own and with courage, Aria set off to make her own bench despite many hindrances. Aria was able to learn more about who she is as a person as well as understand that a disability does not and never will define a human being. She ultimately becomes an inspiration to herself and her classmates.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils, watercolors, and pastels.
Curricular Connections: This book covered many themes within the subject of history and social studies. The setting of Afghanistan is radically different than that of the United State which is why many contexts were needed. Young children will especially need this context, which is why this book could be used cross-circularly with a social studies lesson.
Personal Response: It was really great to see a book centered on a female with a disability who accomplishes what most non-disabled males and females cannot. Not only that but the artistic expression and color in the book made it extremely engaging to look at and follow.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Synopsis: Ben loved painting his nails but got bullied by his classmates for doing so. His friend stood up for him and his dad supported him. Eventually, Ben's classmates created a community in the school for him to feel confident being who he was.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Be who you are / Nail polish is not made for a specific gender
Plot: Ben loved to paint his nails. Unfortunately, when he arrived at school many boys would make fun of him and call him mean names such as "nail polish is for girls" and "you're a girly girl". His friend Margarita would be the only one standing up for him. Ben began only to paint his nails on the weekends and have his mom remove the polish on Sundays before school. Ben began to feel very sad that he couldn't enjoy something that he loved.  On his birthday, which was Monday, Ben walked into class to find his whole class had painted their nails thanks to Margarita showing empathy and making a change. Ben felt heard and loved and had the best birthday ever with his nails painted once again!
Artistic Media: Watercolors
Curricular Connections: This book's theme covered the subject area of art. Painting nails in different colors shows creativity and color wheel use.
Personal Response: This book covered a very modern-day theme. I loved the lightness of it, as it was easy to connect to and made it a nice introduction to young ones on the topic of being yourself and finding friends who don't judge. I also enjoyed how it showed a classroom community supporting a student who felt left out. I would love to have this book in my future classroom.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Synopsis: Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela did not like how long her name was. She decided to ask her father why she was named such a lengthy name. He told her stories of her ancestors which she was named after. She made connections with every family member and grew excited to learn about her ancestry and family tree.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Ancestry / Names having meaning
Plot: Alma felt like her name was too long because she had five of them. She asked her father to explain why this is. He went along to tell her many stories behind each name which correlated to a past family member. She felt proud to hold these names. She asked her father what Alma stood for. He told her that she will be able to create her own story and eventually stamp her name on generations to come.
Artistic Media: Colored pencil and shading tools
Curricular Connections: This book resonated with the subject of history. Family trees and ancestry is a complicated systems. Learning about how family works and why we are all so interconnected streams from history itself.
Personal Response: I thought this book would be great for parents to start conversations with their young ones on how they got their names. This could help children learn more about their identity and what makes them unique. Individuality should never be a thing to be ashamed of but rather celebrated.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Synopsis: Riley wore a different and unique outfit that matched her events for the day. Her style made everyone smile and even created some new friendships. Riley's imagination and creative style helped her build confidence and create new friendships.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Imagination and creativity / Creating relationships
Plot: Riley wore planet jammies to school on space day. She wore a superhero costume to the dentist to feel brave. She wore a construction hat and overalls to help her dad run errands. She was given a badge sticker for helping out her dad and saved it to give to a friend. She began to wear outfits to help her feel less nervous when meeting new people. Riley gave it away to a new friend and found that building relationships aren't so scary.
Artistic Media: Digital design
Curricular Connections: This book correlates to emotional learning. The way we choose to dress shows a lot about who we are and how we feel. Learning more about our emotions can lead us to use our creativity in positive ways.
Personal Response: I loved this book. It helps kids to channel their own imagination and show that creativity lives in everyone. It shows us that we inspire people without even knowing it sometimes. Children could learn so much about relations ships and how they connect with others through this book and I hope to have it in my classroom library one day!
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Synopsis: This book shows how every color is for everyone no matter their gender. It goes about showing every color and how it is related to an activity that everyone can enjoy.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Colors are for everyone
Plot: Each page within the book holds a different color that is for girls and boys, and boys and girls. This book shows how every color can be enjoyed by everyone through fun activities in nature and with friends.
Artistic Media: Colored pencil and graphic design
Curricular Connections: This book is related to emotional learning and communication.
Personal Response: This book was so wonderful because it was so diverse and heartfelt. We were able to see young children of different colors and abilities connecting through activities that jump through the rainbow. Students at young ages should read this book to understand colors are for everyone and no one should tell them otherwise.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Synopsis: This book follows Livy, a young girl in middle school who is figuring out how to grow up as realities rise all around her.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Never go through struggles alone
Plot: This book begins with Livy as she starts middle school at the hardest age. Everyone is figuring themselves out as their independence and freedom from their parents grows. Viola is Livy's negative thoughts that make her day to day harder to live. Only when Livy finally aks for help does living with Viola get easier. She finds people around her who make her feel worthy, heard, seen, and understood.
Artistic Media: Graphic design watercolors
Curricular Connections: This book is related to the subject of mental health and cultural differences.
Personal Response: I love how this book introduces mental health to young children. Anyone can face this challenge no matter their gender, race, ability, or age. Showing kids that this is real and that asking for help is a positive thing is key to growing up safely and happily.
Teacher Resources: Boise Public Library 

Synopsis: This book shows how we connect with ourselves, others, and the even Earth. We may all be different, but we are all worthy of greatness and success.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: We are all worthy
Plot: This book follows a young girl who is living life with a grateful lens. She knows to get back up again if she falls and loves unconditionally despite differences.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils and watercolors
Curricular Connections: This book is related to emotional learning and communication.
Personal Response: This book was so wonderful because it was so diverse and heartfelt. We were able to see women of different colors and abilities all succeeding and creating relationships. It is a great book for younger students to learn how to connect with one's self and others, as well as learn one's worth.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link 

Synopsis: This story is about three pigs who build their houses out of straw, sticks, and bricks. The pig with the brick house was able to outsmart the wolf and eventually eat him for dinner.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Be observant and witty
Plot: The book is about three pigs who each make their house out of different materials. One pig was left standing and continued to stay one step ahead of the wolf who was trying to eat him. After many attempts, the wolf needs up falling down the chimney into a pot which the pig set as a trap. The pig ended up eating the wolf for dinner.
Artistic Media: Pen and watercolors
Curricular Connections: This book corresponds to the subject of construction management and social adaptability.
Personal Response: This book was fairly negative as it had to do with trickery and death. It doesn't seem to hold a great lesson for young students.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Synopsis: This book puts a fun twist on the story of the three little pigs as it is from the wolf's point of view.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Stereotypes and empathy
Plot: This story revolves around the wolf in their little pigs' story. The wolf needs a cup of sugar to finish making his grandmother a cake for her birthday. He asks two pigs at different homes and accidentally sneezes, blows their house down, and eats them in order to not be wasteful. He then goes to the pig living in the brick house and gets mad when the pig disrespects his grandmother and won't lend him a cup of sugar. The cops show up and arrest the wolf based on wrongful evidence and stereotypes.
Artistic Media: Colored pens and pencils, shading tools
Curricular Connections: This book relates to the subject of construction management and social adaptability
Personal Response: This story was super fun. I enjoyed the change of perspectives. It can show children that every point of view matters, even if it is the villain. It shows how to give empathy.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Publisher: Groundwood Books
Date: October 5, 2021
Number of Pages: 112 pages (chapter book)
Awards: N/A

Synopsis: This book discusses the unjust sanitation systems in third-world counties around the world and how it greatly affects young girls and women.
Genre: Fiction, Poetry
Theme: Injustice for women, Exploring our bodies
Plot: This book follows Latika who lives in India. She grows observant of the fact that their village is unjust. Young women are having to give up their education in order to obtain privacy. Sanitation is non-existent and rules their land. Latika stands up to this unfairness when those in charge show up. She becomes an inspiration to all women there and makes a path to justice.
Artistic Media: Pastels and watercolor
Curricular Connections: This book relates to the subject of history and understanding how other countries live.
Personal Response: I love how this book hit such a sensitive topic of poverty, but made it inspirational. It is also great to see a female-forward book for young children to read and grow their innovative minds.
Teacher Resources: Boise Public Library 

Illustrator: Onyinye Iwu
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Date: March 2, 2021
Number of Pages: 96 pages (chapter book)
Awards: Jhalak Prize Nominee for Children YA Longlist 

Synopsis: This is a story of stereotypes and overcoming judgment.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Small but mighty
Plot: This book follows Tola, a young petite girl who is always overlooked due to her size. She is a helpful granddaughter and loving sister who saves the day on multiple occasions, such as getting water from the well, carrying groceries, and tailoring clothing. She may be petite, but she can do a whole lot.
Artistic Media: Digital design
Curricular Connections: This book relates to the subject of history and understanding how other countries live.
Personal Response: This book made me wonder if Tola was such a great helper due to her need to overcome stereotypes and judgment. Did this push her to be her best? I loved how this book also taught me a lot about life in Nigeria.
Teacher Resources: Boise Public Library

Synopsis: This book follows a young girl, Bahar, as she tackles many external and internal obstacles in order to save her family from poverty.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Fight for what you love/believe in
Plot: One day Bahar begs to use the bath in town, but is told that she cannot because the chief fortune teller's wife was using it. Bahar became obsessed with the royalty of that title and decided she would quit making rugs and would one day be a great fortune teller too. She gathered all of the necessary tools to become a fortune teller and got lucky with many of those who paid her for his wisdom. She was able to make her way to becoming the mayor's fortune teller for life. Mysertiously, Bhaar disappeared from the limelight and was never seen again. However, wonderful rugs would show up in town and remind all of Bahar, the lucky.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils, markers, and shading tools
Curricular Connections: This book relates to the subject of history and social studies. Students are able to learn about Iran and Persian culture within the story of Bahar.
Personal Response: I liked how this book shed light on Persian culture and how beautiful it is. It shows young children how other people live around the globe. However, the ending was a little confusing to me. Did Bahar leave her family in poverty? Why did she run off?
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Synopsis: This book follows a young girl, Violet, who finds the courage to ask her crush to be her Valentine. She has to overcome physical and emotional obstacles in order to find out how to be brave and not let embarrassment stop her from growing.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Love takes courage
Plot: Violet has a crush on Mira, but is scared of rejection. She decides to make Mira's Valentine's gift and tuck it in her hat, waiting to find the perfect time in the day to give it to her. However, the wait continues as Violet becomes nervous that Mira will laugh at her and turn her down. As the day goes on, Violet slips and falls, and the whole class giggles. She runs outside to find peace and to be alone. Then, she recognizes that the only one who didn't laugh was Mira, and there she was to comfort her outside. Mira gives Violet a locket necklace with the two of them inside. Violet realized that Mira wanted to be her Valentine all along!
Artistic Media: Watercolors
Curricular Connections: This book relates to the subject of communication. By cutting off basic ties of communication, one can become a victim in their own mind. Being brave and communicating early can prevent emotional damage and frustration.
Personal Response: I loved how this book can teach young students to be courageous. Embarrassment can stop people from doing what they love or showing people that they love them. This book does a great job of showing children that all one can do is be themselves unconditionally and that the right people will be in their lives to support them.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Synopsis: This book shows how the day-to-day life in a big city can sometimes be too much for a little dog. A change of scenery, fresh air, and room to live in is just as important to animals as it is to humans.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Living comfortably, Changing scenery
Plot: This book follows a little wiener dog living in the city with his owner. When the day gets too hot and the people get too close he chooses to lie down and quit for the day. His owner picks him up and takes him for a day at the beach. There, he has so much room to run and so much fresh air to breathe! He then looks forward to a comfortable slumber at home in the city he loves.
Artistic Media: Colored pencil and marker
Curricular Connections: This book relates to the subject of our health. Humans and animals alike need space to live and room to grow.
Personal Response: I loved how this book put us in the perspective of a house pet. I love my dog and constantly feel like he could use more walks and trips to the park. After reading this book I found that all pets, even those who get walks in the city may need more than that. Fresh air, more space, and a change of scenery are so important for animals much like it is for humans.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Genre: Fiction
Theme: Growing what you love
Synopsis and Plot: This book is a collection of poems representing all different types of gardens. Students can learn about composting, flowers, and food. Each poem brings its own sense of life and adventure for children to enjoy.
Artistic Media: Colored pencil and marker
Curricular Connections: This book connects to art, poetry, and science.
Personal Response: I would love to read this to my future class during science time. After reading, the students will go around and share what type of garden they would create and explain their reasoning.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Synopsis: Student dialogue sparks and ignites empathy, laughter, and sadness within the reader. The book explores a variety of students with different voices and backgrounds.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Importance of items
Plot: This book begins with Ms. Chang, the teacher of a classroom, asking her students what one thing they would save if there was a fire in their house. They then go around and explain the item that means the most to them. The dialogue is authentic and child-like fun.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils and markers
Curricular Connections: This book connects to social-emotional learning and history.
Personal Response: I loved the realness of this book. The dialogue felt real and gave me insight into how students may respond in my future classroom if I were to read this book and do the activity.
Teacher Resources: Read-Aloud Link

Genre: Folklore
Grade Level: Pre-K to 3rd-grade
Theme: Promises are meant to be kept
Synopsis: Zuva does not keep her promise to Croc, and it eventually comes back around to bite her.
Plot: Zuva is a young girl living in a village in Zimbabwe. She goes down to the river and wants to catch some fish. She runs into Croc who says he will help her once she promises to bring him to a big fun party. He begins work and Zuva realizes crocodiles cannot enter her village. She does not think she will have to tell the Croc and he will still give her fish. She lies to her village people telling them she caught all the fish. Eventually, Croc is let in and everyone likes him.
Artistic Media: Pastels and watercolors
Curricular Connections: Biology and Science
Personal Response: I love how this story relayed such a deeper theme of promises and lying in a fun, family-friendly way.
Teacher Resources: Boise Public Library

Genre: Folklore
Grade Level: Pre-K to 3rd-grade
Theme: Never give up
Synopsis: Anamils gather in Uganda to find water and whoever can find it first is named Chief.
Plot: This book shows many different species gathering around a plain land in Uganda. They are looking for water to survive but cannot find any. They decide to name the first animal to find water as chief. All of the big animals cannot do it and give up. Gecko tries for hours and hours even though everyone keeps telling him to give up. He never did and eventually found the water and shared it with everyone.
Artistic Media: Colored pencil and watercolors
Curricular Connections: Social Studies and Science
Personal Response: I loved how this book can teach children to never give up but also to be the bigger person and treat others how you want to be treated. This book also taught me about Ugandan land and how to get water from plain land.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: Pre-K to 2rd-grade
Theme: Celebrating the power of books
Synopsis: Books teach us facts and morals, but most importantly they build our imagination.
Plot: This book poetically describes all of the ways books benefit our lives. From facts to morals to the growth of our imaginations, books give us meaning. We, as humans and students, give books just as much meaning as they tell us.
Artistic Media: Colored pencil and watercolors
Curricular Connections: Social studies
Personal Response: I love how this book explicitly shows young readers why they should read. "Why" is such an important question to ask as students, and just as important of an answer to give as teachers.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: Pre-K to 2rd-grade
Theme: Our hopes and dreams are within reach
Synopsis: Violet sits with her family during a picnic and dreams of the universe while on her blanket.
Plot: Violet feels like she needs to escape the busy world and finds herself gazing at the stars. She seems to be one with the galaxy and among the planets around us.
Artistic Media: Markers
Curricular Connections: Science
Personal Response: I love how this book connected family, aspirations, and reaching goals all within one fun book. So any children look at the sky every day, and after they read this book, they can do so all while gaining aspirations and self-confidence.
Teacher Resources: E-Book

Synopsis: This book follows a young girl who longs for her brother who is incarcerated.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Healing through memories
Plot: This book begins by shuffling through a young girl's memories with her brother. She constantly states how she misses him. Her peers at school bully her because her brother was on the news. She knows that he has been arrested, but the book doesn't explicitly state what for. Her mother helps her count down the days until she sees him again. The girl and her mother and father make their way to the prison to visit him. She is nervous that he will not remember her. However, he does and his hug warms her heart and heals her wounds. She sees all of the other families around her whose brothers are away and she feels better.
Artistic Media: Colored pencil and watercolor
Curricular Connections: Social justice
Personal Response: I love how this book was able to touch on such a sensitive and sometimes scary subject for children in a fun and light way. Everyone's families look different, but bullying is never the answer. You never know what is going on in someone else's home. Yet, some people have similar lives just as the little girl realized when she observed other families si the prison visiting their loved ones.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Synopsis: No one really knows what someone is going through and this book pointed that out. Young children can especially have a hard time managing their emotions, so if they are feeling left out, unseen, or judged then they may pull away further affecting their education. This book showed these harsh realities in a light-hearted and childlike way.
Genre: Graphic novel
Theme: Overcoming one's disability
Plot: Children have amazing imaginations and giving them the tool of an internal superhero who is better because of their disability was so amazing and really pulled on my heart as a reader. It was so great to see that Cece, the main character with a hearing disability, was able to overcome her discomfort and embarrassment about her Phonic Ear and eventually feel even more powerful than her internal superhero, El Deafo. This was due to the support of her family and friends, trial and error within relationships, and self-love.
Artistic Media: Digital design
Curricular Connections: This book relates to the subject of health and overcoming the fears that follow living with a disability.
Personal Response: I thought that the graphic novel EL Deafo was a great book for teachers to have in their classroom library for their students. This book can help students who have disabilities to feel empowered, while also teaching students without disabilities to genuinely support their peers.
Teacher Resources: Book Link

Synopsis: This book follows a young girl who helps her grandfather re-learn his native language; Cree.
Genre: Historical fiction
Theme: A person's culture is theirs to keep
Plot: The young girl asks her grandfather how to say "grandfather" in Cree. Her grandfather explained that he forgot; that his words were stolen from him at a young age by cruel men. These men wanted to diminish and throw away the Cree language; one of the major Algonquian-speaking First Nations peoples. These men had taken him away from his own mother. The young girl found a Cree dictionary and brought it to her grandfather. She asked for him to teach her the language. His heart is filled with love and joy to once again be able to immerse himself in his native culture with those he loves.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils
Curricular Connections: Social justice and history
Personal Response: I love how this book hit such a hard and confusing topic for young students in a loving and nurturing manner. I was able to learn some history about the First Nations people and how awful they were treated. Children can learn to appreciate their own cultures and learn new ones.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Genre: Science Fiction
Theme: There is a fix for everything
Synopsis and Plot: Hildie could not find a quiet place to sleep. She used her experiences and the people she met to finally sleep in peace. She was also able to help out her neighbors while fixing up her noisy surroundings.
Artistic Media: Digital design
Curricular Connections: This book relates to the subject of the history of old mythical stories.
Personal Response: I loved how this book incorporated many known books in order to create a new fun one! The theme is connective and inclusive which allows young students to engage and learn.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Genre: Science Fiction
Theme: Stay creative and imaginative
Synopsis and Plot: This book follows a young boy named Tim who is able to create whatever her imagines. He begins to understand the difference between being selfish and selfless throughout his creations.
Artistic Media: Digital design
Curricular Connections: This book relates to being an engineer and the subject of science.
Personal Response: I love how this book teacher young children to be creative and imaginative all while being aware of their actions.
Teacher Resources: Boise Public Library

Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Theme: Determination and trust
Synopsis and Plot: April and Esme are sisters who are tooth fairies. They are able to go collect their very first tooth from a little boy across the highway. They conquer all odds, such as foxes and waking eyelids. They were able to bring the tooth back and hang it with their parents for all the other fairies to see and cheer.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils and pastels
Curricular Connections: This book relates to the subject of physiology and anatomy.
Personal Response: I loved how this book to from the point of view of a tooth fairy. Children who read this book can understand how determination and trust can allow anyone to conquer their fears and follow their dreams.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Genre: Fiction
Theme: Distance makes the heart grow fonder
Synopsis and Plot: This book follows two cousins, Amanda and Kara. Kara moves away and won't be able to see her cousin Amanda until next summer. They both have a doll that reminds them of each other. They hold them close and become nervous that the other cousin is lonely and forgets the other cousin. Once they reunite in the summer, it feels like no time has passed!
Artistic Media: Colored pencils and markers
Curricular Connections: This book relates to social studies and human relations.
Personal Response:  I love how this book relates to an interfamily connection that many families have. It teaches cousins how to connect even if they are in faraway places and shows them that family connections don't die!
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Genre: Fiction
Theme: Maintaining connections no matter the distance
Synopsis and Plot: This book follows two cousins, Olu and Greta as they find ways to maintain a close relationship with one another. It evokes imagination as the author describes all the fun ways the two cousins could unrealistically travel to see each other. The author says that though they cannot be with one another in person, they can still video chat and send notes and boxes of fun items to one another.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils and marker
Curricular Connections: This book relates to social studies and human relations.
Personal Response: I love how this book relates to an interfamily connection that many families have. It teaches cousins how to connect even if they are in faraway places. I also loved how this book was set in Africa and Europe.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Graphic Novel
Theme: Keeping empathy in our hearts
Synopsis and Plot: This book follows a young boy Omar and his brother as they grow up overcoming hardships. Omar as he goes through life from a Refugee Camp in Kenya to living in the United States. He was torn from his mother but was able to have his brother with him the whole time.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils and markers
Curricular Connections: This book relates to social studies and human relations.
Personal Response: I love how this book relates to an interfamily connection that many families have. It teaches cousins how to connect and overcome hardships. I also loved how this book was set in Africa.
Teacher Resources: Boise Public Library

Genre: Fiction
Theme: Being grateful for food and family
Plot: A young boy goes off fishing with his father in the early hours of the morning. It becomes clear that they are in poverty and are also refugees. They are grateful to be able to catch fish for dinner in order to feed their large family. Once they get home, the son is left with his brothers and sisters as their parents leave for work. They are reunited at dinner and the son feels proud of the fish he has caught.
Artistic Media: Colored markers and pastels
Curricular Connections: This book relates to living in other countries; social studies.
Personal Response: I love how this book touched on attaining an unconditional love for family and a grateful attitude. It is such an important thing for young students to learn.
Teacher Resources: Epic

Genre: Biography
Theme: Follow your passion
Plot: Juan grows up in Mexico teaching himself how to play the piano and other instruments. He is able to make a life for himself by playing and creating music. He is able to travel to New York City and discover new and exciting instruments. The book follows how Juan uses these fun instruments to create new sounds that people have never heard. This made him very popular and have him the chance to experience life as he wanted.
Artistic Media: Markers, watercolors, and pastels
Curricular Connections: This book relates to the subject area of music and sound waves in science. This book also focuses on engineering and describes how certain instruments work.
Personal Response: I love how this book gives hope to students and tells them to follow their passions. I also love how this book included geography, social studies, and engineering. This book could then be read during any of those subject times.
Teacher Resources: epic

Genre: Biography
Theme: Words are powerful
Plot: At a young age, Peter began writing lists. These lists included what he learned at school or what he saw outside that day. As he got older, he would make lists of words he heard and sometimes didn't know the meaning of. Peter began medical school in his early adulthood. Before becoming a doctor, he taught children for a while. Once he finally became a doctor he still made lists. He combined all of his lists one day and created a 100-page book. He eventually built the courage to speak his lists aloud to the world.
Artistic Media: Digital design; scrapbook design
Curricular Connections: History and Social-Emotional Learning
Personal Response: I loved how this book follows Peter from childhood to adulthood. Though his interests change, his lists remain in his life. This teaches students that passion never dies, or grows too old.
Teacher Resources: epic

Date: February 15, 2022
Number of Pages: 40 pages
Awards: Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
Grade Level: Preschool - 3rd Grade

Genre: Non-Fiction Literature
Theme: History of blue dye
Plot: This book follows the historical path of how the color blue was first discovered and used throughout time. This color was that of the heavens and was highly valued. The book shows how there was also an evil side of trading blue, such as human trafficking and slavery.
Artistic Media: Watercolors and pastels
Curricular Connections: History
Personal Response: I loved how this book teaches stduents about how deep the meaning and value behind the color blue is.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Date: March 5, 2019
Number of Pages: 56 pages
Awards: Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor
Grade Level: Preschool - 3rd Grade

Genre: Fiction
Theme: Taking adventures
Plot: This book follows and young girl and her cat as they enter a portal to a new dimension. Within the alternate dimension, they meet another version of themselves. They see a bunch of other people playing games and having a super fun time. They eventually go back into the real world and sleep peacefully knowing they tried something new and met friends along the way.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils
Curricular Connections: Science; time
Personal Response: I loved how this book touched on the theme of trying new things even if they seem scary.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Date: May 3, 2022
Number of Pages: 32 pages
Awards: N/A
Grade Level: Preschool - 1st Grade

Genre: Fiction
Theme: Building and playing
Plot: Essie's older brother is annoyed that she keeps tearing down his forts and building blocks. He finds new ways to make the perfect wall to keep Essie out. She is still able to find a way to tear it down. He sits there, mad, but then realizes that she just wants to play with him. They find new ways together to build fun walls and forts.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils
Curricular Connections: Math
Personal Response: I love how this book took the points of view of both the brother and sister and showed a very common theme within siblings. There was also some Spanish in the book which is great for ELs and multilingual students.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Date: July 13, 2021
Number of Pages: 48 pages
Awards: 2022 Children's Science Picture Book Winner
Grade Level: 2nd Grade - 5th Grade

Genre: Informational
Theme: Wonder more
Plot: Mimic Makers wonder how nature works. This book follows ideas that Mimic Makers use to determine how different modes of transportation, creatures in the sea, and wildly unique habitats work.
Artistic Media: Colored pencil
Curricular Connections: Science
Personal Response: I like how this book puts a fun and unique twist on engineering. This book shows students what they most likely do every day - wonder - and how it can become their future career. Being curious makes the world go round!
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Date: August 14, 2018
Number of Pages: 112 pages
Awards: Coretta Scott King Book Award
Grade Level: Preschool - 1st Grade

Genre: Historical Fiction
Theme: Books can carry us into a better world
Plot: After losing his mother to illness and moving from Alabama to Chicago, Langston begins to hate his life. He has no friends and misses his hometown. Langston's mother used to adore him and his love for reading. This takes Langston to the Chicago library where he is able to find peace with himself, his father, and his new town.
Artistic Media: Scrapbook design
Curricular Connections: History
Personal Response: I love how this book hits so many real and difficult themes in life that many students may be facing. This shows students how books can help them connect with themselves and one another.
Teacher Resources: epic

Date: February 10, 2016
Number of Pages: 32 pages
Awards: Children's Choice Book Awards Winner
Grade Level: Kindergarten - 3rd grade

Genre: Non-fiction
Theme: Mighty heroes
Plot: Elephants are the mighty heroes of the desert. This book follows elephants as they protect the dry savanna. There are many positives that elephants give the earth other than beauty. They are able to stop wildfires and collect water for small animals to drink. This book also shows what would happen if elephants were to become extinct or not belong to the desert any longer. Disaster would occur.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils
Curricular Connections: Earth Science
Personal Response: This book did a wonderful job of showing a true phenomenon in a fun and engaging way for young students.
Teacher Resources: epic

Date: June 25, 2019
Number of Pages: 368 pages
Awards: Coretta Scott King Author Honor and Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor Awards
Grade Level: 3rd grade - 7th grade

Genre: Mystery Fiction
Theme: Discovery
Plot: This book follows a young girl named Candance who is forced to move to South Carolina after her parent's divorce. South Carolina holds the home of her grandmother. Candance meets a boy named Brandon, and together they discover many new things. They learn about their own identities and family histories, as well as find a fortune to share among the community and themselves.
Artistic Media: Pastels and watercolor
Curricular Connections: History and social-emotional learning.
Personal Response: This book was able to touch on many important topics that young kids may experience during their childhood. These are themes of divorce, identity crisis, and family history mystery. This book lightly touches on these deep themes in ways that keep the reader engaged and entertained.
Teacher Resources: epic

Date: May 7, 2013
Number of Pages: 32 pages
Awards: Pura Belpré Award
Grade Level: 1st grade - 4th grade

Genre: Fiction
Theme: Family Forever
Plot: This book follows a young rabbit who sets out North to find his father who left with others to find crops for the community. The rabbit comes across a coyote who offers his help in exchange for the rabbit's food and water supply. The rabbit does not wish to give away his resources, but just because he misses his father. Once the rabbit ran out of food, the coyote tried to eat him. The rabbit's father jumps through the door in the nick of time and saves him from the coyote!
Artistic Media: Markers and colored pencils
Curricular Connections: Earth science and social-emotional learning.
Personal Response: I love how this book shows the life of migrants in a lighthearted tone. In this way, students can resonate with and apply their own life experiences to the book.
Teacher Resources: epic

Date: July 9, 2008
Number of Pages: 34 pages
Awards: Caldecott Honor Award
Grade Level: 2nd grade - 6th grade

Genre: Biography
Theme: Follow your passions
Plot: This book follows William Carlos Williams who is an award-winning poet and doctor. It shows his many passions that developed throughout his life, and how all of those interests played a role in his writing.
Artistic Media: Scrapbook design
Curricular Connections: Langauge Arts
Personal Response: This book is able to show students how people can have many hobbies and multiple careers within their lifetime. Not only this, but they can also be extremely successful!
Teacher Resources: epic

Date: May 6, 2014
Number of Pages: 40 pages
Awards: Pura Belpré Award
Grade Level: 1st grade - 4th grade

Genre: Biography
Theme: Fight for your rights
Plot: This book follows Sylvia Mendez and her family as they fight for their rights as Mexicans living in white culture. Sylvia and her brothers are not allowed to attend the school in their district and must attend the Mexican school because "that's how it's done." Sylvia's parents will not give up and allow the system to segregate them and others people in their culture in an unjust way. They see many signs around the city such as "Mexican Pool" and other discriminatory figures. They decide to sue the city for unjust segregation and win!
Artistic Media: Markers and colored pencils
Curricular Connections: History and Human Rights
Personal Response: I love how this book is able to touch on such a deep, yet important topic in a kid-friendly way. This book informs students about degradation nd the wrongful doing of racist radicals. The dialogue and illustrations keep the book engaging and light-hearted.
Teacher Resources: epic

Date: October 4, 2016
Number of Pages: 120 pages
Awards: 2017 Children's Literature Legacy Award
Grade Level: 3rd grade - 7th grade

Genre: Fiction
Theme: Find your passion and use it
Plot: Garvey joins his local chorus choir and finds his ultimate passion. His identity loss from prior years seems to be filled with this musical touch. He feels like he no longers needs to fake his interests, such as sports, and can finally be himself and make connections with others through the chorus. He is able to connect with his father in this way.
Artistic Media: Markers and colored pencils
Curricular Connections: Language Arts
Personal Response: All throughout school students are finding themselves. This book shows how normal and natural this identity crisis feeling is and how we can grow by trying new things.
Teacher Resources: epic

Date: January 1, 2012
Number of Pages: 336 pages
Awards: Newbery Honor Book
Grade Level: 3rd grade - 7th grade

Genre: Historical Non-Fiction
Theme: Becoming a hero
Plot: This book follows Nakahama Manjiro, who was a young Japanese boy who was saved by the American Army as they found him shipwrecked in the ocean. The United States helped him learn English and used him as a translator when attempting to negotiate with Japanese leaders. He was eventually awarded a Newbery Honor for his hard work and dedication to his country and those who helped him.
Artistic Media: Watercolor and pastels
Curricular Connections: History
Personal Response: I love how this book teaches a historical lesson in an engaging and fun reading. Students can practice their reading skills and comprehension while learning abut a historical event in time.
Teacher Resources: epic

Date: January 15, 2014
Number of Pages: 256 pages
Awards: The Newbery & Caldecott Awards
Grade Level: 5th grade - 9th grade

Genre: Non-Fiction
Theme: Living in brutality
Plot: This book follows a family during the Great Depression. Sisters Kay and Garry are left to care for their younger siblings while their mother and father are away working. Their mother is a traveling nurse for the community and their father is an archeologist. Kay and Garry have to grow up fast in order to properly care for those around them during such a brutal time in history. The book focuses on each sibling and their perspectives.
Artistic Media: Markers and colored pencils
Curricular Connections: History
Personal Response: This book did a wonderful job of focusing on a time in history with accuracy and entertainment. It teaches young students about such a hard time through the lens of children themselves. The accuracy of the novel shows that this book can be used during history in social studies time. Overall, I enjoyed how this book brought to life a real event in a personal way.
Teacher Resources: epic

Date: March 6, 2000
Number of Pages: 272 pages
Awards: Newbery Honor Book
Grade Level: 3rd grade - 7th grade

Genre: Fiction
Theme: Secrets are exciting
Plot: This book follows Portia Blake and her younger brother, Foster, as they travel to visit their cousins in the country. Portia and her cousin, Julian, are exploring the country near their home when they discover something amazing. They see an abandoned Victorian resort community that inhabits only a few left. These old residents share their stories with Portia and Julian, which makes the kids feel like they are chosen. They make sure to keep this all a secret as it makes their time together more special. They travel back and forth daily until Foster soon discovers their secret hiding place.
Artistic Media: Markers and colored pencils
Curricular Connections: Social-Emotional Learning
Personal Response: This book was super fun, entertaining, and unique book. Young students can relate as secrets can seem fun. However, there are learning curves within the book that shares how secrets are something that needs to be shared for safety reasons.
Teacher Resources: epic

Date: August 15, 2005
Number of Pages: 32 pages
Awards: Best Children's Book of the Year
Grade Level: Preschool - 2nd grade

Genre: Fiction - Folktale
Theme: Sharing is caring
Plot: This book follows two men who are traveling through a comfortable and content little village. They go door to door asking for food and everyone states that they do no have any. The two men realize that if no one has any food, they must make everyone their famous 'stone soup' to share. They borrow a large black pot from a resident and begin. However, they do not have all of the ingredients they need and decide to leave. One little girl offers a small carrot. Then the whole village begins to offer one vegetable at a time. The two men are able to mix it all up and feed the village. They remind everyone that if they ever want to make this soup, then everyone must share what they have.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils
Curricular Connections: Social-Emotional Learning
Personal Response: I love how this book teaches young kids about sharing on such a large scale. Sometimes, it can be hard to give up what you have, but if it helps the greater good than it is always worth it!
Teacher Resources: epic

Date: August 1, 2016
Number of Pages: 32 pages
Awards: The Mathical Book Prize
Grade Level: 2nd grade - 5th grade

Genre: Non-Fiction
Theme: Math is Fun!
Plot: This book teaches ways to do difficult math word problems by using pictures and formulas. Each page can be used during math-time in class for students to work on in groups or individually. The illustrations in the book help represent each word problem for those who may not understand the questions being asked.
Artistic Media: Watercolors and pastels
Curricular Connections: Math
Personal Response: I love how this book made a math lesson extremely engaging for young students. It can oftentimes be difficult for young students to visualize word problems in math, ad this book did just that for readers!
Teacher Resources: epic

Date: September 1, 1974
Number of Pages: 32 pages
Awards: Caldecott Medal
Grade Level: Kindergarten - 3rd grade

Genre: Fiction
Theme: Actions have consequences
Plot: A young fox is traveling through a field when he decides to drink an old lady's milk from a metal jug. She gets mad at the fox for drinking her milk and cuts off his tail. He begs her to sew it back into place, but she says she only will if he can bring her more milk. The fox embarks on a long journey as he meets many new people and animals. He offers his help to them all in order to finally get more milk from a cow. The fox brings the old lady his milk and she sews his tail back into place.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils and pastels
Curricular Connections: Social-Emotional Learning
Personal Response: I love how this book teaches young students about the consequences of actions. Making things right when you have done wrong is so important. This book shows these many themes in fun and engaging ways.
Teacher Resources: epic

Date: April 1, 2015
Number of Pages: 50 pages
Awards: 2016 Carter G. Woodson Book Award
Grade Level: 2nd grade - 3rd grade

Genre: Non-Fiction
Theme: You must be brave in order to make a change
Plot: John Roy Lynch grows up as a slave, who could not gain freedom as he almost once had as a young boy. The slave owners of him and his brother liked to twist scripture and the law to make slavery seem good and righteous. However, this was not the case at all. People in power, such as Abe Lincoln, saw slavery as a horrible and unjust thing. He worked to create Unions to free slaves such as John Roy. John was able to become freed and worked the rest of his life making sure others could live the life they deserve as well.
Artistic Media: Markers and colored pencils
Curricular Connections: History
Personal Response: This book follows the civil war through the eyes of a slave and his family. This topic is so sensitive, yet so important to share with young students. I love how this book can be used to teach about American history or read in my free time to teach the themes of bravery and human rights.
Teacher Resources: epic