Book Review: Maple & Willow Together


Author/Illustrator: Lori Nichols
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From the Book Jacket: They love playing outside throughout the whole year, welcoming the sun, rain, leaves, and snow. But it's not always sunshine and rainbows, because sometimes big sisters can be bossy - and sometimes little sisters can be frustrating - and even the best of friends need a break from each other...at least until they can no longer bear to be apart. Maple & Willow Together perfectly captures the dynamics of siblings and their ability to figure things out on their own and find a way to meet halfway. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I've been exploring more books involving siblings and fighting. At home we have been dealing with some arguing, hitting, and upset feelings between our kids. That's exactly what happens between Maple and Willow. The story ends with them making up and apologizing. I could tell when I read this story to my six year old daughter it was like looking into a mirror for her. After I read the last page she commented that even though she and her brother fight sometimes she still loves him. 


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Book Review: A Bike Like Sergio's

Author: Maribeth Boelts
Illustrator: Noah Z. Jones
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Ruben feels like he's the only kid without a bike. He wishes he could get a bike like his friend Sergio's, but wishes won't make money appear. One day, when Ruben sees a bill fall out of someone's purse, he picks it up and puts it in his pocket - it's only a dollar. But when he gets home, Ruben discovers that it's actually a hundred-dollar bill, more than enough for the bike he's been hoping for. This is a relatable story that will resonate with anyone who's tried to figure out the right thing to do. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I love the end of this story because it shows how difficult it can be to do the right thing. But when we use our integrity the inner reward is so much better than anything material. Ruben returns the hundred dollar bill and the words and kindness he receives are so filling. Although when he walks away, he also realizes he will not be getting a bike. He has gained something even better though - a stronger character.  He returns home to tell his parents his story and they share how proud they are of him. This is a great one to add to your shelf around integrity, honesty, and stealing. 

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Book Review: The Boy and the Whale

Author/Illustrator: Mordicai Gerstein
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: A boy and his father discover a whale tangled in their only fishing net. Is the whale dead? The father worries about losing their net, but the boy worries about the whale. He remembers the fear he once felt when, tangled in a net himself, he nearly drowned before being rescued. When the whale blinks an enormous eye, the boy knows that he has to try to save the creature, no matter how dangerous doing so may be. 

This story was inspired by a real-life video of a whale's rescue and the creature's joyful dance through the waves after being freed. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This is a powerful story about taking action based on feeling empathy and compassion when someone else is suffering and in need. Even though we might not have the opportunity to save a whale.....there are many things we can do to help others that can make a difference. I often get requests for books that teach the concept of empathy. My list has been pretty short. I'm excited to add this one to my line up because it has a powerful message and it will have a positive impact on my students. 

YouTube Video (the inspiration behind the book):


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Book Review: Me, Me, Me

Author: Annika Dunklee
Illustrator: Lori Joy Smith
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Annie, Lillemor and Lilianne are best friends for many reasons, including a shared love of singing. So when their teacher announces a school talent show, Annie suggests they enter as an all-girl singing group. What fun!

But when the three girls brainstorm what song they might sing and what costumes they'll wear, Annie doesn't like any of Lilianne and Lillemor's suggestions. It's Annie's way or the highway - the whole thing was her idea, after all! Will creative differences keep the three friends apart? Or will Annie change her tune?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I've been using this one for grades K-2 on how to be a FLEXIBLE friend. It's helpful to have a resource like this when I"m trying to help kids become aware of how their behavior is impacting their friendships. If you choose to always be the one in charge and demand things to always be your way when playing with others - you might find yourself alone. I need more books on friendship skills so I was so happy to come across this one. 

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Book Review: Accident!


Author/Illustrator: Andrea Tsurumi
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Oops! When Lola the armadillo accidentally knocks a jug of juice all over her parents' best chair, it's a calamity, a catastrophe, a FIASCO! She panics and decides to run away to the library. Along the way, she gathers a group of equally alarmed friends who have gotten into similar pickles. But they're not the only ones in trouble: a stoat's snarled in spaghetti; a bull's broken a whole china shop, a llama's up a tree, and someone should tell that platypus to watch out for that hose! It's the end of the world! Or is it?

While "sorry" still might be the hardest word, this silly and sincere book will help readers realize that making a mistake isn't a disaster. And Lola just might find that a small accident can snowball into a big opportunity for forgiveness - of herself and others. 





Why It's On My Bookshelf: This is such a HELPFUL HELPFUL book to teach kids the difference between small and big problems, making mistakes, and how to recover from a failure or accident. There are a lot of students who need help with their reactions to the size of their problem. I see this book really helping kids who are overreacting and having big emotions to little problems. 

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Book Review: Where Oliver Fits

Author/Illustrator: Cale Atkinson

From the Book Jacket: Oliver is a little puzzle piece who is excited to find out where he fits. Will he be... In the mane of a unicorn? On the tentacle of a pirate squid? Part of a beautiful sunset or a fiery volcano? A member of a monster rock band? But when he goes in search of his perfect place, Oliver discovers that finding where he belongs is harder than he thought...

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I'm really excited about this book. Kids really struggle with finding their place in friendship circles and often times give up a piece of who they are just so they can fit in. Oliver discovers you can't rush or force your fit. All you can do is be yourself! I like the message that you are not alone and others are also searching for a friend. Find others who represent your same values and appreciate who you are.....love! Don't be something you are not. Be you. 

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Book Review: Most People


Author: Michael Leannah
Illustrator: Jennifer E Morris

About This Book: Sometimes the world can seem scary, it's true. But most people are good people, just like you. Anxious adults want children to be aware of dangers, but shouldn't kids be aware of kindness too?

Young children hear adults talking, they see things on TV, and they're sometimes left thinking that the world is a place full of dangers and bad feelings. Yes, children need to be careful of strangers, but they also need to know that most people are good, kind, and helpful, and one of the great delights in life is reinforcing that knowledge through our daily interactions with others. 


Why It's On My Bookshelf: With all of the violence and chaos that seems to surround us more and more in the world, I was so happy to see this beautiful book. It's a reminder to us and our children that there are more good people then bad people in this world. Most people are good people. It's so easy to get focused on the things that scare us. Lets remember to set our hearts on minds on all the helpers around us. This is a comforting book to pull of the shelf when times seem uncertain and scary.  

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Book Review: Sumi's First Day of School Ever

Author: Soyung Pak
Illustrator: Joung Un Kim

From the Book Jacket: When Sumi arrives at school on her first day, she sees a big building. She sees strange children. (Some are big.) She sees wide stairs and a big metal fence. School is a lonely place, she thinks. When Sumi enters the noisy classroom and hears loud children saying things she doesn't understand, Sumi feels even worse. School is a scary place. And when a little boy squishes his eyes and makes a face at Sumi, thats when she decides school is a mean place. 

This is a thoughtful picture book about a young Korean girl trying to find her place in a new classroom on the first day of school. For Sumi, the first day is extra hard because she doesn't know the same language as everybody else. But with some help from a kind teacher and the fortunate acquaintance of a friendly girl at recess, Sumi realizes that maybe school is not as lonely, scary, or mean as she thought.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: What a wonderful read aloud for the first month of school! This is a time when we are building community around new students and making sure everyone is feeling welcome and included. We also have students from different countries and this is their first school experience. Students get to experience the feelings of fear and loneliness through Sumi's eyes. There is a boy who displays mean behavior but turns his actions into kindness thanks to his teacher. But a friendship begins to bloom when another little girl approaches Sumi and introduces herself. Loved this story and the impact it is having on our students. 

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Book Review: Wild About Us!


Author: Karen Beaumont
Illustrator: Janet Stevens
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Warty Warthog may have warts and tusks, but he likes himself that way! Join him as he celebrates all of his animal friends and the attributes that make each one unique. Whether it’s Crocodile's toothy grin or Kangaroo’s huge feet or Leopard’s spottiness, each animal is different. Wouldn’t it be dull if all the animals at the zoo—and all the people in the world—looked alike? A joyful picture-book celebration of everything that makes us individuals!

Why It's On My Bookshelf: With everything going on in this world right now we need books that teach differences, acceptance, and diversity more then ever. Those are our strengths! I love this picture book. It's a celebration of how we are all different which makes life beautiful. I see myself using this to start a discussion and then move into a creative art project where students can show their own uniqueness while learning to appreciate every ones differences. Love!

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Book Review: Let Me Finish!


Author: Minh Le 
Illustrator: Isabel Roxas
Interest Level: Ages and Up

From the Book Jacket: When our young hero settles in to read, the last thing he wants is for some noisy animals to ruin the ending of the story. But ruin it they do. And as it turns out, the boy is quickly approaching a surprise ending of his own! Maybe he should have listened to the animals after all...

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I think this serves as a great social skills lesson to students. I'm always on the hunt for books that might give a perspective about showing respect when someone is trying to learn or is engaged in a task. Every time the boy in the book tries to read he is interrupted. He becomes QUITE agitated. I see this as a great teaching tool in the classroom. As a community we want to teach students to be aware of how our behavior and actions are impacting others. If someone is trying to learn - be respectful. The ending is to the book is a bit silly but the lesson is CLEAR in the story. Excited to have something new to use when teaching listening skills. 

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