Book Review: What Is Given From The Heart

Author: Patricia C McKissack

Illustrator: April Harrison

From the Book Jacket: James Otis knows what it's like not having much. Still, he just has to find a little bit of something to share with Sarah, whose family has lost everything in a fire. But what does he have that she would want? His beautiful sparkling rock? Naw, that wouldn't help - you can't ear a rock. His crayons? No way, even if only a few colors are missing. Then he remembers what Reverend Dennis said one Sunday - What is given from the heart reaches the heart - and it gets him to thinking... This is a heartfelt picture book about the power of kindness and the joy of giving by a master storyteller and a renowned artist. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: April is the month of giving at my school. When we ask students to bring in items for a food drive, it's important that we give them an understanding of why we are doing a community service project. Reading books about homelessness, hunger, and poverty has been a helpful resource to educate kids about issues others are facing. This is a new book to my shelf and it really reached everyone's hearts and helped enhance the spirit of giving that we were trying to achieve. 

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Book Review: The Little Green Girl

Author/Illustrator: Lisa Anchin

From the Book Jacket: The Little Green Girl is no ordinary plant. She dreams of exploring the world beyond her garden's walls. But branching out is hard to do... Especially when your gardener is rooted in his routine. 

For her gardener, Mr. Aster, the prospect of deviating from his daily routine--let alone leaving his beloved home--is unimaginable. Try as she might, the Little Green Girl can't uproot herself and set off on her own. To realize her dream, she'll have to find a way to show Mr. Aster that it's possible to carry a bit of home with you wherever you go. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Every year we teach the importance and value of having a growth mindset to our students. I thought this was a great story and example of fixed mindset versus growth mindset. The Little Green Girl is full of determination and perseverance. She wants to live out her dreams. But Mr. Aster seems to think that things should not change and there is no reason to need or want more in life. I really liked the concept that when we reach our goals we grow. If we stay in a fixed mindset we stay stagnant and don't truly blossom. If you are looking for a new resource to teach mindsets - this is a great story.  

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Book Review: Angry Cookie

Author: Laura Dockrill
Illustrator: Maria Karipidou

From the Book Jacket: What happens when a little cookie gets up on the wrong side of bed? Prepare to fall absolutely in love with this irresistible cookie, crumbly chocolate chips and all. OH NO! Barbra the cactus won’t stop playing her recorder, the yummy strawberry toothpaste has run out, and now – to top it all off – Cookie has to have his hair cut! Which all makes for one VERY ANGRY little cookie... But perhaps you, the reader, can find a way to turn his grumpy frown upside down?



Why It's On My Bookshelf: I love this book so much! Angry Cookie explains the many reasons that he's angry. But in the end he reveals he's actually upset because he feels like nobody listens to him. He also feels no one sticks around. But as he speaks to the reader he starts to feel better. It's a great story to teacher how important it is for kids to be listened to and it's OKAY to need people. And also a reminder to kids that sometimes when their friends are upset they simply need to listen. This will be a staple in my social emotional curriculum for managing emotions. 

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