Book Review: Ruby Finds a Worry

Author/Illustrator: Tom Percival

From the Book Jacket: Meet Ruby - A happy, curious, imaginative girl. But one day, she finds something unexpected: a Worry. It's not a very big Worry, at first. But every day, it grows a little bigger...And a little bigger...Until eventually, the Worry is ENORMOUS and is all she can think about. 

But when Ruby befriends a young boy, she discovers that everyone has Worries, and not only that, there's a great way to get rid of them too...This perceptive, poignant story is the perfect springboard for talking to children about sharing their hidden concerns. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Such a great resource to help kids confront their worries. I really like how they describe a worry and how it is hard to carry on as if everything is normal. Ruby's worry is always there and it begins to stop her from doing the things she loved. It becomes even bigger when she worries about her worry. It makes her incredibly unhappy. She notices another little boy who appears to be suffering from the same thing and it comforts her knowing she is not alone in this feeling. The little boy tells her about his worry and it begins to shrink. Ruby also talks about her worry and begins to feel like her happy self again. So happy to have this one!

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Book Review: The Kindness Book

Author/Illustrator: Todd Parr

From the Book Jacket: There are many ways to be kind. Kindness is listening. Kindness is helping things grow. Kindness is letting others be who they are. With his trademark bright colors and inspiring words, Todd Parr shows readers that being kind is easy and makes you feel good, too!

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Teachers ask me for books on kindness A LOT. So I bought this more as a teaching tool for my own lessons but also to share with the teachers in my building who are revisiting kindness. If you are making an anchor chart with your class on kindness - this is a really helpful book to help kids brainstorm. A winner!

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Book Review: I Love My Colorful Nails

Author: Alicia Acosta and Luis Amavisca
Illustrator: Gusti

From the Book Jacket: Ben liked painting his nails, until some of the kids at school started teasing him. When Dad realized why Ben was sad, he decided to paint his nails too.  

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Ben likes to paint his nails but is teased at school by boys telling him that painting your nails is only for girls. They start calling him a "girl" as a putdown. Ben feels horrible and can't understand why they would tease him. It makes him incredibly sad. He shares what happened with his family and his dad paints his own nails to support him. But the teasing continues at school. A girl tries to get people to stop teasing him by telling them to leave him alone. Ben decides he will now only paint his nails on the weekend because he doesn't want the kids at school to laugh at him. But on Ben's birthday he goes to school and is met with the kids shouting "Happy Birthday!" And everyone, even the teacher, has their nails panted in support of Ben. 

I really loved this book and although it's hard to see Ben be treated this way - sadly it happens everyday to kids. I love how the class decides to support him. This is an important one to share!

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