Children

Given some of the latest despicable tragedies, I’d encourage every family to cuddle up to this wonderful poem about the importance of love in a young child’s life by Caldecott Honor and Newbery Winner Matt de la Peña, with beautiful illustrations by Loren Long.

Applegate – a Newbery-winning author – has another hit on her hands. As Publishers’ Weekly notes, this accessible and moving novel demonstrates how the creative resilience of a child's mind can soften difficult situations, while exploring the intersection of imagination and truth. Beautiful book – needs to be a part of every middle school teacher’s classroom library.

A perfect addition for Black History Month. Harrison’s beautifully illustrated book features 40 African-American women who changed the world. Truly inspiring.

There are few things more gratifying to me than reading funny poems to children, and Prelutsky has always been one of my favorites. A fun poetic romp any parent can relate to regarding the ritual of trying to get kids to go to bed.

Moss encourages her young audience to concentrate on two areas: focusing on inner self-esteem and building social confidence. Through procedure and practice, she reminds kids that real confidence doesn’t come from being the smartest, prettiest, or the most popular one in the room but from the comfort one has with him- or herself. Great book for all upper elementary and middle school teachers.

Conceived by the amazing Kate DiCamillo and featuring enchanting illustrations by Jaime Kim, this nearly wordless graphic story follows a little girl in search of a friend.

Tilby has written and illustrated a wonderful story that gives children the right idea of how to stand up for themselves, without offending well-intentioned friends and family who proffer what they “should” do with their lives. Terrific read-aloud.

Adorable Christmas gift by the dependable author of the How to Catch series.

Brother and Sister Bear can't wait for Christmas and all the presents they'll open. But during the Christmas pageant something special happens! The Bear cubs learn a very valuable lesson about the joy of giving to others. Does it get any better than The Berenstain Bears?

With beautiful illustrations by Barbara Cooney, Houston has gifted us with a timeless Appalachian Classic that is always welcome for the holidays.

Born in Ghana with a deformed leg, Emmanuel chose to ignore the doubters around him and listen to his mother, who taught him to reach for his dreams. At age thirteen he became a cyclist and rode an astonishing four hundred miles across Ghana in 2001, spreading his powerful message: disability is not inability. Beautiful story that brings me to tears every time I read it to students.

Zog is the most eager student in the class, but he's also the most accident-prone. With each test (and each bump, bruise, or scrape), his dream of earning a gold star seems further away than ever. But a mysterious girl keeps coming to his rescue. And when Zog faces his toughest test yet, she may be just the person to help Zog win classroom glory! Includes wonderful illustrations by Axel Scheffler.

When a huge black dog appears outside the Hope family home, each member of the household sees it and hides. Only Small, the youngest Hope, has the courage to face the black dog, who might not be as frightening as everyone else thinks.

Had to throw-in a creepy book for Halloween! Marcus and his friends have found the key to unlock the Library. And they need to use it, because, clearly, something is up. Some strange guy in a bathrobe haunts them; fires rage and flare out in an instant; a creepy old lady shows up at Marcus’s house. Great way gateway to chapter books for younger readers.

Beginning in 1922, when Edith Houghton was only ten years old, she tried out for a women’s professional baseball team, the Philadelphia Bobbies. Though she was the smallest on the field, soon reporters were talking about “The Kid” and her incredible skill, and crowds were packing the stands to see her play. Boys love it because it’s about baseball, and girls love reading about a female protagonist who overcomes plenty obstacles to succeed.