Children

It’s not easy being young. I love the message in this book that as long as you try your best you should be proud. Beautiful and fun illustrations by Megan Wellman. A great read aloud for parents with kindergartners.

Part of the Fact
Finders series, my students get a kick out of the information about the Internet, cell phones and
Wikis. Heck, I learned a lot reading this book. Since most of the text students face on
standardized tests is nonfiction, I try to expose students to as much interesting nonfiction as
possible. This book is especially popular with boys.

This is part of a wonderful series of Bats books by Lies, and his illustrations and rhymes are always a crowd pleaser with kindergarteners.
In this episode it takes a librarian’s read alouds to settle the bats down, and the illustrations, as always, are fantastic. Just in time for Halloween.

Written for children with terrific illustrations by Lynne Avril, I think a lot of adults should check out this book to better understand
our election process.

Subtitled Survive and Succeed with David Mortimer Baxter, this first in a fun series shares David’s best excuses for getting out of work. What I like best about the series is how Tayleur provides lots of “doodles,” subheadings and font changes, providing students with ideas on how to structure their own texts and help them come to life. Students love the inspiration for different excuses.

This series about a Siamese cat who thinks he is a Chihuahua is always a hit with young children. I recently met Judy and loved her tales of where she gets her ideas and her hat-box collections for story inspiration. Her evolution as an illustrator and author makes a great story in itself. Parents cannot go wrong with this latest tale in the series, which features a trip to ancient Egypt before Skippyjon returns home to his “mummy.”

I have had enough teachers write me with this recommendation that I suppose I must include this magically illustrated book, another in a long line of great reads from the very-talented David Shannon. Kids love this book for the pictures; teachers love it for the message that it’s alright not to succumb to peer pressure. A wonderful book to read aloud and “show off” to kids.

I’ve recommended joke books by Elliott before, and the reason is because I see so many boys who get hooked on reading because of joke books. Perfect for your most reluctant readers.

I must confess that Peppa Pig is one of my youngest daughter’s favorite shows, and mine! It’s always positive! If you’ve had a tough day, you need to watch Peppa Pig or The Price is Right, and I guarantee you’ll end with a smile on your face.

Full disclosure: I’m a sucker for beautiful illustrations, and David Walker’s pictures begged me to pick up this book. Paul does a wonderful job of introducing children to important sound words in this lovely book.

How I just recently came across this book is beyond me. Once again, the French win the award for “twisted tale for children.” I loved this tale of strange vampires sucking the black blood out of the books. Extremely creative and a story readers of all ages will appreciate. 

I love getting my mathematicians excited about reading with great math literature, and Lorren Leedy is one of my favorite “math” authors. In this fun poem, Leedy introduces readers to what the world would be like without numbers.

This is what I call a “golden book,” because it is written in two languages, Spanish and English. Spanish speakers around the world are familiar with this popular song of celebration, and the lyrics are translated into English for English speakers. Caldecott winner Diaz provides beautiful illustrations in his typical bright, alluring colors.

Great for teaching the seasons, this wordless picture book takes kids on an adventure with a little girl that my own children mistake for Dora the Explorer. This little girl has an umbrella that allows her to reverse the weather under the “un-brella’s” canopy. Very fun to read aloud with very young children.

I have Linda Nelson to thank for this book recommendation. A funny story of a boy who finds he loves to sew; students can learn a valuable lesson about breaking stereotypical roles of men and women.