Children

As I taught at Marian Anderson Elementary School in Compton, California, there is no way I could ignore this wonderful book by one of America’s best children’s authors (Muñoz Ryan is also an excellent speaker). My hope is that you will read this book and become more interested in one of this country’s greatest, yet unheralded, African-American women of the 20th century. A lovely book with exquisite illustrations.

Speaking of incredible women in American history, I have always been captivated by the great journalist Nellie Bly. Rodger Streitmatter introduced me to her in his journalism classes at American University, and I have always enjoyed reading about her escapades: from getting committed to an insane asylum to expose its ill treatment of patients to traveling around the world in 72 days as a single woman in the late 19th century. If you read this book with your child, I bet you’ll have to grab more books on this wonderful character.

When three friends find a bag of chalk on a playground, they quickly learn that whatever they draw becomes reality, for better or worse. An amazing wordless picture book that my own children love.

Lovely book of actual photos of animals in the woods investigating the appearance of a snowman. Absolutely sensational. I want this book in every classroom.

I have my friend Annette Alpern to thank for this simple yet moving book about how all it takes is one brave soul to stand up to bullying. I use this book with business executives interested in team-building. Great for teaching preschoolers colors and numbers, as well.

Your children will delight at this companion to the Caldecott winner Swamp Angel (wow – it won that award nearly 20 years ago). Wonderful tall tale storytelling by Issacs accompanied by Paul Zelinsky’s extraordinary illustrations.

Maybe since my children are half Chinese I am drawn to books about Chinese Americans. Then again, any beginning reader will enjoy Lin’s tales of twins who are not as alike as they may appear.

This is the perfect read aloud for teachers who need students to expend their nervous energy.

To me, the mark of a truly great children’s book is whether mom and dad laugh as much as the kids during the read aloud. This is a book parents will surely appreciate as they read to their little ones before bedtime.

Do yourself a favor and check out a bunch of Long’s books. Her illustrations simply dazzle me. I think this story has a chance at becoming a Classic. A must-have for any classroom or home library.

With terrific illustrations by Christina E. Forshay, this book is great for introducing children to football terminology. What makes it special is the story of parents passing along their love of football to their children. You don’t have to like football to like this book.

May begins the graduation season, and this is the perfect graduation gift for mothers to daughters. Moves you like Robert Munsch’s Love You Forever.

If you want to get a jump-start on Halloween, this book is a load of laughs. Friendship is also its theme, but this book has a happy ending.

Teachers are always asking me how to get students interested in non-fiction. With cool pictures, of course! Not only is this a beautifully illustrated book. It also interests students in the variety of bridges that exist throughout the world.

San Souci is one of my favorite authors/illustrators, and I greatly enjoy his Clubhouse series. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this and the other Clubhouse books, which are all silly and beautifully-illustrated and will let older readers like me reminisce of simpler times.