Children

This book would make a wonderful precursor to students interested in reading Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos, as students (and parents, for that matter) delight in these relatable adventures of a third grade boy with ADHD.

Beginning readers will enjoy this story of a little Native American boy who encounters a horse (set free by a Spanish explorer) for the first time. This book has a mystical quality to it.

Why not teach your children about the continents this summer? This book is good for inspiring students to write about their own summer travels.

The true story of an actual tortoise who went over Niagara Falls, this story will have your students laughing and asking for re-readings.

I want you all to remember to vote on Nov. 2nd. I figured that since most folks have only an elementary understanding of our political system (including some candidates), it would be fitting to include a few children’s books that enlighten us on the Presidency. I like the pictures and simplicity of this book, which profiles 17 Presidents.

A teacher asked me for a fun book to read aloud to her kindergartners for Groundhog’s Day (Feb. 2nd), and I suggested this amusing tale I recently discovered about a groundhog who tricks his forest friends into believing Spring has arrived, so he can stay out late and play with his friends. They are not amused when they learn that winter is still here. Silly, with wonderful illustrations by Jean Cassels.

Here’s an oldie but goodie that many folks had forgotten about. The first in a series of a dozen books by New York Public Library children’s librarian and publisher Esther Averill, this classic follows the adventures of Jenny Linsky, the famous little black cat of Greenwich Village.

A witch decides to move into the ten timid ghosts’ happy haunted house and creates havoc, but one clever ghosts has other ideas.

Separated into two-page chapters, this book does a superb job of explaining various election processes. It also serves some delicious Cliff Clavin facts, like why political parties have the animal mascots they have and what foods are associated with specific Presidents.

Marc Brown is one of my favorite children’s authors, and his series of Arthur books are a treasure. Whenever I conduct trainings and concerned parents and teachers ask me about the downside of television, I always point to the PBS version of Arthur as not only a great show for kids, but one of the funniest shows on television. I read the books and watch the show with my kids all the time (there is a great book about D.W. being a picky eater, which I read to my daughter at least once a day – especially since she is a picky eater). Reading Marc Brown’s books will make you a happier and healthier human being. He has a wonderful interactive Arthur display at the Boston Children's Museum, by the way.

When Splat the Cat goes to a pumpkin patch with Seymour, he is determined to find the biggest pumpkin ever. But when he finally does, Splat discovers the real challenge isn't finding the pumpkin—it's how to get the pumpkin home!

Another wonderful resource to make the election process understandable to students (and Floridians).

I want to encourage parents and teachers to utilize poetry as a way of enhancing students’ reading abilities. Combine poetry and pets and you get two great motivators that are sure to interest students in reading. Besides having a variety of great poems about different kinds of pets, this book uses several different styles of poetry, from acrostics to cinquains.

When a young fox offers an idea to stop a hunter from trapping foxes, an elder fox brushes the idea aside as being too simple. But later the elder fox learns that there is something to be said for simplicity. A simple tale that younger students appreciate for its message that all ideas should be considered, regardless of who they come from.

The sequel to the popular Ladybug Girl, this fun book follows Lulu as she encounters Sam on the playground. Both seem to like the opposite of one another until Lulu suggests her Ladybug Girl game, which allows them to save the playground from hairy monsters and mean robots. Lots of fun to read aloud with little ones.