I Forgive Alex

I Forgive Alex by Kerascoet is a new wordless picture book worth adding to any library.  Alex is playing basketball when he accidentally ruins a classmate's artwork.  Everyone is upset, and they decide to stay away from Alex.  Later in the day, the boy who was wronged chooses to forgive Alex.  By the same author as I Walk with Vanessa, this book is a story that children (and adults) will find worth their time reading.   

Miss Mary's Christmas Mittens

Miss Mary's Christmas Mittens by Trinka Hakes Noble and illustrated by Renee Andriani is a new picture book I found.  Miss Mary is a teacher and realizes a few days before Christmas that her students all need mittens.  She goes to the store to buy yarn, but they are out and won't get another shipment until after the holdiay.  It doesn't stop her from making mittens and delivering them to her students on Christmas morning.  A sweet story that is worth reading to your preschoolers and elementary aged children.  

Joy to the World!

Joy to the World! Christmas Around the Globe written by Kate DePalma and illustrated by Sophie Fatus is a book for those who want to know more about the way others celebrate Christmas.  The largest part of the book is written in simple verse and shows pictures of people celebrating in different ways.  At the end of the book has details about what the people do in their respective countries.  It is focused on faith-based traditions more than the commercial trappings of the holiday.  Countries represented in the book are Columbia, India, the Philippines, Canada, Mexico, Egypt, Ethiopia, Australia, Italy, Serbia, Argentina, Iceland, and Lebanon.

Forward Me Back to You

Forward Me Back to You by Mitali Perkins is the best book I read this month.  Kat and Robin are teens from very different backgrounds who meet at a church youth group.  They end up becoming friends and going on a service project to Kolkata for two different reasons.  This story delves into international adoption and human trafficking.  Though written with the young adult audience in mind, most adults will also enjoy the story.  I appreciated the way the author dealt with two series topics.  Perkins also does a good job showing how being authentic with others is a way to heal.  

these 6 things

These 6 Things by Dave Stuart Jr. is a book for every teacher.  Though geared to educators in grades 6-12, any teacher who wants to get better at the art of education will learn something by reading this book.  Chapter 2 about Cultivating Key Beliefs is something that would be the place to start.  I had heard Stuart speak before and this gives some concrete ways to build credibility, belonging, effort, efficacy and value in your classroom.  It gives strong reasons to teach knowledge along with ways to increase the amount of reading, writing, listening and speaking in your class, no matter what content area you teach.    

I Must Betray You

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys is a book that is worth reading.  Set in communist Romania in 1989, Cristian learns the harsh reality of living there.  He is blackmailed by the secret police because he wants to help his grandfather.  Sepetys does an excellent job with creating realistic characters and setting the scene so you can get the view of what life is like under communist control.  It made me grateful that I do not live in such a place.  It is cataloged as a book for young adults at my library, but good for all adults.

 

plenty of booklists

Looking for book ideas for children?  One resource for you is the Colorin Colorado page.  If you go to the Books and Authors section, you will find a plethora of book lists by theme and sometimes age, as well.

Another webpage that I have been looking at more lately is called What We Do All Day.  It is written by a mom who wants her children (and others) to spend much time reading and doing things that do not involve screens. 

Over and Under the Canyon

Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal have a new picture book, Over and Under the Canyon, that is worth looking for at the library.  A  mom and her son spend the day hiking in the canyon.  The pair see many animals on their way to their destination, a place where the wild plants decorate the landscape with color.  After dark, they see a hairy scorpion glow and hear the great horned owls.  Share this book with elementary children to help them understand the diversity of life in the canyon.

Nathan's Song

Nathan's Song by Leda Schubert is based on the story of her grandfather.  Nathan was a Jewish boy who lived in Russia.  He loved singing and wanted to become an opera singer.  His family saved money, and Nathan headed for Italy to study.  Unfortunately, Nathan boarded the wrong ship-to New York!  Though he never got to Italy, Nathan was able to use his singing ability to earn money, eventually singing on Broadway.  An immigrant story I recommend for ages five to one hundred.

The Floating Field

The Floating Field by Scott Riley and illustrated by Nguyen Quang and Kim Lien is a picture book that is for elementary or junior high students.  Based on a true story, Prasit and his friends loved playing soccer.  The problem was that they could only play when the tides did not cover the sandbar.  He and his friends decide to make a floating soccer field.  This story is a good example to share with children to see how a group of people can work together to solve a problem in a creative way. 

at the library

If you are tired of winter, it might be time to head to the library to find something new to do.  A few items that I checked out recently from the library.

The ukulele is from a try it yourself kit.  The ukulele comes in a case, along with a tuner and two books for beginners.  The kit can be checked out for three weeks.

Several libraries in my regional system also have jigsaw puzzles. 

My library also has snowshoes available for a weeklong checkout.  This post has examples of more offerings from the library I use.  Does your library offer anything unique? 

Night Becomes Day: Changes in Nature

Night Becomes Day: Changes in Nature by Cynthia Argentine is a great book to share with a wide variety of children.  Cynthia did a great job with the text and photographs.  There are many examples of change throughout nature, explained in opposite pairs like ancient and new, quick and slow, and brighten and dull.  This is good to facilitate a discussion on change.  It is also a great book to show examples of precise word choice-There are sentences like "It flattens hills and forms valleys." and "Animals scamper."