PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - STARRED REVIEW
PANDA BEAR, PANDA BEAR, WHAT DO YOU SEE?
AUTHOR - BILL MARTIN
GRADES - PRE-1
HONORS/AWARDS
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - STARRED REVIEW
THEME - RECOGNIZING, APPRECIATING ANIMALS
When award winning author Bill Martin Jr. and award winning illustrator Eric Carle produce a book, the outcome is predictable. This is a real gem and should serve as a stepping stone for all children who are at the reading readiness stage or who are learning to read. All animals presented are on the endangered species list. The repetition and the beautiful illustrations combine to make this a top choice.
GENRE - CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. New vocabulary is presented describing the manner in which the animals
move. Briefly discuss these words.
2. Follow the suggestions presented at the end of the book.
CORETTA SCOTT KING AWARD 👍🏿
PEOPLE COULD FLY, THE
AUTHOR - VIRGINIA HAMILTON
GRADES - 3-5
HONORS/AWARDS 👍🏿 👍🏿
CORETTA SCOTT KING 👍🏿 -
The Award is given to an African American author and illustrator for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions. The Coretta Scott King Book Award titles promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contribution to the realization of the American dream of a pluralistic society.The Award is further designed to commemorate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to honor Mrs. Coretta Scott King for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood.
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW
THE HORN BOOK - FANFARE HONOR BOOK
BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK
NEW YORK TIMES - BEST ILLUSTRATED BOOK
PARENTS' CHOICE AWARD👍🏿
THEMES - SLAVERY, FREEDOM
This book was published as a tribute to its author, Virginia Hamilton, who wrote numerous stories detailing the black experience. The beautiful illustrations beg for the story to be read aloud. Readers will learn of the harsh treatment suffered by slaves at the hands of the overseer. According to an old folktale, an elderly slave named Toby used his magical powers which enabled some suffering slaves to fly away to freedom. This book can be used to supplement a unit on Black History, the Civil War, or related areas. The content offers much for class discussion.
GENRE - AMERICAN FOLKTALE
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. Why is this folktale called, The People Could Fly?
This could be a wish fulfillment for many of the slaves. The title
suggests that slaves used their imaginations to escape from the
plantations.
2. Why do you think slave children would like to hear this story?
It gave them hope and satisfaction.
3. What do you think was the worst thing about being a slave?
MALKA PENN AWARD FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE👍
ARELI IS A DREAMER
AUTHOR - ARELI MORALES
GRADES - K-3
HONORS/AWARDS 👍
MALKA PENN AWARD FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE 👍
This award is given annually to the author of an outstanding children's book addressing human rights issues or themes such as discrimination, equality, poverty, justice, war, peace, slavery, or freedom.
BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW
KIRKUS REVIEWS - STARRED REVIEW
THEME - ADAPTING TO A NEW COUNTRY
The author is a DACA recipient.
This is her story. Prior to kindergarten, she lived in Mexico with her Abuela. Then she moved to New York to live with her parents. Her life was filled with adjustments and hardships as she tried to live the American dream. She graduated Brooklyn College with a degree in bilingual childhood education. This book should make a good read aloud as children need to know that language should not be a barrier for friendship.
GENRE - CHILDREN'S BIOGRAPHICAL PICTURE BOOK
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. What was the most difficult experience for Areli?
Leaving her abuela
Dealing with mean children
Learning to speak English
Getting used to living in the city
2. Do you think Areli would make a good friend? Why?
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW
SEA BEAR - A JOURNEY FOR SURVIVAL
AUTHOR -LINDSAY MOORE
GRADES - K-4
HONORS/AWARDS
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL- STARRED REVIEW
KIRKUS REVIEWS - STARRED REVIEW
SHELF AWARENESS - STARRED REVIEW
THEMES - GLOBAL WARMING, SURVIVAL
A polar bear tries to survive the impact of global warming. He is filled with hope for a better future. Great message and beautiful illustrations make this a perfect read aloud.
GENRE - REALISTIC FICTION
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. Why do you think the bear must be patient with hunting, the weather, and
darkness?
2. What do you think would happen to the polar bears if all the ice melted?
The author mentions that there is not enough ice left to hunt on.
3. On the last page, the polar bear is waiting. What do you think he is waiting for?
HORN BOOK - STARRED REVIEW
AN AMERICAN STORY
AUTHOR - KWAME ALEXANDER
GRADES - 3,4
HONORS/AWARDS
BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW
KIRKUS - STARRED REVIEW
HORN BOOK - STARRED REVIEW
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - STARRED REVIEW
THEME - SLAVERY
How do you begin teaching children about slavery? You can start with this book that is told through the eyes of a teacher. The beautiful illustrations depict Africans in their native land leading happy lives. Then the slave hunters came and brought them to America where they were sold to the highest bidders. Listeners will learn how families were torn apart and how these people survived the abuse of their owners. An American Story is just perfect to get conversations going for this age group.
GENRE - CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK - AMERICAN HISTORY
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
There are no follow-up questions as most pages lend themselves to class discussion.
NOTABLE BOOKS FOR A GLOBAL SOCIETY - SELECTION
OLDEST STUDENT, THE - HOW MARY WALKER LEARNED TO READ
AUTHOR - RITA LORRAINE HUBBARD
GRADES - 2 AND UP
HONORS/AWARDS 👍🏿 👍🏿 👍🏿
NOTABLE BOOKS FOR A GLOBAL SOCIETY - SELECTION 👍🏿
This is an annual list of 25 books created by the International Literacy Association which enhance student understanding of people and cultures. CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN’S LITERATURE BEST BOOKS - SELECTION 👍🏿
a committee of the Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature (CSMCL) identifies the best in multicultural books.
EL DIA DE LOS NINOS/EL DIA DE LOS LIBROS SELECTION
Highlighting diverse children’s books to honor the culture and languages of all children. 👍🏿
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR
COOPERATIVE CHILDREN’S BOOK CENTER (CCBC) - SELECTION
A best of the year list of Pre-K-12 books created annually by librarians. NOTABLE CHILDREN’S BOOKS IN THE LANGUAGE ARTS AWARD - SELECTION
NOTABLE SOCIAL STUDIES TRADE BOOK FOR YOUNG PEOPLE - SELECTION
THEMES - BLACK STRUGGLES, IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN
After the Civil War, most African Americans were illiterate. This is the story of one of them - Mary Walker. While working at menial jobs, and raising a family, she never had time to learn to read. She achieved this goal when she turned 116.
GENRE - CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK, BIOGRAPHY
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
Why do you think Mary learned to read?
Why did she wait so long to do it?
NOTABLE BOOKS FOR A GLOBAL SOCIETY ☮️
WE ARE GRATEFUL - OTSALIHELIGA
AUTHOR - TRACI SORELL
GRADES - 1-4
HONORS/AWARDS 👍 👍 👍
EL DIA DE LOS NINOS/EL DIA DE LOS LIBROS SELECTION👍
Highlighting diverse children’s books to honor the culture and languages of all children
NOTABLE BOOKS FOR A GLOBAL SOCIETY AWARD👍
This is an annual list of 25 books created by the International Literacy Association which enhance student understanding of people and cultures.
WE ARE KID LIT COLLECTIVE SUMMER READING LISTS👍
recognizing the humanity of Indigenous and People of Color (IPOC) in youth literature, people with disabilities, and people from the LGBTQIA+ communities
ROBERT F. SIBERT BOOK AWARD - HONOR
This award is presented annually to the writer and illustrator of the most distinguished informational book published in English during the preceding year.
BOSTON GLOBE -HORN BOOK AWARD - HONOR
COOPERATIVE CHILDREN’S BOOK CENTER (CCBC)
A best of the year list of Pre-K-12 books created annually by librarians.
THEME - APPRECIATING NATURE, APPRECIATING EACH OTHER
The author, a member of the Cherokee Nation, takes readers on a journey through the seasons as experienced by her people. She also provides the Cherokee alphabet designed by Sequoia and historical notes. Readers will learn that people can exist very happily without being connected to Wal-Mart and Amazon.
GENRE - CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK - NATIVE AMERICANS
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. The Cherokees enjoyed doing many things. What looks like the most fun to
you? Why?
2. What is your favorite season? Why?
GREEN EARTH BOOK AWARD 👍
BOY AND A JAGUAR, A
AUTHOR - ALAN RABINOWITZ
GRADES - 1-4
HONORS/AWARDS 👍👍
GREEN EARTH BOOK AWARD 👍
is the nation’s first environmental stewardship book award for children and young adult books.
SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARD 👍
is an award given by the American Library Association (ALA) recognizing authors and illustrators for the excellence of portrayal of the disability experience in literature for youth.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - STARRED REVIEW
KIRKUS REVIEWS -STARRED REVIEW
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK
THEME - SAVING THE JAGUAR
In this autobiography, the author shares his experiences as a stutterer and a lover of animals. As a child, he feels broken and shares his innermost thoughts with animals, as he doesnʼt stutter when talking to them. As an adult, he becomes an advocate for the jaguar as well as a spokesperson for the Stuttering Foundation of America.
GENRES - CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK, AUTOBIOGRAPHY
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. At the end of the story, the author looks at the jaguar and says, “We are both
whole.” What do you think that means?
The jaguar is free and the author feels that he kept his promise.
2. On the last page, the author says, “Thank you.” Who was he thanking and why
did he do it?
He might have been thanking the jaguar for listening to him, or he might
have been thanking the zoo jaguar for inspiring him.
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