2.59k reviews by:

librarybonanza

Filter

Age: Preschool-Kindergarten
Nature: Tree

An orange and yellow oak leaf blows away on a fall breeze, traveling from the countryside to the city, into the hands of a girl. Sandford provides amazing perspective throughout the book as the leaf spins and turns, prominently featured on the cover with an upside down city. 1-2 sentences per page make this perfect for the classroom.

Age: Preschool-Kindergarten
Family: Sister of two brothers
Nature: Playing outside

After being left behind by her brothers, fierce and creative Ruby finds her own fun through the power of her imagination and a pile of sticks. Eventually her brothers become interested in Ruby's play and provide some natural offerings to contribute to Ruby's new castle.

The setting never leaves the natural flowing grasses and bounty of the open field, highlighting the beauty of natural play for young, imaginative minds.

Age: Preschool-1st grade
Math: Shapes, Geometry

Several shapes get stuck in a messy jungle gym and are saved by teamwork and quick thinking. While the solution isn't particularly satisfying, the rhymes are an absolute delight to read aloud and the wide diversity of shapes feel seamlessly integrated.

Age: Kindergarten-2nd grade

An inspirational call for children to say something with confidence, creativity, and persistence. Before and after pictures show the power of one person's action.

Age: Preschool-Kindergarten

Bright illustrations, a fun search-and-find element, and a quick story make for a pleasant read-aloud about being the "odd dog out" through personal style and choices that are opposite to the norm. Thankfully, the story doesn't end when Odd Dog leaves her hometown and finds a place full of dogs like her. Instead, another "odd dog" encourages her that there is nothing wrong with being unusual and she heads back home to much fanfare.

Although great as a shorter, purposeful read-aloud for a younger audience, the story could use more depth. Convinced that she's weird, one shallow interaction with a relatable dog gives her absolute comfort and encouragement to return home. Seems...trite.

Age: 1st-3rd grade

An excellent story to show the remorse of someone who turns a blind eye to bullying or participates in the act. A sad ending gives listeners a chance to reflect on their own choices and make kind choices the next time that they are faced with a similar scenario.

Age: Preschool-Kindergarten
Family: Granddaughter and grandma
Identity, Author: African American
Identity, Illustrator: African American

We need more books like these beautiful, unique family dynamics that exist in our world! Such a beautiful celebration of Carol's relationship with her grandma without ignoring her feelings about the hard separation that Carol has away from her mom and dad. A beautiful spread shows multiple illustrations of Carol feeling sad with a slouched body and crossed arms but she transitions to reassured and jubilant as she grasps her grandmother's hand.

A short read but packed with a lot to relate to and discuss for readers.

Age: Preschool-1st grade

Basically a list of kind things that people can do for one another. Nothing exceptional.

Age: Infant-Preschool
Identity: Afro Latinx
Identity, Author: African American
Identity, Illustrator: African American

A joyful, loving family go through a common nighttime routine once the sun starts to set.

This illustrator is on fire. I adore all of his books including Under the Same Sun, Littles, and Goal.

Age: Infant+
Concept Skill: Colors

Crisp photographic collages of one color are paired with poetic search-and-find lists. Perfectly achieves its goal of color identification.