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2.59k reviews by:
librarybonanza
Age: Preschool+
STEM: Engineering--building a house
A little mouse finds the perfect place to build its great, big, happy house nestled in a forest clearing. Throughout the first half of the book, a variety of sad, scared, and worried animals arrive and are met by the compassionate and encouraging words of Mouse. Word spreads and, together, the forest animals build a house where everybody's welcome.
An uplifting way to demonstrate the power of compassion, teamwork and collaboration, and hard work.
STEM: Engineering--building a house
A little mouse finds the perfect place to build its great, big, happy house nestled in a forest clearing. Throughout the first half of the book, a variety of sad, scared, and worried animals arrive and are met by the compassionate and encouraging words of Mouse. Word spreads and, together, the forest animals build a house where everybody's welcome.
An uplifting way to demonstrate the power of compassion, teamwork and collaboration, and hard work.
Age: ???
Great collage artwork and an excellent premise but it is unfortunately paired with heavy-handed, monotonous, verb-driven writing.
For the classroom, this would be a hard one to read aloud to any children younger than 2nd grade. Because of the wealth of information discussed, it's best to pair this with a unit that is already discussing social justice and activism or with children that already have background knowledge about activism. I honestly wish the author didn't feel confined to an ABC book because the length is daunting and the message becomes overwhelmingly saturated with information.
I gave it an extra star for all the conservative blowhards out there.
Great collage artwork and an excellent premise but it is unfortunately paired with heavy-handed, monotonous, verb-driven writing.
For the classroom, this would be a hard one to read aloud to any children younger than 2nd grade. Because of the wealth of information discussed, it's best to pair this with a unit that is already discussing social justice and activism or with children that already have background knowledge about activism. I honestly wish the author didn't feel confined to an ABC book because the length is daunting and the message becomes overwhelmingly saturated with information.
I gave it an extra star for all the conservative blowhards out there.
Age: Kindergarten-3rd grade
History: Civil Rights Movement, Birmingham Children's March
Children being jailed and people being persecuted for the color of their skin are hard subjects to depict in picture book format but Levinson and Brantley Newton succeed in representing the determination of 9-year-old Audrey in her fight for justice through solidarity.
After listening in on dinner table conversations and church sermons, Audrey is given the chance to march for civil rights with other children, mainly high school students. Seven days in jail reveal to Audrey the harsh treatment by those in power against those simply wanting the same rights as their fellow citizens.
While her story is fascinating paired with the emotional illustrations, the storytelling felt a little lackluster.
History: Civil Rights Movement, Birmingham Children's March
Children being jailed and people being persecuted for the color of their skin are hard subjects to depict in picture book format but Levinson and Brantley Newton succeed in representing the determination of 9-year-old Audrey in her fight for justice through solidarity.
After listening in on dinner table conversations and church sermons, Audrey is given the chance to march for civil rights with other children, mainly high school students. Seven days in jail reveal to Audrey the harsh treatment by those in power against those simply wanting the same rights as their fellow citizens.
While her story is fascinating paired with the emotional illustrations, the storytelling felt a little lackluster.
Age: Preschool-2nd grade
Familiar Experience: Being the new kid
A classmate observes Vanessa, the new girl, being bullied on her way home from school. The next day, the unnamed girl decides to walk with Vanessa and is gradually joined by all her other classmates as everyone walks into school together.
Without words, children (and adult readers!) can really absorb the emotions of the characters from fear, to sadness, to guilt, to worry, to kindness. This one simple, kind task is achievable by so many children that readers should feel empowered by the end of the story to act in simple and powerfully kind ways. Best read in a one-on-one setting since there can be several illustrations on one spread and the artwork is rather light-handed.
Familiar Experience: Being the new kid
A classmate observes Vanessa, the new girl, being bullied on her way home from school. The next day, the unnamed girl decides to walk with Vanessa and is gradually joined by all her other classmates as everyone walks into school together.
Without words, children (and adult readers!) can really absorb the emotions of the characters from fear, to sadness, to guilt, to worry, to kindness. This one simple, kind task is achievable by so many children that readers should feel empowered by the end of the story to act in simple and powerfully kind ways. Best read in a one-on-one setting since there can be several illustrations on one spread and the artwork is rather light-handed.
Age: Preschool-1st grade
Animals: Bunny, fox
Family: 2 sisters
Being kind is not a superpower, or so thinks SuperBuns' sister, Blossom. But when Blossom is given a big hug and thanked for helping someone find their way home, she starts to see kindness as a superpower.
Bold illustrations, cute bunnies, a realistic sister relationship that doesn't involve them getting in a fight, simple text and a simple plot--all together make this an excellent read-aloud for an older aged crowd.
Animals: Bunny, fox
Family: 2 sisters
Being kind is not a superpower, or so thinks SuperBuns' sister, Blossom. But when Blossom is given a big hug and thanked for helping someone find their way home, she starts to see kindness as a superpower.
Bold illustrations, cute bunnies, a realistic sister relationship that doesn't involve them getting in a fight, simple text and a simple plot--all together make this an excellent read-aloud for an older aged crowd.
Age: Preschool+
All about me: Skin
Science: Anatomy, melanin
An empowering and normalizing fact-based approach to why the world is full of different skin colors. An effective book that will provide a nice balance to fiction books that celebrate diversity and skin color.
Although originally published in 1994, the 20 year edition has crisp photography and timeless clothing choices that should give it more lasting power into the next 20 years.
All about me: Skin
Science: Anatomy, melanin
An empowering and normalizing fact-based approach to why the world is full of different skin colors. An effective book that will provide a nice balance to fiction books that celebrate diversity and skin color.
Although originally published in 1994, the 20 year edition has crisp photography and timeless clothing choices that should give it more lasting power into the next 20 years.
I was fully engrossed in the fast moving plot, the twists, the plot, and the romance. I especially loved the main character Amani who had interesting growth and the best dialogue. She was likeably smart-mouthed and fiercely independent--two character traits that had were intricately tied to the progression of the plot.
I gave a groan at the end of the book only because I knew I had to finish the series.
I gave a groan at the end of the book only because I knew I had to finish the series.
If you're going to read this one, read it fast.
Nuggets of truly beautiful pastoral writing amidst action and a tantalizing mystery. My only gripe was the relatively simplistic plot but, if read fast, I wouldn't have noticed.
Nuggets of truly beautiful pastoral writing amidst action and a tantalizing mystery. My only gripe was the relatively simplistic plot but, if read fast, I wouldn't have noticed.
Age: 5th-8th grade
Recognition: Vernon Area Public Library 6th/7th grade booktalks for 2020
After casting some unintentional magic against two bullies, Moth Hush unravels her family's magical past that is at the center of her town's centuries long conflict between witches and non-witch settlers.
Lots of silly Garfield-esque humor combines with an exciting coming-of-age premise and a fast-moving plot to make this bewitching to the junior high crowd.
Recognition: Vernon Area Public Library 6th/7th grade booktalks for 2020
After casting some unintentional magic against two bullies, Moth Hush unravels her family's magical past that is at the center of her town's centuries long conflict between witches and non-witch settlers.
Lots of silly Garfield-esque humor combines with an exciting coming-of-age premise and a fast-moving plot to make this bewitching to the junior high crowd.