This or That: What Will You Choose at the British Museum

This book will be perfect for any I Spy fanatics and it’s the perfect time for it as many museums doors are closed at the present.  There are virtual tours and exhibits of museum and other cultural spaces but sometimes you just want to hold a book.  The layout of the photos of artifacts is eye catching and engaging for readers young and old.  I enjoyed searching the page for the prompted items and wondering about others as well. Enjoy our trip to the museum!

http://www.pippagoodhart.co.uk/
@pippagoodhart

Title: This or That: What Will You Choose at the British Museum

Author: Pippa Goodhart

ISBN: 978-1-5362-1223-5

Published 2019 by Nosy Crow

What I Like Most

This feels like an updated (and lovely) version of “The Important Book”.  Each of the items that the characters likes most is representative of what she values.  Like The Important Book and many others before it, this book offers a student writing opportunity to reflect on what they like most – a great community building and getting to know you/beginning of the year book.  My favorite is the book. “It has a story about someone quite like me.” Every child needs to see themselves reflected in literature. And my next favorite is the end (which I won’t give away) but it is beautiful and as a result this would make an excellent gift for the addition of a new baby to a family.

Title: What I Like Most

Author: Mary Murphy

Illustrator: Zhu Cheng - Liang

ISBN: 978-1-5362-0940-2

Published 2019 by Candlewick Press

The Same But Different Too

Acknowledging that what makes us the same and different is not a new concept. Students have sorted shapes in primary math lessons by attributes and created patterns using those different attributes for as long as I’ve been teaching.  This book acknowledges differences in a very positive light, with admiration for the differences and ways that each of us is special.  Some examples: But I can’t drink the way you do. I can’t climb as high as you. I can’t hide as well as you (with an illustration of a zebra in front of a black and white striped wall). To name a few examples and my favorite: I love stories. So do you. A universal truth.

@hindleyillos

Title: The Same But Different Too

Author:  Karl Newsom

Illustrator: Kate Hindley

ISBN: 978-1-5362-1201-3

Published 2019 by Nosy Crow

The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity

The artwork throughout The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity is stunning.  The color palette transports the reader to another time and place where they can be a part of the story of Ramanujan’s young life. Patterns in nature, city planning, and architecture reveal themselves to return to the root of mathematics and numbers.

Lining up pots (or other objects) and tantrums may reveal themselves to a current day reader as being linked to behaviors indicative of a child on the autism spectrum and Ramanujan’s single minded focus, or perseverance on numbers reinforces that connection further.  His brilliance and opportunity to collaborate at Cambridge are a result of his persistence. Readers can learn the value of grit and persistence demonstrated by Ramanujan as well as the power of following your passion.

https://www.amyalz.com/
@amyalznauer
http://www.danielmiyares.com/
@danielmiyares

Title: The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity

Author: Amy Alznauer

Illustrator: Daniel Miyares

ISBN: 978-0-7636-9048-9

Published 2020 by Candlewick Press

Zero Local Next Stop: Kindness

This mostly wordless picture book is absolutely stunning!  The narrative that persists throughout is that kindness is contagious and has its own ripple effects both in brightening the day of others and in inspiring others to be change makers themselves.  The pops of yellow throughout the otherwise black and white pencil drawings help to highlight the moment when each person is touched by the gift of kindness.

Two Murrows
@TwoMurrows

Title: Zero Local Next Stop: Kindness

Author: Ethan and Vita Murrow

ISBN: 978-0-7636-9747-1

Published 2020 by Candlewick Press

Fergus and Zeke and the Field Day Challenge

A little late to the game, but I had been planning to blog about this in a more timely fashion to align with our school’s field day. Alas, life and work obligations got in the way. But (fingers crossed) we will mark field day again next year and Fergus and Zeke and the Field Day Challenge will make for a perfect read aloud when that time approaches again in 2021.  Fergus and Zeke could also make for a great read aloud with STEM extensions.  For example, students could imagine creating the field day challenges from the book for the mice characters, plan, design, and build models to emulate the activities the students engage in for the mice.

https://www.katemessner.com/
@KateMessner

Title: Fergus and Zeke and the Field Day Challenge

Author: Kate Messner

ISBN: 978-1-5362-0202-1

Published 2020 by Candlewick Press

Houndsley and Catina at the Library

At our school library, we have a program called “Celebration Books”. These books are given in honor of the recipient for any number of reasons – marking a birthday (the perfect non-food gift to have a classroom read aloud in honor of a student’s birthday!), the end of the school year, the birth of a baby, retirement and even in memory of someone who is deceased.  Houndsley and Catina at the Library sparked me as a perfect book to gift someone in marking the time of their retirement (especially a librarian!). So if you find you’re looking for a great retirement gift, consider donating this title to your local public or school library!  It could also be used to mark the beginning of a new career – as…every end is a new beginning.

https://www.jameshowe.com/

Title: Houndsley and Catina at the Library

Author: James Howe

ISBN: 978-0-7636-9662-7

Published 2020 by Candlewick Press

Chick and Brain: Egg or Eyeball

Following the Geisel award winning success of Chick and Brain: Smell My Foot, readers are sure to return to this series by Cece Bell.  While young children will likely love this book for its entertaining characters, I do so hope the adults in their lives will read it with them as there is an overwhelming message at the end. Sometimes, when you think you are right and you are sure you are right and that someone expressing a different opinion is certainly wrong, you can still be surprised and it’s important to say so when you turn out to be wrong in the end.  The world is full of big problems right now and the solution isn’t always a clear path.

“When given the choice between being right and being kind. Choose kind.” – Wayne Dwyer

https://cecebell.wordpress.com/
@CeceBellBooks

Title: Chick and Brain: Egg or Eyeball?

Author: Cece Bell

ISBN: 978-1-5362-0439-1

Published 2020 by Candlewick Press

Dot Goes Fishing

You know what they say about when you assume. In this story, Dot assumes that she knows why her dad never brings home fish after a long day of fishing. But things are not always what they seem.  And technology is not always the answer to all of our “problems”.  Have you been fishing this summer?  Was your experience like that of Dot and her dad?  Did you catch any fish?

https://www.universalkids.com/shows/dot
@randizuckerberg
@DotTVShow

Title: Dot Goes Fishing

Author: Randi Zuckerberg

ISBN: 978-1-5362-1333-1

Published 2020 by Candlewick Entertainment