On my tbr

Word of the month: #reflect
This is getting to be cliché.
Great book for taking about bossy behavior without using the word bossy or making it gender normative.

Word of the month: #reflect
A moment of reflection in Flat Cat by Tara Lazar. When the illustration conveys meaning without words so succinctly, what is that called?

Word of the month #reflect
Leo makes a decision.
Illustrations in kid-lit are often described as simple (condescending?). The concept of reflection is not simple. In drawing, gesture is the technique used to convey meaning, but we don't label illustrations like we name literary devices. Maybe if we did, educators would teach more using graphic novels. What would you call them though?

This book is cute and introduces the idea of personal preferences for ramen toppings, but I'm not sure I fully understand what happens in the story. Either the author thought it was obvious or the editor trimmed too much detail. It was nominated for the 2025 Washington Children's Choice Award, so someone loves it.

A classic story which takes place in a nostalgic library complete with the smell of the library catalog, maybe this resonates with gen X... I'll be sharing it with the kids this week as part of our response to word of the month: reflect. But the theme is about breaking rules when necessary.

I need to remember to read this to the kids. There's a great moment when Jane makes an observation, which could be used as an example. And it's cute.

Great middle grade adventure series starter. It ends on a cliff hanger. TW: it involves a bakery.

I almost DNF. I'm in FL 🇺🇲. At my parents. The reason I can be here for any length of time is that I took a class from NAMI. Therapy is great, but if you care for anyone with mental illness, reach out to NAMI. This author experiences compounded grief on top of a family history of mental illness. Her hardship produces wisdom, but I wouldn't read this amidst grief, it's too sad. #endthestigma TW:homophobia, suicide, narcissism

Forgive me for the blurry pic of Montie Sunshine, but the pet sitter sent me that. The tree is really where he sleeps. We might set it up somewhere else next year.
The book is about as sweet as this dog. Some difficulty with grief and animal cruelty, but in true Leslie Connor fashion, the book will leave you better.

Empowering 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️

I am on a strict diet of 30 minutes of news (I check my sources for bias) and indulge in unlimited late night comedy. I can't remember who recommended this book or why I thought I should read it. Bottom line, stop giving your money to organizations and fund raisers until you've made sure they are not grifters. Doesn't matter whose side you're on.

From the Human Body Helpers series, Using Insulin is a simple and age appropriate explanation of diabetes and how to care for yourself. Meet polly Pancreas and Ian Insulin.

Sorry, wrong season, but still cute.

Doing a unit about respect and having the kindergartners read to me. This book amazed them. We talked about who in our school should talk to the bad boy so he can turn in the same direction as the other kids on the last page.

Dyckman cracks me up every time! This is a much needed replacement copy.

A must read for our #dogsoflitsy
Who knew Tarshis wrote a picture book? And it's adorable over and #underthedustcover

Reading while processing and capturing great things #underthedustcover
This book is a gift. It reads like a 💌 love letter, but it's not romantic.

The author and illustrator truly capture the experience of raising a neurodivergent child. The book says it's a hymn and in Destiny its call number is 782.42, but there is no mention in the book where to find the music.

This tribute to Jerry Pinkney is just what I needed. A powerful & beautiful, expression of grief to be shared, loved and adored.

A shy kid that can dance is encouraged to share his talent.

I haven't read this outloud to my students yet, but I'm sure it will be a hit. I didn't know about your kids, but mine seem to love meta fiction and I think that's a lousy name for the literary device. May I suggest Ironic Groveresque?

Excellent book for discussing format. While it's a picture book, the word count and the content speak to a more mature audience. The story has many layers. A modern retelling of Rapunzel and an allegory it illustrates the hardship of captivity and the use of hair to escape.

My little dumpling takes a literal turn. It reminded me of Into the Night Kitchen.

Laugh out loud funny!

Adorable story enveloped in Korean Lunar New Year traditions. My only fuss is there was not enough support for pronouncing Korean vocabulary. I need all the support I can get!

Picture books are not for kids! Keeping in mind that 4th graders didn't like being called children lately...
Older students might relate to Bijan's experiences. Khorram offers 2 pages to talk about analogies. In the end Bijan apologizes which allows everyone to move on, which may be the purpose of forgiveness.

Loaded with several humorous visual details, a fantastic #gazingbook. A definite reread for details.

Here's to folklore maintaining relevance!
This is a laugh out loud take on the Legend of Sissa Ibn Dahir. 5 nuggets! Bonus: it explains exponential growth in elementary terms.

Fascinating history of the Korean alphabet as a gift and tool of resistance. "When the heavens nourish the earth, they do not distinguish between the great and small..." King Sejong

Sienna Woodley is an up and coming author from Tacoma, Washington 🇺🇸
This picture book can be found on Amazon. I think it's a great explanation of light pollution, but also provides lots of opportunities for turn and talk or pair share. I give it 5⭐

Sending hugs! This is an oldie but a goodie. Some of the characters are reluctant to hug, but knowing it's a delivery makes it okay.

Read this out loud to your kids! And then at the second to the last page ask, wouldn't you like to play here? Turn the page and ask, or here?

Prepare for screams and strong opinions. This is an oodle lover book and more. #dogsoflitsy Beezus recommended #schoolcounselorapproved

Discovered at the book fair, this may be my favorite read aloud of the week. Bryan the pig has an excellent explanation for why he prefers to wear jeans, he's explicit. The best reason is unraveled through the remainder of the book and it's priceless.

My favorite scene was when they made the dough, wow! Lotta and her shell phone save the party. But how could we make this party safe for the anchovies? No time for deep thoughts #readforfun

Discovered at the book fair, I started reading this out loud to my students and had to stop because a few actually got scared. Most kids thought it was a great book. Those who loved it, really really loved it.

This last week I hosted our most successful book fair. I love/hate Scholastic. I'm physically and mentally exhausted. With so many parents around, this week in particular, it was nearly impossible to be the unbiased teacher-librarian. My goal for the next 4 years will be to protect my student's right to read and make sure they can see themselves in literature and media. I have a boss and a governor who will stand up for me. 💙🇺🇸🏳️‍🌈+ (5⭐ Guts)

From Beezus and Montie 🎃💀😽😘

A little like little Red, but with emphasis on adventure and overcoming fears. I'd kind of like an acorn full of magical healing soup. 🥚 🌽 X 5

Beautiful and sad true memoir by Allen Say.

A staple at our house! I love the blast of readers. Kids need more accessible nonfiction. Macaroni is good too 😋

A vibrant retelling of events around the swearing in ceremony of Deb Haaland to the office of cabinet secretary of the Department of Interior.

Fascinating memory of noodle delivery in the first half of the 20th C Japan. It will leave you hungry for soba.

This is a serious case of dramatic irony starting with a character that has a lot of eyes, but can't see what's obvious.

My plan of action is to vote. I'm privileged to live in a state where I can sit down at home with my ballot and voter's pamphlet. I can take as much time as I need to make informed decisions. We can liberate libraries and librarians in states where books are being banned. Children are not free if they can't see themselves in what they read. #ala #freedomtoread #dayofaction #americanlibraryassociation #vote #blm #lgbtq+ #transrights saves lives.

I have never visited the white house, so I've never heard of all the other rooms Willow explores in this book. Kids will love the nonfiction back matter with photos of the real Willow.

Nominated for the 2024 #WCCPBA I read this to all my classes and gave them an idea map for creating a definition of safety in their words because you can't share your feelings unless you feel safe. Their definition will be used for a character trait bulletin board. #underthedustcover

Excellent book for talking about empathy and forgiveness. Also a great segue to discuss safety. I'll be asking the students to define safety and it's revealed on this page that Bitsy hadn't felt safe. I find that younger students stop at happy & sad, so this is eye opening. But if you can feel safe, why isn't safety a feeling? This book became gobs more impressive after reading it to the kids.

I didn't get an image for this Dyckman instant classic, so Beezus will just push in. This book hits a gross nerve that will make the kids squirrel I mean squirm I mean squeal

I miss following this author on Xitter. Has anyone seen her on another site? She hasn't joined Threads yet.

This is a classic! I love the question Penelope has at the start: how many teeth will her classmates have? Is that foreshadowing? It seems too obvious. Like "Where are you going with that axe?". What's the literary device? Maybe it's just foreshadowing, but I think it needs more E.B. White significance.