Because when you really love a place, it keeps growing in your heart.

This book would be great to connect to a family history and culture lesson.

Picture book - This is a story about a grandmother and granddaughter creating a garden while the grandmother shares memories of her youth. I love the illustrations of this book and that the author shares about traditions that the grandmother experienced in her youth.

“just like you, they are showing they care about their country and want to make things better”

This book would be great to introduce students to politics and activism.

Picture book - This book introduces children to activism, but does not portray the reasons of going to a march. This book gives advice on what a young marcher might expect and how to prepare.

Sometimes when you're surrounded by dirt, CJ, you're a better witness for what's beautiful.

This book would be great to get the conversation going regarding how communities are diverse and talking about needs versus wants.

Picture book - I like that the main character is a person of color and is he is spending time with his grandmother who shows him the diversity in their town.

Dad hauls out a ring of keys as big as the rising moon

This book can be used when teaching about different families and how others are raised. It gives a great example of how families bond regardless of what they have or what they are doing.

Picturebook - This is a heartfelt story about the bond between a son and his father. I love this book and that the father and son are bonding over what others may think isnt fun to have to go to work with a parent.

“once a game of jumanji is started it will not be over until one player reaches the golden city“

This would be a fun read aloud for students and follow up with watching the movie if appropriate.

Caldecott - This is a great classic book with great black and white illustrations that allow the imagination to run wild.

“Always stick with your buddy”

I think this book could be used prior to teaching students about safety protocols as a fun read aloud.

Caldecott - I have always loved this book. Officer Buckle tries to teach safety, but no one listens to him until Gloria the dog is seen playing behind him without him knowing. The student cheer and Officer Buckle thinks it is about his safety speech.

“and they were happy together, waiting to see what happens next“

I think this could be a cute example for teaching about personification of inanimate objects.

Caldecott - I love the illustrations of this book! This book feels a bit too young for the grade I intend to teach, but it was a very cute book about toys being played with and what they experience as they wait to be played with.

“oh, how i wish i were myself again”

Caldecott - This book would be great to read for a read aloud, but i am unsure how i could connect this to the classroom.

Caldecott - This is a great classic book that I remember reading as a kid. As a a child and even now, this book makes me think and wonder about what I would wish for if given the “magic pebble“.

“because Black Lives Matter”

This book is a great book to start the conversation about civil rights and Black history.

Caldecott - This is my favorite Caldecott book that I have read. This is a poem about Black history and honoring those before them and how they remain undefeated despite the hate they have faced.

“sun sinks down, swallowed by the sea“

This book could be used when teaching about narration and perspective because it is told through the dogs perspective.

Caldecott - The illustrations of this book are great. I love that the illustrator changes perspectives in the images (close up, far away, down low and up high). I also love this book because I personally love Dachshunds.

“We fight for those who cannot fight for themselves”

Caldecott - This book would link great to lessons about the environment or indigenous people.

Caldecott - This is a beautiful book that discusses a very important topic. This book introduces children to environmentalism, activism and indigenous cultures.

“That very night in Max‘s room a forest grew”

Caldecott - i think this book is a good representation of how emotions can overwhelm our minds. The character, Max, is upset with his mother and he creates the land where the wild things are. I think this could lead an interesting discussion with other students about emotions.

Caldecott - i love the sketch style illustrations of this book. I give it a “so-so” rating because i remember being afraid of this book as a child. However, i now find a level of respect for this book as it feels like the character is dreaming of the land where the wild things are.

“Sometimes, I said, you have to let one story end so the next one can begin”

Caldecott - This book would be great to use in a classroom that‘s learning about the history and origins of stories!

This book is an award winning Caldecott book and for good reason. The illustrations are beautiful and it tells the history behind the famous “Winnie the Pooh”

Caldecott - “The wind takes a deep breathe and blows and blows. Hello! Hello! Hello“

Caldecott - This book depicts the life of a lighthouse keeper and what he hears, sees and does. It also describes his family and how he takes care of them and vice versa.

This book is a Caldecott Award winner that has beautiful illustrations. The colors chosen by the illustrator helps the reader feel connected to the story with beautiful shades of blues, greens and in betweens.