“'No sweater for me, thanks,' said Mr. Crabtree. So she made Mr. Crabtree a hat.“

I would definitely use this book in my classroom to teach students about character and what it means to show kindness/generosity. I think this would be a great read in any of the elementary grades!

I loved reading this book! It had such a sweet, positive message and the colorful illustrations that build throughout the story show even more symbolism. Also the themes of kindness and community within the story were very heartwarming.

“High on a hill there lived a great dragon, who stood guard over a rose made of the purest gold. Hey! Hold Still!“

This book could be used in the classroom as a funny and light story or you could do a creative writing lesson where students can draw their own fairy tale scene that the three pigs stumbled into.

This is a funny retelling/twist on the original story of the three little pigs. As the story goes on the illustrations show the pigs “leaving“ the story into a more realistic version versus the old cartoon one. Children who are very imagination and like funny stories would love this book.

“At last Henry had a birthday - March 30, 1849, his first day of freedom!“

This is a great book to help you teach children about American History! Would also be a great read during Black History Month!

This is a great book about a little boy Henry in 1849 and how he gained his freedom. This true story really brings Henry's story to life and the challenges he had to face. I like that slavery also wasn't directly mentioned but you can infer so from the illustrations. Many valuable lessons can come out of reading this book!

“unfolding sky, a salty breeze, welcome whiff of someplace new“

This book includes a lot of rhyming words so this would work well in a classroom to have students identifying rhyming words and build vocabulary!

A cute and funny little story of a dachshund who wants to spend his summer out on the beach instead of the crowded city. The pictures throughout the book are also so beautifully illustrated, especially the last page with the dog and seals!

“In the morning, after she gets up, and moves the cat, and brushes her teeth, and combs her ears, and moves the cat, Olivia gets dressed. She has to try on everything.“

This was one of my favorite books growing up and I can now picture myself reading this to children in my own classroom one day!

This is wonderful and easy to read story for young children. Olivia's wide range of interests and silly personality would resonate with many children who are strong-minded. It's a cute perspective to show children the idea of unlimited potential.

“I am Alma, and I have a story to tell.“

In a classroom, I would use this book at the beginning of the year as children are getting to know each other. You could also do a follow up activity where students learn about their own names and where they come from.

This is a really cute book about how a little girl Alma has a long name and she learns from her dad what makes each part of her name so special. The story is an easy read and has amazing illustrations.

“Lying on the roof in the night, with stars and skyscraper buildings all around me, made me feel rich, like I owned all that I could see.“

This is a great book to read during Black History Month when teaching children about equality, freedom, and courage.

In this book, Cassie dreams of being free and going where ever she'd like to go. One night up on her families rooftop, “tar beach,“ Cassie is able to fly all over the city to explore what it has to offer. I read this book with students in a 5th grade classroom and they enjoyed identifying the themes of equality and looking for symbolism throughout the story.

“By the end of the week, Jasper was seeing, creepy carrots creeping, EVERYWHERE.“

This is a fun and spooky story that would be a great read during Halloween time!

I used this book for a read aloud in a Kindergarten classroom and they absolutely loved it! This is a great story with suspense and the children loved pointing out the hidden creepy carrots that followed Jasper Rabbit home. Great story with amazing illustrations!

“Out jumped a little red chicken, and she said, 'DON'T GO IN! SHE'S A WITCH!“

This would be a perfect book to use when teaching children about not interrupting others when they are talking in a fun/silly way.

Interrupting Chicken is a fun and light read for children! In this book, little red chicken just can't herself from interrupting a good bedtime story. This would be an especially good read with younger children as they are learning about listening skills.

“We fight for those who cannot fight for themselves: The winged ones, the crawling ones, the four-legged, the two-legged, the plants, trees, rivers, lakes, the Earth. We are all related.“

This would be a great book to teach children about environmental justices and to stand up for protecting our Earth.

In this book, a young girl fights to protect her people's water from a black snake who threatens to destroy the Earth and poison their most sacred resource. She learns from her grandmother the importance of this natural resource and that water is our first medicine. I enjoyed this book because it was a cute, inspirational story to show children why it's important to take care of our environment.