Back to School Picture Book Read Alouds

 

Kids and teachers all over the country are returning to school. For some, it began in mid-August, for others, it won't be until September 8th. It's always sad to say goodbye to summer, but there are lots of wonderful picture books to help make the transition back to school a good one. Here are a few that I particularly enjoyed this year. 

One Boy Watching

written and illustrated by Grant Snider

Chronicle Books, 2022, 60 pages

Early in the morning, a young boy watches as the Number Four school bus approaches. He's the first one on the bus and as it travels along the country roads, he catalogues all that he sees out the window, like a gnarled tree, three deer, four rusty cars, seven wild sunflowers, three pecking chickens. It is "one bus ride at sunrise under an infinite sky" and "one boy daydreaming" as more and more kids climb aboard the bus. It is a long bus ride into town and school and eventually there are "Forty-eight kids packed like crayons in a crayon box" by the time it reaches school in the city. School buses are usually portrayed and noise, chaotic, or a land of bullies, but in the reflective story, readers see another side of a long ride to school and seem to be encouraged to observe instead and to see what there is out there in both nature and the man made world. The text is simple and lyrical, with just a few words on each page, and relying on the illustrations to complete each observation. I love the colorful color pencil and marker illustrations. They have an innocent childlike feel to them, almost as if they were done by our young observer himself. Perhaps that is because so much of this story is autobiographical for the author, recounting his ride to and from school each day.  

Creepy Crayon! (Creepy Tales #3)

written by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown

Simon & Schuster BFYR, 2022, 48 pages

Jasper Rabbit is back with a third creepy tale to tell. He not doing too well in school, failing all his subjects except art. It's just Tales from the Carrot Patch is too good a TV program to miss and that leaves not time for studying. Then, one day, Jasper finds a purple crayon that, oddly enough, seems very happy to see him. And it doesn't take long for Jasper to discover that when he uses the purple crayon, he gets all A's on his schoolwork, leaving him plenty of time for TV and video games. But as the purple crayon gets more and more possessive of Jasper, he begins to feel very creeped out. But it seems that no matter what he does to get free of the crayon, it always comes back, more possessive that before. As Jasper's guilty conscience begins to really bother him, he finally takes drastic measures to get rid of the purple crayon and finally do his own work in school - for better or worse. The story and pencil illustrations are just creepy and sinister enough not to scare young readers (like mine) too much but to give them that thrill that makes stories like this so much fun to read. My young readers love the previous two Jasper Rabbit books, Creepy Carrots and Creepy Pair of Underwear, so I can't wait for them to come back to share Creepy Crayon with them. I'm just guessing, but I think I won't be seeing too many purple crayons in their crayon boxes this year. 

School Is Wherever I am

written and illustrated by Ellie Peterson

Roaring Brook Press, 2022, 40 pages

When most of us think of school, we picture a blackboard, a teacher and a classroom filled with diverse students learning, creating, writing, having fun, and wondering about the world. And that is just how the young narrator in this contemplative story describes his classroom. But, then he wonders: where else is school? Are there other classrooms in which to learn new things? Can it be found at the zoo, the aquariums, museums, in Nana's kitchen, or Papa's workbench? On hikes or bike rides, around a campfire or up in the stars? Thinking about all the places where he can learn about life and the world around him, our narrator decides that school is wherever he is. And the best part is that the things that are learned at school-outside-of-school can even be shared with family and friends. There's just so much to learn and enjoy out there. Teaching kids to look beyond the classroom, to develop a healthy curiosity about things will help them become lifelong learners. This is another book I am excited about sharing with my young readers in September. I'm curious to see how they respond and talk about some of the things they have done that are in the book and what they think. I love books like this that generate thoughtful and meaningful conversations with my young readers. 

Tomatoes in My Lunchbox

written by Costantia Manoli, illustrated by Magdalena Mora

Roaring Brook Press, 2022, 32 pages

Things are difficult for a young girl whose family has just immigrated and nothing feels the same, but especially not her name. Back home, her same sounded like "soft like summer and round with love and color and light" but now, when her teacher or the other kids at school say her name, it just doesn't fit in their mouth. But one thing does feel like home even if it is weird in her new country: the whole tomato she brings to school in her lunchbox. If only she had a different name, perhaps a name like Emma, she wouldn't feel so different from the other kids. Then one day, she smiles at Chloe and they begin to talk. Soon, Chloe can say her name so that it feels right. And they have things in common, too. So when Chloe forgets her lunch, she offers to share her tomato. The friendship is sealed and before she knows it, she and Chloe part of a group of friends, who all learn how to say her name correctly. And her new country begins to sound like home. The message here is clear: don't try to someone you aren't, be yourself and everything that means. The vibrant mixed media illustrations really captures all the different emotions the main character goes through and, wisely, the author never gives her character's name or where she comes from, making this a story that can be read and appreciated by children from anywhere who are in the same situation. I'm excited to share this with my young readers soon. They all come from different places, and some have names that aren't familiar to Americans. Back matter consists of an Author's Note about her own experience as a newly arrived immigrant with an unfamiliar name.    

Lunch from Home 

written by Joshua David Stein, art by Jing Li

Rise/Penguin Young Readers Group, 2022, 40 pages

This is an unusual book in that four diverse chefs contributed their own childhood experiences to its creation. It begins on Monday at lunchtime. Most kids have sandwiches, except for Preeti, who brought soft dhokla cake topped with spices, her favorite lunch. After the kid next to her says it smells stinky, Preeti begins to bring sandwiches, too. On Tuesday, Mina brings gimbap, neat green-edged rolls of rice with carrot, radish, and ham in the center, the boy next to her make fun of her lunch, and the rest of the week, Mina brings a sandwich. On Wednesday, Niki brought a bagel with everything: lox, cream cheese, capers, and tomato. The boy next to her said cheese and fish are just weird. The next day, Niki brought a sandwich. On Thursday, Ray brought a chopped-up hot dog with scrambled eggs and cheese wrapped in a tortilla. The girl next to him said hot dogs belonged in buns, not tortillas. On Friday, Monday, and Tuesday, everyone in class ate sandwiches for lunch. But on Wednesday, Mina brought gimbap again and really enjoyed it. Before long, Preeti, Niki, and Ray were also enjoying their favorite lunches again. Who are these kids who grew up to become chefs? Preeti Misty, Mina Park, Niki Russ Federman, and Ray Garcia.

📚🚌📓More Back-to-School book suggestions can be found here:

https://randomlyreading.blogspot.com/2021/08/imwayr-welcome-back-to-school-picture.html

https://randomlyreading.blogspot.com/2020/08/2020-back-to-school-roundup.html

https://randomlyreading.blogspot.com/2019/08/an-eclectic-back-to-school-roundup.html

https://randomlyreading.blogspot.com/2018/08/2018-back-to-school-picture-book-roundup.html

https://randomlyreading.blogspot.com/2018/09/four-more-favorite-back-to-school.html

https://randomlyreading.blogspot.com/2017/09/a-randomly-reading-roundup-back-to.html

https://randomlyreading.blogspot.com/2016/09/back-to-school-picture-book-round-up.html

https://randomlyreading.blogspot.com/2015/08/school-days-school-daysa-collection-of.html

The Pleasure of a Nighttime Walk: a Picture Books Roundup

 

When I was a kid nighttime exploration (with an adult) was one of my favorite summertime things to do.

We often rode our bikes around Prospect Park lake at dusk, went to Coney Island for picnic dinners and fireworks, and my dad taught me how to recognize flowers and plants, stars and constellations. So, when I started reading Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog Take an Evening Stroll, I saddened to discover that some of my young readers are afraid of being out at night even when they are with an adult. And they told me that after they get home, they almost never go back out after dark. So I put together a roundup of picture books for them to get a taste of the pleasure of a nighttime walk, even if it is vicariously. I should mention my young readers are 4-5 years old and we read these books over a period of time so as not to overwhelm them.

                                                 

Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog 

Take an Evening Stroll

written and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup

translated from the German by Nicola Stuart

Prestel Publishing, 2022, 32 pages

As evening comes on, Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog head for home, but as they go along, Little Hedgehog keeps wanting to stop. First, he wants to wait until the sun sets, so they sit down and watch the sun disappear, before continuing on their way.But then, Little Hedgehog wants to stop and wait for the moon to rise. After the moon rise, they pass a field of beautiful flowers and Little Hedgehog wants to stop and smell the flowers, stopping to inhale their beautiful scent. After hearing the tu-whit, tu-whoo of some owls, Little Hedgehog convinces Bigh Hedgehog to to stop and visit before waving goodbye as they head for home. But there are still things to stop and look at - clouds in the sky, frogs in the pond singing their evening song, fireflies lighting up the night, and finally, just before they get home, a sky filled with stars to be counted. But Little Hedgehog doesn't get far with counting before he falls asleep and Big Hedgehog carries him home to bad. At first, it feels like Little Hedgehog is procrastinating, trying to postpone his bedtime. But really, this is a book about slowing down and taking the time to look at and appreciate the world around us. It's a gentle, soothing story and I  love the relationship between Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog, and I can't help but thing that Big Hedgehog has a level of patience many adults lack, but might be inspired by. The illustrations, textured collages and soft brush strokes, are done in a palette of colors in nature and I like the way the illustrations reflect the oncoming night, getting darker with each stop the pair make. This book was a big hit with my young readers, and we've already read it a number of times. It definitely has a place in our library of favorites.                     

Seeking an Aurora by Elizabeth Pulford,

illustrated by Anne Bannock

Blue Dot Kids Press, 2021, 32 pages

This past winter, people posted such spectacular aurora photos, I decided to share some of them with my young readers and talk about what an aurora is. But first, I read them this beautiful story about a father who wakes up his young son in the middle of a winter night. They dress warmly and head outside, walking up a high hill and waiting. The boy, our narrator, doesn't know what an aurora is and has lots of questions for his dad: Is it scary? Are there stars in an aurora, is the moon in it? It's pitch dark at the top of the hill, and father and son sit down to wait, when suddenly his dad tells the boy to turn around. When he does, the boy is surprised by the beautiful 'wings of light' in the sky 'Dancing light, glowing and glimmering, shimmering and shining, colored ribbons swirling and twirling, lighting up the sky on the still, dark night." On their way home, the boy's father tells him everything he knows about aurora and that is exactly what the back matter consists of. The soft pastel illustrations really capture (as much as you can capture a natural phenomena) the colors and dance of an aurora. This book is a perfect introduction to auroras for young readers, many of whom, like mine, may never see a real aurora. You can download an helpful teacher's guide for grades 1-4 HERE. I found it helpful even though my kiddos are younger. 

The Night Walk

written and illustrated by Marie Dorléans

Floris Books, 2021, 32 pages

In the middle of the night, a brother and sister are awakened by their parents. After getting dressed, they leave the house, ready to have a nighttime adventure. They walk through town, where the only lights are the bright windows of the big hotel, before leaving town behind and heading into the countryside, passing sleeping cows in a meadow along the way. Leaving the road, they take a path heading into the forest, but not before they see and hear a passing nigh train. After a while, they come to an open area where they can see the brightly shining full moon. When they come to a clearing, the family stops for a rest, lying on their backs, stunned by the vast, glittering sky. Moving on, they climb up a rocky hill, hurrying so they won't be late. At the top, they are just in time to see sun rise "amazed by the light of a new day." There is something magical about watching a sun rise and a sun set, and this book quietly captures that magic moment at the end of a long, mysterious journey. This book provided another opportunity to talk to my young readers about a natural occurrence that we sometimes take for granted and to introduce them to the way the sun travels about the earth without overwhelming or confusing them with technicalities. Because it is nighttime, the hand drawn illustrations are done using graphite pencil and watercolor on a background on in varying shades of blue. 

Night Walk by Sara O'Leary,

illustrated by Ellie Arscott

Groundwood Books, 2020, 32 pages

One night, a young girl, our narrator, was supposed to be sleeping, but she was wide awake. When he noticed she wasn't sleeping, her dad suggested they go for a walk. They tiptoes past her sleeping baby brother, her older sister reading in bed, and her mom watching television with her eyes closed. Once outside, everything seemed new and different. With lights on, they could look into people's homes and see what they are doing. Out narrator could see that the sad looking lady isn't so sad after all, that a big family is having a meal too late for dinner, but too early for supper. And she is very surprised to find that there are some many people out and about, walking dogs, riding the bus, eating in restaurants at a time she should have been in bed and asleep. When her dad tells her that as a boy he lived in in the country with no close neighbors, our narrator thinks about how she has lived surrounded by people she knows and people she doesn't know, that where she lives is home and that that is where she belongs. I was afraid my young readers might have a negative reaction to this book because they haven't always lived here. But most of them have been out at night in our neighborhood and agreed with the narrator that everything looks and feels different at night. Interestingly, they seemed for find this story reassuring in some way, but could explain it. They did find the illustrations, which were done in watercolor and ink pen, to be very friendly (their word), but so did I. We live in NYC, but there are some private homes in the area as well as apartments over stores, so on some level, I think the illustrations felt somewhat familiar and "friendly." 

The Way Home in the Night

written and illustrated by Akiko Miyakoshi

Kids Can Press, 2017, 32 pages

The first book in this roundup is about going home at night in the country. This book is about going home at the end of the day, too, but in the city. As a young bunny, our narrator, is carried through the quiet streets by her mother, she is aware of everything that is happening behind the lit windows of stores and neighboring homes. First, she notices a restaurant cook and bookseller closing up for the night. Then, she hears a phone ring in one home, smells a pie baking in another, a flickering light must mean someone is watching TV and next door are the sounds of a big party happening. Arriving home, her father tucks her into bed, and before falling asleep, she thinks about her way home: are the party guests leaving to go home? is the person who got the phone call getting ready for bed? is the restaurant cook home taking a bath and the bookseller home reading a book? Just before falling asleep, our narrator hears footsteps in the street and wonders if the lady they belong to is heading to the train station to take the last train home? Nights, she things, are always different but one thing is the same - we all go home to bed. This is a very quiet, gentle, contemplative story, allowing the young bunny to really use her imagination. The illustrations are done in pencil, charcoal, and acrylic gouache with touches of color throughout and giving the feeling dusk to oncoming night. The book is populated with a variety anthropomorphic animals, all engaged in ordinary human end-of-the-day type tasks. This is a great bedtime story, but I read it to my young readers to inspire them to talk about their walk home at the end of the day, and to encourage them to notice more of what is happening around them.

The Lions at Night

written and illustrated by Jessica M. Boehman

The Road Runner Press, 2019, 40 pages

I thought I would close our roundup of books about nighttime walks with a little humor. This is a wordless picture book about a nighttime adventure the two library lions, Patience and Fortitude, have. As it begins, the illustrations are in black and white, but color begins to creep in as the streets empty and the lions "wake up" and jump down from their perches. First the lions head for the subway, but the lady walking her dog doesn't notice them because she's busy looking at her phone, but her dog does. On the subway, grownups are busy reading, sleeping, listening to music, so it's only the kids who notice Patience and Fortitude. Pretty soon, the lions leave Manhattan behind and arrive at Coney Island, where eat, play games, winning a pink teddy bear, and ride the rides, especially the Cyclone. Then, it's off to the NY Aquarium, take a swm in the ocean and head to the subway station and home. There they are greeted by a elderly debonaire man who reads the two tired lions a bedtime story before they hop on there perches again and go to sleep. As which point the man returns to the library with the pink teddy bear, which he adds it to the collection of other colorful stuffed animals from other nighttime adventures of Patience and Fortitude. This proved to be the fun book I was hoping it would be. My young readers have all been to Coney Island on the subway, so that was a lot of fun for them. And they are familiar with Patience and Fortitude, since we have read Josh Funk's books about them, Lost in the Library and Where is Our Library? Be sure to read the About Our Lions at the back of the book for a history of the lions and how they got their names and who sc. And that debonaire librarian? He is Edward Clark Potter (1857-1923) who sculpted the models for the lions. And the author has hidden some Easter eggs throughout the book that refer to the lions' history. It might be fun to see if you can find them.  

It's Monday! What are you reading? A Picture Book Roundup

 

Here are some of the picture books I've been reading this past month as I recuperate from an illness that I've had since January (not Covid-19). I can't wait to get back to a normal routine and share these with my young readers.  

Big Dreams, Small Fish 

written and illustrated by Paula Cohen

Levine Querido, 2022, 40 pages

Taking place sometime in the 1930s, Shirley's family has moved to a new country where they have high hopes for their new store. So does their young daughter Shirley. But everyone thinks she's too young to help, let alone have ideas about selling groceries, let alone their specialty gefilte fish. Everyone loves Mama's noodle kugel, but no one is even willing to try her gefilte fish. When Aunt Ida's baby decides it time to be born, everyone head to the hospital, leaving Shirley and Mrs. Gottlieb in charge of the store. That's when Shirley gets a brilliant beyond brilliant idea about how to get their non-Jewish customers to try Mama's gefilte fish. But will it work? Or will Shirley just get into trouble? I had just read this book for the first time when I heard that the author of this debut picture book had suddenly passed away less than a week before its publication. What a shame that she didn't live to see its reception. Cohen has left us a charming story about Jewish culture, family, clever ideas and taking a chance. I found Shirley to be a spunky girl, with a fair amount of the best kind of chutzpah. The story is sprinkled with Yiddish words, and given the timeframe, I wondered if the story is based on Cohen's own family and if they might have left eastern Europe as fascism moved closer.    

John's Turn by Mac Barnett,

illustrated by Kate Berube

Candlewick Press, 2022, 32 pages

Every Friday, an unknown student narrator explains, at assembly after announcements are read, it is a student's turn to do something for the whole school to enjoy. It's called Sharing Gifts and some kids sing, play instruments, or just tell jokes. Today, it is John's turn and he seems quite nervous as he changes his clothes backstage. When the curtain opens, John is standing there in his leotard, dance pants and ballet slippers. The kids looks somewhat bored when the music starts to play, and John begins to dance. And as he dances, his nervous apprehension begins to dissolve, replaced by happiness and getting lost in his dance. John's happiness is infectious and when he finishes, everyone is smiling and clapping for him. I love seeing books about boys who dance, there are so few of them, and this one is done to perfection, in part because of the text which is supported and extended by the soft ink and watercolor illustrations that really capture all of John's emotions.  

Where Butterflies Fill the Sky: 

A Story of Immigration, Family, and Finding Home

written and illustrated by Zahra Marwan

Bloomsbury, 2022, 48 pages

Available March 29, 2022

This fictionalized autobiographical story tells the author's experience of forced immigration. Living in Kuwait, "where one hundred butterflies are always in the sky" and through no fault of his own, her father and his children are considered stateless and are forced to leave the only home they have ever known. Leaving their life and family behind, they emigrate to the United States, living in New Mexico. Recounting all the things that she will miss - the sea, her aunties, the culture she loves, even the pigeons - the narrator doesn't understand why people say her family doesn't belong in Kuwait. But the family eventually finds acceptance and a sense of belonging in New Mexico "where one hundred [hot air] balloons fill the sky. The stylized illustrations really carry this story along, with so many small details for kids to explore. The author explains what happened to her family in more detail in the back matter and also gives details about the art, including why certain things were included in the illustrations. I can't wait to share this with my young readers, most of whom are immigrants, too.

This is a School by John Schu,

illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison

Candlewick Press, 2022, 40 pages

Available March 29, 2022

I never thought about school as a community when I was a student. Consequently, I never really felt that I was part of a community bigger than myself. However, as a teacher, I realized just what a large, important community school really is. And I think it is important for kids to understand that and that they, too, are a vital part of it. And that is just what this book tells young readers. Using the simplest of sentences, it begins with a kid. Each following page places the kid in different school situations - the school building,  the class, the hall and describes what happens in each place. But school isn't just those things, it's also a diverse growing community where kids can find support, can learn, play, work, succeed and even make mistakes at times. This is an ideal book for children just getting ready to go to school, but also a good reminder for current students that they in a thriving community with many supportive adult helpers. The illustrations, done in watercolor, acrylic paint, and digital collage, are colorful and reinforce the message of the text. I am really looking forward to sharing this book with my young readers who will all be starting school next fall. 

Powwow Day by Traci Sorell,

illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight

Charlesbridge Publishing, 2022, 32 pages

Eight-year-old River has been dancing at Powwows for a few years, but this year is different. This year, River is unable to compete in the jingle dance because of a serious illness, that has left her weak and with short hair. And even though she's is already tired by the time that get to the Powwow, River wants to dance Grand Entry. Unable to feel the drum beat, River is helped back to her chair. Finally, it's time for the jingle dancers, and as River's friends and cousins dance around the arena, watched by the judges, she knows that they are dancing "for the Creator, the ancestor, their families and everyone's health...." including hers. Finally feeling the drum beat, River knows that she will be well enough to dance at next year's Powwow. Even though this story is focused on River, it introduces young readers to what happens during a Powwow. One of the things celebrated at a Powwow is a strong sense of community and that is what River experiences and realizes how much a part of that she is as she watches everyone dancing. The digital illustrations are colorful and have lovely details to explore and talk about. Back matter includes detailed Information About Powwows, and an Author's Note as well a Sources.

Other books I read last week: Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, Worser by Jennifer Ziegler, and Wave by Diana Farid

It's Monday! What are you reading? is the original weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.  It's Monday! What are you reading? - from Picture Books to YA is a kidlit focused meme just like the original and is hosted weekly by Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee at Unleashing Readers. The purpose is the same: to recap what you have read and/or reviewed and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week.

😷2020 Back to School Picture Book Roundup

"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address."

Nora Ephron had it right. I do love fall and back to school time. It always makes me think of going shopping with my mom for a new dress and shoes for school, and school supplies from the dime store. And I found myself doing the same with my Kiddo - well, not the dress and shoes part, that was more like jeans and sneakers. But the feeling of excitement and possibility was the same. The start of the school year may not be like another other we've ever had, but that's no reason not to enjoy some great school picture books now.

We Will Rock Our Classmates (Penelope Series #2)

written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins

Disney-Hyperion, 2020, 48 pages

Now that she's learned not to eat her classmates, Penelope the dinosaur loves playing with them. The only problem is that no matter what they play, she's always the dinosaur. Which is too bad, because Penelope loves to do all kinds of things, especially making rock and roll music with her guitar. So when Mrs. Noodleman announces a class talent show, a very excited Penelope is the first to sign up. Here's a chance to rock and roll her classmates with her musical talent. But when her classmates begin to question whether dinosaurs can even play guitar or rock and roll, Penelope's joy is replaced with self-doubt and she freezes. The next day, she removes her name from the talent show. Can her father convince her to try again? Though there's plenty of humor in this second installment of Penelope the dinosaur's school days, the story also has a very important, serious side to it, showing how easy it is for kids to have their confidence shaken and the seeds of self-doubt planted when they are stereotyped. Penelope's class is wonderfully diverse, yet they only see her as a dinosaur, as expressed in their belief that dinosaur's can't rock and roll or anything else. Higgins has really captured Penelope's excitement and disappointment perfectly, and those nascent feelings that she can't be anything other that a dinosaur. Luckily, she has a dad that sees things differently, but I wondered about all those kids in school who are also stereotyped and who don't have an adult in their lives who can support and encourage their talents. This is a book that should begin much needed discussions in the classroom (in whatever form that make take right now) and at home.

Pearl Goes to Preschool

written and illustrated by Julie Fortenberry

Candlewick Press, 2020, 32 pages

Pearl's mom is a ballet teacher, and Pearl, who loves everything about dancing, and her stuffy Violet go to dance class everyday with her. So when her mom suggests that she might want to go to preschool, Pearl isn't too keen on the idea. After all, she can already count - 1st position, 2nd position, 3rd position. Pearl and her mom talk about preschool and all the things Pearl could do there as they go about their day - riding home on the subway, getting dressed up and going to the ballet, and later while reading a bedtime story. The next morning, Pearl and Violet are ready to give preschool a try. And it's everything her mom said it would be - there are other kids, and there's all kinds of things to do, like painting, building blocks, making music, dressing up, and making a new friend. Not surprising, all Pearl's activities revolve around ballet. And her favorite part of the day - dancing, of course. If you are looking for a book that explores preschool anxiety and jitters, this is not it. Pearl seems pretty open to new thing and her adjustment to preschool goes smoothly. It simply explores all the different things kids can do in preschool that make it a fun place to be without having to give up other favorite things. I really liked a number of things about this book. First, the way Pearl's mom didn't force preschool on her, but gently led her to accepting the idea of going to school. Second, the way Pearl held on to her love of ballet and incorporated it into her day, while learning new things at the same time. Third, I liked that there are two boys in her ballet class instead of all girls in pink leotards. And finally, that the dancer who is the Snow Queen in "The Nutcracker, " the ballet Pearl and her mom go to see, is a dancer of color. The soft, digitally painted illustrations are as sweet and gently as the story itself. 

I'm Afraid Your Teddy is in the Principal's Office

written by Jancee Dunn, illustrated by Scott Nash

Candlewick Press, 2020, 40 pages

He's baaack! That's right, that trouble-making teddy has returned and, no surprise, he's making trouble again. After causing all that ruckus at home, teddy has made his way to school by hiding in his child's backpack. But not for long. Teddy and all the other stuffies who have secretly come to school via backpacks, wait until the kids were at assembly and make their escape. Beginning at the cafeteria, followed by a trip to the gym, and the music room, then into the teachers' lounge, and finally the art room creating havoc everywhere they go. The stuffies try to make their escape from school via pipe cleaners, but end up in the principal's office instead and in big trouble...maybe. The story and the stuffie crimes are narrated by the principal while addressing the owners of the naughty toys. But, let's face it, stuffies are really cute and it turns out this principal has a soft spot for stuffed teddies. This book is laughs all the way though. I especially liked the portrayal of the teachers' lounge - would that they were really like that. The digitally created illustrations are fun and colorful and really manage to capture the glee on the faces of the stuffies as they create mayhem and mess (I may never eat sloppy joes again). I zoom read this to my young readers and they loved it. 

Play Day School Day

written and illustrated by Toni Yuly

Candlewick Press, 2020, 32 pages

It's the day before the first day of school and older sister Mona is excited to be going back, while younger brother Milo wants to know just what she does there. Playing in the backyard, their little red wagon becomes a pretend school bus as Mona describes the things she does in school, and Milo uses nature to imagine doing the same things. He write his names by connecting flowers on the fence when she says in school, they practice reading and writing. Milo counts birds to simulate math, and science becomes the plants and insects in the yard. They practice music, and sitting quietly and listening carefully, then running around and being noisy with friends. In the end, Milo says school sounds like fun, and Mona tells him that playing school with him is fun, too. This is a sweet story about what a younger child can expect when they finally begin school. It isn't about anxiety or jitters, but a straightforward description of Mona's school day, which is pretty typical. Older and younger siblings often play school based on experience of one of them and is a really common form of pretend play. My Kiddo, an only child, played school with her dolls. This would be a great book to incorporate into that kind of playing, so when the older sibling heads off to that first day, the younger one can continue playing. The illustrations, created with ink, pencil, pastel, cut and torn paper and digitally collaged, are simple, bright and colorful, and mainly in a palette of primary colors. This will probably appeal to the preschool set, but kindergarteners will benefit from it, too. 

Ollie and Augustus

written and illustrated by Gabriel Evans

Candlewick Press, 2020, 40 pages

Ollie is a small and Augustus is his very large pet and companion. Despite the disparity in size, the two do 'most things' together. although Ollie prefers digging while Augustus likes to collect sticks. And sometimes Ollie is annoying to Augustus, and other times, Augustus can be irritating, but even when they get mad at each other, they usually make up by lunchtime. Now, however, it's time for Ollie to begin school and he worries that Augustus might be lonely with him gone all day. The solution - advertise for a companion for Augustus. But none of the dogs who show up are just what Ollie is looking for. On his first day of school, Ollie spends time sad and worrying about Augustus. And Augustus? How does he spend Ollie's first day of school? Well, not the way Ollie thought he would, that's for sure. This is an amusing look at separation anxiety and school, and shows readers that even if circumstances change, best friends are always there. The visually pleasing pencil, watercolor, and gouache illustrations are done in a palette of earth tones, and each one compliments the spare text, capturing all aspects of Ollie and Augustus's days together. A perfect book for helping sooth first day of school jitters. 

When My Brother Gets Home

written and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

HMH Books, 2020, 40 pages

It's hard on younger siblings when their older brother or sister goes off to school, especially after having them home for the summer, or in our new reality, since last March. In this story, a young girl and her dog imagine all the exciting, fantastic adventures they will have once her brother comes home from school. There are a few things I really like about this book. One involves imaginative play. As the girl imagines what they are going to, the reality of how it happens is illustrated. Climbing up Mount Kilimanjaro is really climbing up the slide, exploring the rainforest in exploring a local creek, build a castle is done with a bunch of different sized cardboard boxes. Given that the girl isn't in school yet, it is clear some of these ideas came from a very companionable big brother. The other thing I liked is that every time she says "When my brother gets home..." the illustration over the words shows the school bus leaving school and getting closer and closer to home, building the excitement. And kids can trace the route on the end papers. The illustrations were done with pencil, watercolor and colored pencil, then digitally enhanced making them as sweet and warm as the story itself.   

Whether you go to school in person or remotely, I hope it's a great year for everyone.

My First Picture Book Roundup of 2020: Celebrating Grandparents

This is my first roundup of 2020 and for it, I chose books about grandparents. My young readers really enjoy picture books about grandmothers and grandfathers and these are some of our favorite books of 2019 that we have been reading over and over again. Have you read them, too?

My Grandma and Me by Mina Javaherbin, 

illustrated by Lindsey Yankey

Candlewick Press, 2019, 32 pages

Now an adult, Mina lovingly remembers her grandmother who was living with her family during her childhood. As a child, Mina loved to do everything her grandma does. Every morning, Mina and her grandmother would greet the day with prayer. Afterward, they would await the delivery of their daily bread, part of which they would share with their neighbors, Mina's best friend Annette and her grandmother. Later, in the garden, while grandmas knitted, Mina and Annette played. When grandma sewed some new chadors, Mina would use the chadors to build a pretend rocket ship, draping them on the table. During Ramadan, Mina always ate with her grandmother, even when she was too young to fast. Grandma sewed Mina's first chador when she was older and together they walked to the mosque. There, grandma prayed that Annette's grandmother would go to heaven, and at church, Annette's grandmother prayed that Mina's grandma would also go to heaven. This warm tribute to her grandmother is also a nice introduction to Islamic traditions and an inclusive Iran unfamiliar to today's kids. The mixed media illustrations are done in soft pastels with lots of Persian elements included. This is an engaging story that should get kids talking about the things they like to do with their own grandparents.

Our Favorite Day written and illustrated by 

Joowon Oh

Candlewick Press, 2019, 32 pages

Every day, an elderly man gets up and follows the same routine: drinking tea, watering plants, tidying up, getting dressed and going downtown. He walks through town, gets an idea, goes to a restaurant for his favorite dumplings, then heads home. The next day, he repeats his routine, except this time he stops in the craft store, gets dumplings to go, and picks some flowers on his way home. Why the change in routine? Thursday is the day his granddaughter visits, and they have a wonderful time together. After eating their dumpling lunch, the two get busy with some new craft supplies, making a beautiful butterfly kite that they take out and fly. Thursdays are definitely their favorite day! This is a debut picture book for Joowon Oh and it is a winner. The illustrations compliment the simple text, and are as sweet as the relationship between grandfather and granddaughter.  

Looking for Yesterday written and illustrated by

Alison Jay

Old Barn Books, 2019, 32 pages

A young boy wishes he could return to yesterday. It was his best day, a day spent with his Grandad, having all kinds of fun and he wants to live it all over again. He spends some time trying to think of ways to go back, like traveling faster than the speed of light to travel counterclockwise, building a time machine, or a super hypersonic rocket. But in the end, nothing seems very plausible, so he asks his Grandad for help. Wise Grandad pulls out his photo album and shows his grandson all the wonderful, happy days he has experienced throughout his life. Granddad's message to his grandson is that the boy still has so many great days ahead of him, there's no need to go back for a do-over since every present moment, every day holds the possibility of being great. The text is fun and a nice blend of science, philosophy and whimsey fully accessible to young readers. Using her signature style, Jay's playful illustrations are done in soft earth tones, adding a coat of crackle varnish to Granddad's old photos to give them an aged look.   

Leila in Saffron by Rukhsanna Guidroz,

illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova

Salaam Reads, 2019, 26 pages

Sometimes it takes a wise grandma to make a kid see just who she is. Every Friday night, Leila goes to her Naani's house for a family dinner with her mom and dad. One night, Naani tells her that the saffron color buttons on her dress really compliment Leila's dark eyes. The compliment makes her feel very happy. So does spending Friday night with her aunts, uncles, and cousins, looking at Naani's Pakistani ornaments, all the books written in Arabic, and helping her grandmother make the chicken curry for their dinner. One night, just before Leila and her parents leave, Naani takes her upstairs to show her some of her beautiful scarves. Leila loves her grandmother's scarves and asks if she can try one on. The sparkle and shine of the saffron color scarf she picks is perfect for Leila and makes her feel exactly like who she is - a beautiful Pakistani girl proud of her heritage. And this beautiful warm mixed-media illustrated book done in a palette of bold oranges and greens with touches of other colors nicely conveys the Pakistani heritage that Leila loves so much. 

Ojiichan's Gift by Chieri Uegaki,

illustrated by Genevieve Simms

Kids Can Press, 2019, 32 pages

Every summer, Mayumi travels to Japan to visit her grandfather. Together, they work on his lovely garden that Ojiichan had began before Mayumi was born. The garden is made up of large and small stones, and edged with plantings and a sheltered bench for relaxing and sharing a lunchtime onigiri or rice ball bento. Over time, Ojiichan teaches Mayumi everything she needs to know about caring for the garden, and that has become such a special place, loved by granddaughter and grandfather as much as they love each other. But one year, when Mayumi arrives at her grandfather's house, she sees that the garden has been neglected and is overgrown. Grandfather is no longer able to care for it, and in fact, he can no longer live alone his home. As Mayumi's parents pack up the house, she tries to think of a way to keep their beloved garden alive for both of them. Sure enough, using their lacquered bento box that once held their lunch, Mayumi creates a lovely tribute to Ojiichan and their garden. This is a lovely intergenerational affective story with watercolor illustrations that are a gentle and poignant as the text. 

When I Found Grandma by Saumiya Balasubramaniam,

illustrated by Qin Leng

Groundwood Books, 2019, 32 pages

Maya, whose Grandma lives far away in India, really wishes they lived closer together the way her best friend Kim and her grandmother do. But when Grandma comes to visit, Maya's excitement doesn't last very long. When Grandma comes to school to pick her up wearing a colorful sari and lots of bangles, Maya is embarrassed and refuses to let her hold her hand. And why can't Grandma call her Maya instead of Mayalakshmi? But when Grandma wants to go to the temple to pray before going to the amusement park, Maya angrily storms back into her room. Grandma, trying to please Maya, changes her sari for a pair of pants, then buys a red baseball cap, calling it her "all-American hat." Later, when Maya gets lost at the park, it's that red baseball cap that helps her find her way back to her family. That night, Maya decides to give Grandma a second chance. This is a skillful intergenerational story about accepting cultural differences and learning how to compromise. Slowly, Maya goes from angry and embarrassed by her grandmother to feelings of affection and love, and learns to appreciate who her Grandma is. Leng's ink and watercolor illustrations harmonize perfectly with the text, capturing the whole range of Maya and her grandmother's emotions.

Where Are YouFrom? by Yamile Saied Méndez,
illustrated by Jaime Kim
HarperCollins, 2019, 32 pages

When people keep asking a young girl where she's from, and where her mom or dad is from, she tells them all she's from today, like everyone else. When they still aren't satisfied with her answer, she turns to the person whom she believes knows everything - her Abuelo. Going for a walk together, he tells her she is from the Pampas, a region in Argentina. Where she descends "from the gaucho, brave and strong," where there is a cleansing river, that feeds the land, which feeds the people. And she is from Puerto Rico, the land of warm blue oceans, and palm trees, a land "where our ancestors built a home for all, even when they were in chains because of the color of their skin." As her Abuelo answers his granddaughters question, they walk through beautiful two page watercolor spreads of the different landscapes for the places he is telling her about. Told in lyrical prose, this is a loving paean to one child's different cultural roots and "the love of all those before us, from those who dreamt of you because of a song sung under the Southern Cross or the words in a book written under the light of the North Star...You are from all of us." This is just such a beautiful book on understanding the connection between identity and heritage. A perfect book for Americans, almost of all whom come from somewhere else.

Hey Grandude! by Paul McCartney,

illustrated by Kathryn Durst

Random House BFYR, 2019, 32 pages

I don't usually do celebrity books, but I made an exception here because it isn't a famous person ego trip, just a picture book. It's a grey, drizzly day out and Grandude's four grandchildren, whom he calls Chillers, are bored and grumpy. Cheerful Grandude pulls out a pile of postcards and a magic compass, utters the magic words "See the compass needle spin,/let the magic fun begin!" Next thing they know, they find themselves on a sunny beach. And it's great fun until, uh oh, suddenly the beach is crawling with pinchy crabs. Grandude pulls out his magic compass, utters the magic words, and he and the Chillers are off to a warm desert, having fun riding horses until, uh oh, a herd of buffalo comes rushing at them. Granddude repeats the magic words again and it's off to another adventure that also ends unpleasantly. Finally, the fourth adventure brings them home, tired and safely tucked in bed. I wasn't that crazy about this book, but my young readers loved it, so much so, we read it a number of times in one sitting. Their conclusion about the magic compass and the adventures Grandude and the Chillers went on - they didn't really go anywhere, but Grandude made up great stories and they just felt like they had left the house. Their other conclusion - sometimes home is the best place to be. The enthusiasm of my young readers was good enough for me, and it led to a wonderful lesson on the compass and what it is really used for

I Miss My Grandpa 

written and illustrated by Jin Xiaojing

Little, Brown BFYR, 2019, 34 pages

In this lovely picture book, a young girl goes on a journey to find out about the grandfather she never knew. She begins by asking her Grandma what her Grandpa looked like. Grandma's answers send the girl to her Uncle Mason, her Uncle Chang-zi, her Uncle Leo, her Aunt Zai-zi, her cousin Aiden, and finally her mom. Each of these relatives adds more about who her Grandpa was to what her Grandma had said, until finally she tells her granddaughter that he is still living within all these family members, including his grandchild, who also happens to have his hair. This is such a wonderful celebration and tribute to those who are no longer in our lives themselves, but how we nevertheless carry them with us everyday and pass them down to our future generations. My Kiddo never knew my dad because he died when I was still in my teens, but like the young girl in this book, she often asked about him. I read this book with her on her last visit from China and it really generated a different kind conversation about my dad and who he was. Also, the story is translated into Mandarin on the back end papers. My Kiddo read it to me in Chinese and even though I didn't understand everything I heard, it still sounded lovely (and yes, over time I have picked up some Mandarin). Jin Xiaojing's visually textured illustrations, using colored pencil, watercolor, oil pastel and dip pen, are done mainly in blue, red, and yellow shades, adding a dreamlike quality to the text. An original story that celebrates the people who make us who we are, even if they are no longer living.   

You can find even more favorite picture books about grandparents HERE

☃️Let It Snow! A Winter Wonderland of Picture Books☃️

My young readers love snowy stories and these are some of our new favorite picture books that we would like to share with you. We don't get as much snow in NYC as other places, so snowy stories are always fun, without the slippery slush that follows a beautiful snowfall. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.

Red Sled written and illustrated by Lita Judge

Little Simon, 2019, 38 pages

 After a day of sledding, a young child returns home, leaving her sled outside the door. That night, along comes a bear, sees the sled and creeps away with it. It doesn't take long for bear to be joined by various woodland creatures as he sleds downhill. Rabbit, moose, two raccoons, possum, hedgehog, and mouse all join in the fun until...oops, a crash landing at the bottom of a steep hill before returning the sled. Next morning, the child notices the bear's footprints, and following them, joins the woodland creatures for some more sledding fun. My kids love this book and I was happy to have this new board book because it could be left for the kids to "read" on their own without having to worry about ripped pages. As was the original hardcover picture book, it's a charming wordless, but not soundless book. There's onomatopoeic sounds on each page and I would hear my young readers imitating the sounds as they went through the story, laughing all the way (and I suspect wishing they could join in the fun).

Snow Still written and illustrated by Holly Surplice

Nosy Crow, 2019, 22 pages

Another new favorite board book, a little fawn steps out into a world covered in snow one morning. As he sets out to explore this new white world, he discovers just how slippery can be. But there's also so much to see and observe around him. There are the two rabbits to chase and seek after they hide from him, there are seven little birds sitting on a tree branch, the silence of a owl flying over head, and the chilliness of new falling snow on a winter day. As the snow deepens, it's time to return home and to the warmth and safety of mom and sleep. This is a sweet story, told in rhyming couplets, with only two descriptive word on each page, each beginning with the word snow. My kids liked having this read to them during resting time and later exploring the fawn's winter wonderland with each other. The seasonal watercolor and ink illustrations are done in winter whites and blues and are just delightful.  

All Around Bustletown: Winter 

by Rotraut Susanne Berner

Prestel Junior, 2019, 14 pages

Bustletown is one busy place, even on a snowy day, in this oversized board book. Follow Lisa from home as she makes her way to the skating pond, finding a lost wallet and key on her way and returning them to Billy, who's on his way to jpg in the park. Anne is supposed to meet friends at a cafe, but overslept and must hurry, hurry through Bustletown. Oliver and his dad take the bus to the cultural center, then his dad heads to the store to buy a special present for Oliver. Bonnie the cat is tooling around town looking for some tasty tid-bits to eat. These are just some of the stories kids can follow. Each two page spread is filled to the brim with people, activity, cutaways of buildings to show what's happening inside. There's an apartment building, a train station, a department store, the cultural center, and of course, the very busy town square. And it's not just people who are pursuing their day, there are also some pretty busy dogs, cats, and birds. The pages are bright and colorful, the people distinct and easy to follow, and the pages are not so busy that young readers will feel overwhelmed. Mine had lots of fun talking about what everyone in Bustletown is doing, and comparing it to their similar experiences. This is a fun seek and find book that will keep kids as busy as the residents of Bustletown.

A Day for Skating by Sarah Sullivan,

illustrated by Madeline Valentine

Candlewick Press, 2019, 32 pages

Told in a brief, playful rhyme, this book has quickly become a favorite with my young readers, none of whom, ironically, have ever skated, but want to try it someday. In this story, a young girl and family head out to the frozen pond for a day of skating and family time. The young girl in a novice skater and when she falls, her dad gently reassures her that it's is part of the learning process. There are lots of other skaters on the ice, with varying degrees of skill, and everyone is having a good time. The family takes a break in the snack bar hut to eat and warm up, then it's back out on the ice - no falls this time. As the day comes to a close, the tired family heads home to a warm bath and a bedtime story. The watercolor and color pencil digital illustrations capture the cold day perfectly, especially the passing of time in the changing color of the sky, and the movement of the skaters. The skaters are a very diverse group, including kids of color, a girl in a hijab, and father wearing a yarmulka, and even a girl playing ice hockey. The ending is a pleasing picture of the forest animals taking their turn on the ice, so of whom you may notice watching the kids during the day as they had fun. I used to love ice skating and personally found this to be a really delightful family story.

Snowy Race by April Jones Prince, 

illustrated by Christine Davenier

Margaret Ferguson Books, 2019, 40 pages

It's a very special day, a day when a little girl gets to ride along with her dad on his snow plow. Told in simple rhyming couplets, readers follow a young girl as she wakes up one snowy morning, gets dressed, eats breakfast, and, all bundled up, she's off with dad to get the snow plow out of the garage. Plowing through fields and town until arriving at the train station. My young readers loved the fact that none of their predictions about why father and daughter ended up at the train station. Were they going to race the train? Trains are too fast for snow plows. I loved the look of surprise when we turned the page and saw the girl running towards an arriving passenger. Her mom? Her favorite auntie? Her beloved grandma? Then, it's a race home to a cozy warm house with mom AND dad. This was an exciting picture book to share with my kids because there was so much to speculate about based on other snow plow books we've read, but it turned out to be such a different story. The couplets are short but very expressive, capturing the little girl's excitement at riding in the plow with her dad, racing to the train station in time in such a heavy snowstorm, and greeting her mom. The illustrations are done in a pastel palette with ink and manage to evoke both the cold of the snow storm and the warmth of the family at the same time. We've read this book in F&G form and it's been loved a lot. Needless to say, I can't wait to get the hardcover available November 26, 2019 for our little library of favorite picture books.

Some Snow Is... by Ellen Yeomans,

illustrated by Andrea Offermann

G.P. Putnam's Sons BFYR, 2019, 32 pages

How many snows are there? According to this book, there are many different kinds of snow and each kind is chronicled in this lovely expressive picture book that takes readers through the snow possibilities of three seasons and kids reactions to them: From first snow ("Some snow is First Snow. /We've waited for so long snow. /It it really snow snow?/or only heavy rain?") to Sleet Snow, Fluff Snow, Angel Snow (snow angels everywhere), Snowball Snow, Driveway Snow (the worst, lots of shoveling), Tracking Snow (which critters belong to those footprints), Yellow Snow (stay away from that snow), Sledding Snow, Snow Day Snow, Snowman Snow, and Spring Snow (mostly mud and rain), until finally, there's no more snow ("Soon, soon, all gone snow./We've waited for so long snow./Please, please, no more snow.../our bikes are whispering") and spring is on the way. I love books that pull my kids into lively conversations and this one really did that. Each four line stanza ends with the word snow, except the last line, so there is really a wonderful melodic quality to each kind of snow. The season watercolor, pen and ink illustrations are detailed and really added to the snow conversations we had as my young readers explored each page thoroughly. The truth of this book is that we are always excited for the first snow and tired of the last one.   

One Snowy Morning by Kevin Tseng,

illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte

Dial Books, 2019, 32 pages

When I first read this delightful book, I laughed out loud, but I wondered how my young readers would react. Well, they loved it, too. One snowy morning, friends squirrel and chipmunk spot what they see as a giant pile of snow but reader know is a snowman. Mistaking the different parts that make a snowman a snowman, the friends make what readers know are incorrect assumptions about each one. The eyes are lumpy kickballs, the stick arms are wooden legs, the hat is a rowboat, the not a rare dragon's tooth, and my favorite, the mitten are fish puppets. As more and more woodland animals gather round, they strip the everything off the snowman, taking it back to their lair where they prepare a lovely dragon tooth soup for their friends. But what if someone else had been planning a dragon-tooth-soup party? The friends take what components they still have and return it to the snowman - sort of. Did my young readers like this book? They loved it, and they thought making the wrong assumptions about each snowman component was hilariously funny because "everybody knows how to make a snowman!" The spare text is very tongue-in-cheek and harmonizes perfectly with the wintery digitally colored pencil illustrations. We've read this a number of times now and it never gets old. What fun!

Bear is Awake! An Alphabet Story
written and illustrated by Hannah E. Harrison
Dial Books, 2019, 32 pages

One winter morning, a hibernating bear wakes up, and makes his way to a cabin, ringing the doorbell to be let in. The little girl who lives in the cabin doesn't know what to do with the bear, so she ties a silly yellow hat on him and they head off to the library. Along the way, people reactions to the bear are hilarious, and where do they first go? To the library, of course, where bear joins story time while the girl reads a book about bears. Then, it's off to a grocery store, and home again. Eventually, bear ends up back in his cave to finish his winter sleep. This book is just laugh out loud funny. Words and illustrations match perfectly, the body language and facial expressions on bear and people are both playfully and skeptically expressive. It's a book that cleverly tells a story using words (and not too many of them) for each letter of the alphabet. Each alphabet letter coordinates with a wintery gouache illustration that offer clues as to what is happening but also allows the reader to more fully narrate the events. As we went through the alphabet and pictures, each child took a turn telling the story based on the letter/picture cues (and which we have done repeatedly). My young readers loved it, and I loved it, what a great interactive book this turned out to be. We has so much fun with this book.