“Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.“ - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

My favorite part of the book was when MLK Jr. refused to stop fighting even though his life and home was threatened. It showed that he was in this fight for the long hull, even though it would eventually lead to his death.

This story follows a family who doesn't have much money. Every night when everyone comes home, they put all of their loose change in a jar. When they fill the jar up, they plan to buy a brand new chair for the family, since their other chairs were burned in a house fire. It's a great way to show how some families have less than others and must save to buy necessities.

This book follows the life of Martin Luther King Jr. It highlights how he fought with love and not hate. He proved that he would never stop fight for African American rights. This is a great story for introducing Black History Month and MLK Jr.

“Yes, a chair. A wonderful, beautiful, fat, soft armchair. We will get one covered in velvet with roses all over it.“ (Williams, 1982, pg 8).

My favorite part of the book was when they were given so much support from their family members and the neighborhood. They supplied them with some things they needed for their new home, since they lost everything in the fire. They also gave meals to help the family in this tough time.

“It struck him that magic must be at work, and he guessed that the magic must be in the remarkable-looking red pebble.“ (Steig, 1969, pg 4).

My favorite moment was when Sylvester discovered the pebble he found was magic. It was cool to see him testing it out to make sure it really did work. I loved that he automatically thought of his family and friends. He could now give them whatever they wanted.

This story follows a young donkey named Sylvester. Sylvester finds a magic pebble that he can wish on and receive whatever he wants. On his way to show his parents, he comes across a lion. He panics and wishes to be a rock. His parents start to worry, and everyone in town searches for him. Sylvester and his parents were giving up hope until they had a picnic next to Sylvester's rock. They lay the pebble on him and he wishes to be himself again.

“...till Max said “BE STILL!“ and tamed them with the magic trick of staring into all their yellow eyes without blinking once.“ (Yolen, 1963, pg 19-20).

My favorite part of the book was the few pages when they celebrated their new king. Although the pages have no words, you can still look and follow along with what's happening in the story by seeing the fun they're having.

This story follows a little boy named Max who likes to create mischief in his costumes. His mother called him “WILD THING!“ One night his bedroom turned into a forest. He went to the place where the wild things are. They tried to scare him, but he was the most wild thing of all. They made him their king, and they threw a big celebration. Then, Max decided it was time to go home, even though the wild things were sad/mad to see him go.

“It was late one winter night, long past my bedtime, when Pa and I went owling.“ (Yolen, 1987, pg 2).

My favorite part is when the owl is practically face to face with the child. I thought this experience with the owl was a good way to spend their first time going owling with their father.

This story follows a child and their father going owling (searching for owls). In the snowy night the child and father continue walking. They're looking for a Great Horned Owl, so the father does his best call. Eventually they are eye to eye with an owl. They look at each other for a few minutes. Suddenly, the owl flies away and the father and child start towards home.

“Now, Sal, you run along and pick your own berries. Mother wants to take her berries home and can them for next winter.“ (McCloskey, 1948, pg 9).

My favorite part of the book is when Sal steals blueberries from her mother's pail. It reminded me of my childhood when I would eat the fresh produce from my family's garden, even though I was supposed to be picking them, not eating them.

This story follows a little girl named Sal picking blueberries with her mother for the winter. However, a little bear and his mother have the same idea, to eat as much berries as they can for winter. The little bear and Sal get mixed up and end up with each other's mothers. The mothers begin frantically searching for their children and are happy to be reunited with them. Each family walks down each side of the Blueberry Hill gathering berries.

“Isn't this a fine day to visit Madeline.“ (Bemelmans, 1929, pg 27-29).

My favorite part of the book was when they were explaining Madeline's characteristics. I related to liking snowy, cold days, and not being afraid of animals. She gives off the impression of tiny but mighty, especially when she has to have her appendix removed.

This story follows ten little girls in an orphanage. Particularly, the smallest girl named Madeline. She loved, snow, winter, ice, she wasn't afraid of mice, or the tiger in the zoo. One night Madeline is taken to the hospital for her appendix. During her recovery, her nine other orphan friends would come to visit her. After seeing all of the attention Madeline was getting, the other girls wanted their appendix out too.

“My cousin Harry drives a bus almost every day!“ (Willems, 2004, pg 12).

My favorite part of the book is on the pages when the pigeon tries eight different tactics to try to convince the readers to let him drive the bus. The way the illustrations were drawn did a great job capturing how the pigeon feels throughout the story.

This book follows a pigeon who spends the entirety of the story trying to convince the reader to allow him to drive the bus. However, at the beginning of the story, the bus driver gives the reader clear instructions to not let the pigeon drive the bus while he's gone. This is a great interactive story guaranteed to make kids laugh.

“This is for the undeniable. The ones who scored with chains on one hand and faith in the other.“ (Alexander, 2019, pg 7).

On pages 17 and 18 of the book, there is a picture that the author describes as “unspeakable“. The photo puts into perspective how slaves were shipped away from their homes in Africa, to be forced to work with little/no wages and dreadful working conditions.

This book provides a leap into the history of African Americans. It highlights their fight through slavery, their fight through the Civil Rights Movement, and African Americans who have been killed through violence. It gives us a glimpse of the African Americans who have persevered through these hardships (politicians, athletes, musicians, etc.). This is one of my favorite books at the moment.

“And in the darkness, the rhythm lifted CJ out of the bus, out of the busy city.“ (de la Peña, 2015, pg 18).

I like the part of the book when CJ is on the bus with the guitar player. When the guitar player started playing, CJ closed his eyes to feel the music. This page particularly drew my attention because taking the time to really feel the music can help you relax.

This story gives you a glimpse into the life of a community server, as well as alternative methods of transportation. In the story, CJ and his grandmother are on their way to serve meals at a homeless shelter. Although CJ doesn‘t want to go at the beginning of the story, his experience on his way there and at the shelter makes him feel glad they came.