“The poem was a gift, a secret, a quiet, miraculous thing.“

This book can be used to teach students rhyming words by doing a rhyming word search as the book is read.

Poetry- A young boy finds a poem in his pocket, a gift from his father. He reads it over and over, feeling its magic. The poem takes him on adventures, teaches him about the world, and fills his life with wonder. It becomes a cherished possession, a reminder of his father's love and the power of words.

“I am the small green pea, you are the tender pod, hold me.“

This book evokes calm and gentle feelings. It is soothing and calming and this makes it a beautiful read for students. This story could be added to morning meeting or even a relaxation routine to help students unwind!

Pea Pod Lullaby then by Glenda Millard, a cute children's book that uses soothing and calm rhythms with a beautiful story about a mother‘s love for her child. The narrative and plot takes readers through a fun journey in a garden that is filled with vibrant and gorgeous imagery and gentle, moving text that evokes a calming atmosphere.

“It's a very nice hat,“ said the fish.

This book would best be used in a young elementary classroom, to teach students cause and effect of their actions. The students could point out what the main character did well and not so well.

Award winning- A little creature finds a hat that doesn't belong to him. He tries it on and it fits perfectly. But soon, the hat's rightful owner, a big, grumpy bird, appears. The little creature must decide whether to keep the hat or return it. Klassen's signature minimalist style and humor create a funny and thought-provoking tale about ownership, identity, and the consequences of our actions.

“But even though I was ashamed, I knew that my mother's story was true. It was the story of my family, the story of my people. And it was a story of survival.“

This book could be used at any age to help children understand that differences in cultures and tradition can be completely different, but are unique and should be celebrated. In a young elementary classroom, I could see this book being read aloud and then having children write and share some traditions that their family has.

Award winning- A young Chinese American girl is embarrassed when her parents stop to gather watercress from a ditch. She doesn't understand why they can't just buy food like other families. However, her mother shares a story about the hardships her family faced in China, where watercress was a symbol of survival and resilience. The girl learns to appreciate her heritage and the sacrifices her parents made for their family.

“We're not supposed to be friends, you and me. We're meant to be enemies. Did you know that?“

This story would be particularly good for older elementary students to read about the Holocaust. I think it would be more impactful for them because the main characters were children who are relatable. This book could introduce them to big topics while still being interesting for students to read.

Historical Fiction- Bruno, a young boy, moves to a location near a concentration camp. He befriends Shmuel, a Jewish boy imprisoned there. Through innocent curiosity Bruno develops a friendship with the boy and gains a glimpse of the horrors of the Holocaust. The story ends tragically as both boys are victims of the camp's atrocities.

I could see this book being read aloud, pointing out the firefighter's gear and actions. Discuss the importance of firefighters and their role in keeping communities safe. Encourage questions and engage in a conversation about fire safety. Let children draw or color pictures of firefighters, their equipment, or a fire truck. Role-play firefighting scenarios, using toy fire trucks and pretend gear.

Nonfiction- “I'm Going to Be a Fire Fighter“ by Edith Kunhardt follows a young girl's aspiration to become a firefighter like her father. The book introduces readers to the exciting world of firefighting, exploring the tools, equipment, and bravery required for the job. This is a perfect book for young children who are curious about fire trucks, sirens, and the courageous individuals who fight fires.

“We humans love a lot of people in a lot of different ways. We love our families, our friends, and our partners. But do animals do the same? It certainly looks like it.“

One activity would be to create “Animal Portraits.“ After reading about a specific animal, such as elephants or crows, students can draw self-portraits inspired by the animal's unique characteristics. They can add animal-like features, and write a short description of how they are similar to the animal. This activity encourages creativity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all living things.

Nonfiction- “Humanimal“ by Christopher Lloyd is a captivating exploration of the remarkable similarities between humans and animals. Through vivid illustrations and engaging text, the book reveals how animals exhibit behaviors and emotions that mirror our own. From grief and joy to complex social structures and problem-solving abilities, “Humanimal“ challenges our perception of the animal kingdom.

“Work on the mountain began in 1927. Almost 400 men worked on the mountain!“

I could see this book used in a young grade like kindergarten or first where the book is read aloud and then students complete an art project related to rocks. For example, they could “sculpt“ their own rocks and create someone important to them.

Nonfiction- “Four Faces in Rock“ by Stacy Zable is a children's book that looks at the history of Mount Rushmore. The book introduces early readers to the four presidents honored on the monument. The book explains the process of carving the faces into the mountainside, highlighting the skill and dedication of the artists involved. It also explores the significance of these presidents in American history and their lasting impact on the nation.

“If carbon dioxide were a pizza, then we are expecting the Earth to eat a whole pie rather than just one slice.“

I could see this book used in a later elementary classroom where the book is read as a read aloud and then students choose a topic from the book that they want to complete a project and presentation on. That way, it is a topic they are interested in and also they can share their research with their peers.

Nonfiction- “The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming“ is a kid-friendly book that explains the issue of climate change in a clear and engaging way. It explores the causes, consequences, and solutions to global warming, using humor, illustrations, and real-world examples that relate to children's lives.
The book accurately highlights the impact of human activities on the environment, such as the burning of fossil fuels in a kid friendly way

“But if people are bitten, snakes can help! Medicine is made from their poison to treat snake bites.“

I see this book used in my classroom as a read aloud story to talk about and discuss snakes. I think this book could also fit into social emotional topics because most people feel very strongly about snakes, but they actually do a lot for our environment. This could help students to see that even if there is something they dislike, it could still be beneficial to them.

Nonfiction- Jennifer Dussling's “Slinky, Scaly Snakes!“ is a fascinating look at the world of snakes. This is an informative book that explores various snake species, their unique characteristics, and their habitats. From the venomous to the harmless, readers will discover a wealth of information about these often misunderstood creatures. This book includes photographs and the text is very engaging for children.

“Marie's map had revealed the ocean's biggest secret.“

In my classroom, I would use this as an introduction to a geography map unit. Students could gain practice in creating maps for themselves. I think it would be meaningful to connecting it to an exploration lesson where students explore ocean life, or make their own models.

Biography- Ocean Speaks published in 2020.This biography talks about the life of Marie Tharp. It talks about her love of exploring from a young age, how she solved, problems, and pushed limits. She loved to push the limits of what girls and women were expected to be. One of her biggest accomplishments is the mapping of the mid-Atlantic ridge.

“Gyo, along with the others living on the East Coast, was told to stay where she was”

This story would be used well with students to showcase a history lesson on Japanese internment camps and the history of racism during WWII.

Biography- It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way by Kyo Maclear is a picture book biography about Japanese American artist Gyo Fujikawa. This story talks about Gyo‘s struggle with racism, her love or art and her time in an internment camp. This story is full beautiful illustrations that showcase Gyo‘s life.

“Her song is strong. Mama Africa will not give up! She will see her people free.“

The pictures in this book look like they were painted on the pages. The use of color shows the emotion on each page, anger, sadness, happiness, etc. There is a soft movement to the images as it paints a picture for the reader.

Biography- Mama Africa!: How Miriam Makeba Spread Hope with Her Song by Kathryn Erskine was published in 2017. This is a biography about Miriam Makeba's fight for equality. The people once called her Mama Africa as she used her voice to protest and sing.

Paper Son“ is a powerful tool for teaching about immigration, perseverance, and the power of art. Wong's story inspires revolves around on discrimination and the importance of following one's dreams. Students can analyze his artwork, write creative pieces inspired by his journey, or research Chinese American history. This book sparks empathy and encourages students to appreciate diverse perspectives.

“On sunny days, you could often find Tyrus Wong on the beach, facing the ocean he crossed so long ago, flying a large, colorful kite he'd made himself“

Biography- Paper Son is a memoir of Tyrus Wong, an artist and designer. Wong recounts his harrowing journey as a Chinese immigrant during the Great Depression, sharing his experiences of discrimination, hardship, and resilience. The book offers a powerful and intimate look into the life of a remarkable man who overcame adversity to achieve artistic success.

I would use Now & Ben to spark curiosity about history and invention. The book could be used to discuss Franklin‘s inventions, and compare them to modern technology. Encourage students to research further and even design their own inventions. This book can be used to teach history, science, and critical thinking skills.

“What if you could invent a better way to see the world? That's exactly what Benjamin Franklin did with his bifocals! Now, we have glasses with all kinds of lenses, from reading glasses to sunglasses“

Biography- Now & Ben is an informative picture book that explores the connection between Benjamin Franklin's inventions and their modern counterparts. The book features vibrant illustrations and engaging text that makes Franklin's accomplishments accessible to young readers. This book is a great choice for introducing children to American history and inspiring them to think creatively.

And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed:
Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.

This poem can be used during Halloween time to fit the fall and scary theme! This book can also be used to teach the moral lesson of “stranger danger“.

Poetry- The Spider and the Fly is a poem that was written by Mary Howitt in 1829. This classic poem is about a spider that manipulates a fly into its trap with twisted words. At the end of the poem, the spider heeds a warning to the children who are reading to not be tricked by the words of strangers.

June 15
“you can taste the sunshine
and the buzzing
and the breeze
while eating berries off the bush
on berry hands
and berry knees“

This book can be used as an introduction to poetry for younger students as well as an investigation of the changing seasons. Science and ELA can go hand in hand with this collection of poetry.

Poetry- When Green Becomes Tomatoes: Poems for All Season by Julie Fogliano was published in 2016. This is a collection of poems about the season. It touches on the tomatoes of summer, golden fall, and cozy winters. Each poem is titled with a month and a date. There are vibrate pictures with the rhythm of the words on each page.