Title: The Tree in the Courtyard, Looking Through Anne Frank’s Window Written by: Jeff Gottesfeld Illustrated by: Peter McCarty Random House/Knopf, 2016, fiction Suitable for ages: 5-8 (I would recommend 8-11) Themes/topics: caring, tolerance, Holocaust, trees, WWII Opening: The story opens with a quote from Anne Frank about the tree outside her window. Following the … More The Tree in the Courtyard
As a person who loves the interplay of words, I’m not usually drawn to wordless books. But this one, featuring different points of view, is a wordless gem. … More The Other Side
There IS something truly marvelous about trash pick up. Experience the magic in this week’s Perfect Picture Book selection. Title: Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans Written by: Phil Bildner Illustrated by: John Parra Chronicl e Books, 2015, Fiction (based on a true story) Suitable for ages: 5-8 Lexile: AD560L Themes/topics: … More Marvelous Cornelius
Here is a truly beloved classic, guaranteed to invoke contagious giggles.
… More The Monster at the End of This Book
Every once in a while I like to pull one of my all time favorites off the bookshelf. Here’s a clever tale from the Middle East. Title: Sanji and the Baker Written by: Robin Tzannes Illustrated by: Korky Paul Scholastic 1993, fiction Several re-issues and Spanish translation available Suitable for ages: 5+ Themes/topics: justice, honesty, greed … More Sanji and the Baker
Two great middle grade novels from Linda Sue Park. … More 2 Novels with 2 Voices
Who amongst us hasn’t been the oddball and felt left out? While we all want to belong, we don’t want to be caught in a stereotype, our uniqueness ignored. This is truly a special book! … More Nerdy Birdy
Title: Book Written by: David Miles Illustrated by: Natalie Hoopes Familius, LLC, 2015 Suitable for ages: 4-8 Themes/topics: books, reading Opening: This is a book. Black words. On white paper. No buttons. No bonus levels. Not a single sound, in fact. It’s the most quiet, ordinary thing that could be, until you learn to look … More Book
This story seems especially appropriate for the holiday season.
Every once in a while I like to bring in one of my old favorites. Here’s a tender cross-cultural holiday story.
IMG_0739Title: Tree of Cranes
Written and illustrated by: Allen Say
Houghton Mifflin, 1991
Suitable for ages: 4-8 years
Lexile: 470L
Themes/topics: Christmas, Japan, traditions … More Tree of Cranes
Beth Anderson, Children's Writer 