Celebrating the Americans with Disabilities Act - 7.24.2020

Sunday will be the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Americans With Disabilities Act.  It protects those with disabilities from discrimination by state, local, and national governments.  Like all laws, it didn't come easy and many people had to fight for it to become a reality.

Earlier this summer I covered two books that celebrate some landmark events for people with disabilities.  You can find the post here.

All the Way to the Top: How One Girl's Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything
written by Annette Bay Pimentel
illustrated by Nabi H. Ali

Be sure to find this picture book to learn more about 

how the Americans With Disabilities Act came to be.

A Sporting Chance: How Ludwig Guttmann Created the Paralympic Games
written by Lori Alexander
illustrated by Allan Drummond

This middle grade nonfiction book explains 

the beginnings of the Paralympic Games.

As the parent of a child with a physical disability, it is so important for readers to see themselves within the pages of stories.  It has meant a lot to her to see kids who have challenges they are working through.  What is interesting is how she sees able-readers react to these stories.  A word that she, and others in the disabled community despise, is the word inspiring.  Often after reading books that have a disabled character, a reader may say that character is so inspiring.  To the disabled community, this is an ableist view.  No one calls an abled person inspiring for doing what they always do in a day.  So why is it when a disabled person does this, with or without a challenge, it becomes inspiring.  I find myself thinking about that more - is the inspiration of the character because they are doing something amazing or because they are doing something the able body reader does as well?  Something to think about as you read these stories!

Today I have a roundup of books that feature characters with a disability.  When we talk about representation matters, please remember that includes having a wide range of books that feature a disabled character.  In today's roundup, I have fiction picture books and middle grade.  Another great place to find a list of books is the Schneider Family Book Award page.  This Award is given to a book that features an excellent portrayal of the disability experience.

Picture Books - Disability in KidLit titles

Can I Play Too?

written by Samantha Cotterill

Just Ask

written by Sonia Sotomayor

illustrated by Rafael López

Unstoppable Me

written by Susan Verde

illustrated by Andrew Joyner

A Friend for Henry

written by Jenn Bailey

illustrated by Mika Song

Benji, the Bad Day, and Me

written by Sally J. Pla

illustrated by Ken Min

Middle Grade - Disability in KidLit titles

Lila and Hadley

by Kody Keplinger

Wink

by Rob Harrell

The Truth According to Blue

by Eve Yohalem

Tornado Brain 

by Cat Patrick

Bouncing Back

by Scott Ostler

What Stars Are Made Of

by Sarah Allen

Charlie and Frog

by Karen Kane

Planet Earth is Blue

by Nicole Panteleakos

Roll With It

by Jamie Sumner

Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess

by Shari Green

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

by Dusti Bowling

How to Disappear Completely

by Ali Standish

Focused

by Alyson Gerber

Spinner of Dreams

by K.A. Reynolds

Song of a Whale 

by Lynne Kelly

The War That Saved My Life

by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

After Zero

by Christina Collins

The Brave

by James Bird

Would you like to read All the Way to the Top by Annette Bay Pimentel or a A Sporting Chance by Lori Alexander?  The authors are hosting a giveaway.  Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#road2reading Challenge - Chapter Book Summer series - mysteries - 7.23.2020

This summer I'll be sharing chapter books that are perfect for a range of readers.  

Stop by every Thursday and find a round up of books you'll want to use with your readers!

Today on the Chapter Book Summer series, we're going to turn our attention to some mysteries.  There aren't many out there, but kids love solving puzzles and figuring things out, so you'll want to have some of these books on hand!



Didi Dodo Future Spy: Recipe for Disaster
written by Tom Angleberger
illustrated by Jared Chapman
You may be familiar with Didi Dodo from the Inspector Flytrap series.  I love that Didi is getting her own mystery series.  There is one big difference - unlike in Inspector Flytrap where there are several mini-mysteries to solve, with each mystery have a few chapters to tell the story - this series has one mystery to solve that goes through the entire book.  The book is divided into parts and inside the parts are chapters, but the mystery goes through all of the parts before it is solved.  I would suggest readers start with the Inspector Flytrap series and then move to Didi Dodo.
In this first book, Didi helps Koko Dodo, a master baker, figure out who stole his Super Secret Fudge Sauce.  Didi, who is still learning how to be a spy (hence the "future spy" part), convinces Koko to solve the mystery together.  Just like Inspector Flytrap, there are goofy events and things that will make young readers chuckle, all while trying to solve a mystery.  Illustrations on every page will help give some support to readers who are excited to read a chapter book.

The Unbelievable Oliver and the Four Jokers

written by Pseudonymous Bosch

illustrated by Shane Pangburn

A mystery and a magic book!  And it looks to be a series.  

Olive is small for his age and has two close friends, twins Bea and Teenie, and he is the only kid in his class to not be invited to super popular, Maddox's birthday party.  Oliver has recently found magic and is looking into being a magician.  After Bea and Teenie get him invited to Maddox's party (as the entertainment - the magician) Oliver visits the local magic shop to get some ideas for tricks.  He ends up walking away with a very old hat, that unbeknownst to him, has a talking rabbit inside.

At the party, Oliver still doesn't have any great magic tricks to show, but no worries, he soon has a mystery to solve.  One of Maddox's birthday gifts is stolen and it's up to Oliver and the twins to solve the mystery.  It's solved pretty quickly without too many clues for the reader and tied up quickly.  With illustrations on every page, while the story is a bit longer (just under 200 pgs), the pictures help the story move along quickly.

Mysteries are always so popular, I'm hoping one of these series will capture the attention of your readers!

All journeys have a starting place.

This is a weekly place to find books and tools

that you may use with readers 

at the start of their independent reading journey.

Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 7.20.2020

This weekly post comes from Jen at Teach Mentor Texts

 and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers.  

It's a great source to find new books to use with your students.

I'm at that point in the summer when I think about all there is left to do and the limited amount of days to get it all done.  Plus we've had weekend celebrations for the 4th of July and my daughter's 15th birthday!  And by celebrations, I mean not going anywhere but slowing down and enjoying family time instead of getting things done.  Which took up blogging time, but that's ok, family time is important too!
And then this past week the anxiety of what next year is going to look like set in.  Because we still don't really know.  It's a lot to think about and the unknown is hard for many of us.
I will continue blogging between now and September, but may take days off here and there just to maintain mental health.  It's going to be an interesting rest of the year.

Last Week's Adventures

Some picture book biographies, including one about problem solving that is a must have!

Graphic novels for newly independent readers, whoo hoo!

Chapter books for readers that take them outside!

A science ladder of chapter books.

Picture Books
Most of the picture books featured today were put on hold before quarantine started.  Curbside pickup has just started and it was so nice to have some new library books to read!  Here are the ones that stood out to me!


You Name is a Song
written by Jamilah Thompkins Bigelow
illustrated by Luisa Uribe
If you are on social media, you've probably already heard some buzz about this book and I'm telling you it's all accurate!  Such a beautiful story about the way a mother and daughter take on a piece of identity.  The young girl, whose name we don't know at the beginning, is telling her mother about an event that happened at school that is weighing heavy on her heart.  Her classmates and teacher had trouble pronouncing her name and didn't say nice things about it.  It was especially hard seeing the teacher be so rude and not willing to take the time and learn the girl's name.  However, on a walk home, her mother celebrates her name and others by putting them to song and singing them joyously.  When the girl goes to school the next day, she shows her classmates and teacher how to sing her name, and once the others felt the joy of singing a name, they asked her to sing the other names too.
This is a beautiful book about identity and while this book can be shared at any time, it will be especially important at the beginning of the year to talk about identity.  
I particularly loved seeing how this important conversation took place on a walk.  During this pandemic, my daughter and I have gone on many walks.  For the first two months, they were daily!  We had many conversations on those walks - some important, some just to talk, and some funny.  It's one of the few things I'll cherish about this time!


Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Boy
written by Tony Medina
illustrated by 13 artists
A book filled with poetry celebrating the lives of Black boys that is illustrated by 13 different Black authors.  Yes, it needs to be on your shelves.  All kids need to hear this book.


Don't Feed the Coos!
written by Jonathan Stutzman
illustrated by Heather Fox
This is going to be a hit with young readers... it has pigeon poop.  Guaranteed giggles.


Brown Baby Lullaby
written by Tameka Fryer Brown
illustrated by AG Ford
A beautiful book celebrating the love two parents have for their beautiful child.  Put this one on your baby gifts list.


Under the Lilacs
E.B. Goodale
When you were a child, did you ever write a note saying you were running away?  And maybe you did leave the house, even if you stayed in your own yard.  That's what our young main character does, but she gets crafty by finding materials to build her own house.  And even finds room in her heart to welcome her family.


A Space for Me
by Cathryn Falwell
So many young readers will relate to this story - I know I did!  A young boy has to share his room with his little brother, who is a little messier, a little louder, and hasn't learned how to manage his own space yet!  Tape goes down on the floor, but even that doesn't solve his problem.  He just wants a space for himself.


Nesting
by Henry Cole
Whether you read this book at springtime, or during a bird unit, or just because, it's a book that will captivate young readers' attention and maybe have them learn something too!  Beautifully illustrated with minute detail using pens and acrylic paints, Cole brings to life the life cycle of a bird with fascinating detail!

Middle Grade


The Aurora County All-Stars
by Deborah Wiles
Out of the four books, this one is my favorite.  I loved the tenacity of House and how he balances being a good son, brother, and friend, even when things are tricky.


a long line of cakes
by Deborah Wiles
This book takes just about all of the characters from Aurora County (minus Comfort, and I miss her!) and brings them together to meet the Cake family.  (the story literally takes place immediately following the events in The Aurora County All-Stars)  This family are itinerant bakers and are never around for very long, which is hard for Emma, who feels like she is always having to make a new friend.  This time she vows not to find a best friend because they are so hard to leave, but that's before she meets Ruby Lavender.  
This book feels so much like A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd.  An itinerant family, someone who doesn't want to leave, and a mystery to be solved.  You don't have to have read the other 3 books in the series, but it's certainly fun catching up with old friends!


A Wish in the Dark
by Christina Soontornvat
This is one of the best written middle grade novels I've read.  If this doesn't get a medal next January? February? (not even sure when the awards are in 2021!) I will be mad!
I've heard all positive praise for this book but it's one of those that you need to experience for yourself.
Loosely based on Les Miserables, and as a big fan of the musical, I loved seeing the similar threads.  This is a book you will want to read with students, because the conversations will be so amazing.  You'll talk about darkness and light.  Right and wrong.  Freedom and rules.  You'll talk about who decides your destiny and the power of words.
It's an amazing book.


Lupe Wong Won't Dance
by Donna Barba Higuera
A book that is a must-have for middle school libraries.  Kids will love meeting Lupe, who feels strongly about her Chinacan/Mexinese background.  She's on her way to being a full-blown activist as she's already championed causes like having more racial background options on those check boxes.  Her next crusade, getting rid of square dancing!  She does her research but it proves to be a tough fight going against tradition.  But she feels so passionately about it, can she get what she wants without hurting anyone's feelings?  Of course not, it's middle school!


The Brave
by James Bird
Wow, what a beautiful story.  Collin always counts every letter in all of the words someone says directly to him in a conversation.  You can be sure that it doesn't win him many friends.  After one fight at one school too many, his father ships him off to his mother.  Collin has never met his mother who does not live in California like him, but in Minnesota on an Ojibwe reservation.  Although all of his defenses are up when he arrives, they all slowly disappear as he feels the love of his mother and those around him.  The biggest change in Collin's life is meeting his next-door-neighbor, Orenda.  She is different just like Collin feels he is different.  However instead of an affinity for counting words, Orenda truly believes she is turning into a butterfly.  The friendship and eventually love that Collin and Orenda feel for each other is beautiful and heartbreaking.
This book should be in all middle school libraries because I have a feeling it's one kids will want to talk about.


Young Adult


Clap When You Land
by Elizabeth Acevedo
I will read everything she publishes.  The command she has of the written word is awe-inspiring.  
This book gutted me.  It's hard to read about death and this one hit my heart.  
Another novel in verse for Acevedo and the way the book's narrator goes back and forth, it seemed to fit so perfectly in verse.
Don't miss this one.

Currently Reading

I have a few going in my pile!

White Fragility by Robin Diangelo
Dan Unmasked by Chris Negron
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

Hope you found some new books here.
Hope you are safe and well.
Hope to see you all next week.
And if you're feeling anxious about this upcoming year, know you are not alone!

#road2reading Challenge - Chapter Book Summer series - a Science Ladder - 7.16.2020

This summer I'll be sharing chapter books that are perfect for a range of readers.  

Stop by every Thursday and find a round up of books you'll want to use with your readers!

Today's chapter books will take us on a ladder - we'll start at the bottom of the ladder and work up.  The first book will have more supports and an easier plot line, moving up to the top of the ladder that has a more sophisticated story.  But all of the books celebrate SCIENCE (and notice the number of girl characters!)



Layla and the Bots: Happy Paws
written by Vicky Fang
illustrated by Christine Nishiyama
This is from the Scholastic Branches line and it's sure to be a new favorite.  It's an easier Branches book - it will be a good first book after a reader is ready to move past the Acorn line.
Layla and her friends, the Bots, are makers and singers!  In this first book they are scheduled to perform a concert at an amusement park, but the park has to close down due to low attendance.  After looking more into why the park doesn't have visitors, Layla and the Bots learn it's because half of the town are dog owners and want to spend time with their dogs.  How can Layla and the Bots help?  By creating and making, of course!
The book is more of a graphic novel format than prose, which will appeal to many readers!  This book has also taken a cue from the Acorn line and has talk bubbles that are colored coded to help readers follow who is doing the talking.  Very helpful when there are multiple talk bubbles in a frame.
This series is going to be a hit.  This first book published earlier this year and book 2 is coming in August, with more to follow in 2021!


DATA Set - March of the Mini Beasts
written by Ada Hopper
illustrated by Sam Ricks
The DATA group are three friends who love exploring, making, and finding new facts.  In this first book of the series, they meet Dr. Bunsen who is busy creating something amazing - a growth ray gun!  But as in all new experiments, things don't always go as planned!  Instead, it brings their animal toys to life!  
Quick to read and with a cliffhanger, this series will keep readers wanting to know what happens next!  A seven book series, which means quite a bit of reading for kids who enjoy this series!


Kate the Chemist: Dragons vs. Unicorns
written by Dr. Kate Biberdorf with Hillary Homzie
Author Dr. Kate Biberdorf is a science professor at UT - Austin, but also works with kids via social media and touring around the country, getting them excited about science!
This series is one of the first STEAM series I've read that has some serious science embedded into the story.  From the definitions at the beginning of each chapter to the explanations within the story about what scientific properties and reactions just happened, this story goes into more depth than other books I've read.
The series also has a fun story to go along with all the amazing science, one that will engage all readers.
The stories are pretty short, just over 100 pages, but there aren't any full page illustrations.  The chapters are quick, which makes this a book that is perfect for a reader building stamina.  The second book in the series publishes this fall, and the third in January.  And if the science appeals to you, Kate the Chemist even has a big book of experiments that should keep you busy!

          
Elements of Genius series
written by Jess Keating
illustrated by Lissy Marlin
I hope you are following this series, it is so fun!  Anything by Jess Keating is, she knows how to add information and knowledge to a book and make it fascinating for all readers.
This STEAM series has a group of characters, all loosely based on some real people, who attend the Genius Academy.  Our main character, Nikki Tesla, is their latest recruit, and together they go on missions where they use their vast knowledge and expertise to solve world problems... or their own!
This series is longer, so more middle grade than chapter books, but there are illustrations that help support visual readers.  If readers are looking for the next step in their STEAM reading, this series is one to find!

All journeys have a starting place.

This is a weekly place to find books and tools

that you may use with readers 

at the start of their independent reading journey.

Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

#road2reading Challenge - Chapter Book Summer series - Celebrating the Outside - 7.09.2020

This summer I'll be sharing chapter books that are perfect for a range of readers.  

Stop by every Thursday and find a round up of books you'll want to use with your readers!

Today's books celebrate the outdoors!


The Friendship Garden series
written by Jenny Meyerhoff
illustrated by Éva Chatelain
This series celebrates working in a community garden and friendship!  The main character, Anna, has just moved to the city of Chicago and not only has to make new friends, but she is also looking to find a piece of outside that she used to have in her small town in the state of New York.  
In the first book, Anna's third grade teacher assigns groups of students to work together and work on a persuasive speech to present to the class.  Luckily, Anna is able to make friends with her group and convinces them to work on a community garden plot.  The problem is kids can't own a plot in this garden, they need an adult sponsor.  These kids are determined and won't stop until they convince everyone to have a green thumb!
Each book in the series focuses on other environmental and friendship concerns that are appropriate for children - raising chicks, rescuing honeybees, and facing your fears.
Each chapter has a few illustrations to help readers visualize characters and settings.  A plot that is easy to follow with problems that are familiar to young readers.


Jasmine Green Rescues: A Piglet Called Truffle
written by Helen Peters
illustrated by Ellie Snowdon
Oh, this is such a sweet series, it's a must for all your young animal lovers!  Jasmine has the perfect set up for anyone who loves animals, she lives on a farm and her dad is the lead farmer at the house and her mom is a veterinarian.  Jasmine has decided to one day run an animal rescue, but she'll do it on her own farm where she'll also border animals.
In this first book, Jasmine has found a piglet runt that has a very small chance of survival.  Despite what the adults have told her to do, she sneaks the piglet home and nurses her to health.  Of course it's just a matter of time before her parents find out about the piglet, now named Truffle.  They agree to let her foster the pig for a time, but once Truffle gets too large, she's being sold.
I dare any person to read this book, whether an animal enthusiast or not, and not come away loving Truffle the piglet and Jasmine!
There was once illustrations with the piglet that had a small spider web with a spider in it that made me think it was a little cameo of another special pig story!
Coming in at just over 100 pages and illustrations on many pages, this series is perfect for a reader who is looking for something a little longer but can still use some visual supports.


The Infamous Ratsos: Camp Out
written by Kara LaReau
illustrated by Matt Myers
The Ratsos are heading to the great outdoors on a camping trip with the Big City Scouts.  Their father is coming along and their troup is being lead by Grandpa Ratso!  Of course things aren't as smooth as they had hoped - while some of the scouts are willing to listen to help and consult books and maps, other scouts think they already know what to do.  Louie and Ralphie learn that rushing off and doing things without the correct knowledge is not the best things to do when you're doing something for the first time.
There are quite a few characters in this story that make up the Big City Scouts troop.  I was having trouble remembering who was who until I got further into the story.  That could be confusing for young readers.  There was also name calling and using the name "nerd" as derogatory because the character was looking information up in a book.  Of course those characters are the ones that make out best in the end of the book, but it seemed a bit cliché.


Astrid and Apollo and the Starry Campout
written by V.T. Bidania
illustrated by Dara Lashia Lee
I am so excited for this upcoming chapter book series!  Featuring Hmong twins, Astrid and Apollo, who in this first book are going on their very first camping trip.  Astrid is very nervous because her cousin Lily just returned from camping and had only bad things to day - mosquitos, smelly bathrooms, and bears - oh my, right!  Her twin brother, Apollo, is the opposite and can't wait to go.  Slowly, Astrid conquers each of her fears, including saving her family from some wild animals!
There is a name pronunciation guide at the beginning of the story.  I love when authors/publishers put it at the beginning of the story instead of the end.  Nothing like getting to the end to find the pronunciations to learn you've been saying something incorrectly the entire book.  The end of the book does have some additional information, like a glossary, info about the country of Laos, and a food guide (now I need recipes!).
This chapter book series will be perfect for readers of the Yasmin, Saadiq, and My Furry Foster Family series.  Coming in at under 100 pages, brightly colored illustrations, and a straight-forward story, this series is perfect for readers who are just starting to read chapter books.  There will be four books in the series, preorder them now - your readers will thank you!

All journeys have a starting place.

This is a weekly place to find books and tools

that you may use with readers 

at the start of their independent reading journey.

Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

#road2reading Challenge - Chapter Book Summer series - graphic novels for independent readers - 7.02.2020

This summer I'll be sharing chapter books that are perfect for a range of readers.  

Stop by every Thursday and find a round up of books you'll want to use with your readers!

I am so excited to see publishers are putting out graphic novels for the earlier reader.  Graphic novels are well loved for many many reasons, but one of the things that readers love most about graphic novels are the visuals it provides that closes a gap for readers who are having trouble visualizing.  I see so many readers who have trouble sticking with a middle grade novel and amongst other reasons, it is because they do not understand what is happening in the story.  Often, these same readers can read and understand every word, but they may not be creating the mental images needed to help them remember what happened in chapter one and carry those events to what happens in chapter 10.  Graphic novels are often that bridge to aid comprehension for those readers.  With a graphic novel, you don't get a visual for everything that happens, just like you don't get text that explains everything that happens.  You have to put the two together.  By giving readers the visual supports, they are able to gain the stamina to read longer stories on their own.  Now that we are getting graphic novels for readers who are ready to read a bit more independently on their own, we're getting even more readers hooked on the independent reading journey! 

I'm listing the books today in ladder format.  Each book is a bit longer, words are a little more sophisticated, and stories more complex.  

I have also seen quite a few graphic novels coming in the fall.  I'll include those at the end.


Pizza and Taco: Who's the Best?
by Stephen Shaskan
Divided into chapters, Pizza and Taco love having fun together, but when a conversation about all things that are the best turns into who is the best, a new competition begins.  Who will win, Pizza or Taco?
Chapters, easy to follow frames, and short talk bubbles keep this book perfect to read for young readers.


Baloney and Friends
by Greg Pizzoli
Pizzoli's books for young readers often make me laugh out loud and this one was no different.  Featuring a cast of characters, all with different personalities, kids will laugh at the escapades these characters have.  Told in episodic chapters that are separated by mini-comics, this is an early graphic novel that will keep readers wanting more.  I like that the talk bubbles are color coded to the color of the character talking. 
Looking forward to more in this series!


Kitten Construction Company: A Bridge Too Fur
by John Patrick Green
with color by Cat Caro
I really love this series.  The Kitten Construction Company is adorable, clever, and they seem to learn a lesson that is a perfect jumping off point for readers.  In this book, the concept of being prejudiced is brought up and I think using this book for a conversation about that would be 100% appropriate right now.
The main character learns a lesson in this story, and while his realization takes all of one frame, I do like that the storyline shows him understanding what he did wrong, admitting it, and then fixing his mistake.  I've seen a lot of books published lately where the character doesn't own up to the mistake, doesn't take responsibility or learn from the mistake.  Not really a great role model there.
The book size allows for larger panels and bigger talk bubbles.  There are more sentences in each talk bubble, but they are easy to follow.
I hope there will be more coming in this series!


Fox & Rabbit
written by Beth Ferry
illustrated by Gergely Dudás
Another new series (yay, all of these are series which means our readers have more to look forward to!) about two friends.  Each friend has definite characteristics, Fox is more carefree, while Rabbit is cautious.  But they both enjoy being together and have adventures together.  While each chapter is its own story, there is a piece from the preceding chapter that carries over.  And at the end of each chapter something happens that will make you giggle!
These stories are a little longer and there is a bit more happening on each page and in each frame.  Some pages had 8 frames to read, so certainly more to get to than the previous books.  Sometimes the characters go back and forth in their dialogue and readers have to know how to read talk bubbles when the conversation does that.
Looking forward to more adventures with these two!


InvestiGators
by John Patrick Green
A new series that will be well enjoyed by the DogMan crowd!  Green (who is on a graphic novel roll - also the author of the Kitten Construction Company above) introduces us to Mango and Brash, two 'gators that happen to be investigators.  
This graphic novel is the most sophisticated of all the ones I have listed.  There are multiple plot lines, some of them come together at the end, but there are definitely some loose ends, which leads us to... the sequel!
The characters will appeal to young readers, and older readers will get some of the snarky jokes and puns.  Coming in at just under 200 pages, this will be a great ladder book for those who are getting ready to read longer graphic novels.


Coming this fall:



Bunbun and Bonbon: Fancy Friends
by Jess Keating
An upcoming series by Jess Keating celebrating two new friends who learn that they are excited about so many things, including enjoying all things fancy!
Colorful text, no more than five frames on a page, and the text in the talk bubble is pretty short - all things that will engage young graphic novel readers!
Publishes Sept. 1st


Squidding Around: Fish Feud!
by Kevin Sherry
This graphic novel will be well loved by readers, but adults may have a problem with it.  The character of Squizzard is rude, not a nice friend, and takes a really long time to fix any mistakes.  Readers will see right away that Squizzard is not a nice friend when he over and over makes his BFF, Toothy (a great white shark who is very gentle), always be the secondary character (ex. the bad guy, the first mate) when they play, plays rude jokes on him, and blames Toothy for his own shortcomings.  Once it is pointed out to Squizzard, it may be too late to fix things, Toothy may be too upset.  It takes Squizzard a really long time to admit he was wrong.  He does try to fix his mistake, but I'm not sure we'll see a different Squizzard in the next book or not.  
A bit more sophisticated than Bunbun and Bonbon, but with it's easy to follow plot and characters, young readers will enjoy it.  Just hope they notice Squizzard's faults faster than the character!
Publishes Sept. 1st



Here are a few that I have not had the chance to review yet:



Arlo and Pips: King of the Birds
by Elise Gravel
publishes Oct. 6th


Pea, Bee, and Jay: Stuck Together
by Brian "Smitty" Smith
publishes Sept. 1st
Looks like book 1 and 2 will both be published that day!


Peanut, Butter, and Crackers: Puppy Problems
by Paige Braddock
publishes Sept. 22nd


I am so excited we have these books for our readers.  They are so necessary and I'm glad publishers are seeing and meeting that need.  

But... did you notice.... all of these books feature animal characters.  While kids love that, they also love realistic fiction graphic novels that are reflections of their own lives.  My next request.... graphic novels for this age group that are written by BIPOC authors and feature characters of color....

All journeys have a starting place.

This is a weekly place to find books and tools

that you may use with readers 

at the start of their independent reading journey.

Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - picture book biographies - 7.01.2020

Wednesdays I join Alyson Beecher from kidlitfrenzy and other

#kidlit bloggers to share wonderful nonfiction picture books.

The intention of today's blog post is to give professionals that work in the
education field new nonfiction reading material and ideas to use 

with students to promote a love of reading nonfiction materials.

Ready for some more picture book biographies?  I have you covered!



Hard Work, But It's Worth It: The Life of Jimmy Carter
written by Bethany Hegedus
illustrated by Kyung Eun Han
President Carter is the first president I really remember being in office, even though President Ford was in office when I was born.  Even now, I don't remember a whole lot about President Carter, except I do remember having a book about the presidents and being fascinated with his daughter, Amy!  I'm surprised this is the first picture book biography I've seen about his life, glad young readers will learn more about him.
This book covers his early life and lets readers get a feel for how he felt about the civil unrest of his times and how he wanted to confront it.  It covers his entry into politics and quickly gets to his time in office.  I'm especially glad it focused on the wonderful humanitarian work he has done since his time in office.


Jump!  from the life of Michael Jordan
by Floyd Cooper
I don't know how I don't have this biography.  One of the best things in my late teen, early adult years was growing up watching the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan.  I was very lucky that I got to see Jordan play in several games during that time.  The Bulls were absolutely electric to watch, but nothing was better than watching Jordan.
I really liked that this book focused on his foundations, what made him who he became.  You don't just step onto the court being that good, it's the years and decades that come before all of that.  The hard work and dedication that goes into everything.  
This is a book I need to buy for my library!


Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina
written by Lea Lyon and A. LaFaye
illustrated by Sylvia Townsend
We always say books hold the power to open your world.  Well, Sylvia Townsend made that happen.  As a young girl she loved to dance, but because she lived in times of segregation, she could not find a ballet school that would allow her to attend because of the color of her skin.  She continued to teach herself ballet, checking out book after book from her local bookmobile!  She taught herself and soon taught other neighborhood girls.  After a ballet teacher saw what she could do, she became her mentor and Sylvia was on her way of a lifetime of dancing.
I thought it was an interesting choice to have the book told in the first person.  While Sylvia Townsend did write the foreword of the book, she is not listed as an author.


How to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion
written by Ashima Shiraishi
illustrations by Yao Xiao
This narrative nonfiction picture book is really amazing.  Ashima is a rock-climbing champion... and she's only a teenager!  The way she looks at her rock climbing path and viewing one "problem" at a time is really a fantastic way of looking at growth mindset.  She also talks about learning from her mistakes and gaining insight from them.  The timeline in the back is awe-inspiring - she's been climbing (the first known climb is from out of her crib, ha) since she was six, and solving rock climbing problems that put her at expert levels since she was eight!  Just amazing.


Happy July reading to all!