Spotlight Friday - new picture books, part two 5.18.18

Time to get ready for the weekend!

Kick up your feet and find a good place to read.

Sharing #booklove for your classroom or library.

Spotlighting a book or two because these books deserve the spotlight!

I think picture books can be one of the best tools we have for teaching.  Last week I shared some new favorites.  Here are some more new must have picture books:


Square
written by Mac Barnett
illustrated by Jon Klassen
When these two get together you never know what will happen... except for: big questions, unexpected endings, big ideas and of course, side eyes.  Lots of side eyes.
I love the bigger ideas in this book - how something beautiful can come out of something unexpected and... well, can't tell you the other one.  You'll have to read and get to the ending to find out that one!


I Walk With Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness
by Kerascoet
This is such an important book and I love that it is wordless. I love that kids can interpret their own thoughts and meaning to some of the events throughout the story.
A young girl is new to a school and immediately faces the unkind words of a bully.  After standing by and watching what happened, another young girl takes action to show the other girl what true kindness looks and feels like.


Bowwow Powwow
written by Brenda J. Child
Translated by Gordon Jourdain
illustrated by Jonathan Thunder
I've been trying to build my collection of books by Native authors and this one has been mentioned a few times by some fellow Nerds.  
I love seeing the traditions of the powwow and how it is imagined by a young girl.


Julián is a Mermaid
by Jessica Love
Well this book just moved to the top of my Caldecott list.
And to the top of my most important books to share with everyone.
Because what if this book, becomes the norm.  A book that is celebrated for its message of acceptance and beauty.  A book that is celebrated for its gorgeous artwork.  A book that celebrates what it feels to belong.
I love this review by Betsy Bird.  She is able to capture so much of this book that I can't eloquently express.


The Breaking News
by Sarah Lynne Reul
I wish we didn't have a need for a book like this, but we do so I'm glad it's there.
Reul does a fantastic job of capturing the helplessness kids can feel when something bad has happened that they don't have control over.  I think it's the right amount of reassuring and the right amount of here's how to help.


What If...
written by Samantha Berger
illustrated by Mike Curato
Oh, how much do I love this book!  I've been hearing such wonderful things but to experience it is another level.  As someone who loves the arts and found many ways to be creative growing up, I just fell in love with this story.  I can see teachers using this to get some creative juices flowing, especially for writing time.


Ocean Meets Sky
by The Fan Brothers
The Fan Brothers are at it again - creating a beautiful piece of art that pulls on the heartstrings!  This is going to be such an important book for readers as it deals with the topic of loss.  A young boy sets off to find they mysterious place where the ocean meets the sky that his grandfather has told him about.  We've already pieced together that his grandfather is no longer alive, but his memory lives on within the boy.  Beautiful.

I'll be back soon with more picture books!