Our New Home: Immigrant Children Speak is a powerful book written by the children who have immigrated to Canada from countries such as China, India, Russia, Ghana, Malaysia, Argentina, Germany, and Pakistan. I love that this book gives power to the voices of the children. (Not to mention, that this is a great book to [...]

*Picture book, humorous fantasy (tall tale), for preschoolers through second graders *A rancher and his wife are the main characters. *Rating: Meanwhile Back at the Ranch is one of my favorite books to share with children. (It’s by the same author as The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash. Short, short summary: Rancher Hicks is [...]

photo by Randy Son of Robert www.flickr.com *Contemporary picture book for preschoolers through 2nd graders *The LOUDS (a very fun family) as main characters *Rating: The Louds Move In! is a funny picture book full of cute illustrations. Short, short summary: The Louds Move In! by Carolyn Crimi starts when guess what? The Loud family [...]

Matilda first published in London in 1988, is one of my favorite children’s books for middle-grade readers even though I read it for the first time as an adult in college. (Although, that seems to be happening more and more lately–children’s and young adult’s books are becoming my favorites as an adult!) Anyway, this Roald [...]

photo by mrbill www.flickr.com On Saturday, April 24, I am involved in a very exciting event in St. Peters, Missouri with a writing group I belong to–Saturday Writers. Every year, we sponsor free writing contests for kids and teens; and this Saturday, we hand out the awards. Basically, we have a short story/poetry contest for [...]

*Middle-grade, contemporary fantasy *Angel and elementary-school aged girl as main characters *Rating: I fell in love with The Unfinished Angel by Sharon Creech. Listening to the audio book in the car made drives enjoyable and fun! Sometimes, I was laughing out loud at the angel! Short, short summary: One angel (neither a he or a [...]

I talked about this book last week, too, for one that is great to share during National Poetry Month 2010 or any poetry unit you do with elementary students. More Pocket Poems edited by Bobbi Katz is a sequel, of course, to Pocket Poems. So, actually, either one is nice for sharing poetry with young [...]

photo by foxypar4 www.flickr.com *Picture book for preschoolers through second graders *Bea the sheep as the main character *Rating: Be unique is the message in Bea Rocks the Flock, and this book’s illustration and cute sheep make it unique, too. Short, short summary: Bea is having a hard time in the flock. She just doesn’t [...]

photo by BlatantNews.com www.flickr.com (photo is in public domain) One of my favorite lessons plans for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day I found when I was a writing specialist at Fairmount Elementary School. This lesson teaches children about Martin Luther King, Jr. AND teaches them about that elusive 6 plus one writing trait: voice. Plus, [...]

photo by Stepheye www.flickr.com *Picture book for preschoolers through second graders *Young (and tiny) boy as the main character *Rating: You might be more familiar with Laurie Halse Anderson’s novels, but this picture book is funny with a terrific voice! A modern-day take on the old-David-and-Goliath theme. Short, short summary: The Antonellis of Third Street [...]