A reading strategy I like to use with children reading nonfiction is connecting to background knowledge. As you read these biographies, both picture books for preschool and elementary ages as well as biographical story collections for upper elementary and middle school, help your kids connect to what they’re reading. Start with prompts like: How are […]
Continue ReadingOwnVoices Beginning Chapter Books for Growing Readers Ages 6 – 8
Continuing my series of OwnVoices books for kids, check out these excellent #ownvoices beginning chapter books. What does OwnVoices mean? OwnVoices is when an author writes about a person or group of which the author also shares their identity. This is particularly important with regard to diversity and continues to be a growing movement. […]
Continue ReadingNew Picture Books, January and February 2020
Want the scoop on the best newly published picture books? Here’s what I’ve been reading and can recommend to you and your students and families. New Picture Books, January and February 2020 Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE / #OWNVOICES This beautifully […]
Continue ReadingRead Aloud Books for 7th and 8th Grade
Yes, reading aloud to middle school students in 7th and 8th grade benefits them just as much as in elementary school. Immeasurably. Besides the enjoyment kids get when listening to a story (who among us doesn’t love a good audiobook?), you can introduce your 12- and 13-year-old readers to a new author or book series, […]
Continue Reading16 Standout STEM Engineering and Invention Picture Books
Want to find picture books that inspire engineering, tinkering, and invention in kids? Read one or all of these engaging engineering and invention themed books. You’ll love how they show the STEM concepts in such a positive light. And, I bet they’ll put some new ideas in your child’s mind. Ideas like inventing their own […]
Continue ReadingWhere to Find Diverse, Multicultural Books for Kids
What multicultural children’s books are you loving right now? If you’re like me, you always want to learn about new diverse books to share with children. First, let me tell you something exciting…today is the 7th annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day. This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen, book-loving […]
Continue ReadingDiverse Board Books for Toddlers
Many board books are about animals. And they have their place. Because who doesn’t love the classic board book, Brown Bear, Brown Bear? But it’s also important to read about the world around us, especially other children. So let’s look at board books for babies and toddlers that show people of color, families from different […]
Continue ReadingDiverse Realistic Chapter Books for Middle School by #OwnVoices
Middle school students generally love to read realistic fiction chapter books, finding comfort, wisdom, and insight in the relatable themes of growing up, coming of age, and friendships. These particular titles for tweens ages 9 – 12 feature diverse characters and are written in the authentic voice of a person from that culture, #OwnVoices. […]
Continue Reading