Do you have an art loving kid? These books celebrate many aspects of art whether you're an artist or just like to know about art, your kids will love these inspiring picture books and chapter books about trips to the museum, famous artists, and making your own art. Inspiring Children's Books for Art Lovers PICTURE BOOKS The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds Vashti is discouraged -- she is no artist. … [Read more...]
Picture Books About Present Day Indigenous Families
Children often learn about indigenous cultures from history but it's just as important to know that indigenous cultures are still alive and strong in the modern day, too. Picture books like these show Native American and Native Canadian cultures incorporating tradition, culture, and language in the present day. As I find more books, I'll add to this list. Please comment if you have … [Read more...]
More Recommended NEW Chapter Books, Fall 2018
Ready for more new books? I just love so many of these and hope you check them out to see if your kids and students will, too. Recommended New Chapter Books, Fall 2018 Blended by Sharon Draper REALISTIC / COMING OF AGE / DIVORCE Isabella spends one week with her dad and his girlfriend, the next week with her mom and her boyfriend. She hates it. She really hates exchange day when she … [Read more...]
10 Favorite Spooky Chapter Books for Middle Grade Readers
written by Kathie MacIsaac, librarian and middle-grade book lover (full bio below) Do you like to read a book that makes you pull the covers a little tighter around you? Do you enjoy a story that gives you goosebumps, or requires you to sleep with the light on? Many kids love scary stories with ghosts and supernatural forces, but I also like a dark and emotional tale that tugs at my … [Read more...]
Kwame Alexander on New Book, Reading, & Upcoming Tour
Kwame Alexander's books connect to kids. In fact, it's why he's one of the most popular authors of our time --kids can't put his books down! In a recent phone conversation, Alexander shared, "I try to write books that kids are going to want to pick up and not going to want to put down. I'm writing for me, the book that I would want to read and not put down." Well, he succeeds. If you haven't … [Read more...]
The Best Dystopian Chapter Books for Middle Grade Readers (Ages 9 – 12)
You've probably read a dystopian novel or two in high school. (Remember 1984 and Farenheight 451?) This genre gets kids reading a LOT. Although there are more young adult (YA) dystopian novels than middle-grade, don't worry-- there are many great middle grade choices, too. These are my favorite books to introduce your tween kids (ages 9 - 12) to this addictive genre. The Oxford … [Read more...]
Important Slice-of-Life Picture Books
The best books give us a glimpse into other people's lives. Books like these. Richly illustrated and told with simplicity, these picture books will transport readers. When we expose children to a wide variety of experiences in a story they can see themselves in books, travel the world, talk with strangers, and develop deeper empathy. Talk about what you notice. Talk about what might be similar or … [Read more...]
New Mayan Mythology Adventure Chapter Book Giveaway
Disclosure: Disney Book Group is partnering with me for a giveaway! Do you know about Mayan mythology? You will after reading The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes published by Rick Riordan Presents, an imprint of Disney Book Group. Learn more about this new fictional book infused with Mayan mythology at ReadRiordan.com. Then, buy The Storm Runner on Amazon AND/OR enter to win a copy (and $100 Visa … [Read more...]
Skill-Building Easy Readers with Excellent Stories
Are your kids learning to read? Then you need good easy readers to get them excited to practice their burgeoning skills. I have a big list of easy reader recommendations HERE which will also include today's list of newly published books. What will you find on the list today? Well, Mo Willems has a new book filled with squirrel humor, Jan Thomas has two new silly stories with surprise endings, and … [Read more...]
6 New Beginning Chapter Books with Female Main Characters, Fall 2018
I'm excited to tell you about these new beginning chapter books including a new STEM series about Rosie Revere and her good friends, Iggy Peck and Ada Twist. All these easy chapter books are illustrated with bigger text size and less text per page making them good reading choices for your 6 - 9-year-olds. What's more, all these titles contain female main characters with pluck and creativity. … [Read more...]
Hook Tweens on Magical Realism with These Incredible Books
Magical realism books aren't like fantasy -- there are no magicians or magical creatures -- this is a genre of realistic stories containing just a little bit of magic. Like the story of a girl on a farm with chickens who have powers. Or a tree in an orchard who grows things that the child most needs. I fell in love with magical realism in college when I read Isabel Allende's House of … [Read more...]
Board Books Make the Best Gifts (New Choices for Fall 2018)
Board books make the best presents for babies and toddlers. I love giving books away -- and seeing them get read over and over again. Why? Because board books start kids out an important literacy foundation. They also introduce kids to the joy of a good book during special time with a caregiver which also shows them how to hold a book the correct way and that the squiggly black things are words. … [Read more...]