Tag Archives: Inclusion

Elem. – Dictionary for a Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z

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Latham, Irene, and Charles Waters. Dictionary for a Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z. Carolrhoda Books, 2020. 978-1-541-55775-8. 120 p. $19.99. Grades 2-6.

Words have power, and learning how to use, absorb, and value them is one of the most important skills of adolescence. Indeed, relating words like ACCEPTANCE, GRATITUDE, JUSTICE, and VULNERABLE could help classes and young readers make a better world. Irene and Charles, the poets behind the thoughtful Can I Touch Your Hair? poetry story about race and friendship, have compiled a gorgeous collection of words that are illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini. Each page features a poem to match the word, and a description of the form of poetry as well. Accompanying the poem are quotations from writers or famous personalities, then a personal message from the author that children can connect with, and finally an action step to take to demonstrate the valuable word. In all, there are 50 poems from A to Z, and they should be digested and discussed thoughtfully rather than quickly. Discussions of race and friendship and hope for a brighter future should make this book an essential tool for home and classrooms.

THOUGHTS: At a time when teachers and parents are seeking ways to share inclusive, diverse, and equitable literature that leads to discussion and action, we can’t do much better than this wonderful book! Consider this for a One Book, One School selection or for a small group of empowered advocates. Highly recommended for grade 2 – 6 (though potentially useful for younger and older grades as well).

811 Poetry          Dustin Brackbill, State College Area SD

Picture Books – Groovy Joe; How to Catch a Monster; Monster’s New Undies; Nothing Rhymes with Orange

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Litwin, Eric. Groovy Joe: Dance Party Countdown. Scholastic, 2017. 9780545883795. $16.99. 40p. Gr. Pre-K-1.

Eric Litwin teams up with illustrator Tom Lichtenheld in this picture book that has some simple math and a lesson to learn (there’s always room for one more friend). Litwin’s fame as the author of Pete the Cat will make this book popular. Groovy Joe is a dog that loves to play music and dance. Joe’s motto is “the more the merrier.” As friends knock at his door, readers can follow along with simple math problems as Joe invites everyone into the party. The end of the story includes an invitation to the reader to come join in the party, too.  THOUGHTS: The illustrations make this book. Lichtenfeld’s colorful, bold illustrations will be a hit with this book’s 3 to 5 year old audience. The theme of not excluding anyone in an important lesson to learn at an early age since that can be a problem at the K-6 school level. This book also includes a website to download the song that Joe sings throughout the book.

Picture book        Bridget Fox, Central Bucks SD

 

Wallace, Adam and Andy Elkerton. How to Catch a Monster. Sourcebooks, 2017. 978-1-4926-4894-9. Unpaged. $10.99. Gr. K-2.

What do you do when you get the role of a ninja in the school play?  Become one of course!  And not just any ninja; a monster catching ninja!  With the courage to trap the monster hiding in his closet, the ninja-monster-catcher meets his match.  After breaking the first few traps, ninja finally catches his monster and learns that his monster isn’t trying to scare him; he just wants to play.  As ninja and monster play, and learn about one another, a friendship between them blooms.  Wallace uses rhyme throughout (although not all pages rhyme), and Elkerton’s illustrations make the monster-in-the-closet come alive as a cuddly friend.  THOUGHTS:  This is a wonderful book to teach about friendship and how differences can be overcome.  

Picture Book     Erin Bechdel, Beaver Area SD

 

Berger, Samantha. Monster’s New Undies. Ill. Tad Carpenter, Orchard Books, 2017. 978-0-545-87973-6. Unpaged. $16.99. Gr. PreK-2.

Monster loves his undies, but they have fallen apart.  He doesn’t want new undies, but it’s too cold without them, so it is time for Monster to get new ones.  At the store Monster doesn’t like any undies until he finds ones just like his old ones.  These new undies allow Monster to be comfortable again.  THOUGHTS:  Although about underwear (which is just funny to students), Monster’s New Undies can compare to any beloved item a student has and the feelings that occur when that item can no longer be used.  This book is a great read-aloud to writing about something students love that they have lost or had to get rid of because they are growing up.

Picture Book      Erin Bechdel, Beaver Area SD

 

Rex, Adam. Nothing Rhymes with Orange. Chronicle Books, 2017. 978-1-4521-5443-5. Unpaged. $16.99. Gr. 1-3.

Unlike most fruits, nothing does rhyme with orange, and Orange knows this.  Although Orange tries to find a place in this rhyming poem, it just doesn’t work because nothing rhymes with orange.  Fruits that Orange doesn’t even know have rhyming words, but not orange that is until the other fruits create a word to rhyme with orange in order to make Orange feel apart of the fruit group.  Photographs of fruit with hand drawings to bring the fruit alive add to the fun of this rhyming poem and creative take on friendship and fitting in.  THOUGHTS: This is a very creative way to work with students on rhymes, nonsense words, and the importance of inclusion of everyone no matter their differences (or similarities…even if nothing rhymes with orange).

Picture Book     Erin Bechdel, Beaver Area SD

Picture Books – Abraham; Mighty Construction Site; Ladies of Liberty; Blue Sky White Stars

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Keating, Frank.  Abraham.  Simon and Schuster Books for Young Children, 2017. 9781442493193. Unpaged.  $17.99.  Gr. 2-5.

This picture book biography about Abraham Lincoln is not so much a book that details all his accomplishments, but instead gives the reader insight into his character, aspirations and beliefs.  Keating begins by listing some of Lincoln’s titles, such as “Honest Abe” and “Great Emancipator.” He takes us from Lincoln’s humble beginnings through his presidency, although his assassination is not mentioned. The author discusses how the president valued education and books and that honesty was a guiding principle in his life.  Lincoln’s own quotations are peppered throughout the text.   Mike Wimmer’s full bleed illustrations accompany each page of text and are done in oil on canvas.  His illustration of Lincoln’s statue is stunning, as it appears to gleam in the sunlight.  The full text of the Gettysburg Address is included at the end.  In the author’s note, Keating states that “Abraham Lincoln was an affirmation of the…call of the Declaration of Independence that all men were created equal.”  The author includes a list of his resources.   THOUGHTS:  Although the book does not contain enough information for reports, this appealing biography works well as read aloud and will interest children who wish to know more about our sixteenth president.  This book is part of the Mount Rushmore Presidential series, which also includes Theodore and George.

Picture Book Biography           Denise Medwick, West Allegheny School District

 

Rinker, Sherri Duskey. Mighty, Mighty Construction Site. Chronicle Books: 2017. 978-1-4521-5216-5. 32pp. $16.99. Gr K-3.

In this sequel to Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, the heavy equipment trucks are back, and they’re ready to tackle their largest project yet! Crane Truck, Dump Truck, Cement Mixer, Bulldozer, and Excavator see the blueprints for their newest project, and they know they’re going to need some help. Cement Mixer honks his horn, and five new trucks come rolling down the road. With the help of Skid Steer, Backhoe, Flatbed Truck, Front-end Loader, and Pumper Truck, the crew pushes dirt, blasts rocks, digs trenches, lays pipes, lifts beams, delivers materials, hauls rubble, and pours foundations. Teamwork is the name of the game, and each truck has an important role to play in completing the project. Rhyming verse and colorful oil pastel illustrations ensure that this is a story construction-fans will return to again and again.   THOUGHTS:  This title will shine during a construction-themed storytime, and it can also be used to promote the benefits of teamwork.

Picture Book      Anne Bozievich, Southern York County SD

 

Roberts, Cokie. Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation. Harper, 2017: 978-0-06-078005-0. 37pp. $17.99. Gr 3-6.

This title highlights female reformers, writers, activists, explorers, educators, and orators who made their mark during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The collection features double-page spreads highlighting the accomplishments of ten women, including Lucy Terry Prince, Sacagawea, Martha Jefferson Randolph, Elizabeth Bayley Seton, Elizabeth Kortright Monroe, and Louisa Catherine Adams. Smaller biographical sketches also outline the contributions of women such as Eliza Hamilton, Lucretia Mott, Hannah Foster, and Margaret Dwight. Many of these women worked tirelessly to ensure the freedoms of all of our nation’s people, including women, orphans, and people of diverse faiths, were protected. Sepia-toned pen and ink illustrations by Caldecott Honor-winner Diane Goode lend a period-touch to the pages. Although the information presented is not detailed enough for in-depth research, this book serves as an easily-accessible introduction to some of America’s earliest feminists who strove to make our country a better place for all of its people.  THOUGHTS: This book can be used to in conjunction with American history units about the Founding Fathers and Westward Expansion. It can also serve as a jumping-off point for biographical projects centering around these diverse women. This is the sort of book that teachers could use to highlight one woman each week, or they could focus solely on one or two women who tie in to their current curricular study.

Nonfiction Picture Book     Anne Bozievich, Southern York County SD

 

Naberhaus, Sarvinder and Kadir Nelson. Blue Sky White Stars. New York, NY: Dial for Young Readers, 2017. 978-0-8037-3700-6. $17.99. Unpaged. Gr. K-3.

Defining America in broad terms can be a challenge for adults as well as students. One symbol that inevitably brings us together is the stars and stripes of the USA flag. This book is a vision of inclusivity using the pieces of the flag to bring out a greater message of the whole country. Naberhaus uses subtle homophones like “Sew together Won nation” with “So together One nation.” as well as phrases and homographs that carry dual meanings of importance. The ever skilled illustrations of Kadir Nelson bring the sparse words to life with diversity and patriotism. The parallels that this team bring to the work are relevant and rousing to our country’s past, present, and future aspirations. THOUGHTS: The discussions that I look forward to having with students around this book are hopefully around the way text and illustration can partner to carry meaning. The connections that I hope students make are hopefully about diversity, unity, and acceptance in a time when we need to emphasize these traits more than ever. This timely book quickly captured my heart and head.

Picture Book     Dustin Brackbill, State College Area SD