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Picture books for and about school: *We the People, Pterodactyl Show and Tell, and My First Day
Three picture books are perfect for going back to school: We the People, Pterodactyl Show and Tell, and My First Day *We the People: The Constitution of the United States by Peter Spier. Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2014, 48 pages. Reading Level: Picture book, ages 4-8 Recommended for: ages 4-8, ages 8-10 Every illustration in Peter Spier’s books is worth studying, because they communicate so much. We the People is no exception. Who are “the people” of the United States? Who were they when the Constitution was framed? Who are they now? What is the Union and how is it formed? What does Justice look like? He also raises…
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Graphic-Novel History: History Comics and Who HQ
Telling history and science through pictures is an obvious way to teach, but watch out when a series attempts to do more than communicate the facts. History Comics Series, various authors, artists, and titles, published by First Second (Roaring Brook Press) Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-12 Graphic novels are taking a larger share of children’s books publishing every year—for understandable reasons, in a culture growing less literate and more visual. “Novels” is often a misnomer, because nonfiction holds a large a place as fiction. Telling history and science through pictures is an obviously effective way to communicate the facts, and two recent graphic history series…
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Ottavia’s Story by Clara Franklin
Safe In God’s Care Ottavia’s Story by Clara Franklin is a powerful historical story based on the true stories of a group of women in a concentration camp during World War II. It is a tale that will consume you. It was a time of great evil but even in the pit of hell, angels […]
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The Antics Of Mrs Paws by Christine Gregory
Wonderful The Antics Of Mrs Paws by Christine Gregory is a wonderful collection of six stories for the under fives, about a delightful bear called Mrs Paws. The book fires up the imagination of both children and adults, who are reading it, alike. Mrs Paws is brought to life under the masterful pan of the […]
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Edward Bear Stories by Ruth Beavington
Delightfully Charming Edward Bear Stories by Ruth Beavington is an absolutely delightful book for young children or for anyone who is a teddy bear addict – that’s me! There are ten stories around a range of subjects from a new baby to a beach trip to winter. All the stories are totally charming, appealing to […]
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Love Anthony by Lisa Genova
Unconditional Love Love Anthony by Lisa Genova is the most beautiful contemporary novel that filled my heart with love and spoke to my soul. The novel has two main themes. Anthony is a young boy with autism. Lisa Genova has perfectly captured his voice within the novel. I worked with teens with autism for thirteen […]
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Lucky Jack by S. Bavey
A Fascinating Account Of A Life Lucky Jack by S Bavey is a marvellous read. It is the biography of the author’s grandfather who lived a long and eventful life from 1894-2000. The book is fascinating and absolutely amazing to read of all the events that happened over the course of a very long life […]
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Brisbane by Eugene Vodolazkin
An Ethereal Beauty Brisbane by Eugene Vodolazkin (translated by Marian Schwartz) is an epic contemporary novel that drew me in from the start. It is a novel that focuses on a life in both relatively present day and the 1970’s moving forwards. Brisbane is also a celebration of the arts – Gleb is a musician […]
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Lifesaving For Beginners by Josie Lloyd
Living Real Life Together Lifesaving For Beginners by Josie Lloyd is a marvellous contemporary novel that enchanted me from the start. The novel is about female friendship as a group of women bond over open water swimming in the sea at Brighton. They are various ages with differing life experiences. As they meet over swimming, […]
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Old Friends Reunited by Maddie Please
Grab Life With Both Hands Old Friends Reunited by Maddie Please is a delightful contemporary novel that will put a smile on your face. The leading characters are three sixty year old women who have been friends since school. It is lovely to get glimpses of the girls they once were as they reminisce. It […]
