 If you built a house, what rooms would you include? Well, a kitchen and a living room and a bedroom and a bathroom, of course. But have you ever considered a Fish Tank Room where you can swim with the fish? Or a Flying Room, where you can turn off gravity by flipping a switch? Van Dusen has and he inspires his readers to imagine their own architectural fantasies. This was an immediate hit with my primary students, who ooohed and aaahed over the author's creations and then were eager to describe their own. Bright, bold illustrations and rhyming text meld into a colossal fun house of imagination. An Illinois Monarch Award nominee for 2014-15.
Published by Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012.
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 Each kindness makes the world a little better…
When a new student joins their class, Chloe and most of the other kids shun the little girl. And we wonder why. Maya is a little different. She wears hand-me-down clothes and plays with old-fashioned toys like jacks. Each time Maya makes an effort to be friendly and join in with Chloe and her clique, they turn away. Eventually, Maya stops trying, and then stops coming to school altogether. When Chloe's teacher gives a lesson about how even the smallest acts of kindness have a ripple effect in the world, Chloe is ashamed by her actions and the missed opportunity for friendship. She ponders how things could have been better if she'd only shown a little kindness toward Maya. This is one of those rare children's picture books that doesn't feel the need to force a happy ending. Lovely, melancholy, thought-provoking and sure to provoke in-depth discussions of the nature of kindness and caring. Beautiful illustrations as well. Illustrated by E.B. Lewis. Published by Nancy Paulsen Books. 2012. |
AuthorJoanne Zienty is a school librarian, teacher, reader, writer and published author who firmly believes there are so many good books and not enough time to read them! Archives
December 2016
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