What's New in Picture Books
May 7, 2019
Presented by Kay Richardson, Stephanie Miles, Susan Cook, Kim Dornburgh, Phyllis Brown, and Katie Kibler
Theme: Conservation/Environment
Bloom Bloom! by April Pulley Sayre
Nonfiction -- All ages Discover the magic -- and the science -- behind spring flower blooms with this companion to the celebrated Raindrops Roll, Best in Snow, and Full of Fall. When spring arrives, flowers of all kinds sprout and grow buds and bloom. Sometimes, they bloom a few at a time. But other times, many will bloom at once in a colorful flower boom! This photographic exploration of flowers goes from the desert to the woodlands and beyond, celebrating their beautiful variety and the science behind these colorful displays. Connections: This beautiful book would work well with the study of plant life cycles. The rhyming text will be a hit with young students. You could use this book to talk about the how to take quality pictures with your iPad. There are also some pages in the back of the book that share information about flowering plants around the country and some resources to support youth gardening programs and plant conservation. |
Nature's Friend: The Gwen Frostic Story by Lindsy McDivitt, illustrated by Eileen Ryan Ewen
Biography -- Grades 3-5 The art and writing of Gwen Frostic are well known in her home state of Michigan and around the world, but this picture book biography tells the story behind Gwen's famous work. After a debilitating illness as a child, Gwen sought solace in art and nature. She learned to be persistent and independent--never taking no for an answer or letting her disabilities define her. After creating artwork for famous Detroiters and for display at the World's Fair and helping to build WWII bombers, Gwen moved her printmaking business to northern Michigan. She dedicated her work and her life to reminding people of the wonder and beauty in nature. Connections: This book fits well with the theme of conservation and caring for our environment. Gwen Frostic loved nature and this story beautifully shares her connection to the outdoors and how she was able to share this love with others. Gwen Frostic had a debilitating illness that left her with some physical limitations and a speech impediment. Her limitations taught her to be persistent and independent, she never took no for an answer or let the expectations of the time period define her. This would be a great book to talk about grit and perseverance. This book would also connect well with art and drawing nature. |
Crab Cake: Turning the Tide Together by Andrea Tsurumi
Fiction -- Grades K-2 Under the sea, fish do what fish do: Seahorse hides, Pufferfish puffs up, Parrotfish crunches coral, and Crab . . . bakes cakes? Scallop swims, Dolphin blows bubbles, and . . . Crab bakes cakes. And so life goes on, until one night when everything changes with a splash! In the face of total disaster, can Crab's small, brave act help the community come together and carry on? Connections: This fiction story has all of the ocean creatures working together to overcome an environmental disaster. This story would work well with talking about teamwork and working together for a common goal. This story includes some true facts about sea creatures which would make a good model for students that want to create a fiction story but also include some factual information that they have learned through research. This story will enthuse youngsters who care about the planet to do their part to care for the planet. |
Theme: Family
A Plan for Pops by Heather Smith and Brooke Kerrigan
Fiction -- All ages Lou spends every Saturday with Grandad and Pops. They walk to the library hand in hand, like a chain of paper dolls. Grandad reads books about science and design, Pops listens to rock and roll, and Lou bounces from lap to lap. But everything changes one Saturday. Pops has a fall. That night there is terrible news: Pops will be confined to a wheelchair, not just for now, but for always. Unable to cope with his new circumstances, he becomes withdrawn and shuts himself in his room. Hearing Grandad trying to cheer up Pops inspires Lou to make a plan. Using skills learned from Grandad, and with a little help from their neighbors, Lou comes up with a plan for Pops. Connections: This can be used as an introduction to Design Thinking with elementary to middle school. Lou has empathy for Pops and wonders how can he help Pops to be happy again. Lou brainstorms a plan, tinkers with building a Rube Goldberg inspired contraption that will get him back in their weekend routine. This story is empowering for students to notice others, then to create solutions to problems together through engineering and art to give hope to others in need. SEL: The themes of family relationships, love, depression, overcoming adversity, and perseverance are lessons to share and discuss how to model in the classroom and beyond. |
When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree
by Jamie L.B. Deenihan Fiction -- All ages “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” In this imaginative take on that popular saying, a child is surprised (and disappointed) to receive a lemon tree from Grandma for her birthday. After all, she DID ask for a new gadget! But when she follows the narrator’s careful—and funny—instructions, she discovers that the tree might be exactly what she wanted after all. This clever story, complete with a recipe for lemonade, celebrates the pleasures of patience, hard work, nature, community . . . and putting down the electronic devices just for a while. Connections: Students compare and contrast is the little girl with the lemon tree and the neighbor children with their gadgets. There is a discussion of cause and effect as the narrator exudes joy, while the preoccupied neighbor children stare at their tech-y toys, not noticing to the world around them. They become increasingly interested in the narrator's lemon tree as the book progresses, appearing happier as they now notice and engage with the world around them. This can extend to discussions on having balance with technology. SEL: The reader witnesses a sense of belonging through the illustrations that pair perfectly with the story to generate questions. The illustrations show diversity and inclusiveness in the neighborhood and you see the children putting down the robot dog, cell phone, drone, etc. and choosing to engage with one another in the beautiful garden. |
Just Read by Lori Degman
Fiction -- All ages Learning to read is a big accomplishment, and this exuberant picture book celebrates reading in its many forms. In lively rhyme, it follows a diverse group of word-loving children who grab the opportunity to read wherever and whenever they can. They read while waiting and while sliding or swinging; they read music and in Braille and the signs on the road. And, sometimes, they even read together, in a special fort they’ve built. The colorful, fanciful art and rollicking text will get every child more excited about reading! Connections: This book is leads into a reflection on the importance of our reader’s identity as we (students and teachers) head into summer. As readers we are diverse in many ways- what we like to read, how we read best, where we read and with whom we read. Donalyn Miller calls this Reading in the Wild. The story celebrates the many ways that we read in the 21st century- traditionally through words on a page, iPads/tablets, sign language, listening from a device, Morse code, musical notes or Braille. Teachers can share about the locations of Little Free Libraries in our community as the book ends with a little free library illustration that says "take a book, leave a book!" Also this book should be read aloud so reader’s can delight in the writer’s craft of rhyming with verses such as, I read with my fingers across bumpy lines; I read with my voice or my hands, using signs. SEL: Reading can be an enjoyable, proactive tool to regulate emotions during transition times. The illustrations are vibrant and bring every scene to life as diverse characters build a vibrant reading community together. |
Theme: STEM Inventors, Discoverers, Makers, Dreamers
Made By Maxine by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Holly Hatam
Fiction -- Grades K-5 Meet Maxine, an inspiring young maker who knows that with enough effort and imagination (and mistakes), it's possible to invent anything. Maxine loves making new things from old things. She loves tinkering until she has solved a problem. She also loves her pet goldfish, Milton. So when it's time for her school's pet parade, she's determined to create something that will allow Milton to march with the other animals. Finally, after trying, trying, and trying again, she discovers just the right combination of recycled odds and ends to create a fun, functional--and absolutely fabulous--solution to her predicament. Connections: Perfect to model a “growth mindset” with your students. Discuss how Maxine works through multiple possible solutions as she creates with a purpose and goal in mind: to find a way for her pet fish, Milton, join the class in a pet parade. She displays grit and perseverance as she tries and retries ways to reach her seemingly impossible goal. Students can create blog posts around the last page of text. “If I can dream it… I can…” to share their own personal or learning goals for the year! SEL: The teacher compliments Maxine on “finding a way to include Milton.” Use this for a mantra to build a sense of belonging in your community….”Find a way!” “Include everyone!” After all, as Maxine ends the story, “If I can dream it…” |
The Crayon Man
by Natascha Biebow, illustrated by Steven Salerno Biography -- Grades 1-5 What child doesn't love to hold a crayon in their hands? But children didn't always have such magical boxes of crayons. Before Edwin Binney set out to change things, children couldn't really even draw in color. Here’s the true story of an inventor who so loved nature’s vibrant colors that he found a way to bring the outside world to children – in a bright green box for only a nickel! With experimentation, and a special knack for listening, Edwin Binney and his dynamic team at Crayola created one of the world’s most enduring, best-loved childhood toys – empowering children to dream in COLOR! Connections: Readers are likely to be fascinated by the process of “grinding, grinding, grinding up rocks and minerals into fine powders” and the rich colors that result. This fact is a nice complement to Earth Science Rocks and Soils in 3rd grade. Back matter is attention-grabbing as well, with photographs of crayon production today serving as a model for how-to writing. The fact boxes inserted along the narrative are a great model for student biography information writing format. They add information to the reader without disrupting the flow of the story. SEL: Edwin Binney and his business partner C. Harold Smith exhibited power of the team! Read the back matter with your students to discover how each used their unique passions and strengths to be successful. They also showed generosity by giving back to their community with a big park in Old Greenwich, listening to the needs of crayon users and inviting the public to name a color to build the sense of belonging ! (Mrs. Miles even entered a contest of naming a yellow “sunflower smiles” and won a copy of this book!) |
Just Like Rube Goldberg by Sarah Aronson, illustrated by Robert Neubecker
Biography -- Grades 2-6 Want to become an award-winning cartoonist and inventor? Follow your dreams, just like Rube Goldberg! From a young age, Rube Goldberg had a talent for art. But his father, a German immigrant, wanted Rube to have a secure job. So, Rube went to college and became an engineer. But Rube didn’t want to spend his life mapping sewer pipes. He wanted to follow his passion, so Rube got a low-level job at a newspaper, and from there, he worked his way up, creating cartoons that made people laugh and tickled the imagination. He became known for his fantastic Rube Goldberg machines—complicated contraptions with many parts that performed a simple task in an elaborate and farfetched way. Eventually, his cartoons earned him a Pulitzer Prize and his own adjective in the dictionary. This moving biography is sure to encourage young artists and inventors to pursue their passions. Connections: This book would be appropriate to use for kicking off Invention Conventions or Maker Space creating. Students will see how, using art and cartooning can be a means for both creativity and documenting thinking that could be tested out. Check out Audri’s Rube Goldberg Video This engaging read-aloud will make an enjoyable introduction to inquiry and problem solving in creative ways. SEL: In the above video and in the book, discuss how “things don’t always work on the first try!” If you don’t succeed, try try again! Talk about growth mindset and how Audri EXPECTS more failures than SUCCESSES. Also use the text to discuss how Rube followed his dream and passion. With grit and determination your dreams are within reach. Note that Rube’s purpose in drawing this way wasn’t to solve real-world problems, but to make us “look closer, question logic and tickle the imagination” using our BRAIN- “the most amazing machine in the universe. |
Theme: Differences
Mira's Curly Hair
by Maryam al Serkal, illustrated by Rebeca Luciani Fiction -- All ages Mira doesn't like her hair. It curls at the front. It curls at the back. It curls everywhere! She wants it to be straight and smooth, just like her Mama's. But then something unpredictable happens . . . and Mira will never look at her mama's hair the same way again! A delightful celebration of natural hair and the courage it takes to be yourself. Connections: A lovely book about self-acceptance! Share this story as a springboard for discussions celebrating what we’ve learned to love about ourselves! Students can discover that in our very own uniqueness we have something in common with others -- a need to accept and LOVE ourselves just as we are! Students can be encouraged to share personal anecdotes or simply contemplate the message and take it to heart. There’s comfort in feeling connected with others. In hearing that others have felt as we do, our self-acceptance and sense of belonging grow. |
The Good Egg by Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald
Fiction -- All ages Meet the good egg. He’s a verrrrrry good egg indeed. But trying to be so good is hard when everyone else is plain ol’ rotten. As the other eggs in the dozen behave badly, the good egg starts to crack from all the pressure of feeling like he has to be perfect. So, he decides enough is enough! It’s time for him to make a change…Dynamic duo Jory John and Pete Oswald hatch a funny and charming story that reminds us of the importance of balance, self-care, and accepting those who we love (even if they are sometimes a bit rotten). Perfect for reading aloud and shared story time! Connections: Kids are never too young to start learning self-care and how to pay attention to their needs and inner voice! This story can provide a wonderful mirror for students (especially type As) who may need gentle reminders to nurture their own health while providing help to others. Good Egg decides to advocate for himself and takes a break when needed to restore his health -- he reads books, takes walks, paints, writes in a journal, meditates, visits a spa, and floats on a river. This story would provide an excellent forum for students to share ways they self-regulate and get back to the “green zone”. If shared at the beginning of the year, students would have a reference bank of calming ideas when the need arises! Great to pair with Quiet by Tomie dePaola, his brand new 2019 release about mindfulness and slowing down our busy lives. |
Wearing Glasses by Harriet Brundle
Nonfiction -- All ages Wearing glasses for the first time doesn't have to be scary. Readers learn what it's like to wear glasses and how it helps improve one's vision. The sensitive tone promotes acceptance and understanding of those who wear glasses, helping young readers become more empathetic toward their peers. It is also relatable for those who already wear glasses and is comforting to those preparing to receive their first pair of glasses. The illustrated characters, such as "Ernie Eyeball" and "Lucy Lens," educational fact boxes, and an informative glossary enhance this volume and make learning about everyday science and technology topics fun. Connections: Knowledge is Power! This book is part of a great nonfiction series, Human Body Helpers, that takes the mystery out of differences and builds empathy and understanding. Other titles in this series include: Wheelchairs, Hearing Aids, and Braces. For students feeling timid about getting new braces or glasses or for those curious about other students wearing hearing aids or using a wheelchair, this series can answer questions, build confidence and help erase possible stigmas that may exist. Great for school and classroom libraries where these books can be available at just the right time for students facing similar experiences. Engaging text and illustrations are accompanied by nonfiction text features that supplement the information: Table of Contents, Index, Glossary, Labels/Diagram. |
When Charley Met Emma
by Amy Webb, illustrated by Merriee Liddiard Fiction -- All ages When Charley goes to the playground and sees Emma, a girl with limb differences who gets around in a wheelchair, he doesn't know how to react at first. But after he and Emma start talking, he learns that different isn't bad, sad, or strange--different is just different, and different is great! This delightful book will help kids think about disability, kindness, and how to behave when they meet someone who is different from them. Connections: This beautiful book not only shares a sweet story, but also provides a wonderful example of how to be compassionate, curious, and kind when meeting people who are different than we are. It honors feelings of being unsure or even insecure in a new situation, but gently offers a path to build friendship and understanding with language of acceptance: Different isn’t weird, sad, bad, or strange. Different is different. And different is OK! In the back, there is a wonderful 4-step plan for parents and caregivers “to education children about differences and to foster friendships with kids of all different abilities.” A cool fact: the author is a mom with special needs who shows that there are no limits to what one can accomplish with determination and a positive mindset! |
Theme: Social Emotional Learning
Me and My Fear by Francesca Sanna
Fiction -- All ages When a young immigrant girl has to travel to a new country and start at a new school, she is accompanied by her Fear who tells her to be alone and afraid, growing bigger and bigger every day with questions like "how can you hope to make new friends if you don't understand their language?" But this little girl is stronger than her Fear. A heart-warming and timely tale from the bestselling author and illustrator of The Journey, this book shows us the importance of sharing your Fear with others--after all, everyone carries a Fear with them, even if it's small enough to fit into their pocket! Connections: This book shows many dimensions of fear. Kid friendly words show how some fear can keep you safe while other fears hold you back. Reading a page or two at a time to younger children will allow them to see themselves in this book (Mirror) and also give them a look into what others may be feeling (Windows). |
Angry Cookie by Laura Dockrill, Illustrated by Maria Karipidou
Fiction -- All ages “Oooohhh . . . not you again! AGGGHH It’s so bright! . . . Close this book this very second, you nosy noodle!” Cookie has woken up on the wrong side of the bed and is very angry. You want to know why? Well, you’d have to keep reading to find out, but now Cookie’s calling you annoying and telling you to mind your own business. If by chance you do stick around, you might hear about a certain roommate’s terrible musical skills, why you should never let your barber try out a “new look,” how it’s impossible to find a hat that fits a cookie, and why an ice-cream parlor that’s out of your favorite treat can be a source of desolation. Then there’s the matter of a hungry bird who tries to snack on you. . . . Propelled by quirky humor and woes that every young child can relate to, Angry Cookie suggests that sometimes the best way to cheer up a grumpy lump is simply by being there — and lending your ears. Connections: In this book Cookie does all the talking to YOU, the reader. The reader simply listens...a great skill with an awesome payout in the end! You can follow Cookie and see how the character changes from the beginning of the book to the end. |
A Box of Butterflies by Jo Rooks
Fiction -- All ages "I love that story," said Ruby. "Did you love it too?" "Robot is just a machine. Robot cannot feel love." Robot paused for a moment and said, " What does love feel like?" When Ruby asks Robot if he loved the story as much as she did, he tells her that he doesn’t know what love is. If it’s not something he can see, then what could it be? Ruby describes emotions to her Robot. She teaches him what each feels like (“love feels like a box of butterflies!”) and when she feels them (“I sometimes feel that way when I’m told no more TV!”). With colorful metaphors and vibrant imagery, A Box of Butterflies takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery and emotional reflection, identifying not just love, but jealousy, anger, worry, and a host of other emotions. Connections: Emotions can be hard for young children to describe. This book could be great for the beginning of the year by allowing children to share these emotions in a safe way such as “I sometimes feel worry when I can’t find my special blanket”. This could help to weave in their sense of belonging to the classroom community. Included is a "Note to Parents and Caregivers" by Elizabeth McCallum, PhD, that further explores the importance of learning about emotions. |
Theme: Mentor Texts for Reading/Writing
Monkey Time by Michael Hall
Fiction -- All ages Monkey Time stars a silly monkey and sixty minutes, and it is perfect for fans of Mo Willems’s Waiting Is Not Easy! and anyone learning about how time passes. Look for surprises in the pictures on every page!Meet monkey. Monkey is very curious about the brightly colored—and very tasty-looking—minutes on the minute tree in his forest. But can he catch one before it disappears? Playful, educational, and entertaining, this brightly illustrated book reinforces simple counting skills while introducing children to basic concepts about time, how time passes, and how time is measured. With illustrations full of engaging animals and a call-and-response text, and loads of rhythm, repetition, and humor, this is a great choice for family and story-time sharing. Connections: Patience can be discussed while reading the inside flaps. It takes time, minutes and patience for lots of things. Visually see 60 minutes on the end pages. The minutes are hard to see on an analog clock but seeing each of the 60 minutes on the front end pages gives a great visual representation. The minute tree also has branches that represent the numbers on the clock but keeps the idea simple with focusing on the minutes. Monkey’s arm moves around the tree like the minute hand would. Once the minute has past they fly away and new minutes in a different color start arriving. The change in color represents a new hour. Science: The back of the book has information regarding the different animals represented in the book. Each animal name is stated with where in the world it is located plus facts. Math: The back of the book also has a page dedicated to the minutes displayed in sets of 10 and other facts about time. You can play a Monkey Time clock in your classroom! Other books by this author: Red: A Crayon's Story |
Spend It! by Cinders McLeod
Fiction -- All ages Sonny gets three whole carrots a week for his allowance and wants to buy everything with it! But he soon discovers his money won't go that far, and his mom tells him he needs to make some choices. That doesn't sound like much fun to Sonny, especially when he learns that the bouncy castle he's been eyeing goes for ONE HUNDRED carrots. Ridiculous! But eventually, after a little math and a little more thinking, he has a blast discovering what's really important to him and worth spending his carrots on. Connections: All kids like to buy things. Understanding that everything has a price and having a limited currency (carrots) leads to making disciplined choices. Narrowing down options to make a realistic decision. This is a life-long skill. The book illustrates how the worth of items can be different and the joy Sonny experiences when he spends his carrots on something he really likes and can afford. SEL: Working through the hard skill of making choices, economical. This can be a satisfying event when the spender pays attention to how much currency there is and work past the feeling of wanting more than can be afforded. It is never too early to start gaining financial discipline and smarts. |
How to Walk an Ant by Cindy Derby
Fiction -- All ages There are nine steps to becoming an ant walker, and Amariyah, the expert ant walker, is here to show you how it’s done. This irreverent and quirky picture book follows a young girl as she goes through the process of walking ants, from polite introductions to tragic leash entanglements. In the end, this unique book shows that as long as you’re doing what you’re best at, you may find a like-minded friend to tag along. *Zero ants were harmed in the making of this book. **Oops, 7 ants were harmed in the making of this book. Connections: Chronological steps can be connected with coding, thinking through and writing step by step directions. Fun-loving informational text features like appendix, diagram, glossary. Appendix 2 is informational about ants. SEL: The ant walker meets a ladybug walker and they encounter a problem by getting tangled. They overcome their problem and become friends. Students could make text connections with characters from other books of Cindy’s. Cindy is an illustrator and she has videos sharing her techniques and how she uses water to create her illustrations. |
Honorable Mentions
Snowman-Cold=Puddle: Spring Equations by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Micha Archer
The Ear by Piret Raud
It’s Not Hansel and Gretel by Josh Funk, illustrated by Edwardian Taylor
Because by Mo Willems, illustrated by Amber Ren
If You’re Going to a March by Martha Freeman, illustrated by Violet Kim
A Computer Called Katherine by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison
Carl and the Meaning of Life by Deborah Freedman
Abby Invents Un-Unbreakable Crayons by Dr. Arlyne Simon
You Are Light by Aaron Becker
Calm With the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Soar High Dragonfly! by Sheri Mabry Bestor; illustrated by Jonny Lambert
Say Something by Peter Reynolds
My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing by Nick Ortner and Alison Taylor
Quiet by Tomie dePaola
Snowman-Cold=Puddle: Spring Equations by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Micha Archer
The Ear by Piret Raud
It’s Not Hansel and Gretel by Josh Funk, illustrated by Edwardian Taylor
Because by Mo Willems, illustrated by Amber Ren
If You’re Going to a March by Martha Freeman, illustrated by Violet Kim
A Computer Called Katherine by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison
Carl and the Meaning of Life by Deborah Freedman
Abby Invents Un-Unbreakable Crayons by Dr. Arlyne Simon
You Are Light by Aaron Becker
Calm With the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Soar High Dragonfly! by Sheri Mabry Bestor; illustrated by Jonny Lambert
Say Something by Peter Reynolds
My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing by Nick Ortner and Alison Taylor
Quiet by Tomie dePaola