Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon

I love the illustrations in this book. The story shows how adults in a child's life can help them to feel great about themselves. The world can be cruel, but the message they get at home can overcome that. I adore Molly Lou Melon's confidence and wish every child could have this.

Goodreads summary:

Molly Lou Melon is different, but this doesn't slow her down.

Grumpy Bird (Jeremy Tankard)

We seem to have a lot of books about grumpiness lately in our classroom. Not sure why this trend. Maybe I need to analyze my interests. :)  

I like the theme in this book that shows that when you get up and get going there is less grumpiness.

Goodreads summary:

Bright and fresh with an innovative art style, this debut picture book from a huge new talent is sure to win lots of fans!

Bird wakes up feeling grumpy. Too grumpy to eat or play -- too grumpy even to fly. "Looks like I'm walking today," says Bird. He walks past Sheep, who offers to keep him company. He walks past Rabbit, who also could use a walk. Raccoon, Beaver, and Fox join in, too.

Before he knows it, a little exercise and companionship help Bird shake his bad mood. This winsome, refreshingly original picture book is sure to help kids (and grown-ups) giggle away theirs, too!

The Snurtch (Sean Ferrell)

When we read this book, everyone listened very intently. It seemed to touch all the kids.

Topics we discussed:

• Everyone feels a little snurtchy sometimes
• Sometimes people act snurtchy towards you but it isn't about you. Something might have happened previously in the day to make them react in a snutchy way
• Ways we can help people that are feeling snurtchy
• Ways we can control our own snurtch

Goodreads summary:

Some days are Snurtch days. Ruthie is having one of those.

Ruthie has a problem at school.

It is not the students. It is not the classroom. It is not the reading or the writing or the math. It is something scribbly, scrunchy, grabby, burpy, and rude. It is the Snurtch.

From the team behind I Don’t Like Koala, this clever picture book takes a discerning look at the challenges of behaving and controlling your emotions—especially when your own personal monster keeps getting in the way.

Flock of Shoes (Sarah Tsiang)

I totally get this kid! I have things I love and can't let go of even when it is time.

Goodreads summary:
Abby loves her pink and brown sandals with the lime green trim, and she wears them wherever she goes. But as summer draws to a close, Abby’s mom announces that it’s time for the sandals to go. Abby is determined to keep them on—until one day, while swinging at the park, her sandals flip off and fly away. All winter long, Abby wonders what her sandals are up to. Postcards of sandy white beaches and glorious sunsets reassure her that they are having a wonderful time in far away places. Come February, Abby realizes that she has also grown to love her cozy, comfy boots. As the warm weather comes, she watches sadly as they march off, but a swish in the sky announces the return of her pink and brown sandals—all ready for another summer of fun. Full of whimsy, this circular tale is enhanced by rich, evocative language and delicate pastel illustrations that are sure to delight any young child. 

Baa Baa Smart Sheep (Mark and Rowan Sommerset)

This book was a huge hit in my class. I'm sure a lot of people will look down their nose about this book since it involves poop and tricking. Perhaps a conversation about harmless tricks and not appropriate tricks would be a good follow up (or introduction). Or perhaps a lesson in gullibility?

All I know is they really loved it when I read it. Later in the week we had Family Literacy Day. They picked it to read with one of the dads. There was howls of laughter. Fun!


Goodreads summary:

Little Baa Baa is bored. When Quirky Turkey comes along, the opportunity to make some mischief proves too hard to resist.

Goodnight Already! (Jory John and Benji Davies)

Ever feel like no one around you understands you? This is a good one for that! I think this book is actually about me and Mr. Ackroyd. We seem to be opposite style sleepers. *sigh* Or is it about kids and adults?

Goodreads summary:

Meet Bear. He's exhausted. All he wants is to go to sleep. Meet Duck, Bear's persistent next-door neighbor. All he wants is to hang out . . . with Bear.

Jory John, author of All My Friends Are Dead, and Benji Davies join together to create this standout hilarious picture book that will make bedtime memorable.

This Is Not a Picture Book (Sergio Ruzzier)

I love how how the pictures could tell an entire story. When he says this one is difficult the pictures are all tricky and complicated objects. When he says some are funny everything on the page is weird and funny. When he same some are very sad, everything on the page is dead and burnt out and seems to have just endured a war.

Goodreads summary:

In this quirky yet sweet picture book about the joy and power of reading, Duck learns that even books without pictures can be fun. While he and his friend Bug may struggle at first to decipher their book, they stick with it, and before long they discover that not only can they read it, but it deserves a place on the shelf with all their favorite picture books. Author-artist Sergio Ruzzier has created a fanciful tribute to books of all kinds. It includes both words AND pictures.