Beautiful Hands (Kathryn Otoshi and Bret Baumgarten)

 

Beautiful and simple. 

Goodreads says:

This colorful concept book reveals an illustrative surprise and reading delight with every turn of the page. Little hands can do so many wonderful things: plant ideas; stretch imaginations; and reach for dreams. Parents and educators will enjoy sharing the word play with young readers. Children will revel in the spectacular art created using thumb- and hand-prints. The book's uplifting message will rouse and motivate, leaving no heart untouched.

Based on co-author Bret Baumgarten’s experience of holding his daughter’s hands every morning and asking her, "What will your beautiful hands do today?," this book was created to inspire children everywhere to use their power to help themselves and others achieve their dreams. Co-authored and illustrated by Kathryn Otoshi (One, Zero, Two), it is sure to charm. 

Love is (Diane Adams)

 

I chose this book for our last day of school. The main character has a little duckling that she loves. As I read the words about how much she loved the little duckling and then read about how he grew and learned and was ready for a new pond, I couldn't quite read the words. I had to get the kids to read the different pages. They were a little confused about why I was teary and I explained how it reminded me that they are like my little ducklings and now they're ready for a new pond. We went back and read it again to grasp the emotion of it all. It was beautiful and I felt good about expressing my love to my students this way. 

Goodreads says:
Perfect for Valentine's Day—or any tender moment—this story of a girl and a duckling who share a touching year together will melt hearts old and young. In this tenderly funny book, girl and duckling grow in their understanding of what it is to care for each other, discovering that love is as much about letting go as it is about holding tight. Children and parents together will adore this fond exploration of growing up while learning about the joys of love offered and love returned.

Chowder (Peter Brown)

 

Super cute story of a dog who is socially awkward but totally lovable. 

Quite different from the other Peter Brown books I know!

Goodreads says:

Chowder is a hilarious and heartwarming story that introduces an endearing new character: a weird but completely loveable bulldog who learns to make friends by being true to his quirks.

Oddrey Joins The Team (David Whamond)

 

We have read and loved Oddrey. I didn't know there were more books about her. This one is a great one. Sometimes it's best to listen to someone with unique ideas!

The author is from Calgary! He teaches at the Alberta College of Art.

Goodreads says:

Oddrey has always been the kind of girl who marches to the beat of her own drum, first in her school’s production of The Wizard of Oz and later when she pulls some impressive antics to rescue Maybelline, the new girl at school, from the monkey enclosure at the zoo. Now Oddrey’s back for a third adventure, this time bringing her exuberant spirit to the soccer field. Maybelline encourages Oddrey to join the school team, the Piccadilla Bees, and it’s not long until their big game against the Quagville Crushers. The Bees struggle to find their stride, but Oddrey is convinced she has a solution. True to form, she thinks that if her teammates bring their own individual talents — dancing, karate-kicking, and cartwheeling — to bear on the problem, they may just have a shot!

Indian No More (Charlene Williams McManis)

 

I'd heard a lot of people talking about having this book on their TBR list. I didn't like the cover and that may have put me off for a while. I also thought the title was kind of odd. However, with so many people talking about it, I figured I should read it. 

I loved the story behind how this book came together (manuscript lost and discovered by someone down the line and then published) but I'm sorry to say that I didn't love it. I found the writing to be uncaptivating and the story was just a little too didactic for me. I do think the topic is important and more people need to know these stories. Perhaps because we are so pushed to learn about these things as teachers, it didn't hit me the same. I actually didn't finish it.

Goodreads says:

Regina Petit's family has always been Umpqua, and living on the Grand Ronde reservation is all ten-year-old Regina has ever known. Her biggest worry is that Sasquatch may actually exist out in the forest. But when the federal government signs a bill into law that says Regina's tribe no longer exists, Regina becomes "Indian no more" overnight--even though she was given a number by the Bureau of Indian Affairs that counted her as Indian, even though she lives with her tribe and practices tribal customs, and even though her ancestors were Indian for countless generations.

With no good jobs available in Oregon, Regina's father signs the family up for the Indian Relocation program and moves them to Los Angeles. Regina finds a whole new world in her neighborhood on 58th Place. She's never met kids of other races, and they've never met a real Indian. For the first time in her life, Regina comes face to face with the viciousness of racism, personally and toward her new friends.

Meanwhile, her father believes that if he works hard, their family will be treated just like white Americans. But it's not that easy. It's 1957 during the Civil Rights Era. The family struggles without their tribal community and land. At least Regina has her grandmother, Chich, and her stories. At least they are all together.

In this moving middle-grade novel drawing upon Umpqua author Charlene Willing McManis's own tribal history, Regina must find out: Who is Regina Petit? Is she Indian? Is she American? And will she and her family ever be okay?

The Giving Tree (Shel Silverstein)

 

I don't know why I read this book to my class. It isn't because it's heart warming or a wonderful lesson. Mostly, I'm curious about what my students think about the dysfunction and I enjoy the discussions about what they notice. There are always a few kids who really get it but they're not always the ones who speak up first. Most kids have read it before and feel smart because they already know a book I'm reading for story but the great discussions come when someone says, "I think that story is kind of weird."

Goodreads says:

Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy."

So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.

Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave.

This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.