I Could Be a Million Things (Jessy Humann)

 

Great story for the end of year or for 'what do you want to be when you grow up' conversations/writing.

Goodreads says:

A poetic celebration of a world full of possibilities, and the beauty of a million things to be and do. Go on a journey across oceans and mountains, gift smiles while traveling far, and find magic in the skies above.

I could look for magic

or find a million stars.

I could be a helper

or cross the deep blue sea . . .

but my favorite thing in all the world

is choosing to be me.

I Could Be A Million Things is a beautifully illustrated ode to what surrounds us and the inspiration to be found in nature, dreams, and the power we all carry inside of us. 

A beautifully illustrated, poetic picture book about a world full of possibilities. For jacks- and jills-of-all-trades ages 4 years and up.

Maybe (Kobi Yamada)

 

Beautiful! This would be perfect for the last day of school. The question is, could I read it on the last day of school without crying?

Probably not. 

Still worth it. 

Goodreads says:

You are the only you there ever has been or ever will be. You are unique in all the universe. Just the odds of you being here at this exact place and this exact time are so great and so rare that it will never happen again.

Written by the New York Times best-selling author of What Do You Do With an Idea?, this is a story for everything you will do and everything you can be—for who you are right now and all the magical, unbounded potential you hold inside. With rich, enchanting illustrations, it’s a reminder that you were meant for incredible things. And maybe, just maybe, you will exceed your wildest dreams.

I Wish You More (Any Rosenthall)

 

Perfect for the end of the school year!

Goodreads says:

Some books are about a single wish. Some books are about three wishes. The infallible team of Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld have combined their extraordinary talents to create this exuberant book of endless good wishes. Wishes for curiosity and wonder, for friendship and strength, laughter and peace. Whether celebrating life's joyous milestones, sharing words of encouragement, or observing the wonder of everyday moments, this sweet and uplifting book is perfect for wishers of every age. Plus, this is the fixed format version, which will look almost identical to the print version. Additionally for devices that support audio, this ebook includes a read-along setting

The Starkeeper (Faith Pray)

 

Great image of how love grows as you give it away.

First Nations often tell about how life is a circle. If you do kind things, they go around the circle and come back to you. The opposite is also true. They say that if it does not come back to you, it always comes back to your family.

Goodreads says:

A fallen star and one child's kindness lead to a chain of good works that change her town from a dreary, dark place to one of dazzling brightness.

When a girl finds a fallen star, she decides to keep it hidden. But this star encourages kindness and needs to shine, so it comes out from the shadows. At first the glow from the star starts to fade, and the girl worries--maybe she's not a very good starkeeper. Then a chance gesture of kindness seems to brighten the star, and soon this kindness leads to a chain of good works that light up the once-dreary town.

The art of the book follows the star's journey and lights up more and more with each act of kindness.

Circles Around Us (Brad Montague)

 

This book is really a great metaphor on connections we need to make life beautiful. It was published in 2021, right in the middle of the pandemic and I have to wonder if that was one of the precursors for the author to write the book. If not, it sure is a great commentary on how it is important that we have good connections. I think it could also lead to a great discussion on racism and acceptance. It could be a great end of year story too about how we have had all these people in our circle and now this year is ending and a beginning naturally comes up with a new circle.

Goodreads says:

The debut picture book from the creator of the viral sensation Kid President is a moving take on how we can create bigger and bigger circles of community and connections as we grow—now a New York Times bestseller!

In the circles all around us, everywhere that we all go, there's a difference we can make and a love we can all show.

This is the story of a circle. When we're first born, our circle is very small, but as we grow and build relationships, our circle keeps getting bigger and bigger to include family, friends, neighbors, community, and beyond. Brad Montague originally created Circles as an Instagram video adorably narrated by his kids, and now this picture book adaptation is the perfect way to start a conversation about how to expand our worlds with kindness and inclusivity—even if it seems scary or uncomfortable. This book makes an ideal new-baby, first-day-of-school, or graduation gift, or any milestone that celebrates someone's world getting bigger. 

I Wish You More (Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichentenheld)

 

This is really beautiful! There are many pictures to stop and pause on and think about the delight children are. It would be a great story for the last day of school. 

Goodreads says:

Some books are about a single wish. Some books are about three wishes. The infallible team of Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld have combined their extraordinary talents to create this exuberant book of endless good wishes. Wishes for curiosity and wonder, for friendship and strength, laughter and peace. Whether celebrating life's joyous milestones, sharing words of encouragement, or observing the wonder of everyday moments, this sweet and uplifting book is perfect for wishers of every age.

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.

Memory Jars (Vera Brosgol)

 

This would be a great book to read before we start working on our memory books at the end of the school year! 

Goodreads says:

A young girl finds a clever way to keep her favorite things--and people--close to her forever in Memory Jars, from Caldecott Honoree Vera Brosgol.



Freda is devastated when she can't eat all the delicious blueberries she's picked. She has to wait a whole year before they're back, and she doesn't want to lose them! Then Gran reminds her that they can save blueberries in a jar, as jam. So Freda begins to save all her favorite things. But it turns out that saving everything also means she can't enjoy anything, and Freda realizes that some things are best saved as memories.

Reviews
Upset that she can't eat every bucketful of blueberries she picked with her gran all in the same afternoon ("they were the best right then and they'd never be any better"), a lovably quirky girl takes "preserving" to a whole new level. Add Brosgol's signature big-eyed characters, a touch of dark humor and a mouthwatering jam recipe, and you've got all the ingredients for a sequel. -The New York Times

In Conclusion, Don't Worry About It (Lauren Graham)

Quick read full of lots of great little quotes to keep!

Listened to the audio book.

Goodreads says:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Advice for graduates and reflections on staying true to yourself from the beloved Gilmore Girls actress and New York Times bestselling author of the memoir Talking as Fast as I Can and the novel Someday, Someday, Maybe.

“If you’re kicking yourself for not having accomplished all you should have by now, don’t worry about it. Even without any ‘big’ accomplishments yet to your name, you are enough.”

In this expansion of the 2017 commencement speech she gave at her hometown Langley High, Lauren Graham, the beloved star of Gilmore Girls and Parenthood, reflects on growing up, pursuing your dreams, and living in the here and now. “Whatever path you choose, whatever career you decide to go after, the important thing is that you keep finding joy in what you’re doing, especially when the joy isn’t finding you.” In her hilarious, relatable voice, Graham reminds us to be curious and compassionate, no matter where life takes us or what we’ve yet to achieve. Grounded and inspiring—and illustrated throughout with drawings by Graham herself—here is a comforting road map to a happy life.

“I’ve had ups and downs. I’ve had successes and senior slumps. I’ve been the girl who has the lead, and the one who wished she had the bigger part. The truth? They don’t feel that different from each other.”

The Museum (Susan Verde)

This is another beautifully illustrated book by Peter Reynolds. It was great to read with it being the end of the year because our students recognised many of the works of art. Fun story! Love the rhyming.

Goodreads summary:

When I see a work of art, something happens in my heart!
As a little girl tours and twirls through the halls of the art museum, she finds herself on an exciting adventure. Each piece of art evokes something new inside of her: silliness, curiosity, joy, and ultimately inspiration. When confronted with an empty white canvas, she is energized to create and express herself—which is the greatest feeling of all.
With exuberant illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds, The Museumplayfully captures the many emotions experienced through the power of art, and each child’s unique creative process.

Praise for The Museum 
"Verde and Reynolds deliver a simple premise with a charming payoff… this “twirly-whirly” homage to a museum is, on balance, a sweet-natured and handsome celebration."
—Kirkus Reviews

"Debut author Verde makes an engaging case for understanding art as an experience rather than an object."
—Publishers Weekly

"The rhymed text captures the excitement of a being sparked by art.”
—Booklist

"Communicates a fresh, playful, childlike perspective on art and normalizes childlike responses to it. The idea that posing, laughing, and curious questions are all appropriate museum behavior may be a new one for both children and parents, and knowing this is sure to make for more enjoyable museum visits."
—School Library Journal

"For parents who have trouble communicating the excitement of art to their children, The Museum can serve as the starting point for a conversation. The book is also a wonderful reminder of visual art’s power to encourage and empower self-expression. Children and adults will finish this book excited about their next art experience, and perhaps tempted to dance through the halls of a museum in the near future."
—Bookpage

"This playful picture book pays tribute to the joyous effect art can have on the viewer."
—Shelf-Awareness