What Can a Mess Make (Bee Johnson)

 

A lovely book for kids and mom's....especially to help us mom's remember that there is magic in the mess making.

Goodreads says:

In this gorgeously illustrated rhyming picture book, two sisters spend their day playing at home and leaving joyful, cozy messes in their wake.

Kitchen clatter.
Milk and juice.
Syrup splatter.
Chocolate mousse.
Bowl of berries―
Red and blue.
A mess can make a meal for two.

From a cozy breakfast together to crafts, fort-building, kitchen spills, and bedtime rituals, these sisters make tons of messes.

Imaginative, playful, forgiving, delicious messes.

And their messes make a day full of possibilities.

With bouncy rhyming language and warm illustrations, What Can A Mess Make? inspires readers to embrace their imaginations, linger in the beautiful messes on every page, and make some messes themselves.

Something Beautiful (Lita Judge)

 

This author has lots of non-fiction books full of fascinating information about animals and plants - but this one is different. The pictures are super cute and playful. 

Goodreads says:

A trio of animal pals discover the beauty in making new friends in this tender and adorable picture book from Lita Judge, the beloved author-illustrator of Red Sled and Flight School .

Mouse, Elephant, and Giraffe have so much in common. They like the same games. They eat the same snacks. They don’t need anyone else! Or do they? When the group takes a chance on opening up, they discover that meeting someone new and seeing things from a new perspective can be truly wonderful.

Just One Flake (Travis Jonker)

 

I really appreciate Travis Jonker. He does a lot of good in the online world of teaching read and inspiring kids to read. 

This book is really cute and quick. This would be a good book to read in conjunction with the first snowfall or a winter craft activity.

Goodreads says:

Just One Flake is a hilarious celebration of wintertime, curiosity, and outdoor play in this author-illustrated picture book debut from acclaimed creator and elementary school librarian Travis Jonker. It’s snowing outside! Liam rushes out into the squall, determined to catch one perfect snowflake. He tries any number of tricks to complete his mission, but each time he is thwarted. He sticks out his tongue and looks up . . . nope. He builds a snowman, climbing up to get a little closer to the snow . . . still nope. He runs around the yard—tongue still out—because faster is better, right? Wrong! Nothing seems to work. Until, in a final leap of faith, he catches that one flake . . . in a way he never expected. And the snowflake itself is pretty unexpected too. From librarian and picture book creator Travis Jonker comes a hilarious and satisfying story all about outdoor play and the natural world’s stunning surprises.

Reclaiming Our Students (Hannah Beach and Tamara Neufeld Strijack)

 I needed this book. This year, more than ever, I was coming home physically exhausted from problems at school. The authors say: What has changed is the culture in which children are being raised, a culture in which children no longer automatically seek the wisdom and leadership of the adults in their life. This cultural shift has disconnected children from the adults who care for them and it has taken away the cultural context that supports children in naturally being open to the guidance of adults. (p. 18)

As I read, I thought of many things I could have been doing differently this year. My plan is to start right away....and continue next year.

Goodreads says:

Children are more anxious, aggressive, and shut down than ever.

Faced with this epidemic of emotional health crises and behavioural problems, teachers are asking themselves what went wrong. Why have we lost our students? More importantly: How can we get them back? Hannah Beach, a celebrated educator and specialist in the field of emotional health, and Tamara Neufeld Strijack, clinical counsellor and academic dean of the acclaimed Neufeld Institute, provide a thoughtful guide to restoring the student-teacher relationship and creating the conditions for change. Reclaiming Our Students empowers teachers with relationship-based strategies to restore their leadership role and build emotional safety in the classroom.

You’ll learn:
• How to build, feed, and protect the student-teacher relationship
• Why children are anxious or bossy, aggressive or checked out, and what you can do to address these behavioural issues at their root
• How you can help students and classes shift their identity as the “problem student” or “bad class”
• Experiential activities for students of all ages that preserve and restore emotional health and well-being

Plus, you’ll find special considerations and information for parents, principals, counsellors, and home educators for building safety and support in the learning environment.

Combining Hannah’s groundbreaking experiential approach to creating emotional health and community in the classroom with the Neufeld Institute’s insightful approach to building relationships and making sense of children, Reclaiming Our Students is required reading for teachers who not only want to understand and overcome daily challenges, but also re-connect to their calling as educators.

Dirt Boy (Erik Jon Slangerup)

 

When students in my class looked at the cover for our book there were lots of "ewwww! Gross!" This continued when we started reading....but then a hush came over the class. Who doesn't like getting really dirty sometimes?! And imagine meeting a monster, Dirt Man! We were totally sucked into this story.

Goodreads says:

In this award-winning story--now available in paperback--Fister Farnello runs away from home to avoid taking a bath and is befriended by Dirt Man, a filthy giant who lives in the woods. Watercolor paintings are accompanied by hilarious text.

Gator Dad (Brian Lies)

 

This feels like a glimpse into the non-traditional stay at home dad. It is lovely and fun! Super quick read.

Goodreads says:

From seemingly mundane tasks such as grocery shopping to more active pursuits like a romp at the park and fort-building, a loving and playful father alligator shows his gator kids that the simplest pleasures done together can make for an incredibly fun day.
     Presented by New York Times bestselling author Brian Lies (Bats at the Beach), this heartwarming story demonstrates a series of very special ways children can connect with their fathers and should appeal to parents and little readers everywhere.

Giddy Up, Daddy! (Troy Cummings)

 

This comes across at first as a book too young for my class, but as the story went on, everyone was drawn in and really enjoyed it (judging by the laughing and engaged listeners!). Fits well with our imagination unit.

Goodreads says:

Giddy-Up, Daddy! is the newest imaginative picture book from celebrated cartoonist Troy Cummings. When rootin'-tootin' Daddy the "horse" is eyeballed by some rotten rustlers, it's all the kids can do to keep him out of the big lugs' lasso. What follows is a quick detour through a rodeo, a trip across a circus high wire, and a near-miss in the Rockies, till the kids don Mounty gear and capture the bad guys for good. A celebratory parade at sundown leads the kids and Daddy back home into Mom's waiting arms. 

Two Dogs in a Trench Coat Start a Club by Accident (Julie Falatko)

One of my students gave me this book to read. He said, "This is really good. You have to read it."

I can see why he thought it was really good. It's silly and fun. Ever wondered what your dog is thinking? This book will give you insight into that! These dogs love their owners, meat, cheese and running in circles. Seems legit!

Goodreads says:

Sassy and Waldo love school! Everything smells like meat and dirty socks! And they love being able to help Stewart.

When Stewart has to stay late after school for a Junior Office Supply Enthusiasts meeting, Sassy and Waldo are left alone to raid the cafeteria's refrigerator. As Sassy and Waldo's after school antics escalate, hilarity ensues as the two dogs start a club...by accident. 

Ella Who? (Linda Ashman)

You know how now and then you leave the door open and someone or something wanders in? Well, in this story, it's an elephant. Only, all the adults don't see it and don't really listen to what she is saying.

Super cute illustrations.

This book could be used in all three of the Open Court units we usually do!

Goodreads says:

Mom . . . there’s an elephant in the living room. 
It’s moving day—and look who slipped in the door: an elephant! But when a little girl tries to tell her family about their unusual guest, the distracted grown-ups just say, “Ella WHO?” Even as children giggle at the girl’s adventures with the smallishpachyderm, and at the fun, recurring refrain, they’ll relate to the poignant theme about making—and sometimes letting go of—new friends. 

Ferdinand (Monro Leaf)

One of my students had this book at home and was so excited for us to read it.  We wondered if it was about a unicorn (he does kind of look like one!) and if the author was the same as the author of Mr. Prickles (Mr. Prickles is all read). We had a great pre-reading discussion. I love that my students are starting to make so many connections to other texts now that we have read SO many books. We also made many connections to the world and to ourselves. We talked about how some people are often more brave about doing what they want to do instead of doing what everyone else is doing. It's pretty common to do what everyone else is doing, but it's okay to stand out from the crowd and be yourself. That takes self-confidence.

Goodreads summary:

A true classic with a timeless message, The Story of Ferdinandhas enchanted readers since it was first published in 1936. All the other bulls would run and jump and butt their heads together. But Ferdinand would rather sit and smell the flowers. And he does just that, until the day a bumblebee and some men from the Madrid bullfights give gentle Ferdinand a chance to be the most ferocious star of the corrida—and the most unexpected comic hero. This cherished hardcover is perfect for those who love Ferdinand, and those who have yet to meet him.