Category: Concepts

Featured

The Old Truck by Jerome Pumphrey

Written by Jerome Pumphrey, Illustrated by Jarrett Pumphrey, Published by Norton Young Readers, 2020 (fiction, ages 3-5)

My youngest, who is four, absolutely adored this book. It has such a simplistic and lovely text, but what he really enjoyed was the beautiful illustrations showing how the young girl ends up growing up and taking over the farm and fixing the old truck on her own. In the author and illustrator bios it is revealed that the pair are brothers and they wanted to pay tribute to the women in their family who managed their own farms.

BACKGROUND

On a small farm, a truck worked hard. It also got to experience many seasons and dreams as the young Black daughter of the farmers grows into her own dreams.

BEST FOR

About a two minute read aloud that can be easily stretched depending how much you explore the illustrations. This would be a great book to practice inference, observing the passage of time, family traditions, and growing up.

PAIR WITH

This Is Our House by Hyewon Yum

WHERE TO PURCHASE

The Old Truck by Jarrett Pumphrey

Featured

A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson

Written by Angela Johnson, Illustrated by Eric Velasquez, Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2005. (historical fiction, ages 4-7)

This Martin Luther King’s Day has brought a lot of reflection. This year brought into sharp focus the problems with inequality and racism that has never really been adequately addressed in our country. While there still is a lot of work to do, it is hopeful to see more parents having conversations and teaching lessons about race with their young children. It is also hopeful for me to see high school and college students being much more aware and active with politics both local and national. This particular picture book shows that children have and always will be involved in social change.

BACKGROUND

A pair of sisters, unable to resist the scent of roses and freedom, go out and join a march. Told through their perspective, the two are able to hear the words of Martin Luther King Jr. as they call for equal rights. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

This two minute read aloud is ideal to open discussions about activism, marches, civil rights, and Martin Luther King Jr. It’s unique black and white illustrations with pops of red are also engaging for younger readers.

PAIR WITH

I Have A Dream by Martin Luther King Jr

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Featured

The Immortal Jellyfish by Sang Miao

Written and Illustrated by Sang Miao, Published by Flying Eye Books, 2019. (fantasy, ages 5-8)

There are some big emotions going on right now, and even though every single person experiences them, feelings are still so hard to talk about. This book deals with grief from the loss of a loved one in such a beautifully unique way. The illustrations are also just captivating. If anything, the story not only models a way to remember a loved one, but gives permission to young readers to use their imaginations and natural wonder to find comfort.

BACKGROUND

While a boy and a grandfather draw together, the grandpa tells the boy about the immortal jellyfish. When it is about to die, it starts life again. When the grandfather passes, the young boy is overcome with grief and cries himself to sleep. It is in his dreams where his grandfather takes him to a fantastical land where souls get to create a new memory for their loved ones.

BEST FOR

About a ten minute read aloud that could be used to open discussions about loss, grief, coping mechanisms, and honoring the memory of loved ones.

PAIR WITH

The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota’s Garden by Heather Smith

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Featured

A Piñata in a Pine Tree: A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas by Pat Mora

Written by Pat Mora, Illustrated by Magaly Morales, Published by Clarion Books, 2009. (Fiction, ages 4-7)

Pat Mora is a great author if your collection does not already have her titles. I also love the vividness and color of Magaly Morales illustrations. Together the duo create a very festive and wondrous book that is perfect for a good holiday read aloud.

BACKGROUND

Taking inspiration from the carol, a young Latino girl goes through the twelve gifts of Christmas her parents have prepared for her. This time the gifts from Latino culture, and Spanish words are incorporated in the narrative. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

This five minute read aloud is a great choice for the holidays, Latino culture, introduction to Spanish, family themed units, as well as a great counting book.

PAIR WITH

N is for Navidad by Susan Middleton Elya

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Beautiful Eyes by Gale Romasanta

Written by Gayle Romasanta, Tagalog Translation by Carmen and Pat Romasanta, Illustrated by Ramon Abad, Published by Bridge + Delta, 2018. (Board Book, 2-5)

October is Filipino American History Month. I usually do not feature board books, but I made an exception since books highlighting the Filipinx experience are still challenging to find. This particular title is about an exercise Filipino families will do with babies and toddlers.

BACKGROUND

Filipino families will do this particular exercise with a baby or toddler. The child is taught to blink their eyes when a grownup cues them by saying, “Beautiful eyes! Beautiful eyes!” The exercise is expanded in the title as a baby learns about other body parts. Both the narrative and the captions are in English and Tagalog. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

About a two minute read aloud that would be a great interactive concept book with babies and young emerging readers.

PAIR WITH

Cora Cooks Pancit by Dorina Gilmore

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

You Matter by Christian Robinson

Written and Illustrated by Christian Robinson, Published by Atheneum Books For Young Readers, 2020. (Picture Book, 3-6)

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These are unprecedented times to say the least. However this particular title was just what every member of my family needed to hear right now. The playful illustrations also spark curiosity and wonder. Check out the excellent read along Robinson did for PBS.

BACKGROUND

Big, or small, no matter your place in this universe you matter. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

About a five minute read aloud with many themes to use to initiate conversations about emotions, STEM and imagination.

PAIR WITH

The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes

I am Enough by Grace Byers

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Something Happened In Our Town by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard

Written by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard, Illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin, Published by Magination Press, 2018. (Picture book, 4-9)

ShootThere are a lot of families out there that want to talk to their children about race, but don’t know where to start. This book is written by three psychologists who have worked at the Emory University School of Medicine serving children and families in Atlanta. Not only does the story lay out racism in a clear way for children, but the afternote provides detailed information for parents engaging in meaningful discussions with their kids.

BEST FOR

About a fifteen minute read aloud. When a Black man is shot by police two families have an important discussion. The first family is White with a girl asking her parents and sisters why was the man killed. The second household is Black and how their lives are impacted. The next day the two classmates are faced with a choice to make together. #Ownvoices

PAIR WITH

A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

A Boy Like You by Frank Murphy

Written by Frank Murphy, Illustrated by Kayla Harren, Published by Sleeping Bear Press, 2019. (fiction, ages 6-8)

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Being the mother of two very energetic boys I often think about the kind of messages they get from me and their environment regarding masculinity and their “expected” role in society. Books like these that emphasize what good in the world a boy can do are helpful in teaching empathy and healthy emotional expression. Plus, the illustrations are beautiful.

BACKGROUND

A mixed race African American boy is narrated through what it means to be an individual that is thoughtful, an advocate for justice, and emotionally healthy.

BEST FOR

About a seven minute read aloud that would be good in teaching empathy, emotional intelligence, promoting justice, and confidence.

PAIR WITH

Julian Is A Mermaid by Jessica Love

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading A Boy Like You

Shop your local indie bookstore

Chinese New Year Colors by Rich Lo

Written and illustrated by Rich Lo, Published by Holiday House, 2019 (concept, 3-6)

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Gung Hay Fat Choy! It’s the year of the rat! We celebrate every year with friends and family with a huge potluck. While we do not do all the rituals associated with the holiday, I try to talk to my sons about the culture to help them appreciate it. This new publication is fun especially for my youngest since it has eye-popping illustrations, highlights Chinese culture, and includes Chinese Kanji and romanized Chinese with accent marks. Plus it helps going over his colors too!

BACKGROUND

A bilingual book that not only goes over colors, but explores Chinese culture with an accompanying object. #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

About a two minute read aloud ideal for preschool children and Chinese New Year. Also great for going over colors and exploring Chinese culture and language.

PAIR WITH

D is for Dragon Dance by Ying Chang Compestine

My Chinatown: One Year in Poems by Kam Mak
My Chinatown: One Year in Poems by Kam MakHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Chinese New Year Colors

Shop your local indie bookstore

Bodega Cat by Louie Chin

Written and illustrated by Louie Chin, Published by Pow! 2019 (fiction, 6-9)

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It is always great to find a title that shows the diverse interactions that happen in life everyday. Told through the perspective of a cat (who owns the place, obviously!) Readers are taken through the in and outs of running a Bodega (a neighborhood store in the East Coast). The bright illustrations are rich with so many snapshots of community.

BACKGROUND

An orange tabby is very proud of the Bodega that his Latino family runs. The tabby also offers a tour of the in and outs of running such a store and the wonderfully rich community that surrounds it.

BEST FOR

About a fifteen minute read aloud that is great for going over Latino/Hispanic culture and influences in New York City. Another way to start discussions on diversity, tolerance, empathy, and community.

PAIR WITH

Apple Pie Fourth of July by Janet S. Wong

Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood by F. Isabel Campoy

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Bodega Cat

Shop your local indie bookstore