Moni Ritchie Hadley's Blog: Highly Recommended!, page 13

The Struggle Bus

The Struggle Bus by Julie Koon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


How could a struggle be so darn cute? Check out the struggle bus! Julie Koon cleverly mirrors a boy's struggles with those of the struggle bus. This detachment helps the reader understand that struggles are manageable. The struggle bus serves as a metaphor for life's toughest challenges, and we see how it comes and goes, bumps and frowns, and breaks down, just like we do. The bus learns to find its way and offers hope and strategies that kids can use when they encounter hardships. This book is perfect for parents and teachers looking for SEL-themed books!



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Fishing with Grandpa and Skye

Fishing with Grandpa and Skye by Candace Spizzirri

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Skye and Grandpa spend fish their day fishing together. This slice of life book makes you feel like you want to be right there with them. Author Candace Spizzirri writes from experience, and the special bond she had with her grandpa is strongly felt. The watercolor illustrations by Beverly Love Warren set the gentle mood. This book nudges you to stop and enjoy the moment. It is a sweet tribute to all loving grandparents.



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Washed Ashore: Making Art From Ocean Plastic

Washed Ashore: Making Art from Ocean Plastic by Kelly Crull

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Kelly Crull has created a fascinating book not just for kids but all readers! Packed full engaging information about sea animals, environmental issues, sculpture art, this book has that WOW factor. Crull features animal sculptures created by members of Washed Ashore, an organization started by Angela Haseltine Pozzi and her friends, to bring awareness to plastic pollution. Each page includes information about a sea animal, a photo of the sculpture made from pieces of collected trash, tips to reduce your plastic footprint, and a fun seek and find. The back matter rounds out this book with a glossary, how to make your own sculpture and information about where plastic bottles go. Learn how to save Chompers the tiger shark! I've already preordered mine! Thank you to Lerner Books for the advanced copy.



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The Big Bath House

The Big Bath House by Kyo Maclear

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Refreshing! The Big Bath House is a charming, upbeat story celebrating multigenerational families and body positivity. A young girl, her Baachan, and aunties visit a traditional Japanese bathhouse. This book takes me back to my childhood! I remember being so shy on these visits to the communal tubs when I was a girl, but the characters in this book undress, wash, scrub, and let it all hang out with complete joy and confidence. I love the underlying message that love can be nonverbal and transcends language when sharing time together. Kyo Maclear's text has lovely details, such as "aunties with big stories and bigger purses." As the characters enter the bathhouse, the rhythm and mood are matched with a bit of rhyme that flows briefly and easily, just like their time spent together. Gracey Zhang's watercolor illustrations are loose and fluid, leaving enough to see and a splash to imagine. This book is puddles of delight!



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Too Shy to Say Hi

Too Shy to Say Hi by Shannon Anderson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book addresses social anxiety in story form and includes tons of helpful information and ways to help kids in the backmatter. The main character takes comfort with her animal friends but realizes she must find a way to reach out to her classmates as well. Recommended for kids who need to build courage and strategies to make friends.



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King Sejong Invents an Alphabet

King Sejong Invents an Alphabet by Carol Kim

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This amazing story tells about King Sejong. Unsatisfied with the Hanja alphabet at the time, he invented an easier alphabet based on shapes and sounds. Hangeul, complete with twenty-eight letters, allowed even the unprivileged classes in Korea to read and write, which led to a better understanding of written laws, farming techniques, and letter writing for all the people he served. This book is a fascinating read for kids and adults alike!



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Y Is For Yet

Y Is for Yet: A Growth Mindset Alphabet by Shannon Anderson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Author Shannon Anderson gives us a list of things we can do with a growth mindset, twenty-six to be exact, and one for each letter of the alphabet! This book serves as a great reminder never to give up and the power of positive thinking. The back matter is loaded with tools, strategies, and ways to help kids strengthen their growth mindset, perfect for the classroom. Jacob Souva does a great job layering colors, shapes, and lines making this a fun and attractive book for kids!



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Celebrating Valentine's Day: History, Traditions, and Activities

Celebrating Valentine's Day: History, Traditions, and Activities - A Holiday Book for Kids by Shannon Anderson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This easy-to-read Valentine's book is perfect for kids and classrooms! Do you know where and how Valentine's Day originated? Chocked full of history and traditions surrounding the holiday, author Shannon Anderson offers a comprehensive look at celebrating love and friendship around the world. Particular attention to details such as a visual table of contents, the meaning of different colored roses, and 'Happy Valentines Day' translations in five languages offers a fresh look at the holiday. Alyssa De Asis' illustrations lend a light mood complimenting the joyful subject matter. The perfect book for heartwarming activities any day of the year.



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Goodnight Ganesha

Goodnight Ganesha by Nadia Salomon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The details of this beautifully written and illustrated book, so intricately captivating, make this a must-have goodnight picture book. Author Nadia Salomon weaves rhyming refrains into a narrated story with a whole lot of culture. Illustrator Poonam Mistry invites readers to gaze upon every page adorned with golden layers and patterns. A stunning book about the love between kids and grandparents.



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Queen of Physics: How WU CHIEN SHIUNG Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom

Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom by Teresa Robeson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book highlights the important moments and contributions of Wu Chien Shiung's life. I loved learning about this hard-working, Asian scientist and how she persisted through overlooked and deserved recognitions for the strides that she made in physics. Teresa Robeson did a great job building the character, beginning with her birth and supportive family, right on through to her greatest accomplishments. Rebecca Huang's illustrations are shape-based and are rendered with grit in texture, mirroring Shiung's strong character. A great book for classrooms!



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