4.27 avg rating — 1,396 ratings

"Inspired by hearing the words of a Jewish Baby Blessing Ceremony, many years later, Marla Frazee creates this incredible picture book that looks at the wonders of life and its many possibilities. Her simple poem is beautiful and powerful. The illustrations are packed with love, emotions, happiness and sadness. The wind, sun, rain, and Earth all play a major role in making In Every Life a fantastic read. Best read with a dear friend or loved one - ages baby to 101! This book will tug at your heartstrings, and perhaps a teardrop will fall. "

4.34 avg rating — 632 ratings

"The Fire of Stars reads as two stories fused together to tell one stellar story of how a star is born! In the background of each page, the story enlightens readers on how a star is born in our worlds beyond (and the illustrations are indeed ever so realistic); simultaneously, readers will learn the true story of a young lady born in 1900 as she makes a brilliant discovery of how stars are created. She, too, is noted as being a star for this outstanding discovery! The final few pages of the story challenge the reader to ponder questions about astronomy and perhaps become discoverers and scientist, as well.

Follow the story of astronomer and astrophysicist Cecilia Payne through the book and read more about her life in the end matter. This book is very well researched, documented, illustrated, edited and verified by experts in astronomy! Bravo! What an incredible book!
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4.21 avg rating — 1,203 ratings

"Once Upon a Book truly promotes reading. It is the beginning of a non-ending story, because reading is a safe way to take you here, there, and everywhere. This book brings to mind the classic children's book, Goodnight Moon. There is a little girl in this story that is bored. Mom is too busy working. And so, the little girl is drawn into reading. She actually steps into the story and travels all around the world and even to the moon. Her rabbit trails behind her. Find the rabbit on each page! And of course, when the little girl wants to come home, the rabbit stays behind! (But, we all know, that's another story!) And as many lullaby type books go, the little girl gets sleepy reading her book. When she awakens and she is back at home, she comes into her loving kitchen and has a delicious family meal. Look for the rabbit!

This is a wonderful cultural book and a chance to discuss family meals across the world. It is also a nice geographical book to look at life in the jungle, dessert, ocean, and outerspace. This is creative writing and illustrating for children's literature at its best! The pictures are so colorful and alive. They invite readers to Come IN. This picture book can be used as a stand-alone wordless story for rereading, again and again, or for early readers to retell the story.

Grace Lin and Kate Messner have created a masterful story that will leave readers happy and content. Perhaps, readers will be hungry to take their own imaginative journeys!"

4.21 avg rating — 724 ratings

"How to Write a Poem encourages children to see power in words. It is a great book showing the mechanics and process of writing. This book gives children confidence. Children will begin to see how they can channel their emotions, lift their voices, and change the world. A wonderful think and act “how-to” book. Readers will see how they can begin with a question, use their imaginations, make connections, and then let the words slide down to their pencils. The illustrations used in this book, likewise, encourage readers to use their imaginations, recyclables, and inventive resources to give art to the stories they write. Quite the positive book to use with children!!!"

4.62 avg rating — 1,611 ratings

"An American Story talks about the history of Black slavery from Africa to America and how Blacks have been brave enough to embrace this rough history, yet strong enough to strive and achieve a better life today and hopes for tomorrow. It is a dramatic story with very sad parts, yet it is also a strong positive story.
Young, spirited, and ever so positive, Dare Coulter, has illustrated this book, both through her sculptures and drawings. She says the process of illustrating this book took her nearly six years. Her sculptures are realistic. Her drawings have detail and fill the pages with beautiful lighting effects. Caldecott Award potential…indeed!
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4.41 avg rating — 1,439 ratings

"This book gives thanks for all we are given in this world. Joy Harjo suggests we all find a place in our hearts to write our own story, our own poem, our own song. Together the words of Harjo's poems and the illustrations by Michaela Goade ask us to give thanks to our Earth and universe, nature, the skies, the waters, and our ancestors. This book is an elegant tribute to the indigenous people in America."

4.62 avg rating — 4,814 ratings

"To a child, most say, "Raise your arms and show how big you are!" As we get older being big might not elicit such a positive meaning. The young Black girl is this story is quite bigger than the other children. She is bullied and called names everywhere she goes; it is difficult to be too big for the swingset and the dance recital. And the little girl gets her feelings badly hurt! Read how the young girl overcomes these feelings about her self-worth. Vashti uses soft pink pastels to illustrate the story which seems to soften the harshness of the first few pages of the story. Though the story is sad, it has a positive conclusion and afternote by the author / illustrator. And it is hopeful that readers will ponder how words and attitudes can hurt the feelings of others. What can we do to erase the stigma of being big?"

4.52 avg rating — 143 ratings

"Great book for young and old readers about what it means to be an American. The book covers several ethnicities and what Americanism means to them. Hopefully, this book will encourage readers to want to learn more about freedom and America’s opportunities for all. The illustrations are most supportive. The back matter has a wealth of information on what it means to be an American and is well documented.
This book addresses so many important concepts. Readers can think about and discuss what these words mean:
Basic human rights – Citizenship – Culture - Democracy
Diligence – Diversity – Emigration - Enslavement
Equality – Ethnicities - Follow your dreams
Freedom of expression - Freedom of religion
Heritage - Immigration - Indigenous - Injustice
Justice - Living in fear - Mass migration
Naturalization – Perseverance - Pursuit of happiness
Push or pull factor for migration – Racism - Refugees
Safety - Slavery – Survival - Voting Rights
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4.31 avg rating — 878 ratings

"Caldecott Honor Award Winner for 2022 oughta win Caldecott 2024 with this book that will certainly have everyone tickled and laughing! A great read aloud!"

4.31 avg rating — 1,025 ratings

"Wordless - the pages progress through time and change : perhaps 500 years. Can either be in the past or in the future!

In the beginning the river and tree are happily growing. Then people begin to settle here, as this is the perfect spot for them. Over time, people change the trees and the river. In time, the river is used as a dividing line for the people, and conflicts arise. There’s gloom and doom as the pages reflect how the lovely environment is being destroyed, but, alas, there is a glimmer of hope and beauty.

This allows the reader to look at society and ponder what can be done to improve our world. It is truly a thought-provoking book and should be shared with all ages. I can see creative writing classes using this book for students to think about a sense of hope."

4.47 avg rating — 617 ratings

"Nicky & Vera is a Holocaust story written for children to understand. This is a biography about a hero, Nicky Winton. He was a quiet and reluctant man (not considering himself a hero) who was instrumental in saving 669 children during the Holocaust. Vera tells her story, too; she was one of these children.

The book is written for ages 6 to 8. Perhaps, it might be better to share with ages 9 – 109. The story is told in a gentle way and the illustrations are peaceful and realistic of the time periods 1940s – 1980s. This book tops the list for anyone studying the Holocaust.

This book belongs in units on social justices in curriculums everywhere and for all ages. The author encourages readers to make a difference in children of today, who are likewise refugees, hoping for a better life!
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4.20 avg rating — 378 ratings

"A young girl studies the skilled hands of her elder one, at the loom, and learns history and traditions of weaving. They share tales of how fabric was made centuries ago and across the world. The little girl narrates how she is learning to weave as she watchers her loved one, the skilled guide, and how together they share fabric, friendship, and family stories of long ago.

This story tells how loved ones pass down their skills, stories, and family history. And so, too, cultures and generations must know that their stories matter and that we are all connected.
The story is told in poetical form and the illustrations are rich in color, tone, and contrast. It is a nice read-aloud.

The author includes a glossary of weaving terms in the back of the book, along with backmatter that discusses history of many types of fabric, countries of origin, and cultural textile traditions. Additionally, the author and illustrator have included notes on how they constructed this book. Woven of the World would be a great choice for all types of libraries, historical museums, art and craft stores, and art programs."

4.56 avg rating — 1,186 ratings

"Intense historical fiction told on multi-levels per age level of understanding. The story addresses generational patterns of how families wore their hair and why, what the hair represents, and emotions attachment to one's hair. Carole Lindstrom's first book, We Are the Water Protectors, won Caldecott Gold. Lindstrom books most definitely record the true history of Native / Indigenous people. She does not sugar coat the story.

This is an Ojibwe story about a Native/Indigenous young girl and the whys and hows about letting her hair grow. This book is a nice addition to cultures and diversity.

There is backmatter regarding the history of hair in the author's American past. This piece is emotional and best discussed in a group. Grades that study Native/Indigenous cultures would find this book as a useful starting point.

The illustrations are in-depth colors. The pictures flow as does long hair and nature. The pictures are often outlined in yellow and seem to radiate a powerful source."

4.11 avg rating — 246 ratings

"A wonderful book that opens up thoughts of a special relative or friend that is far away in miles but very close in heart. A year is a long time to be separated from a loved one but a great time to remember what they mean to you! Soon Papa will fly from the Philippines to see the grandchild in America! This story looks at what makes life special, month by month, for a child in America. It is also a wonderful Filipino cultural book. This is a sweet book to share with children at Grandparent's Day (or any day) and can lead to a great discussion of what makes their grandparents special. It is also a lovely book that ties to the months of a year. and reads like poetry! The illustrations are muted, yet vivid in color.
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4.36 avg rating — 340 ratings

"Make way: the story of Robert McCloskey, Nancy Schön, and some very famous ducklings is a children's biography about the author McCloskey, the sculpture Schon, and the life of ducks. What a unique story that blends the story of an author, a sculptor, and ducks. McCloskey won Caldecott Gold in 1942 for Make Way for Ducklings. With his approval, Nancy Schon sculpted the duck in McCloskey's book. These ducks can be found today in Boston's Public Gardens. This biography is so easy for children to understand how all of this came to be!

The colors in this book's illustrations remind me of the four-color spread for pictures in the early 1900s. And this book seems to have a bronze tone or maybe even the look of Caldecott Gold.

The back matter of this book has so much great information connected to this story. I was impressed that a third grade class was instrumental in influencing their state legislators to adopt Make Way for Duckling as the official Children's Book for Massachusetts.

This book is most informative and would make a great pairing with the Caldecott book, Make Way for Ducklings. "

4.29 avg rating — 1,237 ratings

"Wonderful book! So sweet and scary at the same time. Young readers will be on the edge of their seats looking out for Evergreen, Mama Squirrel's little helper. Mama cooks the best soup in the forest and wants Evergreen to deliver the soup to others throughout the forest. But little Evergreen is scared of noises in the forest especially thunder. Travel along the journey with Evergreen as the little fellow works through fear, meets strangers in the forest (some who might capture the soup or him), and helps others in need! He gets braver and braver until....

The pictures are delightful, sketched in pen and ink and colored in watercolors. It is a wonderful chapter book. And what I would call worthy of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, for beginner readers.
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4.31 avg rating — 896 ratings

"The story is two-fold. Nell plants a seed as a child - thus one part. But this tree continues to grow for many generations to enjoy - thus the other part. Yet these two parts work as one great story showing family togetherness through the years and generations. The tree is a happy, vital part of the family joy. The colors are vivid and cheerful in this story. Readers may think about the trees around them and how special these trees are."

4.36 avg rating — 890 ratings

"Informative! Most enjoyable read! Would place Jumper in the winning category of a science book for all ages! Illustrations are delightful, as well."

4.36 avg rating — 475 ratings

"Finding Papa is based on the true story about the Boat People who fled Vietnam after the Vietnam War. The words and pictures work well together to share a piece of this history with children. "

4.11 avg rating — 439 ratings

"The Green Piano is an autobiography, written by Roberta Flack! By writing this story, Roberta looks back on her early life, how she set goals, and how she worked hard to achieve these goals. This book's intent is to inspire our youth to set goals. Roberta, with writing partner Tonya Bolden, has done this well!

As a little girl, she grew up in a loving family with the appreciation of music all around her. Her daddy found an old piano in a junk pile. He turned this into a beautiful green piano for Roberta when she was very young. As she grew up to be a Grammy award-winning musician, she say she never forgot the joy, the miracle, the wonder, and the blessing of her green piano.

This book is illustrated by Hayden Goodman. The shades of green on the pages seem to encourage readers to GO forward and work hard to achieve their dreams. Swirls on many pages bring the sounds of her music aloud.

The after matter in this book is informative about Roberta Flack's life and career. For a short while, she was a music teacher. Imagine having Roberta Flack as your teacher!"

4.04 avg rating — 483 ratings

"Adorable illustrations of cats and their activities. Cat lovers will get a chuckle out of this book. "

4.19 avg rating — 383 ratings

"A Crown for Corina would be a positive addition to a Cultural Section or Booklist for any library. This story explains the tradition of having a crown of flowers for a Mexican birthday party. It is Coriana's birthday and before the guest arrive for her party, she gets to pick flowers from her Abuela's garden. These flowers will be made into a flower ring, corona, for her to wear at the party. Each flower, the grandmother says, is picked to represent an important person or event in the little girl's life. Wearing the crown, the grandmother asks Corina to think about what she wants to become in life. She gets to make a wish.

Though the flowers will fade, the memories will not. This book is steeped in traditional thoughts and messages. The large flowers and action shots are vivid and lively. The colors evoke warm and happy feelings and expressions!"