Book of the Month: Milo Imagines the World

 

Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Pena is my Book of the Month pick for so many reasons. Very well-thought-out, this powerful picture book has a much needed message, a surprising twist, and is a thought-provoking read for young and old. Not to mention the great illustrations by Christian Robinson. 

Summary: While Milo and his sister travel to a detention center to visit their incarcerated mother, he observes strangers on the subway and draws what he imagines their lives to be. 

Ages: 4-8 years

"Maybe you can't really know anyone just by looking at their face."

This is what you get when you combine the works of a Newbery Medal winner and Caldecott Honor author with an award-winning New York Times bestseller. Perfection. 

This book is touching and is a lesson for everyone to be learned. That you don't assume and judge someone by the way they look and that we don't know everyone's story and what they are going through. 

From Milo's perspective it proves that even adults can learn from children when in the story, Milo realizes that his assumptions of people he sees on his subway ride could be wrong. He wonders what others may perceive of him and we get yet another lesson. And our smart Milo also realizes that maybe his sister might be having a hard time like him and gives her a break when she gets upset at him. 

Acceptance, forgiveness, and non-judgmental behavior are just some of the lessons in this book. I cannot commend this book enough!

Book of the Month: Laxmi's Mooch

 

This is probably one of the only if not the only picture book that addresses facial hair on little girls. Laxmi's Mooch by Shelly Anand is a book that needed to be written. Well-written and thought out, this book is the book for any girl who is embarrassed about the way they look and needs some confidence and self-acceptance. 

Summary: After Laxmi's friend Zoe points out the hairs on her lip, Laxmi is very self-conscious until her East Indian parents help her to accept and celebrate her appearance. 

Ages: 4-8

"'But, Mummy, I thought mooches were just for boys, like Papa.' 'Nahi! You know, we come from a long line of women with moochay," said Mummy. 'We do? Like who?' 'From Mughal empresses and stately ranis to village girls and city girls. Even your nani and cousin Radha. 'Everyone has a mooch, really.'"

Author Anand incorporates Indian culture with a great, encouraging message that shows that everyone has something they feel self-conscious about and it's best to embrace who you are. This is a great book to read to children for body positivity on a topic that isn't usually addressed--body hair.   

Book of the Month: The Radium Girls: The Scary But True Story of the Poison That Made People Glow in the Dark

 I was researching books for an upcoming Women's History Month program and I came across this gem from Kate Moore. The Radium Girls: The Scary But True Story of the Poison That Made People Glow in the Dark is both captivating and enraging being a true story about how young, female workers were getting poisoned by radium while working on making clock dials in the early twentieth century. These are one of those nonfiction stories that will keep kids reading and entertained.

Summary: The acclaimed national bestseller about America's glowing girls and their brave fight for justice, now adapted for young readers.

Ages: 8-12 years

"As Katherine walked into the studio on her first day, she saw the other dial-painters were already hard at work. Young girls sat in rows, painting dials at top speed. Yet it wasn't the dials that caught Katherine's eye. It was the material they were using to paint them. It was the radium."

This book would be a great book club pick or an excellent choice to read along with a parent since there is the adult version as well. There is also a movie available on Netflix that pairs well with this book. I enjoyed how this true story shows how young girls and women can make a difference when they see a terrible wrong. Inspiring and empowering!

Book of the Month: The Worry (Less) Book: Feel Strong, Find Calm, and Tame Your Anxiety

 

For February's Book of the Month, I chose a nonfiction children's book about worry and anxiety to help children who might be having trouble with our new normal because of Covid-19 or those that like me, tend to having worry and anxious tendencies. The Worry (Less) Book: Feel Strong, Find Calm, and Tame Your Anxiety! by Rachel Brian is our Book of the Month. I read a lot of self-help nonfiction for adults on worry and anxiety and wanted to see what we have out there for our children to read on the subject. 

Summary: Start worrying less and enjoying life with this book for people who worry or struggle with anxiety (so yeah--everyone)!

Ages: 6-10 years

"What this book can do: explain how your body reacts to worries. Help you recognize anxiety. Give you ideas for calming yourself. What it can't do: tell you how to worry. Pick up your dirty socks. Make all anxiety disappear."

In kid-friendly speak and fun comic illustrations, Rachel Brian presents a helpful book on worry and anxiety for children and like she says, "for everyone!" Particularly helpful is how she presents ways middle graders and adults can manage their stressful moments and how to understand their feelings better. This is a great book to explain worry to children and how there are good worries and being overly worried. 

The pictures really get emotions across that will help the reader understand even better. There's also valuable information explaining worry from a scientific and medical perspective. I also liked how the author pointed out the different ways you can recognize it's anxiety and how anxiety can get in the way of new opportunities and all the ways you can take care of you to avoid worry's ugly moments. 

This book is a great introduction on worry and how to alleviate them. 

Book of the Month: I'm Sticking with You

I chose I'm Sticking with You by Smriti Prasadam-Halls and illustrated by Steve Small for January's Book of the Month. If you are looking for a picture book that is sweet and loving while teaching friendship this is a great choice to read.

Summary: It's wonderful to have good friends to see you through the good times and the bad. But sometimes, friends can also be a bit...well...overbearing. 

Ages: 4-8 years

"I'm ready to listen to all your ideas. Ready to be there to help you along...Even if sometimes it goes a bit wrong."

Rhyming words and simple pictures complete this book on friendship and love. Prasadam-Halls explains that friendship involves sticking together through the hard times and understanding that sometimes you'll need a break only to miss your friend. 

This is a great book for a frienship storytime because it is short and teaches the characteristics of friendship and love. 

Book of the Month: Night Wishes

Night Wishes, poems selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins, was chosen as my December Book of the Month. This book has been on various poetry lists for children and I can see why with it's gliding words and beautiful artwork by Jen Corace. 

Summary: How would a clock, nightlight, or teddy bear say good night? In this enchanting poetry collection, Lee Bennett Hopkins and thirteen other poets imagine the wishes whispering through a young girl's bedroom as she falls asleep. 

Ages: 4-8 years

"Night melts your room into shadows and ink. Think of my pages, O Dreamer, just think..." ~Excerpt of the poem Book by Joyce Sidman

This is the perfect poetry book for bed and encourages readers and listeners alike to make their own poems about what is in their bedroom and how would they imagine these things would say goodnight. 

Each poem will inspire imagination and calmness for the perfect nighttime slumber.  

Book of the Month: I Go Quiet

 I Go Quiet by David Ouimet was chosen as August's Book of the Month because it is very unique and has a great message for anyone who is quiet, shy, and unsure of themselves. The gloomy, and somewhat bizarre cover illustration caught my interest but the pictures definitely portray the feelings of one who feels introverted and different from their peers. 

Summary: Here is the story of an introverted girl, hiding in silence in a world that seems overpowering and hostile. In the power of imagination and the pages of books, she sees possibilities for herself and discovers a place where her words ring loud and true. 

Ages: 6 to 10 years

"Yes, sometimes I go quiet. But someday I will make a shimmering noise." 

 David Ouimet's debut picture book is definitely unique and strikes a different cord from the typical cutesy children's books, rightfully so with such a topic of introversion and the struggle to find one's special path in life. 

This book is a must read for any child who is dealing with uneasiness, a missing sense of belonging, and for anyone who is on the spectrum of just being shy to selective mutism to any other similar struggle. 

Ouimet's book explains the feelings a young introvert personality goes through and uses dark imagery to get that sense of understanding with his reader. However, he also sends a beautiful message of hope at the end of his book and uses the subject of reading as a gateway to understanding oneself.

Book of the Month: Cuddle Monkey

Cuddle Monkey by Blake Liliane Hellman with pictures by Chad Otis is July's Book of the Month because it's a cute book to read to any "cuddle monkey." 

Summary: Lewis loves to cuddle. He cuddles his favorite book. He cuddles his stuffed animals. He even cuddles a puddle, just because it rhymes. Cuddling the bus driver, however, turns out to be a little dangerous. Cuddling at dinner is too messy. And cuddling his new baby brother is wiggly and squiggly. But it turns out a cuddle doesn't have to be perfect for it to be just the cuddle you need.

Ages: 4-8 years

"I LOVE to cuddle!" said Lewis. "WE KNOW," said his mama and papa together.

This is just simply a sweet, cute book to read to your child during bedtime. Monkey fans, big brothers, and cuddle culprits will enjoy hearing this book read to them. Make sure to end reading this short book with a cuddle!

 

Book of the Month: Miriam at the River

Miriam at the River by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Khoa Le was chosen as June's Book of the Month because Jane Yolen books are popular with both me and the little patrons at my library and because this is a beautifully written and illustrated book on a biblical story. Even those that are not religious will appreciate the poetic notions in this picture book. 

Summary: With a sister's kiss, brave Miriam places a basket holding her baby brother into the river. With one quick push, she sends the basket into the water, hoping that her wish comes true and her brother will be rescued. The biblical story of baby Moses as told by his big sister. 

Ages: Kindergarten to age 3

"Sometimes courage comes from what you do, sometimes from what you do not do."

This is a great story to read to your little one to grasp a little bit of history, learn a spiritual lesson, and enjoy the poetic text and beautiful pictures that are so soothing. 

Reading this book to your child is also a unique and modern way to tell them the story of Moses thanks to Jane Yolen's signature writing style and Khoa Le's colorful pages.

Book of the Month: The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes

The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein is a book I decided to make Book of the Month that is available through my library's Hoopla account. This is a good book for kids who are afraid to make mistakes and what to do when a mistake is made.

Summary: Meet Beatrice Bottomwell: a nine-year-old girl who has never (not once!) made a mistake. Life for Beatrice is sailing along pretty smoothly until she does the unthinkable-she makes her first mistake. And in a very public way!

Ages: 4-8

"They just called her 'the Girl Who Never Made Mistakes' because for as long as anyone could remember, she never did."

This story is perfect for sharing the very important message that no one is perfect and that it's exhausting to try to be. It's also a good lesson to teach what to do if a mistake is made...just laugh it off and realize mistakes are a part of life. 

I liked how this story had the element of Beatrice's brother, Carl, being able to enjoy making mistakes and how it showed how much more fun her friends were having by not being afraid of making mistakes. Beatrice's mistake happens while on stage for school, making this the book to read for kids who have stage fright.

Book of the Month: Yoga Storytime

Yoga Storytime by Miriam R. Aventos is a simple picture book that explains how yoga began in India and gives easy instruction on how to start yoga, the poses, and what is so beneficial about practicing it.

Summary: Discover the basics of practicing yoga by tracing the story of its beginnings in India, showing how its earliest practitioners observed things in nature, such as trees, cats, snakes, and lions, and then imitated their poses. 

 Ages: For children of all ages

"Just breathe, nothing more."

The illustrations were as calming as the subject and this can be a very interactive book with your child. Poses can be tried, breathing exercises can be done, all while learning about the subject and India. 

I would recommend this book for any parents interested in introducing yoga to their child or practicing yoga together. 

Book of the Month: One Red Sock

I noticed One Red Sock by Jennifer Sattler while browsing our library's new books and it was too cute not to read! I was hoping that it wouldn't be a long one so I could use it for an upcoming storytime, ant it's the perfect length!

Summary: When a little purple hippo cannot find the mate for her red sock, she tries everything in her sock drawer in order to be fashionable-or at least to match. 

Ages: 5 and up

"In a big pink chair in a room full of dots...sat a purple hippo wearing one red sock."

Jennifer Sattler’s book is a cute, short read with sweet illustrations and a simple rhyme. This book helps kids learn their colors, matching, and acceptance. It also teaches them that it’s okay if things aren’t perfect. A great book for storytime that I’ll be sure to read in the future. 

Book of the Month: Kids Have All the Write Stuff

I picked up Kids Have All the Write Stuff  in the hopes to get some fresh ideas for upcoming writing programs for elementary-aged children for the new year. This book did not disappoint. Not only does this book validate all the reasons why writing is important for children, it offers up ideas and online tools to get you started on your teaching journey.

Summary: You can open up a world of imagination and learning for children when you encourage the expression of ideas through writing. This book shows you how to support children's development as confident writers and communicators, offering hundreds of creative ways to integrate writing into the lives of toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary students--whether at home or at school. 

Ages: For parents/teachers

"This book is a MUST for both teachers and parents or caregivers. The authors share a unique way of exploring writing that not only leans into technology but also excites and interests all students regardless of their prior experiences or skill level." 

~Leah Mermelstein, author of Self-Directed Writers

I particularly found the chapters on journaling and poetry helpful and liked the thorough information on writing boxes and how to go about introducing them and creating them. However, I would have liked to have seen lesson plans incorporated more, but there are some online links to lesson plans or step-by-step instruction guides.

This is absolutely a worth-while read for any parent or youth writing instructor. 

Book of the Month: Hair Love

I seen a short, animated YouTube video on Hair Love and loved it so I thought I would check-out the book.

Summary: A little girl's daddy steps in to help her arrange her curly, coiling, wild hair into styles that allow her to be her natural, beautiful self.

Ages: 4-8 years

 "Daddy tells me it is beautiful. That makes me proud. I love that my hair lets me be me!"

There's so much heart into this book that makes it incredibly touching and makes a great pairing with the video. 

It was interesting to find out that they didn't touch upon Zuri's mother having cancer and being in the hospital like in the video, but the message and modern feel of the video was there in the book. 

This is a worth-while book for teaching the lesson of acceptance, understanding, and love. I would introduce children to the book first and then the video to talk about the heavier topics presented in animation. 

Book of the Month: Brave the Page

It is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), and I thought it would be a fitting idea to make Brave the Page my Book of the Month. 

Summary: Partly a how-to guide on the nitty-gritty of writing, partly a collection of inspiration to set (and meet) ambitious goals, Brave the Page is the go-to resource for middle-grade writers.

Ages: 10 and up

"Warning: Following the advice in this book will lead you toward achieving big things. You'll write more-and faster- than you've ever written before."

NaNoWriMo Presents Brave the Page: A Young Writer's Guide to Telling Epic Stories is one of the best writing books that was published this year. This book is perfect for a young writer that wants to start writing but doesn't know where to begin. 

I am a big stickler for how non-fiction books are formatted and this book was put together in perfect and simplistic order. I also liked the tone of the book because it comes across as down-to-earth and friendly. 

The book starts off by recognizing the hard work in writing and gives clear points on why the reader should write and how this book will help. 

This is such a well-rounded book for the young writer with tips on how to find story ideas, make a writing deadline, set writing goals, and create a routine so that your writing becomes consistent. 

I also think the writing challenges in the book are extremely helpful and how following the book will set up any writer, young or old, for future success. 

This book is geared to help children find out what type of writer they are and provides writing quests and examples that will ease them into their writing. There's even a progress tracker by weeks and a writing pledge that can be used, along with quick starters and other writing tools. 

Once writers are ready to revise and edit their work, there's a chapter on that too. 

I would like to see more information for children on how to publish their writing, but perhaps that could be NaNoWriMo's next book for children. 

I plan on doing a short book-talk on Brave the Page during one of my upcoming writing programs. 

Book of the Month: Here and Now

I used Here and Now by Julia Denos for my yoga and mindfulness storytime and thought that it deserved to be Book of the Month for October. 

The book sparked conversation and the kids liked talking about the things that were around us and observing the present, which became quite engaging for them. 

Summary: Illustrations and easy-to-read text celebrate mindfulness and the connectedness of everything on Earth.

Ages: 4-7 years

“Right here, right now you are becoming.”

This book is a perfect children’s book for teaching mindfulness and the pictures are so beautiful and tranquil.

Fitting for a storytime or a book that would calm your child before bed and explain how so many things are happening and growing around us while we sit still and observe.

It’s also a great conversation starter with your kids about the present moment, all what’s going on around us, and how we are all part of it.

Book of the Month: Mousie, I Will Read to You

I came across Rachael Cole's book, Mousie, I Will Read to You at the perfect time. I was looking for a sweet, beautiful picture book to give at a baby shower. It tugged at my heart, is perfect for book lovers, and incorporates children growing up while being introduced to books and reading. 

Summary: Follows a mama mouse and her baby mouse on the little mouse's journey to becoming a reader--from infancy to toddlerhood to elementary school and beyond.

Ages: 3-7 years

"Long before the words make sense, Mousie, I will read to you the simplest story, about an acorn that drops to the ground." 

This book has a great message on the importance of reading to your child from birth to young adult and has modern, adorable illustrations to boot! This is definitely a great choice for a parent who wants to introduce reading and its importance to their children and to support a child's love for reading. 

Book of the Month: Underwear!

So I thought since I chose a somewhat sad and touching book last month, that I would go with something totally silly this time. For this month's Book of the Month, I chose Underwear! by Jenn Harney.

Summary: So begins the dialogue between a tired bear dad and a rambunctious bear cub who would rather play with his tighty whities than get into bed. Undewear makes great hair. It can even turn one into a superbear, or a goggle-wearing swimming bear. But beware of a big scare! Rhymes, homonyms, and conjunctions abound in this book that could be used to teach reading, but its primary purpose is to make bedtime fun.

Ages: 2-5 years

"Stop right there! You should be wearing underwear!!!"

What I loved about this book is it took a boring subject about learning how to put on underwear and made it hilarious for both parent and child to read. Of course I enjoyed the silly rhyming in this book and the cute pictures. It was also nice how this was all tied-in with bedtime. If you're looking for a funny bedtime book that you wouldn't mind reading over and over, here's the book for you. 

Book of the Month: The Remember Balloons

The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros has a little bit of everything. A sweet message about memories using balloons as a concept children can understand, a way to explain Alzheimer's/dementia to kids, and connecting all of that to colors and moods.  Also, a real tear-jerker with a perfect tie-in ending.

Summary: James has a bunch of balloons, each of which holds a special memory, but as his grandfather ages and loses his own balloons, James discovers that he is gaining new ones. 

Ages: 5-9 years

"Grandpa's balloons start floating away faster and faster. Running down streets and up hills, I watch the balloons grow smaller." 

This book is definitely sad and beautiful at the same time. This is a perfect book to use to explain how an elderly family member is forgetful. The ending really got to me because it brings a sense of hope to a sorrowful situation. The illustrations done by Dana Wulfekotte also support this picture book's message by making only the balloons colorful and using symbolism that what colors life is our memories. 

Book of the Month: Ebenezer Has a Word for Everything

I picked up the picture book, Ebenezer Has a Word for Everything by Chelsea H. Rowe because I could easily tell it would have a good writing connection to it and I could possibly get an idea from it for an upcoming writing program. 

Summary: Ebenezer collects words. No one appreciates his efforts until he meets a friend who writes stories and could use a word or two.

Ages: 4-8 years

"Wow! A word collection! Can I see it?" That was the day Ebenezer and Fitzgerald became friends. 

I enjoyed the story of Ebenezer finding a friend because of his love for words and how his friend has a love of stories. This was a great book for a friendship and a writing theme. I liked how the words were bolded, matched the illustrations, and encouraged more thinking and learning. This wouldn’t be a book I would read for a storytime, but it would be one that could be used for a writing lesson or one-on-one reading.