Genre: Picture Book

Chester

Chester is more than a picture book. It is a story told, and retold, by dueling author-illustrators. Melanie Watt starts out with the story of a mouse in a house. Then Melanie’s cat, Chester, sends the mouse packing and proceeds to cover the pages with rewrites from his red marker, and the gloves are off. [...]
Other Descriptors: Canada, Preschool, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , , , » Leave a comment

Miss Lady Bird’s Wildflowers: How a First Lady Changed America

Bluebonnets and lady’s slippers, larkspurs and blazing stars, black-eyed Susans and Granny’s nightcaps. From a lonely childhood in the Piney Woods of East Texas to an exciting life in the White House, Lady Bird Johnson loved these wildflowers with all her heart. They were her companions in her youth, greeting her everywhere as she explored [...]
Other Descriptors: Nonfiction, Primary (Gr. K-3), United States of America » Themes: , , » Leave a comment

Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion

Much has been written about war and remembrance, but very little of it has been for young children. As questions come from a young grandchild, his grandpa talks about how, as a very young man, he was as proud as a peacock in uniform, busy as a beaver on his Atlantic crossing, and brave as [...]
Other Descriptors: Canada, Primary (Gr. K-3), Realistic Fiction » Themes: , , » 1 Comment

Why War is Never a Good Idea

Though War is Old It has not Become wise. Poet and activist Alice Walker personifies the power and wanton devastation of war in this evocative poem. Stefano Vitale’s compelling paintings illustrate this unflinching look at war’s destructive nature and unforeseen consequences.
Other Descriptors: International, Poetry, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: » 1 Comment

Cooper’s Lesson

Cooper’s Lesson is an inspiring story about identity and intergenerational friendship, featuring a young biracial boy, written in both English and Korean. Cooper has had about enough of being half and half. And he’s really had enough of Mr. Lee, the owner of his neighborhood grocery store, speaking to him in Korean even though Cooper [...]
Other Descriptors: Fiction, Korea, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , » Leave a comment

Yoon and the Jade Bracelet

Yoon wants a jump rope for her birthday so she can play with the other girls in the school yard. Instead, Yoon’s mother gives her a Korean storybook about a silly girl who is tricked by a tiger. Yoon also receives a jade bracelet that once belonged to her grandmother. The next day at school, [...]
Other Descriptors: Fiction, Korea, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , , » Leave a comment

Ruby’s Wish

Ruby is unlike most little girls in old China. Instead of aspiring to get married, Ruby is determined to attend university when she grows up, just like the boys in her family. Based upon the inspirational story of the author’s grandmother and accompanied by richly detailed illustrations, Ruby’s Wish is an engaging portrait of a [...]
Other Descriptors: China, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , » Leave a comment

Zulema and the Witch Owl/Zulema y la Bruja Lechuza

When Grandma Sabina comes to live with the family, the first thing Zulema says to her is, ”You sure look old and ugly.” Grandma Sabina warns her granddaughter about the Witch Owl who prowls the night looking for mean children, but Zulema laughs defiantly at such a preposterous tale. In this story about the consequences [...]
Other Descriptors: Primary (Gr. K-3), United States of America » Themes: , , , » 2 Comments

Juan y el Chupacabras/Juan and the Chupacabras

Young Juan and his cousin Luz savor Abuelo’s hair-raising stories. He tells the children of defeating terrifying fiends like the Chupacabras and La Llorona. The children cling to every word as he describes his brave stand-off with the Chupacabras, a terrifying beast with wings, claws and sharp fangs. But yet they wonder if there’s more [...]
Other Descriptors: Primary (Gr. K-3), United States of America » Themes: , , » 2 Comments

Lucha Libre: A Bilingual Cuento: the Man in the Silver Mask

Carlitos attends his first lucha libre match in Mexico City. At ringside, Carlitos sees the famous luchador — the Man in the Silver Mask, a man whose eyes look terribly familiar. He is mesmerized as the Man in the Silver Mask is pitted against the terrible forces of evil — los rudos, the bad guys [...]
Other Descriptors: Mexico, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , » 4 Comments
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      Exploring a Sense of Belonging through Literature

      We are excited to announce a special children’s literature mini-conference on Thursday, March 11, 4:00-9:00 p.m. in the Kiva, College of Education, University of Arizona. The conference is free and open to the public and Professional Development Credit is available for teachers.

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