Alpacas Make Terrible Librarians
By: Kristi Mahoney
Illus: Chantelle & Burgen Thorne
This cute book is silly but also educational. I read it to my husband while he was driving to the lake last week because I was giggling and he was giving me a questioning look (I often multitask, listen to him tell me all about the annoying cars who pass him and then slow down etc. while read and review books on my laptop. We do this for all car rides and 99% of the time there are no roadtrip arguments.) He told me he enjoyed learning new things about Alpacas, and you know what? I did too. While it was just a few random facts, they were well placed and definitely added to the story! Also, as a result of this book, even after 11 years together I actually had a new story to tell him, about the time an alpaca ate my scarf at a junior high field trip to winter camp. Alpacas are just such interesting animals aren't they?
When the children find out their librarian has been replaced by an alpaca, lots of crazy antics occur. The librarian gives out hair cuts, gets rid of non-alpaca books and makes noises. It is hilarious and kids are sure to love the story. I’m sure adults will enjoy reading it too. The illustrations are fun and there are little word bubbles that add to the story as well. I think this would be a fabulous addition to my classroom library and could definitely see myself reading this to my class. Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher, @gnomeroadpublishing for giving me the chance to read and review this fun book.
Waffle Can't Decide
Written by @psych4thought Brenda Miles
Illustrated by: @monikafilipina
I loved this book, it was so cute and hilarious. Waffle (an actual waffle) has a hard time deciding and often “waffles” in her decisions. Her friends are all breakfast foods and I love the little details like her friend juice spilling some liquid while playing soccer. The illustrations are great and there is a fair amount of chaotic drawings in the background which are not distracting but help show the amount of anxiety that can be going on in someone’s head while they are making decisions. Written by the American Psychological Society, this book is clearly intended to help young readers understand why decision making can be difficult. The strategy given is to turn big decisions into lots of mini decisions which are easier to make.
Comparing decision making to outerspace, with some planets far away, some small etc, the authors help show that there are many decisions to make but that they do not need to all be made at the same time, which can be overwhelming. At the end of the book is a readers note that has a lot of information about brain development, anxiety and decision making for parents and care givers. I think this would be a fabulous addition to my classroom library and could definitely see myself reading this specifically with anxious children in mind.
Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher @maginationpress for giving me the chance to read and review this beautiful book. Waffle Can't Decide is out this October! I am definitely going to get my hands on a copy of Taco Falls Apart another book in this series because that might just be a great book for back to school!
On the Trapline
David A Robertson
Ills: Julie Flett
This week's #picturebookoftheweek is On the Trapline by @davidrobertsonwriter
I chose this book for two reasons, the first is that it is a perfect book to open up discussions on reconciliation and Indigenous culture which is something that is fitting this week, but also important year round. The second is that I just posted yesterday my review of The Theory of Crows by the same author and it felt right to share this book right after.
On the Trapline is a children's book about a child going with his Moshom, the word for grandfather in Ininīmowin (Cree), to visit the family trapline near Norway House, Manitoba. Throughout the story there are beautiful illustrations and descriptions of the land, as well as information about Cree culture and language, and of the connection between people. Like, When We Were Alone, another picture book by the same author, Residential Schools are mentioned and described in ways that are age appropriate and demonstrate the significance without too much detail. This allows for adults to choose next steps in the discussion, and allows for children to inquire and naturally form questions based on their current level of understanding of both history and the world around them. Words and phrases in Ininīmowin are woven throughout the story reminding readers of the importance of protecting Indigenous languages. The writing is perfect for children in the age 4-10 range, it is easy to understand, infused with important information, and evokes feelings of joy and contentment.
In the past when I've read this story to my students I've also shared a video interview of Robertson talking about his own trip to the trapline with his father, but another option is to read the author's note which describes this significant time in his life. I particularly like the quote "Reconciliation is more than just healing from trauma. It's connecting, or reconnecting, with people, culture, language, community." I think that as we move into the weekend and commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, it is important to consider what reconciliation really means for each of us.
Squirrel-ish by Bambi Edlund is a cute book about a rat who decides he wants to be a squirrel. He doesn’t like how people scream and run away when they see rats but they feed squirrels peanuts. He does everything he can to try to transform himself into a squirrel only to learn that maybe being a rat isn’t so bad afterall. This cute book has nice, interesting illustrations and a large, easy to read font. It is a fun story that kids will enjoy. I think this would be a fabulous addition to my classroom library and could definitely see myself reading this to my class. Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher @owlkidspublishing for giving me the chance to read and review this sweet book.
To see my other picture book recs check out this blogpost: https://teachreadinspire.wixsite.com/website/post/picture-book-of-the-week-2024
This week's #picturebookoftheweek is Taco Falls Apart Written by @psych4thought Brenda Miles and illustrated by: @monikafilipina
Taco Falls Apart tells the story of Taco who is really struggling under the pressure of keeping it all together. Taco learns that it is ok to ask friends and family for help. The book also explores how negative self-talk can really impact your confidence and abilities, but that it is something that you can work on, especially when you ask for help!
I love this little food trilogy and the fact that SEL and psychology can be covered in such a concrete, and also really fun way. Tacos are a pretty popular food, and they inevitably fall apart, so it is something that kids can relate to. The illustrations and the cute puns also make it special and enjoyable.
My students and I had so much fun reading Taco Falls Apart! We did a Taco-themed bulletin board to start off the school year so this book was a perfect way to address mental health and also get to know each other. I created this worksheet and the cover for a class book using canva and we rocked out to some fiesta music while we each created our own pages for a class book.
Thanks so much to the author and Robyn at @maginationpress for sending me this and the other two amazing books in this series (more posts to come!)
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