Looking for a laugh-out-loud book? The theme this week is “humor”. These books will tickle your funny bone.
I’m always reading for research. #libraryloot.
BEWARE THE MONSTER, by Michaël Escoffier; illustrated by Amandine Piu
THAT STINKS!, by Alan Katz; illustrated by Stephen Gilpin
GREAT, NOW WE’VE GOT BARBARIANS, by Jason Carter Eaton; illustrated by Mark Fearing
BONAPARTE FALLS APART, by Margery Cuyler; illustrated by Will Terry
Tuesday, August 9th is National Book Lovers Day. I am a sucker for picture books but this week, I switched to reading older books for my reading-for-research series. And check out my middle grade written by A. G. Roberts. https://www.aliciaschwab.com/books#/lite/ #libraryloot
ONE TRICK PONY, by Nathan Hale;
THE SOMEWHAT TRUE ADVENTURE OF SAMMY SHINE, by Henry Cole
THE NOTEBOOK OF DOOM (SERIES): SNEEZE OF THE OCTO-SCHNOZZ, by Troy Cummings
by A. G. Roberts and Alicia Schwab
Here are two books about the beginning of school told from completely different perspectives.
Planet Kindergarten: 100 Days in Orbit by Sue Ganz-Schmitt and illustrations by Shane Prigmore
“A young child imagines kindergarten as a mission in space, with his fellow kindernauts, and this is their one hundredth day.” What a fun twist on the new school year.
MY FIRST DAY by Phúng Nguyên Quang and Huỳnh Kim Liên. “This is no ordinary first day. The rainy season has come to Mekong Delta, and An, a young Vietnamese boy, sets out alone in a wooden boat…”
Here are two books about acceptance. We all have differences, embrace them. I support #FReadom (pushing back against book banning).
Benny Doesn’t Like To Be Hugged, by Zetta Elliott and illus. by Purple Wong.
Nobody’s Perfect by David Elliot and illustrated by Sam Zuppardi.
I’m reading for research and I love #libraryloot !
NOBODY’S PERFECT, by David Elliot; illus. by Sam Zuppardi
Benny Doesn’t Like To Be Hugged, by Zetta Elliott (Author), illustrated by Purple Wong
As the school year draws to a close, I’m sharing a funny “tall-tale”, The Truth About My Unbelievable Summer by Davide Cali and Benjamin Chaud. What will you read this summer?
The Truth About My Unbelievable Summer, by Davide Cali and Benjamin Chaud
Another big stack of #libraryloot I’ve been hauled to the studio! I’m reading for research. I support #FReadom (pushing back against book banning).
Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright's Masterpiece, by Marc Harshman, Anna Egan Smucker, and LeUyen Pham
Sunday Funday in Koreatown, by Aram Kim
Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party, by James Dean and Kimberly Dean
Aliens Love DinoPants, by Claire Freedman and Ben Cortisones
The Fox on the Swing, by Evelina Daciutè and Aušra Kiudulaite
Eraser, by Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant
Brave Girl, by Michelle Markel and Melissa Sweet
XO, OX, by Adam Rex and Scott Campbell
The Knight Who Said “NO!”, by Lucy Rowland and Kate Hindley
Have You Seen my Trumpet? by Michaël Escoffier and Kris Di Giacomo
Keat’s Neighborhood: An Ezra Jack Keats Treasury, by Ezra Jack Keats
The Whatifs, by Emily Kilgore and Zoe Perisco
A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin, by Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet
Sleep Tight, Charlie, by Michaël Escoffier and Kris Di Giacomo
My latest book is finally out LITE: THE HIGH TREASON INCIDENT, witten by A. G. Roberts and illustrated by Alicia Schwab. This middle-grade fantasy is available, May 10th, 2022.
I’M GIVING AWAY ONE FREE SIGNED-COPY. To enter, all you have to do is sign up for my monthly newsletter.
PURCHASE LINKS: AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, & ITASCA BOOKS.
Check out my book trailer!
Merion is a young mouse who has worked hard to overcome her physical disability and earn her place as a messenger for the Royal Message Service of her country, Lyleechee. When she stumbles upon a plan of high treason, however, her life is upended. In this crisis the intelligence agency LITE is reestablished by Xander Shadow and Merion is recruited to the newly formed LITE Academy as an agent in training. Before she finishes, she will be called upon to use her cunning, courage, and daring to help foil the plot to take over Lyleechee.
THE SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR KIDS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS (AND THEIR PARENTS), by Elizabeth Verdick and Elizabeth Reeve, M.D.
More children’s books about AUTISM!
Books about mighty Autistic girls…
Well, what is Autism? Good question. “It is estimated that one in 68 children are now diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum disorder. And yet, this diagnosis remains as misunderstood as ever.” Autism is called a “spectrum disorder” because it “actually covers a wide scope of complex disorders in brain development.” No two people with autism spectrum disorder are alike. Think of it like an “original recipe” containing similar ingredients, each with different measurements and some ommissions. People with Autism may require different amounts of support, Level 1 up through Level 3 for their daily activities.
Kids with complex spectrum disorders are referred to as “neurodivergent” because their brains are different. Many famous folks have this difference. Being different can be a superpower if you figure out how to harness it.
DIFFERENT: A GREAT THING TO BE! by Heather Avis and Sarah Mensinga
There is a lot of resources and information about Autism. Here are a few:
https://iacc.hhs.gov/meetings/autism-awareness-month/2022/
https://www.pacer.org
https://ausm.org
https://islandsofbrilliance.org
Laugh and Learn books (for all kids)
Most kids learn the social rules by playing and interacting with peers and adults. A lot of this is through “non-verbal” language. But if you can’t read the room, learning what to do and not to do out may not be straightforward.
Some people on the spectrum are unable to talk. While others can talk but may struggle with the certain aspects of holding a conversation.
HOW ARE YOU PEELING?: FOOD WITH MOODS, by Saxton Freeman and Joost Elffers. This book of photos delights in the unusual shapes our food comes in that remind us of people.
Humans are also wired to see faces and understand the emotion from that face by the expression. But for many kids on the spectrum it is harder to process “non-verbal” communication, such as:
Facial expressions
Body movement and posture. ...
Gestures. ...
Eye contact. ...
Touch. ...
Space. ...
Voice. ...
Pay attention to inconsistencies.
Humans don’t only communicate with speech, a lot of information is conveyed through the non-verbal cues listed above. Imagine two people having a conversation, in addition to the verbal language being shared the non-verbal (NV) cues travel back and forth on conveyor belts between them. However, for one individual the conveyor belt is moving faster than they can process the non-verbal (NV) information. The non-verbal communication falls off the belt into the abyss. This individual loses a large part of the conversation’s meaning.
DICTIONARY OF IDIOMS, by Marvin Terban
And finally, did you know idioms appear in every language? However, some people on the spectrum may be quite literal, making learning idioms a challenge. For someone who is very literal this can open a can of worms because the whole group of words taken together can often have little to do with the words taken one by one.
Another fun look at the minefield of the English language is the fiction series of Amelia Bedelia books.
This concludes this brief overview about Autism and SEL. You can find more information, products, and books here.
The theme this week is “journey”, as all these books are about journeys. It’s the end of March and some schools are on spring break. Alas, the only trips we currently have lined up are through stories. Imagine taking a trip like these, if you dare.
POP!, by Jason Carter Eaton and Matt Rockefeller
LITTLE POLAR BEAR WHERE ARE YOU GOING?, by Hans de Beer
GOT TO GET TO BEAR’S!, by Brian Lies
WE’RE IN THE WRONG BOOK, by Richard Byrne
It’s March and I’m reading for research. Look at the #libraryloot I’ve been hauling to the studio! The theme this week is “limited”. Look at what beautiful art these illustrators made with very few colors, a.k.a limited palette!
DU IZ TAK?, by Carson Ellis
HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH A GHOST, by Rebecca Green
POMPON, by Geraldine Eischner; illustrated by Joanna Boillot
MARY WHO WROTE FRANKENSTEIN, by Linda Bailey; illustrated by Júlia Sardà
The Journey
“What is it like to leave everything behind and travel many miles to somewhere unfamiliar and strange?”—Francesca Sanna.
My heart goes out to all those fleeing war and persecution around the world.
GITTEL’S JOURNEY: AN ELLIS ISLAND STORY, Lesléa Newman / Amy June Bates.
Gittel is suppose to journey to America with her mother but when her mother is prevented from traveling, Gittel must embark on the trip alone.
SEA PRAYER, Khaled Hosseini / Dan Williams. This book was inspired by Alan Kurdi, the three-year-old Syrian refugee who drowned at sea while fleeing his war-torn homeland in 2015. All proceeds from the book go to the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and to the Khaled Hosseini Foundation to help fund life-saving relief efforts for refugees around the world.
THE JOURNEY, Francesca Sanna. In 2014, Sanna collected stories about the incredible strength of the people who undertook those journeys. Those stories are combined into a journey of a mother and her two children; one filled fear, and also of great hope.
The theme this week is: “imagination”. It’s March and I’m still reading for research. Look at the #libraryloot I’ve been hauling to the studio! Check out these books from your local library or at the links below.
FLASHLIGHT NIGHT, Matt Forrest Esenwine; illustrated by Fred Koehler
FRIENDS FOREVER, by Roald Kaldestad and Bjørn Rune Lie
NED THE KNITTING PIRATE, by Diane Murray; illustrated by Leslie Lammle
UNCORKER OF OCEAN BOTTLES, by Michelle Cuevas; illustrated by Erin E. Stead
Theme: Wordless Picture Books
Take a look at these three beautiful books created without words. I found these stories easy to follow and moving. I’m reading #libraryloot for research. Can you guess which one of these books has an environmental message?
OVER THE SHOP, by JonArno Lawson; illustrated by Qin Leng. This book is about community and how renting out the rundown apartment transforms a city block.
THE FISHERMAN & THE WHALE, by Jessica Lanan. This book highlights a global problem, “according to World Wildlife Fund, over 300,000 whales dolphins and porpoises die each year after becoming entangled in commercial fishing nets.”
FLY!, by Mark Teague. This book is almost wordless and is about a little robin who doesn’t want to leave the nest.
Did you know some dinosaurs had feathers? And did you know pine trees and pine cones grew when dinosaurs roamed the earth?
I’m reading for research. Look at the #libraryloot I’ve been hauling to the studio!
DINOSAUR FEATHERS, by Dennis Nolan
FEATHERED DINOSAURS, by Brenda Z. Guiberson; illustrated by William Low
DINOSAURS WITH FEATHERS: THE ANCESTORS OF MODERN BIRDS, by Caroline Arnold; illustrated by Laurie Caple
ORQ. (HE SAYS “UGH!”), by David Elliot; illustrated by Lori Nichols
SCALY SPOTTED FEATHERED FRILLED by Catherine Thimmesh
NEFTY AND THE FEATHERED DINOSAURS, by Joe Lillington
The theme this week is funny and sweet animals!
I’m reading for research. #ReFoReMo (reading for research month) isn’t until March, but look at the #libraryloot I’ve been hauling to the studio!
BEFORE I LEAVE, by Jessixa Bagley
BAABWAA & WOOLIAM, by David Elliot and Melissa Sweet
SLEEP TIGHT CHARLIE, by Michael Escoffier and Kris Di Giacomo.
CHIMPANZEES FOR TEA, by Jo Empson
HOLEY MOLEY, by Lois Ehlert
DINOASAURS LOVE UNDERPANTS, by Claire Freeman and Ben Cort
The theme this week is: “making mistakes and trying to do better”.
I’m reading for research. Look at the #libraryloot I’ve been hauling to the studio!
The theme this week is “reimagining”.
The Prince and the Porker by Peter Bently and illustrated by David Roberts. “This hilarious reimagining of Mark Twain”s classic The Prince and the Pauper is laugh-out-loud funny…!”
I’m reading for research. Look at the #libraryloot I’ve been hauling to the studio!
Under The Great Plum Tree, by Sufiya Ahmed (Author), Reza Dalvand (Illustrator) “The story of the monkey and the crocodile is a fable from the Panchatantra, an ancient Indian collection of animal fables dated to 300 BCE.”
Well, I certainly have a lot of reading to do ahead of me! Here are links to some best of book lists of 2021.
The New York Times list: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/12/books/review/best-illustrated-childrens-books.html
The Bank Street Center for Children’s Literature Best Books of 2021 edition: https://educate.bankstreet.edu/ccl/15/?_ga=2.267852936.767423651.1638732334-1183868386.1638732334
Amazon’s “The Bump” list: https://www.thebump.com/news/amazon-top-childrens-books
Tiny Beans List: https://tinybeans.com/best-childrens-books-2021/slide/2
New York Public Library List: https://www.nypl.org/books-more/recommendations/best-books/kids
The Washington Post list: https://www.washingtonpost.com/kidspost/2021/11/17/best-childrens-books-2021/
NPR List: https://www.npr.org/2020/08/31/905804301/welcome-to-story-hour-100-favorite-books-for-young-readers
Parents Magazine list: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/parents-names-the-best-childrens-books-of-2021-301416713.html
https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2021/12/26/the-2021-nerdies-fiction-picture-books-announced-by-john-schu/
Here is a link to librarians, Betsy Bird @fuseeight and Brian Wilson’s picks for their favorite books of 2021. Betsy and Brian work at the Evanston Public Libraries in Evanston, IL. Betsy also produces the A Fuse #8 Production blog for the School Library Journal.
https://www.epl.org/booklist/2021-favorite-picture-books-presentation-titles-from-betsy-and-brian/
My favorite from the list, so far is, MY FIRST DAY by Phúng Nguyên Quang and Huỳnh Kim Liên. I love the sweeping landscape views. Huỳnh Kim Liên loves painting environments as much as I do. I love how the water is portrayed as a character in the book. Beautiful!
I’m reading for research. Look at the #libraryloot I’ve been hauling to the studio!
One Trick Pony, by Nathan Hale
Look Out, Leonard, by Jessie James and Tamara Anegon
Mr Brown’s Bad Day, by Lou Peacock and Alison Friend
I Will Not Eat You, by Adam Lehraupt and Scott Magoon
Dinosaurs Don’t Have Bedtimes! Timothy Knapman and Nikki Dyson
Dogosaurus Rex, by Anna Staniszewski and Kevin Hawkes
My Big Dumb Invisible Dragon, Angie Lucas and Brigitta Sif
Got To Get To Bear’s! by Brian Lies
That’s Not a Hippopotamus! By Juliette MacIver and Sarah Davis
If Kids Ruled The World, by Linda Bailey and David Huyck
Begin With A Bee, by Liza Ketchum, Jacqueline Briggs Martin, Phyllis Root, and Claudia McGehee