Book Love: Snow

Title: Snow

Author: Uri Shulevitz

Why I Love This Book: You don't always know when a few snowflakes are going to turn into a snowstorm big enough to cover the world with white, and that is part of the magic of this story. This book touches on the sometimes unpredictability of weather, as well as the simple delight that can be found in a good snowstorm. I especially love how the illustrations depict how the world changes as the snow falls. This is a great backdrop for talking about snow and winter, in addition to conveying the emotions that such changes in the weather can bring. 

Book Love: The Lion and the Mouse

Title: The Lion and the Mouse

Author and Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney

Why I Love this Book: This book is essentially wordless, as the story is told through the incredibly beautiful illustrations. A book like this can be used with children who are just developing their literacy skills, as well as fluent readers, as wordless picture books can be a valuable way to work with concept of print, comprehension, story sequencing, and more. This book is a great way to experience this classic fable through illustrations that capture the life and emotion of the story. 

Book Love: What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?

Title: What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?

Author: Robin Page

Illustrator: Steve Jenkins

Why I Love This Book: First of all, some author/illustrator love for Steve Jenkins. His books are always full of amazing illustrations, creative text, and great information about animals and associated science concepts. This is one of my favorites. It explores the different functions of animal parts, such as eyes, tails, feet, and mouths. I even learned some new things the first time I read it! The presentation of these concepts makes it really fun for kids, as they can engage in guessing the animals based on pictures of only their tails or noses. The science content is simple enough that it could work well for Kindergarten and First Graders, although the the ideas and pictures could make for great conversations at any age. There is also a section in the back with  more detailed information about each animal that would be great for more advanced thinkers within or above those age groups.  A very fun, informational book!