Book Love: We're Different, We're the Same

Title: We're Different, We're the Same 

And We're All Wonderful!

Author: Bobbi Kates

Illustrator: Joe Mathieu

Why I Love This Book:  I just love the simple and fun way this book addresses the topic of how individuals are similar and different using familiar characters from Sesame Street. I especially love the overall message of the story, that is that we are all wonderful and can all belong even with our similarities and differences. What an important message for young students to learn as they broaden their circle of peer friends and acquaintances by going to school.  

Book Love: The Pout-Pout Fish

Title: The Pout-Pout Fish

Author: Deborah Diesen

Illustrator: Dan Hanna

Why I Love This Book: You just never know when this delightful book will come in handy. There are so many topics you could address using this book, and I recently used it to talk about how to change your attitude from one of "dreary-wearies" to "cheery-cheeries."  The rhythmic, rhyming text combined with humorous and creative illustrations makes for a great read-aloud. I especially love how the illustrations depict the Pout-Pout Fish's moments of, well...pouting. The surprise ending is sure to cheer up any kid who's feeling a little down-in-the-dumps, and leave every listener with a smile on their face. 

Book Love: I'm as Quick as a Cricket

*Back to School Book Love*

Title: I'm as Quick as a Cricket

Author: Audrey Wood

Illustrator: Don Wood

Why I Love This Book: This is another great book for exploring individuality and self esteem. Depending on the day, we can be so many different things: "tough as a rhino," "lazy as a lizard," or "busy as a bee." But the important message of this story is that when you put all of those things together, it makes up who we are and that is something to celebrate. I especially love the beautiful and imaginative illustrations that bring each of these ideas to life. The simple, rhyming text is accessible for young toddlers and preschool aged children, while still very meaningful and engaging for Kindergarten aged students as well. 

Book Love: Mouse Mess

Title: Mouse Mess

Author: Linnea Riley

Why I Love This Book: This simple, rhyming text is especially great for preschool aged kids, and can be used to explore concepts of nutrition, cleaning up, and perspective. The bright and colorful illustrations are delightful, and depict a variety of foods that children can make connections to. including crackers, corn flakes and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It could also be a fun way to introduce vocabulary words for foods that might not be common to English-language learning students. 

Book Love: The Seven Silly Eaters

Title: The Seven Silly Eaters

Author: Mary Ann Hoberman

Illustrator: Marla Frazee

Why I Love This Book: This book was a favorite around my house when I was growing up, and maybe that's why I love it. But I also love the fun rhyming text, the creatively detailed illustrations, and the concept behind the story. It seems like kids tend to be pretty picky about what they eat, and the family in this story is full of picky kids. In the end though, all the kids decide to work together and put their preferences to good use by making their Mom a culinary surprise. This is just a fun (and silly) story that could be great to touch on themes of family or nutrition. It could also be used alongside a baking activity...but you'll have to read the book to find out exactly what to bake. :)