Book Review: Sugar Cookies: Sweet Little Lessons on Love

Author: Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustrated by Jane Dyer and Brooke Dyer
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From The Book Jacket: The delectable follow-up to the bestselling Cookies and Christmas Cookies defines words that are associated with love. From letting your friend have the last cookie (selfless) to waiting to lick the bowl together (considerate), here is a book for anyone who wants to say I love you. Meanings are illuminated in this different kind of dictionary, which is every bit as heartwarming as the experience of baking cookies with someone you love.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: My hope is that we get this whole series in our school library. They are wonderful. If you are interested in teaching more character education, more values, or just simply working on increasing kindness in your children - then get these great books and start using the words from them in your daily vocabulary. I bought this one especially for my daughter but will also use it in the classroom. These types of books get me excited to help kids become such kind little souls. There's also a recipe for Sugar Cookies on the back page.


Character Words Covered:
Endearment
Considerate
Heartfelt
Compassionate
Admire
Forgive
Supportive
Tenderness
Adore
Expansive Love
Constructive
Unconditionally
Unrequited
Requited
Connected
Heartbroken
True Love
Selfless
Bliss
Cherish
Protect

Browse Inside Sugar Cookies Here:


A Link to the Series:

Book Review: The Rainbow Book

By Kate Ohrt
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

A Note From the Publisher: Not only do rainbows reveal the path to an ever elusive pot of gold, but they also reveal colors of emotion. In The Rainbow Book, Kate Ohrt sheds light on the relationship between colors and the emotions they might inspire. 

Each page reveals an intricate paper-cut design in a single color, which is set off by an intense black background. Colors are paired with corresponding emotions, such as, "When I feel RED, I am fiery and bold." The Rainbow Book culminates with a bright, foldout rainbow that brings together all the colors and emotions in one beautiful display. 

The Rainbow Book is a great way for children to practice color identification, to discover the emotions associated with various colors of the rainbow, and is sure to bring a smile to the faces of all who come across its colorful cutouts and sincere moments. 
 
Why It's On My Bookshelf: Love love books on feelings! I used this book in a lunch group with 4-5th grade girls this year. They were having a lot of difficulties telling each other how they feel in a healthy manner. Lots of behind the back and under the table communication was happening. So at our second lunch group, I had this book sitting in the middle of the table. One of the girls picked up and said - "Oh wow, this is really cool." Each page has a snowflake like cut out so it's really eye catching and different.

The last page is a fold out of all the colors put together in a rainbow of feelings. It was the starter to our conversation. My goal was really to validate all of their emotions because I know as 4th and 5th grade girls they are also beginning to mature and trying to figure out how to manage all of these feelings. But sometimes those emotions can come out sideways and really hurt one another. We agreed the lunch group would be a safe place where we would resolve those hurts and communicate in a way that builds each other up.

This gave the girls an idea to make their own feelings cut outs. They got started immediately! I don't have a photo of the end result which was a rainbow bulletin board in my office. The girls even made a feelings chart next to the rainbow. THIS WAS ALL THEIR IDEA. Sorry I don't have a final photo, I'm going to blame it on the end of the school year being nuts. But here are some examples of their cut outs. They worked MANY lunches as a group to make the rainbow. I also noticed when we talked about all of the issues that can cause an emotional reaction - the girls were starting to have more empathy for each other.

                         Oops on the blurred image and my husband's slippers in the corner.
                                            This is what working from home looks like.

Don't be afraid to use feelings books. If you get creative with an art project it will make a big difference in teaching the skills kids need in the area of emotional intelligence. I have a feeling the girls will always remember this book.


A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:



Book Review: Tallulah's Tutu

Author: Marilyn Singer
Illustrated by Alexandra Boiger
Interest Level: Ages 4-8
From the Publisher: Activity Kit

From the Book Jacket: Tallulah just knew she could be a great ballerina, if only she had a tutu. So she starts ballet class. But she does NOT get a tutu! Is it still somewhere in Paris? Did the delivery truck break down in New Jersey? Will she EVER get her tutu? Or could it be that ballet is about more than what you wear?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: By the look of the cover it might appear this is a book for little girls. But it was just as appealing to the boy students when I read it because of the universal message. This is a great story about learning and understanding patience. It's also about having to put in hard work to earn something. For Tallulah, she must practice ballet and work for her tutu even though she thinks she deserves it NOW. We live in a society where a lot of kids want and sometimes even demand immediate rewards. It was refreshing to talk about how we shouldn't focus on what we get but what we are gaining on the inside from being dedicated and committed to something. Reading books about patience is a great way to familiarize children with this value.

A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:

Beautiful Oops

Oh wowee! Watch this book trailer for Beautiful Oops written by Barney Saltzberg. I work with a teacher who tells her students, "Mistakes are opportunities for learning." She would love this book. It's going on my wish list for sure.



A Link to This Book:

Book Review: Wiener Wolf

Author/Illustrator: Jeff Crosby

Interest Level: Ages 4-9

From the Book Jacket: Wiener dog has a cushy life - an arm lap, plenty of chew toys and treats, and all the TV he can watch. But there's something missing. And Wiener Dog must strike out on his own to find it. Even if it means shedding his cozy sweater. Even if it means leaving Granny behind. But is being a lone Wiener Wolf all it's cracked up to be?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I saw this book last week at Barnes and Noble and when I went out to the parking lot I KNEW I needed it. You see I am always telling (preaching) to our students the importance of finding a friend you can be your self around. The type of friend where you don't have to change who you are or throw out your values. You know it's the right friend fit when you feel good about how you're acting and feeling. Enter WIENER WOLF!!!!!

Oh gosh, I loved this story. Wiener dog wants to run with the wolves and become their buddies. But he comes to realize it's just not working out trying to be friends with the wild wolves. Their behavior is not a good fit for him. He has to be true to himself and go back home. This is the part of the story where I always like to ask the kids, "Have you ever had that feeling? Like something doesn't feel right in your heart? That you are going against what you know is right?" Wiener Wolf is going to help me deliver this message. Friendship is a yearlong journey for kids so I am always sneaking in great books to help be a support.  

Wiener dog meets the wolves......



Wiener dog goes home and meets friends who are more his fit......

So obviously I went back and purchased Wiener Wolf. I love adding NEW ones to my shelf for the fall. The students will love the story and message in this one. It's simple and the illustrations are so well done the kids are not going to want me to turn the pages too fast. Also, how can you not love a book about a wiener dog!?

A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:

Book Review: Willoughby and The Lion

Author/Illustrator: Greg Foley
Interest Level: Ages 6-8

From the Book Jacket: This is the story of Willoughby, whose new house feels too small and very lonely. It's also the story of an enchanted lion and spectacular wishes come true: of roller coasters, and fast, fast shoes, and enormous crowds of people. But most of all, it's the story of one important question: What is the most wonderful thing of all?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: A teacher at my school shared this really special story with me. Willoughby is a lonely boy who meets a lion who is able to grant him wishes....so he starts wishing for material things which are all granted. I know....you are already loving this book since we are surrounded by material mania. And how many times have you gone out shopping to fill a void? Guilty. Sharing this message with kids is a must...the internal vs external needs. In the end the boy is faced with a decision where he must choose between the two. If we choose the external stuff then we miss out on the really important things in life. I really enjoyed explaining this and giving real life examples to kids. What's really more important? A toy? Or how we make each other feel and what we can do to help one another? You'll love this book. I'd love to see more with this message.


PS. Make sure to ask the kids to guess what they think the gold coin says in the end of the story.


A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:

Review: The Naughty Corner

The Naughty Corner

Written and Illustrated by Colin Thompson

Publication date: 2011
Publisher: Hachette Australia
ISBN: 978-0-7336-1991-5


Summary/Back cover:
There are times in everyone's life when we get sent to the Naughty Corner. Sometimes we deserve it. Sometimes we don't.

The Naughty Corner and its famous cousin the Naughty Step* are supposed to be quiet places where we can sit and think about why we were sent there. Then we will see the error of our ways and return to the world as better and wiser people.

Or not.

*This book was going to be called The Naughty Step, but there's no upstairs in the house where this family lives.


Review:

I really don't know what to make of this book.  The basic storyline is that of a family who are all sent to the naughty corner for various bad behaviours - all except the Mum, who does the sending, and is seen as the boring old fuddy-duddy of the family who wouldn't know fun if it tripped over her.  The moral of the story turns out to be that the naughty corner is a fun place to be, and we should all go there more often, it seems.

With such a moral, I find it difficult to classify who this book is supposed to be for.  It is marketed towards preschoolers - but the language is not really preschoolery ("It's only one of a collection of rude words he uses whenever he can" as an example), nor is the moral a great one to be telling our preschoolers, who we know push the boundaries as it is, without us specifically teaching them that the naughty corner is actually quite a fun place to be.  It's not suitable for slightly older children, as they'll pick up on the "saying rude words gets me sent to a fun place" theme and the "Mum is boring and wrong" theme.  Yet it's not tongue-in-cheek enough to be an adults-version of a child's book.

That said - the illustrations are lovely for the most part (I'm quite disturbed by one picture, which has the 2 year old in the book carrying an axe into the naughty corner, as something to add to the "stuff they took there to stop themselves getting bored"), and my 2.5 year old has requested the book time and time again.  He doesn't understand the storyline yet, and was more interested in waiting for the bird to appear.

It's definitely not a book I'd recommend - call me boring and uptight, but the storyline is a bit odd, and not really one I want my children to start thinking too hard about.  

My rating: 1.5 out of 5 - I'm sure it has its place in some bookshelves, I just don't think it's my one, nor do I particularly know whose it is!


However, if you think it does belong on your bookshelf, you can purchase a copy here at Fishpond.

Review written by Bronwyn

Review: Pants

Pants

Written by Giles Andreae

Illustrated by Nick Sharratt

Publication date: 2002

Publisher: David Fickling Books

ISBN: 978-0-385-61039-1

Summary/Back cover:

Before you know it, this book will have you singing and dancing and waving your knickers in the air! It’s a celebration of PANTS – for everyone who wears them… and everyone who doesn’t!

Review:

Both my 2.5 year old and my 10 month old adore this book!  Being another Giles Andreae book, I was immediately drawn to it, and although it has his Purple Ronnie style humour in it, the style of writing is more like Dr Seuss’ Foot Book – example: 

Small pants, big pants, giant frilly pig pants

New pants, blue pants, one, two, three

Rich pants, poor pants, swinging on the door pants

How many more pants can you see?

- Pants, by Giles Andreae

Small feet, big feet, Here come pig feet.

His feet, her feet, Fuzzy fur feet

In the house and on the street,

how many, many feet you meet.

- The Foot Book, by Dr Seuss

This doesn't detract from the book at all - it just keeps making me think we're reading Dr Seuss, rather than Andreae!  This particular version of the book we have is a cardboard book, so my 2.5 year old has taken it to bed with him on several evening, and it’s lasted the test of time!  Gorgeous pictures, funny due to the content (underwear!), and great rhymes.

My rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review written by Bronwyn

Review: Willie Wants to Wee-Wee!

Willie Wants to Wee-Wee!

Written and Illustrated by Murray Ball

Publication date: 2004
Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN: 1-86943-671-7


Summary/Back cover:

When Willie woke up he knew what he wanted to do… and it was URGENT!

Murray Ball introduces a new character to fall in love with – Willie, a small boy with a big problem.

Review:

I'd heard about this book before we started toilet training, but completely forgot about it until we saw it in the library one day.  And what a find!  Written by the creator of Footrot Flats, this book has Balls' typical drawing style in it, combined with a rhyming story about a little boy (Willie) who needs to find the right place to do a wee-wee.  My 2.5 year old had great laughs when Willie was deciding if peeing up the wall was the right place, and cheered when he found the toilet!

This is not only a fantastic toilet training book, but it's also a funny book written by one of our beloved New Zealand cartoonists - and who among us doesn't like to support NZ writers and illustrators?!

My rating 4.5 out of 5 - definitely worth a read or three.

Review written by Bronwyn

Review: Morris the Mankiest Moster

Morris the Mankiest Monster

Written by Giles Andreae

Illustrated by Sarah McIntyre

Publication date: 2009
Publisher: David Fickling Books
ISBN: 978-0-385-61511-2

Summary/Back cover:

It’s years since he changed his t-shirt

It’s crusty and crawling with ants  

His shoes are all slurpy and squelchy inside

and potatoes grow out of his pants.

Morris is sweet, charming and… completely disgusting! Kids will love him. Are you brave enough to open the most revolting children’s book of the year?

Review:

The back cover says it all, really - this is a completely disgusting book, that we all absolutely adored!!  It's a definite boys' book, and it captured my 2.5 year old's imagination, and had my husband laughing out loud!

With Giles Andreae's familiar rhyming storyline and beautiful illustrations by Sarah McIntyre (I haven't met any of her drawings before - will have to hunt out more now), this book is a guaranteed winner with boys.  I can imagine this one being popular with kindy and early-school aged boys - you know, those ones that take a slug to show-and-tell, and come home covered in mud.  

My rating: 4.3 out of 5 - it's everything the back cover promised it to be!

Review written by Bronwyn

Review: The Two of Us - Bono & Suma

The Two of Us - Bono & Suma

Photography by Neil McLeod

Text by Denise Burt

Publication date: 1979
Publisher: Childerset Pty. Ltd

ISBN: 0-909404-63-1

Gorgeous photo book starring Bono and Suma, twin Orang-utans born in captivity at the Royal Melbourne Zoo.  While it reads more like the captions on a Facebook photo album, the pair are so cute and cheeky that you'll be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't adore them or this book. 

I find it a refreshing change from drawn pictures and it is a nice and easy read with just one sentence per photo.  And did I mention how cute they are?!

4/5

Review written by QTCass

Review: The Penguin Who Wanted to Fly

The Penguin Who Wanted to Fly

Written and Illustrated by Catherine Vase

Publication date: 2005
Publisher: Scholastic

ISBN: 0-439-84244-1

Flip-Flop is a little penguin with a big dream.  He wants to fly!  But even his snow plane can't give him wings.  Then he discovers that wishes can come true - sometimes in an unexpected way.

Penguins by nature a flightless, but that doesn't stop Flip-Flop from trying to fly.  After a few humourous attempts and help from his friend Polar Bear, Flip-Flop discovers that swimming is like flying and is something within his abilities.

Cute illustrations with scattered onomatopoeia makes for an interesting and fun read.

3.5/5

Review written by QTCass

Review: It's a Perfect Night

It's a Perfect Night

Written and Illustrated by Abigail Pizer

Publication date: 1995
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

ISBN: 0-333-63755

As the sun sets behind the woods...

the night animals begin to stir.

With sounds and pictures, you can follow them through their perfect night.

Currently a favourite for our nealy-two year old, we follow the different animals through their night time activities.  Every new animal is introduced with a noise and the list is repeated to allow the listener to join in and identify the animal and make the noise.  This interaction is what our son loves and being able to identify the different animals as well, the cat being his particular favourite. 

I assume this is a British book, with British animals so I have made the nightjar a generic bird when reading.  There are other animals that kiwi kids may not be familiar with (shrews, minks) but it's all about expanding their horizons. 

3.5/5

Review written by QTCass

Review: Cars and Trucks and Things That Go

Cars and Trucks and Things That Go
Written and Illustrated by Richard Scarry

Publication date: 2010 (originally published 1974)
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 978-0-00-735738-3

Blurb:
This children's classic is bursting with all kinds of fun vehicles from the magical world of Richard Scarry.
From tractors to trucks, sports cars to unicycles, and fire engines to mouse beach buggies, there's lots to see and talk about on every page.

Review:
Both my husband and I have fond memories of Richard Scarry books as kids and he bought this one for our son. It has been a huge hit. The story line is basic, it's not great literature but the illustrations make it one of the most read and most discussed book in our house. The first time we read it, we read the story and looked at the pictures. The next twenty times we read the book it was to find Goldbug who hides on each page. Now we are onto discussing which cars we like or want. They get assigned to family members and he loves reading the book when he wakes up in the morning as it is so visual. 

I would recommend it for 2 years and up as it may be too busy for younger children. I can see this book being a favourite for a good few years yet.


Review written by LatteJunkie

Review: I Know a Rhino

I Know a Rhino

Written and Illustrated Charles Fuge

Publication date: 2005
Publisher: Koala Books

ISBN: 0-86461-388-1

Have you ever sipped tea with Rhino, blown bubbles in the bath with Giraffe or had messy mud fights with Pig?  Join in with the fun and let your imagination run wild!

A loveable animal adventure for the youngest reader, celebrating children's creative play!

Rhyming text and super cute illustrations combine to make a fast, easy read that can be enjoyed by the reader and listener both.  The little girl in the book is adorable - from the upturned cuffs on her jeans to her fairy costume complete with mary-janes and socks, there is something sweetly familiar about her.  All of her creature companions have a different role in her imaginative play and I love how the giraffe page is in portrait layout to accommodate it's long neck.  The end of the book sees our little darling asleep with all her playmates, they are her stuffed toys.  It really is all about how she let her imagination run wild.

4.5/5

Review written by QTCass

Review: Daniel's Dinosaur

Daniel's Dinosaurs

Written by Mary Carmine

Illustrated by Martin Baynton

Publication date: 1997

Publisher: Scholastic New Zealand Limited
ISBN: 1-86943-328-9

Daniel loved dinosaurs.  And everywhere he went, he imagined he saw them.  Until one day, his mother took him to visit the aquarium...

Like Daniel, my little one looooves dinosaurs.  This book greatly appeals as for the majority of the book there are dinosaurs all over it - Daniel even imagines people as dinosaurs.  He lives next door to two Plateosaurs.  His teacher is a Diplodocus but sometimes she is a Tyrannosaurus.  But when Daniel's mum takes him to the aquarium, he develops a new obsession with fish and sea-life, which just so happens to be another love of my little dude (and if there were bus riding sea creatures with a dino driving this really would be the perfect book for him).  Great illustrations and easy reading text, this book is a great any time read.  Has the added benefit of a glossary of the dinosaurs mentioned at the back.

4/5

Review written by QTCass

Book Review: Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully

Author: Audrey Penn

Illustrated by Barbara L Bigson

Interest Level: Ages 4-8

Publisher: Tanglewood Press

Lesson Plan: Get Rid of the Bully!

Download the free poster here

From the Book Jacket: Chester Raccoon is faced with a common problem to school children - a bully! When a badger causes problems for all the young animals at school, Mrs. Raccoon brings her usual insight and understanding to the problem. She tells Chester and his friends a story of how, in another forest, a pointy blue stone that could hurt tender paws was turned into a smooth pebble with the help of the animals who lived there. Chester and his friends understand the message and join together to help the bully change. When they ask the badger to play, they are surprised how well Mrs. Raccoon's strategy works!

This sweet story illustrates many lessons: that many child bullies are themselves unhappy and that sometimes the best way to get rid of an enemy is to make him or her a friend. Chester and his friends provide readers with a good example of settling differences by peaceful means.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This book was published a few years ago and I had read it and just really couldn't figure out how I wanted to use it with the kids at the time. Just because a book title has the word Bully in it - doesn't always make it a perfect resource. Fast forward to the end of this last school year and a first grade teacher (who has a major love of bibliotherapy also) approached me with it. She had read it to her class and it was a major hit because of the wonderful spin she put on it. So I was sold. Here's what I've gotten out of it.....

There's another teacher in my building who often says to her students, "What is the kind thing to do?" She'll use this question when dealing with problem solving or bullying situations. LOVE THAT. It absolutely reminded me of Mrs. Raccoon's strategy. So I've started using it too. We do have steps our students are asked to use when dealing with bullying but I just have to say ....there's nothing wrong with also using a kindness strategy. Some kids really respond to this. I really love the responses when I ask this question.

Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully is also a good empathy builder. Mrs. Raccoon tells a story about finding a sharp prickly stone. We used the metaphor of the stone to talk about how it reminds us of bullying behavior. Wow - the kids really responded to this. We drew a picture of it on the board and discussed ways to help the kids who are using bullying behavior and how to help smooth their tough ways out.

My main message to the students was there is nothing wrong with trying to reach out to someone. It's tempting to be mean back to someone but maybe instead of hurting someone in the moment, we could help them. It may not work everytime but it's sure worth a try.

Before I forget....the Kissing Hand puppet is available at amazon but much cheaper on the publisher's website. It's darling.

A Link To This Book and Others You Might Like:

Books On My Brain For Fall

Even though I've got a pile of books next to me still waiting for review this summer....I'm always tracking down the next newest and best thing for my bookshelf. So here's what I've got my eye on for fall. I definitely see each and everyone of these as great social/emotional helpers to kids.


Perfect Square by Michael Hall
A perfect square is transformed in this adventure story that will transport you far beyond the four equal sides of this square book. Click on this YouTube preview to see why I love it so much. Lots of possibilities with this one.


The Hole in the Middle by Paul Budnitz
No wonder Morgan has always felt a little empty inside. He was born with a hole in the middle! His best friend Yumi has lots of ideas for making Morgan whole, but nothing works. Then one day Yumi gets sick, and can't come out to play. Little by little, as Morgan bakes cake for Yumi and brings her flowers, the hole in his middle gets smaller... until it's nearly the same size as a belly button! This simple, whimsical story gently reminds us that our own problems sometimes go away when we focus on our friends.

The Basket Ball by Esme Raji Codell
Lulu prefers playing basketball to playing with dolls. So when the boys won’t let her join their school-yard team, she decides to host a Basket Ball—where ball gowns are traded in for sequined basketball jerseys and high-top heels! Girls travel from all over the world to attend the ball, shooting hoops, showing off their skills, and forming a league of their own.

Melvin and the Boy by Lauren Castillo
When a little boy sees a turtle basking in the sun at the park, he thinks he’s found the perfect pet. But when they get home, the boy soon discovers that the only time the turtle comes out of his shell is at bath time. Is it possible that the turtle would be happiest back in the pond? After all, it’s always bath time there! Lauren Castillo's beautiful art gives this gentle story about finding the right pet--and, in the end, doing what's right for that pet—a timeless, classic feel.

Cork and Fuzz by Dori Chaconas
Cork is a muskrat. Fuzz is a possum. From their first meeting in a hollow log to playing pin-the-tail-on-the-turtle, from collecting rocks to dodging falling pinecones, Cork and Fuzz are always up to something unusual. The gentle humor and simple story will entertain beginning readers, while warm, expressive illustrations add just the right amount of visual cues to help them along.


The Big Wish by Carolyn Conahan
A yard full of dandelions, one small girl who believes in the power of a wish, and a world record, just waiting to be made!




A Mango in the Hand: A Story Told Through Proverbs
Francisco is finally old enough to journey to the mango grove all by himself to gather the mangoes for a special dinner. But bees swarm the fruit, and Francisco has trouble picking them from the tree. He returns to his father several times, and each time his father shares a different proverb to inspire Francisco to continue trying. "Querer es poder. Where there's a will, there's a way!" Finally, Francisco is able to gather some mangoes, and on his way home he stops to visit his uncle, grandmother, and aunt. Francisco shares his mangoes with them, and by the time he gets home he no longer has any! "Es mejor dar que recibir. Sometimes it's better to give than to receive."

Polka-Dot Fixes Kindergarten by Catherine Urdahl
It's Polka-dot's first day of kindergarten and armed with her trusty fix-it kit, she's ready for anything. When she gets to school, though, everything goes wrong. The duct tape, runny soap, and dotted bandages aren't enough to fix her kindergarten catastrophes. And, when it comes to dealing with stripe-loving, mean-mouth Liz, Polka-dot finds herself in a fix. See how Polka-dot finds a way to mend her stormy relationship with Liz.

I See I Learn Series

Author: Stuart J Murphy
Website: I See I Learn
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Interest Level: Kindergarten/Preschool

Percy Gets Upset
Sometimes Percy gets upset. He scowls and stamps his feet. But when he learns to take a deep breath, count to ten, and talk about his feelings, he can calm down. When Percy's not upset, he can have fun again!

Percy Plays It Safe
When Percy plays at the park, he's a monster! Roaring and growling, he climbs up the slide, stomps in the sandbox, and jumps off the swing. Will he ever learn how to be a safe monster?




Freda Plans a Picnic
Freda's mom says that she can invite her friends to a picnic in her backyard. There is so much to do, from packing the picnic basket to cleaning up. Will Freda's plan be a success?





Freda Is Found
Freda is excited to be on a class field trip. But after she stops to look in a store window, she can't find her group.






Emma's Friendwich
Emma has just moved to a new city where she doesn't know anyone. When she sees a a girl her age next door, she wonders what she can do to get to know her. What if she smiles, asks to play, and shares her toys?




Camille's Team
Camille loves to build sand forts at the beach. But it's hard to build a big fort alone. Camille and her friends make a plan. They find that they can get more done--and have more fun--when they work together.




Write On, Carlos!
Carlos wants to write his name like some of his friends can. After he practices over and over again, Carlos is proud to show his friends what he can do.





Good Job, Ajay!
Ajay wants to throw a ball strait and far like his big sister, Meera. He tries, but he just can't do it. then his friends remind Ajay how he learned to do other things that seemed hard at the time.




Why They Are On My Bookshelf: Here's what this series covers: making friends, building confidence, playground safety, sequencing, cooperation, dealing with frustration, getting help when lost, and writing your name. These are some of the social/life issues our kids need to master. What better way to learn them then through a concrete series.

Growing up I remember my mom had a set of books similar to these. Granted it was the 70's so they might not have been so vividly illustrated with cool characters. But I read those books OVER and OVER again. They had an impact on me and I remember feeling like a little adult as I gained knowledge about important life skills. I'll be loaning these out to teachers and parents for sure next year. You might want a set of your own to sneak into book boxes in your classrooms. Oh, and of course I'll be reading them to my daughter!

Also, the author talks/previews each book on YouTube. I'm a huge fan of being able to peek at a book before I buy it. Here's a trailer of Emma's Friendwich:



If you check out the series website there are posters you can print out for each book as a teaching tool. It's under the link resources. LOVE!

Enjoy this new series!