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.