This Archie and Reddie beginning reader uses simple language, humor, and a graphic novel format to keep emergent readers engaged and interested.Two fox friends are looking for their favorite hats for Hat Day. Archie can’t find the hat he wants to wear. After a series of humorous events, Archie realizes his favorite hat, the one that looks exactly like his head, has been on his head all the time. The series is sure to be a hit with fans of Mo Willem’s Elephant and Piggie.
Author Archives: Anne Hales
I See You See by Richard Jackson
Maisie’s mom asks her to walk the dog – and Jonah, her younger brother in a wheelchair asks to go along too. While Maisie struggles with the dog and pushing the wheelchair, Jonah’s imagination brings the walk alive. From a tree of cats and bell machine, to a popsicle garden and a sky slide, Jonah shares his joy. As the walk progresses, Maisie begins to see the world through a more imaginative lens, changing a chore into something filled with fun and laughter.
I See You See is a celebration of imagination and the bond between siblings.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Kid, by Drew Daywalt
While the title suggests the childhood song Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, the story is instead built around the nursery rhyme, Star Light, Star Bright. A young boy wishes on a star while at the same time a star is wishing on a little kid. Both are disappointed when their wishes don’t come true.Each wonder about the other’s wish. Did they wish for checkers? A tent? A frisbee? Walkie-talkies? Clyde cannot figure out what the star wished for. Finally both realize they each wished for a friend. Together they enjoy checkers, a tent, frisbee, and the walkie talkies; never having to worry about a lack of a friend again.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Kid is a sweet story with charming illustrations that would do well as a bedtime story, but lacks the humor and kid appeal of Daywalt’s other books.
Orca Rescue! : The True Story of an Orphaned Orca Named Springer by Donna Sandstrom
A engaging true story for young nature lovers. When a young orca is seen all alone near Vashon Island without any pods nearby, it got the attention of both orca enthusiasts and scientists. A baby orca will not survive without a family to protect and teach it. Scientist and volunteers use her distinctive call and markings to identify her family. Since she was alone, it was assumed that her mother was dead, but her grandmother, aunts, and cousins were still alive in Canadian waters. In Orca Rescue! the story of Springer’s capture, transport, and release, and subsequent reunion with her family is described.
The nonfiction narrative of Springer’s story is interspersed with well researched, age appropriate information on Orcas in general and Puget Sound resident pods in particular. Sarah Burwash’s lovely watercolor illustrations portray the complicated steps in the rescue. The endpapers include photographs of Springer in different stages of her life, a matrilineal family tree of the A10 pod, a summary of some of the threats to whales and dolphins, glossary, and a list of the individuals and organizations that were instrumental in Springers safe rescue.
We Shall Overcome by Bryan Collier
Bryan Collier’s breathtaking illustrations of the Civil Rights protest song make this book an important addition to any elementary library. Each refrain is supported by the visual portrayal of the text with the current day children of color living and dreaming beside a black and white portrayal of historical events and figures important to the Civil Rights movement. The message is thought provoking and uplifting and celebrates progress while recognizing there is still change that needs to happen.
Since the text is based on the lyrics from the original gospel hymn, the breadth of the message is broadened beyond the repeated refrain most often part of Civil Rights protests.
The endpapers explain the origins of the hymn and provides details on the significance of the black and white historical events.
The New Friend, by Charlotte Zolotow
Originally published in 1968, the story of The New Friend remains true to the experiences of childhood today. Newly illustrated by Benjamin Chaud, Zolotow’s story begins with a celebration of all the things both mundane and imaginative that a boy and his friend with long brown hair do together. When the girl with the long brown hair finds a new best friend with whom to share all her experiences, the child is devastated and rushes home in tears. In his dreams that night he finds a new friend to share those mundane and imaginative experiences of childhood. Upon waking he is determined to find a new friend so that when he thinks of his old friend, he will no longer care.
Nerdycorn by Andrew Root
Fern isn’t like other unicorns. She’s not interested in glitter, rainbows, or parties. She would much rather spend her day laboratory working on math, chemistry, engineering, or programming. She is always willing to help others but even while she went out of her way to do things for others, they teased her and called her names. Finally, she had enough and decided to no longer fix things for all the unicorns who had been unkind. She feels justified in her decision, but eventually decides to step in to save the Sparkle Dance because being smart, a good friend, and helping others is more important than holding a grudge. The other unicorns were so impressed they apologized for their teasing and asked Fern to teach them.
Nerdycorn features a strong female character who enjoys and excels in math and science. Fern demonstrates a willingness to be true to herself even in the face of teasing and as a result is able to accomplish much. Through Fern’s perseverance, the other unicorns come to appreciate the benefits of STEM learning.
Thankful, by Elaine Vickers
In Thankful, it’s the time of year for an annual family tradition – paper thankful chains to last the family through December. Each link in the chain is one more thing to be thankful for. The creation of the chain focuses on the good things in life and the physical chain is a visual reminder to be thankful for the wonderful things in our lives.
A young girl starts on her own in her room reflecting on both the concrete and the nebulous things in her life she is thankful for. From the initial thankfuls of home and family, the girl lets one idea leads to yet another. The thoughts generated as the book chronicles a child’s daily life experience that will resonate with many young readers.
The combination of two-dimensional characters placed in three-dimensional settings give the illustrations a charming feel reminiscent of a diorama.
My Voice is a Trumpet, by Jimmie Allen
In his wonderful debut title, Jimmie Allen, platinum-selling country music artist, encourages us to listen to the many voices around us but to also use our voices to trumpet our commitment to improving ourselves, our community, and our world. With rhythmic rhyming text, the book itself sounds like a anthem encouraging us to,
SAY NOT TO HATE by using this voice, and ALWAYS CHOOSE LOVE— a magical choice
Highly recommended for all elementary libraries.
The Wonder of Wildflowers by Anna Staniszewski
In Amberland, only recognized citizens have access to Amber, the naturally occurring liquid that when consumed daily, gives people both improved health and enhanced abilities. The borders are tightly sealed and the few non-citizens invited to live and work in Amberland are at a disadvantage and not allowed to partake in Amber. With Amber becoming increasingly scarce, there is an outcry by some to preserve the remaining Amber and limit newcomers.
Mira and her family must navigate her role as invited outsider while they wait for their citizenship request to be approved. How will Mira respond when faced with the many types of inequity she witnesses as both an outsider and finally a new citizen?
While the magical aspect of Amber place this book in the genre of fantasy, the complex social justice concepts provide a powerful opportunity to reflect and discuss the issues of privilege, discrimination, immigration, and equal rights.