Cuban-American author Margarita Engle has written a story to explain what water delivery days are like. This story follows a young girl as her family prepares to receive water from the delivery man. The man delivers water about every 5 days. The family fills their blue tank each time to prepare for their water needs such as bathing, cooking, and having enough to drink. It is such a simple story yet so simply teaches that water conservation is of utmost importance. It also points to the fact that many places in this world do not have access to clean running water. In this story, you will find beautiful illustrations that show a joyful family that works together to fulfill the basic human need for water.
Water Day is written in English. The Spanish version of the same story is El Dia del Agua
Category Archives: Highly Recommend
El día del agua
Cuban-American author Margarita Engle has written a story to explain what water delivery days are like. This story follows a young girl as her family prepares to receive water from the delivery man. The man delivers water about every 5 days. The family fills their blue tank each time to prepare for their water needs such as bathing, cooking, and having enough to drink. It is such a simple story yet so simply teaches that water conservation is of utmost importance. It also points to the fact that many places in this world do not have access to clean running water. In this story, you will find beautiful illustrations that show a joyful family that works together to fulfill the basic human need for water.
Water Day is written in English. The Spanish version of the same story is El Dia del Agua
When You Love a Book
Written by Kaz Windness. Illustrated by Heather Brockman Lee.
When You Love a Book is a sweet, rhyming ode to the joy of reading. It opens by introducing the idea of a book as a friend, then moves into playful references to beloved picture books, like “A book is a cookie you give to a mouse.” The text continues in simple, heartfelt language to express the power of things like seeing yourself in stories, and it ends with today’s book-loving kid passing their love of reading on to the next generation.
The illustrations are whimsical and modern, with book pages transforming into things like cityscapes, trains, and even a library carpet. I especially enjoyed the nods to familiar picture books, and I think kids will have fun spotting the references and naming the stories they recognize. I plan to read this to my kindergarten and first grade students at the beginning of the year to celebrate our shared love of books.
Poo Pile on the Prairie
By Amy Hevron
Amy Hevron follows up her two previous Tiny Habitats books with a fascinating look at the life that flourishes around bison poo on the prairie. The story begins in spring, as dung beetles and flies discover the fresh pile, and continues through the seasons, ending in winter when the last of the nutrients return to the soil to feed the grasses. When a baby bison bounds by the following spring, we are reminded that this natural cycle has repeated for generations, and it will continue as long as bison roam the prairie.
While the book centers on excrement, it steers clear of potty humor and instead highlights the animal species and natural processes connected to this vital part of prairie life. Hevron’s illustrations are adorable, and bring an element of cuteness sure to hook many young readers. The back of the book includes additional facts about bison, along with a lovely illustration featuring all the species introduced in the story. I’m thrilled to add this to my nonfiction collection and can easily see both teachers and students reaching for this title.
Sloth and Squirrel on Vacation
By Cathy Ballou Mealey and Kelly Collier
Once again we see these close friends working together in this sequel to “Sloth and Squirrel in a Pickle”. In this book they decide that they have had so much success with their pickle stand that they can take a vacation. While wanting to spend time together doing the same things once again, they find that they are separated. Squirrel does many activities but realizes that they just want to spend time with their friend Sloth. When they return, Sloth is gone. Sloth has gone out searching for their friend Squirrel!
This is another wonderful picture book about friendship, adventure, differences, acceptance and just the happiness of being together. I would strongly recommend purchasing this beautifully illustrated picture book for elementary school libraries.
Lunar New Year
Written by Margaret McNamara and Wendi Gu. Illustrated by Mike Gordon
This beginning reader is a wonderful introduction story about how one family celebrates the Lunar New Year. Eigen’s mom comes to school to help him celebrate his favorite holiday with his class. She brings his favorite holiday treats and talks with the teacher and class about the holiday and what it means to Eigen’s family.
This simply written leveled book is great for younger readers who are interested in holidays and culture. I would strongly recommend this purchase.
PAWS: Hazel Has Her Hands Full
By Michelle Assarasakorn and Nathan Fairbairn
The PAWS crew is back again in this fourth book in the series. Hazel has a condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and uses a wheelchair. This does not stop her from being an active member of the dog walking club. When summer comes along and her friends are leaving for camp, going to visit family and going on vacation, Hazel decides to take on two cats that need to be taken care of in the neighborhood on her own. Will all go smoothly or will things go badly when she chooses to not tell her mom that she is not being supported by others in the group.
While this is book four in the series, this graphic novel could also be considered a stand alone. There is a great deal of back story given on Hazel including how she was treated at her past school, what her condition is and how it has progressed and her connection with the PAWS group. This title also has some fun content as the end including: how to draw a dog and the names of parts of a wheelchair. The graphic novel series as a whole is a great addition to any library. It shows wonderful examples of teamwork, determination, creativity and friendship. I would strongly recommend this series for any elementary or middle school library.
Away
Written by Megan E. Freeman
Four Colorado teens are brought together when they are evacuated from their homes due to an emergency. Many any months after moving to the relocation camp, they stumble upon some evidence that makes them doubt the legitimacy of the evacuation and they begin to dig deeper and start to see the true story and who is behind the land grab.
Megan Freeman has done it again with this companion book to her book “Alone”. While “Alone” is a book about a girl who is left in her town when it is evacuated, “Away” is what happens to everyone else when they are forced to leave. This near future science fiction is fantastic stand alone and yet feels like a part two in a series. Written in a variety poetry and prose forms this story will please many adventure and mystery fans. I highly recommend purchasing this book and believe it is appropriate for 4th to 9th grades.
Precious
By Carols Aponte
Pedrito lives in Puerto Rico with his family. HIs father is working in the U.S. preparing for his family to follow and settle there. Their family feels empty and incomplete with him. As they adjust to dad being gone, a hurricane is coming their way. They prepare and check on their neighbors and then go through the storm. Afterwards Pedrito finds a puppy alone on the street. The family takes him in and cleans him up. Will they find the dog’s family? If they do, will Pedrito be able to give the puppy up?
This is a lovely story of family, community, and resilience. Many will enjoy this compelling tale. I strongly recommend this book for any library to purchase.
Jollof Day by Bernard Mensah
A young boy wakes his dad up early one day because it Jollof Day! He joins his dad in the kitchen to chop onions and tomatoes, clang pots and pans, and dance in the kitchen while they make jollof. The cheerful illustrations, the way the text dances on the page, and the onomatopoeia makes you feel the joy in the kitchen. A recipe for Jollof Rice is included at the end of the book.