On the surface it’s the story of a family purchasing and preparing a larger dining table in preparation of having their grandfather move in and enlarge the family, while the youngest member of the family has a hard time giving up the comfort of the familiar table. Neighbors and extended family help get things ready, and are invited to join in the welcome dinner, until quite a party is built around the new table, full of love all around. What makes it so relatable for students is the way the sentiments of uncertainty in the face of change can be extended to so many aspects of life that bring change, and often leave young ones reluctant to let go of the familiar in order to embrace the new.
Category Archives: Recommend
The Not-So-Brave Little Lion
The illustrations are cute and sweet and will draw young readers in. The rhyming text reads smoothly and tells the story of a young lion too full of various anxieties to run and play with the big lions who are rougher and tougher. Instead he hangs out with friend and watch the big lions in hopes that someday they’ll grow up and be ready to join in. When little Bird hops to the top of a tree, and calls out in fear because she’s too afraid to jump since she doesn’t know how to fly, the big lions try to help, but they’re too big to climb the tree. In putting concern for his friend ahead of his own fears, Little Lion finds his brave and climbs up to rescue his friend. In finding his brave, he inspires little bird to be brave too, finally stretching her wings to fly. I like the message of finding one’s brave by putting the needs of others first, and I think it’s delivered effectively without being preachy. The cute pictures simply need to be shared with readers young enough not to know much about actual lions, like that manes are only on adult male lions, and that adult male lions don’t hang out together, but are either solitary or surrounded by a pride of females and young (maneless) cubs.
Babo: a tale of Armenian rug-washing day
We talk about books being both mirrors to reflect our own experiences, as well as windows to show us a world beyond our own experiences. This book has the potential to serve as both for many children. On the one hand, it offers a glimpse of Armenian language and traditions to students who may not be familiar with this culture (or a mirror to those who come from this background). As a story about a young girl celebrating family run-washing day as her favorite day of the year, it simultaneously gives readers the opportunity to reflect on their own family chores that can be turned into fun. I really like when a book serves as both window and mirror, because it helps young readers find connection with those that may at first seem different and unfamiliar. The world needs us all to be able to find more connection.
Countries of the World: Ukraine
By Monika Davies
Ukraine covers basic information of the country. It has appealing images and maps as well as words in bold that correlate to a Glossary at the end of the book. Readers will be interested in the unique geographical features including the Dnieper River as well as some of the exotic animals of the country: gray wolves, steppe polecats and wood grouse. It shows the vibrancy of life in the country as wells as popular sports: soccer, volleyball and swimming and favorite foods: borscht, holubtsi, and verguny. This book does not mention the war that is currently occurring in Ukraine and thus is general enough to be a basic resource in the library for many years. This book is recommended for any library where students at a young age do country research or for English language learners.
The Blastoff! Readers Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: All about the country, land and animals, life for the people, and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 1-3. They are at “Level 2 which offers early readers a bit more challenge through varied sentences, increased text load, and test-supportive special features.”
Countries of the World: Thailand
By Monika Davies
Thailand covers basic information of the country. It has appealing images and maps as well as words in bold that correlate to a Glossary at the end of the book. Thailand is one of the most visited countries in the world and thus readers will be interested reading this book. There are unique geographical features including: the Chao Phraya River. Included is an explanation of the weather in Thailand well as some of the exotic animals of the country: clouded leopard, Asian elephant, and the Irrawaddy dolphin. It shows the vibrancy of life in the country as wells as popular sports: Muay Thai, and swimming, and favorite foods: pad thai, som tam and kluai khaek. This book is recommended for any library where students at a young age do country research or for English language learners.
The Blastoff! Readers Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: All about the country, land and animals, life for the people, and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 1-3. They are at “Level 2 which offers early readers a bit more challenge through varied sentences, increased text load, and test-supportive special features.”
Countries of the World: South Sudan
By Monika Davies
South Sudan covers basic information of the country. It has appealing images and maps as well as words in bold that correlate to a Glossary at the end of the book. At the publishing of this book, South Sudan is the youngest nation in the world as it became a country in 2011. Readers will be interested in the unique geographical features including: the White Nile River, the Boya Mountains and the Sudd of the South Sudanese country as well as some of the exotic animals of the country: African savanna elephants, shoebills, and Nile lechwe. It shows the vibrancy of life in the country as wells as popular sports: wrestling, basketball or soccer, and favorite foods: kisra asida and ful. This book is recommended for any library where students at a young age do country research or for English language learners.
The Blastoff! Readers Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: All about the country, land and animals, life for the people, and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 1-3. They are at “Level 2 which offers early readers a bit more challenge through varied sentences, increased text load, and test-supportive special features.”
Countries of the World: Peru
By Monika Davies
Peru covers basic information of the country. It has appealing images and maps as well as words in bold that correlate to a Glossary at the end of the book. Readers will be interested in the unique geographical features including: Rainbow Mountain, Atacama Desert and the Andes Mountains of the Peruvian country as well as some of the exotic animals of the country: humboldt penguins, scarlet macaws and black caimans. It shows the vibrancy of life in the country as wells as popular sports, and favorite foods. This book is recommended for any library where students at a young age do country research or for English language learners.
The Blastoff! Readers Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: All about the country, land and animals, life for the people, and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 1-3. They are at “Level 2 which offers early readers a bit more challenge through varied sentences, increased text load, and test-supportive special features.”
Happy Holidays!: Cinco de Mayo
By Betsy Rathburn
Cinco de Mayo is a fun holiday celebrated yearly on May 5th. This title is a good introduction to what the day means with basic concepts for better understanding. The graphics are vibrant and colorful. Each page has one to three simple sentences. What I appreciated about this title is that there are many illustrations of this Mexican holiday that many others join in as well. This book explains the history behind the day and how a a battle was fought in Puebla, Mexico. It shows what students do in school to appreciate and better understand this celebration of Mexican heritage. This book would be a good supplement to support the variety of holidays celebrated as it is extremely simplified and allows for readers to get the basic information they need in order to broaden understanding and appreciation in the future. It is recommended for libraries where there is a need for lower reading level books about holidays such as this one.
The Blastoff! Beginners Happy Holidays! series contains informational chapters including but not limited to: simple information about what individuals do for the holiday, when the holiday is and what it is about, the importance of the holiday and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms and definitions that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades Pre-K to 3rd. They are at “Level 1″ which offers early readers information through simplified sentences for better understanding.
Happy Holidays! Groundhog Day
By Rebecca Sabelko
Groundhog Day is a fun holiday that helps our country decide when the Spring season begins. This title is a good introduction to what the day means with basic concepts for better understanding. The graphics are vibrant and colorful. Each page has one to three simple sentences. What I appreciated about this title is that there are many illustrations of the official location of the event that happens on February 2nd. This book explains the history behind the day and how a groundhog is used to guess what the weather will be. It shows what students do in school to appreciate and better understand this celebration welcoming Spring. It introduces Phil, the famous groundhog who sees his shadow or not. This book would be a good supplement to support the variety of holidays celebrated as it is extremely simplified and allows for readers to get the basic information they need in order to broaden understanding and appreciation in the future. It is recommended for libraries where there is a need for lower reading level books about holidays such as this one.
The Blastoff! Beginners Happy Holidays! series contains informational chapters including but not limited to: simple information about what individuals do for the holiday, when the holiday is and what it is about, the importance of the holiday and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms and definitions that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades Pre-K to 3rd. They are at “Level 1″ which offers early readers information through simplified sentences for better understanding.
Happy Holidays! Holi
By Betsy Rathburn
Holi is a little know holiday to the average American student. This title is a good introduction to what the day means with basic concepts for better understanding. The graphics are vibrant and colorful. Each page has one to three simple sentences. What I appreciated about this title is that there are many illustrations representing a diverse population at the age of the recommended readers. This book explains the history behind the day and where Holi is mostly celebrated in the world, when it is celebrated annually and why it is an important holiday. It shows what students do in school to appreciate and better understand this celebration welcoming Spring and how people celebrate using colored powder, bonfires and what is traditionally cooked. This book would be a good supplement to support the variety of holidays celebrated throughout the world as it is extremely simplified and allows for readers to get the basic information they need in order to broaden understanding and appreciation in the future. It is recommended for libraries where there is a need for lower reading level books about holidays such as this one.
The Blastoff! Beginners Happy Holidays! series contains informational chapters including but not limited to: simple information about what individuals do for the holiday, when the holiday is and what it is about, the importance of the holiday and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms and definitions that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades Pre-K to 3rd. They are at “Level 1″ which offers early readers information through simplified sentences for better understanding.