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UAGC Community Members' Book Recommendations for Children
UAGC Community Members' Book Recommendations for Children
Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash
Marci ClarkTitle: Giraffes Can’t DanceAuthor: Giles Andreae/ Guy Parker-Rees Why: This book encourages the reader to find joy in their own unique ability to dance. It reminds us to celebrate our talent even if it looks different than others. Dana DillardTitle: For good measureAuthor: Stroud’s remaining books of The Bartimaeus TrilogyWHY: They are wonderful!Title: The Amulet of SamarkandAuthor: Jonathan StroudWHY: In his dark fantasy novel, Stroud presents an unexpected tale told mostly from the perspective of a djinni, summoned by an inexperienced magician’s apprentice in an attempt to exact revenge for being humiliated. Along the way, readers begin to connect with characters in unexpected ways, weaving a story that is a beautiful combination of humor, sadness, loss, and hope. I recommend it because no matter how many times I read it I find myself laughing out loud, shaking in anger, and crying, sometimes all at the same time, because Stroud is so good at creating connections with his characters.Stephanie FinkTitle: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs Author: Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith to my daughter's second grade class here in Tucson. Why: I love the way it upends the "standard story" by looking at it from the perspective of "A. Wolf," who has clearly been framed and is gravely misunderstood by the pig community in which he is seen as a dangerous outsider. The reframing is a darkly absurd comedy, which also asks more serious questions about how "truth" is determined within a context of stereotypes and assumptions. Is it an unfortunate accident actually a crime? Who gets to make this decision, and what impacts the narrative? In the end, it's just funny. *I'd call it a good gateway book into other things they've written (either together or separately), such as The Stinky Cheese Man, Squids Will Be Squids, and the wonderfully skewering John, Paul, George, and Ben.
Yolanda Harper Title: The Artist Who Painted A Blue HorseAuthor: Eric CarleWhy: The book encourages creativity, freedom of expression, and innovation. The images are vibrant and engaging for children.Title: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? / Oso pardo, oso pardo, ¿qué ves ahí?Author: Bill Martin Jr.Why: The book encourages bilingualism and exposes children to both English and Spanish while reinforcing knowledge of different animals. The images are vibrant and engaging for children.Amy JohnsonTitle: Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that TypeAuthor: Doreen CroninWhy: Who wouldn’t love a book about cows typing their demands to Farmer Brown?Jackie Kyger
Title: Click Clack MooAuthor: Doreen Cronin.Why: It is a funny story that shows young readers a taste of the power of peaceful protest and the satisfaction of a cooperative give-and-take. Also the watercolors by award-winning illustrator Betsy Lewin are pretty amazing.Michelle MajorsTitle: Jacob’s New School (2nd grade level)Author: Dr. Michelle L. RosserWhy: I wrote this book as part of a future series that encourages learners to believe in the importance of education.Kelly Olson-StewartTitle: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus SeriesAuthor: Mo WillemsWHY: Hilarious escapades of these beloved characters with amazing illustrations…fun for adults & kidsTitle: Elephant and Piggy SeriesAuthor: Mo WillemsWhy: Hilarious escapades of these beloved characters with amazing illustrations…fun for adults & kids
Title: Click Clack MooAuthor: Doreen Cronin.Why: It is a funny story that shows young readers a taste of the power of peaceful protest and the satisfaction of a cooperative give-and-take. Also the watercolors by award-winning illustrator Betsy Lewin are pretty amazing.Michelle MajorsTitle: Jacob’s New School (2nd grade level)Author: Dr. Michelle L. RosserWhy: I wrote this book as part of a future series that encourages learners to believe in the importance of education.Kelly Olson-StewartTitle: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus SeriesAuthor: Mo WillemsWHY: Hilarious escapades of these beloved characters with amazing illustrations…fun for adults & kidsTitle: Elephant and Piggy SeriesAuthor: Mo WillemsWhy: Hilarious escapades of these beloved characters with amazing illustrations…fun for adults & kids
Shari SchwartzTitle: The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar WaoAuthor: Junot DiazWHY: Shari’s disclaimer is that there is some gritty language in the book but that is because of who the character is and his lived experience as a Dominican American teen growing up in a rough area of Paterson, NJ. Even though my life and background are completely different from this character, I felt in love with Oscar and didn't want the story to end. All these years later, I'm still thinking about the book.Here is a little bit about the book:https://www.amazon.com/Brief-Wondrous-Life-Oscar-Wao/dp/1594483299Tisha Shipley
Title: First Day JittersAuthor: Julie DannebergWHY: It is funny, it is true and when I would read it to my Pre-K and Kinder students, they thought is was so funny. A teacher wakes up scared to teach on her first day of school!Jessi UpshawTitle: What Were You Thinking? (or any of the titles in this series by this author)Author: Bryan SmithWhy: What Were You Thinking, as well as the other books by Bryan Smith, are a great way to help kids develop awareness of their impulse control, sensory needs, and neurodiverse processing. I recommend this book for all EC and young elementary teachers and parents to support child development stages, as well as any older elementary kids that might have neurodiversity or impulse control differences (e.g., sensory processing, ADHD, ODD, etc.).Jennifer ZaurTitle: The Poppy SeriesAuthor: AviWHY: The characters are engaging, there is a lot of excitement and just when you think the adventures will stop, a new book in the series awaits!
Title: First Day JittersAuthor: Julie DannebergWHY: It is funny, it is true and when I would read it to my Pre-K and Kinder students, they thought is was so funny. A teacher wakes up scared to teach on her first day of school!Jessi UpshawTitle: What Were You Thinking? (or any of the titles in this series by this author)Author: Bryan SmithWhy: What Were You Thinking, as well as the other books by Bryan Smith, are a great way to help kids develop awareness of their impulse control, sensory needs, and neurodiverse processing. I recommend this book for all EC and young elementary teachers and parents to support child development stages, as well as any older elementary kids that might have neurodiversity or impulse control differences (e.g., sensory processing, ADHD, ODD, etc.).Jennifer ZaurTitle: The Poppy SeriesAuthor: AviWHY: The characters are engaging, there is a lot of excitement and just when you think the adventures will stop, a new book in the series awaits!
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