The Picture Book a Day Challenge

Seriously, where was this book when I was a kid? This is a funny story about not fitting in and it gets to the heart of cliques, popularity, and being cool.  Nerdy Birdy doesn't fit in with the cool birds--eagles, cardinals, and robins, who like to torment worms and then eat them! Nerdy Birdy finds himself alone until he finds a flock of birds just like him. I think these books are so important. Not every kid is popular and it is important for kids to see that that is okay. 

This story is about a bird who talks. All. The. Time. The bird gets herself into a lot of trouble all because she doesn't listen.  Great read.

Short, sweet and to the point, UGLY FISH is a humorous anti-bullying story. My kids thought this was hillarious and have asked me to reread it again and again.

WARNING! Get out the tissues. Inspired by two polar bear pals, it is an incredibly sweet story about love and loss.  A wonderful discussion came out of reading this story to the class but I am not going to share the details out of respect for my students. If you have not read this story yet, you should.

"I brought in a brand new book to share with you." Student raises their hand, "You mean newly released, right?" asked one of my future lawyer students. "It isn't really new. Like you always say, it takes time to make a good book. The author probably wrote this like 2 years ago but it is just getting on the shelves now." "I don't know," said another. "This is like WHAT DO YOU DO WITH AN IDEA. Maybe it was faster for this book because that author already has a book company ( i.e. publisher )" 'Yeah," says student lawyer. "But those pictures don't draw themselves overnight. Good pictures like that take time. Wow. My students have definitely developed a sense of the ins and outs of publishing.  I'm proud of that and very much amused when my students start using my phrases. They loved this story and started making text-to-self connections without me ever prompting them to. "I think it's abo...

THREE BEARS AND A BOAT is a gorgeous book. The dreamy illustrations remind me of WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. We have been working on making text to self-connections and this story offers plenty of opportunities. The three siblings accidentally break Mother's shell so go on a search to find a replacement. Each bear blames the other for their predicament until they encounter a massive storm. It's a great book!