Perfectly imperfect

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A Not So Perfect Start by Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Maribel Lechuga (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 32 pages, ages 4-8). Thea’s starting school with some big feelings: excitement (to meet her teacher), hope (that her teacher and the other kids will like her), and worry (that the teacher will get mad at her). The first few days have ups and downs, but halfway through the third day, Thea really gets stuck. She can’t get her picture to look the way she wants it to, and it makes her feel mad and like she’s no good at art. Mrs. Howard tells her that art doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. When a classmate spills paint on the floor, Thea helps clean up, then notices how beautiful the paint-soaked paper towels look. The class gets inspired to make a bouquet of paper towel flowers for Mrs. Howard. Includes a list of helpful tips for “perfectly imperfect YOU!”

I loved the progress-not-perfection message of this book, which could be helpful for kids AND teachers starting a new school year. The only complaint I had is that every school I’ve ever worked at has had those brown non-absorbent paper towels, which could never in a million years soak up paint, much less be made into a bouquet of flowers.

Allie and the 100 Percent Perfect, Frustration-Free Day! by Megan Wagner Lloyd, illustrated by Ellie Snowdon (Peachtree, 32 pages, ages 4-8). Allie the alpaca wakes up each morning determined to have a 100 percent perfect day. She WILL learn to tie her shoes, create an amazing painting, and bake incredible cookies. When inevitable problems arise, Allie feels angry and frustrated, even more so when her little brother laughs at her and her mom tells her to have a positive attitude. To make sure tomorrow is perfect, Allie lays out her clothes and fixes her lunch the night before. But a nightmare right before she wakes up derails her, and the morning gets off to another imperfect start. But just as the frustration is building, Allie remembers advice others have given her, like “Get help when you need it,” and “Try taking a break.” At that moment, Allie’s brother trips and falls, and the two of them start laughing together. Allie realizes she may not ever have a frustration-free day, but the day can be pretty perfect anyway.

Another perfectionist learns to relax in this cute story filled with alpaca illustrations. Both of these stories offer practical messages for kids to give themselves when things go wrong and would make a fun addition to any SEL curriculum.

Dear Math, We’re Not Friends by Lina Chopra Haldar, illustrated by Teresa Martinez (Beaming Books, 32 pages, grades K-3). When Nikhil’s teacher assigns the class to write letters to Math, Nikhil informs Math that they are not friends and never will be. His letters reveal that Math gives him anxiety about messing up and not being able to find the right answer. As the year goes by, however, he starts to realize that mistakes are okay, just part of learning. He also starts to see Math in his everyday life, like measurement and money, and that it also plays an important role in some of his favorite subjects, like space exploration, art, and cooking. “I seem to find you everywhere now,” he writes in his last letter, signing it “Your friend, Nikhil.”

This book of letters not only tells the story of a boy discovering the beauty and importance of math but also overcoming his fear of making mistakes. It would make a good introduction to math at the beginning of the year, helping to establish a growth mindset of learning vs. trying to always make sure you have the right answer.

Building communities

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Story Rug by Sophie Blackall, illustrated by Phoebe Wahl (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, grades K-3). Other classrooms may be noisy, but room 203 is silent as the kids indulge their new love of braiding. Whether its hair, shoelaces, or toy horses’ manes, their mantra is “Left over center. Right over center. Left over center.” When Norman can’t find anything to braid, Ms. Morena rips a rag into three strips. Inspired, Noah finds other rags at home, and his braid starts to grow. His classmates join in, finding old curtains, clothes, and blankets to add, and before long, the braid has become longer than all of them are. Norman organizes a Saturday meeting at the library, and the kids get to work sewing their long braid into a coil that grows and grows until it’s the size of a rug. On Monday, they surprise Ms. Morena with it, and the class celebrates together while the neighboring classrooms start braiding projects of their own. Includes instructions for making a braided rug.

Sophie Blackall’s quiet story and Phoebe Wahl’s colorful illustrations perfectly capture a creative class of kids who combine their own passion for braiding with contributions from friends and family to create something they all can enjoy. Perfect for reading aloud in the early days of school to start conversations about classroom community.

School for Woodland Creatures (Our Friend Hedgehog book 3) by Lauren Castillo (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 128 pages, grades K-3). Annika Mae is going to school for the first time, and her animal friends want the very best for her. They’re curious about school, though, and they decide to start one of their own. Each animal picks something to teach, and they take turns learning from each other. As her turn approaches, Hedgehog is nervous that she doesn’t have a talent worth sharing with the others. She likes art, but her projects don’t always turn out the way she thinks they should. When Annika Mae comes home upset that some of the kids in her class made fun of a story she wrote about her animal friends, Mole assures her that she was being true to herself and that’s what matters most. Hedgehog takes those words to heart and bravely leads an art project that celebrates all of her friends.

This is the first book from this series I’ve read, and it’s now on my list of chapter books to read to my first graders. It’s a sweet story with a funny and memorable cast of animal characters, as well as the human girl who brings them all together. Lauren Castillo’s illustrations make it an excellent choice for sharing, whether it’s as a bedtime story or a classroom read-aloud.

Multi-language learners

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Another Tongue by Yevgenia Naybert (Neal Porter Books, 40 pages, ages 4-8). With clever wordplay and illustrations, readers find out that the language you learn as a baby is called your mother tongue, and that over time, most kids speak their native language with relative ease. If you move to a country with a different language, though, “the new language may taste funny on your tongue,” and “your ears may get tired of listening to the new language.” Some words may sound familiar, and some will be completely new, which can lead to confusion and mix-ups. Eventually, though, you will learn the new language, and then you will be bilingual…which means having two tongues! Includes a note from the author who grew up in Ukraine speaking Russia and moved to the U.S. at the age of 19.

This would be a great book to share with English language learners. The text is simple and the illustrations are funny, but it touches on a variety of difficulties encountered in learning a new language and could serve as a springboard for sharing joys and frustrations. Bilingual kids should be proud of their accomplishments, and they will get a kick out of the picture of the bilingual person with two tongues.

Mi Escuela Is My School by Laurenne Sala (Candlewick, 32 pages, ages 4-8). A boy introduces readers to his school, starting with his classroom, and continuing on to the library, art room, music room, cafeteria, playground, and dismissal area. Each place is described using a mixture of Spanish and English. Although no translation is given, the mix is pretty easy to figure out with context and illustration clues. Look for the companion book, Mi Casa Is My Home.

This straightforward introduction to school features colorful illustrations, a pretty comprehensive look at different parts of the school day, and an enthusiastic narrator who looks forward to returning mañana. I’m on the fence as to whether I think it would have been an improvement to have translations on the pages or in a glossary, but I also liked the mix of languages that’s a reality for many students.

The first day of school

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I hope most educators who read this still have a week or two of summer vacation, but here in Springfield, Massachusetts, today is the first day of school. To get everyone back in the swing of things, I am going to post a review every school day this week with books that may be useful for the first few weeks of school.

For more ideas, be sure to check out my back-to-school book list. I updated all my book lists over the summer. Some others that might be helpful for the beginning of school include the lists about persistence, kindness and community, Labor Day, and Hispanic Heritage (Hispanic Heritage month starts September 15). To see all the book lists, move your cursor to “Book Lists” under the blog title, and they should all appear.

To get things started, here are two books for those who are going to school for the very first time!

Kindergarten Gets Ready by Naomi Danis, illustrated by Pete Oswald (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, ages 4-6). Mr. Bee spends a week getting ready for his kindergarten class. When he arrives on Monday, the classroom is dark and disorderly. Each day, he cleans and unpacks: books, blocks, toys, dress-up clothes, art supplies. He rolls out the story rug and hangs the alphabet banner. He practices saying his students’ names and labels a seat and cubby for each one. By Friday afternoon, the classroom is bright, clean, and organized, ready for the most important thing of all–the children! The final illustration shows them enjoying every part of the room while Mr. Bee welcomes them.

I can’t wait to share this book with the kindergarten teachers at my school. It’s a perfect introduction to kindergarten, with just a sentence or two of text on each page, and colorful illustrations that introduce the different parts of the classroom and will get kids excited and ready to play and learn. Mr. Bee has a cute hamster named Yoshi who makes a Where’s Waldo?-style appearance on every page.

What Do We Do in Preschool? by Kathryn Wanless (Red Comet Press, 40 pages, ages 3-5). “What do we do in preschool? We wash our hands, we say hello/We sing, we snack, we hide…uh-oh!/And all too soon…it’s time to go!” In three verses, readers get a chance to see how preschool works. Each verse portrays a child surrounded by smiling teachers, classmates, and, at the beginning and end of the day parents (or other caregivers) who drop off and reliably pick up. Each vignette features a different colored text and follows a different child through their day. Includes a note from the author, who’s a preschool educator, and ideas for how to use the book.

And here’s one for the preschool teachers (and parents of preschoolers) to use during the first week of school. It’s a perfect introduction for young kids, just the right length, and with plenty of illustrations to show what happens at preschool and initiate conversations that will allay anxieties about what school is like. The rhyming text is bouncy, and I love how each vignette ends with, “And all too soon…it’s time to go!” including the final one that shows kids graduating from preschool.

Magic books

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The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Green by Corey Ann Haydu (Quill Tree Books, 336 pages, grades 4-7). Denny is dealing with a lot as her twelfth birthday approaches: her mom has relapsed with the alcoholism that plagued her before Denny was born, and her best friend Runa wants to break into the popular crowd. Runa and Denny have spent many years creating the world of Sorrowfeld, an imaginary land they write about in a special notebook that’s filled with princesses and dragons. After Denny’s disastrous twelfth birthday party, she finds a gift from Runa–a mirror framed by dragons–that seems to show Runa hasn’t forgotten their magical world. When Denny gazes into the mirror, she’s transported into Sorrowfeld, trading places with Princess Auden, who finds herself in Denny’s world. Each girl has to deal with the other’s issues: Princess Auden has to figure out what’s going on with Denny’s parents and Runa, and Denny is tasked with fighting the dragons that the princess has been dealing with. Each girl feels torn between childhood and adulthood, still wanting the simple joys of being younger while facing the responsibilities of growing up. As each girl learns how to be herself and find her voice, both Denny and Auden learn how to deal with the dragons that they’re facing.

This is a very cool premise for a book, and for the most part it’s carried out with grace and skill. Anyone who’s ever created an imaginary world will envy Denny’s chance to visit hers, and the issues that each girl is facing are sympathetically portrayed. It did feel like it got a little preachy toward the end, with both Denny and Auden making one life-changing realization after another, but many middle school readers will find important lessons woven into a compelling and magical story. This has consistently been in the top ten of the Goodreads Newbery list.

When Tomorrow Burns by Tae Keller (Random House Books for Young Readers, 272 pages, grades 4-7). Long-time friends Nomi, Vi, and Arthur found a book many years ago with mysterious verses handwritten on its pages. Over the years, these verses have come to seem like prophecies, predicting events that have come to pass in their lives. Now their Seattle neighborhood is engulfed in wildfire smoke, and Nomi is certain that the end of the world that the book predicted is coming to pass. Told in alternating narrations, the three kids deal with a lot of big issues including sexual harassment and bullying, social media, climate change, toxic masculinity, and class differences. Through it all, their friendship evolves and survives, offering them hope in an uncertain future.

This is an amazing book that explores both the inner and outer worlds of three interesting and engaging middle school characters. The many different threads are expertly woven together, and it would make a great choice for any kind of book discussion. If anything, it felt a bit too ambitious taking on so many different topics, and I think it would be most appreciated by kids who get some expert guidance through it. Tae Keller is a Newbery Medal winner already, and she undoubtedly has another shot at it with this book.

New series for Dog Man fans

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Speed Reader by Matthew Cody, illustrated by Zack Giallongo (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 160 pages, grades 3-7). Despite his late superhero grandfather Felix Fast, Zander Fast isn’t exactly known for speed, as he plods through his day getting mediocre grades and coming in last in gym. But a mysterious package combined with a lightning strike unexpectedly gives him superpowers, and suddenly he can live up to his name, zipping through books, setting new running records, and dodging the villains that start showing up everywhere. With help from a new friend, his mom, and his great uncle Whizzy (Felix’s former sidekick), Zander’s able to defeat those villains, but it’s clear there’s more in store for him as a superhero.

From the author of the beloved Cat Ninja graphic novels comes a new series with the feel of a comic book or Saturday morning cartoon. What could be more relatable than a kid who struggles in school and gym class getting a superpower that specifically addresses those issues? Readers will enjoy reading about Zander and will be eagerly awaiting book 2.

Zeb and Bel: A Case of Bird Problems by Rachel Elliott (HarperAlley, 160 pages, grades 3-6). Bel is a cat who is also a detective. Zeb is her sidekick, brother, and a dog. When their human girl, Josephine, goes to see her friend Carlo do his magician act, Bel and Zeb follow and witness a shocking crime as Carlo’s bird and magician’s assistant, Payton, is stolen practically in front of the audience’s eyes. Bel gets on the case immediately, and with the help of Zeb, the two venture far into the city to figure out what happened to Payton. It’s not easy, but they crack the case, with the help (and despite the hindrance) of an engaging cast of animal characters. A cliffhanger ending and a preview page set up book 2, Night of the Bodega Cat. Includes instructions for drawing both Bel and Zeb, as well as a page showing mystery clues that were hidden throughout the story.

I found this graphic novel enchanting and laughed out loud at several scenes, particularly those involving Zeb and some of the other dog characters. It’s a good mystery, too, with an interesting (and funny) solution, and I liked how the author shared some of her visual clues at the end. For fans of both Dog Man and InvestiGators.

Hi-lo chapter books

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The Makeup Cover-Up by Natasha Deen (Stone Arch Books, 72 pages, grades 3-6). Bailey’s trying to fit in at her new school, but she’s torn between friends who are into makeup and clothes, and a mom who has a strict no-makeup policy. When Bailey starts sneaking to a friend’s house before school to put on the forbidden makeup, she feels cool and confident, but she also starts to notice issues with her skin. He big brother, even though he’s off at college studying theater, provides good moral support and serves as a go-between to help Bailey be honest with Mom and negotiate a compromise that works for both of them. Includes a glossary of makeup terms (which are highlighted in the story), a list of skin-care tips, and questions for discussion and writing.

This book is part of the four-book Tween Era series, written at a third-grade level but featuring middle school characters. It will appeal to a wide range of readers, with a short page count, plenty of illustrations, a lower reading level, and relatable issues for both elementary and middle school. I liked that the brother was the makeup expert! A good choice for reluctant readers.

The Clockwork Key (Relic Hunters, book 1) by Vashti Hardy, illustrated by Rebecca Sheerin (Union Square Kids, 104 pages, grades 3-7). Mabel and Will Graystone join their relic-hunting aunt on a journey to look for the lost city of Umber. Mabel is adventurous and impulsive, while Will is more of a thoughtful observer, each one of them bringing unique skills to the archaeological expedition. Aunt Lucy’s talking stuffed cat Grimm brings humor to the adventure, as they discover the secrets that destroyed Umber and outwit rival relic hunter Byron Cogsworth. The final pages hint at the next adventure, The Amulet of Hath.

This series was originally published in Great Britain a couple of years ago, but now the first exciting installment has been picked up by a U.S. publisher. It’s written in a dyslexia-friendly font, with lots of action and illustration and a low page count, making it another great reluctant reader choice.

Kids and their grown-ups

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Pia in the Forest by David Bruggink (Holiday House, 112 pages, grades 1-4). We meet Pia early one morning as she’s drawing a pinecone creature. She’s so excited about her idea that she has to wake up her dad (loudly). Dad’s sleepy, but a good sport, and he offers to take her to a state forest to look for materials. He brings along a recording device that allows them to hear all kinds of sounds in the forest and leads them to interesting places. But Pia’s loudness, impulsivity, and eventually, exhaustion, wear Dada down, and the two of them have a fight. Pia goes storming off and meets a new friend who shows her how to skip stones and build fairy houses, and who enjoys learning how to use the recording device. They eventually reconnect with Dada, and the day ends satisfactorily, with the promise of a return trip. Includes additional information on sound recorders and fairy houses.

Pia is an adorable, if occasionally annoying, character with an extremely patient dad. Kids and adults will relate to their interactions, filled with both love and frustration on both sides. This would be an excellent choice as both a first graphic novel for independent readers or a read-aloud to a younger audience.

Because of a Shoe by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Marla Frazee (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, ages 3-6). A caregiver narrates the battle waged over putting on a toddler’s shoes in one long sentence. “Even when…” the narration begins and continues as the toddler lies on the floor, throws the shoe, and screams; and the narrator tries to be patient but eventually loses it and threatens to throw the (formerly favorite) shoes in the garbage, even then the two recognize that they love each other and have a sweet and wonderful connection. When they remember that, they’re both able to take deep breaths, get the shoes on, and get out the door. They head to a party, where there’s a bouncy house, and of course, the first thing the child does is throw off their shoes and head in for some fun.

Just as with Pia, both children and adults will recognize the scenes and emotions in this book. This would be perfect to read at the end of a long day to remind everyone of what is most important even when the day has felt like a series of battles, and older kids may need it as much as toddlers. One should never count Marla Frazee out for a Caldecott, as she spins out a series of imaginative takes on what would happen if the child spent the rest of their life lying on the floor or if the shoe were thrown to the bottom of the ocean.

Not-very-scary Halloween books

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The Haunted Playground by R. J. Palacio, illustrated by Brett Helquist (Random House Books for Young Readers, 50 pages, grades K-3). Even ghosts need a break from being scary, so on Halloween night after midnight, they gather on a playground for a chance to let go, donning discarded costumes to add to the fun. Rex Magnificus, “ruler of the park,” narrates the rhyming story. When a brother and sister show up to play, Rex tries to turn them away, but the kids aren’t scared, and before long, everyone’s having a blast on the playground. It’s so much fun, in fact, that the children want to go home with the ghosts. Rex assures them that this is impossible, then sends them on their way with a promise that he and the other ghosts will return on midnight next Halloween.

Kids who are fans of Caralyn Buehner’s Snowmen at Night series will enjoy this rhyming tale about ghosts who enjoy the same things that kids do. The story felt a big too long–the usual 32 to 40 pages seems like it would have been more effective–but readers looking for a little bit of spookiness will love these ghostly illustrations.

The Great Pumpkin Pancake Party by Celeste Pewter, illustrated by Kelly Wu (Henry Holt and Co., 40 pages, ages 4-8). Lao Ye, the narrator’s grandpa, may be newly arrived from China, but he loves to build community with his new neighbors, especially by sharing food. Before Halloween, Lilly accompanies him on a trip to fill his car’s back seat with pumpkins, and when they get home, the chopping, mixing, and frying begins. Before long, they have a giant stack of pumpkin pancakes. Lilly’s a bit nervous about introducing the neighbors to this unfamiliar food, but Lao Ye is confident that they will love it. A table is set up in front of the house on Halloween night, and trick-or-treaters stop by to show off their costumes and enjoy pancakes. Lao Ye enjoys every minute, practicing his English and making everyone feel welcome. Includes an author’s note about her own grandfather, a Taiwanese immigrant who inspired this story, and a recipe for Lao Ye’s pumpkin pancakes.

This unique–and completely non-spooky–Halloween story is a great way to celebrate both the holiday and the community that it can build. Lao Ye is an inspiring character, embracing his new life and making new friends everywhere.

The Skeleton and the Cat by Brandon James Scott (HarperCollins, 64 pages, ages 4-8). A skeleton leads a peaceful, solitary life until a black cat shows up who is persistent about friendship. Over the course of five short stories, the cat gently inserts himself into the skeleton’s life, teaching her the joys of knock-knock jokes, dancing, reading with a cat in your lap, and eating a sandwich (that one doesn’t work out as well for the skeleton). By the final story, it’s clear that a new friendship has been forged, and that the cat is there to stay.

This quirky friendship story is perfect for a fall story time; it includes Halloween-ish characters but never mentions the holiday. Everything about the book, from the characters to the humor to the illustrations is quiet and understated, yet kids and adults alike will find some chuckles and have their hearts warmed by getting to know these two new friends.

Summer fun

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Pandamonium! by Annie Bailey, illustrated by Bonnie Wong (Feiwel and Friends, 40 pages, ages 3-6). Pandas gather for their big family reunion, but when it comes time to take a photo, it’s impossible to get everyone looking just right. There’s sneezing, poking, nose-picking…finally, the kids can’t take it anymore, and everyone goes running all over the yard. Pandamonium! Even the adults get in on the fun. One young panda picks up a phone and takes a candid shot. And that’s the one! It’s clear the pandas are having a blast at their family reunion. Includes a ten-question Panda Family Trivia game which gives facts about both giant and red pandas.

The rhyming text and adorable panda illustrations make this a great choice for a preschool story time. Those candid shots are always the best.

Watermelon Pool by Boinsoir Lune, translated from the Korean by Frances Cha (Dial Books, 60 pages, ages 4-8). It’s opening day at the watermelon pool. The first man to get there props a ladder against the side, climbs up, picks out a few seeds, and sinks into the cool, refreshing fruit. It doesn’t take long for others to find out that the pool is open, and soon it’s filled with kids jumping in, hitting each other with watermelon bombs, and enjoying pools of juice. When the sun blazes too hot overhead, the cloud-seller shows up with his cloud parasols and rain-cloud showers. Of course, all good things must come to an end, and after everyone clears out, the last page shows four spoons and an empty watermelon rind. But don’t worry, the watermelon pool will open again next year.

I closed this book and felt like I had just woken up from a strange but delightful dream. Who are these people who swim in a watermelon, and who are the ones eating the watermelon at the end? We never find out, but we get to imagine how fun (if sticky) it would be to swim in a watermelon pool. This Korean import has been a bestseller since its publication in 2015, and now Americans can get in on the fun.