Milly Moo is different from the other cows–she doesn’t give milk. Not until a cold and blustery day rages does Milly find out what she can give.
Fiona Ross‘s illustrations stand out with their muted colours and strong lines. The typeface emphasizes the story and moves around the page, making it fun to read. Play with synonyms (nope, zilch, nada, diddly-squat) or compare the story to Fair Cow.
The only thing unpredictable about Jenni Green’s life is her best friend Autumn, the carefree, fun-loving maven of new adventures. When Jenni stumbles upon a strange old elevator, her life skips ahead a year, and everything is different. Autumn, her parents, her hair–all changed because of one awful event.
Liz Kessler‘s A Year Without Autumn is Jenni’s coming-of-age/time travel story. Through her desire to change the future, Jenni becomes assertive and courageous enough to go back in time and try to change that one horrible day.
It’s a great book to discuss friendship, regrets and personality.
There is an inspiring woman for every letter of the alphabet. Cynthia Chin-Lee gives mini 
biographies on über famous people, such as Oprah, as well as lesser-known but equally inspiring visionaries such as Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, first female president of the United Nations General Assembly. Mixed media illustrations by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy resonate with this eclectic collage of women.
Determining who really loves you can be a hard task for anyone, especially a foster kid. 
Carley’s not sure of her own mother’s love–would she really choose her husband over her only daughter? Living with the Murphys upends Carley’s notion of a family and changes her hopes for the future.
Lynda Mullaly Hunt has written a good book with short, well-named chapters (“If You’re Going to Lie to Yourself, Be Convincing” and “When You Care Enough to Send the Very Worst”) and a heart-warming character. I’m passing this one on to my daughters.
Laëtitia Devernay’s slim vertical book gives us reason to pause on every page. The conductor climbs atop the trees in this wordless wonder and conducts a symphony of leaves. Strong lines and a palette of greens and yellows emphasize the spare beauty of this magical book.
Read a great article about wordless picture books and how to use them at home and in the classroom.
Today, Maurice Sendak passed away. In honour of his legacy, read Where the Wild Things Are or any of his other amazing books. Watch photos of his accomplishments.
When Dinga’s beloved son goes missing, Fire, Water and Wind are the only ones who can tell him about the African thieves, The Middle Passage and slave culture in America. While Dinga mourns the taken Musafa, his son never forgets what he has learned from his father and the same Wind touches them both. Narrated by a storyteller’s voice, Never Forgotten is a beautiful lament.
Dinga danced and feasted far into the night With the Mother Elements by his side Celebrating the son who was taken But never forgotten.
Patricia C. McKissack‘s beautiful poetry brings this story to life, never glossing over the pain but never without hope either. Artwork by Leo and Diane Dillon compels the beholder with vivid lines and illustrations that break out of their borders: the spirit cannot be contained.
This book is for all ages. This teacher’s guide covers themes of remembrance, loss and courage.
Fractured fairy tales by Jon Scieszka will always get a laugh and delight children when they find the pieces to other stories within. In this one, the Prince isn’t so happy and goes on a quest to find a witch who will turn him back into a frog. He meets witches from Snow White, Hansel and Gretel and Sleeping Beauty, all stuck in their own stories and bent on poisoning him or eating him up. Steve Johnson‘s illustrations capture the slightly sinister and funny style of the story.
The Frog Prince Continued ends in a romantic twist, perfect for a Valentine’s Day love story or a fairy tale graphic organizer (I like the Spider Map for this one but make sure your kids know their classic fairy tales first; you can have each spider arm signify a fairy tale included in the story and have students find supporting elements, ie. Cinderella with supporting elements of fairy godmother, coach, clock striking midnight). A short reader’s theatre is here.
If this fast-paced world is spinning your head around, pick up Slowpoke, an easy reader by Emily Smith Pearce and illustrated by Canadian Scot Richie.
When eating her Oaty Loops one-by-one causes Fiona to miss the bus, she is sent to Speed School to learn the fast ways of the rest of her family. Slowpoke Fiona turns into Speedy Fiona, setting records in the classroom. But fast means head-spinning, and Fiona gets stuck in a bad position.
I loved the premise of this book: slow allows us to see the world around us, taste the goodness of ice cream and read every word.
Okay, here’s a book recommended to me by my nine-year-old. I admit, I didn’t expect to like it. The cover didn’t draw me in, but the first paragraph, and then the first chapter and then the next chapter filled me with the warm glow of a really good book.
Waiting for the Magic by Patricia MacLachlan and illustrated by Amy June Bates is about family, the magic of pets, and yes, talking animals. Not everyone can hear their comments and the book’s anticipation lies in who will hear them next. Filled with great voices for read-alouds, it’s also a book that despite its large font, will appeal to many ages. Listen:
“My friend Max thought it was very exciting. Not that my father was gone, but that Mama had brought home four dogs and a cat.
‘No one’s mother ever does that! Ever!’ said Max, staring at Mama admiringly.
‘She may be insane,’ I told Max.
‘I don’t thing so,’ whispered Max very seriously.”
William’s dad left, and when he returns, William’s not sure he wants him back. The dogs’ wisdom, however, knits the family back together in order to embrace the magic of life.
Unfortunately the cat doesn’t talk much.
