Early Education Reading List

IST’S READING LIST

Available at IST’s Book Fair

EARLY EDUCATION:

Picture Books:

A Color of His Own

by Leo Lionni

Trailblazer Favorite

Elephantsaregray Pigsarepink Onlythe chameleonhasnocolorofhisown Heispurplelike theheather,yellowlikealemon,evenblackand orangestripedlikeatiger!Thenonedaya chameleonhasanideatoremainonecolorforever bystayingonthegreenestleafhecanfind Butin theautumn,theleafchangesfromgreentoyellow tored andsodoesthechameleon Whenanother chameleonsuggeststheytraveltogether,helearns thatcompanionshipismoreimportantthanhavinga colorofhisown Nomatterwherehegoeswithhis newfriend,theywillalwaysbealike

Ada Twist Scientist

By Andrea Beaty

Ada Twist’s head is full of questions Like her classmates Iggy and Rosie, Ada has always been endlessly curious Even when her factfinding missions and elaborate scientific experiments don’t go as planned, Ada learns the value of thinking thgouh problems and continuing to tsay curious

Click, Clack, MOO Cows That Type

By Doreen Cronin

Farmer Brown has a problem His cows like to type All day long he hears

Click, clack, MOO Click, clack, MOO Clickety, clack, MOO But Farmer Brown’s problems REALLY begin when his cows start leaving him notes Come join the fun as a bunch of literate cows turn Farmer Brown’s farm upside down

Available on Scholastic’s Online Store

Teacher Favorite

AColorofHisOwn byLeoLionni

Dragonslovetacos Theylovechickentacos, beeftacos,greatbigtacos,andteenytiny tacos Soifyouwanttolureabunchof dragonstoyourparty,youshoulddefinitely servetacos Bucketsandbucketsoftacos Unfortunately,wheretherearetacos,thereis alsosalsa Andifadragonaccidentallyeats spicysalsa...oh,boy.You’reinred-hottrouble.

DuIzTak?

ByCarsonEllis

DuIzTak?Whatisthat?Asatinyshoot unfurls,twodamselfliespeeratitinwonder Whentheplantgrowstallerandsprouts leaves,someyoungbeetlesarrivetogander, andsoon-withthehelpofapillbugname Icky-theywranglealadderandbuildatree fort Butthisisthewildworld,afterall,and somethinghorribleiswaitingtoswoopdown!

Froodle

ByAntoinettePortis

Inanormalneighborhood,onatypicalday, thebirdschirp,thedogsbarkandthecats meow WhenLittleBrownBirddecidesshe doesn’twanttosingthesameoldsong,out comesanewtunethatshakesupthe neighborhoodandchangesthingsforeverin thisfunny,innovativebookthatkidswillloveto readoutloud

EARLY EDUCATION:

Picture Books:

Creepy Carrots!

By Aaron Reynolds

Jasper Rabbit loves carrots - especially Crackenhopper Field carrots He eats them on the way to school He eats them going to Little League He eats them walking home Until the day the carrots start following him or are they?

Grumpy Monkey

By Suzanne Lang

Jim the chimpanzee is in a terrible mood for no good reason HIs friends can’t understand ithow can he be in a bad mood when it’s SUCH a beautiful day? They have lots of suggestions for how to make him feel better. But Jim can’t take all the advice and has a BIT of a meltdown Could it be that he just needs a day to feel grumpy?

Kitten’s First Full Moon

By Kevin Henkes

ItisKitten’sfirstfullmoon,andwhenshe seesitshethinksitisabowlofmilkinthe sky Andshewantsit Doesshegetit?Well, no andyes Whatanight!

Knuffle Bunny

By Mo Willems

Trixie,Daddy,andKnuffleBunnytakeatrip totheneighborhoodLaundromat Butthe excitingadventuretakesadramaticturn whenTrixierealizessomebunnywasleft behind

Mouse Paint

By Ellen Stoll Walsh

Onedaythreewhitemicediscoverthreejarsof paint-red,blue,andyellow Butwhathappens whentheysplashinthecolors,mixingthered andblue?Ordanceintheblueandyellow? Thisplayfulintroductiontocolorswillappealto anybuddingartistorcuriouspreschooler

Grumpy Monkey UP ALL NIGHT

By Suzanne Lang

Haveyoueverstayedupwaypastyourbedtime?Jim Panzeecertainlyhas.Jimisgoingtoaslumberparty andthere’sLOTStodo Jimplansonbobbingfor mangoes,goingtermitefishing,andofcoursestaying UPALLNIGHT!ButJimgetsmorethanalittlefrustrated whenallthethingshewantedtodogoawry Oneby one,everyoneelsefallsasleep,whileJimisdetermined tostayup Howlongwillhelast?

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie

By Laura Numeroff

Ifahungrylittlemouseshowsuponyour doorstep,youmightwanttogivehima cookie Andifyougivehimacookie,he’llask foraglassofmilk He’llwanttolookina mirrortomakesurehedoesn’thaveamilk mustache,andthenhe’llaskforapairof scissorstogivehimselfatrim

Knight Owl

By Christopher Denise

Sincethedayhehatched,Owldreamedofbecominga realknight Hemaynotbethebiggestorthestrongest, buthissharpnocturnalinstinctscanhelpprotectthe castle,especiallysincemanyknightshaverecentlygone missing WhileholdingguardduringKnightNightWatch, Owlisfacedwiththeultimatetrail-afrightening intruder It’sadauntingduelbyanymeasure Butwhat Owllacksinsize,hemakesupforingoodideas

Matzah Ball Soup

By Joan Rothenberg

EveryyearatPassover,Rosie’sGrandmaputsfour matzahballsineachbowlofchickensoup ButRosie wantstoknow,whydoessheneedfourofthem?So GrandmatellsRosiethefunnystoryofthefamous matzahballcontestthatoccurredmanyyearsago,one thatwouldforeverchangeherviewofwhatwasmeant bythebestmatzahball

Oscar and the BAT

By Geoff Waring

WhenOscarhearsablackbirdsinginginthemeadow, Batswoopsintotalktohimaboutsound Asudden thunderstormandavisitingcowgiveOscarlotsof opportunitiestolearnaboutsoundsthatareloudor soft,nearorfar,deeporhigh

EARLY EDUCATION: Picture

Books:

Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas

By Aaron Blabey

Everyone knows that piranhas don’t eat bananas - except for Brian This little fish loves to munch not only on bananas, but on fruit of all kinds! Brian’s piranha friends think he’s crazy. Piranhas don’t eat bananas - their sharp teeth are for eating meat! And there’s a scrumptious pair of feet dangling in the eater nearby

Strictly No Elephants

By Lisa Mantchev

Today is Pet Club day There will be cats and dogs and fish, but strictly no elephants are allowed The Pet Club doesn’t understand that pets come in all shapes and sizes, just like friends Now it is time for a boy and his tiny pet elephant to show them what it means to be a true friend

The Great Kapok Tree

By Lynne Cherry

Lynne Cherry journeyed deep into the rain forests of Brazil to write and illustrate a book about a man who exhausts himself trying to chop down a giant kapok tree While he sleeps, the forest’s residents, including a child from the Yanomamo tribe, whisper in his ear about the importance of tress and how “all living things depend on one another” and it works

The Wonderful Things You Will Be

By Emily Winfield Martin

From brave to bold to creative and clever, Emily Winfield Martin’s rhythmic rhyme expresses all the loving things that parents think of when they look at their children

Tiny T Rex and the Impossible Hug

By Jonathan Stutzman

Tiny T Rex has a HUGE problem HIs friend Pointy needs cheering up and only a hug will do But with his short stature and teeny T Rex arms, is a hug impossible? Not if Tiny has anything to say about it!

Solar System

By Jill McDonald

Everyyoungchildlovestolookupatthemoonin thesky Here’saHello,World!boardbookthatcan teachtoddlersallaboutthesun,moon,stars,and planets-withcolors,shapes,sizes,andsupersimplefacts

The Book with No Pictures

By B J Novak

You might think a book with no pictures seems boring and serious Except here’s how books work Everything written on the page has to be said by the person reading it aloud Even if the words say BLORK Or BLUURF Even if the words are a preposterous song about eating ants for breakfast, or just a list of astonishingly goofy sounds like BLAGGITY BLAGGITY and GLIBBITY GLOBBITY

The Kissing Hand

By Audrey Penn

School is starting in the forest, but Chester Racoon does not want to go To help ease Chester’s fears, Mrs Racoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary This book is widely used by teachers on the first day of school

Stellaluna

By Janell Cannon

While out searching for food, fruit bat Stellaluna and her mother are attacked by a vicious owl Stellaluna is separated from Mother Bat and taken in by a family of birds where she must put aside her bat habits to fit in with her new family But one fateful flight when she is separated from her adoptive siblings, Stellaluna is reunited with her bat family and leans that even though we ’ re different, we ’ re very much the same.

Tiny T Rex and the

Very Dark Dark

By Jonathan Stutzman

Tiny T Rex and his friend Pointy are having a campout in the backyard! It is what best friends do But without their nighty-lights, the dark outside suddenly seems VERY dark and very full of spooky things Good thing Tiny has a super-secret plan to keep the dark at bay!

EARLY EDUCATION:

Picture Books:

Strega Nona

By Tomie DePaola

Strega Nona - “Grandma Witch” - is the source of potions, cures, magic, and comfort in her Calabrian town Her magical everfull pasta pot is especially intriguing to hungry Big Anthony He is supposed to look after her house and tend her garden but one day, when she goes over the mountain to visit Strega Amelia, Big Anthony recites the magic verse over the pasta pot, with disastrous results

we ’ re Going on a Bear Hunt

By Michael Rosen

Join a father and his four young children as they cross a field of tall, wavy grass, wade through a deep, cold river, struggle through swampy mud, find their way through a big, dark, forest, fight through a whirling snowstorm, and enter a narrow cave What will they find there? You’ll have to read on to find out!

The Day the Crayons Quit

By Drew Dawalt

Boxedset!WhenyoubabysitaGrandmaorGrandpa,if you ’relucky,you’llhaveasleepoverattheirhouse!And withusefultipsfoundinthesebooks,you’reguaranteed tobecomeanexpertgrandmaorgrandpa-sitterinno time (Besuretocheckoutthesectionson:Howtokeep aGrandmaorGrandpabusy;Possibleplacestosleep, andwhattodoonceyou’rebothtuckedinforthenight oryourparentsarrivetopickyouup

Llama Llama Red Pajama

By Anna Dewdney

Boxedset!WhenyoubabysitaGrandmaorGrandpa,if you ’relucky,you’llhaveasleepoverattheirhouse!And withusefultipsfoundinthesebooks,you’reguaranteed tobecomeanexpertgrandmaorgrandpa-sitterinno time.(Besuretocheckoutthesectionson:Howtokeep aGrandmaorGrandpabusy;Possibleplacestosleep, andwhattodoonceyou’rebothtuckedinforthenight oryourparentsarrivetopickyouup

Here Comes the Easter Cat

By Deborah Underwood

Why should the Easter Bunny get all the love? That’s what Cat would like to know So he decides to take over: He dons his sparkly suit, jumps on his Harley, and roars off into the night But it turns out delivering Easter eggs is hard work And it doesn’t leave much time for naps (of which Cat has taken five - no, seven) So when a pooped-out Easter Bunny shows up, and with a treat for Cat, what will Cat do? His Surprise solution will be stylish, smart, and even - yes - kind

Binny’s Diwali

By Thrity Umrigar

Binny is excited to talk to her class about her favorite holiday But she struggles to find the words Taking a deep breath, she tells her classmates about the fireworks that burst like stars in the night sky, leaving streaks of gold and red and green She shares with them delicious pedas and jalebis And she shows them clay lamps, called diyas, which look so pretty all the children ooh and aah

Peppa’s Chinese New Year

By EOne (Illustrator)

Celebrate Chinese New Year with Peppa Pig in this charming storybook! It’s the year of the Pig - Peppa Pig, that is! When Madame Gazelle tells the children it’s time to celebrate Chinese New Year, they couldn’t be more excited Peppa and her friends hang lanterns, eat fortune cookies, and put on a dragon dance!

Penguin and Pinecone

By Salina Yoon

When you give love it grows When curious little Penguin finds a lost pinecone in the snow, their friendship grows into something extraordinary! But Grandpa reminds Penguin that pinecones can’t live in snow - they belong in the warm forest far away Can Penguin help Pinecone get home? And can they stay friends, even if they’re miles apart?

EARLY EDUCATION: Ms. Bui’s Favorites:

The Umbrella

By Beth Ferry

From the New York Times bestselling creators behind Stick and Stone comes an inspiring story of persistence, kindness, and curiosity - a perfect read-aloud, rain or shine In a dreary town where it always rains, a little girl and her dog discover an unexpected way to spread the light Told with surprise and humor, here is a story of generosity, perseverance, and the way that happiness can be contagious - all it takes is one person and a bright idea This gorgeously illustrated story is a feelgood classic in the making for all bedtimes and story times.

The Reflection in Me

By Marc Colagiovanni

In the follow-up to When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left, comes a heartwarming and joyful celebration of selflove from #1 New York Times bestselling creator Peter H. Reynolds and talented author Marc Colagiovanni! “I like being you, ” said the reflection in the mirror “To me you are perfectly perfect ” This is a story of self-love that teaches children that their physical layer is just that - one layer - and below it lies a rich tapestry of attributes that make them unique and wonderful Through Marc Colagiovanni’s powerful text and Peter H Reynold’s inspirational artwork, this picture book offers readers a wholly original exploration of self-love and selfacceptance Originally released as an animated short, wwhich has over 1 4 million views on YouTube, this is the second of two new picture books created in collaboration with Marc and Peter that is sure to inspire, affirm, and reassure at key milestone moments in every young reader’s life The Reflection in Me serves to empower children and readers of all ages to find the courage to look inside and love themselves just as they are

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates

By Ryan T Higgins

It’s the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can’t wait to meet her classmates But it’s hard to make human friends when they’re so delicious! That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine and finds she may not be at the top of the food chain after all

Stick And Stone

By Beth Ferry

When Stick rescues Stone from a prickly situation with Pinecone, a friendship is born But when Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor?

With simple rhyming text, subtle messages of kindness and compassion, and Tom Lichtenheld’s signature charm, this delightful story about making and helping friends will enchant readers young and old because it’s never too early - or too late - to stick up for your friends

Stick And Stone Explore and More

By Beth Ferry

Join Stick and Stone as they get swept up in a scavenger hunt Accompany them to a campfire calamity And laugh along with them in this new graphic novel series starring two best buddies and a whole cast of new characters

Each story has a fun activity to make you feel part of the action

EARLY EDUCATION:

Ms. Bui’s Favorites:

Germs Are Not for Sharing

By Elizabeth Verdick

“Look at those feet! Aren’t they sweet?” Yes - when they’re walking, standing, leaping, and landing. And when they’re kicking balls or leaves But not when they’re kicking people! In simple words and charming full-color illustrations, this bilingual English-Spanish book helps toddlers learn to use their feet for fun, not in anger or frustration It also includes tips for parents and caregivers in both languages on how to help toddlers be sweet with their feet

Lila Greer, Teacher of the Year

By Andrea Beaty

Lila Greer is full of worries Even the smallest things - from cabbages to cardboard - fill her with dread and what-ifs So when her family makes a big change - moving to a new town - the worry and what-ifs only grow What if things go wrong? What if no one likes her?

At first, Lila feels right to be worried In her new home, everything is strange The new kids, the new smells Lila feels alone and invisible But there’s one person who sees her: Lila’s teacher, Ms Kern Through some creativity, blackboard erasers, and - most of all - kindness, Ms Kern finds a way to make Lila feel welcome and open to new experiences A lesson that will resonate with Lila long after second grade

I need a Hug

By Aaron Blabey

In I Need a Hug, a tiny porcupine just wants a cuddle All of the other animals turn him away because of his prickly spikes But finally the porcupine meets an animal who’s happy to hug - a snake! Rich with author-illustrator Aaron Blabey’s signature rhyming text and unforgettably splendid illustrations, I Need a Hug is a sweet story about friendship and learning not to judge a book by its cover

Beautiful Oops!

By Barney Saltzberg

A spill A smear A smudge A tear When you think you have made a mistake, think of it as an opportunity to make something beautiful!

A life lesson that all parents want their children to embrace: It’s okay to make a mistake In fact, hooray for mistakes! A mistake is an adventure in creativity, a portal to discovery A spill doesn’t ruin a drawing - not when it becomes the shape of a goofy animal And an accidental tear in your paper? Don’t be upset about it when you can turn it into the roaring mouth of an alligator

The Invisible String

By Patrice Karst

In this relatable and reassuring contemporary classic, a mother tells her two children that they’re all connected by an invisible string “That’s impossible!” the children’ insist, but still they want to know more: “What kind of string?” The answer is the simple truth that binds us all: An Invisible String made of love Even though you can’t see it with your eyes, you can feel it deep in your heart, and know that you are always connected to the ones you love Does everybody have an Invisible String? How far does it reach? Does it ever go away? This heartwarming picture book for all ages explores questions about the intangible yet unbreakable connections between us, and opens up deeper conversations about love

EARLY EDUCATION:

Ms. Bui’s Favorites:

If I Built a House

By Chris Van Dusen

In If I Built a Car, imaginative Jack dreamed up a whimsical fantasy ride that could do just about anything Now he’s back and ready to build a house of his dreams, complete with a racetrack, flying room, and gigantic slide Jack’s limitless creativity and infectious enthusiasm will inspire budding young inventors to imagine their own fantastical designs

Who am I: Words I tell Myself

By Susan Verde

When the unkind voice get loud and I feel down, I can tell myself: I am enough In this world, I matter

We all have rough days: tough times when we feel down and an unkind voice in our mind can make us feel disappointed in ourselves But we can talk back to that unkind voice; we can find the voice that will lift us up instead We can tell ourselves words that are positive, supportive, and true

A celebration of self-love and owning all the things that make us special, Who I Am: Words I Tell Myself is a heartfelt collection of positive affirmations, helping us to affirm that we are human, we are enough, and we are deserving of all kinds of love - especially our own

Tap the Magic Tree

By Christie Matheson

Every book needs you to turn the pages But not every book needs you to tap it, shake it, jiggle it, or even blow it a kiss Innovative and timeless, Tap the Magic Tree asks you to help one lonely tree change with the seasons. Now that’s interactive - and magical!

It begins with a bare brown tree But tap the tree, turn the page, and one bright green leaf has sprouted! Tap again - one, two, three, four - and four more leaves have grown on the next page Pat, clap, wiggle, jiggle, and see blossoms bloom, apples grow, and the leaves swirl away with the autumn breeze The collage-and-watercolor art evokes the bright simplicity of Lois Ehlert and Eric Carle and the interactive concept will delight fans of Pat the Bunny Combining a playful spirit and a sense of wonder about nature, Christie Matheson has created a new modern classic that is a winner in every season - and every story time!

Mixed: A Colorful Story

By Arree Chung

The reds, the yellows, and the blues all think they’re the best in this vibrant, thought-provoking picture book from Arree Chung, with a message of acceptance and unity

In the beginning, there were three colors Reds, Yellows, and Blues All special in their own ways, all living in harmonyuntil one day, a Red says “Reds are the best!” and starts a color kerfuffle When the colors decide to separate, is there anything that can change their minds?

A Yellow, a Blue, and a never-before-seen color might just save the day in this inspiring book about color, tolerance, and embracing differences

Mistakes Are How I Learn: An Early Reader Rhyming Story Book for Children to Help with Perseverance and Diligence

By Kiara Wilson

This story will help your child know that he/she is not alone when facing defeat Tamara shares what she does when confronted with challenges Developed to engage children, Wilson’s stories will empower children with the affirmations to overcome obstacles.

With Tamara in examples children can identify with, your child will learn to develop resilience

EARLY EDUCATION:

Ms. Bui’s Favorites:

My Name is a Story: An Empowering First Day of School Book for Kids

By Ashanti

First days aren’t easy for a girl with a name like Ashanti It feels like no one can pronounce it correctly! But with some encouragement from her mom, Ashanti spells her name and learns just how special it is

A is for awesome, S is for sunsets, H is for hand games, A is for art...

Inspired by Ashanti’s own experience, this delightful picture book shares the joy that one child finds in her name

Love You by Heart

bY

Peter H Reynolds

I Love every smile, every blink, I love you by heart I love your toes, your head, your nose I love you by heart

Celebrated, bestselling creator Peter H Reynolds brings to life this ode to unconditional love with a delightful and poetic tribute to the rare and beautiful love that binds us together From the intimate and unbridled love parents and caregivers have for their little ones, to the tremendous love of a lifelong friendship, and the boundless love of a grandparent - this is a heartfelt message to share with the people we cherish; like a song we have known all our lives, we love them

The Hidden Rainbow

By Christie Matheson

Bees need a healthy and colorful garden to survive Luckily, all the colors of the rainbow are hidden in this garden - but the bees need the reader’s help to find them Brush off the camellia tree, tickle the tulips, and even blow a kiss to the lilac tree

With every action and turn of the page, a flower blooms and more bees are drawn to the feast

They All Saw a Cat

By Brendan Wenzel

The cat walked through the world, with its whiskers, ears, and paws In this glorious celebration of observation, curiosity, and imagination, author and illustrator Brendan Wenzel shows us the many lives of one cat, and how perspective shapes what we see When you see a cat, what do you see?

I Wish You More

By Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Whether celebrating life’s joyous milestones, sharing words of encouragement, or observing the wonder of everyday moments, this sweet book is for wishers of all ages! I Wish You More is the perfect graduation gift or baby shower book as well as an uplifting read sure to bring positivity to all who read it

Grumpy Monkey

By Suzanne Lang

Jim the chimpanzee is in a terrible mood for no good reason. HIs friends can’t understand ithow can he be in a bad mood when it’s SUCH a beautiful day? They have lots of suggestions for how to make him feel better But Jim can’t take all the advice and has a BIT of a meltdown Could it be that he just needs a day to feel grumpy?

Pig the Pug: Cranky Pug

By Aron Blabey

From the world of Pig the Pug #1 New York Times bestselling Author, Aaron Blabey. Perfect for reading aloud all year long, this board book introduces the littlest Pig the Pug fans to feelings and emotions Is Pig cranky, happy, jealous, or sleepy?

Elephant & Piggie Series:

Available at IST’S Book Fair:

Available on the Scholastic’s Online Store:

Available on the Scholastic’s Online Store - SPANISH:

The Pigeon Series:

Available on the Scholastic’s Online Store:

Available on the Scholastic’s Online Store - SPANISH:

Jory John’s Food Series:

Available at IST’S Book Fair:

Available on the Scholastic’s Online Store:

Pig The Pug Series by Aaron Blabey:

Available at IST’S Book Fair:

Available on the Scholastic’s Online Store:

Available on the Scholastic’s Online Store - SPANISH:

How to Ask A Dinosaur Series by Jane Yolen:

Available on the Scholastic’s Online Store:

Available on the Scholastic’s Online Store - SPANISH:

There Was An Old Lady Series by Lucille Colandro:

Available at IST’S Book Fair:

Available on the Scholastic’s Online Store:

PK-G4:

Nonfiction - Series:

Ordinary People Change the World Series by Brad Meltzer:

Available on the Scholastic’s Online Store:

PK-G4:

Nonfiction - Series:

Ordinary People Change the World Series by Brad Meltzer:

I am

Harriet Tubman

I am

Martin Luther King Jr.

I am Sonia Sotomayor

I am Gandhi I am Jackie Robinson

I am

Benjamin Franklin

I am

Jane Goodall

I am

Neill Armstrong

I am Sacagawea

I am

Jim Henson

I am

Rosa Parks I am

Albert Einstein I am

Abraham Lincoln I am

Amelia Earhart

Ordinary People Change the World Series by Brad Meltzer:

I am

Stephen Hawking

I am

Jesse Owens

I am Ruth Bader Ginsburg

I am Mister Rogers

I am John Lewis

I am

Temple Grandin

I am

Dolly Parton

I am

Muhammad Ali

I am Malala Yousafzai

I am Oprah Winfrey

I am

I.M. Pei

I am

Frida Kahlo

I am

Anne Frank

I am

Leonardo da Vinci

I am Walt Disney

I am

Marie Curie

I am

Billie Jean King

I am

George Washington

I am

Helen Keller

I am

Lucille Ball

Early Education: IB Book Recommendations:

Blackout

by John Rocco

One hot summer night in the city, all the power goes out The TV shuts off and a boy wails, “Mommm!” His sister can no longer use the phone, Mom can’t work on her computer, and Dad can’t finish cooking dinner What’s a family to do? When they go up to the roof to escape the heat, they find the lights - in stars that can be seen for a change - and so many neighbors it’s like a block party in the sky! On the street below, people are having just as much fun - talking, rollerblading, and eating ice cream before it melts The boy and his family enjoy being not so busy for once They even have time to play a board game together When the electricity is restored, everything can go back to normal but not everyone likes normal The boy switches off the lights, and out comes the board game again

Using a combination of panels and full bleed illustrations that move from color to black-and-white and back to color, John Rocco shows that if we are willing to put our cares aside for a while, there is party potential in a summer blackout

If I Ran the Rain Forest

by Bonnie Worth

The Cat in the Hat takes Sally and Dick for an “umbrella-vator” ride through the understory, canopy, and emergent layers of a tropical rain forest, encountering a host of plants, animals, and native peoples along the way

Thank you, Earth

by April Pulley Sayre

April Pulley Sayre, award-winning photographer and acclaimed author of more than sixty-five books, introduces concepts of science, nature, and language arts through stunning photographs and a poetic text structured as a simple thank-you note Touching subjects from life cycles to weather, colors, shapes, and patterns, this is an ideal resource for science and language art curriculums and a terrific book for bedtime sharing.

Incredibly Me!

by Kathi Appelt

Join a rambunctious child as she exuberantly celebrates all the wonderful qualities that make her special - her nose, her toes, her ears, herself! Award winners Kathi Appelt and G Brian Karas team up to create this joyous tribute to the wonders of being ME!

Chrysanthemum

by Kevin Henkes

Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect - until her first day of school “You’re named after a flower!” teases Victoria “Let’s smell her,” says Jo Chrysanthemum wilts What will it take to make her blossom again?

This is an ideal break-the-ice book for the first week of school It gets children thinking about and bonding with their own names and the names of everyone else in the class, and it’s the perfect vehicle for starting a discussion about treating classmates with tolerance, kindness, and compassion

Early Education: IB Book Recommendations:

Courage

by Bernard Waber

What is courage? Certainly it takes courage for a firefighter to rescue someone trapped in a burning building, but there are many other kinds of courage too Everyday kinds that normal, ordinary people exhibit all the time, like “being the first to make up after an argument,” or “going to bed without a nightlight ” Bernard Waber explores the many varied kinds of courage and celebrates the moments, big and small, that bring out the hero in each of us

Because of an Acorn

by

Fran Preston-Gannon

Because of an acorn, a tree grows, a bird nests, a seed becomes a flower Enchanting die-cuts illustrate the vital connections between the layers of an ecosystem in this magical book Wander down the forest path to learn how every tree, flower, plant, and animal connect to one another in spiraling circles of life. An acorn is just the beginning.

Leaves

by Vijaya Khisty Bodach

Discover the beautiful science of leaves! Leaves are not as simple as they look They use air, water, and sunlight to make food for the whole plant See what’s inside of leaves and how they work Through full-color photos and simple, easy-tofollow text, this nonfiction book introduces emergent readers to the basic science of leaves All Pebble Plus books align with national and state standards and are designed to help new readers read independently, making them the perfect choice for every child

Have You Filled a Bucket Today?

by Carol McCloud

While using a simple metaphor of a bucket and a dipper, author Carol McCloud illustrates that when we choose to be kind, we not only fill the buckets of those around us, but also fill our OWN bucket! Conversely, when we choose to say or do mean things, we are dipping into buckets All day long, we are either filling up or dipping into each other’s buckets by what we say and what we do When you ’ re a bucket filler, you make the world a better place to be! This 32-page picture book is perfect for children, parents, grandparents, teachers and people that want to teach empathy, nurture, kindness and create a positive environment in their home, classroom, workplace community