There’s an old cliché that says that the age of twelve is the best time to start reading science fiction. However, science fiction is too important to wait until 7th grade! This genre can teach science-fictional ways of thinking, a mindset that helps us process new technology and think critically about science. Thanks to that […]
Category Archives: Top Ten Lists
June
18
Ten Picture Books to Enhance Writing Instruction by Shannon Eichele
posted by CBethM
There is something special about a read-aloud that captures the attention of our young learners. Taking a picture book and transforming it into an engaging lesson can make learning even more meaningful. We can introduce a new topic in science or maybe help our learners solve the mystery of dividing fractions. Picture books can also […]
April
15
TEN MULTICULTURAL PICTURE BOOKS ABOUT FOOD BY HELEN H. WU
posted by CBethM
Cooking and eating is something we all have in common, and it’s something kids easily relate to. Reading about food from around the globe and cooking traditions is a great way to teach children to learn about other cultures, embrace and celebrate differences across race, ethnicity, gender, and appearance. Here are top ten multicultural children’s […]
March
12
TOP TEN GRAPHIC NONFICTION BOOKS FOR KIDS by Sally Engelfried
posted by CBethM
Graphic nonfiction can present an interesting conundrum to librarians, as we tend to like our nonfiction meticulously cited, with no dialog unless it’s a primary source. Yet most graphic nonfiction is full of dialog, as dictated by its form! What I suggest to students is that they view graphic nonfiction as a jumping off point […]
January
22
TEN BOOKS FOR KIDS WHO WANT TO SAVE THE PLANET by Mary Boone
posted by CBethM
Global warming. Sustainability. Carbon footprint. Water scarcity. Terms rarely mentioned twenty years ago, now are being discussed with children on a regular basis. A 2021 survey conducted by The Week Junior and YouGov found that children born since 2010 list protecting the environment as their second most-pressing concern – right behind access to quality education. […]
November
13
Ten Booty-ful books for laughing and learning by Jocelyn Rish
posted by CBethM
Kids like books about butts. And farts. And poop. Actually, most adults like them, too. There’s something about a solid scatological joke that sets off peals of laughter. Heck, even just saying the word toot can trigger the giggles. Because books about backsides produce so much laughter, they are a great way to slip in […]
November
06
Ten Books to Support Young Activists by Rochelle Melander
posted by CBethM
When I started a writing program for young people in Milwaukee, I had one goal: to create a space for children and teens to tell their stories. The students I’ve worked with over the years dream of changing the world. They’ve written about how they would do it, from buying back guns to mandating recycling […]
September
25
TOP TEN PICTURE BOOKS ABOUT GROWTH MINDSET BY SALLY ENGELFRIED
posted by CBethM
In the wake of the social isolation that Zoom school brought to students, this year I’ve been flooded with requests from teachers for books about social emotional learning (SEL). There are many aspects of SEL, from developing empathy to encouraging self-confidence, but the request I’ve received the most is books about growth mindset. Carol Dweck […]
September
13
10 Best Books Starring Kangaroos by Margaret Robson Kett
posted by CBethM
It’s the animal holding up one side of the Australian coat-of-arms. Europeans who encountered First Nations people speaking Guugu-Yimidhirr language in what is now northern Queensland over two hundred years ago heard them describe this strange animal as ‘ganjurru’. The kangaroo is adorably quirky and seems purpose built for picture books about mother-child relationships. My […]
August
14
TOP TEN BOOKS ABOUT KIDS WHO COOK (AND BAKE) BY SALLY ENGELFRIED
posted by CBethM
When I host elementary school class visits at my library, one of the most frequent questions I hear in the nonfiction section is “Where are the cookbooks?” The popularity of competition cooking shows like MasterChef Junior or The Great British Baking Show may help fuel this interest, but whatever the reason, it’s a great idea […]
Nerdy Book Club 