The Good Egg by Jory John

 

Summary:

The Good Egg by Jory John is a funny story that teaches about self-care and acceptance.  The Good Egg is a good egg, but the other eleven eggs in the carton are not.  He is the only one that keeps his friends in line when they misbehave.  One day he sets off on his own in search of an adventure of self-discovery.  He travels the land, grows a beard, and finds relaxation.  He learns enough about himself and others to find happiness and acceptance.

The Good Egg is a humorous book about caring about your self and accepting your own and others´ differences.  Each page is fun and playful and holds a valuable message.

John, J., & Oswald, P. (2019). The good egg. HarperCollins Children's Books.

Hey Grandude! by Paul McCartney

 

Summary:

Hey Grandude! is a fun picture book written by singer/songwriter Paul McCartney.  A white- haired pony tailed grandfather finds his four grandkids bored and grumpy when they are stuck inside on a grumpy day, so he takes out some magical postcards and takes them away to three different places on the cards.  First they go to a tropical beach where they are chased by crabs.  Next they go to a desert with cowboys and horses.  Then they go to a mountain meadow with wildflowers and snow covered peaks and they must escape an avalance.  In the end, they get transported back to their beds where they are safe and sound.

McCartney, P., & Durst, K. (2019). Hey Grandude! Random House.

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems

 

Summary:

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems is a silly story that captures kids anxieties about going to school for the first time.  Pigeon encourages readers not to read the title.  Then he wonders why does he have to go to school if he already knows everything.  He thinks that if he learns too much, his head may pop off. He admits that the unknown stresses him out.  He finally comes around, and then worries how he will get to school, until he see the yellow school bus.  

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! is a funny take on kids´ first day jitters.  Kids will be able to identify with the many worries kids have when going to school, from the heavy backpack to getting a teacher that may not like pigeons.  This is a silly story that kids will be able to relate to.

Willems, M. (2019). The pigeon has to go to school! Hyperion Books for Children.

Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayer

 

Summary:

Just Ask! by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayer is a picture pook that values each person´s differences.  The book begins by Sonia and her friends planting a garden.  She talks about how the different plants make the garden special and compares this to how the differences between kids are special too.  Children learn its okay to ask questions when you are curious about someone.  Sonia writes about her difference of diabetes.  Then eleven other kids introduce what makes them special.  Each character contributes to the garden in a unique way that connects to their strengths.

Just Ask! is beautifully illustrated by Rafael Lopez.  The illustrations are vibrant and portrays the different ethnicities, genders, and abilities that contribute to making the garden unique.  Readers are able to connect to the characters´ feelings and emotions.  The book sends a positive message about asking questions and the importance of diversity in others.  

Sotomayor, S., & López Rafael. (2019). Just ask!: be different, be brave, be you. Philomel Books.

Dear Girl, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Paris Rosenthal

 

Summary:

Dear Girl, is written as a letter with advice by a parent.  Some advice is directed to girls to not hold back, to ask many questions, and how to contemplate thoughts by writing them down.  Other advice promotes body acceptance and to say thank you to something that makes you YOU.  For example, thanking your freckles, a birthmark, or color of your hair.  The advice throughout the book encourages girls to trust themselves and their feelings.

Dear Girl, is a wonderful book to offer girls words of encouragment and advices.  It gives girls a sense of empowerment.  The ilustrations by Holly Hatam are light and cartoonish, which gives the book a sense of playfulness and fun.

Rosenthal, A. K., Hatam, H., & Rosenthal, P. (2017). Dear Girl. Harper.

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin

 

Summary:

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin is a silly picture book for children with beautiful art.  A young boy, along with his adorable dog, explains how much dragons love to eat tacos.  He also warns that dragons should never eat spicy salsa because it will make fire come out of their ears and mouth.  He throws a party for his dragon friends and serves ¨mild¨ salsa.  However, the boy misses the fine print that says it is ¨now served with spicy jalepeno peppers.¨ The boy´s house gets destroyed when all of the dragons start breathing fire.  The dragons help him rebuild his house and in return the boy serves them tacos!

Illustrations by Daniel Salmieri are cartoon like and are so fun to look at.  Kids won´t be able to stop laughing!  

Rubin, A., & Salmieri, D. (2012). Dragons love tacos. Dial.

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold

 

Summary:

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold is a powerful children´s picture book about belonging.  The book follows kids through their school day, activities, and home life.  The book has a strong message that no matter of race, family, clothes, religion, or ability that everyone belongs.  For example, some kids arrive to school by foot, by wheelchair, or taxi and how kids eat foods from different cultures for lunch.  Students work and play together. No one is left out and everyone is valued.

All Are Welcome includes colorful and engaging illustrations by Suzanne Kaufman.  Kids are encouraged to be who they are and accept others differences.  It teaches to welcome others and value their uniqueness.  

Penfold, A., & Kaufman, S. (2018). All are welcome. Knopf Books for Young Readers.

The Couch Potato by Jory John

 

Summary:

The Couch Potato by Jory John is about The Couch Potato who really loves his couch.  He spends all of his free time there and has everything and anything he could need within arms reach.  For example, his slippers, snacks, headphones, gadgets, and games.  He loves his screens on his wall that he plays his video games on and lives streams with his best spud.  Everything is perfect for The Couch Potato until one day the power goes out.  With nothing to entertain him, he sets out for a walk and realizes what he has been missing.

The Couch Potato offers a good message to children about balancing screen time.  When he finally peels himself off the couch and goes outside, he finds a world full of beauty and possibilities.  While he still enjoys relaxing on his couch, he spends much of his time playing outside with his friends.

John, J. (2020). Couch Potato. HarperCollins Canada, Limited.

Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang

 

Summary:  

Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Long is the first in the monkey series.  Young Jim Panzee wakes up in a bad mood and can´t seem to get out of it.  His friends try to help him get out of his bad mood by telling him it´s going to be a wonderful day, to raise his eyebrows, to unhunch his shoulders, to dance, walk, eat, and much more, but nothing works!  Jim gets angry but finds comfort in his friend Norman, who also wakes up grumpy.  They share their grumpiness, until finally it passes.

Grumpy Monkey helps kids to understand it is okay to allow these feelings to exist.  It also empasizes the impact friends can have by expressing positivity and showing love and support.  This book allows children to be more in control of their emotions.

Lang, S. (2018). Grumpy Monkey. Random House Books . 

The Day the Crayons Quit by Regan McMahon

Summary:

The Day the Crayons Quit by Regan McMahon is wildly imaginative and tons of fun.  The main character, Duncan, finds a stack of letters in his desk at school sent by his crayons.  All the letters are full of complaints.  For example, red says it has to work too hard, while beige complains it doesn´t have enough to do.  Yellow and orange fight over which color should be used to color the sun.  Duncan has to come up with a creative way to please everyone.

Kids will love being able to relate to this book.  It´s hilarious to think that crayons fight over what they have to color or be jealous of each other.  Each crayon has a distinct personality that kids will be sure to love. 

Daywalt, D., & Jeffers, O. (2013). The day the crayons quit. HarperCollins Children's Books.