August 10, 2018

My #pb10for10 - Girl Power Picture Books to Share with My Daughter



I’m thrilled to be joining the #pb10for10 fun again this year!  Many thanks to the wonderful hosts: Cathy Mere (Reflect and Refine), Mandy Robeck (Enjoy and Embrace Learning).   I enjoy the challenge of creating a meaningful list for myself and others, as well as reading all the wonderful lists posted by the community.  

My past #10for10 book collections are:

As a parent, I encourage my daughter to be kind, positive, creative, confident, determined, resilient, disciplined, hopeful and a dreamer.  These qualities go beyond the love and schooling she receives and they are the toughest to teach.  In February, my #nf10for10 was girl power nonfiction books to share with my daughter.  To piggyback on that topic, my #pb10for10 is a list of girl power picture books to read (and reread) with my daughter.  They highlight female role models and reinforce the notion that girls can do and be anything.  Women can accomplished great things, and so can my daughter!


1. Franny’s Father is a Feminist by Rhonda Leet
Franny’s father knows men play an important role in the empowerment of women.  He’s a stay-at-home dad who supports his wife’s career and raises his daughter to be strong, smart, and self-confident.  He tells Franny that girls can do anything boys can do.  From encouraging her love of ballet and tinkering, he’s a modern dad who isn’t afraid of bucking gender norms.


2.  Dear Girl, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and her daughter, Paris Rosenthal
This book reminds girls that they no matter their interest or passion, they are strong, powerful, and hold a special place in the world.  Warning, this book is a tear jerker!


3.  Beautiful by Stacy McAnulty
Beauty comes in many forms.  True beauty is about showing kindness, following your heart, conquering challenges, and embracing your uniqueness.  This book empowers young girls to be smart, strong, and true to themselves.


4.  Not All Princesses Dress in Pink by Jane Yolen & her daughter, Heidi E. Y. Stemple
Every girl doesn’t have a passion for pink.  This book depicts various girls (all wearing tiaras like a princess) following their passions.  Some read books and some play soccer.  Some ride bikes and some splash in the mud.  Young girls will enjoy the empowering message of unlimited potential.  




5.  The Princess and the Pit Stop by Tom Angleberger


Nothing can stop the princess from going from last to first place.  I love the multiple fairy tale references and appearances.  This is the ultimate girl power racing book!  


6.  The Princess Knight by Cornelia Funke
Princess Violet wants to do more than just get married.  She sets out to prove to her father and brothers that she is brave and strong.  Disguised as a boy, she competes and wins a knight's jousting tournament.  Her prize is respect and freedom.  




7.  Piggybook by Anthony Browne
This book was originally published in 1986 and way ahead of it’s time.  An over-worked mother teaches her husband and sons a modern lesson.  The message is simple, . . . if mom and dad both work, they should share in the household duties.  This is a must-read for young boys and girls alike.  I love the pig symbolism throughout the book’s illustrations!



8.  Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio 

Grace learns that there has never been a female president, so she sets out to change it.  First in her schools mock election, and later a foreshadowed presidential election.  This book teaches children about the election process from campaigning and voting (including the electoral college).  Grace is determined, kind, strong, and brave - the perfect role model for the modern girl!


9.  I Am Enough by Grace Byers
This book reads like a beautiful poem.  It's simple text and illustrations encourage acceptance of self, acceptance of others, and inclusion of diversity.  


10.  Violet the Pilot by Steve Breen
Violet is an inventor, an engineer, and a pilot.  To end the teasing she receives at school and show the kids what she’s capable of, she sets out to win the blue ribbon in the Air Show.  While performing, she stops to rescue a Boy Scout troop in peril.  Violet models the importance of following your passions and show kindness, making her a true hero for boys and girls alike.  

July 5, 2018

Books on Blankets


Looking for a fun way to encourage summer reading?  Consider hosting Books on Blankets!  It’s an easy and fun way to promote literacy and books for students and their families.  

I’m always looking for engaging ways to get students reading over the summer.  For years I’ve hosted Teacher Tuesdays at the public library (click here for more details).  New this year, I started Books on Blankets and it was a big hit!  Start by picking a summer date and time (we did a Monday evening from 7:00pm-8:00pm) and a location (we did the school’s front lawn). Then promote the event with students and families, and asked them to bring a book and a blanket.  I did a sign-up genius to invite staff members to attend and asked them to bring a book to read aloud.  The day of the event, I pulled a variety of books from the school library for families to read, put them in three roll crates, and rolled them outside.  I set up a few blankets and lawn chairs, and brought popsicles for students to enjoy in the summer shade.  Students and their families drove, rode bikes, and walked to the event - with books and blankets in hand!  Staff, students, and parents talked about their summer fun and read books - some alone and some together.  A few teachers and a parent did a read aloud.  We enjoyed the perfect summer night, no rain and a comfortable temperature.  

All in all, our first Books on Blankets was a fun and successful event.  It doesn’t get any better than staff, students, and families reading together on a beautiful summer evening. 

What kind of summer reading events do you host at your school?  For more ways to encourage students to read over the summer, click here.  Happy summer reading!

June 1, 2018

Top 10 Circulated Beginning Chapter Books


What beginning chapter books were popular with students during the 2017-2018 school year?  Last spring, Travis Jonker of 100 Scope Notes inspired my first top ten beginning chapter book list (click here to see it).  I’m back to reveal my student’s favs this school year.  BTW, last year’s #1 pick is the champ again this year - kids love Andy Griffiths books!  

Here are my student’s top 10 most circulated beginning chapter books of the 2017-2018 school year:



10.  Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu by Tracey West



9.  Barbie: I Can be a Horse Rider by Mary Man-Kong



8.  Ninjago: Rise of the Snakes by Tracey West



7.  Dance! Dance! Underpants! by Bob Shea



6.  Fly Guy’s Ninja Christmas by Tedd Arnold



5.  The Cat on the Mat is Flat by Andy Griffiths



4.  Barbie: I Can be a Gymnast by Kristen L. Depken



3.  Barbie: I Can be a Teacher by Mary Man-Kong



2.  Barbie: I Can be a Ballerina by Christy Webster



1.  The Big Fat Cow Goes Kapow by Andy Griffiths



Top 10 Circulated Picture Books




What picture books were popular with students during the 2017-2018 school year?  Last spring, Travis Jonker of 100 Scope Notes inspired my first top ten picture book list (click here to see it).  I’m back to reveal my student’s favs this school year.  BTW, Elephant and Piggie continue to dominate!

Here are my student’s top 10 most circulated picture books of the 2017-2018 school year:



10.  Elephants Cannot Dance! by Mo Willems



9.  Sam & Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett



8.  Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems



7.  I Will Take a Nap! by Mo Willems



6.  Are You Ready to Play Outside? by Mo Willems



5.  I Broke My Trunk! by Mo Willems



4.  Happy Pig Day! by Mo Willems



3.  Let’s Go For a Drive! by Mo Willems



2.  Watch Me Throw the Ball! by Mo Willems



1.  Pigs Make Me Sneeze! by Mo Willems


As you can see my students remain big fans of Mo Willems!  I was curious how far their love for Mo would go, so I ran the stats for the top 25 most circulated picture books.  It’s clear Mo Willems reigns as king in my school library!  Here are the titles from #11-#25:



11.  I’m a Frog by Mo Willems



12.  The Pigeon Needs a Bath! by Mo Willems



13.  Peanut Butter & Cupcake! by Terry Border



14.  Today I Will Fly! by Mo Willems



15.  I Really Like Slop! by Mo Willems



16.  My New Friend Is So Fun! by Mo Willems



17.  My Friend is Sad by Mo Willems



18.  We Are In a Book! by Mo Willems



19.  A Big Guy Took My Ball! by Mo Willems



20.  Dino-Baseball by Lisa Wheeler



21.  Dino-Basketball by Lisa Wheeler



22.  There is a Bird on Your Head!  by Mo Willems



23.  Uni the Unicorn by Amy Krouse Rosenthal



24.  Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity by Mo Willems



25.  Fancy Nancy and the Wedding of the Century by Jane O’Connor