Top 10 Tuesday – Favorite Books for Celebrating International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day takes place this Friday, March 8th. This day is about celebrating the achievements of women around the world in all sorts of different fields and accomplishments, as well as raise awareness against bias and advocate for women’s equality. If you are looking for some great picture books to share with your students this week, you have come to the right place!

Here are some of my favorite books to share with your students to help kick-start a discussion about this important day.

A Girl Like You – Frank Murphy

Such an inspiring, diverse, inclusive, and lovely book that empowers girls to be anything that they want to be!  A perfect book to share on International Women’s Day, it encourages girls to defy stereotypes and embrace whatever it is that makes them most happy.  LOVE this one! 

The Paper Bag Princess – Robert Munsch

Don’t forget the classic Paper Bag Princess when celebrating International Women’s Day!  This revolutionary book busted gender stereotypes when it was released in 1980.  Since then, generations of girls have fallen in love with this classic story of girl-power.  Who can forget the shock when Elizabeth finally rescues the prince, he doesn’t even say thank you, and will have nothing to do with her until she’s dressed like a ‘real princess’?  SUCH a great book for inferring and a perfect one for celebrating women power! Available in FRENCH.

Malala’s Magic Pencil – Malala Yousafzai

As the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace prize, Malala Yousafzai inspired many by her courage to fight against the Taliban for girls right to education. While a difficult subject, this story is written with younger readers in mind and does an excellent job of simplifying the concepts.  A great book for discussing global education, as many children do not realize what a privilege it is to go to school. 

The Trailblazing Life Of Viola Desmond (A Civil Rights Icon) – Rachel Kehoe

This new book tells the story of Canadian civil rights activist Viola Desmond, involved in desegregating her community long before Rosa Parks kept her bus seat for herself, thank you very much. On November 8, 1946, Viola was arrested for refusing to move from the “whites-only” section of a Nova Scotia movie theater. Her heroic act inspired community leaders across the country and made her a symbol of courage in the fight against inequality and racism across Canada.  EVERY Canadian needs to know the story of this inspirational woman! 

Our House Is On Fire (Greta Thunberg’s Call To Save The Planet) – Jeannette Winter

This story follows Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and her journey from learning about climate change in school to deciding to do something about it. An inspiring story could be linked to themes including climate change, letting your voice be heard, activism, etc.  Written by one of my favorite authors, Jeanette Winter, who is eighty years old and was so moved by Thunberg’s speech at the Geneva Climate Conference, she wrote this book.  Information page included in the back of the book.  Available in FRENCH and YouTube as a read-aloud.

Amelia Earhart (Little People Big Dreams)– Maria Isabel Sanches Vegara

I could have picked any number of women from the Little People, Big Dreams collection – an inspiring biography series for younger readers with simple, easy-to-understand language and stylish, quirky illustrations.  This book follows Amelia Earhart, whose strong will and self-belief helped her overcome gender prejudice and technical problems to become the first female flier to fly solo across the Atlantic ocean. I learned a lot when I read this book!

Autumn Petier, Water Warrior – Carole Lindstrom

A brilliant introduction to Canadian environmental and Indigenous rights activists Grandmother Josephine Mandamin and her great-niece Autumn Peltier and their work as water protectors in their community.  It’s beautifully written, with an emotional foreword from Autumn Peltier and helpful notes at the end. The art is gorgeous! 

Sisters In Science (Marie Curie, Bronia Deuska And The Atomic Power Of Sisterhood) – Linda Elovitz Marshall

A new release so I thought I would include it, this is the fascinating true story of Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie and her sister Bronia, two trailblazing women who worked together and made a legendary impact on chemistry and health care.  I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot about Marie Curie and her equally brilliant but not equally as known sister, Bronia. What these women did, and how they managed to do it! WOW! 

Lion On The Inside (How One Girl Changed Basketball) – Bilqis Abdul – Qaadir & Judith Henderson

The inspirational true story of Bilquis Abdui-Qaadir, a passionate Muslim basketball player who faced discrimination when she was told she could not wear her hijab when playing. Bilquis takes a stand – she won’t sacrifice her hijab for basketball…and bravely sits out. With the help of her teammates, Bilquis eventually changes the rules of basketball. This is such an inspirational story about staying true to yourself, your beliefs, your culture, and your dreams.   Wonderfully illustrated.

Fantastically Great Women Who Saved The Planet – Kate Pankhurst

Fantastic narrative non-fiction book, teaching children about a range of inspirational women, many of whom I had never heard of before, who have helped to save the planet. Each page is interestingly designed, with readers often having to go on a trail across the pages, following arrows and lines as they read.  A great book for slightly older learners for both Women’s Day and Earth Day.

Fierce Women Who Shaped Canada – Lisa Dalrymple

Fierce is a terrific book that shines a light on ten Canadian women who have faced incredible challenges and done amazing things, but whose stories are largely unknown. The book is well written in a narrative non-fiction style that brings each woman’s story to life in a way that middle grade readers can relate to.  Middle grade readers will engage with the women and their feats of courage and determination.  Great for reading aloud – one woman at a time.

Canadian Women Now & Then (More Than 100 Stories Of Fearless Trailblazers) – Elizabeth MacLeod & Maia Faddoul

Excellent middle grade picture book anthology of over 100 mini-biographies of fearless female Canadian trailblazers.  Well written, single page stories of inspirational women in the past and present, from doctors, to lawyers, to sports athletes, to movie and YouTube stars.  Beautifully illustrated and wonderfully inclusive!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you found a book or two that you can add to your classroom collection.

Happy International Women’s Day, to all you amazing women out there!

Top Ten Tuesday – Favorite New Books to Celebrate SNOW!

Snow is in the forecast, so thought it would be a good time to share some favorite books about snow! 

Here is a list of my favorite NEW books about snow that were released in late 2023 or early 2024. For more snow books, check out of some of my favorites HERE, including waiting for snow, celebrating snow, and visualizing snow.

GearTip – Remember – if you don’t have a hard copy of the book, check online for the YouTube read-alouds!

Favorite New Books about Snow:

Just One Flake – Travis Jonker

A delightful story about a determined little boy who tries tiresly to catch a snowflake on his tongue. A hilarious celebration of winter time!

I’m Going to Build a Snowman – Jashur Awan

A perfect anchor book for “how to” writing! A young boy is excited to build a perfect snowman but when his snowman doesn’t look perfect he rolls with it and shows pride in his work. A cute book with a great theme!

Keith Takes a Snow Day – Kylie Knowlson

The story of a young bear named Keith, who overcomes his dislike of snow to discover how fun winter can be!

The Magical Snowflake – Bernette Ford

Gorgeous illustrations and language in this book about a little girl, Ori, who wishes for snow. Then one magical snowflake appears and leads her, her friends, and family out into a snow storm.

Just SNOW Already! – Howard McWilliam

As a young boy excitedly waits for the expected snowfall, he dreams of all the wonderful things he will do in the snow. He keeps checking out the window, not noticing all of the amazing things taking place on his street, believing that nothing is happening because there is no snow yet. A fantastic read-aloud, especially the day before a big snowfall!

Snow – Leslie Particelli

Adorable, lyrical board book filled with all the fun of playing in the snow. Perfect for your youngest readers!

Slowly, Slowly – Toni Yuly

A quiet, calming book about the changes in seasons shown through the slow changes to a persimmon tree branch. A simple story about the value of slowing down, seeing the world, and savoring experiences.

The Snow Man – Jonah Winter & Jeanette Winter

An interesting picture book based on a real man living in a secluded cabin who’s recordings of snow fall and other enviromental stats have been used by scientists around the world to document climate change. Backnotes are helpful for filling in background information. Excellent themes about ecology or how one person can make a difference. 

Penguin Huddle – Ross Montgomery

A group of penguins huddle together in the cold night to stay warm, but in the morning they are all frozen together! They ask their friends for help, but no amount of pushing or pulling can separate the penguins. So off they go to the big city to ask a special octopus doctor to help them get unfrozen. Not exacatly a book about snow but SUCH fun, I had to include it!

On a Flake-Flying Day: Watching Winter’s Wonders – Buffy Silverman

Can’t miss out on this nonfiction ode to snow! Explore a busy day in nature through rich language, beautiful photographs and an introduction to a variety of winter animals. 

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you found one or two new snow books that caught your eye! Happy reading, everyone! 

Top Ten Tuesday – Top 10 Books About Boxes! (Yes… I said boxes!)

Well, it’s June… and that means trying to finish up all of the school projects and units that need to be complete.  It also means some days, we need our students to be engaged and excited about school, even though our classrooms are stifling and summer is calling.  Why not give them an empty box and let their creative imaginations take over?  This idea came to me when I read Jane Yolen’s new book What To Do With A Box .  It’s an inspiring book about the endless things you can do with a simple box.   Of course, that got me thinking about other books about boxes.  It didn’t take long before a new top 10 list was born!

1. What To Do With A Box – Jane Yolen

The book that started it all…. if you give a child a box, who knows what will happen?  Imaginative, magical, inspiring.

2.  A Box Story – Kenneth Kit Lamug

What can you do with a plain brown box? Everything imaginable!  Simple, charming little book about a plain brown box.  Will definitely inspire children to experiment with their own empty boxes.

3. The Secret Box – Barbara Lehman

Secret messages, magic and adventure await readers in this wordless book by the amazing Barbara Lehman.

4. Not a Box – Antoinette Portis

Full of imagination and humour, this interactive pattern book focuses on a very creative, very imaginative bunny being asked about a box by his friends.  To which he replies, “This is NOT a box.  It’s a ……”

5. The Nowhere Box – Sam Zuppardi

Endearing story of a little boy named George who is trying to escape his pestering brothers so he tells them he is “going newhere” and hides in a washing machine box.   Love the underlying theme about appreciating siblings, no matter how annoying they seem to be.

6.  Christina Katerina & the Box – Patricia Lee Gauch

A new refrigerator for Mom…. a huge box for Christina…. to turn into a castle, a playhouse or anything!  Delightful, imaginative and inspiring!  This book was a classic when I was younger and has been recently re-issued.

7. Gramma & Grampa Live in a Box – Bambi Prunch

When “face-to-face” time between grandparents and grandchildren is limited, what better way to connect than through “a box”.  Perfect book for any grandparents who find themselves at a distance from those they love.  Also great for connecting and inferring (never explicitly says what the box is!)  Skype anyone?

8. Mr. Cornell’s Dream Boxes – Jeanette Winter

I adore any picture book biography by Jeanette Winter.  In this very simple picture book, she tells about unique New York artist, Joseph Cornell (1903-1972), who made shadow boxes filled with objects he found while selling textiles door to door.  Fascinating and inspiring look at different ways we share our stories.

9. The Houdini Box  – Brian Selznick

The compelling story of Harry Houdini, the magician who amazed the world with his great escapes. This is a short chapter book for grades 2-5, complete with amazing illustrations by the extraordinarily talented author of Hugo Cabret, Wonderstruck and  The Marvels.

10. The Memory Box – Mary Bahr

When a grandpa is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, he starts a memory box for his grandchild to keep the memories of the times they have shared.  Tender way to teach children about the changes they might experience with their own grandparents.

10. The Cardboard Box Books – Roger Priddy

Great nonfiction book and perfect teaching tool for turning those cardboard boxes into creative inventions.

And there you have it- a whole lot of books about boxes!  Try reading one, passing out boxes and let the creations begin!

Thanks for stopping by!  Which book or books caught your eye?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – Celebrating Picture Book Biographies

 

           

It’s Monday and I’m happy to be participating in a weekly event with a community of bloggers who post reviews of books that they have read the previous week. Check out more IMWAYR posts here: Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers

In celebration of Picture Book Month, I am posting some of my favorite picture book biographies!  I love sharing the true stories of extraordinary people with my students.  Gone are the days of boring biographies – these books are beautifully written, exquisitely illustrated and will inform and inspire you!

 

Nelson Mandela – Kadir Nelson

The courageous life of this man is a must share book.  Nelson Mandela – who stood up for his people and over time, won his fight because of his courage and his values.   He was, in my opinion, the bravest man who ever lived.

 

Manfish – A Story of Jacques Cousteau – Jennifer Berne

I remember my dad watching amazing Jacques Cousteau documentaries on TV when I was little.  This is a simple and beautifully told story of Jacques Cousteau, famous oceanographer – following his curiosity and infatuation with the sea as a child, to his inventions, his movies, his explorations and finally his conservation efforts.  This book will captivate your students!

 

The Watcher:  Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps – Jeanette Winter

I am a long-time admirer of Jane Goodall.  This is a wonderful biography about her life’s work observing and protecting the chimpanzees in Africa.  I love how the theme of Jane being a “watcher” is the thread of the story.   Fascinating, intriguing details of her life without being overwhelming.  Jeanette Winter is a master at highlighting the interesting “chapters” of a life story. 

The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art – Barb Rosenstock.

When young Vasya Kandinsky was a young boy in Russia, his aunt gave him a box of paints.  To Kandinsky’s amazement, when he opened the box, he “heard” the colors!  This is the fascinating story of the world’s first abstract artist  – the boy to whom colors were sounds.

The Tree Lady:  The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever – H. Joseph Hopkins

The important and inspiring story of Katherine Olivia Sessions – the woman who in the 1860’s,  brought lush, green life to the dry desert landscape of San Diego.  I was so captivated by the gorgeous art on this cover – but loved the celebration of nature as well as discovering the life of a person I had never heard of before.

The Iridescence of Birds: A Book About Henri Matisse – Patricia McLachlan

Well you can’t get much better than one of the greatest writers sharing the story of one of the greatest artists! This is a wonderful introduction of the early life of Henri Matisse – where his creative inspiration came from and the influence he had from his parents (his mother painted on dishes and always laid bright, colorful rugs on the floors of their drap cottage in the south of France; his father bought him pigeons) LOVE the title! 

 

Brave Girl:  Clara and the Shirtwaist Maker’s Strike of 1909 – Michelle Markel

A picture book biography about Clara Lemlich, the brave young girl who organized a strike in 1909 to improve working conditions for the young women employed in the garment industry factories. This is an excellent historical non-fiction biography to show children that one brave girl can make a huge  difference. 

The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos – Deborah Helligman

And again, I find myself learning about a person I had never heard of before!  This is the extraordinary life story of Paul Erdos – the mathematician. As a child, Paul was fascinated with numbers.  This biography depicts his life as a young child to an old man as he embarks on a mathematics journey,  traveling all over the world and learning as much as he can from other mathematicians.

Helen’s Big World: The Life of Helen Keller – Doreen Rappaport

This is a gorgeous, poetic, beautifully illustrated introduction to the life of Helen Keller.   Exquisite writing, large pictures and beautiful quotes woven throughout the book.  Inspiring.

The Right Word – Roget and His Thesaurus – Jen Bryant

I love words and I love this book!  This book tells the story of Dr. Peter Roget, doctor, inventor, scientist, list-maker, and creator of the thesaurus.  It is such an exceptionally beautiful book – both in the way the story is written and the extraordinary illustrations.  A celebration of triple scoop words – this book isn’t just “good” – it’s remarkable, extraordinary, staggering, incredible, stunning, astonishing, marvelous, phenomenal, outstanding and splendid! 

Malala and Iqbal – two brave children from Pakistan – Jeanette Winter

This latest release by Jeanette Winter is two inspiring stories of brave children woven into one book.   From the front – we read the story of Malala who stood up for her belief that girls should be allowed to attend school; from the back, we read the story of Iqbol – the young boy who, alone, stood up against the inhumane child slavery conditions in the carpet industry.   Both were brave; both were heroes; both were shot. Their stories must be heard.

 

Becoming Babe Ruth – Matt Tavaras

This is a wonderful introduction for younger students to the life of Babe Ruth.   I love the simple text and large life-like illustrations.  I knew Babe Ruth as a famous baseball player but didn’t know of his troubled life and how much he had to overcome as a child.  Life is what you make of it is the message behind this inspiring story.

What are YOUR favorite picture book biographies to share with your students?