While staring Positively Izzy by Terri Libenson, I was thinking it was like every Raina Telgemeier graphic novel out there. Which is not a bad thing, but since I have read all the original graphic novels of Telgemeier, I was not really digging Izzy. However, by the end there is enough differences that you are not just rereading Telgemeier. The story pans out differently even though the characters are still similar but then again, practically any story you could pick up about middle schoolers today […]
A look into Castro’s national literacy campaign through the eyes of its child teachers
I do not remember not reading and an author that sticks out as a reason for that is Katherine Paterson. Her book, The Master Puppeteer was a favorite. Eighteenth century Osaka and the world of puppeteers comes to life on its pages. As an adult, books like Bread and Roses, Too; The Same Stuff as Stars and The Flint Heart made it into my readings. And, while I had seen it before a few days ago, My Brigadista Year finally found its way too. Lora, […]
The Coolest Ghoul in School
Ghoul School by Kevin O’Malley is one of those books where I am not “jumping up and down” screaming, “This is the best book EVER!” But it is one of those books where I will be recommending it to people. Mostly, this would be a great read for your library Halloween story time. Or the classroom read when you are at the end of the day (as it is not a Halloween story), or before the Holiday (because it can be a Halloween story), or […]
WWCTCD: When We Come Together to Celebrate Diversity
All Are Welcome in Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman’s picture book creation. Inspired by Kaufman’s daughter’s actual classroom, the diverseness of the school is presented in bold colors and variety of tools and techniques. The images show children wearing a variety of clothing that many children (and a few adults) are not familiar with: patkas, hijabs and yarmulkes. Of course, there are baseball caps, too. There are different types of families (two parents, one parent, grandparents, same sex and biracial families). And there are all […]
Mr. Monkey Books One and Two
When I was reading Mr. Monkey Bakes a Cake and Mr. Monkey Visits a School I was trying to figure out who Mr. Monkey reminded me of. I have never seen Mr. Bean, but that is what the publisher description says it is: Curious George meets Mr. Bean (which the Curious George reference was my first thought). It also has a classic Pink Panther tone to it. There is a narrator telling you story, the characters never speak, but only act and react to each […]