Must Have Back to School Picture Books for your Library

Must Have 

Back to School Picture Books 

for your Library

Even with all the uncertainty of what school will look like when we return in the fall, we need to have the best books at our disposal.  If we are in person or doing distance learning, we need the best, uplifting, most inclusive picture books available.  Here are my top picks:

• All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold. This is an amazing book for your first day of school. It's a diverse read that celebrates inclusivity! 
  
• The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodsen.  Have you read this amazing book celebrating diversity and encouraging kids to be brave? The text is lyrical and the illustrations just beautiful!
  
• Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodsen.  Read aloud this beautiful book on the importance of kindness.
  
• Happy Dreamer by Peter Reynolds. What kind of Dreamer are you? Read this book and discover the dreamer in you!  
  
• If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff.  Are you anxious about the first day of school? Read about the mouse and his adventures on the first day of school!  
  

If you're looking for fantastic books for that first day of school when you go back, these are the books I suggest.  I also have Interactive Read Aloud lesson plans available for you, if you need them.  Enjoy!

      

Amazing Author: Yuyi Morales

Do you know Yuyi Morales?

I first discovered Yuyi through her book Viva Frida! in 2014.  The art was so beautiful, vibrant and different from anything I'd ever seen, I knew she was great!

Viva Frida 

Frida Kahlo is one of my absolute faves!  I want my students to appreciate her work and influence as much as I do!  The art with puppets is absolutely beautiful.

Niño Wrestles the World

She does it again!  Fwap!  Crunch!  She writes and illustrates this fun book which will teach your little ones about cultural elements of Mexico.  It's so funny and my kids love it.



Dreamers

This is her latest work and it is just magic!  It's about Yuyi and her son and their experience as immigrants.  The text is lyrical and dreamlike.  The colors are vibrant and bold.  You have to have this book!

Enjoy these magical tales!!   If you'd like some resources for these amazing books, check out my TPT store!  Hope they're useful for you.  



        

Top Ten Read Alouds for Fourth Grade

Here are my top ten read alouds 

for fourth grade!

I like books that are multicultural and teach empathy.  Books that catch their interest and leave them begging for more read aloud time!  If you need a close reading guide, I've got some that can help.

Pin Me!

A Diamond in the Desert by Kathryn Fitzmaurice

It's about:
This is about twelve year old Tetsu and his family who are sent to an internment camp in the Arizona Desert after Pearl Harbor because they are Japanese-Americans. When his father is sent to a different camp, Tetsu must decide between his love of baseball and his responsibilities as the oldest son.Why I love it:
I love historical fiction.  It is engrossing and teaches the kids about important historical periods. This book has won a ton of awards and ther author is really nice.  She'll do a free Skype interview with you class if you tweet her!
Close Reading Guide

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

It's about:
This story is told from the point of view of Ally Nickerson. Ally is a really smart girl. She’s so smart she’s been able to fool a lot of people. One day, however, Mr. Daniels comes to substitute for Ms. Hall. He figures out Ally when no one else could.Why I love it:
This book covers some really important themes: dyslexia, friendship, family, bullying, overcoming adversity, identity, perseverance, and the power of asking for help.  It really packs a punch!  It's a great discussion starter!
Close reading guide

Flor and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

It's about:
The story is about Flora, a self-described cynic, who witnesses a tragedy/miracle in her neighbor’s backyard. She is able to revive the squirrel and names him Ulysses.  Adventure ensues!Why I love it:
It's part graphic novel, part narrative.  It really catches the kids attention.  It also covers some serious issues such as divorce and abandonment.
Close reading guide

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai

It's about:
This book is written in free verse chronicling Ha's journey from war-torn Vietnam to Alabama and her subsequent problems as a second language learner and with bullying.  She is ten years old.Why I love it:
This is great for our students from Vietnam to see a book about someone like them.  It's written in free verse which I love because it's more accesible to struggling readers.  Beautifully written.
Close reading guide

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

It's about:
This is about Ivan the gorilla.  He lives in the Big Top Mall.  He's content with living in his domain until a new resident comes.  
Why I love it:
This is another book written in free verse.  Very short poems that really pack a punch!  Kids love to read books about animals.  I cry every time I read it.
Close reading guide

Rain, Reign by Ann M. Martin

It's about:
Rose Howard is a girl who loves homonyms.  She even named her dog Rain (get it, Rain, Reign?).  Rose is on the autism spectrum and sometimes is not quite understood by her father or teachers.  She has a special bond with her uncle and her dog.  But one day, her dog disappears...
Why I love it:
We have so many students on the autism spectrum these days I think it's important for students to understand it and be empathetic.  This helps them see they are just like them.  
Close reading guide

The Tequila Worm by Viola Canales

It's about:
This book is about Sofia, who lives in Texas.  She's really smart and is one day offered a scholarship to a fancy school...
Why I love it:
This book was honored by the Pura Belpre award, which is given to Latino writers that celebrate the Latino experience.  This book shares so many cultural experiences: Easter cascarones, Dia de los Muertos, the Christmas nacimeiento and, of course, the tequila worm.  My students are all Latino and every time we read this, it connects to them in ways that other books don't.  I love it.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

It's about:
This book is about August Pullman, Auggie to his friends and family.  He was born with a facial deformity and has had a lot to deal with because of it.  But he's growing older now and his parents feel it might be time to go to school instead of being home schooled.  This book talks about his adjustment to school and the students' adjustment to him. 
Why I love it:
If you haven't read this, read it now!  It's told from different points of view which make it great to teach perspective/ point of view.  How what may be true in your eyes, may look different in someone else's eyes.  Discussion points: empathy, friendship, family, so, so many things!
Close reading guide

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

It's about:
Alice, of course!  Alice goes on an Adventure.  Not just any adventure, it's an adventure in Wonderland!  She meets the white rabbit, the Cheshire cat and the Red Queen along the way.
Why I love it:
This is the first time my kids really come upon word play.  It's considered one of the best examples of the literary nonsense genre.  We love talking about the symbolism.  It's a classic for a reason and it's part of the suggested Common Core readings.
Close reading guide

The Cay by Theodore Taylor

It's about:
This book is about Phillip who lives in Curacao with his mother and father.  The time period is WW2 and german subs are surrounding the island.  His mother decides they should go back to the States.  On their way however, their boat is torpedoed.

Why I love it:
This book really appeals to my boys.  It's set during the war and it's about racism and survival.  It's short and a pretty fast read.  You'll like it.
Close reading guide

If you're looking for some close reading units, go to my store: LisaTeachR's Classroom!

Well, I hope you learned about some new options for your read alouds.  What do you enjoy reading to your kids?

I teach fourth grade! I am an NBCT in Literacy, Reading and Language Arts. I have a BCC (Bilingual Certification) and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Instructional Technology. And I love books!

        

Fish in a Tree: Close Reading Guide

Have you read Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt? What?!? You need to read it asap!

“Everybody is smart in different ways. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its life believing it is stupid.”

I created a guide to a close reading of this fantastic book.  It was published in 2015 and was a part of the Global Read Aloud in the fall of 2015.

This story is told from the point of view of Ally Nickerson. Ally is a really smart girl. She’s so smart she’s been able to fool a lot of people. One day, however, Mr. Daniels comes to substitute for Ms. Hall. He’s able to figure out Ally when no one else could.

Some themes to consider while reading this book: dyslexia, friendship, family, bullying, overcoming adversity, identity, perseverance, and the power of asking for help.

Close reading is an integral part of teaching with the Common Core. Students need to know how to be analytic when reading texts and poems. I have outlined the components of authentic literacy and what it looks like in the classroom. I formatted the unit as follows. It begins with an explanation of close reading and how to format a lesson. Then, there is a story summary, themes listed and character descriptions. After that, I created focus questions for each chapter. There are explicit gradual release formatted lessons sprinkled throughout. I included a close reading sheet for each of the explicit lessons. You could use the focus questions to create more close reading lessons using the blank templates or for class discussions. At the end, there is a blank sheet for planning and to use with close reading of different chapters. I also included some growth mindset activities, other activities that are appropriate and web links. I hope your students enjoy it as much as my students did.  It's a great book.  Amazing read aloud.

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Fish in a Tree: Close Reading Guide

Have you read Fish in a Tree?  No?  You are missing out!

“Everybody is smart in different ways. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its life believing it is stupid.”

This is a guide to a close reading of this fantastic book, Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. It was published in 2015 and will be part of the Global Read Aloud in the fall of 2015.

This story is told from the point of view of Ally Nickerson. Ally is a really smart girl. She’s so smart she’s been able to fool a lot of people. One day, however, Mr. Daniels comes to substitute for Ms. Hall. He’s able to figure out Ally when no one else could.

Some themes to consider while reading this book: dyslexia, friendship, family, bullying, overcoming adversity, identity, perseverance, and the power of asking for help.

Close reading will be an integral part of teaching with the Common Core. Students need to know how to be analytic when reading texts and poems. I have outlined the components of authentic literacy and what it looks like in the classroom. I formatted the unit as follows. It begins with an explanation of close reading and how to format a lesson. Then, there is a story summary, themes listed and character descriptions. After that, I created focus questions for each chapter. There are explicit gradual release formatted lessons sprinkled throughout. I included a close reading sheet for each of the explicit lessons. You could use the focus questions to create more close reading lessons using the blank templates or for class discussions. At the end, there is a blank sheet for planning and to use with close reading of different chapters. I also included some growth mindset activities, other activities that are appropriate and web links. I hope your students enjoy it as much as my students did.

It's a great book.  The close reading guide has a lot of resources. Give it whirl!!



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