I have a bunch of posts I want to write but first it’s time for another book list! I really like the idea of this being a weekly feature so you’ll find book list under categories and as the blog goes on hopefully there will be a bunch of posts with lots of great books.
1. Pirates Go to School by Corinne Demas Illustrated by John Manders
This book is a rollicking ride through the school day following a band of pirates as they turn the mundane school day into something magical. The rhyming text and engaging illustrations make this a perfect read aloud book and I think I would use it to introduce the idea of daily routines. It could also be used as a first day book to help students feel more comfortable. All in all it is just a fun book.
2. Ruby in Her Own Time by Jonathon Emmett illustrated by Rebecca Harry
In this quiet gentle book Ruby a duckling is just a little slower than all the other ducklings. Papa worries that she won’t be able to learn but Mama knows that she’ll do it in her own time. The soft pastel illustrations and repeated refrain of ‘in her own time’ sets the tone to have a good discussion about how everyone is different. It would be excellent with young children to help them understand that not everyone does everything at the same time or way. I am taking a course about inclusion and this would be a book I’d use to begin having a discussion about how different students have different needs.
3. Whose Tail is This? by Peg Hall and Illustrated by Ken Landmark
This book could almost be considered non-fiction it is so full of excellent facts. Each section starts with a picture of a tail and asks students to guess who it belongs to. Turn the page and are shown whose tail it is and given some fun facts about that animal. At the end a short quiz refreshes the kids memories about what they’ve learned and a short appendix gives even more fun facts and words to know. There is even a reference list with good websites and books to continue the learning. All of this is written in easy to understand language with bright, bold illustrations. I like that it would be great for reluctant readers because it is not intimidating.
Thirzadune Teacher 