My Boyfriend is a Monster #1: I Love Him to Pieces // Evonne Tsang

1) Culture or group portrayed Asian American 2) Bibliographic information Tsang, E. (2011). My Boyfriend is a Monster #1: I Love Him to Pieces. Minneapolis, MN: Graphic Universe. 3) Brief summary Outgoing Dicey Bell is the all-star female player on her school’s baseball team. Jack Chen is science aficionado who spends his free time conducting …

Discussion: School Libraries, Reforms, and Collaboration

With educational reforms, it is necessary for students to acquire and perform specific skills on cue. Tests are developed to gauge progress and assure that students are prepared to move forward with their education. The reforms have redirected benchmarks of the past: Kindergarteners were expected to focus on social skills, but new emphasis has been …

“Finding Yourself in the Shelves: Diversity in Ethnicity and Language For Your Teens” at the ALA 2016 Orlando Conference.

At the ALA Conference in Orlando I attended a session called “Finding Yourself in the Shelves: Diversity in Ethnicity and Language For Your Teens.” This was a compelling discussion that emphasized the importance of diverse books for kids and young adults. The board was composed of a group of young adult writers from diverse backgrounds. …

No Two Alike // Keith Baker

Title: No Two Alike Author and Illustrator: Keith Baker Publisher: Beach Lane Books Year of Publication: 2011 No Two Alike is a children's non-fiction concept picture book intended for PreK through grade 2. Baker uses large pictures that extend simple text to convey the concept that though many things are similar, nothing is exactly alike. …

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret // Judy Blume

Title: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret Author: Judy Blume Publisher: Random House Year of publication: 1970 Blume's popular novel, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, is a middle-grade novel that can be appreciated by children and young adults from about 4th grade on. It's the story of Margaret, a sixth grader trying …

The Little Prince // Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Title: The Little Prince Author and Illustrator: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Translator: Katherine Woods Publisher: Harcourt The story begins with the tale of a whimsical child excited to share his drawings of a boa constrictor digesting an elephant. The adults in his life don't understand his drawing, seeing only a hat, and encourage the boy to …

The Golden Sandal A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story // Rebecca Hickox

Title: The Golden Sandal A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story Author: Rebecca Hickox Illustrator: Will Hillenbrand Publisher: Holiday House Year of Publication: 1998 Hickox adapted this picture book from an Arabic folk tale called “The Little Red Fish and the Clog of Gold.” This picture book is a wonderful addition to any introductory lesson on traditional …

Yeh-Shen A Cinderella Story from China // Ai-Ling Louie

Title: Yeh-Shen A Cinderella Story from China Retelling by: Ai-Ling Louie Illustrator: Ed Young Publisher: Puffin Books Year of Publication: 1982 The modern reissue of this story is retold in the original block printed page format. The oldest European Cinderella story is an Italian tale from 1634. The Yeh-Shen telling predates that version. Yeh-Shen is …

The Kissing Hand // Audrey Penn

Title: The Kissing Hand Author: Audrey Penn Illustrator: Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak Publisher: Tanglewood Press Year of publication: 1993 The Kissing Hand is a story about anthropomorphic raccoons. Young Chester is nervous about heading off to school. He doesn't want to leave his mother, his toys, his friends, and his books. The …

Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress // Christine Baldacchino

Title: Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress  Author: Christine Baldacchino Illustrator: Isabelle Malenfant Publisher: Groundwood Books Year of publication: 2014 A Canadian picture book, Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress deals with non-traditional gender roles and bullying in a very casual manner. Morris is a creative, imaginative kindergartner who loves his mother Moira, his cat …