by Ann Meek
Illustrations by Sarah Massini
The story of a young boy, Milo, who has a hard time "fitting in" with his peers at school. He wants to participate in games and activities with the other students in his school, but they never let him do what he wants to do. He is continually rejected by his peers as being too short or not handsome enough to fit certain roles in the games they are playing. It is a story about finding empowerment and finding one's identity within school. With the help and encouragement of his mom, Milo becomes a confident young boy who is proud of himself just for being himself, and in turn inspires his fellow students to try something new.
Winner of the Little Tiger Press New Author Award in 2003.
An incredible story to use if your child is struggling socially. It will help build self-esteem and confidence. It will also spark their creative imagination as Milo goes on his journey.
Recommendation for Other Teachers:
This book is also good for self-esteem building in the classroom. It can lead to discussions about acceptance, understanding, and respect. It is a good book to use as a tool for helping build a positive and welcoming community of learners within your classroom. Especially good for the beginning of the year.
This story is powerful to me personally because it details the struggle many children have in finding their social place and identity within school. This book is a good tool to use with students who are feeling socially awkward or outcast. It will help foster self-esteem, independence, and creativity.
by Shel Silverstein
The story of the relationship between a boy and a tree. The tree is always giving the boy what he needs and helping him in many ways. As the boy grows older, he visits the tree less and less, but the tree still gives him what he needs, even if it means that the tree is harmed. When the boy becomes an old man and returns to the tree, their original friendship is rekindled, even though the tree thinks he has nothing more to offer the old man. It is a powerful story of morality, natural resources, and friendship.
This incredible story has been translated into over 30 languages.
While I think it is important for books to teach a child phonics, vocabulary, and other tools of reading, it is also important that books teach a child about friendship, loss, and respect. This is a good book to use as a bonding moment with your child. Get to know your child. Ask them, "where is your favorite place to sit and think?"
Recommendation for Other Teachers:
Shel Silverstein's stories are universal. Plus this particular one has been translated into over 30 languages!! The text and illustrations are simple, thus being ideal for emergent readers and English learners. Ask your students to point out the "apple" in the story. Or, when the tree is sad, ask the students to show them their "sad" face. This book allows for many opportunities for total physical response from your students (TPR--my favorite tool!!)
This was my favorite book to have read to me as a child. I have many fond memories of my father sharing this story with me. The plot and text are simple, so it is an appropriate book for young children or English learners. It is a touching story about friendship and co-dependency, but it also has a substory about nature, our resources, and respecting the environment.
by Sandra Cisneros
Illustrations by Terry Ybañez
A touching story about a little girl who describes the different types of hair everyone in her family has. It discusses differences and individuality in a very positive light. It depicts the warm and loving bonds within a family, especially with a daughter and mother. The story is in two languages, English and Spanish. The book also has activity ideas relating to the story.
This book is especially beneficial to families where both English and Spanish are spoken at home. It will help the child (or anyone reading it) connect English and Spanish words. It celebrates diversity and bilingualism, as well as embraces the importance of family bonds.
Recommendation for Other Teachers:
This book is fantastic for English Learners because of the use of both English and Spanish. Children learning English, and children learning Spanish, will be able to connect words in both languages. It celebrates both languages equally!! As a teacher, this book is also a good tool for touching on the topic of diversity within one's own family and beyond.
I am a big fan of Sandra Cisneros and have read both her children's books and novels as an adult. She celebrates her heritage as well as the inportance of family and community. As someone who finds the bonds of family incredibly important, her books are beautiful and touching.