Riley the Rabbit Learns a New Habit: Mindset School Series Book #3

Written by Heather Lyn Davis

Illustrated by Corryn Webb

This is cute picture book for elementary age readers.

Riley the Rabbit is excited to attend school. The problem for him is jumping. Riley loves to jump and his rambunctious leaps cause havoc to friends and furniture in the classroom. His teacher urges Riley to be aware of the problem his jumping causes.

Riley’s grandmother teaches him a compromise, Riley learns to hop. While he finds the new skill difficult, Riley learns that sometimes compromise is important. Even more important, that does not mean giving up jumping all the time.

A delightful picture book for children ages six through ten.

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Some Angels Have Rotor Blades: A Tale of Heroic Actions, Living Legacy, and Gratitude

Written by Darcy Guyant

Illustrated by Novel Varius

Dale wakes up excited because today is the first day of summer vacation.

As he enjoys breakfast, Dale asks his parents to take their boat out for a ride. He promises to wear his lifejacket and be careful.

When a freak accident ejects Dale from the boat, he frantically grasps the overturned boat. As time goes on, his chilled body weakens. Eventually, a Coast Guard Helicopter discovers Dale and rescues him.

The book teaches how rescue workers put themselves in danger helping strangers and expressing care and empathy for them.

In the second part of the story, forty years later, Dale takes his three grandchildren to an aviation museum where he is reminded of his second chance at life. Dale recounts all those opportunities and the family he loves that would not have existed.

The book contains excellent questions and topics to discuss with the intended elementary school reading audience. I highly recommend this picture book to parents and teachers who want children to appreciate the sacrifices of first responders and the sacrifices they make every day.

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I Can Deal With Anger: A Children’s Book About Understanding Big Emotions and Learning Anger Management Skills. (I Can Books 5)

Written and Illustrated by Alicia Ortega

A lovely illustrated, rhyming book that is part of the I Can Deal with book series for elementary school readers.

Mia is a Queen, but she lives her life out in the real world. Mia goes to school and interacts with her peers. She experiences the same emotions and feels the same frustrations.

Mia’s teacher, Miss Luna, teaches her many techniques to handle Mia’s emotions. Mia learns to use positive affirmations, quiet spaces, writing in her journal, counting, and breathing techniques.

At the end of the book, the author provides a maze and a coloring page for readers to practice implementing some of these strategies.

This nicely illustrated multicultural book deserves a place on the shelf of home and classroom libraries.

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A Place for Ace (Charlie Learns to Be a Cowboy Book 2)

Written by Danika Kester

Illustrated by Jeffrey Foster Thomas

A preschool picture book that teachers young readers about life on Grandpa’s ranch.

Charlie is excited because today his herding dog, Ace will begin training for herding cows. Ace accompanies Charlie on his rounds to complete chores. In each instance, Ace appears to be distracted but actually is warning Charlie of danger.

When the time for herd training arrives, Ace appears to again become distracted and undisciplined. Ace teaches children that the traditional pattern of behavior is not the only way to complete the job.

Especially recommended for ages three through five and children interested in ranching and animals.

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The Legend of the Sleep-Eating Elephant (Global Beekeeping Tales)

Written by Nicola Williams

Illustrated by Henry Ezeokeke

A charming legend from Kenya relates the tale of an elephant who cooperates with the humans and animals of his village by watering the crops.

One day, a cabbage is missing from the fields. On subsequent days, more crops are missing. Elephant becomes distressed as do the other animals and humans of the village. The members of the beehive community invent a clever solution.

Readers discover the problem and the innovative solution after reading this book. They also learn facts about elephants, honeybees, the environment, and conservation.

A good choice for the classroom or home bookshelf for children who enjoy learning about animals, problem-solving, and conservation.

Recommended for ages six through twelve.

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Oliver and the Twisting Tornado (Navigating Natural Disasters Book 2)

Written by Chrissy Hobbs and Ben Jackson

Illustrated by Tanya Zeinalova

This book is part of the Navigating Disasters series for children. The text is written in clear language to prepare children who live in areas that are prone to tornadoes. Without being scary, it clearly defines the steps that are necessary to plan ahead and then the actions necessary to keep safe.

Oliver and Emma live on a farm. They learn what to do. Although the children are apprehensive, their parents have prepared their farm and storm shelter. Readers are provided with a checklist and a certificate to prove that they have carefully read the story and know how to prepare their families and communities to do the same.

I highly recommend the book for parents and teachers who live in communities that may be susceptible to tornadoes as an excellent resource guide.

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Mr. Macaw’s Paleta Adventure (The Mr. Macaw Children’s Book Series

Written by Leticia Ordaz

Illustrated by Yana Popova

This is an innovative bilingual picture book that relates an adventure taken by a one-hundred-year-old Macaw kite.

The Mexican children bring the kite to the seashore. Maxton and Bronx ask the kite if he can fly alone. The kite takes off on an adventure to a nearby village and then over the sea. Will Mr. Macaw find his way back to the beach in Mexico?

The book is written in simple phrases that are displayed in both English and Spanish on each page. Multicultural illustrations are lovely and appropriate. A lovely multicultural adventure for primary-grade readers.

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The Adventures of Pookie: Home is Where the Heart is

Written and Illustrated by Rebecca Yee

A story about animal adoption from the point of view of the dog being adopted.

Children meet Pookie, who is excited to meet her new owner. Readers follow her journey as she explores her new surroundings and the loving care of Pookie’s new human family.

The illustrations are simple yet expressive and evocative of the appropriate emotions. I would recommend this book to young children who want to adopt, and as a teaching tool to explain the shelter adoption system.

This book is recommended for toddlers, preschoolers, and primary-grade readers.

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Slothee Still Wants Coffee (Slothee Wants Coffee)

Written by Nikki Pezzopane, Cameron Fica 

Illustrated by Yory Borgen

Slothee is off on another exciting adventure. He is determined to find the best coffee in the world. This adventure includes several countries notable for their coffee.

Slothee begins the journey in Peru, where he meets Lucia Llama and explores Machu Picchu. He introduces readers to the Mayan ruins in Mexico. Then he lands in Jamaica, before jetting off to far-away Uganda in Africa and Vietnam in Southeast Asia. Children learn about the types of coffee grown in each country, meet local animals, and sample local culture.

A good choice for elementary age readers to learn about local cultures, coffee, and the culture of several countries.

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The Legend of the Sleep-Eating Elephant (Global Beekeeping Tales)

Written by Nocola Williams

Written by Henry Ezeokeke 

A charming legend from Kenya relates the tale of an elephant who cooperates with the humans and animals of his village by watering the crops.

One day, a cabbage is missing from the fields. On subsequent days, more crops are missing. Elephant becomes distressed as do the other animals and humans of the village. The members of the beehive community invent a clever solution.

Readers discover the problem and the innovative solution after reading this book. They also learn facts about elephants, honeybees, the environment, and conservation.

A good choice for the classroom or home bookshelf for children who enjoy learning about animals, problem-solving, and conservation.

Recommended for ages six through twelve.

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