India – The Land of Festivals: A Monthly Guidebook to Diverse Celebrations (Indian Festival Series 1)

Written by Anuja Mohla

Illustrated by Gowthami Maruthapandiyan

This book contains a wealth of information with colorful illustrations about the diversity of life in India. The author covers each of the six major religions practiced in India. This book is organized by month.

Many of these celebrations, however, are based on the lunar calendar. Each page describes which religion is celebrated in that month and discusses the foods, rituals, customs, and types of celebrations. The reader learns native vocabulary and the significance associated with each.

This book is an excellent choice for teachers who want to explain Indian customs and culture and share multicultural traditions. Indian families can use it as a springboard to explain the rich culture of their homeland.

As a teacher, I appreciated the section at the end of the book that includes matching and recalling information about the festivals.

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Summer is… A Summer Read Aloud Rhyming Book for Toddlers and Kids. Fun and Educational Rhymes with Vibrant Pictures (Rhyme in Time)

Written by Barbara Pinke

Illustrated by Alvin Adhi

This book can be purchased on its own or as part of a series about the seasons.

Each page contains a single sentence about the summer season. The author includes the sights, sounds, and experiences that commonly occur during the summer. The multicultural illustrations portray a variety of emotions expressed by the characters.

Because the language is simple and easy to remember, it is easy for the youngest reader to pick up and recollect. Not only do children learn about the summer season, but they also develop language skills.

A fun read-aloud for teachers or parents of toddlers and preschoolers.

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Jibberjack, Fibberjack: A Made-Up Monster Mystery

Written by Stefanie Gamarra

Illustrated by Marta Pilosio

This book lays out a fun detective mystery for elementary-school-age readers. A pair of pigs goes missing. The town is full of gossip about what happened. Is there a monster involved? How is the mayor adding to the mystery?

Will the town be safe again? Frida teaches readers how to think critically and ask the proper questions to be a successful whodunit.

Fun illustrations, interactive questions, and Let’s Talk About It Questions provide bonus activities for smart readers.

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Mouse Visits Everglades National Park (Mouse Traveler)

Written by Tricia Gardella

Illustrated by Ginger Nielson

A delightful adventure for primary-grade readers. A mouse gives us a guided tour of Everglades National Park. This intrepid traveler is delighted to find his bird friend at the park.

The bird volunteers to guide his friend. First, they visit many of the birds that inhabit the swamp. Readers learn about egrets and spoonbills. But the mouse wants to see alligators and crocodiles, so he moves on to the mangrove swamp.

Tired from his daylong adventure, the mouse uses his magic acorn to get home.

At the end of the tale, the author includes facts about the Everglades and questions to measure comprehension.

A fun book that contains an adventure story with knowledge about the Everglades.

Recommended to teachers and parents of elementary-age readers.

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Please Put the Seat Down . . . and the Lid Too

Written and illustrated by Allan Mansoor

This is not a potty humor book. It does introduce bathroom manners and etiquette for the young reader.

It contains lively rhymes and vibrant multicultural images. The author includes links to historic sites, horse racing, football, and living downtown. While these facts are interesting, the fact that they are not related is a bit distracting.

This book would be an excellent choice for parents who are potty training. Elementary school children will appreciate the humor of the read-aloud.

Recommended for ages three through eight.

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The Adventures of Kaboose the Rocky Mountain Bear

Written by Papa Rick Harris and Kyra Dumoulin

Illustrated by Simon Goodway

This book introduces Kaboose, a Rocky Mountain Bear.

The approach is unique. First, it is a charming tale about how a community of black bears awaits the birth of a cub. The author relates a story that explores the history of the Canadian Rockies and life in the Arrow Valley, exploring its sights, sounds, smells, and connection to railroad history.

The illustrations are expressive and colorful, and the characters are charming.

Looks like a promising new series for readers ages six to ten.

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Paromita: The Value In a Name

Written by Paromita De

Illustrated by Abdullah Abdullah

Paromita emigrated from India many years ago, but she is now entering third grade in a new school.

Her teacher has difficulty pronouncing her name. All her classmates laugh. Paromita runs off to the bathroom to hide. She is proud of her Indian culture and the name her grandma bestowed upon her.

Paromita dances the traditional kathak dance. She takes advantage of the school talent show to wear traditional Indian clothing and perform her dance. Then Paromita goes further when she takes the stage and delivers an important message to her classmates.

The author delivers the message that we need to respect different cultures and the traditions they represent.

Recommended for elementary and middle school readers.

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The Land Where Money Was Nothing

Written by Barbara Roman

Illustrated by Vladimir Cebu, LL.B

Barbara Roman’s The Land Where Money Was Nothing is a thought-provoking and imaginative exploration of what society might look like if money did not exist. Roman invites readers to step outside the familiar structures of modern life and consider a world built on cooperation, trust, and shared responsibility rather than currency and commerce.

At its core, the book challenges deeply ingrained assumptions about value and success. Roman paints a vivid picture of a community where people contribute based on their abilities and receive what they need in return.

One of the book’s strengths lies in its simplicity. Rather than overwhelming the reader with complex economic theory, Roman uses clear language and relatable scenarios to illustrate her ideas. This makes the book approachable for a wide audience, including younger readers.

The Land Where Money Was Nothing succeeds in its primary goal: sparking curiosity and conversation. It encourages readers to imagine possibilities beyond the status quo and to reflect on what truly matters in building a fair and compassionate society.

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I Can Try Again: An Inspiring Story for Kids About Perseverance, Grit, and Learning From Mistakes for Ages 4–8 (I Can Books Book 6)

Written and illustrated by Alicia Ortego

Another picture book in this charming series about Mia and life lessons.

The lesson in this book for early elementary readers is that perseverance pays off. Once again, Mia has her mother’s support. Mia realizes that we can learn from our mistakes and use them as stepping stones, practicing in small steps until the goal of mastery is achieved. Whether the goal is learning how to jump rope or mastering the sequence of steps in a dance, Mia discovers the importance of patience and perseverance. She comes to understand the true value of resilience.

This book also contains interactive activities and thoughtful questions that encourage readers to apply the valuable lessons Mia shares in their own lives.

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Fingerprints: A Children’s Picture Book About Diversity, Respect, and Inclusion (Diversity & Inclusion Series)

Written and illustrated by Carmen Parets Luque

A unique picture book that teaches children that our differences are our most valuable asset.

Many of the illustrations feature fingerprint characters. Every person has a unique fingerprint. The world’s people are of different ages, colors, and skin colors. We speak different languages, dress differently, and live in different types of habitats. Our ability to learn in different ways and demonstrate talents in unique areas leads us to appreciate diversity.

This book is a wonderful way to teach acceptance and the need to use our differences to build a stronger world together.

Recommended for preschool and primary grade readers.

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