Mission Inclusion: Margo And You (Mission: Inclusion Book 1)

Written by Megan Craft

Illustrated by Angelus Albarran

A wonderful book that explains to young children how we are more the same than different.

Margo is a young girl with a feeding tube. While she enjoys eating and playing like “normal” children, Margo may do these things differently from the average child.

I liked the fact that the author, who is a speech therapist, includes interactive questions throughout the story for readers to answer. We need more books to explore children with different types of disabilities and how they share a lot more in common with the general population than differences.

Highly recommended for parents and teachers to educate and encourage tolerance for special needs children.

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WE ARE THE FUTURE: Proud, Kind, United

Written by C.M. Harris

Illustrated by Deni Nuhoho

A lovely multicultural book written by a disabled author who teaches young readers that each individual has value and importance in our world.

Multicultural illustrations feature the diversity of cultures and students with disabilities. The values portrayed include kindness, responsibility, fairness, and curiosity. These students read books to discover new opportunities and work in teams to share ideas.

The author also offers school visits and personalized editions of the book for kindergarten through Grade Six readers.

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Written by Leticia Ordaz and Bronx Baeza

Illustrated by Juan Calle

A delightful picture book based on a true story. It teaches children to confront bullies and stand up for their beliefs. In addition, the protagonist reveals the weakness within most bullies.

Max, the protagonist, is a second-grader who is small in stature but tall in courage. He is tired of Grulo bullying everyone in his class. One day, Bronx’s brother, Maxton, reminds him to believe in himself. It takes Bronx a while to get up his courage. Can he use the power of kindness to change Grulo’s behavior?

This multicultural book has a comic book feel in its illustrations. The bilingual text displays English and Spanish text side by side. That makes this book an excellent choice for bilingual or ESL classrooms. There are suggestions for readers to apply its lessons as well as powerful affirmations.

I highly recommend the book for elementary and middle-grade classrooms.

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The Legend of Saint Galgano: And the True Sword in the Stone (The Amazing World of Swords) 

Written by Luke Ralliston

Galgano was born to privilege and grew up to become a knight in twelfth-century Italy. He lived a rather selfish life, catering to his own needs rather than thinking of others. That all changed one day when the Archangel Michael appeared before him.

Galgano was urged to change his ways, but he appeared reluctant. He thrust his sword, which became embedded in stone. Did Galgano relent?

The book might have included more historical context. Illustrations are large and colorful. The rhyme sometimes misses the mark. However, the book relates an interesting adventure that will intrigue elementary-age readers.

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24 + 1 Christmas Tales – Butterfly Adventures in Santa’s Secret City

Written by Alexander Ruth

Translated by Maxine White

The book contains very short magical tales that take place in Santa’s village. Butterflies and a Phoenix are introduced as Santa’s helpers.

At some points, the stories may be confusing. The vocabulary can be difficult for beginning readers. This may be the result of translation from German. I would suggest using the book as a countdown to Christmas, perhaps a parent reading one story before bedtime each evening.

They are definitely unique. Recommended especially for children ages six through ten.

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The Adventures Of Wormie Wormington Book Three: Wormie and the Snowball

Written by Adam Brown

Illustrated by Andy Smart

This is book three in the series about a worm and his friend. As Wormie emerges from his can, he shivers in the cold. Soon, he spies the young boy with whom he shares many adventures.

The boy introduces Wormie to a toboggan. In no time at all, the two friends are careening down the hill. But trouble occurs soon after. Young readers will thrill to their struggles and how they manage to overcome them.

The book is colorful and nicely illustrated.

Highly recommend the series for primary grade readers.

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Why Do Kids Love Christmas?: A fun, festive, beautifully illustrated rhyming Christmas picture book about all the creative reasons why kids love Christmas

Written by Ebilor Ediale

Illustrated by Jecore Firmalan

I enjoyed reading this charming, rhyming picture book. The author includes children with disabilities and multicultural families. It contains Christian and non-Christian traditions. The illustrations are large, colorful, and anime-style.

There is no central story. This book puts preschool and elementary families into the spirit of the season. It can serve as a bedtime story or a fun read-aloud for the entire family or classroom teacher.

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The Boy Who Wanted to Fly

Written by Farial English

Illustrated by Max Rambaldi

We need more books like this one. Max is a curious and intelligent young boy who is disabled and confined to a wheelchair. His sister Maya encourages and supports him.

When the siblings find out that they will be spending spring vacation at the beach. Max decides that he will act on his dream to fly. Max writes out a list of the things he needs to construct a kite. At first he is frustrated, but his sister encourages him not to give up. Will the kite soar? Can Max achieve his dream with the help of his imagination?

The illustrations enhance the mood and reinforce the theme. Every child deserves a chance to achieve a dream.

This is a book that children of all ages (including adults) will enjoy reading.

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Whiskers’ Christmas Eve (A Cat Named Whiskers) 

Written and illustrated by Shana Gorian

Another adorable addition to the Whiskers, the Cat, book series for elementary-age readers.

In this Christmas Eve addition, Whiskers is curled up under the Christmas tree when he notices a light that needs fixing. He tries but fails, and chaos ensues. Soon, Whiskers is getting into Santa’s goodies, and messing with the stockings on the mantel and the snowman outside the house. Will Whiskers destroy Christmas for his family?

The rhymes are spot on and fun to read aloud. Humor abounds, and the holiday spirit fills the hearts of the reader.

This one is sure to become a Christmas favorite for families and teachers’ holiday libraries.

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I Love When It’s Time to Say Goodnight 

Written by Joanne Stapleton

Illustrated by John Ladebauche

A creative and beautiful picture book that may entice your young ones to look forward to bedtime.

The child protagonist ponders possible careers like sailing, traveling to space, becoming a unicorn, or a leprechaun. He might travel to London, Paris, or Africa. He might even meet a dragon. Could he become a superhero one day?

Our imagination offers the ability to dream. We cannot dream if we do not go to sleep!

What a beautiful opportunity to combine reading with looking forward to bedtime and a healthy, good night of sleep.

Recommended for preschoolers and primary grade students.

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