Good Evening, Good Evening: Mindfulness and Affirmations for Babies and Kids.

Written by Kaarjal Agnani

Illustrated by Ekta Makhijani

This is a sweet rhyming picture book for toddlers and preschoolers. It contains short affirmations connected to evening that will calm them down and prepare them for bed, while reminding them of the many beautiful images associated with winding down at the end of the day.

Recommended for children ages two through five to be read aloud as a bedtime lullaby.

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Navigating the Middle School Transition: A Parent’s Guide

IS YOUR CHILD ANXIOUS ABOUT ENTERING MIDDLE SCHOOL?

Saying Goodbye to Elementary School

Transitioning from the familiar environment of elementary school can be challenging for some children. Kathy Glass, a former middle school teacher and author specializing in curriculum and instruction, notes, “Children often spend several years at their elementary school, making it feel like home. When multiple elementary schools merge into a single middle school, it can be socially overwhelming, potentially straining old friendships and fostering new ones.”

Embracing Independence and Organization

Middle school demands greater independence and organizational skills from students. “Unlike the single, self-contained classrooms of elementary school, middle school students rotate through different classes with various teachers, each with unique expectations. This can be daunting for some children,” explains Glass.

As a parent, you can offer support by listening, sympathizing, and guiding your child through this transition while clearly communicating the importance of focusing on schoolwork and succeeding academically.

SEVEN STRATEGIES TO KEEP YOUR CHILD ON TRACK

1. Provide Hands-On Guidance
   • Advocate for your child with teachers, counselors, and school staff.
   • Monitor homework, asking guiding questions like:
     • What information do you need for this assignment?
     • Where will you look for it?
     • What steps will you take next?
2. Assist with Organization
   • Help your child develop a system for managing important papers.
   • Use binders with folders for completed and returned work.
   • Ensure your child uses a planner to track assignments and deadlines.
3. Communicate with Teachers
   • Discuss any organizational challenges with your child’s teachers or school counselor.
   • Brainstorm solutions together.
4. Teach Time-Management Skills
   • Reinforce the habit of referring to a planner regularly.
   • Break down large assignments into manageable tasks.
   • Help your child estimate how long each task will take and create a realistic schedule.
5. Develop Note-Taking Skills
   • Encourage starting a new page for each class daily, using key words and abbreviations.
   • Review notes after class to ensure accuracy.
   • Teach your child to take notes from reading assignments by pre-reading to grasp main themes.
6. Hone Study Skills
   • Encourage active learning techniques such as highlighting, making study cards, and diagramming concepts.
   • Identify the best study times for your child and establish consistent study habits.
   • Use mnemonic devices to aid memorization.
7. Engage with Teachers
   • Address specific teacher-related challenges through communication.
   • Ensure your child understands each teacher’s expectations and homework policies.

Seeking Extra Help

If your child continues to struggle, consider hiring a tutor. Literacy coach Laura Hendrick advises, “Middle schoolers still need parental support, both academically and emotionally. Be firm and establish accountability measures.”

Reading Tips for Middle Schoolers

To become a successful reader, students should:

• Maintain an organized home study space.
• Practice reading daily.
• Use textbook headings and questions to guide comprehension.

Advice for Parents

High school teacher Lance Balla suggests:

• Understand your child’s learning style and provide a conducive study environment.
• Stay engaged with teachers and monitor your child’s progress regularly.
• Foster a college-going culture and model enjoyable reading habits.

Encourage your child to read newspapers and discuss their learning content, focusing on understanding rather than grades.

Unfair and Lovely (U.S. Edition

Written by Mallika Thoppay

Illustrated by Kavitha Amarnath

An illustrated chapter book that delivers an important message for tweens and teens. You cannot judge a book by its cover.

Sahana and her sister, Surabhi, have just moved to a new town in India. They eagerly anticipate the first day in a new school. Sahana will enter seventh grade and Surabhi, the third grade.

The sisters share much in common, but there is one significant difference. Sahana has a dark complexion. When the sisters learn about an interclass dance competition, both want to participate. Despite the fact the sisters both excel in dancing, Sahana is denied a spot in the competition; she hears the snickering and understands why she has been excluded.

Sahana’s mother explains that much in life is unfair, and sometimes one needs to find a different path to success. It turns out Surabhi gives Sahana an opportunity to prove herself and to teach her classmates an important lesson.

Highly recommended for preteens and teens who face similar issues and difficulties in social situations.

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Small Medium at Large

Written by Joanne Levy

This middle-grade book will be especially enjoyed by preteen girls. Lilah is a twelve-year-old seventh grader who faces a myriad of challenges.

In the opening scene, Lilah is at her mother’s wedding when she is stuck by lightning. Fortunately, she is not seriously hurt and makes a quick recovery. Unfortunately, there is one lasting result. She now has acquired the qualities of a medium and hears dead voices. Lilah encounters them at home and in school. She cannot seem to get rid of them.

How much can a twelve-year-old handle? Lilah really wants to go to the school dance with Andrew, her crush, but she keeps hearing his dead father’s voice. Lilah’s own father doesn’t want to take her advice. An eighth-grade girl is bullying her. Lilah somehow copes with all of these problems with a sense of humor.

Middle-school readers of divorced families, victims of bullies, those adjusting to fitting in with peers and family relationship difficulties will empathize with Lilah and her struggles.

Highly recommended for the middle school audience.

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Evie and the Volunteers: Book 1: Animal Shelter

Written by Marcy Blesy

First book in a series for beginning and middle school students. Evie’s mom has a new job, and Evie is sent away from home for the summer. It doesn’t take long for Evie and her newfound friends to get into trouble. As punishment, her mother enrolls Evie as a volunteer in a local animal shelter where she meets an abused dog.

Evie learns the value of hard work and giving back to the community. As a backstory, young readers are introduced to the concept of PTSD and the difficulties military families must face. These are explained in an age-appropriate way.

I would recommend the book to readers in the seven to twelve age range. It would make an excellent choice as a classroom discussion read aloud book.

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TAKE READING ON THE ROAD. Bring books on a picnic, to the park, visits to friends, and appointments.

SET AN EXAMPLE BY SHOWING YOUR CHILDREN THAT YOU LIKE TO READ. Encourage them to ask questions about what you are reading and ask for their opinions.

CHOOSE BOOKS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE INTO MOVIES. Encourage the child to read the book and then offer a movie night to watch the same story. Have a discussion about similarities and differences. Ask which version the child prefers.

SEARCH FOR READING INCENTIVE PROGRAMS. Local libraries offer summer reading incentive programs that reward children for reading. In the past organizations like Six Flags and Pizza Hut have offered rewards for reading programs.

SET UP YOUR OWN READATHON. This works well on a rainy day at home. Provide blankets and snacks and camp out in your living room with the family spending the day reading. You can also do this by spending a night under the stars in your backyard or arranging a sleepover with a child’s friends each bring their favorite books.

Jo’s Special Gifts

Written by Mariam Shapera

Illustrated by Lorna Humphreys

This book is written and illustrated by parents of an autistic child. As a special educator who has worked with dozens of autistic children, I highly recommend this book both to autistic parents and teachers and also to those seeking to understand autism.

Jo is a beautiful child who is autistic. He has a special interest in music and space, both areas in which he excels. Jo learns differently. He sometimes shouts out his words and needs to have a structured routine in which to function. Jo tries his best to fit in socially though he sometimes needs adaptations.

I liked the way the illustrator portrays children with disabilities in a wheelchair and a child wearing noise-cancelling earphones. The parents support Jo with unconditional love. Every child deserves to learn in the way that best suits his talents and capabilities.

Another valuable part of the book comes at the end when the author shares tips about communication, socialization, and the sensory needs of autistic children, which are a valuable source of knowledge for any adult working with an autistic child.

Highly recommended as a read aloud discussion book for preschool and elementary school children.

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Just The Two Of Us: A Bedtime Story

Written by Leeonie Mignott

Illustrated by Jenny Yevheniia Lisova

This is a beautifully illustrated, rhyming picture book told from the perspective of a father of a newborn child. He wants to share with his new child all the wonders of the world in addition to a multitude of learning experiences that he intends to teach his child.

The rhymes are sweet and heartfelt, just the type of emotion any new parent experiences. The vivid colors of the multicultural characters and places discussed will open up a young child’s mind to new vistas and experiences.

I would highly suggest the book as a bedtime story or read-aloud for toddler and preschool children.

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Charlotte-Solana and the Sun (Charlotte’s stories series)

Written by Silvia Tabor

Illustrated by Dorina Casapu

Charlotte’s second name is Solana, which means the sun. A good match because the sun is her best friend. Every day, her first move is to open the curtains and greet her friend.

Charlotte teaches her primary grade readers that the sun is a star, there are eight planets orbiting around it, and she introduces the dwarf planets as well. She is delighted where her parents allow her to plant sunflower seeds. Charlotte reasons that these plants could become friends for the sun, who must be lonely out there by itself.

This book contains vibrant illustrations that pop off the page to attract young readers to its message.

Recommended especially for ages four through seven.

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If Shapes Could Talk

Written by Rella B

Illustrated by Wendy S.

This book is much more than a rhyming picture book about shapes. It teaches young children colors, empathy, compassion, kindness, gratitude, and diversity.

A rhombus introduces us to her shape family. Each member is different but they all live happily together. When the rhombus goes to school, she discovers a world of diversity and begins to feel left out because she has fewer material possessions. Soon, she learns that appearances can be deceiving.

Toddlers and preschoolers learn shapes and colors, older elementary school age readers will better understand the value of uniqueness and diversity.

Recommended for toddlers through grade three.

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