Moshe Comes to Visit

Written by Tehila Sade Moyal

Illustrated by Fatima Pires

A little boy is terrified of monsters that come into his room at night. His parents try to comfort him. Eventually, his father comes up with a solution in the form of an agreement that is hung on the wall. A logical way to help the protagonist and the reader face irrational fears.

Then the book takes a sudden turn. When a cockroach enters the home, the boy decides to name him Moshe and befriend the creature. Unfortunately, his mother is terrified of Moshe. The boy must come up with a creative solution to save his friend and please his mother.

The rhymes are sometimes a bit difficult to read. I applaud the creative plot, but the English translation lacks fluidity.

A useful resource for a family with a young child who experiences night tremors.

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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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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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Teaching critical thinking to children in elementary school is crucial for their overall development and future success. Here are a few reasons why it is important:

1. Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: Critical thinking equips children with the ability to identify, analyze, and solve problems creatively. By encouraging them to think critically, we empower them to approach challenges with a logical and analytical mindset. This skill is not only beneficial during their academic years but also helps them navigate real-life situations effectively.
2. Promotes Independent Thinking: Teaching critical thinking encourages children to question information, sources, and perspectives. They learn to evaluate evidence, form their own opinions, and make informed decisions. This fosters independence of thought, empowering children to rely on their own judgment rather than simply accepting what they are told.
3. Develops Analytical Abilities: Critical thinking helps children develop strong analytical skills. They learn to break down complex problems into smaller manageable parts, analyze each part individually, and then synthesize the information to form a coherent understanding. This process of analysis develops their ability to assess situations objectively and make logical connections.
4. Encourages Curiosity and Creativity: When children are taught critical thinking, they naturally become more curious and open-minded. They learn to ask questions, explore various possibilities, and seek a deeper understanding of the world around them. This curiosity fuels their creativity and enables them to think outside the box, fostering innovation and originality.
5. Prepares for the Future: In today’s rapidly evolving world, critical thinking skills are more important than ever. As children grow up, they will encounter new challenges, diverse perspectives, and complex issues. By nurturing their critical thinking abilities from an early age, we equip them with the skills necessary to adapt, problem-solve, and thrive in an increasingly complex and dynamic society.

In conclusion, teaching critical thinking to children in elementary school is essential for their intellectual growth and overall development. It empowers them to think independently, make informed decisions, and face challenges with confidence. By fostering critical thinking skills, we prepare them for a future where adaptability, creativity, and analytical abilities are highly valued.

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It Must Be Spring (It Must Be Seasons Book 3)

Written by Michelle Wang

Illustrated by Ulianna Barabash

A lovely picture book for preschoolers and early readers.

The multicultural book can be used to teach colors and action words associated with the spring season. As each member looks out the window, that person highlights a color and steps outside in the rain to play. Readers meet the parents, grandparents, and siblings of the family.

A fun book that encourages children to be interactive as they imitate the actions of each character.

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Hendrix and Rocket: Being Brave: A heartwarming story for ages 3-8 of one little Weimaraner’s journey to find their courage

Written by Kristen Haynes

Illustrated by Anna Thompson

A cute picture book that helps children understand how to control their anger by using a dog named Rocket.

When Rocket learns his morning routine of visiting the beach will not happen because mom had something else to do, he immediately gets angry. This results in the destruction of his family’s property even though his older dog brother warns him against such behavior.

What lessons does he learn to control his anger in the future?

The author cleverly presents the lesson using adorable pups.

Recommended for ages three and older.

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Where’s Gramma?

Written by Tricia Gardella

Illustrated by Greg David

Four grandsons describe a grandmother who keeps them guessing about her next exploit. This grandmother lives on a farm. She fills her days with adventures like collecting bugs, milking cows, diving in a swimming hole, pouring concrete, or climbing a tree.

Visiting gramma is certainly an experience worth looking forward to. A nice book to share when family gathers together. Good choice for preschoolers and older readers. The illustrations complement the mood perfectly.

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You Taught Me Love

Written by Misty Black

Illustrated by Marina Batrak

A phrase that has been shared over and over by many generations. A mother and child share different ways of expressing their love for one another. Is it a game? Is it a competition?

How many times have parents or grandparents played this game with their precious children. Each generation of a family finds new and different ways to reinforce this message. This book contains beautiful illustrations and exquisite analogies.

This lovely picture book is part of a series and would make a wonderful gift for a new parent or grandparent to share as a bedtime story.

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Tuxedo Baby

Written by Victoria Smith

Illustrated by Helen Stebakov

Tuxedo is a penguin orphaned due to an oil spill. Two conure parrots decide to adopt him.

Tuxedo is curious and passionate about trying new things. Sometimes he forgets that he is not a parrot and gets in trouble for attempting things his penguin body cannot achieve. His parents are patient and urge him to exercise curiosity but also caution. As Tuxedo grows, he learns how to maximize his unique qualities and talents.

I enjoyed the bonus sections that provide readers with facts about conures and penguins as well as background about oil spills.

This charming book contains valuable lessons as well as solid educational information.

Recommended especially for primary grade readers but also beginning chapter book readers.

Grandma, It’s Me!: A Children’s Book about Dementia 

Written by Y. Y. Chan

Illustrated by Pearly L.

So many families contain an elderly member suffering from dementia. This book goes a long way toward explaining and humanizing the difficult situation.

The protagonist is a young girl named Riley. It follows her diary entries over a period of time. One day Riley notices that her grandmother is forgetting things. As time passes, grandma wanders off and forgets the names of family members. She needs constant care and that is a burden on the family. Chan shows how to combine love with patience as the family must constantly adjust their situation.

This book is a great resource in explaining dementia to young children. I liked the multicultural images, the characters, and the abundant resources included. Readers receive a list of questions and reflections about what they read as well as activities to download.

This book is highly recommended not only to parents and teachers but also counselors who work in mental health facilities or in schools with children.