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In a Cloud of Dust

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Submitted by Ms. Karen!

In a Cloud of Dust written by Alma Fullerton, illustrated by Brian Deines. In a remote Tanzanian village a school gets a special visitor: the Bicycle Library truck! The children choose bicycles, except Anna, who is inside completing her homework. Anna lives so far from the school that it is too dark for school work when she gets home. By the time Anna gets outside, all the bikes have been checked out by others. Anna is disappointed, but chooses to help and cheer on her friends as they practice. In the end Anna’s kindness is rewarded when one of her friends helps her to get home on his bike! A very accessible tale of a simple idea that is changing the lives of many children around the world. Be sure to read the author’s note at the end for a deeper explanation of the importance of bicycles in third world countries. There is also a list of non-profit groups providing bicycles globally to folks at no cost. Perhaps your family would like to help out too! See this book listed in our catalog

A Piece of Home

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Submitted by Ms. Sue!

A Piece of Home by Jeri Watts, illustrated by Hyewon Yum. In Korea Hee Jun was ordinary. Hee Jun and his family have just moved from Korea to West Virginia. In Korea, his grandmother was a wonderful teacher and could find the extraordinary out of the ordinary especially in her garden. At school he was just like everyone else. His father accepted a position in a West Virginia school and the family has moved. Grandmother seems different too and her eyes don’t gleam anymore. Here, he is different. As time goes by, he am surprised. He learns new words like bathroom and please. He makes friends. Grandmother and little sister Se Ra are learning too. Se Ra’s teacher gets advice from Grandmother. One day when my friend Steve invites him over, they discover a plant in Steve’s mom’s garden, a “Rose of Sharon.” It’s the same as a plant Grandmother had in Korea called Mugunghwa. Steve’s mom sends a blossom and a shoot home for Grandmother. “A piece of Heaven,” Grandmother says. “A piece of home.” She plants the shoot and at summers end, she sews a blossom onto her new teacher friend’s wedding dress, like the family did in Korea. See this book listed in our catalog 

Dojo Daytrip

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Submitted by Ms. Karen!

Dojo Daytrip written and illustrated by Chris Tougas. The six little ninjas from Dojo Daycare are back for another adventure! The excited ninjas board the minibus for a field trip to a farm with their Master. Instead of experiencing the joys of farm life, however, Master becomes embroiled in disaster after barnyard disaster, giving the mini-ninjas opportunity to flaunt their mad ninja skills. From kicking down fences to climbing the scarecrow, letting out the animals, and generally ignoring their ninja creed – “Always help someone in need” – they are out of control. Finally, when Master gets into real danger, they remember what to do and with ninja speed save the Master and put the farm back to rights! Your children will enjoy these books about little girls and boys having fun and learning to be proper ninjas. See this book listed in our catalog 

My Teacher Is a Monster (No, I Am Not)

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Submitted by Ms. Karen!

My Teacher Is a Monster written and illustrated by Peter Brown. “Bobby has a problem. You see, his teacher is a monster.” It’s a really BIG problem for young Bobby, who thinks his very strict teacher is a big green monster. Remember the funny ideas we all had as kids about our teachers and how weird it could be meeting them outside of school? Well, Bobby and the monstrous Ms. Kirby have just such a chance encounter, which begins with awkward conversation on a park bench and ends with watching an epic paper airplane flight together from Bobby’s favorite spot in the park! You’ll enjoy watching the “transformation” happen as their interaction moves through a windy Saturday morning, with each of them coming to see the other in a whole new way. See this book listed in our catalog

Not This Bear

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Submitted by Ms. Jill!

Not This Bear: A First Day of School Story by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Lorna Hussey. It’s Bear’s very first day at Bear School! Mama assures him that all the little bears love school, but Bear says “Not this bear,” because he loves staying home with Mama. When it’s time for art, Mr. Brown the teacher encourages Bear to put on a smock like all the other bears, but Bear says “Not this bear,” because he’s not quite ready to let go of his own familiar jacket. At circle time, everyone likes to sit on a mat and hear a story, but “not this bear,” because Bear always sits on Mama’s lap for stories. Things go a little better  until it’s time for recess, when all the little bears want to run and play and swing and slide, but “not this bear,” because it’s all just a little too noisy and wild for Bear on his first day. But when someone else says, “Not this bear, either,” Bear finds a friend who’s feeling a bit shy and quiet just like him. By the end of the day, when Mr. Brown asks if everyone is ready to go home, “not this bear!” comes the answer, because school is too much fun! Not This Bear is a sweet and reassuring story about first-day nerves that won’t scare little ones with terrible disasters or mean bullies. Mr. Brown is a gentle, understanding teacher who doesn’t push, and Bear finds his own ways to join in the classroom fun despite feeling unsure. See this book listed in our catalog

Llama Llama and the Bully Goat

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Submitted by Ms. Karen!

In Llama Llama and the Bully Goat, young Llama Llama has yet another adventure, this time at school. In rhyme, author Anna Dewdney paints a picture of a day at preschool, singing and learning and fun with friends, until a bully spoils it all! Gilroy behaves badly, with kicks and shouts and name calling, until little Llama and his friend talk to the teacher, who intervenes with a long time out for Gilroy Goat. With time to think it over, Gilroy is able to change his ways, and he and Llama end on a friendly note. Large, colorful pictures and the amazing expressions on the young animals faces present the topic of bullying and give even young children the knowledge and reassurance that they can effect change in their world by asking for help, which just might turn a bully into a friend! See this book listed in our catalog