Submitted by Ms. Jill!
I Remember Miss Perry by Pat Brisson. Miss Perry is a wonderful teacher. When Stevie was new in school, and so nervous that he had a stomachache, Miss Perry made him feel better by telling him that her “fondest wish” was that he join her for lunch. In fact, Miss Perry has a different “fondest wish” every day – that the class quiet down quickly so that they can read aloud together; that they serenade the principal on her birthday; that they plant flowers to beautify the school. Miss Perry’s entire class adores their teacher, and looks forward each day to hearing her “fondest wish.” Then, one awful day, Miss Perry is not at school. The principal teaches their class in the morning, and after lunch the children find their parents waiting in the classroom. The principal has very sad news to share, and she wants the children to have their parents nearby when they hear it: Miss Perry has died in an accident. The principal and the school counselor help everyone to deal with their grief by talking about their favorite memories of Miss Perry, and they each share a story about a different “fondest wish.” This sensitive book about loss and grief is exceptionally well done, and just right for elementary-aged kids who have lost someone special to them. Sad without being melodramatic, I Remember Miss Perry shows readers that “it’s okay to cry when someone you like very much has died,” and that sharing memories is a good way to find comfort when mourning. See this book listed in our catalog
School
Pink!
Submitted by Ms. Tess!
I am completely charmed by Pink! a story by Lynne Rickards, with pictures by Margaret Chamberlain. It’s the tale of Patrick, a penguin, who wakes up one morning to discover he’s turned pink. Of course, he’s quite alarmed by this. Whoever heard of a pink penguin? His mother sends him to the doctor, but the doctor can’t explain why Patrick is pink. You could be green if you were feeling sick. Or blue if you were very cold. But pink? He’ll just have to get used to it. But “boys can’t be pink” Patrick insists. Patrick’s dad shows him a book of birds including flamingos, and informs him boys can be pink! Patrick is slightly re-assured, but when he goes to school the next day he is mercilessly teased for being pink! He decides to pack it up and move to Africa to be with the flamingos. He swims all the way there! When he arrives, the flamingos are friendly enough, but Patrick still doesn’t quite fit it in. He realizes he belongs with the other penguins at the south pole, so he swims all the way home. When he gets there, his parents and schoolmates are so happy to see him! They ask him about his travels and rejoice in his homecoming. Eventually everyone gets used to Patrick being pink, and no one teases him anymore. This is a wonderful book to teach children that being different is OK, and to not be ashamed of anything that makes them stand out in a crowd. See this book listed in our catalog
Laurie
Submitted by Ms. Amanda!
Laurie by Elfi Nijssen and Eline van Lindenhuizen is a great story to help kids adjust to hearing aids, or to understand why someone they know uses hearing aids. Laurie doesn’t hear well, and that makes it hard for her to have friends, because she often has to ask them to repeat themselves, and look at her when they speak, so that she can read their lips. Kids often make fun of her, because they do not understand, and she often has to play alone on the playground. That makes her feel like she doesn’t belong. Laurie has a dog who is her friend. He doesn’t care that she doesn’t hear well. They understand each other just fine. One day, Laurie gets “hearing computers” to help her hear well. Now Laurie can hear kids on the playground, she doesn’t have to ask them to repeat themselves, and can hear everything around her just fine. Laurie is lucky, because now she can hear well, thanks to her hearing aids. Now she has friends, and feels like she belongs! See this book listed in our catalog
Oh No!
Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem
How Rocket Learned to Read
Submitted by Ms. Tess!
How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills is an adorable story about the experience of learning to read, and loving to read! Rocket is a dog who loves to play outside. One day, as he is trying to nap, he is a accosted by an enthusiastic and scholarly bird, who wants Rocket to be her student. At first Rocket is disturbed, but soon finds he is interested in the stories the bird reads, and the letters and words that make up the stories. Soon Rocket is visiting the bird every day, until the seasons change and the bird must fly away. During the cold months, Rocket continues to practice his spelling, and when spring comes again, he is reunited with his bird teacher to read, spell, and learn some more. I really love this book. The message is wonderful and the illustrations are colorful and inviting. This is an excellent story for the young dog, bird, or book lover in your life! See this book listed in our catalog