Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson

"This is what kindness does, 
Each little thing we do goes out, like a ripple, into the world." 

What a profound story about spreading (or not spreading) kindness.  Maya is a new student, new to a school filled with students who are not willing to welcome her in.  Chloe and her classmates turn down Maya's countless attempts to play, to initiate conversation, and to become friends. Eventually, Maya does not show up to school. Ever again.  Meanwhile, Ms. Albert, the teacher, holds a lesson on how kindness can spread like the ripples in water.  This lesson on kindness has a huge impact on Chloe.  She reflects, and reflects, and reflects some more.  Chloe comes to realize that she has so many things she wishes to do differently with Maya: things she would have said differently and ways she would have handled the relationship differently.  In the end, Chloe does not have a chance to mend her relationship with Maya, or to take advantage of a missed opportunity at friendship.  Maya never returns to school.  However, the last scene of the book shows Chloe reflecting on how "the chance of a kindness with Maya became more and more forever gone." So, is it sad that Chloe misses an opportunity? Or will Chloe take this lesson and apply to all future relationships?

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett

"It turned out she was." 

Happy, that is. 

This is a simple story of imagination and sharing.  Annabelle is a young girl who discovers a box, a box filled with yarn.  After she knits herself a sweater, and one for her dog, she begins to spread this simple gesture of knitting towards others.  Before long, Annabelle has also knit sweaters for animals, and even inanimate objects in her community.  She has turned the dark, gloomy winter scenery into a bright and colorful scene.  Her "extra yarn" has transformed the landscape into something "extra beautiful."  But along comes temptation: an archduke who offers Annabelle a good deal of money to purchase her magical box of yarn.  She turns him down.  Eventually, Annabelle's box is stolen and yet the archduke is unable to harness the magic of the "extra yarn." This tale teaches us to use our simple resources, such as "extra yarn," to create simple beauty for those around us.

I think Mac Barnett uses a young girl's simplicity to teach us the value of generosity.  She is giving and unending in her creations for others.  The archduke represents greediness, which the young girl does not give in to.  Her simple gifts remind the reader that something so small can brighten a gloomy day.  I also think this story epitomizes the role of imagination in our lives. How we look at things around us can transform their potential.  A simple box of yarn -- Annabelle imagines much more from the colorful string of fibers.  A cardboard box -- perhaps a young child can build a puppet theater? A paper plate -- perhaps the beginning of an exquisite top hat? The imagination is the birth of creativity, but we must look around us for objects and ways to grow such possibilities!

I would certainly recommend this picture book to young readers who are learning to see the world around them in thoughtful and creative ways.  Also, for adults who need to be reminded of how simple pleasures can yield large results.  Another great reason to pick up this picture book is to look at the illustrations and use of color.  As I was reading, I noticed how beautifully the color in the illustrations aligned with the meaning of the text on the page.  Annabelle is a character that I think most readers can relate to, someone who can look around the house and pick up something simple on a "boring afternoon," and let the imagination run wild! The book jacket reads: for ages 4-8, but I think the message can apply to a wider audience.

This story, Extra Yarn, was recognized as:

• a Caldecott Honor medal
• the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award
• New York Times bestseller
• E.B. White Read-Aloud Award

The Crown on Your Head by Nancy Tillman

You Are Loved...

Everyone wears a crown on their head. Your crown is always with you. It is placed on your head on the day you are born and it is with you when you are climbing the mountain tops or taking the big slide for the first time. If you ever have a challenge in your life, put your hand on your head and touch your crown. Say to yourself...."I believe." Nancy Tillman writes a love letter to children with her picture book The Crown on Your Head. Her message is to embraced your gifts and hold them dear to your heart as you go through life. 

I first listened to this book when my dear friend, Pappy, read it out loud to my 5th grade class at the end of the school year. As he turned each page of the story, I watched as the students felt the warmth and the possibilities of their own futures unfold. This book inspires kids to believe in themselves, reminds them that they always have others who love them, and dares them to use their gifts to dream. The illustrations in this book bring to life the beauty of your soul and the mystical crown. They are beautiful and vibrant and correlate well with the loving message of the book. 

After that first read with Pappy, I purchased this book as a gift for my son, Travis. I gave it to him as a gift for when he graduated from High School. It is a wonderful reminder that as he moves onto college and begins his own life, his crown on his head is still there and his family is always there to remind him that he is loved.  

You can read more about Nancy Tillman and her inspiring books by looking at her website: http://www.nancytillman.com/main/ Another book you might have enjoyed by Nancy is On the Night You Were Born. This was the first book that she ever wrote to convey to her children that "You are the one and only ever you." 

Weslandia by Paul Fleischman

Take a journey this summer with Wesley, the unique and quirky outsider with a strong imagination. While other kids play sports, go to summer school, take vacations, or enjoy organized summer camp, Wesley of Weslandia  creates a summer project out of a simple seed. From the seed, Wesley is able to plant food, create his own language and alphabet,

make up individual and team sports, provide shelter, play musical instruments, and most importantly create a civilization that is his alone. 

This story reminds us that it is important to stay true to yourself and that is what will make one happy. For Wesley, he was tormented by other kids until they were able to see the beauty in his ideas. In the beginning, his parents and other kids treat him like an "odd duck." But when they see his civilization transpire, they are curious and want to be a part of it. By the end of the summer, Wesley's peers and parents have a new appreciation for his quirkiness.  

In this book, the "underdog" character becomes the hero. It also reminds the reader about the power of using your imagination and staying true to yourself. For more information about Weslandia and for further review, please click on this link.

Listen to the story through a you tube read aloud. 

Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street by Roni Schotter

This book is a great way to introduce the idea of having a writer's notebook and observing the world around you as a writer(actual author) would. A young girl sits on her stoop in New York City thinking that there is nothing to write about. She meets people on the street and

begins noticing the small events and their connections to each other. Through her writing, she brings lively characters together, shares many tips for young writers, and a heartwarming story unfolds with a happy ending. 

Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street by Roni Schotter provides a strong mentor text that demonstrates and illustrates tips for young writers. Eva thinks she has nothing to write about until her neighbors give her friendly advice: 

• Mr. Sims, an out of work actor, says, “The whole world’s a stage – even 90th Street – and each of us plays a part."
• Mr. Morley, a pastry chef shares, “Try to find the poetry in your pudding...There’s always a new way with old words.”
• “Stretch...Use your imagination. If your story doesn’t go the way you want it to, you can always stretch the truth. You can ask, ‘What if?’ and make up a better story." This is the advice given to young Eva from a dancer, Alexis Leora.
• Mrs. Martinez, the cook, tells Eva to “Add a little action...Like soup. A little this. A little that. And don’t forget the spice. Mix it. Stir it. Make something happen. Surprise yourself!”

All these characters she sees on 90th street help Eva to find her story and she ends up writing an engaging story about 90th street. When she started, she thought nothing ever happened there, until she found the details in the characters on the street and realizes that quite a bit happens on 90th street.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce

A book can take you places where you have never been. A book can cheer you up when you are feeling down. A book can be your Friday night date. A book can open your eyes to a world that you have never seen or could even imagine. William Joyce takes a journey with books through the life of Mr. Morris Lessmore.

Morris loved books. He loved the joys and he loved the sorrows. He wrote about his life everyday until the day when his letters were all mixed up. Joyce uses personification to help us realize the life of a book when Morris lives in a special library. He actually gets "lost" in the pages and letters in the book and repairs the books like a doctor would repair or care for a patient.

The pictures of this book bring the pages of this story to life as they use color and black and white to visually demonstrate the life of a story. The images transform as the story evolves.

I love this book because it reminds me that everyone has a story and that no one will know your story unless you share it through writing.

Take a look at the short film created that was inspired by the book. The silent film brings the story and the pages to life. The audience loves to enjoy the journey through Mr. Lessmore's life of loving books.

After watching the film, I realize that detailed illustrations can really inspire the reader to visualize the scenes in the story. This short film also made me think more about how books inspire movie-makers.  How many movies have been created from a book?