Nature & SEL in 3 picture books & 1 chapter book
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading. Thank you for reading my blog and thank you for reading books. At the start of the school year and my birthday, I feel both gratitude and hope for a new (school) year of possibilities. The myriad of Association of Parent & Teacher meetings have reminded me of how lucky I am that my children attend a school so focused on their academic, social-emotional and physical well-being. The school nurse is diligent about tending to my son’s allergies. The teachers are upbeat and engaged. The administration is focused and goal-oriented. At a recent meeting, a school social worker shared a list of ways to promote social-emotional growth. One highlight from the list? Reading. Reading and conversation. So, thank you for reading with your child. You are raising resilient, empathetic, and curious kids. Who knows what positive change our children will bring to this world?
This week, I am highlighting 3 picture books and 1 chapter book:
This is Me: Getting to know yourself and others better by Helena Harastova and Art by Ana Kobern
Years ago, when I lived in DC and worked on Capitol Hill, my dear childhood friend told me, “Your greatest weakness is also your greatest strength.” That really struck me. How powerful and true. This picture book captures the essence of that idea perfectly. On each page, you will meet different characters, each with a different trait. For example, Destiny daydreams, which leads to missing getting off at the correct bus stop, but her daydreams also fuel creative games and ideas. Some other traits addressed: argumentative, stubborn, sensitive, energetic, brave. This book is ideal for social workers, teachers and parents.
If You Like Butterflies by Lola Schaefer & Art by Gabi Swiatkowska
As many of you know, my kids, nieces and nephew and I raised Monarch butterflies this summer. This new nonfiction picture book gives you all of the important butterfly information. The illustrations are absolutely stunning!
Beneath by Cori Doerrfeld
Author-Illustrator Cori Doerrfeld brought us the beloved The Rabbit Listened. I picked this book up at the library again after a friend told me she wished there was a picture book about tree roots. While this isn’t entirely about tree roots, it is about what lies beneath. Cori’s story of a boy’s walk with his grandpa in the forest addresses nature, emotions and stereotypes. She encourages us to think about what lies beneath. We need a lot more of that from humanity these days.
We love the chapter book series, Henry, Like Always, by Jenn Bailey & Art by Mika Song and the most recent in the series, Henry’s Picture-Perfect Day, has arrived on library shelves! While it isn’t explicitly stated in the text, Henry is neurodivergent. Certain disruptions to the regular routine upset Henry. As we watch Henry adapt to changes in his classroom environment, we learn to think flexibly about all of the different learners within a classroom.
Thank you for sharing some of what you were reading with me two weeks ago!
Please continue to share your favorites!
See you in October,
Melanie