Written and Illustrated by Kenesha Sneed Reviewed by Melody Falleur-Fettig (2021-2022) A picture book provides many avenues to access the content. The images, ideas, and written words are carefully tailored by an author to tell their story. The book, Many Shapes of Clay, a Story of Healing, is a master work of meaning integrated delicately […]
Tag: Identity
Sweet People Are Everywhere
Written by Alice Walker Illustrated by Quim Torres Reviewed by Miles Hartfelder Often in elementary classrooms, students only learn about other countries and the people who live there during geography or history lessons. While this book doesn’t dive into the distinct cultures of individual countries, it does provide an opportunity for students to expand their […]
Who are you?
Written by Brook Pessin-Whedbee and illustrated by Naomi Bardoff Reviewed by Lucie Wharton-Moeur Early Elementary Picturebook The book Who are you? is a book designed for you and only you. The author describes this book as a personal experience for every reader and an experience that will change every time you read it. This book […]
I Dream of Popo
Written by: Livia Blackburne Illustrated by: Julia Kuo Reviewed by: Erin Healy I Dream of Popo is a story of a little Taiwanese girl who is very close with her grandmother (Popo). One day the girl’s family moves to The United States while her Popo stays in Tawian. The girl and her grandma keep their […]
Your Name is a Song
Written by: Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow Illustrated by: Luisa Uribe Reviewed by: Erin Healy Genre: Realistic Fiction Picture Book Did you know that all names are songs? That’s right. They each have their own unique flow, beat, and melody. Like many kids who have gone through school with names that cannot be found on gift store license […]
Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away
Written by Meg Medina Illustrated by Sonia Sanchez Reviewed by Mary Bishop In ‘Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away’, author and illustrator, Meg Medina and Sonia Sánchez, demonstrate how to beautifully translate childhood’s significant moments into story form. Daniela is our narrator and she tells the story of her last day with her “mejor amiga, […]
The Name Jar
Written and Illustrated by Yangsook Choi Reviewed by Ellen HurdBeing the new kid at school is a tough experience for most kids. It can be even harder for children who are from another country with a different language and culture. In the book The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi, a girl named Unhei moves to […]
A Family is a Family is a Family
Written by Sara O’Leary and illustrated by QinLeng Reviewed by Lucie Wharton-Moeur Early Elementary Picturebook The word family is more than just a physical thing that people have, it is a feeling. This story tells the experience of a boy in school reflecting on his family. He starts off by worrying his family is not […]
Your Name is a Song
Written by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow & illustrated by Luisa Uribe Reviewed by Sofia Puorro When asked whether she was bothered by the constant and deliberate mispronunciation of her name, vice-president Kamala Harris responded that a name is the first gift children receive from their families. In Your Name is a Song, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow uses rhythm and […]
Sal & Gabi Break the Universe
Sal and Gabi Break the Universe By Carlos Hernandez Guest Review by Sally Castillo (Lewis & Clark MAT 2021-2022) Sal and Gabi Break the Universe starts with an ordinary “new kid at school” plot device. Sal Vidón, who recently moved to Miami from Connecticut, gets sent to the Principal’s office on his third day […]