Becoming Critically Literate

  Description from the publisher: " Discover both the past   and  present day's fight to vote with Quetta Little as she learns the power of casting your vote in this ideal picture book from acclaimed author Leah Henderson and illustrator Keisha Morris. The perfect companion for any young reader during election year! It’s Election Day, and Quetta, her mother, and her grandmother embark on their journey to cast their vote. Trekking through their vibrant neighborhood, they meet obstacle after obstacle before—and after—reaching their voting station. Unwilling to give up, Quetta’s mother and grandmother teach her about the importance of voting and those who fought for their right—and Quetta comes to discover the power of raising her voice. With warm illustrations, engaging text, and insightful timeline,  Your Voice, Your Vote  will inspire readers to embrace this civic duty in the face of today’s continued fight for voting rights." Text Features:  Realistic fict...

  Description from the publisher: " One Wish is a picture book biography about Fatima al-Fihri, a 9th-century woman who pioneered the oldest university in the world in Fez, Morocco. Illustrated by Mariam Quraishi.  "Fatima al-Fihri loved to learn. She wanted to know everything, like how birds flew, why the sky was blue, and how flowers grew. But more than anything, she wanted a school for all, where anyone could study and become whatever they wanted, like teachers, scientists, and doctors. As she grew older, Fatima carried her one wish inside her, through good times and bad. Fueled by her faith and her determination, she worked hard to make her one wish come true. For over a thousand years, Fatima’s one wish—her school—served students and scholars from around the globe, and it continues to do so today! ​ With lyrical text by M. O. Yuksel and stunning illustrations by Mariam Quraishi, this life portrait of an extraordinary Muslim woman shows the importance of never gi...

  Description from the publisher: " The first ever picture book addressing how a disabled child might want to be spoken to. What happened to you?  Was it a shark? A burglar? A lion? Did it fall off? Every time Joe goes out the questions are the same . . . what happened to his leg? But is this even a question Joe has to answer? A ground-breaking, funny story that helps children understand what it might feel like to be seen as different." Text Features:  Picture book Letter to adults from the author on how to speak to children about disabilities and other differences Critical Literacy Suggestions: Read & Discuss:   BEFORE reading: read the title, explore the cover illustration, and discuss predictions for what the book might be about; then read the blurb and expand predictions; maybe ask children if they have seen someone with a visible disability before and if/how they responded DURING reading: pay attention to the main character's responses, discuss why he might ...

  Description from the publisher: " Bestselling author Rachel Williams and illustrator Freya Hartas invite children to  Slow Down  and watch 50 nature stories that command calm and foster mindfulness. All around us, nature is working wonders. Every day, hour by hour, magical transformations happen right in front of you. But it’s not always easy to see them . . . In this beautifully illustrated collection, 50 moments in nature are paused for you to watch them in detail. Then you should go outside and explore and see what you find when you take the time to slow down. Gorgeously illustrated, this charming collection celebrates the small wonders happening all around us every day." Text Features:  Informational picture book Select poems about nature Table of Contents Two-page spread for each mindful moment story Critical Literacy Suggestions: Read & Discuss:   BEFORE reading: Read the blurb. Ask children what they think a "mindful moment" is? What are some other ...

  Description from the publisher: " Rise Up and Write It  combines a celebration of civic engagement with the hands-on fun of real pull-out examples of activism tools and is sure to encourage young readers to want to get up and get involved. The book comes complete with a pull-out letter to the mayor, a ready-to-sign petition, a community meeting poster, a protest sign—and more! When Farah Patel realizes that the butterflies have disappeared from her neighborhood, she discovers that it’s likely because there aren’t enough flowers to attract them. She can’t help but think, “This isn’t right.” Luckily enough, Grove Hills is looking for ideas on what to do with the empty lot next door. And Farah has the perfect one—make it into a community garden to bring back a little green to their block! But when Farah finds out that she isn’t the only one with a plan for the future of Grove Hills, she’ll have to turn to her community for help. Open the six envelopes inside to f...

  "Service to others is the rent you pay for your room on earth." –Shirley Chisholm Description from the publisher: " A timely picture book biography about Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman in Congress, who sought the Democratic nomination to be the president of the United States. Shirley Chisholm famously said, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” This dynamic biography illuminates how Chisholm was a doer, an active and vocal participant in our nation’s democracy, and a force to be reckoned with. Now young readers will learn about her early years, her time in Congress, her presidential bid and how her actions left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire, uplift, and instruct. " Text Features:  Narrative nonfiction (biography) picture book. Key verbs are highlighted in different font/colors. Critical Literacy Suggestions: Read & Discuss:   Before reading, discuss the book's title. Ask students what they think the book...

Description from the publisher: "Based in part on a 100-year-old family journal, Rosemary Wells brings to life a story that the diary’s fragile pages tell. It’s the story of a wooden rocking chair handmade in about 1825 by her great-great-grandfather, an immigrant Jewish boy who made his way to America from Germany in the early 1800s. In 1807, Sam Siegbert is born in southern Germany. Sam’s favorite pastime is carpentry, much to his father’s displeasure. His mother says he has a gift from God in his hands. After moving to America, he builds a wooden chair with the word  WILLKOMMEN  on the back. The chair’s back panel was later marked with  welcome s by four generations of the family in four different languages. After the family lost track of the old chair, the author created a new life for it among new owners from other corners of the world. All the families who loved the chair came to America, escaping religious conformity, natural disasters, tyrannies, war, and supersti...