This book is a quick introduction to the life and accomplishments of the famed singer. Written in rhyming couplets, each two page spread is headlined by a theme word, spelled out like Aretha’s most famous song R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
Tag: Picture Book
Review: My Hair
This is a story that touches on cultural awareness, traditions, feelings, confidence, and so many other positive aspects of growing up. It depicts a confident, self-assured little girl who is not shy about being herself. In a world where so much is about conforming to expectations, this book offers little girls as well as not so little girls, a view of what it is to be yourself and show your best self to the world around you.
REVIEW: The Boy Who Loved Everyone
Dimitri is the most affectionate boy in preschool. He loves every child, every adult, every ant, and every tree. And he’s not afraid to say so. However when the children, adults, ants and trees don’t answer back the same way, Dimitri feels embarrassed, and ashamed.
Review: Keith Among The Pigeons
Keith really likes pigeons. He doesn’t sit, move, or behave like other cats, especially the super-judgy Nigel and Hilda (who may or may not be his cat siblings). He longs to hang with the pigeons, protests for pigeon rights, yet scares the pigeons with his cat-like appearance. In turns, he tries to be like the birds and tries to be like the cats, and ultimately finds kinship and self-acceptance for being “a Keith.”
Review: On account of the gum
Have you ever had a child come to you with gum in their hair? NO? You are lucky. As a parent and teacher, I have had the opportunity to deal with this little issue more times than I can count. It is never easy, it is never neat. It is usually funny.
Review: I’m Not a Mouse
When Olivia’s mom calls her by her nickname/pet name, “Mouse,” she turns into a mouse. Therein begins an adventure as Olivia suffers through a series of unfortunate situations in which to metamorphose from a kid into a mouse.
REVIEW: Up and Down Mom
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a picture book paint such an honest and straightforward treatment of a mental disorder in a parent, and I can imagine what a relief it would provide for young readers to see that parts of their story are shared with others.
A Fist for Joe Louis and Me
A Fist for Joe Louis and Me explores these questions and more as it follows the story of two boys in Detroit during the Great Depression. Gordy, an African American boy, and his father, an auto worker, idolize Joe Louis, a world famous boxer. Gordy’s father would come home every Friday and teach Gordy how to box. Together they would follow Friday Night Fights on the radio.
A Flurry of Reviews!
Sometimes, books arrive a little late to the bookshelf; but, we want to bring them to your attention, just in case you need to make a last minute run to the store or want to add them to (or keep them away from) your library. Here are some titles from Simon & Schuster that were published for the Christmas holiday. One, is already a perennial favorite. We’ll start with that one.