Elementary

From traditional Indigenous stories to the truth behind the Mexican jumping bean, these picture books, selected by the We Are Kid Lit Collective, offer entertaining and memorable reading experiences for kids over the summer break.

Heritage celebrations are conversation starters. Use these appealing titles for young people to facilitate meaningful discussion about Caribbean histories, communities, interests, and experiences. 

Whether it's spring, when we first noticed these books, or summer, winter, or fall, offering children a way to look at the world that makes them appreciate and want to protect it may help guarantee its future, and theirs. 

This collection of true life stories will certainly provide comfort and guidance to anyone trying to articulate and express their identity, but may also broaden the horizons of those around them and perhaps help the world become a more positive and inclusive place where everyone may feel valued.

Since June 19th became a national holiday in 2021, the list of books about Juneteenth has been growing! Here is a handful of the latest titles for children.

Decades of disagreement over reading instruction may be waning as states around the country make the science of reading mandated curriculum. 

There are many ways to approach summer reading, but book clubs can bring students and school communities together with a focus on conversations not assessments.

The Bank Street College of Education’s Center for Children’s Literature has announced the 2023 winners of the Irma Black Award and Cook Prize, which went to Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty, illus. by David Roberts and Anglerfish: The Seadevil of the Deep by Elaine M. Alexander, illus. by Fiona Fogg, respectively.

With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day around the corner, these titles would make for some great displays and themed story hour picks.