Big Wolf and Little Wolf, by Nadine Brun-Cosme

Book description (from SLJ): "Big Wolf lives under a tree alone, and he likes it that way. That is, until Little Wolf arrives. Small and blue and unassuming, Big Wolf does not turn away the little fellow but he does watch him. When it’s cold at night, he offers a small corner of his blanket. When he exercises, he allows Little Wolf to exercise with him. And as he grows more comfortable with the small fellow, he grows fond of him. So it’s as much a shock to him as to anyone when Little Wolf leaves and Big Wolf is left feeling abandoned. Fortunately, all works out well in the end, the two wolves realizing that they need one another, even if it’s not immediately obvious."

We field-tested this with some of our second graders and they loved it. Led to some interesting discussion about why Big Wolf appears so guarded and feels threatened by Little Wolf at first. Good for exploring character traits and more nuanced clues to infer character thinking and emotions. Also great for exploring friendship development and belonging. This title is one of three starring these Wolf friends. Will definitely be seeking out the rest!

Emmanuel's Dream, by Laurie Ann Thompson

(from publisher) "Born in Ghana, West Africa, with one deformed leg, he was dismissed by most people—but not by his mother, who taught him to reach for his dreams. As a boy, Emmanuel hopped to school more than two miles each way, learned to play soccer, left home at age thirteen to provide for his family, and, eventually, became a cyclist. He rode an astonishing four hundred miles across Ghana in 2001, spreading his powerful message: disability is not inability. Today, Emmanuel continues to work on behalf of the disabled. Thompson's lyrical prose and Qualls's bold collage illustrations offer a powerful celebration of triumphing over adversity."

A beautiful book to explore the challenges faced by people with physical disabilities, especially as a result of the stigma and exclusion that can arise through fear of difference. An inspiring story that hooks children in to root for Emmanuel and others with disabilities who come out to cheer him on. Don't be surprised when your young readers cheer out loud at the end of this inspiring true story.

Rachel: The Story of Rachel Carson, by Amy Ehrlich

Book description (from Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children):
"Rachel Carson, best known for her 1962 book Silent Spring, raised national awareness about the toxic effects of DDT and other pesticides.  Her work proved instrumental in the subsequent ban of such pesticides and the growth of the environmental movement in the United States.  This interesting and informative picture book makes Rachel Carson’s background and contributions accessible to younger children.  The rich text and stunning watercolor illustrations clearly communicate Rachel’s talents as a writer and interests in biology already as a young child.  She overcame a number of obstacles, especially financial constraints, to become a successful author about nature and ocean life.  With its focus on environmental activism, this book makes a useful vehicle for teaching children about links between natural resources and human resources."

Beautifully written. Will inspire children to think more deeply about how living things are interconnected, and how human actions can have far-reaching consequences.

Visit RachelCarson.org to learn more! The interactive timeline is especially good to help children take a virtual tour through Rachel's life.
GR Level: Q

Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth, by Oliver Jeffers

A bit about the book (from Oliver Jeffers' website):

"Our world can be a bewildering place, especially if you’ve only just got here. Your head will be filled with questions, so let’s explore what makes our planet and how we live on it.

From land and sky, to people and time, these notes can be your guide and start you on your journey. And you’ll figure lots of things out for yourself. Just remember to leave notes for everyone else...

Some things about our planet are pretty complicated, but things can be simple, too: there are lots of us on here, so be kind."

A picture book gem. Use to celebrate our planet and nurture empathy for all that lives on it - both now and in the future.

Watch Oliver discuss his writing process here (very entertaining AND informative!).
GR Level: K