The Word Collector, by Peter H Reynolds

Book description (from publisher):

"Some people collect stamps.
Some people collect coins.
Some people collect art.
And Jerome?
Jerome collected words . . .

In this extraordinary new tale from Peter H. Reynolds, Jerome discovers the magic of the words all around him -- short and sweet words, two-syllable treats, and multisyllable words that sound like little songs. Words that connect, transform, and empower.

From the creator of The Dot and Happy Dreamer comes a celebration of finding your own words -- and the impact you can have when you share them with the world."

OUR THOUGHTS:
A delightful book! A contagious celebration of the power of words to connect, foster self-expression and understanding, and the simple joy of words for their own melodious sake. A great book to prompt children to become word collectors–to notice and inquire about the meaning of the many new words they encounter. Given that a rich language environment will prompt children to learn approximately 3,000 new words each and every year (until they are well into college!), this book is a great one to celebrate that journey and the diversity and power of language. Also great for promoting development of voice. We were definitely "moved" and "delighted" by Peter H. Reynolds' new treasure of a book!

Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed The World, by Susan Hood

Book description (from publisher):
“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.” —Mae Jemison, the first female African American astronaut
Fresh, accessible, and inspiring, Shaking Things Up introduces fourteen revolutionary young women—each paired with a noteworthy female artist—to the next generation of activists, trail-blazers, and rabble-rousers.
From the award-winning author of Ada’s Violin, Susan Hood, this is a poetic and visual celebration of persistent women throughout history.
In this book, you will find Mary Anning, who was just thirteen when she unearthed a prehistoric fossil. You’ll meet Ruby Bridges, the brave six-year-old who helped end segregation in the South. And Maya Lin, who at twenty-one won a competition to create a war memorial, and then had to appear before Congress to defend her right to create.
And those are just a few of the young women included in this book. Readers will also hear about Molly Williams, Annette Kellerman, Nellie Bly, Pura Belprè, Frida Kahlo, Jacqueline and Eileen Nearne, Frances Moore Lappè, Mae Jemison, Angela Zhang, and Malala Yousafzai—all whose stories will enthrall and inspire. This book was written, illustrated, edited, and designed by women and includes an author’s note, a timeline, and additional resources.
With artwork by notable artists including Selina Alko, Sophie Blackall, Lisa Brown, Hadley Hooper, Emily Winfield Martin, Oge Mora, Julie Morstad, Sara Palacios, LeUyen Pham, Erin Robinson, Isabel Roxas, Shadra Strickland, and Melissa Sweet."

This is an original addition to your biographies bookshelf. The diverse young women highlighted in this book pursued diverse interests and causes, but all changed our world in important ways. The contents prompt young readers to connect women across time and place, to discover similarities and differences in the ways that women are important change makers the world over. The book contains some lesser known figures and changes, making it likely to introduce even avid young biography readers to new content. Told primarily in verse, the book is a playful celebration of young female change makers. The book can be read cover to cover, or dipped into to explore individual women, passions and/or places. A great nonfiction book for younger and older readers. 

Mae Among The Stars, written by Roda Ahmed and illustrated by Stasia Burrington

Book description (from the publisher):

"A great classroom and bedtime read-aloud, Mae Among the Stars is the perfect book for young readers who have big dreams and even bigger hearts!

When Little Mae was a child, she dreamed of dancing in space. She imagined herself surrounded by billions of stars, floating, gliding, and discovering.

She wanted to be an astronaut.

Her mom told her, "If you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible.”

Little Mae’s curiosity, intelligence, and determination, matched with her parents' encouraging words, paved the way for her incredible success at NASA as the first African American woman to travel in space.

This book will inspire other young girls to reach for the stars, to aspire for the impossible, and to persist with childlike imagination."

A beautiful book to share with young children, especially girls. 

Watch Mae's TEDtalk (for parents and educators)

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