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Learning Together Joyfully: January Setting Priorities

Welcome back, educators, parents and grandparents! With December behind us including all the festivities, we can look forward to setting our priorities for the new year – 2025! January is often a month to set our goals and priorities. It is a good time for children to figure out their focus for the year. This is also the month to celebrate Chinese New Year. This month includes books about goal-setting, the zoo, Chinese New Year and books for January. There are a multiple of songs and activities for all of you to enjoy as you play, learn, grow together in January, 2025.

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1.  Read and Sing Together 📚

  • Reading enables the growth of a child. See the diagram below.

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With the new year upon us, it is time to consider reading some goal setting books with our children. This list of books focuses on ways to improve one’s lifes. This list highlights themes of goal setting,  perseverance, and the importance of realizing our dreams and how to accomplish them. Why should children set goals? Feeling in control is an important part of feeling happy and confident. Regular and careful goal setting can help children feel that they are taking control of their own behavior and working towards something; having a positive impact, no matter how small. These books are the perfect literary adventure for young readers to explore the amazing animal kingdom. From spectacular photographs of unusual creatures to fun facts about some of our favorite animals, these easy-to-read books give kids the chance to learn more about the fascinating world of wildlife. Teaching children about zoo animals can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It helps them to understand that all animals are important and that they should be respected. It also gives kids the opportunity to learn more about biodiversity, as well as the special bond that different species of animals share. By getting up close and personal with wildlife in a safe setting, kids can develop a greater appreciation for nature and the beauty it holds. You can create engaging lessons that introduce children to various species, habitats, and conservation messages that contribute to the awareness and appreciation of animal life around them. By introducing children to new ways of defending vulnerable wildlife populations, you will have an opportunity to change the way young minds approach our environment. Whether visiting a nearby zoo or working with virtual resources, teaching kids about zoo animals will teach them a lot of new lessons. You may wish to borrow them from the school or public library or purchase them. How Do Children Benefit from Goal Setting? Aside from helping them believe in themselves and setting them up for success in school, goal setting also benefits children and students in many ways, including: Improving self-image; Increasing awareness of one’s strengths; Increasing awareness of one’s weaknesses; Providing an experience of success; Facilitating effective visualization; and Clarifying the path ahead. Consider borrowing these titles from the school or public library or purchasing them.

  • Big Plans by Bob Shea. “I’ve got big plans, BIG PLANS I say!” A little boy sits in the corner of a classroom, plotting his future. He’s got plans…and have you heard? They’re BIG. With the help of a mynah bird and lucky stinky hat, he’ll find a quarter…boss around some muckety-mucks…become the mayor–or even the president! And while he’s at it…fly to the moon! This exuberant story is perfect for any child who is ready to dream BIG. Are you in?
  • Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty. Rosie dreams of becoming a great engineer, and her room becomes a secret workshop where she constructs ingenious inventions from odds and ends. From hot dog dispensers to helium pants and python-repelling cheese hats, Rosie’s creations would astound anyone—if only she’d let them see. But Rosie is afraid of failure, so she hides her inventions under her bed. That is, until her great-great-aunt Rose (also known as Rosie the Riveter) pays her a visit. Aunt Rose teaches Rosie that the first flop isn’t something to fear; it’s something to celebrate. Failure only truly happens if you quit. And so, Rosie learns to embrace her passion, celebrate her missteps, and pursue her dreams with persistence. This empowering picture book encourages young readers to explore their creativity, persevere through challenges, and celebrate the journey toward achieving their goals. Whether you’re a budding engineer or simply love stories of resilience, Rosie Revere, Engineer is a delightful read for all ages. Add this inspiring tale to your family library and discover the magic of celebrating each failure on the road to success. Don’t miss the book that the Duchess of York recently chose to read aloud at a Literally Healing visit to a children’s hospital. 
  • Teacher Tip: Ask your students to create their own list of big plans. Brainstorm both far-fetched and realistic dreams of the future. Be sure to inspire great goal-setting skills.
  • Someday by Eileen Spinelli.  Someday I am going to be a great artist. Today I am off to help my dad paint the shed. It’s hard to be content with the present moment when you are little. The future has infinitely more possibilities! Here, the prolific and poetic Eileen Spinelli offers us the opportunity to truly enter the mind and heart of a little girl whose dreams reach well beyond today. This book captures the authentic experience of a child. This is sure to be a book that will inspire kids to think about what their own plans are for someday.
    • Teacher tip:  Choose one of the rhymes of the book to put up in the classroom as a reminder to children to persevere through both their failures and triumphs. 

  • Ruby’s Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges. Ruby is unlike most little girls in old China. Instead of aspiring to get married, Ruby is determined to attend university when she grows up, just like the boys in her family. Based upon the inspirational story of the author’s grandmother and accompanied by richly detailed illustrations. This book is an engaging portrait of a young girl who’s full of ambition and the family who rewards her hard work and courage.
    • Teacher tip: Ask students to create their own list for the future or in the future.  Brainstorm how to turn their wishes into reality. 
  • She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World by Chelsea Clinton. Chelsea Clinton introduces tiny feminists, mini activists and little kids who are ready to take on the world to thirteen inspirational women who never took no for an answer, and who always, inevitably and without fail, persisted. Throughout United States history, there have always been women who have spoken out for what’s right, even when they have to fight to be heard. In this book, Chelsea Clinton celebrates thirteen American women who helped shape our country through their tenacity, sometimes through speaking out, sometimes by staying seated, sometimes by captivating an audience. They all certainly persisted. This book is for everyone who has ever wanted to speak up but has been told to quiet down, for everyone who has ever tried to reach for the stars but was told to sit down, and for everyone who has ever been made to feel unworthy or unimportant or small. With vivid, compelling art by Alexandra Boiger, this book shows readers that no matter what obstacles may be in their paths, they shouldn’t give up on their dreams. Persistence is power. This book features: Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Clara Lemlich, Nellie Bly, Virginia Apgar, Maria Tallchief, Claudette Colvin, Ruby Bridges, Margaret Chase Smith, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, Oprah Winfrey.
    • Teacher tip: Ask children to brainstorm ways these women have been courageous in overcoming obstacles.
  • Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution by Pat Miller. Squirrels know that New Year’s Day is a great day for making resolutions! But what does it mean to make a resolution, anyway? As she makes visits around the forest she learns about New Year’s resolutions and helps her friends get started on theirs. If only she can think of a resolution of her very own.
    • Teacher tip: Ask students to create their own list of New Year’s Resolutions. Post them around the room as friendly reminders for them. 
  • I Can Do Hard Things: Mindful Affirmations for Kids by Gabi Garcia. What kids tell themselves matters! It becomes their inner voice. It helps them connect with their power within.Help your child learn to tap into their inner strength and resilience when challenges arise. This book introduces children to the practice of using mindful affirmations for support and encouragement when they need it and also reflects the beautiful diversity in our world. It is a must-have for your home or school social-emotional library.
    • Teacher tip: Incorporate positive thinking into the classroom.
  • Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream by Deloris and Roslyn Jordan. This book is a heartwarming and inspirational picture book about faith and hope and how any family working together can help a child make his or her dreams come true. Michael Jordan. The mere mention of the name conjures up visions of basketball played at its absolute best. But as a child, Michael almost gave up on his hoop dreams, all because he feared he’d never grow tall enough to play the game that would one day make him famous. That’s when his mother and father stepped in and shared the invaluable lesson of what really goes into the making of a champion—patience, determination, and hard work.
    • Teacher tip: This book can be used alongside a unit on Biographies.
  • Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae. Giraffes Can’t Dance is a touching tale of Gerald the giraffe, who wants nothing more than to dance. With crooked knees and thin legs, it’s harder for a giraffe than you would think. Gerald is finally able to dance to his own tune when he gets some encouraging words from an unlikely friend.With light-footed rhymes and high-stepping illustrations, this tale is gentle inspiration for every child with dreams of greatness.
    • Teacher tip: This book provides an opportunity to discuss bullying with the class and how we can all be our own friends and tell ourselves we CAN do something even when others tell us we can’t.
  • The North Star by Peter H. Reynolds. A gorgeous new edition of the universal fable that has inspired seekers of all ages to follow their heart’s desire.Ask yourself where it is you want to go. It is often said that life is a journey, and it’s true. But sometimes it’s hard to know which path to follow, when signs point in so many directions. In this beautifully illustrated book, this book once again encourages readers to observe, to wonder, and to consider diverging from the well-worn path—to pursue their dreams. It has had a profound effect on its many readers. Originally published ten years ago, this edition  features all-new art, and celebrates the book’s own decade-long voyage connecting people around the world. It has inspired classroom activities, a musical, and thousands more thoughtful journeys.
    • Teacher tip: Encourage children to create and decorate their own north stars. They could be hung up in the classroom reminding children to follow their own start.
  • Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polaco. The real-life, classic story of a dyslexic girl and the teacher who would not let her fail. A perfect gift for teachers and for reading students of any age. This book is written by one of America’s most loved children’s book creators, but once upon a time, she was a little girl named Trisha starting school. Trisha could paint and draw beautifully, but when she looked at words on a page, all she could see was jumble. It took a very special teacher to recognize little Trisha’s dyslexia: Mr. Falker, who encouraged her to overcome her reading disability. Patricia Polacco will never forget him, and neither will we. This inspiring story is available in a deluxe slipcased edition, complete with a personal letter to readers from Patricia Polacco herself. This book will make a beautiful gift for the special child who needs encouragement and for any special teacher who has made a difference in the child’s life.
  • Because by Mo Willems.This book is a best-selling author and illustrator. He composes a powerful symphony of chance, discovery, persistence, and magic in this moving tale of a young girl’s journey to center stage. Illustrator Amber Ren brings Willems’ music to life, conducting a stunning picture-book debut.
    • Teacher tip: Brainstorm with children about the importance of music in everyone’s lives
  • Jeremiah Learns to Read by JoEllen Bogart. Jeremiah is a very wise man. He knows how to build a fence, cook pancakes, grow vegetables, and many other wonderful things but there is something that Jeremiah does not know how to do. He cannot read and he wants to learn how. A heartwarming story about the joy of reading and the ways that we can learn from one another. Winner of the 1998 Ruth Schwartz Children’s Book Award.
    • Brainstorm with children about how reading impacts their daily lives. You could also discuss how some may have had challenges reading.
  • Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman. Grace loves stories, whether they’re from books, movies, or the kind her grandmother tells. So when she gets a chance to play a part in Peter Pan, she knows exactly who she wants to be. Remarkable watercolor illustrations give full expression to Grace’s high-flying imagination.
    • Teacher tip: Brainstorm with children the importance of having imaginations.

JANUARY BOOKS FOR KIDS: It’s hard to believe it’s 2025. Enjoy sharing the following books. You may wish to borrow them from your school or public library or purchase them.

  • Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu by Ying Chang Compestine. The story of Rapunzel where she’s being locked in a tower by a witch is a good one–but it’s not totally the truth. The real story is about a young princess in China named Ra Pu Zel who doesn’t want to talk to princes or look proper. What Pu Zel wants is to cook and eat in peace, her long hair neatly braided to keep it out of her food. And when she gets tired of everyone telling her what to do, she locks herself in a tower with her dog Bao. Although princes from everywhere try to convince her to come down, it’s not until a young chef arrives with an intriguing food to share that Ra Pu Zel finally has a reason.
  • My Block Looks Like by Janelle Harper.  “My block looks like a collision of cultures, a melting pot of cool, a burst of life, my favorite groove. No matter what happens I’ve seen it for myself. My block looks like the coolest place I’ve ever been. A lyrical and proud picture book that recognizes the beauty of the bodegas, subways, and playgrounds that characterize everyday life in the Bronx and pays homage to the ways that its residents have shaped pop culture through music, visual art, and dance. The book offers kids a reaffirming message to celebrate and uplift their communities in an energetic text that begs to be read aloud.
  • Fighting with Love: The Legacy of John Lewis by Lesa Cline-Ransome.  This book is informative and an  inspiring story of a groundbreaking civil rights leader.  John Lewis left a cotton farm in Alabama to join the fight for civil rights when he was only a teenager. He soon became a leader of a movement that changed the nation. Walking at the side of his mentor, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lewis was led by his belief in peaceful action and voting rights Today and always his work and legacy live on.

  • Eyes That Weave the World’s Wonders by Joanna Ho and Liz Kleinrock.  This book is about family: what makes individuals and what connects us to one another. It is about picture book about adoption and family. A young girl who is a transracial adoptee learns to love her Asian eyes and finds familial connection and meaning through them, even though they look different from her parents’. Her family bond is deep and their connection is filled with love. She wonders about her birth mom and comes to appreciate both her birth culture and her adopted family’s culture, for even though they may seem very different, they are both a part of her, and that is what makes her beautiful. She learns to appreciate the differences in her family and celebrate them.

  • The Last Stand by Antwan Eady. This poignant, beautiful picture book depicts a young boy helping his grandfather on the farm in preparation for the farmer’s market. Papa used to have five stands at the farmer’s market, but now it’s down to one. The boy gathers hen’s eggs, pumpkins, plums, and more. Then they go to the farmer’s market, where Papa knows everyone and just what customers need. However, when Papa can’t make it to the market one day, the community helps him, cooking food from his produce to help the family through hard times.
  • Today by Gabi Snyder. This joyful picture book reminds us that every moment can hold many surprises and to look for the wonder in every day. Today may seem long before leaving for a summer vacation or short during the time away. The moments that make up the day are filled with surprises, joy, fun, and memories. This book guides young readers to keep their eyes and ears open so the day doesn’t slip by.
  • A Royal Conundrum (the Misfits) by Lisa Yee. Chapter One;  This really entertaining middle grade crime novel is about a group of undercover spy tweens who are assigned to investigate a jewelry thief in San Francisco. It follows one of the group’s members, Olive Cobin Zang, whose parents take her to the private boarding school RASCH when they, once again, have a long work trip coming up. She can immediately tell RASCH isn’t like other boarding schools, and after a bizarre round of testing, she’s placed in the super secret spy group with four others. They dub themselves the misfits and train to be spies with two teachers. This is an action-packed and fun novel with a great cast of characters, hilarious moments, and friend drama that will appeal to middle schoolers. Santat’s illustrations are fantastic. For older readers.
  • The Curse of Eelgrass Bog by Mary Averling.Dark secrets and unnatural magic abound when a twelve-year-old girl ventures into a bog full of monsters to break a mysterious curse. Nothing about Kess Pedrock’s life is normal. Not her home (she lives in her family’s Unnatural History Museum), not her interests (hunting for megafauna fossils and skeletons), and not her best friend (a talking demon’s head in a jar named Shrunken Jim). But things get even stranger than usual when Kess meets Lilou Starling, the new girl in town. Lilou comes to Kess for help breaking a mysterious curse–and the only clue she has leads straight into the center of Eelgrass Bog. Everyone knows the bog is full of witches, demons, and possibly worse, but Kess and Lilou are determined not to let that stop them. As they investigate the mystery and uncover long-buried secrets, Kess begins to realize that the curse might hit closer to home than she’d ever expected, and she’ll have to summon all her courage to find a way to break it before it’s too late.
  • Not Quite a Ghost by Anne Ursu. This is a beautifully told retelling of “The Yellow Wallpaper” that grapples with chronic illness through the lens of a ghost story. A lot is changing in Violet’s life: she has a new dad, her half-brother lives with them now, her family is moving into a new old house, and she’s starting middle school. Her bedroom in the creaky old house is in the attic and covered in peeling yellow wallpaper. When Violet begins feeling constantly tired and sick, doctors tell her it’s psychosomatic. But it doesn’t feel that way, and meanwhile, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that her attic bedroom is haunted. Readers do not need to be familiar with “The Yellow Wallpaper” to love this one. It’s impossible for me not to connect to this one on a personal level. I have a chronic illness (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) that is often initially dismissed by doctors as anxiety. I started showing symptoms when I was a little younger than Violet. The author bases Violet’s experiences on her own illness, chronic fatigue syndrome.
  • Alterations by Ray Xu. This is an excellent debut graphic novel, both funny and full of heart, depicting the lives of an immigrant family. It’s 1994, and Chinese Canadian middle schooler Kevin Lee is having a rough year. His mother is recently divorced and works so much overtime as a tailor. His Po Po from China has moved into Kevin’s room, and he now sleeps in the same room as his teenage sister, who is not happy about losing her space. While he’s always been a bit of an outcast at his school as one of the few kids of Asian descent, his school status plummets even further when he brings a century egg for lunch, and the smell sends kids screaming away. Kevin loves comics and art, and between the main story are sections from his favorite comic book series. I loved every member of Kevin’s family. This is a really unique and engagingly illustrated graphic novel.
  • When You Have to Wait by Melanie Conklin. A mindful, gentle picture book about patience and learning to find beauty in the act of waiting. Sometimes, you have to wait. For the line at the public pool on a hot summer day. For mom to come home after being away. For your legs to grow just a bit longer to ride a new big kid bike. The seconds drag on… each one feels like forever. Why can’t you have it now? But while you wait, you might notice things: a possible new friend who is also in line, why homecoming hugs are extra special, and how beautiful the world is when you’re not racing by. Sometimes, when you have to wait, you find the good in the moments between now and later.
  • Angela’s Glacier by Jordan Scott. Award-winning author Jordan Scott’s luminously-illustrated love story of a girl growing up in the shadow of a glacier that’s always there to listen. Angela listened to the glacier; the glacier listened to Angela.As soon as she’s born, Angela’s father introduced her to her glacier. He carries her on his back up the icy expanse as the wind makes music of the snow and the water underneath. Over time, Angela gets big enough to walk beside him, and then, to go alone. She tells her glacier everything, and it answers. But then, life gets busy. Angela’s days fill up with school, homework, violin and soccer and friends. Until one day, Angela’s heart doesn’t sound right anymore. Luckily, Angela’s dad is there to remind her what she needs: a visit to her ancient icy friend.An afterword from the real Angela highlights the tragic threat climate change poses to our planet’s frozen marvels.
  • Threads: Zlata’s Ukrainian Shirt by Lino Maslo. This book is an inspiring picture book about a girl’s survival of the 1930s Ukrainian Famine-Genocide, messaging hope, pride for one’s heritage, and context for today’s War in Ukraine.The threads on Zlata’s beautiful birthday blouse were knotted by her mother’s hands. “Red is for love, and black is for sadness,” her Papa says. Her Mama warns her not to show it off. Ever since the Communists came from Russia to Ukraine, they prohibited the teaching of Ukrainian culture. They’ve even taken the grain from Zlata’s family’s fields. But despite the danger, her parents refuse to give up their art, language, or beliefs. As Zlata works to help her community survive, she finds that the dream of freedom is stitched deeper into the Ukrainian spirit than she could ever imagine. Drawing from her own family’s experience in the 1932-33 Ukrainian Famine-Genocide, Lina Maslo weaves a thoughtful story that dares us not the forget the pain of the past as it informs the present conflict in Ukraine and inspires hope for the future.
  • The Spark in You by Andrea Pippins. This jubilant picture book filled with powerful affirmations celebrates the beautiful magic that makes each of us special. This is the perfect heartfelt gift for a birthday, graduation or other new beginnings. There is a spark in you! The spark in you shines when you smile. It sparkles when you dance. It glimmers and shimmers, zings, and pops! Your spark is festive and joyous and burns brightest when you are authentically being you. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Carnival. A little girl uses all her creative energy to get ready for the big parade. Through the eyes of this vibrant character, the story celebrates individual expression and creativity as well as the explosion of light, color, and flavor of the festival. Leaning into her Brazilian heritage, creator Andrea Pippin shares a window into the world of a young girl as she joins in the excitement of the parade. The spare text leaves room for the striking artwork to shine in a powerful display of community, individuality, and spirit.
  • Ta-da, Koala! (Kangaroo’s Big World) by Michelle L. Brown.Kangaroo is bored, and none of her Outback friends can play. So, she tries boxing by herself, making a sand queen, and looking for her lost boomerang. While searching, she crashes into Koala’s branch. Here is the boredom buster she’s been seeking! But the sleepy Koala just wants to finish his nap and be left alone. Can Kangaroo convince him to be her friend? Kangaroo is one small animal in a big, wonderful world, and each day brings a new adventure. Playful, rhyming text and lively imagery help beginning readers follow along as Kangaroo explores her world and makes friends along the way.
  • Birthday Bling (Dollars to Doughnuts Book 1): Spending by Catherine Daly.From budgeting to spending, from credit cards to gift cards, this new early chapter book series tackles and explains big financial topics for kids, Dollars to Doughnuts! When Lucy’s aunt gives her a card—the plastic kind—for her birthday, Lucy knows just the blinged-out sweatshirt to spend it on. She plunks the card down at the store, but, cringe, it comes up short! Wait, what’s the difference between a gift card and a credit card? In this early chapter book designed to help kids decipher finance facts and fallacies, Lucy and her best friend, Julian, find out about the pros and cons of gift cards versus credit cards.
  • Bizard and the Big Bunny Bizness by Chrissie Krebs. When Bizard the Bear Wizard’s friends decide to try to help him grant wishes, it turns out that two magic wands are so much worse than one. Ever since a tornado planted a wizard’s wand in his forehead, Bear has been more than just a bear; he’s Bizard, the Bear Wizard. Since we last saw him, Bizard has come around to accepting his new job granting wishes for everyone in the forest. With Squirrel, Fox, and Owl’s help, the business is running like clockwork. There’s only one problem: winter is on the way, and urgent wishes will go ungranted while Bizard hibernates. That’s when Squirrel gets the bright idea that he should have a magic wand, too. In the power trip that follows, Squirrel burdens tiny Mouse with a massive TV, Deer gets stuck with a hat he can’t take off, and worst of all, a baby bunny grows as big as a tree—with the only wand that can save him wedged in his diaper. Can a jetpack, a giant carrot, and the whole crew’s quick thinking untangle this disaster and get Fluffy Wuffy back to his proper size? This book brings even higher stakes and bigger laughs in Bizard’s second book, a surefire hit with young readers looking for their next favorite graphic novel series.
  • Light and Air by Mindy Nichols Wendell. It’s 1935, and tuberculosis is ravaging the nation. Everyone is afraid of this deadly respiratory illness. But what happens when you actually have it?When Halle and her mother both come down with TB, they are shunned—and then they are sent to the J.N. Adam Tuberculosis Hospital: far from home, far from family, far from the world. Tucked away in the woods of upstate New York, the hospital is a closed and quiet place. But it is not, Halle learns, a prison. Free of her worried and difficult father for the first time in her life, she slowly discovers joy, family, and the healing power of honey on the children’s ward, where the girls on the floor become her confidantes and sisters. But when Mama suffers a lung hemorrhage, their entire future—and recovery—is thrown into question. This book deals tenderly and insightfully with isolation, quarantine, found family, and illness. Set in the fully realized world of a 1930s hospital, it offers a tender glimpse into a historical epidemic that has become more relatable than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As Halle tries to warm her father’s coldness and learns to trust the girls and women of the hospital, and as she and her mother battle a disease that once paralyzed the country, a profound message of strength, hope, and healing emerges.
  • Slugfest by Gordon Korman. This book has a hilarious new story about a group of underdogs who come together when they are forced to attend summer school—for failing PE.Yash is the best athlete at Robinette Middle School—so good, in fact, that he’s already playing on the high school’s JV sports teams. Imagine his shock when he learns that his JV practices have kept him from earning a state-mandated credit for eighth-grade PE. To graduate, he has to take Physical Education Equivalency—PEE, also known as “Slugfest”—in summer school. Yash gets to know his fellow “slugs”: Kaden, an academic superstar who’s physically hopeless; twins Sarah and Stewart, who are too busy trying to kill each other to do any real PE; Jesse, a notorious prankster; Arabella, who protests everything; and Cleo, a natural athlete who has sworn off sports. But when one of them tries to blow the lid off a scandal that could make all their time in summer school a waste, Yash is forced to take drastic action. Teaming up with the most hapless crew in school can really surprise a person. And their teacher might be hiding the biggest surprise yet. 
  • Shark Teeth by Sherri Winston. From this book comes an important middle grade novel about a girl’s tumultuous journey to keep her family together, even when she’s falling apart. Sharkita “Kita” Hayes is always waiting. Waiting for her mama to mess up. Waiting for social services to be called again. Waiting for her and her siblings to be separated. Waiting for her worst fear to come true. But Mama promises things are different now. She’s got a good job, she’s stopped drinking, stopped going out every night-it’s almost enough to make Kita believe her this time. But even as Kita’s life is going good, she can’t shake the feeling that everything could go up in flames at any moment. When her assistant principal and trusted dance coach starts asking questions about her home life, Kita is more determined than ever to keep up appearances and make sure her family stays together-even if it means falling apart herself. As the threat of her family being separated again circles like a shark in the water, the pressure starts to get to Kita. But could it be that Kita’s worst fear is actually the best thing that could happen to her family . . . and to her? For Older readers.
  • Between Two Brothers by Crystal Allen. Inspired by real events, this book is a powerful and uplifting story about forgiveness, brotherhood, and the power of a family’s unconditional love.Isaiah “Ice” Abernathy has always worshiped his older brother, Seth. For years they’ve been not just brothers but best friends—and as Seth starts his senior year, Ice is eager to spend as much time with his brother as he can, making memories before Seth goes to college. But when Seth announces he’s leaving much earlier than expected, and then he misses an important event—one he’d promised to attend—it causes a major fight. Filled with regret, Ice plans to apologize to Seth later the next day, but later never comes, as he finds out Seth was in an accident—one that leaves him in the hospital. And the doctors say he may never recover. Racked by fear and guilt, Ice chooses to step up, defy the experts, and help Seth recover in a way only he can—by trusting in their bond and the undying love between two brothers. For older readers.
  • Amil and the After by Veera Hiranandani. This book is a hopeful and heartwarming story about finding joy after tragedy. At the turn of the new year in 1948, Amil and his family are trying to make a home in India, now independent of British rule. Both Muslim and Hindu, twelve-year-old Amil is not sure what home means anymore. The memory of the long and difficult journey from their hometown in what is now Pakistan lives with him. And despite having an apartment in Bombay to live in and a school to attend, life in India feels uncertain. Nisha, his twin sister, suggests that Amil begin to tell his story through drawings meant for their mother, who died when they were just babies. Through Amil, readers witness the unwavering spirit of a young boy trying to make sense of a chaotic world, and find hope for himself and a newly reborn nation.
  • Just Shy of Ordinary by A. J. Sass. In this heartfelt novel about family, friendship, and identity a thirteen-year-old nonbinary kid discovers that life doesn’t always go according to plan—especially when they start public school for the first time. Young Shai is an expert problem-solver. There’s never been something they couldn’t research and figure out on their own. But there’s one thing Shai hasn’t been able to logic their way through: picking at the hair on their arms. Ever since their mom lost her job, the two had to move in with family friends, and the world went into pandemic lockdown, Shai’s been unable to control their picking. Now, as the difficult times recede and everyone begins to discover their “new normal,” Shai’s hoping the stress that caused their picking will end, too. After reading that a routine can reduce anxiety, Shai makes a plan to create a brand new normal for themself that includes going to public school. But when their academic evaluation places them into 9th grade instead of 8th, it sets off a chain of events that veer off the path Shai had prepared for, encouraging Shai to learn how to accept life’s twists and turns, especially when you can’t plan for them. For older readers.
  • The Girl Who Sang: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival by Estelle Nadel. A heartrending graphic memoir about a young Jewish girl’s fight for survival in Nazi occupied Poland. This book illustrates the power of a brother’s love, the kindness of strangers, and finding hope when facing the unimaginable. Born to a Jewish family in a small Polish village, Estelle Nadel―then known as Enia Feld―was just seven years old when the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939. Once a vibrant child with a song for every occasion, Estelle would eventually lose her voice as, over the next five years, she would survive the deaths of their mother, father, their eldest brother and sister, and countless others. A child at the mercy of her neighbors during a terrifying time in history, The Girl Who Sang is an enthralling first-hand account of Estelle’s fight for survival during World War II. She would weather loss, betrayal, near-execution, and spend two years away from the warmth of the sun―all before the age of eleven. And once the war was over, Estelle would walk barefoot across European borders and find remnants of home in an Austrian displaced persons camp before finally crossing the Atlantic to arrive in New York City―a young woman carrying the unseen scars of war. This book brings Estelle’s story of survival during the Holocaust to a whole new generation of readers. 

 ZOO BOOKS: Teaching children about zoo animals can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It helps them to understand that all animals are important and that they should be respected. It also gives kids the opportunity to learn more about biodiversity, as well as the special bond that different species of animals share.

  • National Geographic Readers: Roar! 100 Facts About African Animals by Sephanie Warren Drimmer. Explore the amazing animals of Africa! Travel through the savanna, jungle, and desert to meet lions, elephants, giraffes, and more animals in this leveled reader about the most popular African safari animals that’s perfect for advanced readers. Packed with weird-but-true facts and tons of animal info, this Level 3 Reader tours the diverse grasslands, watering holes, rain forests, and deserts of Africa. Get up close to some of the most amazing animals in Africa, including big cats, crocs, pangolins, hippos, rhinos, elephants, and more. Find out how fast a cheetah can sprint, how much a croc can fit in its massive jaws, and more wild stuff. Kids also get an introduction to the importance of animal conservation. National Geographic Fact Readers feature the same expert-vetted running text as traditional readers–with a bonus of 100 fun facts sprinkled throughout! A fact roundup at the end of each book lets kids review what they’ve learned. (Plus, they can impress their friends with their animal expertise!)

  • Aye-Aye Gets Lucky by Terri Tachell. Aye-Aye doesn’t mean to be naughty. He can’t help himself. Or can he? Aye-Aye is an endangered lemur who loves pulling pranks on the villagers of Madagascar. He loves it when they squeal, but mostly he loves it when they huck their yummy meals at him. Until one day, they decide enough is enough and ban him from the village! Poor Aye-Aye is lonely and hungry and desperate to find a way to win back their hearts and clear his name. But how can he when he doesn’t understand where he went wrong? Luckily, a friendly flying fox swoops in to teach Aye-Aye a lesson and helps him to understand how his trickster ways made the people feel. Can Aye-Aye find a way to prove to the villagers that he’s changed? Will they give him a second chance? Will you? On the surface, Kids love the fact-filled spread at the end of the story where they can learn about the aye-aye and flying fox, ways to help endangered animals, and even how to draw them! Endangered & Misunderstood is an ongoing series of children’s picture books that takes a different approach to the serious subject of lesser-known endangered animals, with an emphasis on laughter, adventure, and themes everyone can relate to.

  • Zoo Day by Anne Rockwell. Beloved author Anne Rockwell celebrates animals of all kinds with a gorgeous new picture book about a child’s first visit to the zoo! A young boy and his family visit the zoo for the very first time. From gorillas to lions, polar bears to parrots, Anne Rockwell and her daughter, artist Lizzy Rockwell, celebrate a day he will never forget. With simple, lyrical text and bright illustrations that jump off the page, Zoo Day brings the joys of visiting the zoo vividly to life.
  • Goodnight Gorilla By Peggy Rathmann. I love the subtle details in this bedtime favorite. Did you see the photos on the wall of the zookeeper’s house? It’s the animals as babies! We also like to track the red balloon and the mouse with the banana for the gorilla. And I have to mention the toys each zoo animal has in their cage … be sure to find those as well!
  • Midnight at the Zoo by Faye Hanson. What happens at the zoo when all the people have gone home? Max and Mia are very excited about their school trip to the zoo. But when they arrive, not much is happening: the zebra is asleep, the lions are hiding, and they can’t even see a monkey. Max and Mia make the best of it — after all, if you look very carefully, there is something to see everywhere. But when they are accidently locked in the zoo at night, they realize that midnight is when the zoo comes alive! Flamingos are dancing the flamenco, the lions dance till dawn, and the pandas have a party. Morning comes all too soon and it’s time to go home, but Max and Mia will never forget their night in the zoo!
  • Don’t Feed the Boy by Irene Latham. No kid knows more about zoo life than Whit. That’s because he sleeps, eats, and even attends home-school at the Meadowbrook Zoo. It’s one of the perks of having a mother who’s the zoo director and a father who’s the head elephant keeper. Now that he’s eleven, Whit feels trapped by the rules and routine of zoo life. With so many exotic animals, it’s easy to get overlooked. But when Whit notices a mysterious girl who visits every day to draw the birds, suddenly the zoo becomes much more interesting. Who is the Bird Girl? And why does she come by herself to the zoo? Determined to gain her trust, Whit takes the Bird Girl on his own personal tour of the zoo. He shows her his favorite animals and what happens with them behind the scenes. For Whit, having a friend his own age that he can talk to is an exciting new experience. For Stella the Bird Girl, the zoo and Whit are a necessary escape from her chaotic home life. Together they take risks in order to determine where they each belong. But when Stella asks Whit for an important and potentially dangerous favor, Whit discovers how complicated friendship―and freedom―can be, in  this book. 
  • Put Me in the Zoo (I can read it all by myself’ Beginner Books) by Robert Lopshire. Edited by Dr. Seuss, this classic Beginner Book about finding your place in the world celebrates its 60th Anniversary! Spot longs to be in the zoo with all the other animals, but the zoo doesn’t want him! In this beloved Beginner Book edited by Dr. Seuss, Spot shows a young boy and girl all the exciting things he can do with his spots—from changing their color and juggling them, to moving them onto different objects! Beginning readers will be delighted by Robert Lopshire’s lively, rhymed story that not only teaches about colors, but proves there is a special spot for everyone, including Spot. Available for a limited time only with a peel-off 60th Anniversary sticker on the front cover, Put Me in the Zoo is a concept book with a timeless message. Beginner Books are fun, funny, and easy to read! Launched by Dr. Seuss in 1957 with the publication of The Cat in the Hat, this beloved early reader series motivates children to read on their own by using simple words with illustrations that give clues to their meaning. Featuring a combination of kid appeal, supportive vocabulary, and bright, cheerful art, Beginner Books will encourage a love of reading in children 
  • The One and Only Ivan: A Newbery Award Winner by Katherine Applegate. This book is now a major motion picture streaming on Disney. This unforgettable novel from renowned author Katherine Applegate celebrates the transformative power of unexpected friendship. Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated book is told from the point of view of Ivan himself.  Having spent twenty-seven years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him. He hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle. Instead, Ivan occupies himself with television, his friends Stella and Bob, and painting. But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes.In the tradition of timeless stories like Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little, Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create an unforgettable story of friendship, art, and hope. This book features first-person narrative; author’s use of literary devices (personification, imagery); and story elements (plot, character development, perspective). A great read to share in the classroom.
  • And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson. The heartwarming true story of two penguins who create a nontraditional family is now available in a sturdy board book edition. At the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo, two penguins named Roy and Silo were a little bit different from the others. But their desire for a family was the same. And with the help of a kindly zookeeper, Roy and Silo got the chance to welcome a baby penguin of their very own.
  • This Zoo Is Not for You by Ross Collins. When a platypus stops by the zoo one day, all the animals assume he wants to join their zoo, and he is swiftly taken through a rigorous interview process. But the platypus is far too bland for the chameleons, he’s not nearly graceful enough for the flamingos, and his tricks will never impress the monkeys. After he leaves, the animals soon regret their behavior, but . . . what’s this? The platypus has left something behind. Perhaps he didn’t intend to join their zoo after all! This rhyming picture book, from the award-winning creator of There’s a Bear on My Chair, combines comic misunderstanding with a heartfelt story about acceptance and belonging.
  • Zoo – ology by Emmanuelle Grundmann. Each spread in this dramatically oversized book displays 30 or more different animals in thought-provoking thematic groupings: Large and Small, Hot Weather, Cold Weather, Feathered, Horned, Spots and Stripes, Friends of Mankind, and so forth. The illustrations are robust, graphic prints that will catch the eye–and the large selection of over 350 different species will make absorbing reading. Includes four pages of informational notes.
  •  ZooZical by Judy Sierra. Winter weather is keeping children from visiting the zoo. So the animals are out of sorts—listless, grumpy, and no longer fun. All except two little friends, a very small hippo and a baby kangaroo. Their hip-hopping, toe-tapping,  and rap-rocking soon has the other animals joining in the hip-aroo beat. “Racoons danced in pairs, baboons danced in troops, and snakes joined the dancers as live hula-hoops.” Children’s favorite songs get a funny new spin—seals bark out “The seals on the bus go round and round”—as the animals create their very own musical. Young readers and listeners will be amazed and delighted at how the animals chase the winter doldrums by getting along as friends, pooling their talents, and pushing themselves to new heights. After all, these are the same clever animals who learned to read in Judy Sierra’s and Marc Brown’s Wild About Books, an award-winning New York Times #1 bestselling picture book. ZooZical is sure to inspire some “can do” fun in kindergarten and primary grades.
  • Wild About Books  by Judy Sierra. Winner of the E.B. White Read Aloud Award It started the summer of 2002, when the Springfield librarian, Molly McGrew, by mistake drove her bookmobile into the zoo. In this rollicking rhymed story, Molly introduces birds and beasts to this new something called reading. She finds the perfect book for every animal—tall books for giraffes, tiny ones for crickets. “She even found waterproof books for the otter, who never went swimming without Harry Potter.” In no time at all, Molly has them “forsaking their niches, their nests, and their books,” going “wild, simply wild, about wonderful books.” Judy Sierra’s funny animal tale coupled with Marc Brown’s lush, fanciful paintings will have the same effect on young Homo sapiens. Altogether, it’s more fun than a barrel of monkeys!
  • My Heart Is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall.  A simple heart shape and bright primary colors become lions, herons, and other zoo animals. Entertaining short sentences about each animal are fun to read, and as kids learn their numbers they can count the hearts that make up each animal, giving this title a little extra longevity. This book features bright colors, simple sentences, playful animals, and more than 300 hearts for children to count and enjoy. This book is perfect for little hands and the young readers, who will learn that a heart can be hopeful, silly, happy, rugged, snappy, or lonely. A heart holds every different feeling, and author-artist Michael Hall captures each one with his bold, graphic artwork. An ideal springboard for conversations about emotions, and for introducing concepts, math, and art projects in the classroom and at home.  It is an outstanding choice for one-on-one sharing.
  • Color Zoo by Lois Ehlert. This acclaimed Caldecott Honor Book is a visually exciting introduction to colors, shapes, and animals for preschoolers. Share this classic die-cut concept book at home or at circle time. Boldly designed pages easily carry to the rear of the room during story hours, and brilliant juxtapositions of vibrant primary colors will make children’s eyes tingle. This book is about concepts—shapes, colors, and animals—but also about looking at the world in a new and creative way. Employs ingeniously designed, perfectly die-cut and bound pages which line up exactly to unfold nine distinctly recognizable abstractly formed animal heads. Immensely enjoyable. Shapes and colors in your zoo, lots of things that you can do. Heads and ears, beaks and snouts, that’s what animals are all about. I know animals and you do too; make some new ones for your zoo. ORIGAMI
  • Supermarket Zoo by Caryl Hart Ed Eaves. Every little boy knows that going shopping with Mum is the most boring thing in the world. But for little Albie, one trip to the supermarket opens a whole new world of fun! Because this isn’t just any supermarket; it’s the supermarket zoo – and with a whole trolley full of animals on his list, Albie will never see shopping the same way again.
  • Be Nice to Spiders by Margaret Bloy Graham. When Billy left his pet spider, Helen, at the Zoo, the animals suddenly became happy and contented. The lions snoozed all day long, the elephants enjoyed their baths, and the zebras ate their hay in peace — all because Helen was spinning webs and catching flies. But one day Helen’s webs were swept away. The Keeper had the cages cleaned for the Mayor’s inspection tour. Soon the flies were back again and the animals were miserable once more. But not for long…Children will be fascinated and amused by the way Helen solved the problem and won a permanent place of honor for herself in the Zoo.

  • The View at the Zoo by Kathleen Long Bostrom. In this humorous twist on a visit to the zoo, just who has the more interesting view? As morning dawns, the zookeeper makes his rounds, exhorting animals to wake up, comb their hair, and stand up straight. When human visitors arrive, the observations begin to flow: “My, what silly things they do, all these creatures at the zoo. Walking on all kinds of feet, dancing to an inner beat. Babies riding on their backs, on their bellies, snug in sacks. Hear the silly sounds they speak, as they howl and squawk and shriek!” But just who is talking about whom? With a clever twist and a new.  This book will have even the youngest children begging for a trip to the zoo.
  • Good Night Zoo by Adam Gamble. Good Night Zoo features gorillas, kangaroos, elephants, tigers, giraffes, wolves, birds, zebras, bears, lions, hippos, monkeys, rhinos, penguins, and more. Who doesn’t love the zoo? This sweet and educational board book explores the fascinating world of animals at the zoo—a delightful story that is sure to make your child’s most requested bedtime book list.
  • If I Lived At The Zoo by Michael Perulli. A daydream comes to life – this story takes readers on a journey of what it would be like for a youngster to live at the zoo among animal friends. This story uses rhymes and consistent meter to make reading it a fun, fantastical experience:So what is first? What shall I choose!? I’ll see the sights and view the views! I’ll let emu wear running shoes then jump around with kangaroos! This book is a fun read for youngsters to imagine what it would be like if that field trip to the zoo wasn’t temporary and free train rides were a daily occurance.
  • The View at the Zoo by Kathleen Long Bostrom. In this humorous twist on a visit to the zoo, just who has the more interesting view? This is a much-loved title. As morning dawns, the zookeeper makes his rounds, exhorting animals to wake up, comb their hair, and stand up straight. When human visitors arrive, the observations begin to flow: “My, what silly things they do, all these creatures at the zoo. Walking on all kinds of feet, dancing to an inner beat. Babies riding on their backs, on their bellies, snug in sacks. Hear the silly sounds they speak, as they howl and squawk and shriek!” But just who is talking about whom? With a clever twist and a new, sturdy board book format, this book will have even the youngest children begging for a trip to the zoo.

  • Footloose: Bonus CD! “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins. Time to cut loose! Have a rockin’ good time introducing children to the fun of Footloose, rewritten for children by the one and only Kenny Loggins. Jack the zookeeper joins the zoo animals in an all-night dance party! Little ones will love the cast of characters, including the rockin’ chimp Louise (“Geez, Louise!”), Mister DJ Elephant, the lemur Marie (“Oo Wee, Marie”), Milo the wombat, Luke the funkiest cat in the zoo, and so many more rocking, bopping, boogeying, tangoing, shaking, rattling and rolling animals! This new original story is sure to get your feet moving. The fun doesn’t have to stop with the last page, though! To add to the dance party, Footloose also includes a free CD with new recordings by Kenny Loggins. Kids and parents can sing along to the classic hit with new lyrics, as well as a three-song medley families to enjoy together time and time again.
  • Going to the Zoo by Tom Paxton. Daddy’s taking us to the zoo tomorrow, zoo tomorrow, zoo tomorrow. Daddy’s taking us to the zoo tomorrow. We can stay all day. Now you can go along too, as Tom Paxton’s classic song comes to life in this boisterous picture book. Rhythmic verse leads you through a wild kingdom where animals burst from every page. Monkeys are scritch, scritch, scratchin’, and kangaroos are hop, hop, hoppin’, making every moment an adventure. Karen Lee Schmidt’s lively, irresistible illustrations show the animals up to all sorts of mischief. And with the easily played melodies included, this musical menagerie is every bit as fun as a trip to the zoo. Youngsters will want to “stay all day” — and come back again and again!
  • Old Macdonald Had A . . . Zoo? By Iza Trapani. An extended retelling of the classic children’s song “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” by beloved author/illustrator Iza Trapani featuring zoo animals running amok on the farmstead. Iza Trapani is known for her clever twists on classic nursery rhymes. This time she outdoes herself with a visit to longtime favorite Old MacDonald.  His busy little farm–with a moo, moo here and a moo, moo there is out of control when zoo animals like kangaroos, elephants, and hippos join the menagerie. What’s a farmer to do? Iza Trapani’s hilarious, jam-packed illustrations are full of details animal-loving readers will point at with glee. And the sweet ending will keep them giggling until the next reading.

  • DK Readers L1: A Trip to the Zoo  by Karen Wallace. Join Billy and Matt for a day at the zoo. It’s a chance to see and learn about all kinds of animals—from a hungry giraffe to performing sea lions!brbr. Stunning photographs combine with lively illustrations and engaging, age-appropriate stories in DK Readers, a multilevel reading program to capture children’s interest while developing their reading skills and general knowledge.brbr With DK Readers, children will learn to read—then read to learn!

  • Animal Strike at the Zoo. It’s True! By Karma Wilson. There’s an animal strike at the zoo! oh no, oh my! What’s a zookeeper to do when the lions and tigers and bears refuse to roar and prowl and growl? And when little Sue, who has been waiting all year for this trip to the zoo, enters the gate, will the animals decide to give their strike a break? Karma Wilson’s fun, playful text paired with Margaret Spengler’s bright and lively pastels create an unforgettable, irresistible zoo of chaos and fun!
  • Twas the Day Before Zoo Day by Catherine Ipcidizade. This delightful adaptation of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”, shares zookeeper and animal preparations for the upcoming Zoo Day. But things aren’t going according to plan . . . The llamas won’t quit spitting, the giraffes are drooling, and the zebras aren’t happy at all with their stripes. Meanwhile, the zookeeper’s are scurrying this way and that, cleaning up poop, ringing mealtime bells, and trying to get the animals bathed. Will the Zoo Day go off without a hitch? This book is for creative Minds and includes Creative Sparks: Imagine you are a zookeeper, and An Animal Adaptation Matching Activity.
  •  I Want to Be a Zookeeper by Dan Liebman. The I Want to Be… series gives young children a realistic insight into the working day of adults. Easy-to-read captions and color photographs of women and men from different cultures help children understand what’s involved in each occupation. Young readers learn to respect the importance of doing a job well and appreciate the contributions these workers make to our life and the world around us. These books are perfect for reading alone or in group story times. They are certain to spark questions and encourage dialogue and prompt children to learn more about these occupations.
  • Brian Wildsmith’s Zoo Animals by Brian Wildsmith. Children will learn many interesting facts about each zoo animal shown in this beautifully illustrated book.
  • Amazing Animal Alphabet by Brian Wildsmith.Learn the alphabet on an animal safari! Brian Wildsmith�s vibrant illustrations of animals from around the world provide children with a fun and exciting way to learn their ABCs. The amazing facts about animals A to Z will entertain the entire family.
  • Curious George Visits the Zoo by H.A. Rey. Curious George and the man with the yellow hat visit the zoo. A hungry Curious George snatches a pail of bananas from the zoo keeper. Though he shouldn’t have taken the bananas, George soon changes the zookeeper’s shouts to praise with his clever, helpful ways.

  • 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo by Eric Carle. Joyously colored animals, riding on a train to the zoo, offer youngsters a first introduction to numbers, number sets, addition and counting in this reissue of Eric Carle’s first picture book. A gatefold spread at the back of the book, featuring the whole wonderful animal train, adds to the fun!
  • A New View From The Zoo by Gary Richmond. A revised and updated version of Gary Richmond’s classic book, “A View From The Zoo,” first published in 1987. This version features 35 stories, 4 of which were not in the original version, as well as photography by the author. Gary’s zoo stories are parables of human life and provide a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse of life among the animals at a major zoo. They are funny and said, harrowing and heartwarming–and always memorable. Join this zookeeper-turned-storyteller as he recalls the encounters that taught him so much about animals, people, the earth we share and the God who made all of those things. A trip to the zoo with Gary Richmond is one you will be glad you made.
  • If Anything Ever Goes Wrong at the Zoo by Mary Jean Hendrick. If anything ever goes wrong at the zoo, you can send the zebras to my house,” Leslie tells the zebra keeper. She also invites the monkeys and the elephants. None of them ever comes–until one wet, stormy night when the zoo floods and the zebra keeper remembers Leslie’s offer. “It’s a simple, enticing idea, gracefully and logically developed by this new author and ably abetted by Dyer’s watercolors. . . . A real charmer.”
  • Pinkalicious and the Pinkatastic Zoo Day by Victoria Kann. It’s Teddy Bear Day at the zoo, and Pinkalicious and Peter are having a “pinkatastic” time with their teddy bears. The day is perfect until a sneaky monkey with an eye for teddy bears scoops up Pinkalicious’s bear. How can Pinkalicious stop her from monkeying around? This book is a Level One I Can Read book, which means it’s perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences.

  • Zoo by Gail Gibbons. A lively, behind-the-scenes look at just what it takes to keep a zoo running, perfect for sharing with the youngest zoo-goers. The zoo is a very busy place! From early in the morning until evening comes, a lot goes on to keep the animals safe and comfortable. There are kitchens where people prepare the special diets the animals need. And there are nurseries where zookeepers raise baby animals until they are big enough to go to their exhibit areas. Before the zoo opens each day a small army of keepers, vendors, and maintenance workers perform the daily tasks of cleaning and setting up. Then the crowds flock in. The busy pictures are filled with details and action. The writing is crisp, clear, and informative.

  • My Visit to the Zoo by Aliki. Welcome to the Zoo. How would you like to travel from a tropical rainforest to the African plains, and down into a deep canyon all in one day? Then get ready for a wild trip to the zoo and up close look at all kinds of animals! See snow leopards lurking on a ledge, zebras and ostriches running across the open plains, and a tiger splashing in a stream. Find out everything–from what elephants roll in after their baths to which bird might laugh at your jokes. Come take a visit to an amazing zoo! Imagine traveling from a lush tropical rainforest, to a deep and mysterious canyon, to the wide-open African plains—all in one day! In this tour of a modern-day zoo, visitors get to see how animals really live. They’ll learn everything from what elephants like to roll around in after their baths to what’s being done to preserve wildlife. Written and illustrated by the inimitable Aliki, this successor to the highly popular titles. This book is one of the best ways ever for a young child to visit the zoo. The author’s accessible text and lush illustrations bring the animal world to life.

January 29,2025 – Chinese New Year is on Wednesday, January 29, the first day of the year for the Chinese lunar calendar also known as the Lunar New Year. The Chinese New Year, also called the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, is a 15-16 day festival that celebrates the beginning of a yew year on the traditional Chinese calendar. It follows the phases of the moon and is the most important and most celebrated festival in China and the Chinese communities around the world. It is a time to honor deities and ancestors, feast and visit family members. It occurs in January this year. It marks the end of the coldest part of the winter and symbolizes look forward to the start of the spring season. These children’s books offer a great way to introduce your child to the magic of the Lunar New Year and its rich symbolism and traditions. You may wish to borrow these books for your school or public library or purchase them.

  • Bringing In the New Year by Grace Lin. In a brightly colored book, it is perfect for the youngest child. This book tells the tale of a Chinese American family as they prepare for the Lunar New Year. Each family member lends a hand as they sweep out the dust of the old year, hang decorations, and make dumplings. Then it’s time to celebrate. There will be fireworks and lion dancers, shining lanterns, and a great, long dragon parade at the end! Lin’s bold and gloriously patterned artwork makes for an unforgettable holiday tale. Her story is simple and tailor-made for reading aloud to young children, and she includes an informative author’s note for parents, teachers and children who want to learn even more.

  • Dim Sum for Everyone! By Grace Lin. In English, dim sum means “little hearts,” or “touches the heart,” but to this young girl, dim sum means delicious. On a visit to a bustling dim sum restaurant, a family picks their favorite little dishes from the steaming trolleys filled with dumplings, cakes, buns, and tarts. And as is traditional and fun, they share their food with each other so that everyone gets a bite of everything. Just right for young children, Dim Sum for Everyone! celebrates a cultural custom and a universal favorite activity–eating!

  • Let’s Go Yum Cha: A Dim Sum Adventure! By Alister Feliz. Take kids on a delicious journey through the sights, smells, and sounds of eating Dim Sum! Eat your way through the world of Dim Sum! From the sounds of teacups clanking to the smells of Dim Sum fresh from the kitchen- you’ll be hungry in no time! Kids will learn about the most common dim sum dishes and will be able to order these dishes on their own. If you’re looking for a book about Chinese food and culture, this illustrated book will provide your child with an extraordinary food adventure! Are you ready to spin the Lazy Susan?

  • Celebrating Chinese New Year: History, Traditions, and Activities – A Holiday Book for Kids by Eugenia Chu. A Holiday Book for Kids by Eugenia Chu. (Holiday Books for Kids).Celebrate Chinese New Year with this festive introduction for younger kids. Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is one of the most celebrated holidays around the world. This engaging book for kids explains the history, folklore, traditions, and customs of Chinese New Year and includes interactive activities that encourage kids to celebrate at home or in their communities. Get little ones excited to learn about this beloved holiday with this standout among Chinese New Year books for kids. Read along and wow your child with the wonders of Chinese culture, food, and love.
  • This Chinese New Year kids’ book includes:
    • Diverse traditions―From festivals and parades to relaxation and cooking, kids will learn how Chinese New Year is celebrated in different ways.
    • Fun, hands-on activities―Kids can explore a variety of ways to get festive, like making Chinese dumplings, paper lanterns, and their very own Chinese Zodiac calendar.
    • Fascinating facts and pictures―Colorful illustrations and fascinating factoids help bring Chinese New Year to life for your child.
  • Dragon Dance: A Chinese New Year Lift-the-Flap Book by Joan Holub. A great introduction to the customs of Lunar New Year. This interactive lift-the-flap book is perfect for parents and early readers to enjoy together! It’s Lunar New Year and there are so many fun things to do! Shopping at the outdoor market for fresh flowers, eating New Year’s dinner with the whole family, receiving red envelopes from Grandma and Grandpa, and best of all-watching the spectacular Lunar New Year’s parade!  
  • The Great Race by Dawn Casey.  This book’s creatively stylized folk art gives this retelling of an ancient legend a distinctive look. Youngsters will likely enjoy the final spread, which lists the years that fall under each respective animal, and the characteristics of people born under that sign. Race with the animals of the Zodiac as they compete to have the years of the Chinese calendar named after them. The excitement-filled story is followed by notes on the Chinese calendar, important Chinese holidays, and a chart outlining the animal signs based on birth years.
  • The Luckiest Bearded Dragon: A Lunar New Year Story by Tracey Chin Kahn.  It is Lunar New Year, and the year of the Dragon. While learning about Lunar New Year, and its traditions that bring good luck, a little bearded dragon named Gwen cannot help but feel left out. She either can’t take part in many of the traditions that bring good luck, or she’s scared of them. As her big emotions start to make her feel very small, she is visited by an ancient friend who gives her the wisdom of how luck is truly formed, and what Lunar New Year is really about.
  • Nian, The Chinese New Year Dragon by Virginia by Loh-Haga & Timothy Banks. Why? Because it’s only in the spring that Nian, a fierce dragon, is able to leave his mountain prison under the sea to terrorize the local village. When the villagers hear the rumblings of Nian’s hungry stomach, they know that winter has ended and spring is coming. But this year on the night before the first day of spring, a magical warrior visits Mei in her dreams. He tells Mei that it is her destiny to face and defeat Nian. But she must do it within 15 days or the dragon will be free forever. Author Virginia Loh-Hagan (Po Po’s Lucky Chinese New Year) gives this retelling of the Nian legend an original twist, while explaining the origins of Chinese New Year traditions.
  • Chinese Jump Rope Spiral-bound by Anne Johnson. Complete rules to nine classic games, spiral-bound for playground referral, along with two Chinese jump ropes in brilliant colors. Plus instructions for making your own rope out of rubber bands.
  • My First Chinese New Year (My First Holiday) by Karen Katz. This book presents a warm and lively introduction to a special holiday that will make even the youngest reader want to start a Chinese New Year tradition!Hooray! Hooray! Soon it will be Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year is a time of new beginnings. Follow one little girl as she learns how to welcome the coming year and experience all the festivities surrounding it.

  • Theodore and The Cat with the Missing Sock: A Children’s Picture Book about Love, Loyalty and Courage! By Cory Q Tan. More than 2500 copies sold! This is a story about a little black cat with a ‘missing’ sock who goes on a quest for a complete set of four, in the hope for happiness and acceptance. In his quest, he meets a kind little girl named Annabelle and her talking teddy bear Theodore who have just the right solution for him – Annabelle’s baby sock! Just when all seems well and good, a sudden gust of wind blasts through the window and turns the whole world upside down. But there is no wind at all.
  • The Two of Us Belong Together: A Story About Friendship – Despite Being Different by Michael Engler. This is the perfect heartfelt gift for younger children as it celebrates the beauty of friendship! Themes: Making and Staying Friends | Being Okay with Differences | Emotions in Friendships | Dealing with Change. A hare and a hedgehog find themselves in a friendship “as warm as hot chocolate, as sweet as honey, and as big as the blue sky above.” Although the hedgehog is prickly, and the hare is soft, they become friends, respecting and enjoying what makes each of them unique. Seasons change and it’s time for the hedgehog to hibernate. Both the hare and the hedgehog work to emotionally process this separation. Although the hedgehog promises to return, the hare has trouble understanding why he has been left all alone. Through the cold winter, the hare never loses hope that his friend will return. Once a friendly crow explains to him that his friend is hibernating, the hare comes up with a clever plan. When the hedgehog awakes from his winter sleep, he is reunited with his best friend, the hare. The hare has learned from the hedgehog, and has burrowed a big home that they can both share together the next winter, so neither of them have to be alone. This story teaches us that differences in friendship can initially be hard to understand, but can ultimately bring us closer together. It also teaches us that conflict in a friendship is okay, and can be overcome with love. Dealing with change can be very hard, but challenges like these help us to grow.
  • The Official Ninja Handbook by Arnie Lightning. The Official Ninja Handbook – Your Guide to Mastering the Ancient Art of Being a Ninja! Meet Yoshi, a young and ambitious ninja, eager to master his craft but unsure where to begin. When Yoshi seeks guidance from the Master Ninja, he receives a special scroll filled with invaluable wisdom. Does Yoshi possess the courage, tenacity, and determination necessary to become a truly outstanding ninja? This richly illustrated picture book not only captivates but also imparts valuable lessons about self-reliance, discipline, and the importance of hard work. It’s an ideal read for children of all ages – from inquisitive toddlers and curious preschoolers to early elementary students. With its engaging narrative and vibrant illustrations, it’s an excellent resource for early readers, making read-aloud sessions with friends and family an entertaining educational experience.

MUSIC: Read about some of the many benefits of teaching children music.

THE ZOO:

PROBLEM-SOLVING:

CHINESE NEW YEAR SONGS:

2. Create Together: Puzzles, Crafts, Drawing and Constructing 🧩

ZOO ANIMAL ACTIVITIES: 

CHINESE NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES:

JANUARY ACTIVITIES: Happy New Year! Everyone likes to celebrate the New Year and kids are no exception .. although often the children are sent to bed while the adults have all the fun! We are getting ready to welcome in 2025 with the family or in the classroom with our collection of printable New Year activities for kids, games and New Year kids crafts inspiration!

  • Mental Math adding and subtracting up to 10; Mental Math adding and subtracting up to 20; Mental Math adding and subtracting up to 100.
  • January, 2024
  • Animal Activities – including drawing, writing and a crossword puzzle.
  • Winter Activities To Do List
  • Playing with Priorities
  • Whimsical Winter Choice Board
  • 2024 Poster
  • 2024 Number Search – We’ve hidden “2024” twenty-four times in this number search puzzle. Look for it backwards, forwards, and diagonally too, and if you need help we’ve also included the solution. 
  • New Year Alphabet Challenge – This fun New Year alphabet challenge is great for keeping kids busy at New Year, and it’s great as a group challenge at parties too! Can you come up with a New Year themed word for each letter of the alphabet?
  • New Year Letter Elimination – Solution. Can the children eliminate all of the letters from the grid by answering the clues about New Year?
  • New Year Word Scramble – Can the kids unscramble all the New Year themed words? Fun as a solo activity, or as a race against others!
  • New Year Word Search – Can the kids find the New Year themed words in the word search grid? A fun way to pass a bit of time on New Year’s Eve perhaps?
  • New Year Maze #1; New Year Maze #2; New Year Maze #3.
  • Clock Math Colouring Page – Children will need to solve the sums in order to use the right colours for this fun clock colouring page.
  • Picture of Me Playing Sport – New Year’s Resolutions often involve more exercise or sporting activity – so why not get the kids to record their plans with a picture! It would be nice to think that, having drawn themselves playing sport or exercising, they are more likely to carry through
  • A way I can be a good friend – Use this printable to help children think about the ways in which they can build friendships – either in general or with a specific friend.
  • Books I would like to Read – Here’s a fun way to keep a reading list! Just get the kids to write the names of the books (and maybe the authors) on the spines and covers on the picture. Perhaps they could colour in each book as they read it?
  • If I Could Learn About Anything – If I could learn about anything at all, I would like to learn about…. Children can draw pictures or write about all the things they would most like to learn about using this open book printable.
  • If I Could Travel Anywhere – Encourage children to use their imagination and/or their goal setting skills to think about the place that they would like to travel, if they could travel anywhere in the world (or beyond it!) Younger children can draw in their answer and older children can write.
  • Most Important Goal for the Year – If the kids can only choose one, really important, mega goal for the year, what will it be? Use this printable page (which comes blank for drawings and lined for writing) to detail it out.
  • My Actions Have an Impact #1; My Actions Have an Impact #2 – Use these activities with kids, to brainstorm ways in which a child’s actions can have a positive or negative action on the world around them.
  • My Idea – Here’s a fun way to capture your child’s best ideas – in a light bulb frame! We’ve got a blank version for drawings and doodles and a lined version for passionate words.
  • My Invention Activity – Inventing new things is a lot of fun! If you could invent anything, what would it be? Draw your invention inside the lightbulb on this worksheet then write a little about what your invention will do.
  • My New’s Resolution Picture – This picture gallery printable is a fun way for young children to think about and record their New Year’s resolutions. Can they think of 5?
  • New Year’s Resolution Paper – writing
  • Saving Up My Money For – Here’s a lovely piggy bank printable for – you guessed it – money saving goals! Encourage children to think about what they might want to buy in the near future and how they might save up for it. Older children could also come up with a savings plan of a certain amount of money each week.
  • Something I would Like to Do with My Friends – This printable is a fun way for children to list (or draw) some of the things they would like to do with their friends in the coming year or the future generally. The illustration might give them some starting points.
  • Sport and Exercise Goals – Encourage the kids to write down their sport and exercise goals and commit to them using this fun writing frame. Why not colour it in, too? Younger children can use the blank version to do a drawing rather than write, if they prefer.
  • The Best Dream – Children can draw or write about the best dream they can imagine having on this lovely printable page, which comes in one borderless version. 
  • The Person I would Most Like to Meet – Here’s a fun activity for the New Year, for a Famous People Topic, or for any time! Just ask your child to think of one person he or she would most like to meet (possibly even choosing someone from history) and write about what would make the meeting interesting.
  • The Sky is the Limit Story – What can you achieve when you accept that the sky’s the limit? Perhaps this story paper could be used for goal setting!
  • Things I would Like to Achieve this Year – This is a lovely way of encouraging children to write down six  goals. Each one goes into a box to be guarded over by one of the children in the illustration, which of course your child can colour in if they wish.
  • This is a Way I Can Help At Home – Thinking about how a child can help at home is the theme of this printable page. Perhaps he or she could help with chores, tidying up a bedroom and putting away toys, reading to a baby brother or sister and so on.
  • This is a Way I Can Help At School – Why not encourage children to think about how they might be able to help out at school using this fun printable? Perhaps they could take on a role in the classroom, look out for a shy classmate, pick up rubbish in the playground, or hand out books.
  • Ways I Can Help Others Grow – Brainstorm ideas with pictures or words ideas for how children can help others to ‘grow’. They might share a skill with a brother or sister or give a friend a favourite book, for example.
  • What Would I Take With Me – What would I take with me. if I were going to the Bahamas on holiday, or trekking in the jungle, or travelling to the moon (and back)! You can use this lovely printable frame in so many ways. Younger children can draw or cut and stick, older children can write.

ZOO ACTIVITIES:

CHINESE NEW YEAR’S ACTIVITIES:

 

3. Explore, Engage & Interact Together 🌍

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ZOO ACTIVITIES:

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4. Healthy Living: Movement & Nutrition 👭

MOVEMENT:

  • Yoga Cards – Yoga and stretching is a great way of moving the body and staying active. Here we have ideas for some exciting yoga games that you could play with the children to encourage movement. Scroll down for a printable version of the games to keep as a reminder, or just read the ideas below. Pairs – Print (and laminate if you like) two sets of our yoga cards. Lay them face down and the children take it in turns to turn two cards over to try to find a pair. When a pair is found, the children attempt that yoga pose. The winner can choose their favorite pose for everybody to do again. You could also use the two sets of cards to play snap! Freeze – Play music and the children can either dance or exercise, for example star jumps or high knees. After about 30 seconds pause the music and hold up a yoga card. The children should try to hold the pose shown on the card for about 20 seconds before starting the music again. Guess What’s Next – The children will need to be familiar with the yoga cards to play this. It is similar to the freeze game but this time, when you pause the music, don’t show them a card. The children should guess which card you will turn over and arrange themselves into that posture. This becomes a memory game as the children need to try to remember which cards there are and which ones have already been drawn as the game continues.  Skip Count and Stretch – Decide on a number to skip count and a number to get to, and then draw a card to see what position you need to hold. For example, you might decide to skip count in 5s all the way to 100. Then draw a card to see which pose you need to do whilst you are skip counting. Follow the Leader – Put the yoga cards at random spots around the space. The children follow the leader as they move around copying how they move: for example, skipping, hopping, etc. When the leader arrives at a yoga spot, they stop and do the posture and everybody copies the leader. Hide and Seek – This is a great game to play if you have an outdoor space. Hide the yoga cards and let the children try to find them. When they find a card, they copy the yoga pose on it. Yoga Clues – Turn over a card and, without letting the children see, give them a clue to see if they can work out which card it is. When they think they know, they should get into the position that they think it is. For example, “This pose requires you to be balanced whilst standing up” could be a clue for a tree pose. Yoga Adventure – Put the yoga cards face down in the space. Make up an adventure such as exploring the jungle. Move through the space as though you are in the jungle, until you come to the first card. Turn it over and include it in the adventure story. You could ask the children for their ideas for the story.  For example, you could be walking through the jungle pushing vines aside when you reach the boat card so you tell the children you have reached a river. Oh no! How will you cross? Use your binoculars to look around… A boat! Everybody do boat pose!
    • Yoga Poses #1; Yoga Poses #2
    • Yoga Pose Poster
    • Roll and Move – When a little bit of movement or physical is required – grab a die and make a game of it! Roll the dice and do the movement you see in the chart. We’ve come up with 3 different ideas for each number, including some yoga poses, so there’s lots of fun to be had with this activity.

NUTRITION: After all of the indulgence of the holiday season, most people are ready to get back to healthy eating once the New Year begins!  The same should be true for our kids.  I know kids have certainly had more than enough cookies over the last few weeks, so hopefully you are anxious to get back to your usual routine of healthy eating.  This is a collection of Healthy Winter recipes including soups that will give you plenty of choices to brighten up a dreary winter day, without filling your kids with too much sugar.

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CHINESE NEW YEAR RECIPES:

JANUARY RECIPES:

  • Veggie Burger Scramble – Veggie burger scramble is a quick and easy one-pan meal that’s vegan, gluten free and ready in about 20 minutes – great for a light but filling weeknight dinner!
  • One Pot Vegetarian Spaghetti – Vegetarian Spaghetti with mushrooms, spinach and tomatoes makes an easy, healthy one-pot pasta dinner that’s ready in 25 minutes!
  • Spicy Chicken Patties – Spicy chicken patties are a really simple, easy recipe and can be used for wraps, salads, sliders, with a sauce or even alongside some eggs for breakfast. Paleo, gluten-free and whole 30-approved, these patties will become a new favorite!
  • Southwest Baked Salmon – Southwest baked salmon is an easy broiled salmon recipe with a delicious spice mixture that’s ready in only 15 minutes! Great for a quick dinner or for meal prepping.
  • Quick and Easy Mexican Shrimp Skillet – This quick and easy Mexican shrimp skillet is a one-pan dinner ready in just 20 minutes! It’s great over rice or quinoa, in tacos or as a wrap!
  • Vegetarian Greek Grain Bowls – Vegetarian Greek grain bowls are loaded with wholesome grains and veggies and topped with an easy red wine vinaigrette for a beautiful and delicious lunch or light dinner!
  • Mediterranean Quinoa Salad – Mediterranean quinoa salad is a flavorful, veggie-loaded salad with great colors, flavors and textures! Perfect for a side dish or check out my ideas to make it a main meal!
  • Homemade Granola Bars – These homemade granola bars with chocolate chips are thick, soft, chewy and perfect for a healthy, wholesome snack to fill you up and fuel your day. This easy 1-bowl recipe takes just 10 minutes to prep and can easily be adapted to be peanut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free and/or vegan.
  • Healthy Peanut Butter Energy Balls – Healthy peanut butter energy balls are just 4 wholesome ingredients and so easy to make! They’re great for a post-workout snack, afternoon snack or on-the-go energy boost!
  • Easy Chicken Noodle Soup – Easy Chicken Noodle Soup uses simple ingredients, is just 10 minutes to prep, and comes out so flavorful, brothy and comforting. Perfect for a cold day – or a day when you’re coming down with a cold.

The Importance of serving soups – soups offer these five benefits: They’re good for you and most serve as a great vehicle to meet your daily quota for veggies; They’re inexpensive and easy to prepare. Soups and stews don’t require a large amount of hands-on time; They freeze well; They keep you hydrated; They give your immune system a boost.

  • Turkey White Bean Soup with Kale – Turkey white bean soup with kale is full of ground turkey, creamy white beans, tomatoes and wilted, tender kale for a simple but hearty and delicious soup.
  • Lemony Chicken Orzo Soup – Lemony Chicken Orzo Soup is light and bright, as well as hearty and full of flavor. And this cozy soup is ready in just 30 minutes!
  • Creamy Tomato Soup – Homemade creamy tomato soup is simple to make, incredibly smooth and flavorful, and ready in just 30 minutes. And the extras freeze great for another day!
  • Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup – Easy chicken tortilla soup is light but hearty, colorful, flavorful and served with crispy tortilla strips for a great crunch.

5. Reflect: Thoughts of the Day About Learning 💭

GOAL SETTING:

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CHINESE NEW YEAR

JANUARY

ZOO:

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