Missing Violet by Kelly Swemba

Illustrated by Fabiana Faiallo 5 stars A sweet picture book for helping children cope with the death of a friend or classmate. Violet is Mia’s best friend. She brings sunshine to every day. But after Violet dies, everything changes. With the help of others, Mia is able to learn ways to remember, grieve, and say…

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The Boy and the Gorilla by Jackie Azúa Kramer

Illustrated by Cindy Derby 4 stars A gentle story of grief and loss that presents ways to keep a person with you after they are gone. After the death of his mother, a young boy must cope with the ways his life has changed and the grief he feels at her absence. A wise gorilla…

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A Monstrous Bedtime by Kerilynn Wilson

5 stars A sweet picture book that highlights the importance of a good bedtime routine. While the human child is ready for bedtime, the monster under her bed isn’t sleepy. Together, they go through the bedtime routine in this adorable story of friendship and imagination. Delightful, humorous illustrations. A very cute story, simply told with…

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Where Are the Eggs? (Storytelling Math) by Grace Lin

4 stars Another fantastic math-based story. Mei walks through her yard, looking for where her chickens have laid their eggs. She points out the location of each egg, using prepositions and spatial relationships such as under, on, and next to. The straightforward narration and simple story are perfect for the intended audience. Adorable illustrations. The…

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A Kids Book About Immigration by MJ Calderon

5 stars A fantastic introduction to the topic of immigration. Wonderfully written. Includes information about why people may immigrate, some of the challenges they face, and a bit about the immigration application process. Also points out the harmfulness of using dehumanizing language to describe people. Promotes kindness, understanding, and listening to others when they tell…

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A Kids Book About Being in Foster Care by Seth Brauer

4 stars A nice introduction to what it means to be in foster care. The book is mostly directed to those who are not in foster care, encouraging them to not make assumptions, listen, and be mindful about the questions they ask. The book goes through what foster care is, the emotions someone may feel…

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My Little Pony: Set Your Sail by Megan Brown & Casey Gilly

Illustrated by Amy Mebberson 5 stars The ponies are headed under the sea! Pip and Izzy travel to the Sparkling Seas on a diplomatic mission, but everything is not as it seems. Mystery, magic, pirates, and secrets await on this underwater adventure. A fun story with plenty of action and mystery. Nice themes of sisterhood,…

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A Kids Book About Blended Families by Lluvia Arras

5 stars A wonderful resource for discussing what blended families are and what they can look like. Includes information on some of the different forms blended families take, emotions that can occur as families come together, and some different aspects like figuring out what to call each other. I loved the emphasis on families as…

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