All Together Now: Home

Home is Where the Birds Sing written by Cynthia Rylant

There are so many things, both big and small, that make a place feel like home. Home is where you might have a special nickname or a special toy. It’s where you might have a snack or a nap or a bath–or all three! Whether home is a city apartment or a country cottage, it’s a place you want to return to again and again. Celebrate all kinds of homes–and all kinds of families–in this cozy, lushly illustrated ode to the universal feeling of being at home.

Sprout Branches Out written and illustrated by Jessika Von Innerebner

Pulling up her roots to find what she needs to thrive, Sprout the plant quickly learns that what she really needs may not be what she thought at all.

Too Crowded written and illustrated by Lena Podesta

Gil the Goldfish feels crowded in his small bowl with a plant, a castle, and 138 pebbles, but when he leaves his bowl in search of a better home, he learns some important lessons.

House Mouse written and illustrated by Michael Hall

A clever and resourceful mouse, looking for a safe place to settle down, builds different shelters and learns that home is wherever you make it.

Perdu written and illustrated by Richard Jones

The moving, beautifully illustrated story of a little lost dog and his search for a place to call home. Poor Perdu is all alone as he journeys from the countryside to the city in search of a home. The city is a big place when you are very small, but is it possible that someone is looking out for Perdu?

The Blue House written and illustrated by Phoebe Wahl

Both Leo and his father are angry and sad when their landlord says their old house will be torn down, but soon they find a way to make their new house feel like home.

The Little Blue Cottage written by Kelly Jordan

The little blue cottage waits each year for summer to arrive–and with it, the girl. Through sunny days and stormy weather, the cottage and the girl keep each other company and wile away the long days and nights together. Until one year, and then another, the cottage is left waiting and empty season after season.

Finding Home written and illustrated by Estelí Meza

A powerful social-emotional picture book about friendship and courage in the face of hardship.

When Conejo’s house blows away in a storm, his friends and neighbors take turns helping him look for it. Though they do not find his house, they each send him on his way with good cheer and small gifts. Conejo is grateful for their support, but still finds himself sitting with sadness for some time. When the rain clears, Conejo finds the courage to rebuild. He fills his new home with the memories, love, and support he collected from his friends along the way.

Home for a While written by Lauren H. Kerstein

Calvin has lived in many houses that never felt like home, but Maggie, his new foster mother, helps him deal with his emotions when he misbehaves, and still offers hugs.

Where do I live activity: http://classroomconspiracy.blogspot.com/2012/01/teacher-on-budget.html

How to make a foldable paper house drawing: https://picklebums.com/house-drawing-prompt/

All Together Now: In the Library

Palace of Books written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco

At the public library in her new town, Patricia meets Mrs. Creavy, an encouraging librarian who introduces Patricia to the books of John James Audubon and helps her become the first member of the Audubon Bird Club of Freemont Elementary.

Nia and the New Free Library written by Ian Lendler

When Littletown Library is destroyed by a tornado, it seems like book-loving Nia is the only one who cares; so she starts the “new free library” under the tree where she used to read, and writes out familiar stories and rhymes that are just a little bit wrong, and encourages the people who check them out to correct them–until soon the whole of Littletown is filled with people reading and writing books.

I Want my Book Back written by Viviane Elbee

Daryl does not want to share his favorite dinosaur book, so when it is time to bring it back to the library he uses all his dinosaur skills to get it back until a friendly librarian encourages him to share.

Dear Librarian written by Lydia M. Sigwarth

In this story based on the author’s life, a young homeless girl finds a different kind of home in the library.

The Little Library written by Margaret McNamara

Jake, a reluctant reader, becomes a book lover when the new librarian finds Jake a book about woodworking.

The Library Bus written by Bahram Rahman

Five-year-old Pari accompanies her mother on her library bus rounds for the first time, stopping at a village and a refugee camp so that girls there can exchange books and have a lesson in English. Talking with her mother as they drive, Pari learns that she is lucky that she can attend school the next year. Pari’s mother had to learn in secret when it was forbidden to teach girls to read, and the young women the bus visits weekly have no other access to education. Inspired by the first library bus to operate in Kabul, Afghanistan.

When the Babies Came to Stay written by Christine McDonnell

The first baby arrived on the mail plane, the second two on the ferry, the fourth asleep on a pile of nets, smelling of mackerel. Who were the babies? Where did they come from? The notes left with them said “Please keep this baby safe” and “Please give my child shelter.” Only the librarian can take them home, and the library is where they grow up. The whole island helps to raise them. The fisherman teaches them to cast from the pier, the ferryman shows them charts of the sea, and from the harbormaster they learn to recognize birds. “Who are you?” other children ask. “Why don’t you look alike?” The librarian gathers them in her arms. “Families don’t always look alike,” she says. “And where we’re going is more important than where we came from.

The Book Hog written by Greg Pizzoli

The Book Hog loves books–the way they look, the way they feel, the way they smell–and he’ll grab whatever he can find. There’s only one problem: he can’t read! But when a kind librarian invites him to join for storytime, this literature-loving pig discovers the treasure that books really are.

The Night Library written by David Zeltser

The Polar Express meets The Night at the Museum in this fantastical picture-book adventure about the magic of books and libraries, perfect for book lovers of all ages! After a young boy goes to sleep upset that he’s getting a book for his birthday, he’s visited in the night by Patience and Fortitude, the two stone lions who guard the New York Public Library. Soon, he’s magically whisked away from his cozy home in the Bronx, and the two mighty lions show him the wonder of the library.

Nonfiction:

Meet a Librarian! Written by AnnMarie Anderson

Join Emma and Theo as they meet a librarian in their community!

Emma and Theo were working together on a class project about shark’s teeth. A trip to their school library and the local branch put the kids in touch with two librarians who were more than happy to help. Share the excitement as their school librarian and Ms. McMahon help Emma and Theo find all the information they need-and gives the kids a first-hand look at a librarian’s job.

Make your own little book: http://www.sturdyforcommonthings.com/2013/03/storytime-mixer/

Make a library card holder:

https://dawnathome.typepad.com/by_sun_and_candlelight/2007/09/a-big-book-day-.html

All Together Now: Friendship

The Kindest Red: a story of hijab and friendship written by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Sisters Faizah and Asiyah learn how to spread kindness on school picture day.

Polar Bear Island written by Lindsay Bonilla

Polar Bear Island is peaceful and predictable, just the way Mayor Parker likes it, but when Kirby, a fun-loving penguin, starts to shake things up, Parker learns to embrace change and makes new friends along the way.

The Tiger Who Came for Dinner written by Steve Smallman

Setting out to return an adorable little tiger to its family, Wolf, Little Lamb, and their pet alligator, Omelet, who has some misgivings, arrive at their destination only to discover the tigers had their own plan all along.

Noni the Pony Goes to the Beach written and illustrated by Alison Lester

In rhyming text, Noni the pony and her friends, Dave Dog and Coco the cat, spend the day at the beach.

Party Hearty Kitty-Corn written by Shannon Hale

Kitty is excited to throw a kitty-corn party but becomes frustrated when newcomer Puppy messes up the decorations, ruins the gift Kitty made, and worst of all, he takes up all of Unicorn’s attention.

Stacey’s Remarkable Books written by Stacey Abrams

Stacey’s favorite day of the week is Thursday, when the whole class goes to the library and she gets to lose herself in her beloved books. On one of these special days, Stacey discovers that a new student named Julie has trouble reading in English, so they begin sharing books and stories to practice. Soon, more students start to join them.

The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name written by Sandhya Parappukkaran

When Zimdalamashkermishkada starts a new school, he decides to shrink his name to the shorter, simpler Zim, but when his new friend Elly sees him for who he truly is, Zimdalamashkermishkada finds the confidence to step proudly into his long name.

The Friendship Surprise written by Giorgio Volpe

It is spring and Little Red fox is excited to be reunited with his best friend, Hazel, a dormouse who will shortly wake from a long sleep. But over the winter, the fox has made another friend, Brock the badger. Little Red decides revealing the new friendship is not the surprise Hazel will want to wake to, so he delays bringing it up as they resume their games. Bu the fox needs to find a way to introduce the friends while maintaining the special friendship with Hazel he holds so dear. Eventually the dilemma is resolved, but not without a surprise or two along the way. This book continues the friendship story told in the companion title Before We Sleep.

Have You Eaten?: a story of food, friendship, and kindness written and illustrated by Su Youn Lee

When Coco the chipmunk, who always shares her food, falls ill, her new friends come to care for her in the same way she taught them, in this heartwarming debut picture book inspired by a Korean greeting.

Hey Otter! Hey Beaver! Written and illustrated by J. Brian Pinkney

Good friends Otter and Beaver use water and sticks for very different purposes as they spend time together.

How to make kindness cootie catchers: https://www.coffeecupsandcrayons.com/make-kindess-cootie-catchers/

Friendship activities: https://www.theottoolbox.com/friendship-activities/

All Together Now: Our Planet Earth

This is the Planet Where I Live written by K. L. Going

A poetic look at the interconnectedness of Earth, nature, and its many creatures.

My Friend Earth written by Patricia MacLachlan

Die-cut pages invite reader to explore how Earth is a friend to all creatures, watching over us as the year cycles through the seasons.

This Small Blue Dot written and illustrated by Zeno Sworder

With a strong message of interconnectedness, hope and empowerment, This Small Blue Dot follows a little girl exploring the big and small things in life. From contemplating our place on this ‘blue dot’ to the best Italian, Chinese and Indian desserts, the book provides a broader, more inclusive view of who we are, where we come from and where our dreams may take us.

If You Come to Earth written and illustrated by Sophie Blackall

In this picture book, a boy writes a letter to an imagined alien, explaining all the things he will need to know about Earth and the people who live here–and adding a postscript asking what the alien might look like.

Here We Are: notes for living on planet Earth written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

In this salutation from Earth, the chronicler gives a tour of the planet and introduces those who call it home.

Stand up! Speak up! A story inspired by the Climate Change Revolution written and illustrated by Andrew Joyner

Celebrate young climate change activists in this charming story about an empowered girl who shows up, listens up, and ultimately, speaks up to inspire her community to take action against climate change. After attending a climate march, a young activist is motivated to make an effort and do her part to help the planet… by organizing volunteers to work to make green changes in their community, from cleaning a lake, to planting trees, to making composting bins, to hosting a clothing swap and more!

Earth Day water science experiment: https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/earth-day-water-science-experiment/

Earth Day suncatcher: https://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2014/04/earth-day-suncatcher-craft.html

Earth coloring page: https://www.bigactivities.com/coloring/space/planets/earth.php

Earth Day coloring pages: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Byr_Cmyf5_RyS0pHblU0b0dhTVk/edit?resourcekey=0-IXuLwCrzbeMutwuLFKZz3Q

Earth Day recycle project: http://penguinsonthebottom.blogspot.com/2013/04/earth-day-project.html