Children's Books for Parents and Teachers - book reviews and suggestions for parents and teachers.
Leadership

Young leaders show themselves in different ways. They speak out confidently in class, serve as team captains on the playground, and set the latest school “trends.” By the time spring begins, student leaders have emerged in classrooms around the country — but they don’t always fit our stereotypes. Our reading selections for May and June show leadership in a variety of forms.

Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride - Book Cover

Imagine Amelia Earhart flying Eleanor Roosevelt over Washington D.C. in an airplane! This fictional account of their historic “night flight” shows two maverick women defying the conventions of their day, and taking off! Their exciting journey — from the White House to the starry skies above the Capitol — is illustrated with stunning black-and-white drawings.


Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type - Book Cover

What happens when a bunch of cows get hold of a typewriter? They start making demands. “Click, clack, moo. Clickety, clack, moo.” Translation? “The barn is very cold at night. We’d like some electric blankets.” When Farmer Brown refuses to give them what they want, they go on strike and bring the hens and ducks along with them. A wonderful read-aloud with warm, watercolor illustrations, this early lesson in political organizing will have teachers and students howling — and mooing and quacking.


Lincoln: A Photobiography - Book Cover

Today, Lincoln is considered one of the greatest leaders in American history. Yet, as Russell Freedman writes in his Newbery Medal-winning history, during the Civil War, Lincoln “was the most unpopular president the nation had ever known.” Through quotes, photographs, and excerpts from speeches, students will learn about Lincoln’s boyhood, marriage, professional life, and presidency. And they’ll also discover what it takes to be a true leader.


Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World - Book Cover

In 1914, the English explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew of 27 sailors attempted to cross the Antarctic continent. Their expedition came to a terrifying halt when their ship, the Endurance, ended up trapped in the pack ice. What followed was a perilous series of adventures. Despite many setbacks, Shackleton courageously led every single crew member back to safety. A gripping narrative along with actual black-and-white photographs taken by an Endurance crew member bring this icy adventure to life.


Sisters in Strength - Book Cover

Eleven famous leaders — including Pocahontas, Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Helen Keller, and Margaret Mead — are profiled in this picture biography. A women’s history time line and bibliography are included.


Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt - Book Cover

Despite the danger of capture and punishment, a brave young slave creates a quilt with a map stitched into it to guide herself and others to freedom.


Tacky the Penguin - Book Cover

Tacky’s companions are graceful and quiet. He isn’t. He is an odd bird. But when hunters come looking for pretty penguins, it is Tacky’s individuality that saves the day.


You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer - Book Cover

There was a time when women in America had to wear bulky dresses that weighed as much as a dozen bricks! That was until Amelia Bloomer, a 19th-century feminist, invented “bloomers” — a fashion trend which ultimately freed women from their burdensome clothing. Author Shana Corey and illustrator Chesley McLaren have created a charming picture book which tells the story of this unconventional and fashion-forward designer.