The Smallest Girl in The Smallest Grade

 

Roberts, Justin, and Christian Robinson. The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade. Scholastic, 2016.

Genre: Fiction

Lexile: AD1010L

More Info:  https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/smallest-girl-in-the-smallest-grade-the-by-justin-roberts/

Summary: Sally notices and takes note of everything! She notices small things like the janitors keys on his ring to big things, like the bullying that is happening on the playground. Sally may be the smallest girl in the smallest grade but that doesn't mean that she cant stand up to a bully. She does not let anything stop her and decides to stand up to the bullying on the playground. This book proves that no matter how small you are, anyone can stand up to bullying and choose to be kind and make a difference.

Target Audience: K-1st grade.

Evaluation: This book is great for younger grades. I love the illustrations and I think that students will love them as well. The pictures in this book are eye catching and brightly colored, perfect for young students who might need something to hold their attention. The theme of this book is being kind and standing up to bullying. I love that this book encourages small people (young children) to stand up to bully's. I think the overall theme, illustrations and text in this book make it an amazing learning experience. Students would love to have this book read aloud to them.

Reader response activity: In this book, all it takes is ONE girl to make a difference at her school. After we read this book, I would have my students write down in their writers notebook what is ONE thing they could do to make a difference at their school. After everyone is done we will share our answers aloud with the class and discuss how we can make positive changes in the world around us!

Willow Finds a Way

 

Button, Lana, and Tania Howells. Willow Finds a Way. Scholastic, 2013.

Genre: Fiction

Lexile: AD660L

More info: https://www.amazon.com/Willow-Finds-Way-Lana-Button/dp/1554538424/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=Willow+Finds+a+Way&qid=1573235849&sr=8-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=wear03e-20&linkId=50f873426814a50036b84bc692410756&language=en_US

Summary: In this simple picture book, shy and quiet Willow wants to find a way to say no to her bossy and mean classmate, Kristabell. One day, Kristabell begins uninviting girls in the class to her birthday party and Willow decides to stand up for herself and the rest of the class. Willow surprises herself and everyone else in the class by standing up to Kristabell the bully. Willows actions change the entire environment of the classroom for the better!

Target Audience: K-1st grade.

Evaluation: This is a great book to read to younger grades and begin having conversations about anti-bullying. The words and illustrations in this book might be simple but the theme is strong and conveys a great underlying message of standing up for what is right, even if it can be scary. I think this is an awesome book that will get kids thinking about how important it is to not be a bystander to bullying. This would be a great book to read aloud to younger students and I think they would really enjoy the illustrations.

Reader response activity: I think a great activity after reading this book would be to assign groups to create a poster about anti-bullying. They could include words that could be used when standing up to bully's and they could even draw a picture of Willow standing up to Kristabell.

Have You Filled a Bucket Today?

 

McCloud, Carol, and David Messing. Have You Filled a Bucket Today? Bucket Fillosophy, Is an Imprint of Bucket Fillers, Inc., 2016.

Genre: Non-fiction 

Lexile: AD710L
More info: https://www.amightygirl.com/have-you-filled-a-bucket-today?ref=blog-prd

 

Summary: This book is sweet, simple and to the point. It is all about teaching children how to be "bucket fillers" and lift others up instead of tearing them down. This book encourages positive behavior as it tells different stories of how to fill others buckets by doing or saying kind things to others. 

Target Audience: 1st-2nd grade

Evaluation: This is such a great book! I love that it features illustrations from children all over the world. I think that is a very special touch to the book that students will love. I think that the over all theme, being a bucket filler, is so great. This book encourages positive behavior and to not bully or say mean things to others. I love the way it explains what a bucket filler is and how we can fill others up with kind words and gestures. I think this would be an awesome book to read in the class. The illustrations and written words are both beautiful and I think 1st or 2nd grade students would enjoy this book being read aloud to them or reading independently.

Reader response activity:  I would print out buckets and have students cut out a bucket. Then they would write positive words that can fill the bucket up. They could also draw a picture of something that they think would fill someones bucket up. This would be a fun and rewarding activity for everyone!

Odd Velvet

 

Whitcomb, Mary E., and Tara Calahan. King. Odd Velvet. Chronicle, 1998.

Genre: Fiction 

Lexile: AD820L
More info: https://www.amightygirl.com/odd-velvet?ref=blog-prd

Summary: The kids in Velvet's class don't know what to make of her. She wears brightly colored dresses to school, she likes to collect rocks and she even brings a milkweed pod to class for show and tell. At first, her classmates are not nice to her. They ignore her for being different and unique. Until one day when Velvet wins a big art competition at school for drawing a beautiful picture only using 8 crayons. Soon, her classmates begin to that Velvet's differences make her unique and special. She has a special way of viewing the world and that makes her interesting. 

Target audience:  Ages 3-7

Evaluation: This is an awesome book with a beautiful theme and detailed illustrations. This book will encourage students to embrace uniqueness and differences. This book has strong themes of anti-bullying and embracing difference. This would be a great book to read in the classroom and begin a conversation about bullying and why we should not judge people that are like Velvet. I also think the illustrations are eye catching an students will love them!

Reader response activity: I would have each student think of something that might make them special or unique. Velvet liked to collect rocks. Do they have any special hobbies or different talents that make them special? They will write a few sentences down and then we will share out with the class.