🙋🏾♀️👩🏾🦱British International School Teacher
🏫 Taught in England, India,
Operating as usual
22/01/2024
Be Bold, Be Brave, Dream Big
I introduced this series to my new Year 3 class this year and they just love it! These are fantastic biographies for young readers!
New titles which are coming out soon include
Which of these titles have you read? Share with others who will love these books!
My class are loving this series of books! I frequently have to change our displays to continue to introduce them to new inspiring little people with big dreams! They love it!
It’s also so great that each book introduces them to a new amazing artist!
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20/08/2023
Some amazing books to support feelings and emotions at the start of the school year!
The Boy with Big, Big Feelings - ✍ 🎨 📚
Relatable for any child -- especially for a child experiencing anxiety, extreme emotions, a child identified as a Highly Sensitive Person, or a child on the autism spectrum.
My Monster and Me - ✍
A touching story about a little boy whose worry monster follows him everywhere he goes.
The Worrysaurus - ✍ 🎨- 📚@
With reassuring, lighthearted text and charming illustrations sure to calm the anxious butterflies in any child's tummy.
Big Feelings - ✍ 🎨 📚
Children navigate the emotional challenges they face in their daily lives.
Jenny Mei Is Sad - ✍🎨 📚
My friend Jenny Mei is sad. But you might not be able to tell.
Breathing Better- ✍ ✍wendy_oleary_mindfulmatters
Read aloud and breathe along with this sweet story teaching children how to navigate powerful emotions like anger, fear, sadness, confusion, anxiety, and loneliness.
Ruby’s Worry - ✍🎨
Ruby loves being Ruby. Until, one day, she finds a worry. At first, it's not such a big worry, and that's all right, but then it starts to grow.
Ravi’s Roar - ✍🎨
Ravi is so mad -- so furious -- that he can’t control his temper anymore
The Colour Monster –✍🎨
One day, Color Monster’s emotions are all over the place; he feels angry, happy, calm, sad, and scared all at once!
The Koala Who Could – ✍ 🎨
Meet Kevin. A koala who likes to keep things the same. Exactly the same.
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# mentalhealthforkids
15/08/2023
Barbara throws a Wobbler-✍️🎨
A great laugh out loud book about tantrums.
Blurb - First she has a sock problem, and then there’s a strange pea… Suddenly, Barbara’s Wobbler is out of control! A hilarious story of one big bad mood – and how to make it go away. Here’s a funny, sensitive, and helpful way to understand and deal with tantrums for both parents and children.
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14/08/2023
😀🤣😔😮I am Human -✍️ 🎨
😀🤣😔😮 Beautiful little book about the complexities of being a human being, told in a child friendly way.
😀🤣😔😮 Blurb- Being human means we are full of possibility. We learn, we dream, we wonder at the world around us. But we also make mistakes and can feel fearful or sad.
From the bestselling team that created I Am Yoga, I Am Peace, I Am Love, and I Am One comes a new hopeful celebration of the human family. A colorfully and warmly illustrated book for young children, I Am Human affirms that we can make good choices by acting with compassion and having empathy for others and ourselves.
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13/08/2023
Peace is an Offering - 🎨
Blurb- A warm, comforting poem about finding peace in a community of neighbors
Peace is an offering.
A muffin or a peach.
A birthday invitation.
A trip to the beach.
Join this group of neighborhood children as they find love in everyday things—in sunlight shining through the leaves and cookies shared with friends—and learn that peace is all around, if you just look for it. With rhyming verse and soft illustrations, this book will help families and teachers look for the light moments when tragedy strikes and remind readers of the calm and happiness they find in their own community every day.
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12/08/2023
I Walk With Vanessa
Blurb- This simple yet powerful picture book tells the story of one girl who inspires a community to stand up to bullying. The perfect back-to-school read for every kid, family and classroom!
Don't miss the companion book, I Forgive Alex, about the importance of compassion and forgiveness.
Inspired by real events, I Walk with Vanessa explores the feelings of helplessness and anger that arise in the wake of seeing a classmate treated badly, and shows how a single act of kindness can lead to an entire community joining in to help. By choosing only pictures to tell their story, the creators underscore the idea that someone can be an ally without having to say a word. With themes of acceptance, kindness, and strength in numbers, this timeless and profound feel-good story will resonate with readers young and old.
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11/08/2023
👧🏽👧🏽👧🏽The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade - 🎨
Another great story for the start of a new school year.
Blurb - Hardly anyone noticed young Sally McCabe.
She was the smallest girl in the smallest grade.
But Sally notices everything—from the twenty-seven keys on the janitor’s ring to the bullying happening on the playground. One day, Sally has had enough and decides to make herself heard. And when she takes a chance and stands up to the bullies, she finds that one small girl can make a big difference.
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10/08/2023
👦🏻👦🏻 The Invisible Boy -✍️ 🎨
👦🏻👦🏻Blurb- A gentle story that teaches how small acts of kindness can help children feel included and allow them to flourish, from esteemed author and speaker Trudy Ludwig and acclaimed illustrator Patrice Barton.
👦🏻👦🏻A simple act of kindness can transform an invisible boy into a friend...
Meet Brian, the invisible boy. Nobody in class ever seems to notice him or think to include him in their group, game, or birthday party . . . until, that is, a new kid comes to class.
When Justin, the new boy, arrives, Brian is the first to make him feel welcome. And when Brian and Justin team up to work on a class project together, Brian finds a way to shine.
Any parent, teacher, or counselor looking for material that sensitively addresses the needs of quieter children will find The Invisible Boy a valuable and important resource. Includes a discussion guide and resources for further reading.
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09/08/2023
🌹🪻🌸🌺🌻The Boy with Flowers in his Hair
This is such a sweet and tender book about the importance of friendship and kindness.
🌹🪻🌸🌺🌻 Blurb - Jarvis offers a moving tale of friendship, kindness, and acceptance, softly touching on the subjects of illness or hardship in a way that young children can understand.
Everyone likes David, the boy with flowers in his hair. He’s sweet and gentle, just like his colorful petals. David and his best friend have a great time together, finding the good puddles, making up songs, and running away from the bees. But one day David comes to school wearing a hat, and he is quiet. When he takes off the hat, his bright petals flutter down like butterflies. Now, where his flowers were looks twiggy and prickly, causing the other children to stay away. But David’s best friend has an idea—a way to help David get his color back, wielding paintbrushes and plenty of love. Sensitively told and simply illustrated, Jarvis’s story invites even the youngest children to talk about difficult subjects in an age-appropriate way—and feel inspired to support others when they face trying times.
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08/08/2023
Some lovely stories involving empathy.
The Boy with Flowers in his hair
Jarvis offers a moving tale of friendship, kindness, and acceptance, softly touching on the subjects of illness or hardship in a way that young children can understand.
The Invisible Boy - ✍️ 🎨
A gentle story that teaches how small acts of kindness can help children feel included and allow them to flourish.
The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade - 🎨
Hardly anyone noticed young Sally McCabe.
She was the smallest girl in the smallest grade. But Sally notices everything…
Peace is an Offering-🎨
Join this group of neighborhood children as they find love in everyday things—in sunlight shining through the leaves and cookies shared with friends—and learn that peace is all around, if you just look for it.
I Walk With Vanessa- ✍️🎨
This simple yet powerful picture book tells the story of one girl who inspires a community to stand up to bullying.
I am Human
Being human means we are full of possibility. We learn, we dream, we wonder at the world around us. But we also make mistakes and can feel fearful or sad.
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07/08/2023
Friendship
The Friendship Bench- ✍.meddour 🎨
Tilly has just moved to a new house, by the splash and curl of the sea. She loves doing cartwheels in the sand and playing catch with Mummy and Shadow the dog.
Lubna and Pebble - ✍.meddour 🎨
Lubna's best friend is a pebble. Pebble always listens to her stories. Pebble always smiles when she feels scared.
The Boy with flowers in his hair - ✍🎨
Jarvis offers a moving tale of friendship, kindness, and acceptance, softly touching on the subjects of illness or hardship in a way that young children can understand.
Omar The Bees And Me - 🎨
Themes around cultural identity are also explored through Omar (a new boy from Syria) and Maisie's friendship.
How to be a Lion - ✍🎨
It's an empowering tale about connecting with others and choosing kindness over bullying, and shows children how angry and provocative words can be overcome by empathy and inner courage.
The Cool Bean - ✍ 🎨
Everyone knows the cool beans. They’re sooooo cool.
And then there’s the uncool has-bean . . .
Meesha Makes Friends - ✍🎨
Meesha loves making things, but she finds it hard to make friends. She doesn't know quite what to do, what to say, or when to say it.
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06/08/2023
Our names are important. Here are some wonderful books to share at the start of the new school year.
The Name Jar ✍🎨.choi
A heartwarming story about the new girl in school, and how she learns to appreciate her Korean name. Being the new kid in school is hard enough, but what happens when nobody can pronounce your name?
Alma and How She Got Her Name - ✍
If you ask her, Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela has way too many names: six! How did such a small person wind up with such a large name?
Your Name is a Song - ✍🎨
Frustrated by a day full of teachers and classmates mispronouncing her beautiful name, a little girl tells her mother she never wants to come back to school. In response, the girl's mother teaches her about the musicality of African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names on their lyrical walk home through the city.
Becoming Vanessa - ✍🎨
Get ready to go back to school with this inclusive, empathetic story that will help kids new to the classroom transform from timid caterpillars into beautiful butterflies who love exactly who they are!
Always Anjali – ✍🎨
Meet Anjali! She's the spunky star of this picture book with a timeless message about appreciating what makes us special and honoring our different identities.
Anjali and her friends are excited to buy matching personalized license plates for their bikes--but Anjali can't find a plate with her name.
That's Not My Name! - ✍🎨
Mirha is so excited for her first day of school! She can't wait to learn, play, and make new friends. But when her classmates mispronounce her name, she goes home wondering if she should find a new one.
Perfect for reading aloud and shared story time!
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Japanese inspired art
This year we have been inspired by three Japanese artists: Yayoi Kusama who is 'the Princess of polka dots', Katsushika Hokusai who is famous for the Great Wave off Kanagawa and Takashi Murakami, famous for the smiling Flowers. Our beautiful artwork is on display throughout the school.
Repeat After Me: Big Things to Say Every Day
✍ ✍@ duléhill
I remember watching an interview with Jazmyn and Dulé on the Tamron Hall show where they were talking about this book. I had to get it! I’ve been looking for a book of affirmations to try with my class! Beautiful book!
From parents and actors Jazmyn Simon and Dulé Hill comes a picture book filled with beautiful, inspiring affirmations reminding kiddos of their infinite wonder. Perfect for children of any age!
I am worthy. I am loved. I am enough.
Every child, no matter their age, needs to know how loved they are and, more importantly, should love themselves. In this gorgeously illustrated book of affirmations, young readers are told how cherished, deserving, and gifted they are.
In their tender picture book, actors Jazmyn Simon and Dulé Hill tell children about the magic of self-love and standing firm, regardless of outside voices and doubt. Children will feel their confidence grow as they repeat the encouraging words on the page, take in the warm illustrations, and learn to believe in themselves!
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# diverse
I’ll Go and Come Back - ✍🎨rajanilarocca
This is such a sweet and tender book. I’m a huge fan of stories which showcase relationships with grandparents. The illustrations are beautiful and take me back to my time in Chennai, India.
“I still didn’t speak Tamil, and she still didn’t speak much English, but we understood each other”.
A tender, beautifully illustrated story about a girl in America and her grandmother in India, whose love stretches between languages and cultures—and across the world.
When Jyoti visits her grandmother halfway around the world, she is overwhelmed by the differences between India and home. At first she feels lonely and out of place, but soon, despite a language barrier, she and Sita Pati are able to understand each other. They form a bond—looking at books together, making designs with colored sand, shopping at the market, playing games, eating chapatis, and sipping warm milk with saffron to bring sweet dreams. When it’s time to part, Jyoti doesn’t want to leave, but then she remembers that in Tamil, people don’t say goodbye, they say “I’ll go and come back.” Sure enough, the two reunite the next summer when Pati visits Jyoti in America, and it’s Jyoti’s turn to make her grandmother feel welcome. Can they create some special memories that will last until the next time they see each other?
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’llgoandcomeback
Yes We Will - ✍
We are enjoying discovering books by this month! This is another fabulous book about Asian American changemakers. Do visit her website for support materials for teachers.
https://www.kellyyang.com/for-teachers/
BLURB - From #1 NYT bestselling author Kelly Yang comes a gorgeously illustrated picture book about Asian American changemakers doing everything they dreamed of and inspiring all of us to reach for new heights!
From creating beautiful music like Yo-Yo Ma to flying to outer space like Franklin Chang-Díaz; from standing up to injustice like Fred Korematsu to becoming the first Asian American, Black and female vice president of the United States like Kamala Harris, this book illuminates the power of Asian Americans all over the country, in all sorts of fields.
Yes We Will answers the question, can we accomplish whatever we dream? With love, courage, determination, and lots of imagination, we can—and we will!
🍅🍅Tomatoes for Neela🍅🍅
✍ 🎨
Neela loves cooking with her amma and writing down the recipes in her notebook. It makes her feel closer to her paati who lives far away in India. On Saturdays, Neela and Amma go to the green market and today they are buying tomatoes to make Paati's famous sauce. But first, Neela needs to learn about all the different kinds of tomatoes they can pick from. And as Neela and Amma cook together, they find a way for Paati to share in both the love and the flavors of the day.
Padma Lakshmi takes young readers on an intergenerational journey full of delicious flavors and fun food facts that celebrates a family's treasured recipes. And Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Juana Martinez-Neal brings this circle of women to life with vivid detail and warmth. Tomatoes for Neela lovingly affirms how we can connect to other cultures, as well as to our own, through food.
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We are enjoying revisiting these great books this
The Name Jar
✍🎨.choi
A heartwarming story about the new girl in school, and how she learns to appreciate her Korean name.
I Dream of Popo
✍ 🎨
This delicate, emotionally rich picture book celebrates a special connection that crosses time zones and oceans as Popo and her granddaughter hold each other in their hearts forever.
That's Not My Name!
✍🎨
Mirha is so excited for her first day of school! She can't wait to learn, play, and make new friends. But when her classmates mispronounce her name, she goes home wondering if she should find a new one.
Jenny Mei Is Sad – ✍🎨 📚
Perfect for introducing kids to the complexities of sadness.
The Nian Monster - ✍ 🎨
Tong tong! The legendary Nian monster has returned at Chinese New Year. With horns, scales, and wide, wicked jaws, Nian is intent on devouring Shanghai, starting with Xingling!
Hush! A Thai Lullaby - ✍Minfong Ho ✍Holly Meade
In an endearing lullaby, a mother asks a lizard, a monkey, and a water buffalo to be quiet and not disturb her sleeping baby.
Chinese Folktales – Shiho S. Nunes
Each of these stories offers a nugget of ancient folk wisdom and glimpses of traditional Chinese culture and lore. All of the tales express the foibles and wisdom of human experience with great humor and affection. Although the lessons are universal, the wit and flavor are uniquely Chinese.
Another great text which Year 5 are enjoying reading this month! Visit the author’s website for a free discussion guide and other useful teacher resources -
✍
25/04/2023
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/3qY5PKxgtECVfR4w2w_PEw
World Book Day Celebrations On Friday 21 April, our school community came together to promote the love of reading and to celebrate the wonder of books. The day was a fantastic success, and we want to thank everyone who participated in making it such a memorable event.
We love reading these inspirational books.
Who better than Todd Parr to remind kids that their unique traits are what make them so special? ✍🎨
The Goodbye Book
BLURB - From bestselling author Todd Parr, a poignant and reassuring story about loss.
Through the lens of a pet fish who has lost his companion, Todd Parr tells a moving and wholly accessible story about saying goodbye. Touching upon the host of emotions children experience, Todd reminds readers that it's okay not to know all the answers, and that someone will always be there to support them. An invaluable resource for life's toughest moments.
Be Who You Are
BLURB - In a brand-new companion to his beloved classic It's Okay to Be Different, New York Times bestselling author Todd Parr encourages kids to be proud of who they are inside.
It's Okay to Make Mistakes
BLURB - Todd Parr's bestselling books have reminded kids to embrace differences, to be thankful, to love one another, and to be themselves. It's Okay to Make Mistakes embraces life's happy accidents, the mistakes and mess-ups that can lead to self discovery. Todd Parr brings a timely theme to life with his signature bold, kid-friendly illustrations and a passion for making readers feel good about themselves, encouraging them to try new things, experiment, and dare to explore new paths.
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01/03/2023
Which children’s books are you currently sharing in your classroom or reading for your own enjoyment?
