The Mountain
Written by Rebecca Gugger and illustrated by Simon Rothlisberger
The Mountain is an intricately illustrated picture book that introduces tolerance to children in a very clever and fun way.
In the book, many different animals live on the mountain. Each sees the mountain in his own way, based upon his specific habitat.
“The mountain is rocky and stony and steep!” cries the chamois, aghast.” While the snow hare chimes in, “White is what it is. Up on the mountain it’s white everywhere. And cold.”
Unable to take the bickering and fighting any longer, the bird challenges all the animals to climb to the top of the mountain. This argument must be settled once and for all . . .
It is then the animals begin to realize they were right all along, but that they were also wrong. They see there is more than just their own view of the mountain and that their friends were right as well!
This is a TACO!
Written by Andrew Cangelose and illustrated by Josh Shipley
Taco is a squirrel who will work for peanuts, but he prefers . . . Tacos!
This darling book begins with our new friend, Taco, doing his job as a model for the book while we learn fun facts about squirrels.
“Squirrels are some of the cleanest rodents in the wild. They are known for having silky, soft fur,” the book begins.
“Squirrels love to eat nuts, acorns and even tree bark. Tree bark???” Taco says, “I was told there’d be tacos. It’s kind of the main reason I agreed to be in this book.”
As the story progresses, Taco becomes more disillusioned with the narrator.
When we learn that the hawk is a natural predator of squirrels, Taco grabs the marker away from the narrator and changes the word “hawk” to “taco.” This, however, presents a different problem!
Cangelose is an elementary school principal in Kansas City.
BIG Feelings
Written by Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman.
All of Alexandra Penfold’s picture books are wonderful read-alouds, and this one is no exception. Her books are vibrantly illustrated, showcase diversity among children and convey uplifting messages in a lively sing-song rhythm.
BIG Feelings opens the door for children to see their big feelings reflected in the feelings of the children in the story. The book gives parents and caregivers the opportunity to teach little ones that everyone has big feelings, and it offers kids ideas on how they can handle their own big feelings.
“I have big feelings. You have them, too. How can I help? What can we do?
Talk it out? Talk it through? I am sorry. I am too.”
A great book for highlighting team building and working through conflict together.
Sandy Foster is a writer and blogger (NadinesBakery.com) who lives in the Kansas City area.