WATERCRESS, BY ANDREA WANG

Summary: A young girl is driving with her immigrant parents as they stop to pick watercress on the side of the road. The girl is embarrassed at first and doesn’t understand why they don’t just buy it at a grocery store. While picking, her mother shares a story of her family foraging for fresh food. Through this experience, she learns abot the power of sharing memories, and how our heritage shapes us.

Resources: https://forum.teachingbooks.net/2021/03/andrea-wang-on-watercress/
https://www.bookconnections.org/tb.cgi?tid=75090

 

THE EMPTY POT, BY DEMI

Summary: The Chinese Emperor announces an unusual test to choose an heir—the child who raises the best flowers from a seed given by the Emperor will be his successor. Ping, unaccountably, is unable to get his seed to sprout—but Ping's empty pot is best of all.

Resources:  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:the%20empty%20pot%20activity/Order:Price-Asc
https://www.readworks.org/lessons/grade2/empty-pot/read-aloud-lesson

 

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THE WORST PRINCESS, BY ANNA KEMP

Summary: Princess Sue dreams of finding her Prince Charming. But when that Prince proves to be a bit more traditional than what she had hoped for, Princess Sue—along with the help of fiery dragon—becomes determined to find a way to get the fairy-tale ending that she always envisioned for herself.

– Find the beauty in everything and everyone.

– The difference between wants and needs.

Resources:  https://andreahillbrick.com.au/take-away-teaching-ideas-35-the-worst-princess/
https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=38276

LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET, BY MATT DE LA PENA

Summary: In Last Stop on Market Street 

In Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, CJ's nana teaches him to appreciate his surroundings and what he has rather than wanting what others have. Its themes include:

– Find the beauty in everything and everyone.

– The difference between wants and needs.

Resources: https://childrenslibrarylady.com/last-stop-market-street/
https://youtu.be/0-m6mIZY8aI 

 

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Summary: What kids tell themselves matters! It becomes their inner voice. It can help them connect with their power within. Help your child tap into their inner strength and resilience when challenges arise. I Can Do Hard Things introduces children to the practice of using mindful affirmations for support and encouragement when they need it. It reflects the beautiful diversity in our world.

Resources: https://skillsonthehill.com/i-can-do-hard-things-downloadable-worksheet/ https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:i+can+do+hard+things/Order:Price-Asc

 

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October 2023

Summary:  Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela thinks that six is way too many names! But as she learns more about how her names connect her to her family, Alma becomes very proud of all her names.

 

 

Resources:
https://www.twolittlebirdsteaching.com/all-are-welcome-activities-to-build-a-class-community/
https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/all-are-welcome-literature-guide

Summary:  School is a community where diversity is celebrated and people of all backgrounds, abilities, and appearances are welcome. This book is a rhythmic, colorful tour of the first day of school and all of the activities taking place. The pages are filled with diversity of all types, warmth, and an inclusive “all are welcome here” mantra. One page has the text that is the theme of the book, "We’re part of a community. Our strength is our diversity."