Book of the Month
2009-2010
January
Faith
By Maya Ajmera, Magda Nakassis, and Cynthia Pon
Celebrate religious traditions around the world by reading this beautiful book formatted to emphasize inclusiveness, with each double-page spread focusing on some aspect common to many religions. For example, "We read our holy books" is illustrated with photographs of a Kenyan boy studying the Qur'an, a young Buddhist in Mongolia reading the sutras, a British Christian girl reading the bible and holding a rosary and three Orthodox Jewish boys in Israel looking over their prayer books. This book builds to a powerful message: "We respect others, making friends and building peace." This book transcends boundaries of age and culture to become a meditation on spirit, sharing and respect.
Visit this website to learn more about how these authors are tying to make the world a better place:
Global Fund For Children
Cynthia Pon Maya Ajmera
December
Howard B. Wigglebottom
Learns About Bullies
Written by Howard Binkow
Illustrated by Susan F. Cornelison
Howard B. Wigglebottom is back, and this time the bunny is being bullied at school by the Snorton twins. Even though his intuition tells him to tell the teacher about it, he chooses different strategies. Howard tries ignoring, avoiding, making jokes and getting back at the bullies. Nothing works and things get worse. He finally tells his teacher. She takes action and makes him feel okay and safe.
Visit the We Do Listen Foundation by clicking on the link below:
http://www.wedolisten.com/
November
Building Manhattan
Written and Illustrated by Laura Vila
Right in time for Thanksgiving comes a picture book for city lovers everywhere. Vibrant illustrations and text come together in this striking picture book to tell the story of the building of Manhattan. There was a time when the city was a little more than an undeveloped island. But as the small patch of land shifted from Native American to Dutch to English to American hands, it was built, layer on top of layer, into the bustling metropolis it is today. A time line provides further background, including dates, for each illustration. This is an effective visual presentation that introduces the history of Manhattan and also explores how places change over time.
Get to know Laura Vila by visiting the website listed below:
Laura Vila
October
The Contest Between the Sun and the Wind
An Aesop’s Fable
Retold by Heather Forest
Illustrated by Susan Gaber
As he watches a man in an overcoat walk down a road, the Sun challenges the bragging Wind to a contest of strength. Which one of them can take the coat off the man? The Wind blows as mightily as he can; the man just clutches his coat more tightly. But when the Sun shines ever more brightly, and the man finally takes his coat off. The Sun tells the amazed Wind that he did not force the man, but “through gentleness … won his way.” In this retelling of a classic fable from Aesop, we learn that being the most forceful does not make you the strongest. Sometimes the greatest strength comes from a place of gentleness.
Get to know Heather Forest by clicking on the link below:
Take a look at Susan Gaber’s portfolio by clicking on the link below:
Susan Gaber
September
First Food Fight This Fall 
And Other School Poems
Written by Marilyn Singer
Illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa
When school days roll around again, this is the perfect collection to get children back in the mood. Written by acclaimed poet Marilyn Singer, First Food Fight This Fall serves up a heaping helping of wit and humor. Each short, appealing verse is told in the voice of one or more of the pupils. Together, they paint a funny and touching picture of everyday life in the classroom: the friendly feuds, sandwich trades, field trips, science fair; the subjects kids like, the ones they don’t, their troubles and triumphs.
Artist Sachiko Yoshikawa’s lively and engaging illustrations—which feature collage and mixed-media techniques—add to the delight, from her first picture of a school bus decked with a “Yay! First Day!” banner to the sunshine-filled final day of the year
Meet Marilyn Singer:
Meet Sachiko Yoshikawa:
