Books for Schools

Preschool to Grade 1. This book encourages observation and comparison while it expands the child's knowledge of clothing. It also teaches interesting facts about clothing.

Daleine rated it
it was amazing

What's Missing: Clothes, is a wonderful book to help kids become observant. It is a really cute book.

Preschool to Grade 1. The first image a baby recognizes is the human face. This book helps them to examine and name the details. Also included are several animal faces. It helps the child develop observational skills by figuring out what's missing from each face as it teaches information about the senses and purpose of facial features. The fun pictures range from simple to challenging.

Who doesn’t love babies and animals? Help little ones learn spatial concepts like above and below with this endearing and humorous collection of pictures. Also included are ten tips to extend a child's learning.

Grade JK to 3. Lily's house is so noisy, she has to cover her ears. But, Nana's house is so quiet, she has trouble staying awake. What's a little girl to do? Little Lily teaches her family to find balance in their lives, making both homes happy and comfortable. An exploration of sound. Discussion questions and suggested activities for parents and teachers included.

What a wonderful edition to your bookshelf! This book talks about children with sensory issues or children with autism that try to find balance in their lives between too noisy and too quiet.

Grade 1 to 4. Amy is having a very bad day because of red. When Amy wishes she would never see red again, she learns that life is not as enjoyable without it. Readers will enjoy discovering the 98 red things featured in the book. The importance of colour.

The story was engaging and simple enough for Kaitlyn to follow: Amy is having things go wrong in her life and they all have to do with the color red. Amy wishes to never see red again, but then realizes that she's missing out on things when her wish comes true.

The hand-drawn illustrations are such a nice touch, and I like that they make this book unique. The story was fun to read and Kaitlyn liked it so much that she requested I read No More Red again right away, which is rare for her. I liked that this book is fun but also has a subtle message.

We've read and enjoyed Bonnie Ferrante's books before and look forward to her next story!

Grade 1 to 4. Rayne is bored with life, until a new family moves in next door. Why do they look so happy? Rayne wants to know their secret. Rayne Shines is a humorous and thought-provoking picture book with discussion questions included. Having a positive attitude.

5.0 out of 5 stars Teddy O' Malley

Rayne Shines is a book with a hilarious twist on learning to count your blessings.

Sample Pictures from Rayne Shines

Grade 1 to 5. Gordon Korman on The Amida Tree “…This piece works so well… There’s beauty in the simplicity of its telling, and the communication between the woman and the tree is hauntingly believable.” The Amida Tree is this generation's tree. It will appeal to those interested in a sustainable environment, healthy emotional bonds, and a balanced life. Discussion questions included. A good book to compare and contrast to The Giving Tree.

Gordon Korman on The Amida Tree “…This piece works so well… There’s beauty in the simplicity of its telling, and the communication between the woman and the tree is hauntingly believable.”

Grade 3 to 6. What if Rumpelstiltskin had a bum rap? Sure, he tried to take the queen's baby, but a deal is a deal. Besides, he even gave her the opportunity to renege on their agreement. Plus, he never sought revenge, but allowed her to live happily ever after. Maybe there's a whole lot more to his story than people know. The elaborate illustrations are inspired by the illuminated manuscripts of medieval times.

May 03, 2015 Sybrina Durant rated it
Iit was amazing

This book portrays the part of the fairy tale that many may wish had been written a long time ago. It paints the impish little man in a much more positive light than he was characterized in the short story written by the Brothers Grimm. Thankfully, in this new improved version, along with his magical skills, he is possessed of a much more peaceful personality. The Rumpelstiltskin who tore himself apart in a rage at the end of that old tale does not exist in this one.

Rumply, as he is known to the people in his village is a thoughtful and kind soul. Unfortunately, no one but the children are truly aware of this. The adults, in their greed for the gold that Rumpelstiltskin is able to enrich their lives with through his spinning, treat him callously and are most unkind. With little hope for happiness there, the forsaken man leaves the village, heartbroken.

As in the original fairy tale, he meets a young woman who is doomed to die if she cannot turn a pile of straw into gold before morning. He spins the gold for her, requesting her first born child as payment. After the child is born and withheld from him, rather than stamping his feet and tearing himself apart, events conspire to send him back to the village where he grew up. Back there, his world so drastically changes that it will put a lump in your throat and joy in your heart.

Bonnie’s use of bright colours and gold etchings and borders evoke the feel of elaborate fairy tale illustrations from the days of the original story. This is a great little story to read aloud and then to contemplate answers to questions like “How does exclusion change people” and “Why is forgiveness important”. I’m all for books with positive messages and this one has plenty.

Sample pictures from Rumpelstiltskin's Child

Grade 3 to 6. Here is an active way to learn the order of the planets and have fun doing it. Children learn quicker and retain information longer, the more different learning styles are involved. This book uses music, rhyme, singing, pictures and movement to help students learn the order of the planets, the meanings of their names, their position, and their classification. The detailed illustrations demonstrate the movements accompanying the song which is roughly to the tune of Alouette. The particular notes are included with each movement as well as a full piece of music at the end of the book. When teaching elementary school for thirty-three years, Bonnie Ferrante used this strategy effectively with several classes. Whether your child is learning about the planets for personal interest or for school, this book will provide the key facts and an successful method for learning them.

SWINGING WITH THE PLANETS

By Barbara Mojica

A different and innovative approach to introduce the planets of our solar system to children. Wish I had this book when I was teaching the solar system to third grade students. This author combines beautiful photos of the planets with multicultural drawings of children. Instead of simply presenting information, readers are provided with a story about the mythological background behind the name of each planet. The author distinguishes between the inner and outer planets and explains the features which make them different. Each planet is assigned different notes and a musical song that can be sung to the tune of “Alouette.” Drawings indicate a unique movement associated with each planet like hugging yourself, flapping arms like wings or spinning around. Children can feel themselves moving in space as the planets do. The information is up to date; Pluto is no longer classified a planet. Some children remember better with a word rhyme so Ms. Ferrante suggests a mnemonic to remember the planetary names. At the end of the book, a glossary redefines and elaborates on all scientific terminology mentioned in the text.

Such a wealth of knowledge packed into 35 pages. Younger children will enjoy looking at the photos and performing the gestures. Older students will expand their knowledge base of the solar system.
A child will be able to use this book over and over again for a number of years. Recommended for children ages five and up. Also a great family or classroom group activity!

Grade 7 to 8. Laurel, Aster, and Beth have been best friends since grade one when they created the “triangle of power". In September, as high school graduates, they will head off in different directions. Because Laurel fears it will be the end of their friendship, she convinces the others to join her on an end of summer trip - a nine-day canoe expedition to White Otter Castle, deep in the Northern Canadian forest. Unknown to her, the hundred-year-old log castle is has a dark secret. The “triangle of power” faces the ultimate test when the dark forest holds a terror they never imagined. Based on a true story. Friendship. History.