#schoollibrariansofinstagram

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Growing Pangs by Kathryn Ormsbee, illustr. by Molly Brooks Oh my gosh. I talk a lot about how finding mirror books is important, but every so often, you run into a book that reminds you what that really means, and just how affirming seeing yourself in a book is.  This book was a mirror for me! The character, Katie (based on the author's own life), is homeschooled, active in homeschool co-op and church, loves musicals and theatre, has a kind of complicated orthodontia problem, and is learning how to manage her OCD. That was literally 13 year old me! Even without that background, though, the story will be so engaging and relatable to so many, with navigating friendships a major element. The art is expressive and styled similarly to Reina Telgemeier's. If you enjoy Smile, Sisters, or Shannon Hale's Real Friends, this is a natural readalike. I loved it!  #ocd #graphicnovels #babysittersclub #neurodiversity #librariansofinstagram #schoollibrarian #schoollibrariansofinstagram #librariansfollowlibrarians #mirrorsandwindows #mentalhealth #childrensliterature #childrensbooks #childrensbookstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CnDgcxXMVOp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Today is Different by Doua Moua: This important, thoughtfully told book explores a young Hmong-American girl’s experience of  Black Lives Matter protests after police brutality. Mai and her best friend Kiara, who is Black, love to do everything together - but one day, Kiara is absent from school. Mai is worried, especially when she sees protestors on the street and neighbors missing from their usual spots. What is going on! Her mom tells her that the police hurt a Black man, and tells her they must stay home to be safe. Mai, frustrated and confused, goes to her room, but her brother comes in and explains, making an analogy with her colored pencils. While they’re not Black or white, they are Green Hmong, and other Hmong cultures identify with different colors. But all the colors are pencils, and they are stronger when they stand together. With the pencils and a broom, they make a sign together that says “Sweep away injustice” and join their parents downstairs. While their mom thinks they are too young to learn about the world, seeing her kids’ determination makes them realize they are ready - and they join a protest in support of their Black neighbors. Kiara, Mai, and their families stand together, “unbreakable.” #blacklivesmatter #weneeddiversebooks #windowsandmirrors #hmong #asianrepresentation #allyship #childrensbookstagram #childrensbooks #bookstagram #schoollibrarian #schoollibrary #schoollibrariansofinstagram #librariansofinstagram #librariansfollowlibrarians #teachingsocialjustice #teachersofInstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofInstagram #teacherlibrarian #socialjusticebooks #picturebooks #picturebookstagram #kidsbooks #readersareleaders #protest https://www.instagram.com/p/CiqJinUuaup/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Mermaid Kenzie, Protector of the Deeps  by Charlotte Watson Sherman: In response to student demand, the mermaid books have been flowing in to our library! This gorgeous picture book features a young Black girl and her mom, who love  exploring nature and science at the beach. But the idyll is interrupted by the discovery of plastic bags in the surf - prompting the girl to declare herself the sea’s mermaid protector and launch a beach cleanup. Her mission  reflects the real-life efforts of many kids around the world who have started their own beach cleanup projects, and will inspire your kids to do the same! This book is rich in language, deeply poetic in both its imagery and use of AAVE (African American Vernacular English). This would be a wonderful selection for a writing mentor text, poetry exploration, or environmental tie-in. Or just for fun, because mermaids! This book is new in our library this week! #blackmermaid #mermaids #beachcleanup #protecttheocean #savetheearth #picturebooks #picturebooksofinstagram #childrensliterature #childrensbooks #aave #childrensbookstagram #bookstagram #schoollibrarian #schoollibrary #schoollibrarians #schoollibrariansofinstagram #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #librariansfollowlibrarians #librariansofinstagram #mermaidbooks #blackgirlmagic #kidscanchangetheworld https://www.instagram.com/p/CiRDWymMNOX/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I've been exploring a lot of STEAM-related and sensory activities to do in the library to make connections with nonfiction, as last year I did mostly fiction and want to encourage more exploration of and inquiry of nonfiction, as well as sensory activities to do with the EA kinders! This book is absolutely perfect for so many of these goals! It offers science and art activities to connect kids with nature, incredibly creative ones, using mostly sustainable materials (something I've been wanting to get better on, as I've been using too much plastic - dollar tree tablecloths, etc). Many of these would have a natural connection to how indigenous people and others are protecting the earth today (as they have been for centuries) and how science reveals the need for taking care of the earth. Our school motto is "we take care of ourselves, take care of each other, and take care of this place," and how better to start environmental stewardship than with that motto paired with some fun, mindful, and scientific activities! I recommend this book for early childhood teachers, any teachers really, and families - it's beautiful, smart, thoughtful, and creative. #takecareoftheearth #takecareoftheplanet #environmentalism #environmentalstewardship #kidsinnature #nature #sensorystorytime #steam #steaminthelibrary #schoollibrarian #schoollibrary #librariansofinstagram #librariansfollowlibrarians #gentleparenting #green #teachersofInstagram #teachingresources #teachersfollowteachers #sensoryactivity #sciencebooksforkids #scienceforkids #sustainability #libraryteacher #library #librarian #schoollibrariansofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CiF9jXLO7b6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=