The Little Butterfly That Could by Ross Burach

From Goodreads, 

"WHAT IF I CAN'T?

“Will elicit plenty of giggles." -- Kirkus Reviews

Which way to the flowers?

That way. 200 miles.

How am I supposed to travel that far?!

You fly.

Can I take a plane?

No.

Then I'll never make it!

This comical companion to Ross Burach's The Very Impatient Caterpillar pays loving homage to every child's struggle to persist through challenges while also delivering a lighthearted lesson on butterfly migration. Remember, if at first you don't succeed, fly, fly again!"

Goodreads - The Little Butterfly That Could

This is the final picture book that I received from Scholastic.  I have mixed emotions being done with the picture books.  I love picture books because they are simple and usually pack an important message in the few pages they have.  They also have beautiful illustrations that complement and strengthen the story.  But I am also really excited to jump back into chapter books.  They usually have a deeper message and more connectable characters than picture books.  Plus they take a little more time to devour and are books that I can put in my classroom library. 

The Little Butterfly That Could is the story of a butterfly that gets lost.  He is trying to fly to find the flowers with a group of migrating butterflies when he gets lost in the clouds.  He asks a whale for help, but the butterfly keeps saying that he will never make it.  But the whale keeps encouraging him until the butterfly works up the courage to make the 200-mile trek to find the other butterflies. 

This book resembles the story of the little engine that could.  But this is the story of the butterfly that could.  This is apparently a follow-up book to the book The Very Impatient Caterpillar.  I thought the butterfly in this book was extremely annoying.  He was whiny and exhibited a little bit of anxiety.  The butterfly had a constant fear of making the trek because he didn't think he could do it.  But the whale was overly encouraging and was able to convince the butterfly that he could do it.  The whale was by far my favorite just because he was so positive and honest.  This book was left open so that there could be another book following, but honestly, I don't think another needs to follow.  The book has fitting illustrations.  The whale seems calm, cool, and collected, but the butterfly is a hodgepodge of colors and seems chaotic just like the butterfly actually is.  I think this book could definitely be used in a classroom to talk about having grit and perseverance.  I think kids would also enjoy it if the book was read so each of the characters has a different voice.  

I don't think this is a book I can use in my classroom.  It would really fit best in an elementary classroom.  It has an important message about continuing on even when things get tough.  I give this 3 stars.  It wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible. 

My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World by Malcolm Mitchell

From Goodreads, 

"From Super Bowl champion and literacy crusader Malcolm Mitchell comes an exciting new story that shows even reluctant readers that there is a book out there for everyone!

Meet Henley, an all-around good kid, who hates to read. When he's supposed to be reading, he would rather do anything else. But one day, he gets the scariest homework assignment in the world: find your favorite book to share with the class tomorrow.

What's a kid to do? How can Henley find a story that speaks to everything inside of him?

Malcolm Mitchell, bestselling author of The Magician's Hat, pulls from his own literary triumph to deliver another hilarious and empowering picture book for readers of all abilities. Through his advocacy and his books, Malcolm imparts the important message that every story has the potential to become a favorite."

Goodreads - My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World

Just one more book until I've finished the picture books in the Scholastic book box.  I've enjoyed being an insider even if I did receive some books that I won't use in my classroom.  This one is definitely one of my favorites that I was lucky enough to receive. 

My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World is the story of a boy named Henley who struggles to read.  He gets nervous when it's his turn to read, but he does like to read and look at the pictures.  One day his teacher gives him a homework assignment to bring his favorite book to school the next day to share with the class.  The only problem is that Henley doesn't know what his favorite book is.  Henley sets out on a quest to find his favorite book in the whole wide world. 

I love that this book is written by a sports star and that Mitchell struggled with reading.  The beginning gives a brief background of Malcolm's life.  It never says that he has dyslexia, but it is definitely implied that he has dyslexia which impacted his reading.  I would honestly love for there to be a book of him or even Henley talking about how he struggled with reading, found out he had dyslexia, and the process of learning to read with this.  But this book puts it out there that if you can't find your path or favorite of something, you can just make your own.  I also love that this is a book within a book.  The book that Henley talks about in the book is the book that we are all reading.  It's just a fun little tidbit that doesn't make us wonder what his favorite book was about because we are reading it!  The illustrations in this book were super simple but super adorable.  I loved that the colors were bright and vivid and that the pages were glossy paper.  

This book is really cute.  I think that kids might connect with this book because they too struggle with reading.  But some may also read this book because it is written by a famous football player.  I give this book 5 stars!

Ravi's Roar by Tom Percival

From Goodreads, 

"This engaging book in the Big Bright Feelings series is a clever take on temper tantrums.

Ravi never minded being the smallest in his family. Until one day, his short arms can't reach the monkey bars, he can't find anyone during hide-and-seek, AND he's too little to ride the big slide. Ravi is so mad--so furious--that he can't control his temper anymore . . .

. . . and he becomes a ferocious, roaring TIGER!

Being a tiger is great. Tigers can do anything they want! But who wants to play with a growling, wild tiger who won't share or behave? Ravi is about to discover something very important about voicing his feelings.

The Big Bright Feelings picture books provide kid-friendly entry points into emotional intelligence topics--from being true to yourself, to worrying, to anger management, to making friends. These topics can be difficult to talk about. But these books act as sensitive and reassuring springboards for conversations about mental and emotional health, positive self-image, building self-confidence, and managing feelings."

Goodreads - Ravi's Roar

We are nearing the end of the picture books that came in my Scholastic book box.  There are only 2 more after this one.  That being said, this book focuses on anger and how a kid can deal with it. 

Ravi's Roar is the story of a boy named Ravi.  Ravi is too small and always misses out on things because he is so small.  Page by page he gets angrier and angrier until he turns into a tiger.  Once Ravi is a tiger everyone gives him what he wants and he gets to do all things he couldn't when he was just a boy.  Will Ravi learn his lesson and learn to control his anger? 

This book really sent some mixed messages.  The book is about a boy who gets angry and he turns into a tiger.  At this point, there were two messages I got and they were very mixed.  One was that as a kid if you throw a fit you will get what you want.  Ravi gets angry, turns into the tiger, and gets what he wants because everyone is scared of him.  The other message was that as a kid you need to learn how to control your anger or else no one will want to play with you.  These messages are very contradicting of each other.  This book implies that you can manipulate people to get what you want if you just get angry.  I don't know how kids would take this book and the message in this.  Maybe as an adult, I'm reading too far into the message of this book. 

I did not like this book.  I didn't like the message in this book as it had mixed messages.  I give this 1 star.  It would fit best in an elementary classroom, but I think an adult should definitely talk to the students about anger and managing it. 

The Couch Potato by Jory John

From Goodreads, 

"The Couch Potato has everything he needs within reach of his sunken couch cushion. But when the electricity goes out, Couch Potato is forced to peel himself away from the comforts of his living room and venture outside. And when he does, he realizes fresh air and sunshine could be just the things he needs..."

Goodreads - The Couch Potato

I'm still reading and reviewing the books that Scholastic sent me.  I actually read this book to a class of 6th graders when I received my book box.  I laughed my entire way through the book and kept making mental notes of all the amazing ways I could use this in my classroom. 

The Couch Potato is the story of a couch potato who doesn't want to ever leave his couch.  He has all the coolest gadgets to ensure he doesn't have to get up to get anything or do anything.  But one day the electricity goes out and the couch potato must get up and DO something.  Will he be a couch potato forever? 

The figurative language in this book is insane.  While I was reading it aloud I was cracking up with all the puns that were in the story and even in the illustrations.  This book is packed with puns, alliteration, and personification.  The puns were all potato-related and every single one was absolutely hilarious.  This would be a fun book to kick off a figurative language unit or to use to teach puns in particular.  This book also packs a pretty positive message for kids today.  We all need to get away from electronics and get outside.  Kids are so glued to their phones or computers or the television that they don't know how to play outside and have fun like a normal kid.  Being a "couch potato" can have a negative impact on relationships with others, our health, and our mental state.  At the end of the book, it even comments that it's okay to be a couch potato but to not do it every day.  

The only negative thing I have to say about this book is that there are pages and illustrations that you need to see to really understand the joke or that it is talking about different items.  On one page the couch potato is referencing the different electronic devices that he has, but he never says the name.  He says things like, "See? I have this. And this. And this. And one of those...." This continues as there are pictures on the page that go along with the story.  It's just one of those things that you need to see so it makes sense as it is being read.  

I really enjoyed this book and plan to use it next year during my figurative language unit.  I hope my students enjoy the puns as much as I did!  I give this 5 stars. 

Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd

From Goodreads, 

"A coming-of-age middle-grade graphic novel featuring a girl with severe allergies who just wants to find the perfect pet!

At home, Maggie is the odd one out. Her parents are preoccupied with getting ready for a new baby, and her younger brothers are twins and always in their own world. Maggie loves animals and thinks a new puppy to call her own is the answer, but when she goes to select one on her birthday, she breaks out in hives and rashes. She's severely allergic to anything with fur!

Can Maggie outsmart her allergies and find the perfect pet? With illustrations by Michelle Mee Nutter, Megan Wagner Lloyd uses inspiration from her own experiences with allergies to tell a heartfelt story of family, friendship, and finding a place to belong."

Goodreads - Allergic

As a teacher, my biggest goal is to get kids to pick up books and read them.  Many of my kids want to read graphic novels.  This is great because they are reading, but there are definite downfalls.  Graphic novels lack the details and depth that's present in a novel.  The entire book is made up of pictures in a comic book style which makes the book "longer", but there's less actual reading.  That being said, I'm here to review this book which was sent to me from Scholastic!

Allergic tells the story of a girl named Maggie and her desire to own a dog.  But once she picks out a dog and they are ready to start the adoption, she suffers from a severe allergic reaction.  Maggie soon finds out that she is allergic to feather and fur dander which means she can't own a pet with feathers or fur.  Maggie soon sets out on a quest to find the perfect pet, while also navigating a new school and the upcoming arrival of a new baby in the family. 

This book was cute enough for a graphic novel.  As I mentioned before I have a real love-hate relationship with graphic novels.  The illustrations were the high point of this book.  There were some small details in them that really pulled the book together.  Unfortunately, I felt like the storyline had a little to be desired.  I feel like a lot of kids won't connect with the allergy storyline.  But there was also the storyline of getting a new sibling, starting at a new school, and the unspoken anxiety present in Maggie.  It felt like a lot crammed into one book, but never really being hit on real hard.  I would have loved to have read more on the anxiety take and how Maggie learned to manage it.  I think more kids suffer from anxiety than allergy problems, and I think having the management and coping techniques would have been wonderful for kids to read about.  But many kids can connect with the desire to get a pet, and I think that was probably the only winning point of this book. 

This book was good, but it just wasn't up my alley.  I think I will have many fifth graders who will enjoy it once I'm able to open my library up again next school year.  I would really enjoy a book that follows Maggie and focuses on her anxiety.  I give this 2 stars.  There wasn't anything necessarily wrong with this book.  I just don't like graphic novels and this one lacked the reading aspect present in a book. 

You Are Enough: A Book About Inclusion by Margaret O'Hair

From Goodreads, 

"A beautiful and inclusive picture book all about celebrating being yourself from Down syndrome advocate and viral sensation Sofia Sanchez!
It can be hard to be different-whether because of how you look, where you live, or what you can or can't do. But wouldn't it be boring if we were all the same? Being different is great! Being different is what makes you YOU.

This inclusive and empowering picture book from Sofia Sanchez-an 11-year-old model and actress with Down syndrome-reminds readers how important it is to embrace your differences, be confident, and be proud of who you are. Imagine all of the wonderful things you can do if you don't let anyone stop you! You are enough just how you are.

Sofia is unique, but her message is universal: We all belong. So each spread features beautiful, full-color illustrations of a full cast of kid characters with all kinds of backgrounds, experiences, and abilities.

This book also includes back matter with a brief bio of Sofia and her journey so far, as well as additional information about Down syndrome and how we can all be more accepting, more inclusive, and more kind."

Goodreads - You Are Enough

Welcome back to another week of reviewing books from Scholastic.  This week is a fun and motivational read about being enough, but also about inclusion.  

You Are Enough is a book about a young girl who has Down Syndrome.  She wants everyone to be included, and to know that no matter what difficulty they are facing, they are enough. 

This book has cute illustrations, but it lacks a true storyline.  The book was very repetitive with the message and it felt like the message dragged on longer than it should have.  This is more of a feel-good book than a story.  I think it would be an excellent book to use to teach inclusion.  It would also be great to use when teaching kids that some kids need different supports than others.  But I loved the information about Sofia Sanchez more than the book itself.  The beginning and end of the book has an informational piece about the girl this book is based on.  I wanted to read more of her story and her life than about her "inspirational message".  

The book had illustrations that included people and kids of all races and disabilities.  It pushes an important message of inclusion and being enough as you are.  This would best be used in a lower elementary classroom.  I give this 3 stars.  

Ten Little Birds by 123 Andres

From Goodreads, 

"Count to 10 and back again with Latin Grammy Award-winning children's musical duo 123 Andrés in this bilingual board book!

The popular song from 123 Andrés' Latin Grammy Award-winning album is cleverly and beautifully brought to life in this bright, bouncy board book! Each of the 10 birds is given a fun and silly personality, and children will love to follow along as each flies away -- and escapes a lurking kitty!

123 Andrés are gifted lyricists and storytellers, and this bilingual board book perfectly captures their energy and charm. Pura Belpré Illustration Honor recipient Sara Palacios's gorgeous illustrations elevate the text and make this book a must-have for any home or school library!"

Goodreads - Ten Little Birds

At the beginning of the school year, I applied to be a Scholastic Insider.  I was lucky enough to be picked a few years back and didn't expect to be selected this year.  But I found out around Christmas that I was selected.  But a few months passed with no word or news on when we would be getting our first book.  We finally got an email letting us know they were sending us a BOX of books to read and review.  I was beyond excited.  So over the next few weeks, I will be reading and reviewing the books I received.  Some are picture books, some are novels, and this book happens to be a board book!

Ten Little Birds is a counting book that is told in both English and Spanish.  One side of the page spread has strictly English, while the other side has strictly Spanish.  The book counts the birds as they fly away and then counts again when the birds return. 

This book is very much a Pre-K/Kindergarten level book.  I really like that it had the English and Spanish versions of the story.  This would be fantastic for students who are bilingual and are learning English as a second language.  It would really allow them to work on translating words.  This book is also great for counting.  It focuses on counting down by 2s as the birds fly away.  Then it counts up to how many original birds there were.  The illustrations are beautifully done and the birds stand out against the backgrounds and sky.  I also loved that the birds on the cover have a glossy finish while everything else had a matte finish.  It adds a nice little textile piece to the book.  This book is also based on a song and it could also easily be incorporated into a classroom.  

This book was very cute and would be perfect for toddlers or kindergarten students.  The book is short and it does lack a lot of "storyline", but it is perfect for what it is supposed to do: counting.  My first reaction was to give this book 2 stars because it's a children's book.  But I figured that I can't judge a book just because it isn't a young adult book.  On that note, I will give this 4 stars.  It was an adorable book and would be perfect for young children.