This Book is for Everyone

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by Rafael Lopez (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2018) is a beautiful portrayal of what it feels like to be an outsider, to grapple with differences in a world that can be cruel. Yet the text and illustrations flow like a hug from our best supporters, encouraging us to be ourselves and hold strong. When that friend comes along who accepts who accepts us unconditionally…that’s the day we begin. This book is for anyone needing those special connections. This book is for everyone.

PLEASE Don’t Eat Our Classmates

I love books that make me laugh out loud, and that’s just what happened when I read we don’t eat our classmates by Ryan T. Higgins (Disney Hyperion 2018). The story is about Penelope, a Tyrannosaurus rex, who is nervous about her first day of school. When she discovers her classmates are all children, things are not good. Children are delicious! In this funny tale Penelope really wants to make friends, but children are delicious. Her classmates don’t want to be eaten naturally so Penelope finds herself alone. Finally, when the class pet tries to eat Penelope, she realizes what it feels like to be eaten. School gets much better after that.