today’s children storybook summary is
By Aaron Shepard
Illustrated by David Wisniewski
Theme: Vanity and modesty.
Plot: Shadusa thinks he is the strongest man on earth and calls himself Master Man. But when his wife tells him one day that there is someone else stronger, Shadusa goes out to meet him, only to discover an amazing thing.
This story is an adaptation of a folk tale from the Hausa group in northern Nigeria.
today’s children storybook summary is
By Janell Cannon
Theme: This is a story about acceptance and kindness
Plot: How a baby bat got separated from her mother, fell into a bird’s nest, and was raised among the chicks despite the significant differences between bats and birds.
One night, Stellaluna and her mother went into the forest out looking for fruits for dinner. But bats like Stellaluna are not the only nocturnal creatures; from high on a treetop, an owl was spying on them. Continue reading Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
today’s children storybook summary is
Strange Creatures, The Story of Walter Rothschild and His Museum
By Lita Jude
Theme: Love and care for animals, the environment, and nature
Plot: Walter, a shy boy, has spent most of his time alone, scouring the family’s enormous garden. His father wants him to take over the family banking business, but the boy loves animals and being in nature. This is a true story about the life and work of Walter Rothschild.
Walter Rothschild grew up in England in a wealthy family, being almost the richest boy in the world. But what made him special was his interest and love for all creatures and plants. Continue reading Strange Creatures, The Story of Walter Rothschild and His Museum by Lita Jude
today’s children storybook summary is
Never Ever Talk to Strangers!
By Anne Marie Pace
Illustrated by Guy Francis
Theme: Jamie had just learned what to do if a stranger approached him, but when it came to applying his learning, things turned out to be more complicated the Jamie thought.
Plot: A short while after receiving his Super Safety Expert Badge from officer Crane for learning stranger safety, Jamie comes face to face with a stranger. Would he remember the rules, uphold his badge and stay safe?
Continue reading Never Ever Talk to Strangers! by Anne Marie Pace
Today’s children storybook summary is
By Jane O’Connor
Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser
Plot: Nancy has always been fancy, but now she tries to teach her parents and siblings the art.
(This is the first in a series of 80 titles featuring Fancy Nancy.)
We don’t know how old Nancy is(maybe 5 or 6?), but she is very fancy for her age. How do we know? Let’s take a look in her room. The room décor is astonishing: paintings and posters on the walls, flowers, garlands, mirrors, feathers, and artwork everywhere. Hats and purses hang on hooks, and laced shoes are peaking from under the bed. Continue reading Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor
today’s children storybook summary is
Dog Breath: The Horrible Trouble with Hally Tosis
By Dav Pilkey
Theme: This is a story of redemption, acceptance, and finding the bright side in a difficult situation
Plot: The Tosis family wants to get rid of their dog, Hally, because it has bad breath.
Talking points: Acceptance. Are we judging others based on who we are? Are we accepting others as who they are? Continue reading Dog Breath: The Horrible Trouble with Hally Tosis
today’s children storybook summary is
Patrick Gets Hearing Aids
By Maureen Cassidy Riski and Nikolas Klakow
Illustrations by Kim Klakow
Theme: Helping children understand hearing loss.
Plot: A school age rabbit does not hear well, causing him a lot of problems. He must get checked.
Talking points: Often time children with hearing loss are isolated by their peers. This book is not only for the kids with hearing impairment, but for their classmates as well. Some questions to ask are: What happens when you cannot hear? What can we do about it? How do you get your ears checked? How can we help our friends with hearing loss? Continue reading Patrick Gets Hearing Aids by Maureen Cassidy Riski and Nicolas Klakow
today’s children storybook summary is
Maya and the Town that Loved a Tree
By Kiki and Kathryn Shaw
Illustrated by Kiki
Theme: Nature, Environment, Clean Air
Before everybody was speaking about climate change, this book was warning the young readers that we can impact our environment in such way that can destroy the beautiful things in the nature and change our lives for the worst. But we can always try to repair our mistakes, if is not too late. Continue reading Maya and the Town that Loved a Tree by Kiki and Kathryn Shaw
today’s children storybook summary is
Meg and Mog
By Helen Nicoll
Illustration by Jan Pienkowski
today’s children storybook summary is
Hug Me, Please!
By Przemyslaw Wechterowicz
Illustrated by Emilia Dziubak
Theme: Shared love, kindness towards others;
Plot: Father and son bear go on hugging the animals in the forest.
Moral: Love and kindness brings people together. Continue reading Hug Me, Please! by Przemyslaw Wechterowicz
today’s children storybook summary is
Yes, I Can! A Girl and Her Wheelchair
By Kendra J. Barrett, Jacqueline B. Toner, and Claire A.B. Freeland
Illustrated by Violet Lemay
Theme: Overcoming disability; school inclusion;
Plot: How a happy first grader, in a wheelchair, can make friends and enjoy her days at school and participate in ordinary school activities;
Moral: This story teaches us to have a positive attitude towards the people with special needs; instead of excluding them from daily activities, we should find activities suited for their condition; instead of turning a blind eye and pretending they aren’t there, we should see them for who they are and help them with their goals.
Continue reading Yes I Can! A Girl and Her Wheelchair by Barrett, Toner and Freeland
today’s children storybook summary is
The Tiger’s Egg
By Nele Bronner
Theme: Acceptance, kindness, love.
Plot: A cranky zoo tiger is forced to take care a chick that had hatched out of an egg he’d found.
Symbolism: The author uses the egg as a symbol for novelty, new beginnings, new ideas, that come to shake a world that has become dull and rigid. Continue reading The Tiger’s Egg by Nele Bronner
today’s children storybook summary is
Who Wants To Be A Princess?
By Jesse Harwood
Illustrated by Tim Patton
Theme: Being judgmental, making assumptions.
Plot: Father tries to convince daughter that a princess is just an ordinary person with privileges and duties as well.
Moral: There is more to a story then just your perspective. Continue reading Who Wants To Be A Princess by Jesse Harwood
today’s children storybook summary is
Pablo Finds a Treasure
By Andre Poulin
Illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant
The takeaway: All over the world there are children that work from an early age to support themselves and their families. Most of them work without pay, missing school, and living in poverty. The characters in this book are fictional but the situation is real. Continue reading Pablo Finds a Treasure by Andree Poulin
today’s children storybook summary is
Something Smells
By Blake Liliane Hellman
Illustrated by Steven Henry
The takeaway: When something doesn’t feel right we are always quick to blame others. Instead, we should take a hard look at ourselves because often time we are the ones causing the problem. And, sometimes, just by changing a little detail we make it right again. Continue reading Something Smells by Blake Liliane Hellman
today’s children storybook summary is
Auntie Loves You
By Helen Foster James
Illustrated by Petra Brown
The takeaway: Rather than being a story with a point, this book is a keepsake: and auntie gift for her niece or nephew. Continue reading Auntie Loves You by Helen Foster James
today’s children storybook summary is
Migrant
By Maxine Trottier
Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
The takeaway : This is a very sweet story about a migrant family of Mennonites from Mexico and their live on the road, told through the eyes of a young girl. Continue reading Migrant by Maxine Trottier
today’s children storybook summary is
Dear Substitute
By Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick
Illustrated by Chris Raschka
The takeaway: When teachers must miss a day at school, a substitute takes over. But the sub cannot replace the beloved teacher and the class grows anxious. This book shows exactly what children feel when their teacher is gone for the day and helps them get through the day and even enjoy it. Continue reading Dear Substitute by Liz Garton Scalon and Audrey Vernick
today’s children storybook summary is
Samurai Scarecrow, A Very Ninja Halloween
By Rubin Pingk
The takeaway: If you don’t treat someone with kindness, you may get “tricked” by them (or don’t be mean to your baby sister!) – A perfect example of the Halloween trick or treat, applied to human behavior – Continue reading Samurai Scarecrow, A Very Ninja Halloween by Rubin Pingk
today’s children storybook summary is
The Funeral
By Matt James
The takeaway: Through the eyes of a child, a funeral is not an ordinary day. There are many unfamiliar places, people behavior is sober, and the whole day has an unexplained solemnity to it. But the best part of the day is when you get together with your family, thus make it comfortable and welcoming. Continue reading The Funeral by Matt James
today’s children storybook summary is
Elmore
By Holly Hobbie
The takeaway: Make yourself known before asking for understanding and friendship from others. Show them that the rough side of you is nothing else then a shield for your protection. And they have nothing to fear. Continue reading Elmore by Holly Hobbie
today’s children storybook summary is
A Hen for Izzy Pippik
By Aubrey Davis
Illustrated by Marie Lafrance
The takeaway: Sometimes is hard to keep doing the right thing especially when others push you in the wrong direction. But as hard at it may be and long as it may take, doing the right thing feels good and sooner or later others will follow. Continue reading A Hen for Izzy Pippik by Aubrey Davis
today’s children storybook summary is
Albert’s Tree
By Jenni Desmond
The takeaway: There are no big hairy monsters under the bed, or in the closet, or up high and down below…just creatures you haven’t meet yet, and things you are still to find out about. That’s all there is! And once you realize what made you afraid, you’ll see you had the wrong idea altogether. This is a book about being scared of (nonexistent) monsters. Continue reading Albert’s Tree by Jenni Desmond
today’s children storybook summary is
The Thumbtack Dancer
By Leslie Tryon
Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist
The takeaway: When you have a talent to share with the rest of the world, but you don’t have money to buy a pair of shoes…don’t give up. Show up every morning and knock on faith’s door and one day it will open for you. Continue reading The Thumbtack Dancer by Leslie Tryon
today’s children storybook summary is
Whiffy Wilson, the wolf who wouldn’t go to bed
By Caryl Hart
Illustration by Leonie Lord
The takeaway: Here is how to make bedtime more attractive for children that don’t want to go to sleep. This book is as much for grown ups as it is for kids. Continue reading Whiffy Wilson, the wolf who wouldn’t go to bed by Caryl Hart
today’s children storybook summary is
Little Penguin’s Tale
By Audrey Wood
The takeaway
This storybook, about a runaway penguin, encourages children to stay together as a group, showing what could happen if one decides to take off on their own. Continue reading Little Penguin’s Tale by Audrey Wood
today’s children storybook summary is
Fanny
By Holly Hobbie
The takeaway
This book is about not taking “no” for an answer. If you believe in something, you can do it. Just like little Fanny. When her mother said “no”, she doesn’t give up (which, to be realistic, should just be the exception from the rule, not the norm). When her friends say “no”, she also perseveres until they change their minds. Continue reading Fanny by Holly Hobbie
today’s children storybook summary is
The Adventures of Tom Thumb
By Marianna Mayer
Pictures by K.Y. Craft
The takeaway
Doesn’t matter your size, you can still defeat a giant if you put your mind to it. Continue reading The Adventures of Tom Thumb by Marianna Mayer
today’s children storybook summary is
How to Get Your Teacher Ready
By Jean Regan
Illustrated by Lee Wildish
The takeaway
Read this book to kindergarten kids or first and second grader to get them motivated to work with other towards a common goal, to teach them good behavior, and give them inspiration to be helpful in the classroom and listen to the teacher. Continue reading How To Get Your Teacher Ready by Jean Reagan
today’s children storybook summary is
These Hands
By Margaret H. Mason
Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
The takeaway
About sixty years ago, the African American workers at the Wonder Bread, Awrey, and Tastee bakery factories were not allowed to work as bread mixers or bread handlers. As a matter of fact, there were a lot of jobs that were given to “whites only”. The Civil Rights act, passed in 1964, made it against the law to employ people based on their skin color. This book is based on a true story and is intended as a life and history lesson. Continue reading These Hands by Margaret H. Mason