5 out 5 stars. “The Girl Who Figured It Out” has the potential to be a very important book in the children’s picture book space. I think it will appeal to kids with and without disabilities and deserves to have a place in elementary school libraries and classrooms.
4 out 5 stars. How Does My Body Work? is a fun and extensive book detailing the different body systems for kids. There are a lot of interesting activities to help explain the different concepts. I think some of the activities sound difficult and/or requires adult help even when it’s not indicated. But overall I think this would be a great book for classroom teachers, homeschooling, or the kid interested in how the body works.
5 out of 5 stars. Be a Bridge by Irene Latham and Charles Waters is a gorgeously illustrated book with a message that all can benefit from. The text is fun and engaging. Even in digital format I can tell that the illustrations will be amazing in a printed format. The cast of characters throughout the book is quite diverse. There are kids and adults of all races and ethnicities. There is a young girl wearing a hijab. There’s a student who uses a manual wheelchair. I can see this book being an excellent addition for a child’s home library or a classroom library. In fact I’ve already suggested that my friend who’s a first grade teacher consider adding it to her classroom library once it’s released. The authors also include a listing of additional books and activity ideas to reinforce the concepts described in the book. There is also a Bridge Builder Pledge that kids can sign. The authors also provide a link for a downloadable version of the pledge which would be perfect for classrooms or similar groups.