The Name Jar Written and Illustrated by: Yangsook Choi

The Name Jar

Written and Illustrated by: Yangsook Choi

Grade: K-5


Unhei has just come with her family from Korea and is starting school. Her name is pronounced Yoon-hye. She does not want to be teased about her name. Instead she tells her class she will tell them her name at the end of the week. Her classmates oblige her by filling a glass jar with their suggestions. While Unhei practices being a Suzy, Laura, or Amanda, one of her classmates comes to her neighborhood and discovers her real name and its meaning, grace. On the day of her name choosing, the name jar has mysteriously disappeared. Encouraged by her new friends, Unhei chooses her own Korean name and helps everyone pronounce it. 

This is a great book to use in the classroom for accepting people from other places who may have differences. There are even activities on resource sites for teachers. I really liked this book. 

One Love Written by Cedella Marley and Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

One Love

Written by Cedella Marley

Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Grades: PreK- 1st

Cedella Marley, Bob Marley's oldest child, brings her father's well-liked song, One Love, to life. In this book, a determined little girl shows her family, friends, and neighbors how love and teamwork make a community a better place. They create a park from what was once a garbage-strewn lot. 

Great to use in the classroom with the song from Bob Marley. It is also on YouTube! 

Children Make Terrible Pets (Starring Lucille Beatrice Bear) Written and Illustrated by Peter Brown

Children Make Terrible Pets
Written and Illustrated by: Peter Brown
Grades: PreK-3
Awards:
Irma Black Award Nominee (2011), 
NAIBA Book of the Year for Picture Book (2011), 
Cybils Award Nominee (2010), 
Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Picture Book (2010)

Lucy the bear finds a boy in the forest one day. She thinks he is the cutest thing in the world and must keep him for a pet. The boy makes a squeak sound, so she names him squeaker. Lucy's mom warns her that the boy will make a terrible pet, but she lets Lucy keep him anyway. It was a really cute story and the pictures are funny. The boy eventually returns to his "habitat" and Lucy finds that he is happy there. 

This is a great book for the classroom. It can be used for any child who has wanted pets that are not your average dog or cat. It shows there is a lot more to taking care of a pet than you think.