"This wonderful book should be a first choice for all collections and is strongly recommended as a springboard for discussions about differences.” —School Library Journal (starred review) In this acclaimed book, the author of the Newbery Honor Book To Be a Slave shares his own story as he explores what makes each of us special. A strong choice for sharing at home or in the classroom. Karen Barbour's dramatic, vibrant paintings speak to the heart of Lester's unique vision, truly a celebration of all of us. "This stunning picture book introduces race as just one of many chapters in a person's story" (School Library Journal). "Lester's poignant picture book helps children learn, grow, discuss, and begin to create a future that resolves differences" (Children's Literature). Julius Lester said: "I write because our lives are stories. If enough of these stories are told, then perhaps we will begin to see that our lives are the same story. The differences are merely in the details." I am a story. So are you. So is everyone.

Play is serious business. Whether it's reenacting a favorite book (comprehension and close reading), negotiating the rules for a game (speaking and listening), or collaborating over building blocks (college and career readiness and STEM), Kristi Mraz, Alison Porcelli, and Cheryl Tyler see every day how play helps students reach standards and goals in ways that in-their-seat instruction alone can't do. And not just during playtimes. "We believe there is play in work and work in play," they write. "It helps to have practical ways to carry that mindset into all aspects of the curriculum." In Purposeful Play, they share ways to: optimize and balance different types of play to deepen regular classroom learning teach into play to foster social-emotional skills and a growth mindset bring the impact of play into all your lessons across the day. "We believe that play is one type of environment where children can be rigorous in their learning," Kristi, Alison, and Cheryl write. So they provide a host of lessons, suggestions for classroom setups, helpful tools and charts, curriculum connections, teaching points, and teaching language to help you foster mature play that makes every moment in your classroom instructional. Play doesn't only happen when work is over. Children show us time and time again that play is the way they work. In Purposeful Play, you'll find research-driven methods for making play an engine for rigorous learning in your classroom.

A young boy living in the heart of a busy city spots an eagle swooping overhead, and dreams of what it would be like to fly away from the noise and to soar over mountains and rivers. Using a little chalk he draws his own eagle - and then himself - into existence. The two fly away together, and embark on a wonderful adventure of the boy's own imagination. With original screenprinted illustrations by the award-winning Iranian artist Nazli Tahvili, this wordless picture book is brings to life every child's dream of soaring into the sky.

Jam Cake is a talking pancake who leaps from the frying pan into exciting antics! He loves life and is always ready to explore and teach kids about the world! While he plays outside, learns new words, makes new friends, learns to share, develops his imagination, and figures out his own unique skills, Jam Cake introduces a new friend in each chapter and talks about relationships with each of them with enthusiasm and joy! Parents and grandparents, siblings, babysitters, and teachers will love this book! At the same time that Jam Cake is figuring out the world that surrounds him, the reader will re-discover simple, precious, and timeless childhood lessons, too! In delightful rhyming couplets, Jam Cake, a talking pancake, teaches kids a whole lot about a whole lot!

Let's Talk... If you're a teen and you're alive....then you've got problems! If you're a parent and you have a teen....then you've got problems! What if you had your own personal guide to help you through...Someone to whisper directly in your ear and give you the solution for your particular dilemma? Dr. Nikki Goldman Ph.D. spent years listening to parents and teens. They wrote to her, called her and spent time with her in her office. They asked her for solutions to their problems. They questioned her about the very personal: Sex, Pregnancy and Romance, Drugs and Addiction to the worldly such as Money and Work and Internet Dangers. They wanted to know about Loss, Emotions and Fear. These are their conversations.

This is a user-friendly book that speaks to the realities, challenges, and needs of daily life with rambunctious, enthusiastic, unpredictable toddlers in group settings, thus increasing the quality of toddler care. This book highlights informative and real-life examples, with immediate takeaway action steps that detail solutions and resources for practice.

Reading and writing are the most important skills a child acquires during his or her lifetime--and it all begins in the early childhood classroom, where creative play, discovery and time to explore are at the heart of a developmentally appropriate and child-centered curriculum. Striking a balance between these often competing priorities can challenge even the most experienced educator.

“Dogs can’t use words but they can still communicate!” Follow Stormy the dog as she teaches us about basic dog behavior and how it resembles our own. “Any friends out there?” asks Stormy as she howls to call her friends, or “Don’t be sad because I’m mad; I’ll be glad again later!” says Stormy as she shows her teeth and asks for some time alone. This Stormy Says edition is an eBook to help children connect with canines and understand how they behave, so that we may understand and be safe with each other.

What hockey team is the best ever on ice? What hockey records will stand forever? Which hockey teams buckled under pressure? Which franchises are cursed? Who should be in the Hall of Fame, and who shouldn't be? Is Roy the best goalie to play the game? Should fighting be banned? In Let's Talk Hockey, hockey enthusiast Phil Schlenker debates these issues and more in the world of hockey. Based on years of personal experiences and research, Let's Talk Hockey, /i> dissects fifty of the most popular debates in the game including The greatest coach of all time Top sentimental moments The best trades Why fans boo the national anthem Ten games you need to see before you die Hockey's worst injuries The greatest goalies Appealing to the average hockey fan, Let's Talk Hockey provides a humorous, comprehensive, and easy-to-read discussion of sweet goals, scintillating saves, and exciting end-to-end rushes. It provides vivid descriptions of the people and places that play a role in this fastest sport that doesn't have an engine.