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Picture Book

Picture books with social justice messages for young and old learners alike

Canadian

Black Water, On the Trapline, and Kīwew

One amazing thing about the writer David A. Robertson is his ability to write compelling literature for any age group. Some of his most recent work demonstrates his versatility as he focuses on

Environment

Protecting Water in Picture Books

It is a mark of shame for Canada that Shoal Lake #40 reserve has had a boil water advisory since 1997, even though Shoal Lake provides drinking water for thousands of Canadians. Other

Environment

Stories that Challenge Greed

In previous posts, I have talked about using picture books as a way to help children develop greater eco-consciousness. The first step is to connect kids with nature, but the lessons shouldn't stop

Environment

Picture Books that Teach us to Value Nature

I have been struggling lately with when to start teaching my young kids about the ecological crises facing our planet. My son is a curious four year old and is starting to ask

LGBTQ

Rainbow and Pride Picture Books

This blog has recommended a number of books that include LGBTQ characters, particularly books geared for middle years students. For students who are LGBTQ, who are questioning, or who have LGBTQ family members,

LGBTQ

Maiden & Princess

Last week, I was reading Daniel Haack's Prince & Knight to my three year old. When we reached the last page, where the two main male characters get married and live happily ever

Picture Book

Dreamers

When Yuyi Morales first arrived in America with her son, she could barely speak English. Unable to return home and adjusting to life in a strange country, she soon discovered the magic of

Identity

Islandborn

Islandborn, written by Junot Díaz and illustrated by Leo Espinosa, is a gorgeous book that explores the difficulty in negotiating identity for immigrants. Islandborn tells the story of Lola, a girl who can

LGBTQ

Marriage Equality in Picture Books

When selecting books for our students, it is important to include diverse families. Some students have families with same-sex parents and it is powerful for them to see their lives represented in the

Peace

Teaching about Refugees

As part of my grade seven social studies course, I have spent the past few years teaching a mini-unit about refugees. In our curriculum, students are expected to learn about push and pull

Courage

How To Be A Hero

This week, my grade seven classes started our Heroic Journey literature circle unit. During this unit, students will discuss what it means to be a hero and analyse books using the heroic journey

Courage

Books for the Resistance

The past week I have been fascinated by the student movement in the United States that has risen up to advocate for gun control. Their passion and arguments for their cause are commendable.

Indigenous

Residential School Picture Books

This month, my students are learning about residential schools in Canada and human rights. This is an essential topic as Canada moves down the path of reconciliation. The natural first step is to

Human Rights

Malala's Magic Pencil

When teaching grade seven, I often use picture books for a variety of reasons. They are good texts for reading aloud and modeling skills, like drawing inferences or making connections. Sometimes they are

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