Check out these children's books this summer

I know in the US that it's going to be a long summer for a lot of people with young kids. This might be a good time to check out some books from the library (or find them online.) My children are ages 7 and 4 and here are books the we love. Some of these books I've recommended before in a prior post.

1. Any Piggy and Gerald Book by Mo Willems.
They are all equally hilarious. Great for early readers. 

2. Olivia Saves the Circus by Ian Falconer.
Who doesn't love a subversive pig who loves Eleanor Roosevelt? 

3. When a Dragon Moves In by Jodi Moore
There are many logistics when housing this kind of roommate.

4. Snappsy the Alligator by Julie Falatko
The defense of libel is the truth.

5. Read the Book, Lemmings by Ame Dyckman

This gets belly laughs from my kids. 

6. Reading Beauty by Kimberly Long Cockroft 

Will a boy save his friend by reading a book? 

7. Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You  by Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Great book that teaches about different disabilities and medical issues kids have. 

8. No, David! by David Shannon

A favorite of my sister in law, Robin's. It's a story of a naughty boy whose mother loves him unconditionally. 

9. When Worry Takes Hold by Liz Haske 

Someone bought my daughter this book for her birthday and I owe that person big time. She quotes the book whenever she is scared. This is a must for kids prone to overthinking.

10. The Great Puppy Invasion by Alastair Heim
Everyone in the town just needs to chill and enjoy the puppies.

11. The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Friends by Stan Berenstain

If you want friends, sometimes you have to compromise.

12. Super Grandpa by David Schwartz

What happens when you can't enter a bike race because the organizers say you are too old? You do it on your own. 

13. The Gingerbread Girl by Lisa Campbell Ernst

Introduction to feminism in this awesome story.

14. I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy

The not so easy life story of the notorious RBG. 

15. The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles

Ruby Bridges was the most inspirational little girl out there. She is still alive and my daughter admires her so much. 

A special thank you my school librarian Ilana Locker and professional recommender Liz Berger for always having our backs and our books. 

Racism is America's cancer

One of my all time favorite books is "Purple Hibiscus" by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I've been using it in my 10th grade English class for six years. Every year I ask the students if I should continue teaching it, and this year, like in previous years, the overwhelming answer is "yes."

As the country implodes following the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Tyre King, Michael Brown, Laquan McDonald, and the names we do not know because they weren't recorded, I'm spending most of my time listening instead of commenting.

However, a conversation between characters in "Purple Hibiscus" has been echoing in my head since the murder of Mr. Arbery: "Do you try to treat cancer sores or the cancer itself?..You must try to heal the cancer because the sores will keep coming back.”

America's cancer is institutionalized racism. Trump, some police, many Americans are the sores.

The question for all of us (white people) is how do we act as individual cancer cells? Because let's face it. We all do. If you can't see that, then you're not being honest with yourself.

We need a cure, not a treatment. The cure begins with listening right now and really trying to understand the black experience in America and then looking in the mirror and committing to end this cancer, however we can.