Library
Management

Lesson
Plans

Reading
Motivation

Library
Skills

Research

Reading & Literacy

Archives

Caldecott Medal 2021 Predictions

The 2021 Caldecott award ceremony is quickly approaching. Which means it’s time for me to give my prediction for who will win the coveted medal. The ALA awards will be given out sometime in mid-January. Members of the Caldecott committee have been working all year to choose the book they think is worthy of this prestigious award. Members of the committee read thousands of picture books throughout the year. Then they must narrow their choices down to 7 titles each. Once they have this much smaller list, they spend hours debating about which book should receive the top honor. Every year I always come up with my own list of titles that I believe will be contenders. This year I have come up with 15 books that I believe should be on the list (although I have not read nearly as many as the committee members do). Read my
READ THE POST

Five Chapter Books about Anxiety and Mental Health

If you haven’t already, it’s time to add some chapter books about anxiety and mental health to your library. Readers will find allies in the young characters whose friends and family members (or themselves) struggle with some aspect of mental health. In addition, these titles will help students that do not struggle with mental health issues  develop understanding and empathy both for themselves and for others. Check out these five chapter books about anxiety and mental health!  Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt There are many ways to distract a teacher.  Ally knows this, and she uses every trick in the book to keep her teacher from realizing she cannot read. In Mr. Daniels, however, she’s met her match. He’s determined to figure out the real Ally.  In the process, Ally finds that she is actually very intelligent, and her dyslexia doesn’t have to define her. The
READ THE POST

Favorite October Picture Books

October is such a fun month for picture books! This time of year, everyone is getting excited for the upcoming holiday season and the weather changing. My October pictures favorites include a lot of fun Halloween stories, funny fall books, and plenty of giggles for your students! BONE SOUP BY CAMBRIA EVANS Known across the land for his infamous appetite, Finnigin is never seen without his eating stool, his eating spoon, and his gigantic eating mouth. But, when Finnigin finds himself in a new town on Halloween, he hopes to join a great feast with the creatures who live there. But not a body or soul will share any of their food with the ever-famished Finnigin. So what’s a hungry skeleton to do? Armed only with his wits and a special ingredient, will Finnigin be able to stir up a cauldron’s worth of Halloween magic? MISS SMITH AND THE
READ THE POST

Ten Picture Books to Teach Social Emotional Learning

Perhaps more than ever before, Social-Emotional Learning is at the forefront of the minds of everyone involved in education. The following picture books address a variety of social-emotional learning. These authors deliver their messages in effective, resonant ways that speak to the elementary learner. Stock your shelves with these Ten Picture Books to Teach Social Emotional Learning. These titles are appropriate for all ages at the elementary level! Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig Brian is the invisible boy. Although everyone can physically see him, nobody includes him in their games or activities.  When new student Justin arrives and teams up with Brian on a project, it changes Brian’s life and shows everyone how much he has to offer. This is a great book to share that will especially speak to the introverts in your library classes or school.  Enemy Pie by Derek Munson Jeremy Ross moved into the neighborhood,
READ THE POST

Best Picture Books to Read in May

My favorite May picture books does not have any type of theme. This list is more of a mish-mash of some of my favorite read alouds. Usually by this time in the school year my library is closed for testing and I am going to classrooms for library time. This is also the time for field trips. The books I end up using for read alouds go along with their field trips (usually the zoo) as well as high-interest books. These include books that are funny or silly as well as some engaging nonfiction. It’s tough to keep students on task as the end of the year approaches. Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I receive a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through one of my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure policy for more information. HOW TO CATCH A UNICORN
READ THE POST

Funny Chapter Books Read-Alouds

Are you looking for some hilarious picture books to share with your students? This list is sure to have your students laughing out loud! From silly characters to outrageous situations, these books are perfect for engaging young readers and encouraging a love of reading. Whether you’re looking for a book to read aloud or a fun addition to your classroom library, our list includes a variety of titles that are sure to entertain. So, grab a copy of one of these funny picture books and get ready to laugh your way through storytime with your students! This is a collection of 15 of my favorite funny chapter books to read with your third, fourth and fifth grade students. Some of the books would be appropriate for younger grades as well, especially as a read aloud. Most of the books are newer (although I did have to include a few
READ THE POST

Staying Cool in the Library is my blog, where I share my passion for fostering a love of reading with children. As a librarian, I believe reading should be fun and accessible to all students. That’s why I share engaging and interactive lesson plans, creative ways to build exciting library collections, and resources to inspire even the most reluctant readers in any classroom or library. Check out my blog posts and products in my store, and join my email list below.

Categories

Categories

QUICK LINKS

HOME

RESOURCE LIBRARY

SHOP

CONTACT

BESTSELLING PRODUCTS

DIGITAL LITERACY SKILLS

RESEARCH SKILLS

NOPREP PRINTABLES

PICTURE BOOK ACTIVITIES

LEGAL STUFF

DISCLOSURE POLICY

PRIVACY POLICY

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

JOIN MY FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY!

© 2025 STAYING COOL IN THE LIBRARY | All Rights Reserved