New Children’s Books November 2024
Childrens Titles Dropping the week of Nov 11, 2024
This site is anAmazon Affiliate. Your purchase results in a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Book Talk: Phil’s Big Day by Liza Woodruff
Hello, everyone! Today, I want to talk to you about a charming and funny story that will help kids—and maybe even adults—understand how it feels to be nervous and what we can do about it. The book is called Phil’s Big Day by Liza Woodruff.
This is the night before Groundhog Day, and everyone is super excited for Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog who predicts the weather. Everyone, that is, except for Phil! Phil is feeling anxious, and he just can’t get to sleep. His family has big expectations—after all, it’s a family tradition—and they’re counting on him to do his job perfectly. Phil is worried about it all, and he can’t stop thinking about it!
To make matters worse, his little sister Marla is super excited and insists on helping him practice for the big day. She even teaches him a poem to help him remember what to do. But when the big day arrives, Phil’s nerves completely take over, and he can’t remember what he’s supposed to do. Should he be looking for his shadow? Or not looking for his shadow? His mind is all mixed up. It’s a good thing Marla is there to support him and remind him that things will be okay.
This story is perfect for kids who may feel anxious about new or challenging experiences. It gently shows that everyone, even groundhogs, can feel nervous sometimes—and that having someone to support you can make all the difference. And, by the way, Marla’s little poem will probably make you smile!
Why This Book is Special
Phil’s Big Day is not just about Groundhog Day—it's about understanding that it’s okay to be nervous. Phil has all these worries, but by the end of the story, he finds a way to handle them. His sister Marla helps him calm down and think clearly. This book helps kids see that while they may feel worried at times, there are ways to cope with those feelings—and sometimes, a little support from a family member or friend is all you need to feel better.
Tips for Parents and Teachers:
Talk About Nerves: After reading the story, ask kids if they’ve ever felt nervous about something big. What helped them feel better? You can even share your own experiences of feeling anxious and what helped you through it.
Practice Coping Strategies: Phil finds comfort in making pancakes and practicing with Marla. You could create your own "calm down" routine. Maybe it’s a breathing exercise, a favorite activity, or just talking things out.
Use the Poem: Phil’s sister Marla teaches him a fun poem to remember what to do. You could have kids come up with their own silly poems to help them remember something important, like their class schedule or the steps to a task.
Emphasize Support: Talk about how Phil’s sister helped him when he was feeling nervous. Discuss the importance of supporting friends or family members who may feel anxious, too.
This story is a wonderful way to show kids that it’s okay to feel nervous, but it’s even better when you have a loving, supportive team behind you!
So, whether you’re teaching about feelings or just looking for a fun way to celebrate Groundhog Day, Phil’s Big Day is sure to be a hit in your classroom or at home!
Book Talk: A Hat for House: One Storm, Many Helpers by Audrey Perrott, illustrated by Druscilla Santiago
Hello, everyone! I’m so excited to share a sweet and uplifting book with you today—A Hat for House: One Storm, Many Helpers by Audrey Perrott, with illustrations by Druscilla Santiago. This is a story about community, teamwork, and a little bit of humor, all wrapped up in a cozy picture book.
In A Hat for House: One Storm, Many Helpers, we meet a house who has something very important on his head: his roof, or "hat"! But one windy day, the wind blows so hard that House’s hat goes flying off! Oh no! What is House going to do now? His friends—like the trees, the birds, and the flowers—try to help, but nothing quite works. The wind keeps blowing, the thunder rumbles, and House starts to feel nervous and exposed. Will he ever feel like himself again?
But just when things seem hopeless, more of House’s neighbors come to the rescue. They work together, get creative, and come up with a plan for a brand-new hat—one that fits House perfectly. With a little teamwork and a lot of heart, House’s worries are eased, and he learns that even when things go wrong, his community will always be there to help him out.
This book is perfect for showing kids the power of working together and helping each other through tough times. It also reminds us that when things seem scary or uncertain, we don’t have to face them alone—sometimes, our neighbors, friends, and family can make all the difference.
Why This Book is Special
What’s really fun about this story is that the main character is a house! House might not have arms or legs, but he still has feelings—sadness, worry, and later, joy and gratitude. The illustrations are warm and playful, and House’s big eyes and front door mouth make him come alive in the most endearing way. The humor in the illustrations makes this story lighthearted, even when things seem a little stormy. It’s a wonderful mix of silliness and heart, perfect for young readers!
Tips for Parents and Teachers:
Discuss Community: After reading the book, talk with kids about what it means to be part of a community. Ask them how they help their neighbors or how they’ve been helped by others. What kinds of things can we do when someone needs assistance?
Problem-Solving Together: In the story, House’s neighbors have to think outside the box to solve the problem. You can use this as an opportunity to talk about problem-solving skills. What creative solutions can kids come up with when faced with a challenge? You might even brainstorm as a group!
Building Empathy: Since House is a house, not a person, it’s a great way to discuss empathy. You can ask kids how they think House is feeling when his roof blows off, and why he might be sad or scared. It’s a fun way to explore emotions and teach kids how to recognize feelings in themselves and others.
Art Project: House gets a new hat, so why not let the kids make their own "hats" for a house? You could do an art project where they draw or decorate their own houses and design fun hats for them out of paper or craft materials. What kind of hat would their house wear?
A Hat for House: One Storm, Many Helpers is a perfect read for showing the importance of community and how, together, we can weather life’s storms. It’s a fun and heartwarming story that will leave everyone feeling a little more hopeful and a little more connected.
This book will be a hit for storytime, whether you’re talking about community, creativity, or simply enjoying a story full of heart and humor. It’s a wonderful addition to any classroom or home library!
What are you reading??? Drop me a comment below :)
