This book is inspired by an annual event in the author's community. Hundreds of volunteers come together for The Labor of Love gathering where they help repair the homes of the elderly, disabled and needy.
Young Wilson visits his elderly neighbor GiGi and each time tells her that ONE DAY he will fix a part of her house that is worn or broken. All year he dreams of the plan until the day comes when neighbors and friends come together to take care of one of their own. One day is here.  Share this story of compassion and generosity to spark the spirit of can-do kindness. 




​Tessa's Picks, K-2nd grade, Picture Books

This books is about your heart. (The little bit inside of you that makes you, you!) In simple words and evocative images, the message is conveyed that words have extraordinary power.  They can heal or hurt, they can create or destroy.  Words can spread love. Read this book and foster empathy and compassion in the youngest readers.  "Today, somebody's world can be a better place because of you! Doesn't that make your heart feel good?"  Pass it around.

Tessa's Picks, K-1st grade, Picture books,

Reading comforts me.
I find magazines in trash piles.
Reading leads to writing.
I find poetry in tomato fields,
and stories in the faces
of weary workers.

-from "Tomas Rivera" by Margarita Engle

This gorgeous collection of poetry highlights many lesser-known figures from artists to activists. The poems are short but inspiring and made me want to learn more about the people described. It would be a great class share, especially with the full-page mixed media illustrations that could each make beautiful posters on their own. Brief additional biographical information is included in the back, but you will probably want to do more research on your own after reading.

Bravo!: Poems about amazing Hispanics by Margarita Engle; illustrated by Rafael Lopez

Erica's Picks
2nd - 5th
Tags: Biography, Picture Books, Poetry

​When Lola spills orange juice all over a nice, white armchair she exclaims "I've ruined everything! I'll hide in the library! They have books and bathrooms. And I'll stay there till I'm a grownup." But on the way to the library one catastrophe follows another and soon Lola's gathered a large group. When everything seems to go wrong a little bird whispers "accident" and shows everyone how to own up to their mistakes make it all better again instead of running away.

I would have spent hours pouring over the details in these illustrations as a kid. There's so many small, humorous moments in the background. Above all I like that it emphasizes that accidents are okay and everyone from kids to adults can have them. The characters' overreactions are funny, but in the end the message that is clear that calmly admitting your mistake and helping to fix it is the way to go.

Adults might appreciate this episode from Hidden Brain talking about how language can influence the way we see the world. Part of it focuses on how our language around accidents affects where we place the blame and how we remember them. https://www.npr.org/2018/01/29/581657754/lost-in-translation-the-power-of-language-to-shape-how-we-view-the-world

Just look at all the hilarious details in one page of this book:

Accident by Andrea Tsurumi
Erica's Picks
k-2nd Grade
​Tags: Picture Books

Two star-crossed lovers from feuding clans meet; both families are traveling performers in California’s central valley.  Lace’s Hispanic family, the Palomas, swim in mermaid exhibits in the river; all the women are marked with a pattern of scales. The French Corbeaus dance in the tallest trees clad in beautiful wings. Cluck has feathers growing from the nape of his neck and a clawed hand deformed by his sadistic brother. Lace has been warned that his kind are pure black magic and a touch from them can kill.
When Cluck rescues Lace from a disastrous chemical explosion, his touch instead immerses her in his world and an enchanting relationship begins. This is magical realism at its best.  The writing is heartbreakingly exquisite.
An old feud, a new love, a long buried secret, a flash of mermaid tails, a flutter of fairy wings infuse this tender story with the power of fear, love and honesty.

Tessa's Picks, 6-7th grade, Romance, Contemporary Fiction
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