Literacy Matters Winter 2022

where Brian feels like he belongs. The illustrator thoughtfully portrays these sentiments and this idea. Brian’s “invisibility” is depicted with dull, monochromatic colors, whereas the other characters are vibrantly colored. While Brian ponders whether his presence in the classroom is noticed, he pours himself into his artwork and drawings. His detailed and intricate drawings are displayed throughout the book and demonstrate his talent and passion for art. One day, a new student joins the class and changes things for Brian. The Invisible Boy sends a positive and powerful message about our impact on each other. This story presents a unique perspective where the new student does not feel like an outcast but instead explores the ability of someone new to include and drastically change the environment for an individual who already feels as though they do not belong. Brian’s story of feeling invisible is told in a way that encourages the reader to empathize and root for him as he seeks to find a sense of belonging in the classroom.

is a stunning portrayal of kindness through the lens of a child. The wordlessness of the picture book transfers power to the reader, who can gain more insight through every retelling of the illustrations. This story implores readers to seek beauty in their own lives and share it with those who need it most; revealing kindness is not about what you have but how you share your love.

Strictly No Elephants Mantchev, Lisa. (2015). Illus. by Taeeun, Yoo. Unpaged. Simon & Schuster. 9781481416474. $17.99 (Primary) —Maggie Sullivan Bats and Skunks and Elephants, Oh My! When you think of a pet, an elephant may not be quite what you had in mind. “Strictly No Elephants” by Lisa Mantchev shows children how important it is to include

Literacy Matters General Articles

What Is Given from the Heart

everyone in a fun and colorful way. This story is about a boy and his tiny elephant who are excited to go to the Pet Club at number 17, but once they get there, they are not allowed in because having a pet elephant is “different.”The sign on the door reads “Strictly No Elephants .” As the pair walks through the city, disappointed, they encounter a girl and her skunk who are also banned from the pet club. The two children realize being different is not always bad. With the help of more kids and their unique pets, the boy and his elephant create a community where everyone is valued and included. The illustrations in this story created by Taeeun Yoo are colorful and catch your eye on every page. They are full of bold colors and are simple in design to highlight the emotions of the story. You can immediately feel the connection between the boy and his elephant as soon as you open the first page. They are best friends, even down to their matching red scarves. As you flip through the book, you will wonder how anyone could ever want to leave these strange and wonderful animals out of the pet club. This story of a boy and his elephant shows the importance of friendship, being kind, and having each other’s backs “because that’s what friends do’’.

McKissack, Patricia C. (2019). Illus. by Harrison, April. Unpaged. Schwartz & Wade Books. 978-0-375-83615-2. $17.99 (Primary) —Katherine Davis When a slew of terrible events hits nine-year-old James Otis and his mother, things go from pretty bad to even worse for the two of them. With no Daddy, no dog, and going

home just in time for the holidays, James’ mother refuses to let these circumstances get them down. Enter seven-year-old Sarah Temple, whose family needs aid after a terrible house fire. During the holiday season, the community church comes together to provide love boxes for families in need. Even though James and his mother do not have much themselves, they want to find something to share in the Temple family’s “love box,” but what could James have that Sarah would want? She would not want his old sparkling rock, his used whistle, or his puzzle with a few missing pieces. Those were all special to him, but James figured they would not help Sarah at all. As the deadline for assembling the boxes approached, James thought about Reverend Dennis’ Sunday message about giving from his heart, and he finally came up with the perfect gift for Sarah. He knew that a meaningful gift from his heart would encourage Sarah more than anything else. In this uplifting book by famous Newberry Honor author Patricia McKissack, James and Sarah teach each other about the joy of kindness even when you do not have much yourself. In her debut book, April Harrison’s beautiful collage-like illustrations emphasize using what you have to create something beautiful. Between making a new friend in their time of need, sharing the power of kindness, and the gift of giving coming full circle for young James, this Coretta Scott King Award winner and Junior Library Guild Selection makes for a perfect addition to your library. This remarkable book reminds us that we must all give from the heart!

The Invisible Boy Ludwig, Trudy. (2013). Illus. by Barton, Patrice. Unpaged. Alfred A. Knopf. 9781582464503. $17.99 (Primary) —Hannah Buford “He sits there wondering invisible.” Have you ever been in a situation like this, where you know you are physically there but wonder if you others notice you or would which is worse - being laughed at or feeling

notice if you were not there? In this story, a young boy named Brian navigates school while feeling like an invisible student. His classmates never acknowledge or include him in activities at recess or lunch. He even wonders whether his teacher notices him in the classroom. Overall, school is not a place

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