1st Grade (Age 6)

“UNLESS someone like you… cares a whole awful lot… nothing is going to get better… It’s not.”
Long before saving the earth became a global concern, Dr. Seuss, speaking through his character the Lorax, warned against mindless progress and the danger it posed to the earth’s natural beauty.

“I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, As long as I’m living, My baby you’ll be.” Since Love You Forever was first published in 1986, millions of parents have lulled their children to sleep with these affectionate words. This picture book will widen the influence of this soothing message.

“Ma! there’s nothing to do here!” complains the precocious protagonist of this rhyming tale set entirely in utero. It’s not exactly a scintillating experience spending nine months in your mother’s womb. You’re just stuck there at the end of that dumb bungee cord (a.k.a. the umbilical cord), with nothing whatsoever to do but slosh around. But, oh, the endless joys you have to look forward to as you listen to the tick-tock of ma’s happy heart clock and await that happy day when you finally come out to play.

Madlenka, based on Sís’s own daughter, is a pure delight. Madlenka has discovered that her tooth is loose and wants the whole neighborhood to know. Once down the stairs of her apartment building, Madlenka shares her news with everyone on her colorful and diverse New York City block. She takes a turn around the world as she visits Mr. Gaston at his patisserie, Mr. Singh at his newspaper stand, and various other neighbors. Sís’s art delights as you peek through die-cut windows and find surprises.

An equally silly and satisfying tale is the latest work in the popular series about Martha, a dog who learns to speak after eating alphabet soup. What does Martha do when she comes upon a crotchety canine whose owner utters harsh words instead of kindness? Martha teaches a parrot how to encourage the grumpy puppy and transform it into a lovable pet.

This playful anthology of poems introduces math language and concepts. Poets Janet Wong, Karla Kuskin, David McCord, and others take a look at how math affects our daily lives. Topics from counting and measuring to percentages and fractions are covered. Bright, color illustrations and a healthy scoop of humor add to this math experience.

Another character who doesn’t seem to fit in is Max. The son of legendary heroes Captain Lightning and Madam Thunderbolt, he is expected to become a superhero. But unlike his parents, Max doesn’t quickly learn to fly. Prodding and teasing do not speed up the process. It’s only when flying is required to save a helpless creature that Max takes to the air. This brightly colored book offers hope to other late bloomers.

“What you don’t like in others could be in your own house,” and “Experience is the Mama of Science” are only a couple of the Mexican-American proverbs in this festive bilingual collection. Whimsically illustrated with bright, colorful paintings, these proverbs capture the flavor of Mexico’s folk traditions.