By Ellen Tarlow; Illustrated by Lauren Stringer
Outside In
By Deborah Underwood; Illustrated by Cindy Derby
Lori the Librarian |
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Looking for a Smile By Ellen Tarlow; Illustrated by Lauren Stringer Outside In By Deborah Underwood; Illustrated by Cindy Derby A sweet and simple story about friendship becomes a useful and thoughtful story about the times when we find ourselves filled with a bit of melancholy and depressed feelings. Bear and Smile are the best of friends who do most everything together with great joy and enthusiasm. Until, one morning, Smile doesn’t wake up to join Bear and the world turns blue. Bear searches for Smile in all the places they use to hang out and receives encouraging help from his friends. But it takes a while. It is not until Bear sits mindfully with Bird and begins to hum that Bear is able to find and engage with Smile again. The illustrations both express delight and upset in a perfect way for young preschool to early elementary school children to appreciate. Teachers, Mental health professionals and parents will appreciate using this picture book. Outside In could be used along with the book, Looking for Smile. It too shows a character, who is feeling blue and unconnected with her outside world. In absolutely beautiful and natural watercolor paintings, the outer world of the child beckons with smells, sounds, colors and “slow magic tricks.” The book presents the importance of the Outside as a balance to our inner feelings. It encourages the reader to embrace this Outside world which in turn will cuddle and hold us. It gives permission for us to be inside and to rest but then to start fresh on a new day. Another very good picture book to be used when sharing feelings with preKindergarten and elementary aged school children.
1 Comment
Shoshana
4/13/2021 05:20:15 pm
I love these recommendations. This is so important and books are such a great lens to explore these mixed emotions with kids. I’ll be getting these soon!
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Author For 29 years I had the best job as School Librarian in the Aaron Kushner Library for grades Pre K-3 at the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston. Although I am retired, I remain Lori the Librarian. Archives
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