Imagination Soup shares curated book reviews, book lists, and learning resources for parents, teachers, and librarians. As a former teacher, former literacy trainer, and a mother of two, you can trust my expertise in children's books, reading levels, developmental appropriateness, and education. Join my community of 35,000 subscribers by signing up for my weekly newsletter!
Back to School Books I New Chapter Books I Disability Books
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If your kids or students need a little bibliotherapy for back-to-school, today I'm sharing new and classic picture book recommendations about big feelings, making friends, the first day, and being themselves. Also, I want to thank you for choosing to read my reviews and not the AI snippets stolen from my blog and others. Unlike AI, I am real and taught elementary grades, trained teachers in literacy best practices, have a Master's in Education, and am the parent of two children. (One of my kids is neurodiverse and the other has had significant health issues, including a seizure disorder.) All of my experiences inform my book recommendations. Thank you so much for your support. Make Reading & Writing Fantastically Fun with Night Zookeeper!#AD Make this school year your child’s most creative yet with Night Zookeeper - the fun, award-winning language arts program that turns reading & writing into an adventure! Kids build confidence and essential language arts skills through games, stories, and challenges. New Back-to-School Books, 2025 (Ages 4 - 8)Back-to-school is right around the corner, but are you ready with the latest and greatest picture books that celebrate life at school? 60 Favorite Back-to-School Picture Books (Ages 4 - 8)Read aloud these essential school-themed picture books about the first day, separation anxiety, making friends, big feelings, and being yourself. (Download a free printable list, too.) 10 New Chapter Books (Ages 6 - 9)Here are ten new chapter books I think your growing readers, ages 6 to 9, will love to read. Librarians Open New Worlds One Book at a Time (Ages 4 - 8)Lauren H. Kerstein honors librarians with an inspiring collection of picture books, including her own beautiful story, HOPE RODE. (You're going to love it.) Excellent Children's Books About Physical Disabilities (Ages 4 - 12)Representation of physical disabilities in children’s books IS SO IMPORTANT! Kids need to see themselves as heroes of stories –> mirrors. And other kids need to step into the lives of someone else to build empathy and understanding –> doors and windows. Here are 40 recommendations. Recommended Children's Books About Learning Disabilities (Ages 4 - 12)Here are amazing children's books with characters who have learning disabilities. Happy August and back-to-school season! Love, Melissa Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | LinkedIn | Amazon | Blue Sky –> If you know someone who would like this book reviews newsletter, they can subscribe here. P.S. For tips on book marketing, school visits, and author branding, you can subscribe to my Imagination Soup Consulting newsletter here. |
Hi! I'm a Melissa Taylor of Imagination Soup.
Imagination Soup shares curated book reviews, book lists, and learning resources for parents, teachers, and librarians. As a former teacher, former literacy trainer, and a mother of two, you can trust my expertise in children's books, reading levels, developmental appropriateness, and education. Join my community of 35,000 subscribers by signing up for my weekly newsletter!
This summer, I started volunteering at a horse therapy (hippotherapy) barn. When I walk into the barn, the sounds and smells immediately make me feel more relaxed, joyful, and energized.Yes, I’m volunteering to give to others, but really, the experience is giving so much more to me. Do you have any experiences like this in your life? Melissa with Blondie at The Right Step New Nonfiction Books, August 2025 (Ages 4 - 12) Are you ready to see what’s new and wonderful in nonfiction kidlit that...
One of my daughter's nannying charges has been "fake reading" and lying about what she's read. So what can you do with a reader like this? (After you've determined there is not a reading disability interfering-- which often is why a child is more reading avoidant.) Reading helps readers improve. Therefore, our goal for kids is reading. Here are some ideas for positive motivation to encourage any or more reading: MONEY FOR NEW BOOKSMoney to spend at yard sales or bookstores. STICKER BOOKS (OR...
Last week, I zipped through a middle grade graphic novel. It took me about 40 minutes. It made me think about the difference in time spent reading and the number of words I was reading compared to a prose novel. Compared to most prose novels, graphic novels have fewer words and they're quicker in terms of sustained reading time. Both matter for growing readers. Ultimately, the more words a child reads, the better their vocabulary and reading comprehension will be. Don't misunderstand. I will...