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!
New Middle Grade Books, New Business, & a Reading Challenge
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I had an entirely different message to send you, but then the fires happened. I’m a praying person, but sometimes all I can articulate is “Help” For those of you affected or with loved ones affected, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. In other news, because Google crushed my ability to earn a living from Imagination Soup, I'm excited to share about my new business created with my friend & writing partner, Ellen Potter: IMAGINARIUM AUTHOR SOLUTIONS. In this business, we will support authors and illustrators in these ways: Want to work with us? Shoot us a message anytime! We’re here to help. Onward to the books because I’m still writing Imagination Soup, too! :) (Go, me.)
New Middle Grade, January 2024 (Ages 9 - 12)This reading year is off to a great start. Here are eight new middle grade books that I can't wait for you to know about! Reading Challenge (Ages 7 - 12)Challenge your kids and get the EXCITED to read! Download the 25-page printable 2025 30-Day Reading Challenge for kids to help support your children with their reading goals of 20 minutes (or more) of daily reading. You’ll be gamifying reading — and helping kids set reading goals. What’s not to love about that? U.S. Reading Road Trip Challenge (Ages 8 - 12)Take a middle grade reading road trip around the USA by reading books set in each state or a certain region of the United States of America, from A for Alaska to W for Wyoming. MLK, Jr. Day Books (Ages 3 - 9)How do you teach your kids or students about Martin Luther King, Jr.? I recommend listening to King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and reading Martin Luther King Jr books! Westward Expansion Books (Ages 5 - 12)Most, if not all, students in the United States study the the Westward Expansion. Here are partner books you can use in your history curriculum. May you find calm in life's storms. Love, Melissa P.S. I'm trying out an advertisement today because it helps to pay for my newsletter service. Thanks for your support! Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | LinkedIn | Amazon | Blue Sky |
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!
Writing - Closing the Loop Like many of you, I'm obsessed with mysteries—novels, detective series, and crime podcasts. People love a good mystery because we crave resolution. A mystery presents us with an open loop—an unresolved puzzle. We need to close the loop to feel satisfied. But writing, especially long-form projects like novels, forces us to live with an open loop for months or even years. That lingering uncertainty can feel pretty discouraging. When you sit down to work on your novel,...
Big news in the children's publishing industry. This morning, the Newbery and Caldecott medal and honor books were awarded by the American Library Association Youth Media. (Along with more awards, too!) The below image gives you a hint. Check out the winners! What do you think? Who did they miss? If you want to refresh your memory of what won in the past, here are the last two years winners: 2024 Newbery & Caldecott Awards 2023 Newbery & Caldecott Awards Have a great week, and happy reading!...
Are your readers making reading goals and reflecting on who they are as readers? It's empowering to set goals, take steps to achieve those goals, and reflect on your progress. (I think reflection is one of the most powerful tools we can teach children, don't you?) It may be helpful to discuss the Rights of the Readers with your students and children and read about my process for goal setting with kids. New Picture Books (Ages 4 - 8) The new year in picture books features funny, sweet, and...