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 Nonfiction, Women's History Month, & Mentor Texts
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I go through reading burnout phases from time to time. Do you? So, I've been taking a break from my kidlit reading for a few weeks and reading adult nonfiction books. One recent book I loved is Cues by Vanessa van Edwards --it's great for introverts and extroverts alike. Have you read it? How do you switch up your reading when you need to re-energize your reading life? What do you tell your readers when they’re in a “nothing is good” phase? I did sneak in some kidlit nonfiction a few weeks ago--and found some gems. Let's dive into those books first. New Nonfiction Books (Ages 4 - 12)If you’re a librarian or teacher ordering for your school or classroom or a parent or grandparent hoping to add to your home library, here are the outstanding new-release nonfiction books you’ll want to consider.
Read, Write, Draw: Interactive Books Kids Love (Ages 6 - 10)Your readers will love these interactive read,write, draw (or craft) chapter book adventures that are part story, part activity book! Fun, right? Mentor Texts (Ages 5 - 12)Professional writers use mentor texts to become better writers, and we can use mentor texts with readers and writers, too! Mentor texts model strategies and craft moves. *Read this first: How to Use Mentor Texts with Children* All the Mentor Text Book Lists (bookmark this!) Description (Sensory Details) Sequencing (Beginning, Middle, End) Similes & Metaphors (Figurative Language) Women's History Month Biographies (Ages 3 - 12)March is Women's History Month. Get ready with your library holds or bookstore purchases! Prepare to be inspired by these wonderful biographies. Wishing you a lovely day full of joyful moments. Love, Melissa Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | LinkedIn | Amazon | Blue Sky –> If you know someone who would like this newsletter, they can subscribe here. P.S. If you're a kidlit writer or illustrator who wants to know how to pitch a book reviewer, I have a checklist & examples 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!
One of the most important thing you can do over the summer is ensure your readers are reading DAILY. Why? Because regression is real. To that end, here are several ideas to keep up the reading motivation this summer. Start a book club! Read a book with a movie or show. Grab my fun-filled Reading Journal. (Shown above. Interior pages here.) Make a cozy reading nook. Get a headlamp or book light and read under the covers. Read to a new (stuffed) reading buddy. Let your kids spend $20 at the...
Happy June! Have you tried to gamify your reading before? Yesterday, my twenty-year-old daughter explained to me that she and her best friend love playing a bookstore game. They look for the weirdest manga book titles. Here are some examples:Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks?Because I, the True Saint, was Banished, that Country is Done For! Fun, right? You can do this, too! Think about what fun bookish games you could play with your readers. Maybe at the library they...
I'm thrilled to share a sneak peek at my first picture book, TOVA’S SWEET SOLUTION, which will be published on April 21, 2026 by Red Comet Press! How cute is this artwork from illustrator Aurélie Lise-Anne? TOVA’S SWEET SOLUTION is a heartfelt and deliciously sweet story about food allergies, creativity, resilience, and the magic of family.Bursting with playful language, cozy charm, and a dash of culinary creativity, this story celebrates perseverance, problem-solving, and the loving support...