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 Picture Books, Lunar New Year, & Book Club Books
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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 interactive stories for ages 4 to 8. New Chapter Books (Ages 5 - 8)Keep your growing readers reading good books with these new chapter book titles with adventure, a love of animals, and friendship. Free Virtual Author Visit to Empower Young WritersAward-winning children’s book author Ellen Potter is offering Imagination Soup educators the chance to book her for a free virtual school visit with 10 preorders of her forthcoming chapter book, Squirlish: Central Park Ghost. In her visit, Ellen will share how authors find story ideas, create vivid characters, and harness the power of revision--followed by a lively Q & A. This is only available to the first 20 schools who contact Ellen. Offer expires March 1! Lunar New Year Books (Ages 4 - 10)Lunar New Year, the Year of the Snake, begins on January 29. I have 16 children's book recommendations about Lunar New Year for you to share with children. Black History Month Biographies (Ages 4 - 12)Check out these inspiring and informational biographies about the lives, experiences, struggles, achievements, and contributions of Black individuals throughout history to the present day. Book Club Book Lists (Ages 7 - 12)Want to make reading social? Start a book club! I've updated my recommendations of discussion-worthy books that are thought-provoking, relatable, and relevant to children's lives. --> Need info to get started? Read "How to Start a Book Club". Get your kids talking about ANY book with a list of open-ended questions. Grab the FREE printable download here. Book Lists with Printable Lists: Happy reading! Love, Melissa --> If you know someone who would like this newsletter, they can subscribe here. –> If you're a children's book creator, check out my new business, Imaginarium Author Solutions. 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!
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...
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...
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...