Graphic Novel

Title: El Deafo

Author: Cece Bell

This graphic novel is a true story about the author and her experiences with hearing loss at a young age. She chronicles her journey as she uses the power of her hearing aid to become “El Deafo, Listener for All”. This is a wonderfully written autobiography that is in the form of a graphic novel. It is so important that students read about other students who may have a disability because I believe that it is an opportunity to teach awareness, respect, and empathy for others.

Rating: 5/5

This graphic novel is a MUST HAVE in the classroom. I read through the whole thing in one sitting because I could not put it down. Its illustrations make it fun to read and give learning about the experiences of someone who is deaf a new, fun twist.

Poem for Children

Title: I’ve Lost My Hippopotamus

Author: Jack Prelutsky

Illustrator: Jackie Urbanovic

This book of poems includes more than 100 funny poems and silly pictures to accompany. A lot of the poems are about animals, some real, some not so real. This is a book of poems that I found to be adorable and so fun to read. I usually find poetry to be intimidating, confusing, and just painful to read. However, this book of poems turned my frown upside down and I had fun reading poems, laughing on every page.

Rating: 5/5 Hippos

This poetry book is perfect for beginning poets. It is a fun book to read aloud to the class or have available for students to read on their own time. It’s fun and creative and is sure to inspire some pretty big imaginations.  

Poem for Children

Title: Runny Babbit Returns: Another Silly Book

Author: Shel Silverstein

This book is composed of 41 poems that are accompanied by silly, fun drawings. This poetry book is full of tongue-twisting words and creative characters. Anything by Shel Silverstein is something that you should have in the classroom. This book is enjoyable for children of all ages and shows that poetry does not have to be confusing and full of big words, it can also be fun and playful.

Rating: 5/5

Like I just said, I think that this book really shows children that poetry is not as complicated and sophisticated as they might think. Poetry can be fun and silly, and I think that reading a book like this or reading poems like these to students will help encourage their love for poetry. If you haven’t read this or anything else by Shel Silverstein, you are missing out and should definitely give it a shot!!